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Sloane Archer Gets What She Deserves
Socialite Sloane Archer is at a wedding she'd very much like to leave. She has a Porsche outside, a cheating boyfriend behind the winery, and too much champagne in her system. What she doesn't have is the good sense to call a cab.
Eight hours later, she's been arrested, her face is on every gossip site in the country, and she's been nicknamed Princess Pigpen. She's sentenced to two months of court-ordered service at the small California animal sanctuary she drove into, and, to make matters worse, her father cuts her off, leaving her stranded in Duster, a town with one motel, one diner, and zero charm.
Maggie Dawson runs Dawson's Sanctuary on grit and goodwill. She doesn't have time for spoiled heiresses, and she's made a list of every miserable job Sloane Archer is going to do. Two months in the middle of nowhere with a bus that runs twice a day and chores worthy of her new nickname should be enough to humble Sloane once and for all. Princess Pigpen is going to earn the name.
Eight hours later, she's been arrested, her face is on every gossip site in the country, and she's been nicknamed Princess Pigpen. She's sentenced to two months of court-ordered service at the small California animal sanctuary she drove into, and, to make matters worse, her father cuts her off, leaving her stranded in Duster, a town with one motel, one diner, and zero charm.
Maggie Dawson runs Dawson's Sanctuary on grit and goodwill. She doesn't have time for spoiled heiresses, and she's made a list of every miserable job Sloane Archer is going to do. Two months in the middle of nowhere with a bus that runs twice a day and chores worthy of her new nickname should be enough to humble Sloane once and for all. Princess Pigpen is going to earn the name.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2026
About the author
Lise Gold
53 books763 followersLise Gold is an author of lesbian romance. Her romantic attitude, enthusiasm for travel and love for feel good stories form the heartland of her writing. Born in London to a Norwegian mother and English father, and growing up between the UK, Norway, Zambia and the Netherlands, she feels at home pretty much everywhere and has an unending curiosity for new destinations. She goes by 'write what you know' and is often found in exotic locations doing research or getting inspired for her next novel.
Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.
When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.
Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.
When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
July 22, 2026
A quick and easy read that was well written. I liked the variety of characters (including the donkey, goats, pigs, and emus).
I do wish there'd been a bit more angst, but that's a personal preference. It has a very Hallmark-style feel and hits a lot of predictable plot beats, which was a bit of a shame because I was hoping for a little more depth.
That said, if low-angst romances are your thing, you'll probably have a good time with Maggie and Sloane.
I do wish there'd been a bit more angst, but that's a personal preference. It has a very Hallmark-style feel and hits a lot of predictable plot beats, which was a bit of a shame because I was hoping for a little more depth.
That said, if low-angst romances are your thing, you'll probably have a good time with Maggie and Sloane.
June 17, 2026
Excellent read: 5 stars.
Excellent read with pigs: 5+ stars.
Excellent read with pigs: 5+ stars.
August 6, 2026
An absolutely adorable and heartwarming read packed with laugh-out-loud moments and almost no angst. Reading Sloane Archer Gets What She Deserves definitely puts me in a happy headspace 😊
High 4+ ⭐️
High 4+ ⭐️
July 19, 2026
4 - 4,5 ⭐️
August 16, 2026
4.75/5 - a bad cold and ear infection couldn’t stop me from finishing this love story!! this was such cute read!!! i loved seeing sloane be so caring and kind upfront. definitely recommend if you want something cute and quick! :)
June 18, 2026
Loved it. All the characters, including the four-legged ones. Well worth the read.
August 7, 2026
What happened to this author?
All her covers recently are AI. Yes, I know she says she designs them herself, but are we all going to pretend she purposefully "designed" Sloane with only 3 fingers? No.
AI doesn't belong in the book world and I've seen so many established "big" authors getting a free pass for it whilst debut authors who do the same are torn to shreds.
All her covers recently are AI. Yes, I know she says she designs them herself, but are we all going to pretend she purposefully "designed" Sloane with only 3 fingers? No.
AI doesn't belong in the book world and I've seen so many established "big" authors getting a free pass for it whilst debut authors who do the same are torn to shreds.
Read
July 22, 2026Am I the only one who's noticed the three-fingered character on the front cover? Not here for AI in creative spaces 👀
June 24, 2026
Great read!
Loved this story and the animal sanctuary setting! Read any book by Lise Gold and you won't be disappointed! Looking forward to the next entertaining novel.
Loved this story and the animal sanctuary setting! Read any book by Lise Gold and you won't be disappointed! Looking forward to the next entertaining novel.
June 14, 2026
It was sweet and intelligent; I loved it.
It's strange, I have never given Lise Gold 5 stars before because the stories are usually lovely but not earth-shattering. One thing I realize, however, is that it was the first time I was impatiently waiting for a book. It's proof that I have come to know that a Lise Gold book is a good time (if there isn't a third-act catastrophe), because she shows a passion for discovering amazing places and people, and a fascination with women finding their woman, their home.
This book didn't disappoint; it was a sort of variation on Red Rock Ranch, but with a lost princess instead of a spa manager.
And it worked because it wasn't only the celebration of a woman sure of her place in the world (Maggie), but also the journey of Sloane: from being an aimless socialite to not caring about others' opinions and finding her place in the world.
The third-act drama, the unintentional post, had me worried about the book's ending, but the consequences and the lesson for Maggie and Sloane made it make sense. It was growth (for Maggie: discovering what it is to be under the social media spotlight; for Sloane: discovering that her love for Maggie made her not care about social media anymore).
So, this book isn't earth-shattering, but more like a gem perfected by years of practice and variations.
It's strange, I have never given Lise Gold 5 stars before because the stories are usually lovely but not earth-shattering. One thing I realize, however, is that it was the first time I was impatiently waiting for a book. It's proof that I have come to know that a Lise Gold book is a good time (if there isn't a third-act catastrophe), because she shows a passion for discovering amazing places and people, and a fascination with women finding their woman, their home.
This book didn't disappoint; it was a sort of variation on Red Rock Ranch, but with a lost princess instead of a spa manager.
And it worked because it wasn't only the celebration of a woman sure of her place in the world (Maggie), but also the journey of Sloane: from being an aimless socialite to not caring about others' opinions and finding her place in the world.
The third-act drama, the unintentional post, had me worried about the book's ending, but the consequences and the lesson for Maggie and Sloane made it make sense. It was growth (for Maggie: discovering what it is to be under the social media spotlight; for Sloane: discovering that her love for Maggie made her not care about social media anymore).
So, this book isn't earth-shattering, but more like a gem perfected by years of practice and variations.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2026
(rounded up from 4.5)
I'm going to count this as a fantasy book because can you imagine the idea of a rich person in America in the year of our lord two thousand and twenty-six facing consequences for their bad actions??? Okay, that's my bad joke out of the way and on to my more sincere thoughts below.
This was wholesome as heck and also unexpectedly funny at times. The inherent comedy of a rich heiress being sentenced to community service at a pig farm is embraced. It helps that there is no bad person in this book, just nice people who happen to be rich or not, religious or not. The small town is sweet and wholesome, the heiress is very likable, the animals are full of personality and cute, and the whole story is delightfully sweet and romantic. If you're looking for a bit of escapism into the world of old, where romances were not angsty at all, just full of nice people who make mistakes and wholeheartedly embrace making amends, rich people who are not assholes but charmingly delighted by frolicking animals, and a very sweet toaster oven romance in a small town animal sanctuary, this is perfect for you!
I'm going to count this as a fantasy book because can you imagine the idea of a rich person in America in the year of our lord two thousand and twenty-six facing consequences for their bad actions??? Okay, that's my bad joke out of the way and on to my more sincere thoughts below.
This was wholesome as heck and also unexpectedly funny at times. The inherent comedy of a rich heiress being sentenced to community service at a pig farm is embraced. It helps that there is no bad person in this book, just nice people who happen to be rich or not, religious or not. The small town is sweet and wholesome, the heiress is very likable, the animals are full of personality and cute, and the whole story is delightfully sweet and romantic. If you're looking for a bit of escapism into the world of old, where romances were not angsty at all, just full of nice people who make mistakes and wholeheartedly embrace making amends, rich people who are not assholes but charmingly delighted by frolicking animals, and a very sweet toaster oven romance in a small town animal sanctuary, this is perfect for you!
June 30, 2026
So deserving
This book was so different from what I expected. It had everything you could want in a romance—a great storyline, interesting characters, wonderful dialogue, self-discovery, a redemption arc, a bit of spice, and rescue animals. What's not to love! I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-written romance.
This book was so different from what I expected. It had everything you could want in a romance—a great storyline, interesting characters, wonderful dialogue, self-discovery, a redemption arc, a bit of spice, and rescue animals. What's not to love! I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well-written romance.
June 22, 2026
Loved it! From beginning to end. I simply couldn’t put it down. It was funny, heartfelt, and completely captivating.
Sloan came across as an entitled bitch at first, but beneath that tough and bitchy exterior was a truly wonderful person. Watching her character unfold was one of my favorite parts of the story.
There wasn’t a huge amount of spice, but there was one long scene that was not only hot, but also incredibly beautiful, tender, and full of love. In many ways, that perfectly reflects the book as a whole.
Sloan came across as an entitled bitch at first, but beneath that tough and bitchy exterior was a truly wonderful person. Watching her character unfold was one of my favorite parts of the story.
There wasn’t a huge amount of spice, but there was one long scene that was not only hot, but also incredibly beautiful, tender, and full of love. In many ways, that perfectly reflects the book as a whole.
June 20, 2026
Lise Gold's knack for weaving stories that make you laugh and cry, and give you all the feels is simply amazing. Her latest is no exception! I absolutely LOVE every single thing about this story because it contains so many social aspects of the human condition starting with the title itself! At face value, it means what it means - Sloane Archer Gets What She Deserves. And it's only human nature that we go straight to the negative. Which is true in this instance, BUT...and this is where Gold's narrative brilliance comes in...well... no spoilers, but...
All I can say is, the implication and relevance of the title go deeper and so much more meaningful by the end of the story. The change in how we see and feel about Sloane Archer is what makes this story profoundly thoughtful in the understanding of human resilience and our capacity to transform ourselves for the betterment of our own life and the choices we make that not only affect us but the collective as a whole.
The title is the backbone of the story as it lurks in the shadows of every scene, character development, causality, growth and points of view of not only the MCs but the entire cast of characters. It's a rare occurrence that a book title plays such a prominent role in representing all aspects of the story until its conclusion. I'm already a big fan of Gold's writing and her incredibly told stories. This one is up there with my all-time faves of hers, In Dreams and Hedonism.
Gold tackles a myriad of socio-economical perspectives - status, lifestyle, entitlement, stereotypes, prejudice, sexuality and religion - with utter conviction and full of heart, as they relate to life, love, and relationship. She truly shines a light on every one of these issues through every character that graces the pages as she ingeniously builds the story into an authentic human experience grounded in reality leaving no stone unturned.
I must warn you that when you read it, you'll find yourself getting more and more invested in the characters. You'll find yourself following Sloane's every development earnestly as she navigates her life from the ground up so when she eventually "Gets What She Deserves," you'll feel this sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Because at the end of the day, it IS about the power of the human spirit and what an exquisitely captivating story we're gifted with! One that is deeply heartfelt, filled with joy, hope and beauty that is life and love that knows no bounds!
Trust me. Lise Gold DELIVERS!
And oh, Lise Gold's comedy writing is wickedly funny! OMG, the Ruthie and Maggie scene towards the end!! I was literally ROTFLMAO!! It's definitely one of the most hilarious scenes I've read! You'll know what I mean when you read it. Absolutely brilliant!
And don't even get me started with that ghastly "disaster" I saw coming from a mile away! Despite knowing, it still didn't stop me from feeling the extreme tension Gold ingeniously created for that scene! But for the first time ever in my decades of reading experience, I was compelled to skip the pages when I knew what was going to happen because the intensity of KNOWING what was going to happen was simply too much for me at that point!! I don't know why I let it get to me! I suppose I got a little too caught up and invested with the characters and their story!! Oops!
But then obviously, no ardent reader in the right mind would ever skip pages let alone pages of a brilliant book, least of all me since I always consider it a blasphemy to do so to a book! How dare I?! So, I flipped back the pages (but not before virtually heaving for a mo, there, if you will!) and held my breath when I resumed reading the impending disaster! OMG! When the "seed" was planted, I started yelling at Sloane and Maggie (in my head) repeatedly, "NONONONONO!!! This is NOT gonna end well!!" And when the shite hit the fan, I literally went (vocally this time), "Oh noooooooo...."
I tell ya, what an incredibly stress-ridden scenario that was and I friggin' LOVED it!!!!
Oh, Lise Gold, you brilliant story-spinning genius, you!! Well played, mate! WELL. PLAYED.
A worthy mention is, as always, the cover art design! Gold's book covers are always aesthetically illustrated. But in recent book covers, I must say, the quality and representation of the art designs seem to have elevated to another level of visual beauty and cohesion as they relate to the stories. I love it!
Anyway, 5 very enthusiastic thumbs up for this book!! A MUST-READ!!
All I can say is, the implication and relevance of the title go deeper and so much more meaningful by the end of the story. The change in how we see and feel about Sloane Archer is what makes this story profoundly thoughtful in the understanding of human resilience and our capacity to transform ourselves for the betterment of our own life and the choices we make that not only affect us but the collective as a whole.
The title is the backbone of the story as it lurks in the shadows of every scene, character development, causality, growth and points of view of not only the MCs but the entire cast of characters. It's a rare occurrence that a book title plays such a prominent role in representing all aspects of the story until its conclusion. I'm already a big fan of Gold's writing and her incredibly told stories. This one is up there with my all-time faves of hers, In Dreams and Hedonism.
Gold tackles a myriad of socio-economical perspectives - status, lifestyle, entitlement, stereotypes, prejudice, sexuality and religion - with utter conviction and full of heart, as they relate to life, love, and relationship. She truly shines a light on every one of these issues through every character that graces the pages as she ingeniously builds the story into an authentic human experience grounded in reality leaving no stone unturned.
I must warn you that when you read it, you'll find yourself getting more and more invested in the characters. You'll find yourself following Sloane's every development earnestly as she navigates her life from the ground up so when she eventually "Gets What She Deserves," you'll feel this sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Because at the end of the day, it IS about the power of the human spirit and what an exquisitely captivating story we're gifted with! One that is deeply heartfelt, filled with joy, hope and beauty that is life and love that knows no bounds!
Trust me. Lise Gold DELIVERS!
And oh, Lise Gold's comedy writing is wickedly funny! OMG, the Ruthie and Maggie scene towards the end!! I was literally ROTFLMAO!! It's definitely one of the most hilarious scenes I've read! You'll know what I mean when you read it. Absolutely brilliant!
And don't even get me started with that ghastly "disaster" I saw coming from a mile away! Despite knowing, it still didn't stop me from feeling the extreme tension Gold ingeniously created for that scene! But for the first time ever in my decades of reading experience, I was compelled to skip the pages when I knew what was going to happen because the intensity of KNOWING what was going to happen was simply too much for me at that point!! I don't know why I let it get to me! I suppose I got a little too caught up and invested with the characters and their story!! Oops!
But then obviously, no ardent reader in the right mind would ever skip pages let alone pages of a brilliant book, least of all me since I always consider it a blasphemy to do so to a book! How dare I?! So, I flipped back the pages (but not before virtually heaving for a mo, there, if you will!) and held my breath when I resumed reading the impending disaster! OMG! When the "seed" was planted, I started yelling at Sloane and Maggie (in my head) repeatedly, "NONONONONO!!! This is NOT gonna end well!!" And when the shite hit the fan, I literally went (vocally this time), "Oh noooooooo...."
I tell ya, what an incredibly stress-ridden scenario that was and I friggin' LOVED it!!!!
Oh, Lise Gold, you brilliant story-spinning genius, you!! Well played, mate! WELL. PLAYED.
A worthy mention is, as always, the cover art design! Gold's book covers are always aesthetically illustrated. But in recent book covers, I must say, the quality and representation of the art designs seem to have elevated to another level of visual beauty and cohesion as they relate to the stories. I love it!
Anyway, 5 very enthusiastic thumbs up for this book!! A MUST-READ!!
July 7, 2026
The more Lise Gold I read, the more I love her stories. This is a toaster oven romance rooted in finding oneself, not just sexually but finding a purpose in life as well.
Wealthy spoiled brat socialite Sloane Archer is attending a party, a party where she's had too much to drink, a party where she catches her boyfriend cheating with another woman at the very party he came to with Sloane. She has a very public meltdown then makes the worst decision possible. She gets in her Porsche and tries to drive 4 hours home.
She doesn't make it. Instead, drunk, she hits a pothole that spins her Porsche, rushing along at 90 mph, off the road and into the side of the pigpen at Dawson Animal Sanctuary. And without remorse, she tries to drive away. She's caught, of course, and because she drove while drunk and chose to drivee away from the scene of an accident, she's given a hefty fine, which doesn't bother her until she hears the additional conditions, because this isn't her first DUI. Her license is suspended, she's ordered to jail for 96 hours, and then she has to do two months community service working for Maggie Dawson, the owner of Dawson Animal Sanctuary. And Maggie intends to punish the rich girl with the nastiest possible jobs she can find at the sanctuary.
Worse, her father cuts her off and leaves her at a nasty rundown motel in the tiny town of Duster, population 1800, where Dawson Animal Sanctuary is located. The press is having a field day, having named Sloan "Princess Pigpen" since she has to muck out the pig stables, and clean the living areas of other animals at the sanctuary every day. The work is physical, hard, and it makes her cry but she also begins to notice Maggie, begins to love the animals she's working with, and to open up a bit to the staff of the farm.
As Maggie begins to sense this change in Sloan, her eye is drawn to Sloan as well. And then the townspeople treat Sloan really badly, Maggie finds out, and suddenly Maggie Dawson is giving the people of Duster a piece of her mind about the young woman Maggie thought she would simply hate.
Thus begins a tale, for Sloan, of self-reflection, personal growth, finding out who she really is, and just as importantly, what she wants.
I recommend this book. It was a fun read and it was just what I needed on a few hot summer evenings.
Wealthy spoiled brat socialite Sloane Archer is attending a party, a party where she's had too much to drink, a party where she catches her boyfriend cheating with another woman at the very party he came to with Sloane. She has a very public meltdown then makes the worst decision possible. She gets in her Porsche and tries to drive 4 hours home.
She doesn't make it. Instead, drunk, she hits a pothole that spins her Porsche, rushing along at 90 mph, off the road and into the side of the pigpen at Dawson Animal Sanctuary. And without remorse, she tries to drive away. She's caught, of course, and because she drove while drunk and chose to drivee away from the scene of an accident, she's given a hefty fine, which doesn't bother her until she hears the additional conditions, because this isn't her first DUI. Her license is suspended, she's ordered to jail for 96 hours, and then she has to do two months community service working for Maggie Dawson, the owner of Dawson Animal Sanctuary. And Maggie intends to punish the rich girl with the nastiest possible jobs she can find at the sanctuary.
Worse, her father cuts her off and leaves her at a nasty rundown motel in the tiny town of Duster, population 1800, where Dawson Animal Sanctuary is located. The press is having a field day, having named Sloan "Princess Pigpen" since she has to muck out the pig stables, and clean the living areas of other animals at the sanctuary every day. The work is physical, hard, and it makes her cry but she also begins to notice Maggie, begins to love the animals she's working with, and to open up a bit to the staff of the farm.
As Maggie begins to sense this change in Sloan, her eye is drawn to Sloan as well. And then the townspeople treat Sloan really badly, Maggie finds out, and suddenly Maggie Dawson is giving the people of Duster a piece of her mind about the young woman Maggie thought she would simply hate.
Thus begins a tale, for Sloan, of self-reflection, personal growth, finding out who she really is, and just as importantly, what she wants.
I recommend this book. It was a fun read and it was just what I needed on a few hot summer evenings.
June 27, 2026
Sloane Archer, eine Society-Lady aus der oberen Schicht, fand sich nach einem unglücklichen Vorfall auf einer Hochzeit in einer prekären Situation wieder, die ihr Leben grundlegend verändern sollte. Nach einer Fehlentscheidung, die zu ihrer Verhaftung und dem Verlust ihres Wohlstands führte, wurde sie zu zwei Monaten gemeinnütziger Arbeit im Tierheim „Dawson's Sanctuary" verurteilt. Diese Erfahrung stellte sich als wichtiger Wendepunkt in ihrem Leben heraus, da sie gezwungen war, sich mit der Realität abseits ihres privilegierten Lebensstils auseinanderzusetzen. Die öffentliche Bloßstellung und der neue Spitzname „Prinzessin Schweinestall" waren die Folgen ihres unüberlegten Handelns, doch die gerichtliche Maßnahme bot ihr die Gelegenheit, Verantwortung zu übernehmen und sich zu verändern.
Maggie Dawson, die Leiterin des Tierheims, ist eine Frau mit starkem Charakter und unermüdlichem Einsatz. Sie hat kein Verständnis für das verwöhnte Verhalten von Sloane und stellt klare Erwartungen an ihre Arbeit im Tierheim. Mit einer Liste von Aufgaben konfrontiert, beginnt Sloane, die Bedeutung von harter Arbeit und Mitgefühl für die Tiere zu erkennen, die sie betreut. Diese Zeit im „Dawson's Sanctuary" könnte der Schlüssel für Sloane sein, um die Prioritäten in ihrem Leben neu zu ordnen und sich von den oberflächlichen Werten ihrer früheren Existenz zu distanzieren. Die Herausforderungen, die sie in dieser kleinen Stadt und unter der Anleitung von Maggie erlebt, könnten sie letztendlich auf einen Weg der Selbstfindung und des Wachstums führen.
Ein sehr unterhaltsamer Roman mit einer gelungenen Handlung!
Maggie Dawson, die Leiterin des Tierheims, ist eine Frau mit starkem Charakter und unermüdlichem Einsatz. Sie hat kein Verständnis für das verwöhnte Verhalten von Sloane und stellt klare Erwartungen an ihre Arbeit im Tierheim. Mit einer Liste von Aufgaben konfrontiert, beginnt Sloane, die Bedeutung von harter Arbeit und Mitgefühl für die Tiere zu erkennen, die sie betreut. Diese Zeit im „Dawson's Sanctuary" könnte der Schlüssel für Sloane sein, um die Prioritäten in ihrem Leben neu zu ordnen und sich von den oberflächlichen Werten ihrer früheren Existenz zu distanzieren. Die Herausforderungen, die sie in dieser kleinen Stadt und unter der Anleitung von Maggie erlebt, könnten sie letztendlich auf einen Weg der Selbstfindung und des Wachstums führen.
Ein sehr unterhaltsamer Roman mit einer gelungenen Handlung!
July 19, 2026
That was an intriguing premise with a great slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance. If you like small-town vibes, animal sanctuaries (emu lovers, anyone? 😏) and a romantic redemption arc that seems almost impossible, you may enjoy this one!
I had so many moments at the beginning where I questioned how on earth we were ever going to get to a romance between these two MCs. Sloane is…quite the character at first. While I understood her circumstances, her behavior made me giggle or cringe with secondhand embarrassment, especially because it’s written in first person. But that’s entirely the point and it makes the middle & ending all the more satisfying. Maggie is wonderful. She’s a no-nonsense, down-to-earth kind of person and I really appreciated the solid communication in this book. I kept bracing for emotional impact, thinking, “Here comes the miscommunication…” and was so pleasantly surprised that the relationship remained grounded and secure instead. Once their dynamic shifts, the romance becomes sweet, intentional, steamy, and refreshingly communicative.
This was my first Lise Gold book, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more!
I had so many moments at the beginning where I questioned how on earth we were ever going to get to a romance between these two MCs. Sloane is…quite the character at first. While I understood her circumstances, her behavior made me giggle or cringe with secondhand embarrassment, especially because it’s written in first person. But that’s entirely the point and it makes the middle & ending all the more satisfying. Maggie is wonderful. She’s a no-nonsense, down-to-earth kind of person and I really appreciated the solid communication in this book. I kept bracing for emotional impact, thinking, “Here comes the miscommunication…” and was so pleasantly surprised that the relationship remained grounded and secure instead. Once their dynamic shifts, the romance becomes sweet, intentional, steamy, and refreshingly communicative.
This was my first Lise Gold book, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more!
June 24, 2026
for people who wanted The Simple Life to end with Paris Hilton marrying a farmer
no I'm not going to check how old that reference is that would only make me sad
Sloane makes a series of bad decisions culminating in drunk hit and running an animal rescue, and thanks to a judge who believes in ironic punishment ends up performing community service. Sloane is an enjoyable lead - she starts off as obnoxious, useless, and pathetic, which balances out as weirdly not hateable? she's like a pampered cat who fell in the bath and is demanding someone make this right. and then through her work at the animal rescue with sexy farmer Maggie she becomes a real person
it's light, wholesome, and really quite funny. everyone is fundamentally good-spirited, even when Sloane is crying about having to walk and Maggie is planning a series of punitive tasks. and it ends up being very communicative and low angst even as they try to act all "but what happens when Sloane leaves I am being angsty about this" (it doesn't last)
also, the winner of 'most pigs featured in a sapphic romance 2026' award
no I'm not going to check how old that reference is that would only make me sad
Sloane makes a series of bad decisions culminating in drunk hit and running an animal rescue, and thanks to a judge who believes in ironic punishment ends up performing community service. Sloane is an enjoyable lead - she starts off as obnoxious, useless, and pathetic, which balances out as weirdly not hateable? she's like a pampered cat who fell in the bath and is demanding someone make this right. and then through her work at the animal rescue with sexy farmer Maggie she becomes a real person
it's light, wholesome, and really quite funny. everyone is fundamentally good-spirited, even when Sloane is crying about having to walk and Maggie is planning a series of punitive tasks. and it ends up being very communicative and low angst even as they try to act all "but what happens when Sloane leaves I am being angsty about this" (it doesn't last)
also, the winner of 'most pigs featured in a sapphic romance 2026' award
June 29, 2026
This book was ABSOLUTE CINEMA, from the first sentence to the final scene. I love Sapphic romance, but this one, THIS ONE, hooked me from the first line and had me in tears by the end.
I went into Sloane Archer thinking it'd be a nice, fluffy interlude to other reads, not realizing Lise Gold had other plan for me. I can feel the atmosphere in Duster, the anguish Sloane goes through, and the joys she eventually finds. I can hear the animals and the scrub brushes as Sloane and Maggie clean out the barn and get the feed ready for the animals. It felt like I was in the barn with them when the dust storm went by.
The above may seem like spoilers, but they aren't; they just illustrate how both immpresionist and paradoxically photographic Lise Gold made this novel. I'll be re-reading this one for sure!!
Don't sleep on this, it may be my favorite of 2026.
--Enemies to Lovers
--Riches to rags
--Toaster Oven
--Small town love
--Cute animals
I went into Sloane Archer thinking it'd be a nice, fluffy interlude to other reads, not realizing Lise Gold had other plan for me. I can feel the atmosphere in Duster, the anguish Sloane goes through, and the joys she eventually finds. I can hear the animals and the scrub brushes as Sloane and Maggie clean out the barn and get the feed ready for the animals. It felt like I was in the barn with them when the dust storm went by.
The above may seem like spoilers, but they aren't; they just illustrate how both immpresionist and paradoxically photographic Lise Gold made this novel. I'll be re-reading this one for sure!!
Don't sleep on this, it may be my favorite of 2026.
--Enemies to Lovers
--Riches to rags
--Toaster Oven
--Small town love
--Cute animals
June 16, 2026
i ❤️ sloan and her self discovery. such a sweet, wholesome book! the animals, small town, and sanctuary of their Actual Animal Sanctuary was a breath of fresh air. the whole time i was thinking i’d like to be cast away to do manual labor in the middle of nowhere but thats probably just me. SUPER CUTE! a bit quick when the feelings came out (prob cause im used to angst) but believable enough for me, and the conflicts were satisfying and realistic. the epilogue was a great end to it imo, sloan’s only real friend, maggie lounging in a pool she didn’t really want but had no motivations to say no to because of her confident wife. i enjoyed that dynamic! a great read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2026
Great story. Not your run of the mill Sapphic Romance, but an unique story set in a small Dusty town somewhere in California. Interesting characters, one spoiled socialite/influencer from LA and one down to earth poor caretaker of an animal rescue farm.
The story was written with the usual Lise Gold humor (especially loved the scene where the emus arrive at the sanctuary) - (and Sloane's not so brilliant idea of hiding a lesbian novel in the cover of the bible - LOL).
If you like your stories to be down to earth, a bit of drama, humor, slow burn and some sexy scenes, than this is the story for you. Highly recommend.
The story was written with the usual Lise Gold humor (especially loved the scene where the emus arrive at the sanctuary) - (and Sloane's not so brilliant idea of hiding a lesbian novel in the cover of the bible - LOL).
If you like your stories to be down to earth, a bit of drama, humor, slow burn and some sexy scenes, than this is the story for you. Highly recommend.
August 1, 2026
I really, really like some of the books Ms Gold has written over the years. "The Residency" or "The Sailor Situation" spring to mind. This one could have been one of them too, but some of the character choices in the book just didn't pan out for me. Too many kisses in the pigs barn. Or in pigs muck. Or with pigs nearby. It's fantasy, true, but still, it just didn't feel plausible. The socialite who ends up liking to shovel manure and choosing that life? The good news, it's not written by AI. Also good, there's a story being told and it's nicely laid out. The bad news, I just couldn't relate at all with all the barn activities. Maybe there's a market, but this book wasn't written for me.
June 30, 2026
It was ok. Even though I’m familiar with Gold’s sapphic Hallmark-style novels and generally ok with it, this one didn’t jive with me. I couldn’t sink into the cognitive dissonance required to accept the 180 from the straight, drunk driving, socialite to fall in love with a pig farm/sanctuary owning lower-class woman (for the absolute first time no thoughts about it ever in her 28 years, which was repeated frequently) within a span of…4 weeks. This was a zero angst, zero drama, zero sense, “feel good” novel that will please a lot folks. Just not me today.
August 17, 2026
This book definitely gives big Schitt’s Creek energy — a wealthy person living in a small town motel with an eclectic cast of locals. Socialite Sloane Archer is cut off from her family’s money and court-ordered to live in a small town, where she must repair the damage caused by her privileged carelessness. There’s something about an ultra wealthy person experiencing the real, harsh world that really brings me joy and is quite entertaining! Also, I’m not usually one for smut, but I did find myself taking the time to read through the spicy details in this one.
June 16, 2026
Sloane Archer Finds Love
Lise Gold has delivered another winning story with this book set in the central valley of Duster, California. Gold combines a story about animals, life lessons, finding love, and does all of the above with a stellar sense of humor. The sanctuary volunteers, the town’s residents, Sloane’s father, and Maggie’s mother provide a wonderful supporting cast.
Lise Gold has delivered another winning story with this book set in the central valley of Duster, California. Gold combines a story about animals, life lessons, finding love, and does all of the above with a stellar sense of humor. The sanctuary volunteers, the town’s residents, Sloane’s father, and Maggie’s mother provide a wonderful supporting cast.
June 17, 2026
OMG! I am still laughing with tears in my eyes.
Lise Gold has indeed become one of my favorite writers! Honestly, I had no idea where this story would take me when I started reading it! I have been absolutely swept up by the animals antics, the overall storyline and the characters! Oh the characters, Ruthie is just perfect, I know women just like her! This is absolutely a masterpiece of hilarity and emotional drama with a fitting setting!
Lise Gold has indeed become one of my favorite writers! Honestly, I had no idea where this story would take me when I started reading it! I have been absolutely swept up by the animals antics, the overall storyline and the characters! Oh the characters, Ruthie is just perfect, I know women just like her! This is absolutely a masterpiece of hilarity and emotional drama with a fitting setting!
June 18, 2026
wow
This was an incredible story with a well-crafted plot that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters were beautifully developed, each with their own depth and personality, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey. The pacing was excellent, with just the right balance of emotion, and memorable moments. Lisa has a remarkable ability to create stories that are both captivating and heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed every page
This was an incredible story with a well-crafted plot that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters were beautifully developed, each with their own depth and personality, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey. The pacing was excellent, with just the right balance of emotion, and memorable moments. Lisa has a remarkable ability to create stories that are both captivating and heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed every page
June 22, 2026
Lise Gold constantly delivers. While this wasn’t my favorite of hers, it still was a fast, fun, easy read that sits heads and shoulders above most of its counterparts. I thoroughly enjoyed the side characters, including Ruthie Thelma & Louise. Several parts made me laugh out loud. The main characters each exhibited a lot of growth and I appreciated their good communication patterns and respect for one another leading to a sweet love story.
June 28, 2026
Well written
This was a well written light, low-angst and entertaining read. I did have trouble getting into the fantasy of a 28 year old straight woman suddenly being attracted to another woman. That took me out of the story a little bit and was hard to wrap my head around. Maybe even a little bit, something small, to link the past to the present attraction and give it context would’ve been helpful. But overall, being well written it was entertaining.
This was a well written light, low-angst and entertaining read. I did have trouble getting into the fantasy of a 28 year old straight woman suddenly being attracted to another woman. That took me out of the story a little bit and was hard to wrap my head around. Maybe even a little bit, something small, to link the past to the present attraction and give it context would’ve been helpful. But overall, being well written it was entertaining.
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