The Residency

by Lise Gold, Madeleine Taylor

For the first time in years, Zara Nova is staying put.

Ten months in Vegas for her residency means no tours, no running from city to city. It also means time—time to finally stop running from herself.

Zara’s built a career singing about love while ignoring her attraction to women since college. When a friend offers to set her up with someone discreet, she says yes. For once, she has the chance to explore this part of herself without the world watching.

Diane Washington, the daughter of a conservative senator and director of her family's political foundation, is deeply closeted and has spent years fundraising for people who would reject her if they knew the truth. When she walks into her blind date, she freezes. Sitting at the table, waiting for her, is one of the world's biggest pop stars.

The attraction is immediate. Their circumstances impossible.

Between the stage and the boardroom, they've both mastered the art of performance. Until one song changes everything, and the only choice left is which life to lose.

The Residency is a companion novel to Hedonism that can also be enjoyed as a standalone.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Fiction, LGBT

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

Lise Gold is an author of lesbian romance. Her romantic attitude, enthusiasm for travel and love for feel good stories form the heartland of her writing. Born in London to a Norwegian mother and English father, and growing up between the UK, Norway, Zambia and the Netherlands, she feels at home pretty much everywhere and has an unending curiosity for new destinations. She goes by 'write what you know' and is often found in exotic locations doing research or getting inspired for her next novel.

Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.

When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.


Reviews

[Emmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The closeted daughter of a conservative senator agrees to meet a woman on a blind date only to find out that the woman in question is Zara Nova, the famous pop star. Oh, this should be good. I’m a fan of Lise Gold, and I wasn’t sure what to expect because I don’t normally read celebrity tropes, but this book did not disappoint. I will say that the pace was a bit fast in the beginning, but the two clicked so it didn't bother me much. Zara and Diane had plenty of sweet moments together and some spicy ones too. Bossy in the bedroom? My god. I was glad that they communicated like adults, and it was refreshing to not be stuck in a miscommunication loop. Gold depicted the fear and stress of coming out in a realistic way and I empathized with them. A sapphic romance, but it was more than that, and it touched on topics I think queer people can relate to. Overall, it was sweet, spicy, and it might hit home for some.


“I love her in ways that make everything before feel like practice.”

[Unpopmary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my best reads of 2026 so far ⭐️

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Went in blind and didn't know what to expect….Really glad I read it, though, as the storyline really piqued my interest and I really had a hard time trying to put the book down to get some work done. Closeted MCs; Zara, a famous singer, and Diane, daughter of a conservative senator, met when they were set up in a blind date by a common friend. Sparks fly and what comes next, is how they manoeuvre their life while meeting discreetly, which can be nearly impossible given that they are both popular and famous in their own right. And that encore during Zara’s performance, I’ll give a standing ovation as well if I’m in that show 😊

Very well written and a very enjoyable read……with some really spicy scenes involving bdsm.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clichéd story of society dictating how woman should behave to the deterrent of their mental health, spiced up with lots of sex. Pat ending pulls it all together.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Hedonism, the previous Madeleine Taylor novel, you'll definitely like this one too. And maybe even more so if, like me, you're a fan of the celebrity trope. This book takes place in the same world as Hedonism. We also see Athena and Ruby briefly return.

It's sweet, but also hot. There's not an excessive amount of sex, which, like with Hedonism, makes me wonder why this book is written with the pen name Madeleine Taylor. Probably because the sex is a bit more kinky than in the Lise Gold books. Although I certainly didn't find it overly kinky.

But who cares what name is on the book? It was simply very good and enjoyable to read. 4.5⭐️

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hedonism with the MCs Athena and Ruby was wonderful to read so of course The Residency that is connected is a must read. This book is about two very closeted women, Zara and Diane, finding each other thanks to Athena’s special magic, setting them up for a blind date since she sees that they might be perfect for each other and of course she is so right. How they find their way to each other and a way to finally live openly like they have dreamed about is so great to read about. They are perfect for each other and even if a bit insta love in the beginning I am all in after seeing how they grow together and communicate since this is not a book with a stupid 3rd act breakup and miscommunication.

[Chelles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Residency

Diane and Zara are both strong, independent, professionally successful women. But when they initally met, they were like high school girls with their first crush - super cute. When things became more serious - they were sizzling hott 🔥❤️‍🔥💥 I loved their chemistry!

Great story - Lise Gold & Madeleine Taylor do it again!

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[TJ Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Heavier than the previous with a conservative who is closeted but overall lack the connection between the mains. I understood it intellectuality but didn't feel it.

[Clara Addicted to sapphic books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I loved Athena and Ruby in Hedonism, so I was looking forward to read Zara’s story. Zara and Diane are sweet together and fall in love rather quickly. Their story is sweet and rather bumpless. The tiny dose of angst came for outside their couple because their communication is open and healthy. I expected a bit more spice when I saw Madeleine Taylor on the cover but the love scenes are still very pleasant to read. The story lacks a bit of angst, and even though I found them really sweet together, I didn’t really see what made them connect and fall in love with each other, beside being both closeted. I also found Diane’s responsability in helping conservative organisation and as a consequence homophobic ones, was I bit hidden under the carpet, like she doesn’t hold any responsibilitiesn and it annoyed me a bit.
If you like angst free stories, this book is for you. The narration is good with distinct voices for each character, so if you like audiobooks I recommend it.

[Aunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Liked the story and the characters. If not for the BDSM chapter, I would've given it 4 stars.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love behind the curtain

Diane and Sara's love story is one that happens a lot more than we know. Parents having trouble with a child finding their path in life and one who hides her sexuality behind a curtain. I'm so glad I read Lise's second book in this series.

[Laura Plaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. I found myself invested in both characters and I appreciated the most how likeable they were and how we saw them growing together individually and as a couple. The side characters were just as enjoyable and never felt like they were there just to fill space, they each had their own charm.
I also loved the connection to Hedonism.

[ReadAndRepeat · Rating 3 out of 5]

In torn with this book. Some parts were good but at other times the writing was juvenile. The plot was chaotic too. Overall I felt there was a lack of authenticity and depth to the story but maybe that wasn’t what the author was going for.

[Megzz · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a particular kind of disappointment reserved for books that should have been good — where the ingredients are all there, arranged attractively on the counter, and then someone puts them together wrong. The Residency is that book.

A conservative senator's daughter and a famous singer. A romance brewed in contained, high-stakes secrecy. On paper - delicious. In practice... a study in wasted potential.

The co-writing shows. I don't mean that as an abstract critique — I mean you can feel the seams. Scenes shift in tone, pacing lurches, and the overall story has the texture of two people who didn't quite agree on what book they were making. Was it a cheesy, sweet rom-com? Was it insta-love lesbian U-haul or a slow burn? A hot, intense erotica novel? It tries to be all of it and lands firmly in nothing. The smut, when it arrives, is really hot — but read like a stranger who walked into the wrong party.

Then there's Zara. Pop star Zara. Allegedly.

I wanted to be sold on this. Except the book never commits to who Zara actually is as an artist. Ballads? Choreography? Some late mention of "pop star" that I read and immediately thought: that doesn't track. If you don't know what kind of artist your character is, how am I supposed to feel anything when she's performing, or vulnerable, or at risk?

The book also felt both very short and unbearably long. They fall in love after meeting 3 times. Yet they don't meet until the 20% mark! Friends and family members drift through in scenes that feel like fillers — conversations rehashed, feelings re-explained, coming-out moments resolved with suspicious ease.

I DNF'd at 80%. I know. 80% is an almost perverse place to stop. But I looked at what was left and genuinely couldn't locate the motivation. The ending, I suspected, would be fine. Perfectly fine. And fine wasn't enough.

I think Lise Gold should stick to writing books by herself.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Especially the second half. I’m a sucker for when the rock star writes a song for her person and then sings it to her, and oh my God Lise nailed that! And then it was like we got the follow-on novella right there as part of the book 😁

But maybe I should back up a sec.

Zara and Diane are great characters, each with issues that on paper, should mean nothing works. With a little help from Athena (from Hedonism), they’re introduced, and the story kicks off from there. I wasn’t completely sold on them right from the start — I found it a bit hard to tell what’s real and what’s just taking advantage of the space Athena created for them. But the farther their story went, the more convincing it got, until I had tears streaming down my face when Zara breaks out the song.

The thing is, that came earlier than expected in the book. Meaning, rather than call it a wrap “and they lived happily ever after…,” we actually got to go on and explore the implications and outcome in detail, which was wonderful and very satisfying. And, best of all, Lise manages to keep tension all through the story without a freaking breakup! That might be my second-favorite thing, after the song :)

So yeah. The setup, eh, it is what it is. The relationship playing out? Wonderful. To its public climax? Spectacular! And then the extended aftermath? Fantastic. Plus, it was fun to see Athena and Ruby again. Oh and, Lucas FTW! (Jess, you can come too.)

I mean, I guess I said it at the start, but I loved it.

[Cara Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zara is a music superstar. She’s also a closeted bisexual woman.

Diane is the only child of a hyper conservative right wing anti-LGBTQ senator. She runs the family’s philanthropic foundation. She’s a closeted lesbian.

Both are terrified of coming out. Both are terrified of how the greater public might react. And both want “something casual”, so they can at least feel that part of themselves once in a while.

When Athena, who runs The Olympus Casino and Hotel, and who also runs a very discrete dating service for wealthy privacy minded Sapphic women, puts Zara and Diane together on a blind date, the last thing anyone expects is instant chemistry, both sexually and romantically. But there it is.

As Zara and Diane try to quietly navigate their public worlds against their private desires, what happens if the world eventually finds out?

The Residency is their story, of the pressures on each woman, of meeting for the first time, of growing love, and ultimately, having to choose between the quiet safety of the closet and the explosive consequences of going public.

This was a lovely book and I recommend it.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and ending you will crave

I have read both Hedonism and now The Residency. Though both can be read as stand alone, I definitely recommend reading them in order.
Zara and Diane's story speaks. I personally, relate to Diane more. Conservative growing up, strict parents with expectations. I think what strikes me in these characters is how real they seem. There's a depth of character with some phenomenal balance of enough reveal that you feel the characters without an overwhelm or sense of them being developed. They feel organic. Believable. I always struggle w the love at first sight and fast pace of those types of stories, but not here. Not in these books. Don't try to put them down or read them without an uninterrupted chunk of time bc you will want and crave the whole story. I am also thrilled to get pieces of Athena and Ruby still. Love that tie in.
Well done, again! Thank you.

[Shannon Luchies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Singer Zara Nova is coming to the Olympus for a ten month show, headlining the new theater. And staying in one place for the first time in years. She meets Athena who realizes she's queer, and after they flirted a bit she offers to introduce her to discrete women.

Diane Washington is not out to her family, whom are powerful in politics, and they're pressuring her to marry. The only time she feels she can be herself is at Athena's private club in Vegas. She's surprised when Athena suggests a blind date.

(Why can't Zara going the club? I mean, other than being a terrified almost virgin. OK, Athena does say she thinks Zara is too famous for them to slip her in. Huh.)

When a new love song from Zara outs them, Diane needs to decide what to do about her Republican family and job.

I also liked that the story continues after they get together and deals with the fallout.

4 out of 5 stars

[Lyric Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Wow, what a book. This book was everything I hope for and more. But, I wished there were more moments, even though, there were still a good amount with Ruby and Athena. This book truly lived up to the title of Hedonism and BDSM in general! I wanted to see at least one of the couples have kids, but that’s a personal grip of mine that I would love to see in each and every book I read. Not only was this book well written, but the glimpse into conservative politicians, their donors, and how they traverse the world was mind-boggling. It was a joy to read, genuine parental love, although their child went beyond what is socially acceptable in their circles. As well as reading, genuine friendship! Immaculate book, I hope there’s another book in this series because they’re all so well written and it would be a delight to glimpse more into the lives of the characters. Anyway, an immensely magnificent book. Bravo, Ms. Gold!!!!

[RomanceReadingJess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one. At first, the relationship felt a little rushed for two people who were both so scared to live outside the closet, but the chemistry showed itself pretty quickly to make it believable. Zara and Diane are so so different on paper, but somehow just blend together perfectly. I loved that we were still able to see Ruby and Athena throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the other side characters as well, especially Jess, Lucas, and Jamie. I was happily surprised that we got so much more story after their declarations of love and I also appreciate that we were able to have a big conflict/climax without a breakup. The family dynamics and found family themes were a big part of this story as well as the social climate. I love books that incorporate issues beyond the couple into the story because it adds so much more authenticity to the book.

[zagzig · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first pop star romance where the pop star's manager is actually on their side

the wealthy Vegas sapphics are back, and this time it's a closeted pop star and a closeted conservative scion. while the set up has the potential for drama, this book makes the conscious choice to not engage with it at all and instead have Zara and Diane indulge in obscene luxury while trying to seem relatable. you know, standard wealth porn romance stuff. and there's some kink, but it's much more Anna Stone then Eden Emory

I spent so long thinking Hedonism and the Residency were dark romance it's wild

it's a book where everyone's fundamentally decent and nothing is ever in jeopardy, aside from a minor incident with a scorpion. but it's sweet and fun and nice and you get to read about someone else living the high life

[Tammy Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful written story

What a beautiful written story. The MC are two women that are very much hidden from the people they love. A famous singer Zara hides her true feeling of wanting to have a somewhat normal life with a woman that she can love. Diane is the daughter of conservative Senator and works with him. She hides her true self but wants to have the life she deserves with a woman. We see how they are set on a blind date and they talk for hours the chemistry is there, even though opposite attracts. With a new song that is written to show the love Zara feels toward Diane. The love they have for each other that is strong and can survive anything together. A beautiful written story and love to MS Gold for writing a song and singing it to the world.

[Hope Freed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aspects of this tale (which included the coming out of a famous pop star) reminded me of MJ Duncan’s ‘This Love is Undeniable’ which I read recently. But this is better. Compulsively readable such that you NEED to find out how Diane and Zara navigate their relationship, which was meant to be ‘just casual’ but which becomes more very quickly. The plot isn’t very complex but the desert incident added some drama and the private getaway was delightful. The sex is suitably steamy with some light BDSM mixed in and not excessive. I’m not usually a fan of BDSM but it worked in this. All in all I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Michael Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

finding yourself

Diana and Zara are two completely different people. They meet on a blind date and something clicks the plot is about acceptance and love. Diane works for her father who is a senator and very conservative. Zara is a musician who is star a residence in Las Vegas. As a result of their meeting, Diane and Zara fall in love, but there are complications and drama. I found this a very good story. The characters are very solid. Unbelievable. There is a trigger warning that there is a lot of sexual situations involved. I recommend this story to wall of romance readers.

[olivia torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lise Gold never disappoints!!

“Looking forward to” or “Excited for the next book” doesn’t do justice for Lise Gold and her writing. I’ve loved every book Lise has written and The Residency is now another one of my favorites!

I fell in love with Athena and Ruby’s story and I often go back to re-read. Zara and Diane’s story will be the same! Plenty of spice, drama, angst, and lots of love fill these pages! I certainly hope for a book 3, I’m not ready to let any of these characters go, and would love for followups on all of their adventures!

[Robin Kenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this story is amazing!

Lise Gold has spun a dramatic, politically loaded, coming out and profound love story just brilliantly! This story caused me to sing out loud with joy, cry tears of pain and then laugh fully. This make for a read that sits so comfortably in my heart and will live on my to be read again shelf. The settings make me anxious; DC, Vegas and LA. All to big for my comfort beyond a few hours visit. The characters are strong, well written and necessary for the impact of the story. God, this was just so good!

[Jessica Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book

If you enjoyed Hedonism, you will love The Residency! I loved the cameos of Ruby and Athena. It’s so refreshing to have true sapphic romances where there isn’t a third act break up because there is a genuine connection between the two MC’s. They aren’t perfect characters, they have their issues but admit them upfront and work through them together. I’ll read anything she writes.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it

Such a great read.
If you loved the previous book you are going to love this one too. It’s loosely tied to hedonism, but I’d say you don’t have to have read it…you should though.
Great characters and story telling as you’d expect. Both main characters growth is sweet, becoming the person you always wanted to be but too scared to admit the truth.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Roll on the next one.