Satisfaction Guaranteed

I gave up attempting to try to sleep sometime around 3 this morning, got on my phone and saw this book had just come out, and was done with this book by the time I had to get up to go to work. I've read Karelia's past works, so I knew I would enjoy this going in---but this book still managed to surprise me in how laugh out loud entertaining and genuine it felt.Karelia has a real talent for writing deeply empathetic characters of many different types/personalities (straight-laced, artistic, ex-cons, accountants, etc.), and finding the beauty in what each of these different people has to offer. The sly humor is interspersed with tug at the heartstrings moments of connection and growing. The pace is spot on with a simmering slow-build that keeps the reader engaged but also allows time for the characters to come alive.Would highly recommend. No caveats.

Satisfaction Guaranteed is about Cade and Selena who are left a failing sex-toy shop and need to turn it around in 30 days before foreclosure starts. Despite being a successful businesswoman, Cade is inexperienced in the bedroom. Selena became close with Cade’s aunt and helped run the store. Selena is still getting over a horrible relationship and has taken a vow of celibacy until she has healed. She fears falling into her old traps of having one-night stands.Three words to describe this book: Vulva. Painting. Party.Cover: I love the color palate on the cover, but the illustrations left me wanting more.Character Development: For a romantic comedy, I thought the author did a great job with both Selena and Cade’s character development by alternating perspectives. I loved how sex-positive this book was and how it explored some of the challenges around sex such as lack of confidence and emotional connection. I also loved how toys were used throughout the encounters in such an authentic way. I also loved the supporting characters that made up a beautiful chosen family.World-Building: The author lives in Portland and gets the Portland culture from the first page starting at the funeral of Cade’s aunt where Selena delivers a unique eulogy. Everyone is decked in gold and a jar of edibles are being passed around at the funeral. The Portland queer scene is further developed throughout the book. I can just picture Satisfaction Guaranteed and the Merman Christmas tree.Narrator: I enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook, but I think they missed out on the opportunity to have a different narrator for each main character.Plot & Pacing: This is a slow burn romance that makes use of the opposites-attract trope quite effectively. The build-up was delicious. I thought the pacing was excellent and plot developments were placed throughout. The steam level is high with this book!Verdict: This is one of my favorite books of the year. Please go and read or listen to this beautiful sapphic book!ARC/ALC provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this sapphic, opposites-attract rom com. It was funny, awkward at times, heartfelt, and lovely.In this original story, Cade Elgin is part owner and main operator of the renowned Elgin Art Gallery. Thrust into her career at an early age, business mode has become her default. She's all work and no play. She's been intimate with very few women (as most seem interested in her for her career and what she can do for theirs) and has never experienced an orgasm. So it's a bit ironic that she inherits a sex toy shop in Portland when her aunt passes away. But she doesn't inherit it alone. Her new co-owner is free-spirited artist Selena Mathis who has taken a vow of celibacy. Can the two avoid temptation as they work together to save Satisfaction Guaranteed?I enjoyed this story's Portland setting, the art scene, and the attention to detail (including that LEED certification reference.) But most of all, I enjoyed Cade, Selena and their cast of supporting characters. I hope the author writes more stories in this world.

Everyone wants that fun, light summer read…you might assume a romance book can’t surpass that level, but you’d be wrong. This book IS fun (I mean, it has everything from a hysterically incoherent eulogy to gay mermen ornaments), but it is beautifully written and very clever. The descriptions of art, viewing and creating it, make you long to paint. The scenes depicting the longing of these two women to be “more” and to be “seen,”hit you right in the gut, because we have all been there. The honoring of your authentic true self is woven throughout the whole book. And the details about Portland are a nod to anyone who has lived here and eaten tots in a dive bar. I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend.

Like most lesbian romances most of the tension is because THEY DON'T TELL EACH OTHER HOW THEY FEEL. But the characters are fun, the story is about a ridiculous, funny situation, loved the eulogy. The author went on my favorite list. I hope she continues to write and I will read every thing of hers I can get my hands on.

This book sure did surprise and delight!! From the very first chapter I was laughing and intrigued. The rest of the story didn't disappoint. The characters were quirky and loveable and the story was different and refreshing. So nice to have a funny, heartwarming story with such unique characters. Highly recommend!

Cade and Selena, the two women who seem improbable as a couple but turn out to be perfect for each other, stand out among a colorful cast of supporting characters. Humor lifts the story from the first line through the final page, even with serious issues woven in that raise the stakes far beyond who’ll sleep w whom. Bonuses: fun sex ed, realistic capture of painters’ creativity and business, and of course Portland, OR as an endearing character

Buttoned up Cade and sex shop worker Selena. They are perfect for each other. If they will let themselves. Wonderful sweet romance. Enjoy.

This book was highly recommended on podcast "Queerly Recommended" so I decided to give it a try. It did not disappoint! While the situation that throws the two protagonists together is a little unbelievable, it is entirely in line with the quirkiness of the story and its characters. This is a light-hearted yet heartfelt rom-com that will have you laughing and empathizing with the characters!

Wow. I cannot say enough good things about this book. Had me from the first page. Beautiful tale of love woven in with a shared passion for art. 10/10 would recommend. Plus, Eclectic and funny.