Review: Sabbatical: Part One by LS Delorme
The best fantasy doesn't just transport us to another world-it gives us something meaningful to bring back with us.
LS Delorme has a gift for blending fantasy with meaningful reflection, and Sabbatical: Part One is a wonderful example of that balance. This companion collection to the Limerent universe welcomes new readers while rewarding longtime fans with familiar faces, fresh perspectives, and stories that quietly explore redemption, hope, and the choices that shape us.
Here's why Sabbatical: Part One is more than a simple collection of short stories.
About the Book
Sabbatical: Part One | A Book of Short Stories By LS Delorme
Published by Limerent Publishing on April 2026
Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 158
Short Stories by LS Delorme
In these pages, you'll find...
• A tender love story between a ghoul and a human
• A cosmetic possession
• An immortal teen finding a love lost for lifetimes
• The redemption of a trafficker
• The dangers of getting everything we want
• Blemishes that heal others
• An incubus and an assassin in the breach between stories
• The making of a siren ..and more.For readers of the Limerent Series, you will learn more about some characters you already know and love. For new readers, these short stories are an entry point into the Limerent world.
Reader Resources
Explore ratings, reviews, and more:
Review at a Glance
| Genre | Cross-Genre Fantasy • Supernatural Fiction • Companion Short Story Collection |
| Series | Companion to the Limerent Universe |
| Mood & Tone | Reflective • Imaginative • Whimsical • Mysterious • Hopeful • Occasionally Dark |
| Length | 158 pages |
| Pacing | Varied pacing; ideal for savoring one story at a time or reading straight through. |
| My Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
Perfect If You Enjoy...
- Character-driven fantasy
- Supernatural and paranormal elements
- Moral dilemmas and redemption arcs
- Interconnected short story collections
- Stories that invite reflection long after the final page
- The Limerent universe-whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time
Content Considerations: Mild supernatural horror elements, occasional peril and violence, brief strong language, references to human trafficking and pregnancy loss, and thoughtful themes of redemption and morality.
Here's what makes this collection special.
My Thoughts
One of the things I appreciate most about LS Delorme's writing is that she never relies on fantasy alone to carry the story. While Sabbatical: Part One is filled with supernatural beings, imaginative world-building, and intriguing situations, the heart of each story lies in the characters and the choices they make. Redemption is the thread that quietly weaves these stories together, inviting readers to reflect without ever feeling preached to.
As a longtime fan of the Limerent universe, I especially enjoyed revisiting familiar characters while meeting new ones along the way. Rather than feeling like bonus material, these stories deepen the world and offer fresh perspectives on characters readers may already know. At the same time, each story stands comfortably on its own, making this collection just as enjoyable for readers who are discovering the series for the first time.
Short stories ask readers to participate in a different way than full-length novels. They don't have room to explain every detail or resolve every question, leaving space for your imagination to fill in the gaps. I found that to be one of this collection's greatest strengths. Several stories lingered in my thoughts long after I finished reading, encouraging me to consider their deeper meanings and the moral questions hidden beneath the fantasy elements.
Finally, I have to mention the beautiful cover. Rich with symbolism, light, and color, it perfectly captures the imaginative spirit of the stories inside. Whether you're waiting for the next installment in the Limerent series or looking for an inviting place to begin exploring this remarkable universe, Sabbatical: Part One offers an engaging collection of stories that entertain while leaving readers with something meaningful to think about.
Final Thoughts
Fantasy has always been at its best when it helps us see ourselves a little more clearly. Sabbatical: Part One does exactly that through a collection of imaginative stories that entertain while quietly encouraging readers to think, reflect, and imagine. It's a wonderful addition to the Limerent universe and an inviting place for new readers to begin.
Where Does This Fit?
The Limerent Universe
Read in publication order.
1. Caio
⭐ Sabbatical: Part One
Companion Short Story Collection
6. Coming Soon
Excerpt
Curious about LS Delorme's writing style? Here's a brief excerpt.
From Beltane: Nocturnals
"I feel really bad having you have to meet me here," she said quickly. "It doesn't seem very comfortable for you, and I don't always feel comfortable talking around strangers."
"Your heart speaks plainly and beautifully, as always, but as much as I wish it were not the case, am I not also a stranger?"
"No," Liz said. It was true, he didn't feel like a stranger. Even the first time she saw him, she had been shocked and surprised, but he had felt familiar.
Abi beamed, causing his mandibles to draw frighteningly close to his eyes.
"Then would you like to accompany me somewhere else to continue our conversations, somewhere a bit more beautiful and poignant?"
"I would love to, but there isn't much around here, I don't think. I mean, I don't think Canary Wharf has much that's particularly beautiful or poignant."
Abi laughed. It didn't strictly sound like a human laughing. In fact, it sounded like chuffing or a muffled bark, and yet it was charming.
"I would never take a soul as important as yours into such a tawdry vessel of avarice. I have something much different in mind, if you don't mind riding on my back. I will, of course, understand if that is too intimate for you. I am a ghoul, and I am sure my touch would be repulsive to you, and I am far too bold to suggest this, and yet …"
"That's ridiculous. There's nothing repulsive about you at all. But can you hold me up? I mean, I"m completely physical."
"Your touch, physical as you are, will be all I need or will ever need to carry you anywhere you want to go, be it the Earth or the stars."
Meet the Author
LS Delorme is the award-winning author of the Limerent series, a genre-blending collection of supernatural mystery, psychological thriller, historical fiction, and romantic suspense. Drawing on her background in law, music, and science writing, she creates emotionally layered stories that explore memory, identity, morality, and the consequences of the choices we make.
Now based in Paris, Delorme lives with her husband and their two sons. Her work has received praise for its imaginative world-building, compelling characters, and thoughtful storytelling.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads | LS Delorme Author Hub
If this sounds like your kind of story, you can explore purchase options below.
Support Local Bookshops
Prefer to support independent bookstores? You can shop for Sabbatical: Part One through Bookshop.org below.
Shop Sabbatical: Part One on Bookshop.org
If the widget does not load right away, you can refresh the page or use the direct Bookshop link above.
Read Sabbatical: Part One on Kobo
View Sabbatical,: Part One on Amazon
📌 Save This Review for Later
Planning your next fantasy read? Hover over the image to save this review to Pinterest and come back whenever you're ready to explore the Limerent universe.
Tour dates: July 15-August 5, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
Goddess Fish Promotions - Sabbatical: Part One Tour Page.
Giveaway
Enter below for a chance to win, and good luck!
One lucky winner will receive a $20 Amazon/BN gift card from LS Delorme
Trouble loading the form? Enter here.
Get Friday Finds + Bookish Extras
Join me for Friday Finds, cozy reads, and bookish discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
Leave a comment