A Question of Courage

by Sabrina Blaum

Years ago, they shared a kiss. Now they're forced to share the screen. A slow-burn, age-gap, celebrity lesbian romance.

Actress Kathryn Johnson can't believe the newest member of her TV show's cast is the mysterious woman she kissed two years ago at a masquerade ball. Worse, she doesn't even remember her!

For aloof, logical Hannah Laine, joining Broken Time's cast is a career milestone. The chilly reception from her infuriating co-star? Not part of the plan. But even as the two women constantly clash, they are drawn in by a chemistry neither of them is ready to name.

Now Kat's carefully constructed walls are starting to crumble as she's forced to decide whether to keep her heart safe or risk something with Hannah that feels so right it's scary.

Genres: Lesbian

244 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

Sabrina Blaum hails originally from Germany and moved to the United States in 2006. She studied Sociology, Geographic Information Systems, and English at a local university in Alabama, at which she is currently teaching English Composition.
She has always written and wrote her first “novel” in elementary school, when she decided that Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers needed a sequel. She also had the habit of telling her late grandmother bedtime stories.

Sabrina is an avid reader and writer, and she loves to spend time with family and friends.

Reviews

[Andrea (looseleftlesbian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! It was refreshing to have a MC that was 30 and was the younger of the two in the age gap. Usually the younger one is in their twenties. The chemistry between Hannah and Kat was out of this world. I love a good slow burn and A Question of Courage delivered on the angst, the longing that comes with a slow burn.

There was a depth to Kat that I really enjoyed. She gave off a bit of an ice queen vibe but when you learn the reasons behind that, it makes sense.
I liked the way the author portrayed the Hollywood scene and touched on the sexism and ageism that goes on within the workplace.

I loved that there was no third act break up, the characters got together around the 60% mark, so a third act break up still could’ve happened but thankfully didn’t.

I’m an epilogue girl, so I would’ve liked more of an epilogue. In the ARC version, it was just a chapter and not labeled as an epilogue but it did time jump a little bit. But in my opinion, it wasn’t really an epilogue.

We got a lot of back story from both of the MCs but I would’ve liked a little more insight into Hannah. I did feel like she was neurodivergent but it was never explicitly stated. Another small thing, but I feel like some of the side characters could’ve been fleshed out more.

Bonus points for the DC Legends of Tomorrow vibes the MCs’ TV show gave!

*I know everyone’s “spice levels” differ. My 🌶️🌶️🌶️ is a few explicit scenes but mostly plot. No kinks or need to for TW.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story!

Actresses Kathryn and Hannah have a past. A kiss in years gone by and Kathryn convinced Hannah is purposely ignoring her now they are working together on a hit show as the lead characters make for interesting drama on camera and behind the scenes.

I knew this was going to be dramatic right from Hannah and Kathryn’s first meeting. That first day on set, with Kathryn sharing her internal thoughts with us, literally set the scene. She made a lot of assumptions quickly, but Hannah was smart and picking up on the atmosphere between them. She was just one of those characters who was not just going to let Kathryn treat her that way, so she kept pushing. If it wasn’t for her doing that, these two probably never would have worked it out.

I fell completely in love with Kathryn though. Being a little older and an actress with status she had an air of authority that I just couldn’t get enough of. She was witty, funny, and I totally understood why Hannah liked her so much. She made the story for me, with the perfect balance of humour always just at the right moment and an edge of hidden vulnerability.

So brilliant! I really loved every second of the story.

[Lyn Denison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost a 4-star. Interesting opening at an audition in this unusual celebrity storyline. Both MCs came with baggage and both in their own ways denied having crossed each other’s paths before. Now they have to work together. Angst to hope on their journey to a HEA.

[Andietrue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had so much potential—I love a good actress age-gap romance. But the story felt disjointed, rushed, and the chemistry never fully clicked for me. The third-act conflict felt petty and forced, which made it hard to stay emotionally invested. There were a few red flags.

I did appreciate the nuanced portrayal of social anxiety, difficulty in creating personal and lasting connections, possible trauma responses, and possible neurodivergence. That added some depth, even if the execution didn’t fully resonate. I lost interest around the 60% mark but pushed through. The writing style wasn’t for me, though I know others might connect with it more.

Not my favorite, but I respect what it was trying to do.

[Wlad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Não terminei. Acho que foi outra adaptação de fic (Swan Queen) e não se sustenta sozinho. Uma das protagonistas não faz muito sentido sem o contexto da personagem original, e fica uma babaca. Não sei se foi o objetivo, mas a outra protagonista parece autista e não entendi porque ela se interessou pela outra. Os capítulos terminam em partes estranhas, às vezes no meio de uma cena sem gancho algum pro outro.