Closeted

by Lillian Vex

Katie Wright has always done what’s expected — the safe job, the perfect boyfriend, the quiet smile. But after one too many nights staring into a glass of wine and wondering if this is all there is, she stumbles into a bar she’s never been to before… and meets Alex.

Alex Monroe is everything Katie isn’ bold, confident, unapologetically queer. What starts as harmless flirting turns into something that makes Katie question every rule she’s been living by.

As their worlds collide, Katie has to decide if she’s brave enough to step out of the life she was expected to live and into the one that finally feels like home.

Will she love Alex out loud or lose her in silence?

A story about love, self-discovery, and learning that freedom isn’t just something you find, it’s something you claim.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, LGBT

273 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2025

Reviews

[Lez_be_readin_ya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thoughtful, steamy read filled with growth and complexity

This book was a good read, with some really strong moments and a few points that had me questioning how I truly felt about certain characters. That said, the storyline itself was engaging, and I really enjoyed Katie’s journey of self-discovery. Watching her grow into herself and find her footing was a compelling and rewarding part of the story.

The love story between Katie and Alex was a highlight for me. I absolutely loved Alex—her positivity, honesty, and inner strength made her such a wonderful character, and she definitely holds a place in my heart. The relationship development was fast-paced, the chemistry was strong, and the steamy scenes were fun and well written.

I wasn’t a fan of Katie’s parents, but that’s clearly a testament to the writing—they weren’t meant to be liked. Even so, I found myself wishing things had gone differently with them, especially during the climax of the book, which left me feeling a little conflicted.

With the book ending on a “to be continued,” I’m genuinely excited to see what comes next from Lillian. I’m looking forward to finding out what the future holds for Katie and Alex—or possibly their friends—in the next installment.

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Romantically Sapphic (Rosa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Closeted , the love story between Katie and Alex was definitely the highlight for me. Alex's positivity and support made her very likable.

My main struggle with the story was Katie’s growth. It felt like she moved from one codependent relationship straight into another. Instead of really taking time to find herself and build her own confidence, a lot of that stability seemed to come from Alex. I wanted to see Katie stand more firmly on her own before fully stepping into something new. I also really appreciated that the author didn’t rely on the cliché of making the ex outright homophobic just to create conflict.

That said, the ending felt a bit quick, but I was genuinely glad to see Katie begin taking accountability for herself and choose therapy. It was a step in the right direction, even if I would have loved to see that journey explored more deeply.

[Smutty Dom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally do not read books like this but I found myself being drawn into this story from the very beginning. The story was super cute and the struggle to come out was definitely felt. I will say though even with the drama of coming out and the cute love story the spice was definitely spicing 👀. Overall recommend this book!

[D.K Randi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went back and fourth on 3 or 4 stars. The writing is great, I feel like I've read a lot of poorly edited books lately so that was refreshing. All of the spice? 5 out of 5 for sure. If you want sapphic first time exploration on a physical level, this is for you! Overall it's a nice spicy sweet read. 92% spice and 8% development.

Personally Alex and Chad were my favorite characters. As someone that had boyfriends and guy friends that understood and weren't homophobic I loved he wasn't turned into a tool for tensions sake. Maybe it's my own experience in the closet and trauma thar has me not enjoying Katie. She gave herself no space for real personal development. Yes her character grows, but I wasn't satisfied. The end moved super quickly too. Time kinda just zooming with little process or discussion. Not my jam when with a title "Closeted" I expected more character development/focus. Even the coming out to Katie's parents fell flat, coming off the event I thought it would happen at. It felt very abrupt, a last minute change, that it didn't. Maybe that's when the sequel was decided on.

It was good, and I will read the next book although it ended somewhere I dont think a sequel is necessary. So I am curious. My judgment might be a bit harsh and it could be from my own experience but the story just didn't hit satisfying the way I'd hoped.... and I would definitely be Alex.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some people, they either see themselves as Katie’s; curious, very by the book-esque type of person, complacent or they see themselves as Alex’s; a person that just screams certainty and safe. I think one of the biggest things that I admired about this book was the religious trauma as it is something that I have personally dealt with and I can appreciate when an author can take real life situations like that and formulate it to a way that has you (as the reader) feeling it on a more personal level. I feel like Lillian truly conveyed in this story what many other women may be feeling in the world today and for that, I’m so thankful that she wrote this book. Alex and Katie’s story was more than just a WLW story and more of a journey of finding yourself again and finding your person. Thank you Lillian for giving voices to yourself and to those that may not be able to. Your love for Alex and Katie shows through your writing and I love you so much! 🍒❤️

[obsession_archives · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Book: Closeted
Author: Lillian Vex
Release Date: 11/26/25
Genre: Romance
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

This is the story of Katie and Alex and it is phenomenal. Set in the Bronx this is a beautiful story of coming out for our main character. The amount of growth for Katie is amazing topped with the amount of support Alex shows for her is honestly just incredible.

My ONLY complaint for this book is that it WASN’T longer because I could NOT put it down and I never wanted it to end. Both characters are complex and we get great background info for their motives. This is a book that I will continue to read over and over again!

I want to extent a sincerest thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this amazing book. It was truly an honor and I cannot wait for release date to get myself a physical copy!

💜 WLW
💜 Curious x Confident dynamic
💜 Bar seduction vibes
💜 forbidden desire
💜 slow burn

Please always check the authors site and book for triggers before reading 💕

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Wright has always done what’s expected - safe job, perfect boyfriend, making her parents happy. Then she stumbles into a bar and meets Alex.

Alex Monroe is everything Katie isn’t. She’s bold, confident, and unapologetically queer.

Katie must decide if she’s brave enough to step out of the life she was expected to live and into the one that finally feels like home. She struggles with her religious upbringings, her strict parents, and exploring her own sexuality.

Have you found the person you felt like you could be yourself? You could just be “messy, real, and completely unfiltered?” Everyone deserves to find someone who makes them feel like they can be themselves.

This book has lots of spice! The story will continue with the next book, Outed, expected in February 2026.

Bonus - I love books that include soundtracks!

[Dominique Simona Binggeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't read a lot of romance, so I don't have many books to compare "Closeted" to, but those romance books that I have read are all about heterosexual couples, glorifying toxic masculinity and abuse, with a female main character who's a virgin...
So "Closeted" was more than refreshing!

It is a lesbian romance featuring two strong women. No virgins, no twelve-inch c***, no abuse.

In addition, you can tell that the author really values consent.

This isn't just smut, it's an actual love story, and a good one at that.
"Closeted" has depth. It isn't all just pink roses and candy. It mentions issues like religious trauma and controlling relatives.

Also the author knows how to write and pulls you into the scenes using beautifully descriptive writing, making you feel as if you were there.

I nearly felt envy for the protagonists with their cozy city apartments and nights spent on the fire escape, overlooking the city lights...
Oh, to be young again.

[Danyelle Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great debut book

Lillian had a great way of capturing living closeted to please others. Katie was living the life that her parents always wanted for her no matter the cost of her unhappiness. She had the supportive boyfriend, the trust fund her parents controlled, and the secret buried down deep. Until she met Alex and all of that changed. Alex showed her the life she could have if she overcame her fear. Sometimes that fear is the greatest obstacle to overcome.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freakin loved this book! I related to Katie in so many ways and by the end seeing her grown and come to terms with herself gave me all the feels. I cried.

I loved Alex and Katie so much.

Ooo and the spice was perfect.

Can’t wait for the next one!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly wanted to thank Lillian for the opportunity to read this arc before its release on the 27th of November.

This book explores the self discovery of a woman named Katie who has been unsatisfied in relationships and takes you on her journey of accepting, finding and loving her true self.

Katie’s story is relatable to so many queer women who will have had similar experiences with overcoming barriers from internalised homophobia to overcoming shame and prejudice from loved ones.

I enjoyed Alex and Katie’s chemistry, it felt believable. If you love spice then this is definitely the book for you.

The story was very emotion based and less plot driven but it was still an enjoyable read. Easy to read and follow, read it in a few hours. I’d recommend this to anyone interested in contemporary queer stories.

3⭐️
4🌶️

[Melissa Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me hooked by the dedication. This is a slow burning, hidden desire book with a hell of a lot of chemistry between Alex and Katie. You can literally feel the roller-coaster of emotions that Katie goes through in this book. Having to keep herself hidden for so long to keep others happy, you could feel it pouring from the pages. This is my first FF read, normally more MM or reverse harem combo, but this one definitely will have me exploring more 🤭. The SPICE 👏 WAS👏SPICING👏! Talk about Hot!! For this being a debut book, I am excited to see what is to come.

[Books With Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Closeted is a quiet honest story that stuck with me. The emotions aren’t dramatic. They’re the kind that feel familiar if you’ve ever struggled with being yourself. The fear and longing and small hope in this book felt real. It’s so gentle and relatable but easy to connect with.

[Lena Sale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't write reviews but I absolutely love this book. The next book comes out in February and I am already excited.

[Nat E · Rating 2 out of 5]

Katie went from one codependent relationship to the next. I am glad it resolved towards the end. Katie really needed to do things on her own. It was a quick resolve but glad she went to therapy. It had its moments but then the bedroom talk was cringy af and very repetitive.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

💜 Gay awakening panic
💜 Finding yourself (and falling hard)
💜 Hot biker bar owner
💜 Spicyyy

Damn this book was HOT but also such a beautiful coming out story about Katie, who’s deeply in the closet and omg I felt for her so much. Alex (who she meets at a lesbian bar) was exactly what she needed to help her step into her truth.

This book is about growth, strength, and becoming your true self and I loved every second of it. Alex was the perfect partner for Katie and handled her trauma and doubts so well. The story, the romance, and the spice were all top tier 🔥

[KM McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite reads of 2025!

As a not so closeted queer person, I knew this book was going to speak to me. And it did. The book dealt with religious trauma and discovering an identity that you've tried so hard to hide for so long. Not to mention, it was really HOT! Lol I'm not usually a spicy reader, but oh my gawd, Katie and Alex had me losing it (in a good way, no worries).

All in all, it gave me all of the feels (and I mean ALL of them haha), and I highly recommend!

[Korey Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well paced, eye opening, and welcoming read from Vex. I loved this book. I’m not a frequent WLW reader— but this might have opened my heart to a whole new life. I enjoyed this so much. One character’s felt vivid and real and relatable and even more, the chemistry between Alex and Katie felt honest and tangible. So real I could touch it. The spice was perfectly balanced with plot. I can’t wait to read book 2!