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SullenSapphic

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A Score Above the Rest

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-20-24

Spice Level: 1/5 Closed Door

This is book 2 out of 3 of the Senator's Wife series. If you haven't read the first book in the series and are contemplating this one, I would highly suggest reading the first book in the series because a lot will not make sense in this book if you do not read the first. That being said, if you haven't read the first book, some of what I say below might be a spoiler.

This is the continuing saga of Alex Grey and Catherine Cleveland as they navigate their complicated relationship. Alex continues as a rising star in the NWSL looking to make the USWNT that goes to the World Cup in England. Catherine is still navigating the tumultuous relationship with her (hopeful) soon to be ex-husband. Nothing can go wrong when you're in a secret relationship, right? That would be incorrect. The figurative poo hits the fan when secrets about this relationship come to light and drive a wedge between Alex and Catherine. When space is made, there is room for other things, or people, to make a move. Will Alex and Catherine find themselves together again? Will love find a way? Give it a read and find out, you won't be disappointed.

Again, I am a person who enjoys a good spicy romance book. This is not spicy so, if you're looking for spicy, definitely not for you. But, if you're willing to forego the spicy for a really good book/series, give it a go. I listened to the first book and was entranced by the story. The plot is actually kind of refreshing because in Sapphic books, at least not many that I have found, do you actually get sports and a romance. This book gives you the NWSL and the USWNT with actual writing of gameplay. Jen Lyon is a fan and you can tell in her writing because she knows what she's talking about. There is some heartbreak in this story and the way Jen Lyon writes it, you can feel it in your chest, like the actual heart wrenching ache for the yearning of the characters. Sometimes you have to lose it all to win.

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Not a Senators Wife Material

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-16-24

Spice Level: 1/5 Closed-Door

TW: Domestic violence and an almost domestic rape.

Catharine Cleveland and Alex Grey meet in the most incidental way. Alex happens to save Mrs. Cleveland from drowning just off the shore of a South Carolina beach that she just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Mrs. Cleveland is currently married to a U.S. Senator for South Carolina. Alex plays for the South Carolina NWSL team but is eventually traded away to the opposite coast, in California to play for the newest California NWSL expansion team. During this time and after the trade, Alex and Catherine forge a friendship and more. Complications arise due to Catherine being married and Alex dating Caleb. Catherine falls under more scrutiny as her husband puts in a bid to run for President. Can Catherine and Alex beat the odds to be together? Pick this title up and check it out.

I will say, for me, my only disappointment was the lack of spice. I definitely love my stories with some spice to them. That being said. This story kept me very interested. So interested, I'm now listening to the second book in the series. I am invested. The writing of Jen Lyon is magnificent. I especially loved the integration of the NWSL and the USWNT. I like both and, to me, some of the descriptions of the fictional NWSL teams, I was trying to guess who they might have been based off of and even the other player descriptions. Not sure when Jen Lyon was writing this story but talk of the expansion NWSL team out in California, I wonder if inspiration came from ACFC or Bay FC.

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First-Class Service

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-12-24

Spice Level: 3/5 Explicit Open-Door

Sadly, I will admit it took me quite a few chapters in before it slapped me in the face with what real-world news network the Hawks News network was referencing. I might have picked it up quicker if I was reading it but while listening to it, it took me a little bit but once I picked it up, I loved it. I am more biased towards these types of books because it is the fake dating/fake engagement trope. Something about them just sucks me in and I eat them up. So if you love these types of books then you will like this one as well. This is the second book I have read (listened) to by T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod and it has been another I have enjoyed.

No Spoilers

Reggie (Regina) Hawkins and her father, a billionaire media tycoon, are on a flight. They decided to forego the private jet and fly commercial this one time so they can look more approachable to the common people. Really bad turbulence causes Reggie to get up and run for the restroom and as she does, turbulence causes her to have a fateful meeting with Gwen Murphy, or at least her boobs. The plane has to land in Zurich due to being struck by lightning and they take time to get to know each other, and have sex. They go their separate ways, Reggie hoping to hear from Gwen and Gwen knowing she won't be contacting Reggie again. Reggie doesn't know Gwen is being hunted by a group who doesn't want her to release what information about them having access to advanced spyware. Circumstances happen to where Gwen is forced to get in contact with Reggie to get a job with the Hawks News corporation but there is a condition to that job, to marry Reggie for 2 years to help her gain control of the Hawks Media board. What happens with Gwen and the nefarious group after her? Does the ice around Reggie's heart melt for Gwen? Check the book out, you won't be disappointed.

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Two Tickets to Paradise

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-03-24

Spice Rating: 3/5 Explicit Open-Door

I listened to this book on Audible and it is read by Lori Prince, whom I love as a narrator.

Margo Wells is a wardrobe supervisor in Hollywood who, to no fault of her own, causes an accident on set which involves the spoiled uppity star of the movie. She is fired as a result. She almost hightails it out of town but her friend Asher convinces her to come with him to Hawaii and do a little acting of her own and pretend to be his cousin's fiancée. Low and behold, Asher's cousin is none other than the uppity actor who got her fired, Caroline Jacobs. They're almost able to pull off the ruse until those pesky feelings of love push their way through. Then to put the cherry on top, they're in Hawaii for Caroline's sister's wedding but the wedding is called off because Caroline's sister's fiancée was caught sleeping with none other than Margo's ex. Whew. This isn't it though. Caroline's mom needs to save her embarrassment and fill the wedding void with..... Caroline and Margo's wedding?? No. This isn't a spoiler. But if you want to find out what happens and witness the hijinx that happens, give this book a read. I definitely recommend it.

I will admit, I have a personal bias towards this book because I love this kind of trope. I love a good fake dating to actual lovers type romantic comedy. A lot of fun and crazy things happen in this book but of course, with some happiness comes some angsty sadness and I am here for it all.

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Don't listen and Drive

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 09-27-24

Spice Rating: 5/5 Explicit Open-Door

I listened to this book on Audible and it is read by one of the narrating queens (or at least I consider her to be a narrating queen), Lori Prince. She always reads things in a way that it draws my interest from the beginning.

To start off, I just have to say wow. I knew this was going to be a spicy book but it exceeded expectations (in a good way). If you're listening to this book, I highly recommend not driving while listening to it. Lol.

This book follows Annalise Finch whose grandmother signs her up on a women hook-up app and Brinley Adams who is a bartender that has a chance meeting with Annalise. While out on her first hook-up "date" that does not go very well for Annalise, she meets the bartender who is certain she can bed Annalise, Brinley. Because Annalise made a deal with her grandmother to give the app a try and she has to sleep with at least 5 women before deciding to quit the app, she strikes a deal with Brinley to teach her how to have sex with another woman. Brinley creates a legit syllabus and tests for Annalise to build her confidence in having sex with other women. Through this time together they become friends, Annalise gets courage to "connect" with other women on the app, and romantic comedy cliches happen in abundance (I really do love this). This is a no spoiler review so I will not be mentioning how things go between Annalise and Brinley. What I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could have listened to it all day if I didn't have to be a productive member of society. I will be more than likely listening to this again in the future.

I loved that Erica Lee used the romantic comedy cliches and then had the characters poke fun of those cliches. I also love books that I end up yelling at the characters to stop being so stupid. When I do this, I know I'm really enjoying a book. It is also refreshing to "read" a book that has family members that love their person no matter what. This book has that and it is very heartwarming.

The only dislike I had for this book is that it wasn't longer. If the story was another 8 hours longer to listen to, I would have ate that up as well.

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Rough Narrating / Storyteller

Overall
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-13-24

Wow. I barely made it to the third chapter before losing my patience. The person reading this story is horr-i-ble. Abysmal. It sounds like the story is being read by AI. Not for me. Maybe for someone else but definitely not me.

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Another Great Listen

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-04-23

I'm so glad I found Haley Cass. Her writing and Lori Prince's reading just pair together so well. Another book that has gotten me so into the story that I'm yelling at the characters. On to the next!!

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She Gets You InThe Feels

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-30-23

This is my 3rd Haley Cass book I have listened to in a row. Her style of writing makes you fall in love with the characters and her writing is so easy to get into. I'm so glad I stumbled upon Haley Cass. Also, I could listen to Lori Prince narrate books all day. Her voice is so smooth and makes the reading so engaging.

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I didn't want this to end

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-27-23

Great follow-up to Those Who Wait. Charlotte and Sutton are characters that are easy to love.

Also, Lori Prince is a queen of performing. I could listen to her read books all day.

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Spectacular Story. Spectacular Performance.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-26-23

I have never listened to this long of a book in such a short time. The story was never boring, and the narrator was very engaging. I will be listening to this again and again.

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