These were exactly what I’d thought they’d be. Fun and steamy and just a sapphic-ly awesome good time. Nothing ground breaking but that’s not always what you’re looking for. The collection delivers on its name, excellent.

Although this fell short for me on the “angst and excitement of forbidden love few would dare,” All for Her was still a solid collection of well-written, enjoyable tales of women-loving-women romance. The boundaries being tested here are a mix of professional and personal, and while none of them are truly forbidden, there’s just enough tension and guilt to carry them through.

Her Boss’s Wife by Gun Brooke tells the story of a woman, her tyrannical jerk of a boss, and his very soon-to-be ex-wife. This probably felt the most forbidden of the trio, with January risking the good word of her boss (and potentially her future) by chasing the woman who’s captured her imagination. It’s one of those trope-filled stories that relies on coincidence to enable the romance, but there’s a sweetness and a vulnerability to it that I enjoyed.

Her Therapist’s Daughter by J.J. Hale is more quietly forbidden, with Freya and Blake getting together without knowing they share a connection. They’re a fun couple with an instant connection, and I loved how the story moved from cute to lusty while playing with some awkward moments along the way.

Her Brother’s Girlfriend by Aurora Rey didn’t connect with me as well as the other two. It felt less forbidden and more heartbreaking, and I think that was the issue for me. The jump from boyfriend to sister felt rushed, and the story didn’t allow space for the emotions of that to be fully explored.

What all three stories had in common is one, likable characters with personalities, and two, romances that are sweet and satisfying.

This was a great anthology. I liked all three stories. Each author did an excellent job of writing these stories. The characters were written well in each one. I liked all the relationships between the main characters and the romances were all very romantic. I won't give any spoilers, just know that this is a book that you should buy and read. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family, and I look forward to what these authors have coming up next.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This was fun and different for me. I don’t usually read books full of short stories but I really enjoyed this!!

Three good well written spicy novella that will leave you warm and fuzzy on the inside. My favorite is the second story. In Her Therapist Daughter. I recommend


Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books.

Review of All For Her: Forbidden Romance Novellas
* * * * *
Three spicy novels featuring forbidden and enticing lesbian romances that leave you warm and bubble inside.

Her Boss’s wife by Gun Brooke:
January Wild works hard for her stubborn rude boss who is currently going through divorcing his beautiful wife Mallory Davigne.
She knows she shouldn't be attracted to the woman, much less feel pulled over to work for her due to not wanting to pick sides and affect her job.
However, things start to steam up after one good dead and being caught in the rain.
I liked how it was professional, but the tension was light and slowly starting to build. Loved Mallory's grandfather, he was a hoot!

Her Therapist’s Daughter by JJ Hale:
Who would have guessed that one therapy session to get herself wanting more towards an intimate relationship would lead to the one person that might meet that very ideal is the daughter of your therapist.
Not Freya Clarke or Blake Doyle.
Steamy texting, bath tub naughtiness and facing deeper emotions.

Her Brother’s Girlfriend by Aurora Rey:
A forbidden little romance with mixing up feelings towards the people you shouldn't.
Poor Hadley Devine has a little problem. She's in love with Brianna Kerns, her brother's girlfriend. It's awkward. It's dirty thoughts. It's bubbling tension. It's hot break up naughtiness!

The first novella in All for Her is "Her Boss's Wife" by Gun Brooke. This was my first taste of Brooke's writing & I'm looking forward to going back and reading more of her works. While the ending declarations of love felt somewhat abrupt, I really enjoyed the tension and build up over the course of the short chapters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The second novella, "Her Therapist's Daughter," is by JJ Hale. I've read all of Hale's books and absolutely loved this novella. This story depicted a sweet, honest relationship between imperfect humans who each have their own baggage. And the spice level...chef's kiss! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The final novella is "Her Brother's Girlfriend" by Aurora Rey. This is my second time reading Rey's work & I love her takes on restaurant romance. I appreciated that while this started as a forbidden romance story, there was no cheating involved and lots of open communication. I only wish it was longer! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC.

This book gave 3 novellas that showed forbidden romances in a way that I hadn't read before, 3 good reads overall.

A collection of 3 novella-length tales, all sweet and engaging with likable leads. The “forbidden” element isn’t to be confused with anything “taboo,” which would likely involve darker tones than then light of what’s here. Your boss’s nearly ex-wife, your therapist’s daughter, and your brother’s girlfriend make for engaging enough setups to hang uncomplicated stories that progress neatly, in approx. 80 pages each, through the stages of the stories that you would expect.

The angst is mild, all generated by the “should I or shouldn’t I” go for it. The answers turn out to be no… then yes… and maybe “we can’t… can we?” … or perhaps the other way around … before each tale concludes.

All For Her is a nice, stress-free read, perfect for when you’re wanting something uncomplicated and sweet. Each story can easily be read in one or two sittings if you wish.

And as a taster of each author’s writing, this collection again succeeds, with the three stories feeling even in tone and appeal. My favorite, if I am pushed to say, was “Her Therapist’s Daughter” for the chemistry and sudden reveal. Or maybe “Her Brother’s Girlfriend” for all the built-up unrequited love Hadley has felt for Brianna since high school. Or maybe “Her Boss’s Wife” for the lovely winter feels and a sweet supporting character. OK, I’ll plump for “Her …” :)

Don’t expect earthshaking tremors here, that’s not what All For Her is for. Do enjoy sweet, low-angst short reads with interesting leads.

Thanks to the publisher—the amazing Bold Strokes Books—the authors, and to NetGalley for the chance to relax into this ARC.

3 Novellas about forbidden love.

Her boss’s wife by Gun Brooke; January Wild has a thing for her boss’s soon to be ex-wife, Mallory Davigne. This story was short and sweet. I like both the main characters. But I wished that this could be more of a novel length as I felt that it was rushed through a bit and hence could have been a lot better if it was not a novella.

Her therapist’s daughter by JJ Hale. Freya Clarke met Blake Doyle and got along very well. There was a sex ban that left both longing. Just that both knew someone in common that they did not expect. Now this book was really really good. The 2 main characters had so much chemistry. I wished this was a whole book in itself. I liked both the characters. Both had issues of their own to deal with. Loved how the story turned out.

Her brother’s girlfriend by Aurora Rey. Hadley Devine is in love with her brother’s girlfriend, Brianna Kerns. The question is, what happens when the feelings are mutual. This was my least favourite but it was a pleasant read nonetheless.

The first book felt rather incomplete but the latter 2 was ok and able to convey the whole story. I liked both the idea of forbidden love as you tend to feel more intense feelings by the characters. And guilt. And longing. A recommended read for sure.

I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All For Her contains three different stories by three different authors. They all share a common theme of a woman falling for someone “forbidden” for various reasons. In “Her Boss’s Wife” by Gun Brooke, a young assistant to an attorney is in love with his wife, who he is in the process of divorcing. In “Her Therapist’s Daughter” by J.J. Hale, a woman falls in love with her therapist's daughter. In “Her Brother’s Girlfriend” by Aurora Rey, a woman is in love with her brother’s girlfriend of ten years.

Since these are all short stories, it is expected that these are fast-paced. While each one was interesting and could have been expanded, I appreciated the short form. I do miss the fleshing-out a full-length book could have given these characters. I think the authors did well on each one and it serves as a good intro piece to each of them. The stories all had a good combo of romance, spice, and plot tucked into the short stories.

My one complaint is the cover. The cover doesn’t represent three stories, and I personally am not a fan of photography on covers. I also prefer covers that don’t look like you’re reading erotica in public.

I would recommend this to any sapphic romance readers especially if one is looking for bite-sized reads.

2.5 stars (rounded up)

I enjoy a high stakes tryst story and I hoped that’s what I’d be getting with the three stories in All For Her, but unfortunately for the most part the collection was underwhelming.

Across the board with exception to the last story I wouldn’t class any of the stories as “forbidden”; unusual, maybe unorthodox, perhaps a bit awkward, but not anything that screams “we shouldn’t be doing this”. There’s a slight caveat to that with Aurora Rey’s story, as I think anyone with a sibling would likely consider starting a relationship with your sibling’s partner of a decade the day after they split up, pretty forbidden on a number of levels!

First and foremost before diving into each of the individual stories, these are novellas and so there’s a certain grace given in terms of detail and timescales as is the case with most short stories.

Her Boss’s Wife – Gun Brooke

January Wild has a crush on her boss’s soon to be ex-wife, and yet she needs a letter of recommendation from said boss to move to her dream job. I couldn’t get on board with this story at all, it genuinely felt like I’d picked up a book and started reading it half way through and was expected to gel with the characters. The brewing desire is at worst inconvenient to the two main characters as it might jeopardize the divorce proceedings, but it’s certainly not what I would call forbidden. On top of that January’s boss is a sleaze ball and the narrative seems to condone January putting up with his misogynistic behaviour in order to advance her career. Not to say that likely doesn’t still happen in the real world but an outdated viewpoint in my opinion.

Her Therapist’s Daughter – J.J. Hale

This story centered around the main character Freya and her self-discovery work in therapy – particularly that of maintaining a romantic relationship rather than fleeting hook ups. An outrageous flirt and good at the game, it doesn’t take long for Freya to hit it off with Blake, the woman she literally ran into outside her therapist’s building. What follows is the blossoming of a romantic relationship between Freya and Blake from flirting to first dates, Freya realizes that for Blake she’ll do all the hard work in the world if it means the chance of a real relationship. That is until Blake introduces Freya’s therapist as her mum, overwhelmed and panicked Freya turns tail and flees. This story was better, more engaging, and with depth to the characters and storyline. However whilst Freya’s therapist being Blake’s mum is for sure awkward as all hell, it was still not a coupling that I would class as forbidden.

Her Brother’s Girlfriend – Aurora Rey

This is the only story out of the three that I truly see as forbidden in some shape or form. As a twin myself I cannot imagine sleeping with my twin brother’s (ex) girlfriend – ever – never mind the same night they split up from a decade old relationship! I think what I like perhaps the most about this story though is that whilst Hadley has had feelings for Brianna since high school, she’s never tried to muscle in on Brad’s relationship with Brianna. For the most part Hadley’s kept her feelings under wraps whilst still being a part of Brad and Brianna’s life. And whilst coming home to run the family restaurant throws them all into the closest proximity they’ve all found themselves in for a while, I liked that the author didn’t go down the cheating route. Instead we get to see the natural (albeit quick) demise of Brianna and Brad’s time together as he finds a new love at the same time that Brianna realizes her true feelings for Hadley. Some of the re-couplings may feel a bit quick, but I think in some respects that has to be par for the course with novellas, other wise they’d become a full length novel.

Overall, I think Her Therapist’s Daughter and Her Brother’s Girlfriend are the stories that held the most promise enjoyment wise, but I’m not convinced that any of the three hit the point of sale blurb.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Three novellas forbidden love that overcame

Her Boss Wife: January is stuck between her boss and his soon to be ex wife Mallory as they go through a divorce she secretly has a thing for Mallory doesn’t realize Mallory feels the same way. They are both force to confront feelings but will they have a chance to be together although I enjoy this read I felt them having feelings were told rather than shown and love the grandfather.

Her Therapist’s Daughter: Freya is seeing a therapist Moria to figure herself out. While leaving her therapist she bumps into Blake and there encounters was intense as they both gets to know each other they don’t realize they share someone in common and it’s cute how the miss opportunities to find out and when they did. Good Read.

Her Brother’s Girlfriend: Hadley returns home to help out in her family restaurant she didn’t expect to working along side her unrequited love Brianna since high school and she happens to be her brother girlfriend. Hadley and Brianna connection is palpable and I like that it’s wasn’t a cheating story did enjoy the family dynamics overall ok read.

All For Her: Forbidden Romance Novellas is a sizzling, emotional, and richly layered collection that plunges readers into the angst, thrill, and undeniable chemistry of forbidden love. Gun Brooke, J.J. Hale, and Aurora Rey each bring their unique flair to the table, delivering heartfelt stories about love that defies boundaries, expectations, and societal norms. While the novellas vary in tone and intensity, the collection as a whole is a satisfying exploration of longing, connection, and risk.

"Her Boss's Wife" by Gun Brooke sets the tone with its tale of workplace drama and emotional upheaval. January Wild’s predicament—caught between professional ambition and a taboo attraction—is immediately compelling. Brooke excels at building tension, particularly in the stolen glances and quiet moments between January and her boss’s estranged wife. The messy, morally gray nature of the situation adds depth to the romance, and the stakes feel real as January grapples with risking her future for love. The pacing is tight, though some readers may crave more insight into the wife’s emotional landscape beyond her strained marriage. Still, this story delivers a delicious mix of tension and release.

"Her Therapist’s Daughter" by J.J. Hale is arguably the most tender of the collection, diving deep into themes of healing, self-discovery, and fate. Freya’s journey is beautifully written—her vulnerability is palpable as she pieces herself back together after emotional turmoil. The serendipitous romance with her therapist’s daughter is handled with a surprising amount of sensitivity and nuance, given the potentially messy setup. Hale’s choice to keep the story centered on Freya’s growth makes the romance feel authentic rather than scandalous. The slow realization of their connection is heartwarming, though the short format means some moments of character development feel condensed.

"Her Brother’s Girlfriend" by Aurora Rey is a standout for its emotional complexity and sizzling chemistry. Hadley’s unrequited love for Brianna, simmering since high school, is a relatable ache for anyone who has ever fallen for someone out of reach. Rey captures the claustrophobia of small-town life and the weight of familial obligation beautifully. The restaurant setting adds a cozy, tactile element to their interactions, with cooking scenes brimming with sensuality. The tension between duty and desire is at its peak here, and when the emotional dam finally breaks, the payoff is immensely satisfying. The only critique is that the resolution feels a touch rushed given the weight of their shared history.

The collection as a whole shines in its ability to balance internal conflict with romantic tension. Each story presents different iterations of forbidden love, ranging from workplace complications to deep-seated personal ties. The novellas avoid veering into melodrama, choosing instead to focus on the humanity of their characters—their fears, hopes, and need for connection. The brevity of the format means that some storylines feel truncated, but the emotional impact remains strong.

At 4 stars, All For Her is a tantalizing anthology that celebrates love in all its messy, complicated glory. Brooke, Hale, and Rey weave narratives that are as emotionally resonant as they are steamy, showcasing the thrill of forbidden connections and the courage it takes to follow your heart, even when it breaks the rules. Fans of forbidden romance with strong, complex heroines will find this collection impossible to put down—and impossible to forget.

Honestly still thinking about these books. And not quite sure how I feel about them. Some parts more than others touched a line of morality for me. And of course I new this. It's about forbidden love. And the telling of them was great to be fair. And I will definitely be thinking more about them even after ive put them down. And definitely be reading more from these authors.
I do love a book that consists of a triple read. That was a great treat. It feels like a magical bonus of getting more books from one , ha!
The push me pull me storyline was very relatable in book 1 and the tenderness shown in book one was really great.
So I think I could write a wholly different review in a few weeks when I've come back and around from getting my thoughts straight. But that for me does indeed make them a worthwhile read. The fact I am still thinking about them.
And of course romance books are always a little over the line in the reality stakes or cross certain lines along the way sometimes.

This topic is really alluring—it's a promise of tension and spice, potentially toeing the line of morality.

Her Boss's Wife by Gun Brooke: 3 stars. I really liked the forced proximity and the meddling grandfather, but the feelings between the characters seemed to come out of nowhere after their initial encounters. Everything moved too quickly for me, even for a novella.

Her Therapist's Daughter by J.J. Hale: 4 stars. The story is connected to her previous books. I like J.J. Hale's writing and the sweet development of the characters' relationship, their vulnerability. However, there wasn’t much room for angst or tension.

Her Brother’s Girlfriend by Aurora Rey: 2 stars. Lusting after a sibling's partner is a trope I’ve never liked. My moral compass doesn’t allow it, and the ending was way too unrealistic for me.

Overall, I had a good time reading it, but I don’t think I got the angst, tension, and lust that you would expect from this trope. Maybe novellas aren’t the right format for these kinds of stories to be fully developed.

Three novellas with the central theme of them being a forbidden romance. I have already read and enjoyed multiple novels from each of the authors. (I often read novellas or anthologies as a way of finding new authors.) Each of the stories has well developed (for a novella) characters.

Things that I enjoyed:

My Boss’s Wife - The innate kindness of January Wild. And I like the little bit of push/pull intrigue with her boss.

Her Therapist’s Daughter - This was my favorite of the three stories. The two main characters are fully developed and are both trying to communicate honestly. The story takes them from meet-cute, through flirtation, dates and more. Other relationships that get attention include mother/daughter, therapist/patient. The fact that this also ties in with Hale’s Truly series, which I have read, was a nice bonus.

Her Brother’s Girlfriend - This story gets around the getting to know you as mains have all grown up together. I may have wanted a little more time between calling things off with the brother and taking up with the sister. But I will go with it as novella’s time frames can be short. I liked the setting of working in the family restaurant.

Overall a likable and quick read. I liked the cover as well and thought it was eye catching. Hale’s story pulls my overall rating higher.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. The writing was great and the characters were well developed. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

The first story, "Her boss's wife" by Gun Brooke, was quite enjoyable. Had a slight bit of intrigue as well as romance which made it more interesting. I quite like most of the books I've read by this author.
The other two stories were ok but a bit cliched I thought. Still readable.
These are all obviously written as short stories so have to be resolved quote quickly. I may have found them more interesting if they had been longer with more content about the characters.

Unfortunately these short stories were a disappointing.

Gun Brooke's Her Boss's Wife: So unbelievable that they think they will get caught and I did not feel any chemistry.

J.J. Hale's Her Therapist's Daughter: Interesting story but I never felt it, kind of boring story.

Aurora Rey's Her Brother's Girlfriend: Hooking up with your brother's ex the same night they broke up is such a big no even if you have had a crush on her for a decade. Thus, no way I could enjoy this story.