The Lay of You

The Lay of You by Corrie MacKay is more than just an erotic romance; it’s an emotional, deeply affecting exploration of resilience, healing, and love. With top-tier writing and characters that linger long after the last page, MacKay has crafted an intense, thought-provoking story that’s absolutely worth every moment. From the outset, the connection between Jennifer and Dosie is palpable and undeniable. Jennifer Dupont, the elegant and guarded Director of an elite escort service, exudes control and confidence, keeping her heart under lock and key. In contrast, Theodosia "Dosie" Fisher, a woman tenaciously piecing herself back together after escaping an abusive cult, is ready to reclaim her life. When Dosie decides to hire Jennifer as a way to safely explore her desires and confront past fears, it sets off a journey of mutual discovery and vulnerability that’s both poignant and intense. MacKay’s sensitive handling of difficult themes, including trauma and recovery. Dosie’s journey especially resonated with me—her courage in facing her past and stepping into her power made me want to give her the biggest hug. I found myself rooting for her happiness, for her to finally find a space where she could feel safe and loved. Despite the heavy topics, the story shines as a testament to overcoming fear and embracing a sex-positive life, showing that even after unimaginable trauma, healthy, fulfilling relationships are possible. The emotional growth between Jennifer and Dosie is…

I was captivated by Jennifer's intense desire for Dosie right from the start. She saw the shame and longing within her, wanting to uncover the dark corners of her heart that she kept hidden from others. This book was truly a work of art, beautifully written. I hadn't been able to read much lately due to the hardships I faced in life. The loss of my daughter's father and my sister-in-law had left me feeling emotionally drained. But this book was the perfect reintroduction to my happy place. Dosie had endured so much in her life, fighting tirelessly to regain control over herself and her body. I must caution that this story touches on sensitive topics. It explores sexual abuse, various forms of religious abuse, and the lasting effects they have on individuals. However, despite the pain and empathy I felt for the main character, who had endured immense trauma in her childhood, I couldn't put the book down. The story was hauntingly beautiful, evoking a deep sense of empathy and sympathy for survivors of abuse. It showcased the strength and resilience of women who have overcome their past traumas. Jennifer's love for Dosie was undeniable, and together they faced their traumas head-on, overcoming every obstacle in their path. The story was beautifully written, and it left me with a profound admiration for their journey. This book will undoubtedly be one of my top 10 reads of 2023. I wholeheartedly recommend it. It lingers in your mind, hauntingly beautiful, and the author even…

Awakening. Vulnerability. Emotion. Love. Lovemaking. Life. Resilence. Healing. ....Transcendence. Trauma, the underlying storyline for Dosie, has been slowly putting herself back together from an unimaginable past (years of layers of abuse), and is demanding sexual exploration (of which she has had none, or at least not in the ways she desires). You can't help but love Dosie. Whose strength and courage to heal, from a despicable, violent childhood, years of work & therapy, shape her now impressive level of emotional intelligence. I'm rather jealous (from years of therapy myself), how well she is as she navigates her feelings, her desires. Her level of self-awareness and understanding is truly inspiring. And, addictive. Reclaiming her power. Her life, which was unfairly taken from her. And now - sexual discovery. ....enter the "Director." Jennifer DuPont, and yes, saying the name will do things. Jennifer, an owner and active participant in a very discreet, elite escort service. Mackay creates a lustful character whose power, control, and confidence in human desire "knock.You.Out. Of.The.Park." However, the reader will learn that Jennifer has her own trauma - untamed - neglected - and therefore is trapped and limited by it. Crafting a life that protects her from the trauma. Limited. Painfully limited. Jennifer disparately wants to help Dosie explore every inch of her beautiful body and experience the flavor of erotica. And she wants to be the one to give it. All of it.…

This definitely isn't your basic sapphic romance novel. It's truly a unique story that has a lot of depth. I really enjoyed this author's ability to tell a story. This is the first Corrie Mackay book I've read and I'm excited to read more.

I am sure several people have pointed out this was based on an fan fic by this brilliant writer. I was wary to buy a Kindle version since I've reread the fan fic story a half a dozen times already (its one of my all time top 20 fan fics ever) and thought Ms. MacKay would just change the names of the characters and not much else. I was delighted to find she did not do this but actually expanded this story to give greater emotional depth to 'Jennifer' character who was much more enigmatic in the fan fic story. How Ms. MacKay writes just blows me away because she tunes into what emotionally and sexually makes my soul happy. I loved this story for its emotional and sexual intensity, for making me deeply care for these characters, for making the characters so realistic, and just making me care and not wanting this story to end. In terms of a woman loving woman story, this is one of the best one's I've EVER read and I've been reading published lesbian fic since the 1990s (Yes, I'm that old!) In conclusion, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this story and am very much looking forward to the sequel.