I liked the first half of this story, but the second half really lost me. I didn’t connect to the storyline and characters felt stagnant.

This book blew my. mind -- I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent! I really enjoyed viewing the story from Ari's POV and watching her relationship bloom with "Assistant." It's fantastic seeing the multiple layers of "Assistant" as they unfold - and to see how much Ari grows as a character. You cannot help but root for her! I like that it was a gradual build to their relationship and not an immediate jump into togetherness. Seeing how each character learns from the other is really cool.

I felt the end was a bit rushed -- I wanted to know more about what it was like for Ari living in her new world. I wanted to know more about their relationship, see more of Ari in action as a leader, etc.

If you haven’t yet read Truth and Measure and Above All Things, I highly recommend them as well.

Roslyn Sinclair is an amazing storyteller and I love re-listening to this book multiple times.

Thanks to Ylva and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ari lives on a space station that is commanded by her father, she rarely leaves her room which also happens to be a garden. When an older woman is captured and given to her as a slave, her life is thrown into chaos.

Taking a step into the world of “The Lily and the Crown” by Roslyn Sinclair, I found myself submerged in a riveting concoction of science fiction and romance. The isolation and intricate personality of Ariana “Ari” Geiker painted a vivid portrait of solitude in my mind, a solitude brimming with botanic beauty and tranquility. Her world, confined yet intricate, was punctured by the arrival of an enigmatic and intense slave, revealing layers of complexity, passion, and untapped emotion within Ari’s character. The intelligence and mysterious prowess of the nameless slave breathed chaos into the ordered world, and the ensuing dynamic between the mistress and the slave became a mesmerizing dance of power, knowledge, and uncharted territories of the heart. Sinclair’s tapestry of words artfully intertwined the looming shadows of pirate queens and star maps with the intimate unveiling of hidden desires and self-discovery, rendering it almost impossible to put the book down.

In reflecting upon Sinclair’s work, the juxtaposition of Ari’s initially timid personality with Assistant’s seemingly barbaric nature unfolded as a narrative ballet of contrasts, each step revealing more about the characters and their evolving desires. The development of their relationship went beyond the conventional and the expected, blurring the lines between master and slave and shedding light on the themes of love, self-respect, and individual growth. The way Sinclair skillfully avoided romanticizing Assistant’s harsh personality and portrayed Ari’s transformation from a fragile entity to a woman of strength and boundaries was commendable. The story’s culmination left a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that Ari emerged as someone deserving of care and profound consideration, not as a mere possession. Despite anticipating some twists and foreseeing the ending, the journey through Sinclair’s universe was exhilarating, enriched with well-defined characters, intricate emotions, and subtle reflections on deeper themes such as slavery and abandonment. The blend of sci-fi elements, intriguing world-building, and intense romantic developments make “The Lily and the Crown” a memorable and thought-provoking read.

ARC received from Ylva in exchange for a honest review.

I’d originally read this as a AU DWP fanfic and I had deliberately not reread this lately to enjoy the book version, so it’d been awhile since I’d read it.

Ari is a delightfully sympathetic character, and the relationship that forms between her and ‘Assistant’ is delightfully layered. The story is told from Ari’s viewpoint, which give us much more insight into her, but ‘Assistant’ is also a well drawn character. The two leads also spend a lot of time together, so the relationship feels substantive, and the ending earned.

I did wish there’d been a bit more time spent on the world building, especially at the end of the book, and how Ari would fit into that world, because I would have found that interesting. I also wish the epilogue had been a bit longer, it was rushed and a character introduced there was given more time than Ari, I’d have preferred time with the two of them to show how their relationship had developed, but it’s a small quibble. 4.5 stars.

If you haven’t yet read Truth and Measure and Above All Things, I highly recommend them as well.

This review contains spoilers.

The Lily and the Crown is a sci-fi romance novel taking place in a space station constantly threatened by pillaging pirates. It tells the story of Ariana "Ari" Geiker, a botanist who lives a quiet and isolated life in the space station where her father is the master. One day her life completely changes when he gifts her a slave to help tend to the huge garden she has grown in her quarters. Ari isn't pleased. She never wanted a slave and is quite against slavery in general. Also, she feels uncomfortable with the idea of always having someone with her, disturbing her solitude. As she gets to know the slave whom she calls Assistant, she changes her mind. Sinclair's writing is quite solid and the characters are well-developed. I felt that the worldbuilding was slightly weak. We are only giving the basic information about the universe where the story takes place and its inner workings. Although it is enough to make the story understandable, it feels like it is lacking something. I was expecting to see more of Ari and Mír's explorations of this universe and how they fight to accomplish Mír's goal of becoming the Empress. The ending feels a bit rushed and I would have loved to read more of what happened between Mír revealing her true identity to Ariana and the epilogue that takes place eight years later. Ariana and Mír are two completely different women, but they fit well together and help each other become a better version of themselves. I quite enjoyed reading this book. The Lily and the Crown is an easy and light read, the kind of book that gives you a nice warm feeling. Definitely a worthy read.

Critical Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Entertainment Rating: ⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Although this book has already been published, thank you to Ylva Publishing and Netgalley for this ARC. This is my honest review.

I really wanted to like this because it started off fine in the beginning but after the introduction to Assistant, it went downhill from there. The plot twist was predictable and the relationship between our two FMC's was not great. The lack of consent and the inherent grooming vibes were a huge red flag for me. The story is decently written and there is a bit of spice, but I couldn't get into the story. I did finish it to see what the outcome was but it left me feeling icky.

At first glance of Ylva’s catalog of genre and authors, I of course went straight (perhaps that’s not the best word in this case) for the sci-fi. I set my sights on The Lily & the Crown by Roslyn Sinclair, which also leapt forward in my list for its age-gap and “ice queen” tropes. Which really is just the full package, if I’m being honest. It’s post year 3545, according to the protag’s none-too-clever use of her birthday and initials in a password (you’d think in such an advanced year we’d have evolved beyond poor security password choices, so I found humor in this irony–well played) and the space station for the story’s setting is carefully laid out with imaginative and realistic sci-fi verbiage that many nerds like myself have come to know and love such as sickbay, airlock, etc. I especially loved the way Ariana’s living quarters are arranged and described, because who wouldn’t want wooded gardens with large and imposing oak trees just outside of their living room. Life is peaceful and predictable for Her Ladyship, young Ariana Geiker, and when her Lord father gifts her with an unusual present in the form of tall, muscled, life-long pirate slave with no apparent name of her own, just a set of piercing eyes and a bad temper to boot… her little green-leafed world gets thrown into disarray.

While I seemed to wrap my head around the plotline’s eventual twist concerning this mysterious character rather early on, it made the overall story no less enjoyable from beginning to end. I’m almost positive that this was sort of the point, as the author had carefully laid breadcrumbs and hints for the reader concerning this character, aptly named Assistant, and the fact that she was written with about as much subtlety as a flying brick–which I loved about her.

With what I’m fairly certain had humble beginnings as a MirAndy fanfiction paired with delightful wordplay and banter that had me laugh out loud more than a few times, Ari and Assistant fight their attraction to one another as long as they can… until they just can’t. I found that I very much resonate with a main character who is so deeply introverted and at peace in her own little undisturbed atmosphere that any outside interaction with other humans can best be described as clumsy, laborious, or just downright disappointing. I also felt that hollow, empty feeling when Ari had finally resolved to accept this outside interruption as a part of her daily life just to have it ripped away again as if it were never there, leaving a hole big enough to dock a warp-capable space freighter in. I bonded to this character quickly because solitude and routine are the bread and butter of a true introvert, so I had no difficulty establishing a connection with the emotional upset that took place during the events of this story.

I look forward to reading more of Sinclair’s offerings, knowing that if someone can make me cry over a praying mantis, an insect of all things, that anything else they have written I will thoroughly enjoy as well.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story was difficult for me to get into at first until I got about 40% into the book. I wanted to know a bit more about the world the book takes place in because it didn't even feel like the tip of the iceberg. Assistant was an intriguing character and knew who they were going to end up being. Ari was naive, but I liked the way she saw the world and thought about what it should be. The spicy parts were enjoyable and didn't feel cheap.

Overall, it wasn't a bad read. I might read it again to see if I view it any differently. I really enjoy Roslyn Sinclair and hope to read more from them.

Ok, so this is a Si-Fi romance but I feel like the Si-Fi element is almost irrelevant to the story. Ari is not just young but wildly inexperienced and I must admit some parts in the beginning were a tad cringy. And then there’s slaves. And pirates. And the slave that’s the Queen of pirates, although no one knows it. It’s an interesting read, and the (Ice) Queen thaws a little in the end.

This sci fi romance is set aboard a space station, between Ari, the station master's daughter, and the slave her father has forced upon her.
I found this setup and dynamic interesting - Ari doesn't want a slave and doesn't know how to act with a slave, but has no control over the situation.
The whole book is from Ari's point of view, which means as readers we see things through her innocent lense while also being far more aware of what's happening around her.
I loved how "Assistant" made sure Ari was physically looked after, and the romance itself felt natural.
Sapphic, space, pirates, steamy, forbidden, forced proximity.
So glad I finally read it.

A beautifully written high spice romance set on a space station that’s fascinating to watch blossom. Although the twist is easy to guess right off the bat, the reveal is still immensely satisfying.

Although sci-fi isn’t always my cup of tea, the characters felt very relatable and grounded in reality.

Highly recommended.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

Intensely Beautiful!

Ari, the daughter of a space station commander keeps to herself and her plants and garden are her purpose. When a captor from a pirate ship is given to her as a slave, her world is turned upside down as this new acquaintance starts to get into her heart and shares experiences of the dangerous life she was taken from.

I loved every second of this story. Ari was cute and infectious because she as shy and totally unique. I couldn’t help but get swept up like she did in the mysterious salve that became a part of her life. Together they shared experiences that slowly revealed who they really were, far beyond statuses and their pasts. Ari was just lovely, inside and out. It was so clear how caring she was by the way she treated slave from the very beginning, refusing to treat her as other she knew treated other slaves. The way she tended to her gardens and worked tirelessly to develop the wondrous plants told me so much more about her than a bio ever could have.

Slave surprised me greatly, keeping me suspicious and wary on Ari’s behalf because her trusting and kind nature meant she wasn’t as in tune with the things that seemed off at times. She did pick up on them occasionally but with little social experience easily dismissed things other wouldn’t have. Slave used all her smarts and it wasn’t under more became clear about her that I really got worried for Ari’s fate, however I knew no matter what happened, the bond she was forming with Slave was real, genuine, and Slave wasn’t going to do anything that resulted in her being harmed.

Just a lovely romance with a sci-fi edge and lots of intense moments to keep you hooked and invested in the blossoming relationship between Ari and Slave.

Ari is a socially awkward botanist on a distant space station. She is given a slave that is the only survivor after her father’s forces catch a ship that is part of a notorious pirate queen’s fleet. It is obvious to the reader who the slave really is. At first I thought this was a Xena uber but the Ari character is more scatterbrained than Gabrielle. About halfway through the book I found out this is a Devil Wears Prada uber. It was an enjoyable read and it would be nice if there was a sequel.

Lady Ariana might be the Stationmaster’s only daughter but her interests lie far beyond politics and war. An industrious but reclusive botanist, her days are spent immersed in plants until her father sent a slave whom no matter how she prods, dissects and studies; remains an enigma that frustrates yet excites her.

In the introductory stage of their relationship, the differences in their stature and personalities are glaring. As meek and innocent Ariana comes, then as proud and superior Assistant goes. Within the walls of her quarters, Ariana’s captivation grew for the older Assistant and while care for her plants doubled, some experiments grew bolder and wilder.

This is my third book of the author’s and even with The Lily and the Crown being her earlier writing, she has displayed a consistency with the ability to capture the interest of readers through her characterisations. Age gap and opposites attract are tropes that plenty look out for but I enjoyed the particular kick in that even if on status Assistant was under the charge of Ariana, the Lady was helpless to the wiles, lure of carnality and strength possessed by Assistant. The book was rounded well with an epilogue that teased of more in their future and peeks into what will continue.

I just reviewed The Lily and the Crown by Roslyn Sinclair. Thank you NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for the book.

Interesting and quirky romance. It takes place in an unknown time, on a spaceship or spacestation kind of environment. There are pirates and slaves, queen Mir, and a quirky botanist who grows trees, bushes and has a pet praying mantis. .
The quirky botanist is a sweet introverted young woman that is introduced to a more mature and worldly woman and the fire begins.
It sounds crazy but it worked to keep me reading and wondering where it would take me. It's very different and I liked it.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have become a fan of this author’s work. I recently read her two latest books (Truth and Measure & Above All Things) and they were exceptional. This was the author’s earlier work and science fiction. I’m not really a fan of science fiction but read it anyway in the hopes that this author’s earlier work would be just as good. I was not disappointed.

Ari was a botanist who lived on a space station commanded by her father. She rarely ventured outside her world of plants. It was her comfort zone…she’d rather talk to and be with her plants than people. However, her entire world changed with the appearance of a nameless slave recently captured that her father thought would be helpful to her This nameless slave opened up Ari’s worlds in ways she never thought possible. It was both exhilarating and frightening.

I loved the storyline and characters. I really enjoyed the contrasting personalities and demeanor of the protagonists. There was the innocence of Ari versus the worldly sophistication of the assistant. It had a nice emotional depth to it that I hadn’t expected. Of course, there was romance and it was beautifully developed.

Overall, this was a very engaging and entertaining read.

Roslyn Sinclair's 'The Lily and the Crown' is a narrative with an engaging lesbian romance. Set in a space station, the novel provides insight into an intriguing universe, while its main focus is the sapphic romance.

Rather than dwelling on extensive world-building, Sinclair zeroes in on character development. The developing relationship between the two main characters, Ariana and Mir, is so central to the plot that it could be transposed to another genre without losing its emotional impact. It's the progression of this bond that gives the book it’s captivating quality and earns it a 4 out of 5 rating from me.

Ariana, a privileged and introverted botanist, is comfortable in the solitude of her plants. Her world shifts when her father, the station commander, gives her a captive from a pirate vessel as a slave—Mir.

Mir is a character of strength and strategy, holding onto her dignity even in captivity, with her eyes set on escape. The tension of her planning her freedom, even while developing feelings for Ariana, brings intrigue and suspense to the story.

A particularly compelling narrative thread is Ariana's self-discovery journey. Her transition from a shy botanist to a confident woman, under Mir's influence, is beautifully depicted. The intertwining of her sexual awakening with her relationship with Mir is deeply moving. A poignant twist in the story is Ariana's heart-wrenching grief when she liberates Mir, only to later receive news of her death due to a pirate attack. Ariana's resulting devastation, guilt, and hatred for the Pirate Queen, whom she blames for the tragedy, adds another layer of emotional depth.

At its core, 'The Lily and the Crown' is an unconventional love story. Ariana and Mir, women of different worlds and temperaments, find common ground in an unlikely romance that resonates with the readers.

The book does not shy away from exploring the passionate side of Ariana and Mir's relationship. The intimate scenes are detailed with care, adding substance to their evolving bond.

'The Lily and the Crown' may not align with the expectations of a traditional space opera. Instead, it is a tale of unexpected love set in a sci-fi setting, brimming with romance and emotional depth. Ariana, with her socially awkward yet endearing charm, is a standout character in this novel. Highly recommended for readers seeking a heart-touching romance.

Ariana “Ari” Geiker’s father commands the space station she lives on, and Ari spends her days isolated with her plants. She’s not great with people, and plants don’t leave. When a pirate slave is captured and “gifted” to Ari by her father, she’s forced to deal with another human in her space. Her slave, whom she calls “Assistant,” is smart, perceptive, and knows a lot about the pirate queen, Mir. Things get more complicated when “Assistant” seduces Ari but isn’t interested in love.

This has been on my tbr for quite sometime, so I jumped at the chance to read it. It’s not quite enemies to lovers, but it’s close enough for my tastes, and I love the less experienced/more experience dynamic of the characters. Sinclair addressed the power dynamic issue well, and I was fully invested in the characters. Of course, we figure the situation out pretty quickly, but the build to Ari’s discovery is highly entertaining, and their chemistry is off the charts. Definitely recommend if you haven’t read it yet.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974


I was so excited to see an age gap same gender loving romance. The relationship grows over time in the midst of a power dynamic that you do not see coming. You will fall in love with the characters and want more.