Sister's Keeper: A Group Project

by Aria Daze, David Blackwell (Illustrator)

"We couldn't be more different."

Opposites supposedly attract, but Henrietta is having a hard time believing that. As a celebrity tattoo artist, Hen prides herself on knowing what people want. However Jaima is the one person she can neve quiet figure out. Jaima is distant, secretive, and way too tight-wound for them to ever be anything more than lukewarm friends. She's also a massive Christmas Grinch who hates everything Hen twinkling lights, melodic carols, and cocoa by the fire. However as their parent's holiday-themed wedding approaches, the pair finds that their are more strengths in their differences than they originally thought. Will they learn to open up and be happy for the holidays, or will all their Christmas spirit go up in flames.

Genres: Novella

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Melise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fun and delightful holiday tale probably the best one I’ve read this month. LGBT+ representation done correct every character was enjoyable. The love was fast paced lmaoo but that’s the lesbian stereotype and they sticking to it. Loved the family aspect of it and the smut was JUST RIGHT. Phenomenal storytelling

[Angelbelle Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Aria for the eARC. All opinions are my own

“…just thought you should know that I wanna suck your pu$$y like a pomegranate seed.”

When I say I love it here. Aria is feeding my little taboo heart and I’m eating it up 🥣more please 😛

Don’t go in expecting all the hunching to happen right away though cause Aria gave us a bit of a slow burn. It’s definitely worth the wait however because when Jaima and Hen finally get down 😮‍💨🔥

I loved loved loved the representation. This was my first sapphic book with a trans fmc and I thought it was wonderfully done. Hen gave 0 effs and hated the fact that Jaima worried for even a second that she would care 💖. That’s my kind of carrying on

Add to your tbr if you like

💞Sapphic romance
✨Soon to be stepsisters
🤓Computer engineer x celebrity tattoo artist
💦Role playing
🫦Dirty talk
☺️Opposites attract
🎄Holiday novella
😡Grumpy around Christmas

Meanwhile LL Cool J somewhere talking about “how did i get in this?” 🤨💀

[bree ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🌟 this sapphic holiday romance literally came at the PERFECT time. jaima was what i love about loving women. she was so sweet, thoughtful, and considerate. 😭 that CURATED cocktail mixer? i would have folded then & there. pls call me mrs.hines.🧎🏽‍♀️

i would recommend this to you if:
• you love sapphic (holiday) romance.
• you appreciate a good taboo/forbidden microtrope.
• you like opposites that attract.
• you're queer & love queer + trans rep in romance.
• you like fast paced romances & novellas.

[DeLanni Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Aria for the arc!!

This book was a slow, sapphic read that is gonna give you that built up tension! It was definitely a cute quick read centered around a Christmas Day wedding. The book includes representation for not just lesbians, but trans-women! I highly suggest you add this to you’re looking for a cute slowburn sapphic read.

[George Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sister’s Keeper is a heartwarming, contemporary romance that masterfully combines humor, emotional growth, and the charm of holiday settings. Aria Daze explores the tension and connection between two very different young women Henrietta, the lively celebrity tattoo artist, and Jaima, the reserved Christmas Grinch. Their dynamic is playful, authentic, and refreshingly modern, with enough emotional depth to make readers care deeply about their journey.

Daze’s writing shines in its balance of witty dialogue, seasonal ambiance, and heartfelt introspection. The holiday-themed backdrop is not just decorative it heightens stakes, mirrors emotional arcs, and makes the story feel cozy yet real. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, opposites-attract tension, and warm holiday tales.

[Shamell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s hard to come across a sapphic romance so I read this immediately. It was funny, cute and just right for the holiday spice. Jaima was the epitome of what i love about loving women. Baby girl was thoughtful, mindful, sweet, considerate, and sentimental. She actually took notes on her partner. The cocktail mixer, to match the notes of Hen whiskey was the perfect touch. A twist on amaretto sour with raspberry puree and pear syrup. Chileeeeeeee I would have invited her over for drinks IMMEDIATELY!!
I enjoyed this read and would read more from this author. Mrs. Hines has a beautiful ring to it. 3.5/5

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was all the holiday vibes. So many cute and fun activities. Not gonna lie though Jaima had me stressed like I was legit worried about her my boo is a little too high strung so I’m very happy she has someone to see her and care for her like Hen. Daze’s queer representation is always so….warm. Like it just feels good. This was the perfect little holiday novella and surprisingly super low on the Daze spice meter even but she makes up for it with the humor and dirty talk. Oh and I think I might hate her a little bit for that teaser at the end cause now I gots to stalk her (more).

[Jacknthebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria Daze knows how to write a story that pulls you in and makes you want to experience what the characters are getting. I loved Jaima and Henny together. They balanced each other out perfectly. I loved seeing Jaima come out of her shell, especially when she finally admitted her feelings for Henny. Henny was the sweetest, and I loved the Christmas outings she planned to get Jaima in the spirit. The scene with the ham had me laughing out loud. I was too tickled. The spice in this book was HOT. Jaima and Henny were getting it in. I have been enjoying getting the backstory from the couples from Group Trip. I can't wait to get the other's story.

[Eros Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I think I might like my step-sister.”

I was looking for a Black sapphic holiday romance & that’s exactly what I got with this novella.

-trans representation
-queer characters
-grief around parent loss
-fun spice
-second chances at love
-holiday vibes
-30 something FMCs
-references to current life topics
-U Haul lesbian pacing
-funny, conversational banter
-just over 110 pages

Would I personally be checking for a woman who I KNOW is going to be considered family? Absolutely not.
While it is a taboo adjacent topic, I kept an open mind & it was a lil cute storyline.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten stars worthy in my honest opinion

This is the first time reading Aria’s work and all I can say is, if all her body of work is like this then I will be reading her catalog. Mind you this is my first time reading anything about a trans character and I honestly loved it. It was not trashy or disrespectful. It was warm and loving. The spice scene had me squeezing my legs together. OMG I never imagined anything like that but boy was I not disappointed. Overall this was a fire read and I definitely want to read more stories like this.

[_bookishblackgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Aria for this ARC. Aria had my stress levels high in the best way. I was already having feelings for Jaima because Group Trip was so good. Jaima? Whew! But Hen? I think I am in love, she’s so cute and playful. Her and I would be friends. The way they poured into each other through the book while we also got a different side of Jaima and her emotions. Yes there was some hunching but there was also those tough emotional moments that let you into a different side of each character.

[Ashleigh Barbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dating is already awkward enough but imagine dating the daughter of your mom’s new husband...your stepsister. The familial titles get messy in this one. I enjoyed how Hen and Jaima both let each other in on the ways they grieve their respective parent’s deaths. The holidays can be hard for things like that. Stealing that mans ham was funny af too.

[Gerardo Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

I’ve always loved the diversity in your books but Jaima’s story was beautiful. The tabooness of it all was so fitting and perfectly executed. I’m so glad they got out of their heads and took the plunge and that their parents were so supportive. Can’t wait for the next one

[Dai Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

*clears throat* ummm i don’t know. I needed to see what the hype was about. I kept forgetting they were to be stepsisters until they started mentioning it more and i was ready to finish it. But i enjoyed it for the most part lol.

[Maia68 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute

This was the cuties love story ever. I love how they were both quirky, but they overcame this issues and made a true love connection. They were both thoughtful and very considered of each other and their parents. Such a good story.

[Deaysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! Love them!

I first met Jaima in the Group Trip, which was phenomenal by the way, as is all the rest of your work. I love following her journey here and Hen is a breath of fresh air! This was perfection!

[Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aria Chantel Daze

Ma'am. You're fired. This was a great origin story of Hen and Jaima. But um... step-sisters? Uncle Pa?? Why ma'am? Just why? Lol

[Cairo BM · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF 60%

[taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it 4.5 stars. Had all the elements I like in a novella: spice 🌶️ lol. But loved the queer and trans rep. Must read if you like taboo or forbidden romances.

[Rena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book. Such a sweet, spicy Christmas romance.

[India · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feel Good Rom Com Read

Tiktok brought me here for the lipstick lesbian spice. The story is really fleshed out, and the romance feels so genuine. Such a great read!

[Shynnel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this

[tessheartsbooks]

feels right to start off the year with sapphic romance

[Terah Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was such a fun read!! The spice was everything and even though the romance was fast, they seemed perfect for each other and it was executed perfectly!!

[Malaika Owusu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[YuannaReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute and sweet

This was a cute little read …and I guess taboo but I don’t really consider it that. The plot was cute and quick and the characters were even better!

[Mesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

loveddddd the chemistry between the characters in the book you could feel the flirtatious tension the entire time. I wish the book was longer, but I definitely enjoyed it.