What do you think?
Rate this book
Coming Out on the Field
A lesbian age-gap romance that will raise the temperature in the room.
Some would say Dee lived a sheltered life, unaware of the gay community around her and inexplicably tolerating her parent’s homophobia. But her cluelessness kept her safe.
An out lesbian on Dee’s new softball team, Sarah didn’t want to get involved with anyone beyond a one-night stand. Even if it meant hurting the rookie’s feelings.
When Dee needs a place to crash, can Sarah invite her in, not only to her home but her heart?
"This book made my heart soar! This is one of those feel good books that you can read again and again. If you think the film Happiest Season is good read this! It's so full of hope and love in the face of adversity I dare your heart not to swell and your face to grin reading this!"
From UK reviewer Jane Hartman-Jemmett
Some would say Dee lived a sheltered life, unaware of the gay community around her and inexplicably tolerating her parent’s homophobia. But her cluelessness kept her safe.
An out lesbian on Dee’s new softball team, Sarah didn’t want to get involved with anyone beyond a one-night stand. Even if it meant hurting the rookie’s feelings.
When Dee needs a place to crash, can Sarah invite her in, not only to her home but her heart?
"This book made my heart soar! This is one of those feel good books that you can read again and again. If you think the film Happiest Season is good read this! It's so full of hope and love in the face of adversity I dare your heart not to swell and your face to grin reading this!"
From UK reviewer Jane Hartman-Jemmett
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2022
24 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Sam Kestrel
24 books27 followersSam Kestrel writes lesbian erotica, romance and mystery. Sam is a quiet, behind-the-scenes kind of gal and she can't actually believe that with this pen name, she had the guts to start writing erotica. Just another lesson in the universe having other ideas when we're off making plans. In her other life she writes children's books and figures that it's best to keep these pen names separate. Think of her as writing for the entire family. She has something for almost everyone! Her writing journey started on Medium where she began with short stories of 2k words or less. But now she wants to write more complicated characters and stories and is shifting into longer works that will allow her to do that. Through her newsletter and website, samkestrel.com, Sam hopes to connect with her readers. She really wants you to drop her a line. No kidding. And newsletter subscribers get a free epilogue to Working From Home, a short story not available anywhere else.
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
February 7, 2023
Featuring ~ multiple 3rd person POV, softball, college, FF, age gap (19 & 27), homophobia, derogatory remarks, coming of age, steamage, under 100 pages
Daphne (Dee) & Sara
Dee is in college and still living with her parents. They are very 'my house my rules' type of parents even though she is technically an adult. They made her quit playing softball in high school, so she goes behind their back and joins a team where she meets Sara.
Her parents are awful and Dee finally has had enough when they invade her privacy in the worst way. She flees in the night and stays with Sara. It was fun to watch her realize she was gay and how she navigates the beginning of her first relationship.
Overall, a quick read that I found to be well written, except for not having any transition with the POV's. I could definitely tell that the author has experience writing this genre. The ending was somewhat abrupt, though and I could have went for a little more ~ maybe they'll be a sequel?
*Thanks to Sam Kestrel for asking me to read your book. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Daphne (Dee) & Sara
Dee is in college and still living with her parents. They are very 'my house my rules' type of parents even though she is technically an adult. They made her quit playing softball in high school, so she goes behind their back and joins a team where she meets Sara.
Her parents are awful and Dee finally has had enough when they invade her privacy in the worst way. She flees in the night and stays with Sara. It was fun to watch her realize she was gay and how she navigates the beginning of her first relationship.
Overall, a quick read that I found to be well written, except for not having any transition with the POV's. I could definitely tell that the author has experience writing this genre. The ending was somewhat abrupt, though and I could have went for a little more ~ maybe they'll be a sequel?
*Thanks to Sam Kestrel for asking me to read your book. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
February 10, 2023
Dee is nineteen and clueless. All she wants is to play ball, even if her parents have done all they could to keep her away from the field. She joins a new softball team without telling them, not knowing it will be the eye-opener her parents dread.
Even for a novella, this is on the shortish side. Because it’s so short, the characters aren’t very developed and things happen quickly yet it fits Dee’s impression of being caught in a tornado. There’s some head-hopping but all in all, it’s a sweet and steamy novella about firsts and beginnings. 3.5⭐️
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
December 7, 2022
Very nice short novella about a young college woman joining a softball team against her strict, homophobic parents' wishes, who won't even let her cut her hair short. Not knowing she has gay leanings, it turns out most of the team are older and gay. Very well done coming out story.
January 3, 2026
I don’t like a 27 year old dating a 19 year old that just realized she’s gay and gets kicked out by her parents. Too predatory for me
November 20, 2022
Sweet coming out story, about a young slightly naive college girl named Dee playing softball. A team full of wlw players nicknamed the TO"s. A girl once burned by love. All of this combined becomes a cute hea novella. It reminds you of a simpler time & your first love.
I received an advanced readers copy for an honest review.
I received an advanced readers copy for an honest review.
December 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this coming out story. It is very well written. Dee is 19 yrs old. And very sheltered by her homophobic parents. Dee is a great kid. Tries to please her parents all through school. Even stopping playing softball her senior year. Now she gets to play again and gets assigned to a team. The T O 's. Most mid to late 20's lesbians. Dee comes to realize she is gay. But she is very lucky to have support from her team. This is a story that happens all the time. And we need to remember. It is an easy read because it flows. Highly recommend and look foward to Sam's next book.
February 10, 2025
I liked this, it was enjoyable, but it was also a bit simple. The story progressed rapidly (novella syndrome!) and lacked detail in a lot of places, but also had the bones of a good story. There were a lot of good scenes in this novella, even if they were missing something in the way that they were strung together. I liked that there was some very healthy relationship dynamics demonstrated in a very realistic way (mixed in with all the unhealthy relationship elements lmao).
I will comment that the POV switched erratically between characters, sometimes in the middle of a sentence or paragraph. It was a little confusing and I didn’t particularly like it, but it also wasn’t enough to seriously impact the reading experience.
My biggest complaint for this novella was that we didn’t get a lot of resolution. It was like reading 2/3 of a novel. There were a lot of things that were set up and started in this novella that never got to go anywhere before the story ended. In some ways I could see this as open-ended and that the point of this story was just to show this specific time period in the protagonists life, but to me it felt unfinished. This is the reason why this novel got a high 3-stars and not a low 4-stars.
My Rating: “C+”
Converted Rating: 3-Stars
I will comment that the POV switched erratically between characters, sometimes in the middle of a sentence or paragraph. It was a little confusing and I didn’t particularly like it, but it also wasn’t enough to seriously impact the reading experience.
My biggest complaint for this novella was that we didn’t get a lot of resolution. It was like reading 2/3 of a novel. There were a lot of things that were set up and started in this novella that never got to go anywhere before the story ended. In some ways I could see this as open-ended and that the point of this story was just to show this specific time period in the protagonists life, but to me it felt unfinished. This is the reason why this novel got a high 3-stars and not a low 4-stars.
My Rating: “C+”
Converted Rating: 3-Stars
November 23, 2022
Dee is finally away from home and able to join a softball team and play the game she loves. Coming out can be a hard thing and this story deals with that. Her attraction to another team member opens her eyes to feels she has had before. Sara opens her home to her and they grow closer. I know the story moves quickly but I found it to be an honest representation. I like how Sara's friends were looking out for her and Dee.
I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
I received an advanced copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2026
3.5 Stars
This wasn’t a bad short read! It followed a 19 year old who was just starting to figure things out about herself, which has been tough as she has homophobic parents! She joins a softball team who all seem to be queer and really supportive! Was a cute story with some insta-love vibes.
Written in third person. Age Gap (8 years), Toaster Oven (Coming Out), Sports (Softball), Fast Paced, Homophobia. 3x Spicy Scenes.
This wasn’t a bad short read! It followed a 19 year old who was just starting to figure things out about herself, which has been tough as she has homophobic parents! She joins a softball team who all seem to be queer and really supportive! Was a cute story with some insta-love vibes.
Written in third person. Age Gap (8 years), Toaster Oven (Coming Out), Sports (Softball), Fast Paced, Homophobia. 3x Spicy Scenes.
November 22, 2022
Coming Out on the Field by Sam Kestrel is a steamy lesbian erotic romance novella about finding yourself, coming out, and navigating the awkwardness of first love. Dee is a likable young woman with entirely unlikable parents, someone you want to protect as much as you want to nudge her into intimacy.
I loved the way Sam played with stereotypes and expectations, offering a series of wink-and-nod moments that help build the backstory and create a sense of anticipation. It's cute how Dee is so oblivious to it all - until, suddenly, she isn't - and wonderful to watch her awakening.
This is a story of friendship, sexual exploration, and the tease of romantic intimacy, with just enough family tension to help give Dee's a deeper journey meaning. The erotic moments are breathtaking, deliciously detailed, and build beautifully from one scene to the next. While part of me chafed against a few unresolved plot threads, I also appreciated the fact that life is never so tidy, and we're really only exploring a snapshot of Dee's life.
https://www.sallybend.com/2022/11/boo...
I loved the way Sam played with stereotypes and expectations, offering a series of wink-and-nod moments that help build the backstory and create a sense of anticipation. It's cute how Dee is so oblivious to it all - until, suddenly, she isn't - and wonderful to watch her awakening.
This is a story of friendship, sexual exploration, and the tease of romantic intimacy, with just enough family tension to help give Dee's a deeper journey meaning. The erotic moments are breathtaking, deliciously detailed, and build beautifully from one scene to the next. While part of me chafed against a few unresolved plot threads, I also appreciated the fact that life is never so tidy, and we're really only exploring a snapshot of Dee's life.
https://www.sallybend.com/2022/11/boo...
November 30, 2022
Coming Out on the Field by Sam Kestrel is a cute novella centred around Dee and her coming out story. Dee hasn’t played on a softball team for a few years but now joins a new team of players where she meets Sara and her friends.
An easy-to-read good book that is humorous in parts and flows well, with characters that come to life where you wish for a HEA or HFN.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
An easy-to-read good book that is humorous in parts and flows well, with characters that come to life where you wish for a HEA or HFN.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for my honest review.
December 13, 2022
Sweet story
I enjoyed reading about Dee's journey of figuring out her true self. I also grew up in a sheltered home, though not as extreme as poor Dee, so I can understand struggling with figuring out your true self and what that might mean as far as family relationships. I thought the main characters were well defined and it was a well written story with a dash of the spice I've come to love from Sam. Looking forward to any future romances Sam decides to put out into the world.
I enjoyed reading about Dee's journey of figuring out her true self. I also grew up in a sheltered home, though not as extreme as poor Dee, so I can understand struggling with figuring out your true self and what that might mean as far as family relationships. I thought the main characters were well defined and it was a well written story with a dash of the spice I've come to love from Sam. Looking forward to any future romances Sam decides to put out into the world.
December 1, 2024
1.75/5
November 23, 2022
This a novella about the college girl Daphne aka Dee who comes to termes with herself and her beeing gay. While in high school Dee loved to play softball but her homophobic parents saw the team for what it probably was, a nice and funny bunch of lesbians, and pulled her out. Now in college she joins another team behind her parents back and only than she realizes why her parents probably pulled her out in the first place. She realizes a lot about herself and her feelings along the way.
Dee is a very likable young woman, but very naive for her age. Sometimes i wanted to smag her a bit because she didnt see anything wrong in her parents – who are very unlikable.
I liked that this story also is about friendship, finding yourself, sexual exploration. I wished a bit more deepht to some characters and the storyline, the fact that Dee didnt see or realized so many red flags from her parents bugged me personally a bit because as a curious person myself i have a hard time connect and understand naive persons. But all in all i liked and enjoyed this book.
Got an ARC for an honest review.
Dee is a very likable young woman, but very naive for her age. Sometimes i wanted to smag her a bit because she didnt see anything wrong in her parents – who are very unlikable.
I liked that this story also is about friendship, finding yourself, sexual exploration. I wished a bit more deepht to some characters and the storyline, the fact that Dee didnt see or realized so many red flags from her parents bugged me personally a bit because as a curious person myself i have a hard time connect and understand naive persons. But all in all i liked and enjoyed this book.
Got an ARC for an honest review.
December 4, 2022
A Spark of Courage
Softball had always been a special place for Dee until her senior year when her parents forced her to quit. When she decides a year later to secretly join a softball league it begins a journey that not only awakens her feelings for women but becomes the spark leading Dee to courageously fight for herself.
And then there's Sara, an older teammate, who's afraid of getting her heart broken by this newbie lesbian but circumstances keep bringing them together and their relationship quickly becomes sexual. While their intimacy is steamy and passionate it's enveloped in misgivings.
This is a beautiful, challenging, and sweet story of discovery, coming out, embracing change, taking risks, and true friendship. The characters are well drawn and realistic and the storyline is captivating and believable.
I received an ARC and I'm leaving an honest review.
Softball had always been a special place for Dee until her senior year when her parents forced her to quit. When she decides a year later to secretly join a softball league it begins a journey that not only awakens her feelings for women but becomes the spark leading Dee to courageously fight for herself.
And then there's Sara, an older teammate, who's afraid of getting her heart broken by this newbie lesbian but circumstances keep bringing them together and their relationship quickly becomes sexual. While their intimacy is steamy and passionate it's enveloped in misgivings.
This is a beautiful, challenging, and sweet story of discovery, coming out, embracing change, taking risks, and true friendship. The characters are well drawn and realistic and the storyline is captivating and believable.
I received an ARC and I'm leaving an honest review.
January 22, 2023
4 stars. A cute coming out romance but oh my goodness gracious am I done with reading about homophobic parents. My heart cannot take any more of it! Dee’s parents were homophobic AND racist and my blood pressure was spiking. Anyway, I liked that she was on a softball team named the TOs (aka the Toaster Ovens lmao) and everyone on that team was a lesbian. I don’t do sports but if I did where is the sign up sheet? I want in.
Again, I digress. I’m all over the place here. Anyway, Dee and Sara’s relationship was great and steamy and I liked how they handled everything and wanted to take things slow so that Dee could’ve work things out. There’s nothing much to the plot of this one but it was really enjoyable and sweet.
Again, I digress. I’m all over the place here. Anyway, Dee and Sara’s relationship was great and steamy and I liked how they handled everything and wanted to take things slow so that Dee could’ve work things out. There’s nothing much to the plot of this one but it was really enjoyable and sweet.
March 30, 2023
A little too rushed
Love the cover, didn't love the writing. It goes too fast, skipping over character development to get to an ending. I got told a lot of things, but not a chance to see them myself. Dee realises the team is queer, that she's queer, and has sex, all over a day or two. It felt a little bit like a vehicle for the sex scenes.
Dee's coming out and escape from her family was very sincerely written, it just needed to be given more time and space.
CW: racist, homophobic family, use of slurs on page, threat of conversion therapy, talk of predatory religious figure, threat of homelessness, age gap power imbalance between MCs
Love the cover, didn't love the writing. It goes too fast, skipping over character development to get to an ending. I got told a lot of things, but not a chance to see them myself. Dee realises the team is queer, that she's queer, and has sex, all over a day or two. It felt a little bit like a vehicle for the sex scenes.
Dee's coming out and escape from her family was very sincerely written, it just needed to be given more time and space.
CW: racist, homophobic family, use of slurs on page, threat of conversion therapy, talk of predatory religious figure, threat of homelessness, age gap power imbalance between MCs
December 5, 2022
This book was kindly sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
A steamy and sporty Sapphic romance about becoming your true self, whatever the cost.
After not playing softball for a year, Dee is excited to be joining a new team and getting back to the thing that makes her feel the most comfortable and welcomed. Attending practice two days a week is also a chance to be free of her overbearing parents who have controlled almost every aspect of her life, and are the reason she couldn’t play softball during her senior year of high school. Turns out the softball team she’s joined, the Toaster Ovens, aren’t just all almost 10 years older than her, but they’re all lesbians. Between her extremely homophobic parents and being surrounded by queer women, Dee soon comes to realise her true identity. But her newfound sense-of-self comes crashing down when her parents reveal plans to ‘fix’ her, and Dee soon turns to her fellow teammate and crush for help, a move that has the potential to hurt her even more.
There is certainly a LOT packed into the sweet and steamy novella! Dee’s story was such a rollercoaster of emotions as she came to understand her sexuality and the difficulties of living at home with her controlling and homophobic parents. But all this was evened out with her blossoming relationship with Sara.
I know I’m always saying that I wish the story would never end, but I legitimately mean it this time – it felt like there was too much crammed into such a short story, and a lot of things that really would have benefited from being much more developed and stretched out through a longer book. Sam has crafted a really interesting bunch of characters and a story that has a lot of impact (and a nice dollop of spice), and it’s easy to see the potential it would have as a fully-fledged novel, rather than a novella.
If you’re a lover of Sapphic romance, this is certainly a quick read you need to be adding to your TBR – what better way to cram some extra books towards your reading goal than with a steamy novella.
A steamy and sporty Sapphic romance about becoming your true self, whatever the cost.
After not playing softball for a year, Dee is excited to be joining a new team and getting back to the thing that makes her feel the most comfortable and welcomed. Attending practice two days a week is also a chance to be free of her overbearing parents who have controlled almost every aspect of her life, and are the reason she couldn’t play softball during her senior year of high school. Turns out the softball team she’s joined, the Toaster Ovens, aren’t just all almost 10 years older than her, but they’re all lesbians. Between her extremely homophobic parents and being surrounded by queer women, Dee soon comes to realise her true identity. But her newfound sense-of-self comes crashing down when her parents reveal plans to ‘fix’ her, and Dee soon turns to her fellow teammate and crush for help, a move that has the potential to hurt her even more.
There is certainly a LOT packed into the sweet and steamy novella! Dee’s story was such a rollercoaster of emotions as she came to understand her sexuality and the difficulties of living at home with her controlling and homophobic parents. But all this was evened out with her blossoming relationship with Sara.
I know I’m always saying that I wish the story would never end, but I legitimately mean it this time – it felt like there was too much crammed into such a short story, and a lot of things that really would have benefited from being much more developed and stretched out through a longer book. Sam has crafted a really interesting bunch of characters and a story that has a lot of impact (and a nice dollop of spice), and it’s easy to see the potential it would have as a fully-fledged novel, rather than a novella.
If you’re a lover of Sapphic romance, this is certainly a quick read you need to be adding to your TBR – what better way to cram some extra books towards your reading goal than with a steamy novella.
December 5, 2022
Coming Out on the Field is a quick read that follows Dee as she joins a softball team and comes to terms with her sexuality. As a sports fan, I really enjoyed the softball aspect of the book and the various teammates Dee meets. Quickly after joining the team, Dee realizes all of her teammates are sapphic and she starts to realize she might not be as straight as she thought. Dee’s parents are awful people, like I really disliked them, and it was pretty uncomfortable reading just how homophobic they are. Dee knows she won’t be able to fully come into her own living under her parents roof and ends up staying with her teammate, Sara, who she has hooked up with. Even though Sara is adamant that she does not want a relationship, the two quickly start to lean on each other. Overall, Coming Out on the Field is a pretty good read. I do wish it was longer so we could really see Dee and Sara’s relationship blossom.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2023
A short story with so many feels! Poor Dee has blocked out so much that she doesn’t even realize her true feelings. Sara wants to help but without emotion. Unfortunately (fortunately) maybe both will get to figure it out! Great supporting cast as well!
October 10, 2023
Great Short
Great short story of a woman figuring out who she is. Being raised in a home that is very anti-gay made life more challenging for Dee. Soon she is surrounded by supportive friends who all understand her.
Great short story of a woman figuring out who she is. Being raised in a home that is very anti-gay made life more challenging for Dee. Soon she is surrounded by supportive friends who all understand her.
October 29, 2023
It’s cute, but I’m not really into the age gap thing, especially if the youngest is 19. And also the whole situation feels like a problematic power dynamic.
December 15, 2022
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet, just like the book.
I liked the tale, for the most part. Given the page count, a lot is packed in, but thought so much more could have been made of Dee's parents and how they are. A longer book could have lend itself to a much deeper insight into them and what they would do to Dee.
I didn't feel much of a connection to either Dee or Sara. And I didn't think it at all explicit. Might have even enjoyed it more had it come out clean, to be honest.
But the thing that I struggled the most with was the changing point of view. There is no gap in some places. You are literally reading from Dee's point of view and the next sentence, it's Sara's, often in the same paragraph. I'm all for everyone having a say, but a clear indication of change is needed, even if it's JUST a paragraph break.
A short and sweet read, but not one that pushed any of my buttons.
3 stars, cos I did finish it.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet, just like the book.
I liked the tale, for the most part. Given the page count, a lot is packed in, but thought so much more could have been made of Dee's parents and how they are. A longer book could have lend itself to a much deeper insight into them and what they would do to Dee.
I didn't feel much of a connection to either Dee or Sara. And I didn't think it at all explicit. Might have even enjoyed it more had it come out clean, to be honest.
But the thing that I struggled the most with was the changing point of view. There is no gap in some places. You are literally reading from Dee's point of view and the next sentence, it's Sara's, often in the same paragraph. I'm all for everyone having a say, but a clear indication of change is needed, even if it's JUST a paragraph break.
A short and sweet read, but not one that pushed any of my buttons.
3 stars, cos I did finish it.
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews