None So Blind

by L.J. Maas

Torrey Gray hasn't seen the woman she fell in love with in college for 15 years. Taylor Kent, now a celebrated artist, has spent the years trying to forget, albeit unsuccessfully, the young woman who walked out of Taylor’s life. Best friends forever, neither woman ever had the courage to speak of the passion they felt for one another. Now, an unusual but desperate request will throw the old friends together again. This time, will they be able to voice their unspoken desires, or has time become their enemy?

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Second Chance, Contemporary

268 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

LJ Maas was a full time author and artist. She also found time in her busy schedule to teach computer graphics and writing classes at a local college. She is the author of six published novels Tumbleweed Fever, None So Blind, Meridio's Daughter, Prairie Fire, Rebecca's Cove, Journey's End (the first book in the Conqueror Series) and several very popular fan fiction stories. LJ Maas is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author.

LJ Maas passed away October 29, 2005, leaving behind a legion of fans and friends who were devastated by her untimely loss. Not only a gifted storyteller and author, LJ Maas was a gentle soul who left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her.

Reviews

[Purpleberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a note, I read the fanfic version so the published version might be different, especially with regards to editing.

I shouldn’t like this story as much as I do. It’s got a lot of elements I usually don’t care for, prostitution, mis- and non-communication, boatloads of angst, epithets galore (the blonde, the dark-haired woman, the older woman, the artists, the writer etc.) and rampant head-hopping.

But I actually really like it! I think Torrey is so strong and we see her grow a whole lot over the course of the story. Taylor is one hot specimen, soft-butch, chivalrous and gentle. The two of them together make a wonderful pair and a beautiful partnership. The book is super slow-burn, and sometimes very frustrating why it takes so long for them to notice, but it all makes sense in the end. I liked Jess (JT) too, and she added a lot to the story.

This is an old fic, parts of it take place in the 80s and 90s and it feels quite dated (authentic for the time period). The attitudes towards homosexuals and AIDS are spot-on. Anyone looking to write anything set in this time should read this.

It’s a shame LJ Maas is no longer with us, but her works still live on.

[JulesGP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for a while in my stacks and Fallback finally was the push I needed. Taylor rooms by herself at the Sorority House because she’s a bit harsh in personality and Torrey is the newest Legacy who is stuck rooming with her. But this bright, sweet girl tugs at the heart of the motorcycle riding, tough girl and they’re inseparable for the next few years. There’s an unmistakable attraction to each other but they can’t seem to connect other than as friends. More than that, there is a genuine love there that inspires Taylor to become sober and Torrey to deal with single motherhood.

None So Blind was published in 2000 and yes it does feel like I stepped back in a way that I can’t even describe. But it’s still a great story.

The past parallels with the present as the story unfolds between a long ago Taylor and a pregnant Torrey living together as a makeshift family and the present day rebellious teenage daughter, Jessica, being the bond that draws Taylor and Torrey together again who had grown estranged over the years.

There’s an oddity of unrequited love on both sides that lasts for two decades that should make you give up on the story because how can two best friends who spend all of their time together for so many years not know how much they want each other. But the skill of the storytelling makes you believe it. It almost had a magical realism tinge to it that made me think, oh okay then. Torrey, Taylor, and Jessica are strong characters and I’m very happy that I finally read the book.

[Jo reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story. Leaves you feeling all warm inside.

[Anja · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a touching romance, I really liked the characters (even if I had problems in the beginning because I always mixed up the names Torrey and Taylor and who is who). Sometimes it was a little frustrating to see their oportunities passing by because of miscommunication and insecurities. But still, it's the story that captivated me. Thumbs up

[Lady Olenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

Re-read from 2012.

Torrey and Taylor’s long standing romance/friendship is one for the books. Friends to lovers trope always make me want to throttle the characters.

Their relationship, if put in context in real life would be the most ideal relationship. They both got through so much hurdles in life and the author wove their plights beautiful into a relationship that would have withstood Armageddon itself.

Beautifully written, emotional and inspiring. I loved this story when I read it in 2012 and I still do reading it in 2023.

[Corporate Slave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book!

I wish I had read this sooner. From the moment I started reading this book I had such trouble putting it down, I actually got mad that I had to work the next morning and needed to go to sleep.

This story is such sweet agony. I found myself desperately rooting for Torrey and Taylor to get together. It took them so long but it was more than worth it 'cause boy did the temperature in the room rise when they did! They have fantastic chemistry and their friendship is truly something to be envious of.

The only reason that I didn't give this book 5 stars is because personalty i'm not a fan of flashbacks and there were so many of them including a flashback within a flashback. The last reason was because I found it a little far-fetched that it took them that long to realize how the other one felt. To me it would seem obvious that when you use the terms of endearment that they do, you wear matching wedding bands, you kissed, and basically pretend to be a family that means there is a lot more going on than mere friendship.

Regardless this might be a future re-read for me.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the most frustrating unrequited love stories I've ever read, filled with loads of grating angst (15 yrs ffs!). But oddly enough I really liked it. The cowardice of both MCs was frustrating to read at times but their love story was captivating. The end was a bit rushed and I felt short-changed by that incredibly short epilogue. So 3.8 stars will do.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just re-read this book and I was just as enthralled in its pages now as I was the first time that I read this story. I initially gave this book a 4 star rating because I couldn't get over all of the miscommunication between Torrey and Taylor but after reading it again from the first to last page, without skipping any pages in between, I had to re-think my rating because anything that can capture my full attention not once but twice is definitely worth 5 stars and chances are I will read it again, once enough time has passed.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved every L J Maas book I have ever read and this is a really nice love story, so why only 3 Stars?

There are two reasons I decided on 3Stars, the first is a personal dislike for repeated flashbacks in stories. A couple of flashbacks are fine and often help explain actions or situations in the main story, but this story kept jumping backwards and forwards disrupting the flow of both narratives.

The second problem for me was that I became so frustrated with the characters I wanted to shake them and shout at them to stop being so stupid. I know that the heart of this story is about how insecurities and miscommunication can effect a relationship, but I think this was over-the-top. Taylor and Torrey demonstrated and acknowledged their love for each other on so many occasions that it is inconceivable that in nearly 20 years one of them wouldn’t have taken a chance and done something about their relationship.

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, I am not a fan of flashbacks but this one is very well done. Though I still prefer a book that mainly concentrated on the present instead of the past. When flashbacks happened at the same time there are scenes from the future, the reader is basically feel like their book is spoiling itself ahead of time.

As for the romance, I gotta say this is one of the most frustrated thing to read.
They kissed each other, they freaking KISSED each other, said "I love you" to one another, and after all the crap they went through for one another, they didn't even realize the other person's feelings!? I find that to be unrealistic despite how much insecurities they're both carrying.

However, the ending is well worth it.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book probably 5 times and know that I'll read it again. I know that there are probably several things that other readers may call BS on or may not enjoy but, for me, Taylor and Torrey are about as perfectly written as could be. Maas had an incredible gift for writing her characters and drawing the emotion from her readers. She can make you laugh and cry in the same scene and never want the book to end.

One of the best romances ever written, in my humble opinion.

**11/11/25 - yet another reread. Yeah, the writing is so rough with all the head hopping but I just don't care.

[Ulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

[C. Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

None so blind

Yep, this is a great read, really enjoyed it. The missed opportunities and longevity of the two MC's relationship, despite being a little frustrating at times, felt realistic and the complexity of the story strands brought the whole thing together beautifully. Can easily recommend this novel, which is definitely worth your time, energy and money.

[Miriam Janssen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story grabbed me from the very first pages. I fell totally in love with Taylor and Torrey and hoped for them to finally 'get' each other. And I wasn't disappointed. There is a happy ending but boy took they a long time to get there. I usually do not like a lot of angst but the story was so compelling that I accepted it for what was their journey. The writing style was good however at some places the names were swapped. Overall a very good book worth 4 stars.

[Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first WLW books I ever read and I still come back to it. I think I own a copy of it in every paperback edition (4) I love this book so much I have re-read it more times than I can count. The slow burn angst is real in this book so make sure you're in the mood for that when you pick this up to read. I don't know if this is one of my all time favorites because it was one of the first, or because the characters are just so well written. You definitely fall in love with the characters because Maas was such an amazing story teller, and her character development was on point. I could not recommend this book enough. Search it out and buy it in paperback its worth it, you won't be disappointed. I have not re-read this book this year but I was reminded of it just now and felt the need to post this review. I understand this author has passed and I wish I could have told her how much this book meant to me back in a time where I was coming to terms with myself.

[Maza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a bundle of humanity and love. I believe in humankind. Every session of reading gave me loads of hope. Although it’s a fiction, I really want to believe the kind of people as protagonists of this story are out there in this world.
The only problem with this book is the contradiction between the fact that these two lovely characters who are so tender hearted towards each other but at the same time they can not feel the love and passion they have for one another. I understand that the author wanted to project personal issues surrounding the main character but I think elongating the process of admission of love has taken away the strength of the story.

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an enjoyable story with interesting characters that worked hard to achieve their individual dreams. However without love and someone to share success with, it is difficult to feel fulfilled and happy. I thought the flashbacks help to show the growth of the characters. Torrey Gray and Taylor Kent are both talented and driven to succeed. I thought Jessica, Torrey's daughter although infuriating at times, provided solid connection and common ground for the two women. My comment is: Can you feel it?

[Lynnabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my absolute favorite romance story. I will re-read it many times over. Great story, interesting characters. Loved it, loved it, loved it!!!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.J.Mass was an outstanding writer and is missed.

[Pricelessfem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my very first L.J. Maas book and I must say that it was excellent! I can't say anymore. The character's were so dynamic, funny, witty, and the romance... god the romance.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at least once a year, if not more. I love it. I miss L.J. she had the best sense of humor. She was some one you could talk about anything with.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This was wonderful. I absolutely loved it. Slow burn friends to lovers romance. Torrey and Taylor were best friends for years when they were in college. Torrey got pregnant and Taylor was there for her the entire step of the way.

I loved both women so much. In the flashbacks it was so easy to see how much they loved each other but Taylor didn’t know Torrey had any interest in women and Torrey was afraid of ruining their friendship. They go their separate ways once Torrey’s daughter, JT, is about a year or two and haven’t see each in other in fifteen years. In present time Torrey is a single mom to her seventeen year old daughter and they’re both having a rough time. JT has a drug problem and after a fight Torrey calls Taylor and asks if JT can spend time with her in California. I adored how even after the rough start Taylor and JT bonded, especially after the AA meeting that they attended together. It was really sweet.

Torrey and Taylor are wonderful together and while I absolutely understood their hang ups I was so happy when they got their shit together. Fantastic chemistry between them and the sex scenes were tender and hot. Lovely ending as well. This is a quiet type of read with a lot of heart and I had a wonderful time reading it.

[Leila Anani · Rating 3 out of 5]

As lesbian contemporary romances go, this one's at the better end of the scale. Taylor and Torrey are perfect together and I loved the flashbacks to their time in college together and the nicknames Stretch and Little bit were just so cute!

I was a bit frustrated with them though and at several points you really want to bang their heads together because they are so obviously in love and so dense about it! I also disliked having two similar sounding names - I know they were known as T&T, but it's a little too samey for my liking - There are also two characters called Stephen - Pretty sure that Torrey's male lover and her brother are both referred to as Stephen which seems lazy.

Over all though I rather enjoyed this one - there's such a strong connection between these two women, and I liked the plot of them getting back into each other's orbits due to Torrey's wayward addict daughter. Perhaps a tiny bit too much melodrama adding in an abusive mother... on top of an addict daughter and a dead gay brother for Torrey, but otherwise I thought the backgrounds were interesting and solid motivations for the way the characters acted.

Writing's not bad, and the romance is good. thumbs up.

[Eugenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I'm not a fan of flashbacks but I can see the reason for it in this book. I'm also not a fan of a very slow burn, but this book is totally about slow burns, about fears, about insecurities, about not being able to speak your feelings. It is also about everything happens when it's supposed to happen and not a day before. If we are lucky enough to feel this type of love in our lives, then we have lived. Their story is magnificent, I found myself in tears at times, I did not want it to end. I love the characters. There's a little bit of Taylor and Torrey in all of us. I wish there would have been a sequel, just to catch up on their story. But it is not a cliffhanger. I strongly recommend this book.

[Sabra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story. This author was a brilliant writer, and I can’t get over the fact that she’s no longer with us. What a tremendous legacy she leaves behind, and one honors her memory by reading her work.
Tory and Taylor were well developed characters, and their love for each other was so evident. It’s a shame it took them so long to realize that they were meant to be together. Jessica turned out to be a sweetheart once she got it together.
Please do not miss an opportunity to read this author’s work. You won’t be disappointed.
Rest in peace L. J.

[Kokane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was frustratingly beautiful. It was frustrating because so much time went by where both people were doing the “noble” thing and not pursuing each other. While doing all the weird couple things except for sex. It was beautiful because the connection and you felt their love for one another. I just wish this book had more of an epilogue it ended abruptly.

[Odd Bin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torry's diminutive size was referenced so frequently I thought I was reading Thumbelina! Add to that the all the times Tayler's height is mentioned and we have the lesbian version of Thumbelina and the BFG. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-developed, intricate, and eerie version of current events that take place in an alternate 2016 in Australia. You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/none-...

[H M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such sweet story, I loved all the characters. tho the T^T names are confusing sometimes since I read fast. Highly recommended