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Bittersweet Sim-Phony
What happens when a cam girl, a chef, and a venture capitalist walk into a bar?
Everybody’s got problems. Except Albany. Aside from the constant battle of fending off her deadly enemy the sun, a chronic case of single-itis, and a knack for starting new hobbies as frequently as most folks change socks, her life is predictable. Consistent. Safe. The attributes any successful cam girl wants when she’s not tucked away at Behind the Lens, transformed into the sexy persona she sells the world.
Sal Pagliano’s life is not so sweet. He’s working eighty-hour weeks running his new business, he’s technically homeless, and his love life is in shambles. Sal made a mistake catching feelings for the emotionally unavailable widower Haze Harmon. And now he’s catching them for a student.
Sal needs to make Sweet Alchemy a success. Albany just wants to learn how to sculpt chocolate and avoid heartache at all costs. And Haze is hellbent on keeping his promise to his wife.
What do you get when a cam girl, a chef, and a venture capitalist walk into a bar?
A recipe for disaster? One carelessly flung spoonful of chocolate is all it takes to find out.
***This book contains discussion of child and spousal loss, a fire, an FMC who is employed as a cam girl, and lots of sexy time including on page scenes with sitophilia. The book has on the page MFM, MM, and MF interaction. If you have any concerns about specific scenes, please contact the author for a more specific list. Happy reading!***
Everybody’s got problems. Except Albany. Aside from the constant battle of fending off her deadly enemy the sun, a chronic case of single-itis, and a knack for starting new hobbies as frequently as most folks change socks, her life is predictable. Consistent. Safe. The attributes any successful cam girl wants when she’s not tucked away at Behind the Lens, transformed into the sexy persona she sells the world.
Sal Pagliano’s life is not so sweet. He’s working eighty-hour weeks running his new business, he’s technically homeless, and his love life is in shambles. Sal made a mistake catching feelings for the emotionally unavailable widower Haze Harmon. And now he’s catching them for a student.
Sal needs to make Sweet Alchemy a success. Albany just wants to learn how to sculpt chocolate and avoid heartache at all costs. And Haze is hellbent on keeping his promise to his wife.
What do you get when a cam girl, a chef, and a venture capitalist walk into a bar?
A recipe for disaster? One carelessly flung spoonful of chocolate is all it takes to find out.
***This book contains discussion of child and spousal loss, a fire, an FMC who is employed as a cam girl, and lots of sexy time including on page scenes with sitophilia. The book has on the page MFM, MM, and MF interaction. If you have any concerns about specific scenes, please contact the author for a more specific list. Happy reading!***
- GenresRomance
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2025
13 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Jay Leigh Brown
17 books62 followersJay Leigh likes all the beverages both alcoholic and caffeinated. She hates seafood and pumpkin spice, and adores every flavor and genre of fine men and books. She resides in the wilderness of Michigan, boating and camping all summer, writing all winter. She's a decent photographer, and shamelessly purchases all things dachshund. A prolific breeder, she has a huge family, having far more than the allotted 2.2 children with the hottie who put a ring on it. One day she hopes to hang up her stethoscope permanently, spending all of her time palpating nothing but her shiny new retro keyboard. Dreaming in stories, she wants nothing more than to drown both your face and your panties with her words.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
January 30, 2025
This book was sooooo good I absolutely fell in love with Sal and my heart broke for Haze and I loved that Albany and her guys got their HEA. If you are looking for an emotional roller coaster of a book that will have you crying one minute, laughing the next then please read this book I promise you won’t regret it!
January 30, 2025
I really liked this couple, throuple? The way they're all connected, both the way they originally knew plus the way we the readers know made the book messy, heartbreaking, and interesting.
The themes of grief were so deep and on different levels. Each person dealt with it in a different way and yet were hurting for the same things. The way they got their minds to think about it was different. Haze lied to himself over and over until he believed what he was thinking. Albany I feel like went about it the "right way" which was not letting it break her but definitely allowing it to change her. Sal.. I'm not 100% sure about how he went about his grief because he wanted and knew what the outcome was most likely to get.
There were times when I was a little confused about different things, like who knew what and how much they knew but in the end it was easier to understand. The only think I wish was that we got to see the three of them together longer. It took forever for them to get to this point and we only got to see them for two seconds.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to ARC read
The themes of grief were so deep and on different levels. Each person dealt with it in a different way and yet were hurting for the same things. The way they got their minds to think about it was different. Haze lied to himself over and over until he believed what he was thinking. Albany I feel like went about it the "right way" which was not letting it break her but definitely allowing it to change her. Sal.. I'm not 100% sure about how he went about his grief because he wanted and knew what the outcome was most likely to get.
There were times when I was a little confused about different things, like who knew what and how much they knew but in the end it was easier to understand. The only think I wish was that we got to see the three of them together longer. It took forever for them to get to this point and we only got to see them for two seconds.
Thank you to the author for allowing me to ARC read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
This is the starting book in a new shared world – behind the lens, and what a book to start off with. This is my first book by Jay Leigh Brown and I absolutely loved it, I couldn’t put it down.
This book follows the story of Albany our strong minded, strong willed, hilarious, confident in her own skin cam girl, Sal the delectable and oh so hot chef / chocolatier teacher (who has me looking at chocolate in oh so many ways) and Haze our dominate alpha, who deep down knows what he wants, but his emotional baggage and a promise made years before leaves him, no pun intended in a haze.
An accident at a chocolate class leads Sal inviting Albany to a one on one private class with drinks after too make up to the mis-hap. The chemistry between these two is undeniable in their short interaction in this class and in the words of her bestie “The tension. The intensity! He is dying to get to the creamy center of your candy, b!tch.”
On the night of the class Sal and Haze have gone their separate ways, as Sal wants to bring in a third to their relationship and in his eyes, they need someone softer, someone who will balance them out, but Haze doesn’t want this or does he. Haze is not a man to give in, he is head strong and his past grief leads his future choices. Sal is a man that has stepped away from the man he loves, and is left heartbroken but his encounter with Albany lifts him, he gets to see her sweetness, and how much she can offer.
This story takes you on a journey that has you smiling, laughing, intrigued with the twists and hurting for Haze. You really will be on an emotional roller coaster, but as the story progresses you see the growth in all our characters. Albany and Sal’s connection was instant and this grows throughout the story and brings them closer but everything was done at a beautiful pace that you see them grow as a couple. Haze has the most emotional journey of all throughout the book in accepting what happened in the past does not stop him living in the future and going for what he really wanted.
This book will also give you a greater appreciation for food and chocolate, Jay Leigh Brown has interwoven food and chocolate connections to the characters beautifully.
This book hits on the age gap / student teacher / MMF / cam girl / spicy scenes and getting over death of a loved one.
Absolutely, loved this book.
This book follows the story of Albany our strong minded, strong willed, hilarious, confident in her own skin cam girl, Sal the delectable and oh so hot chef / chocolatier teacher (who has me looking at chocolate in oh so many ways) and Haze our dominate alpha, who deep down knows what he wants, but his emotional baggage and a promise made years before leaves him, no pun intended in a haze.
An accident at a chocolate class leads Sal inviting Albany to a one on one private class with drinks after too make up to the mis-hap. The chemistry between these two is undeniable in their short interaction in this class and in the words of her bestie “The tension. The intensity! He is dying to get to the creamy center of your candy, b!tch.”
On the night of the class Sal and Haze have gone their separate ways, as Sal wants to bring in a third to their relationship and in his eyes, they need someone softer, someone who will balance them out, but Haze doesn’t want this or does he. Haze is not a man to give in, he is head strong and his past grief leads his future choices. Sal is a man that has stepped away from the man he loves, and is left heartbroken but his encounter with Albany lifts him, he gets to see her sweetness, and how much she can offer.
This story takes you on a journey that has you smiling, laughing, intrigued with the twists and hurting for Haze. You really will be on an emotional roller coaster, but as the story progresses you see the growth in all our characters. Albany and Sal’s connection was instant and this grows throughout the story and brings them closer but everything was done at a beautiful pace that you see them grow as a couple. Haze has the most emotional journey of all throughout the book in accepting what happened in the past does not stop him living in the future and going for what he really wanted.
This book will also give you a greater appreciation for food and chocolate, Jay Leigh Brown has interwoven food and chocolate connections to the characters beautifully.
This book hits on the age gap / student teacher / MMF / cam girl / spicy scenes and getting over death of a loved one.
Absolutely, loved this book.
January 13, 2025
This book certainly took me by surprise in the best way possible. I was skeptical at first because it took me a second to really get into it, but once I did, I was hooked!
What really surprised me was how well the food related character descriptions were woven throughout the entire story with all of our MC's. It seemed like every couple of pages an action, scent or something else was being described by a fruit, chocolate or a normal scent in general and I found myself waiting with baited breathe to see just what analogies concerning food would be coming next.
This story really takes you on an emotional roller coaster with some twists that are completely unexpected. Albany and Haze both have been hurt in the past by unexpected death and it was really interesting to see just how they coped and handled their grief from the death of the same group of people. It was a unique contrast and certainly ebbed and flowed through all of the emotions one can experience in the grieving process and it was a nice contrast to both of these characters. I also really enjoyed Haze's journey as the story went on- he was so loyal and dedicated to his late wife and it was really fun and enjoyable to see him begin to come to terms with the fact that he can and should love someone despite the fact that she is gone.
Sal was also a really fun character to dive into. He knew right from the beginning what he wanted- Haze for the harder side of his emotions and a woman who would be able to be all of the soft and nurturing that Haze could not be. It was fun to see him stand his ground in the beginning when Haze refused to budge and keep his pride and how he stumbled upon Albany not knowing her connection to Haze and who she was. I think the relationship that formed between Sal and Albany in the beginning (and not in the physical way) was the pivotal turn that drove all of them together as a couple and began Haze's recognition and acceptance that he couldn't keep living life the way that he was. Plus, throw in the Cam Girl job that Albany has and all that comes with it in this book and this was a fun, funny hit!
This was such a fantastic start to this series and I can't wait to see what comes next!
What really surprised me was how well the food related character descriptions were woven throughout the entire story with all of our MC's. It seemed like every couple of pages an action, scent or something else was being described by a fruit, chocolate or a normal scent in general and I found myself waiting with baited breathe to see just what analogies concerning food would be coming next.
This story really takes you on an emotional roller coaster with some twists that are completely unexpected. Albany and Haze both have been hurt in the past by unexpected death and it was really interesting to see just how they coped and handled their grief from the death of the same group of people. It was a unique contrast and certainly ebbed and flowed through all of the emotions one can experience in the grieving process and it was a nice contrast to both of these characters. I also really enjoyed Haze's journey as the story went on- he was so loyal and dedicated to his late wife and it was really fun and enjoyable to see him begin to come to terms with the fact that he can and should love someone despite the fact that she is gone.
Sal was also a really fun character to dive into. He knew right from the beginning what he wanted- Haze for the harder side of his emotions and a woman who would be able to be all of the soft and nurturing that Haze could not be. It was fun to see him stand his ground in the beginning when Haze refused to budge and keep his pride and how he stumbled upon Albany not knowing her connection to Haze and who she was. I think the relationship that formed between Sal and Albany in the beginning (and not in the physical way) was the pivotal turn that drove all of them together as a couple and began Haze's recognition and acceptance that he couldn't keep living life the way that he was. Plus, throw in the Cam Girl job that Albany has and all that comes with it in this book and this was a fun, funny hit!
This was such a fantastic start to this series and I can't wait to see what comes next!
January 10, 2025
Beautiful Magic
What happens when a cam girl, a chef, and a venture capitalist walk into a bar?
Beautiful magic happens!!
I was enraptured by this story so much I couldn't put it down and needed to finish it to see what happens with Albany and her guys Sal and Haze. The story is so beautifully woven together with spice, heat, insta lust , and heartbreak that leaves you desperate to help them get through their pain.
Sal and Haze just broke up after not seeing eye to eye on their future. Sal, the chef, is giving chocolate training classes, and this is where he meets Albany. They have an instant connection. When their back stories are revealed and not only does Albany know Haze but Haze also knows her as her new cam personna, these three go on a ride to help heal each other's hearts, open them up to new possibilities and help get over a tragic accident from the past.
I would love to see more of these three in the future. There is a HEA, but for me, it's more of an HFN, and I could see more for them. This is a bitter but sweet romance that you will definitely fall in love with and want to look up some chocolate classes for yourself.
What happens when a cam girl, a chef, and a venture capitalist walk into a bar?
Beautiful magic happens!!
I was enraptured by this story so much I couldn't put it down and needed to finish it to see what happens with Albany and her guys Sal and Haze. The story is so beautifully woven together with spice, heat, insta lust , and heartbreak that leaves you desperate to help them get through their pain.
Sal and Haze just broke up after not seeing eye to eye on their future. Sal, the chef, is giving chocolate training classes, and this is where he meets Albany. They have an instant connection. When their back stories are revealed and not only does Albany know Haze but Haze also knows her as her new cam personna, these three go on a ride to help heal each other's hearts, open them up to new possibilities and help get over a tragic accident from the past.
I would love to see more of these three in the future. There is a HEA, but for me, it's more of an HFN, and I could see more for them. This is a bitter but sweet romance that you will definitely fall in love with and want to look up some chocolate classes for yourself.
January 29, 2025
Bittersweet Sim–phony by Jay Leigh Brown is book 1 in a shared World Series called Behind the Lens. It’s is a fabulous MMF, cam girl and age gap novel. What an excellent story to start the series off with. It is well written with fabulous characters.
Albany is our cam girl who is extremely strong willed and minded. Sal is our cholcolatier teacher/hot teacher and Haze is our hot dominate alpha (who has loads of baggage). Albany and Sal immediately hit it off and grow together while Haze takes just a little longer to join in.
Such a well written book and beautiful journey. I loved it. I can not wait to read the next and more by this author!
Albany is our cam girl who is extremely strong willed and minded. Sal is our cholcolatier teacher/hot teacher and Haze is our hot dominate alpha (who has loads of baggage). Albany and Sal immediately hit it off and grow together while Haze takes just a little longer to join in.
Such a well written book and beautiful journey. I loved it. I can not wait to read the next and more by this author!
December 26, 2024
Bittersweet Sim-Phony, book 1 of the Behind The Lens series, by Jay Leigh Brown @jayleighbrown_author is a new author for me.
I loved this book about Albany, Sal & Haze! Tropes: Contemporary, MMF, Teacher/Student, Cam Girl, Age Gap, Chef, Businessman, & Found Family.
I loved this book about Albany, Sal & Haze! Tropes: Contemporary, MMF, Teacher/Student, Cam Girl, Age Gap, Chef, Businessman, & Found Family.
January 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(ARC)
This book was an interesting one. I had never read anything from this author before, so I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with them. The book itself was relativly easy to get through, and I did find myself enjoying the characters quite a bit. I will say that I wish that we got more time/saw more of the trio as a couple. I also wasn't a big fan of the time skips because I like being shown what happens instead of told what happens. But overall, the book was enjoyable.
(i would also like to point out that the author named the character with albanism Albany and i just found that very on the nose.)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
(ARC)
This book was an interesting one. I had never read anything from this author before, so I didn't really know what I was getting myself into with them. The book itself was relativly easy to get through, and I did find myself enjoying the characters quite a bit. I will say that I wish that we got more time/saw more of the trio as a couple. I also wasn't a big fan of the time skips because I like being shown what happens instead of told what happens. But overall, the book was enjoyable.
(i would also like to point out that the author named the character with albanism Albany and i just found that very on the nose.)
January 29, 2025
Bittersweet Sim-phony is a why-choose romance with age gap and a student teacher dynamic. There is a great deal of spice, that includes FM, MM and MMF, as well as spicy worker representation in a positive way.
The very first thing that I noticed in this book was the clever and funny chapter titles. Normally, I do not really pay much attention to chapter titles, they don't add anything to my reading experience, but these ones were different, I loved how creative and witty the titles were. The beautiful writing continued through the entirety of each chapter. I loved how well thought out the plot was, especially how the detail were fed to the reader in layers and slowly, I found myself reading "just one more chapter" to find out the next layer. This style of story telling made it easy to follow along with a lot of details easily, and kept me entertained from page one all the way to the last sentence. There is several spectacular spicy scenes throughout the entire story, though an aspect of these was slower coming than I would have liked. I would have also liked to see Haze and Albany's connection developed a little more within the overall story.
The entire main cast is well rounded and fabulous. The main female character, Albany, is one of my favorite female book characters of all times. She was strong and confident in a way that I have never experienced in a fmc before, it was girl goals, it was spicy, it was fabulous. She was realistic in a quixotic kind of way. Sal is every humans dream partner. He was the perfect golden retriever book boyfriend, a thoughtful and romantically amazing man. Haze was the man in the shadows, he was emotionally buckled up and hurting but I could not help but to love whole heartedly. The chemistry between the three is next level most of the time, and then underdeveloped in one or two instances.
Overall I found this to be a fabulous and spicy read, I loved all the characters and the plot.
The very first thing that I noticed in this book was the clever and funny chapter titles. Normally, I do not really pay much attention to chapter titles, they don't add anything to my reading experience, but these ones were different, I loved how creative and witty the titles were. The beautiful writing continued through the entirety of each chapter. I loved how well thought out the plot was, especially how the detail were fed to the reader in layers and slowly, I found myself reading "just one more chapter" to find out the next layer. This style of story telling made it easy to follow along with a lot of details easily, and kept me entertained from page one all the way to the last sentence. There is several spectacular spicy scenes throughout the entire story, though an aspect of these was slower coming than I would have liked. I would have also liked to see Haze and Albany's connection developed a little more within the overall story.
The entire main cast is well rounded and fabulous. The main female character, Albany, is one of my favorite female book characters of all times. She was strong and confident in a way that I have never experienced in a fmc before, it was girl goals, it was spicy, it was fabulous. She was realistic in a quixotic kind of way. Sal is every humans dream partner. He was the perfect golden retriever book boyfriend, a thoughtful and romantically amazing man. Haze was the man in the shadows, he was emotionally buckled up and hurting but I could not help but to love whole heartedly. The chemistry between the three is next level most of the time, and then underdeveloped in one or two instances.
Overall I found this to be a fabulous and spicy read, I loved all the characters and the plot.
January 14, 2025
This is the first book in the "Behind the Lens" world. Each book is written by a different author and each on is an interconnected standalone. This is my first read from Jay Leigh Brown, and it may not have been my typical go to of dark romance it was a book I really enjoyed. I absolutely feel in love with the characters. They were written so well you just feel like you can connect with them.
Albany is a cam girl who is just living her best adult life she can live after the loss of her first love and best friend Jake. She is learning how to deal with her grief and love herself all while not connecting on a deep level with most people because it just hurts to bad when they can't be with you anymore. That is until Sal, the chef that teaches people his love of food, specifically chocolate. But Sal is learning to deal with a loss of his own. He and Haze are as together as Haze will allow. But Sal is looking for something that Haze just can't give him. In any shape of way. Emotionally or physically. But that's because Haze is dealing with his grief the only way he knows how. Albany ends up taking a class taught by Sal and the chemistry between these two is hott. But Albany is insistent that they move slow, like friend zone slow.
Watching these characters come together and figure out how to connect with each other was a beautiful experience. SAL is such an amazing understanding kind soul. And Haze gives me total Daddy vibes.
Loved this book and I can't wait to see what the rest of this series has to bring.
PLOT. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE. 🌶🌶🌶
Albany is a cam girl who is just living her best adult life she can live after the loss of her first love and best friend Jake. She is learning how to deal with her grief and love herself all while not connecting on a deep level with most people because it just hurts to bad when they can't be with you anymore. That is until Sal, the chef that teaches people his love of food, specifically chocolate. But Sal is learning to deal with a loss of his own. He and Haze are as together as Haze will allow. But Sal is looking for something that Haze just can't give him. In any shape of way. Emotionally or physically. But that's because Haze is dealing with his grief the only way he knows how. Albany ends up taking a class taught by Sal and the chemistry between these two is hott. But Albany is insistent that they move slow, like friend zone slow.
Watching these characters come together and figure out how to connect with each other was a beautiful experience. SAL is such an amazing understanding kind soul. And Haze gives me total Daddy vibes.
Loved this book and I can't wait to see what the rest of this series has to bring.
PLOT. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE. 🌶🌶🌶
March 31, 2025
Bittersweet with lots of heat
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
🖤/5
"Bittersweet Sim-Phony" by Jay Leigh Brown is the juicy "January" in the 'Behind the Lens' series of standalone cam romance novels connected by a monthly pin-up calendar. This delicious MMF pairing features Haze (the dark and broody investment banker), Sal (the sweet and spicy chocolatier), and Albany (the sassy cam-girl), each a beautifully flawed character that tugged at my heartstrings in the best ways!
I absolutely loved how each character unfolded as the story progressed. Albany shines as a remarkable woman with a powerful capacity for love and understanding. I loved when she stood up for herself and defended her journey of trauma and healing. Sal brings such joy to the story with his playful nature and tantalizing, feral charm. Haze is a high-powered, dominant man with a wounded soul. And don't forget Piper, the most supportive bestie—she’s a gem!
I hope Jay Leigh Brown considers exploring the stalker angle in future stories! I loved Brown's incorporation of smell and beautiful imagery into the story. It's a captivating blend of joy, grief, love, healing, and plenty of spice!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
🖤/5
"Bittersweet Sim-Phony" by Jay Leigh Brown is the juicy "January" in the 'Behind the Lens' series of standalone cam romance novels connected by a monthly pin-up calendar. This delicious MMF pairing features Haze (the dark and broody investment banker), Sal (the sweet and spicy chocolatier), and Albany (the sassy cam-girl), each a beautifully flawed character that tugged at my heartstrings in the best ways!
I absolutely loved how each character unfolded as the story progressed. Albany shines as a remarkable woman with a powerful capacity for love and understanding. I loved when she stood up for herself and defended her journey of trauma and healing. Sal brings such joy to the story with his playful nature and tantalizing, feral charm. Haze is a high-powered, dominant man with a wounded soul. And don't forget Piper, the most supportive bestie—she’s a gem!
I hope Jay Leigh Brown considers exploring the stalker angle in future stories! I loved Brown's incorporation of smell and beautiful imagery into the story. It's a captivating blend of joy, grief, love, healing, and plenty of spice!
January 11, 2025
This book is making me crave chocolate so bad 😭😭
From the beginning I liked the characters. I felt like they had good chemistry. They were all struggling/dealing with something. That made their journey a little bit of a struggle. They needed that struggle to be able to move on and heal before getting into a relationship.
The journey was slow but it was needed. As much chemistry as they had they still didn't know each other that well but they did take time to fix that. They got to know one another and hang out and that made them develop deeper feelings.
The guys were absolutely obsessed with Albany. They loved everything about her. I loved how they were all super different but they fit together perfectly.
This book just left me feeling lonely and in need of some chocolate 😭😭. There was one scene that took me by surprise cause I didn't know they made THAT into something edible 🫣😭. This was my first book by this author and i did enjoy it and liked the writing so I'm definitely gonna be checking out their blacklist.
From the beginning I liked the characters. I felt like they had good chemistry. They were all struggling/dealing with something. That made their journey a little bit of a struggle. They needed that struggle to be able to move on and heal before getting into a relationship.
The journey was slow but it was needed. As much chemistry as they had they still didn't know each other that well but they did take time to fix that. They got to know one another and hang out and that made them develop deeper feelings.
The guys were absolutely obsessed with Albany. They loved everything about her. I loved how they were all super different but they fit together perfectly.
This book just left me feeling lonely and in need of some chocolate 😭😭. There was one scene that took me by surprise cause I didn't know they made THAT into something edible 🫣😭. This was my first book by this author and i did enjoy it and liked the writing so I'm definitely gonna be checking out their blacklist.
January 13, 2025
This book is part of the Behind the Lens series and will include 12 books. This series is a collaboration between 12 authors and after reading this first book, I know the other books will be amazing! This is my first time reading a book by Jay Leigh Brown but it will not be my last!
This book is very different from other books I have enjoyed. The characters and the backstory is so unique. I love the interaction with Albany and her best friend, it reminds of my childhood friends. They way they get each other and are there for each other. The MMCs. Sal and Haze are each hot in their own way. The dynamic of the relationship is in limbo due to things in their past. Until that unexpected twist hits you right between the eyes!
Thank you, Jay Leigh Brown for an incredible read and beginning to this series. Also I would like to thank you for another book that has been added to my reading goal. I look forward to reading more of your books.
This book is very different from other books I have enjoyed. The characters and the backstory is so unique. I love the interaction with Albany and her best friend, it reminds of my childhood friends. They way they get each other and are there for each other. The MMCs. Sal and Haze are each hot in their own way. The dynamic of the relationship is in limbo due to things in their past. Until that unexpected twist hits you right between the eyes!
Thank you, Jay Leigh Brown for an incredible read and beginning to this series. Also I would like to thank you for another book that has been added to my reading goal. I look forward to reading more of your books.
January 28, 2025
Behind the Lens is 12 stand alone but interconnected novels of which Bittersweet Sim-phony is the first.
I found the book a little slow to start with and a bit confusing as it is written from multiple POVs, one for each of the main characters.
Once I got further into it things started to fall into place and the pace picked up until it ended at a blistering speed.
Albany is an absolute poster girl for diversity and body positivity and a really likeable and relatable character. Sal is the sort of guy every woman dreams of but Haze is intensely dislikable. I loved the playfulness between Albany and Sal but found it difficult to believe that Haze could change so quickly considering he was so caught up in grief and seemingly set in his ways. The back story is woven seamlessly throughout the book without being intrusive.
Overall I enjoyed this RH read and look forward to the next book in the series.
I found the book a little slow to start with and a bit confusing as it is written from multiple POVs, one for each of the main characters.
Once I got further into it things started to fall into place and the pace picked up until it ended at a blistering speed.
Albany is an absolute poster girl for diversity and body positivity and a really likeable and relatable character. Sal is the sort of guy every woman dreams of but Haze is intensely dislikable. I loved the playfulness between Albany and Sal but found it difficult to believe that Haze could change so quickly considering he was so caught up in grief and seemingly set in his ways. The back story is woven seamlessly throughout the book without being intrusive.
Overall I enjoyed this RH read and look forward to the next book in the series.
January 11, 2025
This is the first book I have read from Jay Leigh Brown. It was about a four hour read, and I truly enjoyed it. Their is a lot of grief that they do not know how to get over. Their is happiness, exploration, love, companionship and understanding throughout the book.
Albany is studying to be a Chocolatier, but is a cam girl at night. Haze was in a relationship with Sal, Albany's Chocolatier teacher. They split up because Sal wants to bring a woman into the relationship to make them a triad. Haze says no so Sal leaves. Sal has already asked Albany out for a date. Haze is the father of her first love that passed away.
What will happen with the three of them? Will Haze ever remember Albany from before? Will Sal and Haze makeup? Will Haze want anything to do with Albany since he thinks she stole Sal from him? So many questions that you can only get the answer to by reading this book.
Albany is studying to be a Chocolatier, but is a cam girl at night. Haze was in a relationship with Sal, Albany's Chocolatier teacher. They split up because Sal wants to bring a woman into the relationship to make them a triad. Haze says no so Sal leaves. Sal has already asked Albany out for a date. Haze is the father of her first love that passed away.
What will happen with the three of them? Will Haze ever remember Albany from before? Will Sal and Haze makeup? Will Haze want anything to do with Albany since he thinks she stole Sal from him? So many questions that you can only get the answer to by reading this book.
January 9, 2025
Bittersweet Sim-phony is the first book of the Behind the lens series and it started the series with a bang! This story was an incredible easy quick read. Once I started I couldn’t put it down. Even at the end of it I wanted more. This is my first story by Jay Leigh Brown and now I need to go read more.
I loved everything about this book. The plot, the characters, the spice. This was a super spicy read, it features a mmf trope. The characters are Albany, Sal, and Haze and each one was well written and showed their personalities and how they meshed alone and together. There’s also an age gap trope in this story which is another one of my favorites. Without giving too much away I love how each character figured out things for themselves before they dove in.
I loved everything about this book. The plot, the characters, the spice. This was a super spicy read, it features a mmf trope. The characters are Albany, Sal, and Haze and each one was well written and showed their personalities and how they meshed alone and together. There’s also an age gap trope in this story which is another one of my favorites. Without giving too much away I love how each character figured out things for themselves before they dove in.
January 10, 2025
A sweet story about overcoming loss and learning to love again. Sal loves Haze but needs more. Haze is still lost in grief and a sense of loyalty to his wife he lost years ago in a tragic accident. Albany, a strong, confident woman, meets Sal and the two form a chemistry filled friendship. I enjoyed reading their story. Learning to navigate through grief and a relationship with multiple people can be difficult. I believe it was portrayed very well in this book. Each character and their love, mixed with doubt and some denial, was well written. I was routing for Sal to achieve what he needed throughout the book. It is written in multi-pov with everyone having a voice. There are possible triggers in this book. Be sure to pay attention to them.
January 13, 2025
This is a MMF, found family, overcoming trauma and moving on story.
I LOVED Albany and Sal together. And how the author handled Sal wanting to expand his relationship with Haze.
I also love that Albany wasn’t forced to stop being who she was and that Sal supported her through being a cam girl especially when she was so worried about him finding out.
Now I will say even after the story I still didn’t like Haze. I understand he was overcoming a lot of trauma and he does mentally address it. But I don’t think enough time was spent with him groveling/atoning however you want to put it. Cause he truly did some awful things. I think he just needed more chances to make up what he did to Albany and Sal.
But overall I did still enjoy the story.
I LOVED Albany and Sal together. And how the author handled Sal wanting to expand his relationship with Haze.
I also love that Albany wasn’t forced to stop being who she was and that Sal supported her through being a cam girl especially when she was so worried about him finding out.
Now I will say even after the story I still didn’t like Haze. I understand he was overcoming a lot of trauma and he does mentally address it. But I don’t think enough time was spent with him groveling/atoning however you want to put it. Cause he truly did some awful things. I think he just needed more chances to make up what he did to Albany and Sal.
But overall I did still enjoy the story.
January 16, 2025
amazing
This is the first book in this collaboration series. This was about Albany. She was a student at a chocolatier academy. Sal was the owner and teacher. Her and her friend Piper signed up for the class and one student was being mean and threw chocolate all over her and claimed it was an accident. It landed on her face and it burned her. Piper and Sal helped her get it off. He offered her private classes to make up for it. The girl that did it said she wanted them too. He told her no. This was the start of their friendship. Sal was dating Haze at this time and they broke up because Haze couldn’t give Sal what he wanted which was to bring a woman into the relationship. Everything was set in motion after this.
This is the first book in this collaboration series. This was about Albany. She was a student at a chocolatier academy. Sal was the owner and teacher. Her and her friend Piper signed up for the class and one student was being mean and threw chocolate all over her and claimed it was an accident. It landed on her face and it burned her. Piper and Sal helped her get it off. He offered her private classes to make up for it. The girl that did it said she wanted them too. He told her no. This was the start of their friendship. Sal was dating Haze at this time and they broke up because Haze couldn’t give Sal what he wanted which was to bring a woman into the relationship. Everything was set in motion after this.
January 22, 2025
I really wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, but I was so happy that I dove in and found out how great this story is!!
What a wonderful surprise from a new-to-me author. I don’t often read MFM, MM & MF, but this was a great read and I enjoyed it very much! It has a great story and complex characters that drew me in quickly.
There are some really awful things that they have gone through and traumas they have to deal with, but together they are able to work through them. Lots of steamy parts to balance it all out and I am so glad that I went away from my norm and read this fantastic book!
Compelling character development and plot and I was rooting for their success and HEA from start to finish.
What a wonderful surprise from a new-to-me author. I don’t often read MFM, MM & MF, but this was a great read and I enjoyed it very much! It has a great story and complex characters that drew me in quickly.
There are some really awful things that they have gone through and traumas they have to deal with, but together they are able to work through them. Lots of steamy parts to balance it all out and I am so glad that I went away from my norm and read this fantastic book!
Compelling character development and plot and I was rooting for their success and HEA from start to finish.
January 10, 2025
A CHOCOLATE COVERED RH, YUM!
Bittersweet Sim-phony is Book 1 in a new shared world called Behind the Lens. I didn't read the Blurb as I wanted to be surprised and I was. This is my first Jay Leigh Brown book and while I found it slow to start, the plot picked up pace with character twists, emotionally and steamy charged scenes, as well as banter driven dialogue. This was a great start to what I can now only imagine is going to be a diverse world from multiple talented authors. If you love age gap, reverse harem and a coming of acceptance to live life to the full with love and happiness after tragedy, then this book is for you.
Bittersweet Sim-phony is Book 1 in a new shared world called Behind the Lens. I didn't read the Blurb as I wanted to be surprised and I was. This is my first Jay Leigh Brown book and while I found it slow to start, the plot picked up pace with character twists, emotionally and steamy charged scenes, as well as banter driven dialogue. This was a great start to what I can now only imagine is going to be a diverse world from multiple talented authors. If you love age gap, reverse harem and a coming of acceptance to live life to the full with love and happiness after tragedy, then this book is for you.
January 10, 2025
I loved this book!
This is so different from other books I’ve read. It’s emotional, spicy and I adored the character development.
ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴜꜱ.
Albany is a great fmc. I love the cam girl trope. The men are amazing. There’s some emotional parts to this book. I love the second chances vibes. The spice was so hot!
𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙩.
There’s a twist that had me screaming! I love the forbidden aspect of this book too. If you want a wholesome, reverse harem pick this one up!
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
Contemporary MMF
Teacher/Student
Second Chances
Cam Girl
Age Gap
Chef & Businessman
Spicy
Found Family
𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴.
This is so different from other books I’ve read. It’s emotional, spicy and I adored the character development.
ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴜꜱ.
Albany is a great fmc. I love the cam girl trope. The men are amazing. There’s some emotional parts to this book. I love the second chances vibes. The spice was so hot!
𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙚𝙩.
There’s a twist that had me screaming! I love the forbidden aspect of this book too. If you want a wholesome, reverse harem pick this one up!
🇹🇷🇴🇵🇪🇸
Contemporary MMF
Teacher/Student
Second Chances
Cam Girl
Age Gap
Chef & Businessman
Spicy
Found Family
𝘞𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘶𝘴.
January 11, 2025
I really enjoyed the beginning of this same shared world. It started off really good and I can’t wait to read others. This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The writing and characters had depth to them.
I really liked the FMC and the MMCs and the way they fit together. I really liked how their personalities shined through and meshed so well together. The chemistry was sizzling, it had me swooning. I really enjoyed the dynamic and thought they fit well together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a new read! This one was such a good read! I can’t wait for more in this shared world!
I really liked the FMC and the MMCs and the way they fit together. I really liked how their personalities shined through and meshed so well together. The chemistry was sizzling, it had me swooning. I really enjoyed the dynamic and thought they fit well together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I highly recommend if you’re looking for a new read! This one was such a good read! I can’t wait for more in this shared world!
January 11, 2025
Ménage and Chocolate
This is the first book released in the Behind the Lens shared world. This book was excellent. Albany was so strong and confident even when most would have wavered. She knew what she wanted and she made it happen. I also loved Sal so much! He was such a romantic golden retriever for Albany. Haze on the other had I strongly disliked and by the end I was able to just tolerate. He got off way too easy in my opinion and should have had to work harder to make up for how he treated the other two. The spice was just fantastic and the inclusion of chocolate multiple times was so yummy. They all get a HEA in the end.
This is the first book released in the Behind the Lens shared world. This book was excellent. Albany was so strong and confident even when most would have wavered. She knew what she wanted and she made it happen. I also loved Sal so much! He was such a romantic golden retriever for Albany. Haze on the other had I strongly disliked and by the end I was able to just tolerate. He got off way too easy in my opinion and should have had to work harder to make up for how he treated the other two. The spice was just fantastic and the inclusion of chocolate multiple times was so yummy. They all get a HEA in the end.
January 13, 2025
This is my first Jay Leigh Brown book, and I was not disappointed! This is the first book in a shared world, Behind The Lens, and it was a fantastic start.
This was a heartbreaking/heartwarming happily ever after story of 3 broken people on the path to healing each other through much patience and major doses of understanding. I loved reading through their journey and fell in love with all three of them. Haze needed so much love and understanding, Sal was so giving, loving, and open, and Albany, with total acceptance, tied everyone together!
You gotta give this one a go! I do need more of BFF Piper, though.
This was a heartbreaking/heartwarming happily ever after story of 3 broken people on the path to healing each other through much patience and major doses of understanding. I loved reading through their journey and fell in love with all three of them. Haze needed so much love and understanding, Sal was so giving, loving, and open, and Albany, with total acceptance, tied everyone together!
You gotta give this one a go! I do need more of BFF Piper, though.
January 14, 2025
Wow! I really liked this book. I loved reading how these completely different souls came together in love. I love reading about a strong, body confident FMC. Albany knew her worth and stood up for it. Sal was just delicious. I mean we all love a man that can cook, but a chocolatier on top of that?? Swoon. Haze is your typical workaholic businessman, but his tragic backstory, his struggle with his feelings and that twist really set him apart. They complimented each other well. The spice was fantastic and we got to witness each coupling along with them all together and it was hot!! If you like MMF stories you will enjoy this one.
December 3, 2024
Loved this story! After an unexpected tragedy, Albany finds solace in her work at Behind the Lens, embracing her sexuality without getting emotionally attached. Haze, down on life and an emotional brick, is about to lose his one chance at re-finding love. And Sal, trying to heal his broken heart, find the welcoming embrace of his student. This story had a lot of twists and turns, it kept me on my toes. I loved the relationships that developed, fell apart, hit some bumps... it was a rollercoaster. Highly recommend.
January 10, 2025
A Cam Girl and some chocolate
FMC is a can girl learning to love herself and life. One MMC is a Chocolatier who loves creating chocolate masterpieces. The other MMC is a business man.
These three people will find that nothing in their life is quite what they want and need it to be but through several challenges and even more confrontations and truths they can have it all.
This is a beautiful story of tragedy and trying to find a balance in life afterwards. Can there be love again when you have lost the one you saw as your forever?
FMC is a can girl learning to love herself and life. One MMC is a Chocolatier who loves creating chocolate masterpieces. The other MMC is a business man.
These three people will find that nothing in their life is quite what they want and need it to be but through several challenges and even more confrontations and truths they can have it all.
This is a beautiful story of tragedy and trying to find a balance in life afterwards. Can there be love again when you have lost the one you saw as your forever?
January 13, 2025
Bittersweet Sim-phony is the first book in the Behind The Lens series. This is a standalone.
You have:
MMF
Contemporary
Teacher/Student
Age Gap
Cam Girl
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Found Family
Food Play
This is actually my first introduction to Jay Leigh Brown's books. It was a bit of a slow start for me. It did eventually pick up and this is so much more than a spicy novel. This is a story of healing and finding sense of belonging. This smütty novel was also absolutely delicious (pun intended). I enjoyed Jay's writing and need to check out her other works
You have:
MMF
Contemporary
Teacher/Student
Age Gap
Cam Girl
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Found Family
Food Play
This is actually my first introduction to Jay Leigh Brown's books. It was a bit of a slow start for me. It did eventually pick up and this is so much more than a spicy novel. This is a story of healing and finding sense of belonging. This smütty novel was also absolutely delicious (pun intended). I enjoyed Jay's writing and need to check out her other works
January 13, 2025
The first book in the Behind the Lens shared world kicked it all off with a sinful sweet story. This is the first book I’ve by Brown and it did not disappoint! I never knew how badly I needed these three in my life. Albany, Sal, and Haze all come with their unique personalities and difficulties they need to overcome before coming together. This book handled grief phenomenally and the spice that was incorporated never downplayed this. Plus, the spice was to drool over! I’ll never look at chocolate the same 🤭.
I echo what others have said: we need more of bestie Piper!!
I echo what others have said: we need more of bestie Piper!!
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