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After Static
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Tia has never had trouble saying exactly what she believes.
As a late-night radio host, her honesty keeps listeners calling, arguing, and coming back for more. Off the air, that same certainty has helped her build a life where no one gets close enough to disappoint her.
Noel has built something a son she adores, a dependable relationship, and the stability she once prayed for.
Everything is good.
At least, it should be.
As Tia's most controversial conversations begin spilling beyond the studio, both women are forced to question the lives they've carefully built-and the beliefs they've used to protect themselves.
Neither woman is looking for love.
But some connections refuse to stay convenient.
And sometimes, the clearest truth only comes through after the static.
As a late-night radio host, her honesty keeps listeners calling, arguing, and coming back for more. Off the air, that same certainty has helped her build a life where no one gets close enough to disappoint her.
Noel has built something a son she adores, a dependable relationship, and the stability she once prayed for.
Everything is good.
At least, it should be.
As Tia's most controversial conversations begin spilling beyond the studio, both women are forced to question the lives they've carefully built-and the beliefs they've used to protect themselves.
Neither woman is looking for love.
But some connections refuse to stay convenient.
And sometimes, the clearest truth only comes through after the static.
250 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 19, 2026
This is a review based upon an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) received by the author.
The Author, T. Ashley, states that she “writes what she feels and isn’t afraid to make you feel it too.” I find this to be true, first and foremost. There are many subjects addressed in this story in which may take some by surprise as up front this is a black sapphic romance novel, as well as being a true slow burn. Despite the heavy subject matter, it does not cross over into being crass, vulgar, or demeaning despite the discussions had in it. I do mean discussions as the setting takes place on a talk radio show. The late night aspect of it is also a point of contention.
I grew up on talk radio. This extends from local radio station DJs using their talk time to speak their mind all the way up to Howard Stern. This book’s main course of delivery is dialogue and I ate it up. It ends up being a quicker read as you can pick up on the snappy lines as characters are either engaging on a controversial late night radio show or simply between two characters who have known each other for years. I emphasis this as far too often, authors and story tellers alike, will use dialogue to be important. Exposition. Plot driving. Dialogue just to move things along. Then there are those that actually seem real as if the characters, lets say Tia the DJ (FMC) and her producer Nigel, have known each other for years then maybe they ought to talk like they do. How often do we speak with acquaintances and friends we’ve known for years, decades even, where you already know how to respond and you already know how to push the right buttons.
This I can appreciate along with the other side with our other FMC, Noel. Noel’s own paradigm is not limited to, but is significant, to her son Noah and her ex (and baby Daddy) Andre. Something along these lines are usually filled with tension and a brace what could be very involved and sometimes uncomfortable. I found it to be handled rather maturely and delicately with both co-parenting and reconciling that what once was is no more. There is a need to move on and actually live a life and stop trying to make what happened happen, continuously.
This brings us to the main event, which is the light night show on the station 102.1 Vibe FM (Because of course it is). DJ Tia is the host with Nigel running producer duties behind the glass. There are callers, questions, and commenters coming in seemingly non-stop. Right away we are off to the first of many divisive questions about the merits of dating a bisexual woman. This in turn leads to wether or not dating someone with children is worthwhile, due to the perceived baggage children are often labeled. Where the sapphic begins is when Noel, simply known as Caller 4, takes umbrage with the questions and puts up quite a fight with Tia over the subject and actually leading Tia to think and perhaps reconsider the subject at hand. This is something Tia is not known for the and the radio audience eats it up, leading to success in ratings, engagement, and feedback.
This is how our FMCs kick off the story and we see both POVs as these women reconcile with their own lives and the feelings of wanting their phone partner to be on the line to continue their on going feud. I found this to be delightful and yearning. As mentioned before, I grew up on talk radio and I have also, shamefully, have yearned for a special someone so it is relatable in two fronts.
While Tia and Nigel have each other and a fight for relevancy and validation of the show’s success from up top, Noel has her own life that is changing and is wondering if what she has now is due to “checking all the boxes” or is she deserving of taking a chance on something more. I am of course referring to Lauren whom she is currently dating. Simone is also involved as her trusty, if not pushy, friend in and out of the office. Noel’s mother also makes several appearances to be a voice of reason and no-nonsense attitude which comes across loving and not intrusive, which some parental figures can easily be written as a foil when it is otherwise unnecessary.
Overall, “After Static” I would describe as delightfully wholesome in its story and delivery, despite the radio show’s heavy subject matter. I am far and away the furthest from these characters and the world they live in. I really appreciated being invited in and living in other’s people’s lives and how they see things and deal with issues and matters that pertain to them that otherwise I would not be privy to. I live for jib-jab, yearning, and for once a story of adults actually behaving like adults and choosing to deal with the issues in their lives without ultimately self destructing for our own, the readers, amusement.
Thank you T. Ashley for the ARC, I greatly appreciated being apart of your process and living in one of your books.
The Author, T. Ashley, states that she “writes what she feels and isn’t afraid to make you feel it too.” I find this to be true, first and foremost. There are many subjects addressed in this story in which may take some by surprise as up front this is a black sapphic romance novel, as well as being a true slow burn. Despite the heavy subject matter, it does not cross over into being crass, vulgar, or demeaning despite the discussions had in it. I do mean discussions as the setting takes place on a talk radio show. The late night aspect of it is also a point of contention.
I grew up on talk radio. This extends from local radio station DJs using their talk time to speak their mind all the way up to Howard Stern. This book’s main course of delivery is dialogue and I ate it up. It ends up being a quicker read as you can pick up on the snappy lines as characters are either engaging on a controversial late night radio show or simply between two characters who have known each other for years. I emphasis this as far too often, authors and story tellers alike, will use dialogue to be important. Exposition. Plot driving. Dialogue just to move things along. Then there are those that actually seem real as if the characters, lets say Tia the DJ (FMC) and her producer Nigel, have known each other for years then maybe they ought to talk like they do. How often do we speak with acquaintances and friends we’ve known for years, decades even, where you already know how to respond and you already know how to push the right buttons.
This I can appreciate along with the other side with our other FMC, Noel. Noel’s own paradigm is not limited to, but is significant, to her son Noah and her ex (and baby Daddy) Andre. Something along these lines are usually filled with tension and a brace what could be very involved and sometimes uncomfortable. I found it to be handled rather maturely and delicately with both co-parenting and reconciling that what once was is no more. There is a need to move on and actually live a life and stop trying to make what happened happen, continuously.
This brings us to the main event, which is the light night show on the station 102.1 Vibe FM (Because of course it is). DJ Tia is the host with Nigel running producer duties behind the glass. There are callers, questions, and commenters coming in seemingly non-stop. Right away we are off to the first of many divisive questions about the merits of dating a bisexual woman. This in turn leads to wether or not dating someone with children is worthwhile, due to the perceived baggage children are often labeled. Where the sapphic begins is when Noel, simply known as Caller 4, takes umbrage with the questions and puts up quite a fight with Tia over the subject and actually leading Tia to think and perhaps reconsider the subject at hand. This is something Tia is not known for the and the radio audience eats it up, leading to success in ratings, engagement, and feedback.
This is how our FMCs kick off the story and we see both POVs as these women reconcile with their own lives and the feelings of wanting their phone partner to be on the line to continue their on going feud. I found this to be delightful and yearning. As mentioned before, I grew up on talk radio and I have also, shamefully, have yearned for a special someone so it is relatable in two fronts.
While Tia and Nigel have each other and a fight for relevancy and validation of the show’s success from up top, Noel has her own life that is changing and is wondering if what she has now is due to “checking all the boxes” or is she deserving of taking a chance on something more. I am of course referring to Lauren whom she is currently dating. Simone is also involved as her trusty, if not pushy, friend in and out of the office. Noel’s mother also makes several appearances to be a voice of reason and no-nonsense attitude which comes across loving and not intrusive, which some parental figures can easily be written as a foil when it is otherwise unnecessary.
Overall, “After Static” I would describe as delightfully wholesome in its story and delivery, despite the radio show’s heavy subject matter. I am far and away the furthest from these characters and the world they live in. I really appreciated being invited in and living in other’s people’s lives and how they see things and deal with issues and matters that pertain to them that otherwise I would not be privy to. I live for jib-jab, yearning, and for once a story of adults actually behaving like adults and choosing to deal with the issues in their lives without ultimately self destructing for our own, the readers, amusement.
Thank you T. Ashley for the ARC, I greatly appreciated being apart of your process and living in one of your books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could already tell from the first two chapters and the characters' banter and vibes that this was going to be another incredible read. I love how easily Ashley's words just flow as they develop the story and pull me all the way into it. The slow burn in this one was getting nearer to a fever pitch the closer I got to the conclusion. I always thoroughly enjoy watching Ashley's characters make personal realizations and acceptances. It's always such a beautiful and affirming process, even if a bit difficult or messy for the characters themselves. I am not an overly emotional reader, but damn if the end of this one wasn't all up in my feels!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a review based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of the book received by the author.
This is the first sapphic book that I've read & I truly enjoyed it. I instantly enjoyed the vibe and tone of the book just from reading the first few pages. It was a slow burn. But I appreciated seeing the growth in Tia & Noel from beginning to end. I also appreciated the way the heavy topics were handled. There was a lightness to them in my opinion that just made the vibe of the book flow seamlessly. There were parts where I literally laughed out loud and there were parts that truly made me think. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone.
This is the first sapphic book that I've read & I truly enjoyed it. I instantly enjoyed the vibe and tone of the book just from reading the first few pages. It was a slow burn. But I appreciated seeing the growth in Tia & Noel from beginning to end. I also appreciated the way the heavy topics were handled. There was a lightness to them in my opinion that just made the vibe of the book flow seamlessly. There were parts where I literally laughed out loud and there were parts that truly made me think. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love on the hotline
So I really appreciated seeing a different type of relationship origin. I like how Tia and Noel became to be.
I felt Tia on her views w dating people w kids, and the questions she asked on her show. It really did make you think.
I love how Noel aka caller 4 shaped tias views and thoughts on certain things.
It was also nice to see my boy Nigel get some recognition for being so loyal to the show in the end as well.
Great writing and banter w the characters
So I really appreciated seeing a different type of relationship origin. I like how Tia and Noel became to be.
I felt Tia on her views w dating people w kids, and the questions she asked on her show. It really did make you think.
I love how Noel aka caller 4 shaped tias views and thoughts on certain things.
It was also nice to see my boy Nigel get some recognition for being so loyal to the show in the end as well.
Great writing and banter w the characters
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
When a phone call to a radio show turns into self reflection and a budding attraction.
It's short and sweet. Cute but also made me think. It brings up some difficult topics that are worth stopping to think about.
When a phone call to a radio show turns into self reflection and a budding attraction.
It's short and sweet. Cute but also made me think. It brings up some difficult topics that are worth stopping to think about.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Touches on topics that are big relating to WLW relationships including: Biphobia, insecurity/jealousy when bi partner mentioned having previous male partners, co-parenting, closure, and and more. I really enjoyed the calling into the radio/radio host dynamic of this story.
I really resonated with the part about grieving the connection with the kids after a breakup… that part hit too close to home.
I really resonated with the part about grieving the connection with the kids after a breakup… that part hit too close to home.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews