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The Runway Affair: A second chance lesbian romance
Adeline
Scarlett Marie was my entire life—until she was gone.
Eight years later, my life is nothing like I dreamed.
I’m working dead end jobs, struggling to survive, until I take a position as a nanny.
I thought this would be the direction my life needed until she opened the door: the woman who shattered my heart when I needed her most.
She created a name for herself without me.
I should run, but I have nothing else, so I stay.
The moment my skin touches hers, the moment our lips touch, the feelings I buried deep reignite.
Can I forgive her for the sake of happiness? Or will this ruin everything I worked so hard to rebuild?
Scarlett
Adeline Grace was my heart—until she broke it.
The day she broke my heart was the day my life changed.
I’m an award-winning fashion designer, a multi-millionaire with a seemingly happy life. That is, until my wife was killed and my life went up in smoke.
A year later, I’m back in the headlines and ready to create, but with young twins, I need a nanny.
The girl who broke my heart was the only person to apply.
I can’t deny her, but I can’t seem to forgive her either.
Eight years is a long time to leave questions unanswered.
Will this break my heart again, or can I forgive the girl who destroyed it?
Originally published in May 2024 but has since gotten a new makeover!
Scarlett Marie was my entire life—until she was gone.
Eight years later, my life is nothing like I dreamed.
I’m working dead end jobs, struggling to survive, until I take a position as a nanny.
I thought this would be the direction my life needed until she opened the door: the woman who shattered my heart when I needed her most.
She created a name for herself without me.
I should run, but I have nothing else, so I stay.
The moment my skin touches hers, the moment our lips touch, the feelings I buried deep reignite.
Can I forgive her for the sake of happiness? Or will this ruin everything I worked so hard to rebuild?
Scarlett
Adeline Grace was my heart—until she broke it.
The day she broke my heart was the day my life changed.
I’m an award-winning fashion designer, a multi-millionaire with a seemingly happy life. That is, until my wife was killed and my life went up in smoke.
A year later, I’m back in the headlines and ready to create, but with young twins, I need a nanny.
The girl who broke my heart was the only person to apply.
I can’t deny her, but I can’t seem to forgive her either.
Eight years is a long time to leave questions unanswered.
Will this break my heart again, or can I forgive the girl who destroyed it?
Originally published in May 2024 but has since gotten a new makeover!
- GenresLesbian
508 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2025
16 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 28, 2025
Duel 1st Person POV. 4.5🌟 4🌶️. 508 pages
I knew from the minute I read the Hades duet and then Merciless Queen that C.L. Smoke would be an insta buy author for me. So when The Runway Affair was released I quickly finished what I was reading and ran to read it.
I was a little apprehensive, as contemporary romance really isn’t my thing, I hate the repetitive tropes the genre tends to over use, but The Runway Affair managed to avoid a good few of them (third act break up, nowhere to be seen). The dynamic between Adeline and Scarlet was magnetic and when you throw in a couple of cute kids and a whole heaping of spice what’s not to love.
I appreciated that the book still had a few darker elements to it, making it stand out from the usual copy and paste contemporary romance and I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this book in a single day. However, I do have to point out that it is rather repetitive in parts, but it doesn’t detract from the overall story. Another solid release from C.L. Smoke and I am waiting on tenterhooks for Savage Queen and Haven.
TW: mentions of childhood SA, religious trauma, homophobia, murder of spouse, stalking, kidnapping, repetitive attempted murder, loss of a parent. Please read responsibly
Must Read if you Love:
✨Contemporary Romance
✨Second Chance Romance
✨Femme / Femme Pairings
✨Boss + Employee
✨Childhood BFFS to Lovers to Strangers to Lovers again
✨Forced Proximity
✨Found Family
✨Cute Kids
✨Stalking + Attempted Murder
✨So Much Spice!
I knew from the minute I read the Hades duet and then Merciless Queen that C.L. Smoke would be an insta buy author for me. So when The Runway Affair was released I quickly finished what I was reading and ran to read it.
I was a little apprehensive, as contemporary romance really isn’t my thing, I hate the repetitive tropes the genre tends to over use, but The Runway Affair managed to avoid a good few of them (third act break up, nowhere to be seen). The dynamic between Adeline and Scarlet was magnetic and when you throw in a couple of cute kids and a whole heaping of spice what’s not to love.
I appreciated that the book still had a few darker elements to it, making it stand out from the usual copy and paste contemporary romance and I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this book in a single day. However, I do have to point out that it is rather repetitive in parts, but it doesn’t detract from the overall story. Another solid release from C.L. Smoke and I am waiting on tenterhooks for Savage Queen and Haven.
TW: mentions of childhood SA, religious trauma, homophobia, murder of spouse, stalking, kidnapping, repetitive attempted murder, loss of a parent. Please read responsibly
Must Read if you Love:
✨Contemporary Romance
✨Second Chance Romance
✨Femme / Femme Pairings
✨Boss + Employee
✨Childhood BFFS to Lovers to Strangers to Lovers again
✨Forced Proximity
✨Found Family
✨Cute Kids
✨Stalking + Attempted Murder
✨So Much Spice!
January 3, 2026
May include some minor spoilers!!
First off, I just want to say, thank you for the content warnings, however, the sexual abuse is more detailed than what the warning infers. Yes, it’s a flashback scene but both main characters describe the acts of sex abuse.
The first part of the book depicts the relationship between Addie and Scarlett their senior year of high school. I’m not sure if it’s because they are younger or if its the POV, but I did find the diagogue to be a little sappy and repetitive. This is just my opinion though and I think I’m just being a bit picky, especially because I’m not as used to reading in 1st person POV. Once the MCs are older (fast forward 8 years) it does get better. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat and I found myself wanting to scream at Addie and Scarlett to get their heads out of their asses and communicate!!! They would know what really happened when they were seniors if they just communicated about that time. I really wanted that tension and miscommunication to be over so they could get back together.
Remi and Rhyder are so freaking adorable. They are very precocious. It was even more adorable when they meet Jordy and know about gender identity.
There is a LOT of spice in this. If that’s your thing, you will love this. I like spice, but it was a bit too much for me. Yes, we have the history of Addie and Scarlett, so there doesn’t need to be as much relationship building as most romance novels, but it felt like the author was using sex over a connection at times. I do realize that they have a history, but I wanted a little more show than tell.
To have Remi call Addie, mama, literally the second after they announce their relationship, I’m sorry, but that’s weird.. that’s not okay to me. Buuut this is just a personal thing for me and it doesn’t really take away from the story.
Despite the things that bothered me, I did really enjoy the story. I wrote this review as I went and edited some things. I’ve taken out some criticism because I think I was being a little too critical. The author is a great story teller and I did find myself wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The found family in the story was wonderful as well. I loved getting to know Mile and Jordy. I’m so glad that Addie has them both in her life. The plot of the story is so interesting to me and has a level of danger that I’m not used to but I loved it. Dealing with the stalker made The Runway Affair stand out from a typical romance.
I was both wrong and right about who the stalker was. Holy cow, the last 20% of this book is so action packed. I had to make myself go to bed.
The ending was adorable and everything I could want in two epilogues! I realize I nitpicked a lot it seems like in this review but honestly overall, I did really like this book! It wasn’t quite a 4 due to those criticisms I had but it’s a solid 3.75. I don’t often rate books with .25 intervals but this deserved more than a 3.5. I also loved the helpline numbers at the end of the book due to sime of the triggering topics throughout the story. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
First off, I just want to say, thank you for the content warnings, however, the sexual abuse is more detailed than what the warning infers. Yes, it’s a flashback scene but both main characters describe the acts of sex abuse.
The first part of the book depicts the relationship between Addie and Scarlett their senior year of high school. I’m not sure if it’s because they are younger or if its the POV, but I did find the diagogue to be a little sappy and repetitive. This is just my opinion though and I think I’m just being a bit picky, especially because I’m not as used to reading in 1st person POV. Once the MCs are older (fast forward 8 years) it does get better. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat and I found myself wanting to scream at Addie and Scarlett to get their heads out of their asses and communicate!!! They would know what really happened when they were seniors if they just communicated about that time. I really wanted that tension and miscommunication to be over so they could get back together.
Remi and Rhyder are so freaking adorable. They are very precocious. It was even more adorable when they meet Jordy and know about gender identity.
There is a LOT of spice in this. If that’s your thing, you will love this. I like spice, but it was a bit too much for me. Yes, we have the history of Addie and Scarlett, so there doesn’t need to be as much relationship building as most romance novels, but it felt like the author was using sex over a connection at times. I do realize that they have a history, but I wanted a little more show than tell.
To have Remi call Addie, mama, literally the second after they announce their relationship, I’m sorry, but that’s weird.. that’s not okay to me. Buuut this is just a personal thing for me and it doesn’t really take away from the story.
Despite the things that bothered me, I did really enjoy the story. I wrote this review as I went and edited some things. I’ve taken out some criticism because I think I was being a little too critical. The author is a great story teller and I did find myself wanting to know what was going to happen next.
The found family in the story was wonderful as well. I loved getting to know Mile and Jordy. I’m so glad that Addie has them both in her life. The plot of the story is so interesting to me and has a level of danger that I’m not used to but I loved it. Dealing with the stalker made The Runway Affair stand out from a typical romance.
I was both wrong and right about who the stalker was. Holy cow, the last 20% of this book is so action packed. I had to make myself go to bed.
The ending was adorable and everything I could want in two epilogues! I realize I nitpicked a lot it seems like in this review but honestly overall, I did really like this book! It wasn’t quite a 4 due to those criticisms I had but it’s a solid 3.75. I don’t often rate books with .25 intervals but this deserved more than a 3.5. I also loved the helpline numbers at the end of the book due to sime of the triggering topics throughout the story. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
February 21, 2026
This was a pretty decent read. The story was long but I liked the aspects of seeing how it all began for them, and then them crossing paths again 8 years later. The murder and stalker aspect were interesting and entertaining. This is a good read for someone who wants the hopeless romantic vibes with lots of spice, although some of their love confessions can be a bit cringe. Twins were very cute as well.
March 6, 2026
Runway Affair
Another C.L. Smoke book... this author was recommended by a friend, but I've had her books on my TBR for a while. Still some heavy and dark themes, so again please read the trigger warnings.
Scarlett and Adeline were in love at such young age. Both trapped in a small, religious town... waiting for the day that they can escape together. Unfortunately, they were torn apart and forced to live their lives without each other ... until they crossed paths again years later.
Their secord-chance romance had a lot of emotions - hurt, anger, longing, jealousy, possessiveness, understanding, acceptance, and of course, everlasting love. All of it tied into a murder mystery. Totally enjoyed it!
Another C.L. Smoke book... this author was recommended by a friend, but I've had her books on my TBR for a while. Still some heavy and dark themes, so again please read the trigger warnings.
Scarlett and Adeline were in love at such young age. Both trapped in a small, religious town... waiting for the day that they can escape together. Unfortunately, they were torn apart and forced to live their lives without each other ... until they crossed paths again years later.
Their secord-chance romance had a lot of emotions - hurt, anger, longing, jealousy, possessiveness, understanding, acceptance, and of course, everlasting love. All of it tied into a murder mystery. Totally enjoyed it!
January 3, 2026
Honestly, CL Smoke doesn't miss.
I've read everything she's had available, and this is right up there with her other work for me.
I fell in love with Addie and Scar right away, and I was devastated when Scar's father did what he did.
Watching them grow together again as adults was amazing. And the spice, it was spicing. This is one of the spiciest books I've read by Smoke.
The chemistry was top notch, the twins were the perfect adorable bridge to repairing the fractured relationship, and the twists were unexpected.
Highly recommend if you enjoy a second chance romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to throw your book/device.
I've read everything she's had available, and this is right up there with her other work for me.
I fell in love with Addie and Scar right away, and I was devastated when Scar's father did what he did.
Watching them grow together again as adults was amazing. And the spice, it was spicing. This is one of the spiciest books I've read by Smoke.
The chemistry was top notch, the twins were the perfect adorable bridge to repairing the fractured relationship, and the twists were unexpected.
Highly recommend if you enjoy a second chance romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to throw your book/device.
February 4, 2026
The story unfolds across two timelines — eight years ago and the present — and that contrast really shapes how the story feels.
The first part takes us back to Addie and Scarlett’s senior year of high school, where everything feels intense, hopeful, and a little too big for who they are at that age. There’s some repetition in their conversations, especially around wanting to escape their town and the lives they’re stuck in, and at times it does come across as a bit sappy. But the more I thought about it, the more it felt true to that kind of first love — overly optimistic, naive, and convinced that wanting something badly enough will make it happen.
When the story jumps forward eight years, it really starts to shine. I had mixed feelings about how little Addie and Scarlett actually talk about what went wrong back then, but that avoidance felt very real. Honestly, I can’t say I would’ve handled it any better — probably worse 😅. What did start to wear on me was how often the past kept resurfacing in the same way, even when both of them clearly wanted to move forward. It sometimes felt like they were circling the same wounds instead of finally letting them heal.
There’s a lot of spice in this book, and while I enjoyed it, I did find myself wishing for more moments of emotional honesty to balance it out. The physical connection is strong, but I wanted a bit more open conversation — something that really allowed them to confront the tension and hurt left behind by their past, rather than repeatedly trying to outrun it.
And then there are Remi and Rhyder — absolute scene-stealers. The twins are written so naturally and lovingly that they immediately felt like a real part of the story. The only moment that slightly pulled me out was Remi calling Addie “mama” almost immediately after Addie and Scarlett announce their relationship. I would’ve loved a glimpse into Addie’s feelings in that moment, especially given what it meant for her and Scarlett — though that’s very much a personal preference and didn’t take away from the overall experience.
Despite my criticisms, I genuinely enjoyed this book. The plot itself really worked for me, especially the underlying sense of danger threaded throughout the story. The final stretch is intense and fast-paced — the last few chapters had me glued to the pages, to the point where I had to physically make myself stop reading because I had work the next day.
The ending was sweet, satisfying, and exactly what I wanted, with two epilogues that felt like a reward after the emotional ride. Overall, this was a strong, engaging read. Not quite a five-star for me, but a solid four — and absolutely worth picking up.
⭐️- 4
🔥- 5
The first part takes us back to Addie and Scarlett’s senior year of high school, where everything feels intense, hopeful, and a little too big for who they are at that age. There’s some repetition in their conversations, especially around wanting to escape their town and the lives they’re stuck in, and at times it does come across as a bit sappy. But the more I thought about it, the more it felt true to that kind of first love — overly optimistic, naive, and convinced that wanting something badly enough will make it happen.
When the story jumps forward eight years, it really starts to shine. I had mixed feelings about how little Addie and Scarlett actually talk about what went wrong back then, but that avoidance felt very real. Honestly, I can’t say I would’ve handled it any better — probably worse 😅. What did start to wear on me was how often the past kept resurfacing in the same way, even when both of them clearly wanted to move forward. It sometimes felt like they were circling the same wounds instead of finally letting them heal.
There’s a lot of spice in this book, and while I enjoyed it, I did find myself wishing for more moments of emotional honesty to balance it out. The physical connection is strong, but I wanted a bit more open conversation — something that really allowed them to confront the tension and hurt left behind by their past, rather than repeatedly trying to outrun it.
And then there are Remi and Rhyder — absolute scene-stealers. The twins are written so naturally and lovingly that they immediately felt like a real part of the story. The only moment that slightly pulled me out was Remi calling Addie “mama” almost immediately after Addie and Scarlett announce their relationship. I would’ve loved a glimpse into Addie’s feelings in that moment, especially given what it meant for her and Scarlett — though that’s very much a personal preference and didn’t take away from the overall experience.
Despite my criticisms, I genuinely enjoyed this book. The plot itself really worked for me, especially the underlying sense of danger threaded throughout the story. The final stretch is intense and fast-paced — the last few chapters had me glued to the pages, to the point where I had to physically make myself stop reading because I had work the next day.
The ending was sweet, satisfying, and exactly what I wanted, with two epilogues that felt like a reward after the emotional ride. Overall, this was a strong, engaging read. Not quite a five-star for me, but a solid four — and absolutely worth picking up.
⭐️- 4
🔥- 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2026
YEAAAAH HOLD ON GUYS THIS WAS FUCKING 5 STARS OFC- 😭😭😭😭😭
this book SLAPPED me with romance, shook me by the shoulders, and then said “relax, it’s a happy ending” and honestly thank you for that like guuuyssss the runway affair was sooo nice and cozy it felt like living inside a taylor swift love song but SUPEEEER SAPPHIC???? and wearing couture. pure yearning. pure romance. i was melting. really. I HAVE NEVER READ ABT MOOOORE ROMANTIC CHARACTERS??????? adeline and scarlett were written with so much heart it hurt messy, soft, stubborn, in love, scared, trying juust every emotion made sense. no one felt flat. no one felt fake. i cared DEEPLY. AND THE TWINS. listen. i do NOT like kids. at all. (yes i'm sorry man & kid hating lesbian here 🫠🫠🫠) usually kids in books make me sigh and skim (just like in real life....)BUT REMI & RHYDER???? jail. straight to my heart. they were so well written, so sweet, so natural, not annoying, not cringe, just tiny bundles of love and chaos. i would die for them actually????? i want these kids. this author did the IMPOSSIBLEEEE 😭😭😭😭 the romance was romancing. second chance sapphics with eight years of unresolved feelings were devastating. healing. cinematic. every touch felt earned, every moment felt intentional. 😭💞💞💞💞 very taytay coded very “this love came back to me” energy. and yes. the spice. perfect amount. frequent, romantic, emotionally loaded like alright.....normally i like it darker and kinkier but for THESE CHARACTERS?? this was exactly RIGHHHT!!!! AND THE ENDING.
a REAL happy ending. not bittersweet. not “implied.” HAPPY happy. the kind that makes your chest feel warm and safe and a little emotional because wow, they earned it. LIKE REALLY EARNED IT. 😭😭🫶
this book SLAPPED me with romance, shook me by the shoulders, and then said “relax, it’s a happy ending” and honestly thank you for that like guuuyssss the runway affair was sooo nice and cozy it felt like living inside a taylor swift love song but SUPEEEER SAPPHIC???? and wearing couture. pure yearning. pure romance. i was melting. really. I HAVE NEVER READ ABT MOOOORE ROMANTIC CHARACTERS??????? adeline and scarlett were written with so much heart it hurt messy, soft, stubborn, in love, scared, trying juust every emotion made sense. no one felt flat. no one felt fake. i cared DEEPLY. AND THE TWINS. listen. i do NOT like kids. at all. (yes i'm sorry man & kid hating lesbian here 🫠🫠🫠) usually kids in books make me sigh and skim (just like in real life....)BUT REMI & RHYDER???? jail. straight to my heart. they were so well written, so sweet, so natural, not annoying, not cringe, just tiny bundles of love and chaos. i would die for them actually????? i want these kids. this author did the IMPOSSIBLEEEE 😭😭😭😭 the romance was romancing. second chance sapphics with eight years of unresolved feelings were devastating. healing. cinematic. every touch felt earned, every moment felt intentional. 😭💞💞💞💞 very taytay coded very “this love came back to me” energy. and yes. the spice. perfect amount. frequent, romantic, emotionally loaded like alright.....normally i like it darker and kinkier but for THESE CHARACTERS?? this was exactly RIGHHHT!!!! AND THE ENDING.
a REAL happy ending. not bittersweet. not “implied.” HAPPY happy. the kind that makes your chest feel warm and safe and a little emotional because wow, they earned it. LIKE REALLY EARNED IT. 😭😭🫶
February 17, 2026
🩷 Friends to lovers to enemies to lovers
🩷 Second chance
🩷 Nanny/forced proximity
🩷 Stalking + attempted murder
Whew this was a roller coaster ride for sure, but the kind you want to get back on. Had me stressed! Friends to lovers is already my favorite trope but friends to lovers to enemies to lovers takes the top spot.
The first 16 chapters being in the past was such a good move. Getting Adeline and Scarlet’s history made the present hit harder. When they see each other again after eight years? The tension was insane 🫠 Oh and the spice said I’m here, I’m queer, and you will not be bored 😉 Probably the hottest I’ve read in a minute.
It’s 508 pages which is long but I appreciated getting their full story. So much happens. Reconnecting. Forgiveness. A literal stalker. Attempted murder. It was doing the most in the best way.
Some parts felt repetitive but it didn’t take away from it for me.There are quite a few trigger warnings, so check those before going in.
Definitely recommend if you love second chance romance with tension and chaos 😬
🩷 Second chance
🩷 Nanny/forced proximity
🩷 Stalking + attempted murder
Whew this was a roller coaster ride for sure, but the kind you want to get back on. Had me stressed! Friends to lovers is already my favorite trope but friends to lovers to enemies to lovers takes the top spot.
The first 16 chapters being in the past was such a good move. Getting Adeline and Scarlet’s history made the present hit harder. When they see each other again after eight years? The tension was insane 🫠 Oh and the spice said I’m here, I’m queer, and you will not be bored 😉 Probably the hottest I’ve read in a minute.
It’s 508 pages which is long but I appreciated getting their full story. So much happens. Reconnecting. Forgiveness. A literal stalker. Attempted murder. It was doing the most in the best way.
Some parts felt repetitive but it didn’t take away from it for me.There are quite a few trigger warnings, so check those before going in.
Definitely recommend if you love second chance romance with tension and chaos 😬
December 30, 2025
More than what I expected
Ive read some other books by the author and this one was more than what meets the eye. Would highly recommend, you won't regret it.
Ive read some other books by the author and this one was more than what meets the eye. Would highly recommend, you won't regret it.
December 31, 2025
arguably 3 times was one too many and i love the angst but come on
January 10, 2026
3.5, I found it to be very repetitive and predictable with the 'twist'. overall a decent read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
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