Katie Wright spent years hiding from her desires, her truth, and the life she secretly longed for. Now, with Alex by her side, she’s finally out of the shadows… but the ghosts of her past refuse to stay buried. Old wounds, regrets, and fears threaten to pull her back into hiding just when she’s learning to be brave.
Meanwhile, Alex is fighting battles of her own—personal and professional challenges that test her patience, her heart, and her ability to be the partner Katie needs.
Together, they must navigate a world that isn’t always kind to love like theirs. Because living openly isn’t just an act of courage—it’s an act of trust, devotion, and love.
Will Katie confront her past? Can Alex face her struggles without losing herself or the woman she loves? Or will the weight of life’s challenges tear them apart before they can fully claim their future?
This book continues with Alex and Katie exactly where Closeted left off, so you must read it first. I absolutely love Alex and Katie! They have amazing chemistry and when they are together it is spicy as h3ll!! I was really happy with their ending. Can't wait to see what Lillian has for next!
I read both Closeted and Outed pretty much back to back. As much as I enjoyed book 1, I enjoyed this one more. It was still relationship driven between Alex and Katie, but a lot more is explored outside of the bedroom. We still get plenty of top level spicy scenes, we just get more personality. Alex's parents, friendships etc.
Right when I thought it would just be a fluff and smut read about halfway through, BAM! I'm not sure I'd call it plot but then build, tension and characters working through it are amazing. A very satisfying life shattering, altering, struggle. All the big drama and undercutting I had wanted in the first book that came from being in the closet and outed... and everything I knew Katie's parents were. Evil.
Katie had huge personal growth in this book! She went from kind of a disappointing character in Closeted to cute BAMF in the end. Total bada$$ery. I actually loved the protectivness from everyone and the solution (I am trying not to give spoilers), giving major found family vibes which are perfect for a difficult coming out.
A solid 4 out 5 from my perspective! Again, really really well written too!
Thank you to author, Lillian Vex, for an e-ARC copy of this book for my honest review.
Outed contines the story of Katie and Alex from book 1, Closeted. In book 2, Katie and Alex continue to explore their new relationship, manage the bar that Alex owns, come to terms with the complex relationships with their parents, and work on merging their lives into one.
This was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed reading about all of the new places that Katie and Alex explored together. The level of spice was just right.
I did prefer book 1, but this book is still good, and could even be read as a stand-alone (but obviously is better to be read after Closeted). To me, it felt like an extended epilogue that turned into a novella. The minor conflict showed up around 70% into the book, but it was quickly resolved.
Minor spoiler: There is no 3rd act break-up scene (which I hate), so that was a pleasant surprise. This has a happily ever after for a great fictional couple. .
Thank you Lillian for the opportunity to read this e-arc early.
Short and sweet. This book continues the journey of Katie and Alex in the sequel to Outed. In this second book we get more of an insight into Alex and Katie’s relationship with a lot of spice.
Although I enjoyed the first book, I felt that I couldn’t quite connect as much with this sequel and found it a bit repetitive at times. It was quick and light, like a novella/holiday special and I enjoyed reading about how the characters have grown and the acceptance of themselves. Very spicy
Thank you to the author for the advance ARC, I personally enjoyed this book and it was my first sapphic love story.
I also bought this book and the first book. I wish I had read book 1 first because I know had I read book one this would be a 5 star read.
The first chapter is a kick to the guts because we hear about all the family’s stuff and the brother committing suicide. Katie’s parents are trash. I feel that Alex is a so strong, both of these gals deserved a HEA!
I cannot wait to read book 1 and then see what Lillian has in store for us!
Lillian did it again! I absolutely loved how everything was wrapped up, the closure with parents was ridiculously beautiful and the teaser between two other characters had me melting. The growth between Katie and Alex compared to the uncertainty in the first book was so heavily realistic it made me full on cry.
there was the perfect amount of spice with the plot, the story flowed naturally and it i cant wait to see what Lillian puts out next!
Oh my god, this story continues on with the life of Katie and Alex. The growth Katie made whilst being more open about her sexuality and her relationship with Alex was beautiful to read. The different emotions experienced during this read was immense but so worth it. it's so easy to connect! but it is spicy as hell which I definitely loved too! Can't wait to see what Lillian does next 😍
Thank you Lillian Vex for sending me the e-ARC. I had such a fun time reading it. It was short and sweet and DO NOT get me started on the spicy scenes!! The spice was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🔥
I loved how the book ended and conflicts resolved. Can't wait to read more from Lillian!! ❤️❤️
if i could rate this 6 stars i would. seeing the growth between alex and katie from book 1 to book 2 was so achingly beautiful. i am a lillian vex fan and can’t wait to devour whatever comes next
eARC Review. Thank you to author, Lillian Vex, for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
Sequel to Closeted — read in order
I don’t usually gravitate toward insta-love or insta-lust dynamics, but Alex and Katie’s relationship works for me because it evolves beyond immediate attraction into something emotionally grounded and deeply human. By the time the “I love you” moments surface, the connection feels developed rather than rushed.
Outed is where the emotional weight of their story truly unfolds.
This book explores what happens after the spark — when love collides with fear, family history, trauma, and the cost of living authentically. Katie’s journey resonated with me on a very personal level: conservative Christian upbringing, compulsory heterosexuality, the slow and frightening unraveling before fully accepting your identity. The mix of excitement and anxiety that comes with realizing “this is real” is portrayed with a lot of emotional honesty.
One of the biggest strengths of the author’s writing is accessibility. The prose isn’t overly flowery, which allows the emotional beats to land cleanly. I felt grounded in the characters’ experiences rather than distanced by dense language.
Katie’s arc shines in Outed. We see: • the anxiety before fully coming out • grief tied to family expectations • internalized shame and guilt • the turning point where self-acceptance outweighs fear
The payoff is that quiet, powerful joy of living openly, not because it’s easy, but because it’s finally honest.
Alex’s storyline adds another important layer: not fitting parental expectations, having your identity minimized, and wanting to be chosen publicly, not just privately. That emotional need creates real tension in the relationship without feeling artificial.
This isn’t an easy love story, but it’s an easy one to settle into. The emotional progression of their relationship feels tangible, and the healing they move through together feels earned.
If you like: • sapphic romance with emotional depth • queer awakening stories • healing from religious or familial shame • relationships built through hard conversations …this series is worth picking up.
Tropes / Themes • Queer awakening • Second chance at love • Healing from religious trauma • Found family • Public vs private identity
Vibe descriptor: Emotionally intimate, character-driven, identity-focused romance, lots of spice!
I had the honor of being an ARC reader for Outed after loving the first book, and it was the PERFECT ending to the Closeted duet! I am a queer person who is out to everyone except for my father, so both of these books hit hard. Katie's journey is so incredibly inspiring and I hope that I can show at least half of her strength and resilience when I come out.
This book was the perfect balance of cozy and overcoming. Alex and Katie's relationship blooms and overcomes every obstacle thrown their way for a well-deserved happy ending! As a chronically single person myself (lol), I loved living vicariously through their relationship. Lillian Vex's writing style shows prose and beauty to make for a read that you can hardly put down. I'm a slow reader, but both Closeted and Outed were finished quickly only for me to want more and more. I'm SO excited to see what else comes from this lovely author.
First of all, thank you to my dearest author friend Lillian Vex for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🥹🤍 I already loved the first book, so I went in excited… and she did it again!!
It’s such an easy, addictive read. The romance is so soft and cute, but also STEAMY in the best way. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and suddenly it was 2am 😭 I finished it in two days because I simply could not stop.
This was honestly the perfect Valentine’s read. Sweet, swoony, emotional, and just hot enough to keep you blushing a little 😌🔥
And Alex??? I am IN LOVE. She is so my type it hurts. I need her immediately.
Received an e-ARC from the author. Thanks so much Lillian! Release date is 2/14/26.
❤️Coming out journey ❤️Family dynamics ❤️ Second chance ❤️ Sequel to Closeted
Outed picks up right where Closeted left off, and I loved getting more of Katie and Alex.
This one feels really heartfelt as Katie continues navigating what it means to be fully out, and I loved that Alex was right there beside her through it all. Watching them build something real, especially while blending their families added such a meaningful layer to their relationship. It’s emotional and full of growth, and the spice is hottt 🔥
this was a very cute sequel to Closeted~ it was great to see their story coming together, and the genuine love the two of them had.
this book just felt more like a novella / epilogue to me, since the conflict was only about 15% of the book. but I’m so glad to see them finally living the life they deserve, and CANNOT WAIT to read more by this author ❤️
while this wasn’t a 5 star read for me, it was still a great, and very heartwarming read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a WLW romance of self discovery, love and acceptance <3
Thank you Author Lillian Vex for the eARC. Omg I love Katie and Alex! I really enjoyed seeing their growth throughout the First and Second book. Overall, I love their characters. <3 In Outed we definitely get to see Katie and Alex build & explore their relationship. There were moments I was smiling kicking my feet lol and moments where I teared up. OH, and the spice is spicy!! I really enjoyed this book & honestly this series became a top favorite of mine. <3
Outed by Lillian Vex is such a wholesome read. I loved Katie and Alex’s growth, the confidence and overall the love story. This book was so fun, outgoing, and easy to get lost in!