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Take What Hurts: A Sapphic Romance Novel
Not yet published
Expected 9 Oct 26365 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 9, 2026
About the author
Blaire Larken
1 book3 followersBlaire Larken is an Aussie by birth and spends her days practicing law and (constantly) cleaning Greek yogurt off the same spot in the kitchen where her toddler eats. When she’s not doing either of those things, she skis, climbs, and writes about girls falling in love with other girls. With formal education in writing, Blaire pens her works from somewhere Down Under, where she lives with her wife and their beautifully spirited daughter. Follow Blaire on Instagram @blairelarkenwrites to keep up to date on new releases, works in progress and more.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 31, 2026
Take What Hurts is a sweet story about two lawyers falling in love while also exploring some very real and relatable issues.
I enjoyed connecting with both characters and watching them grow, not only as a couple but also as individuals. I could definitely relate to Elliot - particularly her reactions to social situations, her tendency to question herself, and her feelings of imposter syndrome. It was nice to see the author normalize these experiences and feelings. I also loved how Mackenzie and Elliott supported one another through difficult times and allowed themselves to be vulnerable, rather than always putting on a brave face as so many fictional characters do.
Larken does an excellent job highlighting the real challenges many lesbian couples face surrounding infertility without making it the main focus of the novel. Instead, it is thoughtfully woven into a broader story about relationships, personal growth, and life’s other challenges.
I found the pacing and character development to be strong throughout most of the book. However, the ending felt rushed.
Overall, this was a lovely debut novel with engaging characters and an interesting story.
I enjoyed connecting with both characters and watching them grow, not only as a couple but also as individuals. I could definitely relate to Elliot - particularly her reactions to social situations, her tendency to question herself, and her feelings of imposter syndrome. It was nice to see the author normalize these experiences and feelings. I also loved how Mackenzie and Elliott supported one another through difficult times and allowed themselves to be vulnerable, rather than always putting on a brave face as so many fictional characters do.
Larken does an excellent job highlighting the real challenges many lesbian couples face surrounding infertility without making it the main focus of the novel. Instead, it is thoughtfully woven into a broader story about relationships, personal growth, and life’s other challenges.
I found the pacing and character development to be strong throughout most of the book. However, the ending felt rushed.
Overall, this was a lovely debut novel with engaging characters and an interesting story.
August 2, 2026
You know a book is good when you are simply left wanting more. More of the world, more of the characters and just simply wanting to dive into the world.
It is rare to read a debut novel that is this stress free to read writing style wise, though the characters had me screaming into my digital copy so fair warning on that one!
There were a few scenes that felt a little long and others that were rushed and skipped entirely only to be brought up later, that did pull me out a few times. The tags using in the marketing could also do with a revision, it is more of an insta-love × forbidden romance in my opinion.
It get’s a tiny bit information focused and trauma bumpy in the middle, but that section makes sense context wise with why it is there when you read the Authors note. I appreciated having the heads up as to what was coming and why it was presented the way it was. Excited to read what comes next from this writer, hope to see some Down Under rep at some point too.
It is rare to read a debut novel that is this stress free to read writing style wise, though the characters had me screaming into my digital copy so fair warning on that one!
There were a few scenes that felt a little long and others that were rushed and skipped entirely only to be brought up later, that did pull me out a few times. The tags using in the marketing could also do with a revision, it is more of an insta-love × forbidden romance in my opinion.
It get’s a tiny bit information focused and trauma bumpy in the middle, but that section makes sense context wise with why it is there when you read the Authors note. I appreciated having the heads up as to what was coming and why it was presented the way it was. Excited to read what comes next from this writer, hope to see some Down Under rep at some point too.
August 2, 2026
I loved this book from start to finish. I could hardly put it down!!! The two main characters were absolutely adorable together. This book had me swooning, giggling and basically kicking my legs as their sweet relationship developed. Without spoilers, there were some characters that were easy to hate. I felt protective towards both main characters on more than one occasion. If I had to describe this book in just a few words, it would easily be “gentle”, “sweet” and “heart eyes” 😊 To think this is Blaire’s debut book is mind blowing. HOW?!?! This book…everything and more that I was hoping for!!! The epilogue…*chef’s kiss*
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.25 ⭐
Take What Hurt follows Elliott, a junior lawyer determined to prove herself while working on a high-profile divorce case. Everything is going according to plan until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her unable to stop thinking about her. The catch? That stranger turns out to be Mackenzie, the senior lawyer representing the opposing side and only one case away from making partner at her firm. With an undeniable attraction growing between them, keeping things strictly professional soon becomes much easier said than done.
I picked up this book almost entirely because it was marketed as a rivals to friends to lovers romance, and if there's one trope that will immediately catch my attention, it's that one. This sounded like such a me book that I couldn't wait to start it. And honestly? The beginning gave me a lot of hope. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, it ended up taking a different direction than I expected, and that's where it slowly started to lose me.
Let's start with Elliott because she was, without a doubt, my favorite character.
From the moment she appeared on the page, I found her incredibly lovable. She was goofy, endearing, and so easy to root for. I also really appreciated how the author explored her undiagnosed ADHD and anxiety. Elliott loves so deeply that she tends to overthink everything, and I found that equal parts heartbreaking and sweet. Those moments made her feel incredibly human, and I couldn't help but empathize with her.
I also loved watching her question whether divorce law was actually the career she wanted. Seeing her slowly realize that she might have chosen a path that didn't truly fulfill her added another layer to her character. I only wish that storyline had received a little more attention because the resolution felt somewhat rushed by the end.
Mackenzie, however, left me feeling much more conflicted.
Her relationship with her mother immediately caught my attention because some of her reactions to that emotional manipulation felt painfully real, and in many ways I saw parts of myself reflected in her experiences. That's exactly why I was disappointed that this storyline wasn't explored more deeply. Considering how much her mother's treatment shaped the person Mackenzie became, I expected that relationship to play a much bigger role in her emotional journey.
Instead, it sometimes felt like it was only brought up when the plot needed it. So when Mackenzie finally confronted everything, I struggled to believe that she'd truly processed years of hurt. I never felt like she was given enough emotional space to work through it, which made that resolution feel a little too easy for me.
The romance was where the book ultimately lost me.
I don't really think "rivals to lovers" is the best way to describe this relationship because the rivalry barely exists. Yes, they're on opposite sides of the case, but that tension disappears almost immediately, so I never got the dynamic I was hoping for.
I'm also not usually a fan of insta-love. This leans more toward insta-lust, but either way, both characters develop strong feelings surprisingly early in the story. Even though they wait much longer before acting on them because of their professional situation, those feelings appeared too quickly for me to completely believe them.
As the relationship developed, I also couldn't shake the feeling that Elliott and Mackenzie weren't emotionally in the same place. Elliott always seemed much more willing to acknowledge what she wanted and fight for their relationship, while Mackenzie repeatedly chose to wait until life became less complicated. At times, it felt less like she was trying to do what was best for both of them and more like she was avoiding difficult conversations altogether.
That also ties into another trope I personally struggle with: miscommunication. Most of my frustration came from Mackenzie because she rarely seemed as emotionally open as Elliott. She kept so much to herself, especially when it came to the impact of her previous marriage. I did appreciate the way the was handled because I thought it became one of the strongest parts of her character arc. But by the end, I still felt like the two of them were moving through the relationship from completely different emotional perspectives. That's why, Mackenzie's eventual choices, both in love and in her career, didn't feel as earned as I would've liked.
That being said, I also want to acknowledge that a lot of my issues come down to personal preference. Miscommunication and insta-love are two tropes that rarely work for me, so I naturally tend to be more critical of them.
Even so, I really appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish. For a debut novel, I think the foundation is genuinely solid. It was simply the execution that didn't fully work for me. One thing I never questioned, though, was the author's writing. It felt reflective, evocative, and full of potential, and I'm genuinely excited to see what she writes next.
So if the premise catches your attention, I'd still encourage you to give it a chance. Even though it wasn't the right fit for me, I can totally see this becoming someone else's favorite romance.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. This review reflects my genuine thoughts.
Take What Hurt follows Elliott, a junior lawyer determined to prove herself while working on a high-profile divorce case. Everything is going according to plan until a chance encounter with a stranger leaves her unable to stop thinking about her. The catch? That stranger turns out to be Mackenzie, the senior lawyer representing the opposing side and only one case away from making partner at her firm. With an undeniable attraction growing between them, keeping things strictly professional soon becomes much easier said than done.
I picked up this book almost entirely because it was marketed as a rivals to friends to lovers romance, and if there's one trope that will immediately catch my attention, it's that one. This sounded like such a me book that I couldn't wait to start it. And honestly? The beginning gave me a lot of hope. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, it ended up taking a different direction than I expected, and that's where it slowly started to lose me.
Let's start with Elliott because she was, without a doubt, my favorite character.
From the moment she appeared on the page, I found her incredibly lovable. She was goofy, endearing, and so easy to root for. I also really appreciated how the author explored her undiagnosed ADHD and anxiety. Elliott loves so deeply that she tends to overthink everything, and I found that equal parts heartbreaking and sweet. Those moments made her feel incredibly human, and I couldn't help but empathize with her.
I also loved watching her question whether divorce law was actually the career she wanted. Seeing her slowly realize that she might have chosen a path that didn't truly fulfill her added another layer to her character. I only wish that storyline had received a little more attention because the resolution felt somewhat rushed by the end.
Mackenzie, however, left me feeling much more conflicted.
Her relationship with her mother immediately caught my attention because some of her reactions to that emotional manipulation felt painfully real, and in many ways I saw parts of myself reflected in her experiences. That's exactly why I was disappointed that this storyline wasn't explored more deeply. Considering how much her mother's treatment shaped the person Mackenzie became, I expected that relationship to play a much bigger role in her emotional journey.
Instead, it sometimes felt like it was only brought up when the plot needed it. So when Mackenzie finally confronted everything, I struggled to believe that she'd truly processed years of hurt. I never felt like she was given enough emotional space to work through it, which made that resolution feel a little too easy for me.
The romance was where the book ultimately lost me.
I don't really think "rivals to lovers" is the best way to describe this relationship because the rivalry barely exists. Yes, they're on opposite sides of the case, but that tension disappears almost immediately, so I never got the dynamic I was hoping for.
I'm also not usually a fan of insta-love. This leans more toward insta-lust, but either way, both characters develop strong feelings surprisingly early in the story. Even though they wait much longer before acting on them because of their professional situation, those feelings appeared too quickly for me to completely believe them.
As the relationship developed, I also couldn't shake the feeling that Elliott and Mackenzie weren't emotionally in the same place. Elliott always seemed much more willing to acknowledge what she wanted and fight for their relationship, while Mackenzie repeatedly chose to wait until life became less complicated. At times, it felt less like she was trying to do what was best for both of them and more like she was avoiding difficult conversations altogether.
That also ties into another trope I personally struggle with: miscommunication. Most of my frustration came from Mackenzie because she rarely seemed as emotionally open as Elliott. She kept so much to herself, especially when it came to the impact of her previous marriage. I did appreciate the way the was handled because I thought it became one of the strongest parts of her character arc. But by the end, I still felt like the two of them were moving through the relationship from completely different emotional perspectives. That's why, Mackenzie's eventual choices, both in love and in her career, didn't feel as earned as I would've liked.
That being said, I also want to acknowledge that a lot of my issues come down to personal preference. Miscommunication and insta-love are two tropes that rarely work for me, so I naturally tend to be more critical of them.
Even so, I really appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish. For a debut novel, I think the foundation is genuinely solid. It was simply the execution that didn't fully work for me. One thing I never questioned, though, was the author's writing. It felt reflective, evocative, and full of potential, and I'm genuinely excited to see what she writes next.
So if the premise catches your attention, I'd still encourage you to give it a chance. Even though it wasn't the right fit for me, I can totally see this becoming someone else's favorite romance.
Thank you to the author for the eARC. This review reflects my genuine thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as an ARC from the author, and I always love getting the chance to read ARCs. Huge thanks to the author for sending me a copy!
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this one, but I was pleasantly surprised.
⚠️ Spoilers Ahead ⚠️
The characters felt incredibly relatable, and Elliott was easily my favorite. The way the author portrayed her anxiety, ADHD, and the constant struggle of organizing her thoughts felt authentic and very human. I really appreciated the nuance in her characterization.
Mackenzie took me a little longer to warm up to, but by the end I found myself appreciating her as well.
There were a few plot points that, while they ultimately came together, felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more development with her storyline involving her mom, find out what happened with the difficult client, and get more buildup to Elliott and Mackenzie's relationship. Their connection felt more like it progressed from attraction to love very quickly, so I would have enjoyed seeing that emotional foundation develop more, although the pining was DEFINITELY there.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the story and was happy with how it ended. And I'll never complain about getting a bonus epilogue! Look forward to more things from this author!
⭐ Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 3/5
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this one, but I was pleasantly surprised.
⚠️ Spoilers Ahead ⚠️
The characters felt incredibly relatable, and Elliott was easily my favorite. The way the author portrayed her anxiety, ADHD, and the constant struggle of organizing her thoughts felt authentic and very human. I really appreciated the nuance in her characterization.
Mackenzie took me a little longer to warm up to, but by the end I found myself appreciating her as well.
There were a few plot points that, while they ultimately came together, felt a bit rushed. I would have loved to see more development with her storyline involving her mom, find out what happened with the difficult client, and get more buildup to Elliott and Mackenzie's relationship. Their connection felt more like it progressed from attraction to love very quickly, so I would have enjoyed seeing that emotional foundation develop more, although the pining was DEFINITELY there.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the story and was happy with how it ended. And I'll never complain about getting a bonus epilogue! Look forward to more things from this author!
⭐ Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice: 3/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
I very much enjoyed this story. I loved how the 2 FMCs learned how to communicate effectively with each other through the book, even while struggling with insecurities, work policies, and unsureness of what the future holds.
As a masc lesbian with severe ADHD, I related to Elliott so much. The time-blindness, the anxiety from not knowing how a person explicitly feels, the intense level of trying not to mess things up, and more executive dysfunction that was well written on the page, is such a real part of living with ADHD (at least in my experience). It felt amazing to be able to connect with a character in that way.
Mackenzie was dealing with so much trauma and emotional scarring that was heartbreaking to read. With the help of therapy, supportive friends, and Elliott, the character development was beautifully written. Mackenzie felt so small with an incredibly toxic mother and then slowly healed to become a more confident person overall. Trauma like that doesn't ever go away, but I definitely felt vicariously lighter by the end of this book.
I love how real and authentic Blaire Larken wrote these characters. What an incredible debut! I will, without a doubt, be reading her next novel.
I very much enjoyed this story. I loved how the 2 FMCs learned how to communicate effectively with each other through the book, even while struggling with insecurities, work policies, and unsureness of what the future holds.
As a masc lesbian with severe ADHD, I related to Elliott so much. The time-blindness, the anxiety from not knowing how a person explicitly feels, the intense level of trying not to mess things up, and more executive dysfunction that was well written on the page, is such a real part of living with ADHD (at least in my experience). It felt amazing to be able to connect with a character in that way.
Mackenzie was dealing with so much trauma and emotional scarring that was heartbreaking to read. With the help of therapy, supportive friends, and Elliott, the character development was beautifully written. Mackenzie felt so small with an incredibly toxic mother and then slowly healed to become a more confident person overall. Trauma like that doesn't ever go away, but I definitely felt vicariously lighter by the end of this book.
I love how real and authentic Blaire Larken wrote these characters. What an incredible debut! I will, without a doubt, be reading her next novel.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ll admit I have been invested in this story and these characters since the very beginning, as a beta reader. So I feel a very special connection with Elliott and Mackenzie. However, I think that anyone who reads this book is going to feel the same way I do because they are written so well and with so much depth that they feel real and it’s impossible not to become invested in their lives and love story.
Elliott and Mackenzie are both flawed (in their own eyes), yet hopeful women whose lives keep colliding after they unexpectedly crash into each other at the airport. What follows is the most beautiful slow burn romance with humor, amazing best friends, sone really great lines, and a few women you’ll love to hate (not the MCs!).
Elliott and Mackenzie are written with a vulnerability and strength that gives hope to the whole book. The writing style is amazing, drawing you in from the very first page (or the very first line if you’re like me). When I put the book down I MISSED the characters. That should tell you how wonderful this book is.
I love how Blaire wrote Elliott’s challenges with her neurodivergence and the way Mackenzie responded to her. At the same time, I love how Elliott helps Mackenzie see the strength she carries.
This is such a good book! The way these characters live in my brain… I’ve read numerous iterations of this book while beta and ARC reading and each time I feel like I’m meeting favorite friends. A phenomenal debut novel about women loving women, turning from what no longer serves you, and finding your true self.
Elliott and Mackenzie are both flawed (in their own eyes), yet hopeful women whose lives keep colliding after they unexpectedly crash into each other at the airport. What follows is the most beautiful slow burn romance with humor, amazing best friends, sone really great lines, and a few women you’ll love to hate (not the MCs!).
Elliott and Mackenzie are written with a vulnerability and strength that gives hope to the whole book. The writing style is amazing, drawing you in from the very first page (or the very first line if you’re like me). When I put the book down I MISSED the characters. That should tell you how wonderful this book is.
I love how Blaire wrote Elliott’s challenges with her neurodivergence and the way Mackenzie responded to her. At the same time, I love how Elliott helps Mackenzie see the strength she carries.
This is such a good book! The way these characters live in my brain… I’ve read numerous iterations of this book while beta and ARC reading and each time I feel like I’m meeting favorite friends. A phenomenal debut novel about women loving women, turning from what no longer serves you, and finding your true self.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC from the author. Thank you, I appreciate it very much.
Take What Hurts follows two lawyers from opposing sides of a case who find themselves irresistibly attracted to each other but restrained by the ethical boundaries of their profession.
The narrative was idealistic in a sense that despite both characters having personal baggage, they remain optimistic and remarkably infatuated with the idea of the other person. The dual point of view was a wise choice by the author to highlight the emotional and psychological conflict that defines their interactions.
The prose was heavily sensual. Readers who delight in yearning and romantic tension will find much to appreciate in the story.
On the other hand, the persistent emphasis on sensuality lends the narrative an air of immaturity due to its intensity and overuse. Maybe some subtlety might have helped the narrative.
In summary, Take What Hurts is best suited for readers who gravitate towards deeply romantic narratives, longing and emotional yearning with realistic conflict grounding its central romance.
Take What Hurts follows two lawyers from opposing sides of a case who find themselves irresistibly attracted to each other but restrained by the ethical boundaries of their profession.
The narrative was idealistic in a sense that despite both characters having personal baggage, they remain optimistic and remarkably infatuated with the idea of the other person. The dual point of view was a wise choice by the author to highlight the emotional and psychological conflict that defines their interactions.
The prose was heavily sensual. Readers who delight in yearning and romantic tension will find much to appreciate in the story.
On the other hand, the persistent emphasis on sensuality lends the narrative an air of immaturity due to its intensity and overuse. Maybe some subtlety might have helped the narrative.
In summary, Take What Hurts is best suited for readers who gravitate towards deeply romantic narratives, longing and emotional yearning with realistic conflict grounding its central romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! I was immediately drawn to Elliot, her anxieties and self sabotaging thoughts were so relatable. On the other side we have Mackenzie who appears to be put together but is riddled with self doubt due to a previous relationship, loss, and a mother who does not treat her how she deserves.
Take What Hurts gave me all the feels, it was a beautiful love story, it made me laugh and cry and curl my toes. It is a super solid debut novel and I am so excited for more from the author!
Take What Hurts gave me all the feels, it was a beautiful love story, it made me laugh and cry and curl my toes. It is a super solid debut novel and I am so excited for more from the author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Elliott. Mackenzie. Lawyers on opposing sides. A romance that’s seemingly forbidden from the start but they’re drawn together by chemistry that’s palpable.
This book was such a beautiful read. It was heart wrenching and healing and absolutely lovely.
There’s medium angst and medium spice and largely perfectly done.
There are trigger warnings in this book so please be sure to check those before starting. ❤️
This book was such a beautiful read. It was heart wrenching and healing and absolutely lovely.
There’s medium angst and medium spice and largely perfectly done.
There are trigger warnings in this book so please be sure to check those before starting. ❤️
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews