Soft Core

by Brittany Newell

A young woman’s madcap search for her missing ex-boyfriend takes her into the sexual underground in Brittany Newell’s savage, tender Soft Core.

Ruth is lost. She’s living in a drafty Victorian with her ex-boyfriend Dino, a ketamine dealer with a lingerie habit, overdosing on television and regretting her master’s degree. When she starts dancing at a strip club, she becomes Baby Blue, seductress of crypto bros, outcasts, and old lovers alike. Plunged into this swirling underworld of beautiful women, fast cash, ungodly hours, and strangers’ secrets, Baby’s grip on reality begins to loosen. She is sure she can handle it—until one autumn morning when Dino disappears without a trace.

Thus begins a nocturnal quest for the one she still loves—through the misty hills of San Francisco; in dive bars and bus depots; at the BDSM dungeon where she takes a part-time gig. Along the way, she meets Simon, a recluse who pays her for increasingly bizarre favors; a philosophizing suicide fetishist named Nobody; and Emeline, the beautiful and balletic new hire who reminds Baby of someone . . .

A brutally funny, propulsive story of power, fantasy, love, and loss, Brittany Newell’s Soft Core is an ode to the heartbroken and unhinged, to those whose appetites lead them astray. It is a hallucinogenic romp about a girl coming undone, whose longing for friendship, romance, and revenge will take her over the edge and back again.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook, Literary Fiction, Queer, Adult Fiction, Adult

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2025

Reviews

[leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love an unhinged woman / unreliable narrator book as much as the next girl, but this felt a little flat. Despite its synopsis, the story doesn’t focus much on Dino’s disappearance or Baby’s search for him, instead it’s more of a slice-of-life book following Baby’s everyday life as a sex worker. It wasn’t as gritty as I was expecting it to be, and sadly its length meant that it quickly became repetitive.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to believe we'd meet again, that Dino would come home to me. If not, I'd never leave my bed. I'd fall down a manhole in my new strappy shoes. I'd let the pigeons of Union Square eat me alive. Save me, save me!

This is a messy book - gloriously, intentionally, messy - like life, and love, itself. First, I must say that Newell can write: her prose is zippy and smart; she knows how to use similes and metaphors so that they illuminate her writing: 'they wore their fantasies like girdles, an everyday secret' - catching that sense of restriction and liberation, of what's hidden beneath the surface, behind the mendacities of social identity; or the layered used of 'soft core' from its sex work category to the perfume worn by Baby in its heart-shaped bottle - to the importance of vulnerability as the only true basis for intimacy.

I'm always fascinated by books that explore sex work and the corollaries of power, consumption, gender and the gaze. But the best look beyond the surface of what it means to be, here, a stripper or a dancer (I'm thinking of No Touching which plays in a similar space) so that the club or, later, the BDSM house are sites of revelation beyond their surface and literal function.

With wonderful textual control, we follow Ruth through love, friendship, desperation and breakdown. We're never quite sure how far we can believe her, especially as she starts seeing Dino in all the men she meets, and there's a ramping of tension in the last quarter or so of the book that had me feverishly turning the pages.

And where we end up - no spoilers - is an ending that is also a beginning and an opening. I loved, loved, loved this book and have immediately put Newell's debut, Oola, on my TBR.

Many thanks to 4th Estate for an ARC via NetGalley - I'll be surprised if this isn't one of my books of 2025!

[Wynter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Listen - this is a book for the Vibes girlies only. If you’re a Plot girlie, you gotta sit this one out. I see a lot of negative reviews under this book from people who were expecting more from it and I understand why; the synopsis made it sound like more was going to happen. But don’t blame the author — blame the publisher for not marketing her book correctly. Personally I enjoyed the meandering aimlessness of it all. It reflected the meandering aimlessness of Ruthie’s existence. But! It will not be everyone’s cup of tea and I just want to do my part in making sure it gets into the hands of people who will appreciate it.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published February 4, 2025.

This book was not meant for the likes of me. Maybe it will mean something to disaffected 20-somethings who are still trying to figure things out, I don’t know. And the jacket information is a bit misleading.

Ruth is living with her ex, Dino, a ketamine dealer in an old Victorian house that I’m wondering how they could ever afford in San Francisco. I know it isn’t nice but it’s also San Francisco. Anyway, Ruth starts dancing in a strip club under the name Baby. Then Dino disappears.

Ruth begins to think she sees him everywhere. She then starts moonlighting at a BDSM club and makes a friend. This is kind of it. The book really wants to mean something, but I don’t know what. It’s not bad, it just kind of…drifts.

[Meike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about grief, loss, and the search for identity is very unusual, both on a narrative level and aesthetically: 27-year-old Ruth lives with her Ketamin-dealing cross-dressing ex-boyfriend Dino, ten years her senior and hailing from Santo Domingo, and his three dogs, until Dino suddenly disappears, and Ruth is overcome by feelings of loneliness and regret, because she still loves Dino. In her jobs as a stripper and a dominatrix, she starts seeing doppelgaengers of Dino, feels like a colleague is stealing her characteristics, and ponders the emotional needs that drive her clients to pay for her services - and how she herself seeks connection with them and her co-workers. The text becomes a hallucinatory maelstrom with Ruth losing herself in the seedy underbelly of San Francisco, longing for love.

Brittany Newell knows what she's talking about, because she hasn't only studied literature at Stanford, but works as a dominatrix in San Francisco herself. The sound of her language is distinct, she finds moody metaphors and has a penchant for intricate descriptions of colors (much like my favorite author, Christian Kracht). Young Ruth is seeking abandon in drugs and sex, then she loses her grip when she loses Dino, and her mind starts betraying her - and it remains unclear to what degree, which renders the unreliable omniscient narrator effective. The minor characters like kinkster Simon, married Charlie who pays her for sex, suicide-obsessed Nobody with whom she exchanges e-mails, stripper colleagues Ophelia who is caught in a toxic relationship and Emeline who is ostracized as a rich girl merely seeking distraction as a sex worker are intriguing and add to the portrayal of Ruth, bringing out different sides of her - much like the backstory about her parents that involves suicide and depression.

While the ending is unfortunately not fully satisfactory, it's easy to stay on for the ride, because it's fast, engaging, and pays off in multiple atmospheric vignettes that are never sentimental or moralistic, but always empathetic, psychologically plausible, and emotionally dense. While I don't see prize judges finding the courage to nominate something this edgy and unusual, the text would deserve it, as it juggles various postmodern narrative tricks while discussing a very classic theme: The wish to be loved and to belong. Can't wait to read Newell's next effort.

[Celine · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I picture a pie with latticework crust; that was my heart, all marked up by men.” 🥧

I loved this book like an all-consuming affair. It took my breath away.

A woman named Ruth lives with her ex-boyfriend Dino, while navigating a career in s*x work. When Dino goes missing, the structure in her life loosens, and she is unable to make sense of what is left.

I loved this book for perhaps too many reasons to name. The messiness with which the story is told; the brash, unafraid way that Ruth shares her life with the reader.

I loved being thrust into her corner of the world, where she tries to make sense of everything. I found many versions of myself alongside of her.

I was immersed, completely. God-tier book.

[Elizabeth Tuttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You're telling me a queer dominatrix wrote a tender portrait of sex work that's published by FSG? Fuck yes.

Soft Core absolutely lived up to my expectations. Our protagonist - Ruth by birth, but Baby by profession - lives with her ex-boyfriend. When he suddenly disappears without warning, Baby moves from stripping to working at a BDSM dungeon. The story feels a bit slice-of-life in the way we meet many characters around Baby who are absolutely fascinating, but we do not get resolutions on most plot points. Vibes > plot.

The way Newall captures the disgusting elements of sex and femininity was refreshingly honest. An example of a passage I appreciated which also generally reflects the tone and writing:

As we ate I was reacquainted with that glorious postcoital hunger. It was one of those things I'd loved most about sleeping around: the private bliss of settling into my bed, still leaking a stranger's juices, and eating the snacks I'd accrued on the long journey home. Gummy worms, Oreos, seltzer, saltines. Out with my date earlier in the night I would purposefully eat very little, so as to (A) compound my drunkenness, (b) minimize the bloat, and (C) save myself for this ritual. As I feasted in bed, I would think of an expression I'd heard my mom use: She's a bottomless pit. It felt true. Post-pounding, I was at home in my role as a hole. I felt both queenly and gross, indulging what felt like an innate need to be filled. 

This book reminded me a bit of Lauren Oyler's Fake Accounts, in the way our protagonist feels a bit aimless after her ex-boyfriend drops out of the picture, and very much of Alexandra Kleeman's You Too Can Have a Body Like Mine in the perpetual (un)becoming, uncertainty of what is truly going on, and the strange female friend. This book is best suited for those who are interested in stories about non-normative human relationships, an intellectual exploration of kink and desire (not smut!), and who don't mind lingering questions when they finish a novel. 

Thank you to FSG and NetGalley for the e-arc.

[Meagan✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining Audiobook-

Soft Core is less a traditional novel and more a descent, an immersive, vibe-heavy character study that lives in the headspace of its narrator, Baby. Brittney Newell crafts a disjointed, moody portrait of a young woman whose reality blurs between performance, desire, detachment, and deep emotional drift. It’s strange, raw, and often mesmerizing.

This book isn’t here to offer a tight plot or resolution. Instead, it leans fully into atmosphere and voice perfect for readers who enjoy stories driven by character and mood over structure. Baby’s experiences as a sex worker and her exploration of kink are presented with an unflinching, often surreal honesty. There’s also a noir-ish thread running through the search for her missing ex-boyfriend, which adds a touch of narrative momentum amid the psychological haze.

It won’t be for everyone, some might find the meandering style frustrating or too stylized, but if you’re here for the vibes, this book delivers. At times uncomfortable, often provocative, and always interesting, Soft Core is an oddly entertaining ride through one young woman’s unraveling psyche

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many others, the cover of this book immediately grabbed my attention. Then I read the description and thought, This has to be a must-read! Or so I thought 😩.

I think I’m in the outlier of readers that feel a disconnect going into this book expecting something different. I was hoping for a “madcap,” page-turning, euphoric, and chaotic exploration of the dark realities of the sexual underground with a compelling mystery on the side. While the story was intriguing at times, it ultimately felt repetitive and, frankly, boring.

This book leans heavily into being a character-driven story, delving into the descending psyche of its protagonist, Baby. It’s definitely for readers who value vibes and atmosphere over plot. Let me tell you right now—the plot is not in the room with us. It honestly reminds me of the movie Anora, and how I felt watching that.

I initially thought I was lucky to have the audiobook for this read, as I usually enjoy when the narrator matches the book’s energy. However, the book’s energy was so mild that I believe a more animated narrator might have helped bridge the gap between what I expected and what I got. That said, Lakin’s narration did capture the essence of Baby and her counterparts, just not in a way that captivated me or added to the experience.

While the story often felt repetitive and mundane, I did appreciate its honest depiction of sex work as a job like any other—one that can be monotonous and routine. The book does well in exploring the day-to-day realities, conversations, and culture of those in the industry. However, I struggled to connect with Baby as a character. I don’t need a character to be likable, reliable, or even particularly redeemable, but I do need them to be charismatic and energetic in their flaws, and I just didn’t find that here.

The book leans heavily on the shock value of Baby’s clients and the work she does, but for me, it didn’t feel revolutionary. I was left wishing for more of a plot to ground the story. I can see how some readers might be enthralled by the layers of loneliness and longing that the book captures, but it didn’t resonate with me on that level.

That said, Soft Core is by no means poorly written. It’s vivid and intentional in its imagery and scenes. Having now read it with a clearer understanding of what the book is trying to be, I plan to revisit it with adjusted expectations and see how my perspective might shift.

Beyond appreciative to Netgalley, FSG, and Macmillan Audio for this ARC and ALC.

[Gerald Larocque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft Core by Brittany Newell is a profound exploration of identity, vulnerability, and the complex nature of human relationships. In a world often marked by hasty judgments, this novel encourages us to slow down and reevaluate our preconceived notions.

"We are all soft cores, hiding behind hardened shells." Newell masterfully blurs the lines between strength and fragility, inviting empathy for her characters as they navigate their insecurities and desires. She illustrates the delicate balance between our inner lives and our outward presentations.

The characters are intricately crafted, each embodying different aspects of human connection. They are neither wholly good nor bad; they are simply human. This authenticity makes their journeys more relatable and impactful. "We find our strength in our connections, yet we destroy ourselves with the weight of expectation." This line encapsulates the novel's essential message: while relationships can uplift us, they can also impose immense pressure.

Newell’s exploration of societal norms and the quest for authenticity adds another significant layer to the narrative. The protagonist, Ruth, grapples with asserting her identity in a world that often seeks to confine individuals into rigid categories. In a poignant moment of reflection, she states, “To be seen as I am, not what others want me to be, is my ultimate rebellion.” Newell’s unflinching honesty captures the courage required to strip away the expectations imposed by society.

The writing style blends sharp wit with profound introspection, making complex themes accessible. Newell's ability to weave humor into serious topics creates a varied emotional landscape. The prose unfolds like a melodic composition of emotions, guiding us through moments of joy, sorrow, and everything in between, forming a rich tapestry that captivates from beginning to end.

As we journey through the narrative, we are reminded that beneath our hardened exteriors lies a soft core yearning for connection and acceptance. This novel speaks to anyone willing to confront their vulnerabilities, revealing the true beauty of what it means to be human.

[Janae (The Modish Geek) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important point to know going into this book is that the synopsis is a little misleading. It’s not a mystery or a mad dash search; we aren’t stepping into a “sexual underworld” to find a missing ex. It’s a slice of life, vibes over plot, emotional look into a woman’s days and nights as a sex worker as she struggles with her ex-boyfriend going MIA. Ruth, AKA Baby, slowly unravels as she tries to figure out where he went and why.

SOFT CORE was an interesting and engaging read. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was great. It lent well to the vibe of hearing someone’s diary entries. It read like musings found in the chapters of a tell-all memoir. (You can’t convince me that these sexual scenario aren’t ones the author encountered or was told about!) Baby tells us about her ex, friends, co-workers, customers, and heartbreaks.

As Baby works nights as a stripper, days at a BDSM club, and fights her growing loneliness, she starts to lose her grip on reality and I felt that through her narration. I was never quite sure if everything she said was true, even at the very end. She’s self-destructive, hungry for love, and afraid to lose what she’s managed to grasp.

I had a good time and if you enjoy character-driven stories or quick peeks into character’s lives, I’d recommend. Nothing shocking or solacious IMO; but a realistic depiction of a 20-something woman trying to keep up.

I’ll definitely be going back to pick up the author’s debut.

Shoutout to NetGalley and FSG for the ALC.

[Fiona W · Rating 4 out of 5]

very readable and had some of the loveliest descriptions of bellies I have ever read :)

[Ghoul Von Horror · Rating 1 out of 5]

[TW/CW: Language, drinking, smoking, drinking pee, drug use, cheating, child abandonment, toxic family relationships, alcoholism, eating disorder, bullying, family drama, use of c-word]

*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Ruth is lost. She’s living in a drafty Victorian with her ex-boyfriend Dino, a ketamine dealer with a lingerie habit, overdosing on television and regretting her master’s degree. When she starts dancing at a strip club, she becomes Baby Blue, seductress of crypto bros, outcasts, and old lovers alike. Plunged into this swirling underworld of beautiful women, fast cash, ungodly hours, and strangers’ secrets, Baby’s grip on reality begins to loosen. She is sure she can handle it—until one autumn morning when Dino disappears without a trace.
Thus begins a nocturnal quest for the one she still loves—through the misty hills of San Francisco; in dive bars and bus depots; at the BDSM dungeon where she takes a part-time gig. Along the way, she meets Simon, a recluse who pays her for increasingly bizarre favors; a philosophizing suicide fetishist named Nobody; and Emeline, the beautiful and balletic new hire who reminds Baby of someone . . .
Release Date: February 4th, 2025
Genre: Women's fiction
Pages: 352
Rating: ⭐

What I Liked:
1. Some of the most insane things mentioned

What I Didn't Like:
1. Writing got to be too much
2. Felt like there was no point and aimless
3. Over the top things happening to just happen

Final Thoughts:
Nothing is worse than reading a book and thinking it'll go somewhere or have a message. I felt like I was trapped on the ocean in a boat being hit by wave after wave. Half way through this book I kept trying to understand where it was going and what the book was trying to tell me. In the end though I felt like it was all pointless. You're just traveling around with Ruth as she does the most crazy things but getting little pay off for the adventures.

Ruth's boyfriend is missing and outside of his warning to not call the cops she does nothing to find him. How is she paying rent when he was so secretive about his money? Why did she start to think she saw him in so many people? None of this is explained. You're just cast into this ever moving too crazy unbelievable world that Ruth owns. The language is peppered with complex sentences that you shouldn't think too hard about. Ruth decides to move in a new person. It all seems like worthless.

We never learn about why Dena was messing around with Ruth or if she was. How did she end up in her life but small world her dad was the one that Ruth used to sleep with.

Every page felt like a hurtle. I read another book from this author; Oola and did not like it either. Those characters in the book also went no where and the story just sits in this almost limbo. It all felt so stale and meh.

My review for Oola
IG | Blog

Thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for the ebook edition of this book and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jillian B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft Core is sharply witty at some points and quietly heartbreaking at others. Ruth is a likeable character made all the more relatable by her flaws, and by the end of the story she feels like an old friend. Literary fiction fans will not want to miss this one! Full review at BookBrowse: https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/in...

[Yahaira]

Gifted copy' from publisher

This book surprised me with its tenderness and slipperiness.

The cover, the title, the blurb all want to set you up for an erotic thriller of sorts, and sure, some of that is there, but with a bit of a Gothic vibe this is more of a ghostly love story. After her ex-bf/ roommate Dino doesn't come home one night, Ruth finds herself alone. As she hopes he comes back reality starts to crack, it seems Dino is everywhere.

Even when this book is about longing, loneliness, and sometimes desperation, there's still this energy to it making it read as so alive. Ruth being one of the most realized characters I've read makes this a propulsive read. You can tell this is written from a lived experience. Even when there's so much l can't relate to, Ruth works as a stripper and a BDSM dungeon in San Francisco, I'm still empathetic to Ruth's drifting (late 20's with a master you don't know what to do with? Been there). While the blurb states she goes on a search for Dino, really Dino sets her up for a journey that forces her to confront her own feelings and wants. They were broken up and living in a co-dependent relationship, so why is this so hard for Ruth? Maybe we have to deal with some things in our past to be able to move forward, huh Ruth?

I could talk about how Newell plays with reality and fantasy, not just as Ruth becomes slightly (hah!) unreliable, but as she deals with clients as Baby the dancer and Sunday the dungeon master. Not only is there a split of self, but the mental load of carrying these stranger's secrets and creating a different form of intimacy with them has to have some effect on her. What I really want to point out is the writing, Newall has a way of crafting perfect metaphors. The sounds and scents come off the page, the visuals are immediate. She has a way of balancing this foggy, dark atmosphere with humor that makes for a compelling read. Some of these sentences were at, or almost at, fizz level.

Just know you're going into a character study here, one that captures the grief of a relationship (possibly) ending.

I'm being so good not bringing up capitalism!! That even though the San Francisco Newell depicts isn't centered in the tech/corp bro you usually see, the dancers still get excited when they show up since it'll more likely be a good money night. There's a scene with a waitress that really connected it all.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fvck this is good. Wow.

When I'd joke in college that I should just strip, THIS is what I'd meant (well aspired for, no telling if I'd be any good lol)
Brittany Newell makes it abundantly clear that dancing isn't "easy money". It's taking control of, monetizing, and extricating from yourself what the world wants from you (i.e., women) anyway. In this way she's able to give a glimpse of what puts the "club" in "strip club" for its dancers. She humanizes the club to a point of mundanity. In the relationships we

The authenticity of her writing leaves no choice but to let go of any taboos on the topic. This is what I was hoping for from the movie Hustlers, and then some (tbh the movie doesn't even deserve this comparison, but I don't have much else to go on) THIS is empowering. THIS is true to life (trusting Brittany here, and idt she'd steer us wrong). THIS is the kind of lit I need more of.

Since finishing, I went down a rabbit hole and discovered Chapter 1 was initially published as a short story, Baby. Thanks to Baby, she was awarded a grant that helped give her the ability to write Soft Core in full. Now with FSG is publishing, I have my fingers crossed we'll get a lot more from Brittany, grant or not.

It should go without saying that Christine Lakin did this novel justice in her narration, she doesn't miss.

How a novel can be simultaneously THIS gritty and THIS stunningly beautiful is beyond me.
I can't wait to watch Soft Core blow up, the attention it's already receiving is unquestionably deserved and will just compound after pub day.

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, the incredibly intelligent & down to Earth Brittany Newell, Christine Lakin, FSG and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review! FSG, I forgive you for denying my initial NG request <3 hehe)

[jocelyn • coolgalreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

let's be besties, ruth

[Biblio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was like watching gossip girl mixed in with sex in the city but it's actually enjoyable. We follow Baby a stripper who lives with her flamboyant and dashing ex-bf Dino. He goes missing and she goes on a journey of self discovery, love, power and let's face it, really ridiculous side quests. This was addicting and I mean I literally sat and devoured this in one setting. You will laugh, you will relate and you will laugh some more. You will love and despise the girls at the club which adds to the addicting nature of this read. Honestly it's delicious trash tv wrapped up in a story. If you love romance, revenge, power and friendship you will love Soft Core.

Coming February 2025, ARC Review- NetGalley

[Laura Porto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soft Core tries to be provocative and emotionally raw, but it ultimately feels like style over substance. Brittany Newell writes with flair, and there are moments where the prose hints at something deeper—glimpses of vulnerability, loneliness, and the desire for connection in a hyper-digital world. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between.

The narrative feels disjointed, often slipping into self-indulgence. The characters come across more like caricatures than people, and it’s hard to invest in their journeys when so little development takes place. The book seems to want to critique internet-age intimacy and performance, but it gets lost in its own aesthetic.

There’s an audience for this kind of detached, irony-drenched storytelling, but I found it frustrating and hollow. It’s a missed opportunity—ambitious in concept but lacking the emotional weight to make it resonate

[Meredith Eldred · Rating 5 out of 5]

i had sky high expectations, and this met every single one. a slice of life story about a sex worker in san francisco, seeing the face of her newly disappeared ex-bf in the face of everyone she passes.

Newell perfectly crafted a cast of complex, messy characters with Baby (Ruth) at the helm. her writing is lush, unique, and somehow even when it's discussing kinda gross things, i couldn't get enough of it. it's perhaps the most 'up my alley' story i've ever read; Newell included the term 'bildungsroman' in the same book as a piss kink. absolutely iconic.

[Bert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soft Core was everything I wanted it to be and more. The plot is non-existent but the vibes are in abundance, and I’m a vibes girlie. An insane ride that I reckon I’m gonna be talking about for the rest of the year to anyone who will listen. Her perfume is called “Soft Core” but I reckon if Baby didn’t wear that she’d be the type to wear Britney Spears Fantasy. GAGGED!!

[hanney · Rating 3 out of 5]

i kinda liked it! (this is a glowing review btw. me and litfic usually beef)

[verynicebook · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! Pretty good! RTC! Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the arc.

[betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

soft core was a beautifully written fever dream following sex worker baby’s year-long spiral in san francisco. this was unique, provocative, disturbing at times, hilarious, heartbreaking, and stylistically excellent. i was hooked from the first few pages. i think this one people will either love or hate (much like an otessa moshfegh novel) but i absolutely ate this shit up.

4.5 rounded up

[Alexis Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

soft core by brittany newell 💓 a young woman's madcap search for her missing ex-boyfriend takes her into the sexual underground.

immediately while reading the first chapter I knew I was going to love this book. to start, THE WRITING- the descriptions were so vivid I felt like I was there. the sultry, moody venues where the air is heavy with sought after perfumes. newell captured the bittersweet, raw and gritty essence of working in clubs while navigating the complex emotions of being young and vulnerable.

💭 the pacing is dreamlike, mirroring our fmc’s descent into desperation. beneath the messy exterior all she yearns for is overcoming her loneliness with love and cherishing the minimal moments of connection that she gets. yet at the end of the day… who doesn't? soft core is more of a literary fiction (heavy on the vibes) with mysterious elements sprinkled in!

after deep diving and reading every interview where this author was talking about this book, I learned that all of the “dungeon” scenes are nonfiction and based on real events that happened to newell while working at fantasy makers, a famed BDSM home! thank you for letting us take a sneak peek into your world 👀

fair warning: the ending is lowkey up for interpretation so if that’s not your jam, good luck charlie! thank you macmillan audio for an early copy 🎧 5 stars!

[Chloe Tildsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soft Core was a romp, to say the least. An intense and vivid memoir novel from pro-domme Brittany Newell.
We follow Ruth, our unreliable narrator, as she tumbles down many dodgy rabbit holes in San Francisco and finds her power while navigating love, friendship, and revenge, all while juggling a career in SW.

The narrative of Soft Core becomes increasingly fleeting and unhinged; however, the writing style remains fluid and engaging enough to keep the reader wanting more.

On reflection, I am left attempting to braid together a few loose ends: the fate of Nobody and the many unanswered questions regarding Dino. Intentional? I believe so; however, I would have preferred some closure on these aspects.

All in all, Soft Core delivers a story with real heart, and given a bit more attention to concluding a few key plot lines, this may well have been a four-star read for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the ARC.

[Kaleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted more from this. Sure the subject matter was provocative but the writing felt more like chick lit than anything. Like a stripper version of Bridget Jones but in a noir. Which is something. But it wasn't for me.

[Kailyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

What did I just read… I don’t think this book even had a plot

[ocelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

impossible to be objective about this because anyone writing about falling in love in san francisco is genius to me

[میعاد · Rating 2 out of 5]

ایدهٔ کتاب جذاب به‌نظر می‌رسید اما پرداخت نویسنده سطحی بود و یک سری مسائل مدام تکرار می‌شد.
۱/۵