The Turning: A Steamy Lesbian Spy Thriller

by Ruby Scott

A Steamy Lesbian Spy Thriller
FORBIDDEN DESIRE. DEADLY SECRETS. THE SAPPHIC ROMANCE READERS CAN'T RESIST
She’s seduced diplomats, spies, and killers. She can outplay anyone. But this time, the game might turn on her.

Former Russian operative Suzette, once the most dangerous seductress in Moscow’s arsenal, has traded the shadows for sunlight in her Provençal vineyard—with her fierce wife Amber at her side.

But peace never lasts. When Yelena Federova, Suzette’s rival and former lover, arrives with an impossible proposition, Suzette is dragged back into the deadly game she swore she’d never play again.

The turn Dr. Nora Pelletier, a brilliant and beautiful tech billionaire whose AI breakthrough could shift the balance of global power.
The six weeks.
The Suzette’s family’s safety—and the truth about her own past, buried deep in Moscow’s files.

To succeed, Suzette must get closer to Nora than anyone ever has, uncovering not only her secrets but also her hidden desires. But seduction is a dangerous weapon—especially when lust turns into obsession and the line between love and betrayal blurs.

When desire becomes the game… who will win?

The Turning is a steamy lesbian spy thriller—perfect for readers of sapphic fiction who love danger, passion, and women who play to win.

Obsessed readers say The Turning is sapphic suspense at its best. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Don’t walk, RUN to get this book! ‘The Turning’ is officially my favourite read of the year! It’s jam-packed with action, tension and all the sapphic spice you’d expect from Ruby Scott!"

Genres: LGBT

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

For the religious writer please check Reverend Ruby^^Scott
For the lesfic writer please check GoodReads' author Ruby^^^^Scott

Reviews

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

The Turning by Ruby Scott completely surprised me in the best way.
I’m genuinely impressed by this book and by the genre as a whole. It’s a steamy lesbian spy thriller that manages to be both addictive and really smart.

I adored the characters (especially Suzette) and the way the story is told through several perspectives (like Suzette’s, Ashley’s, Yelena’s, Amber’s etc). That choice kept the tension high and made the story feel layered and alive. I flew through the book, constantly thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and itching to get back to it.
What stood out most for me was how well it handled the spy and political elements. The depiction of spies working against nations and all the power dynamics behind it felt believable and so very exciting. As someone studying political science and learning about international relations, it was great to see those themes handled in fiction with real care and insight.
The final showdown was everything I wanted: sharp, tense, and satisfying. I absolutely ate that part up.

A book I’d recommend to anyone who loves thrillers with heat, heart, and high stakes. Four solid stars.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well was not expecting that.
I really loved this book! 
all the stars and in my top reads this year.

The lead characters are Suzette and Yelena, both Russian born operatives trained to seduce, exploit and kill. They are also ex-lovers. The 'mark' chosen for Suzette is Nora a 'seemingly weak and fragile' tech billionaire with an obsession for good wine.

The plot is twisty but not complex for a 'spy thriller'. What appears more complex is the relationship dynamics of all the women involved in the story. There are quite a few, like a sapphic extended family. So then what follows is a story of manipulation, passion, betrayal and violence. I've seen it referred to as 'Killing Eve' on steroids and on reflection it seems apt. 

Steamy? Err yep! Heavily spiced  throughout. No slow burns in sight!

The writing is excellent, you are expertly hooked in from chapter one. The dialogue is mature, layered and balanced. There are flashback chapters cleverly used to help understand background, motives and behaviour. 

This is my first Ruby Scott book and it wont be my last. You can read it as a stand alone but its apparently a continuation from the 'Awakening of desires' series.

Check it out!

[Emma Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy 5 stars for The Turning!

Seriously, don’t walk, RUN to get this book! 👏🏼

The Turning is officially in my top 2 reads of the year! It’s jam-packed with action, tension and all the sapphic spice you’d expect from Ruby Scott! 🔥

The book picks up beautifully from the end of the ‘Awakening of Desire’ series and delves into all things Suzette - who she was, who she is now, and what she values most. I can’t remember the last time I got to know and understand a character quite as much as I have with Suzette. To simply say ‘excellent character development’ would be selling this book far too short!

The Turning is rich, layered, fast-paced and full of so many changing dynamics that you’ll be hooked from the first page! Think ‘Killing Eve’ on steroids, with a ton of added intrigue, suspense and white hot scenes! 🔥 

I honestly had no idea where this story would go next. I was on the edge of my seat from chapter 20 until the very end, gasps literally escaping my mouth! I had a dozen alternative narratives and conclusions running through my head, yet, as always, Ruby Scott chose the perfect ending… a beautiful full circle moment.

In short, this book was everything I hoped it to be and so much more! I can’t wait for this story to continue - I’m utterly hooked! 🙌🏼

I bought direct from her website and ebook preorders went out this morning.

[Georgina L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book! My new favorite of Ruby Scott’s! This story grabbed me right from the beginning and didn’t let go until long after I was finished reading it! Suzette was thrust back into Victoria’s life in Desire’s Truth, book 5 of An Awakening of Desire series. Now we are thrown into Suzette’s former life of spies, espionage and danger. The intrigue, the twists and the sex scenes…scorching…it’s got it all!

Ruby brings back all the ladies from the Awakening series and the way they are incorporated into the story is just brilliant! This is by far the best spy thriller I’ve read! This book is destined to be a best seller!

I was given an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. Honestly…this book is phenomenal!

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a intriging story of Suzette. After reading this book I understand the character better and I like her a lot:). This book is well written and is page turning with a lot of twist and turns. A recommandation to all for reading.

[Samantha Holder-Venter · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, when I was first introduced to Suzette in the previous book I honestly did not like or trust her straight away. Luckily for me, Ruby made me practically fall in love with her by the end of that book and I was desperately hoping we would get more of her in future books. As always, Ruby did not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed getting a deeper look into her and her backstory and I am so happy that we got blessed by this book! This story was the perfect blend of action, spice, pain, betrayal, growth, and tension and it blew me away. As always Ruby delivered a freaking masterpiece! I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a long time.

[Lynae M Henkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

My first book by Ruby Scott. I've got alot of catching up to do it seems. But I'm so looking forward to the next book! Read this book!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling

There are layers to this brand new installation. Action filled with passion and intensity for truth. Finding new love and adding it to an already strong family.

[Lorie Drummond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Scott just raised the stakes on spy thrillers!

From the very first chapter—sex and murder—The Turning hooks you hard and never lets go. At the center is a former female Russian operative. All the major intelligence agencies are circling, and nothing is ever quite as it seems. What unfolds is a high-stakes game of espionage, sizzling romance, and shifting alliances that expose the murky realities of global power.

Scott nails the pacing: sharp action sequences balanced with quiet, tense moments of mistrust and intimacy. And yes, the romance is steamy and sapphic—but don’t mistake this as a niche read. The writing, plotting, and character work are universal in their appeal. If you love spy thrillers, this stands shoulder to shoulder with the best of the genre.

What sets it apart is the authenticity of the relationships and the way personal stakes are seamlessly woven into global intrigue. More than a thriller, this story also explores the bonds of found family, making every twist resonate even deeper.

Sexy, smart, and impossible to put down, The Turning proves Ruby Scott is redefining the genre.

[Beth Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody fantastic

The twists and turns of this book remind me of the movie Salt. I was hooked from the start. Praying there is a whole series!

[Kellie T · Rating 5 out of 5]

If, like me, you devoured ‘Desire’s Truth’ and were desperate for Suzette’s story in all it’s glory, then strap in because this book doesn’t disappoint! 🔥

‘The Turning’ immediately catapults you into a world of intrigue, secrets, and lies that keep you guessing at every turn of the page! Suzette’s story is deliciously dark, full of danger, gasp out loud moments, and of course, packs a punch when it comes to passion and spice! 🌶️

This story truly is the most delicious game of cat and mouse, with the added intrigue of never fully knowing which is the cat and which is the mouse! 🤯

With some of my favourite characters returning from the incredible ‘Awakening of Desire’ series, and a whole host of new characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love with, ‘The Turning’ is a serious contender for my book of the year!

If you love sapphic romance with plenty of action, this really is your perfect read! 🙌

[Marisa Buccieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling, sexy, action-packed. This story has it all: sex, intrigue, action, and enough twists to keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end. This is a brilliant story.

[Boasie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I couldn’t put this book down. The story is amazing and the characters are incredible. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series and catch up with Suzette, Amber, Ashley, Yelena, and the rest of the gang.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this to become a series ASAP! I absolutely loved this book, from the plot to the characters to the spice. I absolutely did not see that twist in the middle coming, and the action and intrigue had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

[Carolyn, Scotland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it and am so excited to see what comes next for the family. The amount of research you must have done for this book, the details, the twists and turns, when the hunter became the hunted. I think I got whiplash several times whilst reading.
I loved how all the characters are onions. with new layers being peeled off with each new encounter to reveal something, hot, intriguing, shocking! Things I didn’t see coming.

I really think you are a master at your craft and I applaud you more for being able to keep me on the edge of my seat one minute, and still have me laughing out loud the next. Please tell me you’re already working on book two.

[Andietrue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ruby Scott and for the first half especially, I was completely absorbed. I went in expecting what I’d read on the cover - espionage and sapphic romance, and sure, both are there (well, not the conventional slow-burn, 3rd act break up type romance) but a different take on it. What surprised me was how seamlessly everything wove together: the spying, the politics, the emotional weight, the multiple relationships and ‘family’ dynamics. Suzette and Nora’s connection builds with such quiet intensity that it anchors the whole story. Love is the glue holding the chaos together.

The ‘family’ of women is messy, loyal, and deeply compelling. The twists and turns kept me hooked, it’s emotional, fierce, and complicated. A very good book.

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful start. What a brilliant Story!
Captivated from the first few words! And at times it was so intense that I had to stop reading and take a deep breath. Simply to enjoy the book and not rush it.
There is too much to pay attention to in order to properly take it all in.
Like a really good famous spy movie, only much better, because, well, really attractive, hot women with hearts in the right places, hot scenes and that little extra that I don't want to give away ;) Brilliant!
Suzette's story is one of pain and sacrifice.
Paved with ruthlessness and secrets, as you would imagine from the best in the business.
But she is also at a point in her life where feelings do play a role and not just what the client wants.
So begins a hunt where you don't know who the hunted is! I've said it before, but I'll say it again - brilliant!
Thanks to Ruby Scott for the ARC! I enjoyed reading it so much.
This is my honest review.

[MS J · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story, full of twists and turns. Felt like whiplash at times, but in a good way.
I wasn't sure how this was going to end and it didn't disappoint.
Equally Suzettes back story did not disappoint. Red Sparrow meets Killing Eve..... if that's possible
Not sure how Ruby Scott comes up with these stories that are rich in content and detail.
You always get a full length story.
Keep entertaining us Ruby.

[Christine Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Ruby Scott take a bow. This book is a phenomenal read it has everything you want in a book , the main characters dynamic were described with so much depth their connection to each other was embedded beautifully. making chosen family first priority i couldn't put it down definitely Must read congratulations

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as ARC reader and I absolutely loved it! It is like watching a very fast paced spy thriller with attractive and brave women that have hearts of gold. The story is addictive, the characters very likable and impressive, the writing is brilliant. All the characters in this book are admirable and strong, the real heroes!

[JAYNE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Scott's "The Turning" is a steamy thriller. A masterclass in suspense and seduction which grabbed me from the beginning and did not let up. Razor sharp pacing, magnetic characters, unpredictable tension had me craving more.

These are women that play to win. Totally gripping!

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non stop intrigue, lots of spice and stellar writing. Glad I bought it.