Storm Shelter: A Sapphic Pirate Fantasy

by Vivien Nash

Kittredge only needed shelter. She didn’t expect to be seen.

Kittredge never thought she’d find herself without a crew. But one too many drinks, one too many reckless choices, and now she's stranded in a pirate cove built into the bones of the sea—alone, hunted, and deeply regretting most of her night’s choices.

Rowe stopped sailing years ago. Her tattoo shop in the stone tunnels is quiet, her routines quieter still, and she prefers it that way. But when a charming, desperate runaway stumbles through her door, Rowe makes a choice she can’t quite explain.

Kit needs a place to hide for one night. Rowe only agrees because it's temporary.

Neither of them mean to get attached.

Storm Shelter is a sapphic romantic fantasy about a pirate with a gift for getting in trouble, a quiet tattoo artist who gave up the sea long ago, and the brief shelter they find in each other, just long enough to matter.

Please note: While this short novella can be read as a standalone, it ends with a bittersweet HFN. The eventual HEA can be found within the Dagger & Tide Trilogy.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Romantasy, Pirates, Lesbian, Queer, Novella

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2025

About the author

Early on, Vivien Nash took one long look at reality and decided she did not like it. The solution? Build her own queernormative stories where all genders stand equal and the morally grey rogue always gets her hard-earned happily ever after—no matter how much she insists she doesn’t need one.

When she’s not writing queer fantasy adventures packed with tension, tenderness, and just enough heat to keep things fun, Vivien disappears into other people’s stories, experiments in the kitchen (good food fixes most things), and works out purely because she thinks muscles are cool (some of her stories might or might not include a muscle mommy ready to crush you between her thighs). She does not enjoy being perceived, but she is more than happy to share her fictional worlds with you.

If you’re looking for dark sapphic fantasy, soft-for-her romance, found family, and heroines who learn that needing someone doesn’t make them weak, welcome. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Reviews

[Alia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice and charming, lovely characters and a funky place. Very satisfaying!

[Emily A · Rating 4 out of 5]

short and sweet with a touch of spice

Very quick read , the characters were fun and felt real
Love a story with a tattoo artist . Plus pirates

[Issy Waldrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and enjoyable look into Kittridge's life before the events of the main trilogy, and how she meet her girlfriend. She really is a fun character!

[Vervada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun with this story! Kit was an adorable protagonist and I could totally see how her enthusiasm, earnestness, confidence and chaotic energy won over Rowe so quickly since it won me over almost instantly. I'm really looking forward to seeing them again in The Dagger & Tide trilogy, which I'm even more eager to start reading now.

[Ellie Lieberman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Sapphic Pirates Story

Kittredge is chaotically fun. I loved her and Rowe's connection. It was as sweet as it was fun. I also liked where the story ended with "a promise" of more. I'm excited to see where Kittredge's story goes next.

Subtle world building gives the fantasy vibes and paints a fantasy setting as a nice backdrop to entertaining and enjoyable characters.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

This is a good start to the trilogy. Kit is something else, funny though. With the way the story was told I could picture everything. I really enjoyed this short story.
Thank you
Kandib

[Hailey Rau · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I love pirate books. Second, I loved how this girl ran on pure undiagnosed ADHD & confidence.

[uncoveringblissreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was a decent read. With such a short format it was hard for me to invest in the plot or the characters, but I still enjoyed my time reading this.

[Philippe · Rating 5 out of 5]

No happy ending this time, but it was a quick and easy read

[Amy Lismore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love e little novella it is amazing ff book. And it read it under a hour. It is very bittersweet but short.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars