This was a very angst-filled, hurt-comfort book featuring an upcoming and coming writer Alexander Montgomery who has turned to S&M to deal with the paThis was a very angst-filled, hurt-comfort book featuring an upcoming and coming writer Alexander Montgomery who has turned to S&M to deal with the painful and abuse-filled past. When his series was optioned for a tv show, Alex finds himself infatuated with the lead actor Christopher Sage. I had a harder time decrypting the source of Alex’s agony than I had figuring out the bad guys in this book. But it was so uncomfortable because I wasn’t sure Alex really wanted to live because of the extreme amount of pain he was intentional enduring. I was so happy that Sage became a source of comfort but I don’t accept Sage’s “black Irish” moods as an excuse for some of his callous behavior and comments concerning the S&M. It was mean and it didn’t show patience after Alex had asked for some time. I just wished that maybe they had sought to see Melanie, Alex’s therapist together to help them navigate this uncharted territory. Melanie was the unsung hero in this novel to me because of her dedication and persistence with helping Alex. Other secondary characters were important too and I enjoyed their inclusion in this couple’s journey. I like that author tackled such an emotionally heavy subject but this story was painful to read. I was rooting for seriously healing and happiness for two people who have been through such tragic pasts but I felt that Sage could have been more understanding than he was to Alex. I liked this book but I didn’t really connect with Alex and Sage as a couple. I did feel more invested in Alex as a survivor. This book is difficult for me to rate because I liked it but didn’t love it.
Merged review:
This was a very angst-filled, hurt-comfort book featuring an upcoming and coming writer Alexander Montgomery who has turned to S&M to deal with the painful and abuse-filled past. When his series was optioned for a tv show, Alex finds himself infatuated with the lead actor Christopher Sage. I had a harder time decrypting the source of Alex’s agony than I had figuring out the bad guys in this book. But it was so uncomfortable because I wasn’t sure Alex really wanted to live because of the extreme amount of pain he was intentional enduring. I was so happy that Sage became a source of comfort but I don’t accept Sage’s “black Irish” moods as an excuse for some of his callous behavior and comments concerning the S&M. It was mean and it didn’t show patience after Alex had asked for some time. I just wished that maybe they had sought to see Melanie, Alex’s therapist together to help them navigate this uncharted territory. Melanie was the unsung hero in this novel to me because of her dedication and persistence with helping Alex. Other secondary characters were important too and I enjoyed their inclusion in this couple’s journey. I like that author tackled such an emotionally heavy subject but this story was painful to read. I was rooting for seriously healing and happiness for two people who have been through such tragic pasts but I felt that Sage could have been more understanding than he was to Alex. I liked this book but I didn’t really connect with Alex and Sage as a couple. I did feel more invested in Alex as a survivor. This book is difficult for me to rate because I liked it but didn’t love it....more
[image]
I tried. I really have tried to give this author a chance because she is so popular and my bookclub LOVES her work. But her storytelling do
[image]
I tried. I really have tried to give this author a chance because she is so popular and my bookclub LOVES her work. But her storytelling doesn’t pique my interest and I am never able to connect with her stories. I just find a lot of sex and little plot. I did finish it so I can be able to discuss at next months bookclub but I’m confident that Sierra Simone isn’t my cup of tea....more
I was given this book at a panel during Book Bonanza and I was excited because I love age gap romances. The writing was compelling as I cringed thinkiI was given this book at a panel during Book Bonanza and I was excited because I love age gap romances. The writing was compelling as I cringed thinking of all Ivory has had to deal with living with her brother and her mother. The lack is protection and basic care by her family is just demoralizing. Her school was a haven and still a landmine of sorts because she has to navigate the traps there in order to get to her ultimate goal: a scholarship
Emeric, her teacher, saw her as the talented musician she was and he was drawn to her. Unfortunately he seemed to have a type, subordinates. He also doesn’t seem to adhere to rules unless they are made by him or benefit him. He knowingly dates women who are supposed to be out of bounds for him as a teacher. So clearly he loves forbidden fruit.
Ivory and Emeric had good chemistry and I quickly became invested in the Romantic relationship. I felt relief that someone was finally taking care and protecting Ivory. Lack of financial resources in addition to physical safety made Ivory a perpetual victim to all around her but Emeric quickly became a barrier. Watching her flourish with him made this book so much more enjoyable for me.
I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read others by this author....more
This story was just meh for me. It didn’t grab me and the chemistry didn’t really feel compelling. I didn’t connect with Kendallan okay age gap romance
This story was just meh for me. It didn’t grab me and the chemistry didn’t really feel compelling. I didn’t connect with Kendall nor Knox so it was hard to root for their relationship. I didn’t like jude either as he felt like just a friend too....more
Laura was a high power attorney whose was brought in to broker a sale of a business to the Kuschenko familya touch of BDSM with this Bratva love story
Laura was a high power attorney whose was brought in to broker a sale of a business to the Kuschenko family, part of the Bratva. Laura bluffs her way to the better part of the deal earning the respect and admiration of Maksim Kuschenko and he asks her out.
Laura seems both super confident and super insecure. She’s confident in her sexuality but then she’s not. She doesn’t want to be a sub but she kind of does. She was a bit all over the place as a character so I didn’t quite connect with her. Maksim was consistent as an alpha. He was clear about how he felt and what he wanted. I enjoyed him as a hero and as a brother to his siblings.
I think I will continue the series but I won’t listen to the book because i enjoyed book better than the narration....more
I liked this book but I didn’t love it. Hunter, his wife Isobel and best friend Drake really had a solid thing going as they3.5 Stars for the throuple
I liked this book but I didn’t love it. Hunter, his wife Isobel and best friend Drake really had a solid thing going as they figured out what they want. What I enjoyed was that they had no judgments on each other, just some issues accepting and voicing their personal desires. There was a lot of sex but I didn’t feel emotional invested in their journey.
It seemed like Hunter was the connection but it was really Isobel that was the bridge that allowed both men to get over the hump and pursue their happiness.
I liked Armand and I loved that I learned about Intermittent explosive disorder. I didn't like how he behaved with his mo3.5 stars for Boogie and Ella
I liked Armand and I loved that I learned about Intermittent explosive disorder. I didn't like how he behaved with his mom in Leland's book Let Me Hold You. This book allowed Armand a chance to figure out why he was flying into rages with everyone and begin the process of healing from his trauma. Now he meets Ella, Big South's daughter, who is also dealing with the fallout of her last relationship as well as the abuse she suffered at the boyfriend's hands. It was like the second generation of the McClains finding love. I loved how the author weaved the characters we have grown to love with the new kids.
I just didn't buy the relationship dynamic with Ella and Armand. There wasn't enough set up to build trust for that. Armand and his rage issues acquiesced a little too fast and easy especially. I also didn't get the sense of true alpha dominance from Ella. I definitely regret listening to the book because the narrator Wesleigh Siobhan didn't pull it an assertive, commanding and dominant presence at all. Especially when couple with Jakobi Diem, it just didn't ring authentic to me.
I did enjoy their devotion and loyalty to each other and think they were good for each other. Bonus for me was Unc calling Boogie, Booger. He always manages to add levity to all situations. A good love story in this series.
I was expecting much more kink than sweetness but I was happy with this story. Charlie and her boyfriend Beau were broken upA sweet forbidden romance
I was expecting much more kink than sweetness but I was happy with this story. Charlie and her boyfriend Beau were broken up before she met Beau’s estranged father Emerson. There was an attraction immediately but nothing could come of it since Charlie is 21 and Emerson is 40 years old. Besides, Emerson is her ex’s father so all thoughts just have to remain a fantasy…or does it is?
I like that the relationship wasn’t salacious, and the power dynamic felt very light. I dare say that this relationship felt like two lonely people connecting on a deep level. Their chemistry was good but the mental and emotional connection put this story on another level for me. I felt happy for Charlie that Emerson really listened and observed her because he was a kind, considerate and protective man. This story was a win for me....more
Wow. What a ride! I was completely unprepared for how much I would enjoy these characters. I loved Natalie because she was Cage and Natalie are so hot!
Wow. What a ride! I was completely unprepared for how much I would enjoy these characters. I loved Natalie because she was like a fresh canvas. She wasn’t stupid but she was naive, unjaded and looking for answers but she found Cage. This book had a lot of things I love, sexy chemistry, mafia men, a sassy best friend, a woman coming into her own but with a powerful man who gives her confidence to grow and an intriguing plot. Cage wasn’t a good man but he was a good man to her. The vulnerability and their banter was the best part of their relationship. They were just fun and captivating together. I really loved this one!
The wiring was really good. The power dynamic was fun. I can’t wait to get book 2...more
This book was very sexy. I was here for that heat.
Tink was on the run from an abusive ex Peter. She enters into a marriage of convenience with Hook, This book was very sexy. I was here for that heat.
Tink was on the run from an abusive ex Peter. She enters into a marriage of convenience with Hook, who despises her ex and they set a trap for Peter. Meanwhile Tink and Hook get to know each other as Tink is a submissive and Hook is a Dom. Their bedroom play was fun, much more than the actual suspense thriller angle with Peter....more
This is one of the dark romances that I don’t enjoy. The idea of a stranger having agency of a person without consent or consenting to be their slave This is one of the dark romances that I don’t enjoy. The idea of a stranger having agency of a person without consent or consenting to be their slave just makes my stomach turn. It’s almost impossible to redeem Sebastian for me as I’m unable to suspend belief enough to buy into...whatever this is. I think that him caning Helena, using a belt and dub con is too much for me.
Ian, the master Dom of Sanctum, finally gets his day of reckoning with his "dead" wife Charlotte. Charlotte "Charlie" was forced to betray he3.5 stars.
Ian, the master Dom of Sanctum, finally gets his day of reckoning with his "dead" wife Charlotte. Charlotte "Charlie" was forced to betray her husband Ian in order to save her little sister. Charlie let Ian believe she was dead for five years but now she is ready to beg for his forgiveness and get him back. This battle to regain his trust took the whole book because Ian didn't want anyone to make a fool of him again. This book was a good addition to the series because it involved all of the other couples, friends and siblings. They all had to work together to protect Ian, Charlie and their whole network from Lawson.
Unfortunately I wasn't in a headspace to enjoy the BDSM aspect of this story and it is an integral part of this series. I do like that Ian made Charlie work to prove that she would chose him if she had to do it all over again. If you love stories with special agents, double agents, spies and international intrigue, this series continues to give the reader that and more....more
3.5 Ellie may have been the beauty but she was really naive as to what was going on around her. She was mired in crap and seemed to Who was the Beast?
3.5 Ellie may have been the beauty but she was really naive as to what was going on around her. She was mired in crap and seemed to be clueless about many things. Ash was definitely the opposite. He controlled most of the things in his sphere. He has power, money and he exercised it with confidence. I enjoyed the hero so much because he was hard, ruthless but fair in his dealings. He was upfront but he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
Ellie was a good match because she brought out more of his protective side. They were hot together but I wanted to know more about Ellie before Ash. This was a good take on the fairy tale and it was well done ...more
This book was about letting go of who a person was before a traumatic event and making peace with the new personMore like 3.75-ish but Yay for Healing
This book was about letting go of who a person was before a traumatic event and making peace with the new person. That involved really dealing with the catalyst of the change, the trauma.
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out Shep’s trauma since Claudia’s was explicitly detailed. I liked the writing style and I loved the characters communication with each other. Their chemistry was off the charts from the beginning to the end. The sex was so sexy in on a explicit way as well as the subtleties. It’s the rubbing of the back as well as the pounding through the mattress. It all made for scorchingly hot novel that was really gave me the warm fuzzies in my belly.
I didn’t get a real sense of the before Shep or the before Claudia and it made it hard to fully appreciate who they are today but I think I do prefer the “After” personalities. I’m also curious why the author chose to make the healing independent from the justice available from the criminal justice system. There were a few comments about what was going to happen but the FBI dudes never appeared again and we didn’t hear much about the legal procedure.
I wonder if the author wrote an epilogue, like 2 years later in the lives of Shep and Claudia. That would be super cool to catch up with them and see if they really do have those kids and he stays home. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to try book 2. ...more
Loading...
