King Love

by Samantha L. Valentine

Sometimes the only way to be yourself is to be someone else

Callie Johnson has everything she needs in her curated safety bubble: her family, her home and her job at Brisbane’s hottest drag king bar, Club Sappho. All that’s missing is what she secretly craves most of all: love. When she notices a beautiful woman turning up at the club each week to watch her perform, she feels compelled to meet her. But offstage, Callie can’t seem to summon the confidence and swagger of her drag king alter ego.

Maya Freeman has decided this is going to be the year she finally lives in her authenticity. She’s ready to tackle her perfectionist and overthinking tendencies, celebrate her sexuality and find love. She might even try reviving those long-buried performing dreams. So when Maya finds herself returning to Club Sappho to watch a charismatic drag king, she has an uncanny sense they’re destined to be part of her new life.

As Callie and Maya step out of their comfort zones and into each other’s, they soon discover that falling in love has a way of making you face who you really are. But when one is scared to step into the spotlight and the other is scared to drop the act, can they find the happy ever after they both long for?

King Love is a low-angst lesbian romance about love, self-expression, gender and performance.

Genres: LGBT

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Samantha L. Valentine is an Australian author of contemporary sapphic fiction, both life lit and romance. She is passionate about diversity in fiction and would love the world to read more diverse Australian stories. She holds a first class honours in English Language and Linguistics and a Masters in Writing, Editing and Publishing. She is the author of three published novels, two published short stories and many unpublished drafts. She lives in Brisbane with her wife and their two Boston Terriers.

If you'd like to stay updated, you can sign up to her monthly newsletter at https://www.samvalentine.com.au or follow on Instagram or TikTok.

Instagram: @samlval

TikTok: @samlvalentine_author

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a sweet read and made me understand a bit more about the whole drag king scene and why so important for both Callie and Maya. Wanting to perform in drag, expressing yourself in a way that blurs the boundaries between masculinity and femininity is quite intriguing and is something I would love to watch live one day.

Callie is quite broken after a bad situationship, the only time she really feels free is when she is in drag as Tom. Maya that is intrigued by Tom from the first glance is also quite broken after her latest relationship. Callie is so interested in Maya, flirts with her from the scene as Tom but way more difficult as Callie, she gets overwhelmed and flees. After some time and encouragement from their respective friends they give it another chance and perhaps they can be just so right for each other. Extra cool when Maya also wants to test performing in drag, feeling how that can empower her, learning about the whole process from Callie. Their journey as a couple is interesting to follow, their growth, but I was not a fan of the unnecessary 3rd act break-up.

I received a free ARC via NetGalley and leave a review voluntarily.

[Lez_be_readin_ya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dazzling, heartfelt romance full of growth and bold charisma

What a great book this is. I especially loved the storyline and the personal development that both Maya and Callie go through—individually and together. Their journeys felt authentic and empowering, and I absolutely adored the Drag King aspect of the story. It added something fresh, bold, and incredibly fun, while the friendships throughout brought warmth and emotional depth to the overall narrative.

The relationship between Maya and Callie was such a beautiful love story to read. I really enjoyed their connection from beginning to end—watching them bond, grow closer, and support each other was truly delightful. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their relationship developed in such a natural, heartfelt way that kept me completely invested throughout.

Stevie and Kassy—Callie’s cousin and her wife, as well as her bosses—were standout side characters. I loved the impact they had on Callie’s life and just how deeply they cared for her happiness and success. Stevie’s “Big King Energy” on stage was iconic, and the love she shares with Kassy added such a joyful and supportive dynamic to the book.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to see what comes next from Sam. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this fabulous book—I’m excited to dive straight into the next one!

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

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

[Pip Landers-Letts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this low-angst romance featuring the bashful Callie, who isn’t quite as shy when in drag, and the curious Maya, who catches her eye! The way their romance unfolds is really sweet and authentic, and totally has you rooting for them. I really liked the supporting cast of characters too (apart from Amber… boo, hiss!!).

I’ve not been to Brisbane for over twenty years, but this story transported me back there, and had me wishing that Club Sappho really existed!!

Sam has delivered another wonderfully tender sapphic love story - you don’t want to miss this one!

[lirissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Author and NetGalley for the ARC copy.

King Love surprised me in the sweetest way. It took me a couple of pages to settle into the author’s rhythm, but once Callie and Maya started showing their real, human sides, I was in. Their awkward little moments, the honesty, the way they look at each other like they’re both trying to be brave… it felt a lot more real than I expected.

And as a Kiwi, I have to say the Down Under details made me smile every time. Lamingtons, EFTPOS machines, lemon lime and bitters, ANZAC biscuits… the little bits of Aussie culture sprinkled in gave the whole story “this actually feels like home” energy.

Callie’s drag king persona was my favourite part of the book. The confidence she steps into onstage, compared to the softness and uncertainty she carries offstage, is so relatable. Maya wanting to reinvent herself, even with the anxiety and self-doubt sitting on her shoulder, felt familiar too. Their chemistry is a slow burn but when it lands, it’s tender and hopeful.

I also really liked how the book handles mental health and the messy bits of learning to trust again. The queer community around Club Sappho feels warm and lived-in, and some of the side characters have MC energy.

The pacing dragged a little for me at the end, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed being in this world. Overall, this is a bold, heartfelt sapphic romance about identity and finding someone who makes you want to be braver than you were yesterday.

A very sweet, very human read.

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as ARC reader and I am so happy to have a chance to read it! It is well written and the story is heartwarming and full of dramas. It is not open to have a WLW book featuring drag king, and this one is such a interesting and convincing story that I believe the author's extensive research paid off handsomely. Love the main couple as well as their supportive family and friends!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ This was a lovely, sweet authentic sapphic story set in Brisbane! I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Maya is interested and curious. Callie is shy and caring normally but when in drag she lights up with confidence and swagger.

I loved how their story progressed. They both were relatable in their own ways. I loved the cast of characters…well most of them ;). I enjoyed the world building(?) getting to know Brisbane but also wishing there was a real Club Sappho near me. Recommend!

[Shannon Stickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Love is beautiful and heart warming! Sam L Valentine captures the vulnerability of both Callie and Maya as they teach each other about themselves. The character’s awareness and sensitivity to each other creates a safe space in a wonderfully romantic way for each to grow and learn. Valentine explores depth of characters by portraying them outside the usual stereotypes. There was this heartwarming respect and open representation of sapphic women portrayed in the characters that I loved.

[Henry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Callie is a drag king who's been crushing on one of her regular audience members, but is too shy outside of drag to initiate a conversation. Maya is a closeted lesbian who's still trying to feel that she's "gay enough" to consider herself truly part of the community. The novel opens with Callie performing a new routine she created to get Maya's attention - and get her attention it does. 👀

I really wanted to love this one! There's so little representation for drag kings out there, and I was so excited to explore that experience through Callie and Maya. While I still commend the author for highlighting this community, I think I just wanted more from that aspect of the novel. To me, Callie and Maya felt so isolated from the rest of their community, so locked into their own little bubble. I wanted to see Maya welcomed into the fold more and see them both engaging with the other drag kings and attendees beyond just a description of what they did on stage, but that never happened. Instead we just have a "competitor" king who keeps trying to sabotage their relationship and create division between them. I kept wondering why that kind of behavior was allowed to continue in a space that was supposed to be safe and welcoming.

My disappointment, however, mainly stems from my frustration with Callie's and Maya's relationship. I'm surprised to see this described as "low-angst" because it feels angstier to me than most of the other romances I read. Callie and Maya get together very early on in the novel, and from there on we repeatedly see them disappoint, doubt and be jealous of each other due to bad experiences in prior relationships. Callie, in particular, just struck me as too immature to be in a relationship without doing some serious work on herself first. I don't mind a bit of complexity and messiness in my romances, but I need it to be counterbalanced by an equal amount of cute, sweet, fun moments - show me their chemistry! Show me why they work! I just didn't feel like I got to see the healthy, loving side of their relationship, so I couldn't root for them as a couple. In the end, this struck me as a Happy for Now, not a Happily Ever After.

While this didn't work for me, this would work better for you if you enjoy heavily character-focused stories about wounded people healing and unlearning toxic beliefs and habits, and stumbling along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC.

[Kaylene Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Club Sappho, Brisbane's hottest drag king bar.

Here we meet Callie, one of the drag kings, her persona, Tom Cruisin is one of the most liked performers. She loves her job, has a good family but is missing the one thing she wants most of all....love. She doesn't have much confidence herself. Tom is the one with the confidence.

Then we meet Maya, a young lady who is taking the time to discover who she is as a person and start to live her life for her and not her parents, who she is not truly forthcoming with, they don't even know she's a lesbian.

Maya finds herself visiting the club every week for a while. She comes to see the performance of Tom Cruisin, who she finds herself getting drawn too and then on night Tom includes Maya in his act and sparks fly from there.

The two women take the leap and start to get to know each other out of the club. unfortunately for Callie her confidence as Tom doesn't translate to the outside world and she starts to retreat to her silent, shy self who questions everything, due to hurt from a previous relationship.

Maya starts to let her guard down with Callie and is growing feelings but has trouble when Callie retreats into herself and wont communicate with her. All she wants is for Callie to be herself and be as strong and confident as Callie as she is as Tom.

I loved reading the relationship develop between these women. Both are damaged and trying to build themselves up while build a life together. They show each other their vulnerability and are so good at supporting each other with their struggles.

Add in the side characters, especially Callie's Aunts, who are also her bosses, and Maya's sisters, who know she's a lesbian, and their love and support for their respective loved ones and you have a whole team of people to fall in love with.

What was fun about this book was, when Maya developed the confidence to try being a Drag King, with Callie's encouragement. You could feel the pride in Callie and the joy in Maya as she was going through the process. I felt their love for each other, the pain that Callie was going through and the hope that both women felt for the relationship to build.

This was a low angst beautiful sapphic novel that had you feel all the feels. Well written and written with heart.

**I was given this novel as an E-Arc by Booksirens in exchange for an honest review.**

[Stephanie Davy · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again. King Love is a low-angst, heartwarming romance with just the right amount of spice to warm up these cold winter months.

One thing I love so much about this author is that she always makes you feel so at home in the character’s worlds. She always makes me want to go to Australia. She made me wish that Club Sappho was a real place, and she convinced me that if it was, I’d be welcome and love it there. She made me so interested in Drag Kings and I totally intend to see a show if I get the opportunity.

This talent extends to the characters. Watching them fall in love was adorable and gave me all the feels. 🥰 Of course not everything is perfect and as is this author’s particular talent, she authentically conveys inner struggles that are common but tend to be hard to communicate. But they aren’t defined solely by struggle.

I loved Maya and Callie. They were so different and yet made sense, balancing each other out and helping each other to grow. I had a huge soft spot for Maya (anyone who is good with food is immediately my fave) and saw some of myself in Callie.

The progression of their relationship felt natural and I felt the difficult moments had a good buildup and felt justified. And resolution was deeply satisfying.

Even though my heart will always love Meet Me in Berlin, this might be my new favourite. 💖

[Kerrie Juric · Rating 5 out of 5]

King Love: A contemporary sapphic romance by Samantha L. Valentine is a tender, light and heartwarming, dual POV standalone novel set in Brisbane Australia.

The story follows Callie Johnson and Maya Freeman. Callie works at the hottest drag king club, Club Sappho, where she graces the stage frequently as the popular king, Tom Cruisin’. Maya is a local to the club and fast becomes a regular for more than one reason. She’s always loved the theatre and live performances but her attraction to Callie and curiosity with Tom is what keeps calling her back to Club Sappho every week.

Callie first spots Maya in the crowd during one of her performances and with the confidence of Tom taking over she has the courage to flirt and engage with Maya including her in her act. Once the make up and costume is off, Callie is quick to retreat to her shy self, all traces of the confident king on stage disappearing and her anxiety and hurt from previous relationships resurfacing.

I connected with the realism of this book and the characters with all their flaws. It feels like these are people I know and are friends updating me on what’s new in their lives, and has me wishing that Club Sappho was real.

I enjoyed the lightness for most of the story where they overcame any issues quickly and it had just the right amount of angst to pull at the heart strings and shed a tear or two during the third act.

Congrats Samantha on another amazing book!

[diamondinthepages · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of King Love by Samantha L. Valentine from NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was such an interesting and genuinely charming story about a woman who frequents a drag king club and unexpectedly falls for one of the performers. Not only was it really cute, but it was also surprisingly informative about drag king culture. I’ve met my first drag queens this year, but I’ve never met a drag king—and after reading this, I really want to.
I enjoyed about 90% of this book immensely. I loved getting to meet Tom and Georgie, and watching Callie and Maya fall in love through drag was heartfelt and joyful. The way drag was woven into their relationship felt authentic and celebratory, and you can tell a lot of care went into portraying that world.
The only reason this isn’t a full five stars for me is the third-act breakup. That last 10% just didn’t work for me—it felt annoying and a bit out of place compared to how strong and thoughtful the rest of the story was.
That said, this was still a wonderful read overall, especially if you’re looking for a queer romance that explores drag king culture with warmth and respect. I’m really glad I picked this one up.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the first few pages I fell in love with Callie and Maya. And of course the sappho club and all its eclectic characters (even Amber!). The author has crated an atmosphere of inclusion and growth within the pages of the book. You'll find that as you watch both MC's grow and face their own personal challenges, as well as those that form within the bounds of their new relationship, you as the reader will grow and challenge your own perceptions of acceptance. It's an exciting glimpse into the world of performance, specifically that of the Drag King,. It resonates respect for the art of the drag king, while paying homage to those individuals who are drawn to it. And, on a side note, I am sure everyone should have a mother as beautiful and nurturing as Donna! I'd love to read her story as a spin-off.
Highly recommended !

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

have always known about drag queens but drag kings well i learnt something whilst reading this

callie has been at the drag king bar club sappho now for a while and she is a big hit with the patrons there... they love her act

maya having only just discoved this bar loves everything about club sappho and the drag kings...especially callies set piece she goes as often as she can making it obvious who her favourite drag king is....


it could be a great match up if callie and maya can get past their issues.... its gonna be a long and entertaining road until they do.....

great read i felt pulled right into their world and loved the characters even the nasty one...

looking forward to reading more from this author

[Liz D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt like a hug I didn’t know I needed. Callie’s mix of swagger onstage and softness offstage is so endearing, and watching her struggle to bridge the gap between the two felt incredibly real. Maya is the kind of character you root for instantly earnest, overthinking, and trying so hard to step into her authentic self. Their slow, tender connection has this lovely, hopeful energy to it.

The atmosphere of Club Sappho, the warmth of the queer community, and the gentle exploration of identity and performance give the story so much heart. And that theme of learning to be fully seen without costumes, without walls absolutely got me. Fans of cosy, low-angst queer romance are going to eat this up.”

[SusieQ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“King Love” quickly draws the reader in, with characters who are engaging and feel recognisable on a deeper, emotional level. Both main characters are confronted with meaningful obstacles, and these challenges are described in a vivid and thoughtful way. While the pace at which the relationship develops may feel somewhat fast when considering the personalities of the characters, the emotional connection between them is clearly felt and believable. The drag king theme is a strong and refreshing element within the story, adding depth and authenticity while also supporting both the narrative and the personal growth of the characters.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah Taylor]

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

This was such a beautiful romance and it made me so giddy with excitement. The love Maya and Callie shared was so beautiful, and the way Drag shows had such big meanings for the both of them was out of this world. I really loved Stevie and Kassy even though they were side characters they stood out so much in this story. It really brought the story together. I am so happy I got to read this. It is one of my favorites so far of 2026.

[Angela Bestard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world full of sensationalism, this story about two people navigating a new relationship with the support of their family and friends felt both relatable and soothing. Another brilliant novel by Samantha, a master of dialogue, in which the characters become our friends. Discovering and learning about the world of drag kings was the icing on the cake. The perfect holiday read at the end of a busy year!