Throw Away the Key

by Taj McCoy

Emma Sparrow is in a period of transition. She is dropping the men from her dating roster, much to the surprise of her friends who are hopeful that the change means she is ready for something more serious. For years, she has said that she won’t date a woman again until she is ready to fall in love. Is she now? Maybe.

But Emma doesn’t have time to focus on the DC dating pool, because she is moving into her own place for the very first time, having gone from living with her parents to becoming her best friend’s roommate since their college dorm years. Now that best friend Zora is getting serious and moving in with her boyfriend, Emma feels ready to try something new and create her own space. When she finds the perfect building, the place seems just right for Emma, but she’ll have to deal with the no nonsense landlady.

Sadeqa “Sadie” Evans seems to have it out for Emma, but it’s not like Emma means to lock herself out of her apartment or break her key. Even underneath all of Sadie’s grouchy exterior, Zora and her granny sense sizzling chemistry, and when they implore Emma to take a closer look, she begins to notice the sexy woman behind the smoldering glares and snarky remarks.

When they find themselves in close quarters, Emma opens herself to the possibilities, but after, Sadie is just as closed off as before. When the pair are drawn together like magnets once more–unlocking sparks and a fiery connection–Sadie bolts mid-date, leaving Emma questioning whether she’s romantacized everything that happened. Was Emma ready too soon? Will Sadie ever be open to more?

THROW AWAY THE KEY is a queer landlord tenant, grumpy sunshine romance set in Northeast DC.

Genres: Romance, LGBT

154 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

Oakland native and law grad, Taj McCoy, is committed to writing stories championing Black and biracial women of color, plus-sized protagonists, Black love, and characters with a strong sense of sisterhood and familial bonds. Taj started writing as a small child, enjoying the success of her first publications in elementary school. Since then, her dream has always been to become a professional writer. As a law student, she attempted her first novels and joined the Twitter writing community. Though Taj has spent more than ten years working in higher education administration, she continued to pursue her goal and ultimately finished her first novel in 2018, securing her agent in 2019.

When she’s not writing, Taj may be on Twitter boosting other marginalized writers, trying to zen out in yoga, sharing recipes on her website, binge-watching her favorite reality tv, or cooking private supper club meals for close friends. Catch her producing and co-hosting the Fat Like Me Podcast, which celebrates body diversity in publishing and entertainment, or watch her join forces with several writer friends on Sundays for the Better Than Brunch video podcast.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet sapphic novella with my very favorite trope.. grumpy/sunshine. Plus bonus puppy! Emma and Sadie are perfect together. And I want to be friends with Joy.

This reads well as a standalone, but I’m pretty sure Emma is a side character from Zora Books Her Happy Ever After (which I will definitely be reading). I need more Granny Marion in my life!

The farmers market scenes and descriptions had me craving fresh produce. And I’m definitely feeling inspired to find one near me when it’s less winter-y.

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute novella. I love McCoy and will read all her books. This one felt more mushed together, but still had the strong friendships that I love so much. Excited for her September release which I expect will be more developed.

[Yanique (YanCanWorld) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Emma, I’m so glad you found Sadie.

[Ekene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was soooooo stinking cute