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The Next Life
After the painful divorce from her husband, Reina Amari, wealthy mother of two, has lost her sense of self. No longer wife and homemaker, she feels low, lonely and purposeless in her huge mansion in the Hamptons. Her life suddenly changes when she meets Belle, her new pool technician, who brings back feelings long forgotten. Her emotions conflicted, Belle roars into Reina’s life like a storm; the calm waters now a thing of the past, and Reina has no idea how to deal with the situation.
Single mom Belle Rodgers services pools during the day and works for Hamptons’ Escorts a few nights a week. She loves giving her female clients the only thing their rich husbands can’t provide: an unforgettable night between the sheets. Belle’s number one rule is to not get emotionally invested but when her secret crush Reina books her, that proves to be a tough challenge.
Between their differences in lifestyle and Belle having a less than conventional job, nothing is simple and they struggle to fight their undeniable chemistry. Can Reina come to terms with her sexuality? And can Belle find the trust to open herself up? Storms are beautiful but they can also be destructive…
The Next Life: a sizzling collaboration from bestselling author Lise Gold & erotica author, Madeleine Taylor.
102,000 words
Single mom Belle Rodgers services pools during the day and works for Hamptons’ Escorts a few nights a week. She loves giving her female clients the only thing their rich husbands can’t provide: an unforgettable night between the sheets. Belle’s number one rule is to not get emotionally invested but when her secret crush Reina books her, that proves to be a tough challenge.
Between their differences in lifestyle and Belle having a less than conventional job, nothing is simple and they struggle to fight their undeniable chemistry. Can Reina come to terms with her sexuality? And can Belle find the trust to open herself up? Storms are beautiful but they can also be destructive…
The Next Life: a sizzling collaboration from bestselling author Lise Gold & erotica author, Madeleine Taylor.
102,000 words
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2019
127 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Lise Gold
50 books688 followersLise Gold is an author of lesbian romance. Her romantic attitude, enthusiasm for travel and love for feel good stories form the heartland of her writing. Born in London to a Norwegian mother and English father, and growing up between the UK, Norway, Zambia and the Netherlands, she feels at home pretty much everywhere and has an unending curiosity for new destinations. She goes by 'write what you know' and is often found in exotic locations doing research or getting inspired for her next novel.
Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.
When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.
Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.
When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 28, 2021
Reina has been mourning the end of her marriage for about a year, and when her friend Sasha suggests she enjoys her newfound freedom instead of seeing the breakup as the end of her life, she can’t deny she has a point. Enters Belle, the new pool girl and, as Reina finds out through Sasha, an escort. Reina got married very young and never acted on her attraction to women. The chemistry she feels with Belle is stratospheric and her efforts to ignore it fail decidedly. Belle too would love to ignore the feeling. She’s busy raising a small kid and starting her own business and she gets her no-strings sex through her escort work. That should be enough. But of course, it isn’t because what would the fun be in that?
It’s no secret anymore that Lise Gold and Madeleine Taylor are the same person, so it should be weird to read a book co-authored by them. It works surprisingly well, there’s the Lise Gold brand of romance and all the hotness of a Madeleine Taylor erotic novella.
The story is a little slow to start, especially in Reina’s chapters (it’s told in first person from both MC’s POV), and that worried me at first, all the more so as the book is on the longer side, but in the end, it turned out to be a good thing. It establishes the two characters’ seemingly opposite personalities – Reina is unhappy, flat, idle and wealthy, Belle is full of energy and hopeful for the future despite a difficult past – and spotlights the divide of where they both are in life. As the story develops, Reina’s listlessness turns into strength and self-confidence while Belle starts showing her vulnerability and confusion. The constant shift in power feels very relatable.
Belle is very easy to like. She’s vivacious, driven, kind, fun. It took me longer to like Reina. I rolled my eyes a few times at her apparent apathy and wallowing in self-pity, however valid. When she meets Belle, however, her demeanour starts evolving slowly (and not so slowly), which led to growing respect on my part.
Best friends in romance are often excellent characters and Sasha, Reina’s friend, and Juliette, Belle’s, prove that point once again. Among the other characters I liked a lot are Reina’s daughter Nicole and Jackie, Belle’s father’s best friend.
There’s a very sweet – and bittersweet – side arc and I won’t get into details lest I spoil it but let’s just say it reminded me of the movie Snapshots.
It’s easy to let oneself drift into the world Lise Gold describes in her books. It’s often a much gentler world than the one we live in, even if it’s not entirely free of drama. I stopped reading at one point and went all “no no no” because things were going so well after Belle and Raina seemed to get over their respective hang-ups, which could only mean trouble was brewing. It certainly was and I didn’t see it coming. Fear not though, the drama is resolved in pure Lise Gold style, with kindness and love.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s no secret anymore that Lise Gold and Madeleine Taylor are the same person, so it should be weird to read a book co-authored by them. It works surprisingly well, there’s the Lise Gold brand of romance and all the hotness of a Madeleine Taylor erotic novella.
The story is a little slow to start, especially in Reina’s chapters (it’s told in first person from both MC’s POV), and that worried me at first, all the more so as the book is on the longer side, but in the end, it turned out to be a good thing. It establishes the two characters’ seemingly opposite personalities – Reina is unhappy, flat, idle and wealthy, Belle is full of energy and hopeful for the future despite a difficult past – and spotlights the divide of where they both are in life. As the story develops, Reina’s listlessness turns into strength and self-confidence while Belle starts showing her vulnerability and confusion. The constant shift in power feels very relatable.
Belle is very easy to like. She’s vivacious, driven, kind, fun. It took me longer to like Reina. I rolled my eyes a few times at her apparent apathy and wallowing in self-pity, however valid. When she meets Belle, however, her demeanour starts evolving slowly (and not so slowly), which led to growing respect on my part.
Best friends in romance are often excellent characters and Sasha, Reina’s friend, and Juliette, Belle’s, prove that point once again. Among the other characters I liked a lot are Reina’s daughter Nicole and Jackie, Belle’s father’s best friend.
There’s a very sweet – and bittersweet – side arc and I won’t get into details lest I spoil it but let’s just say it reminded me of the movie Snapshots.
It’s easy to let oneself drift into the world Lise Gold describes in her books. It’s often a much gentler world than the one we live in, even if it’s not entirely free of drama. I stopped reading at one point and went all “no no no” because things were going so well after Belle and Raina seemed to get over their respective hang-ups, which could only mean trouble was brewing. It certainly was and I didn’t see it coming. Fear not though, the drama is resolved in pure Lise Gold style, with kindness and love.
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 7, 2021
5 Stars - LOVED IT!
Lise Gold never disappoints. This one is definitely going on the re-read shelf. Both characters are lovable and interesting. The side characters are very good and there is a very interesting twist with one of them. The dark period happens earlier then usual in this book and when it looks like we might be heading for a second one.... well what ends up happening had me smiling my ass off. I highly, highly recommend if this book if you are looking for a sweet but very chemistry intense and steamy romance.
Lise Gold never disappoints. This one is definitely going on the re-read shelf. Both characters are lovable and interesting. The side characters are very good and there is a very interesting twist with one of them. The dark period happens earlier then usual in this book and when it looks like we might be heading for a second one.... well what ends up happening had me smiling my ass off. I highly, highly recommend if this book if you are looking for a sweet but very chemistry intense and steamy romance.
December 3, 2021
Escorts.
This story is a fantasy read for middle-aged, rich, divorced women who dream of leading a more adventurous sex life. Reina is divorced, her two kids are grown up and she's lonely. She starts noticing the georgeous pool technician, Belle, who services her pool and when Reina's friend passes her a business card of an escort service, her interest in the women escorts section piques, because why not? Reina discovers Belle's photo on the escort website and it's almost a dream come true.
I enjoyed this little fantasy. It was fun watching Reina and Belle's arrangement evolve into a love affair and Reina's journey of self-discovery. This story is incredibly passionate and the scenes are hot, which isn't a surprise since Lise Gold wrote this as a collaboration with her own erotic alter ego, Madeleine Taylor.
The audiobook uses two narrators because the book has two POVs but I'm not a fan. I like Abby Craden and Tessa Stavers individually but I can't get used to one character having two voices.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is a fantasy read for middle-aged, rich, divorced women who dream of leading a more adventurous sex life. Reina is divorced, her two kids are grown up and she's lonely. She starts noticing the georgeous pool technician, Belle, who services her pool and when Reina's friend passes her a business card of an escort service, her interest in the women escorts section piques, because why not? Reina discovers Belle's photo on the escort website and it's almost a dream come true.
I enjoyed this little fantasy. It was fun watching Reina and Belle's arrangement evolve into a love affair and Reina's journey of self-discovery. This story is incredibly passionate and the scenes are hot, which isn't a surprise since Lise Gold wrote this as a collaboration with her own erotic alter ego, Madeleine Taylor.
The audiobook uses two narrators because the book has two POVs but I'm not a fan. I like Abby Craden and Tessa Stavers individually but I can't get used to one character having two voices.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2022
4.5 stars
Another solid, enjoyable erotic romance from Lise Gold/Madeleine Taylor!
For those unfamiliar with what Lise Gold (who is also Madeleine Taylor - her erotica alter-ego) provides in her stories, it's escape. Sometimes she takes us to exotic places around the world - and I suppose The Hamptons in New York where the ultra rich live might qualify for some - and gives us a peek into their culture, food and daily existence. In this case, we're brought into the world of Reina Amari - a very wealthy woman in the prime of her life who is recovering alone in a beautiful mansion on the beach from a painful divorce. She lost most of her friends when she and her husband split, her children are now out of the house either in college or pursuing their dreams, and she is feeling adrift. When a new very attractive pool technician Belle Rodgers is sent to service her pool three times a week, Reina is immediately attracted to her. She's never been with a woman before. She married her husband very young and had only been with him. But she can't deny the feelings this woman stirs in her.
Belle doesn't just service pools. She's also a female escort a few nights a week to the wealthy, often closeted straight women of the Hamptons. Belle finds herself drawn to Reina and while she finds all women beautiful in their own way, there is a pull to Reina unlike she's ever felt. But there's no way a woman like Reina - who exists in a completely different social class - would look her way and Belle has a four year old daughter to consider. No, she just needs to focus on her work and pursue other dreams she's working towards. But she doesn't know the effect she is having on Reina either.
This story was told in dual first person - with Abby Craden beautifully voicing Reina and Madeleine Taylor narrator Tessa Stavers performing Belle. Each character alternates chapters, which gives the reader an "in" to what each is feeling and thinking as their story progresses.
One of the things I love about this author's books is that she doesn't follow the dreaded "formula" so I don't find myself bracing for the big terrible black period at the 80 percent mark. That doesn't mean there aren't challenges - just that her characters actually communicate through them.
This is definitely a fantasy and why not? How often do we as readers watch or read something and think, "Now why can't/couldn't it just happen THIS way??" Gold gives us those moments because she can. And I appreciate that.
Another solid, enjoyable erotic romance from Lise Gold/Madeleine Taylor!
For those unfamiliar with what Lise Gold (who is also Madeleine Taylor - her erotica alter-ego) provides in her stories, it's escape. Sometimes she takes us to exotic places around the world - and I suppose The Hamptons in New York where the ultra rich live might qualify for some - and gives us a peek into their culture, food and daily existence. In this case, we're brought into the world of Reina Amari - a very wealthy woman in the prime of her life who is recovering alone in a beautiful mansion on the beach from a painful divorce. She lost most of her friends when she and her husband split, her children are now out of the house either in college or pursuing their dreams, and she is feeling adrift. When a new very attractive pool technician Belle Rodgers is sent to service her pool three times a week, Reina is immediately attracted to her. She's never been with a woman before. She married her husband very young and had only been with him. But she can't deny the feelings this woman stirs in her.
Belle doesn't just service pools. She's also a female escort a few nights a week to the wealthy, often closeted straight women of the Hamptons. Belle finds herself drawn to Reina and while she finds all women beautiful in their own way, there is a pull to Reina unlike she's ever felt. But there's no way a woman like Reina - who exists in a completely different social class - would look her way and Belle has a four year old daughter to consider. No, she just needs to focus on her work and pursue other dreams she's working towards. But she doesn't know the effect she is having on Reina either.
This story was told in dual first person - with Abby Craden beautifully voicing Reina and Madeleine Taylor narrator Tessa Stavers performing Belle. Each character alternates chapters, which gives the reader an "in" to what each is feeling and thinking as their story progresses.
One of the things I love about this author's books is that she doesn't follow the dreaded "formula" so I don't find myself bracing for the big terrible black period at the 80 percent mark. That doesn't mean there aren't challenges - just that her characters actually communicate through them.
This is definitely a fantasy and why not? How often do we as readers watch or read something and think, "Now why can't/couldn't it just happen THIS way??" Gold gives us those moments because she can. And I appreciate that.
September 28, 2021
Review of The Next Life by Lise Gold and Madeleine Taylor, Audiobook narrated by Abby Craden and Tessa Stavers
It’s no mystery that Madeleine Taylor is Lise Gold’s pen name for her erotica books, a secret that she unveiled a few months ago, though many of us suspected well before that. Many authors use a pseudonym to write a different genre, for example, Kris Bryant writing erotica as Bryt Rider. Writing under two different names is not uncommon but it’s strange that Ms. Gold brought both names together in her latest novel. This book is high on erotica and romance parts so it makes sense to include both names and raise Madeleine Taylor’s profile in the process.
After a painful divorce from her husband, Reina Amari lives a quiet life by herself in a mansion in the Hamptons until Belle Rodgers comes into her life. Belle is a single mum working as a pool technician by day and escort by night. She has a crush on Reina which she keeps a secret until Reina books her escort services. They share sizzling chemistry but their differences in lifestyle and age might get in the way…
The Next Life combines Lise Gold’s heartwarming romance and Madeleine Taylor’s super hot erotica, the best of both worlds, really. Before reading it, I was wondering how this “collaboration” would work but now I realise that it was a great idea. I like the balance between romance and erotica, keeping the latter milder than in Madeleine Taylor’s books but still very hot.
This is an opposites-attract novel where the characters are not only very different in terms of age, social class, sexual orientation and profession, but they are also in different moments of their lives. Reina is coming to terms with her divorce, her sexuality and her grown-up children flying the nest, while Belle is a lesbian single mother of a 4-year-old girl trying to make a good life for them. But both women are lonely and they share a connection that goes beyond the physical.
This isn’t the first time that Ms. Gold introduces an escort main character, the other that I remember was in The Scent of Rome. Both escorts are sweet, driven and hot. Reina is in a difficult moment of her life in which she feels she needs to start over in different aspects such as her sexuality, her career and her relationship with her family. She is in turmoil and feels like her social circle cannot help, the setting in the super-rich area in the Hamptons reinforces her sense of not belonging and marks the differences with Belle even more. Her journey of transformation towards her “next life” is the most powerful message of the book.
I’ve listened to the audiobook narrated by Abby Craden and Tessa Stavers, the first performing Reina’s point of view and the latter Belle’s. I’ve said numerous times that I’m not a fan of two different narrators as I struggle with the change of voice for the same character. While I didn’t love this, I eventually got used to the change of voice until I could ignore it altogether. The choice of Abby Craden to perform the older character and Tessa Stavers the younger was very smart and both narrators did a great job.
If you are looking for an entertaining and hot erotica romance, this one is for you. 4.5 stars.
Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
It’s no mystery that Madeleine Taylor is Lise Gold’s pen name for her erotica books, a secret that she unveiled a few months ago, though many of us suspected well before that. Many authors use a pseudonym to write a different genre, for example, Kris Bryant writing erotica as Bryt Rider. Writing under two different names is not uncommon but it’s strange that Ms. Gold brought both names together in her latest novel. This book is high on erotica and romance parts so it makes sense to include both names and raise Madeleine Taylor’s profile in the process.
After a painful divorce from her husband, Reina Amari lives a quiet life by herself in a mansion in the Hamptons until Belle Rodgers comes into her life. Belle is a single mum working as a pool technician by day and escort by night. She has a crush on Reina which she keeps a secret until Reina books her escort services. They share sizzling chemistry but their differences in lifestyle and age might get in the way…
The Next Life combines Lise Gold’s heartwarming romance and Madeleine Taylor’s super hot erotica, the best of both worlds, really. Before reading it, I was wondering how this “collaboration” would work but now I realise that it was a great idea. I like the balance between romance and erotica, keeping the latter milder than in Madeleine Taylor’s books but still very hot.
This is an opposites-attract novel where the characters are not only very different in terms of age, social class, sexual orientation and profession, but they are also in different moments of their lives. Reina is coming to terms with her divorce, her sexuality and her grown-up children flying the nest, while Belle is a lesbian single mother of a 4-year-old girl trying to make a good life for them. But both women are lonely and they share a connection that goes beyond the physical.
This isn’t the first time that Ms. Gold introduces an escort main character, the other that I remember was in The Scent of Rome. Both escorts are sweet, driven and hot. Reina is in a difficult moment of her life in which she feels she needs to start over in different aspects such as her sexuality, her career and her relationship with her family. She is in turmoil and feels like her social circle cannot help, the setting in the super-rich area in the Hamptons reinforces her sense of not belonging and marks the differences with Belle even more. Her journey of transformation towards her “next life” is the most powerful message of the book.
I’ve listened to the audiobook narrated by Abby Craden and Tessa Stavers, the first performing Reina’s point of view and the latter Belle’s. I’ve said numerous times that I’m not a fan of two different narrators as I struggle with the change of voice for the same character. While I didn’t love this, I eventually got used to the change of voice until I could ignore it altogether. The choice of Abby Craden to perform the older character and Tessa Stavers the younger was very smart and both narrators did a great job.
If you are looking for an entertaining and hot erotica romance, this one is for you. 4.5 stars.
Length: 9 hrs and 44 mins
August 27, 2021
DNF at 36% (Chapter 26 of 80 + Epilogue).
Lots of telling. Not enough showing.
I'm really not fond of MCs catching intense crush/feelings just because they found the other person cute/beautiful/hot, especially when they've only shared few, brief interactions so far. The author paints the sort of attraction where one look from a character is all it takes to get another wet, and I just don't understand that kind of lust between strangers.
The writing was too starry-eyed for my liking, which is insane 'cause I actually consider myself a starry-eyed romantic (or fool, really) lol.
So Reina booked Belle through Hamptons' Escorts. What was one of her thoughts when they first kissed?
Listen. If you've got the word "forever" in your head after only a first kiss with someone, I'd be worried about you, girl.
They have sex exactly a week after they first met. It was enlightening for them both: Reina, with her first time sleeping with a woman, "had no idea" sex could feel that great; Belle, who's been an escort for 3 years, finds herself breaking her own rules, like letting Reina, a client, touch her intimately.
The next day, Belle was servicing Reina's pool again, which she does on MWF for some reason, and when she looks up and sees Reina, how does she address the latter inside her head?
My queen.
😐
I know Reina means queen in Spanish (it does too in Filipino, but it's spelled reyna), but what does it say about someone calling a woman "My queen" after only a single night of passion?
And oh, Nola (Reina's housekeeper/friend) also thinks "Miss Amari’s in love." 🤦🏻♀️
It's called post-sex glow, Nola.
*sighs*
Maybe I've become too jaded to enjoy romances like this, so please don't let this review deter you from reading this book. Many others have enjoyed it.
Update: I forgot to share my fantasy cast lol. Here ya go.
Amal Clooney as Reina Amari
Aden Clt as Belle Rodgers
Lots of telling. Not enough showing.
I'm really not fond of MCs catching intense crush/feelings just because they found the other person cute/beautiful/hot, especially when they've only shared few, brief interactions so far. The author paints the sort of attraction where one look from a character is all it takes to get another wet, and I just don't understand that kind of lust between strangers.
The writing was too starry-eyed for my liking, which is insane 'cause I actually consider myself a starry-eyed romantic (or fool, really) lol.
So Reina booked Belle through Hamptons' Escorts. What was one of her thoughts when they first kissed?
She tastes of mint and champagne; a strange but delicious combination I’ll cherish in my memories forever.
Listen. If you've got the word "forever" in your head after only a first kiss with someone, I'd be worried about you, girl.
They have sex exactly a week after they first met. It was enlightening for them both: Reina, with her first time sleeping with a woman, "had no idea" sex could feel that great; Belle, who's been an escort for 3 years, finds herself breaking her own rules, like letting Reina, a client, touch her intimately.
The next day, Belle was servicing Reina's pool again, which she does on MWF for some reason, and when she looks up and sees Reina, how does she address the latter inside her head?
My queen.
😐
I know Reina means queen in Spanish (it does too in Filipino, but it's spelled reyna), but what does it say about someone calling a woman "My queen" after only a single night of passion?
And oh, Nola (Reina's housekeeper/friend) also thinks "Miss Amari’s in love." 🤦🏻♀️
It's called post-sex glow, Nola.
*sighs*
Maybe I've become too jaded to enjoy romances like this, so please don't let this review deter you from reading this book. Many others have enjoyed it.
Update: I forgot to share my fantasy cast lol. Here ya go.
Amal Clooney as Reina Amari
Aden Clt as Belle Rodgers
August 4, 2021
Share brilliance! I'm a huge fan of Madeleine Taylor's, and although I'm not as familiar with Lise Gold's writing, I was intrigued (and a little apprehensive) when I saw the author was writing a book using both pen names.
This is the perfect blend of romance and heat. I'm a sucker for books featuring women who discover their love for women later in life. The sex scenes were smoking hot but didn't overwhelm the story.
Belle and Reina are fully fleshed out characters, and I fell for them both. Separately and as a couple.
When the expected drama-lama reared its ugly head, I thought this story was about to loose a star. I'm so over convoluted angst. But these two actually talked, and I think I swooned a little.
Highly recommended.
This is the perfect blend of romance and heat. I'm a sucker for books featuring women who discover their love for women later in life. The sex scenes were smoking hot but didn't overwhelm the story.
Belle and Reina are fully fleshed out characters, and I fell for them both. Separately and as a couple.
When the expected drama-lama reared its ugly head, I thought this story was about to loose a star. I'm so over convoluted angst. But these two actually talked, and I think I swooned a little.
Highly recommended.
August 16, 2021
The reviews are high for this one, and having enjoyed previous books from both authors, it was a no-brainer to dig into it. It was fun, fairly sexy, and light, so if these are on your must-haves, you will enjoy this. However for some reason it lacked something for me, so I can't rate it higher than a 3.5. While it was good, and certainly well written, I think I expected more oomph. Even the two MCs didn't sizzle quite as much as I would have liked. That being said, I quite liked the two separately, as well as the secondary characters, which made a book set in the Hamptons feel almost accessible on a humble level. Didn't know that would be a thing!
March 15, 2025
3.5
I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant going into this one—"MILF sleeping with the pool girl" and "client falling for escort" aren’t exactly fresh tropes. But I was pleasantly surprised! This turned out to be a heartwarming found-family story with a beautiful later-in-life coming-out arc. The writing was easy to sink into, with well-crafted spicy scenes and genuinely touching moments between Reina, Belle, and their families.
That said, I did feel like the love declarations came a little fast for my taste, but that’s just personal preference. If you enjoy toaster-oven sapphic romances with a mix of heat and heartfelt emotion, this one’s definitely worth a read!
I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant going into this one—"MILF sleeping with the pool girl" and "client falling for escort" aren’t exactly fresh tropes. But I was pleasantly surprised! This turned out to be a heartwarming found-family story with a beautiful later-in-life coming-out arc. The writing was easy to sink into, with well-crafted spicy scenes and genuinely touching moments between Reina, Belle, and their families.
That said, I did feel like the love declarations came a little fast for my taste, but that’s just personal preference. If you enjoy toaster-oven sapphic romances with a mix of heat and heartfelt emotion, this one’s definitely worth a read!
September 18, 2021
DNF @ 32%
Well... I had this book on my list for a while, but I’ve been in an audiobook mood lately and since the audiobook for this book came out, I decided now was the perfect moment to “read” it. After seeing all the raving reviews, i really thought I was going to love it, but I just couldn’t connect to the story and the characters... even the steamy moment I listened to didn’t do anything for me. I caught myself scrolling through twitter while listening because nothing seemed to hold my interest here. I wanted to stop sooner, but I decided to keep on trying to see if the story got better somehow, but nothing happened :(
Oh well... maybe I’ll try it some other time. maybe I’m not in the right mood right now.
Well... I had this book on my list for a while, but I’ve been in an audiobook mood lately and since the audiobook for this book came out, I decided now was the perfect moment to “read” it. After seeing all the raving reviews, i really thought I was going to love it, but I just couldn’t connect to the story and the characters... even the steamy moment I listened to didn’t do anything for me. I caught myself scrolling through twitter while listening because nothing seemed to hold my interest here. I wanted to stop sooner, but I decided to keep on trying to see if the story got better somehow, but nothing happened :(
Oh well... maybe I’ll try it some other time. maybe I’m not in the right mood right now.
August 8, 2021
Another enjoyable Lise gold book! Felt like the conflict was downplayed though
August 8, 2021
An almost angst-free romance between a rich, not-so-straight femme of Lebanese descent and a not-so-femme escort with a young kid.
High 3s ⭐️
High 3s ⭐️
August 7, 2021
4.8 stars. The writing of Lise Gold just clicks with me. I think there hasn't been a complete miss in her fast growing library for me. And this book is no exception. It reads easily, the characters are all great and their chemistry simply oozes off the pages.
And there's no angst which was nice because the previous book I read was all angst. Also next to no communication issues or overplayed drama here either. The characters act like the adults they are which is nice. There's also some decent fluff with the kid.
All in all I enjoyed this read immensely and had a happy/stupid grin on my face for a lot of it. Hope no one saw it while I was reading on the bus.
And there's no angst which was nice because the previous book I read was all angst. Also next to no communication issues or overplayed drama here either. The characters act like the adults they are which is nice. There's also some decent fluff with the kid.
All in all I enjoyed this read immensely and had a happy/stupid grin on my face for a lot of it. Hope no one saw it while I was reading on the bus.
July 25, 2021
I loved it !! Pure and simple ...
January 10, 2022
"The next life" is a very enjoyable read about Reina, a newly divorced woman who is finding herself and Belle, her new pool technician who is also working as an escort. The story is set in the Hamptons. The scenery is beautifully described and you feel as if you were there. That's by the way one of the reasons I enjoy Lise Gold's books so much. It's also an amazing love story with some steamy scenes and low angst.
I like all the characters, especially Reina, Belle and Reina's daughter Nicole. They feel authentic and I love that they communicate and there is not much drama.
Lise Gold's writing style just works really well for me and I love that she wrote this book in the first person. This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2021 so far.
I like all the characters, especially Reina, Belle and Reina's daughter Nicole. They feel authentic and I love that they communicate and there is not much drama.
Lise Gold's writing style just works really well for me and I love that she wrote this book in the first person. This is definitely one of my favorite books of 2021 so far.
August 19, 2021
I'm a huge Madeleine Taylor fan (she writes probably my favourite lesbian erotica although it kills me that they are typically so short!) and was particularly intrigued by Reina - a recently divorced woman from Lebanese heritage. As a queer middle eastern woman, I absolutely adore seeing queer middle eastern characters being represented, although they seem very hard to come by. I think Gold and Taylor did a great job at representing us - especially the aspect on how our sexuality can relate to our culture and the additional layer this adds to our coming out and exploration phase.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I think Reina and Belle were very sweet together and loved the escort storyline. I think this was a great version of this typical trope - mainly because of how the storyline played out, particularly with knowing each other both in the fantasy life (when Belle's escorting) and in reality.
I do have to admit that I wished there was a little more heat from Madeleine Taylor bought to the love scenes, but all-in-all a wonderful book.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this book. I think Reina and Belle were very sweet together and loved the escort storyline. I think this was a great version of this typical trope - mainly because of how the storyline played out, particularly with knowing each other both in the fantasy life (when Belle's escorting) and in reality.
I do have to admit that I wished there was a little more heat from Madeleine Taylor bought to the love scenes, but all-in-all a wonderful book.
August 20, 2023
Reina is still getting over her divorce and learning to live on her own. She has a beautiful home by the beach with a pool that is now serviced by the a very attractive woman named Belle. Reina comes from a strict upbringing and has never let herself consider falling for a woman. Belle is making ends meet for herself and her young daughter by escorting a few nights a week. She caterers only to women and enjoys her job. Reina is given a business' card to the escort service and while looking at the website sees Belle. Their encounter is quite moving for both of them and they try to navigate what it would mean to try dating. Their story has ups and downs as well as being full of love and tender moments. Of course the story was full of ice melting heat. Having both Abby Craden & Tessa Stavers narrating was fantastic. They both have very distinctive voice and it really helps with the characters in this age gap romance.
July 10, 2022
4.5 ⭐! I really loved every minute of this audiobook.
The story is about Reina Amari, recently divorced and lonely. She meets her new pool technician Belle, who's also an escort at night. Luckily, that's about where the clichés end.
The characters are great and they have a lot of chemistry.
I also really liked the secondary characters, like Reina's best friend and her daughter, or Belle's family.
It was fairly easy to ignore the escort job thing, especially because Belle quits as soon as sie starts developing feelings for Reina.
What I especially liked was that there was no real drama in the book, there wasn't the typical drama at 80%. Both mains act grownup about stuff and communicate well.
My only slightly negative point is about the narration. While I always love Abby Craden, who narrated Reina's POV, there is a second narrator for Belle's POV. In my opinion this totally would not have been necessary, as one and the same characters consequently have different voices. Is it because one narrator is usually for Lise Gold and the other one for Madeleine Taylor? In any event, I much prefer only one voice (for example, in Harper Bliss' The duet, Abby Craden does the two POVs perfectly on her own).
The story is about Reina Amari, recently divorced and lonely. She meets her new pool technician Belle, who's also an escort at night. Luckily, that's about where the clichés end.
The characters are great and they have a lot of chemistry.
I also really liked the secondary characters, like Reina's best friend and her daughter, or Belle's family.
It was fairly easy to ignore the escort job thing, especially because Belle quits as soon as sie starts developing feelings for Reina.
What I especially liked was that there was no real drama in the book, there wasn't the typical drama at 80%. Both mains act grownup about stuff and communicate well.
My only slightly negative point is about the narration. While I always love Abby Craden, who narrated Reina's POV, there is a second narrator for Belle's POV. In my opinion this totally would not have been necessary, as one and the same characters consequently have different voices. Is it because one narrator is usually for Lise Gold and the other one for Madeleine Taylor? In any event, I much prefer only one voice (for example, in Harper Bliss' The duet, Abby Craden does the two POVs perfectly on her own).
March 23, 2022
Good book
Reina is a thirty year old divorce woman who is depressed. Belle a thirty three old pool woman by day and escort by night. The characters are very real you can feel their high and lows. A story of feeling what love feels like when the chemistry is there. How Reins is faced with coming out to her family and friends, while Belle is dealing with her new life as a party party planner. A beautiful love story to read
Reina is a thirty year old divorce woman who is depressed. Belle a thirty three old pool woman by day and escort by night. The characters are very real you can feel their high and lows. A story of feeling what love feels like when the chemistry is there. How Reins is faced with coming out to her family and friends, while Belle is dealing with her new life as a party party planner. A beautiful love story to read
January 15, 2023
A perfect blend between Lise and Madeleine. I liked reading it very much.
June 7, 2022
0/10
dnf @ ~ 30%
ohhh its just
no
im guessing im just the wrong demographics for this book
maybe idve liked it if i were 20 years older
or not even then hm
dnf @ ~ 30%
ohhh its just
no
im guessing im just the wrong demographics for this book
maybe idve liked it if i were 20 years older
or not even then hm
December 14, 2021
I loved this book - all characters were real and I totally brought into the story. As always with Lise Gold a well rounded, excellent tale - but quite why it is also by her alto-ego MT I can't understand!!
September 20, 2021
Lots of Not Like Other Girls-ness, overuse of the word 'exotic,' the central conflict evaporated, and I've discovered I really can't stand rich people even in fiction. Smut of the variety where, apparently, if the narration says it's sexy, then the author should find it sexy. There was so much potential for fantastic culture clash, or pining, or better smut here and I was just overall very disappointed. Plus one star because at least it's not straight.
Edit because this made me realise something I really don't like in romance: when the only thing we know about their appearances is that they're perfect-looking. We get told that Reina is slightly insecure after having two kids, but this insecurity is apparently entirely in her head. I know Reina is a brunette, and Belle has short hair, and Belle has smaller tits. Other than that? A whole bunch of hyperbolics. Sexy. Okay. Why? Why bother describing a person's appearance if you aren't going to actually do that?
Edit because this made me realise something I really don't like in romance: when the only thing we know about their appearances is that they're perfect-looking. We get told that Reina is slightly insecure after having two kids, but this insecurity is apparently entirely in her head. I know Reina is a brunette, and Belle has short hair, and Belle has smaller tits. Other than that? A whole bunch of hyperbolics. Sexy. Okay. Why? Why bother describing a person's appearance if you aren't going to actually do that?
January 22, 2022
Addictive chemistry
Another excellent book by one of my favorite sapphic romance writers. I really loved both Reina and Belle. Lise Gold writes my favorite kind of characters - they’re interesting and complex but generally just good people. She also excels at characters who have really good chemistry together. Loved the level of heat in this one and hope to see more full length erotic romances from Lise Gold/Madeleine Taylor.
Another excellent book by one of my favorite sapphic romance writers. I really loved both Reina and Belle. Lise Gold writes my favorite kind of characters - they’re interesting and complex but generally just good people. She also excels at characters who have really good chemistry together. Loved the level of heat in this one and hope to see more full length erotic romances from Lise Gold/Madeleine Taylor.
August 4, 2021
Great combination to make an erotic romance that had a lot of heartfelt story set in the Hamptons. I loved the connection between the environment and the story.
Jae's SRC
character with everyday job
one-night stand to forever
coming out later in life
age gap romance
character of different ethnicity, culture, or race than you (Lebanese)
character is a business owner
Jae's SRC
character with everyday job
one-night stand to forever
coming out later in life
age gap romance
character of different ethnicity, culture, or race than you (Lebanese)
character is a business owner
November 12, 2021
I liked this romance a lot. Usually, I find the rich girl/poor girl trope off-putting, especially in a case like this where one MC is a single mom who didn't even finish college. But in this case, I liked both the MCs and found their attraction believable and sweet. Not only were the MCs likeable, but unlike some romances there were other interesting characters in the book. Belle and Reina each have a supportive and personable best friend and their interactions and conversations help you get insight into the characters without the author just telling you what they think. Then there are Reina's kids and her ex-husband, her weird Mom, Belle's cute toddler and her Dad and his friend and the lambs and chickens and the pregnant decorator... who knew life in the Hamptons was so eventful? The sex is very hot and explicit, which I enjoyed even if I did find it slightly unlikely that Reina would be so sexually adventurous a week after being completely repressed (for 20 years). I guess Belle is just that good. Sigh.
I listened to the audio of The Next Life and there are two voice actors. One is the incomparable Abby Craden who does her usual sultry and fantastic job (I actually thought she should have been Belle and not Reina). The other person is good but no Abby. But this is a nice audio if you like to listen.
I listened to the audio of The Next Life and there are two voice actors. One is the incomparable Abby Craden who does her usual sultry and fantastic job (I actually thought she should have been Belle and not Reina). The other person is good but no Abby. But this is a nice audio if you like to listen.
August 28, 2024
I’ve read escort books in the past and I wasn’t a huge fan but this one was written so well.
Amari is divorced from her husband that cheated on her. She meets belle that is the pool technician and as they get to know each other first as friends, her feelings start to blur. Belle a pool technician and escorts on the side for extra money to take care of her daughter. A lot happens in this book but it’s beautifully done. Poor Amari went through a lot with her ex husband and belle was her light. Their chemistry was everything. The story had me wanting to read more and there was just enough angst. The spice definitely gave 😮💨🤌🏽✨ this is the third book I read from Lise and I plan to read more 😊
Amari is divorced from her husband that cheated on her. She meets belle that is the pool technician and as they get to know each other first as friends, her feelings start to blur. Belle a pool technician and escorts on the side for extra money to take care of her daughter. A lot happens in this book but it’s beautifully done. Poor Amari went through a lot with her ex husband and belle was her light. Their chemistry was everything. The story had me wanting to read more and there was just enough angst. The spice definitely gave 😮💨🤌🏽✨ this is the third book I read from Lise and I plan to read more 😊
September 19, 2021
I adore this book! It was simply perfect. Read it!
September 1, 2021
This was a pretty good book. It had so much going on. Maybe even too much. However, I was pleased it was all wrapped up pretty nicely in the end. It’s a relatively quick read with not too much angst. The MCs had tons of chemistry and that was evident in the writing. I’ll explore more from these authors and see what else they have to offer. This was my first read from both.
Side Note: After writing this I found out the authors are the same person!
Side Note: After writing this I found out the authors are the same person!
September 21, 2021
This was fantastic. Reina is feeling very lost post-divorce and with her children having left the nest. Enter Belle, Reina’s new pool tech that she can’t seem to keep her eyes off. Belle is also an escort by night and I was so happy with how that fact was handled by Reina. Read the blurb for a better description but I thought this was a beautiful sapphic romance between two single mothers at different stages in their lives. There was also a decent amount of sexy time written extremely well.
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