Deadlines vs Bloodlines is the award-winning debut which is one of the best lesbian fiction books, redefining sapphic fiction—blending high-stakes romance with a pulse-pounding thriller edge.
 
Winner of:
The Rise Insight Literary Award 2025 – Debut Author
Exceller Books International Excellence Award 2025 – Female Writer
The Book Channel Author Literary Awards 2025 – Best LGBTQ Romance Thriller
The Literature Times Legacy of Literature Awards 2025 – Best Fiction
 
Description:
Yuki Tanaka, a rising reporter tired of writing fluff pieces, finally gets a shot at something meaningful: going undercover to expose Akira Sato, a feared underworld leader. But from the moment Yuki sees Akira’s dossier, she feels something strange—an unexplainable pull she tries to ignore.
 
As part of her cover, Yuki starts working at a nightclub Akira frequents. Her charm and wit quickly earn her a spot as Akira’s personal server. One night, an incident at the club forces Akira to meet Yuki one-on-one. Impressed by Yuki’s sharp mind and resourcefulness, Akira offers her a better job as her personal assistant. After checking in with her handler, Yuki agrees, diving deeper into Akira’s world while trying to gather intel.
 
But things don’t go as planned. The more time Yuki spends with Akira, the harder it becomes to stay objective. There’s a magnetic tension between them, one that Yuki can’t shake. A lunch date escalates their closeness, and soon, her mission and her feelings collide in ways she never anticipated. A night of passion changes everything. Yuki realizes she can’t keep lying to Akira and decides to come clean.
 
Before Yuki can confess, Akira’s right-hand man, Takeshi, beats her to it. He uncovers Yuki’s true identity—along with shocking truths even Yuki didn’t know. Yuki isn’t just any spy; she’s the daughter of the leader of a rival clan, the same one blamed for Akira’s father’s death.
 
When Yuki finally faces Akira, she’s met with anger and betrayal. Akira accuses her of using their connection to get close, but Yuki begs for forgiveness. She swears her feelings are real, and despite her initial deception, she wants nothing more than to make things right.
 
Akira, torn between rage and a lingering sense of trust, hesitates. What piques her curiosity more than Yuki’s betrayal is the revelation of Yuki’s heritage. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth. Along the way, they’re forced to confront their pasts, their families, and their own feelings for each other.
 
Deadlines vs. Bloodlines is a story about trust, redemption, and the power of choice. It’s about learning that mistakes don’t define us but how we fix them can. In a world where violence feels inevitable, Yuki and Akira must decide if love and understanding are stronger than revenge. This romance thriller weaves action, passion, and heart into a journey you won’t forget.