Gemini Blue: A Slow Burn, Second Chance, Daddy Dom Romance

SANCTM Series #1

by Kara Cavalli

Hollywood attorney Kate Arnoult has one never trust a man who says he wants forever.

Fifteen years after losing everything in a single phone call, Kate has built the perfect life—successful law practice, castle in the Hollywood Hills, and a strict no-emotional-attachment policy that's served her well. By night, she's Gemini Blue, the notorious unicorn who rules SANCTM, Hollywood's most exclusive private club, where she plays by her own rules and never gets too close.

Until Victor Gabriel walks into her world and upends it with a single scotch.

The gorgeous forensic geneticist sees right through her walls with those pale green eyes, and suddenly Kate's carefully constructed defenses are crumbling. Victor doesn't want a quick hookup or a casual arrangement—he wants her. All of her. The woman behind the mask, the vulnerability she's spent years protecting, the heart she swore she'd never risk again.

But Victor has secrets of his own.

The ex-Lifestyle player with the soft smile and dominant touch has spent ten years avoiding exactly what Kate represents—a woman who could make him lose control. After his ex-wife's betrayal shattered his trust and drove him from the swinging community, Victor built walls around his heart as impenetrable as Kate's. But her brilliance and vulnerability call to something deeper than his carefully controlled life.

When Kate's high-profile case takes a bizarre turn, she needs Victor's forensic genetics expertise to uncover the truth behind her client's harassment. Working together ignites the chemistry they've both been fighting, but as the danger escalates, Victor discovers that protecting Kate might mean risking everything he's spent a decade rebuilding.

In a world where consent is sacred and pleasure has no limits, can two wounded souls find the courage to tear down their walls?

Or will their pasts destroy their chance at the one thing they've both been afraid to a love worth fighting for?

🔥 Perfect for readers who

Daddy dom heroes with soft dominanceSlow burn tension that builds to explosive passionStrong heroines learning to trust againExclusive club settings with elite charactersFound family and chosen communityEmotional healing through deep connectionProtective alphas who respect boundariesSteam level that will melt your Kindle
🌶️ Heat 5 peppers - Adults only

Book 1 in The SANCTM Society series and a duology with Book 2, Capricorn Green. The remainder of the series are stand-alone novels telling other characters' love stories, but reading in order enhances the experience of this addictive world.

Content This book contains explicit sexual content, light BDSM themes, ethical non-monogamy without cheating, attempted sexual assault (not successful), white supremacist violence, and a heartwarming, extra-spicy HEA.

Genres: Romance

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2022

About the author

📚 Contemporary Romance & Romantasy Author Kara Cavalli writes steamy, emotionally complex stories featuring heroes with wounds who overcome them.

Her debut series, THE SANCTM SOCIETY, explores love, loss, and second chances set against the backdrop of Hollywood's elite private club. Upcoming projects currently in concept include VIOLENT STARS (epic dystopian fantasy) and REPUBLIC OF VENUS (sci-fi erotic horror).

Current obsessions: Found family dynamics, trauma healing through love, ethical non-monogamy flavors, and heroes who communicate with actions.

🔥 THE SANCTM SOCIETY Book 1 (Gemini Blue) available now on KU. Book 2 (Capricorn Green, a duology) releases July 24, 2025. Future books in the series will be stand-alone.
✨ Join my ARC team: www.karacavalli.com/arc

Personal: Mid-40's Portland-based mom of 1 teen + 4 cats, owner of psychedelic medicine clinic 'day job' (really!), and former strategy lead at Twitter & Nike. Travel-obsessed with eventual plans to move to Spain and write full time. 🇪🇸

Follow for book updates, behind-the-scenes chaos, and warnings about which book boyfriends will ruin you for real men, hehe 😈

Connect with Kara:
Website: www.karacavalli.com
Instagram: @karacavalli
TikTok: @authorkaracavalli

Reviews

[Annemieke Westerbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate and Victor’s story is a struggle for both of them. both have issues with the separation from former partners and with trust . This is a kind of a raw story. The characters are great and it is vividly written. I like both main characters they have there own way of survival. Loved it.

[Mc Chanster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was, overall, a good read, but personally, felt a little clunky, like scenes were cobbled together without all of it fully planned out.

I liked Kate and the chemistry between her and Vic was undeniable. The gradual progress of their relationship was done well and I didn't mind the insta-love / lust – they both had issues to deal with, however, it did seem the focus was all on Kate while Vic developed “behind the scenes”. I wished we could have had more from Vic’s point of view, other than the one snippet.

I also wasn’t sold on the whole Diamond issue. She’s supposed to be Kate’s high-profile case, but it all felt thrown together. By the end of the book, nothing really seems resolved and the answers that were given seemed random and honestly, far-fetched. It makes me wonder if more will come of this case in the next book (maybe?).

In the end, I liked Gemini Blue, but I wish there had been some more editing to smooth out scenes and plot points, or major reveals. As spicy as the scenes were, they can’t make up for incomplete planning.

Thank you Voracious Readers and Kara Cavalli for my copy! I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lori Blan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has me confused, and I have questions. If you can get through the first 60 pages it does get better, but some of it is repetitive. I like how Kate was able to work through her grief, which may include some guilt, and gives herself permission to love again. She is a lawyer who helps out LA and Hollywood, and the case she had is a high profile one involving Diamond, a singer. Kate seemed like she was invested to find out who is threatening Diamond so she goes to Greece. Everything she learned while there has been tossed. The book never goes into any more about Diamond once Kate returned home. What happens with Diamond's case?

[Penny · Rating 1 out of 5]

So slow I didn't think they would ever get there and Victor is so .... Creepy corny I just couldn't take anymore.
Chapter 16 and they still haven't done the deed is indeed an exceptionally slow burner!
Then this smooth talker comes out with..

"This is about you, hon. Foreplay. I’ll get you sloppy.”. 🙄🙄😒😮‍💨

And then. "I want my scent on you, when I take you bare it will be in your bed or mine with no one else".

Blue has a strict condom policy and no single men.
Looks like she's about to break all the rules and Im boredI was over half way through reading so im calling it read especially as it took me days to get this far when I can usually read 400 within 48 hours.
This is so boring!.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets your emotions in gear right from the very beginning. Kate and Victor are both victims of betrayal and has closed off their hearts that is until their connection and it will be one that will shatter everything they have walled off and open them up to the possibilities of loving again. It is a beautifully written story that not only has a poignant storyline but comes with charismatic characters that will have you cheering for them to finally get their chance for happiness.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.

[Tiffiny Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening roller coaster of pleasure and pain

A tasteful, provocative and educational story that reveals much about alternative lifestyles. It’s eye opening for someone not enjoying the lifestyle directly.

Love the chemistry and excellent storyline between Vic & Kate. Several twists and heart wrenching moments. Definitely lived through the pain and enjoyed each delicious encounter along with the build up to the final scene.

Highly recommend if you are ok with alternative lifestyle.. it’s a must read!

[Julie Juhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemini Blue by Kara Cavalli is the first book of The SANCTM Society. Kate and Victor both from having had issues from their pasts. Both of them can feel chemistry from their first meeting. Their story has a lot of twists and turns which had me hooked. I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Berta Greenleaf Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting through this book. It left me with a few questions like what happens with Diamonds case? Am a bit confused about her past marriage and the trauma. When she and Victor meet they have a connection. Can they get past their hurt/trauma from the past and make a future together?

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shari Ghiorzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought a glimpse into a lifestyle many of us fantasize about, think about. But it's not just about that. It's about 2 people who have been hurt deeply and manage to heal each other. I do hope there is a 2nd book that will let us know how the secondary story goes. So glad I was able to receive this complimentary copy through Voracious Readers!

[Nuclerjon · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was pretty good it got me in the feels in the prologue.

[Kat Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me crying in the Prologue! Love the way Kate and Vic come together, the steamy HEA is chef's kiss but boy is it MESSY getting there. Some familiar tropes (he falls first, second chance at love, forced proximity etc) but was a really unique world with diverse character set. Can't wait for the next in the series!