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Keep Talking: A Sapphic Age Gap Romance
They’re only supposed to pretend to want each other.
Bryn Garbo is a struggling actress with big dreams, a termite-infested apartment, and a secret side hustle as an erotic audio performer. When she lands a job recording the sapphic romance of the summer, her hope of breaking into audiobooks is finally within reach. If only her co-narrator weren’t Vivian del Castillo.
Vivian is a legend. A former Hollywood sex symbol turned reclusive narrator, she’s built her life around one no one gets close.
At first, they clash. Hard. But day after day in a sweltering studio, Bryn effortlessly chips away at Vivian’s resolve. One brushed elbow. One hungry gasp. One gaze that lingers too long.
When the recording ends, the real performance begins. As Vivian blames the heat on the booth and Bryn tries not to fall for the version of Vivian no one else gets to see, the question isn’t whether one of them will break. It’s whether either of them can survive what comes after.
Keep Talking is a steamy, slow-burn, age-gap romance about reclaiming identity, healing through intimacy, and finding not just a story worth telling, but a love worth living.
Bryn Garbo is a struggling actress with big dreams, a termite-infested apartment, and a secret side hustle as an erotic audio performer. When she lands a job recording the sapphic romance of the summer, her hope of breaking into audiobooks is finally within reach. If only her co-narrator weren’t Vivian del Castillo.
Vivian is a legend. A former Hollywood sex symbol turned reclusive narrator, she’s built her life around one no one gets close.
At first, they clash. Hard. But day after day in a sweltering studio, Bryn effortlessly chips away at Vivian’s resolve. One brushed elbow. One hungry gasp. One gaze that lingers too long.
When the recording ends, the real performance begins. As Vivian blames the heat on the booth and Bryn tries not to fall for the version of Vivian no one else gets to see, the question isn’t whether one of them will break. It’s whether either of them can survive what comes after.
Keep Talking is a steamy, slow-burn, age-gap romance about reclaiming identity, healing through intimacy, and finding not just a story worth telling, but a love worth living.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
104 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Arias
35 books1,335 followersHello! And thank you for finding me!
I am an independent author writing about fictional lesbians of all varieties.
My writing journey began with fan faction, and as much as I LOVED being part of a community of super fans, I got tired of working with other people’s characters to tell my stories. I started asking myself: Why should we string together pieces of subtext when our community deserves well-developed main-text about LBGT people and those who love them! So, that is what I aim to deliver.
If you want to know a little more about me personally, J.J. Arias is my pen name. I do have a day job, and due to the industry I’m in, I can’t write under my given name. Although who knows, maybe one day I can write full-time and come out of the … office? I am a Scorpio woman (I know, I know, but I’m a nice one I PROMISE) happily married to a uniquely wonderful Cancer lady. Together we have several fur babies of the feline and canine varieties.
So, here I am, and I hope you enjoy my writing! I’m very open to thoughts, comments, critiques, and knock-knock jokes, so please feel free to message me with any of the above – or anything else you would like to say!
I am an independent author writing about fictional lesbians of all varieties.
My writing journey began with fan faction, and as much as I LOVED being part of a community of super fans, I got tired of working with other people’s characters to tell my stories. I started asking myself: Why should we string together pieces of subtext when our community deserves well-developed main-text about LBGT people and those who love them! So, that is what I aim to deliver.
If you want to know a little more about me personally, J.J. Arias is my pen name. I do have a day job, and due to the industry I’m in, I can’t write under my given name. Although who knows, maybe one day I can write full-time and come out of the … office? I am a Scorpio woman (I know, I know, but I’m a nice one I PROMISE) happily married to a uniquely wonderful Cancer lady. Together we have several fur babies of the feline and canine varieties.
So, here I am, and I hope you enjoy my writing! I’m very open to thoughts, comments, critiques, and knock-knock jokes, so please feel free to message me with any of the above – or anything else you would like to say!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 6, 2026
I’m a sucker for how JJ Arias writes chemistry between her characters. I could have read another 100 pages of these two falling in love 😍
March 17, 2026
4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed Keep Talking. I loved the characters, especially Vivian. Their chemistry, their banter will keep you turning page after page.
It’s funny and, of course, sexy. You’ll laugh and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll cry. Loved it 🥰
I really enjoyed Keep Talking. I loved the characters, especially Vivian. Their chemistry, their banter will keep you turning page after page.
It’s funny and, of course, sexy. You’ll laugh and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll cry. Loved it 🥰
March 14, 2026
The start of the book made me laugh outloud. I love that type of back and forth, and some icy comments by Vivian made me snort.
The spice... well, it is JJ Arias. Some scenes were "oef". I am not into audiobooks, but I can feel that some people will need tons of ice while listening to these voices. I can still recognize how sultry and beautiful a woman's voice can be.
The depth of characters is what made me rate Keep Talking this way. I felt something missing, some more background and more internalized thoughts from Vivian. They came more in the end, and it felt rushed. Maybe some more pages would have made me appreciate it more.
The first part although and the steam... yes, to all of that...
ps. I also would have loved more side characters, there are just some glimpses of them.
The spice... well, it is JJ Arias. Some scenes were "oef". I am not into audiobooks, but I can feel that some people will need tons of ice while listening to these voices. I can still recognize how sultry and beautiful a woman's voice can be.
The depth of characters is what made me rate Keep Talking this way. I felt something missing, some more background and more internalized thoughts from Vivian. They came more in the end, and it felt rushed. Maybe some more pages would have made me appreciate it more.
The first part although and the steam... yes, to all of that...
ps. I also would have loved more side characters, there are just some glimpses of them.
March 7, 2026
JJ Arias!!! Ahhhhh, this book is SO SO damn good! Hands down one of your best so far! That’s saying something! Vivian and Bryn will stay with me always whether it’s a mullet or not. I preordered the hard copy so I can stare at it everyday.
March 14, 2026
Rating: 4 stars
You already know I eat up everything from J.J. Arias. This one delivers an ice queen with a heart of gold whose defenses are built high after years of being abused by Hollywood and the woman ready to knock them down brick by brick with tenderness and devotion.
I was a little skeptical in the beginning as both characters are voice actors narrating a story within a story and it was sometimes too much essentially learning four characters at once, but the plot and romance develops really genuinely from there and the book definitely finds its rhythm.
You already know I eat up everything from J.J. Arias. This one delivers an ice queen with a heart of gold whose defenses are built high after years of being abused by Hollywood and the woman ready to knock them down brick by brick with tenderness and devotion.
I was a little skeptical in the beginning as both characters are voice actors narrating a story within a story and it was sometimes too much essentially learning four characters at once, but the plot and romance develops really genuinely from there and the book definitely finds its rhythm.
March 15, 2026
I’ve never been the biggest JJ Arias fan, but this one was **chefs kiss**. It helps that it was one of the hottest books I’ve ever read. I almost wish I could wipe my memory and read it again. Aside from the excellent spice, it was also very sweet, with two very loveable characters. And as far as 3rd act breakups go, this was really not too rough or angsty. Highly recommend!
March 12, 2026
whew.....
March 13, 2026
Hot, hot, hot! An excellent read!
March 15, 2026
JJ knocked it out of the park yet again! I adore her writing style and this one was perfect, her ability in writing humour, amazing dialogue and spice is second to none.
Keep Talking is a great story, it’s unique and interesting and the pace in which it is written just makes you want to keep reading. I could have read another 200 pages of Bryn’s and Vivian’s story and not have been bored. The writing style is engaging and I found myself completely immersed in their journey.
To no one’s surprise if you’ve read JJ Arias’ work before but the spice is spicing! The kinks covered in the story had me blushing - definite chefs kiss!
The story is filled with tension and longing and was written wonderfully that the way the romance was written felt natural and heart warming - proving that yes, everyone has flaws and weaknesses and it can be completely terrifying to open yourself up to someone else but having the courage to do that and earning their love and respect in return is truly touching.
Overall, this story is compelling, filled with amazing characters and superb romance. It will definitely enter my re-read category and a definite must buy. Run, don’t walk and add this book to your shelves!
Keep Talking is a great story, it’s unique and interesting and the pace in which it is written just makes you want to keep reading. I could have read another 200 pages of Bryn’s and Vivian’s story and not have been bored. The writing style is engaging and I found myself completely immersed in their journey.
To no one’s surprise if you’ve read JJ Arias’ work before but the spice is spicing! The kinks covered in the story had me blushing - definite chefs kiss!
The story is filled with tension and longing and was written wonderfully that the way the romance was written felt natural and heart warming - proving that yes, everyone has flaws and weaknesses and it can be completely terrifying to open yourself up to someone else but having the courage to do that and earning their love and respect in return is truly touching.
Overall, this story is compelling, filled with amazing characters and superb romance. It will definitely enter my re-read category and a definite must buy. Run, don’t walk and add this book to your shelves!
March 14, 2026
The MCs fall into it with very little build up. I'd been anticipating a real close proximity yearning slow burn and wanted that bit more from this.
I didn't fully buy into Vivian's reluctance after either.
Spicy scenes, as always by JJ, are A++
I didn't fully buy into Vivian's reluctance after either.
Spicy scenes, as always by JJ, are A++
Want to read
March 5, 2026Wow, the friendship with Quinn is so deep that Arias was inspired to write a book on a narrator and put a Quinn Riley look-alike on a cover! Sign me up!!!
March 13, 2026
devoured in one evening so glad i preordered the physical book for my trophy shelf
jj arias does an ice queen and the grumpy/sunshine trope so perfectly
jj arias does an ice queen and the grumpy/sunshine trope so perfectly
March 16, 2026
It is one of the best Sapphic romances I've read.
March 13, 2026
This was a weird one.
I was pretty disappointed by Arias' last age gap novel Tasting Temptation, but I had really enjoyed Destination You and The Love Conspiracy so I waited impatiently for this book to come out. Unfortunately, what I ended up reading was a lacklustre rehash of her previous novels, without any of the parts that made them so great.
At least for me, the whole point of a romance novel is that you want the leads to end up together. I couldn't say that about Bryn and Vivian because I just didn't see their relationship develop in a believable way. Their time spent together was so brief and.. I guess disjointed is the best way to put it? It just didn't seem like the groundwork was in place for these two to fall for each other. It really pales in comparison to Arias' older books this one tries to imitate, and how they really made you believe the leads grew to become perfect for each other.
The specific book I instantly compared it to was The Love Conspiracy. Both feature heavily traumatised ice queens with steely professional facades and too many cosmetic procedures, that fall for a younger woman who is more true to herself. But whereas The Love Conspiracy had great settings, well-developed side characters, and a sense of humour, Keep Talking has none of that. I think the latter was the biggest sticking point for me: this novel just didn't feel as fun as Arias' earlier books. Even the lines joking about Botox didn't land, because Vivian wasn't the flawed but self-aware character you couldn't help but root for that Veronica was.
Vivian's character was a let down for me in general. She was deeply sexualised as a child by the entertainment industry she grew up within, and this trauma heavily influences her life and attitudes in the current day. It's a great setup for a character, but how the characters spoke about it in the novel felt too simplistic and on-the-nose for me. Please don't get me wrong, I am absolutely aware these issues exist in the real world, and to a far greater extent than the book depicted. I just wish Arias had woven them into the plot in a more sophisticated and subtextual way, because as they were presented in the novel, it came off somewhat preachy and condescending. I had some bigger issues about how other aspects of sexuality were handled in the book, but I don't think anyone would want to read something that far down the critical feminist rabbit hole in this review and frankly I wouldn't really want to either.
All in all I was pretty disappointed here. I'll still probably give Arias' next age gap novel a shot, if she writes another, but after two misses for me I'm not sure how impatient I'll be to read it.
I was pretty disappointed by Arias' last age gap novel Tasting Temptation, but I had really enjoyed Destination You and The Love Conspiracy so I waited impatiently for this book to come out. Unfortunately, what I ended up reading was a lacklustre rehash of her previous novels, without any of the parts that made them so great.
At least for me, the whole point of a romance novel is that you want the leads to end up together. I couldn't say that about Bryn and Vivian because I just didn't see their relationship develop in a believable way. Their time spent together was so brief and.. I guess disjointed is the best way to put it? It just didn't seem like the groundwork was in place for these two to fall for each other. It really pales in comparison to Arias' older books this one tries to imitate, and how they really made you believe the leads grew to become perfect for each other.
The specific book I instantly compared it to was The Love Conspiracy. Both feature heavily traumatised ice queens with steely professional facades and too many cosmetic procedures, that fall for a younger woman who is more true to herself. But whereas The Love Conspiracy had great settings, well-developed side characters, and a sense of humour, Keep Talking has none of that. I think the latter was the biggest sticking point for me: this novel just didn't feel as fun as Arias' earlier books. Even the lines joking about Botox didn't land, because Vivian wasn't the flawed but self-aware character you couldn't help but root for that Veronica was.
Vivian's character was a let down for me in general. She was deeply sexualised as a child by the entertainment industry she grew up within, and this trauma heavily influences her life and attitudes in the current day. It's a great setup for a character, but how the characters spoke about it in the novel felt too simplistic and on-the-nose for me. Please don't get me wrong, I am absolutely aware these issues exist in the real world, and to a far greater extent than the book depicted. I just wish Arias had woven them into the plot in a more sophisticated and subtextual way, because as they were presented in the novel, it came off somewhat preachy and condescending. I had some bigger issues about how other aspects of sexuality were handled in the book, but I don't think anyone would want to read something that far down the critical feminist rabbit hole in this review and frankly I wouldn't really want to either.
All in all I was pretty disappointed here. I'll still probably give Arias' next age gap novel a shot, if she writes another, but after two misses for me I'm not sure how impatient I'll be to read it.
March 16, 2026
Bryn narrates audiobooks and erotica under a pen name, tho admittedly it's more of a side hustle. But now she's got a chance to work with Vivian Castillo aka Vivian Taylor, a former top actress. And it's a chance to record a Sapphic novel.
Vivian is not happy. The author has ordered a re-do and wants it done with a narrator Vivian has never heard of. Worse, she's badly inexperienced. AND they need to record it at Vivians's home studio. (Tho V listens to a sample by her and is drawn in very quickly.) When Bryn arrives, it goes badly....
Bryn messes up the first day, but settles in after that. Vivian moves her into her guest room to save time with recording, and is disarmed by how well she does the first love scene.
(Vivian was a child star, and it was awful. And her Mom swiped all her money, so when she turned 18, she found out she was broke. Taking advantage of her teen sex symbol rep, she got Playboy and Hustler in a bidding war over her nudes, then invested the money.)
They finish recording, and over a intense conversation, kiss. Then Vivian (quietly) freaks and sends her away.
Some time later, the book is nominated for Audiobook of The Year, and the awards will be in New York. Iris, Vivians cook and housekeeper, points out Bryn would be all alone at the event, and Vivian agrees to go. She saves Bryn when two guests rudely bring up the erotica part of her job.
They go out to dinner, then FINALLY sleep together. But V realizes Bryn will be the next big thing, while her career is declining, so panics and breaks it off.
Third act breakup.
Bryn tracks her down, confesses she feels she rushed Vivian. She asks to date her instead.
Vivian meeting Bryn's family is adorable.
Wrap up
Third act breakup felt like it was unneeded. Other than that, pretty good
Vivian is not happy. The author has ordered a re-do and wants it done with a narrator Vivian has never heard of. Worse, she's badly inexperienced. AND they need to record it at Vivians's home studio. (Tho V listens to a sample by her and is drawn in very quickly.) When Bryn arrives, it goes badly....
Bryn messes up the first day, but settles in after that. Vivian moves her into her guest room to save time with recording, and is disarmed by how well she does the first love scene.
(Vivian was a child star, and it was awful. And her Mom swiped all her money, so when she turned 18, she found out she was broke. Taking advantage of her teen sex symbol rep, she got Playboy and Hustler in a bidding war over her nudes, then invested the money.)
They finish recording, and over a intense conversation, kiss. Then Vivian (quietly) freaks and sends her away.
Some time later, the book is nominated for Audiobook of The Year, and the awards will be in New York. Iris, Vivians cook and housekeeper, points out Bryn would be all alone at the event, and Vivian agrees to go. She saves Bryn when two guests rudely bring up the erotica part of her job.
They go out to dinner, then FINALLY sleep together. But V realizes Bryn will be the next big thing, while her career is declining, so panics and breaks it off.
Third act breakup.
Bryn tracks her down, confesses she feels she rushed Vivian. She asks to date her instead.
Vivian meeting Bryn's family is adorable.
Wrap up
Third act breakup felt like it was unneeded. Other than that, pretty good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
fiction is a gateway to fantastical worlds, authors using the power of imagination to craft a narrative that exists far beyond their own experiences. and as such, we have a sapphic romance about two audiobook narrators recording a sapphic romance
right from the get-go Vivian (ice queen, secretly sad) and Bryn (golden retriever, openly anxious) have a very fun dynamic as Vivian tries very hard to not shout at Bryn. and as their relationship develops things get spicy - a lot of dirty talk, naturally - and then very, very mushy. and while it was all very good, the mushy parts were excellent
I loved Vivian as a character, the complicated relationship she has with her body and image after a traumatic introduction into the world as a child actor. and how there is a slow burn, but the climax (heh) isn't the characters getting physically intimate but how Vivian acknowledges her feelings starts to reclaim herself as a full person after being commodified as a sexual object, commodifying herself as a sexual object, and then hiding away from the world
and also ice queens are generally sad but she's just so fucking sad it's heartbreaking
we also have all the other JJ Arias stuff - wealthy and successful Cuban women, big chaotic family scenes, and food. and while I focused on Vivian, Bryn is great as well. a lovely, wonderfully earnest ray of sunshine who already loves senior citizens so a 20 year age gap is nothing to her
right from the get-go Vivian (ice queen, secretly sad) and Bryn (golden retriever, openly anxious) have a very fun dynamic as Vivian tries very hard to not shout at Bryn. and as their relationship develops things get spicy - a lot of dirty talk, naturally - and then very, very mushy. and while it was all very good, the mushy parts were excellent
I loved Vivian as a character, the complicated relationship she has with her body and image after a traumatic introduction into the world as a child actor. and how there is a slow burn, but the climax (heh) isn't the characters getting physically intimate but how Vivian acknowledges her feelings starts to reclaim herself as a full person after being commodified as a sexual object, commodifying herself as a sexual object, and then hiding away from the world
and also ice queens are generally sad but she's just so fucking sad it's heartbreaking
we also have all the other JJ Arias stuff - wealthy and successful Cuban women, big chaotic family scenes, and food. and while I focused on Vivian, Bryn is great as well. a lovely, wonderfully earnest ray of sunshine who already loves senior citizens so a 20 year age gap is nothing to her
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ☆
Let me first say that JJ Arias is in the upper count of my top 5 sapphic authors. Her ability to write genuine dialog, banter, and spice is second to none. Last year I found and read 'Like First Love, Again'...and then proceeded to buy and read nearly every J.J. Arias book.
This book is super cute, and 100% worth the read. I like the story all lot, it keeps very interesting and a really good pace. To absolutely no surprise, the spice is HOT. I am such a sucker for dirty talk and especially praise, and this has both in spades.
the only part of this book that I didn't love, was the third act breakup (but that's a preference for any book to not have this), as well as Vivians struggles and doubts. I feel like Vivians deep rooted sense of being an unworthy and bad person was never really delved into. yes we saw she was objectified as a kid actress, and we saw she became very private and reserved. But there was never anything shared about why she was a bad person. it felt like a layer left unexplored.
Also, after Gloria gave Bryn the final relationship advise....her character was completely MIA. It would have been nice to see her revisited in the epilogue.
Worth those couple is points in mind, I really do think this is a great book for a weekend read. Very light, very earnest, and several moments of being very funny.
Let me first say that JJ Arias is in the upper count of my top 5 sapphic authors. Her ability to write genuine dialog, banter, and spice is second to none. Last year I found and read 'Like First Love, Again'...and then proceeded to buy and read nearly every J.J. Arias book.
This book is super cute, and 100% worth the read. I like the story all lot, it keeps very interesting and a really good pace. To absolutely no surprise, the spice is HOT. I am such a sucker for dirty talk and especially praise, and this has both in spades.
the only part of this book that I didn't love, was the third act breakup (but that's a preference for any book to not have this), as well as Vivians struggles and doubts. I feel like Vivians deep rooted sense of being an unworthy and bad person was never really delved into. yes we saw she was objectified as a kid actress, and we saw she became very private and reserved. But there was never anything shared about why she was a bad person. it felt like a layer left unexplored.
Also, after Gloria gave Bryn the final relationship advise....her character was completely MIA. It would have been nice to see her revisited in the epilogue.
Worth those couple is points in mind, I really do think this is a great book for a weekend read. Very light, very earnest, and several moments of being very funny.
March 13, 2026
Wow! JJ Arias does it again...
The steam! The romance! This story pulled off both elements so very well.
Bryn is our open-hearted and lovable (we absolutely must have a Quinn Riley narration of her) character, and Vivian is our older quite frosty ice queen. Vivian, despite being a real jerk at times, is such a well drawn and understandable character. Ice queens can at times make me want to shake them and say "get over yourself already!" but not Vivian... she totally broke my heart. I was sobbing during much of the 70-90% markers of this novel. Sobbing. Seeing Vivian's reaction to being truly seen and accepted, and Bryn's ability to show up and create a safe space for her in a way that felt both erotic and, oddly perhaps, pretty healthy.
This felt like an original take on one of the oldest tropes in the book (age gap... and what a gap it is... 19 years). A tender, emotionally erotic, and well paced story that is driven by two flawed yet totally perfect for each other characters. The audiobook plot was charmingly "meta".
Keep Talking might actually just be my favorite JJ Arias novel so far. I was up until 3 am on a work night finishing this, feeling warm and mushy inside.
If I had to summarize in one phrase-- now this is a ROMANCE!
The steam! The romance! This story pulled off both elements so very well.
Bryn is our open-hearted and lovable (we absolutely must have a Quinn Riley narration of her) character, and Vivian is our older quite frosty ice queen. Vivian, despite being a real jerk at times, is such a well drawn and understandable character. Ice queens can at times make me want to shake them and say "get over yourself already!" but not Vivian... she totally broke my heart. I was sobbing during much of the 70-90% markers of this novel. Sobbing. Seeing Vivian's reaction to being truly seen and accepted, and Bryn's ability to show up and create a safe space for her in a way that felt both erotic and, oddly perhaps, pretty healthy.
This felt like an original take on one of the oldest tropes in the book (age gap... and what a gap it is... 19 years). A tender, emotionally erotic, and well paced story that is driven by two flawed yet totally perfect for each other characters. The audiobook plot was charmingly "meta".
Keep Talking might actually just be my favorite JJ Arias novel so far. I was up until 3 am on a work night finishing this, feeling warm and mushy inside.
If I had to summarize in one phrase-- now this is a ROMANCE!
Review of advance copy received from Author
As an avid J.J. fan, saying this book absolutely rocked my world in the best way, is an understatement! It’s the kind of sapphic romance that pulls you in slowly and then refuses to let go. The characters felt so real, flawed, funny, vulnerable; and watching their relationship unfold was both heartwarming and emotional.
The tension, the longing, the little moments of realization… it was all written so beautifully.
What really stood out to me was how natural the romance felt. The connection between the two leads developed in such an authentic way, with meaningful conversations, genuine chemistry, and moments that made me both laugh and tear up. Their story wasn’t just about falling in love, it was about trust, growth, and finding someone who truly sees you.
The writing style was engaging and immersive, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. By the time I finished, I was left with that wonderful book hangover where you’re not quite ready to leave the characters behind. I have started reading it a second time after a night of self-reflection and desire to not read the entire thing in 6.5 hours.
10/10 Simply the Best - quote Tina Turner
The tension, the longing, the little moments of realization… it was all written so beautifully.
What really stood out to me was how natural the romance felt. The connection between the two leads developed in such an authentic way, with meaningful conversations, genuine chemistry, and moments that made me both laugh and tear up. Their story wasn’t just about falling in love, it was about trust, growth, and finding someone who truly sees you.
The writing style was engaging and immersive, and I found myself completely invested in their journey. By the time I finished, I was left with that wonderful book hangover where you’re not quite ready to leave the characters behind. I have started reading it a second time after a night of self-reflection and desire to not read the entire thing in 6.5 hours.
10/10 Simply the Best - quote Tina Turner
Review of advance copy
This was such a fun read from one of my favourite authors that is on my auto buy list the day a book is released. The idea to write about sapphic audiobook narrators is such a fascinating idea and I loved every minute of the interaction between the young golden retriever Bryn with the fun hair and the much older recluse ice queen Vivian. It starts off with so much fun bantering and then as always in a book written by J.J. Arias, the build up of a sexual chemistry that is enhanced so much thanks to her amazing writing.
As a conclusion this is another must read and I long for the audiobook. I almost fainted reading this book at times so having a great narrator reading those sections will be pure fire without any doubt.
As a conclusion this is another must read and I long for the audiobook. I almost fainted reading this book at times so having a great narrator reading those sections will be pure fire without any doubt.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an e-ARC from the author through their Yappin' Patreon. Thank you to the author!
Urgh, this was just too good. I finished it way too quickly. Both Bryn and Vivian were well developed, it was a joy to follow them through the story. The raw emotion in Vivian's POV was so gripping while the mellow kindness from Bryn perfectly balanced the book. And the spice was insaaannnee. Do not read this on public transport; the dirty talk will have you blushing purple, never mind red. The sapphic yearning throughout the story was also gorgeously poignant. Overall, a compelling story, fantastic characters, and first class romance. Definitely give this a read!
Urgh, this was just too good. I finished it way too quickly. Both Bryn and Vivian were well developed, it was a joy to follow them through the story. The raw emotion in Vivian's POV was so gripping while the mellow kindness from Bryn perfectly balanced the book. And the spice was insaaannnee. Do not read this on public transport; the dirty talk will have you blushing purple, never mind red. The sapphic yearning throughout the story was also gorgeously poignant. Overall, a compelling story, fantastic characters, and first class romance. Definitely give this a read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Don’t ever start a J.J. Arias book before bed and think you’re going to pull yourself away from it. So what if you have to wake up early the following morning when you’ve got Vivian and Bryn completely devastating every single bit of you? I kept saying “one more chapter” and suddenly it was the middle of the night. Totally worth it.
Vivian is such a good ice queen and honestly one of my favorites JJ has written. But there’s also this layer to her that I really loved. She has clearly been sexualized and turned into this image for most of her life, and you can feel how much that shaped her walls. Bryn catches that almost immediately. She makes it very clear she sees Vivian as a person, not the body everyone else seems to want or the version of her the world thinks they know. She fell for her, and you can feel how careful she is about that line because Vivian has probably dealt with the opposite her entire life.
And Bryn herself is just so sweet. She’s patient in a way that feels really genuine and she leads with her heart even when Vivian is still figuring out how to let someone in. That contrast between them is honestly what makes their dynamic so good.
Thank you to the author for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Vivian is such a good ice queen and honestly one of my favorites JJ has written. But there’s also this layer to her that I really loved. She has clearly been sexualized and turned into this image for most of her life, and you can feel how much that shaped her walls. Bryn catches that almost immediately. She makes it very clear she sees Vivian as a person, not the body everyone else seems to want or the version of her the world thinks they know. She fell for her, and you can feel how careful she is about that line because Vivian has probably dealt with the opposite her entire life.
And Bryn herself is just so sweet. She’s patient in a way that feels really genuine and she leads with her heart even when Vivian is still figuring out how to let someone in. That contrast between them is honestly what makes their dynamic so good.
Thank you to the author for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
J.J. Arias is one of my most read authors and it's no surprise to me that she wrote yet another book I love!
The way she writes chemistry is so realistic and yet so inviting to the reader. I get sucked into the story every time. Two audiobook narrators with completely different personalities and life experiences plays out into an opposites attract storyline. They were so good for each other, but the hesitations in the book made total sense. This led to YEARNING. I love good yearning and this delivered. We have a beautiful slow burn romance, but let me tell you - the wait was worth it! The spice is fantastic (as always), but the wait made it that much better for me.
Bryn and Vivian are new favorites of mine!
The way she writes chemistry is so realistic and yet so inviting to the reader. I get sucked into the story every time. Two audiobook narrators with completely different personalities and life experiences plays out into an opposites attract storyline. They were so good for each other, but the hesitations in the book made total sense. This led to YEARNING. I love good yearning and this delivered. We have a beautiful slow burn romance, but let me tell you - the wait was worth it! The spice is fantastic (as always), but the wait made it that much better for me.
Bryn and Vivian are new favorites of mine!
March 16, 2026
Download the book, thank the writer later because holy hot damn you are in for a delicious ice queen/sunshine melt-a-thon.
The writing wraps you up so neatly into the lives of these women that you will consume the book in one sitting. No dragout 80% plunder, but a wee chase and some heartfelt confessions will have you swooning. The steamy scenes!!?? Deary me, brace yourself bc it is chapter's long and you'll need some water.
Enjoyed the hell outta this slice of happiness and the HEA!? Be still my gay heart.
The writing wraps you up so neatly into the lives of these women that you will consume the book in one sitting. No dragout 80% plunder, but a wee chase and some heartfelt confessions will have you swooning. The steamy scenes!!?? Deary me, brace yourself bc it is chapter's long and you'll need some water.
Enjoyed the hell outta this slice of happiness and the HEA!? Be still my gay heart.
March 12, 2026
3.5/5
Arias always delivers - steamy, fun, and always a new type of storyline that gets you hooked. Though this one could have used a bit more build-up, the chemistry wasn't as sizzling as usual. The angst also felt a bit forced, I didn't really empathise with Vivian's reason to not want to get involved.
But, again, you can't go wrong with this author. Always worth the read no matter the mood.
Arias always delivers - steamy, fun, and always a new type of storyline that gets you hooked. Though this one could have used a bit more build-up, the chemistry wasn't as sizzling as usual. The angst also felt a bit forced, I didn't really empathise with Vivian's reason to not want to get involved.
But, again, you can't go wrong with this author. Always worth the read no matter the mood.
March 16, 2026
So beautiful.
I really loved this story of a damaged reclusive star and her awakening again to life and love with the sweet Bryn. She's a s struggling book voice artist who will get under the skin of our star in so many ways, its so well written as are all books by this author that you can't help becoming involved, its an interesting unusual angle on the usual ice queen trope, thoroughly enjoyable.
I really loved this story of a damaged reclusive star and her awakening again to life and love with the sweet Bryn. She's a s struggling book voice artist who will get under the skin of our star in so many ways, its so well written as are all books by this author that you can't help becoming involved, its an interesting unusual angle on the usual ice queen trope, thoroughly enjoyable.
March 16, 2026
I had to sit with this one for 24 hours before I could write any sort of coherent review. JJ just knows how to write chemistry. The tension and longing in this book was so thick I could barely breathe. I fell in love with Vivian and Bryn from the moment they showed up on page and the way they fell together, and how Bryn took down every single one of Vivians walls was just perfection. Don't even get me started on the spice. JJ has done it again, ya'll. Please read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. This book was so good. The characters, the pacing, their banter. I didn’t even think it was possible but this may have just become my favorite JJ Arias book. Their chemistry from the moment they met was sizzling and that is not an easy feat through words, but Arias does it well. Their chemistry burn and build up were perfect and the spice was to die for. I don’t want give away too much but I will say that if Quinn Riley doesn’t narrate this, it will be a true crime. Actually, wouldn’t it be dope if it was narrated with Abby Craden and Quinn Riley as a duet just like the characters’ plot? Swoon 😍😍
Update: I reread it and it’s even better the second time. I’m not usually a touch her and die trope fan but Arias just wrote it perfectly.
Update: I reread it and it’s even better the second time. I’m not usually a touch her and die trope fan but Arias just wrote it perfectly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Advance copy? Not quite I purchased this from the author ahead of release like I'm sure some others have
I won't spoil anything and this is my first review so I'm sure it will suck but wow.....what a book
The chemistry of the characters, the self isolation of Vivian and the sheer light of Bryn
We all deserve love, every one of us deserves love
Just wow, J.J. never misses, ever
I won't spoil anything and this is my first review so I'm sure it will suck but wow.....what a book
The chemistry of the characters, the self isolation of Vivian and the sheer light of Bryn
We all deserve love, every one of us deserves love
Just wow, J.J. never misses, ever
March 14, 2026
This might be my favorite J.J. yet! The chemistry is off the chart! Vivian and Bryan are perfect for each other. The premise of them narrating an audiobook together is perfect. I'm not always a fan of age gap romances but this one is perfect. And the spice! This is a must read if you're a sapphic romance lover!
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