Devil's Slide

Speakeasy #1

by Stacy Lynn Miller

Are second chances enough when the world is conspiring against you?

High school best friends Rose and Dax each have a secret—they like the other in a way they shouldn’t in 1920s Prohibition Era California. After sharing a first kiss, they’re forced apart—each sent to a different city to account for their sin.

Rose lands in the coastal tourist city of Half Moon Bay in virtual servitude, working for a distant cousin for pennies. Dax has an idyllic existence in San Francisco, living with her married sister. Then the fates change. Rose escapes her miserable circumstance and lives a full life after landing a job as a lounge singer at an underground speakeasy. Dax wears out her welcome with her brother-in-law, and she and her sister end up tending to inherited property—a restaurant in Half Moon Bay.

After nine years, Dax and Rose cross paths again but is it too late for them? Lovers and past loves, greedy businessmen, whiskey, and the quest for a quick buck make it nearly impossible to pick things up where they left off. Will the lives they’ve led keep them apart? Or will Dax and Rose defy the odds and find a way to be together?

Genres: Romance, Historical, Lesbian, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers, LGBT

298 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2023

About the author

Stacy Lynn Miller is a retired Air Force officer who found her passion for writing after leaving the service. With twenty years of experience wearing a badge, working with computers, and investigating cases, she has created multiple award-winning thriller and suspense series packed with strong sapphic women, gripping stories, and a perfect blend of intrigue and romance.

Stacy is a visually impaired, proud stroke survivor, mother of two, tech nerd, and chocolate lover. She's also a terrible golfer who managed to get a hole-in-one! When she's not busy writing, you can find her playing golf or enjoying a glass of wine (sometimes both) with her friends and family in Northern California.

Reviews

[Della B · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the day best friends Dax and Rose decide to show their true feelings to each other, they are caught in the act and sent away. Adding to their grief is not being told where the other is being sent. Nine years after this happened Dax and Rose end up in the same Californian town. Devil’s Slide is set in the 1920’s Prohibition era where serving liquor was ignored and homosexuality would ruin your life or worse. 

Dax’s character really drives this story although Rose gets equal time behind the wheel. In the 1920’s Rose blends in while work boot and pants wearing Dax stands out as a gay stereotype. The restrictions they face push Dax and Rose to find a private corner in their world where it is safe to be themselves. This brought back memories of being a lesbian in the 1960’s. The fear for your life if people knew.

The story stumbles a few times with the repetitive use of both characters imagining what sex will be like when they actually do get to it. This part dragged on a bit and I found myself skimming through these sections. Once we reach their first time making love it was anticlimactic to me, at least. The heat and combustion was just not there.

What was there is an exciting story with lots of action to entertain the reader. I am excited to read the next book in this series.

I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jo reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. If you are already a fan of the author, you will not be disappointed with this new book.

A thrilling, historical storyline with plenty of action to mix in, surely to keep you turning the pages.

Really looking forward to the second book.

4.3 out of 5.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
This story takes place in San Francisco and surrounding towns in 1925. Rose and Dax are two 16 year olds who are attracted to each other. One day their kisses become more in Rose’s bedroom and Rose’s mother catches them. Afterwards they are each sent away to live with relatives. Dax has grown up as a her father’s carpenter apprentice and once at her sisters house she’s able to help out and find odd jobs. Rose is sent to live with a very mean and nasty cousin and is treated like a slave in their dinner at a vacation beach town.

Rose ends up being discovered by the town entrepreneur who owns a speakeasy and she becomes the vocalist there. Years later Dax and her sister May end up in this same resort town after inheriting a restaurant. .

Miller weaves a very entertaining historical fiction book, with several plot twists, action and memorable characters.

I highly recommend this book for Miller fans and people who enjoy historical fiction. I can’t wait for the second book in this series.

ARC received from NetGalley for an honest and voluntary review

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime I see a book by Stacy Lynn Miller, I grab it as quickly as possible because I know it will be an excellent story. It couldn’t be anything else with Ms. Miller as the author. That’s why I asked for Devil’s Slide as soon as I could, and I’m so happy I did.

This is a historical fiction novel and so much more. The reader is dropped right into the middle of the 1920’s. It’s the Prohibition Era that created an underworld of speakeasies, and the transport and sale of illegal liquor to those places. It was also a time when LGBTQ+ folks had to be very careful, being out could mean your life would be ruined (at the very least).

In this time and place we meet Dax and Rose, two teenagers who begin as best friends, but gradually admit to feeling much more than friendship for each other. Unfortunately their romance is found out, and they are forcefully separated and sent away by their families. Dax actually ends up in a better place, being sent to live with her older sister in San Francisco. Rose is sent to a distant cousin who treats her almost as a slave in the tourist town of Half Moon Bay.

I truly felt I was back in time as I read this book. The author creates a world that is realistic, and in many ways historically accurate. Dax and Rose very quickly wormed their way into my heart. Ms. Miller knows how to make her characters realistic and complex. Dax and Rose are a perfect example. Their tale is filled with excitement, suspense, drama, danger, heartbreak, and love. The best part is, this book is just the first in the ‘Speakeasy Series’ so we will get to read more about the adventures Dax and Rose face as they work to create a future together.

I recommend this novel if you love historical fiction, adventure, suspense, and romance.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it to about 60% before deciding to quit. I actually quit reading this book three times before the final "I just can't do it anymore" moment happened.

I wanted to love this book. I love historical romance and second-chance romances are my absolute favorite so I had really high hopes. I also thought I'd read this author before but I was confusing her with another three-name-author.

The first of my two biggest gripes were the choices that Rose made. Some of them made no sense to me when it seemed there were better options available. Even as a woman during the 1920s. But maybe the biggest problem I had was Dax's quick, violent temper. If someone's first instinct when they get mad is to physically attack someone - no matter who and not in self-defense - that's a huge red flag. And also a huge turn off for me. A bonus issue I had was the dialogue felt unnatural. It didn't flow well for me.

I still thank Bella Books and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read Devil's Slide even if it wasn't a winner for me. I'm sure others will love it.

[Alice M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two teenagers separated by their parents for wanting to love someone of the same sex. A bit slow to start as the story took a bit of time to set the scene. We then see the two characters (Rose and Dax) over the years as they make their way in the worlds into which they were each sent. Of course they eventually manage to meet again. Rose has become a singer in a speakeasy and Dax, now a carpenter, also helps her injured sister in a restaurant, coincidentally in the same small town where Rose is.
They have some trials and tribulations to overcome, helped by friends they have made, and the story gets quite tense towards the end. Which was quite exciting. It also ends on, not exactly a cliff hanger but an unanswered question. I look forward to the next instalment.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts out as a "coming of age" story with tragic endings then morphs into a 1920's Saturday matinee. There is a sweet cast of characters but also includes the evil villains. (Que the drama music)
It's a sweet romance with many, many barriers that existed in the 20's for lesbians and women in general.
And there are some exciting, yet predictable, actions scenes.
Their future is the mystery and will continue in book 2,
"The Whiskey Wars".
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Women Using Words · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is fantastic! The characters are fabulous and the story arc is gripping as well as compelling. Stacy Lynn Miller hooks readers with a perfect balance of tension and release; it keeps one flipping pages well into the night. I enjoyed every minute of this book, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Dax and Rose. Two thumbs up all the way!!

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new series set during the days of prohibition in northern California. Rose and Dax are best friends in high school. They don’t really have a name for what they feel for each other beyond first love. Being caught kissing their families separate them. Dax goes to live with her sister in San Francisco while Rose goes to work for a cousin in Half Moon Bay. They meet again years later when Dax arrives in Half Moon Bay to run a restaurant with her sister. She is stunned to see that Rose is here and is now a singer in a speakeasy. Of course their first love feelings are still there.

This is a fast reading action, drama historical romance. There are rum running thugs and Dax, with the help of friends, wants them to pay for the damages they cause. I enjoyed the previous Falling Castles series from the author. I’m not sure I’m as interested in the time period but the action scenes are dramatic and fun to read. The storyline is set up to continue in another book. Thank you to Bella Books for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving an honest review.

[Katherine Rupley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 Enjoyable listen. Good read, kept me guessing, made me worry about a number of things, seemed true to the historical time period. thinking about getting myself some suspenders.

[Rey Hawke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this book

rose and dax are friends and they both have a secret.... they like each other but this is the 1920s and women where like objects to own... but to admit they really liked each other well that was a sin

but they were caught and sent away from each other...not knowing where the other was

dax was sent away to her sisters, where she had an easier time of it...

but rose worked with distant relatives and was paid a pittance. ...and treated like slave labour.

but rose and dax story didnt end... and one day they were meant to see each other again.... but what had changed and could they still be together again

an interesting story that kept me reading till the end and i became invested in their stories... they were both interesting characters to get to know... and i cant wait to read the next one in this series to find out what else happens cos life back in the past was hard for women and more so if they were attracted to each other

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely historical fiction story that takes place in the late 1920’s and at the start of the Great Depression. Dax and Rose are teenagers when they discover their love for each other but are cruelly torn from each other when their families find out. They are sent to live apart from each other in less than ideal environments. It takes 9 years before they accidentally find each other agin. This is a well crafted story with lots of twists and turns but you are always secretly rooting for them. Rose grows up and becomes a singer to support herself in the local speakeasy. Dax has carpentry skills that support her sister and herself. There are bad men abounding in the story but Dax always rises to the occasion. Great second banana characters are delectable. This is the first book in the series and Book 2 should be equally entertaining.

[thesapphiccelticbookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this book.

In 1920s, Prohibition California, high school best friends, Dax and Rose fall for each other. Unfortunately after bing caught kissing, they're forced apart, their families refusing to let them know of each other's whereabouts.

As chance would have it, nine years later their paths cross again. Has too much time passed? Or can they make it work even though the world is against them?

I loved both the main characters and many of the great side characters. This book manages to tackle many hard hitting issues while still being fun and hopeful at times.

A very enjoyable start to a new series; can't wait to read the next one.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable start to the series. Sent away for kissing each other, Dax to live with her sister and Rose to live with a distance cousin. Both women end up in Half Moon Bay. After nine years, Rose and Dax see each other again. This second chance romance set during prohibition starts with a bang and never lets up. The supporting characters especially Dax's sister May, Rose's piano player Lester, Rose's best friend Jules, Rose's romantic interest Grace, Jules's girlfriend Charlie and Charlie's dog Brutus. The story deals with several issues that makes the reader take pause yet is not so heavy that it takes away from the interesting story. I look forward to the nest book in the series.

ARC provided by Bella Books via NetGalley

[Carolyn McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much more than I was expecting, and that was a lot!

You should know that anything written by Stacy Lynn Miller is going to be well-written. Devil's Slide though, is phenomenally written! Emotional, exquisitely paced, and tense for almost the entirety of the tale, readers are kept on the edges of their seats, never sure how things will turn out. Themes of family, both loyal and shitty, carry us throughout the novel, and culminate into fierce family loyalty.

Devil's Slide is so much more than merely historical fiction. It is also suspense-filled drama worthy of many hours of lost sleep. Thank goodness Dax and Rose's tale isn't quite over!

[Hope Freed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked a lot about these three books forming a trilogy…the Prohibition era setting is interesting and the plots of each good. My only issues really were twofold: 1) Dax’s need to protect Rose so often goes wrong and she throws a punch before being then pummelled herself. Her hotheaded nature lands her in lots of scraps that had she dealt with differently, would probably have ended better; and 2) there seemed a lack of passion when Dax and Rose were finally able to be alone together. Their mutual feelings weren’t very apparent to me anyway…maybe that’s just me though. All in all, well worth a read…

[Jamie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The story drew me in immediately and the author does an excellent job with character development.
Dax and Rose, best friends since childhood, admit their love for each other in high school. Their love is considered a sin by their families in 1920’s SF Bay Area and they are sent to live in different cities without a clue where each other have gone.
As the story unfolds we learn what each MC has endured over several years until their paths cross once again. Then, the ride takes off.
I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been on a historical romance jag lately. This one appealed due to the time and place – Half Moon Bay (south of San Francisco) during the Prohibition Era. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the rave reviews for me. The plot was decent and there was some intrigue and action, but the rendition fell a bit flat – wooden and paint-by-numbers. As is not uncommon in this genre, there was a lot of buildup to the sex, and when it finally happened it was anticlimactic. The author is promising a “Speakeasy Romance” series, but I’ll be sitting out the next installment.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Hmmm….I genuinely don’t know how I feel about this book. I didn’t hate it but the pacing threw me off. It moved so fast and I had a hard time really getting the connection between Dax and Rose. Speaking of those two I ended up not really caring about either of them one way or another. They weren’t annoying or unlikable or anything but there was something about the writing here that left me feeling distant and disconnected from everything. I’ll read book two to see if it gets better because the ratings for the rest of the series are much better.

[Jazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, throw in a good love story, some historical facts, those villains you want to beat to a pulp, and relatable, loveable characters and this makes the perfect book for me. I can't wait to read the rest of the series, and the other series and stand-alone books by Stacy Lynn Miller. There is an Author binge coming on!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely not what I expected. The main characters had amazing chemistry. Amazing dialogue, I enjoyed it a lot. I was not disappointed, there was romance, suspense and drama. I can't wait for book 2. 4.5 stars

Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley.

[Ify · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this historical sapphic romance.

I really enjoyed the background stories of Dax and Rose. It really fleshed out their characters and gave them a solid foundation to begin their love story.

The supporting characters were also beauty notes to this tale. A wonderful found family.

[Donna Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A journey through the time of prohibition and speakeasys. A time where women needed marriage to survive in society. No matter that the marriage could come with violence and lack of property rights. Miller builds wonderful main character women loving women leads with this backdrop

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a romance, but this was more like historical fiction with Sapphic storylines.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Ehhhh I wish I had been made to care about all these characters more.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up because this is the first sapphic romance I’ve read set during prohibition