Breakfast at Sassy's

by Alexa Van, Hannah Miet (editor)

Van’s writing perfectly encapsulates the appeal of a toxic f***—It’s hot.” - Allan MacDonell, former editor of Hustler magazine

Portland is a night-life paradise for young adults, where nothing is too weird, and anything is accepted — the perfect place for Clint Adams to lick his wounds. One night, like a sexy mirage, silhouette bathed in red light, Desiree (Dez) Troy first appears, and he trades one obsession for another. Her. An elusive alcoholic stripper. From her blatant disregard for societal norms, to her not-so-ex-husband the drug dealer, to her daring sexuality, Clint fights for control of his sanity and hers on a raw ride more psychedelic than his classic, blue Chevrolet.

Are morals anything more than a false sense of control in an out of control world?

458 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2024

About the author

Alexa Van is a writer and musician based in Los Angeles. While she has long mined her personal life and its narratives for artistic inspiration, Breakfast at Sassy’s, a work of autofiction, is her first novel. Across genres, her work is inspired by her own journey of recovery from addiction. Her art seeks to inspire those grappling with survival in a world that often seems indifferent to our innermost struggles, offering a beacon of hope for those lost in the labyrinth of life.

Reviews

[Laura Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I applaud the author for doing all her own outreach to promote this book. Thank you, Alexa Van, for sending me a copy of your novel.

The descriptions and prose are beautiful here. This is a story about broken people and what it feels like to be truly alone. Two very broken, alone people are drawn to each other while each are at a crossroads in life. I’m from LA and moved to Portland three years ago, so I loved that this book incorporates the best and worst of both these cities. My husband grew up in Portland in the 80s and 90s, and his church was near a strip club called Jiggles. BREAKFAST AT SASSY’S shows this side of Portland. Most people think of Portland as a weird place, but I think it’s gotten very sanitized in neighborhoods like Beaverton and the Northwest areas now. BREAKFAST AT SASSY’S doesn’t just keep Portland weird, but is true to its strip club history.

I admire the writing and storytelling in this book even though the characters are not super relatable to me personally (I don’t drink or smoke and have never done any drugs). I still identified with the feelings of loneliness and brokenness in the two main characters. Alexa Van is a talented writer, and she wrote some sexy scenes as well. I was entertained all throughout!

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

4.25 ⭐️

Firstly, I would like to thank the author for reaching out and providing an e-arc of ‘Breakfast at Sassys’ and offer my congratulations on the release of their debut novel👏🏼

This book is most certainly not your typical romance book and honestly I was hooked from the first chapter. I found this book very realistic in terms that our two main characters both needed more out of life. Clint, wandered this earth needing a purpose, he loses himself in obsessions, and now he has traded one obsession to another and that new obsession is Desiree/Dez, a st!pper who suffers from åddiction. He wanted to take care of her, to get her on the right track in life, hence lose himself in a new obsession, while Dez needed someone in her life to help her from spiralling out of control. Clint and Dez both needed each other at this point in their lives this book follows the new path that they’ve set out on together to help one another.

This book doesn’t end like a traditional romance novel which I definitely agree is for the best, and I honestly think the author ended this book beautifully. It definitely gets you thinking that while some people come into your life, they may not stay and that they are just passing by in your story and this is the case for Clint and Dez. Dez realised in the end that she doesn’t need Clint to help her through life and I was so proud that she took action herself to keep her life on track. This quote can honestly say so much better what I am trying to put into words.

“Clint wanted to get high off her, she’d always known that. This “better version of her” that he pushed was just another way for him to avoid the truth. Another game.
In Portland, she’d been his escape, and now she’d become the thing he needed to escape from. They’d been using each other.”

This book does deal with some heavy themes so I would definitely read up on those before you dive into this book but it is most certainly worth the read🖤

[S. Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

To start , this reminded me very much of a Quentin Tarantino film in the way that anything and everything could happen all at once, nothing would surprise you because it's all a bit whacky, and you are literally never bored because at every turn there's something going on that you can't miss or you'll be confused. I mean this in the best way . I mean, Dez is just ... does she have an off button ? I'm not sure she does . Clint and Dez needed something different out of each other at the exact same time. Clint needed to feel like he had a purpose , in this period of his life it was to take care of Dez. Make sure she was alive , make sure she was eating, sleeping etc. And Dez needed someone a little bit more grounded than she was just so she would stop spinning out of control . I liked that this was basically the foundation for the book . I don't even know what to say about Dez besides WOW.

Their love is sweet at first and then it's a bit tragic because they grow out of each other but I think they definitely needed to be together even if just for a bit. It wasn't a "traditional HEA" , but it's more of a real life HEA. Happily ever after separately. It's the ending they both needed. I would LOVE to see more from them, but I also understand if this is all we get. I like to let my imagination take that away.

Literally every page of this book kept me guessing and i was HERE FOR IT.

[bookishashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, I’m so happy Alexa Van reached out to me to do a review! I gave this book 4.25 ⭐️ Breakfast at Sassys was a crazy ride. The characters were well written, Dez is one bad b IMO especially with everything that she goes through. The writing style was pretty addictive I found myself not wanting to put it down. Slow to start but after chapter 4 is where I started to really dive in! This had me crying, laughing and down right yelling at some of the chapters. What a crazy ride! Def recommend 🥰🥰

[Cozmik_Sunflower_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

[Shannon👻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Breakfast at Sassy's

Ark review, and also available on Kindle Unlimited.
Wow... This was a wild ride, that's for sure.
At first, I couldn't understand why Clint put up with Dez, but the more I read the more I got it.
I still got frustrated at Dez for not getting herself any help sooner. But it also seemed like she had no one to push her to trying to get any help either.
By the end of the book however, I was glad for her and Clint should have tried to do better by her when she tried for herself.
I would read more by this Author

[Georgia Spurling · Rating 5 out of 5]

(ARC Review) ✨ 5⭐️ READ!!

“Desiree wondered what it might feel like to be at peace. If being conscious felt this rotten, then forget peace - she’d settle for taking the edge off.”

Two characters lovestruck whilst battling through their own struggles of addiction, obsession, desperation - digging through tragedy and trauma to find escapism. This debut novel for Alexa Van will take you on a hell of a roller coaster ride with strippers, drugs, addiction, dark romance, comedy and (thank goodness) redemption!! This novel had me crying, laughing and reeling for what was coming next. A fast paced, dual POV, written in third person, with tough topics articulated beautifully without being romanticised, Breakfast at Sassy’s has left me wanting more from this new author!!

[Mikayela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of spoilers, but anyone with eyes should read this book!!!

The writing style and prose were absolutely stunning. I am very grateful to the author for letting me read this book before its release. This has definitely become one of my favorite reads of the year.


Firstly, do not mistake this book for a dark romance. It is auto-fiction. It has dark themes and revolves around the two main characters’ relationship, but it is not your typical romance and does not have a traditional ending. This book shows you that sometimes everyone you let into your life is not meant to stay, and that's okay. The people we meet change our lives, but it's up to us whether that change is positive or negative.

Our two main characters are Clint and Desiree (Dez). Clint is a musician (with a hero complex) who travels from LA to Portland for his new classic car, and Dez is a stripper struggling with alcohol/drug addiction. She is his upstairs neighbor who doesn’t know how to keep music at a reasonable volume, so he goes up there to confront her, not knowing that a beautiful, half-naked woman is going to answer the door. She drives him crazy, but that doesn’t make him any less obsessed with her (and honestly, it’s hard not to love Dez.) Dez is a fun character. She’s carefree and flamboyant, living like there is no tomorrow. However, she is deep down in the rabbit hole of addiction.

The first half of the book is in Clint's POV, and the second is in Dez's POV. Clint needed color in his somewhat dull life, which he found in Dez’s colorful personality. She needed stability in her desperate need for a lifestyle change, which she found in Clint. Their relationship is super toxic, but they were what they needed for each other at that point in their lives. While the book has two main characters, this book is really about Dez and her journey of self-discovery and healing.

Very few books will make me tear up or cry, and this one hit the spot. While I've never suffered from addiction, Van wrote the experience so well that I felt like I DID know how it felt. I felt what Dez felt, and it tore my heart to pieces. I just wanted to jump into the book and hug her.

While it wasn't a traditional HEA, it was realistic, and the impact wouldn’t have hit as hard if it had ended any other way. READ IT!

[Maddy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Insecurity crept in. I don’t want to live in uncertainty anymore. I want stability—whatever that is. Life felt like a game she didn’t have the rules to. She tried to pretend rules didn’t apply to her, but she felt in her heart that she didn’t want to play anymore. She wanted to free herself."

"She didn't want a hero. She didn't want to hold it together and force a smile. She needed to fall apart. She didn't know what she wanted, but she had to find out for herself."

"Breakfast at Sassy's" is a thrilling work of autofiction that constantly tugs at your heartstrings, keep you on your toes, and never loses your interest. When we first begin reading, we follow the story from the perspective of Clint, a stereotypical 'nice-guy' and wannabe-pop-star who comes across Desiree, a woman working as a professional dancer and stripper, and who is severely struggling to take control over her life. For the first portion of the novel, Clint appears to take Desiree under his wing and falls in love with her, shaping her into his very own Manic Pixie Dream Girl. But as time passes, Van slowly switches our perspective to Desiree, and readers soon become more exposed to her perspective, her background, and her story. We truly find out who Desiree is, what her struggles are, and how hard she is fighting to overcome them. I was initially nervous to be following the story from Clint's perspective, thinking that he would simply use Desiree as a device in his own life and I was so excited to enter Part Two more from Desiree's perspective, getting the chance to discover the person she is without Clint's perception of her clouding the reader's judgement. The two quotes above are from the latter half of the book and are a testament to how far Desiree comes in her journey, realizing she alone can free and save herself.

As another reviewer mentioned, the novel is very stressful to read due to the frequent mentions of substance and alcohol addiction, both of which Desiree struggles with continuously throughout the book. And yet I had a hard time putting this story down, eager to discover what was the next crazy adventure that would occur and how Desiree's character would develop. Van's descriptions are so vivid and beautifully written I literally felt pain, fear, and empathy for Desiree as I read. This story is so gripping and compelling, and you can really see how much care Van put into the development of the novel. If I could, I would give it 4.5 stars!

Thank you so much to Alexa Van for reaching out and providing me with a digital ARC of "Breakfast at Sassy's"! Congratulations on your wonderful debut novel!

[Paul McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book nails perfectly what it is like to be around an alcoholic/ addict.
It does an excellent job of describing the non stop manic behavior but also it give insight into what it is like for the alcoholic/addict.
Clint finds himself in Portland buying a vintage car and escaping his life in LA and a girlfriend he doesn’t love.
Late one night Clint meets his neighbor Des/Brooklyn/Jenny/Alabama, she had too many names to keep track of and Clint’s world is never the same again.
Very hard to believe this is the authors first book. She is amazingly talented at telling a story, that is hilarious and tragic and hopeful!

[False Profits Poetry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day. It’s easy to read and compelling. Fantastic imagery, not TOO descriptive which allows the reader to make a movie in their own mind while reading it. This book is kind of a contemporary darker version of breakfast at Tiffany’s. I really enjoyed how she split the book into two parts. It’s the same story pretty much, but from the two main character’s different perspectives which allows the reader to connect genuinely with both of them. I saw the good and the bad and the pain from both points of view which really allows the reader to humanize and empathize with the characters. I know some people might not like the ending, but I personally did. It is not a traditional love story, but rather a story of finding self love. Anyone who has ever struggled with self image, addiction, loneliness, and just trying to figure out what the meaning of life is will probably relate to and enjoy this book. I hope there is a sequel because I genuinely wanted to keep reading!

[Nyki Mancera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at once hooked when Clint was awakened from noise in the apartment above his. When he decided to get up to let his neighbors know that they were disturbing his sleep, he was unprepared for what happens next. A woman half naked opens the door. She is “entertaining” from the sounds coming from her apartment. She is also very drunk and to Clint’s eyes, stunning. It knocks him metaphorically on his six. It left him unsettled.

As you turn each page, it gets darker and darker by the moment. As a reader that has always lived a clean, sober, and law-abiding life made this book a very tough read. I know it is fiction, but this could be anyone’s life and more than likely is the life of millions. Using drugs/alcohol to take away the vagaries of life happens to many people. I judged Desiree harshly. I grew tired of her. When Clint would run into her, she was always “too much.” I thought Cliff was a good person to take on Desiree and try to befriend her. But I worried that he daily antics and way of life would cause Clint irreparable harm and damage. I wanted him to stay away from her. She is the type of person you’re warned off from becoming and warned to stay away from. Society is prejudiced and biased against women like Desiree. And we sometimes say, “She got what she deserved.” Never bothering to see what is underneath the veneer and window dressing. People and women like Desiree are extra. As I read Desiree’s and even Clint’s lives spiral even further out of control, I was also learning my own lessons.

We pass on women like Desiree. We see her as less than. But Clint’s of the world are given a free pass and get out of jail card. He gets second chances. We don’t really see the Desiree’s of the world. We pass them by as we go through our own daily lives. Desiree is invisible. Until she is either in trouble or taking her clothes off. Then and only then is she seen. It is a lesson in the inherent value of all beings. We see why and how a Desiree is born. We saw how she navigates through life. We saw the unspoken pain and suffering. When one clears the drug induced haze from their lives the real them begins to emerge. And it is painful journey and experience for Desiree. There were times when I was agonizing over the choices she was making.

We don’t allow Desiree’s to make lasting changes. Because we always see who she was, not who she was becoming. We saw her changing, but couldn’t embrace her changes or interact properly with the new Desiree. We don’t give them the grace to change. We’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop, because we believe it will. We don’t believe in the permanence of those changes. We make it impossible for Desiree to emerge from her cocoon. She emerged, but we dare not see that the caterpillar is now this brilliant butterfly. Desiree had the right idea. In order to be her now authentic and true self, she had to leave Clint behind. She noticed that he was more toxic than he appeared on the surface.

This was a very stressful read. The story stayed with me for days and days. I even read it slowly, because I had to take Desiree and her fast-paced drug induced, high life in doses and moderation. I reacted emotionally as I read it. Sometimes those reactions were visceral. How does one's life get to this point? And how in the world do you begin to detail her life, like you would your car?

All in all, I enjoyed the book. It was well written, well detailed, and had a good pace to the story. I would ready anything this author writes. I like the authors style of writing. It is engaging and inviting, even when entering a dark world. It makes you want to see what is there when the lights are turned on, although you already know that “chaos” is on the other side.

[Jill Rakovitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breakfast at Sassy's is a thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt read. The writing is engaging and effortlessly blends humor with emotional depth, creating a story that feels both personal and universal.

The characters are well-developed and refreshingly real, with just the right amount of complexity to keep you invested. Their relationships—whether romantic or platonic—are thoughtfully portrayed, and the dynamics feel honest and earned.

What stood out most to me was the book’s sense of place and atmosphere. It creates a world that’s easy to sink into, filled with small moments that carry surprising weight. The story never rushes, but it never drags either—it hits a satisfying rhythm that makes it hard to put down.

Overall, Breakfast at Sassy's is warm, sharp, and quietly empowering. It’s a reminder that personal growth doesn’t always happen in dramatic gestures—sometimes, it’s in the everyday choices we make to show up for ourselves and others.

Highly recommend.

[Rachel Wildberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters felt so real, especially Desiree. Seeing her pain and growth unfold, first through Clint’s perspective and then her own, was heartbreaking but also powerful. Alexa Van does such a good job showing how much Desiree is struggling, both with addiction and with herself. I was genuinely worried for her at times. By the end, I felt like I knew her and I was rooting so hard for her.

There were also these funny, grounded moments in Desiree’s voice that made me love her even more. She’s complicated, flawed, honest, and real.

Clint… uuggg. He’s not the hero, and I don’t think he’s supposed to be. He reminded me of the kind of relationship you think is love when you’re young, but turns out to be something way more painful and confusing. That felt very real.

Alexa’s writing is raw, vulnerable, and really immersive. She writes people the way they really are messy, funny, hurting, hopeful. This book definitely left an imprint on me and I enjoyed the read.

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I commend Alexa Van for promoting *Breakfast at Sassy's* and am grateful for the copy she sent me. This debut skillfully intertwines autobiography with fiction, vividly portraying two characters' deep isolation and inner turmoil at pivotal moments in their lives. This story explores addiction, love, trauma, and independence in a poignant, messy, and heartbreaking portrayal of a woman battling her demons and seeking redemption.

The book follows Desiree, an independent dancer in Portland, descends into a downward spiral driven by addiction. She’s daring and wild, but beneath her tough exterior, she’s dangerously close to falling apart.

This is not a book I usually read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and definitely recommend it.

[Bryannalovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breakfast at Sassys is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read , two truly lost people meet in Portland and cling to each other . This book goes into detail about the struggle of addiction , of being so lost and alone in this world . Part one starts off with Clint running away to Portland where he meets his neighbor named Desiree, now Desiree is a stripper who loves to party and have a great time on the outside but on the inside she struggles with addiction, self loathing , and trauma from her past. Her and Clint fall in love and he invites her to come back to La with him . Part two shows the struggles of getting clean, coming to terms with who you are and who you want to be. Trust me when I say go read this book that is written so beautifully it brought tears to my eyes multiple times

[Ryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to start by saying thank you to Alexa Van for reaching out to me and allowing me to read this book early! I really enjoyed this one. It was very different from what I usually read, but I'm glad I did because it showed me a different perspective when it came to topics like addiction and alcoholism. It also depicted how life can be messy and navigating a relationship can be messier. I love how real the story was and how it shows the highs and lows of life. Overall, I really liked it and definitely recommend it. I need Alexa to go back to the writing cave asap and release another one!

[Veda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part 2 did not feel like reading the same book.