Tangled Encounters

by Madison Nicole

Ozzie is looking for a new circus to join. She quit her old one with a dramatic flourish because they were a bunch of a-holes and is in desperate need of finding another place to perform. Cirque Callisto seems like the perfect fit. They need a juggler and Ozzie is the best. Except the teeny tiny issue that one of the performers, Jess, seems to actually hate her. It’s not like Ozzie meant to be an awkward mess when they first met but she was a little star struck. How could you not be when you just watched the absolute best aerial hoop performance you’ve ever seen with the most beautiful woman alive bewitching you with her musicality and athleticism?

Jess is in desperate need of a new duo partner. Unfortunately, the only person who can semi keep up with her on the aerial hoop is the newest member of Cirque Callisto, Ozzie. There’s nothing inherently wrong with her, it's just that every time they have accidentally touched Ozzie acts like she burned her hand on Jess’s skin. It’s rude and uncalled for. Why wasn’t there anyone else? To make matters worse, in a moment of desperation Jess told her ex that she and Ozzie were dating and now things are even weirder.

Fake dating your duo partner wasn’t really in the cards for either of them. But slowly fake dating turns into something more that neither one of them can no longer ignore. But old wounds and pesky exes seem to keep getting in their way no matter how hard the two of them try to keep those things at bay. You can’t run away from your past forever. Will they be able to overcome their own demons or simply destroy their relationship in the process? It’s up to the two of them to find out.

This book is intended for mature readers and contains scenes not suitable for all. Reader discretion is advised.

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

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2024

About the author

Madison Nicole is a queer author and circus performer who currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri where she teaches dance, fitness and circus arts. You can catch Madi playing video games, reading dark romance, and juggling when she is not writing or working her day job. Some of her favorite indulgences include iced coffee, painting, and dark chocolate. She is excited to continue to explore her writing career and bring more stories your way!

Follow me on IG/Threads/TT @madisonnicolebooks

Reviews

[Lady Olenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Positives:

•The characters were attractive lol
•The narrative was cohesive and made sense.
•I appreciate the sex positive and body positive element of the story.
•I admire the “ride or die” friendship they all share
•The portrayal of the avoidant personality was spot on and I love it because I see myself in the character’s action so much.

Not so Positive:

•The flow was good however it felt fast at times.

[Vayl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a sapphic romance set in a circus, with a lot of diverse representation: there are characters with hypermobility, vision issues, and a variety of identities and orientations. The main characters are a bi woman and a lesbian woman, both pretty interesting who do lyra and juggling—and the found family that formed in the circus is wonderfully, with nonbinary characters, people who do drag, and all of them do circus acts.

My favorite scenes were the circus acts; they’re full of magic and excitement, really bringing the story to life.

I’d love to see the author continue writing about these characters and their relationships because there are so many couples and people worth exploring.

It’s a quick, easy read and pretty entertaining. Although the romance wasn’t entirely my style, the story managed to keep me entertained. There were some times when the flow of the plot felt like it was going nowhere

This is an arc review, but an honest one ♡ Thank you so much to the author for the copy.

[Deandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ARC Review ~
   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

~I was acting like someone who did not live on Earth and was learning to be a human in my skin suit for the first time.~ I love reading characters who are just as awkward as I am😂

~“I have entered into waiting time and cannot be pushed out of it. The only logical thing was to get ready and wait.” It was my anxious curse. To be doomed to be in waiting time purgatory because what if it took three times as long to get ready as it normally would and then I was late?!~ Plus her anxiety speaks to my own😭🤣

The LGBTQ and Disabilities representations were on point!
The Modern circus aspect of this book was so enchanting and the Romance was not only spicy but very sweet and intimate as well, and I loved seeing the ups and downs of the Relationship between Jess and Ozzie, Their Relationship was so relatable and the comradery and found family was so welcoming, it made me want to be a part of it!

~Tangled Encounters releases October 26th!!~

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sapphic circus gorgeousness with a *sprinkling* of fake dating, beautiful queer and disability rep, diverse bodies and friendship circles and some *very delightful slightly kinky smut*.
All the makings of a winning book for me.
I love reading about skills I do not, cannot and probably will not ever possess. The circus content was therefore a dream for me.
I absolutely adored the way the group go to bat for each other. In every circumstance. I want that kind of camaraderie in my life.
Jess and Ozzie were cute as fuck together and I wish them only joy forever and ever.
I think I wanted more fake dating thoooo. It was only a smidge and I wanted that tension BOILING over. And more grovelling… particularly ‘cause I’m still a bit 🤔🤔🤔 about Jess’ freakout.
But otherwise a lovely book and I am very excited to see who’s nexttttttttttt.

[Stephanie (stackedwithsteph) · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay this was VERY good.
I love when a book gives me the true warm fuzzies that being queer and having a crush does.

also we need more side characters calling out the main characters on their bullshit!
this was great and i REALLY want a sequel.

[Chelsea Pitsos · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up! Chose this one as a little palate cleanser after reading some heavier books — and I had a lot of fun with it! Loved the concept, and the found family of it all. Felt a bit rushed on the romance side, but made sense for the length of the book.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun!

I really enjoyed this! I love the circus subplot (I wish there was more honestly!) and the sapphic spice was top tier 💯 tons of queer rep, found family, HEA, and a realistic swoon-worthy romance. I’ll definitely be reading more in the series!

[Silentcitylibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows Ozzie who changes circus companies due to a crazy ex and ends up finding her found family, as well as Jess the beautiful hoop artist!

Being a circus girlie myself it was really easy to identify with the characters. Logans story about falling out of a move on the hammock and brusing her labia was so relatable, I couldn't stop laughing.

I would definitely check out Madison Nicole if you want a queer book that is funny, entertaining and of course, spicy!

[Meg Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t vibed this hard with a story in a long time. I knew Tangled Encounters was a book for me right from the beginning when Ozzie, one of the MCs, is grappling with an eminently relatable problem and says that it’s “hard to find your people as an adult.” My God, the truth of that statement struck me right in my feeling parts. From there, the romance, the self-discovery, and the delightful banter swept me away to a very satisfying HEA.

The love for circus arts pours off of the page and makes this first story in Madison Nicole’s Cirque Callisto series absolutely intoxicating. The characters are the strongest part of this novel; I want the entire Cirque Callisto troupe to be my best friends. No one resonated with me quite like quite like Ozzie, though. She’s queer, she’s struggling to find connection with other artists, and she’s living with autoimmune illness. I was delighted that Madison Nicole was so forthright and clear that Ozzie and Jess, our other MC, are queer women want one partner and a connection with that partner before hooking up. The message that being bi doesn’t equate with a rapacious sexual appetite, a predisposition to polyamory, or even being particularly sexually adventurous is such an important one.

Jess and Ozzie are just as dynamite together as any reverse harem or why-choose pairing. They can go from sweet to spicy in two seconds flat and rather than feeling forced it feels natural and right and so, so good. The only exception— and the reason I gave four stars instead of five— is that the third-act conflict seems to come out of nowhere. Without giving spoilers the source of the conflict isn’t established as an issue beforehand, and isn’t really necessary as there’s enough external sources of conflict to bring the story to a boiling point. Nevertheless, Madison Nicole’s debut is overall brilliant. Her style and voice are absolutely delightful and hit all the right beats. She’s funny without trying too hard to be clever and profound without a hint of self-importance.

If you’ve ever wanted to run away to the circus, to be surrounded by a found family of supportive shes, theys & gays, or just to read an incredible sapphic romance, Tangled Encounters is the book for you. I, for one, cannot wait until the next installment of the Cirque Callisto series comes out.

[Tristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled Encounters is a delightful romance set in the world of circus performance, where a mix of aerial acrobatics, juggling, and complex emotions make for a unique and engaging story. Madison Nicole’s personal experience shines through, bringing an authentic touch to the descriptions of circus life and making Cirque Callisto feel like a world of its own, filled with interesting acts and intriguing performers.

The main characters, Ozzie and Jess, each bring their own blend of quirks and depth to the story. Ozzie’s awkward charm and Jess’s fierce focus are a wonderful contrast, and watching them go from reluctant duo partners to fake dating—and eventually something more—was a joy. Their chemistry is palpable, and the spicy scenes between them are steamy and well-written. I also enjoyed the supporting cast, who are clearly set up for their own stories in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of them!

The main critique I have is that the story felt a bit rushed in places, especially toward the resolution. With a bit more time spent on building up the tension and a slower progression through the time jumps, the ending would have felt more satisfying and “earned.” There was a great foundation for a longer narrative, and I’d have happily read an additional hundred pages to fully experience the ups and downs of Jess and Ozzie’s relationship.

Overall, Tangled Encounters is a refreshing romance with a unique setting and captivating characters. It’s a fun, steamy read that will appeal to fans of fake dating, circus intrigue, and slow-burn romance. I can’t wait to see where Madison Nicole takes this series next!

Thank you to the author, Madison Nicole, for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Hadiya Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story missed the mark for me a little bit. It had a lot of promise with the overall premise, but was a little too surface level with the fake dating trope and the bothersome exes bit. I kept waiting for the exes to actually cause problems for the love interests but it never really happened. Low-key I felt bad for Genevieve because I felt like the reason that Jess was so mad at her was more of a Jess problem than a problem that Genevieve caused. Like, Genevieve definitely was doing a lot with the constant texts and whatnot, but to me it just seemed like she was just trying to be friends, and Jess never explicitly told her that she wasn't interested in staying friends. The fact that everyone, even Trevor and Ozzie, jumped on the hate Genevieve bandwagon by the end just made me sad for her.
I didn't mind the third act break-up (those fuel me tbh) but the reason for it just pissed me off. I already wasn't feeling Jess by that point in the story, but it was when she caused the break-up and avoided Ozzie for weeks for no good reason made me want to scream. Ozzie could do better, for sure. If I was her I would've blocked Jess for her bull, but to each their own, I guess.
Those were the big things that turned this from a 4 star to a 3 star read, but as a whole I did think the story was a fun look at what it was like being in the circus and all of the scenes where they actually performed were really entertaining.

As a sidenote, I think if the story was in third-person it would've come together a little better, especially with how omniscient Ozzie and Jess sometimes came across.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Finding Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

🪵Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
🥵Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🌈Review: This book was really fun! I honestly had read nothing like it before due to the circus setting and so I didn’t know what to expect. I really enjoyed reading about their lives and their skillset. I really liked Ozzie, she was very relatable and honestly I found myself sympathising with her on multiple occasions. Can we all agree that Sean and his band of idiots in his circus were all horrible people!! I was so angry for everything that involved him or Britney. I loved the found family aspects throughout this whole book, the camaraderie between all of the members of Cirque Callisto, just made my heart happy. The way they supported each other through every moment. I really enjoyed the relationship between Jess and Ozzie, there was instant attraction but the way the fumbled and stumbled and found themselves in quite the awkward position of fake dating, it was hilariously relatable in so many ways. The awkward gay panic, I feel that. There was delicious smutty scenes throughout but not just straight up sex but also very beautiful soft intimate moments too. You know what else I loved, CLEAR CONSENT!! We love. However, I do wish there was more grovelling towards the end but otherwise this was an amazing read and I do thoroughly recommend it!

Things I loved:
Sapphic MCs (bisexual and lesbian)
“Muscle mommy”
Queer rep throughout
Different body shape rep
Disability and mental health rep
NB side character
Found family

[Hannah Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled Encounters by Madison Nicole, Releases 10/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Overall I liked this book! I had a bit of a tough time getting into it, but that passed quickly. I really liked the sapphic romance and how queer the whole cast of characters was. And the disability representation, amazing! There were some parts in the beginning and towards the end of this book that felt a bit clumsy and took me out of the experience, especially the big tension point, but the resolution pulled it through. I really loved the relationships between all of the characters and how supportive everyone was. I feel like I had an idea in my head that it would be more of what I picture as a traditional circus scene, like big tent, traveling, all that jazz. We still got plenty about the actual performances and different specializations, and I feel like I learned a lot about something I haven’t read much about in the past. I plan to read more books by this author and am excited to see how she continues to grow in her craft. I suggest checking out this book, as well as her other works!
*ARC review*

[Kristen Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ARC Reader Review⭐️⭐️⭐️


So I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC reader. I’m not going to include a synopsis, as there’s so many already in other reviews.


Here are some things I loved in the novel:
1. Both FMCs are the BEST mix of strong and vulnerable.
2. Loved the quirky circus vibe which made the setting unique!
3. The other female supporting characters were uplifting and supportive- I hate when an FMC has no friend group and acts like all women hate her.
4. Quite spicy!

The reason I’m only giving it 3 stars is because the story is lacking in details. There’s not enough information to feel the angst and tension and the writing is full of cliches sentence structures, which made it trying to read. Romance novels generally shine because of the detailed character development and that was lacking here. The dialogue was also clunky and felt forced. I definitely think this is a 5-star idea, but 3-star execution.

[fhmltn · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one had been sitting on my tbr for ages, but when i got an e-ARC of book two, i knew it was finally time to dive in. tangled encounters surprised me in the best way because i’ve never seen fake dating turn into real feelings quite so quickly, but it actually felt refreshingly realistic. instead of dragging out the miscommunication trope, the characters were open with each other when it mattered, which meant a little less tension but a lot more sincerity.

the characters felt wonderfully authentic, with their own flaws, quirks, and believable motivations. the queer and disabled representation was handled with care and depth, and the found family storyline was especially moving. there’s something so powerful about characters finding a queernormative community where they can finally breathe, grow, and be their full selves. overall, a tender and affirming read.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✖️

[Teahlyn Seeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Tangled Encounters as an advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.

I’m such a sucker for sapphic romance books. I loved having some insight into the circus world through the eyes of Jess and Ozzie. I love how this book approaches community and representation of the LGBTQ+ community. I loved all of the side characters as well, I think each of them could have their own books. Especially Logan and Trevor, there’s something about the best friends of main characters that gets me excited!! I also loved the representation of those with chronic immune disorders. Honestly, I thought the author plagiarized my wife’s life for a minute because of all the similarities 😂 I will definitely be sharing this book with my friends!!

[Jordie Slesarenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tangled Encounters is a delightful addition to the sapphic genre and my second venture into LGBTQ literature. I absolutely loved the representation throughout the story, which felt both authentic and refreshing. The circus setting adds an enchanting backdrop that perfectly complements the characters’ vibrant personalities and struggles. Ozzie and Jess, with their awkward interactions, struck a chord with me; as someone who often feels a bit clumsy in social situations, I found their journey incredibly relatable. Their transformation from awkward encounters to a heartwarming connection kept me hooked, and the humor in their mishaps made me smile. Madison Nicole beautifully captures the complexities of love and performance.

[Jordan Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! Tangled Encounters was my introduction to reading sapphic romances and it was truly such a delight! I loved all the different elements that made this story so relatable. BUT the circus elements truly stole the show and added a layer of intimacy that is present for artists and performers.

We have two women who struggle in their own ways come together for some *fake* dating that gets very real very fast. The timeline moves swiftly as we get to see how their relationship evolves and ooooh baby that means we get some steamy sessions with two people who love to please!

I can’t wait to read more from Maddison Nicole!

[Lavender Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute, spicy Sapphic read. I loved the diversity, the disability rep, the mental health rep, and the side characters. As someone who’s been in a parallel community, taken some circus arts classes, and nearly ran away with one of them, this author very clearly did their research. I found out at the end that she’s a performer herself and it shows! I wish there had been more focus on the circus content because I think Madison Nicole does a wonderful job conveying the absolute wonder it is to experience these performances. I’m not typically a fan of a third act breakup, but it did make sense and the resolution was satisfying, and I can’t wait to read Unexpected Attachments.

[Victoria Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah man. Get ready for spoilers because I gotta talk about this one.

This book was just so relatable is soooo many ways. As a queer woman, I have never found a more relatable character than the characters in the story. Specifically Ozzie and the bisexual & outcasted scapegoat experience she had to deal with in the beginning, fuck dude. That hit. I felt that pain in my chest. So hecking relatable. I loved the reality of the relationship progress between Ozzie and Jess. Relationship problems in books are very often external issues or miscommunication of something so simple or some other force that cause turmoil, but Jess’s fear was real. It was created in such a way that I was able to just get it.

Also the spice was spicy hot. Compliments to the chef. Magnificent.

[Alex Bousquet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the diversity in this book from their disabilities to the queer representation was amazing. The way Jess acted though from the first awkward encounter to the way she got scared and ran away and didnt speak to Ozzie for weeks I would not of forgiven that easily. Genevieve also has a lot to work on herself for constantly trying to meddle in her exes new relationship and continuing to text Jess after just to "check in" was absolutely wrong. I loved Ozzie's character and finding a place to call home with cirque callisto.

[Karmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Encounters has revived my love for the circus! Madi Nicole did an amazing job painting the love for movement art, and not to mention the empowerment of women's bodies! The representation of queer characters and the physical and mental struggles they endure made my heart skip a beat. I could not put this book down and already can't wait to read it again.

[Lexi Rotello · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 out of 10 would read again

As a neurospicy queer woman this was an amazing read, I finished it in one night and enjoyed the hell out of it. I loved when the characters would say "We" since that's very common verbiage for me and other neurospicys. Can't wait to read the others!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s go to the Sapphic Circus!

This is a new to me author and I’m looking forward to more! Interesting story, I loved the cirque scenes and now I want to go see a show and maybe take a class! Ozzie is an amazing and relatable character. I was often swooning over her! Her chemistry with Jess was scorching both professionally and personally ;).

[Bekki's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute Sapphic romance within the circus environment

This was a quick and fun read. The characters and their support for each other are fun and encouraging. The connection between the two was instant and consuming.

[Bridie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first sapphic circus romance & first book by Madison, and it didn’t disappoint! I loved every minute of it, there’s highs, theres lows, there’s SPICE!!! Solid read. 4.5⭐️

[Morgibee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Dialogue was a little unrealistic and things would be very conveniently inconvenient but it was still fun.

[Heather Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars.

Enjoyed this lovely little circus romance.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fucking loved this book! I need more sapphic romance novels in my life, Ozzie and Jess are actual goals and i can’t wait to read more

[Booksnliftsdiary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4⭐️/5

Detailed review to follow.