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Olivia Whitaker has lost her fortune. Without her father’s credit card to keep her afloat and no college education, she’s lucky to land herself a job as a waitress in a private members’ club in London. As she adjusts to her new normal, her main priority is to piece her life back together, so when she meets a beautiful and intriguing member, Olivia is torn between desire and a fear of losing her job.Aisha Al Zahid is a wealthy, London-based property developer who likes to unwind in her own private club. After returning from a trip to Dubai to see her family, the new waitress catches her eye, and always on the hunt, she goes after what she wants. Being out in London and closeted in Dubai, she leads a double life, and serious relationships have never been in the cards for her. But what she lacks in emotional connections, she makes up for in the bedroom, and she’s eager to show Olivia her dominant side.Olivia has no interest in anything but casual either; she’s been betrayed too many times to let people in, but Aisha’s bedroom games require a certain amount of trust. Can their intense physical connection lead to something deeper? And can Aisha find the courage to merge her two worlds? Love doesn’t always come at the right time, and, like roses, sometimes life must fade before it can bloom again…
392 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 27, 2023
About the author
Lise Gold
37 books600 followersLise Gold is an author of lesbian romance. Her romantic attitude, enthusiasm for travel and love for feel good stories form the heartland of her writing. Born in London to a Norwegian mother and English father, and growing up between the UK, Norway, Zambia and the Netherlands, she feels at home pretty much everywhere and has an unending curiosity for new destinations. She goes by 'write what you know' and is often found in exotic locations doing research or getting inspired for her next novel.
Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.
When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.
Working as a designer for fifteen years and singing semi- professionally, Lise has always been a creative at heart. Her novels are the result of a quest for a new passion after resigning from her design job in 2018.
When not writing from her kitchen table, Lise can be found cooking, at the gym or singing her heart out somewhere, preferably country or blues. She lives in London with her dogs El Comandante and Bubba.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
June 2, 2023
DO NOT READ iN PUBLIC! Incredibly hot with amazing MCs.. really enjoyed this :)
November 12, 2023
4.5⭐️
I listened to the audiobook version of Members Only. Narrator Tessa Stavers did a good job conveying the emotions and moods well.
Olivia Whitaker, raised with the proverbial golden spoon in her mouth, lands hard on the ground of the reality of the working majority of people when her father is arrested and she doesn't have a dime to her name. Not only does she have no more money, but most of her friends also turn their backs on her. As a waitress in a private members-only club in London, she now tries to build an independent life. She has vowed never to be dependent on one person again. But there is this very attractive, reserved, respectful, obviously rich woman who behaves so differently from the rest of the clientele. Is it worth to risk her job and get this women to know personally?
Aisha Al Zahid is a property developer in London and is the owner of the club where Olivia works. She enjoys the free life in gay-friendly London in contrast to her closeted life in Dubai, where she comes from, and her family still lives. After a stay in Dubai, she notices the new employee on her first evening back at the club. Not only is she beautiful, but she also has a special aura about her, and this arouses Aisha's curiosity.
The story of two women who find themselves in unfamiliar situations. Olivia is working for the first time in her life and quickly realizes what a meaningless life of luxury she had lived before, where she didn't care about anything except the next party. Today she sees how empty her life actually was. The transformation from a party girl to a responsible woman is shown very well and I was happy about every little success she has.
Casual no-strings sex was Aisha's credo until now, but suddenly there is Olivia, who awakens completely new feelings in her. Not only is Olivia's attraction very strong, but she also awakens her protective instinct, something Aisha has never felt for a woman before. Can she balance Olivia's drive for independence and her own desire to do everything she can for her?
Self-reflection and finding out what you really want from life, trust, and daring to love are beautifully told in this story. Also, the two women learn to express their feelings, insecurities, and fears and find ways together. Without much drama and unnecessary fuss. The hot sex is the icing on the cake.
Highly recommended to all romance fans. I loved it
I won this Audio in a book give away, a big thank you to Lise Gold
I listened to the audiobook version of Members Only. Narrator Tessa Stavers did a good job conveying the emotions and moods well.
Olivia Whitaker, raised with the proverbial golden spoon in her mouth, lands hard on the ground of the reality of the working majority of people when her father is arrested and she doesn't have a dime to her name. Not only does she have no more money, but most of her friends also turn their backs on her. As a waitress in a private members-only club in London, she now tries to build an independent life. She has vowed never to be dependent on one person again. But there is this very attractive, reserved, respectful, obviously rich woman who behaves so differently from the rest of the clientele. Is it worth to risk her job and get this women to know personally?
Aisha Al Zahid is a property developer in London and is the owner of the club where Olivia works. She enjoys the free life in gay-friendly London in contrast to her closeted life in Dubai, where she comes from, and her family still lives. After a stay in Dubai, she notices the new employee on her first evening back at the club. Not only is she beautiful, but she also has a special aura about her, and this arouses Aisha's curiosity.
The story of two women who find themselves in unfamiliar situations. Olivia is working for the first time in her life and quickly realizes what a meaningless life of luxury she had lived before, where she didn't care about anything except the next party. Today she sees how empty her life actually was. The transformation from a party girl to a responsible woman is shown very well and I was happy about every little success she has.
Casual no-strings sex was Aisha's credo until now, but suddenly there is Olivia, who awakens completely new feelings in her. Not only is Olivia's attraction very strong, but she also awakens her protective instinct, something Aisha has never felt for a woman before. Can she balance Olivia's drive for independence and her own desire to do everything she can for her?
Self-reflection and finding out what you really want from life, trust, and daring to love are beautifully told in this story. Also, the two women learn to express their feelings, insecurities, and fears and find ways together. Without much drama and unnecessary fuss. The hot sex is the icing on the cake.
Highly recommended to all romance fans. I loved it
I won this Audio in a book give away, a big thank you to Lise Gold
March 12, 2024
3.5 ⭐️A good old story where the player who never did relationships settles down for THE one. I loved Olivia’s character : she hit bottom, but she is strong and determined. Aisha is protective, thoughtful, and really successful. Initial sexual tension was definitely there with some stolen glances. Gold gives you some really steamy sex scenes with light BDSM and a dominant/submissive relationship. I am usually not really into these things, and this one was perfectly dosed for me. The chemistry and dynamic between them were just on spot. After the initial “physical-only relationship” comes the protectiveness and feelings; it’s very sweet to read. The relationship is not the deepest I have read, but it is really healthy with open communication and no games. I am so used to writers giving me a third-act fight that when the relationship evolves smoothly like this, I am even more tense, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Gold doesn’t play with the reader’s heart. Although I don’t think useless fights for the sake of drama is necessary, I like a touch of tension around the couple to keep me on my toes, but I didn’t find here.
Aisha’s character shows that being gay is still not something everyone has the luxury to live openly in some places in the world. Be reassured, Gold chose an optimistic POV.
If you are looking for something angst-free, romantic with spice and chemistry, this book is perfect for you.
Aisha’s character shows that being gay is still not something everyone has the luxury to live openly in some places in the world. Be reassured, Gold chose an optimistic POV.
If you are looking for something angst-free, romantic with spice and chemistry, this book is perfect for you.
September 29, 2023
“Nothing in your future will ever burn again,” I promise her. “I’m with you forever if you’ll let me.”
3.5 stars. I have never actually disliked a book by Lise Gold, but the last several that I've read from her just haven't lived up to my expectations. That's both in terms of things that it failed to do, and things that it included when it really did not have to. I always know what I'm in for when I pick up one of her books: low angst, a lot of focus on the relationship, personal growth and no overblown conflicts. Since this one is also co-written with her erotic pen-name, I also expected that it would be sexy. And all in all, I still really did like this, but I know I could have liked more.
Olivia is a one-time heiress and party girl who is now at her lowest; after her father was jailed for fraud, her family has lost all of its money, and now for the first time in her life she has to work and make a living on her own. Aisha is a wealthy business owner from Dubai, and when making one of her usual visits to London, she meets Olivia, one of the new waitresses in her exclusive, members only club. Heated rendezvouses slowly turn into more, even though both women are determined that they don't want a relationship right now. I have no notes about the physical component of the relationship; it was so swoony, so sexy, really artfully and sometimes tenderly written. Aisha is just the kind of domme that I like, one who doesn't take things too far, and doesn't extend the play outside of the bedroom. The first parts of the book were really hot.
But I was missing a lot of the emotional component. I feel like there were several times we were simply told what the characters are feeling, told that they had this great connection, told that they had all of this overwhelming chemistry, but honestly, unless they were in bed, I didn't feel it at all. That thankfully did change in the later parts of the book, when they shared some really lovely moments together, and their relationship grew in meaningful ways, but it was almost too little too late? I would have preferred to have more foundational events actually showing us where this attraction came from, because I barely felt it. That is what was really lacking for me. Even some words/phrases used to describe their feelings were a little banal; things that you've definitely heard before in other books. ("I think of her when I wake up and she’s the last thing on my mind before I fall asleep.")
Another quibble I had was the entire question about wealth and class. But it's hard to describe exactly what about it dissatisfied me. Olivia comes to this conclusion that wealth isn't necessary for happiness, but that rings a little hollow when she ends the book with a millionaire girlfriend, and she is in almost as privileged a position as she was years ago. Rings even hollower when she admits that her father's fraud has cheated people out of life-changing retirement money. Obviously, she has changed and grown a bit, learned some hard lessons about treating others equally and doing things on her own. But somehow, I still felt like we came out of this book with a veneration for wealth that left me cold, but also with useless finger-wagging about how one shouldn't need money. That bit about Olivia's father in the end was really trite. I don't know if I'm expressing myself well. It's a subject that has a lot of nuance, but its treatment in the book was one-dimensional.
Also, I was a little irritated with how unnecessarily judgemental both main characters could be. Especially Olivia, since the point of her story is that she has supposedly learnt and grown so much. I absolutely don't mind her pushing back against the rich, especially when they're disrespectful to her, but there were a couple moments where she made comments about people's plastic surgery or the way they dressed or the things they chose to drink, that were just mean and nasty. I couldn't reconcile that with the supposedly changed person that she was. There was just a bit of 'not like other girls'-adjacent stuff that was annoying.
The latter half of the book saved things for me a little. As I said before, that's when I actually started to feel like the couple had an inkling of that emotional intensity that we were being told about. I liked the relationship between Aisha and her father, that shows that love and trust and understanding can be achieved even when there are societal and cultural roadblocks. The family relationships were all sweet. And again, it was all super sexy. But I still felt like this could have been so much more.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Tessa Stavers, who has a lovely voice, and she's pretty much the only reason I got this audiobook instead of just reading this book. And it was worth it for that at least. This seemed like it was going to be a sexy novel with a lot of emotional depth, and instead it ended up being a sexy novel that was a bit shallow. I do think my review makes it sound like I didn't like this, and that's not true; I did. I'm just sad that I feel so dissatisfied.
June 6, 2023
Olivia's life has changed drastically! Thanks to her father's arrest and loss to all the wealth. She's happy to have gotten a job as a waitress at a members only club. When one of the regulars, Aisha, starts paying attention to her.
Aisha invites her upstairs to her apartment, knowing that they both only want casual. This is so HOT, and loving, as the 2 women fight their feelings for one another, but fail. I give it definitely 5 stars, I wish I could give more.
Aisha invites her upstairs to her apartment, knowing that they both only want casual. This is so HOT, and loving, as the 2 women fight their feelings for one another, but fail. I give it definitely 5 stars, I wish I could give more.
July 3, 2023
I was so excited about this book, but I made the mistake of listening to the audiobook instead of reading and I gotta say the narrator kind of lowkey ruined the story for me, the voice tone was so monotone and boring that it didn’t make the story feel as great as I’m sure it is had I read it instead.
October 6, 2023
Cute. The premise is nothing new (if I’m not mistaken Anna Stone’s debut novel Being Hers had a very similar set up) but there were some surprises and I liked both MCs.
The second half wasn’t as exciting. Mostly it was things just very quickly progressing from “Not wanting a relationship” to moving in and swearing eternal love after *six months*. I wish they had more interactions before we got to that point. A mix of sexy but also mundane but nope, once they were in, they were IN.
Since this was a collab with the author’s erotica pen name I also expected more on than front. Once they go official the erotica is basically done, with a short spicy scene towards the end to try and remedy that.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read, so I’m giving it 3 stars.
The second half wasn’t as exciting. Mostly it was things just very quickly progressing from “Not wanting a relationship” to moving in and swearing eternal love after *six months*. I wish they had more interactions before we got to that point. A mix of sexy but also mundane but nope, once they were in, they were IN.
Since this was a collab with the author’s erotica pen name I also expected more on than front. Once they go official the erotica is basically done, with a short spicy scene towards the end to try and remedy that.
All in all, it was an enjoyable read, so I’m giving it 3 stars.
August 2, 2024
highlight!!
June 1, 2023
4.25 Stars
November 3, 2024
Look. It's a Kindle Unlimited smut book, not a Pulitzer prize winning novel, so it delivered on its promise. Not at all world changing or particularly good, but it's definitely better than other smut books I've read that are so bad I can't even finish the first chapter. Was lacking in the smut department and too much gushy romance for me personally, and there was a large amount of detail in parts that needed very little, and large parts of it were repetitive. That being said, if you're bored and need an easy sapphic romance book to read for free, this is a decent option.
October 18, 2023
Kinda boring
The characters were sweet and kind, and their sex scenes were very hot (albeit, too short in my opinion).
Other than that, their romance was quite boring. I really think the authors should've incorporated some angst. It would've been perfect for these characters and their background. Without it, they were too bland.
In addition, I kinda disliked most of the side characters. I felt most of them didn't quite add much to the story.
The characters were sweet and kind, and their sex scenes were very hot (albeit, too short in my opinion).
Other than that, their romance was quite boring. I really think the authors should've incorporated some angst. It would've been perfect for these characters and their background. Without it, they were too bland.
In addition, I kinda disliked most of the side characters. I felt most of them didn't quite add much to the story.
November 8, 2023
Sweet romance
Beautiful romance between a reserved business owner and a waitress who has an unusual background. Their worlds should be comparable but due to Olivia's Dad's actions, her circumstances have shifted dramatically and she is building a new life. Both characters are deep and intriguing.
The few sex scenes, Taylor's speciality, are spot on and beautifully erotic but the rest of the relationship is poignant and deep for the two women who both discover themselves through it.
So beautiful, I didn't want it to end.
Beautiful romance between a reserved business owner and a waitress who has an unusual background. Their worlds should be comparable but due to Olivia's Dad's actions, her circumstances have shifted dramatically and she is building a new life. Both characters are deep and intriguing.
The few sex scenes, Taylor's speciality, are spot on and beautifully erotic but the rest of the relationship is poignant and deep for the two women who both discover themselves through it.
So beautiful, I didn't want it to end.
June 1, 2023
really good
When I read the blurb for this book I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it, but I’m happy to say I loved it. The two main characters seem total opposites at first. The more you read you realise they actually aren’t as different as you thought. Being each end of the wealth scale means nothing. I loved that Olivia was determined to make it on her own and refused help from Aisha. Yes it would have made her life easier but that need to prove herself was a huge point in the book.
I only have one negative about this…it wasn’t long enough! I needed more…hopefully we get a second book or added extra at some point in the future.
When I read the blurb for this book I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it, but I’m happy to say I loved it. The two main characters seem total opposites at first. The more you read you realise they actually aren’t as different as you thought. Being each end of the wealth scale means nothing. I loved that Olivia was determined to make it on her own and refused help from Aisha. Yes it would have made her life easier but that need to prove herself was a huge point in the book.
I only have one negative about this…it wasn’t long enough! I needed more…hopefully we get a second book or added extra at some point in the future.
April 29, 2024
DNF 43% this felt like it was written by a straight man
June 21, 2023
Enjoyable
I liked this book, but not as much as Gold's other ones. It just didn't click for me. The MCs were well developed and engaging, and the sex scenes were well written and hot, but I just had a hard time getting into this one. Overall, an average book.
I liked this book, but not as much as Gold's other ones. It just didn't click for me. The MCs were well developed and engaging, and the sex scenes were well written and hot, but I just had a hard time getting into this one. Overall, an average book.
April 10, 2024
wondering if i should stop reading this 18 pages in…. i’m hoping the writing gets better as it goes on. some people might really enjoy this kind of writing, but i think it’s just not for me :(
update: page 119 and this book still hasn’t grabbed my attention. i’d say the story is predictable, but there really isn’t much to predict. i knew going into it that this would be mostly smut but i still expected some kind of interesting plot.
i also didn’t really feel the sexual tension that it seemed the authors were trying to portray between the two characters, so if you’re someone who just wants something simple and smutty, then you’d probably enjoy this book.
update: page 119 and this book still hasn’t grabbed my attention. i’d say the story is predictable, but there really isn’t much to predict. i knew going into it that this would be mostly smut but i still expected some kind of interesting plot.
i also didn’t really feel the sexual tension that it seemed the authors were trying to portray between the two characters, so if you’re someone who just wants something simple and smutty, then you’d probably enjoy this book.
June 13, 2023
Great story with lovely main characters!
June 8, 2023
Goid book
This is an emotional book. The authors have taken a rich person and now she has nothing but some material things from her former life. No friends because she has no money or status. Olivia is trying to survive in a ordinary normal day life as a waitress. Aisha is living a double life, one she is out and the other is she has to hide for her father and family. As the two come together one still wants independence and the other is starting to understand a relationship is important. A beautiful written and you can feel the love between the two characters and how each one adjust to their new feelings.
This is an emotional book. The authors have taken a rich person and now she has nothing but some material things from her former life. No friends because she has no money or status. Olivia is trying to survive in a ordinary normal day life as a waitress. Aisha is living a double life, one she is out and the other is she has to hide for her father and family. As the two come together one still wants independence and the other is starting to understand a relationship is important. A beautiful written and you can feel the love between the two characters and how each one adjust to their new feelings.
June 3, 2023
it’s very good!! really liked their relationship and the respect they had for each other (felt a little long tho)
June 10, 2023
Love over everything.
This was a great read. I want more of these characters. I have no problem recommending this book to my peers.
This was a great read. I want more of these characters. I have no problem recommending this book to my peers.
October 15, 2023
3.5, I did not have high expectations based on the cover, but it actually had a decent story line and some cute moments. I liked it. It was 🌶🌶 though, especially in the beginning, just a warning.
July 3, 2024
Esta historia es super plana, básicamente no tiene nudo
Lo que si estaba bueno es que Aisha era del medio oriente, sabemos lo que eso significa (guiño guiño)
Y al principio Olivia quería aprender a autoabastecerse
Lo que si estaba bueno es que Aisha era del medio oriente, sabemos lo que eso significa (guiño guiño)
Y al principio Olivia quería aprender a autoabastecerse
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2023
Book kind of ran out of steam halfway. I was expecting some angst, but story stayed uneventful.
July 15, 2024
Members Only
This was a beautiful story.
There is definitely something to be said about humility. Olivia and Aisha are humble in their own ways, from their own experiences, and it makes it easy to connect with them. It was sweet to go through their journey and see how they ended up. Their chemistry is pretty steamy as well!
This was a beautiful story.
There is definitely something to be said about humility. Olivia and Aisha are humble in their own ways, from their own experiences, and it makes it easy to connect with them. It was sweet to go through their journey and see how they ended up. Their chemistry is pretty steamy as well!
July 14, 2023
Oooooooh the smut was smutting, came for the smut and enjoyed the smut and the plot line is actually really good, I was expecting it to just be about smut but both of our FMC's are lovable and respectable, watching them fall for each other and learn each other's problems and still love each other is just the sweetest plus there's no third act break up which is obviously a plus.
August 15, 2023
This book started really good, I loved the tension between Olivia and Aisha, the spice is really good as well. But after they became serious I found it a little slow. But overall is a good one
June 12, 2023
beautiful
The journey we take in life brings many contrasts that bring choices that will help bring forth the best version of yourself. They may seem hard at first but in the end they are invaluable lessons towards becoming your authentic yourself living the best life that is suited towards your values.
The journey we take in life brings many contrasts that bring choices that will help bring forth the best version of yourself. They may seem hard at first but in the end they are invaluable lessons towards becoming your authentic yourself living the best life that is suited towards your values.
June 10, 2023
Loved this so much!
I absolutely love Gold/Taylor novels! Extra juicy, fun, sensual characters with these two. I enjoyed every bit of their journey. I've been recommending it to my friends as a must read!
I absolutely love Gold/Taylor novels! Extra juicy, fun, sensual characters with these two. I enjoyed every bit of their journey. I've been recommending it to my friends as a must read!
June 24, 2023
phew 🔥🔥
Love is a strong word but I loved this book!! It was steamy with many a hot scene but the story was also beautiful and low stress. The main characters were relatable (despite the money) and their growth was well written. 5 stars is well deserved.
Love is a strong word but I loved this book!! It was steamy with many a hot scene but the story was also beautiful and low stress. The main characters were relatable (despite the money) and their growth was well written. 5 stars is well deserved.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews