diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.md b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
index 30396dcd6..02e0a4243 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.md
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # Release Notes
 
+## 8.1.4 - Mar 30 2026
+
+- Performance: `JsonValue.Parse` now copies unescaped string runs in bulk instead of appending character-by-character, reducing `StringBuilder.Append` calls for strings with few or no escape sequences
+
 ## 8.1.3 - Mar 23 2026
 
 - Fix JSON `/* ... */` comment parser: `*` or `/` characters inside the comment body no longer cause premature termination and parse failure
diff --git a/src/FSharp.Data.Json.Core/JsonValue.fs b/src/FSharp.Data.Json.Core/JsonValue.fs
index 9f9c52b70..21be4f008 100644
--- a/src/FSharp.Data.Json.Core/JsonValue.fs
+++ b/src/FSharp.Data.Json.Core/JsonValue.fs
@@ -315,8 +315,18 @@ type private JsonParser(jsonText: string) =
         ensure (i < s.Length && s.[i] = '"')
         i <- i + 1
 
+        // Track start of current unescaped run; flush as a bulk chunk when an escape or end is hit.
+        // This avoids per-character StringBuilder.Append calls for strings with few/no escapes,
+        // which is the common case in real-world JSON.
+        let mutable chunkStart = i
+
+        let inline flushChunk upTo =
+            if upTo > chunkStart then
+                buf.Append(s, chunkStart, upTo - chunkStart) |> ignore
+
         while i < s.Length && s.[i] <> '"' do
             if s.[i] = '\\' then
+                flushChunk i
                 ensure (i + 1 < s.Length)
 
                 match s.[i + 1] with
@@ -371,10 +381,12 @@ type private JsonParser(jsonText: string) =
                 | _ -> throw ()
 
                 i <- i + 2 // skip past \ and next char
+                chunkStart <- i
             else
-                buf.Append(s.[i]) |> ignore
                 i <- i + 1
 
+        // Flush any remaining unescaped characters
+        flushChunk i
         ensure (i < s.Length && s.[i] = '"')
         i <- i + 1
         let str = buf.ToString()