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In Her Sanctum

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Sometimes, you have to lose everything to discover who you really are.

They’re opposites in the widest degree.

Elise Hahnfeld is the ‘perfect’, obedient, high-performing office worker. She’s been a doormat for so many years it felt second-nature, but she’s growing exasperated at the drudgery of her normal life, her job that’s taken more from her than she can afford to give. If only someone was there to show her a different path, one where the unknown can be exciting instead of terrifying. Someone who could distract her from the mundane. When Elise loses everything, desperation drives her to do something unthinkable.

She gives up control to a dominant woman with a taste of the forbidden.

Sierra Kernan isn’t a stereotypical Mistress. She’s masculine, cocky… and exactly Elise’s type. Sierra is a barber-turned disciplinarian with a body that could turn even the straightest woman into a flustered mess with just a command. Sierra is everything that Elise isn’ confident, strong, and self-assured.

When their paths meet, Elise realizes that Sierra isn’t the revered Mistress she claims, but a woman with a dark past. Sierra’s jealous twin sister Abi is a toughened mercenary determined to make their lives a whole lot messier.

It’s a delicate dance of trust and submission. Elise is repressing a feistiness that only Mistress Sierra knows how to tame… but who says that being tamed is a bad thing?
Ready to surrender control? Get your copy today and step into a world where dominance is electric, secrets run deep, and giving in might just set you free.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2025

6 people are currently reading
2352 people want to read

About the author

Emma Bailey

6 books3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for DarkS.
366 reviews29 followers
April 14, 2025
In Her Sanctum is an unfiltered, emotionally rich exploration of control, identity, and the unexpected liberation that comes with letting go. Watching Elise shift from an exhausted, unnoticed cog in the corporate machine to a woman bold enough to chase her hidden desires was both powerful and deeply personal. What set this story apart for me wasn’t just the chemistry—it was the raw vulnerability, the honest character growth, and the delicious unpredictability (especially courtesy of the wild card that is Abi). Gritty, empowering, and unapologetically bold—this one leaves a mark.
Profile Image for Cindy Stein.
799 reviews13 followers
July 16, 2025
Elise loses her job and apartment on the same day and a group of masked people come and take away all her possessions. She seeks help from Sierra, a BDSM Mistress. The story follows the up and down progress of their relationship and the vengeance wreaked on Sierra by her twin sister Abi.

This book was poorly written and poorly plotted. Elise seems like a good worker yet somehow she gets fired. When Abi causes Sierra to be in debt for almost $500,000, Sierra and Elise still find themselves able to have enough money for food and for gas for Elise' car. The book is very violent and I'm not referring to the BDSM. Overall, not a very good book.

I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Ellen Wilson.
49 reviews
January 24, 2026
I picked this book up directly from the author at a Pride event last year, and they seemed genuinely lovely.

I was also warned ahead of time that the book was “very dark,” especially after I mentioned that I usually gravitate toward cheesy stories with happy endings. Because of that, I put off reading it for a while — but now that I’ve finally started, I haven’t actually found it that dark. While it does explore heavier themes and occasionally skirts uncomfortably close to the line with consent, it wasn’t as intense as I’d been led to expect.

That said, I did struggle with the writing itself. The story jumps around a lot, and I often found it unclear what was happening or where I was in the timeline. It feels like the plot likely makes sense in the author’s head, but as a reader coming in without that internal roadmap, it can be hard to follow. I think this book would have benefited greatly from a strong editor to help tighten the structure and clarify the sequence of events. I’m still glad I picked it up — I always want to support new and smaller authors — but I would have to recommend going into this one knowing that it’s not an easy or smooth read, and that some patience may be required.

I think I'd recommend this book to readers who are comfortable with darker subject matter and who don’t mind a more challenging, less straightforward reading experience.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,774 reviews141 followers
April 7, 2025
HOT. DAMN. This book had me kicking my feet and clutching my pearls at the same time! 😳🔥 Elise goes from corporate zombie to spicy queen-in-training real fast, and Sierra? Sierra could boss me around anytime. The chemistry? Nuclear. The drama? Juicy. The vibes? Immaculate. If you're craving a sapphic slow-burn that’s messy, fierce, and downright delicious—this is IT. Read it, blush a little, and thank me later. 💅🏽💘🖤
Profile Image for Abigail L..
1,748 reviews125 followers
April 9, 2025
In Her Sanctum is an intense, emotionally layered exploration of power, vulnerability, and the freedom that can come from surrendering control. Elise’s transformation from quiet, overworked office drone to someone willing to face her desires head-on is both gripping and deeply human. What really stood out to me was how the author didn’t just make this a steamy romance—there’s real heart, growth, and a touch of chaos (thanks, Abi) that kept me fully hooked. I enjoyed reading it because it was bold, raw, and unexpectedly empowering.
Profile Image for Nia.
419 reviews16 followers
April 14, 2025
The final version is really good! I'm revising past reviews.
I was sent an incorrect version, but then I bought the book and saw that everything had been edited well.
So, nothing stands in the way of the story. I'm giving it another chance!
Nonetheless thanks for the ARC to the author and netgalley.
The story was interesting and hot, a bit rushed sometimes in the development of feelings. But that’s just my opinion.

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Profile Image for Shannon bagnall.
165 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2025
🥵🥵

I was worried at the start that there wouldn’t be a plot and it would just be pure spicy but I was so wrong.

The plot twists were great although unrealistic in regard to timeline but I didn’t expect the book to be

Overall a great book, I’d like to see a second with abi’s POV afterwards.

*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*
Profile Image for Linda Romer.
866 reviews60 followers
June 12, 2025
In Her Sanctum was okay, but the writing wasn't cohesive. The story seemed to be all over the place and it needed to be tightened up. I didn't really care for the characters and the love scenes weren't very good.
Profile Image for Heather Lindner .
42 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2025
I finished it eventually. It jumps back and forth amongst characters quickly. The time line seems extremely short for that type of story.
2 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2025
Easy to read. A good story with a touch of spice.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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