Romancing the Clone

Sunrise Cantina #3

by Ruby Dixon

Simone loves a good opportunity. When she sees that there’s a hole in the market on Risda III for a bakery, she steps in to fill the void. With a cart full of fresh baked goods, she rakes in the credits. Who cares if she doesn’t know the difference between a biscuit and a babka? She’s got hustle and a winning smile.

Ruth-Ann cares. She cares a lot.

It irritates her that Simone has a baked goods business…and that it’s succeeding. Does no one else see that Simone’s crusts are soggy? Her cookies as flat as pancakes? It bothers Ruth-Ann so much that she makes sure to point out to Simone everything she’s doing wrong. Daily.

Simone despises Ruth-Ann and her know-it-all attitude.

It’s mutual.

Until the day Simone’s cart doesn’t show up to its usual spot and Ruth-Ann realizes that she might care a little too much...

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, LGBT, Aliens, Queer, Fantasy, Novella

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2025

About the author

Ruby Dixon is an author of Science Fiction Romance. She likes fated mates, baby-filled epilogues, and cinnamon roll heroes. She also likes to write biographies of herself in the third person, because it feels more important that way.

Ruby also loves coffee and dirty books and will probably be a cat lady at some point. :)

Reviews

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for these two to get their story for so long. I would have liked another 30-50 pages of relationship sweetness, but I take what I can get.

FINALLY, HAMBURGERS! Five stars.

This installment is very main-couple focused with only a few cameos and not a lot of stuff about life on Risda and no real alien interaction.

Could we be getting another Corsairs story based on the events here?

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. CUTE!!

Some thoughts:

- I loved Simone and Ruth-Ann together. I love how they started as (sorta) enemies but ended up falling in ooey-gooey love!

- Ruby Dixon’s writing was great. I especially adored how she wrote Simone’s and Ruth-Ann’s tender thoughts toward each other!!!

-Pluto was ADORABLE and now I want a giant lizard/cat alien as a pet!

- If you jump right into this book without reading the first books in the series (like I did), you might be confused about what the heck is going on in this world. I definitely found myself wanting more context for certain things.

-Unfortunately, I didn’t love our heroines’ (brief) thoughts of messy/scatterbrained people being “bad” or “the worst.” 😕

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simone and Ruth-Ann were very cute together, once Ruth-Ann chilled out about the quality of Simone’s baked goods. They both had their traumas, which they coped with in different ways. Ruth-Ann was a grouchy perfectionist who cared deeply about those she loved and showed that care through action. Simone was bubbly and determined, with an adorable giant cat-like pet. I enjoyed their banter and the genuine care they had for each other.

Spice: 2/5

Triggers: unintentional animal neglect (owner very ill for a few days), enslavement and sexual abuse (past), trafficking (past), cloning (past), threat of euthanasia of person

[Hilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not that I want to chase Simone off. I just want her to…do better. 

This was such a cute enemies to lovers. It was also super short and sweet. I loved reading about Simone and Ruth-Ann I also loved that the problem wasn’t really a problem. When Simone misinterpreted the situation and was ready to get rid of a dead body for her. I laughed so hard! Anyways, it was a cute read.

[Ruby Dalegendaryreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Update reread: I never realized how much cameo/mention we have in this book. They mentioned, Melody, Michaela, and MAEVE?? Pretty sure I missed some.

Also what's with all the M-names lol.

"Being with Simone feels… right. Like I’ve come home. There’s no other way to describe it."

Simone's a hardworker and been hustling selling pastries even though she's not a baker. Enter Ruth-Ann who kept on making jabs and comments about her pastries.

I have been waiting, WAITINGGGG, for Simone's book ever since I read Bethiah last May 2023. And it's finally here!

We saw cameos of this couple in the previous books so I was so excited for their book.

Love Simone, even way back, so I am so happy she's getting her own happy ever after. I love Ruth-Ann ever since she appeared on Straik (which is my favorite Corsairs book). Both characters are incredible, and so sweet. I love their meet-cute which made them 'nemesis'. Love their story and their journey. They started rocky then friends to lovers.

This book was just cozy and I always love going back to Risdaverse. And we finally get to see the opening of Sunrise Cantina !!!

Cannot wait for the next one. Anything Ruby put out, I'll read. I saw the author note, Ruby Dixon, and personally cannot wait for more.

[Erica Testa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite for the series so far! I loved it! I’ve been impatiently waiting for Dopekh/Salvator as that is my JAM, but, this one totally surprised me (and it shouldn’t have! Ruby Dixon is the best!)
It’s sweet and a nice little slice of life. I love following up with the Scarlet Gaze characters and the continuation of Straik and some of the other Clone’s storylines. I like that Ruth-Ann has her own way of managing her trauma and it just goes to show everyone manages differently. And I always love when the humans bring something from their past to help the settlers in Risda (or the tribe in IPB/IH). This was a delightful little novella and I am excited for whatever comes next!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scifi lesbian romcom is unfortunately sauceless 😔

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is part of a cute series in the Risdaverse. It focuses on 3 sister-clones, one of which we met earlier. In an environment as large as RD's. it's difficult to invent new character traits and romantic situations. She succeeds with these novellas.

I recommend binge-reading these, independent of other RD series. They're all good.

[Emms-hiatus(ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

So freaking adorable. RD just scratches that sweet spot

[Midniteillusion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite Ruby Dixon book but it’s by far the best in this series so it’s getting 4 stars. (I’d probably truly rate it closer to 3.5)

Both characters were likable. Ruth-Ann showed growth, which is good since I feel character growth has been lacking in this series.

I loved Simone and her baking. It was great she was open to learning how to bake better once Ruth-Ann stopped being so mean about it.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPACE LESBIANS!! LESBIANS IN SPACE !!!
I LOVE THEM! !!

4 stars instead of 5 though cause there were multiple time jumps where their relationship progressed rather than on page :( eg. from enemies to friends and then from new lovers to an established relationship
But otherwise, very fluffy lesbian love

[Nell Of Frell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ruth/Ruthie/Ruth-Ann thing gets so very confusing even after all the books. Their personalities are different, but I still cannot keep them tacked with the right name.
This story was super cute, though I couldn't 100% say without looking which Ruth featured in it with Simone

[Hunter037 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good, I'm glad RD is branching out into LGBT couples a bit more and I think this is the first one with two human characters! I thought the plot was pretty basic, with some big time jumps but that's fine for a novella. The characters were likeable and it had the standard fluffy, nostalgia that I get from this series. And it was great to see the catina opening at last!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there's one thing Ruby Dixon gets right every time, it's trauma responses.

Ruth-Ann and Simone both have their ways of getting by in their lives on Risda III; RA helps open a new Cantina, works with the Scarlet Gaze crew, and Simone sells baked goods from her cart.
Ruth-Ann, an experienced baker, notices Simone's not-so experienced baking, and makes sure to tell Simone whenever she has a minute free.
Obviously, this does not go over well.
But when Simone doesn't show up for two days in a row, and RA realizes there is no one else to check in on the baker, she does it herself...and tumbles into a world of chaos.

We all need someone. This is a common theme in Dixon's books, and I loved the school-crush 'yank on her braids to confess attraction' way Dixon writes EA's feelings. At first, I was SO confused as to how these two would end up together, given how *rude* RA was being (who just walks up to people and says their baking sucks?! Damn!)
BUT
As is later pointed out, her perfectionism is a form of control, which many of the Risdians desperately fight for themselves. Trauma appears in the smallest of ways- from how we fuss over keeping a job, to the way we organize our t's and dot our i's. There is *no* perfect way to rebuild ourselves from traumatic events...except to keep going.
And Dixon understands this. All of her Risdian characters are Survivors.
And two ladies falling into each other is a mighty fine way to heal (WITH communication!!!)

I want to take a star off for the lack-luster Lesbian spice, because the scenes are barely five pages (as opposed to her heterosexual couples) B U T
I won't, because I appreciate Dixon not forcing scenes if she isn't familiar with the activity. She learns from gay couples on the hows, and I appreciate she does so. Making up details just to make a page-match is no go, even if with good intentions, so in this case, she's doing everyone a favor.
This is her second F/F couple she has done on Risda, and she makes them People, not just a check list. And this is why I will ready Ruby Dixon books until she stops publishing.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We're back with the crew of the Scarlet Gaze as the clones (along with Ruthie and Ruth-Ann, who, uhh, are also clones) get closer to getting the cantina up and running. Things are moving forward and Ruth-Ann is front and center. Well, Ruth-Ann and Simone.

These two are...well, let's juts say that Ruth-Ann's comments EVERY DAY toward the quality of Simone's baked goods doesn't make the best impression on Simone. In fact, Simone genuinely thinks Ruth-Ann doesn't like her until Simone gets sick and Ruth-Ann shows up to make sure she's okay. It's only after they start spending time together that Simone realizes some of Ruth-Ann's starchiness is a trauma response to everything she's dealt with.

On Ruth-Ann's end, she didn't set out to hound Simone into feeling bad with her criticism. She was trying to give feedback, it just came out a little harsh. Again, once these two start talking and spending time together, the rough edges of their relationship get smoothed out. Then they really only need to deal with the BIG secret Ruth-Ann is keeping from Simone. You know, the one about her and her sisters being illegal clones.

Some sad baked goods, some much better baked goods, a playful carinoux, clones, the opening of the cantina, a baker who is trying to keep her head up, and a clone who has a secret that affects more than just her. RISDA! YES!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Paula Norburgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 86 of 2025 - Romancing the Clone by Ruby Dixon - This is a sapphic love tale between a human baker called Simone and a human clone called Ruth-Ann. It ticked everything I could have wanted - Dixon you have done it again with a sly nod to how macha cookies are wrong and it does taste, like soil and with cute details of a carinoux pet being just like your own cats in the best ways, what is not to love! The story begins with Simone noticing a business opportunity of a lack of takeaway goods for humans on the planet. She decides with low start up costs the best idea is a bakery cart featuring: cookies, sausage rolls, muffins and more. Ruth-Ann spots the cart and due to being a baker can't help but point out some key mistakes, think of a Tuesday evening screaming at the GBBO vibe e.g. cold butter for pastry not warm! However, when Ruth-Ann notes her cart is not there one day she decides she better go and check on Simone. She finds her unwell and like all good "friends" nurses her back to health and invites her to the grand opening of the Catina but with the fact Ruth-Ann is an illegal clone doom their relationship. Loving this series which may be helped by I think Dixon and I both love the same TV and cookies!

[Alessa Biblioteca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby Dixon is my comfort author and I usually give almost everything she writes 5 stars because I’m always so sucked in. I think the problem this time is the relationship. You’d think being bisexual myself and being with women multiple times myself I’d love reading about it, but I prefer reading about men. Probably because I don’t like men much in real life so I like the fantasy men of books and like reading about men acting the way I wish they did in real life lol I like reading about D. Not so much the V. And I’m not a fan of the Ruth’s. So I wasn’t as sucked into this book but it was still a good read and still great to see the story progress about the Cantina on Risda III. It was also nice to see more about Simone the baker and hear her story. Again, nothing wrong with this story at all. It was still an enjoyable read and very much a Ruby classic. I just miss my alien males she writes about. That’s all. They’re my guilty pleasure.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Another Sapphic romance from Ruby Dixon so you know I had to pick it up! This was honestly more like a high three stars but dammit I’m a sucker for a caretaking scene. It’s my weakness. Simone gets really sick and Ruth-Ann comes over to take care of her and I was a goner! So good. 4 stars for that scene alone.

Other than that this was cute! Ruth-Ann took a while for me to warm up to because she was such an ass but I liked Simone from the start and found her to be really likable and adorable with her baking. The two of them had good chemistry together but the time skips were a bit annoying. It made it seem like they fell in love way too fast. It’s a novella so I get it but the pacing was a bit off. Still a fun read though and I really liked the side characters and the world building as well. It’s a fast and cozy little read with some good spice.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet sapphic sci-fi novella in the Sunrise Cantina series. It’s the third book in this series, but could be read out of order with only minor spoilers.

Simone, once kidnapped by aliens, is now making a life for herself on Risda III, running a pastry cart and caring for her alien pet, Pluto. Her business is doing well, except for clone Ruth-Ann, who makes a point of stopping by Simone's cart on her way to the cantina every day just to criticize Simone’s baking.

The story is tender and charming. We’ve seen glimpses of these characters in several other books so it was wonderful to finally get their POVs as the Cantina opens.

Always a joy to spend more time in Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarian/Risdaverse universe. I can’t wait to see more from these characters!

Spice: 4/5
Plot:4/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small-town sapphics in space! I’ve been waiting for Simone and Ruth-Ann’s story for so long and it did not disappoint. Neither woman can figure out why Ruth-Ann keeps coming around every day just to criticize Simone’s baking, until it becomes clear that it’s Simone herself and not the smell of questionable cookies that’s really drawing her in. There’s just enough angst to give the story weight without being a downer, and an adorable oversized lizard-cat pet to lighten the mood as well. The secondary characters add depth without taking over, and we even get cameos from long-absent founding Risda residents (hi, Chloe!). It’s nice to see Risda and Port developing into a true community.

[Christal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth-Ann always has words for Simone and her baking and she is not afraid to say so. Simone bakes (not so well as Ruth-Ann tells her) and brings out her food cart everyday and sells everything. Then one day Simone doesn't show up. Ruth-Ann talks to herself and talks to herself multiple times into checking on Simone and finds Simone is sick so she takes over the baking and eventually teaches Simone about baking which is more in demand than ever. They find their attraction is off the charts and Ruth-Ann finds herself spending every night with Simone. Their sweet romance ends with a sweet, happy ending.

[Ashley (Kindled Souls Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Romancing the Clone’ is another quick and fun addition to Ruby Dixon’s Risdaverse. This sapphic story features Simone and Ruth-Ann. Simone is a self-taught baker who is just trying her best to find her niche and make life a little better for humans on Risda. Ruth-Ann is helping her fellow Scarlet Gaze crew members establish the Sunrise Cantina. She doesn’t actually know Simone, but she knows horrible baked goods when she sees them. I enjoyed the antagonism to love vibes in this story. I also really enjoyed the hurt/care trope. It was also really fun to see the crew open their cantina.

[Chrissy Loves Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 **3.5 Stars — Sweet, short, and oh-so-Ruby Dixon**

Romancing the Clone was a quick, fun read with just the right mix of sweetness and a touch of angst to keep things interesting. It’s got that classic Ruby Dixon charm — a feel-good romance with plenty of heart and a dash of humor.

It’s definitely on the shorter side, but it still manages to deliver all the warm fuzzies (and a few swoony moments too). You really can’t go wrong with a Ruby Dixon story — this one just proves she can make even a *clone* totally lovable!

[Shalyn England II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy romance

I Love the cone ashback on on this I love all your books. I either have them on my Kindle or my audibles. And I love all of them. The only ones I don't really care for are the ones that are your dragon flyer ones that are on, based on earth. I don't like those but all the blue aliens. And of course, says it all that I love him. I started out with the ones on ice planet. Then you wrote the ice home.I'm I simply love him

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

slow burn

And secret cravings.
Well written and entertaining. Liked the ending and their mapping out their relationship.
Did wonder why they did not make the lizard cat future size and need for space into account for their home plan. Would have expected a large backyard and some spots for it to rest.

[Edit · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

* Heroine(s) - 3/5
* Secondary Characters - 3/5

* Plot/Storyline - 2/5
* Romance/Steam - 2/5
* Drama/Conflict/Angst - 3/5
* Worldbuilding/Atmosphere - 3/5

* Writing Style - 3/5

This review is based on my personal preferences and the rating reflects how much I enjoyed reading this book.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to retire the "pulling on the pigtails" thing. It also wasn't really accurate. Ruth-Ann was attracted to Simone, but she was mean because she thought she was exploiting people. The two things didn't actually seem all that related.

If it was actual negging, this would have a lower rating probably, but I really loved this misunderstanding to lovers situation. So very sweet.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, I needed a light hearted (completely unrealistic) story for a breather and it worked. Classic RD elements:

One of the a’ani, Erzah, is acting as bouncer. He notices me and gestures that I should move forward. “What’s this?” he asks, grinning. “A cake for me?”
“A cake for all of you,” I correct. “To celebrate the grand opening.”
“You’re a taint,” he says, his smile growing even broader.
“A…what?”
“Saint,” someone yells out. “Saint, not taint.”

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, cutest ff romance!

Having a queer kid, I know it's harder to find a funny, cute and very real feeling romance. These characters are messy, messed up and end up hea. Ruby knocked this out of the Galaxy!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Sunrise Cantina addition. Someone please take me to Risda.

POV: dual first person

You can expect: enemies to lovers, clone FMC, baker FMC.

Rep: lesbian FMCs

Spice: 2.5/5

CW: reference to past rape, past abduction, past enslavement