3.5/5 stars

This book gave me the same feeling as Alice in Wonderland (2010 version). The atmosphere felt--trippy? Drifting? Like a fever dream? And maybe that's what Newell wanted for the audience. For me, it made it difficult to follow Baby's journey (in the three life stages we kind of see her at, moving from her starting career as a stripper, and then onward), but not in the fact that the plot was hard to follow. Hard in the way of "this is her life. This is the descent she's taking." It's like watching a car accident happen but you can't look away--because I felt for our FMC, no matter what decisions she made.

I would say if the topic of this book *may* be triggering for you, proceed with caution! But, this novel dug deep for me, and I think it's an interesting take on a life many don't know about.

This was a very "readable" read, with a perfect balance of the alien and the relatable. The tone matches other top-notch literary fiction, but the subject matter and setting gives it a fresh twist. I found the ending a bit disappointing—It didn't tie up all the loose ends. But maybe that's the point! Life offers more questions than answers!

If you like New Animal by Ella Baxter and writing style of Melissa Broder, you are going to love this one! Our main character is an exotic dancer, living with her ex boyfriend, enjoying her late twenties until he goes missing. Her world spirals and she finds herself working as a dominatrix (the author herself is one so you know it will be well written). The characters are well fleshed out, the story always taking turns and I found myself unable to put the book down. Thank you to the publisher for an ARC!

As I was reading this book, I felt like I was on a hallucogenic trip myself. A not entirely comfortable one.
I was fully immersed in the seedy life of an not especially kind exotic dancer whose drug dealer boyfriend has gone missing. I think it's extremely well-writted and it's rather confusingly plotted.

I don't think this was particularly the right book for me. I did feel like the synopsis was not fully accurate for the entire book but maybe that's my fault for requesting this arc. However it was an interesting read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ARC! *Soft Core* by Brittany Newell is a bold and unflinching exploration of youth culture in the digital age. The novel captures the aimlessness and raw desires of its characters, portraying their lives with a mix of dark humor and stark realism. Newell’s writing is sharp and often unsettling, reflecting the fragmented, hyper-connected world her characters inhabit. The story’s nonlinear structure and vivid, almost voyeuristic details create an intense reading experience that challenges conventional storytelling. Overall, *Soft Core* is a provocative and thought-provoking debut that offers a gritty, unapologetic look at modern adolescence.

Drifting and dreamy. More mysterious than I thought it would be… almost like a vibey thriller. Incredible writing and details that kept me hooked.

(3.5 stars)
Soft Core grabbed me immediately. It’s a better than average sex work memoir from a pro-Domme, Brittany Newell. It’s better than average because instead of abrasive, disconnected vignettes, it has a cohesive narrative and a gentle voice.

The book is divided into three parts. The first is about Ruth’s time as Baby, a stripper, who finds it hard to shake the smell of the club from her hair: “I smell like an airport bar, the tang of the lonely with hours to kill. I smelled like everyone’s deadbeat dad.” What is great about this section are the girls’ room antics and Ruth’s transitions into and from being Baby: “It would take me about an hour or more to stop flirting with everyone, to stop being Baby and return to Just Me, Ruth in her clogs and thick socks.”

The second part of the book covers Ruth’s time as Sunday, a dominatrix. This section felt a bit sadder to me, particularly Sunday (or was it Ruth) getting sucked into the suicidal time-waster, Nobody. The last third of the book is a bit of a descent into madness as Dino’s absence sees Ruth contemplate the sexual partners she chooses: “his cruelty felt cozy. It felt good in the way of pressing down on a bruise, morbid curiosity meets bored masochism.” The latter two parts didn’t live up to the promise of the strip show start, and felt drearier to read, which stopped me giving it more stars. It also jangled that Ruth didn’t challenge Dino’s behaviour at the club with Emeline, or even ask where he’d been, so I came away feeling she was a bit passive in allowing all sorts of negative behaviour and losing boundaries with clients and real life.

A surreal, sexy piece of contemporary fiction that was both intriguing and confusing at time. Newell has such a gift for prose, and everything felt very real to life. Unlike anything I've read before but I didn't truly love it.

This book was not meant for the likes of me. Maybe it will mean something to disaffected 20-something’s who are still trying to figure things out, I don’t know. And the jacket information is a bit misleading.

Ruth is living with her ex, Dino, a ketamine dealer in an old Victorian house that I’m wondering how they could ever afford in San Francisco. I know it isn’t nice but it’s also San Francisco. Anyway, Ruth starts dancing in a strip club under the name Baby. Then Dino disappears.

Ruth begins to think she sees him everywhere. She then starts moonlighting at a BDSM club and makes a friend. This is kind of it. The book really wants to mean something, but I don’t know what. It’s not bad, it just kind of,,, drifts.

Honestly, this was everything I want in a book. The author did an amazing job on this one. This is the first I’ve read from the author, but I look forward to reading more.

I really enjoyed this book! It had me hooked from the start. Reminded me a bit of Sex in the City & Gossip girl.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Netgalley and Brittany Newell for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.

"Soft Core" by Brittany Newell is a pretty good book that dives deep into young adulthood's complicated feelings and experiences. Newell writes in a straightforward way that pulls you into the world and emotions of the characters. The story explores themes like identity, love, and the search for meaning in a real and raw way.

The characters are well-crafted, with each one feeling distinct and fully developed. You get to see their struggles and triumphs up close, which makes the story even more engaging. The plot moves well, keeping things interesting without rushing through the important moments.

One small drawback is that sometimes the dialogue feels slightly like it doesn't completely fit the character or situation. Despite this, the book is a strong, engaging read.

Overall, I'd give "Soft Core" four stars. It's definitely worth reading if you like stories that make you think and feel simultaneously.

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started Soft Core, but I sure was wrong. This was a unique work that I really enjoyed.

A propulsive tale about an exotic dancer-turned-dominatrix reeling from the disappearance of her ex. This novel is a delight. I tore through it. I loved the voice and sentences, gems of wisdom amongst all the muck of San Francisco's underbelly. Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley.

I was not expecting the almost diary/epistle style of writing, but I think it is super effective in this case.. The way the main character recounts everything is interesting to me because it's not what some would expect. Fetish can lend itself to an erudite style and true to the name, Soft Core is more approachable in its relation to narration. The way other characters spoke sometime felt a bit odd, but it could be chalked up to perspective.

This book felt so real I forgot it was a novel until I was halfway through. Every line of it is a perfect balance of being surreal and totally believable. Unlike anything else I’ve ever read. A total melancholic joyride through a strip club!

I loved it! There are so many things I loved about it but I don’t want to give any spoilers 🫢 These kind of books are different from what people are used to so it’s hard for them to understand. And I love these types of books. There are real life stories, characters and raw thoughts. The descriptions were vivid felt like I was in the book. And I loved the main character so it made it much better. I also loved Dino, such a great addition. I was expecting the ending but it was still good a little bit bittersweet like life itself. Thanks to Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing me ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was like watching gossip girl mixed in with sex in the city but it's actually enjoyable. We follow Baby a stripper who lives with her flamboyant and dashing ex-bf Dino. He goes missing and she goes on a journey of self discovery, love, power and let's face it, really ridiculous side quests. This was addicting and I mean I literally sat and devoured this in one setting. You will laugh, you will relate and you will laugh some more. You will love and despise the girls at the club which adds to the addicting nature of this read. Honestly it's delicious trash tv wrapped up in a story. If you love romance, revenge, power and friendship you will love Soft Core.