Forgetting With You

by Robin Clairvaux

A simple night of forgetting. A connection that’s simply unforgettable.

Camryn Durant plays it safe. Since losing her heart to the wrong woman ten years ago, the shy graphic designer focuses on work and never takes risks. But when a chance meeting in a bar with a beautiful stranger turns into a night of reckless passion, Cam struggles to go back to her cautious habits, even though falling for a straight woman is bound to lead to emotional disaster.

Jackie Webster has no business questioning her sexuality. So why can’t the poised and predictable politician’s daughter stop thinking about the warm, adorable butch woman she hooked up with in an ill-advised moment of heartache? Getting closer to Cam means discovering herself in ways she never thought possible, but it can also mean losing her reputation, her relationship with her family, and the future she’s always wanted.

Each moment they spend together pushes them closer to an agonizing choice. Will they cling to security or reach for love?

Forgetting with You is a charming one-night-to-forever, toaster oven sapphic romance you’ll be sure to remember long after the story ends.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Audiobook, Queer, Lesbian Fiction, Contemporary

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2023

About the author

Robin Clairvaux spends their time dreaming up soft-hearted sapphic stories, and sometimes...they even write them down! When they aren't daydreaming, Robin loves reading, especially sapphic romance and old school whodunnits, watching classic movies, and singing along with their vintage jazz playlist while commuting to their day job as a technical editor.

Robin grew up all over the (mostly southern) United States then went to college in New York City, but their roots are deep in the red dirt of Oklahoma, where they now live, work, and play.

You can follow Robin on Facebook, Twitter, or Bluesky.

Reviews

[Fleah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 43%. The story isn’t bad but the writing is stilted. Both mc’s are in their early 30’s but you’d never know it by the dialogue. Others seemed to like it more than I did so it could be a me thing.

[Swaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-meltingly soft. I loved every minute of this book.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reckless passion interrupts a placid existence and the inevitable cannot be set aside. Lead characters Cam and Jackie throw caution to the wind at their first meeting and follow through with some hot, rocky periods after. So much to lose and so much to gain - prestige, publicity, family - they have to figure out what they want.
Clairvaux's characters are clear, crisp and sweet with the romance and hiccups leading to a needed HEA.
My first read of the author's work and I look forward to more from them.

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐️

I loved this book. Cute and steamy. The plot was fun and I liked the characters. Plus, spice early on? Yes please! I highly recommend this with the audiobook if you’re a fan of audio. I tandem read this with the audiobook No one does gay panic like Lori Prince!! It was so so good!

This books written in third person with 2x POV’s. Friends with Benefits, Toaster Oven, Masc/Femme, Artist/Teacher, One night to forever. 2x Spicy scenes.

[A. J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light hearted not too angst, very enjoyable story about Cam and Jackie meeting and making the connection with each other in odd circumstances. Their story was a relatable one and enjoyable as they not only got to know each other, but to manage a friend's with benefits relationship as deeper feeling were growing by both parties.
I especially liked the handling of the coming out process by the author, it was realistic and believable.
The inevitable getting together in the end makes this a great read and a good first book by Robin Clairvaux!

This was an ARC copy and it is one of those books that I will keep in my library to read again and again! It was that enjoyable!
Looking forward to reading more books by Robin Clairvaux as they grow and develop as a writer!

[Sapphic Bookshelf]

I love one-night stand to forever love as a trope. This was even more intriguing to me since one of our main characters believed herself to be straight at the time of the one-night stand.

I really liked the way the plot developed and the way Jackie and Cam grew as characters. I liked them together and was happy for their individual growth.

It didn’t occur to me that this book could be considered a holiday read until after I finished and someone else pointed it out 😂 But it takes place over the holidays so yes! Here’s a bonus holiday read!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Night to Forever…

Well not exactly lol. But basically. Cam meets Jackie in the beginning of the story, both acting a bit differently than normal (Cam confident, charming and Jackie very straight).

This is a fairly lighthearted, light angst/drama story, maybe romcom?, about the sweet butch lesbian and the not so straight straight girl having a one night stand. They meet again and a friendship begins to blossom.

This was a fairly quick read, at a little over 200 pages. Lots of emotions and feelings revolving around coming out, loneliness, lack of familial connection, making new connections and much more! One night to friends to friends with benefits to lovers! Oh! And there’s some lovely holiday fun too!

[Aunt Missa · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s potential in there. I could relate to the characters at the very beginning but I became disinterested the more they spoke. Instead of women in their early 30’s, they spoke like middle aged housewives from the 1950’s. I appreciated the butch and Native American representation, but it wasn’t enough to engage me into believing there was much realistic about these two characters.

But….there’s potential and I wouldn’t not read something else from this author in the future.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content warnings: past toxic partners, alcohol consumption, dying parent and parental death (death both a past and a parent in the story as well), sexism, coming out themes.

Rep: Cam is cis, indigenous, butch lesbian. Jackie is cis, white, bisexual. Side queer characters.

This was just really sweet.
I adored the chemistry between Cam and Jackie, and the story was lovely as well.
An easy 4 stars from me.

[Misha · Rating 3 out of 5]

(rounded down from 3.25)

This was a light and sweet story. I appreciate that one of the main characters is a butch WOC but nothing much comes of that, which irked me a bit. There are sweet moments, the usual story beats, and a decently likeable cast of characters with some revelations thrown in along the way for an engaging story. There isn't, however, much depth here or interesting characterization so I'd classify this as a light and fun romance read.

[Rey Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Jenn Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 but I'm bumping up my stars cuz I enjoyed this debut novel. Gotta love when a book opens with some spice! The chemistry was good, the spice was good, and it was an easy listen with my favorite narrator.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute low angst story about finding love where you least expect it. Cam watches Jackie get dumped at a bar and decides to spark up a conversation with her. Cam feel down after being passed up for a promotion. Jackie is “straight” but ends up hooking up with Cam mainly because of how’s she feeling after being dumped and low key being curious. Very toaster oven and I loved it. Cam was too sweet for her own good dealing with Jackie and her confused self. I loved how they tried to be friends and get to know each other even after hooking up initially. Felt very genuine and real. The chemistry, angst and spice was giving 🤌🏽 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet one night to forever romance, with friends to lovers, rich girl poor girl troupe and plenty of family dramas. I envy Jackie to have such a wonderful, almost perfect girlfriend in Cam, she is so luckily to find such a devoted, understanding and intelligent loving partner. And Cam is lucky too, for finally getting the dream girl. The writing is superb, the story addictive and I love all the characters with their flaws and all. It feels like a fanfic for the L Word, where Tina and Bette met in the museum. Overall a great love story masterfully told!

[Rachael Potts Busby · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me to not really like romance…. I sure as hell loved this one!! I’m very new to sapphic romance and I’m already so excited to read more! Maybe it’s just how open the world is now, but I’m so glad to see representation like this in writing! This book was beautifully written, heartwarming, exciting, and so much more! I will definitely be patiently waiting for more from this author! Cam and Jackie, what a match💕

[Mary Zupan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

I cannot believe it isn’t mentioned anywhere that one of the leads is Indigenous. That’s supremely important. So if you’re native and gay and what not give it a go. If you’re not, give it a go. It’s a great story. Give it a go

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - One night. One spark. One complicated journey to love.

When Cam, a graphic designer, and Jackie, a teacher with a high-profile family, meet at a bar after rough nights, their instant connection leads to a steamy one-night stand. But fate isn’t done with them yet.

A surprise reunion turns into friendship… and then a passionate situationship full of tension, secrets, and longing. Jackie’s still discovering her sexuality, and Cam’s done being someone’s secret. When family pressure threatens to tear them apart, they must decide if love is worth the risk.

This sapphic romance has everything: masc/femme vibes, emotional growth, gay panic, spice, and an HEA that feels earned. I adored every page!

[Marybeth Buskirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.25

This book was ooey gooey deliciousness! I really enjoyed the growth between Camryn and Jackie and how they both communicated with each other even when times got hard. I hated that the conflict between them was because of one of them coming off as being ashamed of the other because of not realizing their sexuality, but I think that was handled overall pretty well. Loved the butch rep as well!

[Shannon Halsaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 

One night stand turned friends to lovers... With a late in life awakening... Yes please!
This story was so good, I loved the development of each character in their lives and how they came together and found comfort in each other, while being respectful to each of their pasts and sexual discovery. 
Truly a beautiful love story. 

[Shazh76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely

A lovely and easy read…..low angst between a newly out bi-MC and a butch lesbian. Thank you Ms Clairvaux, another great book.

[Shannon👻 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

This sweet, one night to forever, story was one of my TBR challenge reads.

Cam has had her heart broken before, so she throws herself into her work, until one day she gets overlooked for a promotion. In an attempt to drown her sorrows she goes out with a friend, and promises to stay for one drink, and one drink only.

Jackie is a politicians daughter who lived most of her life in the spotlight. Now, she's a teacher looking for her forever husband, when her boyfriend breaks up with her.

Cam can't handle to see the heartbreak on this strange, but somehow familiar woman's face, so she goes and starts up a conversation. This conversation turns into a night that Jackie never thought she'd experience, a night spent in another woman's bed.

One night of emmense pleasure is chalked up to just that when they separate. But this experience gives Cam a push to start doing more things for herself. A few serendipitous meetings later, a friendship starts to form.

First let me say I really enjoyed the premise and the characters in this book. The MCs are stuck in their own world, and in their own heads. There's hurt on both of their parts, but Cam has a support system to return to, where Jackie only has the image of the perfect family.

The pacing of the story is very well done. The interactions between the MCs are filled with comfort and some sexual tension. It's sweet, in a romcom type of way, but then Jackie gets word that her father is sick. Going from 1. breaking up with your boyfriend to 2. sleeping with a woman then 3. realizing that you might not be straight, is a lot to deal with, but add in having to return to your family home, and the emotions are heightened.

This is a home where acceptance was never anything that Jackie felt. Cam continues to try and assist Jackie in any way that she can, but distance is an issue, and Jackie wants to connect with her family. Come to find out there's a reason that Jackie never felt accepted, and it is this fact that brings the MCs back together.

I like how the author has Cam force Jackie to acknowledge what happened, and it looks like the start of a beautiful relationship. But Jackie is fearful of what her remaining family will think.

This pushes them apart, but it also gives each of the characters an opportunity for growth. Cam starts to put her name out more at work, and Jackie takes a chance to meet her family. The growth that each of the characters experience is needed; I only wish that there was more in this area.

While the pacing in the text is great, I wish there was more time, which isn't a critique of the writing, it's me as a reader wanting more of these characters.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun story that pulled at the heartstrings.

[Scriptmonkey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forgetting With You--you got me there. I forgot the title repeatedly, even as I was reading it. Perhaps that's a "me" thing. It really only applies to the first bit of the book. Apologizing With You would be more accurate, because both MCs apologize--a lot.

For those interested in "steamy" scenes, a positive for One-Night-Stand stories is they typically deliver one right away. This one does that much.

At Cam's apartment, once the clothes start coming off, Cam sees Jackie in sexy lingerie and asks,

Cam: "Damn, do you always wear that?"

Now, understand. Cam picked Jackie up after she observed she was on a date with this guy and got dumped. She noted Jackie was dressed for a romantic evening. She could have said, "I know you didn't put that on for me, but I'm glad you did." Or, she could have just thought again that the guy was stupid for leaving such a beautiful woman--if one ignores (as she had already earlier) that looks aren't the only reason to be in or stay in a relationship.

I thought it was odd how Cam & Jackie alternated between who was aggressive and who was surprised during the initial lovemaking scene. Cam initiates and Jackie is OMG and then Jackie reciprocates, and Cam seems surprised Jackie wasn't a pillow princess, and they volley this back and forth. I get one person taking the lead, then handing the reins over to the other but this was like a tennis match.

The next morning, Jackie wakes up and realizes she's in Cam's bed and is bewildered (she wasn't at all drunk as she will explain later, so this confusion feels overdone). Because Cam isn't in bed, Jackie naturally assumes Cam left to seek another sex partner for...breakfast? Did I say naturally? I meant bizarrely. This is Cam's apartment. Do you think she is leaving a virtual stranger alone in her apartment while she seeks yet another woman to make sweet love to? A douchebag guy maybe would do that, more likely in his dorm perhaps, but not a woman living by herself.

Fortunately, Jackie is highly intelligent and decides to, you know, get out of bed and see what the noises are coming from the kitchen. Cam is up and making breakfast in the morning. How cunning.

Now, here come the apologies. The morning after, Cam apologizes, noting not incorrectly, that Jackie was emotionally vulnerable when she swooped in and she had been drinking. However, Jackie assures her she was sober (see: not waking up totally confused) and a "willing participant" (remember that phrase).

A few chapters later, Jackie apologizes to Cam for the exact same night and Cam says she was "a willing participant."

Then, after the second sexual encounter, Jackie apologizes for throwing herself at Cam and Cam says...can you guess what Cam says? She was a "willing participant." Jesus wept.

Robin Clairvaux: "What's hotter than apology sex?"
Me: "Arguably, anything."

After this, they think entering into a "Friends with benefits" is the logical solution. Has that ever worked in a novel? Do we have to do this EVERY TIME?

Relatedly, later, when they go on a date (or wonder incessantly if they are on a date etc), that tension works better if you haven't had sex multiple times.

To compound the problem, Jackie wants to learn the Sapphic way. One of her tasks is reading sapphic romances. Now, a small sampling would have told her right away, "Wait a minute, this friends with benefits never works!" Regardless, she states, "Some were exceptionally good!"

Now, I would caution all Sapphic romance authors (well, any author really) to be wary of referencing one's own genre in a fully serious and unironic way in a novel. It risks looking like you are full of yourself and coated with the ooze of delusions of grandeur. Also, having read dozens of sapphic romances spanning decades of publication, there is no way that "some were exceptionally good". I haven't read ANY that were exceptionally good. A couple were quite good. A few were fairly good. Most were mediocre and coming in a close second, many that were just plain awful.

Anyyywho... Jackie has some dark family secrets uncovered. If this were a thriller or family drama (or dare I say, exceptionally good) book, this revelation and the chain reaction it would set off would BE the story. Here, it is a side-quest that has remarkably little impact on the story. It feels like it does, but seriously, take it out and nothing really changes. Her father could have acted like that regardless of his motivation.

Now, to my biggest beef with the book, the 1-pound angus burger of vexation amidst the White Castle sliders of annoyance. It's probably not everyone's but, then again, I rarely eat animal flesh.

Robin (the author, for those paying attention) avoids specificity like the Plague. So, do I mean they ride out of town and live at their country estate? No, I do not. Don't sidetrack me. So, what do I mean by specificity? Here's an example:

Cam is Native American from a small tribal community in Oklahoma. Jackie later refers to her as an "indigenous" person. That's fine. Except, what tribe? For social movements and causes, I'm sure an umbrella term is appropriate. For an individual, I would think their actual tribal affiliation would be a significant part of their identity. It is never mentioned. Not even when she returns to her "tribal community" to meet with her fellow Native American family. This feels sort of like in "Mean Girls" when they referred to Africa like it was small country south of Italy.

At the bar, Cam drinks a "local brew." Can't you at least make up a name? Chupacabra IPA perhaps?

Cam attends a "large university in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Doesn't she know which one she attended? There are three with "large" enrollments in the area (UT-Arlington, UT-Dallas, and University of North Texas). There are two private universities with smaller enrollments but are "big" on the national stage because of football (SMU and TCU). Naming any one of them would have given Cam a more developed texture. But no. Why commit?

Jackie presumably went to school, but I can't recall. I'm sure if they had specified a university it might have stuck. Given her dad's oil connections and wealth, I feel it would be SMU. But who knows?

Later, Jackie joins Cam on a video call and, instead of saying Zoom or FaceTime or making up a name, she refers to it as, Cam's "video call application." Words I have never heard outside of a dry instructional video on how to use Zoom or FaceTime or...

Then there is the matter of Hilda Spaulding. Oh, sweet Sappho! Spare me the references to Hilda Freakin' Spaulding.

Now, to Robin's credit, at least Hilda wasn't referred to simply as "The museum is having an exhibit of my favorite author", "This is a drawing done by my favorite author." (I know that sounds silly, but there it is). So, "Hilda Spaulding" is specific, but she isn't real, which means her writing and art isn't specific. It's just vague allusions to how good it is. The problem here is that it makes it impossible for the reader to connect. If Robin could have taken the time to find someone that came close to fitting the needs of the story (or adjusted the story to fit the author/artist), then the reader could feel the same sense of appreciation as Jackie and Cam. Further, that author/artist, assuming Robin actually liked them, could have received a nice boost (even if they are dead) and the reader could perhaps leave the book with a greater sense of art and culture. Instead, it's all fake and empty vagaries...that I can forget about with--or without--you.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was an experience. I felt fully immersed and invested in Jackie and Cam as individuals and as a couple. These two characters felt real because the writer showed how their careers and families shaped them as people. And their love story—while full of realistic tension, fears, and misunderstandings—was undergirded by an abiding kindness that felt true too. I appreciated the story's pacing and the restraint Clairvaux showed by ending a chapter at just the right moment to leave some things to the reader's imagination. I also enjoyed how the story revisited places like Wolly and Shiloh’s so that these places became characters too. I love this book's blend of wholesomeness, compassion, humor, and spice, and I look forward to more books from this author! And what a lovely, cozy cover!

[Lyric Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the butch representation! As such I’m in love with Cam, lol. Awesome book!

[Minna Perälä · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really truly enjoyed the story of Jackie and Cam. I’m a slow reader but I couldn’t let go of this book and read it in one day.

The story was sweet, romantic, well written, heart breaking, too. Both main characters were well built and developed through the story. There were some cliches but they were the good kind and supported the overall storyline. The pacing of the book (6-7 weeks from the first meeting till the end of the book) felt realistic and comfortable. Forgetting With You was pretty perfect. It became an instant contender among my favorite sapphic romances.

And there was no awkward epilogue!

[Catie Boudreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy

I've always had an issue with these straight women first experience stories. Not that they don't happen, because they do. It's just that they're usually not portrayed in a way that makes them look very good. At least in the beginning of the story, anyway. But, this one does an incredible job of showing the emotions of both Characters and how the "straight" one was conflicted with her feelings.

Well done.

[Looby Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cam and Jackie were adorable characters who fit so well together but couldn’t see that for themselves. Jackie was straight or do she insisted to herself and Cam didn’t want another rich gf. So how could these two possibly get to a HEA?
It was a lovely journey with the two. I was disappointed that we got the boring breakup at around 80-85% but at least it was a fairly ok reason. Still I did enjoy this book.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh wow

What an absolutely amazing read. I’ve read the short story this author bought out a bit ago and hoped we would get a longer book. This certainly didn’t disappoint.
The characters are very relatable, the storyline is just beautiful and I only hope we get more from Clairvaux soon. Definitely added to my list of instant read authors.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this nice, low angst story. The main characters are likeable and it was a delight to watch them fall in love. With this story taking place the latter part of the year, this would be a nice, fun read for the holidays.

This is my first read of Robin Clairvaux's work, but it won't be my last! I'm looking forward to more.