Loved this book. The love and care these two characters gave each other was a joy to read. Exploring sexual toys in an open and vulnerable way is something I hope to see much more of in romance novels. The consent was so well shown too.

FLAWLESS. There is nothing better than love found in unexpected places - especially when that love helps you grow and learn more about yourself, and especially when that unexpected place... is a charming little sex toy shop.

When I heard that this book was a sapphic romance set in Portland, I knew I had to read it. Satisfaction Guaranteed is a super sweet book and honestly I love that the conflict was minor compared to other romances. The ending was a bit unbelievable, but still sweet.

Things I loved about this book:
- opposites attract
- Cade started out as grumpy/serious and turns into a total cinnamon roll
- Selena’s sex positive attitude that I think anyone would love to be around especially when visiting a sex shop
- audio narration was great

Things I didn’t love:
- Selena calls Cade (in her head) gender queer a lot, but I don’t think Cade ever comes out as gender queer. I feel like calling her androgynous would have gotten the point across
- I know there’s a lot of women in this book to distinguish from, but every sentence seemed to start with “Cade said” or “Selena said” and it just broke up the flow of the book. I think as readers we could still figure out who was talking/doing something even if you just used pronouns

I liked this one, I didn’t love it but it was very cute and I definitely would read another, I loved how positive it was and the characters were cute,

3.5 stars. Satisfaction Guaranteed was exactly the kind of book I was in the mood for: a fun sapphic romance with plenty of humor. Cade and Selena are great protagonists, and Selena in particular has a great character arc. I found myself hoping for a little more from the book, but it was still a very enjoyable read.

CW: past emotionally abusive professor/student sexual relationship, family member death (cancer)

I started out not really liking this book but over time, it won be over little by little. Cade is a punctual, smart and driven young woman that is helping her parents run their art gallery. Her aunt dies and she goes to her funeral when she meets Selena after she has given her toast about her aunt and her vagina. (That was honestly pretty funny). Cade's aunt has given Cade and Selena her house but it is pretty worn down and Cade wants to fix it up and sell it.

Selena honestly annoyed me for a while. She felt way too upbeat and was using that personality to mask her real issues. Cade was a bit stuck up and looked down on a lot of people. They were complete opposites. Over time, like I said, they grew on me. They showed that their different personalities really helped balance each other out. They were also pretty cute together.

Overall, this was a cute book and I enjoyed it but it just didn't fully do it for me. I am looking forward to reading Karelia Stretz-Waters books in the future though. Definitely has potential! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Forever and Netgalley for the gifted copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I will admit I read 25% of this book and just quit. It wasn't for me. The story seemed so ridiculous to begin with- inheriting a sex store, being forced to run it with a relative of the owner. What really got me was the girl that had never had an orgasm and was trying to get that figured out. I don't buy it. I don't think anyone would work that hard and not have it figured out. Just seemed ridiculous so I quit reading.

Well, this book was absolutely delightful. I love a good sunshine vs grump story and the two main characters in this book are infinitely loveable.

Cade Elgin is the consummate professional. She works non-stop and doesn’t have time for relationships or fun. When she inherits a sex toy store, and with it a bubbly, no-filter co-owner, she’s completely thrown for a loop.

Selena Mathis is trying her hardest to make the store, Satisfaction Guaranteed, a success but she’s impulsive and constantly feels like a screw-up. She’s taken an oath of celibacy in a bid to take control of at least one aspect of her life, but her buttoned-up new co-owner is making her feel things that have her wanting to throw that oath out the window.

The two of them have to find a way to work together and save the store (and solve the rest of the inherited finance issues) or Selena is going to be out of a job, and out of a home. Even though Cade is completely out of her element with the sex toy store, and the two of them don’t get off on the best foot, they gradually start to draw out the best in each other and it’s beautiful to watch each of them grow and support each other throughout the book.

If you enjoy authors like Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall I’d definitely recommend you pick this one up…after all, Satisfaction Guaranteed. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist).

The premise of this queer romance really intrigued me. It seemed really unique, and would provide some good commentary on sex and society. While I found it to be kind of a slow start, I ended up really enjoying it once I got into the story. I loved all the discussion around sex, and the importance of communication and consent. I was rooting for Selena and Cade to get together the whole time, and I enjoyed the slow burn. The pacing of the novel as a whole seemed a bit off to me. There were some parts of the plot that I wanted more time spent on, and I sometimes felt confused about how much time was passing between events.

Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun sex-positive queer romance!

“You don’t have to be anything you’re not.”

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED is a fun, sexy queer romance about two polar opposites who inherit a sex toy shop. Cade is hardworking, controlled, and the odd one out of her free-flowing family. She works with her parents running an art gallery in NYC. She’s also never had an orgasm. When she comes to Portland for her aunt Ruth’s funeral, Cade learns she’s now the co-owner of Satisfaction Guaranteed, a quirky sex toy shop in downtown Portland. Selena, from rural Oregon, has a crew of queer sex-positive friends and has been working at the shop since she dropped out of art school. She’s as surprised as Cade to be put in charge by Ruth, who had become like a mother to her. Cade and Selena have one month to get over their differences and save the shop from financial ruin - and perhaps become something more in the process.

Things that worked for me:
- Forced proximity & opposites attract tropes, with a dash of fake engagement trope
- Simmering chemistry between Selena and Cade
- Sapphic sex scenes that felt authentic, with communication and tenderness and desire and, of course, sex toys
- Focus on consent, inclusivity, the importance of sex education, and not shaming people for lack of experience
- Story also deals a bit with family pressures, class, art, grief, and more
- Generally light-hearted and goofy and fun!

Things I had mixed feelings about:
- I wish this story had more emotional complexity. It’s very light, which I’m glad we have, but I wish some of the issues the characters dealt with had been handled more in-depth. This is my personal preference, probably related to how my own shit connects with the book, and I don’t think the author is dismissive/inconsiderate of anything important
- Relatedly, Cade and Selena overcame their problems more quickly than I felt was realistic
- Some of the dialogue felt a bit cheesy
- Minor pet peeve but Selena is supposed to be curvy and she’s illustrated as thin on the cover

Thanks to Read Forever Books for the ARC! Be safe, stay sexy, and read queer romance!

Some more quotes just to give you the flavor:
- “It was just them and their eyes locked and a giant, neon clitoris.”
- “If I weren’t celibate, I would eat you like a peach.”
- “She kissed you and showed you her vulva on a flip phone and you want to talk about QuickBooks?”

Content warnings: diet culture talk, toxic relationship, death of a family member

This was a fun and enjoyable read. I really liked Cade and Selena. I will definitely read more from this author.

Very cute sapphic story!
It was a great setting, love that they had a quest. Saving a sex shop? Please sign me up!
I enjoyed the characters, how silly they were, and how cute some scenes are.
Would have love something else for this book but it was okay!

Okay, the blurb for this book that said it was for fans of Casey McQuiston was NOT wrong! I adored this story so much!

First off, here is the Goodreads summary:
When it comes to her career, Cade Elgin has it all figured out. Only “professional talk” has become her default mode, relationships are nonexistent, and don't even mention the word “orgasm.” All work and no play makes Cade a dull human. But when she inherits a sex toy store, Cade is caught between business and a store filled with every imaginable kind of pleasure—including her infuriatingly irresponsible and deliciously sexy new co-owner.

Selena Mathis learned the hard way that she can have too much of a good thing. Which is precisely why she's taken an oath of celibacy and is focusing on how to make Satisfaction Guaranteed a success. She won't mess this up. Not this time. But once again, Selena's emotions are getting in the way, and tempting her with a serious attraction to buttoned-up Cade.

But the shop isn't exactly vibe-ing, and Cade and Selena are on the verge of losing both their income and the possibility of love. Can they find a way to work together . . . before Satisfaction Guaranteed runs out of batteries?

-------------------------

Jumping into my review, it was a solid 4 star read for me! First off, the summary made me laugh out loud before I even picked it up. The fact that Cade inherits this sex toy shop had me rolling on the floor laughing (not really, but you get the idea). I love when authors throw their characters into awkward and fun situations and Cade's situation falls exactly in that category!

The next part of this was the will they/won't they relationship between Selena and Cade. It broke my heart, made my heart soar and provided moments of hilarity and tension all at the same time! Any author that has the ability to make you feel for their characters like they are real people is a gem of a person/author!

Overall, this is definitely a book I would recommend to my fellow romance/contemporary loving friends! It's also a book I think I would enjoy a reread of via audiobook and have already placed a hold through my library!

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC copy! What a fun and entertaining rom com read. I really enjoyed the two main characters and their chemistry.

I have to admit.. anytime a summary states that the book involves a sex toy store, I know it's definitely something I'm going to love. It's a guarantee that there will be plenty of laughter and plenty of steam. Steamy romance is definitely something I enjoy.

Satisfaction Guaranteed was no exception. I love Cade and Selena! I love how their relationship evolves and the way they work together. Everything about this one is fabulous and it's not a book to be missed. I went between swooning and laughing out loud.

The perfect vacation read! This book was silly, sweet, and sexy, everything you want in a romcom! I loved how it was sex positive in a way that was comforting and funny. I also really enjoyed how this was a book of queer self discovery without being a coming out story.

Loved this so much! Definitely didn't know what to expect when I started reading, but I was all about this unexpected matchup.

Title: Satisfaction Guaranteed
Author: Karelia Stetz-Waters
Narrator: Lori Prince
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Pages: 239
Duration: 7:52

I had so much fun with my husband doing a photoshoot in Portland, where Satisfaction Guaranteed is set! The city and its weirdness are a huge part of this book. She Bop is the feminist sex-toy shop that inspired the Satisfaction Guaranteed store in the book (also a personal favorite of mine!). I had also never seen the “Keep Portland Weird” sign that everyone photographs. It was much smaller than I thought it was.

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 is 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.

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.

Verdict: This is one of my favorite books of the year. Please go and read or listen to this beautiful sapphic book!

ARC was provided to me by Forever, in exchange for an honest review.

I had so much fun reading this book -- totally here for the sex positivity, sapphic love and great side characters that made this title a must read for me. I mean in what other book could it start at a a funeral, go to a sex toy shop, and end at an art gallery with such a heartwarming story of acceptance and respect. This title was so unique, and I just loved what a light and easy to read book it was with great character development.

Cade and Selena have such a tender opposites attract story that grabbed me from the very beginning of the book and it made me want to keep reading as I cheered them & their love on. I absolutely cannot wait to read more from Karelia in the future. Thank you to Forever Publishing for the advance readers copy, and getting me all ready to shout it from the rooftops during pride month!

I stayed up late reading Satisfaction Guaranteed because I just couldn’t put it down. This book reminded me why I love contemporary romances—experiencing the heady rush of falling in love through characters that feel so real, they could walk off the page and into one of my dinner parties. Reading this brought me such joy.