⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
* Dark romance
* Forbidden romance
* Forced proximity

What happens if you can’t climax with another person? Obviously respond to a doctor who goes by “Dr. Desire” who somehow doxxed you from a sex chat forum and attend his “speciality clinic.” Kristi meets T who struggles with the same issue as her in the sex department. Dr. Desire pairs the two up to solve their issue, but they desire something more than attraction- a deep connection. Only one problem… he’s married.


“What if— just for now—I could love you, and you loved me back? Not as a promise. Not as a lie. Just as… this.”

This is a novella so there isn’t much background information on the main characters. It’s all based in Dr. Desire’s “speciality clinic.” I loved the tension and the build up between T & K. The spice is the plot in the book that is why it gets 5 chili peppers. Living for the epilogue!!! I would have been heartbroken without the epilogue honestly. Overall it was a steamy, quick read. Definitely recommend!!

It didn't fix me but somehow I felt seen.

Some books don’t offer a solution. They just mirror your mess back at you—and somehow, that’s enough.

Hold Me For Now by Lexi Davis is a dark romance that hits raw and emotional notes in a surprisingly realistic way, even in an utterly unrealistic setting. The connection? Unavoidable. The pain? Palpable. The healing? Incomplete—but honest.

This wasn’t a “feel good” read. It was a feel deeply one. And sometimes, that’s exactly what I’m craving.

Tropes:
🪻 Dark Spicy Romance
🪻 Taboo
🪻 Forced Proximity
🪻 Novella
🪻 One Night Stand to More

Has only I novella, this book is really good. I loved watching T and K fighting through their struggles. I know it's very unrealistic for people to fall in love with after on meeting (especially from something like this) but I loves it. Hehe

Lexi Davis' Hold Me Now is a refreshingly original novella that takes a bold and sensitive dive into the often untouched subject of anorgasmia. Through the lens of two strangers enrolled in an experimental program led by a guiding doctor, Davis presents a story that is both thought provoking and intimate.

The premise is compelling, drawing attention to a very real challenge that affects many, yet appears rarely explored in fiction. The experimental setting allows the author to navigate the psychological and emotional intricacies of sexual healing in a way that is respectful, and occasionally tender. It’s a narrative that, while compact, invites readers to think more deeply about intimacy, vulnerability, and connection.

This novella is ideal for a single sitting, perhaps over a cup of tea, as it moves swiftly and maintains a good pace. That said, its brevity is a double edged sword. While the story is easily digestible, I found myself craving more context and background on the three main characters, particularly their journeys leading up to the program. A bit more world building and character development would have helped ground the story for me emotionally and elevate its impact. Nonetheless, Davis succeeds in leaving me intrigued and wanting more.

The epilogue was a thoughtful and satisfying conclusion, giving closure while hinting at continued growth for the characters. As for the categorisation of the book, while marketed as a dark romance, it doesn't quite align with the typical elements iv'e experienced associated with that subgenre. The tone, while mature, leans more towards emotional exploration than the often intense or taboo dynamics commonly found in dark romance.

Overall, Hold Me Now is a gentle, original, and enjoyable read with a unique concept that deserves attention. It earns a solid four stars for its creativity, emotional undercurrents, and the author's courage touching on a delicate topic. I look forward to exploring more of Lexi Davis' work

📖 Review 📖
Hold Me For Now by Lexi Davis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

• Strangers to Lovers • Forced Proximity • Angsty • One Time Thing • People Pleasers •

I'm a typical romance girly through and through and occasionally dip my toes in the dark romance genre... occasionally?! Okay, well, that's changing. Definitely need to edge towards it more in future!

Massive thank you to the author herself, @authorlexidavis , for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm not going to post the blurb or setting because I also went in blind, I absolutely devoured this book!
Hold Me For Now is out now!! Go check it out 😍

I heard this was super short and packed with spice, exactly the palette cleanser I needed this month.
Davis is a beauuuutiful writer. How did she make me feel so many things in so few pages? She meant every word she wrote, and I loved it. It was full of vulnerability and emotion all at the same time.

"He didn't call me out on my vulnerability. Instead, he met it with his own." 🥹

There is a long list of trigger warnings for this short, sweet, and spicy novella, so please check them out before reading. It's not for everyone.

But Lexi Davis, you had me smiling by the time I read the words "The End." Thankyou 🫶

So for some reason I missed the epilogue and I was like oh no this is so sad! But then I realized and read the actual ending which totally makes the whole story!

A different take / setting for dark romance - def worth if for a quick read with some emotion !

Two strangers meet to try and fix something they can't achieve normally with help from a "doctor". I've never been so invested in strangers making it to the Big O as I was reading this book! It was surprising. I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed it. There was definitely spots that read like Wattpad fanfic but overall the dialogue was believable. I'm eating this a 4 stars because I'm rounding up. I'd probably rate it closer to 3.5 just because novellas can be hard to rate. I wanted more background on who this doctor was and why this girl felt so safe showing up under these circumstances... But suspend the disbelief for a second...

Kristi is having trouble connecting with her partner's and when a comment in a chat forum leaves her with an appointment with Dr. Desire, she learns that maybe she's not alone in her problem. Enter T her partner for the counseling session with Dr. Desire, he's also having problems connecting with his partner. As the story progresses two people who think themselves "broken" come to realize that maybe those broken pieces might fit together perfectly.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know with the premise what I was walking into but I glad that I stayed for the ride. This is a short novella, aprox. 80 pages, but within those pages the character development and the emotional investment in these characters is top tier. The amount of time that these characters spent together and the connection that they created in that short amount of time kept me dialed into the story. The only complaint I have is that while we get all of the thoughts running through Kristi's head while the session is happening, we don't really get that same thought process from T. I get that with it being a novella there might not have been space/ time for that, but I think it would have added an additional depth to the story. I almost what another novella of this couple but with T's POV.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A short, super sweet (and spicy) novella that was unique and well-paced!

While I appreciated how much Lexi Davis was able to convey in such few words, I think there was definitely potential for a longer book and I'd have loved a slower story (over a few sessions?) with more depth to their conversations and exploring their dynamic afterwards.

I need more !!!
I loved this so much , I knew this was a dark romance novel and that’s why I decided to go into it blindly . I had such fun reading this book , I read it in one hour and I was a little sad that was over .
I love T (Trevor ) so much , I loved the spice and the chemistry between the characters.
I need more from the story , I want to read more of this characters !
This is my first book from this author and I’m definitely buying the book as a trophy. ❤️
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC. ❤️❤️

Wow! That was short, sweet and insightful!
I never thought a spicy book would have me thinking, and feeling emotional.

I was left wanting more, the scenes are so raw and feel so real but also so tender and soft. The perfect little in between read.
I really enjoyed this!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lexi Davis and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to read this novella.

This is my first reading anything by Lexi Davis, I can honestly say now that it will definitely not be my last. It's a short novella lasting 85 pages but it is jam packed from the start. It had me in a chokehold and read it in one sitting! It is Spicy yes so if that's not your thing then this is nt for you. The dark romance girlies though, you are going to love it!
The story starts with the FMC being found on a sex chat website by Dr D who emails her to say he can cure her as she has trouble coming during intercourse. She filled in a form and was matched to someone with the same issue. They meet in Dr D's clinic and well without spoilers let's just say things hot up.
Now apart from the spice there is definitely some emotional aspects to this some times I found myself choked up, as a woman some topics could definitely touch thing deep inside and COULD be relatable.
Lexi Davis's writing is sublime, she has the perfect way of writing and I loved it. Like I said earlier l'll definitely read more of her books. Lexi the Epilogue was also great! But now I find myself wondering WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
If you love dark romance you won't regret reading it.

I really liked this novella and read it in one sitting. It’s a super unique concept - I’ve never read anything like it before. Without being too personal it made me think a lot about my own sex life and what is actually important for being intimate with someone! This I loved - books should make you think and turn inward.

This novella made me feel contemplative, happy, and sad all in the space of 12 chapters - which id say is an awesome feat! Also I think I love T, he’s so sweet!!!

I’d say only thing I felt like could have been better was perhaps dr desire and who he was - I want to know as currently just think he’s a bit creepy and he didn’t really do alot did he 😂 but cest la vie, he wasn’t the point of the story was he?!

I’m absolutely obsessed with this book! If you're in the mood for a short, intensely steamy read, this one is a must. The chemistry between the FMC and MMC is palpable, and their relationship development is both engaging and believable. The author’s writing style is captivating—every scene is richly detailed, making it easy to get lost in the story. From the tension to the tenderness, everything is beautifully written. Overall, it’s a compelling, spicy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’d rate it a solid 4.5 out of 5!

Hold me for now follows K (female) and T (male) who are seeking the one piece missing in the intimate life. K is single and T is married in the mist of a divorced and gets pushed to do this experiment from his wife to save their marriage. First red flag, blaming others for their failed marriage and make your partner feel insecure instead of working through things together. We don’t get too much context on their marriage but in the short time K and T are together in a room they give each other what they need, comfort, trust and most importantly love. I felt bad for K and T because they never felt like they were enough and are too much a people pleasure to be selfish about themselves. By the end of the experiment they succeed with their goal and are left seeing them go their separate ways. I was left with, that’s it?! Seriously nothing else. But I’m happy they ran into each other and hopefully start a new chapter in their lives with a clean slate.

Overall, it was a quick read and a very vulnerable book but an ultimate happy end and would want to see what happens after their first date.

A quick novella about two people doing a medical study? I stepped outside of my comfort zone and gave this a try and I am so glad that I did! K and T both struggle from not being to finish when it comes to sex. During this, they find out the ways that work for them, trying to not hold any strings attached during the whole study. This was spicy and emotional and just one of the best reads that I have come across thus far! I loved the way the author portrayed insecurities on both sides and the frustration they share.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the eARC!

Such a creative, quick, easy read novella! I wasn’t entirely sure what the exact storyline would be with the description, but I was pleasantly surprised with the heartwarming, vulnerable, and suspenseful build between the two characters. The spice was spectacular, and while it fits into the clinical sense of dark romance, the tenderness of the acts themselves made it a wonderful balance.

Hold Me For Now, story follows K, who’s struggling with a very intimate issue—in a final effort to figure it out, she connects with a doctor online who pairs her with T, a man dealing with the same problem. From there, the journey begins—emotional, raw, and, of course, incredibly steamy.

Lexi Davis somehow pulls off this perfect balance of toe-curling spice and gut-punch emotion, and honestly, I’m in awe. One moment you’re fanning yourself, and the next, you’re wiping away tears. It’s that kind of magic, and she delivers it flawlessly.

Yes, the heat is very real (prepare yourself—it gets intense), but what makes it so special is how deeply emotional it is. The message of inner self-love was truly powerful and beautifully woven into their story. Lexi Davis nails that rare blend of heat and heart, and I’m officially obsessed. Definitely a must add to TBR!

Thank you @netgalley and @authorlexidavis for the ARC opportunity in exchange for my honest review, it was a wonderful read 📚💖

'Hold Me For Now' is a short, steamy read that touches on themes of vulnerability, emotional healing, and finding connection in unexpected places. The premise is intriguing: two strangers in a clinical program designed to help them overcome intimacy struggles.

The story reads quickly, which makes it easy to finish in one sitting, but I found myself wanting more depth overall. The relationship between the characters moves fast, and I didn’t feel like there was quite enough time to connect with them or understand the program they were part of. I had questions, especially about Dr. Desire and his structure of the experiment. A bit more backstory or world-building could have helped ground the story and made the emotional beats land more fully.

What I did appreciate was the message at its core—about being open with yourself and others in order to truly heal. The epilogue, in particular, was a nice touch and left me with a bit of warmth at the end.

I know this was meant to be a spicy, emotionally charged novella, and I admire the ambition behind it. I just wish there had been a little more to sink into. Still, I look forward to seeing how Lexi Davis continues to grow as a writer.

"Hold Me For Now" by Lexi Davis –1.5/5 (Rounded to 2/5)

This was a nice spicy little treat. K and T are having issues in their intimate lives, and they've found the famous Dr. Desire to help them. Put in a room together to try and help each other fix their issues, they end up learning more about themselves than they bargained for. A great look into intimacy and what makes a relationship work.