Soft Core is a deep dive into depravity and longing from the perspective of a sex worker, Baby. While I thought some sections were a little repetitive, overall I really enjoyed this book. It’s fast paced and the characters are interesting.

The exploration of self worth and creating versions of yourself just to feel something was well done, as was the descension into mania. Darkly funny at times and will leave you guessing until the end.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Baby is a 27-year-old stripper who lives with her boyfriend Dino, a ketamine dealer, who goes missing. I suppose she tries to find Dino (that’s in the synopsis), but she more deals with his disappearance and stumbles/glides through her days trying to find the right feeling. Her path takes her to the club, a BSDM den, the homes of a regular, an ex (?) client, and through email correspondence with Nobody.

You know how the kids say, “It’s a vibe” ? This book — it’s a vibe. I was completely engaged and listened to the last chapter twice. The audio was great — absolutely well done and I loved Lakin’s voices for the characters — fitting and not overdone. If you like books that are odd, this one is for you.

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 😩. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

I think many readers, like myself, may 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 chaotic 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.

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.

gorgeous, lyrical writing and epic storytelling with a very interesting and flawed/realistic protagonist. definitely a rising literary star. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Four Stars. I absolutely loved the beginning of this book, the vibes were all there and the little mystery in it kept me interested. But then it just kept going. I thought there were parts of this book that absolutely could have been cut out, like what was the churchy religious shit? that felt so random and out of place for this novel. The best parts were the parts at the club and her friendship/rivalry(?) with Emeline and I wish that was focused on more. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story but it could've been condensed a bit more, especially for a book with no plot and all vibes.

Soft Core by Brittany Newell 4/5💗
*out in the US on 4 February 2025*

Okay, I loved this! I honestly was first drawn to the cover—I love it haha

I think my favorite part of this book was the inner voice and feelings of Ruth/Baby/Sunday; especially after the disappearance of Dino when things start to devolve . (Swipe to slide 3 some of the passages I highlighted while reading)
I loved how everyone in the book was humanized, especially when people who work in sex work, often aren’t. This was done without judgement, which was refreshing.
I wish there would have been more around female friendships with Ruth’s loneliness and need for a companion. The last third of the book lost me a bit, but I wanted more resolution I think!

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an advance copy!

CWs:
Drug use and sexual content
Minor: suicidal thoughts (not main character) death of a parent

A different take on the drifting 20-something female. This sees Ruth living with an ex, lots of ketamine, and a BDSM dungeon combining in a melange of words. While it wasn't for me (I'm tired of the genre), I know it will be appreciated by other readers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. The language is gorgeous.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book this much, but it surprised me in a lot of ways.
While raw, unforgiving and bold, this is a story about the unraveling of a deeply traumatized woman who doesn't believe in herself, afraid to feel and actually afraid to be. The disappearance of her ex-boyfriend starts various different events in Ruth's life that will help her come closer to understanding herself and her trauma more.
Surprisingly, it was very easy to follow, but I had to sit and think about the meaning of that ending for a long time.

If I could compare this book to anything, it definitely gave me "My year of rest and relaxation" vibes, but only so so so much better!

4.25 stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ARC.

Brittany Newell’s Soft Core is an unconventional and deeply introspective novel that takes readers into the chaotic mind of its protagonist, Ruth. With a narrative that oscillates between fragmented thoughts and surreal moments, the story mirrors Ruth’s mental instability and creates a vivid portrayal of her turbulent psyche.

At its core, Soft Core is a raw exploration of identity, trauma, and survival. Ruth’s fixation on a missing ex-lover—imagining him in every corner of her life—forms the central thread of the story. Her past, marked by hardship, and her current work as an adult entertainer add layers of complexity to her character. Despite the heavy themes, Newell’s sharp wit shines through with moments of dark humor that provide levity amidst the chaos.

While the narrative structure might feel scattered to some, this approach effectively captures Ruth’s disordered thoughts and unfiltered experiences. The author’s ability to embody the protagonist’s voice so authentically is commendable, even if the story occasionally feels disjointed.

Soft Core is not a conventional read—it’s raw, messy, and deeply personal. It’s a journey through the mind of someone grappling with loss, identity, and survival, written with a blend of humor and heartbreak. For readers who appreciate stories that challenge narrative norms and delve into the complexities of the human experience, Soft Core is a bold and unforgettable choice.

More than a story about stripping and being a dominatrix, that is also alluring. This story, with Ruth as the main character, is a study of girlhood and womanhood. There are a plethora of characters who create a symbolic universe. San Francisco is such a seedy and rich setting for the story that comes alive on each page. The ending is solid, leaving questions but also satisfying answers.

I couldn't put this one down! Such an adventure into the underbelly of sex work through the main character Ruth's experiences in the San Fran area. This book encapsulated grief, longing, desire, jealousy, and sexiness into a powerful narrative. The author has a talent for crafting a web of mystery in the plot, leaving the reader to question what is real vs. madness. Between Dino's disappearance, the notes, the email exchanges, there's a lot of questions that are left lingering even after closing the book. Can't stop thinking about it!

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 sickly 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.

I'm all about a book that focuses more on vibes than plot, and Soft Core fits perfectly within that category. Ruth is a dancer at a strip club, and one day, her older boyfriend Dino disappears without a word. This isn't a mystery or thriller, but Dino's disappearance is the catalyst for all of Ruth's (aka "Baby's") actions going forward. She's constantly questioning things as her life goes on.

Soft Core takes us into the underbelly of the world of stripping and BDSM clubs and shows us how gritty yet mundane it can be. The details are fantastic, and as I read, I could practically smell the wafts of perfume and see all of the glitter. I never knew where the story was going, and I enjoyed the ride.

This was not what I expected. It jumped around way too much for me. It also was trying for depth but just did not deliver for me. I think I'm just not the reader for this book.

Soft Core is an easy-read, slice of life book following a woman in her twenties who works as a sex worker and lived with her ex-boyfriend Dino, although her life is upended when Dino suddenly disappears. I liked the use of the unreliable narrator in this book, it was a fun reading experience to constantly question if what was happening was real, or if the narrator was making things up. I think the book would’ve benefitted from being a little shorter, as some of the scenes became repetitive towards the end. But an interesting read which people will enjoy if they like books with unreliable narrators that feel like a fever dream.

A strong debut novel. I think this was a cover request for me, but glad I read it. Will definitely find it's niche in the literary fiction world.

This book hooked me from the start. I felt like I was there in the club with Ruthie, a fly on the wall watching she and Dino. When Ruthie yearned, I yearned. When she grieved, I grieved. The characters were well thought out, interesting, and relatable. Brittany’s writing is thoughtful and beautiful. This is definitely one of my new favorite books.

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.

I can appreciate the tone of this novel but sometimes the dialogue just made me cringe. I get it lol

The book and the plot summary given do not match at all. We are supposed to follow Ruth / Baby in a madcap search for her missing ex-boyfriend (Dino) while this search takes her into the sexual underground..

But all we follow is Ruth as a sex worker. Nothing happens. At all. The only interesting thing was her conversations with Nobody - which only is about 5% of the book.

I cannot say that I recommend this book at all..

Thank you very much to Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and Net Galley for the ARC.