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Love In Stasis
A sapphic friends to lovers college romance murder mystery about grief, guilt, love and togetherness.
Everyone can agree that college can be a drag sometimes. Studying for finals, work study positions to help pay for tuition, not to mention the dreaded group project. Sophia Briggs has all of that, plus living with her ex-girlfriend in their shared dorm room to deal with. The worst part is that she’s still painfully in love with her. Luz Marcellus is athletic, caring, and attentive. That makes it all the more painful when Sophia walks in on her with another woman.
Well, Madeline Moore isn’t having any of it. She and Sophia have been best friends since forever, so she decides to step in and give Luz a piece of her mind! The problem is, now that Sophia and Luz have broken up, Madeline starts to notice how toned Luz is. The way her bixie cut hangs just slightly in front of her face. The way her voice gets a half-step lower whenever they’re around each other. Then again, why does she care? Madeline has been straight all her life, and there’s no way that would change now, right?
But will any of these worries matter when the dark undertones of Scribe University crash through the barriers of what this group of friends thought the real world was? How could stressful tests and complicated love lives ever prepare them to properly handle kidnappings, assaults, and murders on the campus that they once thought of as home? The simple answer is—they don’t. Especially not when Luz is the prime suspect and the clock is ticking down on the time that's left to prove her innocence.
The most important lesson is one they’ll have to learn outside the classroom. When you feel like the world has stopped and nothing makes sense anymore, the only way you can ever get through it… is together.
"With a highly original style, she immersed us fully in a palpable reality, inviting us to reflect on the relationships we build daily and the value of the bonds we form." - ARC Review
"I was immediately drawn in by the dialogue and hooked until the very last page." - Arc Review
Everyone can agree that college can be a drag sometimes. Studying for finals, work study positions to help pay for tuition, not to mention the dreaded group project. Sophia Briggs has all of that, plus living with her ex-girlfriend in their shared dorm room to deal with. The worst part is that she’s still painfully in love with her. Luz Marcellus is athletic, caring, and attentive. That makes it all the more painful when Sophia walks in on her with another woman.
Well, Madeline Moore isn’t having any of it. She and Sophia have been best friends since forever, so she decides to step in and give Luz a piece of her mind! The problem is, now that Sophia and Luz have broken up, Madeline starts to notice how toned Luz is. The way her bixie cut hangs just slightly in front of her face. The way her voice gets a half-step lower whenever they’re around each other. Then again, why does she care? Madeline has been straight all her life, and there’s no way that would change now, right?
But will any of these worries matter when the dark undertones of Scribe University crash through the barriers of what this group of friends thought the real world was? How could stressful tests and complicated love lives ever prepare them to properly handle kidnappings, assaults, and murders on the campus that they once thought of as home? The simple answer is—they don’t. Especially not when Luz is the prime suspect and the clock is ticking down on the time that's left to prove her innocence.
The most important lesson is one they’ll have to learn outside the classroom. When you feel like the world has stopped and nothing makes sense anymore, the only way you can ever get through it… is together.
"With a highly original style, she immersed us fully in a palpable reality, inviting us to reflect on the relationships we build daily and the value of the bonds we form." - ARC Review
"I was immediately drawn in by the dialogue and hooked until the very last page." - Arc Review
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 26, 2025
Received an ARC copy of Love in Stasis. This author, and book, have good potential.
The hooks towards the end were well designed and executed. It is appreciated the “who dunnit” was not straight forward or obvious and I was kept engaged through the last quarter of the book, eager to find out.
The majority of the character and romance developments are orchestrated through the characters internal monologues, as opposed to being built through the story and their actions. Their connection felt rushed and the storyline would be enhanced through expansion on their timeline, history and subsequent actions. Some honing on ‘life after death’, grief and depression in the mundane moments of day to day life and existence as opposed to the characters telling us how they feel would have helped to resonate more with the MCs.
Some major conflicts are resolved quickly, diminishing the severity of their impact on those involved. Some complex themes (such as the symbol) are introduced relatively late and are subsequently not as intrinsically linked as their end meaning would warrant.
I appreciate the opportunity to read the authors first published works and commend them on a multi faceted production.
The hooks towards the end were well designed and executed. It is appreciated the “who dunnit” was not straight forward or obvious and I was kept engaged through the last quarter of the book, eager to find out.
The majority of the character and romance developments are orchestrated through the characters internal monologues, as opposed to being built through the story and their actions. Their connection felt rushed and the storyline would be enhanced through expansion on their timeline, history and subsequent actions. Some honing on ‘life after death’, grief and depression in the mundane moments of day to day life and existence as opposed to the characters telling us how they feel would have helped to resonate more with the MCs.
Some major conflicts are resolved quickly, diminishing the severity of their impact on those involved. Some complex themes (such as the symbol) are introduced relatively late and are subsequently not as intrinsically linked as their end meaning would warrant.
I appreciate the opportunity to read the authors first published works and commend them on a multi faceted production.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
Maddie está atrapada entre sus dos amigas, Sophia y Luz, quienes son ex-pareja. La situación es caótica y Maddie se siente como la tercera rueda mientras ellas intentan, sin éxito, superar su relación pasada.
Sophia sufre al ver que su ex, Luz, la ha olvidado y sigue adelante con otras personas. Compartir la residencia estudiantil se ha convertido en un infierno para Sophia, quien se da cuenta de que necesitan separarse para poder superar la relación.
Luz cree que es posible ser amiga de su ex, Sophia, y seguir adelante. Aunque sabe que Sophia aún tiene sentimientos por ella, confía en que lo superará y podrán mantener una amistad. Luz, acostumbrada a ser independiente y lógica, no comprende el daño que ha hecho al abandonar a alguien que la ama sinceramente.
Maddie sí, y no está dispuesta a ver sufrir a su amiga. No sin hacer nada al respecto.
El plan de Maddie era confrontar a Luz y establecer límites, especialmente sobre su trato con Sophia. Sin embargo, el plan se complica cuando ella se siente atraída por Luz, a pesar de que no le gustan las chicas y que Luz es la ex de su amiga. La confrontación se convierte en coqueteo, y la protagonista se cuestiona cómo resistirse al encanto de Luz.
¿La trama aún no te atrapa? Prepárate, porque aquí viene un spoiler importante: un personaje muere, una pérdida que, sinceramente, me destroza el corazón. Y este suceso desencadena acciones inesperadas en ciertos personajes, llevándolos a hacer cosas que jamás harían en circunstancias normales.
#Como lectora, me identifiqué profundamente con este trío de personajes. En muchas ocasiones defendí a mis seres queridos; siempre me resultó más fácil resolver los problemas ajenos que los propios. También me he aferrado a situaciones más de lo debido, y mi mundo cambió cuando me dejaron atrás. Y si eso fuera poco, también sé lo que se siente al encerrarse en uno mismo e ignorar a los demás, para luego no entender qué salió mal cuando todo se derrumba.
"La autora ha creado un universo que, si bien es crudo, resulta cercano, situándolo en un ambiente rutinario pero envolviéndolo en una trama que invita a la risa. Con un estilo muy original, nos sumerge de lleno en una realidad palpable, invitándonos a reflexionar sobre las relaciones que construimos a diario y el valor de los vínculos que formamos. El ritmo es ágil, evitando que los capítulos se tornen pesados y prescindiendo de rellenos innecesarios."
Sophia sufre al ver que su ex, Luz, la ha olvidado y sigue adelante con otras personas. Compartir la residencia estudiantil se ha convertido en un infierno para Sophia, quien se da cuenta de que necesitan separarse para poder superar la relación.
Luz cree que es posible ser amiga de su ex, Sophia, y seguir adelante. Aunque sabe que Sophia aún tiene sentimientos por ella, confía en que lo superará y podrán mantener una amistad. Luz, acostumbrada a ser independiente y lógica, no comprende el daño que ha hecho al abandonar a alguien que la ama sinceramente.
Maddie sí, y no está dispuesta a ver sufrir a su amiga. No sin hacer nada al respecto.
El plan de Maddie era confrontar a Luz y establecer límites, especialmente sobre su trato con Sophia. Sin embargo, el plan se complica cuando ella se siente atraída por Luz, a pesar de que no le gustan las chicas y que Luz es la ex de su amiga. La confrontación se convierte en coqueteo, y la protagonista se cuestiona cómo resistirse al encanto de Luz.
¿La trama aún no te atrapa? Prepárate, porque aquí viene un spoiler importante: un personaje muere, una pérdida que, sinceramente, me destroza el corazón. Y este suceso desencadena acciones inesperadas en ciertos personajes, llevándolos a hacer cosas que jamás harían en circunstancias normales.
#Como lectora, me identifiqué profundamente con este trío de personajes. En muchas ocasiones defendí a mis seres queridos; siempre me resultó más fácil resolver los problemas ajenos que los propios. También me he aferrado a situaciones más de lo debido, y mi mundo cambió cuando me dejaron atrás. Y si eso fuera poco, también sé lo que se siente al encerrarse en uno mismo e ignorar a los demás, para luego no entender qué salió mal cuando todo se derrumba.
"La autora ha creado un universo que, si bien es crudo, resulta cercano, situándolo en un ambiente rutinario pero envolviéndolo en una trama que invita a la risa. Con un estilo muy original, nos sumerge de lleno en una realidad palpable, invitándonos a reflexionar sobre las relaciones que construimos a diario y el valor de los vínculos que formamos. El ritmo es ágil, evitando que los capítulos se tornen pesados y prescindiendo de rellenos innecesarios."
November 6, 2025
*** ARC REVIEW ***
Hard to believe this is a debut novel! This book has it all; a murder, angsty love, bar hook-ups, childhood trauma, and a whodunit mystery set on a college campus. I was not expecting this new adult novel to have so much emotional depth… I was immediately drawn in by the dialogue and hooked until the very last page. The story centers around three college friends who are forced to come to terms with who they are, what they want, and who they want it with. Many delightful side characters help them along their self discovery journey, and this all happens while surrounded by a murder investigation and a killer on the loose. The writing is great, the characters well developed, and the love story in these pages is simply beautiful. Be warned, this is not a particularly easy read in that there are some pretty heavy topics in here - child abuse, neglect, stalking, kidnapping, and other forms of violence. However, these are all addressed appropriately within the context of the book, and there is an undercurrent of warmth, love, and understanding that really ties the whole book together. There are some aspects of the story I felt could have been fleshed out a bit more and the happy ever after seemed very rushed, but otherwise a well developed story. I am more of an “old adult” than new adult, but I greatly enjoyed this story and think this will appeal to many readers. Looking forward to more by this author
Hard to believe this is a debut novel! This book has it all; a murder, angsty love, bar hook-ups, childhood trauma, and a whodunit mystery set on a college campus. I was not expecting this new adult novel to have so much emotional depth… I was immediately drawn in by the dialogue and hooked until the very last page. The story centers around three college friends who are forced to come to terms with who they are, what they want, and who they want it with. Many delightful side characters help them along their self discovery journey, and this all happens while surrounded by a murder investigation and a killer on the loose. The writing is great, the characters well developed, and the love story in these pages is simply beautiful. Be warned, this is not a particularly easy read in that there are some pretty heavy topics in here - child abuse, neglect, stalking, kidnapping, and other forms of violence. However, these are all addressed appropriately within the context of the book, and there is an undercurrent of warmth, love, and understanding that really ties the whole book together. There are some aspects of the story I felt could have been fleshed out a bit more and the happy ever after seemed very rushed, but otherwise a well developed story. I am more of an “old adult” than new adult, but I greatly enjoyed this story and think this will appeal to many readers. Looking forward to more by this author
November 1, 2025
3/5
Thank you, Vi, for an advance copy of Love in Stasis! I admit, I didn’t read your blurb and jumped into this completely blind.
Love in Stasis is a first-person multi-POV sapphic romance/murder mystery novel centered around three college students.
I did enjoy the book but it’s not perfect. The characters are likable and consistent. The plot is cohesive and complete if a bit basic. Though a little predictable, I still enjoyed the twists and there are some genuinely hard hitting emotional moments.
To me, I felt my biggest struggle was that the writing tells too much. There are a lot of moments where we are told how the characters are feeling where we could have been shown those emotions through the writing. I truly believe these moments would have carried more. There are some glimpses of what I’m describing that really draw the reader in and those moments have stuck with me even several days later.
I also felt that things wrapped up a bit too snuggly. This might be more of a preference thing but I kinda expected things to get a bit darker there? The climax happens rather late in the story and then kinda ends... We’ve got some fun twists but they don’t get enough time to breathe.
Overall, Love in Stasis is an easy read with some emotional weightiness. Despite its flaws, I enjoyed my time with Soph, Mads and Luz and recommend to anyone looking for a read to fill the gap.
Thank you, Vi, for an advance copy of Love in Stasis! I admit, I didn’t read your blurb and jumped into this completely blind.
Love in Stasis is a first-person multi-POV sapphic romance/murder mystery novel centered around three college students.
I did enjoy the book but it’s not perfect. The characters are likable and consistent. The plot is cohesive and complete if a bit basic. Though a little predictable, I still enjoyed the twists and there are some genuinely hard hitting emotional moments.
To me, I felt my biggest struggle was that the writing tells too much. There are a lot of moments where we are told how the characters are feeling where we could have been shown those emotions through the writing. I truly believe these moments would have carried more. There are some glimpses of what I’m describing that really draw the reader in and those moments have stuck with me even several days later.
I also felt that things wrapped up a bit too snuggly. This might be more of a preference thing but I kinda expected things to get a bit darker there? The climax happens rather late in the story and then kinda ends... We’ve got some fun twists but they don’t get enough time to breathe.
Overall, Love in Stasis is an easy read with some emotional weightiness. Despite its flaws, I enjoyed my time with Soph, Mads and Luz and recommend to anyone looking for a read to fill the gap.
November 6, 2025
This is not my normal type of book. It was a good read but it felt more like a crime thriller than a romance, and I guess I was just expecting a bit more romance than crime. I know it’s not my normal jam, but even so, the crime part seemed particularly brutal. I actually cried at the first one. Take that FWIW.
The love story to me felt a bit out of left field and was a little uncomfortable at first, although I really liked both characters. I can’t say why without spoilers but I think it will be apparent once you read it.
Overall, I thought it was well written. I didn’t guess who did it until it was revealed, although to be fair there were really no significant hints.
4/5 for the writing and a little less for the story, but overall I feel that it’s a solid offering.
Thanks to the author for the ARC. I really enjoyed the book.
The love story to me felt a bit out of left field and was a little uncomfortable at first, although I really liked both characters. I can’t say why without spoilers but I think it will be apparent once you read it.
Overall, I thought it was well written. I didn’t guess who did it until it was revealed, although to be fair there were really no significant hints.
4/5 for the writing and a little less for the story, but overall I feel that it’s a solid offering.
Thanks to the author for the ARC. I really enjoyed the book.
December 1, 2025
This is a very strong debut novel! To be fair, I'm not a fan of new adult novels, but this one has a very compelling mystery. It hooked me from the beginning, and I kept reading because I was curious to who did it, and not much for the romance. The romance is cute, but I think it started very abruptly so that made it hard for me to connect with the characters in love. I think they were friends one page and suddenly lovers on the other. But both are nice to follow.
The angst is heavy, heartbreaking, and that's a good thing. Vi Geary knows how to make you cry.
Overall this is a good read, and a great start for a debut writer.
Thank you Vi for the ARC copy.
The angst is heavy, heartbreaking, and that's a good thing. Vi Geary knows how to make you cry.
Overall this is a good read, and a great start for a debut writer.
Thank you Vi for the ARC copy.
November 7, 2025
This is a pretty good debut novel. I enjoyed reading it, and got hooked early on. I love a good murder mystery and the romance is sweet. I read the ARC version. If you're looking for a saphic romance but no explicit content, this is a good book for you.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews