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The Salt in the Tides
Not yet published
Expected 29 May 26Peyton Steele has everything she ever dreamed of. A powerful fiancé with political aspirations, a picture-perfect family, and two adorable, fuzzy kitty companions. Except, maybe she wasn’t dreaming big enough.
Karina Knox never pictured her life like this. She never intended to be a single mom and a widow by the end of her twenties. With a young toddler to juggle and a small business, life seems to never slow down.
Fast fascination takes over when Peyton crashes into Karina’s life, one that neither ever anticipated. But when fascination turns to friendship and friendship leads to something else entirely, the two of them must tread carefully to avoid life crashing down around them.
The Salt in the Tides is a sapphic, small-town, single-mom romance with dual first-person POVs.
Karina Knox never pictured her life like this. She never intended to be a single mom and a widow by the end of her twenties. With a young toddler to juggle and a small business, life seems to never slow down.
Fast fascination takes over when Peyton crashes into Karina’s life, one that neither ever anticipated. But when fascination turns to friendship and friendship leads to something else entirely, the two of them must tread carefully to avoid life crashing down around them.
The Salt in the Tides is a sapphic, small-town, single-mom romance with dual first-person POVs.
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Expected publication May 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 14, 2026
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I think I read this in three hours. It’s definitely more fast paced than I am used to, but it worked for me! Usually I’m more so team slow burn, but for this story, I enjoyed the pace.
I loved this story and I loved Karina, Emery, and Peyton. I love sapphics and babies, even more so when they are in a book together. The author did a good job at incorporating Emery into the storyline. I feel like this can be difficult to do well at times in romances. This isn’t your typical romance, I will say that. There are elements that aren’t far fetched per se, but are pretty wild and I don't think I was expecting it.
There is cheating involved but the dude is such an abusive douche canoe so it doesn’t bother me. I was shocked by the ending and would’ve loved to see an epilogue of sorts to see how Karina and Peyton navigated everything.
Because this was a shorter book, I was hoping for a little more in terms seeing their relationship grow. I wanted a little more showing instead of telling. But overall, I devoured The Salt in the Tides. It was a refreshing and different take on a love story! I will definitely read more from the author in the future!
I think I read this in three hours. It’s definitely more fast paced than I am used to, but it worked for me! Usually I’m more so team slow burn, but for this story, I enjoyed the pace.
I loved this story and I loved Karina, Emery, and Peyton. I love sapphics and babies, even more so when they are in a book together. The author did a good job at incorporating Emery into the storyline. I feel like this can be difficult to do well at times in romances. This isn’t your typical romance, I will say that. There are elements that aren’t far fetched per se, but are pretty wild and I don't think I was expecting it.
There is cheating involved but the dude is such an abusive douche canoe so it doesn’t bother me. I was shocked by the ending and would’ve loved to see an epilogue of sorts to see how Karina and Peyton navigated everything.
Because this was a shorter book, I was hoping for a little more in terms seeing their relationship grow. I wanted a little more showing instead of telling. But overall, I devoured The Salt in the Tides. It was a refreshing and different take on a love story! I will definitely read more from the author in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
In a nutshell: This was an amazing debut novel that was so much more than just a romance! It was filled with longing, friendship, hurt, hope, first-time experiences, finding your strength, and so much more. Honorable mentions to the most adorable little kiddo too, Emery was a superstar.
What I loved:
This meet-cute in this book drew me in immediately; I am such a sucker for it. I loved the humor too; I feel like Karina being more relaxed helped Peyton feel so much more at ease. This book does so well at exploring both characters' interpersonal dynamics and their histories, both past and present. I truly feel like all their interactions felt authentic, and whilst it was fast-paced, it seemed to make sense for them.
Every single scene that Emery was in, my heart did little skips; like, come on, she was just the sweetest, and the way Peyton interacted with her was just the sweetest. The parenting representation was just spot on, and I related to Karina in some of her experiences within this book.
There is cheating in this book, and I absolutely loathe cheating; however, if I put that aside, I think that the author wrote it well and made it work within the story. I also wanted to punch Jordan in the throat with a cactus, I swear, what a useless excuse for a person.
This book is fast-paced, and the connection between the characters does move pretty quickly, but neither took away from how authentic their connection felt. I especially enjoyed the intimate scenes; Karina talking Peyton through it was everything. The lactating was just ooo-wee, I'll take more of that, thanks.
Overall, I think this book was really well written; it had me invested in the characters and their story, both desperately and together. I was absolutely rooting for their happiness!
A meet-cute, single-mom romance whose eye catches on someone forbidden. There's friendship, family, first-time experiences, finding your strength, a little instant attraction, and a little lactation ;) Oh, can't forget the two cute cats and the most adorable little kiddo! I honestly had the best time!! Highly recommend.
My least fav parts:
Jordan obviously!! But honestly I loved this book and I personally couldn't fault it. Its why I gave it 5 stars.
Memorable quote: "Karina was the glue holding all my pieces together: my unknowing savior and a fierce protector."
What I loved:
This meet-cute in this book drew me in immediately; I am such a sucker for it. I loved the humor too; I feel like Karina being more relaxed helped Peyton feel so much more at ease. This book does so well at exploring both characters' interpersonal dynamics and their histories, both past and present. I truly feel like all their interactions felt authentic, and whilst it was fast-paced, it seemed to make sense for them.
Every single scene that Emery was in, my heart did little skips; like, come on, she was just the sweetest, and the way Peyton interacted with her was just the sweetest. The parenting representation was just spot on, and I related to Karina in some of her experiences within this book.
There is cheating in this book, and I absolutely loathe cheating; however, if I put that aside, I think that the author wrote it well and made it work within the story. I also wanted to punch Jordan in the throat with a cactus, I swear, what a useless excuse for a person.
This book is fast-paced, and the connection between the characters does move pretty quickly, but neither took away from how authentic their connection felt. I especially enjoyed the intimate scenes; Karina talking Peyton through it was everything. The lactating was just ooo-wee, I'll take more of that, thanks.
Overall, I think this book was really well written; it had me invested in the characters and their story, both desperately and together. I was absolutely rooting for their happiness!
A meet-cute, single-mom romance whose eye catches on someone forbidden. There's friendship, family, first-time experiences, finding your strength, a little instant attraction, and a little lactation ;) Oh, can't forget the two cute cats and the most adorable little kiddo! I honestly had the best time!! Highly recommend.
My least fav parts:
Jordan obviously!! But honestly I loved this book and I personally couldn't fault it. Its why I gave it 5 stars.
Memorable quote: "Karina was the glue holding all my pieces together: my unknowing savior and a fierce protector."
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 ⭐️ 2.5🌶
This book is filled with harsh realities. The FMC Peyton is in a loveless relationship with her fiancé Jordan. He's a lawyer and is running for district attorney. He's also commits DV against her.
The other FMC is Karina, a single mom, to her daughter Emery. Her husband Sam died in a drunk driving accident. They literally run into each other in the supermarket. A fortunate accident leads to friendship and more.
I enjoyed the banter and slow friendship that happened between the 2 fmcs. They both learn to grow and comfort each other when they both need it most. Peyton also has to come to terms with her expanding sexuality and the comp het mindset that she was raised with & learning to reinvest in herself. I think the author did well for a debut novel on touching on larger and darker aspects that others might shy away from. This was a good debut.
Tropes and triggers: Found Family, cheating, hurt/ comfort, grief of spouse, bi-awakening, who did this to you, dv, small town, forbidden romance, single parent.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
This book is filled with harsh realities. The FMC Peyton is in a loveless relationship with her fiancé Jordan. He's a lawyer and is running for district attorney. He's also commits DV against her.
The other FMC is Karina, a single mom, to her daughter Emery. Her husband Sam died in a drunk driving accident. They literally run into each other in the supermarket. A fortunate accident leads to friendship and more.
I enjoyed the banter and slow friendship that happened between the 2 fmcs. They both learn to grow and comfort each other when they both need it most. Peyton also has to come to terms with her expanding sexuality and the comp het mindset that she was raised with & learning to reinvest in herself. I think the author did well for a debut novel on touching on larger and darker aspects that others might shy away from. This was a good debut.
Tropes and triggers: Found Family, cheating, hurt/ comfort, grief of spouse, bi-awakening, who did this to you, dv, small town, forbidden romance, single parent.
I was given an advanced copy for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Brilliant.
When I signed up for this ARC, I was intrigued. There were some themes I was drawn to, so I wanted to support the author and give her debut a chance. And whew, where do I even begin.
I’m a HUGE historical fiction lover because of the themes that the genre allows you to explore. Well, this was not a historical fiction book, yet at times it felt like I was reading a 1950s romance, and I absolutely loved it.
Peyton is a lovely woman stuck in an engagement with a violent, manipulative man (make sure you check the trigger warnings, as on-page physical abuse is present). She’s in denial, and my heart ached for her throughout the entire book. But her strength? Oh god, the ending gave me chills (iykyk 👀)
Karina, on the other hand? Badass af. Also, I am definitely not a fan of kids, yet Emery was so cute and so well-integrated into the plot that I found myself melting more than once.
Now, onto the spice, because DAMN. That was hot. I don't have any particular kinks revolving around pregnancy or nursing, yet what do you mean lactation turned me on? It was definitely WILD and unexpected, but I loved loved loved all of it.
Celia did an AMAZING job. This was an incredible debut, and I will definitely be reading more from her in the future. Thank you again for the ARC and for trusting me with it!
When I signed up for this ARC, I was intrigued. There were some themes I was drawn to, so I wanted to support the author and give her debut a chance. And whew, where do I even begin.
I’m a HUGE historical fiction lover because of the themes that the genre allows you to explore. Well, this was not a historical fiction book, yet at times it felt like I was reading a 1950s romance, and I absolutely loved it.
Peyton is a lovely woman stuck in an engagement with a violent, manipulative man (make sure you check the trigger warnings, as on-page physical abuse is present). She’s in denial, and my heart ached for her throughout the entire book. But her strength? Oh god, the ending gave me chills (iykyk 👀)
Karina, on the other hand? Badass af. Also, I am definitely not a fan of kids, yet Emery was so cute and so well-integrated into the plot that I found myself melting more than once.
Now, onto the spice, because DAMN. That was hot. I don't have any particular kinks revolving around pregnancy or nursing, yet what do you mean lactation turned me on? It was definitely WILD and unexpected, but I loved loved loved all of it.
Celia did an AMAZING job. This was an incredible debut, and I will definitely be reading more from her in the future. Thank you again for the ARC and for trusting me with it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ACR Copy review
I really loved it! It was a nice more quickly paced book without making you feel like you want more.
I really loved it! It was a nice more quickly paced book without making you feel like you want more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews