What do you think?
Rate this book
Chiaroscuro #1
Painting Class
Ainsley’s first gallery showing is way out of her comfort zone. After teaching high school art for over a decade, she can’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be than the classroom, and especially not in front of a crowd of strangers ogling her paintings.
Salvation comes in the form of an insightful young woman who coaxes Ainsley to open up about her inspiration, her drive, and her sexuality. Sparks fly before Ainsley realizes that the young woman is her former student, Noma, freshly graduated from college. As Ainsley fights to reconcile her memories of Noma with the woman she’s become, they fall into a playful game of dominance and submission that will change their relationship forever.
Salvation comes in the form of an insightful young woman who coaxes Ainsley to open up about her inspiration, her drive, and her sexuality. Sparks fly before Ainsley realizes that the young woman is her former student, Noma, freshly graduated from college. As Ainsley fights to reconcile her memories of Noma with the woman she’s become, they fall into a playful game of dominance and submission that will change their relationship forever.
34 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2017
9 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Clay
12 books57 followersSuzanne Clay (she/he/they) is an asexual enby with a great love for writing erotic romance, and enjoys spending her time confusing people with that fact. They live with her wife and two cats, and, when not writing, Suzanne enjoys reading, playing video games poorly, and refusing to interact outdoors with other human beings.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 30, 2017
I’m rather partial to short stories, but recently found it best not to expect a lot when selecting a short, erotic read. More often than not, character development is sacrificed for the sake of copious sex. However, much to my surprise and delight, that didn’t happen in this instance.
The majority of this story focuses on character development. There’s one sexy scene that compliments the story rather than ‘being’ the story. I’d call it sugarkink, and a great introduction to light, fun, d/s play with a handful of dirty talk thrown in for good measure.
The story has an ending of sorts but certainly didn’t feel done. I, for one, was pleased to discover there is more to come – no pun intended.
Thanks to NineStar Press for providing me with a copy, upon my request.
The majority of this story focuses on character development. There’s one sexy scene that compliments the story rather than ‘being’ the story. I’d call it sugarkink, and a great introduction to light, fun, d/s play with a handful of dirty talk thrown in for good measure.
The story has an ending of sorts but certainly didn’t feel done. I, for one, was pleased to discover there is more to come – no pun intended.
Thanks to NineStar Press for providing me with a copy, upon my request.
February 24, 2019
This book was provided for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Art teacher/painter Ainsley and her former student Noma meet at an art exhibit of Ainsley's works. What ensues is a sweet and highly erotic encounter between the two. The ending is open-ended, not a cliff hanger, so you can take or leave the sequels - but you'll probably want to continue reading.
This was my first FF book and I loved it. Ainsley is a character I want to know more about (and I may be wrong, but she reads like aro/ace to me - another reason to love this book!) and I definitely want to see where these two will end up.
Art teacher/painter Ainsley and her former student Noma meet at an art exhibit of Ainsley's works. What ensues is a sweet and highly erotic encounter between the two. The ending is open-ended, not a cliff hanger, so you can take or leave the sequels - but you'll probably want to continue reading.
This was my first FF book and I loved it. Ainsley is a character I want to know more about (and I may be wrong, but she reads like aro/ace to me - another reason to love this book!) and I definitely want to see where these two will end up.
April 18, 2023
I am starting to think novella isn’t for me
February 20, 2019
Suzanne Clay is a new-to-me author, and I can be pretty picky with F/F, but this didn’t disappoint. Ainsley runs into her former student Noma at her art show, and Noma has matured into a confident, flirtatious woman. This is a short novella, but the tension was thick. The way Noma responds to the tease of having her skin painted is so, so hot. I love how comfortable she is with herself and what turns her on. My curiosity is piqued about what’s next for these two. Ainsley mentioned restraints, oh please, please let there be restraints. This is very well written erotica—the writing style is both soothing and full of tension, much like Ainsley herself felt to me. This was just the short and sweet sapphic bedtime story I hoped for.
May 30, 2017
Painting Class By Suzanne Clay
Review by Shee Reader for Boy Meets Boy Reviews
Find us on the web at www.boymeetsboyreviews.com
Rating 4 Hearts
Our story opens at an art gallery exhibition where the artist, Ainsley, is hiding with her friend and drinking wine. When pushed out of her hiding place to mingle, she wanders over to a sort-of-familiar, striking young woman and listens to her thoughts on the painting she’s focussed on.
In the course of the conversation, Ainsley recognises Noma, who had been a student of hers in her high school art class. Noma has since graduated college, and has come to see her favourite teacher’s gallery show.
The attraction is immediate, but Ainsley tries to quash it. Noma used to be her student after all. Fortunately for the reader, Ainsley is no match for Noma’s persistence and she soon agrees to show her studio to Noma, and paint her.
Things escalate quickly, this is a shortish story after all. The sexy times are beautifully written and the promise of more for our lovely women is tantalising.
I enjoyed the writing and will definitely look out more work by this author. This is a short, sexy, pleasing read. Recommended!
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review by Shee Reader for Boy Meets Boy Reviews
Find us on the web at www.boymeetsboyreviews.com
Rating 4 Hearts
Our story opens at an art gallery exhibition where the artist, Ainsley, is hiding with her friend and drinking wine. When pushed out of her hiding place to mingle, she wanders over to a sort-of-familiar, striking young woman and listens to her thoughts on the painting she’s focussed on.
In the course of the conversation, Ainsley recognises Noma, who had been a student of hers in her high school art class. Noma has since graduated college, and has come to see her favourite teacher’s gallery show.
The attraction is immediate, but Ainsley tries to quash it. Noma used to be her student after all. Fortunately for the reader, Ainsley is no match for Noma’s persistence and she soon agrees to show her studio to Noma, and paint her.
Things escalate quickly, this is a shortish story after all. The sexy times are beautifully written and the promise of more for our lovely women is tantalising.
I enjoyed the writing and will definitely look out more work by this author. This is a short, sexy, pleasing read. Recommended!
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2020
(nsfw)
This was a quick sapphic erotica (with a touch of kink and forbidden romance), the first in a trilogy and though it was short, it was good! The second main girl (Noma) was black too! I've been looking for something like these for a while now actually and I'm so pleased with it. The chemistry was great and fun, and the fact that the main girl (Ainsley) is an artist just made my bisexual soul happy.
This was a quick sapphic erotica (with a touch of kink and forbidden romance), the first in a trilogy and though it was short, it was good! The second main girl (Noma) was black too! I've been looking for something like these for a while now actually and I'm so pleased with it. The chemistry was great and fun, and the fact that the main girl (Ainsley) is an artist just made my bisexual soul happy.
August 23, 2020
A steamy little story with body paints, some D/S play, and a former art student. A sexy read. I’ll be diving straight into the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2017
WOW! That was a wonderful story. Yes, I am confused how this author was able to write this story. I can't wait to read the next part of this new series.
June 5, 2017
This is a wonderful bit of erotica! I really enjoyed the attention to detail in fleshing out the characters and the setting. So much erotica takes place in cookie-cutter, tropey situations with utterly forgettable characters. Not so with Painting Class! Both parties feel like real human beings, and by the end I found myself wanting to know more about them. I especially enjoyed the story taking place from an artists' POV, being an artist myself. The visuals described are striking and vibrant, and gave my imagination lots to play with. The author has a very emotional writing style that is descriptive without being overly detailed, leaving just enough room for my imagination to work out the particulars. This is a very engaging read!
And of course, the sex. The scene builds up a crackling tension for pages before the real hot stuff begins,and that might just be the best thing about it! It was such a thrill to feel the tension rise between the characters, feel both of them being pulled toward each other bit by bit. Flirting, light domination, sensation and restriction play, all of it charges the sex scene with phenomenal energy that makes the climax of the thing even more satisfying. And the fun doesn't stop once the sex is over either! More flirtation, aftercare, and character development follows, leading up to the hint of more to come between these two lovely ladies.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who wants something memorable and satisfying in their erotica library.
And of course, the sex. The scene builds up a crackling tension for pages before the real hot stuff begins,and that might just be the best thing about it! It was such a thrill to feel the tension rise between the characters, feel both of them being pulled toward each other bit by bit. Flirting, light domination, sensation and restriction play, all of it charges the sex scene with phenomenal energy that makes the climax of the thing even more satisfying. And the fun doesn't stop once the sex is over either! More flirtation, aftercare, and character development follows, leading up to the hint of more to come between these two lovely ladies.
I highly recommend this story to anyone who wants something memorable and satisfying in their erotica library.
June 4, 2017
Suzanne Clay’s Painting Class is a great short story. There is a lot contained in very little time so I’m going to try and deconstruct what I liked.
Ainsley, for once, is a realistic and layered protagonist in a story of this kind. She is thoughtful, mindful, and still maintains the spontaneity of a real person. It was a joy to read about her.
Clay paints (I’m so sorry I did that) a very beautiful picture of Noma - in fact she seems to be a person artists dream of, colourful, soft, sweet, strong, courageous, and sassy. I enjoyed her not being a weak willed submissive character, but someone who was *real* outside of that, someone who is multi-layered.
Its hard sometimes to pack a lot into a short story, but Clay does a great job at this. The balance feels right - there is character development, there’s enough ~fun~ to keep reader’s into it.
Overall, the story was great and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it.
Ainsley, for once, is a realistic and layered protagonist in a story of this kind. She is thoughtful, mindful, and still maintains the spontaneity of a real person. It was a joy to read about her.
Clay paints (I’m so sorry I did that) a very beautiful picture of Noma - in fact she seems to be a person artists dream of, colourful, soft, sweet, strong, courageous, and sassy. I enjoyed her not being a weak willed submissive character, but someone who was *real* outside of that, someone who is multi-layered.
Its hard sometimes to pack a lot into a short story, but Clay does a great job at this. The balance feels right - there is character development, there’s enough ~fun~ to keep reader’s into it.
Overall, the story was great and I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend it.
June 5, 2017
Painting Class was a delightful short story with an interesting premise. There's quite a bit contained within such a short read yet it didn't feel like it was trying to squeeze too much into such a short amount of time. It was able to paint (ahaha) a very vivid and wonderful story between these two characters!
The characters themselves felt very fleshed out and believable. The interaction between the two main characters was great. Noma was cheeky and charming so I couldn't help but absolutely adore her! (Move over Ainsley...) Ainsley was a solid protagonist and seeing the inner conflict she dealt with was really interesting. I enjoyed seeing the character's personalities mesh together and how they would change once things got a bit more...steamy?
Overall, a very good read that left me a little hot and bothered by the end of it. So I definitely recommend and look forward to reading more!
The characters themselves felt very fleshed out and believable. The interaction between the two main characters was great. Noma was cheeky and charming so I couldn't help but absolutely adore her! (Move over Ainsley...) Ainsley was a solid protagonist and seeing the inner conflict she dealt with was really interesting. I enjoyed seeing the character's personalities mesh together and how they would change once things got a bit more...steamy?
Overall, a very good read that left me a little hot and bothered by the end of it. So I definitely recommend and look forward to reading more!
July 3, 2017
This is a story, not a full novel. Ainsley has her first gallery showing as an artist. An attractive young woman approaches her and she soon realizes that the woman is a former high school art student of hers, now a recent college grad. At first, Ainsley is uncomfortable with her attraction to the woman but soon they are back at her studio and clearly heading toward a sexual encounter.
I would rate this story as "just okay." Without much groundwork, we are greeted with the fact that Ainsley has sexual dominant tendencies (though somewhat mild) and Noma, the former student, is a submissive. This is far from hardcore dom/sub sex so most readers will tolerate it. It just doesn't really engage the reader.
I would rate this story as "just okay." Without much groundwork, we are greeted with the fact that Ainsley has sexual dominant tendencies (though somewhat mild) and Noma, the former student, is a submissive. This is far from hardcore dom/sub sex so most readers will tolerate it. It just doesn't really engage the reader.
December 5, 2017
An art teacher in her forties finally has an exhibition of her work, where one of the female gawkers is a past student who had the hots for her. The teacher feels similarly and takes her student home for a bout of body painting and anything that might come out of it.
It’s a short tale, but considering it only consisted of two scenes—three, if you count the preview of the sequel—the length was perfect. From the hesitant flirting in the art gallery to the gentle sparring to finding out if the other is interested and what the boundaries are, this was just a fun read. The art-making is given just as much importance as the lovemaking, reminding me of an old four-hour French movie with a slightly similar design.
It’s a short tale, but considering it only consisted of two scenes—three, if you count the preview of the sequel—the length was perfect. From the hesitant flirting in the art gallery to the gentle sparring to finding out if the other is interested and what the boundaries are, this was just a fun read. The art-making is given just as much importance as the lovemaking, reminding me of an old four-hour French movie with a slightly similar design.
June 6, 2017
review in exchange for ARC.
fair warning: this one's short and it leaves you wanting more. but oh MAN is it cute - clay is great at nailing the balance between sweet flirty softness and emotional honesty. ainsley feels so fleshed out and i can't wait to learn more about noma in the second volume. and the sex is hot - if you're into f/f and body painting, it's definitely worth checking out.
fair warning: this one's short and it leaves you wanting more. but oh MAN is it cute - clay is great at nailing the balance between sweet flirty softness and emotional honesty. ainsley feels so fleshed out and i can't wait to learn more about noma in the second volume. and the sex is hot - if you're into f/f and body painting, it's definitely worth checking out.
December 17, 2023
sapphic artists, she used to be her student, body painting, all of the above, yes please.
"It was as if she were being seen in a deeper and more vivid way than ever before."
this is a short but solid read. it's a beautiful glimpse into what could be the start of a passionate relationship. this was my second read by the author and i need to read more asap.
"Art is too white. (...) It has always been."
"It was as if she were being seen in a deeper and more vivid way than ever before."
this is a short but solid read. it's a beautiful glimpse into what could be the start of a passionate relationship. this was my second read by the author and i need to read more asap.
"Art is too white. (...) It has always been."
January 18, 2022
This little story felt like a glass of wine after a long day. It's relaxing and just feels good to read. Suzanne's writing style is evocative; she engages the senses brilliantly, and the dialog all felt super natural and flowed well. I could learn a lot from her!
This pairing was sweet, and I love age gap romances!
This pairing was sweet, and I love age gap romances!
December 3, 2022
Just when this book gets going, it's ending and you will really really really not want it to end. I'm glad I purchased all three books because I want to know everything about these two MC's. Super enjoyable read... now onto book 2.
June 7, 2021
I only care about lesbians now
January 17, 2018
An enjoyable erotic story that didn't fall into the trap of many short stories, making everything feel rushed.
Read the full review on my blog.
Read the full review on my blog.
November 3, 2023
3 stars. It was fine. I'll continue on with this series.
December 30, 2017
It is a short story and with that the story line moves quite quickly. Since it is a short story it has some important parts missing that explain the groundwork of the story. It dives right in and the erotic part is a dominant/ submissive relationship but not hard core so it would be suited to more readers.
February 8, 2018
I voluntarily read this advanced readers copy of this book. Strong characters and a great story line. I can't wait to read more work from Suzanne either. I just couldn't put this book down once I started reading it. I was very well entertained and excited reading it.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews