Wanting Her

Wanting Her

Author	Raquel De Leon
Rating by Ravish Her Tales:	5⭐
Genre	Romance LGBT Lesbian Lesbian Romance Fiction Erotica Enemies To Lovers Queer
Release Year	April 10, 2019
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Review:

When I started Wanting Her, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It’s self-published, and I hadn’t read anything by Raquel De Leon before, so I kept my expectations in check. Turns out, I didn’t need to! This book was a pleasant surprise—a steamy workplace romance with an engaging (if occasionally chaotic) plot, a dominant and irresistibly frustrating ice-queen, and some of the hottest scenes I’ve read in lesfic.

Also, I’m fairly certain this was originally a Swan Queen (Regina/Emma from Once Upon a Time) fanfic before it was turned into a novel. No wonder I liked Vivian so much!

The Story: A Clash of Wills and a Spark of Fire

Vivian Barrera is a brilliant but temperamental private investigator, co-owner of an agency, and not thrilled when her business partner hires someone behind her back. The new recruit? April Hawkins, a determined and hardworking woman who needs this job to support her niece.

From the start, Vivian hates April. She’s annoying, stubborn, and—unfortunately—completely irresistible. What starts as a sharp, antagonistic working relationship quickly turns into a fiery, undeniable attraction.

As April and Vivian’s passion ignites, the novel takes us through a journey of power struggles, unresolved emotional baggage, and sizzling tension. But the story isn’t just about romance—it also has several side plots (some more developed than others), including Vivian’s search for a missing sibling and April’s struggles as a guardian.

What Works: The Strengths of the Novel

Vivian is a Force to Be Reckoned With – Vivian is the kind of character that dominates a page—whether she’s being infuriating, sexy, or surprisingly vulnerable. She’s got major alpha energy, and her commanding presence in the sex scenes is breathtaking. She’s also a total weirdo—a workaholic who eats donuts at strange hours and swears in Spanish like a sailor when annoyed. (Which, honestly, just made me love her more.)

Scorching Hot Chemistry – The attraction between Vivian and April is immediate, intense, and written exceptionally well. If you’re looking for high heat, passion, and power play in the bedroom, this book delivers. There’s a real, raw intensity to their connection, and it never feels forced. And yes—there’s actual tribbing in lesfic, which is as rare as spotting a unicorn.

Strong Narration in the Audiobook – Carmen Vine’s narration elevates the entire experience. She delivers distinct voices for each character, nails the emotional nuances, and makes the story even more engaging and immersive. The Spanish dialogue is also well-done, even though the accent leans more Mexican than Puerto Rican.

Where It Falls Short

Too Many Subplots, Not Enough Resolution – This book tries to juggle a lot—Vivian’s strained relationship with her family, the mystery of her missing sibling, April’s financial struggles, workplace dynamics, and a jealous ex. Unfortunately, some of these plotlines don’t get the depth they deserve. Certain arcs feel rushed or left hanging, making the story less satisfying as a standalone.

Unnecessary Love Triangle Elements – There’s a secondary character (Jack, Vivian’s business partner and former lover) who is inserted into the romance a little too much. In the beginning, it made sense, but as the story progressed, it became repetitive and distracting.

Could Have Been Even More Sensual – While the sex scenes were incredibly well-written, I honestly wanted more. There was so much chemistry between Vivian and April that I felt the book could have leaned into even more intense, drawn-out build-up and tension.

Final Thoughts

Wanting Her is a fun, steamy workplace romance with an irresistible ice-queen, fantastic chemistry, and well-executed power dynamics. While some of the subplots felt underdeveloped, the sheer heat between Vivian and April makes up for it. If you’re looking for a sexy, dramatic, and fast-paced sapphic romance, this book is definitely worth a read.

Also, if you love bossy, dominant characters who take charge in the bedroom, Vivian will absolutely steal your heart (and possibly your soul).