I’ve had a bit of an up and down relationship with Sierra Simone and I am so glad that I decided to pick this one up. I loved Tristan and how sweetly romantic he is. Normally that kind of obsessive attraction/love puts me off as it leans towards toxic, but for some reason I was equally as obsessed with him.

The parallels between his time in the army and how that lends well to him taking orders and really just wanting someone to tell him what to do, finding the freedom in that, was really interesting. Then you bring in Isolde and UGH. It was just all so hot.

One of the bad things about reading ebooks is that the end can sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention. The end definitely snuck up and left me on a cliffhanger that I am devastated I have to wait for the next instalment. Now I’m mad at myself for not buying this book when I saw it in the shops the other day…

Thanks to #NetGallery and the publisher. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance/Erotica
Format: Audio
POV: Single
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Age suggestion: 18+

First. I would recommend you read the prequel, Salt Wound . You will learn how Isolde is forced into an arranged marriage. This is slow burn with a bit of a love triangle. Tristan a former decorated soldier who came home. And Mark, a club owner. Tristen ends up finding out about Isolde, who is Mark fiancé. Not knowing the particulars of their relationship. Mark asks Tristan to retrieve Isolde, from New England. And in doing so, spends 3 weeks with her on a marks yacht. And lets me honest, know one writes smut like miss Sierra Simone. I can’t wait for book 3, because this does end on a cliff hanger.

Somehow this was my first Sierra Simone book. With that spice and that ending it definitely won’t be my last! 🥵

I’m off to go read the prequel that I didn’t know about while I impatiently wait for book two.

This was such a good forbidden romance book and I cannot wait for the next one!
As always, Sierra writes in such a poetic and emotional way. Even though this book has a lot of spice, and we're talking MM, MF, BDSM and kink kinda of spice, it still had emotional layers to the characters and plot.

I read the prequel novella, Salt in the Wound, before this one (not so much of a novella as a whole book but still) and I definitely recommend you do the same. Not only is it a good read, but it also gives you some great backstory to Isolde and Mark.

I don't want to give any spoilers but I will say that while the series will be MMF, this book is only MM and MF.

It's a perfect book for anyone who's looking for a darker, spicy, bodyguard romance with a Tristan and Isolde retelling twist!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a little bit of a meh for me. I understand that this is a building book but it just was slow and uneventful.
I was bothered by the whole "yeah, he sleeps with his body guards" like what? It was just a "oh you're the new one" it bugged me.
I felt more passion and connection between Tristen and Isolde than Mark and Tristen.
I liked the underlying element of the who secrets and the club dynamic.

Sierra Simone has just an incredible way of writing spicy books that have the reader completely captivated from cover to cover. I went into this book not being familiar with the story of Tristan and Isolde but I had read the prequel novella, Salt in the Wound, so had some understanding of who the characters of this story are.

The New Camelot series is probably my favourite romance series so the fact that Lyonesse is a companion series makes me so excited and I can't wait to read Honey Cut and the as-yet-untitled book 3. On the subject of the New Camelot series, I would advise reading that before Lyonesse not only because you will get more enjoyment from tiny fun moments but also because this book has a massive spoiler for something that happens in American King. For reference, Salt Kiss takes place roughly 2 years after the end of New Camelot.

What I find so fascinating about Simone's writing is that she will write about kinks that I don't think are my cup of tea but the way that she writes makes it sound very appealing 😂

This book is being described as having a cliffhanger but I think as far as cliffhangers go, it is actually on the mild side, I probably wouldn't even describe it as a cliffhanger if it hadn't already been described as such. For reference, this book definitely does end on as dramatic a note as American Queen.

If you are looking for amazing bisexual, kinky, poly rep where the characters are practising Catholics and don't feel complicated about being both queer and religious, you should definitely check this series out!

Mwah, chef's kiss. Sierra Simone has done it again. Ten years ago, it would be impossible to find erotica/romance in a library. Now we have patrons consistently requesting these books. I'm glad I was able to read this one prior to ordering it. It will make an amazing addition to our collections and our patrons will love it.

Sierra has taken her writting up a notch hotter with this series. Salt Kiss was amazing and at times jaw dropping. With the triangle of Mark, Tristan, and Isolde I keep running scenarios in my head as to how this will end. All are delicious in my mind and I can't wait for part two of the trilogy.

This is an author I really enjoy! This was a one POV shown through the eyes of Tristan. He was a soldier, a virgin, and wants a job to keep busy. He really has a heart! Tristan gets hired as Mark’s new bodyguard. Mark owns a kink club. These two have instant chemistry! But both aren’t ready to go for it. Mark is someone with a lot of secrets….he takes secrets in payments as well. Tristan eventually tells Mark he wants him but Mark says no. When Mark takes a trip to England, Tristan come along. That’s when they finally give in and have all the steaminess! Later Mark sends Tristan to escort his bride to be on his yacht. Well not Tristan and Isolde can’t stay away from each other either! This book was slow for part but really picked up! I hate being left on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait for the next one!! Such a great steamy read!

Was archived too quickly and not able to finish. What I read had been ok, but as stated from approval it was archived not long after so not enough time to read

Sierra Simone is the author I save for THAT time of the month when spicy books just hit different. Her sex scenes are well-written, without being overdone, and I absolutely adore the dynamics in her poly romances. I don't normally read M/M, but appreciate Sierra's approach in ensuring that the relationship between Mark and Tristan was fleshed out and full of delicious chemistry - all without Isolde even in the picture yet.

Thank you to Sierra Simone, NetGalley, and Bloom Books for an advanced copy of the book for my review.

Overall would give this a 3.5⭐️. If you are looking for good levels of spice, this is your book. I think this had a good balance of story with the spice throughout the novel.

I am hoping that as the series continues we get more delivery on the promise of Mark as this big bad, and I hope we see more of the twin sister as we only got small tastes of either of them. I also hope we learn more about Mark, he’s being set up as a very multidimensional character and I hope that stays.

Sierra Simone’s writing is really beautifully done. She has a really great style which shines throughout the novel. Though I personally wasn’t quite as attached to a lot of the story, there was just something missing but I wonder if I will get more of what I’m hoping for in book 2?

Sierra Simone does not hold back on her spice and I love it!! This woman has done it again!! Love her stories and can’t wait for the next one in this series!

This book is chefs kiss!!! It has all the classic elements of Sierra Simone’s poetic writing perfection- love, passion, angst, spiciness. I did read this book, Salt Kiss first and then the prequel novella, Salt in the Wound. I loved reading these two books this way as Isolde was a mystery to me. I got to know her as Tristan was knowing her without the backstory. Salt Kiss is about Tristan’s story of taking a new job with Mark Trevena as his new bodyguard. Tristan is naive and not really knowing what he is in for in the job. I am not sure us as readers know either (if I learned anything from the Camelot trilogy there are many more layers to unfold). Mark is a very calculated character. I love both these characters. They are so complex but told in such a way you can’t help but root for them. The first half of book is Mark and Tristan’s story and halfway through we get Isolde to enter the story. Can’t wait for more in this trilogy! Many thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

It wouldn’t be a Sierra Simone book without a smex scene in a church! 😂

I’m struggling to find the words to express how much I loved this book. I purposely read this one slow so I could enjoy it for as long as possible since we don’t get book 2 until next year!

Sierra did what Sierra does best. Forbidden, taboo love in a power dynamic that’s sure to leave someone or all parties heartbroken. She wrote a tortured MMC who needs some guidance and finds it at the hands of the one person who can never truly be his.

The way she writes is so poetic. She exposes the raw character whose POV it is to the readers in such a way as to really put us in their headspace and in the moment.

On top of the expected D/s dynamic and getting to experience Tristan embracing being everything Mark needs, we get a great example of how difficult it is for soldiers to reintegrate into civilian life and why many of them fall into jobs with the rigidity and structure they’re used to. This is also why Tristan makes such a great submissive.

We still really only get a glimpse of Mark and his inner workings, this time from Tristan’s perspective. Although he expects to know everything about everyone else, he’s very guarded with himself, only letting those closest to him in only the slightest bit. He comes across as calm and indifferent but gives just enough attention to leave his subs confused and wanting more.

I’m glad I read “Salt in the Wound” (prequel novella) before this one to get the glimpse of Isolde leading up to this book. She’s the sacrificial “lamb” and this is her final hoorah.

Things I loved:
• The tension
• The setting
• The realistic “once they start, they don’t stop” lust & smexy time
• The connections/dynamic
• The spicy scenes

I can’t wait for the next installment!

I honestly don't know how to review this until I've finished the series, but I'll give it a shot. Salt Kiss is a set up for what's to come. I haven't formed an opinion on any of its characters yet because experience (Camelot trilogy) tells me it's too soon. What I do know is that it's fiery hot, unapologetic, and a bit shocking--though admittedly, it's been a while since I've read BDSM or kink so "Bondage for Beginners" would probably shock me at this point. I also know I couldn't put it down and I cannot wait to read what happens next.

FYI, I felt a lot of these same things after reading American Queen, and that series became one of my favorites EVERRRRRR. Ms. Simone's plots unfold very slowly--but not in a way that's frustrating. You never really know you're lacking information until she gives it to you. So if something seems implausible, chances are you don't know as much as you think you do. With Camelot, book one posed questions (that I was oblivious to), and book two began answering them. Ergo, I NEED book two. For research.

This was beautiful. The spice was amazing and everything flowed great. I do wish it wasn't split into two books, this should have been one long book. The "cliffhanger" felt like a cheat tbh.

I am DESPARATE for the second book!

I had read the prequel for Salt Kiss, and I will say that I'm glad i did even though I don't think it's absolutely necessary before picking up Salt Kiss. Given Salt Kiss is from Tristan's perspective, I felt the prequel gave be a good foundation for knowing more about Mark and Isolde as individuals, as well as their dynamic, which made Tristan's perspective more poignant and impactful. So yes, I'm glad I read them in order!

Salt Kiss is a retelling of Tristan and Isolde, I knew nothing of the tale until I'd read this book and scurried off to look it up. Now I'm on tender hooks to see how accurately the next books in this series are translated.

I won't go into the storyline as anyone can go and look that up for themselves on Goodreads. Instead I'll comment on the things that contributed to my rating of this book. Firstly, I was taken by this book so unexpectedly. I had read the New Camelot series and was underwhelmed with the characters in that series (whilst LOVED the writing itself and loved the series as a whole) and felt one of the relationships overshadowed the others. Tristan was lost, looking for something but he didn't know what it was. He was inherently good, well intentioned and driven but wanted more, again, even if he didn't know what that was. It seemed he found it in Mark and Lyonesse (as a whole) despite knowing the fragility and potentially fleeting nature of their dynamic. I enjoyed the exploration of Tristan's feelings about his past and present, and the complexity of his feelings in relation to Mark, as his nuanced insight.

Mark is also a great character in his complexity and his predilections. I got aa strong feeling there wasn't anything Tristan was saying or doing that Mark wasn't aware of, hadn't predicted or expected. For. The. Whole. Book. He was power and control personified. That this was based on knowledge and information made this story more powerful, and against the backdrop of societal and religious expectations, it makes for a very interesting read.

Isolde plays less of a role until 2/3 of the book, and the relationship between she and Tristan is fast-tracked due to their circumstances - a direct contrast to Tristan and Mark's. However, you're not left in any doubt with the cliffhanger that there's more to come, and I assume given the way the New Camelot series was structured, the remaining books will be Isolde and Mark's perspectives.

And I can't wait.

Contains - MM and MF in relation to the MC's (it's a MMF series), BDSM, kink, descriptions of war and killing, on page PTSD symptoms, depression, religious themes, cheating, mass shooting, virgin hero/heroine (by far one of my least favourite tropes so that I liked this book so much really gives props to Sierra Simone's writing).

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

Oh my gooood this book was so good.

Sierra Simone is such a guilty pleasure author for me and this book did not disappoint. I also want to preface this 5 star review with the fact that I don't usually gravitate towards an MM romance... HOWEVER - holy sh*t the dynamic between Tristan and Mark was so hot.

All of Tristan's internal struggles that he battles with in terms of coming back from deployment, his attraction to Mark, and how he navigates getting Islode was so well written. And then when he met Isolde I just KNEW it was about to get more dramatic. I was living for it.

THEN I find out there was a prequel already about how Mark met Islode and you better believe I did not walk - I ran to it. I feel like the prequel is a must read before the second book becuase it just puts so many pieces together. I need book 2 now PLEASE. Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc! x

This was such a great book, and I really enjoyed it! I almost never start a book where the series is unfinished, and this book leaves off in a way that makes it impossible to wait for the next one.

There’s a prequel to this book, and while I would say it’s not a must-read, it does help orient yourself around the characters, the setting, and the storyline. That being said, because of the prequel some things were more obvious in this book, so if you like to read blind I think the prequel could also be read at the end of the series!

This book was so much fun to read, and with really enjoyable spice - very queer and kink centric. If you enjoyed the New Camelot book series, you’ll definitely like this one - it has some character crossover and had a similar writing style, other than the duel timeline that New Camelot followed.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys spicy dark romance, and I will be reading the rest of the series… and probably anything else Sierra Simone puts out!