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This Deadly Touch
A cozy sapphic fantasy romance about the magic of possibility, new horizons, and fresh perspectives.
At age three, Tia almost killed her mother. Born with a rare, recessive condition where her very touch inflicts deadly necrosis magic on other people, Tia has spent the last twenty years in a hidden convent in the Shilheim forest, with others sharing her affliction.
Asha chases horizons. Wants to be known for doing the impossible. So when she learns of a centuries-old blood curse being hidden by the elven authorities, and her even more mysterious patron claims to know how to cure it when no one else has come close… she cannot resist.
With a letter from Asha and a token from a sister she barely remembers, Tia’s life is forever changed when she risks everything to escape the convent and become Asha’s assistant and test subject. But the convent has always had contingency plans for escaped residents, and a single misstep could result in Tia committing manslaughter. To make matters worse, Asha can’t quite keep her thoughts professional when it comes to Tia, and the phrase ‘untouchable’ has never been quite so accurate…
At age three, Tia almost killed her mother. Born with a rare, recessive condition where her very touch inflicts deadly necrosis magic on other people, Tia has spent the last twenty years in a hidden convent in the Shilheim forest, with others sharing her affliction.
Asha chases horizons. Wants to be known for doing the impossible. So when she learns of a centuries-old blood curse being hidden by the elven authorities, and her even more mysterious patron claims to know how to cure it when no one else has come close… she cannot resist.
With a letter from Asha and a token from a sister she barely remembers, Tia’s life is forever changed when she risks everything to escape the convent and become Asha’s assistant and test subject. But the convent has always had contingency plans for escaped residents, and a single misstep could result in Tia committing manslaughter. To make matters worse, Asha can’t quite keep her thoughts professional when it comes to Tia, and the phrase ‘untouchable’ has never been quite so accurate…
240 pages, ebook
Published January 31, 2026
8 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Aimee Donnellan
15 books124 followersAimee Donnellan is an author of fantasy adventures and romances centering queer women. She loves to write about bisexuals even more chaotic and disastrous than herself.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her fiancè — who helps her write and worldbuild — and dreams of dog ownership when not playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons.
She lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her fiancè — who helps her write and worldbuild — and dreams of dog ownership when not playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This Deadly Touch by Aimee Donnellan is just as described: a very cozy romantasy. It is super sweet and spicy in a nonchalant, sex-positive, and body-positive way. The story is mostly focused on the main pairing as they journey toward a cure for a curse that prevents Tia from touching anyone without a deadly cost. Their interactions are so lovely and pure, honest and gentle. Asha is so kind. They are both endearing characters and easy to root for as a couple. The supporting characters are few but interesting. The setting is easy to imagine.
I really enjoy this author's writing style. She also wrote one of my favorite novels, The Crimson Covenant, and I am excited to read anything sapphic that she creates.
This story is low angst. It has a great balance of gentle spice with communication and consent, as well as care and support before and after.
This one could definitely have been longer with more in-depth exploration of the protagonists' backstories and more conflict on the journey. That being said, it is what it is, and I enjoyed it for the cozy, satisfying story that left me feeling happy.
#oppostiesattract #bodypositivity #sexpositivity #firsttimewithawoman #spice #magic #curse #HEA #epilogue #romantasy #selfdiscovery #masturbation
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
I really enjoy this author's writing style. She also wrote one of my favorite novels, The Crimson Covenant, and I am excited to read anything sapphic that she creates.
This story is low angst. It has a great balance of gentle spice with communication and consent, as well as care and support before and after.
This one could definitely have been longer with more in-depth exploration of the protagonists' backstories and more conflict on the journey. That being said, it is what it is, and I enjoyed it for the cozy, satisfying story that left me feeling happy.
#oppostiesattract #bodypositivity #sexpositivity #firsttimewithawoman #spice #magic #curse #HEA #epilogue #romantasy #selfdiscovery #masturbation
I received a review copy from the author. This is my honest opinion.
February 15, 2026
Oh, I really enjoyed this book. First of all, what a beautiful cover! Second: the attraction and growing tension between Tia and Asha, and third: the spice, better buckle up!
This was truly a cozy romantasy with everything that goes with it: a beautiful, fantastic world, interesting characters, lots of magic, and of course, emotions. I liked the little tasks that Tia and Asha had to complete to get the antidote. But also the journey the women undertook and the characters they met along the way.
All in all, a quick and entertaining read with lots of spice and a nice story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This was truly a cozy romantasy with everything that goes with it: a beautiful, fantastic world, interesting characters, lots of magic, and of course, emotions. I liked the little tasks that Tia and Asha had to complete to get the antidote. But also the journey the women undertook and the characters they met along the way.
All in all, a quick and entertaining read with lots of spice and a nice story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Deadly Touch is a light, low stakes cosy fantasy about a cursed elven woman with a deadly touch, and the pharmacologist who sets out to cure her.
This story was a lovely sapphic tale of first love, with such a tender romance, however I really found myself struggling to connect with the book as a whole.
It felt too rushed and underdeveloped. I was left craving more and had honestly expected a lot more from it. I think this book had great potential, but I feel it lacked direction.
The plot felt very muddled and random.
The main plotline was for Asha to create the cure that would heal Tia's curse, but the characters were constantly being side-tracked.
I'm not sure what the purpose of the investigation into the missing crown jewels was, but it took up a lot of the story.
We meet a dragon and some giant spiders very early on in the book, and the interactions were over within a couple of pages. There was no threat, conflict, or even a tense moment. Both of these creatures were so passive and didn't contribute any excitement to the story for me.
This was a consistent theme throughout the book. Every single character was just too amiable, with every interaction ending amicably. It made the characters lack personality, and they all felt the same. They also spoke in the same plain manner too.
I would have loved further character development, especially of Asha, so we could get a deeper understanding of her motive to assist in discovering the cure.
The soft and tender romance was definitely the highlight of this book for me. It was very sweet. But it did have a case of insta-love. The characters don't really get to know each other, so it felt surface level.
I think they would have made a great pairing had the book been longer, and the characters were fleshed out better.
I also expected a lot more yearning due to Tia and Asha not being able to touch each other, and more passion when they were finally able to - there was somebody in the room with them when Tia's curse is removed!
And finally, the world building and magic system was so vague. The mysterious sentient book that convienently tells Asha how to cure Tia is also left unexplained.
Thank you so much to the author and netgalley for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story was a lovely sapphic tale of first love, with such a tender romance, however I really found myself struggling to connect with the book as a whole.
It felt too rushed and underdeveloped. I was left craving more and had honestly expected a lot more from it. I think this book had great potential, but I feel it lacked direction.
The plot felt very muddled and random.
The main plotline was for Asha to create the cure that would heal Tia's curse, but the characters were constantly being side-tracked.
I'm not sure what the purpose of the investigation into the missing crown jewels was, but it took up a lot of the story.
We meet a dragon and some giant spiders very early on in the book, and the interactions were over within a couple of pages. There was no threat, conflict, or even a tense moment. Both of these creatures were so passive and didn't contribute any excitement to the story for me.
This was a consistent theme throughout the book. Every single character was just too amiable, with every interaction ending amicably. It made the characters lack personality, and they all felt the same. They also spoke in the same plain manner too.
I would have loved further character development, especially of Asha, so we could get a deeper understanding of her motive to assist in discovering the cure.
The soft and tender romance was definitely the highlight of this book for me. It was very sweet. But it did have a case of insta-love. The characters don't really get to know each other, so it felt surface level.
I think they would have made a great pairing had the book been longer, and the characters were fleshed out better.
I also expected a lot more yearning due to Tia and Asha not being able to touch each other, and more passion when they were finally able to - there was somebody in the room with them when Tia's curse is removed!
And finally, the world building and magic system was so vague. The mysterious sentient book that convienently tells Asha how to cure Tia is also left unexplained.
Thank you so much to the author and netgalley for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2026
Received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for honest opinion, thanks!
2,5⭐️
It's a cute sapphic story focused on allowing yourself to discover who you are as a person, not as a set of assumptions assigned to you. I think a lot of people will find it charming and funny, however for my liking the prose felt too simple and too straightforward. I like my books a little bit more on the literary, instead of simple descriptions of action following action. But I admit, the story of Tia and Asha was cute and a bit spicy, and certainly this will.be enough to be enjoyed by plenty.
2,5⭐️
It's a cute sapphic story focused on allowing yourself to discover who you are as a person, not as a set of assumptions assigned to you. I think a lot of people will find it charming and funny, however for my liking the prose felt too simple and too straightforward. I like my books a little bit more on the literary, instead of simple descriptions of action following action. But I admit, the story of Tia and Asha was cute and a bit spicy, and certainly this will.be enough to be enjoyed by plenty.
January 4, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC! This Deadly Touch was such a cozy fantasy I didn’t know I needed. There was something about it that had it standing out from other books like it. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it gave me feelings of hope. Tia is so pure and while a little bit of naivety is expected from being locked away from the world for twenty years, it wasn’t something that took away from her character. In fact, it was endearing. Asha is just as lovely and had a way with words that I adored. While it was cozy, the story also conveys a deeper meaning of life and love.
I found myself loving Kenamon, which is a little crazy seeing as he is basically an assassin of sorts or at least belonging to a mafia like organization. I’m not sure if it was done on purpose, but thinking about the good he did, depicts how there is a lot of grey area when it comes to people. People are not just “bad” or “good”.
I at first thought it ended a little too quickly and without too much angst and conflict, but I remembered that it is labeled as cozy and the happy ending was what I should’ve expected. After realizing this, I changed my mind and feel as if it was the perfect ending to the cozy fantasy!
I found myself loving Kenamon, which is a little crazy seeing as he is basically an assassin of sorts or at least belonging to a mafia like organization. I’m not sure if it was done on purpose, but thinking about the good he did, depicts how there is a lot of grey area when it comes to people. People are not just “bad” or “good”.
I at first thought it ended a little too quickly and without too much angst and conflict, but I remembered that it is labeled as cozy and the happy ending was what I should’ve expected. After realizing this, I changed my mind and feel as if it was the perfect ending to the cozy fantasy!
February 5, 2026
A soft, silly, and sexy romance that unfortunately sits inside a plot that often feels underdeveloped and disjointed.
Cursed to maim or kill anyone she touches, Tia has been locked away in a convent designed to contain and control those with her affliction. That is, until Asha, a budding researcher hoping to solve this mysterious curse, helps break her free and pledges to cure her ailment. With the convent on the hunt to retrieve Tia, and the danger she poses from even a simple accidental touch, they travel in hiding to return to Asha’s home to test whether there may be a way to cure Tia after all. However, between the tight quarters and perils of the road, Asha and Tia are drawn closer than they imagined, and they’ll need to resist their growing attraction.
I thought this was really solid! It has a lot of great things: a spicy and adventurous romance, a story about discovering the world after being locked away for so long, and descriptions so cozy they made me feel like I was being wrapped up in a warm blanket after a long day.
The characters are a bit basic but mostly enjoyable. They’re all so friendly and sweet that it’s hard to dislike them, but in a way, that’s also a problem. They don’t really have any noticeable flaws, which severely limits how connected to or interested in them I could feel. I think this also created a separate issue of the dialogue being a little dry. When all the characters are so well-meaning, there’s no undercurrent to the conversation, no unknowns or hesitations, so the dialogue often feels like characters constantly trying to out-nice each other. It sort of reads like… "You’re the best." "No, you’re the best." It’s cute, but it can wear on you. The one character who didn’t fall into this camp ended up being my favorite by far. I really loved Kenamon, and if there were a future sequel involving him, I would love to read it!
For the writing as a whole, it switches between a more explicit, sex-positive focus and a simple, almost childish tone and plot structure, and the incompatibility of these aspects can be quite jarring. For example, the whole gem thief investigation arc and puzzle box thing are so out of nowhere, and the way both are resolved is so goofy it feels like it belongs in a far more juvenile story. Yet in the middle of all that, the characters are discussing very explicit sexual dynamics and learning about Asha’s “pod.” It’s just a bit strange and uncomfortable when put together. Also, the world building actually seems really cool and well thought out, so I was hoping it would be better incorporated into the story rather than sidelined for these nonsensical side plots.
As for the romance itself, for me it was a bit of a mixed bag, though your mileage may vary. I always love a romance with a huge emphasis on consent, which this does really well! Going back to the characters always being overly nice to each other, that approach works great in the spicier scenes and further establishes the sex-positive focus. However, during these scenes, the book really leans too far into how new Tia is to everything in a way that made me a bit uncomfortable. Unfortunately, around the 60% mark, the plot firmly takes the backseat and the book turns into straight smut, which made the latter half way less enjoyable for me.
All in all, this was pretty good. It’s not fully my thing, but I can see it working well for other readers. I’d highly recommend it to fans of Katee Robert and Sarah Hawley, or anyone interested in a D&D-esque, sapphic fantasy romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Cursed to maim or kill anyone she touches, Tia has been locked away in a convent designed to contain and control those with her affliction. That is, until Asha, a budding researcher hoping to solve this mysterious curse, helps break her free and pledges to cure her ailment. With the convent on the hunt to retrieve Tia, and the danger she poses from even a simple accidental touch, they travel in hiding to return to Asha’s home to test whether there may be a way to cure Tia after all. However, between the tight quarters and perils of the road, Asha and Tia are drawn closer than they imagined, and they’ll need to resist their growing attraction.
I thought this was really solid! It has a lot of great things: a spicy and adventurous romance, a story about discovering the world after being locked away for so long, and descriptions so cozy they made me feel like I was being wrapped up in a warm blanket after a long day.
The characters are a bit basic but mostly enjoyable. They’re all so friendly and sweet that it’s hard to dislike them, but in a way, that’s also a problem. They don’t really have any noticeable flaws, which severely limits how connected to or interested in them I could feel. I think this also created a separate issue of the dialogue being a little dry. When all the characters are so well-meaning, there’s no undercurrent to the conversation, no unknowns or hesitations, so the dialogue often feels like characters constantly trying to out-nice each other. It sort of reads like… "You’re the best." "No, you’re the best." It’s cute, but it can wear on you. The one character who didn’t fall into this camp ended up being my favorite by far. I really loved Kenamon, and if there were a future sequel involving him, I would love to read it!
For the writing as a whole, it switches between a more explicit, sex-positive focus and a simple, almost childish tone and plot structure, and the incompatibility of these aspects can be quite jarring. For example, the whole gem thief investigation arc and puzzle box thing are so out of nowhere, and the way both are resolved is so goofy it feels like it belongs in a far more juvenile story. Yet in the middle of all that, the characters are discussing very explicit sexual dynamics and learning about Asha’s “pod.” It’s just a bit strange and uncomfortable when put together. Also, the world building actually seems really cool and well thought out, so I was hoping it would be better incorporated into the story rather than sidelined for these nonsensical side plots.
As for the romance itself, for me it was a bit of a mixed bag, though your mileage may vary. I always love a romance with a huge emphasis on consent, which this does really well! Going back to the characters always being overly nice to each other, that approach works great in the spicier scenes and further establishes the sex-positive focus. However, during these scenes, the book really leans too far into how new Tia is to everything in a way that made me a bit uncomfortable. Unfortunately, around the 60% mark, the plot firmly takes the backseat and the book turns into straight smut, which made the latter half way less enjoyable for me.
All in all, this was pretty good. It’s not fully my thing, but I can see it working well for other readers. I’d highly recommend it to fans of Katee Robert and Sarah Hawley, or anyone interested in a D&D-esque, sapphic fantasy romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2026
2.75⭐️
I want to start off by thanking Netgalley and the author Aimee Donnellan for providing me with an eARC of this book!
This Deadly Touch is a short, cozy, low stakes romantasy novella that follows Tia, a woman whose touch is deadly. Then we have Asha, a pharmacologist who thinks she might be able to create a cure for Tia and all the other people who have the curse of not being able to touch others without killing them.
The plot itself felt very flat and underdeveloped to me. It started out good but as I kept reading it got to a point where I just felt uninterested in the actual plot of the book. The whole point of the book was to make a cure for this curse, however they kept getting sidetracked by things that didn't do anything to the plot.
Although I didn't enjoy the plot a lot, I still found myself interested enough in the characters to keep reading. The relationship between Tia and Asha felt slightly rushed and was sort of insta-lovey but since everything else moved so quickly, I thought it was fine. The romance between the two is so cute, the care and love they have for each other is definitely my favourite thing about this book. I love the idea of them being so attracted to each other but not being able to touch each other.
Overall it was an okay book, I would say I recommend it to anyone who's in the mood for a light, quick, cozy book with not a lot going on. Just vibes and sapphic yearning lol.
I want to start off by thanking Netgalley and the author Aimee Donnellan for providing me with an eARC of this book!
This Deadly Touch is a short, cozy, low stakes romantasy novella that follows Tia, a woman whose touch is deadly. Then we have Asha, a pharmacologist who thinks she might be able to create a cure for Tia and all the other people who have the curse of not being able to touch others without killing them.
The plot itself felt very flat and underdeveloped to me. It started out good but as I kept reading it got to a point where I just felt uninterested in the actual plot of the book. The whole point of the book was to make a cure for this curse, however they kept getting sidetracked by things that didn't do anything to the plot.
Although I didn't enjoy the plot a lot, I still found myself interested enough in the characters to keep reading. The relationship between Tia and Asha felt slightly rushed and was sort of insta-lovey but since everything else moved so quickly, I thought it was fine. The romance between the two is so cute, the care and love they have for each other is definitely my favourite thing about this book. I love the idea of them being so attracted to each other but not being able to touch each other.
Overall it was an okay book, I would say I recommend it to anyone who's in the mood for a light, quick, cozy book with not a lot going on. Just vibes and sapphic yearning lol.
March 14, 2026
RUSHED AND HALF-BAKED FLUFF
I don't really have anything positive to say aside from the fact that it was a quick read. It just really didn't work for me.
What I didn't like
👎 Rushed: This story was just super rushed and as a result felt absolutely half-baked. I had no chance to get to know - let alone like - any of the characters. And I never got to actually root for their romance.
👎 Background: So much background information lacking. Like, where did that magic book come from????
👎 Fluff-plot: A lot of the plot was strange fluff side-quests that really didn't impact the overall story in any way. More time should have been spent on the actual plot. Maybe it would have felt less rushed then.
👎 World building: Again, so much lacking. I am aware that world-building is not a top priority of cozy romantasy, but come on. At least give the bare minimum.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I don't really have anything positive to say aside from the fact that it was a quick read. It just really didn't work for me.
What I didn't like
👎 Rushed: This story was just super rushed and as a result felt absolutely half-baked. I had no chance to get to know - let alone like - any of the characters. And I never got to actually root for their romance.
👎 Background: So much background information lacking. Like, where did that magic book come from????
👎 Fluff-plot: A lot of the plot was strange fluff side-quests that really didn't impact the overall story in any way. More time should have been spent on the actual plot. Maybe it would have felt less rushed then.
👎 World building: Again, so much lacking. I am aware that world-building is not a top priority of cozy romantasy, but come on. At least give the bare minimum.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
March 6, 2026
I received a copy from the author through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tia grew up in a convent thanks to the rare condition she was born with that kills people with necrosis magic if she has skin to skin contact with them. The convent is all she’s ever known, but a letter from someone intent on curing her was just too good to pass up. One easy escape from the convent later, Tia and her potential savior, Asha, embark on an adventure in hopes to cure her of the condition that’s actually an ancient curse placed on multiple bloodlines.
This is such a cute feel good romance following Tia and Asha through their rotating perspectives. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but this book might’ve been a little too fluffy because the stakes were almost always non-existent. Every time they came up against something or someone that could put them through the wringer, it was immediately solved or turned out to not have been an issue.
That said, I really did enjoy this book for the most part. I really enjoyed following Tia and Asha as they slowly fall in love and introduce Tia to the world she’s never been allowed to see before. It’s a light read, but if you’re not used to books that are at this level of fluffy, it’s possible that it’s not the right book for you. For me, it felt like we weren’t going anywhere for a while just because everything went too smoothly and some of the plot points were random at times. Plus, the ending left me feeling like a portion of the story was missing.
However, I liked the book and liked the characters. It was just too fluffy for me, especially when I didn’t expect it to be anywhere near as light and fluffy as it turned out to be. The romance plot was amazing once it got rolling, but I wish the rest of the story was a little more focused and that the curse itself had a bigger plot point.
Tia grew up in a convent thanks to the rare condition she was born with that kills people with necrosis magic if she has skin to skin contact with them. The convent is all she’s ever known, but a letter from someone intent on curing her was just too good to pass up. One easy escape from the convent later, Tia and her potential savior, Asha, embark on an adventure in hopes to cure her of the condition that’s actually an ancient curse placed on multiple bloodlines.
This is such a cute feel good romance following Tia and Asha through their rotating perspectives. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but this book might’ve been a little too fluffy because the stakes were almost always non-existent. Every time they came up against something or someone that could put them through the wringer, it was immediately solved or turned out to not have been an issue.
That said, I really did enjoy this book for the most part. I really enjoyed following Tia and Asha as they slowly fall in love and introduce Tia to the world she’s never been allowed to see before. It’s a light read, but if you’re not used to books that are at this level of fluffy, it’s possible that it’s not the right book for you. For me, it felt like we weren’t going anywhere for a while just because everything went too smoothly and some of the plot points were random at times. Plus, the ending left me feeling like a portion of the story was missing.
However, I liked the book and liked the characters. It was just too fluffy for me, especially when I didn’t expect it to be anywhere near as light and fluffy as it turned out to be. The romance plot was amazing once it got rolling, but I wish the rest of the story was a little more focused and that the curse itself had a bigger plot point.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would consider this a low-stakes cozy fantasy romance.
Some of the plot points did not work very well for me (specifically the crown jewels investigation), mostly because there was often so little stakes for there to be any conflict at all. It also did not make any sense to me why the guards allowed the two of them to help with the investigation at all, and I had to reread that section I few times, and I still don't really believe it. There is always a chance that this is updated or tweaked for the final version. I did love Kenamon as a character though (he shows up during this arc of the story), and I hope there is more exploration of this world in future books (and maybe even just him/the Family).
There are a lot of fun ideas here and I liked the dynamic between the two main characters. The queer-normative and poly-normative world added to the good vibes overall. I am also really happy that there was mention of going back to visit the spiders from the beginning of the story, as I really liked them too and was a little afraid they were going to disappear after their first interaction.
The world building overall was light, but since Tia was so sheltered, giving it in short bursts made a lot of sense for the story. I think it also made a lot of sense given the cozy vibes.
On the whole, I enjoyed this and I think it is a cute and fairly quick read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advanced and free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Some of the plot points did not work very well for me (specifically the crown jewels investigation), mostly because there was often so little stakes for there to be any conflict at all. It also did not make any sense to me why the guards allowed the two of them to help with the investigation at all, and I had to reread that section I few times, and I still don't really believe it. There is always a chance that this is updated or tweaked for the final version. I did love Kenamon as a character though (he shows up during this arc of the story), and I hope there is more exploration of this world in future books (and maybe even just him/the Family).
There are a lot of fun ideas here and I liked the dynamic between the two main characters. The queer-normative and poly-normative world added to the good vibes overall. I am also really happy that there was mention of going back to visit the spiders from the beginning of the story, as I really liked them too and was a little afraid they were going to disappear after their first interaction.
The world building overall was light, but since Tia was so sheltered, giving it in short bursts made a lot of sense for the story. I think it also made a lot of sense given the cozy vibes.
On the whole, I enjoyed this and I think it is a cute and fairly quick read.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advanced and free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2026
This was super cute and cozy!
In this story we follow Tia who has been in isolation in a convent due to her extremely dangerous magic powers. One day she gets a letter from Asha, a magical pharmacist who is looking for a cure. Tia accepts her help and together they run back to Asha’s place to work on her remedy. Between assassins, bodyguards and thieves will they be able to find a cure?
This story was really good thanks to the characters who were endearing. Tia was so lovely and I appreciated Asha’s way of helping everyone around her. The plot was fun, but I do wish we had just a bit more action. Everything felt too easy even for a cozy. I really enjoyed the scenes we got during the trip with the thieves and I wished we had more of those during turning points. I also wish we had a more in depth ending with the convent and Tia’s family since it felt a bit rushed.
Overall a super cute story!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
In this story we follow Tia who has been in isolation in a convent due to her extremely dangerous magic powers. One day she gets a letter from Asha, a magical pharmacist who is looking for a cure. Tia accepts her help and together they run back to Asha’s place to work on her remedy. Between assassins, bodyguards and thieves will they be able to find a cure?
This story was really good thanks to the characters who were endearing. Tia was so lovely and I appreciated Asha’s way of helping everyone around her. The plot was fun, but I do wish we had just a bit more action. Everything felt too easy even for a cozy. I really enjoyed the scenes we got during the trip with the thieves and I wished we had more of those during turning points. I also wish we had a more in depth ending with the convent and Tia’s family since it felt a bit rushed.
Overall a super cute story!
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2026
*⭐️: 3.75/5 rounded up to 4 stars
This Deadly Touch is a charming & cozy romantasy! It has Ghibli vibes in my opinion; a quieter paced (not slow) and endearing series of events. Also, I found Tia to be so reminiscent of Rapunzel from the movie “Tangled”. Not in a copy-paste way, I just mean she has such a winsome personality.
The reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I didn’t fully connect with the romance between Tia and Asha. This is totally personal taste though!
This is a very sweet read for any fan of cozy fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review!
This Deadly Touch is a charming & cozy romantasy! It has Ghibli vibes in my opinion; a quieter paced (not slow) and endearing series of events. Also, I found Tia to be so reminiscent of Rapunzel from the movie “Tangled”. Not in a copy-paste way, I just mean she has such a winsome personality.
The reason I didn’t rate this higher is because I didn’t fully connect with the romance between Tia and Asha. This is totally personal taste though!
This is a very sweet read for any fan of cozy fantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 12, 2026
4/5
Thank you to the author Aimee Donellan and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange of an honest review!
This was such a nice read. It gives exactly what you can expert from the synopsis and its cover: a Dungeons & Dragons story, focused on the adventure and building a very cozy relationship built in trust and love. Characters are well designed, every task is explained and it manages to make you laugh, feel tenderness towards the characters and root for them.
It is very well written, designed and planned through. I loved it and it managed to keep a good pace through the entire book. So if you like sapphic romance in a D&D vibey story, this one is definitely for you!
Thank you to the author Aimee Donellan and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange of an honest review!
This was such a nice read. It gives exactly what you can expert from the synopsis and its cover: a Dungeons & Dragons story, focused on the adventure and building a very cozy relationship built in trust and love. Characters are well designed, every task is explained and it manages to make you laugh, feel tenderness towards the characters and root for them.
It is very well written, designed and planned through. I loved it and it managed to keep a good pace through the entire book. So if you like sapphic romance in a D&D vibey story, this one is definitely for you!
January 31, 2026
This was a cozy, spicy romantasy that I enjoyed. Tia is cursed, and people like her have been locked away because of it. Asha believes she can create a cure, so she decides to break Tia out of the guarded convent where she’s being held. During their escape, Tia and Asha go on several excursions to collect ingredients for the cure while also helping Tia acclimate to the outside world. Overall, this was a really fun read.
Thanks NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for this arc. All opinions are my own.
Thanks NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for this arc. All opinions are my own.
January 17, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Tia has been cursed since she was three years old, and if she touches another person they will die. Kept away from the world, in a convent with others who share her curse, this story begins as she is sneaking out to meet Asha, who believes she can cure her.
It’s a very lighthearted, cosy fantasy novel with a simple plot and no real sense of danger throughout. I mostly enjoyed what there was, but it felt like only part of a much bigger story - I wanted to follow Tia’s time in the convent so we could get to know her more and truly appreciate her freedom once it came. I wanted world building to explain what was happening in a much bigger context. I wanted more of the side characters, who were usually a lot more interesting than the, pretty dull, FMCs. I wanted more at the end of the book, going forward to follow Tia and Asha on their future adventures.
Tia has been cursed since she was three years old, and if she touches another person they will die. Kept away from the world, in a convent with others who share her curse, this story begins as she is sneaking out to meet Asha, who believes she can cure her.
It’s a very lighthearted, cosy fantasy novel with a simple plot and no real sense of danger throughout. I mostly enjoyed what there was, but it felt like only part of a much bigger story - I wanted to follow Tia’s time in the convent so we could get to know her more and truly appreciate her freedom once it came. I wanted world building to explain what was happening in a much bigger context. I wanted more of the side characters, who were usually a lot more interesting than the, pretty dull, FMCs. I wanted more at the end of the book, going forward to follow Tia and Asha on their future adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2026
I loved this. I loved how the world building was incorporated into the story as it progressed rather than an info dump in the beginning which also showcased Tia's true naivety of the world she was kept away from for most of her life.
I love the idea that she gained the trust of nearly everyone that she came across, either from her personality or the bullshit she and her partner-in-crime, Asha, perpetuate.
I can't wait to read more from the author.
I love the idea that she gained the trust of nearly everyone that she came across, either from her personality or the bullshit she and her partner-in-crime, Asha, perpetuate.
I can't wait to read more from the author.
February 6, 2026
I'll be honest and say I picked this up based on the cover. It is gorgeous and once you meet the characters on page, it's even more perfect. The details of them being so close to touching, to wanting to so bad, is all there.
I really enjoyed this read- The adventure of it all was so fun and interesting. Asha's intellect and the way she sees the world, allows for Tia to venture into it in such a supported way. I loved how Tia is so curious and does things that others may not, even though she is also so used to being careful. Her empath magic really adds to her character.
..speaking of her empathetic abilities. THE SPICY LESSONS were so well done and really matched the characters.
I really enjoyed this read- The adventure of it all was so fun and interesting. Asha's intellect and the way she sees the world, allows for Tia to venture into it in such a supported way. I loved how Tia is so curious and does things that others may not, even though she is also so used to being careful. Her empath magic really adds to her character.
..speaking of her empathetic abilities. THE SPICY LESSONS were so well done and really matched the characters.
February 17, 2026
Such a sweet and cozy adventure story. I loved how Tia and Asha approached conflicts the came across in their own ways, truly wish the book was longer to have a longer adventure with them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This cozy romantasy follows Tia, a sheltered girl who has spent her entire life in a convent for people like her—those afflicted with a rare condition that makes physical touch deadly—and Asha, a magical pharmacologist determined to cure the blood curse they share. When Tia volunteers to become Asha’s assistant and test subject, their journey to gather ingredients quickly turns dangerous, forcing them to flee elven authorities while risking not just their lives, but their hearts as well.
I enjoyed this novel far more than I expected. Cozy books aren’t usually my cup of tea, as I tend to get bored when the momentum slows, but here I felt the complete opposite. I was drawn into the story early on, and the pacing remained steady throughout. Every challenge the FMCs encountered felt purposeful and meaningful to the overall narrative, which kept me engaged from start to finish.
The strength of this novel lies in its characters. Tia completely won me over. I’ve had trouble connecting with characters from sheltered or convent-like backgrounds before, but her naïveté felt genuine rather than frustrating. She was curious, kind, and eager to experience life, yet strong enough to stand her ground and resist manipulation. She became one of those characters you can’t help but root for; deeply empathetic, endlessly caring, and incredibly easy to love.
I also want to applaud the author for how she handled Tia’s sexual awakening. It was done beautifully, emphasizing it as something natural rather than shameful, which made it feel far more realistic and grounded. That distinction really mattered and was handled with care.
Asha was a wonderful counterpart to Tia. She never tried to control or define her, instead offering support and space for Tia to grow into herself. I especially appreciated how, as an academic, Asha never looked down on Tia for what she didn’t know, encouraging learning without judgment. While I enjoyed her character, I did wish we’d seen a bit more of her inner growth, as the focus leaned heavily toward Tia.
The side characters added charm, particularly Kenamon. Despite his intimidating exterior and morally gray work, he turned out to be surprisingly soft-hearted, and I loved the small moments he shared with the girls.
The romance was another strong point. It didn’t feel rushed at all; the chemistry and yearning were present early on, and when everything finally came together, the payoff was deeply satisfying. Their relationship developed in a way that felt natural and inevitable, like them being together simply made sense.
I only wish the book had been longer. I wanted more of Tia discovering the world as a free woman, strengthening her bond with Asha, and reconnecting with her estranged family. The worldbuilding also left me wanting more... this is a fantasy world, yet it felt like we barely explored its depth. I also found myself wishing for more details about the curse and Asha’s cure, as there were still unanswered questions.
All in all, I truly enjoyed the story Aimee crafted. Her growth as a writer is very apparent, especially when compared to her debut, and everything felt thoughtfully balanced. I’m genuinely excited to see where her storytelling takes us next!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC—feeling very lucky to have read it early!
I enjoyed this novel far more than I expected. Cozy books aren’t usually my cup of tea, as I tend to get bored when the momentum slows, but here I felt the complete opposite. I was drawn into the story early on, and the pacing remained steady throughout. Every challenge the FMCs encountered felt purposeful and meaningful to the overall narrative, which kept me engaged from start to finish.
The strength of this novel lies in its characters. Tia completely won me over. I’ve had trouble connecting with characters from sheltered or convent-like backgrounds before, but her naïveté felt genuine rather than frustrating. She was curious, kind, and eager to experience life, yet strong enough to stand her ground and resist manipulation. She became one of those characters you can’t help but root for; deeply empathetic, endlessly caring, and incredibly easy to love.
I also want to applaud the author for how she handled Tia’s sexual awakening. It was done beautifully, emphasizing it as something natural rather than shameful, which made it feel far more realistic and grounded. That distinction really mattered and was handled with care.
Asha was a wonderful counterpart to Tia. She never tried to control or define her, instead offering support and space for Tia to grow into herself. I especially appreciated how, as an academic, Asha never looked down on Tia for what she didn’t know, encouraging learning without judgment. While I enjoyed her character, I did wish we’d seen a bit more of her inner growth, as the focus leaned heavily toward Tia.
The side characters added charm, particularly Kenamon. Despite his intimidating exterior and morally gray work, he turned out to be surprisingly soft-hearted, and I loved the small moments he shared with the girls.
The romance was another strong point. It didn’t feel rushed at all; the chemistry and yearning were present early on, and when everything finally came together, the payoff was deeply satisfying. Their relationship developed in a way that felt natural and inevitable, like them being together simply made sense.
I only wish the book had been longer. I wanted more of Tia discovering the world as a free woman, strengthening her bond with Asha, and reconnecting with her estranged family. The worldbuilding also left me wanting more... this is a fantasy world, yet it felt like we barely explored its depth. I also found myself wishing for more details about the curse and Asha’s cure, as there were still unanswered questions.
All in all, I truly enjoyed the story Aimee crafted. Her growth as a writer is very apparent, especially when compared to her debut, and everything felt thoughtfully balanced. I’m genuinely excited to see where her storytelling takes us next!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC—feeling very lucky to have read it early!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of This Deadly Touch by Aimee Donnellan in exchange for my honest review.
This Deadly Touch follows Asha, a capable scientist and restless adventurer, and Tia, a sheltered young woman living in a convent with a deadly curse that makes her touch fatal. When the two set out together to find a cure by unraveling the magic within Tia’s blood, their journey turns into an adventure filled with danger, discovery, and unexpected connection.
This was such a cute and fun book. I absolutely loved the adventurous storyline of Asha helping Tia leave the convent and experience the world for the first time while searching for a cure to her deadly physical curse. The yearning between these two was everything and added so much emotional depth to their journey.
The book had such a playful magical tone with side quests that kept things exciting, from encountering dragons to solving a stolen jewelry mystery while traveling with a caravan. Each new stop along the way added something fun and helped build the world without slowing the pacing.
One of my favorite parts was the side plot involving Tia’s innocence and kindness. Watching her effortlessly befriend Kenamon, a member of a crime syndicate known as the Family, was both charming and hilarious, especially seeing everyone else’s reactions to it. It really highlighted how different Tia is from the world she’s been kept away from.
While the premise of using magic to alter Tia’s blood to solve her curse is fairly straightforward, I was pleasantly surprised by the deeper emotional layers woven throughout the story. The quieter moments between Asha and Tia stood out the most, showing Asha’s longing for freedom and Tia’s desire to explore a world she was never allowed to touch. Those soft, intimate moments made their bond feel genuine and heartfelt.
Overall, This Deadly Touch was a magical, adventurous read with strong yearning, lovable characters, and just the right balance of fun and emotional depth. I had such a great time with this story and would absolutely recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy adventures with romance and heart.
This Deadly Touch follows Asha, a capable scientist and restless adventurer, and Tia, a sheltered young woman living in a convent with a deadly curse that makes her touch fatal. When the two set out together to find a cure by unraveling the magic within Tia’s blood, their journey turns into an adventure filled with danger, discovery, and unexpected connection.
This was such a cute and fun book. I absolutely loved the adventurous storyline of Asha helping Tia leave the convent and experience the world for the first time while searching for a cure to her deadly physical curse. The yearning between these two was everything and added so much emotional depth to their journey.
The book had such a playful magical tone with side quests that kept things exciting, from encountering dragons to solving a stolen jewelry mystery while traveling with a caravan. Each new stop along the way added something fun and helped build the world without slowing the pacing.
One of my favorite parts was the side plot involving Tia’s innocence and kindness. Watching her effortlessly befriend Kenamon, a member of a crime syndicate known as the Family, was both charming and hilarious, especially seeing everyone else’s reactions to it. It really highlighted how different Tia is from the world she’s been kept away from.
While the premise of using magic to alter Tia’s blood to solve her curse is fairly straightforward, I was pleasantly surprised by the deeper emotional layers woven throughout the story. The quieter moments between Asha and Tia stood out the most, showing Asha’s longing for freedom and Tia’s desire to explore a world she was never allowed to touch. Those soft, intimate moments made their bond feel genuine and heartfelt.
Overall, This Deadly Touch was a magical, adventurous read with strong yearning, lovable characters, and just the right balance of fun and emotional depth. I had such a great time with this story and would absolutely recommend it to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy adventures with romance and heart.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️
This Deadly Touch by Aimee Donnellan is a cozy sapphic fantasy romance following Tia, who has lived most of her life in a convent because her touch is deadly, and Asha, an ambitious scientist who wants to find a cure for Tia’s curse.
I’m not a huge cozy fantasy reader, but this one genuinely surprised me. The characters are an easy 10/10. Tia and Asha completely carried the book for me. I loved how caring and patient Asha is, and how their dynamic was just right. Their tension was perfect. The romance is not only tender but also spicy, and it worked far better than I expected considering Tia’s deadly touch. And honestly, these sex scenes are probably one of the best I’ve ever read.
“Thank you. For caring about me. And… everyone.”
Where the book fell a bit flat for me was the story itself. I wasn't a huge fan of the plot, and the pacing didn’t quite work for me. It felt both rushed and strangely abrupt, especially toward the ending. Several conflicts were resolved too quickly, leaving me with unanswered questions, and I wished the conclusion had more weight and space to breathe. There was just missing something at the end, and it left me unsatisfied. The writing style also felt somewhat repetitive and flat at times, which made it harder for me to fully sink into the story early on.
That being said, the romance absolutely made me stay. Tia and Asha’s relationship kept me invested, and I genuinely enjoyed reading about them together. Their care and love for one another make this book memorable despite its flaws.
Overall, This Deadly Touch is a solid and enjoyable read, especially if you’re a fan of cozy fantasy and sapphic romance. I had a good time with it.
This book comes out on January 31st, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC.
This Deadly Touch by Aimee Donnellan is a cozy sapphic fantasy romance following Tia, who has lived most of her life in a convent because her touch is deadly, and Asha, an ambitious scientist who wants to find a cure for Tia’s curse.
I’m not a huge cozy fantasy reader, but this one genuinely surprised me. The characters are an easy 10/10. Tia and Asha completely carried the book for me. I loved how caring and patient Asha is, and how their dynamic was just right. Their tension was perfect. The romance is not only tender but also spicy, and it worked far better than I expected considering Tia’s deadly touch. And honestly, these sex scenes are probably one of the best I’ve ever read.
“Thank you. For caring about me. And… everyone.”
Where the book fell a bit flat for me was the story itself. I wasn't a huge fan of the plot, and the pacing didn’t quite work for me. It felt both rushed and strangely abrupt, especially toward the ending. Several conflicts were resolved too quickly, leaving me with unanswered questions, and I wished the conclusion had more weight and space to breathe. There was just missing something at the end, and it left me unsatisfied. The writing style also felt somewhat repetitive and flat at times, which made it harder for me to fully sink into the story early on.
That being said, the romance absolutely made me stay. Tia and Asha’s relationship kept me invested, and I genuinely enjoyed reading about them together. Their care and love for one another make this book memorable despite its flaws.
Overall, This Deadly Touch is a solid and enjoyable read, especially if you’re a fan of cozy fantasy and sapphic romance. I had a good time with it.
This book comes out on January 31st, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Deadly Touch is a short and sweet novel that is very easy to read. I found Tia and Asha to be well written characters, for the extent in which we are able to know them. The book wastes no time jumping into the plot and into these characters. The books is listed as 240 pages, but with my formatting on the app, it was about 171. Given there literally being no time to waste, I think the author does a pretty good job with the time she has.
The plot is sweet and straightforward, if not at times, a little bit like why are we here right now. The random crime solving bit in the middle was fun to read, but felt out of place, given the context of the book (especially given the length), despite what it did for characterizations. The more smutty aspects were done quite well and made sense in the context of the novel as well.
Overall, this is a nice little read. I would have enjoyed if it was longer, just so we could have gotten more before Asha came into the picture, more time with the characters, and had more plot (this would have allowed the little crime bit to be fully fleshed out and allowed it to fit better within the book). I think as well, and this is something I always have an issue with and is not limited to this book, almost every issue/conflict in the book was relatively easily overcome. There didn’t feel like much of a struggle was occurring beyond the end of the theft bit. And I think a longer length would have allowed for less instant resolutions or instant fixes that was a recurring theme throughout the novel.
I saw other reviewers called this book "low stakes," and I would most definitely agree. I know I personally love high stakes novels and am less used to low stakes, cozy novels. So, take this with a grain of salt! As I believe the intention was for it to be low stakes, and in which case, it most definitely succeeded!
Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing the e-ARC for honest review!
The plot is sweet and straightforward, if not at times, a little bit like why are we here right now. The random crime solving bit in the middle was fun to read, but felt out of place, given the context of the book (especially given the length), despite what it did for characterizations. The more smutty aspects were done quite well and made sense in the context of the novel as well.
Overall, this is a nice little read. I would have enjoyed if it was longer, just so we could have gotten more before Asha came into the picture, more time with the characters, and had more plot (this would have allowed the little crime bit to be fully fleshed out and allowed it to fit better within the book). I think as well, and this is something I always have an issue with and is not limited to this book, almost every issue/conflict in the book was relatively easily overcome. There didn’t feel like much of a struggle was occurring beyond the end of the theft bit. And I think a longer length would have allowed for less instant resolutions or instant fixes that was a recurring theme throughout the novel.
I saw other reviewers called this book "low stakes," and I would most definitely agree. I know I personally love high stakes novels and am less used to low stakes, cozy novels. So, take this with a grain of salt! As I believe the intention was for it to be low stakes, and in which case, it most definitely succeeded!
Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing the e-ARC for honest review!
January 16, 2026
This book is giving soft mossy forest + forbidden magic + sapphic yearning that could power a small city 😭♥️
This Deadly Touch is cozy fantasy with teeth. It opens with a premise that is instantly heartbreaking and compelling - Tia, cursed with necrosis magic so lethal she’s been hidden away in a forest convent since toddlerhood, literally unable to touch another person without risking death. Touch is danger. Touch is desire. Touch is causing an identity crisis 🤣
Enter Asha! horizon-chasing, mildly unhinged in the best way, absolutely incapable of minding her own business. She smells a centuries-old blood curse, hears a whisper of a cure, and says “yes, obviously I’ll uproot my life for this.” Science brain. Adventure brain. Gay brain. The perfect storm.
This is whimsical, warm and deceptively gentle - a super easy read, but not an empty one. The romance is where it really sings - slow-burn, charged, and deeply respectful. Asha never treats Tia like a problem to be solved or a body to be “fixed.” Everything is about consent, autonomy, and Tia learning that her body is hers, that desire doesn’t make her dangerous or wrong. It’s empowering in a quiet, steady way, the kind that sneaks up on you and then suddenly you’re emotional about hand-holding logistics.
Also: it’s cozy but it’s hot. Those two things are not mutually exclusive and this book knows it.
My one tiny complaint is that it left me with lots of unanswered questions and I can’t see that this is part of a series??. Who is answering through the book?? What exactly is Asha delivering on these mysterious jobs?? Where did the curse come from and why?? Is this secretly book one of a series and I’ve been emotionally tricked (affectionate)? And what about the other girls in the convent - because my heart is absolutely not done worrying about them.
Overall: this is a soft, sapphic fantasy romance about possibility, choice, and redefining what it means to be “untouchable.” Gentle, affirming, and quietly bold. If this world opens its doors again, I’ll be sprinting back into the forest, arms outstretched (carefully) ♥️
This Deadly Touch is cozy fantasy with teeth. It opens with a premise that is instantly heartbreaking and compelling - Tia, cursed with necrosis magic so lethal she’s been hidden away in a forest convent since toddlerhood, literally unable to touch another person without risking death. Touch is danger. Touch is desire. Touch is causing an identity crisis 🤣
Enter Asha! horizon-chasing, mildly unhinged in the best way, absolutely incapable of minding her own business. She smells a centuries-old blood curse, hears a whisper of a cure, and says “yes, obviously I’ll uproot my life for this.” Science brain. Adventure brain. Gay brain. The perfect storm.
This is whimsical, warm and deceptively gentle - a super easy read, but not an empty one. The romance is where it really sings - slow-burn, charged, and deeply respectful. Asha never treats Tia like a problem to be solved or a body to be “fixed.” Everything is about consent, autonomy, and Tia learning that her body is hers, that desire doesn’t make her dangerous or wrong. It’s empowering in a quiet, steady way, the kind that sneaks up on you and then suddenly you’re emotional about hand-holding logistics.
Also: it’s cozy but it’s hot. Those two things are not mutually exclusive and this book knows it.
My one tiny complaint is that it left me with lots of unanswered questions and I can’t see that this is part of a series??. Who is answering through the book?? What exactly is Asha delivering on these mysterious jobs?? Where did the curse come from and why?? Is this secretly book one of a series and I’ve been emotionally tricked (affectionate)? And what about the other girls in the convent - because my heart is absolutely not done worrying about them.
Overall: this is a soft, sapphic fantasy romance about possibility, choice, and redefining what it means to be “untouchable.” Gentle, affirming, and quietly bold. If this world opens its doors again, I’ll be sprinting back into the forest, arms outstretched (carefully) ♥️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This Deadly Touch tells the story of Tia, a girl cursed with skin who will touch those who touch it, and Asha, a brilliant scientist who is convinced she can find a cure. Sapphic shenanigans ensue.
The world of Aboria is a queer- and poly- normative one, which affects the way in which the characters, and us, the readers, view sexuality. It is particularly jarring for Tia, who has lived isolated in a convent and has not experience human touch since her infant years. Asha, on the other hand, is very experienced. These differences cause each woman to find the other fascinating, and help the other see the world in a new light.
Sadly, one thing that might negatively affect the reading experience is the pacing. First of all, it is considerably more focused on the romance aspect, with the search for the cure taking a backseat to the character interactions. Finally, the way that the novel itself is structured is a bit off. The best way I can describe it is as if it was a puzzle game, which each scene (level) having a puzzle that, once solved, will award you with an object that will, in turn, be used to solve another puzzle.
I did like how magic was described and used in the universe. The empath magic is extremely cool, with unlimited possibilities as to how it could be weaponized. However, I felt like that the book Asha carries around seems too powerful and helps them solve conflicts too easily. I wish, at least, that we had gotten more backstory on it.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself throughout the course of reading this novel, and would recommended it to anyone who wants a lower-stakes, slightly fluffy sapphic romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
The world of Aboria is a queer- and poly- normative one, which affects the way in which the characters, and us, the readers, view sexuality. It is particularly jarring for Tia, who has lived isolated in a convent and has not experience human touch since her infant years. Asha, on the other hand, is very experienced. These differences cause each woman to find the other fascinating, and help the other see the world in a new light.
Sadly, one thing that might negatively affect the reading experience is the pacing. First of all, it is considerably more focused on the romance aspect, with the search for the cure taking a backseat to the character interactions. Finally, the way that the novel itself is structured is a bit off. The best way I can describe it is as if it was a puzzle game, which each scene (level) having a puzzle that, once solved, will award you with an object that will, in turn, be used to solve another puzzle.
I did like how magic was described and used in the universe. The empath magic is extremely cool, with unlimited possibilities as to how it could be weaponized. However, I felt like that the book Asha carries around seems too powerful and helps them solve conflicts too easily. I wish, at least, that we had gotten more backstory on it.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself throughout the course of reading this novel, and would recommended it to anyone who wants a lower-stakes, slightly fluffy sapphic romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Aimee Donnellan for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
February 1, 2026
This book is perfect for fans of cozy sapphic fantasy books Honey Witch and Legends & Lattes!
In This Deadly Touch we have two FMCs:
Tia: a young woman who was raised in a secret convent for people born with deadly necrosis touch.
Asha: a magical pharmacologist who believes she can break the curse that ails Tia.
When Asha and Tia meet up after their mail correspondence, the two quickly begin a weeks long journey gathering all the supplies they’ll need for this magical experiment and stumble into multiple side quests that felt like a lighthearted D&D campaign! Encountering everything from dragons to human sized spiders, a convent guard hot on their tails, a jewel heist & more!
I absolutely loved how sweet & cozy this story was. The stakes weren’t high but the journey was so entertaining and full of great side characters, like Kenamon (a mobster type who carries a cache of weapons and poisons)!
The way Tia & Asha interacted with one another was very endearing. Both women had such a wonderful level of respect and admiration for one another- as well as a healthy dose of sexual attraction (especially Asha’s obsession with Tia’s thighs). I liked that this story is set in a queer normative society where polyamory is also not out the ordinary.
There was a nice balance of yearning, lust and spice as the story progresses! I liked that was literally a “touch her and you’ll die” situation since Tia’s touch is potentially fatal so the women both had to weigh out how to go about the possibility of becoming something more than just friends.
This whole romp was delightful! With the way the ending was, I’m anticipating another installment! I need more of these girls (and Kenamon)!
In This Deadly Touch we have two FMCs:
Tia: a young woman who was raised in a secret convent for people born with deadly necrosis touch.
Asha: a magical pharmacologist who believes she can break the curse that ails Tia.
When Asha and Tia meet up after their mail correspondence, the two quickly begin a weeks long journey gathering all the supplies they’ll need for this magical experiment and stumble into multiple side quests that felt like a lighthearted D&D campaign! Encountering everything from dragons to human sized spiders, a convent guard hot on their tails, a jewel heist & more!
I absolutely loved how sweet & cozy this story was. The stakes weren’t high but the journey was so entertaining and full of great side characters, like Kenamon (a mobster type who carries a cache of weapons and poisons)!
The way Tia & Asha interacted with one another was very endearing. Both women had such a wonderful level of respect and admiration for one another- as well as a healthy dose of sexual attraction (especially Asha’s obsession with Tia’s thighs). I liked that this story is set in a queer normative society where polyamory is also not out the ordinary.
There was a nice balance of yearning, lust and spice as the story progresses! I liked that was literally a “touch her and you’ll die” situation since Tia’s touch is potentially fatal so the women both had to weigh out how to go about the possibility of becoming something more than just friends.
This whole romp was delightful! With the way the ending was, I’m anticipating another installment! I need more of these girls (and Kenamon)!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.75 stars
i'd like to preface my review by thanking netgalley, victory editing and the author, aimee donnellan, for sending me this ARC.
i don't know if i wasn't into this book because of the genre (cozy fantasy), or if it was genuinely lacking something. from my notes while reading the first few chapters:
- the dialogues are awkward off the bat and don't feel natural. i hope it improves (it didn't really...)
- it feels as though the characters are speaking to me (the reader) rather than to each other when doing world building/lore dropping
- stop. telling. me. start. showing. me.
i am no writer so i don't feel it is my place to criticise too much on that aspect but as a reader, it felt like a chore to read 90% of the time.
now on the story aspect, i understand that cozy fantasy implies lower stakes but does that mean no stakes at all? everything felt way too easy for tia and asha and every time i thought maybe they would face a little difficulty, it all got resolved a few paragraphs later.
thankfully, the only parts i thought were well made were the explicit sex scenes (2). i thought both characters grew attached very (too) quickly, but i enjoyed seeing their dynamics during intimacy.
finally, i think i would've been more indulgent had this book been the author's debut but as i understand it, they've already written a whole series in the same universe, so i don't think the "flaws" (in my opinion) that i mentioned should still be here. i hope that this book finds its readership well, because i don't doubt that someone else might like this a lot more than i did.
out january 31st, 2026
i'd like to preface my review by thanking netgalley, victory editing and the author, aimee donnellan, for sending me this ARC.
i don't know if i wasn't into this book because of the genre (cozy fantasy), or if it was genuinely lacking something. from my notes while reading the first few chapters:
- the dialogues are awkward off the bat and don't feel natural. i hope it improves (it didn't really...)
- it feels as though the characters are speaking to me (the reader) rather than to each other when doing world building/lore dropping
- stop. telling. me. start. showing. me.
i am no writer so i don't feel it is my place to criticise too much on that aspect but as a reader, it felt like a chore to read 90% of the time.
now on the story aspect, i understand that cozy fantasy implies lower stakes but does that mean no stakes at all? everything felt way too easy for tia and asha and every time i thought maybe they would face a little difficulty, it all got resolved a few paragraphs later.
thankfully, the only parts i thought were well made were the explicit sex scenes (2). i thought both characters grew attached very (too) quickly, but i enjoyed seeing their dynamics during intimacy.
finally, i think i would've been more indulgent had this book been the author's debut but as i understand it, they've already written a whole series in the same universe, so i don't think the "flaws" (in my opinion) that i mentioned should still be here. i hope that this book finds its readership well, because i don't doubt that someone else might like this a lot more than i did.
out january 31st, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very cute and sweet story despite the sensual cover.
This flirty ~170 page novel has more side quests than plot, but doesn’t shy away from the horrors of sheltering women from the vastness of life as the main character Tia leaves her convent for the first time and sees the world.
The writing style is easy to read, if a little stiff in present tense, third person omniscient. Tia is the star of this book, being not only the main character cursed with a deadly touch, but a disarmingly naive woman whose sheltered life left her with little sense of danger and lots of questions to ask Loudly and in Public. Like Asha, I don’t want to take advantage of her comical ignorance for entertainment… but she’s just so cute trying berries for the first time, seeing the ocean, or accidentally befriending a serial killer.
A large part of this story focuses on Tia’s sexuality, or lack of it. As Asha puts it, “It's only natural you'd be interested, with how… things have been for you.” Having empathy magic, Tia can feel when others are flustered, and often walks in on people getting spicy and can only stare. I feel like the gorgeously sensual cover art emphasizes this being a large part of the story, but was disappointed by how wholesome this story is. There is a good amount of spice, but the story was too fast paced for any angsty yearning, just a fast burn romance with a weak plot (seriously, the mysterious magical artifact who is the catalyst of the story got a whole character arc but was never explained how?). Overall, I wish this book was longer and less stiffly written, but it’s very cute. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
This flirty ~170 page novel has more side quests than plot, but doesn’t shy away from the horrors of sheltering women from the vastness of life as the main character Tia leaves her convent for the first time and sees the world.
The writing style is easy to read, if a little stiff in present tense, third person omniscient. Tia is the star of this book, being not only the main character cursed with a deadly touch, but a disarmingly naive woman whose sheltered life left her with little sense of danger and lots of questions to ask Loudly and in Public. Like Asha, I don’t want to take advantage of her comical ignorance for entertainment… but she’s just so cute trying berries for the first time, seeing the ocean, or accidentally befriending a serial killer.
A large part of this story focuses on Tia’s sexuality, or lack of it. As Asha puts it, “It's only natural you'd be interested, with how… things have been for you.” Having empathy magic, Tia can feel when others are flustered, and often walks in on people getting spicy and can only stare. I feel like the gorgeously sensual cover art emphasizes this being a large part of the story, but was disappointed by how wholesome this story is. There is a good amount of spice, but the story was too fast paced for any angsty yearning, just a fast burn romance with a weak plot (seriously, the mysterious magical artifact who is the catalyst of the story got a whole character arc but was never explained how?). Overall, I wish this book was longer and less stiffly written, but it’s very cute. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
March 15, 2026
This Deadly Touch was cozy, a little chaotic, and surprisingly emotional in places.
The premise immediately hooked me — a girl whose touch literally causes death and the scientist determined to find a cure?? The tension that creates between Tia and Asha was SO good. Like… the longing?? The almost touches?? The constant awareness that something as simple as holding hands could be deadly?? It made every little moment between them feel huge.
I also really loved the cozy adventure vibe of this book. It felt like a fantasy road trip with weird magical creatures, small side quests, and a lot of character moments along the way. It wasn’t super high stakes all the time, which honestly made it really relaxing to read.
Tia was such a sweetheart and I just wanted good things for her the entire time. After spending her life isolated because of her magic, watching her slowly open up and experience the world was really lovely. And Asha was the perfect balance to her — curious, determined, a little chaotic, and completely committed to figuring out how to help her.
My only reason for landing at 4 stars instead of 5 is that I wished the world and magic system had a little more depth in places. I found myself wanting just a bit more explanation and development there.
But overall this was a really charming sapphic fantasy romance with a unique premise, great tension, and characters I ended up caring about a lot. Definitely a cozy fantasy I’d recommend if you like soft adventures, yearning, and a romance that has to fight against a very literal deadly touch.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
The premise immediately hooked me — a girl whose touch literally causes death and the scientist determined to find a cure?? The tension that creates between Tia and Asha was SO good. Like… the longing?? The almost touches?? The constant awareness that something as simple as holding hands could be deadly?? It made every little moment between them feel huge.
I also really loved the cozy adventure vibe of this book. It felt like a fantasy road trip with weird magical creatures, small side quests, and a lot of character moments along the way. It wasn’t super high stakes all the time, which honestly made it really relaxing to read.
Tia was such a sweetheart and I just wanted good things for her the entire time. After spending her life isolated because of her magic, watching her slowly open up and experience the world was really lovely. And Asha was the perfect balance to her — curious, determined, a little chaotic, and completely committed to figuring out how to help her.
My only reason for landing at 4 stars instead of 5 is that I wished the world and magic system had a little more depth in places. I found myself wanting just a bit more explanation and development there.
But overall this was a really charming sapphic fantasy romance with a unique premise, great tension, and characters I ended up caring about a lot. Definitely a cozy fantasy I’d recommend if you like soft adventures, yearning, and a romance that has to fight against a very literal deadly touch.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
3.5 rounded up. I enjoyed! It was easy and fun. I do think it could have been longer to really dive into all of it more, have a bit more conflict, and spend some more time unpacking the emotional side of it but I understand that this is a subgenre where the lesser conflict and hopeful nature are kind of the point! I would absolutely love a darker version of this, but I still liked this one.
It did feel like reading a D&D campaign at times, not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but it sometimes felt a little jarring, like I could feel the skill checks being rolled or the intro into the next challenge to test their skills. But then again, who am I to judge, maybe those things make perfect sense in the society of this world and I just need to suspend my disbelief a little more! And if Aimee Donnellan just happens to be reading around in similar fanfic spaces to me I would not be surprised... (I say this with absolutely no proof, Aimee Donnellan may have never consumed a work of fanfiction in their life.. but...?)
I liked all the characters a lot, I think they were very well written, diverse and interesting - especially that fun cast of characters on the train. The comedic moments were great and the exploration of sexuality and consent within the constraints these characters had was really nice. I would definitely look out for more by the author and a special shout out to that beautiful cover art!
3.5 rounded up. I enjoyed! It was easy and fun. I do think it could have been longer to really dive into all of it more, have a bit more conflict, and spend some more time unpacking the emotional side of it but I understand that this is a subgenre where the lesser conflict and hopeful nature are kind of the point! I would absolutely love a darker version of this, but I still liked this one.
It did feel like reading a D&D campaign at times, not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but it sometimes felt a little jarring, like I could feel the skill checks being rolled or the intro into the next challenge to test their skills. But then again, who am I to judge, maybe those things make perfect sense in the society of this world and I just need to suspend my disbelief a little more! And if Aimee Donnellan just happens to be reading around in similar fanfic spaces to me I would not be surprised... (I say this with absolutely no proof, Aimee Donnellan may have never consumed a work of fanfiction in their life.. but...?)
I liked all the characters a lot, I think they were very well written, diverse and interesting - especially that fun cast of characters on the train. The comedic moments were great and the exploration of sexuality and consent within the constraints these characters had was really nice. I would definitely look out for more by the author and a special shout out to that beautiful cover art!
January 19, 2026
This book is perfect for dungeons and dragons players who prefer to talk before they stab.
At a young age, Tia almost killed her mother through her touch. Due to that necrotic touch that will be fatal to anyone who she touches, Tia is sent to live out the rest of her life in a convent. That is until she breaks out.
Asha is a brilliant researcher who reason to believe she is particularly suited towards curing the affliction that Tia has. So, she sends a secret message asking Tia to be her assistant so the can create and test out a potential cure.
This alliance brings them in an interesting predicament, as they are now in a race against the clock to cure Tia before she is dragged back to the convent. The book follows the two as they adventure, learn and grow closer.
The magical elements in this book are so incredibly cool! The necrosis curse, the empathy magic, the magical creatures, the fantastical book: everything magical in this world had me intrigued and wanting to find out more about it.
The story that unfolds is positively adorable and adorably positive. The plot line has the feel of a d&d quest that I would love to play. The world is innovative and unique, but also cozy and comforting.
I also adored that the world is queernormative and not mononormative. It was refreshing to see a world in which characters get to live unquestioningly authentically.
All in all, I would 100% recommend this book to fans of cozy fantasy, sapphics with magic and anybody curious about giving it a try: I promise that you won’t regret it.
4,5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At a young age, Tia almost killed her mother through her touch. Due to that necrotic touch that will be fatal to anyone who she touches, Tia is sent to live out the rest of her life in a convent. That is until she breaks out.
Asha is a brilliant researcher who reason to believe she is particularly suited towards curing the affliction that Tia has. So, she sends a secret message asking Tia to be her assistant so the can create and test out a potential cure.
This alliance brings them in an interesting predicament, as they are now in a race against the clock to cure Tia before she is dragged back to the convent. The book follows the two as they adventure, learn and grow closer.
The magical elements in this book are so incredibly cool! The necrosis curse, the empathy magic, the magical creatures, the fantastical book: everything magical in this world had me intrigued and wanting to find out more about it.
The story that unfolds is positively adorable and adorably positive. The plot line has the feel of a d&d quest that I would love to play. The world is innovative and unique, but also cozy and comforting.
I also adored that the world is queernormative and not mononormative. It was refreshing to see a world in which characters get to live unquestioningly authentically.
All in all, I would 100% recommend this book to fans of cozy fantasy, sapphics with magic and anybody curious about giving it a try: I promise that you won’t regret it.
4,5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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