This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Verdict: One of the most acclaimed celebrity romances in lesfic: mid-panic-attack on the London Underground, young movie star Jessica Lambert is rescued by Anna, a reclusive older woman who hasn’t left her rooftop flat’s orbit in years. Readers call it layered, tender and psychologically deep — some say it reads more like literary fiction than romance. The only real complaint is a slow start.
Best for: Readers who want an emotionally rich, character-driven age-gap romance.
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.4/5 — a 4.35 Goodreads average across 3,228 ratings, 4.18 on StoryGraph from 613 reviews, and 4.7 stars across 1,997 Amazon ratings)
Tropes: Celebrity/non-famous, age gap, hurt/comfort, hiding out, slow burn, mental health.
Finding Jessica Lambert is Clare Ashton’s 2020 contemporary lesbian romance. Jessica Lambert, a young star of a successful superhero franchise, is in danger of burning out. Back in London for a premiere, she’s recognised everywhere — until she runs, and a stranger takes her in.
It holds a 4.35 average across 3,228 Goodreads ratings, with 84% of them four or five stars, 4.18 on StoryGraph from 613 reviews, and 4.7 stars across 1,997 Amazon ratings.
What Is Finding Jessica Lambert About?
The beautiful, more mature Anna Mayhew shelters Jess in her rooftop flat, a haven away from the crowds. But why has Anna removed herself from the world?
As they strip away each other’s layers, both see what the other does for them — the start of something neither expected.
What Works in This Book
- Psychological depth: Readers praise how it explores fame, panic attacks, stalking and trauma without losing the romance.
- The leads: Readers find Jess and Anna layered, three-dimensional and crush-worthy.
- Writing: Fans call Ashton one of the best lesfic writers, delicate and blunt at once.
- Audiobook: Listeners praise the narration and warmth.
Book Synopsis
A burned-out movie star hides out with a reclusive stranger in London.
Two strangers, two lovers.
My Review
Several readers name it their favourite Ashton and among their best reads of the year. Its bubble of shared ordinary life — two damaged people feeling safe together — is what makes it sing.
A few readers found the opening chapters slow or glacial before it took hold, and one disliked the cover. Its heavier themes — PTSD, stalking, panic attacks — mean it is less breezy than most celebrity romances.
My honest note: Give it a few chapters; it rewards patience.
| Element | In Finding Jessica Lambert |
|---|---|
| Central relationship | Jessica Lambert (movie star) & Anna Mayhew (reclusive Londoner) |
| Core tropes | Celebrity/non-famous, age gap, hurt/comfort |
| Setting | London, largely in Anna’s rooftop flat |
| Heat level | 🌶️🌶️ |
| Length | 330 pages (Kindle listing) |
| Series | Standalone |
| Content notes | Panic attacks, stalking, PTSD, burnout (StoryGraph and readers) |
How Spicy Is Finding Jessica Lambert?
Moderately; intimacy grows out of emotional closeness.
StoryGraph users most often flag panic attacks and stalking.
Who Should Read This Book?
You’ll likely love it if: you want depth, warmth and a slow unfolding. It is on our celebrity lesbian romance list.
You may want to skip it if: you want a light, fast romcom.
In short: A safe place for two.
What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)
On Goodreads the split is 54% five stars, 30% four, 11% three, 2% two and under 1% one. On StoryGraph, 75% tagged it emotional.
Why readers love it (according to the discourse): Depth first. Second, the leads. Third, the writing. Fourth, the audiobook.
What readers argue about and complain about: A slow start, above everything. Second, heavy themes. Third, the cover.
The comparison worth making first: Ashton’s Meeting Millie.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old are Jess and Anna?
Readers note Jess is 24 and Anna is 39.
Is Finding Jessica Lambert heavy?
In places. Readers mention panic attacks, stalking, PTSD and burnout, handled with psychological depth, but the book is also warm and hopeful.
Is it slow?
A few readers found the opening slow, then were won over by the pacing and depth.
How spicy is it?
Moderate — it is primarily a character-driven romance.
Is Finding Jessica Lambert on Kindle Unlimited?
Yes, when we checked. Listeners praise the audiobook narration.
If You Loved Finding Jessica Lambert, Read These Next
Try more Clare Ashton — Meeting Millie or Tempting Olivia — or another celebrity romance, Damage Control. Browse our celebrity list or the full Book Reviews archive.
The Bottom Line
Finding Jessica Lambert sets out to show two wounded women finding sanctuary in each other, and readers say it does so beautifully. What holds it back is only a slow first act. Highly recommended. Check Finding Jessica Lambert on Amazon →
The Eikna Overall Ranking
On the Eikna scale, Finding Jessica Lambert ranks as an excellent celebrity romance — deep, tender.
The Evidence Scorecard
Overall ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
- ✓ 4.35 average across 3,228 Goodreads ratings
- ✓ 84% of Goodreads ratings are four or five stars
- ✓ 4.18 on StoryGraph from 613 reviews
- ✓ 4.7 stars across 1,997 Amazon ratings
Romance ★★★★☆ 4.3/5
- ✓ Age gap
- ✓ Sanctuary
- ✓ Believable closeness
- ✓ Slow burn
Characters ★★★★★ 4.5/5
- ✓ Layered Jess
- ✓ Enigmatic Anna
- ✓ Three-dimensional
- ✓ Relatable
Writing ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
- ✓ Literary
- ✓ Delicate and blunt
- ✓ Slow start
- ✓ Well paced
Emotional Impact ★★★★★ 4.5/5
- ✓ Tagged emotional by 75%
- ✓ Trauma
- ✓ Hope
- ✓ Warmth
Heat Level ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- ✓ Moderate
- ✓ Emotional intimacy
- ✓ Adult
- ✓ Not the focus
Ending ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
- ✓ Hopeful
- ✓ Earned
- ✓ Satisfying
- ✓ Warm
Re-read Value ★★★★☆ 4.3/5
- ✓ On Kindle Unlimited
- ✓ Praised audiobook
- ✓ Reread favourite
- ✓ 330 pages
Affiliate disclosure: Lesbian Romance Reads is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program. If you buy through the link below we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
1 thought on “Finding Jessica Lambert Review — Is It Worth Reading?”