This is an excellent romance novella with a somewhat-medical setting. The premise is more observation/someone's directing you than strictly medical - the MCs are strangers who both feel "broken" sexually and are brought together by a mysterious doctor who is supposed to help "fix" them. Their interaction is in a lab-type clinical setting, where they are being observed and directed by the doctor. If you are curious about medical stories, this may be a good introduction since it doesn't get overly clinical.

This is short enough that there isn't much backstory or complex plot, but the spice is scorching hot. The instant attraction between the characters brings it a strong strangers-to-lovers aspect, and it's really fun to read. The characters' interaction is meant to be a one-time thing, but their chemistry leads you to wonder, and their discoveries through the experience are fascinating to uncover.

Definitely a great short read, and well-done by this author, who is great at introducing a medical aspect without overwhelming the reader.

Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy of this book!

I read this book in one sitting and could not put it down.
This short and spicy dark romance novella was a surprise – I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. After reading the Trigger Warnings I wondered if this book was for me but I was intrigued. The themes of this book were written so beautifully by Lexi and I thought it was believable. Two people who feel broken in the same way, who are desperate to find a cure.

I didn’t expect to find myself so invested in T & K and was sad to say goodbye to them.

Thank you Lexi and netgalley for gifting me this earc. I look forward to reading more from Lexi in the future.

Hold Me for Now was my first read by Lexi Davis. This is was a quick novella with a unique experience.- two strangers partake in a clinical experiment to help them work through their intimacy troubles. Overall, I thought the story was interesting but I definitely wanted more backstory to the characters and more of about their lives after the experiment. For me, it’s more of a quick, smutty read than a dark romance. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book!

This book had a strong, emotional premise and I could see what the author was aiming for — the topic was bold, raw, and worth exploring. Unfortunately, it lacked the emotional depth needed to make the characters’ vulnerability feel meaningful. I didn’t find myself invested in their journey, and the pacing felt rushed. A longer format with more buildup, background, and a fuller resolution might’ve helped it land more powerfully. While I appreciate the author's commitment to taking risks, this one just didn’t work for me.

Hold me for Now is a spicy dark medical novella by Lexi Davis, the alter ego pen name for Dr. Melissa Dymond.

With forced proximity, strangers to lovers, banter and tension, definitely check the trigger warnings before reading 🥵

This was a very intriguing read. I loved the idea behind how the main characters met and participated in this experimental project.

It was definitely spicy, but it had a lot of sweet moments as well which is what I absolutely love about this author. You always get both 🩵

If you haven’t read her other books, I highly recommend them!
Everything is fantastic!
5/5 ⭐️

Thank you Lexi Davis/ Melissa Dymond for the ARC in exchange for my review!

This was a short but packed novella. I read it all on one sitting! I think the storyline is very intriguing and had me hooked from the very first page! I wish that this wasn’t such a short story- I’d have liked to continue to see the characters develop and grow. This book is spicy from start to finish so keep that in mind. But I believe the story message was great and well executed and very much needed.

Thank you NetGalley for this eCopy to review

I picked up Hold Me For Now expecting a steamy, emotionally intense novella—and while it definitely delivered on the spice, the story itself didn’t quite land for me. It’s a bold concept with some tender moments, but the execution felt rushed and a bit too contrived to fully resonate.

🛏️ Plot Summary
Kristi signs up for an experimental sex therapy program after years of feeling broken and disconnected from her own body. She’s paired with a stranger—T—in a clinical setting overseen by a mysterious figure known only as Dr. Desire. The goal? To help each other overcome intimacy issues through guided physical connection.

What begins as a controlled, therapeutic exercise quickly turns into something more. As Kristi and T open up emotionally and physically, they form a fragile bond that neither expected. But with anonymity, emotional baggage, and the looming end of the program hanging over them, the question becomes: can something real grow from something so artificial?

🔥 What Worked
Unique Premise: The clinical sex therapy setting was definitely different. It’s not often you see a romance explore vulnerability and dysfunction in such a direct way.

Emotional Honesty: There are moments—especially Kristi’s internal monologues—that feel raw and relatable. Her struggle with self-worth and intimacy is handled with care.

Short and Steamy: If you’re looking for a quick, spicy read with a heavy dose of angst, this fits the bill.

😕 What Didn’t Work (for Me)
Underdeveloped Characters: With only 85 pages, there just wasn’t enough time to fully flesh out Kristi or T. Their emotional connection felt rushed, and I didn’t quite buy the depth of their bond.

Heavy-Handed Dialogue: Some of the lines meant to be profound came off as melodramatic. It felt like the book was trying too hard to be both sexy and soulful.

Clinical Setting Felt Contrived: The whole setup—anonymous sex therapy with a one-way mirror and a voice-modulated doctor—was more bizarre than believable. It pulled me out of the story rather than immersing me in it.

Predictable Arc: Despite the unconventional premise, the story hits familiar beats and wraps up a little too neatly for my taste.

🧾 Final Thoughts
Hold Me For Now is a daring novella that tries to blend eroticism with emotional healing. I appreciate what Lexi Davis was aiming for, and I can see why it resonates with some readers. But for me, the story didn’t have enough space to breathe, and the emotional payoff felt unearned.

If you’re in the mood for something short, spicy, and emotionally intense—with a heavy dose of forced proximity and strangers-to-lovers tension—it might be worth a try.

I quite enjoyed this short, spicy read. Davis delivered a unique storyline that caught me off guard - I wasn't expecting to feel such genuine emotion and vulnerability from Trevor and Kristi. Their connection felt raw and authentic, elevating this beyond just a steamy novella into something more meaningful.The spice level was well-balanced with the emotional content. My only complaint is that I wanted more - just as I was fully invested in these characters, it was over.

Hold Me For Now is a short, emotional romance with a unique setup—two strangers, Kristi and T, thrown into a clinical intimacy experiment. It’s definitely a darker, moodier read, and the chemistry between them gets intense fast. I liked how vulnerable the characters were, and the emotional tension felt real, even if it moved kind of quickly.

That said, I wish it were longer. Some parts felt rushed, and I wanted more time to really connect with the characters and their backstories. Still, it was a cool, different kind of romance that pulled me in and made me feel something. Not perfect, but definitely worth checking out if you’re into short, steamy reads with depth.

This was a fun and quick read that I basically knocked out on a 2 hour flight! If you're looking for a little bit spicy, chance encounter with an educational twist, this is for you. A little strangers-to-lovers, kinda one night stand but with purpose. Kristi seeks out help from a medical professional who has designed a program to resolve issues people have in reaching their peak (read between the lines here). She is partnered up with an anonymous man who is struggling with the same issue, and as they leave the experiment, both of their issues having been resolved, the reader (and Kristi) feels somewhat heartbroken that this deep but surprising connection she found in this stranger, will forever be gone.

While this is slated as a dark romance, I would not classify it as such. It's explicit for sure, but definitely not dark - so regular dark romance readers would not find this novella dark - and regular spicy romance readers should not find it too challenging.

**Book Review: *Hold Me For Now* by Lexi Davis**

This story is spicy but it’s also tender and unexpectedly moving. T and K are two strangers who sign p for a clinical experiment proctored b Dr. D to help them figure out why they have bedroom issues. They are two damaged humans who somehow manage to be vulnerable, guarded, open, and chaotic—all at once. The way their connection builds is fast but not forced.

Now, I’ll be honest, the “observer” setup initially gave creepy voyeurism vibes but I liked the fact that he was there to help them navigate such an awkward situation. I wonder how much something like that costs? LOL

The writing balances intense chemistry and emotional healing with finesse. And while it’s only 67 pages, it somehow still lands a full character arc, emotional resolution, and an HEA that doesn’t feel rushed or fake. Honestly, the only bad thing about this novella? It ends. I need a full-length sequel. Or a spin-off.

All in all, Hold Me For Now is a fast paced, spicy novella with an interesting plot and a perfect ending!

Thank you Lexi Davis & NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read & review Hold Me For Now.

This book was not what I expected it to be, but it was really good! If you are looking for a short read that is enjoyable then I 10/10 recommend

A quick spicy read.
Nothing amazing but it’s not terrible.
We don’t know much about the characters so that’s one reason it’s low and how it ended feels illegal I NEED more. Like do they get together?????



Thankyou so much netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!!!!!

♥︎𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚

✨𝒯𝒽ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈✨
𝐈 absolutely loved this novella - it was like a yummy treat. Filled with steamy moments, a touch of awkwardness, and plenty of adorableness, the story follows Kristi and Trevor, two complete strangers who take on an experiment to uncover the reasons behind their intimacy issues. The solution turns out to be surprisingly simple, emphasizing the importance of communication, asking for what you want, and feeling truly loved.

𝐈 was amazed at how Lexi managed to pack such a great message into a short, steamy story that remains lighthearted and fun. If you’re in the mood for a quick, spicy read about strangers finding love in the most unexpected ways, this novella is a must-read.

𝐀 big thank you to the author and Netgalley for providing me with an eBook copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒.𝟓⭐️ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥: 𝟑🔥

Hold Me For Now is a dark, emotional romance novella that packs a punch in a short space. It follows Kristi and T, two strangers brought together in a clinical intimacy experiment, where emotional vulnerability turns into unexpected connection and steam.

Readers love the blend of deep emotional healing, steamy scenes, and the well-crafted "forced proximity" and "strangers to lovers" tropes. Though short, it delivers strong character growth and an impactful story. Perfect for fans of intense, spicy novellas with heart.

⚠️ Content warning: Mature themes and emotional triggers.

We love a good healing book 🙌 This was a fun read, a cute little healing journey between two people. To be honest I’m really intrigued to see more of this, more of the doctors patients and more on the doctor, I think that would be really interesting. The MCs were interesting characters, I enjoyed seeing them delve into more of the struggles they were facing and why they were there as they got more and more comfortable with each other. Same as I enjoyed seeing them working together to heal each other. In terms of spice, it was pretty much the whole premise of the book so it’s a 4/5 spice for me. Overall, I think it was fun read and I can’t wait to see more, it’s a 4/5 for me.

Hold me for now is a quick read nothing mind blowing but nothing necessarily terrible either. It was only 67 pages so i didn’t really have much time to from a emotional connection to the characters and personally that connection for me is what makes a book more touching however i was invested and did finish this in one sitting.

“It’s easy to throw stones at other people’s choices and ignore the glass walls that surround us…”

My first ARC off NetGalley and it did not disappoint! This novella is packed with emotion and spice in less than 90 pages. How can that be you ask?

The story revolves around K (FMC) and T(MMC). Two strangers who come together to participate in an experimental program run by Dr.D. The clinical trial aspect immediately drew me in and I could not put the book down. Both characters are seeking the same “cure” but neither anticipated experiencing deep moments of intimacy, vulnerability, and love through their unorthodox treatment.

The spice level is hot with its open door romance. It was written so well that I’d argue it’s not smutty at all. It felt organic and necessary for both characters in order to heal. Overall I definitely recommend this novella.

It released on 5/20 so get your copy now! Thank you to NetGalley and Lexi Davis

Hold Me For Now is a perfect book for a emotional spicy lover.

✅ clinical experiment
✅ sexual program
✅ sexual problem
✅ tear jerker
✅ long detailed spicy scenes: 🔥🔥🔥
🔥 a few attempt to achieve O
✅ short chapter (I’ve read in one day)

Absolutely gonna read the next book from Lexi Davis.

I received this as an arc and I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it before it's release! This story is short, but mighty. As someone who graduated with a degree in psychology, I very much enjoyed the idea of how these characters worked through their "problems". Though the book was short I grew an attachment to our leads K and T. I wished to see more of their home life and their before that lead them to the now. I think this book is great for those who like spice, but love the trope of an inexperienced MMC, love communication, and believe in love at first site.