The Nora Theory

Sierra Simone’s books have always had a way of burrowing themselves in my mind, making themselves unforgettable in the vast landscape of spicy literature. Salt Kiss is no exception.

Salt Kiss is the first in the Lyonesse trilogy, a contemporary retelling of the story of Tristan and Isolde. I held off on reading this first book so I could time it to where the second was coming out relatively soon, but that backfired a little bit. This book was so incredible that June no longer feels soon at all. I’m dying to know what happens next with these three.

This trilogy is set in the same world as the New Camelot series. It’s actually a pretty accurate retelling of the medieval tale, in which Tristan travels to Ireland to bring Isolde back to marry Mark, a King in the original tale, an insanely wealthy special ops agent turned sex club owner in the modern interpretation. Apologies for the mild spoilers, but the story is nearly a thousand years old so, oh well.

Besides the basic framework, the retelling still feels like an entirely new and fresh story. Tristan is a 29-year-old combat veteran who is also a virgin, which is a new one for me. He also does not just fall madly in love with Isolde, but also with her intended, his boss Mark. It’s messy, deeply intense, and unspeakably sexy.

As can be expected from a story that largely takes place at a sex club, this book is quite kinky. The kink is really well done, and it blends with the story instead of completely overtaking it. This book has enough spice to make even the most seasoned of romance readers blush, but it doesn’t sacrifice the substance to do it.

The story is told from a single point-of-view, Tristan’s, which is an interesting choice. It’s not what I expected for a book with such intensity and passion between the characters, but it works well enough. If the next book is in Isolde’s or Mark’s point-of-view that will really round things out.

I’m fully obsessed with Salt Kiss. It’s intense. It’s intelligent. It’s just so good. Shoot it into my veins. Sierra Simone’s retellings have me forever in their snare. But a warning, this book ends on a cliffhanger, and it killed me. I am so invested in these three and their messy-as-fuck love triangle of a sort.

Writing: 4

Spice: 4.5

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