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Not Today Satan
- GenresLesbianLesbian Fiction
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2026
About the author
T.B. Markinson
76 books1,186 followersT. B. Markinson is an American writer, living in England. When she isn't writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in England, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 23, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Fashion designer Santana, the epitome of an ice queen, clashes—almost literally—with the sharp-tongued chef Harley. The perfect ingredients for a hilarious rom-com.
I know just as little about fashion as Harley, am a bit less creative in the kitchen, but I can keep my job for longer than a few months, so I was able to relate to her quite well. Harley, with her heart in the right place, who is sometimes a bit clumsy but always stands up for others without regard for her own job, wins my heart very quickly. Because she often gets in her own way, she’s struggling to find the right path for herself in life; she needs to figure that out soon, or she’ll never be able to stand on her own two feet and will end up couch-surfing at friends’ places her whole life.
On the other hand, the icy-cold Ice Queen Santana, whose sharp words can cut as deep as Harley’s kitchen knives, is a different story. She unfairly takes out her frustration on her employees, making few friends in the process. Betrayal and disloyalty have hardened her, and no one dares to stand up to her—except Harley. It took me much longer to see beyond her impossible behavior and understand her better. And I loved her little dachshund, Luca.
Due to a special deal, Harley ends up having to work for Santana. Harley tries not to let Santana’s harassment get her down, which was by no means always easy. By biting her tongue with great effort at times and through small gestures, she slowly but surely becomes an indispensable muse.
This story comes alive not only through the actions of the characters but above all through the dialogues and verbal sparring between Harley and Santana, and through Harley’s inner monologues and commentary. I have rarely laughed or smiled so often. And the fact that fashion design and culinary arts can complement and inspire each other so well was a surprise at first, but upon closer inspection, I recognized the similarities.
Another highlight is Santana’s family; I would have loved to spend more time with them, not only because they helped me understand Santana better, but because they are such a multifaceted, lovable, and humorous family.
The fact that we experience the entire story from Harley’s perspective has its charm and makes sense in many ways. But sometimes I would have liked to know what Santana was thinking in various situations; that would certainly have been a story worth telling as well.
The only minor complaint I have is that, toward the end, it felt a bit rushed the way Harley discovers and pursues her calling in her job. In contrast, we see Santana’s character develop over a longer period of time.
Another great collaboration by T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod. I can imagine that this story, as an audiobook with perfect narration, will be even better than it already is.
ARC provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review
Fashion designer Santana, the epitome of an ice queen, clashes—almost literally—with the sharp-tongued chef Harley. The perfect ingredients for a hilarious rom-com.
I know just as little about fashion as Harley, am a bit less creative in the kitchen, but I can keep my job for longer than a few months, so I was able to relate to her quite well. Harley, with her heart in the right place, who is sometimes a bit clumsy but always stands up for others without regard for her own job, wins my heart very quickly. Because she often gets in her own way, she’s struggling to find the right path for herself in life; she needs to figure that out soon, or she’ll never be able to stand on her own two feet and will end up couch-surfing at friends’ places her whole life.
On the other hand, the icy-cold Ice Queen Santana, whose sharp words can cut as deep as Harley’s kitchen knives, is a different story. She unfairly takes out her frustration on her employees, making few friends in the process. Betrayal and disloyalty have hardened her, and no one dares to stand up to her—except Harley. It took me much longer to see beyond her impossible behavior and understand her better. And I loved her little dachshund, Luca.
Due to a special deal, Harley ends up having to work for Santana. Harley tries not to let Santana’s harassment get her down, which was by no means always easy. By biting her tongue with great effort at times and through small gestures, she slowly but surely becomes an indispensable muse.
This story comes alive not only through the actions of the characters but above all through the dialogues and verbal sparring between Harley and Santana, and through Harley’s inner monologues and commentary. I have rarely laughed or smiled so often. And the fact that fashion design and culinary arts can complement and inspire each other so well was a surprise at first, but upon closer inspection, I recognized the similarities.
Another highlight is Santana’s family; I would have loved to spend more time with them, not only because they helped me understand Santana better, but because they are such a multifaceted, lovable, and humorous family.
The fact that we experience the entire story from Harley’s perspective has its charm and makes sense in many ways. But sometimes I would have liked to know what Santana was thinking in various situations; that would certainly have been a story worth telling as well.
The only minor complaint I have is that, toward the end, it felt a bit rushed the way Harley discovers and pursues her calling in her job. In contrast, we see Santana’s character develop over a longer period of time.
Another great collaboration by T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod. I can imagine that this story, as an audiobook with perfect narration, will be even better than it already is.
ARC provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review
May 13, 2026
This honestly had all the potential to become a 5-star read for me, but there were a few things that held me back from fully giving it that rating. That being said, this is easily my favorite book from these two authors so far, and considering how many of their books I’ve already read, that genuinely surprised me. Going into this, I was expecting a fun fake dating romance with entertaining banter, but I ended up getting so much more than that. One of the biggest surprises for me was the romcom tone because while the authors have included humor in previous books before, I had never seen them lean into it this much. I genuinely lost track of how many times this book made me laugh, which is saying something because I normally struggle to enjoy comedy in books. Thankfully, the humor here felt really natural and never forced or over-the-top.
Another thing I unexpectedly loved was the fashion aspect of the story. You can really tell the authors put effort into researching the fashion industry because every design, gala, and creative process felt detailed and immersive. As someone who usually has almost no interest in fashion, I was surprised by how invested I became in that side of the story. Honestly, this book feels just as much about fashion and creativity as it does about romance. I also really enjoyed the parallels between fashion and cooking because it was fascinating seeing how two completely different forms of art could inspire one another.
The characters were a little more complicated for me though. I absolutely loved Harley’s chaotic and genuinely kind personality. She constantly tried to make the best out of every messy situation she found herself in, which made her incredibly easy to root for. At the same time, I felt conflicted about her character growth because it seemed to stagnate for a large portion of the book. Harley spent so much time putting everyone else first that when she finally made decisions about her own future, it felt abrupt and lacked the emotional buildup I was hoping for. I would’ve preferred seeing her slowly work through those realizations instead of suddenly reaching them near the end, so that aspect of her arc left me feeling a bit unsatisfied overall.
Santana was an even harder character for me to connect with emotionally because she was truly an ice queen from beginning to end. While we do gradually see her open up to Harley, I still felt like she never completely let her walls down, so I never connected with her on the same level as Harley. Even so, I still think her character arc was handled well for the most part.
The romance itself started out incredibly strong for me. The tension, banter, and slow-burn buildup were honestly some of my favorite parts of the book, and I was so excited to see how their relationship would eventually evolve into something real. Unfortunately, around the middle of the story, things started to feel repetitive because they kept refusing to acknowledge their feelings for each other. At first, I didn’t mind the denial because it added tension to the fake dating dynamic, but after a while it became frustrating watching them repeatedly avoid admitting what was obviously happening between them, especially Harley. Because the same conflict kept repeating itself, the final confession didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to. Instead of feeling like an inevitable emotional payoff, it came across as somewhat rushed and underwhelming. I honestly think an epilogue would’ve helped a lot because it could’ve made their relationship feel more complete and emotionally satisfying by the end, but unfortunately we never got that closure.
I also wish we had gotten more scenes with Santana’s family because those moments showed a softer and more human side of her character that I really enjoyed. Their connection with Harley was also genuinely sweet, and I think more scenes with them could’ve strengthened Santana’s emotional development even further. I was also surprised by how little Dustin actually appeared in the story considering Harley enters the arrangement because of him in the first place. The story emphasizes how important he is to Harley, but after the setup he barely shows up, so all that focus on him ended up feeling a little unnecessary in hindsight.
While it didn’t fully hit 5 stars for me, I still had such a good time with this one! It’s a solid, engaging read, and I’m pretty sure most readers will love it even more. If the premise catches your eye, I highly recommend picking it up, as it delivers way more than it suggests!
Another thing I unexpectedly loved was the fashion aspect of the story. You can really tell the authors put effort into researching the fashion industry because every design, gala, and creative process felt detailed and immersive. As someone who usually has almost no interest in fashion, I was surprised by how invested I became in that side of the story. Honestly, this book feels just as much about fashion and creativity as it does about romance. I also really enjoyed the parallels between fashion and cooking because it was fascinating seeing how two completely different forms of art could inspire one another.
The characters were a little more complicated for me though. I absolutely loved Harley’s chaotic and genuinely kind personality. She constantly tried to make the best out of every messy situation she found herself in, which made her incredibly easy to root for. At the same time, I felt conflicted about her character growth because it seemed to stagnate for a large portion of the book. Harley spent so much time putting everyone else first that when she finally made decisions about her own future, it felt abrupt and lacked the emotional buildup I was hoping for. I would’ve preferred seeing her slowly work through those realizations instead of suddenly reaching them near the end, so that aspect of her arc left me feeling a bit unsatisfied overall.
Santana was an even harder character for me to connect with emotionally because she was truly an ice queen from beginning to end. While we do gradually see her open up to Harley, I still felt like she never completely let her walls down, so I never connected with her on the same level as Harley. Even so, I still think her character arc was handled well for the most part.
The romance itself started out incredibly strong for me. The tension, banter, and slow-burn buildup were honestly some of my favorite parts of the book, and I was so excited to see how their relationship would eventually evolve into something real. Unfortunately, around the middle of the story, things started to feel repetitive because they kept refusing to acknowledge their feelings for each other. At first, I didn’t mind the denial because it added tension to the fake dating dynamic, but after a while it became frustrating watching them repeatedly avoid admitting what was obviously happening between them, especially Harley. Because the same conflict kept repeating itself, the final confession didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to. Instead of feeling like an inevitable emotional payoff, it came across as somewhat rushed and underwhelming. I honestly think an epilogue would’ve helped a lot because it could’ve made their relationship feel more complete and emotionally satisfying by the end, but unfortunately we never got that closure.
I also wish we had gotten more scenes with Santana’s family because those moments showed a softer and more human side of her character that I really enjoyed. Their connection with Harley was also genuinely sweet, and I think more scenes with them could’ve strengthened Santana’s emotional development even further. I was also surprised by how little Dustin actually appeared in the story considering Harley enters the arrangement because of him in the first place. The story emphasizes how important he is to Harley, but after the setup he barely shows up, so all that focus on him ended up feeling a little unnecessary in hindsight.
While it didn’t fully hit 5 stars for me, I still had such a good time with this one! It’s a solid, engaging read, and I’m pretty sure most readers will love it even more. If the premise catches your eye, I highly recommend picking it up, as it delivers way more than it suggests!
May 15, 2026
This was a delightfully fun age gap, ice queen rom-com.
May 22, 2026
Harley is, in her own opinion, a loser. She has had many jobs in the one decade of her adult life, and most have ended in disaster, or in her leaving in anticipation of a probable disaster. Since she was young she has wanted to be a chef, and her skills and knowledge are extensive. She just can’t get the personal side of holding down a job.
Santana is a fashion designer, running her own top brand in New York. However, mixing business and pleasure six years earlier nearly made her company fold, and so now she micro-controls everything and plays it excessively safe with her designs, because she still hasn’t recovered from the hurt.
When Harley has a temporary job as a photographer’s assistant which ends in a total disaster with Harley unwittingly destroying much of Santana’s designs for that season, Harley has to go talk to Santana to make amends. The photographer on the shoot had been her late brother’s best friend Dustin, and now because of her, Dustin is out of a job.
There are so many layers in this story. The comedy, almost getting into slapstick at the photoshoot, and continuing throughout the story. The plays on words, especially with both Harley’s and Santana’s names. Santana’s slowly thawing ice queen persona, and how she sometimes shows the beautiful vulnerability under her sarcastic exterior. Harley, with her chaotic, deeply rooted fear of abandonment and being seen. All of these and many more are interlaced in this wonderful deep story.
Santana is a fashion designer, running her own top brand in New York. However, mixing business and pleasure six years earlier nearly made her company fold, and so now she micro-controls everything and plays it excessively safe with her designs, because she still hasn’t recovered from the hurt.
When Harley has a temporary job as a photographer’s assistant which ends in a total disaster with Harley unwittingly destroying much of Santana’s designs for that season, Harley has to go talk to Santana to make amends. The photographer on the shoot had been her late brother’s best friend Dustin, and now because of her, Dustin is out of a job.
There are so many layers in this story. The comedy, almost getting into slapstick at the photoshoot, and continuing throughout the story. The plays on words, especially with both Harley’s and Santana’s names. Santana’s slowly thawing ice queen persona, and how she sometimes shows the beautiful vulnerability under her sarcastic exterior. Harley, with her chaotic, deeply rooted fear of abandonment and being seen. All of these and many more are interlaced in this wonderful deep story.
May 20, 2026
Not Today Satan by T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book! Like, the kind of love where you keep saying “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 2 am and you’re emotionally attached to women named for motorcycles and demons, plus a scene-stealing dachshund in a bespoke vest.
IMHO, this is one of TB Markinson and Miranda MacLeod’s best books ever, and that’s saying a lot. It’s warm, laugh-out-loud funny, and completely captivating from start to finish. I didn’t want to put it down, and when I did, I had a full-on take two aspirin, drink plenty of water, and read it again, book hangover.
The first-person POV works so well here, insightful and full of sharper-than-a-chef ’s-knife snarky observations and banter. Harley leaps off the page. She’s righteous chaos in curvy, human form, impulsive, self-destructive, but a profoundly good person who cares deeply and stands up when others get treated badly, even if it costs her own job and stability. And the way she slowly starts to understand why she is the way she is is genuinely beautiful.
Then there’s Santana, aka Satan, sealed inside her carefully constructed emotional fortress, built from heartbreak, betrayal, and the decision never to risk that again. She’s successful, controlled, and keeps everyone at a distance best measured in miles. Until Harley shows up, pushing, challenging, and calling her out on her behavior. Though loath to admit it, Santana doesn’t just need that; she relishes it.
Their dynamic is a chef’s kiss. Enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, fake relationship, age gap, rich/poor, and one very small bed all come together seamlessly. The slow burn works so well because both have built their walls for good reasons, and it takes time for them to question that, let alone break their own rules. Plus, their slow unraveling is impossible to look away from.
Other small but important details that made this even more fun:
• The mystery perfume drifting through the story.
• The unexpected power of a London Fog (which I immediately had to learn how to make).
• The cheese obsession, dairy-free me, didn’t know I needed.
Not Today Satan is proof that a job from Hell can be exactly what you need, and happily ever after is always possible.
I received an ARC of this book, but my opinions (and my strong recommendation to read it ASAP) are entirely my own. Just maybe clear your schedule first.
#TBMarkinson, #MirandaMacLeod, #NotTodaySatan, #dachshund, #5Stars, #Books, #BookReview, #SapphicBooks, #SapphicBookReview, #IHeartSapphic, #LGBTQbooks, #SapphicRomance, #WLWlovestories, #WLW, #SapphicFiction, #QueerRomance, WLWfiction, #LisaB_ReviewsBooks, #ARC, #AdvanceReaderCopy, #Amazon, #BookBub, #Goodreads, #bookstagram, #indieauthors, #BookFunnel, #IceQueen, #Chef, #CulinaryArts, #HEA, #OneBed, #Fashion, #FashionWeek
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved this book! Like, the kind of love where you keep saying “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s 2 am and you’re emotionally attached to women named for motorcycles and demons, plus a scene-stealing dachshund in a bespoke vest.
IMHO, this is one of TB Markinson and Miranda MacLeod’s best books ever, and that’s saying a lot. It’s warm, laugh-out-loud funny, and completely captivating from start to finish. I didn’t want to put it down, and when I did, I had a full-on take two aspirin, drink plenty of water, and read it again, book hangover.
The first-person POV works so well here, insightful and full of sharper-than-a-chef ’s-knife snarky observations and banter. Harley leaps off the page. She’s righteous chaos in curvy, human form, impulsive, self-destructive, but a profoundly good person who cares deeply and stands up when others get treated badly, even if it costs her own job and stability. And the way she slowly starts to understand why she is the way she is is genuinely beautiful.
Then there’s Santana, aka Satan, sealed inside her carefully constructed emotional fortress, built from heartbreak, betrayal, and the decision never to risk that again. She’s successful, controlled, and keeps everyone at a distance best measured in miles. Until Harley shows up, pushing, challenging, and calling her out on her behavior. Though loath to admit it, Santana doesn’t just need that; she relishes it.
Their dynamic is a chef’s kiss. Enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, fake relationship, age gap, rich/poor, and one very small bed all come together seamlessly. The slow burn works so well because both have built their walls for good reasons, and it takes time for them to question that, let alone break their own rules. Plus, their slow unraveling is impossible to look away from.
Other small but important details that made this even more fun:
• The mystery perfume drifting through the story.
• The unexpected power of a London Fog (which I immediately had to learn how to make).
• The cheese obsession, dairy-free me, didn’t know I needed.
Not Today Satan is proof that a job from Hell can be exactly what you need, and happily ever after is always possible.
I received an ARC of this book, but my opinions (and my strong recommendation to read it ASAP) are entirely my own. Just maybe clear your schedule first.
#TBMarkinson, #MirandaMacLeod, #NotTodaySatan, #dachshund, #5Stars, #Books, #BookReview, #SapphicBooks, #SapphicBookReview, #IHeartSapphic, #LGBTQbooks, #SapphicRomance, #WLWlovestories, #WLW, #SapphicFiction, #QueerRomance, WLWfiction, #LisaB_ReviewsBooks, #ARC, #AdvanceReaderCopy, #Amazon, #BookBub, #Goodreads, #bookstagram, #indieauthors, #BookFunnel, #IceQueen, #Chef, #CulinaryArts, #HEA, #OneBed, #Fashion, #FashionWeek
May 8, 2026
Another hilarious romance co-write with an unlikely pairing that works
TB and Miranda's latest co-write is set in the world of fashion and is both hilarious (prepare to laugh, out loud and frequently) and totally bingeable. From one helluva opening chapter I got pulled into this story despite having zero interest in anything to do with fashion or the people who make it. Some chapter endings were cliff hanger-ish enough to nudge me to read 'just one more chapter' until hours had passed. If you love drama and verbal and barbs being tossed around by and between characters this hits the spot even if fashion isn't your jam. Main characters Harley and Santana had some characters attributes I found irritating initially but it didn't take long for me to root for them sorting out their issues and individual baggage along with other complications so they could be and stay together as a couple. The cast of secondary characters is filled with all sorts, with Luca the dapper dog, Santana's sister Carmen and Harley's friend Jade standouts and scene stealers among them. Aside from the ice queen there are other tropes I won't specify to avoid spoilers but suffice it to say this book is downright entertaining and addictive to read. It may end up being quotable in circles of readers for years to come especially if the audiobook performer mines those nuggets of sass and deadpan and elevates them even further than the words on the page. In addition to the romance, there is some office and fashion related drama at play and other plot threads, some of which I cared less about once Santana and Harley started to get intimate, physically and otherwise. They have some steamy scenes, at least one in a novel location but the emotional intimacy is heart tugging as well. If you love fashion, cheese, food of any kind, London Fogs, color, dogs in couture, or snark this book delivers along with enough plot twists to keep you guessing how it's all going to end/work out. I had such a good time reading this book I almost wish it was longer just so I could hang out with these characters some more. For some readers this will be a definite re-read. I highly recommend this and their other co-writes along with the books they've written separately; TB and Miranda write seamlessly so it's easy to forget there are two authors both of whom know how to craft stories you don't want to stop reading.
TB and Miranda's latest co-write is set in the world of fashion and is both hilarious (prepare to laugh, out loud and frequently) and totally bingeable. From one helluva opening chapter I got pulled into this story despite having zero interest in anything to do with fashion or the people who make it. Some chapter endings were cliff hanger-ish enough to nudge me to read 'just one more chapter' until hours had passed. If you love drama and verbal and barbs being tossed around by and between characters this hits the spot even if fashion isn't your jam. Main characters Harley and Santana had some characters attributes I found irritating initially but it didn't take long for me to root for them sorting out their issues and individual baggage along with other complications so they could be and stay together as a couple. The cast of secondary characters is filled with all sorts, with Luca the dapper dog, Santana's sister Carmen and Harley's friend Jade standouts and scene stealers among them. Aside from the ice queen there are other tropes I won't specify to avoid spoilers but suffice it to say this book is downright entertaining and addictive to read. It may end up being quotable in circles of readers for years to come especially if the audiobook performer mines those nuggets of sass and deadpan and elevates them even further than the words on the page. In addition to the romance, there is some office and fashion related drama at play and other plot threads, some of which I cared less about once Santana and Harley started to get intimate, physically and otherwise. They have some steamy scenes, at least one in a novel location but the emotional intimacy is heart tugging as well. If you love fashion, cheese, food of any kind, London Fogs, color, dogs in couture, or snark this book delivers along with enough plot twists to keep you guessing how it's all going to end/work out. I had such a good time reading this book I almost wish it was longer just so I could hang out with these characters some more. For some readers this will be a definite re-read. I highly recommend this and their other co-writes along with the books they've written separately; TB and Miranda write seamlessly so it's easy to forget there are two authors both of whom know how to craft stories you don't want to stop reading.
May 12, 2026
T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod add another hit to their ever-expanding roster - and "Not Today Satan" is a heavenly addition! Harley Plotkin is a gifted and creative chef, who cannot hold a job. Because Harley Plotkin doesn't plan her life, doesn't pay a lot of attention to the necessary details of life, maybe just doesn't care enough. That's why, when best friend Dustin calls last minute, asking her to be a substitute assistant that day, for an important fashion photo shoot, Harley says yes - because not only has she been couch surfing for too long, but she's gotta get enough dough to be able to pay rent! At the shoot site, Harley catches her first glimpse of the notoriously talented, famous, and irrascible designer, Santana Torres. And on top of all that, Torres "might have been a goddess in a former life, or perhaps now"! But also the quintessential "ice queen". Dustin warns Harley "don't make eye contact with her, don't speak unless spoken to...". What the heck! Anyway, it's all business, all good, until Santana Torres rips a temp assistant a new one, over a mistake with the Manolos. That's when Harley just has to call her out - "you're a bully ... engaging in public humiliation like it's a blood sport". Right after that, everything falls apart - clothing racks topple, lighting rig falls into fragile fabrics, triggering a fire. That disaster ends the shoot. Dustin gets fired (for having brought Harley in the first place). Guilty, Harley presents herself to Santana, to make things right. Somehow, Harley ends up working for Santana as her personal assistant ... unpaid ... for a year. So, we have the impossibly rigid Santana Torres and the impossibly impossible Hartley Plotkin actually living under the same roof. How the heck does that work out? You might be surprised! You can be certain, with Markinson's and MacLeod's characteristic humor and plot planning, you will be totally captivated by "Not Today Satan" - I promise! I enjoyed an advance reader copy of this book, and this is my wholeheartedly enthusiastic review.
May 15, 2026
While working for her pal Dustin, Harley accidentally destroys a rack of expensive fashion, getting him fired and blacklisted. To save his job she contacts the boss, Santana, and pretty much puts herself into slavery for ten weeks.
This also apparently involves moving into her apartment for the duration. Admittedly, Sabtana's place is huge and she has the room. So, she goes along with that too.
(Santana tries to come across as a Ice Queen, but she's really more of a slushie. She's much more considerate to Harley than she needs to be.)
Harley gets along with the staff, and starts making the tea Santana likes. She also starts cooking for her, as she appears to live off energy bars.
Santana needs a plus one for a huge gala, and Harley is it. She also creates a new outfit for her, supposedly just to show off the brand.
The event goes well, except the media assumes Harley is her date. And Santana's sister Carmen hears, who tells their Mom, and soon the entire extended family knows.
So Satana asks Harley to fake date to keep her family happy. Which goes surprisingly well... alas, one if the investors at Santana's company also hears, so now fake dating at work too.
(In exchange Santana agrees to get Dustin retired immediately. Which means Harley could walk at any time, which maybe the writers forgot?)
As they race to get ready for Fashion Week, the two finally admits they like each other and sleep together.
Wrap up...
3.5 stars. A fun, entertaining book, but don't think about it too much or you'll kill suspension of disbelief.
This also apparently involves moving into her apartment for the duration. Admittedly, Sabtana's place is huge and she has the room. So, she goes along with that too.
(Santana tries to come across as a Ice Queen, but she's really more of a slushie. She's much more considerate to Harley than she needs to be.)
Harley gets along with the staff, and starts making the tea Santana likes. She also starts cooking for her, as she appears to live off energy bars.
Santana needs a plus one for a huge gala, and Harley is it. She also creates a new outfit for her, supposedly just to show off the brand.
The event goes well, except the media assumes Harley is her date. And Santana's sister Carmen hears, who tells their Mom, and soon the entire extended family knows.
So Satana asks Harley to fake date to keep her family happy. Which goes surprisingly well... alas, one if the investors at Santana's company also hears, so now fake dating at work too.
(In exchange Santana agrees to get Dustin retired immediately. Which means Harley could walk at any time, which maybe the writers forgot?)
As they race to get ready for Fashion Week, the two finally admits they like each other and sleep together.
Wrap up...
3.5 stars. A fun, entertaining book, but don't think about it too much or you'll kill suspension of disbelief.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2026
I loved this story right out of the gate. After accidentally sabotaging Santana's fashion collection and responsible for her photographer friend Dustin's job loss, Harley becomes nothing but a lackey to Santana. Knowing nothing about fashion doesn't stop Harley from trying to get Dustin's job back.
TB and Miranda sure know how to construct an ice queen! Santana was icier than the Alaskan glaciers before global warming!!! But Harley, a mess of a character with a really huge heart, won the affection of those around her. She always thought of others before herself.
The delightful undertone was infused with humor. If I wasn't laughing, I was rolling my eyes. The humor truly helped to thaw the ice queen.
They both learned a life lesson that with help, almost anything is possible. Harley's greatest skill was caring about those around her and in the end, they surrounded her with love in kind. I really enjoyed their journey!
TB and Miranda sure know how to construct an ice queen! Santana was icier than the Alaskan glaciers before global warming!!! But Harley, a mess of a character with a really huge heart, won the affection of those around her. She always thought of others before herself.
The delightful undertone was infused with humor. If I wasn't laughing, I was rolling my eyes. The humor truly helped to thaw the ice queen.
They both learned a life lesson that with help, almost anything is possible. Harley's greatest skill was caring about those around her and in the end, they surrounded her with love in kind. I really enjoyed their journey!
May 19, 2026
Harley is captain chaos who through no fault of her own, has a runaway mouth that gets her best friend fired from a fashion shoot. As penance and after some grovelling she ends up working for Santana, a well known fashion designer. It’s unpaid but she gets a place to stay so no more couch surfing for the weeks she’s paying back her dues at least
However fake dating creeps into the storyline and things just get a whole lot more complicated.
This is laugh out loud funny, Harley is hilarious and Santana is colder than dry ice.
Another winner from this intrepid duo, with someone who is sometimes a bit of a disaster and another an ex-fashion seamstress, maybe life is imitating art? Who knows?
However fake dating creeps into the storyline and things just get a whole lot more complicated.
This is laugh out loud funny, Harley is hilarious and Santana is colder than dry ice.
Another winner from this intrepid duo, with someone who is sometimes a bit of a disaster and another an ex-fashion seamstress, maybe life is imitating art? Who knows?
May 20, 2026
What an awesome story! If the title doesn’t get you interested then maybe the cute dog in the fashionista clothing on the cover should. The two main characters, Harley and Santana (aka Satan) have a fun and complicated way of showing that they do care about each other. It was fun to see Santan’s ice cold persona slowly melt. Also, Harley’s devil-may-care attitude about life started to become more ‘adult’ and real.
Their journey was so much fun to follow and after a while I started cheering for them to get it right and finally kiss (not just a kiss for show!) I encourage you to read this story if you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-read and follow story. Oh and did I mention there’s a dog in the story? What’s not to like? TB and Miranda have done it again.
Their journey was so much fun to follow and after a while I started cheering for them to get it right and finally kiss (not just a kiss for show!) I encourage you to read this story if you’re looking for a fun, easy-to-read and follow story. Oh and did I mention there’s a dog in the story? What’s not to like? TB and Miranda have done it again.
May 12, 2026
An Entertaining Classic From The Amazing Duo!
T.B. & Miranda together again for this classically entertaining story. Their partnership always has the best opening chapter that pulls you in. Like them you get two very different character leads with an outstanding supporting cast. You also get a humorous dachshund that seems to love fashion. The story works so well. The most important thing to boast about here is the chemistry and the storyline. It is humorous, thoughtful and honest. It takes two people who have been affected by the past and we’re finding it hard to move on until they are faced with truths. This is a must read from this duo. I put this at the top.
T.B. & Miranda together again for this classically entertaining story. Their partnership always has the best opening chapter that pulls you in. Like them you get two very different character leads with an outstanding supporting cast. You also get a humorous dachshund that seems to love fashion. The story works so well. The most important thing to boast about here is the chemistry and the storyline. It is humorous, thoughtful and honest. It takes two people who have been affected by the past and we’re finding it hard to move on until they are faced with truths. This is a must read from this duo. I put this at the top.
May 20, 2026
Every time I finish one of Markinson and MacLeod's books, I think it can't get any better than that. Then I pick up another, and my mind is blown further into the atmosphere than the last one. This is very true of Not Today Satan! What an amazing story! What fascinating characters! The arc in this one bends slowly-starting with snark and annoyance- but at its peak, it quickly becomes the downhill slope of a roller coaster ride plunging into a sultry, satisfying romance of the spectacular kind. If you're a fan, you'll ❤️ this one big time. If you're not yet a fan, you're sure to be by the end of this one!
May 13, 2026
I laughed, then cringed, laughed again and at some point I cried!
T. B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod have teamed up for another tender, uproarious tale of unexpected love in strange circumstances! This is so well written, the characters are thoughtfully allowed to grow on the reader, the settings just feel real and the dialogue pulls emotion from the air! I loved this book cover to cover!
T. B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod have teamed up for another tender, uproarious tale of unexpected love in strange circumstances! This is so well written, the characters are thoughtfully allowed to grow on the reader, the settings just feel real and the dialogue pulls emotion from the air! I loved this book cover to cover!
May 24, 2026
This story drew me in from the first chapter. I smiled, grinned, laughed at Harley's antics, thought process and words that came out of her mouth (that were better left unspoken in most cases).
I loved her chaotic, tragic clown character. The poor kid just could not get a break.
Santana is not just the proverbial Ice Queen, but a woman so disappointed in life she cannot show any emotion, and thus becomes cruel. Since Harley cannot help but defend the underdog, she keeps on getting into trouble.
So the story unfolds. Harley, failed Chef, moves in and works for Santana, the Ice Queen Fashion Designer - for free to get her best friends job back.
Me, like Harley, knows nothing about fashion and wears clothes to feel comfortable. It was a bit of an eye opener for me.
Great read. Some romance and a bit of longing, but mostly humorous.
I loved her chaotic, tragic clown character. The poor kid just could not get a break.
Santana is not just the proverbial Ice Queen, but a woman so disappointed in life she cannot show any emotion, and thus becomes cruel. Since Harley cannot help but defend the underdog, she keeps on getting into trouble.
So the story unfolds. Harley, failed Chef, moves in and works for Santana, the Ice Queen Fashion Designer - for free to get her best friends job back.
Me, like Harley, knows nothing about fashion and wears clothes to feel comfortable. It was a bit of an eye opener for me.
Great read. Some romance and a bit of longing, but mostly humorous.
May 24, 2026
Loved the book. It started with the title. How many of us say that line! Harley and Santana started off as fake, but the tremendous writing let's us know they were drawn to each other. As icy cold as Santana tried to be, Harley's cooking and taking care of Santana melted her coldness. TB and Miranda did another outstanding job on this book. One of my favorite parts was all the talk of visiting Walt Disney World. It reminds me of home. Great book.
May 9, 2026
Scrumptious!
TB and Miranda are truly hilarious writing duets! Their stories as individuals are super funny and as co-authors their combined talent and humor make all books written by them extraordinary! "Not Today Satan" is the newest book by these talented authors. I think this story was different than some of they're other books. Well done T B and Miranda!
TB and Miranda are truly hilarious writing duets! Their stories as individuals are super funny and as co-authors their combined talent and humor make all books written by them extraordinary! "Not Today Satan" is the newest book by these talented authors. I think this story was different than some of they're other books. Well done T B and Miranda!
May 10, 2026
brilliant
I just loved this book about chef Harley who is accident prone and wrecks a photo shoot ensuring her friend gets the sack. In order to try and make amends she promises to be a dogsbody for fashion designer Santana. Laugh out loud in places and a really enjoyable read. Would highly recommend
I just loved this book about chef Harley who is accident prone and wrecks a photo shoot ensuring her friend gets the sack. In order to try and make amends she promises to be a dogsbody for fashion designer Santana. Laugh out loud in places and a really enjoyable read. Would highly recommend
May 15, 2026
Love a chaos
The story has a lot of great banter between the main characters. Harley stands up for what’s right and called Santana out on her bullying. You can tell they have a mutual love/hate relationship going on. It’s fun to watch the tension between them. I really enjoyed this book.
The story has a lot of great banter between the main characters. Harley stands up for what’s right and called Santana out on her bullying. You can tell they have a mutual love/hate relationship going on. It’s fun to watch the tension between them. I really enjoyed this book.
May 15, 2026
Best book yet
Had me laughing by the end of page one. I couldn't put it down, consumed it in one weekend. My wife thought I had finally lost the plot, I was laughing so hard. Can't wait to read it again. I absolutely love these two authors together.. Thank you for giving me something to laugh about at a time when the world is making us cry
Had me laughing by the end of page one. I couldn't put it down, consumed it in one weekend. My wife thought I had finally lost the plot, I was laughing so hard. Can't wait to read it again. I absolutely love these two authors together.. Thank you for giving me something to laugh about at a time when the world is making us cry
May 16, 2026
Not Today Satan is filled with tropes from one bed to fake dating. You can check off alot bingo boxes with this read, plus have a few laughs. I forgot to mention the steam earlier…good steam (pun not intended 😆). This book should win in the sex in the weirdest place category.😆
“Thank you, I Heart Sapphic, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”
“Thank you, I Heart Sapphic, for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.”
May 17, 2026
A COMPLETE DELIGHT!
I was expecting a funny, quirky, very pleasant read—and I was not disappointed. I sorta know what’s coming with TB’s writing and all the amazing rest has to be Miranda.
The timing of this book coincides with the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada-2 with a happy twist—it’s sapphic.
I was expecting a funny, quirky, very pleasant read—and I was not disappointed. I sorta know what’s coming with TB’s writing and all the amazing rest has to be Miranda.
The timing of this book coincides with the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada-2 with a happy twist—it’s sapphic.
May 23, 2026
Well done to both of you
Beautiful story, well written with strong emotions and realistic characters. I loved it so much that I couldn’t put it down. There are nice twists and the ending is absolutely perfect. Well done to both of the writers for delivering a very romantic, interesting, engaging and inspiring story.
Beautiful story, well written with strong emotions and realistic characters. I loved it so much that I couldn’t put it down. There are nice twists and the ending is absolutely perfect. Well done to both of the writers for delivering a very romantic, interesting, engaging and inspiring story.
May 24, 2026
As usual these two authors created an hilarious story of an ice queen melting. This one has a twist - Harley must atone for creating a fiasco at a photo shoot resulting in her friend getting fired. She is at the whim of Santana, the ice queen fashion designer for 10 weeks. Chaos reigns throughout and a satisfactory ending makes this book a joy to read.
May 24, 2026
Great book.
It's no secret that I love the way these two authors co-write and it's because they're a proven, dependable, awesome writing duo.
I'm no fashion guru. But that mattered little as one of the MCs was as clueless as me. I learned the ropes along with her and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the journey.
Highly recommended.
It's no secret that I love the way these two authors co-write and it's because they're a proven, dependable, awesome writing duo.
I'm no fashion guru. But that mattered little as one of the MCs was as clueless as me. I learned the ropes along with her and was surprised at how much I enjoyed the journey.
Highly recommended.
May 24, 2026
Good read
This is a very good read from the very beginning. It had me laughing out loud.
I could picture a lot of the things happening with the way the story was told.
Yes there was a little sad parts but I think that is to be expected in most stories.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you TB and Miranda
Kandib
This is a very good read from the very beginning. It had me laughing out loud.
I could picture a lot of the things happening with the way the story was told.
Yes there was a little sad parts but I think that is to be expected in most stories.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you TB and Miranda
Kandib
May 10, 2026
I love this book so much. I literally couldn't put it down. I read it in a day. The characters are marvelous, supporting as well as the MCs. The story is a perfect balance of heartfelt and laugh out loud funny. Low angst. Cute dog that has a custom wardrobe. This book is going on my re-read list.
May 14, 2026
So good
Absolutely loved this book, same as any book these authors team up for. The characters were so fun, and their chemistry was ridiculous. Even the dog had a unique personality. Definite Devil Wears Prada vibes.
Absolutely loved this book, same as any book these authors team up for. The characters were so fun, and their chemistry was ridiculous. Even the dog had a unique personality. Definite Devil Wears Prada vibes.
May 16, 2026
Awesome book
I love reading books by these two authors. This book is awesome! I can actually see which author created each of the main characters. Looking forward to the next collaboration of their next book.
I love reading books by these two authors. This book is awesome! I can actually see which author created each of the main characters. Looking forward to the next collaboration of their next book.
May 16, 2026
Romantic and hilarious
Romantic and hilarious. I haven’t laughed out loud while reading a book in ages. Great characters and plot-line and a lovely HEA. Nothing nicer than a well-written, uplifting story where you care bout the characters. and the funny bits were really funny.
Romantic and hilarious. I haven’t laughed out loud while reading a book in ages. Great characters and plot-line and a lovely HEA. Nothing nicer than a well-written, uplifting story where you care bout the characters. and the funny bits were really funny.
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