The Intimate Beginnings of Taylor

by Lavender Quinn

Her rival’s girlfriend. The most important lesson of her acting love is a fantasy and fantasies are made to break you.

When Taylor pauses her acting dreams to explore life as a single, bisexual college student, she never expects trouble to follow.

But old rivalries never die and Taylor learns it’s not always the jealous co-star you have to worry about. Sometimes, it’s her girlfriend.

Gabriella, the girlfriend of Taylor’s arch nemesis, is a master at sabotaging the prospects of young actors, especially those deemed a threat to her girlfriend’s career. With Taylor’s most intimate secrets at Gabriella’s disposal, Taylor battles two enemies simultaneously, while living out her darkest fantasies anonymously, to maintain her pristine reputation.

With the stage now abandoned for the war they rage behind the velvet curtain, Taylor and Gabriella race against time to secure their freedoms, at the risk of exposing the one secret that may destroy them both.

Genres: Lesbian, Contemporary, Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Adult, LGBT, Queer

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2024

About the author

Hi. It's nice to meet you!

My name is Lavender. I'm a dark sapphic romance author with very cute covers, depicting the women of color I love to dream and write about.

I'm currently dreaming of a sapphic hotel in Las Vegas and the 5 sapphic women who brought it to life. I can't wait for you to meet them. I expect you'll hate some of them before you love them, but I promise the ride is worth it.

As a reader, I enjoy the watching characters grow and as an author, I strive to do that in every book. Even when you're made at them, I hope you understand them. I hope you grow to love them as much as I do.

If you have any questions, let me know. I can't wait to hear from you!

Reviews

[Lady Olenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

This was too disjointed. The scenes didn’t flow smoothly. It needs more editing imo. The scenes need to be more grounded, more vivid, more step by step but fluid.

i.e. there was a scene where a complete stranger asked to borrow the main character’s phone, AN ACTRESS! And the actress just gave it??? What universe is that ever going to happen? I’m a nobody and I wouldn’t lend my phone to any stranger.

Little things like that. As a contemporary romance novel I think little things like that need to be grounded in the realm of possibility at least so it’s believable and could add authenticity to a scene.

[Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that I sort of went in half-blind. I knew it was a sapphic, enemies-to-lovers story. That was all I knew and it got me curious 👀

Turns out..it was way more than that! I loved the storyline with its friendships, family, betrayals, mystery, BIPOC characters and the emotional rollercoaster this book took me on.
The characters were fun to read and the spice?! Ma'am!! I opened this beautiful and sweet looking cover and did not expect the spice that is in this book 🥵

I was sad when this book ended, but THANKFULLY there's more. So I'm going to dive straight into book 2. Or well..not that straight I suppose 🙃


In this book you'll find:
♥️ Enemies to lovers
♥️ Sapphic romance
♥️ Interracial romance (Black and Latina FMC's)
♥️ Former Hollywood child star FMC
♥️ Rivalry
♥️ A girl she met online
♥️ Dual POV
♥️ A bit of mystery
♥️ Plot twist
♥️ Emotional rollercoaster
♥️ Duology

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

⚠️As always, check the TWs before diving in 🫶🏻

[ReadingwithCaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who can you trust in Hollywood? Can you be ever safe to give your heart away?
Trigger warning: this story describes (mentally) abusive relationships and mentions of self harm.

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Taylor has been Hollywood royalty ever since she made a name for herself as a kid. She never put a foot out of line and has worked hard for her success. All with the support of her loving parents. Even when she came out as bisexual, she didn’t receive much slack. While she hasn’t had a girlfriend, she does meet someone online that intrigues her. Taylor lets her cyber friend Daisy in deep behind the walls of her public persona and her secret desires. Soon the two meet in real life, then all bets are off.

Not everyone is that lucky though. Taylor’s rival Sara is also a child star and Taylor shared the limelight with her once. From that moment on, she understood that Sara would not stop at anything to acquire roles and more fame. After rumors have spread about Sara’s invisible girlfriend doing the dirty work for her by sabotaging many of Sara’s competitors, Taylor chooses to maintain her distance and not feed the gossip mill. Now out of her teen years, Taylor is ready for a break from the stage and constant attention. She enrolls in an art program in college, only to discover Sara will be one of her fellow students. Whatever game Sara is playing it’s clear that Gabriella, the up until now invisible girlfriend, is done with doing her dirty work. But can Taylor trust her even though she falls head over heels for the alluring Gabriella?

This story left me mildly confused and utterly intrigued. It is told from multiple POV’s and keeps you disoriented for a long time. Piece by piece the intricacies of the relationships between Taylor, Gabriella, Sara and Daisy are revealed and I had to keep my jaw from crashing to the ground several times. There are some really messed up things going on!

For me Taylor feels like the main character even though you get to see sides of the story through other perspectives. Taylor felt like a real human and an authentic young woman. Of course she knows how to play the Hollywood game but she wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone and always shows kindness. She keeps her personal sexual desires deeply locked away, until she confides in Daisy. From that point on the game is on. They develop a strange relationship where Taylor can satisfy her inhibitions, but Daisy always stays beyond her grasp never revealing her identity.

Gabriella has been bought by Sara to act as her girlfriend and do her dirty work. She has no problem with sabotaging and manipulating other people in order to clear Sara’s path towards more fame. I had a hard time feeling sympathy for Gabriella. She claims to love Taylor, but the things she has done in the past are inexcusable. To me it seems like she is just compulsively obsessed with Taylor. Taylor only knows the half of what she has done and while I understand Taylor’s need to feel cared for and let someone else take the lead sometimes, I wanted to shake some sense into her. This has toxic relationship written all over it.

What I love about this story is the opportunity to really get to know these characters. Their inner most secrets are on these pages. Every one of them is not just one thing, they contain multitudes like any actual human being. I felt myself drawn to this book being unable to close it, because I wanted to keep reading about how this intricate and sometimes disturbing story would unfold.

The Intimate Beginnings Of Taylor might not be for everyone. It is not your regular sweet sapphic love story. But if you’re not afraid of the ugly side of being human, please give it a try.

[Maih · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advanced copy of this book by author. My review is voluntary.

The way I was constantly on the edge of my seat reading this was everything. I was generally looking forward to reading this anytime I wasn’t able to read for whatever reason. I am actually tempted to restart this from the beginning but I will not because I do want to know what happens in the second book. Honestly the best way to go into this book is blind tbh but if you have any TW’s.... Please.. Please check them because this book does have some heavy topics.

I do have to mention I look the representation in this book.. so happy to see more Black FMC ( younger me would be so happy ) and Latina FMCs.

[Jazmyne Kubly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story kept me on my toes the whole book. The character development was great and the plot was a unique twist. But overall, it was a wonderful book, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book! Gabby is definitely book girlfriend vibes when she's taking care of the people she loves.

[Nika Boley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely blown away by this book. Sucked in from
the very first page, I was on the edge of my seat to the end. The story builds gradually and leaves so much open and to the imagination that when everything falls apart, you're left with your jaw on the ground.

The way Quinn writes is beautiful and enthralling. The way Taylor's mind works is fascinating and all I wanted was more of her and her fantasies. The way Gabrielle moves through the world and works to free herself and give Taylor her deepest desires is absolutely exhilarating. The spice? Chefs kiss. The plot? Nothing you've read before and so captivating. The characters? You love to love them and you love to hate them.

If you're looking for your next sapphic dark romance, this is the book to sink your teeth into. And remember, be a good girl. Daisy demands it of you.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy but write this review voluntarily.

I opened this sweet looking cover and did not expect the spice that is in this book, even if I was warned 😳🥵

I was sad when this book ended, but THANKFULLY there's more. So I'm going to go finish that as well 😉

[Venuss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t believe I haven’t wrote a review on this yet!! Let’s hop into it!

This may be a bit of a **spoiler** , so hurry and close your eyes or cover this line, but be prepared for a breakup. I knowww we all hate them but remember there’s a book 2!

I swear this book literally has everything in it! A Hispanic x Black lesbian couple, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, kink, ’I’ve always loved you’ trope, and it’s both a slow yet fast paced read. Honestly perfect amount and timing of everything (even though I wished it was longer as I enjoyed their dynamic too damn much).

The plot twist I was expecting but I still had the fear in the back of my head I was wrong about it because whole time I’m like “fck I think I like her more, I hope she don’t get with her” but when the reveal came it was too good!

Taylor is absolutely adorable and she really wears her heart on her sleeve while ’Daisy’ is such a yearner that struggles to show her heart fully. I love them both honestly, they both are enjoyable characters and I always come back to them. Definitely have to buy the physical!

I read this book twice, and while I do have love for the second installment (especially the growth in flaws and the absolute most romantic gesture one in kink could ask for). The first one just hits bigger and better, it’s both so so personal and intimate. I rub my chest thinking about these kinky yet sweet— and sometimes sour ** cough cough** ‘Daisy’ especially — mfs lolll.

[SSA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book that followed the life and loves of a teen Hollywood star. It took a few chapters for me to get into the book but the mystery of what was happening kept me engaged to find out how everything was going to be resolved.

I really liked Taylor, she was nice and kind to everyone. Sometimes to the detriment of herself. But I was really surprised with how trusting Taylor was with Gabriella after she found out about her plan with Sara. She basically became friends with Gabriella within two days of her being nice and then decided to pursue a relationship despite the unbelievable betrayal that broke her heart. The time between knowing that Gabriella was helping ruin Taylor’s life to them becoming friends and more was too short.

I know there is a second book that continues the story but honestly I wouldn’t have minded if it was a standalone that ended exactly as it did. I understand that sometimes you love someone but that doesn’t mean you should end up with them forever especially in the context of the toxic dynamic between Taylor and Gabriella.

I liked it but sometimes the sex scenes were logistically confusing to follow and at times I couldn’t fully understand if a scene was actually happening or if it was one of Taylor’s fantasies. They seemed to blur into each other.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taylor, a well known child star, is finally leaving the business to go to college. But her hopes of a ckean break are dashed when she learns her biggest rival, Sara, will also be there.
Secretly, Taylor has been texting with a woman, and getting into her sexual fantasies.

Daisy works in a strip club, but just as staff. She's been texting Taylor, whom she sees as a innocent to play with. Her life is hard, and she knows Taylor will tire of her eventually.

Gabriella is the aide/companion to Sara, and has covertly helped her get ahead. She's ranked Sara's rivals, diverted them, and made sure Sara came out on top. Now, she's targeting Taylor.

And Sara and Daisy were/are a thing. What a mess... oh. OH. Okay, not saying because spoilers.

Good read, about 3.5 stars. Note that there is blood play and semi-rapey scenarios, in a role play way and for real.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book or I assume the prequel in the Hotel Bed Duology. When I started reading I had no clue what I got myself engulfed into. It is such a complex story with a lot of twists and turns and when you think you have it all figured out you realize there is another layer to uncover and I still do not fully understand everything. The interactions between Taylor, Gabriella, Daisy and Sara are so complex but worth to continue to read this very dark story. I look forward to the 2nd book that I hope will bring clarity and hopefully a more satisfying end that this first book gave me.

I received a free ARC of this book from the author.

[Terah Lorell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the actual f**k?? This book, with this sweet, cute looking cover, just broke my heart and twisted my emotions every way but loose. Great book, had fun reading it, pace was everything, but it’s one of those books where you’re like “what do I do now that you’ve ruined me?” Especially if you don’t have the second one already sitting on your shelf. Luckily for me, I do, so excuse me while I go try to put the pieces of my heart back together with the second book.

[Xo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hispanic x Black lesbian couple with enemies-to-lovers, friends-to-lovers, kink, and the “I’ve always loved you” trope. It’s both a slow burn and fast-paced, with perfect timing, though I wish it were longer because their dynamic was addictive. The only thing is that some scenes didn't flow well but otherwise, great book!

[Ashley Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one hell of a ride. I love/hate the ending, so thank fuck the second book is out already, haha. This book was hella spicy and it was a great time.

[Brielle C · Rating 1 out of 5]

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