What do you think?
Rate this book
Beneath Her Cold Smile
From A. Goswami, bestselling author of Sapphic romance books like "Fated To Love You", "In A World Of Our Own" and "Your Mom Will Do"
The last thing I need is Vivian Rivers anywhere near this damn wedding. She’s my little sister Sydney’s best friend—and the same woman who sent steamy pics to seduce Triss, my sister’s fiancée, before Sydney ever laid eyes on that Grammy-winning, globe-trotting rockstar. So yeah, you can imagine my mood when I walk into the villa on North Palm Beach, Australia, and find Vivian waiting there, flashing that wild smile and saying she’s “changed.” Sydney’s forgiven her, even hired her to photograph the wedding, but I don’t get it. Why would my sister forgive the woman who shattered our trust?
Vivian hasn’t changed. I saw it just two weeks ago in LA when I ran into her at a lesbian bar after my date bailed. She wasted no time poking at my insecurities about dating again after a decade, hinting that I’m too controlling and not “fun” enough. Then there was that little smirk when she said she never figured me for the type who’s into women. Now, here she is again, daring me to prove her wrong.
She’s still that reckless, undisciplined party girl who hops from bed to bed with Victoria's Secret lookalikes. Petite, fierce, and way too sexual for her own good. And me? I’m ten years older, a mom trying to keep Moore Waves running for five more years before I can retire. We have nothing in common.
But of course, I’m stuck sharing a room with her. The villa is massive, yet somehow, I end up with the one person who knows how to make my pulse race and my blood boil in equal measure. The way she flits around in tiny shorts, like she’s daring me to admit I’m not as immune to her as I’d like to be—it’s infuriating.
The Australian beaches aren’t helping. Warm ocean, silky sand, sunsets that could melt anyone’s resolve… and Vivian, glistening like a damn invitation. Those hungry eyes peel away my self-control, daring me to break all my rules. And the truth is, when she looks at me like that, I’m not sure I want to resist.
Prepare yourself for sizzling chemistry, a tantalizing 10+ year age gap, heated encounters in all the wrong places, and the slow burn of two people who can't resist temptation.
The last thing I need is Vivian Rivers anywhere near this damn wedding. She’s my little sister Sydney’s best friend—and the same woman who sent steamy pics to seduce Triss, my sister’s fiancée, before Sydney ever laid eyes on that Grammy-winning, globe-trotting rockstar. So yeah, you can imagine my mood when I walk into the villa on North Palm Beach, Australia, and find Vivian waiting there, flashing that wild smile and saying she’s “changed.” Sydney’s forgiven her, even hired her to photograph the wedding, but I don’t get it. Why would my sister forgive the woman who shattered our trust?
Vivian hasn’t changed. I saw it just two weeks ago in LA when I ran into her at a lesbian bar after my date bailed. She wasted no time poking at my insecurities about dating again after a decade, hinting that I’m too controlling and not “fun” enough. Then there was that little smirk when she said she never figured me for the type who’s into women. Now, here she is again, daring me to prove her wrong.
She’s still that reckless, undisciplined party girl who hops from bed to bed with Victoria's Secret lookalikes. Petite, fierce, and way too sexual for her own good. And me? I’m ten years older, a mom trying to keep Moore Waves running for five more years before I can retire. We have nothing in common.
But of course, I’m stuck sharing a room with her. The villa is massive, yet somehow, I end up with the one person who knows how to make my pulse race and my blood boil in equal measure. The way she flits around in tiny shorts, like she’s daring me to admit I’m not as immune to her as I’d like to be—it’s infuriating.
The Australian beaches aren’t helping. Warm ocean, silky sand, sunsets that could melt anyone’s resolve… and Vivian, glistening like a damn invitation. Those hungry eyes peel away my self-control, daring me to break all my rules. And the truth is, when she looks at me like that, I’m not sure I want to resist.
Prepare yourself for sizzling chemistry, a tantalizing 10+ year age gap, heated encounters in all the wrong places, and the slow burn of two people who can't resist temptation.
301 pages, Paperback
Published October 18, 2024
269 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
A. Goswami
28 books118 followersI am your friendly neighborhood Sapphic romance writer, who has a knack for writing steamy romances, that also work as comfort reads. I know, a conundrum! But once you give my books a shot, you'll know what I mean!
I live in London, a few streets away from where Sherlock Holmes used to live, so... if I you find me taking too long to publish my next book, I am probably off with Mr. Holmes on an adventure.
I live in London, a few streets away from where Sherlock Holmes used to live, so... if I you find me taking too long to publish my next book, I am probably off with Mr. Holmes on an adventure.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 6, 2025
I can’t have read the same book as other people.
The writing is awful, the characters are unrealistic and cringe. It literally gave me second hand embarrassment the entire way through.
The story was barely there. Porn without a plot and even the porn part was badly written and cringey.
Entire thing made me want to literally get myself back in the closet to be honest.
Only because I’ve forced myself to not give up on a book all year did I force myself past the first half.
Spoiler: it didn’t get better.
The writing is awful, the characters are unrealistic and cringe. It literally gave me second hand embarrassment the entire way through.
The story was barely there. Porn without a plot and even the porn part was badly written and cringey.
Entire thing made me want to literally get myself back in the closet to be honest.
Only because I’ve forced myself to not give up on a book all year did I force myself past the first half.
Spoiler: it didn’t get better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2025
The Beach Babes are just a bunch of bullies!
Sorry but you have written some good stories. To me this is not one of them. I got up to page 87 and decided to chuck it. You have an ungrateful sister announcing to all that her older sister Claire is in the running of maid of honor and must compete with a friend to see who wants it more and a woman torturing Claire that should not even be there especially after a last minute apology for a d - - - move. I have yet to find any humor in the pages I read. I don’t believe selfishness and bullying is a good look for a story in today’s world. It is not entertaining. I am sure it will work out but how much more mean verbal communication goes on before it turns. Do not need to know. This book was just not for me….
Sorry but you have written some good stories. To me this is not one of them. I got up to page 87 and decided to chuck it. You have an ungrateful sister announcing to all that her older sister Claire is in the running of maid of honor and must compete with a friend to see who wants it more and a woman torturing Claire that should not even be there especially after a last minute apology for a d - - - move. I have yet to find any humor in the pages I read. I don’t believe selfishness and bullying is a good look for a story in today’s world. It is not entertaining. I am sure it will work out but how much more mean verbal communication goes on before it turns. Do not need to know. This book was just not for me….
August 23, 2025
how do you trust a flirt..
This might not be a fair review.. I didn’t like Vivian’s character. Which then made me question Claire’s mental competence. 🙂 guess it came down to trust issues for me don’t think I could have trusted Vivian.
Saying that I enjoyed the first book in the series and will read the next. I’ve read most of the books A Goswami has written and enjoyed them.
This might not be a fair review.. I didn’t like Vivian’s character. Which then made me question Claire’s mental competence. 🙂 guess it came down to trust issues for me don’t think I could have trusted Vivian.
Saying that I enjoyed the first book in the series and will read the next. I’ve read most of the books A Goswami has written and enjoyed them.
January 15, 2026
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. There were some outstandingly well written parts to theis book that had depth and really emition in themand othet bits that felt like fillers.
Oddly if I were to asked without knwoing, i woudl have thought that this book was written as a colaboration between 2 writter, not just one person.
Sadly that does not make me want to run out and buy the rest of this series.
Oddly if I were to asked without knwoing, i woudl have thought that this book was written as a colaboration between 2 writter, not just one person.
Sadly that does not make me want to run out and buy the rest of this series.
October 29, 2024
Loved it!
Loved this story! Claire and Vivian what an unexpected surprise which is what made it such an intriguing read. Nice balance of angst and character development.. really enjoyed how they came together, especially surrounded by all the series characters. The spice was hot and well written. Entire story was engaging. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
Loved this story! Claire and Vivian what an unexpected surprise which is what made it such an intriguing read. Nice balance of angst and character development.. really enjoyed how they came together, especially surrounded by all the series characters. The spice was hot and well written. Entire story was engaging. Looking forward to reading more from this author!
November 1, 2024
Claire 😮
What the hell! Vivvian should have gotten professional help as a child, when her life turned upside down. I was steaming from anger at how she did things infront of Claire. She didn't deserve to witness Viv and her escapades. She is not viting for Claire. She and Tries are the same. Anyway, a 5🌟 again for a very angsy, spicy, traumatic past, that finally has a HEA.
What the hell! Vivvian should have gotten professional help as a child, when her life turned upside down. I was steaming from anger at how she did things infront of Claire. She didn't deserve to witness Viv and her escapades. She is not viting for Claire. She and Tries are the same. Anyway, a 5🌟 again for a very angsy, spicy, traumatic past, that finally has a HEA.
November 10, 2024
super cute
I loved the story. It was spicy and super sweet. I did think it was weird that for a single mother Claire never once thinks about Sarah and how she might feel about Vivian or how Vivian would feel about being a part of Sarah’s life. Also the constant comparisons to celebrities pulled me out of the story every single time. Cute premise. Spice was top notch.
I loved the story. It was spicy and super sweet. I did think it was weird that for a single mother Claire never once thinks about Sarah and how she might feel about Vivian or how Vivian would feel about being a part of Sarah’s life. Also the constant comparisons to celebrities pulled me out of the story every single time. Cute premise. Spice was top notch.
November 15, 2024
Beautiful
The complexities of the human condition varies from foundation.
How we grow and our environment affects our very soul. Many suffer under conditions that make us put a wall. But it takes courage and the right person to break those walls down to lead us in our happiness.
The complexities of the human condition varies from foundation.
How we grow and our environment affects our very soul. Many suffer under conditions that make us put a wall. But it takes courage and the right person to break those walls down to lead us in our happiness.
January 6, 2025
Amazing sapphic story.
Proper enemies to lovers story, age gap romance and the details were amazing
Read on kindle so we’re a few spelling mistakes but other than that a very easy read.
Proper enemies to lovers story, age gap romance and the details were amazing
Read on kindle so we’re a few spelling mistakes but other than that a very easy read.
March 29, 2025
Loved it!
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.
I love everything by this author. It's laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and relatable. The characters are amazing. Can't wait to read all of her books.
April 22, 2025
This book was cute, I would definitely recommend reading the series in order though. I thought they were stand alone books that just interconnected but I wish I have read the first one first
May 1, 2025
Hey, not bad! I'm still not a fan of authors using celebrity names so frequently instead of just competently describing the characters.
October 25, 2025
If you saw I read this, no you didn’t 🫣🫣
November 29, 2025
No rythym
The whole story was in Sydney, Australia. It got a little boring. Nothing much on the other characters. However, if you like reading a simple story, this is for you.
The whole story was in Sydney, Australia. It got a little boring. Nothing much on the other characters. However, if you like reading a simple story, this is for you.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews