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The Salt on Our Skin
Two young women, thrown together by the unexpected rekindling of their mothers' friendship, find in each other something that neither of them sees coming until it is already there, in the heat and salt of the Mediterranean.
What follows is a story of desire and of grief, of solitude and of the fierce love between women, mothers and daughters, friends across decades, lovers. Of two people who find each other too soon, lose each other too easily, and spend years learning whether what happened that summer was the beginning of something or the whole of it.
What do you do with a summer that never quite lets you go?
What follows is a story of desire and of grief, of solitude and of the fierce love between women, mothers and daughters, friends across decades, lovers. Of two people who find each other too soon, lose each other too easily, and spend years learning whether what happened that summer was the beginning of something or the whole of it.
What do you do with a summer that never quite lets you go?
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2026
13 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 24, 2026
A beautifully written poetic novella about finding love in a place you least expected to and fighting against the odds to keep it. The Salt On Our Skin will probably stay in my heart forever, and I’ll gladly keep it. The love story of Willow and Enya deeply captivated me, and I just couldn’t put the book down even if I tried. Which I didn't. Ellis meticulously painted Greece in a way that felt like I spent the summer there, and I didn’t want to go home. Their families and friends felt realistic and each stood out in their own way, so I fell in love with them too. All the affection, yearning, and love had a vice grip on my heart that wouldn’t let go until the very end. Willow and Enya won me over and fans of sapphic love stories where you can emotionally connect with the characters will enjoy it too. I highly recommend giving this a read.
“I could feel her whole body rising and falling with her breath, and I found myself breathing in time with her, without trying to.”
“I could feel her whole body rising and falling with her breath, and I found myself breathing in time with her, without trying to.”
March 20, 2026
greek queer love stories will always do it for me.
this book was so so beautifully written; i was truly invested from the very first chapter and finished it in only two sittings.
all the characters in this story feel so real – its impossible to not love them, not care for them, not feel every little emotion they feel. within the first 15% of the book, i had already been transported to that beautiful house by the beach.
im trying very very hard to be subjective, because the little greek lesbian inside me is fighting to not scream about how much i loved this love story.
( i was very kindly given an arc for this book by the author. )
this book was so so beautifully written; i was truly invested from the very first chapter and finished it in only two sittings.
all the characters in this story feel so real – its impossible to not love them, not care for them, not feel every little emotion they feel. within the first 15% of the book, i had already been transported to that beautiful house by the beach.
im trying very very hard to be subjective, because the little greek lesbian inside me is fighting to not scream about how much i loved this love story.
( i was very kindly given an arc for this book by the author. )
March 19, 2026
I would like to thank the author who sent me an ARC of this book to read and review! Book is now available on Amazon and KU :)
This book was mesmerising. The structure was so poetic, and I genuinely had to force myself to put it down when I had work to do. The relationships between the various characters were amazingly written and felt so genuine and realistic. The love, the longing, and the YEARNING… omg, I am in love.
Such a perfect book to read, especially on a sunny day (The book is mainly set in Greece).
Genuinely such an amazing novel, and I can’t wait to read any future works.
This book was mesmerising. The structure was so poetic, and I genuinely had to force myself to put it down when I had work to do. The relationships between the various characters were amazingly written and felt so genuine and realistic. The love, the longing, and the YEARNING… omg, I am in love.
Such a perfect book to read, especially on a sunny day (The book is mainly set in Greece).
Genuinely such an amazing novel, and I can’t wait to read any future works.
March 16, 2026
I received this book as an ARC yesterday and actually expected for it to take some time until I finished it, since I don't have much free time at the moment.
That was, until I started reading it. I was immediately captured by the story and literally didn't manage to put it down until it was done.
I didn't even stop to eat - that's how wonderful this book is and I feel honoured to be one of the first people to ever have the chance to read it.
I can't wait to read what else Rhea will publish in the future.
That was, until I started reading it. I was immediately captured by the story and literally didn't manage to put it down until it was done.
I didn't even stop to eat - that's how wonderful this book is and I feel honoured to be one of the first people to ever have the chance to read it.
I can't wait to read what else Rhea will publish in the future.
March 21, 2026
3.5⭐️
Ik mocht dit boek als ARC lezen in ruil voor een eerlijke review, dus bij deze mijn gedachten :)
Enorm speelse en ontzettend mooie schrijfstijl! De zinnen vloeien echt lekker en ik vond het taalgebruik heel sfeervol. Het was lekker fast-paced en ik heb het boek binnen 1 dag uitgelezen en heb er oprecht van genoten.
Qua romance vond ik het wel vrij vlot gaan, maar dat paste eigenlijk prima bij de luchtige vibe.
Dit is echt zo’n boek dat perfect is voor op het strand; je wordt heerlijk meegenomen, het leest makkelijk weg en je kunt het daarna ook weer prima afsluiten met een fijn gevoel. Is het een literair meesterwerk? Nee, maar dat hoeft ook niet en was ook niet wat ik verwachtte in dit geringe aantal pagina's.
Er zitten ontzettend veel tropes in, maar ze waren voor mijn gevoel net niet diep genoeg uitgewerkt om écht een sterke connectie met de personages te voelen. Daardoor was ik emotioneel niet mega invested in de zwaardere momenten en las ik daar ook vrij makkelijk overheen. Vandaar dat ik dan toch op 3.5 uitkom.
Dat betekent niet dat ik het geen leuk verhaal vond! De schrijfstijl is een groot pluspunt en voor zo’n 200 pagina’s was het echt een lekker, luchtig verhaal dat gewoon fijn wegleest en je even helemaal meeneemt naar Griekenland.
Ik zou absoluut nog een volgend boek van deze auteur oppakken!
Ik mocht dit boek als ARC lezen in ruil voor een eerlijke review, dus bij deze mijn gedachten :)
Enorm speelse en ontzettend mooie schrijfstijl! De zinnen vloeien echt lekker en ik vond het taalgebruik heel sfeervol. Het was lekker fast-paced en ik heb het boek binnen 1 dag uitgelezen en heb er oprecht van genoten.
Qua romance vond ik het wel vrij vlot gaan, maar dat paste eigenlijk prima bij de luchtige vibe.
Dit is echt zo’n boek dat perfect is voor op het strand; je wordt heerlijk meegenomen, het leest makkelijk weg en je kunt het daarna ook weer prima afsluiten met een fijn gevoel. Is het een literair meesterwerk? Nee, maar dat hoeft ook niet en was ook niet wat ik verwachtte in dit geringe aantal pagina's.
Er zitten ontzettend veel tropes in, maar ze waren voor mijn gevoel net niet diep genoeg uitgewerkt om écht een sterke connectie met de personages te voelen. Daardoor was ik emotioneel niet mega invested in de zwaardere momenten en las ik daar ook vrij makkelijk overheen. Vandaar dat ik dan toch op 3.5 uitkom.
Dat betekent niet dat ik het geen leuk verhaal vond! De schrijfstijl is een groot pluspunt en voor zo’n 200 pagina’s was het echt een lekker, luchtig verhaal dat gewoon fijn wegleest en je even helemaal meeneemt naar Griekenland.
Ik zou absoluut nog een volgend boek van deze auteur oppakken!
March 16, 2026
I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of this book, and it was absolutely worth it! I was completely transported to warm summer evenings in Greece and drawn into the love between Willow and Enya. I couldn’t put the book down. Definitely a highly recommended read!
March 19, 2026
A beautiful and poetic story
- I would like to thank the author for the eARC -
STANDALONE
Years ago, Willow and Enya's mothers were friends, until life pulled them apart, despite themselves. Now, they decided to spend one summer together, in Enya's family house in Greece. Willow had not planned to fall in love, but then Enya arrived, and she did. And even as they explore this irresistible, natural and obvious thing that links them together, they know it can never last. That it has to fade with the summer. Even if both of them would rather hold onto it forever.
This book is the kind that doesn't leave you. The kind that you fall into from the very first chapter and never want to end. What struck me the most about this novel was the writing. I felt like I was reading a classic, and I have no doubt that students would find a lot of things to say if they studied it. It was poetic, raw and powerful, in a way that really stayed with me. There was little dialogue, because it wasn't needed. The author told Enya and Willow's story through unsaid words, lingering glances, small touches and shared looks. It made the story softer, warmer, more real and immersive, in a way that surprised me. I fell in love, in Greece, with them, for one summer, and it was everything. This is a story of love, longing, grief, need and poetry, one that I will remember for a long time and will probably reread one day, just to bask in its beauty once more.
I highly recommend if you like beautiful stories of love that leave a mark.
TW: homophobia, domestic abuse (mention), death, grief
- I would like to thank the author for the eARC -
STANDALONE
Years ago, Willow and Enya's mothers were friends, until life pulled them apart, despite themselves. Now, they decided to spend one summer together, in Enya's family house in Greece. Willow had not planned to fall in love, but then Enya arrived, and she did. And even as they explore this irresistible, natural and obvious thing that links them together, they know it can never last. That it has to fade with the summer. Even if both of them would rather hold onto it forever.
This book is the kind that doesn't leave you. The kind that you fall into from the very first chapter and never want to end. What struck me the most about this novel was the writing. I felt like I was reading a classic, and I have no doubt that students would find a lot of things to say if they studied it. It was poetic, raw and powerful, in a way that really stayed with me. There was little dialogue, because it wasn't needed. The author told Enya and Willow's story through unsaid words, lingering glances, small touches and shared looks. It made the story softer, warmer, more real and immersive, in a way that surprised me. I fell in love, in Greece, with them, for one summer, and it was everything. This is a story of love, longing, grief, need and poetry, one that I will remember for a long time and will probably reread one day, just to bask in its beauty once more.
I highly recommend if you like beautiful stories of love that leave a mark.
TW: homophobia, domestic abuse (mention), death, grief
March 17, 2026
I found a snippet of this book on TikTok, and just had to read it. Needless to say, after buying the book I stayed up all night reading it.
It was such a smooth read, and it keeps you hooked. The stories, the characters, the falling in love - the slow burn of it actually makes you fall in love with this book.
The build up and the storyline is SO GOOD. It leaves you feeling all the emotions, the longing, the stolen stares, the love, the butterflies, the heartbreak, the grief and of course all of it while painting the perfect picture of the surroundings and the settings.
It was such a smooth read, and it keeps you hooked. The stories, the characters, the falling in love - the slow burn of it actually makes you fall in love with this book.
The build up and the storyline is SO GOOD. It leaves you feeling all the emotions, the longing, the stolen stares, the love, the butterflies, the heartbreak, the grief and of course all of it while painting the perfect picture of the surroundings and the settings.
March 19, 2026
beautiful book lots of lesbian yearning my fav😍
March 18, 2026
Rhea Ellis’s debut, The Salt on Our Skin, is nothing short of magnificent. It’s rare to find a first novel that feels this confident, moving, and technically brilliant all at once. While the story is set in Greece, the author captures the "irrelevant" details of a Mediterranean summer with such vivid precision that I was instantly transported back to my own childhood summers in Italy. She has this uncanny ability to turn small, sensory moments into something deeply personal.
Specifically, her description of an outdoor shower, it unlocked a memory engraved in me that came with growing up with sunny weather and the sea a few meters away. The way the water starts off almost too hot because the pipes have been baking in the sun all day, only to turn bracingly cold just as you start to feel clean, hit me with a wave of nostalgia I wasn't expecting.
It’s those "small" things that make the world of this book feel so lived-in and real.
The plot itself is incredibly original, but the way it advances is what really blew me away.
It managed to be completely unexpected while simultaneously feeling like the only way the story could have possibly unfolded.
It gave me exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t know I needed it.
As for the characters, they felt less like fictional constructs and more like versions of myself. I found it amazing how deeply I was able to connect with both protagonists; I saw my own flaws, hopes, and history reflected in them both.
If you want a book that stays with you long after the final page, this is it. Rhea Ellis is a major new talent, and I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Specifically, her description of an outdoor shower, it unlocked a memory engraved in me that came with growing up with sunny weather and the sea a few meters away. The way the water starts off almost too hot because the pipes have been baking in the sun all day, only to turn bracingly cold just as you start to feel clean, hit me with a wave of nostalgia I wasn't expecting.
It’s those "small" things that make the world of this book feel so lived-in and real.
The plot itself is incredibly original, but the way it advances is what really blew me away.
It managed to be completely unexpected while simultaneously feeling like the only way the story could have possibly unfolded.
It gave me exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t know I needed it.
As for the characters, they felt less like fictional constructs and more like versions of myself. I found it amazing how deeply I was able to connect with both protagonists; I saw my own flaws, hopes, and history reflected in them both.
If you want a book that stays with you long after the final page, this is it. Rhea Ellis is a major new talent, and I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
March 22, 2026
I had the honor of being an ARC reader and received a free ebook copy from the author.
I just finished reading this book and I loved it!! The writing style is sooooo good and really smooth. I went through the text so easily. I’m also very impressed by the overall quality; for a self-published debut without a full editorial team, it’s really amazing! Any minor errors were barely noticeable and didn’t take away from the story at all.
I loved the slow burn, the characters, and the intimate scenes. I usually don’t read romance, especially when it has sexual content in it, but this one was really good!! I’m excited to see this author grow and will definitely be looking out for future releases 💗 Genuinely recommend to anyone who is looking for a good wlw romance.
I just finished reading this book and I loved it!! The writing style is sooooo good and really smooth. I went through the text so easily. I’m also very impressed by the overall quality; for a self-published debut without a full editorial team, it’s really amazing! Any minor errors were barely noticeable and didn’t take away from the story at all.
I loved the slow burn, the characters, and the intimate scenes. I usually don’t read romance, especially when it has sexual content in it, but this one was really good!! I’m excited to see this author grow and will definitely be looking out for future releases 💗 Genuinely recommend to anyone who is looking for a good wlw romance.
March 19, 2026
This is a debut novel by Rhea Ellis, about two women falling in love during vacation, and going through ups and downs.
This was truly amazing. 🫶🏼
The characters, the story all well written.
I felt like part 2 was a bit rushed. I really adored such a good story. 🌺
I‘d like to read more written by such a wonderful person.
This was truly amazing. 🫶🏼
The characters, the story all well written.
I felt like part 2 was a bit rushed. I really adored such a good story. 🌺
I‘d like to read more written by such a wonderful person.
March 20, 2026
Was drawn to this book and lucky enough to receive an ARC. For fans of "Hot Milk" and people who have made deep, unforgettable connections with people while traveling. Absolutely loved following this story that gave me about a million flashbacks from my own life. 10/10 would recommend!
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March 25, 2026voy a ser honesta: me gustó mucho su relación pero me pareció mucha descripción y poca acción. me explico, siento que muchas conversaciones entre ellas queda como implícito, como 'pasaron muchos días así' más que mostrarlo y pienso que, sobre todo al principio, cuando se conocen, es cuando más diálogo me debes mostrar, más momentos entre ellas, ver cómo se enamoran y enamorarme con ellas de su relación. así que en ese sentido me faltó, pero sí sentí amor en la obra así que kudos a la autora ^^
March 17, 2026
sunburn with a happy ending 😜😜
March 18, 2026
I enjoyed this as a quick read to read in one sitting! Enjoyed that is was set mainly in Greece, getting me slowly into the summer reads
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews