The Forbidden Fling

by Emily Wright

Rule #1: After a breakup, avoid your ex.
Rule #2: Absolutely, under no circumstances, kiss her mum.

Faye manages to break both before her wellness retreat at Sandy Springs has even officially begun.
What was meant to be a fresh start after an emergency operation — three weeks of yoga, birdwatching, and emotional detox on a sun-kissed Portuguese island — quickly turns into something far less wholesome. Stranded at the retreat with her ex just a few cabins away, Faye discovers that running away is impossible.
And then there’s Diana.
Elegant. Composed. Miles out of her league. Heartbreak waiting to happen.

Diana arrives at Sandy Springs with one repair her fragile relationship with her daughter. No drama. No distractions. Brilliant, disciplined, and in control, Diana has academic accolades and a career people only dream of.
But one night at the bar—and one impulsive kiss—shatters every carefully held illusion. Faye, with her warmth, passion, and curious charm cracks the edges of Diana’s perfect world.
What starts as harmless fun quickly gets out of hand. Faye was never part of the plan. Yet the connection between them feels reckless… and painfully, irresistibly right.
With time running out and emotions surging, Faye and Diana must decide what’s
breaking a daughter’s trust —or breaking their own carefully guarded hearts.
On an island with nowhere to hide, some temptations aren’t just hard to resist…
They might be exactly what they’ve both been searching for.

Genres: Fiction, Lesbian

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2026

About the author

Emily Wright is a dog-loving, book-sniffing, ukulele-playing author who lives in Barnsley in the UK. When she isn’t attached to her computer writing, she loves the outdoors, especially the crash of the ocean, the smell of pine, and starry night skies that make her feel absolutely obsolete. When not drinking tea and eating an unthinkable amount of Bourbons, she spends the rest of her time chasing her two naughty Cocker Spaniels around the house to stop them from eating anything and everything.

Reviews

[Clara Addicted to sapphic books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wright wrote a story with compelling characters that hooked me in right away. I really liked Faye and her representation of ostomy. She lived through a big trauma with the change of her body, and I can only applaud this kind of representation. Diana is also layered with unresolved scars from the past, and these two just have great chemistry. The dynamic between them was interesting to read, and the lack of confidence during intimate moments did not come from the character I expected. Even if on paper they are not the most obvious pair, they work. Nevertheless, the physical aspect of their relationship was more developed than their emotional one. The reason why they fell in love was not obvious.The conflict with Molly came late, and its resolution was a bit rushed and deserved to be more deepened. Diana's relationship with Molly was the reason she came to the retreat, and in the end, it was underexploited. But overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sandy Springs once again brings people together. I enjoyed reading The Forbidden Fling. The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars is because the opening to the book was a bit slow and I had a hard time figuring out how Faye and Diana were going to make this work in the end. In the end, it all came together (which I should have known would make sense). Once I got through the slow opening, it was hard to put this book down. The only reason I didn't read it all within a few days is due to work obligations.
I hope that the Sandy Springs series continues! I always love the supporting characters in all of these stories as well.
Great read and I hope everyone enjoys the drama like I do!

[Unpopmary]

I DNF'd at 30%. I was really excited to read this because of the 'ex's mother' trope, as it's not very common, and the story being set in Portugal made it even more appealing. Having lived there for a while, it felt like a nice trip down memory lane. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling bored almost immediately. I just couldn't get into the story, and I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters at all. I've had similar issues with this author before, so maybe she's simply not for me.

[Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very special thanks to author Emily Wright for this wonderful ARC opportunity. I am very happy to share my honest review.

I was immediately captivated by the summary blurb of this book and was very excited for the privilege of an early copy to read! A taboo sapphic romance with your ex-girlfriend's mom is exactly the sort of story that I was in the mood for and Emily Wright definitely delivered. I really fell in love with not only Faye and Diana but also with Portugal and Sandy Springs. I don't usually have such a response to the book setting but this one really inspired a sense of healing that I could use in my own life. The Forbidden Fling was a wonderful character driven sapphic romance with a ton of emotional depth. I loved the scandalous aspect of the story a great deal! However, the vulnerability, healing and genuine connection created a beautiful sapphic love story that I can't stop thinking about.

We meet Faye, who I found to be a remarkable young woman. We all suffer through one adversity or another but health issues are particularly daunting and test the very makeup of our character and emotional well being. At only 26 years she has battled a serious health condition, suffered through emergency surgery and ultimately she must live her life with an ostomy bag. I did have to do a bit of research to understand this and was a bit overwhelmed by it all. I discovered that the ostomy/colostomy bag is a bag that is attached to her abdomen which fills with waste and must be emptied throughout the day. That seems so incredibly difficult, sort of scary and definitely life altering. I was immediately impressed by her strength and resilience. I know she retreated a bit and certainly struggled, but she found the inner strength to go to Sandy Springs and embrace her life as she must now live it. She ultimately chose to face her new life with courage, fortitude and determination. What an amazing woman! I honestly admired her and fell a little in love with her myself as the story went on. She meets Diana who is off to Sandy Springs in an attempt to mend the broken relationship with her daughter Molly who is, you guessed it, Faye's ex! Ha! I loved this deliciously scandalous aspect of the story so much! Diana is older, 40s, and a successful author. She is sexy, confident and just as flawed as the rest of us. I admit I found myself sort of smiling whenever she spoke to Faye. I liked her a lot as well.

I could see the chemistry between Faye and Diana upon their first meeting at the bar. It was electric and I loved how Diana sort of checked her out from the moment she walked in. I loved how their first interaction is Diana returning Faye's dropped debit card so she is already kind of swooping in in true hero fashion. What ensues is a really beautiful romance. Diana and Faye certainly had a sort of immediate chemistry but the emotional bond that builds over their time together made my heart smile. I was hooked on them from that first improbable kiss and was rooting for them right up until their well deserved happy ending. I believed in them and that made the story real for me. Their interactions were charged and full of a blend of sexual tension and hope for more. I especially appreciated the steamier moments and found them to be a delicious blend of very hot and beautifully vulnerable. These romantic interludes were amazing and absolutely made me understand how deep the connection between Diana and Faye was becoming.

Unfortunately, Diana and Faye can't live in their sweet love bubble forever…after all there is Molly to deal with. I enjoyed this aspect of the story as the provocative element it was. The book doesn't shy away from the consequences here. Things are complicated and messy and people get hurt…just like in real life. I felt that the reactions from all parties were authentic and raw and I am glad the circumstances were appropriately embraced. Overall, I appreciated that the resolution came without too much destruction and that our girls got their happy ending! They add so much love and depth to each other's lives and I was thrilled to see them choose one another for real. This story sort of illustrates the importance of timing also. I believe that Diana & Faye met at just the right time in their lives to truly add the most benefit to each other and create a genuinely beautiful love.

The writing was superb. I loved Emily Wright's style so much. She writes with emotion, vulnerability and courage. The prose is clean and contemporary with a healthy dose of subtle humor that had me glued to every page. I very much enjoyed the dialogue between Diana and Faye as it was so natural and real. Their interactions and conversations felt designed to make me feel connected to them and it worked because I became enamored with them both. Wright does a fantastic job of creating realistic characters with wonderful attributes and definitely flaws which I came to adore. The pace of the book worked really well. We get a bit of an immediate attraction and chemistry but a gradual emotional build to a real love story that won't stop dancing around in my mind.

The Forbidden Fling is a really wonderful sapphic love story with so many layers. I was so enticed by the taboo element and enjoyed the tension and delicious illicitness it brought to the story. I loved this book and found the romance between Diana and Faye to be very sweet and quite moving. They work so well together and bring out the best in one another. This book has a lot of emotional depth and was so well written. I highly recommend it if you are in the mood for a fun, sweet, sexy, steamy and warm heated age gap romance with a touch of forbidden love! I was deeply moved by the entire story and I can't wait to read what Emily Wright comes up with next!

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Sapphic, Lesbian FMC w/Ostomy, Bisexual FMC, Nonbinary SC, Sapphic SC, Achillean SCs (MC has two dads)

📝Tropes/Themes: Age Gap (41/26), Ex GF’s Mom, Femme/Femme, Forced Proximity, Vacation/Travel, Grief & Healing, Learning to Love Yourself, Set in Portugal

This was such a wonderful story for so many reasons! First of all…the ostomy rep was incredible! Faye’s whole backstory with her Crohn’s Disease and the emergency surgery and having her life basically upended was so powerful. I love that Emily wrote Faye in such a way that she wasn’t defined by those parts of her though. Yes they were central and integral to the storyline, but they were just simply part of what made Faye who she is. I’ve never read a book with ostomy rep before and it was so refreshing to see!

Diana had quite the backstory of her own, too. I won’t go into much detail because hers is revealed bit by bit over the course of the story. We get to know Diana a bit slower than we do Faye. She’s more of a closed book, even to herself, and I honestly think she is the one who needed the wellness retreat more than any of them, even though she started out thinking she needed it the least! I wasn’t expecting her to be the one who was more hesitant about showing herself to Faye, but I actually think it made the story better because of course people are going to assume the one with the ostomy would be the self conscious one. And yes, some of that was there, but I loved that it was so brief and Diane made her feel so comfortable that it basically became a non-issue.

I had no idea what to expect with the whole ‘ex’s mom’ trope, but I really love the way Emily used this trope. Molly (Faye’s ex) had ghosted her and she’d never even met her mom. Faye and Diana meet and sparks fly well before they know how they are connected. But it’s harder to put out a fire once it’s already started burning! And well…they were already too far in to stop at that point.

I actually really liked Molly and I was glad we got to know her in the story too. But I LOVED Quin…they honestly kind of stole my heart and I want a book with these two…just saying (hint hint Emily 😜). There were actually a lot of great side characters, including Carla and Raul and of course Riley and Ella! And I loved getting to see Faye geek out over plants and animals and how Emily even wove in a subplot to really make that passion shine.

The main reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt like the ‘Molly finding out’ part and everything at the end felt a little rushed and I wanted a bit more from that part of the story. It was so abrupt and then resolved just as quickly. But that didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story overall. This book was a beautiful combination of heat, humor, and healing, and I ate up every word!

The Forbidden Fling can be read as a standalone, but I’m so glad I listened to The Heartbreak Hotel before I read this because it gave me such a better understanding of Sandy Springs and what they do there going into this book. Plus I knew more about Riley and Ella and it was so much fun getting to seem them again in this book!

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.


⚠️TW/CW: sexual content, vomit, mention of parental death, strained parental relationship, poaching, mention of a past abusive relationship, mention of surgery/hospitalization

[The Sapphic Shelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book is the epitome of the famous last words: What could go wrong? 🤷 For anyone wondering, the answer is LOTS. Emily Wright shows us that when it comes to love (and specifically falling in love with your ex’s mom while you all happen to be at a wellness retreat together), a lot can go wrong, but so much more can go right!

The Forbidden Fling is Book 2 in the Sandy Springs series, and I was so excited to revisit the wellness retreat that played such a big part in Book 1. This is technically a standalone, but there are some sweet callbacks between the leads from the previous book that you’ll only catch if you read in order 🥰. The rest of the supporting cast is a real hoot, and I enjoyed getting to know the new characters, along with seeing more of the established characters that I came to know and love in Book 1. Wright has a knack for making the ensemble feel lived-in without letting them crowd out the central story.

What intrigued me most going into the book was Wright’s depiction of Faye’s ostomy. Disability rep in sapphic romance can be hit-or-miss, and I’m glad to report that this one lands firmly in the “hit” column 🎯. I really appreciated that the ostomy isn’t Faye’s entire arc. The book is far more interested in what she does with the new lease on life she’s been given post-surgery. That’s a quietly radical choice, and one that made Faye feel three-dimensional (though as someone who despises running, I couldn’t imagine using that new lease on life to train for a half-marathon, but to each their own 😬).

The spice in this book is absolutely spicing 🥵, and we see that pretty consistently throughout. Their physical chemistry is there from Day 1, and I was happy to watch that grow as they got more and more comfortable with each other. They both came in with a fair amount of baggage around intimacy, but Wright really allowed the characters to explore and work through said baggage without taking the shortcut and having them simply “get over it.” At times I did find myself wishing for a bit more in the emotional chemistry department to match the physical chemistry, but it all rounded out in the end.

I was nervous about how the whole “falling for your ex’s mom” trope would go, but I think it was handled in a very mature way. Faye and Diana had already built a meaningful connection before realizing that they had Molly (the ex/daughter) in common. This helped their relationship stay grounded in a genuine connection rather than getting caught up in the pure shock value. Though it wasn’t a main plot point, I did enjoy getting to know Molly a bit through both Faye and Diana’s POVs. She goes through her own growth, especially around her relationship with her mom. It might not necessarily fit into the Sandy Springs series, but I’d love to see another book focused on Molly. (Completely unsolicited wish list item: a Molly-centered book, maybe a few years into the future, possibly with Quin as a love interest. Idk but I’m manifesting it.)

TLDR: A spicy, warm, and surprisingly layered sapphic romance with standout disability rep and a trope that’s handled with far more care than you might expect. Highly recommend (along with literally everything else by Emily Wright 😍).

[Nat Paga · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a special kind of comfort that comes from reading an Emily Wright novel. Even though I know I’m going to go through an emotional wringer with every story, it hurts so good I can’t help coming back for more. Her protagonists are girl-next-door and best friend (or, best friend’s sister) types. ‘Normal’ women who haven’t yet figured out their brilliance, with detailed insecurities and personal challenges that will make you feel a little less alone with your own issues. In The Forbidden Fling, the main characters Faye and Diana both have unique difficulties to overcome. Thankfully, Sandy Springs is the perfect place to heal (and, of course, find love <3 ).

Recently stuck with life-changing complications from her Crohn's Disease, Faye is so well-realized by Wright’s signature silly, easy candor that she gave me a new perspective on a condition many people struggle with. Faye’s path to self-love and finding her ‘enigma’ makes you feel like you can love yourself a little more, too. Her passion for animals and animal facts (cat clowder lol) was adorable, and tied into the island’s larger story perfectly—I wasn’t expecting any action, but I cheered at Faye taking a personal vendetta against the poachers.

On the surface, Diana is very different from other Emily Wright characters. She’s older, more mature, professionally driven, and successful in her career. Under all that, though, she’s just as much of a mess as everyone else with buried trauma and repression galore. Diana makes a lot of mistakes, but she’s so tightly wound it's easy to understand why she reacts the way she does to certain things. Her journey is one of losing control (because who wouldn’t when an incredible but off-limits woman makes her attraction clear?), then willingly ceding it in order to be a better person for herself and for the people she loves. Except the bedroom… Diana can keep taking the lead there and I think Faye would agree. Their chemistry was off the charts from that first ridiculously hot alcohol-fueled hallway kiss until the very end (I’m glad Diana was feeling optimistic in that last scene).

Speaking of the end, I cried a lot... While The Forbidden Fling can be enjoyed by itself, it really shines as a sequel to The Heartbreak Hotel. Reading about the island again with Wright’s lush descriptions of the local ecology, catching up with old friends like Ella, Riley, and the extended cast of Sandy Springs, seeing a little slice of the world where people grow into better versions of themselves, made for a beautiful experience. Wright has carved out a special world on one tiny Portuguese Island, with stories that heal the heart. Thank you for the chance to read and review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Forbidden Fling is book two in the Sandy Springs series. It’s a standalone, so you needn’t have read the first book, The Heartbreak Hotel. This is an age-gap, ex-girlfriend’s mom romance, that takes place at a wellness retreat in Portugal.

I was immediately drawn in by the disability rep with Faye having an ostomy. I’ve never read a character with this procedure and it was interesting to learn about and see the things Faye struggles with. Although it isn’t all negative, as the ostomy has given Faye a new lease on life, and she no longer has the frequent Crohn’s flare ups she had before. She has been adjusting to life with her ostomy for about six months when her dads encouraged her to go on this wellness retreat. She had been in a slump since her life changed drastically after the emergency surgery. Faye studied to be an ecologist but has been away from work and misses it.

Diana is a successful Harvard professor and author that has been struggling to write her second book. She hates to take time away from work as she has a fierce competition with one of her colleagues and worries she’ll take her place. But she needs to reconnect and repair the relationship with her daughter so she takes Molly to the wellness retreat in Portugal. They don’t travel together as Molly still lives in England and Diana is coming from the states. This means there is alone time for Diana and Faye to meet. Neither know they have a connection in Diana’s daughter Molly.

The spicy scenes were incredible and frequent between Diana and Faye, and they definitely had an incredible physical chemistry. The romance almost took a backseat to the physical relationship, but I’m not complaining. The realization they had Molly in common doesn’t come until about 38% into the book. As with many romance novels there is a third act breakup and I think it goes without saying what the cause is - Molly finds out about Faye and her mom’s relationship. However we do get our HEA and I thought it was well done.

I also really enjoyed all of the side characters and the wellness retreat setting in Portugal. I felt like I was really there and could feel the sun warming my skin. The side characters were interesting and well developed and if you read The Heartbreak Hotel you’ll be happy to see some familiar characters. All in all this was a fun and sexy read and I’ll definitely be reading more of this author’s works. Thank you for the ARC.

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this, the second novel
In the Sandy Springs series and this one did not disappoint.

We return to Sandy springs with a different set of guest looking to unwind, detox and soak up the Portuguese sun but a small snag leads two guests to miss their boat connection to the island. Faye having just gone through an emergency operation and a previous ghosting break up, shes looking to reclaim herself into the person she wants to be rather than hiding in her room and Diana who is looking to reconnect with her daughter. Her life on paper is one of control and high accolades but is that what she wants. It was all going so well until a bottle of wine later and a kiss that then set wheels in motion for a island fling, but is there more at play here than three weeks of fun in the sun!

This is so fun but also quite emotional at times. We have some great tropes but I enjoyed seeing the dynamic between the two main characters grow plus the passion and the spice! The highlighting of a character living with a stoma (something I was quite ignorant of) plus Diana’s daughter is also on the island this causes some tension between the two women, it is a tad awkward (like watching a tennis match this bit!). We see Riley and Ella again but we’re not the main focus and I loved the interactions with the side characters. It’s also dual POV and I did enjoy the focus of the island and its natural inhabitants.

The characters all grow gaining confidence, being vulnerable, dealing with physical / emotional pain and taking risks to get what they want. The only part that was lacking for me is Diana’s daughter, this area felt rushed to be resolved as I would have wanted to see more of the development not just its suddenly better as Dianas daughter did feel like a side note to place a stick of dynamite under Faye and Dianas relationship, I would have liked this to have been slightly more fleshed but otherwise I enjoyed everything.

There are some trigger warnings but honestly it’s great, you don’t need to read the heartbreak hotel to understand the story, it’s perfect on its own. Be interesting to see if there is a third book in the series but so far this one is definitely my favourite! Thank you to the author @emilywrightwriter for letting me read prior to general realise on the 15th April.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily writes characters and stories that pull you in and this novel was no exception. I think what I enjoyed most about this sumptuously landscaped age-gap romance was the complexity of the lead characters as well as the ripples of other characters around them. I like complicated women - I married one and it's one of the best decisions I ever made! - and felt rewarded with Faye and Diana. I liked their spheres of experience and how they'd been shaped up until their meeting on that fateful night in the hotel bar. But they're both imperfect people who are flawed and unpredictable who get in their own way so wonderfully that the narrative takes you on a real trip, and I'm not just talking about the retreat!

I always feel like I'm in safe hands with Emily's storytelling. She creates intrinsically fascinating characters who are compelling and interesting to read. The relationship building is carefully structured outside of anything physical, although the love scenes are absolutely smoking hot and I LOVED the physical discoveries and vulnerabilities that were explored. One of my favourite parts was the dissonance between the way someone looks and their confidence in self. Diana being so accomplished and so beautiful and SO good in bed was a fabulous flip of the coin to someone who couldn't allow herself to be touched, or strip away the insecurities she wears. I think what made her character development special was the proof that people can and do change and grow, even when they're a grown adult!

The beautiful landscape provides a fabulous backdrop to the drama, including little side stories that include tertiary characters - a nice breathing space from the intensity of the central characters and their relationship. I found myself thinking about the island and the people on it after reading, going back to the sunshine and the beach and the heat between two women that was given life and substance. A really wonderful way to look forward to summer.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this author manages to take me on a journey as if I were spending time on an island in Portugal for real.

We are back in Sandy Springs for another adventure. This time Faye takes us with her although we do encounter Ella and Riley from the previous book. However this book can be read as a standalone if you haven't read part 1. I do recommend it though as Ella's journey is engaging as fun as Faye's.

Faye has had major surgery and to heal her body and mind she sets off to Sandy springs, a resort on a remote Portugal island away from all her worries and aches. Well, not entirely as some may have followed her to the island. I love how Faye pushes herself to overcome all that life has thrown her way and is pushing herself out of her comfortzone to go for what she wants.

Diana is at the resort to find herself again and repair her relationship with her daughter Molly. Not an easy task while being drawn to Faye.

Despite the age difference this pairing just works. Faye is wise beyond her years and Diana has been focusing on her career so intently that she forgot to truly live and grow as a her true self. They compliment each other and help each other grow and be who they want to be without pushing too much or crossing boundaries.

There were some interesting side characters who added to the plot rather than take from it. Although I would have liked to have seen a bit more of Molly although I'm not sure if it would have worked for the story. I was just intrigued by her.

The ostomy rep was a first for me and I liked how it was handled so respectfully and matter of factfully if that is even a word. It also deals with trauma from the past which too many people often still forget shapes a person.

An ARC was given to me by the author in return of an honest review.

[Siddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faye is going on a wellness retreat at Sandy Springs, on an island off the coast of Portugal. After she was ghosted by her (now ex) girlfriend Molly, and had a medical emergency where she almost died, this year has been the worst. Her loving dads in Manchester, England are not sure if they want her so far away, but she needs to regain her sense of independence, and prepare to return to work after many months of depression and recovery.
Diana is going to the retreat to reconnect with her daughter Molly, after their relationship has broken down. She partly blames her ex husband Jason for the situation, putting ideas into Molly’s head. However she also realises that her own high pressure life as a professor in the US, the time difference between there and the UK, and her reticence to talk about emotions, has not helped with their lack of connection.
Now, because of a storm on the mainland, both Diana and Faye are stranded, forced to spend the night in a small hotel, which is where they meet for the first time.
I enjoyed this story; the instant attraction between the women was hot, and their together times were steamy. I was also surprised that once their shared connection to Molly was discovered, they still managed to make things work. And even more so, that Molly eventually accepted their being together.
Both women have their own issues, and this story shows them working through them, with the sunny backdrop of the island, its natural beauty, the flora and fauna, and the staff and other residents on the course. Quin especially is lovely. They make some deep and intense parts of the story lighter.
This is a really good story, and a fun, romantic and steamy read.

[sapphicliteratureirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 ARC Review 📚 Thanks to the author for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Back in Portugal with Book Two in the Sandy Springs series! This can be read as a standalone, but I’d recommend reading 'The Heartbreak Hotel 'for the full experience and understanding who Riley are Ella are 📚

If you do read as a standalone, the story follows the dual perspectives of Faye and Diana. Faye arrives at a wellness retreat after emergency surgery six months prior, taking part in the ‘reset your life’ programme. Diana, meanwhile, is in need of a pause - time to reflect and to rebuild a stronger relationship with her daughter, while also at the same retreat 💫🌴

At its heart, this is a story about two women searching for a fresh start and a new perspective. As they navigate different forms of grief, they gradually find a sense of peace and self-love. And I think the author strikes a lovely balance between humour and emotional depth, brought to life through its vibrant setting and memorable cast of side characters.

There’s also an age gap (and the added complication that Diana is the mother of Faye’s ex-girlfriend 🙃) but the forced proximity of the three-week retreat brings them together in very hot ways. I’m still not entirely sure whether the sexual chemistry helps or hinders them… but either way, it’s 🔥🔥🔥! The intimate scenes are developed and sexy, and I really appreciated the inclusion of ostomy representation and both women building confidence in their intimacy. Plus, the idea of orgasms helping to align chakras? Yes, yes!

Give this a read for its humour, characrer growth and gorgeous summer-fling to more vibes ☀️📚

[MyTinyBookReview Deb W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just another amazing book by Emily Wright. Although this is the second book in this series it can be read as a standalone. But do yourself a favor and read The Heartbreak Hotel, it is a great book as well.
Emily can write an amazing, suck you in and make you not want to put it done, story but it is the way she writes characters that keeps me come back for more. Emily has a way of writing characters that have great strengths and incredible flaws. They have things in common but also traits that complement the other character. The depth of the characters is a big plus for me when reading. I was a little nervous when I starting reading this book because it felt like Faye’s character was a bit more flushed out and I had a better understanding of her. As I moved forward in the story Diana came to life and the pacing of her backstory was perfect. It took a little longer but that was the pace the book needed to take.
I have read some books where one MC has a physical or mental disability but this was the first time I read about an MC with Crohn’s. The complications and changes to the body were not something I had ever thought of. Thanks to this story I have a better understanding of the challenges one might have both physically and mentally.
This book was a lovely mix of laughs, sadness, and healing. I loved every minute of it.
Thank you, Emily Wright, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a steamy age-gap romance with heart and genuinely complex characters. I loved both main characters and felt that their connection was real and deeply developed, even as they faced some uncomfortable truths. Each of them has personal struggles to overcome and moments where they don’t present their best selves, but those challenges ultimately deepen their bond and show how they navigate life’s ups and downs together.

The age gap is handled especially well, without any sense of a predatory or unfair power dynamic. Instead, this is truly a romance between two consenting, informed adults who fall for each other while navigating conflict and their own personal challenges.

I was especially impressed by the chronic illness and ostomy representation. It was handled thoughtfully and skillfully, highlighting both the practical lifestyle changes and the shifts in self-perception that can come with it. The story also reinforces that people with ostomies can still live full, “normal” lives that include sex, romance, and attraction.

I also appreciated how the author crafted characters who initially come across as malicious, only to reveal their own internal struggles. This added depth to the story and emphasized that these characters are complex and fallible rather than purely good or bad.

This book left me wanting more—not because the story felt incomplete, but because I simply wanted to spend more time in the world Emily Wright created.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story pleasantly surprised me with the ostomy rep. I've never seen it even mentioned in any book I've read. And it was very well done.

Faye, our main character, is off to Sandy Springs resort in Portugal, to deal with the big change in her body. Both physically and mentally.

On the other hand we have Dianna, an established professional, who is at the resort with her daughter, Molly, in hopes of reconnecting with her and rebuilding their relationship.

The two meet and our story begins. I don't think I've read an age gap romance before (fantasy doesn't count 🤣), so this was quite new for me. While I still don't understand how it works, but it worked perfectly fine for this story. It was well done and well written. I was absorbed in the plot and the characters. The author did well with the storytelling when it came to the two main characters. I was hoping to see some reconnecting between Dianna and Molly, but somehow missed it? The focus was more on the two main characters and their relationship with each other, which is fine by me. I enjoyed it a lot.

Even the side characters were very well written. Whether you like them or not, you'll be able to figure it out yourself once you read the book 😋

While the story had a few steamy scenes (and very VERY well written 🥵), I'd say overall this book was a romantic, cozy read.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book.

When it came to putting this book down, I struggled A LOT! Let’s start with that.

The Forbidden Fling was such a delight! I couldn’t get enough of Faye and Diana… or their story, their relationship, their rapport.

Faye is so delicately laid out on the pages that you could feel her anxieties and inner struggles. It left me wanting to reach through the pages and just give her a hug.

Diana, dealing with a full plate of current stress and past trauma, is so gentle and takes things slow (until she doesn’t 😉) with Faye, that it pulls at your heart.

I could not ask for more from The Forbidden Fling. Between the couple, the supporting characters, and the intricate life teachings that are laced into the words of this book, I couldn’t not give this one a five-star rating. It was SO GOOD! Period.

Emily Wright’s writing is so captivating and engaging that I felt like I was highlighting it as if it were a textbook for one of my college courses.

Even the spice was so deliciously layered, it was like being treated to dessert after an amazing meal.

This one easily climbed the ranks of my favorite sapphic books. I can’t wait to read more by Emily!

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to "The Hartbreak Hotel" was just as wonderful, quirky, and funny.
It was even hotter, phew!
I loved the setting, and the characters were incredibly likeable. The problems that Diana and Faye have to overcome and live with are difficult in their own unique way, and it takes time to learn to live with them or find a way to cope.
The fact that both women find each other instantly attractive in that bar is a huge bonus, and the chemistry is fantastic to read about.
The fact that Diana turns out to be the mother of the Ex, who ghosted Faye and that they're all together on this Island, brings with it the difficult part.
But the attraction doesn't disappear...will they allow it and find a way to do more than just give in to the attraction?

Faye is incredibly brave in my eyes.
She's struggled with her physical condition her whole life, and now that there's a solution, she feels unattractive, but she faces her fears and wants a better life.
That's very motivating, and I enjoy reading about such strong characters. Well done, Emily Wright.
That was a lovely romance.
Thanks so much for the ARC.

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an Advance Copy

I have to be honest I was skeptical of the concept but the book surprised in a good way and the concept of the book grow on me as I read. Age-gap romances don’t always work for me, but in this case, the author handled it really well.

Both the main characters were well-written and engaging, and they had so much chemistry from the start you could feel it from the moment they were introduced.

As I said I was initially skeptical about the premise, especially the idea of dating your ex’s mother but I genuinely enjoyed how it was executed.

This book can definitely be read as a standalone, but I also appreciated how we got glimpses of the mc's I 1st book and the weeding at the end ?? Omg..it was such a nice way to wrap the 1st book and I loved how it brought the current mc's together !!

My favorite part has to be the characters. They were all well-developed and lovable, and I especially liked Quinn.

Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable read. Thank you to the author for the advance copy!

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great start. However we know from the synopsis that there will be an added complication. I was a wee bit impatient for that to be discovered after the the mains initial meeting. Impatient just for a wee while. Finally it’s sort of out but I imagine the daughter still will find out. It’s fine. The intimate scenes didn’t really work for me, which is unusual with this writer. It wasn’t the age gap but I possibly just didn’t stay as in to the couple as I was at the beginning. Unfortunately none of the intimate scenes resonated with me.
40 minutes to the end of the book and the plot bump I’ve been expecting for most of the book happens. There is a pretty dramatic “Judas” moment, that should have had a bigger impact on me than it did. I just was a bit ho hum. In fact the slight time jump in the next chapter heading had more of an impact.
Up to a 3 because this is not a 2! However, I just did not connect with this which was disappointing as I loved the synopsis and start, so much that I am ok with rounding up.

[Jen Frank Trudelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy Emily's writing, it's easy to read and fun. This was a fun story with a lot of side characters to try and keep track of and different things happening. I loved Faye, she was by far my favorite, and how she grew throughout the story and learned to accept and even embrace her difference was awesome. The ostomy bag almost was character in itself. I didn't really care for Diane that much, I can't really explain why but I just didn't connect with her character nor did I feel chemistry between her and Faye. The way she also catered to her 20 something daughter was annoying.i couldn't see faye with Molly together either so they didn't make for believable exes, to me. I enjoyed Quin's character immensely and was so happy that they found a home with Faye and her family. The ending with the HEA felt a little rushed for me, I felt like Faye should have stood her ground more and made Diane grovel. All in all, I did enjoy the premise, although I had to push myself to get through some parts. The spice did not disappoint 🔥🔥 I received an ARC in exchange for my review.

[Laurie Schmid]

You do not need to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. This was a fun age gap romance that had surprising depth. People acknowledged things they needed to work on, and then actually worked on those things! The main characters development was wonderful. The secondary characters were developed well too, which I don't always see in romance novels. I loved the descriptions of the island and all the beauty found there. It is wonderful to picture all the sights and sounds and smells when traveling by book.

I believe that all stories should have a list of possible trigger warnings in the beginning of the book, before the first chapter. I don't want to hunt through someone's website or social media to find that information. Someone might be going through something in their life and need to step away from certain triggers for a bit. This story will be waiting for them when they are ready again.

[MA · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in Emily Wright’s Sandy Springs series is a detailed journey between Faye and the older Diana.

They meet at the Sandy Springs retreat quite by accident. Faye is recovering from surgery with the goal of regaining her confidence. Diana has convinced her daughter to join her on retreat in hopes of repairing their relationship.

Attraction from the start isn’t the only drama when Faye learns that Diana’s daughter is the ex-girlfriend who ghosted her. I love a good drama that keeps our lovers at bay and this story delivers.

Will Faye regain her confidence? Will Diana get her daughter back and win the girl? Turn the pages to find out, but you won’t be disappointed by their journey.

Wright excels at character development. I enjoyed the back stories, the side characters and the honesty that each brings to the story. Sandy Springs comes to life in her pages and this is a series that is worth following.

[Teresa Visser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I MADE THE ARC TEAM.
I received my advance copy of The Forbidden Fling by Emily Wright, and I have SO enjoyed this one, I could not put it down!
The main character has a stoma because of an incurable disease, and her two dads get her to attend a retreat on an island because she was becoming a hermit. Without giving away too much, her ex and the ex’s mother happen to be at the same retreat because the mother is trying to repair the relationship between her and her daughter.
What starts as harmless fun quickly gets out of hand and they must face some difficult decisions. Each of them has their issues that they must deal with, but everything comes together beautifully in the end.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the story. The characters are depicted excellently and they way their feelings develop throughout the story has been written with such emotion that I had to check my emotions in some scenes.
Thank you to Emily Wright for allowing me the ARC read!

[Donna Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thankyou for the opportunity to ARC
Thrilling introduction for Faye landing on a Portuguese  Island during a storm. We learn Faye has her ostemy essentials  with her. 26 year old Faye is just past op and on a Wellness Retreat encouraged by her Dad's. I love the internal dialogue when waiting for her suitcase.  I like the low angst about dating with a chronic  illness. Lovely first meeting  with Faye and Diana. The development of the characters on the island is full of surprises. The bird spotting  was delightfully written with a flush and a crush. The ecologist and the academic theorist lead to interesting  discussion especially about Truth. What would this tale be like without the character of Molly. The poker game unraveling  took away from it being just a game. Time on the Retreat was running out and time for Faye and Diana was too.  I would have read this faster but had leaky eyes.  Emily Wright  pushes through all the emotions. A must read.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to even start oh my gosh. The second instalment to the Sandy Springs series absolutely knocked it out of the park and beyond. It had everything a swoony novel needs, age gap, hooking up with your ex’s mother.
Emily truly brought the characters to life and had me on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn the story brought.
However it wasn’t just the romance that had me hooked it was the empathetic and honest telling of life with a chronic illness, this kind of romance is few and far between especially in sapphic novels. My heart strings definitely tugged with this and I would 100% recommend this to anyone who feels like their illness or disability is preventing them from having meaningful relationships with people even if it isn’t romantic like Diana and Faye but rather platonic like Quin and Faye. Thank you Emily for letting me be a part of the arc team and thank you for giving us the story we needed.

[Miss Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read from author Emily Wright. Emily’s books have a way of drawing me in and losing sleep as I don’t want to put them down and The Forbidden Fling was no exception to this.
We return to Sandy Springs first seen in The Heartbreak Hotel and this time we are following the stories of MCs Faye and Diana. Both going to Sandy Springs for their own reasons but end up connecting on such a pure level of love despite the age gap and the fact that Diana is Faye’s ex’s mother! Not that either of them know that…..until later.
It was lovely to revisit the lives of Riley and Ella from the first book as well with them being comfortably weaved into the new story.
It was refreshing to have an MC with an ostomy bag and the challenges that this can bring in romance. I can’t wait for the next instalment!

[Stephanie Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forbidden Romance Done Right

The Forbidden Fling by Emily Wright was such a fun, emotionally satisfying read. From the very start, the forbidden aspect adds delicious tension, and the chemistry between the main characters is undeniable. Every interaction felt charged, layered with longing and restraint in a way that really pulled me in.

What stood out most was how natural the relationship development felt. The emotional beats were well-paced, the characters felt real and relatable, and the internal conflict on both sides made their journey compelling rather than frustrating. I loved how the story balanced lighter, flirty moments with deeper emotional stakes.

Emily Wright delivers a romance that’s swoony, heartfelt, and hard to put down. If you love stories with strong chemistry, a touch of angst, and a deeply rewarding payoff, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Emily Wright, her books always make me smile and happy! This one is even better than I expected, with the unique medical condition that made the young MC Faye self conscious and mildly depressed. She fell in love with the middle aged Diana instantly during her island retreat and I totally enjoyed all the dramas of this secret fling turned forever love. Faye is young and courageous and caring, while Diana is reserved, an ice queen that suffers from failed marriage and lost parent as a child. The love affair is steamy hot, despite the age gap, the couple share a real and deep connection. I also love the setting of beautiful Portuguese island, the friendly locals, the people working at the retreat, everyone is bright and shiny and happy! A great romance to enjoy on your vacation!

[Maddie Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The sicker she got, the more distant people became. Chronic disease scared people.’

I was accepted by Emily Wright to be a part of the ARC team for The Forbidden Fling and below is my honest review.

The Forbidden Fling is book 2 in the Sandy Springs series and I love all the nods in it to book 1 (The Heartbreak Hotel) including character appearances!

I’ve always been a huge fan of characters written by Emily. Faye might be one of my favourites. Chronically ill and loves animals? Is she me? 😂

The story follows Faye and Diana who meet by chance at the Sandy Springs retreat. The chemistry is instant but something stands in their way (they just don’t know it yet).

It’s filled with the best tropes: age gap, forbidden romance and it’s set on a beautiful Portuguese island which makes it feel atmospheric.

Faye is an admirable character. She is real, raw and is a fantastic representation of IBD. The quote I’ve chosen at the start of this review hit so hard as someone with a similar illness.

Had to give a bonus shoutout to this quote too ‘She loved animals; animals were more trustworthy than people.’ I agree!

I recommend this to anyone who loves a trope filled, hopeful sapphic romance.

I give this 5 stars!

Thank you Emily for asking me to read and review!