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Soulmate #2
Breadwinner
Not yet published
Expected 6 Feb 26This isn’t a love story—it’s a chess match.
Sarah Gallagher has always played life by the rules. Responsible mother, high-powered attorney, the glue holding her unconventional family together. But when the pieces on her carefully balanced board begin to shift, she finds herself drawn into a high-stakes game with someone who plays by a very different set of rules. Sarah isn’t sure if she’s protecting her heart or simply learning to play a more dangerous game. What begins as a professional opportunity to redefine her career quickly unravels as Sarah learns to shift her perspective on the many shapes love can take.
Nell Stanhope has spent a lifetime mastering control. Control of her image, her billion-dollar empire, and her emotions. In business, she’s ruthless. In pleasure, she’s nothing short of precise. But when her path crosses with Sarah Gallagher, she finds herself confronted with unexpected challenges that force her to reevaluate the boundaries of her own rules. What starts as a carefully calculated offer quickly turns into something Nell never imagined. Because Sarah, who is just as witty, ambitious, and powerful as she is, isn’t just her equal. She’s her undoing. Leaving Nell questioning everything she thought was set in stone.
Sapphic power, control, and ambition collide in Breadwinner, a story about the many forms love can take, and the dangerous game of letting go to receive it.
Sarah Gallagher has always played life by the rules. Responsible mother, high-powered attorney, the glue holding her unconventional family together. But when the pieces on her carefully balanced board begin to shift, she finds herself drawn into a high-stakes game with someone who plays by a very different set of rules. Sarah isn’t sure if she’s protecting her heart or simply learning to play a more dangerous game. What begins as a professional opportunity to redefine her career quickly unravels as Sarah learns to shift her perspective on the many shapes love can take.
Nell Stanhope has spent a lifetime mastering control. Control of her image, her billion-dollar empire, and her emotions. In business, she’s ruthless. In pleasure, she’s nothing short of precise. But when her path crosses with Sarah Gallagher, she finds herself confronted with unexpected challenges that force her to reevaluate the boundaries of her own rules. What starts as a carefully calculated offer quickly turns into something Nell never imagined. Because Sarah, who is just as witty, ambitious, and powerful as she is, isn’t just her equal. She’s her undoing. Leaving Nell questioning everything she thought was set in stone.
Sapphic power, control, and ambition collide in Breadwinner, a story about the many forms love can take, and the dangerous game of letting go to receive it.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 6, 2026
522 people want to read
About the author
Cass Morgan
3 books147 followersCass Morgan is a contemporary sapphic romance author. Her stories embrace the quiet moments of connection, the messy in-betweens, and the kind of love that feels so magical it leaves you forever changed. She’s especially drawn to the emotional nuances that make us human—the doubts, the hopes, and the courage it takes to be truly seen.
When she’s not writing, you can usually find Cass creating in some way, curled up on the couch playing cozy video games or creating elaborate systems in brightly colored Post-it notes around the house. Cass lives in the Chicago area with her wife Alexa.
When she’s not writing, you can usually find Cass creating in some way, curled up on the couch playing cozy video games or creating elaborate systems in brightly colored Post-it notes around the house. Cass lives in the Chicago area with her wife Alexa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 3, 2026
I’m gonna need a minute, dammit. Okay. I think I'm ready..... Babes. Let’s talk Breadwinner by Cass Morgan because I am still not okay—in the best, sapphic, power-suit-wearing, emotionally-tender kind of way. This book is where everything clicks. For me, it’s the true launching point of the series. You can feel Morgan settling into her voice, and it’s giving exactly what I’ve been craving: mature, powerful lesbians who are smart, messy, emotionally intelligent, and navigating love and identity in ways that feel so real. Like The L Word, but with fewer self-induced catastrophes and way more therapy.
Let’s start with Sarah—if you weren’t sold on her in Balancing Act, just wait. She is soooo layered and achingly human in this one. A woman juggling so many roles, trying to keep everything together, and finally (finally!) letting herself want more. And when that “more” shows up in the form of Nell freaking Stanhope? Wheww. Game on. NELL FREAKING STANHOPE- Babes... You're not ready for this billionaire.
Nell is a billionaire CEO (yes, I know, but stay with me) with ice queen vibes, sharp instincts, and control issues so deep they could be a full-time job. But she’s also deeply vulnerable underneath it all, and watching Sarah slowly unravel her defenses?? Delicious. Their dynamic is this slow, careful burn where every look and conversation matters. And let’s just say—I haven’t rooted this hard for a billionaire in years. Nell’s identity journey is handled with so much care, and it brings a kind of rep to the sapphic romance space that we need more of. Quiet, authentic, and deeply personal. I want to dive more into this BUT I try really hard to avoid spoilers because I think that it's something that made the book really impactful (for me).
Babes - I just have to say, Morgan turned up the heat in this one. Like.... TURNT IT UP with Nell and Sarah. Never has a wrist touch left me so shook!!! I love that Morgan chose these characters to really dive into the steam factor with her writing. I LOVE seeing mature women (40's +) fully living and being sexual beings. No shame, no shade, just sensual women loving women for all they are. It's GLORIOUS!!!
But it’s not just the romance that makes this book my favorite of the series so far... Morgan is giving us full-on community here. The friendships?? A dream.
Wren and Lily? I adore them. Wren has a much bigger presence in this book, and my heart—babes, it aches for her. She’s so guarded and complicated and beautiful in her quiet ways. I want to wrap her in bubble wrap. I will be seated immediately when it’s her turn for a book, because this slow evolution she’s going through? I’m invested. I mean, she has to have a book, right?! Don't worry - we'll start a petition and send it to Cass Morgan if it's not already on her post-it wall.
OH and Nell and Nate? Iconic. I live for strong platonic bonds, and their best-friend energy had me howling at times. They're messy and loyal and the kind of friends who carry each other through life’s wins and losses with sarcasm and unwavering love. More of that in romance, please.
Now - the blended family dynamics?? Not all rainbows and sunshine, but also not toxic or dysfunctional —and that’s what makes them work. It’s raw, sometimes uncomfortable, but real. These characters are beautifully flawed, doing their best, and learning how to show up for each other. That kind of emotional nuance in romance? YES, PLEASE. More!! Let's see more of this in our literature (and irl).
And THEN. That ending snippet for the next book??? I am unwell. If you saw my IG Story, you already witnessed my descent into sentence-scrambling chaos. Full meltdown. I’m not even embarrassed. (maybe a tiny bit, but not enough to actually worry about it haha). Cass Morgan knew what she was doing, and she chose violence (but like, soft sapphic emotional violence, ya know?). DID I MENTION I'M UNWELL?!?!
Breadwinner is smart, sharp, steamy, and tender. It’s about power and choice, control and connection, and what it means to let someone see the real you. It’s a billionaire romance but make it queer, introspective, emotionally rich, and full of heart.
I love lesbians.
Billionaires still shouldn’t exist.
But if they do, they should all be Nell Stanhope.
F#ck the Money.
Let’s start with Sarah—if you weren’t sold on her in Balancing Act, just wait. She is soooo layered and achingly human in this one. A woman juggling so many roles, trying to keep everything together, and finally (finally!) letting herself want more. And when that “more” shows up in the form of Nell freaking Stanhope? Wheww. Game on. NELL FREAKING STANHOPE- Babes... You're not ready for this billionaire.
Nell is a billionaire CEO (yes, I know, but stay with me) with ice queen vibes, sharp instincts, and control issues so deep they could be a full-time job. But she’s also deeply vulnerable underneath it all, and watching Sarah slowly unravel her defenses?? Delicious. Their dynamic is this slow, careful burn where every look and conversation matters. And let’s just say—I haven’t rooted this hard for a billionaire in years. Nell’s identity journey is handled with so much care, and it brings a kind of rep to the sapphic romance space that we need more of. Quiet, authentic, and deeply personal. I want to dive more into this BUT I try really hard to avoid spoilers because I think that it's something that made the book really impactful (for me).
Babes - I just have to say, Morgan turned up the heat in this one. Like.... TURNT IT UP with Nell and Sarah. Never has a wrist touch left me so shook!!! I love that Morgan chose these characters to really dive into the steam factor with her writing. I LOVE seeing mature women (40's +) fully living and being sexual beings. No shame, no shade, just sensual women loving women for all they are. It's GLORIOUS!!!
But it’s not just the romance that makes this book my favorite of the series so far... Morgan is giving us full-on community here. The friendships?? A dream.
Wren and Lily? I adore them. Wren has a much bigger presence in this book, and my heart—babes, it aches for her. She’s so guarded and complicated and beautiful in her quiet ways. I want to wrap her in bubble wrap. I will be seated immediately when it’s her turn for a book, because this slow evolution she’s going through? I’m invested. I mean, she has to have a book, right?! Don't worry - we'll start a petition and send it to Cass Morgan if it's not already on her post-it wall.
OH and Nell and Nate? Iconic. I live for strong platonic bonds, and their best-friend energy had me howling at times. They're messy and loyal and the kind of friends who carry each other through life’s wins and losses with sarcasm and unwavering love. More of that in romance, please.
Now - the blended family dynamics?? Not all rainbows and sunshine, but also not toxic or dysfunctional —and that’s what makes them work. It’s raw, sometimes uncomfortable, but real. These characters are beautifully flawed, doing their best, and learning how to show up for each other. That kind of emotional nuance in romance? YES, PLEASE. More!! Let's see more of this in our literature (and irl).
And THEN. That ending snippet for the next book??? I am unwell. If you saw my IG Story, you already witnessed my descent into sentence-scrambling chaos. Full meltdown. I’m not even embarrassed. (maybe a tiny bit, but not enough to actually worry about it haha). Cass Morgan knew what she was doing, and she chose violence (but like, soft sapphic emotional violence, ya know?). DID I MENTION I'M UNWELL?!?!
Breadwinner is smart, sharp, steamy, and tender. It’s about power and choice, control and connection, and what it means to let someone see the real you. It’s a billionaire romance but make it queer, introspective, emotionally rich, and full of heart.
I love lesbians.
Billionaires still shouldn’t exist.
But if they do, they should all be Nell Stanhope.
F#ck the Money.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Cass Morgan for the ARC. I almost screamed when I saw I got it. I absolutely loved Balancing Act, the first book in the Soulmates Series. I fell in love with Sarah. You could tell how much she really loved her ex wife, Beth. She deserved her own love story and to be able to get over Beth.
I loved the power dynamics between Nell and Sarah. At first, I was a little iffy, because I didn’t want Sarah to be taken advantage of and it sounded a little escort-y (not that there's anything wrong with that) and Sarah deserves the world. But Nell ended up being such a caring individual that I soon was okay with their “arrangement” and quite frankly found it very hot.
When Cass Morgan said this book was about love of all kinds, I kind of thought it would explore more of Beth and Sarah’s coparenting relationship, which is did, but not in the way I thought. Getting Sarah’s perspective on things in this book vs Balancing Act has me seeing Beth in a different light. That light is a little more negative than I would like, but such is life.
I loved seeing Jamie in Breadwinner and speaking of Jamie, holy cow, that first look at the next book...
I fell more in love with Sarah even more in this book. She is just overall a kind and giving person. She is always putting others first. Like I said before, I was hesitant with the dynamic between Nell and her, but once you really get to know Nell, I believe those “games” they played actually helped Sarah come into herself and her confidence more.
I loved Nate and adored his relationship with Nell and how protective he was of her. It sounds like he has his own story and interesting background and I wouldn’t mind reading more about him. Which is wild for me, because I don’t usually like to read about men/have men as the main characters (sorry not sorry). But for him, I could make an exception
Nell is such an interesting character. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but it was nice that the author included that representation because I don’t believe I’ve ever read a romance book with that specific type of rep. And no, I’m not talking about being a billionaire. There’s something magnetic about Nell and she is always up front and honest. Both Sarah and Nell are so emotionally mature and we love emotionally mature women here!
I am, however, a little scared that Sarah is going to get her heart broken. Don’t worry, it’s a happy ending in this book, but I am so worried that Sarah will eventually be heart broken. Again, not wanting to spoil anything, but if you read, you’ll know what I am referring to.
Overall, I love this little universe that Cass has created in the Soulmate Series. It’s real and raw. It’s why I’m not too worried about my change in opinion of Beth, because I do feel like that will change over the next book. Even if it doesn’t, it shows how complex we are as humans and how complex relationships of all kinds are. I laughted, I cried, I gasped throughout Breadwinner. I can’t wait for more.
I loved the power dynamics between Nell and Sarah. At first, I was a little iffy, because I didn’t want Sarah to be taken advantage of and it sounded a little escort-y (not that there's anything wrong with that) and Sarah deserves the world. But Nell ended up being such a caring individual that I soon was okay with their “arrangement” and quite frankly found it very hot.
When Cass Morgan said this book was about love of all kinds, I kind of thought it would explore more of Beth and Sarah’s coparenting relationship, which is did, but not in the way I thought. Getting Sarah’s perspective on things in this book vs Balancing Act has me seeing Beth in a different light. That light is a little more negative than I would like, but such is life.
I loved seeing Jamie in Breadwinner and speaking of Jamie, holy cow, that first look at the next book...
I fell more in love with Sarah even more in this book. She is just overall a kind and giving person. She is always putting others first. Like I said before, I was hesitant with the dynamic between Nell and her, but once you really get to know Nell, I believe those “games” they played actually helped Sarah come into herself and her confidence more.
I loved Nate and adored his relationship with Nell and how protective he was of her. It sounds like he has his own story and interesting background and I wouldn’t mind reading more about him. Which is wild for me, because I don’t usually like to read about men/have men as the main characters (sorry not sorry). But for him, I could make an exception
Nell is such an interesting character. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but it was nice that the author included that representation because I don’t believe I’ve ever read a romance book with that specific type of rep. And no, I’m not talking about being a billionaire. There’s something magnetic about Nell and she is always up front and honest. Both Sarah and Nell are so emotionally mature and we love emotionally mature women here!
I am, however, a little scared that Sarah is going to get her heart broken. Don’t worry, it’s a happy ending in this book, but I am so worried that Sarah will eventually be heart broken. Again, not wanting to spoil anything, but if you read, you’ll know what I am referring to.
Overall, I love this little universe that Cass has created in the Soulmate Series. It’s real and raw. It’s why I’m not too worried about my change in opinion of Beth, because I do feel like that will change over the next book. Even if it doesn’t, it shows how complex we are as humans and how complex relationships of all kinds are. I laughted, I cried, I gasped throughout Breadwinner. I can’t wait for more.
Review of advance copy received from Auteur
I felt really bad for Sarah in book one and I still felt bad for her in book 2. Her unrequited (but no so much?) love for Beth was so painful to read. Sarah deserves the world, her sense of sacrifice for her family despite the pain is something to admire. I am so glad Nell got in the picture. To be short, I fell in love with her with a capital L. She is basically an ice queen, a control freak, a complex and infinetly interesting character, and she was exactly what Sarah needs at the time. To reclaim her power through submission and to switch of the control mode Sarah has to be in her daily life. The relationship they are in is nothing I am used to read and I love how special the bond between Sarah and Nell developped. Power play is one of my favorite thing to read : watching the game become not a game anymore. The spice is a nice bonus. The Nell being aromantic kind of threw me off. I am used to read books where two characters fall in love and have their HEA, but it was one of a kind.At the end of Breadwinner, I understood this series was different. One I realized there were not standalones. Two I spent a whole night dreaming about what I read and processing : what if the soulmate serie is about one couple only in the serie? If Nell and Sarah aren't meant to last + Sarah still love Beth + sneakpeek from book 3 💔💔💔:
Are Beth and Sarah planned to be endgame?For now I am not rooting for them. What if Morgan is about to wreck me in a million pieces after I fell deeply in love with Nell and Jamie?
Anyway Morgan is someone telling her story in her own way, keeping the reader on its toes and guessing.
I am all in. I just hope I won’t get hurt too much
Are Beth and Sarah planned to be endgame?For now I am not rooting for them. What if Morgan is about to wreck me in a million pieces after I fell deeply in love with Nell and Jamie?
Anyway Morgan is someone telling her story in her own way, keeping the reader on its toes and guessing.
I am all in. I just hope I won’t get hurt too much
December 22, 2025
Breadwinner is the second book in the Soulmate Series. It can be read as standalone, but please read Balancing Act first.
Ummm. Yeah. What can I say? Wow. I could not put this down.
Sarah and Nell’s story. Complex, intriguing, layered, and oh so much… This story is beautifully crafted, well written. Raw. Real. Perfectly Imperfect. It sucks you in and doesn’t let go. This story shows love in a different form to what we are used to seeing.
Sarah, you gorgeous woman. She peaked my interest in the first book. Seeing Sarah as a giving person and the way she’s cares, how can I word? People come first for her. Her confidence grew even more throughout this book. I definitely fell in love with her in this book.
Nell. Hmmm. I had no idea what to think of her. But that is okay. Her swagger, the confidence, and the mystery. Woman, you are intriguing. By the end of this book, I was like yes woman you are squishy underneath it all for the right person. Her found family with Nate, I love it.
The power dynamics between Sarah and Nell with the “arrangement” was not what I was expecting. Hot in its own way. But damn. I love they don’t push each other to be something they are not, just truly their most authentic self, nothing more or less.
Beth, I’m not your biggest fan after this book. Sarah needed to get over you. Needed that little rant. Sorry, not sorry. Jamie you are adorable as always. Can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you for the ARC Cass Morgan.
Ummm. Yeah. What can I say? Wow. I could not put this down.
Sarah and Nell’s story. Complex, intriguing, layered, and oh so much… This story is beautifully crafted, well written. Raw. Real. Perfectly Imperfect. It sucks you in and doesn’t let go. This story shows love in a different form to what we are used to seeing.
Sarah, you gorgeous woman. She peaked my interest in the first book. Seeing Sarah as a giving person and the way she’s cares, how can I word? People come first for her. Her confidence grew even more throughout this book. I definitely fell in love with her in this book.
Nell. Hmmm. I had no idea what to think of her. But that is okay. Her swagger, the confidence, and the mystery. Woman, you are intriguing. By the end of this book, I was like yes woman you are squishy underneath it all for the right person. Her found family with Nate, I love it.
The power dynamics between Sarah and Nell with the “arrangement” was not what I was expecting. Hot in its own way. But damn. I love they don’t push each other to be something they are not, just truly their most authentic self, nothing more or less.
Beth, I’m not your biggest fan after this book. Sarah needed to get over you. Needed that little rant. Sorry, not sorry. Jamie you are adorable as always. Can’t wait for the next book.
Thank you for the ARC Cass Morgan.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love a good ice queen romance. Two ice queens? I knew I was in for a treat. And what a treat it is.
Breadwinner is like a lava cake. Hot, rich, decadent dessert with bittersweet chocolate and just a touch of saltiness to enhance the taste.
We had the pleasure (mostly) to discover Sarah in Balancing Act, and it was a delight to really get to know her. The clarity that comes with knowing her perspective on her relationship with Beth and navigating their new family dynamics. Some discussions were needed, and it honestly brought tears to my eyes.
Nell, Nell, Nell… What to say? What a pleasant surprise. Confident, goddamn powerful, did I mention hot, and also caring? Her only flaw: a questionable taste in F1 team (no one can be perfect).
The dynamics between Nell and Sarah got me grinning like the Cheshire Cat. An unusual relationship, at least to me, but so beautifully written.
Cass Morgan has a way to write characters and their stories that brings me joy and excitement. Her characters are undeniably themself, all flaws, doubts, and hurts included.
The Soulmate Series is just a constant lesson on love. A lesson on love that can take many forms; love that is not perfect; love that can be something different than what we expected; love that changes shape; love that comes with compromises without compromising yourself.
Breadwinner managed to surprise me in the best way possible.
Honestly, if you don’t read Breadwinner, you’re missing out. Read the whole series while you’re at it. And if you do, please take the time to read the author’s note if you usually don’t. It’s really worth it.
Breadwinner is like a lava cake. Hot, rich, decadent dessert with bittersweet chocolate and just a touch of saltiness to enhance the taste.
We had the pleasure (mostly) to discover Sarah in Balancing Act, and it was a delight to really get to know her. The clarity that comes with knowing her perspective on her relationship with Beth and navigating their new family dynamics. Some discussions were needed, and it honestly brought tears to my eyes.
Nell, Nell, Nell… What to say? What a pleasant surprise. Confident, goddamn powerful, did I mention hot, and also caring? Her only flaw: a questionable taste in F1 team (no one can be perfect).
The dynamics between Nell and Sarah got me grinning like the Cheshire Cat. An unusual relationship, at least to me, but so beautifully written.
Cass Morgan has a way to write characters and their stories that brings me joy and excitement. Her characters are undeniably themself, all flaws, doubts, and hurts included.
The Soulmate Series is just a constant lesson on love. A lesson on love that can take many forms; love that is not perfect; love that can be something different than what we expected; love that changes shape; love that comes with compromises without compromising yourself.
Breadwinner managed to surprise me in the best way possible.
Honestly, if you don’t read Breadwinner, you’re missing out. Read the whole series while you’re at it. And if you do, please take the time to read the author’s note if you usually don’t. It’s really worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶🌶🌶 (very sexy 🔥)
📚 ARC Review 📚 Thanks to the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I made so many notes while reading this book because it has so much going on ⚡️ The blurb states, “this isn’t a love story”, and the narrative goes to unexpected places and explores love that isn’t often portrayed in traditional romance — but love is very much present.
Breadwinner is the second novel in the Soulmate Series, though it can be read as a standalone. Sarah stood out to me even in book one, where we met her as Beth’s ex-wife and co-parent. Here, we see her fully as a lawyer and as Lily’s mum, with one clear goal: get over her ex-wife and finally move on.
Enter Nell — direct, bold, exciting, emotionally intelligent, wildly competent, and completely unapologetic in her desire for Sarah. What more could you want? The question becomes whether Nell is simply a distraction from heartbreak, or something far more unexpected.
Described by the author as a story about two Type A power lesbians, this really leans into that dynamic. Their relationship feels like a chess match, with power, control, and desire playing out both in and beyond the bedroom, as they shape something that works for them both.
I’ll admit the beginning of their arrangement surprised me — I didn’t expect Sarah to agree to Nell’s terms, with its rules, expectations, and billionaire energy. But, like Sarah, I found myself drawn into Nell’s wealthy, high-intensity world. I loved Sarah’s characterisation in particular: a woman so used to being in control, discovering the relief and pleasure of sometimes letting that control go.
The spice in this novel is 🔥! Their sharp wordplay as foreplay is delicious, and the Vegas scenes followed by the snowy cabin chapters were 🫠 — I definitely made sure no one could see my face while reading.
Alongside the heat, there’s messy drama and complicated queer family dynamics that feel real rather than neat.
And what begins as something transactional slowly deepens into something meaningful. Following both perspectives as Sarah and Nell build a relationship that genuinely works for them was very fun to read - and I'm already excited for the next book! 📚
📚 ARC Review 📚 Thanks to the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I made so many notes while reading this book because it has so much going on ⚡️ The blurb states, “this isn’t a love story”, and the narrative goes to unexpected places and explores love that isn’t often portrayed in traditional romance — but love is very much present.
Breadwinner is the second novel in the Soulmate Series, though it can be read as a standalone. Sarah stood out to me even in book one, where we met her as Beth’s ex-wife and co-parent. Here, we see her fully as a lawyer and as Lily’s mum, with one clear goal: get over her ex-wife and finally move on.
Enter Nell — direct, bold, exciting, emotionally intelligent, wildly competent, and completely unapologetic in her desire for Sarah. What more could you want? The question becomes whether Nell is simply a distraction from heartbreak, or something far more unexpected.
Described by the author as a story about two Type A power lesbians, this really leans into that dynamic. Their relationship feels like a chess match, with power, control, and desire playing out both in and beyond the bedroom, as they shape something that works for them both.
I’ll admit the beginning of their arrangement surprised me — I didn’t expect Sarah to agree to Nell’s terms, with its rules, expectations, and billionaire energy. But, like Sarah, I found myself drawn into Nell’s wealthy, high-intensity world. I loved Sarah’s characterisation in particular: a woman so used to being in control, discovering the relief and pleasure of sometimes letting that control go.
The spice in this novel is 🔥! Their sharp wordplay as foreplay is delicious, and the Vegas scenes followed by the snowy cabin chapters were 🫠 — I definitely made sure no one could see my face while reading.
Alongside the heat, there’s messy drama and complicated queer family dynamics that feel real rather than neat.
And what begins as something transactional slowly deepens into something meaningful. Following both perspectives as Sarah and Nell build a relationship that genuinely works for them was very fun to read - and I'm already excited for the next book! 📚
December 28, 2025
Breadwinner x @cassmorganauthor
Soulmate Series Book 2
Out: 2/6/26
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥
What’s better than 1 ice queen??? 2 ICE QUEENS! This book was everything I never knew I needed, with representation that felt so nice to see in this context! Being categorized as “love in many forms” was the perfect description. It was raw, and gritty — but with so much care and tenderness under the surface. I gasped, I teared up, I swooned, and I even got a little pissed (I’m looking at you Beth 👊🏼😠 I still love you though). Be ready for some upped spice levels, that will have you fanning yourself — because Nell and Sarah’s chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS!
I knew from book 1 that I liked Sarah, but this outshined all of my expectations! Sarah and Nell’s “arrangement” was so intriguing; their open communication, their shared level of intelligence, and their type A personalities were the perfect dynamic for me! I loved how they never tried to change each other, and created their own “rules” for their relationship. I think it’s really beautiful to see that rep in a sapphic novel, because not everyone’s relationships have to follow some made up guidelines to force yourselves into some neat little box… and Breadwinner was the perfect example of this!
Thank you to the author for trusting me as an early reader and for bringing this story to life! This series has become one of my favorites to date!
Soulmate Series Book 2
Out: 2/6/26
Spice Level: 🔥🔥🔥
What’s better than 1 ice queen??? 2 ICE QUEENS! This book was everything I never knew I needed, with representation that felt so nice to see in this context! Being categorized as “love in many forms” was the perfect description. It was raw, and gritty — but with so much care and tenderness under the surface. I gasped, I teared up, I swooned, and I even got a little pissed (I’m looking at you Beth 👊🏼😠 I still love you though). Be ready for some upped spice levels, that will have you fanning yourself — because Nell and Sarah’s chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS!
I knew from book 1 that I liked Sarah, but this outshined all of my expectations! Sarah and Nell’s “arrangement” was so intriguing; their open communication, their shared level of intelligence, and their type A personalities were the perfect dynamic for me! I loved how they never tried to change each other, and created their own “rules” for their relationship. I think it’s really beautiful to see that rep in a sapphic novel, because not everyone’s relationships have to follow some made up guidelines to force yourselves into some neat little box… and Breadwinner was the perfect example of this!
Thank you to the author for trusting me as an early reader and for bringing this story to life! This series has become one of my favorites to date!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Breadwinner by Cas Morgan is a gripping, unsettling, and surprisingly human look at survival, power, and the quiet ways people resist a system built to exploit them. Morgan creates a world that feels uncomfortably close to our own, and that’s exactly what makes this book so effective. The writing is tight and pacey, pulling you through the story with a steady sense of tension.
What stood out most to me was how grounded the characters felt. Even in the bleakest moments, there’s a thread of warmth and resilience woven through their relationships. Morgan avoids melodrama, instead offering a thoughtful exploration of what people will do—for themselves and for each other—when their choices are stripped away.
While I wanted a bit more depth in some areas of world‑building, especially toward the end, the story kept me hooked throughout. It’s the kind of book that lingers afterwards, prompting questions about labour, autonomy, and the systems we overlook in our own society.
What stood out most to me was how grounded the characters felt. Even in the bleakest moments, there’s a thread of warmth and resilience woven through their relationships. Morgan avoids melodrama, instead offering a thoughtful exploration of what people will do—for themselves and for each other—when their choices are stripped away.
While I wanted a bit more depth in some areas of world‑building, especially toward the end, the story kept me hooked throughout. It’s the kind of book that lingers afterwards, prompting questions about labour, autonomy, and the systems we overlook in our own society.
December 27, 2025
I will admit that I initially wasn’t a fan when I started this. I did not like Nell and I’m still not for sure how I feel about her. By chapter 6, I actually considered not finishing this book. The audacity of this woman to dictate to Sarah what she could and could not do and then the assumption that she knew what Sarah was goning to do absolutely made my blood boil. I understand the need to give up control every once in a while but the way that Nell was just assuming, gave me anxiety to the point where my heart was racing and I could not fall asleep. I’m still not sure how I feel about her even after finishing the book I don’t truly understand being aromantic but to look at somebody and basically tell them, hey if I don’t continue to like the way that this is going, then we’re done and I don’t really care. I just can’t get behind that however I had to look past that and pretend like that doesn’t exist because that’s basically what had to be done in order for me to finish reading this book.
I love Sarah! My heart breaks for her feels for her. I understand her on occasion I feel like I am her the heartbreak the still being in love with your ex-wife part is what really just broke my heart. And I’m gonna say this and I know that this is kind of one of those deals that not a lot of people are going to agree with me on because I like Jamie I do and I like Beth and I liked them together and book one and I really liked Beth in book one and I struggled a little bit with her character in book 2, but I still like Beth. After reading Sarah’s position on why their marriage fell apart and reading them both together I really think Beth and Sarah should work this out. I don’t think Sarah should be with Nell. And even though I love Jamie, I don’t think Jamie and Beth should be together. And that cliffhanger in the extra chapters is stressing me out because even though I don’t want them to be together, I don’t think Jamie should die either so I’m kind of looking forward to seeing which characters are covered in book 3 and I’m really hoping it’s Sarah and Beth finding their way back to each other because I’m totally a sucker for that.
I do know that this will be an unpopular opinion!
I love Sarah! My heart breaks for her feels for her. I understand her on occasion I feel like I am her the heartbreak the still being in love with your ex-wife part is what really just broke my heart. And I’m gonna say this and I know that this is kind of one of those deals that not a lot of people are going to agree with me on because I like Jamie I do and I like Beth and I liked them together and book one and I really liked Beth in book one and I struggled a little bit with her character in book 2, but I still like Beth. After reading Sarah’s position on why their marriage fell apart and reading them both together I really think Beth and Sarah should work this out. I don’t think Sarah should be with Nell. And even though I love Jamie, I don’t think Jamie and Beth should be together. And that cliffhanger in the extra chapters is stressing me out because even though I don’t want them to be together, I don’t think Jamie should die either so I’m kind of looking forward to seeing which characters are covered in book 3 and I’m really hoping it’s Sarah and Beth finding their way back to each other because I’m totally a sucker for that.
I do know that this will be an unpopular opinion!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Breadwinner is the much-anticipated sequel to Balancing Act, the first book in the "Soulmate" series. I am so honored to have received an e-ARC copy in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts. Thank you, Cass Morgan, for your stories!
NON-SPOILERY SUMMARY:
We left book one with an undeniable question: WHAT ABOUT SARAH? As we fell in love with Beth, Jamie, Lily, and their growing family dynamic, I particularly loved Sarah, Beth's ex-wife and co-parent, a protective, direct, executive lesbian... who is still helplessly in love with Beth.
Enter: NELL STANHOPE. Y'all, I thought Sarah was the baddest of them all... until Ms. Cornelia stepped in. What a ride. Nell is looking for a business arrangement, someone that will look good on her arm that she can elevate to the next level of their career. She’s all about opening doors for women coming up behind her. What’s one more?
The deal between Nell and Sarah takes an unexpected turn when they start to realize that maybe there’s more here than just business. We explore what it means to be soulmates in a way that is quite different than we expect.
REVIEW:
Overall, I felt Breadwinner was a well-paced sequel. Where Balancing Act was a bit too long, Breadwinner was the perfect length. I personally have loved reading along as Morgan’s writing and storytelling develops, feeling as if I am learning alongside her.
When it came to the romance, there were many squeal-worthy moments (I wrote “EEEEEE” in my notes, more than once). Like Sarah, I was along for the ride, letting Nell take control and handle things. I didn’t expect to relate to Sarah so much— her relief at someone else making the decisions, the empowerment she felt in letting go and relaxing into her feminine, and the struggle of trying to let go of Beth. There is a whole new appreciation for her now.
Nell is SUCH a character. She’s quirkier than her hard exterior initially portrays. The fact that she signs her texts is SO boomer-funny. I adored their completely intentional relationship and the representation of many different shapes of love… And I won’t spoil it for you, so you’ll have to see for yourself what that looks like!
More things I like, so this review doesn’t drag:
- The turkey. If you know, you know.
- The age of the characters (40s) gives me hope for the future.
- Jamie and Sarah becoming better friends.
- Sarah's nurturing side, especially to Lily and Wren.
- The Lore of Beth and Sarah. WOW, that hit hard. A very meaningful, real part of this story.
Things I wish I had seen more of:
- More friendship banter. We are told rather than shown that Sarah and Nell become closer… but I wanted to see more of that earlier. Particularly in the sailing scene, I realized that I was tired of the constant chess match dialogue.
- Nell’s character changing. It felt abrupt, and while I accepted it, I didn’t fully believe that her hard exterior would drop so fully.
- Sarah’s friends. I was worried about her early on. Who is she to her friends? I was relieved to see a character who knows Sarah well enter later in the book, but early on I was concerned about her isolation.
We receive a sneak peek of Book 3 (which may just break my heart), but I had some guesses while reading on what will happen... and one is slightly more unhinged than the other.
- Dual POV with Sarah and Beth, learning to rebuild and support each other and co-parent as healed individuals.
- A post-apocalyptic novel about them trying to escape to Nell’s Minnesota safe house and co-parenting in the apocalypse (Cass Morgan PLEASE, I think we need to see them fighting zombies or something).
NON-SPOILERY SUMMARY:
We left book one with an undeniable question: WHAT ABOUT SARAH? As we fell in love with Beth, Jamie, Lily, and their growing family dynamic, I particularly loved Sarah, Beth's ex-wife and co-parent, a protective, direct, executive lesbian... who is still helplessly in love with Beth.
Enter: NELL STANHOPE. Y'all, I thought Sarah was the baddest of them all... until Ms. Cornelia stepped in. What a ride. Nell is looking for a business arrangement, someone that will look good on her arm that she can elevate to the next level of their career. She’s all about opening doors for women coming up behind her. What’s one more?
The deal between Nell and Sarah takes an unexpected turn when they start to realize that maybe there’s more here than just business. We explore what it means to be soulmates in a way that is quite different than we expect.
REVIEW:
Overall, I felt Breadwinner was a well-paced sequel. Where Balancing Act was a bit too long, Breadwinner was the perfect length. I personally have loved reading along as Morgan’s writing and storytelling develops, feeling as if I am learning alongside her.
When it came to the romance, there were many squeal-worthy moments (I wrote “EEEEEE” in my notes, more than once). Like Sarah, I was along for the ride, letting Nell take control and handle things. I didn’t expect to relate to Sarah so much— her relief at someone else making the decisions, the empowerment she felt in letting go and relaxing into her feminine, and the struggle of trying to let go of Beth. There is a whole new appreciation for her now.
Nell is SUCH a character. She’s quirkier than her hard exterior initially portrays. The fact that she signs her texts is SO boomer-funny. I adored their completely intentional relationship and the representation of many different shapes of love… And I won’t spoil it for you, so you’ll have to see for yourself what that looks like!
More things I like, so this review doesn’t drag:
- The turkey. If you know, you know.
- The age of the characters (40s) gives me hope for the future.
- Jamie and Sarah becoming better friends.
- Sarah's nurturing side, especially to Lily and Wren.
- The Lore of Beth and Sarah. WOW, that hit hard. A very meaningful, real part of this story.
Things I wish I had seen more of:
- More friendship banter. We are told rather than shown that Sarah and Nell become closer… but I wanted to see more of that earlier. Particularly in the sailing scene, I realized that I was tired of the constant chess match dialogue.
- Nell’s character changing. It felt abrupt, and while I accepted it, I didn’t fully believe that her hard exterior would drop so fully.
- Sarah’s friends. I was worried about her early on. Who is she to her friends? I was relieved to see a character who knows Sarah well enter later in the book, but early on I was concerned about her isolation.
We receive a sneak peek of Book 3 (which may just break my heart), but I had some guesses while reading on what will happen... and one is slightly more unhinged than the other.
- Dual POV with Sarah and Beth, learning to rebuild and support each other and co-parent as healed individuals.
- A post-apocalyptic novel about them trying to escape to Nell’s Minnesota safe house and co-parenting in the apocalypse (Cass Morgan PLEASE, I think we need to see them fighting zombies or something).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Balancing Act, the author’s debut novel, was a great read, but the 2nd book in the Soulmate Series, Breadwinner, is now sorted into the amazing category. I highly recommend this book to everyone that is up for a reading experience that is a bit different from a standard romance, things are a bit complicated and make you think, which is exactly the type of book I love.
I loved Sarah already in the first book and felt her pain in her interactions with her ex-wife Beth. When Beth met Jamie, it got to a whole new level of self-harm for her, Sarah is still so completely in love with Beth but must keep on pretending all is good to be a good co-parent to their daughter Lily. This must be so painful for Sarah, and you feel all that when reading the book, how she can cope is beyond me, Beth is stringing her on, having her as a back-up, even though she has chosen Jamie and not Sarah.
Fortunately, the billionaire Cornelia Stanhop, Nell, sees Sarah, is intrigued by this strong woman and has a proposal for her, a strategic companionship in which both parties benefit. Nell needs a plus-one for events, and in return she can help Sarah to meet the right people. There is no pretence of romance but something very different but handled in a very loving way. That Nell is taking control is something Sarah needs at this stage in her life, she needs to learn to let go for once, that can be so freeing, she is finally seen. Nell is an amazing person, so much more to her then meets the eye, she helps Sarah to forget and move on from her impossible situation with Beth.
It is clear that Nell is not into relationships, she is not the replacement of Beth, but something very different. How this can play out long term is hard to say, Beth is the forever romantic, but Nell is absolutely Sarah’s perfect for now person. When you get to know Nell in the book you start to love this complex woman that sees things so differently from Sarah. They have some issues until they get to a place when they really define how they feel and who they are for each other, and I am all for their arrangement even if it may not last forever.
I hope the 3rd and final book is available very soon since this book ended with a major cliffhanger, a short abstract from the 3rd book in the series, and I need the resolution urgently. There are several ways this story can play out, and I am not sure I know yet which way I want it to head, different options intriguing in different ways. I will for sure play those options in my head for a while and wonder if I predicted the outcome decided by the author in the end.
I received a free ARC from the author and leave an honest review voluntarily.
I loved Sarah already in the first book and felt her pain in her interactions with her ex-wife Beth. When Beth met Jamie, it got to a whole new level of self-harm for her, Sarah is still so completely in love with Beth but must keep on pretending all is good to be a good co-parent to their daughter Lily. This must be so painful for Sarah, and you feel all that when reading the book, how she can cope is beyond me, Beth is stringing her on, having her as a back-up, even though she has chosen Jamie and not Sarah.
Fortunately, the billionaire Cornelia Stanhop, Nell, sees Sarah, is intrigued by this strong woman and has a proposal for her, a strategic companionship in which both parties benefit. Nell needs a plus-one for events, and in return she can help Sarah to meet the right people. There is no pretence of romance but something very different but handled in a very loving way. That Nell is taking control is something Sarah needs at this stage in her life, she needs to learn to let go for once, that can be so freeing, she is finally seen. Nell is an amazing person, so much more to her then meets the eye, she helps Sarah to forget and move on from her impossible situation with Beth.
It is clear that Nell is not into relationships, she is not the replacement of Beth, but something very different. How this can play out long term is hard to say, Beth is the forever romantic, but Nell is absolutely Sarah’s perfect for now person. When you get to know Nell in the book you start to love this complex woman that sees things so differently from Sarah. They have some issues until they get to a place when they really define how they feel and who they are for each other, and I am all for their arrangement even if it may not last forever.
I hope the 3rd and final book is available very soon since this book ended with a major cliffhanger, a short abstract from the 3rd book in the series, and I need the resolution urgently. There are several ways this story can play out, and I am not sure I know yet which way I want it to head, different options intriguing in different ways. I will for sure play those options in my head for a while and wonder if I predicted the outcome decided by the author in the end.
I received a free ARC from the author and leave an honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was not at all what I was expecting, and it was awesome.
The coolest part of this book for me was the emphasis on how love looks different for everyone, and then it actually shows that in a way I haven’t seen before. I thought the author's direction for this story was really cool and strayed significantly from where I initially thought it was going. I felt a bit bamboozled at first with the direction the arc went, but I quickly got over it because the new direction was more intriguing.
This is the second in an interconnected standalone series, and true to my pattern, I have not read the first book. One of the main characters in this book is the ex-wife of a character from the first book (Balancing Act), and they have a child together, so the first couple is present in this book as they are friends and coparents. After reading this book, I am curious about what Beth (Sarah's ex-wife) is like in the first book. Without that context, I am a bit anti-Beth after this book. I’m also curious to see what Jamie‘s perspective is on their dynamic because if I were Jamie, I wouldn’t be as cool with some aspects of it. This makes me want to read the first book and not just in the typical “I want to know more context because the characters seem cool” type vibe I usually get from reading the middle book in a series, but because I’m dying to know how Beth views Sarah. Because some of Beth’s actions were not what I was expecting from a mature adult, and I would love to see what Sarah and Beth’s relationship looks like, both from Beth’s perspective and from Jamie's.
I loved the general vibe and message of “we are human, and we love other humans, and that looks different for everyone.” This book truly defies expectations and presents the story's theme in a new way. I really enjoyed my time, and I learned something! What more can you ask for from a book?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(6 scenes, their sexual relationship is a significant part of the story)
Thank you to Cass Morgan for an advanced copy! I received a copy of the book in advance in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
The coolest part of this book for me was the emphasis on how love looks different for everyone, and then it actually shows that in a way I haven’t seen before. I thought the author's direction for this story was really cool and strayed significantly from where I initially thought it was going. I felt a bit bamboozled at first with the direction the arc went, but I quickly got over it because the new direction was more intriguing.
This is the second in an interconnected standalone series, and true to my pattern, I have not read the first book. One of the main characters in this book is the ex-wife of a character from the first book (Balancing Act), and they have a child together, so the first couple is present in this book as they are friends and coparents. After reading this book, I am curious about what Beth (Sarah's ex-wife) is like in the first book. Without that context, I am a bit anti-Beth after this book. I’m also curious to see what Jamie‘s perspective is on their dynamic because if I were Jamie, I wouldn’t be as cool with some aspects of it. This makes me want to read the first book and not just in the typical “I want to know more context because the characters seem cool” type vibe I usually get from reading the middle book in a series, but because I’m dying to know how Beth views Sarah. Because some of Beth’s actions were not what I was expecting from a mature adult, and I would love to see what Sarah and Beth’s relationship looks like, both from Beth’s perspective and from Jamie's.
I loved the general vibe and message of “we are human, and we love other humans, and that looks different for everyone.” This book truly defies expectations and presents the story's theme in a new way. I really enjoyed my time, and I learned something! What more can you ask for from a book?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(6 scenes, their sexual relationship is a significant part of the story)
Thank you to Cass Morgan for an advanced copy! I received a copy of the book in advance in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a quick review, mostly because my feelings are a bit mixed. I went into this book really excited, especially after seeing so many friends absolutely love it. While it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I can still see why it resonates with so many readers.
From early on, I had trouble connecting with the characters, and although I hoped that connection would grow as the story unfolded, it never fully clicked for me. The core dynamic wasn’t entirely new, since I’ve read similar setups before, but I did enjoy seeing how it was handled here. I especially appreciated how communicative the characters were and how clearly they set boundaries, which helped address the potential power imbalance in a way that felt intentional and respectful.
One of the book’s strengths, in my opinion, is how honestly it portrays relationships as messy, complicated, and imperfect. It shows that relationships can be built on very different foundations, and not all of them are stable or long-lasting. That said, Nell’s reveal and its impact on her relationship with Sarah caught me off guard, and not entirely in a good way.
I struggled with how often Sarah held onto her feelings for Beth, even while trying to move forward. Although I admired that she eventually stood her ground and stopped allowing Beth to manipulate her, the lingering emotional attachment made the situation feel unresolved. The uncertainty between Sarah and Nell — especially knowing they wanted different things long term — left me feeling uneasy, as if they were knowingly heading toward heartbreak.
I also had a hard time warming up to Betty, particularly after her scene with Sarah, which felt unfair to everyone involved and added to the emotional messiness of the situation.
Overall, while I appreciate what this story was trying to explore and the realism it brings to complicated relationships, I personally felt a bit underwhelmed for much of the book.
From early on, I had trouble connecting with the characters, and although I hoped that connection would grow as the story unfolded, it never fully clicked for me. The core dynamic wasn’t entirely new, since I’ve read similar setups before, but I did enjoy seeing how it was handled here. I especially appreciated how communicative the characters were and how clearly they set boundaries, which helped address the potential power imbalance in a way that felt intentional and respectful.
One of the book’s strengths, in my opinion, is how honestly it portrays relationships as messy, complicated, and imperfect. It shows that relationships can be built on very different foundations, and not all of them are stable or long-lasting. That said, Nell’s reveal and its impact on her relationship with Sarah caught me off guard, and not entirely in a good way.
I struggled with how often Sarah held onto her feelings for Beth, even while trying to move forward. Although I admired that she eventually stood her ground and stopped allowing Beth to manipulate her, the lingering emotional attachment made the situation feel unresolved. The uncertainty between Sarah and Nell — especially knowing they wanted different things long term — left me feeling uneasy, as if they were knowingly heading toward heartbreak.
I also had a hard time warming up to Betty, particularly after her scene with Sarah, which felt unfair to everyone involved and added to the emotional messiness of the situation.
Overall, while I appreciate what this story was trying to explore and the realism it brings to complicated relationships, I personally felt a bit underwhelmed for much of the book.
December 28, 2025
First of all, thank you so much to Cass Morgan for the ARC! It was awesome getting to dive into Sarah and Nell’s story sooner than expected!
I loved the first iteration, Balancing Act, but I felt like there were so many moving pieces to the story that it was hard to get into the depth of the relationship dynamics. And, Sarah wasn’t my favorite in Balancing Act to say the least so I wasn’t sure how I would like Breadwinner.
But boy, was I wrong! I absolutely loved getting to see a different side of Sarah and see her softness. I was very skeptical of their “arrangement” at first with Nell and I was worried it was going to be another trope of toxic love disguised as romance. I really feel like we got to know Sarah and Nell so much more in depth than we ever do with Beth and Jamie and I deeply appreciated it. Not to mention, the spicy sapphic love scenes were CHEF’S KISS! So good! 🥵 🌶️ I do worry about the future of Nell and Sarah considering they do ultimately want different things but I valued the diverse view of love and connection we saw through their partnership. And shoutout to the author for showcasing the aromantic experience and how they navigate connection and relationships.
These are a MUST read and I can’t wait for the next one!!!!! I really like how Cass Morgan really invites us into the lives of her characters and feel like we are flies on the wall. Thanks again for the ARC!!!
I loved the first iteration, Balancing Act, but I felt like there were so many moving pieces to the story that it was hard to get into the depth of the relationship dynamics. And, Sarah wasn’t my favorite in Balancing Act to say the least so I wasn’t sure how I would like Breadwinner.
But boy, was I wrong! I absolutely loved getting to see a different side of Sarah and see her softness. I was very skeptical of their “arrangement” at first with Nell and I was worried it was going to be another trope of toxic love disguised as romance. I really feel like we got to know Sarah and Nell so much more in depth than we ever do with Beth and Jamie and I deeply appreciated it. Not to mention, the spicy sapphic love scenes were CHEF’S KISS! So good! 🥵 🌶️ I do worry about the future of Nell and Sarah considering they do ultimately want different things but I valued the diverse view of love and connection we saw through their partnership. And shoutout to the author for showcasing the aromantic experience and how they navigate connection and relationships.
These are a MUST read and I can’t wait for the next one!!!!! I really like how Cass Morgan really invites us into the lives of her characters and feel like we are flies on the wall. Thanks again for the ARC!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating: 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Go ahead and take the day off from school/work, get someone to handle all of your responsibilities, and make sure you have plenty of snacks! Once you start Breadwinner by Cass Morgan, you won’t want to put it down! And actually, go ahead and make sure you have a couple of free days because you’ll need some time to process everything once you’re finished.
After reading the first book in the Soulmate Series (Balancing Act), I knew there was something special about Cass Morgan and her writing. She has absolutely done it again with Breadwinner, and somehow I loved it even more than book 1 (which I RAVED about)! After reading book 1, I was intrigued by Sarah, so I was happy to see that we’d get a full book to explore even more of her. Cass tells you from the start that this book is about all kinds of love, and that is absolutely true. I’ve never read a romance book like this, and it has completely rewritten the rules of what a love story can and should be.
Speaking of rules, can we talk about the ones Nell teaches Sarah? I absolutely loved seeing the transformation of the rules themselves. They went from walls Nell developed to protect herself to bridges that eventually let Sarah in (plus there was plenty of spicy fun to go along with them 🥵).
Nell and Sarah are mature, unapologetically confident women, and they actually know how to communicate. And did I mention we get two ice queens! That alone should be enough of a selling point. The dynamic between Sarah and Nell was electric, and I really enjoyed seeing what happened when two powerful, confident, and accomplished women came together (pun most definitely intended 😉).
I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book because we honestly don’t get characters and stories like this very often. There were moments that gutted me and others that had me cheering outloud for both Nell and Sarah. Still, there were others that made me want to wrap Sarah in a hug and question everything I had previously thought about Beth (Sarah’s ex-wife and one of the main characters in book 1). Cass Morgan has this incredible way of crafting possibilities that you never would have imagined, but as soon as you read it, you’re unable to imagine any other reality. She’s absolutely right that this story is a chess match, but I’m still not sure who’s winning.
TLDR: If you’re out of space on your bookshelf or trying to pace yourself with how many physical books you’re buying this year, definitely don’t start reading this book (consider yourself warned 😉). Breadwinner by Cass Morgan was absolutely phenomenal, and it’s the kind of book that you order a print copy of just to have on your shelf as a reminder of how special it is!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Go ahead and take the day off from school/work, get someone to handle all of your responsibilities, and make sure you have plenty of snacks! Once you start Breadwinner by Cass Morgan, you won’t want to put it down! And actually, go ahead and make sure you have a couple of free days because you’ll need some time to process everything once you’re finished.
After reading the first book in the Soulmate Series (Balancing Act), I knew there was something special about Cass Morgan and her writing. She has absolutely done it again with Breadwinner, and somehow I loved it even more than book 1 (which I RAVED about)! After reading book 1, I was intrigued by Sarah, so I was happy to see that we’d get a full book to explore even more of her. Cass tells you from the start that this book is about all kinds of love, and that is absolutely true. I’ve never read a romance book like this, and it has completely rewritten the rules of what a love story can and should be.
Speaking of rules, can we talk about the ones Nell teaches Sarah? I absolutely loved seeing the transformation of the rules themselves. They went from walls Nell developed to protect herself to bridges that eventually let Sarah in (plus there was plenty of spicy fun to go along with them 🥵).
Nell and Sarah are mature, unapologetically confident women, and they actually know how to communicate. And did I mention we get two ice queens! That alone should be enough of a selling point. The dynamic between Sarah and Nell was electric, and I really enjoyed seeing what happened when two powerful, confident, and accomplished women came together (pun most definitely intended 😉).
I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book because we honestly don’t get characters and stories like this very often. There were moments that gutted me and others that had me cheering outloud for both Nell and Sarah. Still, there were others that made me want to wrap Sarah in a hug and question everything I had previously thought about Beth (Sarah’s ex-wife and one of the main characters in book 1). Cass Morgan has this incredible way of crafting possibilities that you never would have imagined, but as soon as you read it, you’re unable to imagine any other reality. She’s absolutely right that this story is a chess match, but I’m still not sure who’s winning.
TLDR: If you’re out of space on your bookshelf or trying to pace yourself with how many physical books you’re buying this year, definitely don’t start reading this book (consider yourself warned 😉). Breadwinner by Cass Morgan was absolutely phenomenal, and it’s the kind of book that you order a print copy of just to have on your shelf as a reminder of how special it is!
January 28, 2026
I was already all-in on the Soulmate Series series by Cass Morgan after reading book 1 Balancing Act, so getting an early copy of book 2 featuring Sarah’s story felt like a gift. And the second I realized this book would feature not one, but TWO ice queens??? Immediate obsession. You know I will always show up for a well-written ice queen. (Plus, it’s not often I read a romance story with a character featuring my name!)
I loved how beautifully imperfect the characters were in this book. Sarah and Nell are both guarded, driven, and complicated in ways that feel incredibly real. This is very much a story about learning how to let someone truly see you and love you for EXACTLY who you are. Cass Morgan does an amazing job balancing vulnerability with strength, without rushing the story. These characters don’t suddenly change for love, they grow alongside it.
I adored returning to the Soulmate Series world, loved seeing this next couple step into the spotlight, and I’m already counting down to the next book after reading the teaser at the end of book 2. Im fully invested in this little circle of women!
Thank you again to the author Cass Morgan for the early ARC copy!
I loved how beautifully imperfect the characters were in this book. Sarah and Nell are both guarded, driven, and complicated in ways that feel incredibly real. This is very much a story about learning how to let someone truly see you and love you for EXACTLY who you are. Cass Morgan does an amazing job balancing vulnerability with strength, without rushing the story. These characters don’t suddenly change for love, they grow alongside it.
I adored returning to the Soulmate Series world, loved seeing this next couple step into the spotlight, and I’m already counting down to the next book after reading the teaser at the end of book 2. Im fully invested in this little circle of women!
Thank you again to the author Cass Morgan for the early ARC copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Huge thanks to Cass Morgan for allowing me to read and review an early copy of this book!
Breadwinner is the second book in the Soulmate Series, and it can absolutely be read as a standalone, which I appreciated since I haven’t read book one yet. That said…I will be fixing that immediately because I need more of these characters, STAT!
I could not put this book down. I was completely hooked to see where everything would land. Sarah and Nell’s story is complex, layered, and deeply compelling. It explores love in a way that feels refreshingly different from what we usually see, and it handled that nuance beautifully.
Watching Sarah and Nell grow throughout was one of my favorite parts of the book. What started as walls Nell built to protect herself slowly transformed into bridges that let Sarah in, and it was so satisfying to watch that shift unfold!
Nell and Sarah are mature, unapologetically confident women who actually know how to communicate, which made their relationship feel grounded, real, and incredibly rewarding. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, needing to know how it would all turn out!
Breadwinner is the second book in the Soulmate Series, and it can absolutely be read as a standalone, which I appreciated since I haven’t read book one yet. That said…I will be fixing that immediately because I need more of these characters, STAT!
I could not put this book down. I was completely hooked to see where everything would land. Sarah and Nell’s story is complex, layered, and deeply compelling. It explores love in a way that feels refreshingly different from what we usually see, and it handled that nuance beautifully.
Watching Sarah and Nell grow throughout was one of my favorite parts of the book. What started as walls Nell built to protect herself slowly transformed into bridges that let Sarah in, and it was so satisfying to watch that shift unfold!
Nell and Sarah are mature, unapologetically confident women who actually know how to communicate, which made their relationship feel grounded, real, and incredibly rewarding. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, needing to know how it would all turn out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Breadwinner was such a satisfying expansion to the Balancing Act series, giving Sarah the space and story that she deserves!! Cass has an amazing gift for creating characters with endless depth and humanity, and this story added so much rich detail to an already beautiful story of queer love, self-discovery and chosen family.
To see Sarah outside of her buttoned-up self in Balancing Act was a real gift, and Nell is a breath of fresh air and a character worth getting to know. Watching the walls of these ice queens slowly melt as they move through vulnerability, grief, self-acceptance and growth is inspiring and I couldn’t get enough. Oh and Mortimer Goth is a total icon!
This is one of those book series where you feel like you’ve become a part of this family just by reading about them and you can’t help but root for everyone. I look forward to seeing where the rest of this series goes (& will be sending Cass my therapy bills for book 3!)
To see Sarah outside of her buttoned-up self in Balancing Act was a real gift, and Nell is a breath of fresh air and a character worth getting to know. Watching the walls of these ice queens slowly melt as they move through vulnerability, grief, self-acceptance and growth is inspiring and I couldn’t get enough. Oh and Mortimer Goth is a total icon!
This is one of those book series where you feel like you’ve become a part of this family just by reading about them and you can’t help but root for everyone. I look forward to seeing where the rest of this series goes (& will be sending Cass my therapy bills for book 3!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had to write this the day after finishing Breadwinner because it put me into such a hangover, but for all the best reasons! Nell & Sarah stories, both individually and as a duo, stole my heart. While the first book did a great job of setting up the characters and backstories, this book dove right into the complexity of love in many forms- love after loss, yearning for someone you can't be with it, and falling in love all over again. While Nell & Sarah navigate their relationship throughout the book, I felt that the author truly cared about showing a version of love that is both undefinable, yet made it very relatable to the readers by giving us butterflies, hope, and understanding. It truly is an art to make someone feel so many emotions at once, so hats off to Cass Morgan!
If you thought the first book was spicy, just wait. You'll be calling Nell your book girlfriend well before the end of the book.
If you thought the first book was spicy, just wait. You'll be calling Nell your book girlfriend well before the end of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**** ARC REVIEW ****
A great follow-up to Balancing Act and I love that we get Sarah’s story in this novel. Once again, Cass Morgan has produced a sapphic novel that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget. This second book in the Soulmate series is as captivating as the first, featuring strong, independent main characters and an engaging storyline. This is an unconventional kind of love story; a refreshing take on girl meets girl romance and highlights the many forms love can take. It is also a wonderful reminder that learning to love and prioritize ourselves is important too. When an author writes the secondary characters as well as the MCs, it’s a pretty darn good book. The 2 books in the series need to be read in order to fully appreciate the amazing cast of characters and storyline the author has created.
A great follow-up to Balancing Act and I love that we get Sarah’s story in this novel. Once again, Cass Morgan has produced a sapphic novel that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget. This second book in the Soulmate series is as captivating as the first, featuring strong, independent main characters and an engaging storyline. This is an unconventional kind of love story; a refreshing take on girl meets girl romance and highlights the many forms love can take. It is also a wonderful reminder that learning to love and prioritize ourselves is important too. When an author writes the secondary characters as well as the MCs, it’s a pretty darn good book. The 2 books in the series need to be read in order to fully appreciate the amazing cast of characters and storyline the author has created.
January 19, 2026
“You’re not someone who fades into the background, Sarah. You fill a room. You spark. You ignite. You’re someone who has the power to set the world on fire. I didn’t like seeing you dull yourself to make other people more comfortable.”
Whewwww, Breadwinner took me for a wild ride and I loved every moment. This was such a unique read and I was fully engrossed in Nell and Sarah’s worlds. The interwoven exploration of power and control with that final resolution of chosen family and love in many forms was just *chef’s kiss*.
I deeply resonated with Sarah’s chapter and felt like I was going on this journey right alongside her. The communication in this was PERFECT and the spice?? Delicious.
My only concern when I started reading was that Nell is a billionaire but you’ll have to read this to find out how perfectly this book encapsulated and handled all my emotions and feelings about that 🔥
Thank you to the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my review!
Whewwww, Breadwinner took me for a wild ride and I loved every moment. This was such a unique read and I was fully engrossed in Nell and Sarah’s worlds. The interwoven exploration of power and control with that final resolution of chosen family and love in many forms was just *chef’s kiss*.
I deeply resonated with Sarah’s chapter and felt like I was going on this journey right alongside her. The communication in this was PERFECT and the spice?? Delicious.
My only concern when I started reading was that Nell is a billionaire but you’ll have to read this to find out how perfectly this book encapsulated and handled all my emotions and feelings about that 🔥
Thank you to the author for this ARC copy in exchange for my review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This author is fast becoming a firm favourite. She crafts these intricate stories with characters so complex and layered that you end up feeling like they are your own friends and found family. My emotional investment in this book was full on.
I love that the relationships between characters in this book are constantly evolving. Nell and Sarah grow together but with independence. While we have the mostly unrelatable billionaire aspect, we also have a very human woman looking for connection. The characters being in their 40s really lets you believe their emotional maturity, and adds a depth to the emotions described too.
This book really took me on a rollercoaster of feelings. And, good grief, are the hot bits hot.
I love that the relationships between characters in this book are constantly evolving. Nell and Sarah grow together but with independence. While we have the mostly unrelatable billionaire aspect, we also have a very human woman looking for connection. The characters being in their 40s really lets you believe their emotional maturity, and adds a depth to the emotions described too.
This book really took me on a rollercoaster of feelings. And, good grief, are the hot bits hot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Big thank you to Cass Morgan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Breadwinner is a chess match and a battle for control between two power lesbians, which I feel like is all you need to know to add this book to your tbr.
BUT, if you need some more convincing, it’s also a delightful exploration into the many forms love takes.
I fell in love with Sarah in Balancing Act (book 1 in the series) and am hopelessly obsessed with her after reading Breadwinner. To be completely honest though, I’m not totally sold on Nell. I had a really hard time connecting to her character and understanding her perspective.
However, I still very much enjoyed the book and definitely recommend!
Breadwinner is a chess match and a battle for control between two power lesbians, which I feel like is all you need to know to add this book to your tbr.
BUT, if you need some more convincing, it’s also a delightful exploration into the many forms love takes.
I fell in love with Sarah in Balancing Act (book 1 in the series) and am hopelessly obsessed with her after reading Breadwinner. To be completely honest though, I’m not totally sold on Nell. I had a really hard time connecting to her character and understanding her perspective.
However, I still very much enjoyed the book and definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS BOOK. The rules. The bourbon. The flights. 🔥
Sarah & Nell are the perfect duo - go-getters who get shit done, smart women, and lovers of those close to them. It’s so rare in sapphic literature to find a book that empowers strong women while not making them out to be toxic or domineering.
The representation in this book is also so important; from gay parenthood to step-parenthood to aromantics to complex families. Cass does a wonderful job of making the characters feel so authentic. It’s all there! Messy, beautiful, and such a fun read.
Would absolutely recommend this one if you’re in a slump or have been waiting to hear more after Balancing Act!
Releases this Friday, 2/6/26🥃🎲❤️🔥
(This review was done in exchange for an advanced reader copy.)
Sarah & Nell are the perfect duo - go-getters who get shit done, smart women, and lovers of those close to them. It’s so rare in sapphic literature to find a book that empowers strong women while not making them out to be toxic or domineering.
The representation in this book is also so important; from gay parenthood to step-parenthood to aromantics to complex families. Cass does a wonderful job of making the characters feel so authentic. It’s all there! Messy, beautiful, and such a fun read.
Would absolutely recommend this one if you’re in a slump or have been waiting to hear more after Balancing Act!
Releases this Friday, 2/6/26🥃🎲❤️🔥
(This review was done in exchange for an advanced reader copy.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thankful to receive this as an ARC reader! I devoured this book and cannot wait for the next installment in the Soulmates series. Billionaire x Lawyer, an agreement to do whatever Nell says, navigating dating after divorce, aro-representation, and I'm a sucker for a book with a character that shares my name 💕 There are political elements that I enjoyed (and agreed with) and the cast of characters feel like family and friends. Cass Morgan is quickly becoming one of my top sapphic authors and I look forward to all of her future projects.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is full of beautiful flawed characters. They feel real and human and not flat against the page. The pure pleasure in having someone see you and want to better understand you and also stretch your own ideas of yourself is truly such a magical idea. The yearning, control, and shared need in this book is amazing. Might have loved the second book even more and I really loved the first. Chef’s kiss to this author.
February 3, 2026
Thanks so much for this ARC! Loved getting to learn more about Sarah. I enjoyed the way her and Nell’s relationship grew so much throughout the book. Sarah has such a big heart. I’m excited to see what the future holds for her career.
Cass has created such a fun little world. I’ve already caught myself thinking about the sneak peak for the next book so many times today. I feel so close to these characters. I’m excited for the next one! ❤️
Cass has created such a fun little world. I’ve already caught myself thinking about the sneak peak for the next book so many times today. I feel so close to these characters. I’m excited for the next one! ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cass Morgan has done it again! The character development was magnificent across the board. Uplifting yet also had me on the edge of my seat with a few twists and turns. Loved to see more of their messy, very real world and can't wait to read what's next!
January 30, 2026
I was gifted an advanced copy of Breadwinner from the author and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed Balancing Act (Book 1), so going into Breadwinner, my expectations were already high. As the Soulmate series continues, I appreciated the shift in focus to other main characters. Spending time with Sarah Gallagher—understanding what motivates her, what challenges her, and what brings her a sense of happiness—adds depth that we didn’t fully see in Balancing Act. Introducing Nell Stanhope into her life strengthens Sarah’s story and expands its emotional range. Through Nell, Sarah encounters a form of love that isn’t always seen as valid or acceptable, and Morgan explores this dynamic with care and clarity.
Like Balancing Act, Breadwinner also addresses themes of grief, loss, and family trauma, while allowing room for joy, acceptance, and meaningful connections. The storytelling remains engaging throughout, and I enjoyed following the characters as the story moved through different places across the country. There were moments where I cheered, groaned, and even shed a few tears, and I felt a full range of emotions along the way—something that, for me, makes this a truly satisfying story. I’m very much looking forward to Book 3.
I really enjoyed Balancing Act (Book 1), so going into Breadwinner, my expectations were already high. As the Soulmate series continues, I appreciated the shift in focus to other main characters. Spending time with Sarah Gallagher—understanding what motivates her, what challenges her, and what brings her a sense of happiness—adds depth that we didn’t fully see in Balancing Act. Introducing Nell Stanhope into her life strengthens Sarah’s story and expands its emotional range. Through Nell, Sarah encounters a form of love that isn’t always seen as valid or acceptable, and Morgan explores this dynamic with care and clarity.
Like Balancing Act, Breadwinner also addresses themes of grief, loss, and family trauma, while allowing room for joy, acceptance, and meaningful connections. The storytelling remains engaging throughout, and I enjoyed following the characters as the story moved through different places across the country. There were moments where I cheered, groaned, and even shed a few tears, and I felt a full range of emotions along the way—something that, for me, makes this a truly satisfying story. I’m very much looking forward to Book 3.
January 28, 2026
I could not put this book down! This is the second book in the Soulmate series and while it's tempting to read it as a standalone, reading the first book (Balancing Act) made this book even better!
I loved that we got to see Sarah's perspective in this book and really dig into her as a character. With the first book being about Beth, you almost don't want to root for Sarah throughout it, but this book makes fall in love with her.
I love that this isn't just your cut and dry love story. The characters don't change who they are or all the sudden do a 180. They are unapologetically themselves and their relationship is unapologetically theirs. I think the chemistry between these two is just *chefs kiss* and I love the ice queen vibes but also just the emotional understanding that these two share in knowing what the other person truly needs from them.
I did also selfishly like being able to keep up with the rest of the family and everything that was going on between them and I think the relationship between Beth and Sarah felt really authentic in how it played out. There is a lot of history between them and a shared daughter so it's not just going to be something that is all sunshine and rainbows all of the time. I really loved all the changing and evolving dynamics and just the messiness that is just sometimes how life goes.
Thank you so much to Cass Morgan for sending me an arc. I truly loved this book and CANNOT wait for the next one (I'm looking at you bonus chapter because what do you mean that's where we are left hanging!!!)
I loved that we got to see Sarah's perspective in this book and really dig into her as a character. With the first book being about Beth, you almost don't want to root for Sarah throughout it, but this book makes fall in love with her.
I love that this isn't just your cut and dry love story. The characters don't change who they are or all the sudden do a 180. They are unapologetically themselves and their relationship is unapologetically theirs. I think the chemistry between these two is just *chefs kiss* and I love the ice queen vibes but also just the emotional understanding that these two share in knowing what the other person truly needs from them.
I did also selfishly like being able to keep up with the rest of the family and everything that was going on between them and I think the relationship between Beth and Sarah felt really authentic in how it played out. There is a lot of history between them and a shared daughter so it's not just going to be something that is all sunshine and rainbows all of the time. I really loved all the changing and evolving dynamics and just the messiness that is just sometimes how life goes.
Thank you so much to Cass Morgan for sending me an arc. I truly loved this book and CANNOT wait for the next one (I'm looking at you bonus chapter because what do you mean that's where we are left hanging!!!)
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