I enjoyed this Sapphic roaring 20s romance. I'm normally not a fan of romances set during this time period I but I did enjoy this one.

I enjoyed this as a Great Depression romance and how the characters were used during this storyline. I was engaged from start to finish and enjoyed the overall feel of this world and how the characters were used in this historical element. I enjoyed how good Cassidy Crane wrote this and enjoyed how good everything flowed together. It had that romance element that I was looking for and glad I read this.

This was a good read. The MC’s were well developed, and the plot was interesting. There were some nice spicy scenes, and some angst as well O, a decent read.

Sapphic historical romance? YES PLEASE! I liked this book, it was a solid read!

As a queer person, it hit especially hard hearing about the queer community during the time that this was set.

Overall there’s a nice balance of lighthearted moments with more emotional times, which made the story feel well-rounded.

The pacing is strong overall, though there were a few sections that could have been tightened up, and I occasionally wished for deeper development of certain side characters. Still, the book delivers a good mix of romance and suspense without feeling predictable.

I received an advanced reader's copy from the author through Netgalley, all of my thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.

Clara and Addie were friends to lovers who were both trying to figure things out along the way during the time of The Great Depression. There were secrets, lies, and manipulation that happened throughout the story. Addie hid behind her lies to create a future for herself in the many wrong ways as possible, given her background. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I had expected more character development from both characters, but there wasn't much. In the first few chapters, there was the whole meet-cute scene with both Addie and Clara. But the majority of the chapters were after the fact of their split, and it was from Addie's perspective that she struggled because her manipulation and lies were caught by Clara, rightfully so. But there wasn't anything that offered Clara's POV, and I wanted to see what she went through. Almost, if not the majority of the chapter, was just Clara holding a grudge against Addie, which is valid, but it didn't make sense for it to drag on to the end of the book. Despite them both having a HEA, what kind of threw me off was the fact that Addie's narcissism and her admitting that she would only try to stop lying once she was confronted by Clara, and her making that change was very minimal from the start about the genuine her. But also how Addie was written as a gold-digger as one of her character aspects, which again seemed like that's what she was when she was an artist with a talent, and that it could have expanded to how art is her forte, but it was very vague on how she started her artist journey. There were plot holes that completely slowed down the plot and story even more, rather than progressing further.

The book isn't bad; it's just lacking in aspects like showing how both struggled after the split, how one attempted to change their bad habits, especially character development, where initiatives were taken to make changes happen internally and externally.

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This was a nice fast read played out in from 1929 to early 1930’s in Europe and US. If you like a historical touch to a sapphic romance this can be something for you.

Clara coming from a rather humble background gets a chance to travel in Europe with Aunt Matilda, she relies on handouts from snobby relatives like Matilda. When on a boat trip she meets Addie that is the stewardess. On the boat Clara finds out that she has inherited a lot of money from her grandfather instead of her cousin Harry that tarnished the family name. Aunt Matilda not happy, but she cannot do anything about it. Addie is on the prowl for a new female suitor after her love Eva died. Her initial approach fails, and she starts to look at Clara and even more so when she finds out she has inherited money, then the seduction is in play. They are soon very much involved.

Clara leaves with Addie travel back to US and moves in with her in Boston and they live happily. Addie is convinced that Clara will soon tire of her, and Clara does not tell Addie she loves her. Thus, their whole relationship does not feel that stable, but they are in fact loving each other very much. One day Clara finds out that Addie did not approach her until she knew she had money and has lied about that as well as her background. She breaks up with Addie, throws her out and moves back home where she purchases a house where she can live comfortably with her inherited money.

Addie tries to survive in any way she can but since the depression years she finds no way out in the end besides trying to contact Clara for help. Clara does not trust Addie, but she helps her a bit despite this. From then on Addie’s mission is to do everything in her power to earn back Clara’s trust and love while she tries to build a life for herself. Will they find their HEA in the end?

I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC of this book!

*This review will contain spoilers*

The Unexpected Heiress is a historical sapphic romance featuring a trope I haven't read a lot of but makes me kick my feet thinking about it: sultry seductive con woman falls for her naive, gullible mark.

Clara (our unexpected heiress) starts the novel very unsure of herself, deliberately making herself smaller in the presence of others and absolutely starving for even a hint of kindness. Addie, on the other hand, presents as very worldly, being a stewardess on small ship that travels from England to France, and has been seducing wealthy women to try and create a comfortable life for herself. When Addie finds out about Clara's very sudden inheritance, she decides to pursue Clara and try to become her "companion."

The truth does eventually come out, and I'm not usually someone who likes my main couple to split up, but in this instance, I felt like the break was super important for them to actually have a happy ending. Clara and Addie's initial relationship was based on lies - while Addie grew to love Clara, that's definitely not why she entered into the relationship in the first place. Seeing their relationship fall apart, but then later seeing them slowly come back together, was incredibly sweet, and had me rooting for them!! I loved to see all the character growth, from Clara fully coming into her own and finding her confidence, to Addie realizing how important honesty is in relationships.

I do wish we'd gotten to see a bit more of what Clara was choosing to do with her life once Addie was gone, rather than there just being a time skip, but that's a really minor complaint.

If you like historical, queer romance, you definitely won't be disappointed by this one.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Set against a Gatsby-esque backdrop, The Unexpected Heiress follows Clara Cooper, a young closeted lesbian who starts crushing on Addie Barnes, one of the hostesses on her cruise abroad. Addie Barnes finds Clara’s puppy love endearing but doesn’t take her seriously, at least not until she learns that Clara recently inherited her grandfather’s wealth. She befriends and seduces Clara, thus beginning the long, dramatic saga of their relationship. How long can Addie keep her true intentions secret? And how can she stop herself from falling for Clara’s talents and kindness?

There are no real villains in The Unexpected Heiress, unless you count headache-inducing misunderstandings. Though Clara and Addie must keep their relationship secret, the only real force keeping them apart is themselves. Their love and chemistry are palpable, but their insecurities, pasts, and lies drive seemingly never-ending wedges between them. I wanted to lock them both in a room and force them to just talk to each other. My favorite toxic lesbians.

There are few supporting characters in the novel, giving readers plenty of time to focus on Clara and Addie’s relationship. None of the side characters were relevant enough to justify more screen time, but there was one woman in the first half of the novel I wished I’d gotten to learn more about. I wished we could have also learned more about Addie’s past relationships, Clara’s brothers, and the grandfather who gave her all the wealth in the first place.

I enjoyed our main pair. Clara started off insecure and clumsy, but readers get to watch her blossom into a secure woman. Addie, who had always been charming, had her own struggles. With one previous lover dead and the rest having given up on her, she’s hesitant to let herself love again.

Though the book is set in 1920s America, readers are given a more lighthearted approach to a sapphic love story—it’s about queer love and joy, not suffering. There are only a few comments about off-screen homophobia. Some might find this unrealistic, but I enjoy that kind of narrative. I don’t always want to read about hate crimes. Sometimes I just want them to cuddle and be happy and drink tea, dammit.

Overall, The Unexpected Heiress was a fun—if sometimes frustrating—love story about two very different women fighting their own demons to come together. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys sapphic romances, 1920s history, or Gatsby-level yearning.

thank you netgalley and bold strokes books for the arc!
it's been so long since i read a sapphic book and this was pretty enjoyable. it took me a few chapters to get used to the writing (3rd person is not my preference) and distinguish the two leads, but i read this quickly. the angst and spice was good. there was some conflict but it didn't anger me, i could really see the intentional character growth. the second half was better than the first half.

Clara Copper is traveling with her unkind Aunt Matilda. Her aunt constantly reminds Clara of her lack of money, her need to marry since she is already twenty- five, and her overall shortcomings in life. So when Clara meets Adeline Barnes aboard a boat, she is instantly smitten. Clara becomes aware that Addie is having a summer fling with Miss Windemere, who is a very wealthy woman. But Addie is left high and dry when Miss Windemere gets off on the next stop and won't be taking Addie with her. Addie comes up with a plan to make Clara fall for her. Perhaps Clara can help Addie find a better job or take her with her as a companion when the trip ends.
Clara does fall for Addie, and eventually, Addie does too. Their love story slowly progresses, and their love grows. But too many secrets on Addie's part ruin the life they had started to build. Loved this sapphic love story, how they had to hide their love and the trials they face due to secrets and misunderstandings.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books, Inc. for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

I'm so sorry but I had to DNF this book. I'm super picky about the type of writing that I like and this book actually did meet those expectations! Unfortunatly, the plot and pacing did not keep my interest. However, I do think I'd like to give other titles by this author a try!

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC :)

Two girls meet on a European river boat, their intentions for each other not really aligning at the beginning.

Clara Cooper is used to being overlooked or worse, bullied, when she experiences a little attention from Addie, she finds herself falling quickly. Being the recipient of an inheritance changes her financial situation for the better, but does her companion love her for who she is or what she has?

Addie Barnes has faced a lot of rejection and loss in her life. Everyone she has ever loved, leaves her. She has learned to look out for herself and herself only, no matter the cost. She feels something for Clara, but can’t figure out if it’s pity or something else. When the perfect opportunity to obtain security falls into her lap, she runs with it. Slowly but surely, she figures out what it is she really feels for Clara but a slip up, makes it all come crashing down. She finds herself alone once again.

I loved Clara and Addie, they were such flawed characters from beginning to end but, each at their own time, wanted to be better. Even when they mess up, one can trace back their mistakes to their traumas. I was rooting for them, separately and together, the entire time. The angst was, for lack of a better word, delicious. It was so well written that I felt the pressure of the deception in my chest.

In summary, I really loved the book. I saw the character growth throughout and it was wonderfully written with a good pace. An instant favorite that I will definitely re-read.

Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This premise had so much promise! Two women meet on a European river cruise, one with ulterior motives, and their love story, falling out, and reconnecting.

However…. the writing was about 80% telling and maybe 20% showing, which made it hard to ever feel truly present in the story. It read like an inexperienced author leaning on a repetitive “and then she did this, and then she felt this…” style, which left the pacing choppy. We’d go long stretches with that kind of narration before finally getting an actual fleshed-out scene.

Because so much of the story was told rather than shown, the emotional beats and character arcs felt surface level. The third act climax felt especially unearned with the stakes suddenly so much higher after we yada yada’d our way there.
I would have ready 3 separate books of their story! The river cruise love story, their life together in Boston, and the time skip to reconnecting. Squishing it all in one fast paced book isn’t my cup of tea.

I hate to rate it low because I wanted to like it but in the end, I couldn’t get invested. I was never really inside the characters’ worlds and felt like I was just being told about them from a distance.

There were some nice moments in this book. The change we see in Addie from being a cynical manipulator to someone who actually cares is great. I would however liked to have seen more detail and depth. When Clara comes out from being an innocent there needs more explanation. As soon as someone shows affection she realises she is attracted to women. Where did that come from? What formative experiences helped her into that journey? Her family too were very expecting. I’d have thought attitudes in 1929 would be more or less universally conservative but her brothers and parents did not seem to bat an eyelid.

Clara has zero interest in getting married, but with no financial means or skills, it feels like her only option. On a cruise with her aunt, Clara meets Addie, a beautiful stewardess that catches her eye. Addie is no stranger to struggle and uses her beauty and charm to make do. When Addie discovers that Clara has unexpectedly received an inheritance, well, she sees a meal ticket. With Clara already being smitten, it just makes things easier for Addie, so she’ll flutter her lashes here and wink a few times over there. Hook, line, and sinker. She'll just bid her time with Clara and then be on her merry way. The only thing Addie doesn’t count on is falling for the woman.


A historical sapphic romance about two young women who found love during the Great Depression Era. Clara and Addie were opposites in many ways and I thought it made them a unique match. Their journey wasn’t a smooth drive because there was a bump here and a pothole over there, which made it realistic. In the beginning, I was not a fan of Addie, but over time, as I learned more of her background, I sympathized with her.


I was pleased with the character development from both sides and proud that one of them was able to come out of her shell. The hardship, poverty, and challenges faced during the Great Depression were depicted well. It always breaks my heart to read about what it was like for the queer community back then and this was no exception. Overall, it’s worth reading this historical romance, and I wasn’t able to put it down until the very end.

Stifled artist Clara and pragmatic stewardess Addie fall for each other on the ship where Addie works. Their relationship deepens amid the hardships of the Great Depression, but secrets and class differences threaten to tear them apart.

What a lovely novel! Clara and Addie are both likable and relatable, and I couldn’t help routing for them to be together despite the obstacles they faced. Filled with sweet longing, it’s an enjoyable and satisfying read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was such a satisfying read. I flew through it in one sitting and honestly didn’t want it to end. Set during the Great Depression, it follows Clara, a quiet artist who unexpectedly inherits a fortune, and Addie, a sharp, street-smart woman who’s used to surviving on charm and strategy. Their relationship starts off rocky—Addie’s intentions aren’t exactly pure—but watching them grow together was one of the best parts of the book.

I really appreciated how the story didn’t rely on insta-love or dramatic third-act twists. Instead, the tension and emotional growth felt natural, especially as both women slowly let their guards down. Clara’s transformation from a shy wallflower to a confident, independent woman was especially well done. And Addie? She’s flawed, no question, but her arc is compelling and believable.

The historical setting was immersive without being overwhelming. I liked the glimpses into queer life during that time—how people navigated relationships under the guise of companionship, and the subtle nods to the underground scene. It added depth without bogging down the story.

If I had one critique, it’s that I wish the book had been longer. There were moments where time jumped ahead and I wanted to linger a bit more with the characters. But for a short novel, it packed in a lot—romance, personal growth, and a strong sense of place.

Overall, this is a lovely, fast-paced sapphic historical romance with two compelling leads and a satisfying emotional journey. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something heartfelt and character-driven.

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

This is a beautiful written sapphic historiacal fiction that took place during the great depression. It well written and I enjoyed getting to know the characters. It fast paced but covers alot. I recommend.

Thanks NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

In the 1920s, when Clara accompanies her aunt on a river cruise in France, they meet Addie, one of the ship's staff. Addie has always lived by her wits, pairing up with rich women as their companions and more recently living with a wealthy lover who died, leaving Addie without an inheritance. While Clara's disagreeable aunt is wealthy, Clara is not, until she unexpectedly receives the bulk of her grandfather's estate and is instantly rich. She and Addie then become lovers and return to Boston. But the secrets Addie is keeping from Clara turn out to be her undoing.

This was a somewhat engaging read, especially the second half after a little bit of a middle lull. Both MCs undergo arcs of change, especially Clara who begins as a shy wallflower and ends up taking charge of her life.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.