4 Stars on GoodReads
Hannah ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This book is a MUST-read!! Scorched: Love and Survival in a Dying World takes you on a journey with Nira and Dani and the bond they develop despite stressful circumstances. Throughout the book, Nira and Dani overcome obstacles, build trust, and fight for love and survival - both for themselves and their loved ones. McPhail does a phenomenal job as an author of capturing the severity of their circumstances along with the trials and tribulations that the characters undergo. As a reader, it is remarkable to see their story unfold in this sci-fi/dystopian, LGBTQ+ novel.”
Raynbow ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“A beautifully written sapphic romance that is telling you what the real struggles are of a lesbian relationship. Well, it’s all relationships. But journey through this dystopian style land and enjoy the struggles of each character. The internal and external. How do they come over it? Will they end up together? Be prepared!!!”
Lilac ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Scorched is a wonderful debut novel that explores the complexities of finding new order in the face of corruption, discovering sexuality, and the raw emotion and tension of first love. I am used to reading fantasy novels and about worlds with magic systems in them, so this novel was different, in a good way. I adored how the technology was based on science and medical research. This is a very fast-paced novel that will keep you guessing, and the romance between the main characters will make you keep wanting to come back to know more. I definitely recommend Scorched for those who enjoy a fast-burn romance, action, and bad ass characters that you’ll be rooting for the whole time.”
JJ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Obsessed with this book!! I was blessed to be chosen to be an ARC reader for this debut novel and it was the best thing I have ever signed up for!
Scorched starts out with stakes right from the beginning. It begins where most stories would be in the middle. The novel twists and turns and makes you never wanna put it down. I genuinely finished the book in three days; only held back due to work constraints. I have been needing a sapphic book combining all my other favorite books elements and this is it.
C.R. McPhail knocked it out the park. The dystopian setting allows for real stakes and growth of Dani and Nira constantly, just like real life. From Nira struggling with emotions and Dani’s struggle with her past, Scorched ebs and flows through real relationship woes in a dystopian setting. This book is fast paced and will have you giggling and kicking your feet with pure sapphic joy. I cannot say enough great things about this book and am so blessed to have gotten the chance to read it! I can’t wait to see what they write next!!”
Cyd ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Scorched is an intoxicating blend of passion, tension, and raw emotion that keeps you hooked from the very first page. The novel masterfully weaves a story of love, survival, and resilience, set against a backdrop that feels both vivid and hauntingly intense.
The protagonist is beautifully complex—lawd yet deeply compelling, making her journey all the more immersive. The first-person narration pulls you straight into her mind, allowing you to feel every ounce of longing, pain, and hope. The romance is intense, slow-burning yet deeply rewarding, with a chemistry that sizzles off the page.
One of McPhail’s greatest strengths is the prose lyrical yet sharp, making even the smallest moments feel significant. The tension builds expertly, creating an addictive rhythm that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. And despite the darker themes, Scorched ultimately delivers a satisfying, well-earned happy ending that makes the journey worthwhile (that was so heartwarming)”