This beautifully written narrative is more than just a story; it’s a journey into the heart of self-discovery, sexual exploration, passion, and empowerment. Perfectly tailored for the modern reader, it explores the life of Jennifer Jade, a woman who seemingly has it all—family, career, and stability—but finds herself yearning for more. Her transformative affair with Jackson Hunter becomes an intimate exploration of lust, love, adventure, and identity, culminating in a life-changing realization of her deepest desires, her worth and her feminine power.
This book is for women who dare to dream, to question, and to seek authenticity amidst life’s complexities. It celebrates the courage of embracing one’s true desires while navigating the pressures of societal norms. With themes of self-love, empowerment, and the unique beauty of personal growth, this novel speaks to a universal audience while maintaining a deep personal touch.
It’s a story for every woman who has ever felt disconnected from her inner self and craved a deeper understanding of her desires. "The Taste of YES," is not only a celebration of feminine strength but also a reminder that our truest selves are worth fighting for.
4.75 ⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (TW's⚠️: Add!ct!on, semi-graphic/graphic sexual scenes ) This book was nothing like I have ever red before. While packed with lots of spice (on almost every page), This book perfectly discovered the discovery of self and self-love both spiritually and sexually.
Jennifer Jade truly had the perfect life but she had lost herself. And through her 8 year affair with Jackson Hunter she got that all back while having some fun. Jackson was charming and kind, and truly Jen's dream guy. She sees him everywhere in the end, even when apart.
Loved the magical motif of the rainbow. The passion, growth, the reclaiming of truth, embracing vulnerability was beautifully written.
Just like Jen, Jackson was also struggling. Not so much in the same way as her for marriage and children, but with an add!ct!on to alcohol. With Jen's help and trying to make amends with his family he seeked professional help.
Will they find their way back to each other? The cliffhanger at the end left this open to some interpretation of how this may happen and what may happen next.
And finally, thank you to Simone for reaching out to me about this book of theirs and allowing me to read it. I am so grateful ❤️❤️
The Taste of Yes is a bold and passionate debut that blends contemporary romance with erotica, while weaving in a journey of empowerment and self-discovery.
Jennifer, stuck in a loveless marriage and betrayed by her husband’s affair, decides to take control of her own happiness. Enter Jackson—what begins as an affair soon transforms into an eight-year journey of love, passion, and growth. Through Jackson, Jennifer becomes the strong, confident, and self-aware woman she was always meant to be.
Their relationship isn’t without struggles—especially when Jackson faces personal battles of his own. But it’s in the ending, when Jennifer must finally stand in her truth, that the story’s emotional impact really lands.
The conclusion leaves you yearning for more—do they find their way back to each other, or does life pull them apart for good?
If you’re drawn to forbidden affairs, themes of self-love and sexual awakening, and steamy scenes with a touch of voyeurism, this is one to add to your TBR!
This is the debut book by the truly amazing Simone Sterling. This book is so much more than a love story, it's about giving you permission to actually love and be yourself.
Truly freeing!
The character description and settings are absolutely beautifully wrote. We all want to be Jennifer and all need a Jackson in our life. The spicy scenes are wrote with finesse and are hot! 🔥 This is an absolute must read!
"I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.” The taste of yes. A beautifully written and deeply moving novel, this story explores the passionate yet transformative affair between Jennifer Jade and Jackson Hunter. At forty, Jennifer appears to have the perfect life a thriving career, a husband, and two children yet inside, she feels disconnected and empty, no longer recognizing the woman she has become. Longing to reclaim her sense of self, she makes the bold decision to step outside of her prescribed life and begins a relationship that becomes a powerful journey of self-discovery. Her affair with Jackson is more than just desire it becomes the catalyst for Jennifer’s awakening. Through their undeniable physical chemistry and emotional depth, Jennifer rediscovers her passions, her sense of adventure, and her feminine power. Jackson’s presence helps her tap into her magic, but ultimately, the transformation is her own: she learns to embrace her worth, her desires, and her authentic identity. What begins as an exploration of sexuality evolves into something far greater ajourney of honor, growth, and self love. Each intimate moment between them is layered with passion and discovery, but also with lessons about embracing vulnerability and reclaiming one’s truth. Jennifer’s evolution is both emotional and spiritual, guiding her toward clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of herself. This novel is not just about an affair at all. It’s about the courage to honor your own needs, to face the emptiness within, and to grow into the truest version of yourself. A powerful, sensual, and empowering story that reminds us that real love begins with self love. This book shows you a mirror to look into. I dare you to look at it. To feel, to see, to want to be your true self always! This book is a piece of art! I dare you to read it! 💛
Thank you so much for reaching out and sending me an ARC copy of The Taste of Yes…My Sweet Surrender! It was an honor to read and chat with you as well!
First thought: WOW! This is the debut of all debuts!
Let me start with saying I was nervous going into this one, because of the “Affair” plot line, but Simone Sterling took all my worries away! This was a book about self discovery in all senses of the word. Whether it was reflection, discovering a love full of passion or realizing the people you meet along your journey can all be a beautiful part of your story!
Jennifer, the FMC, was in a loveless marriage, he was having an affair (to which he denied), they were basically roommates who each helped to raise their kids.
When Jennifer met Jackson little did she know she would not only discover her true self but a love that was meant to be. That they would enter into their affair and for it to go strong for 8 years!!! The way that he loved and worshipped her was magnificent, they became each others entire world.
The many people she met along the way and the way Jennifer encapsulated her love of rainbows and how they became such a focal point to the story and how seeing the one perfect rainbow would mean that your dreams have come true.
The setting of the story was so spot on to from the description of the beauty of the Valley of the Sun and the random torrential storm that will roll in one minute and be gone the next was so accurate!
I NEED MORE! I want a follow up book or novella or something, I just need more Jackson and Jennifer!
Tropes: 🖤Forbidden Affair 💋Self Discovery 🖤Self Love 💋Voyeurism 🖤Erotic
This is a debut book for author Simone Sterling, I think she was successful in writing about how working women who are also moms and wives tend to get so caught up in life that we begin to lose ourselves then one day wake up and not recognize the woman we see in the mirror. Reading how Jennifer navigates her decade long affair was sometimes hard only because of my own personal experiences on having been cheated on but I could understand how she didn’t want to wreck her children’s lives because she wasn’t happy anymore. Her character development was beautiful. This is not just a story on self discovery in the sexual aspect but also discovering who she is as a woman, mother and partner. This is also spicey 🔥 Jackson rocks her world!!!
This is a debut book for author Simone Sterling, I think she was successful in writing about how working women who are also moms and wives tend to get so caught up in life that we begin to lose ourselves then one day wake up and not recognize the woman we see in the mirror. Reading how Jennifer navigates her decade long affair was sometimes hard only because of my own personal experiences on having been cheated on but I could understand how she didn’t want to wreck her children’s lives because she wasn’t happy anymore. Her character development was beautiful. This is not just a story on self discovery in the sexual aspect but also discovering who she is as a woman, mother and partner. This is also spicey 🔥 Jackson rocks her world!!!
✨ I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The affair trope is not one that I enjoy. With that being said, this book is more about the empowerment of a woman. It is reminiscent of a movie I would see on the Lifetime Movie Network but way more spice. Being a mature woman, I can relate to the FMC in many ways. I find myself in a period of unknown and wanting more. Every day feels like I'm just going through the motions, meeting deadlines, and completing daily tasks. I feel like I'm living the life I'm expected to live by others. But is that truly who I am? Or is it a game of pretend I chose to participate in for mere ease of living. I'm still deciding that. This book is really about the journey of a woman going through these same thoughts and emotions and her decisions to create the woman she feels she needs to be. Affair aside, this book was written well and the spice level is more than a little mild. Overall, it was a great story of a mature woman finally choosing to re-invent herself and take control of her life as she sees fit.
Jackson & Jennifer’s story is messy, passionate, and all about self-discovery. Quick heads-up story is built around an affair while married, so if that’s a trigger for you, you may want to skip it. Jennifer hits a breaking point in her life and realizes she deserves more than what she’s been settling for. That’s when she connects with Jackson on a dating site. Their chemistry? Off the charts. He’s very much the dominant type, while she leans into being more submissive, and together they set the pages on fire with some seriously steamy moments. What I loved most was how real the characters felt. Both their flaws and their strengths added depth and Jennifer’s journey, from family pressures and inner battles to finally choosing freedom and passion. The story weaves in themes of self-acceptance, breaking free, and rediscovering passion.
Recommended if you like: Characters dealing with deep personal conflicts Romance with plenty of spice wrapped into growth
The Taste of Yes: My Sweet Surrender is one of those stories that pulls you in with its passion and refuses to let go. It’s more than just romance—it’s about giving yourself permission to embrace desire, vulnerability, and the kind of love that feels like both a risk and a reward.
The chemistry between the characters is undeniable. You feel every glance, every moment of hesitation, and every surrender. The writing is smooth and immersive, painting intimacy not just as physical, but emotional and soul-deep. What stood out most to me was how the story balanced heat with heart—you’re not just reading about attraction, you’re witnessing growth, acceptance, and the beauty of saying yes to love in all its forms.
If you enjoy romance that’s sensual, heartfelt, and leaves you breathless, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
A woman rediscovers herself through non-traditional means by entering into a passionate soul changing affair. I'm not one for books on affairs. Jennifer one day discovers her husband is living his best life and decides to do the same after a self examination. She's lost her way, she's lonely, and her husband is a gaslighting turd. The two live separate lives only living together for the sake of the children until they leave for college. The focus isn't on the marital relationship, but instead on the man she meets and her relationship with her children. Jennifer has lost her confidence and her zeal for life. Jackson helps her find the strong, sensual woman that's been hidden inside. The story ends on a cliffhanger, but promises even more of a bang in the next book. This book contained a lot of bangs lol I can't image what the next one will contain.
The Taste of Yes is a romance that is not dark, therefore I had to go into it with that perspective, being a dark romance reader. The FMC, Jennifer, is a mom of 2 and married to someone unfaithful in the past. With that issue between them, she goes looking for someone to fulfill the void in her life and provide a connection. She meets our MMC, Jackson who is also attached, and with kids. They carried on this affair for 8 years before Jackson ended it. Throughout this story, Jennifer is in a constant state of trying to figure out how to make this permanent while also accepting whatever crumbs are given to her by Jackson. The end? Someone will need to explain the end to me. Overall: this one is for those who like their romance spicy, but on the contemporary side.
The Taste of Yes...My Sweet Surrender is Jennifer's captivating and beautiful story of finding herself again after losing herself to being a mother and wife to a philandering husband. When she meets Jackson, they embark on what becomes an almost decade long love affair and exploration of her deepest desires. While sensual and erotic, Jennifer and Jackson also have deep emotional scars and demons that are explored and deepens their connection. They become so much more than a physical relationship and mean more to one another than either of them ever intended.
The cliffhanger will leave you wanting more immediately. I'm looking forward to what Jennifer and Jackson's HEA looks like and whether or not it will be together.
This book offers a straightforward, character-driven experience where the spice definitely takes center stage. While the initial backstory and world-building felt a bit muted but the author delivers on the promise of high heat. The erotic scenes were frequent and incredibly effective. However, readers should be prepared for some of the descriptive language, as several words and phrases used during the steamiest moments leaned toward the cringe-worthy side for me personally. Ultimately, this novel is best suited for readers who prioritize a high volume of quality spice over intricate plot development.
I was nervous going into this one because the story is built around an affair while married, so if that’s a trigger for you, you may want to skip it. We meet Jessica and Jackson. Jessica thought she had a good married and loves her children. But her life changes when she finds out her husband had an affair. She starts on a journey of self discovery and self love. Jackson helps Jessica blossom by helping her find her sexuality and cherishing her. His has his own struggles with alcohol. Now the cliffhanger is killing me. What happens next?
I found this story deeply emotional. Jennifer‘s marriage has become a marriage in name only and purely for the children. On a journey to find fulfillment, happiness and love she meets Jackson through a dating app. They start a beautiful relationship and have instant chemistry. The story follows their affair for nearly a decade. Jennifer’s character is very relatable especially for myself who is in the same age group. I definitely shed some tears several times while getting lost in the story.
I absolutely devoured this book—it’s equal parts tender and fiery. What makes it stand out is how it treats sensuality as something sacred, not just physical. The writing flows like poetry, pulling you in so you can feel every emotion behind the scenes. It’s sexy without being crass, romantic without being cliché. If you’re looking for a story that celebrates desire, vulnerability, and self-discovery in a beautiful way, this one’s a must-read.
This is an incredible debut story that’s packed full of spice, and although this book focuses heavily on the erotic element the author did an amazing job of adding in the MCs important journey of self discovery 😍 ~ The FMC is in her forties (which is a breath of fresh air) going through the mundane everyday, one thing leads to another and her affair with Jackson leads her on an unknown path of empowerment. ~ The spice, truly SPICES 🥵 The world build was amazing but the empowerment was 🙌🏻
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I didn’t know what to expect when the author reached out to offer me the opportunity to ARC her debut. I was floored!! The road from affair to rediscovery had me so glad I took the time to dive into the novel! It was spicy for sure! Which I absolutely loved. Touching all the senses a book can touch while also reminding you that you’re in control. Very empowering very spicy very worth the read!!
This book is full of tension and chemistry. Simone Sterling knows how to write a hero who is both demanding and powerful. I loved how the author was able to balance the spice and the emotional stakes. it also kind of felt like a slow-burn type of romance. It was so easy to get lost in their world, the writing was smooth and immersive, and so addictive. This is definitely best for readers who love hot and steamy spice!
Jennifer is career driven 40 y/o that gets entangled with Jackson and falls in love with him. He made her feel things she never felt before. She lost her way along time ago and didn’t recognize herself anymore, thru this affair she newly found herself and evolved into a new woman. Jackson nurtured her and pleasured her every desire. The chemistry between them was on fire!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I wanted to like this book. The premise was interesting, however, there was so much repetition within the story that it just became boring and dull. “I’m going to f you now”. As someone who reads steamy stories regularly, there are so many different ways to say this without reverting back to the same exact line each time. It takes the s*xiness out of a story.
This is a really good debut book! It’s packed with spice along with a great story about a woman finding herself again. I’m usually not big on affair books but there was just something about this book that kept my attention.
(it was more of a 4.5 stars) very heavy on the spice scene which I love. a few of the plot lines got a bit lost sometimes. please note before going ahead and reading there are quite a few grammatical errors nothing major so easily miss-able. overall it was an enjoyable read.
This is a wonderful and spicy debut novel from Simone Sterling. I don’t usually go for the affair aspect as it can be triggering, but Simone wrote it in a way that was tasteful and well done. Jennifer is feeling undesired after learning of her husband's indiscretions, she decides to take back her life. That’s when she meets Jackson, together they explore their wants and needs. Learning their sexuality and how to feel loved. I enjoyed their chemistry, it was heartwarming and emotional how they helped each other through everything. I look forward to seeing what is next from Simone.
Wow this book was packed full of spice that had me blushing at times and a great plot about self discovery. The FMC Jennifer is in a unhappy marriage. She meets the MMC Jackson through a dating app for married people looking for an affair. Jackson and Jennifer's chemistry is of the scale. The way Jackson speaks to Jennifer it makes her more confident. I love that Jennifer was able to go on this self discovery and get that spark back. Jackson also went on a self discovery path as well but a different kind. I loved the plot twist that happened in the book i did not see that one coming at all. If your after a book with steamy spice and a great plot this one is worth the read.
I truly understood the concept of this story, and I wanted to like it like everyone else. I understood that the fmc wanted to do an affair for self-discovery.. But when I got to about the halfway point... I just couldn't continue. It became too repetitive for me. It truly is a spicy book, and I do love spicy. But I couldn't get past the mmc, saying, "I'm going to eff you now," nearly every time... I read spicy books daily, and it can just be said differently. I don't want to cringe during a spicy scene just because of one sentence/saying, you know?
I guess take this with a grain of salt. Everyone has their own opinions. This is mine, I have NOTHING against affairs/cheating within a novel. I've read very popular books with this trope. Everyone is allowed to enjoy or not enjoy a book and review how they like and please.
I may come back and try to read again. So, my review may change. But I have tried twice.. maybe 3rd time could be the charm? We'll see!