I read this without reading the blurb, so colour me surprised by where the story went. So, 4.5 Stars for this great, twisty, boundary pushing, somehow dark but not dark, dubious, yet non-consensual yet utterly consensual, rollercoaster of a read.
…shunting up and down, dipping a half-inch into me, while he kept talking in that deep and deliberate way that was as nasty as swallowing pure scotch. So good. So bad.
I was reading reviews for a book that popped up on my bookbub feed. It’s an older story so there were lots of comparisons to 50 shades. What has that got to do with this book, you ask yourself. It’s that Klaus and Jodie are every day people. Not only do they have normal jobs, heck Klaus is an accountant for Pete’s sake – no billionaires here -, they are down to earth, honest to god believable. And that includes the very drastic and unusual steps they take to solve a problem not entirely of their making.
I’ve read darker, more nasty, more horrific stories, but those books feel like stories, whereas Bind and Keep Me, well it held undertones of truth. Enough honesty that I’m wondering what might be found in Ms Silverwood’s basement. It didn’t take wild flights of fancy to picture yourself in a similar situation. Just where would you draw (or not draw) the line to protect your future with those you love?
You can’t read this book without questioning morals, whether that be of the characters, the author or yourself. I do love a book that makes you think and question, whilst simultaneously providing great entertainment. Oh and indulging in lots of dirty, kinky smut.
Klaus is a bad good man, sometimes more one than the other.
He waited. Patient as a fucking demon with a soul to harvest.
He was by parts scary, concerned, sadistic, gentle, demanding and loving. I’ve heard lots of fellow fans pick Klaus as their favourite Cari Silverwood hero and I can see why. The inner workings of his mind are fascinating, and deep down everything he does is edged with care and concern. It might also be nasty and pushing the dub-con boundaries, but it’s also understandable why others fall for his very particular brand of charm.
I’d thought I was a pillar of society. But now, I knew I was a thousand miles from that. And I wasn’t sure I cared anymore. My empathy waxed and waned with the tides of my sadistic desires.
I’d turned to the dark side. Apparently, they didn’t have cookies like someone had once told me, but they did have hot women.
There are incredible contrasts of hard and soft, dark and light, severe and gentle in the relationship. There may even be mentions of the ‘L’ word. Despite the questionable ethics and morality of it’s inception, the relationship that emerges in this book is both heartwarming and genuine. It’s also probably not totally healthy, but it’s ultimately one of choice, maybe not free choice, but choice nevertheless.
The sex scenes are mind blowingly hot. It is a kink that balances between pleasure and pain, a confusion of being unwillingly willing, all trussed up in the most carefully constructed bondage and satiated with soul crushing orgasms. And doesn’t she enjoy it all so very much.
The tiny drops welled up like water from a slow spring. Fresh and red on her paleness. Truthfully I’d exaggerated. This was a bit of a mindfuck. I’d scratched her repeatedly rather than truly cut her.
(Yeah and didn’t the author mindfuck me with that little scenario too!)
I’m going to finish with a quote that delighted the Biologist in me. If you know, you know.
Negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement. I was a self-aware Pavlov’s dog.
This book is part of a dark kinky fiction series and may disturb some readers.
How far would you go to protect your love and your life?
When two deaths turn his world upside down, Klaus must wrestle with a problem that goes soul deep. With Jodie it was capture fantasy but now he’s made the fantasy real, dragging her along as his accomplice. No one should feel so good about something so wrong.
Maybe his soul is darker than he feared. Maybe the rules shouldn’t apply to him.
I’m not usually the biggest fan of novellas. but this is an amazing story and I only wish it was longer!
We saw glimpses of Daciana and Elias in the first X-Clan book, here we get to see how they came to be a couple. Whilst you can read this as a stand alone, with it being a novella, I would recommend reading Andorra Sector first so that you fully understand the world and it’s inhabitants. It’s also a really fantastic omegaverse/shifter tale, just like this one.
Somebody really needed their behind kicking for not having explained to Daciana just how valued she was by both the Ash Wolves as well as those of the X-Clan. An omega deeply traumatised by the situation she had been ‘rescued’ from, it was no wonder her expectations were so low and she was prepared for the worst. Thankfully she got the best, in the alpha that is Elias. He is just so protective, so caring, so totally and utterly swoon-worthy that you can’t help but fall in love with him.
The Experiment totally drew me in and I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. It’s hot, sexy, full of feels and a sheer joy to read. I guarantee that once you pick it up you won’t want to put it down until you have finished the book. You will be captivated by Elias and his ability to heal the mental and emotional scars that Daciana carries. I’m also certain you will be cheering this pair on from the sidelines, desperate for them to get their HEA.
Daciana I’m an offering. A test. A pawn in an agreement I know little about.
Fly to Andorra Sector. Allow them to experiment. Mate an X-Clan Wolf Alpha. Hope for the best.
Those are my orders. My fate. My current existence. There’s nowhere to run, and the moon is a clock I can’t ignore. One of these Alphas will claim me, assuming our genetics are a match. And if not, well, that’s a fate worse than death.
Tick tock. Make a choice. Your future depends on it.
Elias The pretty little blonde wolf has seen too much pain for her young years.
It makes me want to fix her. To adore her. To show her there can be good in this world. But our future is wrapped up in an experiment.
Either she’s compatible or she’s not. The moon will determine our fate, or perhaps my inner wolf will decide it for us. Because with each passing moment, it becomes harder not to claim the female who I know in my heart is very much mine.
Run, run, little one. And don’t look back. For if I catch you, I just may bite.
Note: This is a standalone novella featuring characters from Andorra Sector, Book One of the X-Clan Series. It has Omegaverse elements and features a happily-ever-after ending.
Take Me Break Me (Pierced Hearts #1) by Cari Silverwood
Is it really strange that my favourite line of this book is probably the following?
Semen reminded me of bad oysters.
I think it has a lot to do with realism and not sugar coating (every pun intended there) the truth of our sex lives.
I have had this unread on my kindle for far too long. Embarrassingly long when you consider that Cari Silverwoodis one of my go-to authors. So amid the strangeness of trying to work-from-home I decided to use some of that extra time to plough through my TBR list.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a story quite like Take Me, Break Me. Consensual non-consent is a kink that does have it’s appeal, though only if it’s within a framework of agreed limits and with a safeword. Hyped up on reading capture fantasy but with no real idea of Sane, Safe & Consensual or even Risk Aware Consensual Kink, Jodie and Klaus set out on a very dangerous adventure indeed. I think what struck me most, other than just how debauched, degrading and dangerously filthy the play in the book is, was how honest and real the story felt. Even when they wandered into uncharted waters and risked either running aground on a hidden reef or being smashed against rocks along the coastline. This was an adventure, an exploration, a conquering of new lands that I simply had to be part of.
He hadn’t budged. While I’d run through the encyclopedia of my worries, filed them alphabetically, and then set them alight, he’d barely shifted an inch.
I’m going to be brutally honest and say that this book didn’t hook me from the start. It took a few chapters for me to get into the flow of the story, but once I did then that proverbial hook very definitely sank itself under my skin. And no Ms Silverwood, despite your apparent obsession with needles and all things sharp and pointy, that most definitely fits in the category of ‘your kink is not my kink, but that’s ok.’ Eek.
I haven’t read any other reviews yet, I like my mind to be fresh, my opinion to be untainted, so I’ve not idea what others may or may not have said regarding the following point. At first I doubted that Klaus had never had any kinky/dominant leanings prior to his role-play with Jodie. But then I realised that I actually CAN relate to that 100%, we aren’t all born knowing we desire certain kinks, many of us never saw, recognised or even suspected those desires resided within us. Not until we were well into adult hood, and possible hitting middle age! And no, before you ask, it wasn’t a 50 Shades of Gray inspired revelation. I’ve never even read the book, though Cherise Sinclair might have started the ball rolling – or should that be flogger swinging?
I digress, so back to THIS book, which is a veritable delight of kinky-fuckery, delving into some very sadistic acts, though thankfully Jodie is a huge masochist so is totally down for all Klaus can deliver. Watching the pair of them growinto their fetishes, uncover their darkest, most hidden desires and discover a whole new world of pleasurable torment, pain and power exchange was fascinating. The pleasurable pain was pretty darn good all on it’s own. And I giggled at the irony of this line “this scenario would have had me flipping the ebook pages one-handed.”. Touche, Ms Silverwood, you certainly know your readers well 😉😂.
This isn’t a “how to” guide, in fact it’s probably more of a “how not to” tale, though common sense prevails in the end, and whilst Ms Silverwood leaves it on more of a HFN note than a HEA, neither Klaus nor Jodie are soppy romantics, so anything else would have felt false at this point. As they embark on their adventure, this pair have no idea of the rabbit hole they willingly throw themselves down. Nor how much they will not only enjoy the fall but come to crave it in a “can’t-live-without-it” way.
Maybe if I was another man, I’d have been thinking about how to talk her into a relationship after the documentary ended. I would have been talking with her, full stop. But the opposite course of action drew me like gravity on a man falling from the sky. I was going down, down, down.
I’m supposed to be finishing one arc and reading another over the next 2 days, but am hugely tempted to indulge in reading Bind and Keep Me, the next steps in Klaus and Jodie’s adventure. It’s unusual but this does NOT end on a cliff-hanger and you COULD read it as a stand alone, though Klaus is just too delightfully dark and deviant to ever want to leave him behind – unless it’s for a little ass play of course!
HER:
Re-enacting an abduction in a documentary would surely rake in the money? I need that money. I’m knee-deep in debt. My well-used eBook is packed with capture fantasies – of being made to kneel and obey a man because … because of a million reasons. Reading them makes me squirm and want to break out the vibe. I’m terrified, fascinated, and tempted as hell.This will put me in the hands, and basement, of a man I never gave up on.
HIM: This idea could get her killed if I let another man help her. The problem is, the deeper we get into this role-play of hers, the more I see it as a sham. We need to throw away the rules of the contract.Make that *I* need to throw away the rules. Seeing her gagged, bound, and at my mercy stirs things in me I never thought I would feel.I like this too much.
Beneath the surface of an ordinary man dark, sadistic desires may lurk.
When he turns on the cameras it’s too late to go back. Will man and lover, or monster, win in the end?
Take Me, Break Me, Book One of the Pierced Hearts series, begins the descent into dark romance. The following books in the series are far darker and more twisted.
All five books and novella in the Pierced Hearts series are available in a boxset: “The Complete Pierced Hearts Series”.
“…a brutally realistic portrayal of two people playing around with things they didn’t understand and getting in absolutely and completely over their heads.”
The True series, by Willow Madison, is one that very much polarises readers. I’m obviously in the ‘loved them’ camp since I don’t usually post reviews on here of books I didn’t like or books I DNF’d.
The series has been out quite a while now, I know the author and reviews mention editing issues but I can’t say this was a problem for me, which means I was either so caught up in the story I missed them, there weren’t actually that many for it to cause an issue or the books have been polished up at some point. I have no idea which of the three it is, and quite frankly it doesn’t matter. I just wanted to to let people know that the editing wasn’t atrocious.
Following reader reaction as she released the first three books, Willow decided to write two alternate endings to Max and Lucy’s story, thus allowing readers to choose their own conclusion to it. Personally I’m glad I chose True Control 4.1, Willow’s original ending, to read first. It’s a very dark story that finally opened my eyes to the true consensuality of the relationship that Max and Lucy are in. It is full of triggers, so I strongly advise readers to proceed with caution. However it is also the most perfectly imperfect ending and fits so well with what BOTH Max and Lucy want and need.
I read True Control 4.2 a couple of weeks after reading 4.1 and whilst the writing was top notch, with a story so full of incredible feels it left my emotions reeling, I was still left with a slight feeling of unease. It felt like the ending was a bit of a cop out, as though somehow Max and Lucy’s relationship was wrong, was unacceptable, that Max needed to change. It’s definitely the “morally easier” story to read, and if Willow Madison ever decides to write an angsty contemporary romance I’ll be buying shares in Kleenex tissues because boy did it pack an emotional punch to the feels. But without having read 4.1, which will forever by MY ending to the story, I think I would have felt robbed. The whole point of the True series was to push buttons and boundaries, have you questioning your beliefs and judgement and 4.2, whilst a brilliant book, felt like a sop to the unease of readers. It felt like an easy out, a get-out-of-jail-free card, it felt like a travesty of the truth.
TRUE CONTROL 4.1 by Willow Madison
So addictive I read all 4 books over 2 days – and nights *ahem*. Good job it was the weekend!
The beating I gave her once would be nothing in comparison to this amount of rage. It wouldn’t just be once. I’d have her black and blue for weeks for what she’s done. I stop pacing though. It’s no use to imagine. She’s not here. God help me, she may never be here again.
Max, True Control 4.1, True Series
Having taken the chance on the original, darker ending to Max and Lucy’s story, I’m not sure if I want to read the alternative. Though I am super curious as to what happens in that book, having bought 4 books one after the other I’m not sure my pocket can take the financial hit. If I had any sense I would have saved myself a few quid and signed up to KU for the month – ain’t hindsight a bitch?
Anyway, back to the important thing – my review of this dark beauty. So it’s difficult to truly do this book justice in a review without scattering it with too many spoilers. And you need to go into this book as blind as I did, because that allows you to truly understand the TPEdynamic that Lucy and Max share.
I know my girl. Lucy didn’t know her submissive side when I met her. I saw it in her. I recognized the signs, saw what she could be for me. I broke her and made her mine quickly. I forced her to submit to me completely. I gave her only one choice, one chance to back away from her destiny with me. I smile thinking about that night. She was so scared. And so yielding.
Max, True Control 4.1, True Series
So all those debates we’ve had over whether this pairs relationship was healthy, was consensual, was a TPE or abuse, were blown wide apart in this book. Because the author took us down a pitch black path of genuine abuse. There are some very traumatic and possibly triggering events in this book and it really is a proceed with caution read. However if you appreciated the first three books (I’m not sure enjoyed properly describes the experience 😉) then hopefully you are someone who is used to the difficult and troubling journey a truly dark read can take us on.
Lucy suffers in new ways, ways that make clear her true feelings, needs and desires. Suddenly we see that she isn’t the weak, doormat we all assumed her to be. We discover that her quietness is just her truth, her willingness to bend in order to please Max was her choice and her subservience was her pleasure. I owe the girl a massive apology, she is the strong one of the pair, the cement that secures their foundations.
I haven’t mentioned it before, which is very remiss of me “Sorry, Sir.” but Max had a very traumatic and difficult start to life. He suffered physical, emotional and mental abuse. It powers his need for control, and may well be the source of his anger. And I think it’s the author’s portrayal of that anger, constantly bubbling below the surface, that has concerned me most throughout this series. It wasn’t until this book that I truly believed in Max. Truly understood the depth of his feelings for Lucy and accepted his ability to control his anger.
I’ve never felt helpless before, powerless. I always had choices. And I know that it’s choices that give a person control. That’s why I don’t give Lucy any. I am in control. Of her. Of me. But … not now.
Max, True Control 4.1, True Series
Within the first few chapters it became glaringly obvious that, however much Max’s behaviour pushed our buttons, however much it made us uncomfortable, made us frown and judge (and oh boy does this book make that judgement so very apparent) Lucy fully agreed, participated and welcomed it. And yes, he does love her. Not in a way many of us could understand, not in a way many of us would probably want, but he loved her with every fibre of his being. It’s a crazy way of caring, but it’s what they both want and need.
She tries to stall, talk back. Bad move, little girl. I slap her. Not her left side, this is still too hurt.
Max, True Control 4.1, True Series
Whilst this isn’t a conventional love story, whilst it isn’t a typical romance, IMO it does deserve both labels. Each couple are entitled to live and love in the way that best suits them, and that’s what Max and Lucy do.
Even that final chapter, where it could be assumed that Max took away every last scrap of Lucy’s ability to choose and decide. I was just getting angry at Max for not respecting Lucy’s wishes when I realised that he was doing exactlywhat Lucy wanted. If she truly hadn’t wanted that reaction from him she could have made some very different decisions earlier in the day.
I am a monster. And she just loves me. Always.
Max, True Control 4.1, True Series
WAIT! YOU HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE BEFORE BUYING THIS BOOK!
Note from the author:
I’ve written two completely different, alternative endings to this series. See for yourself why fans are saying this makes all the other dark romances look like greyed out shades of fairytales.
This is the end one way or another. ~Willow
ONE OR TWO There was only ever one ending for Max and Lucy, but I aim to please—or torture—however you wish to look at it. I believe in true choices, so I give you control of their fate to pick which ending you prefer.
LOST OR FOUND This is the darker ending for Max and Lucy. The monster gets the girl. When love is lost, it may be impossible to find a way back to True Control.
NOTE: All the books in this series are available for purchase/download now, so you won’t be left wanting or waiting. This series involves a combination of Domestic Discipline, D/s, and Sm Now available in paperback too!
Excerpts: I know my girl. She didn’t know her submissive side when I met her. I saw it in her. I recognized the signs, saw what she could be for me. I didn’t go slow. I didn’t have patience. I didn’t ease her into anything.
I broke her and made her mine quickly. I forced her to submit to me completely. I gave her only one choice. One chance to back away from her destiny with me.
She can’t be lost. I need her. Here with me. I’m lost without her.
…..
He’ll kill me eventually. In a rage, he’ll do it without thinking. I start to cry again, but shout at myself to stop.
I look in the mirror again…I’m only getting more broken by the day…mentally and physically. I try to stand up, to take a deep breath. But I wince at my reflection.
I hear him shouting at me and I turn away from the girl in the mirror…I can’t be her today. I can’t be strong when I’m this weak.
I really enjoyed this, with all it’s emotional intensity, but I would still recommend 4.1 for the true dark romance lover.
I wasn’t sure if I would read this alternative ending because for me True Control 4.1 was the perfect ending to Lucy and Max’s story. This one I both loved and hated. I definitely loved the amazing story telling of the author, my word did she make me feel. So many emotions, so much pain, such sweet love. These more subtle emotions had been masked by the anger, fear and total domination in previous books. This book is worth reading just to recognise how incredibly skilled this author is at crafting complex characters and situations. Because I wasn’t distracted by my Lucy’s struggles with submitting to Max, my focus was less on being shocked, irritated, angry, surprised, horrified, awed and bemused and more on the beautiful nuances of the story.
On the other hand I hated it too. I won’t say what caused that feeling, because that would be a spoiler, though if you read the other reviews many of them allude to just why this made me feel both hurt and let down. I didn’t like the suggestion, or impression, that Max was somehow wrong. Max was never wrong, he quite happily told us that on many an occasion. Whilst his brand of domination wouldn’t be for many, he wasn’t wrong or bad, he was just a different sort of hero.
On the surface we see a much stronger Lucy in this story, however I still firmly believe that her true strength lay in her decision, her choice, to submit to everything Max demanded of her. Her ability to let go and acquiesce with every fibre of her being. There is a very judgemental part of me that believes if you needed this book as the ending of the story you should hand your “dark romance reader” card in right now. For chunks of this I felt as though I was reading an angsty contemporary romance. An amazing and well written one but one that wasn’t true to the rest of the series. A bit like putting a sticking plaster on deep gash, this was fantastic but not suited to the job of being the conclusion of a dark romance.
Thank you to the author for kindly gifting me a copy of this book, because my curiosity had me desperate to know what the alternative ending was. I don’t regret reading it but I’m really, really glad I read the other one first. If this is the ending you prefer that’s fine because we all enjoy and need different things from our reads.
ONE OR TWO There was only ever one ending for Max and Lucy, but I aim to please—or torture—however you wish to look at it. I believe in true choices, so I give you control of their fate to pick which ending you prefer.
LOST OR FOUND This is the lighter ending for Max and Lucy. When destiny gets in the way, love may have trouble finding a way back to True Control.
NOTE: All the books in this series are available for purchase/download now, so you won’t be left wanting or waiting. This series involves a combination of Domestic Discipline, D/s, and Sm Now available in paperback too!
Excerpts: I try to be still in Max’s arms. I’m too chilled by his words. So calm. So clear. “What if…what if that’s not what I want…what I need…?” I say this as almost a whisper, too afraid to say it…to afraid to keep it in.
He doesn’t say anything for a long time. I almost think he didn’t hear me until his voice answers in a whisper too, “You gave up having a choice when you became my wife, Lucy. What you want…what you need…I decide. You’ll take whatever I do to you.”
Even in a whisper, I know his final tone when I hear it. There’s no point in talking more. I swallow and still only speak in a cracked whisper, “What…what are you going to do to me, Max?”
And he waits to answer me again. His voice slides across the words, like he’s enjoying hearing the fear in my voice, feeling the shiver in my body. “Do you really want to know, little girl?”
…..
I don’t really want to be cruel to her. I like hurting her, sometimes just for my pleasure…but I want to be loving and kind to her too. And most of the time, I am.
I give her all of my love. I deny her nothing. Within reason anyway. I’m not a fool though. I know what I demand isn’t for everyone. I’ve had enough girlfriends throw modern feminism and equal rights crap in my face to know that Lucy isn’t like any other girl.
She understands that she needs my guidance. She gets that all of my rules, demands, punishments are meant to help her, to help us. To be happy.
I know I’m a monster. I’ve come to terms with this. I don’t care what anyone thinks of me. I only care about Lucy. About her obeying and submitting to me.
Ratings 5 stars – This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again. 4 stars – I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others. 3 stars – This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre. 2 stars – Whilst the book was readable I either didn’t enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters. 1 star – This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
My first read by this author and definitely NOT my last – especially as this one ends on a cliffie!
I came to this story via Andorra Sector by Lexi C Foss. We briefly met Dusan there, though Mila Young’s clever world building and dissemination of information means you don’t need to read that to understand and enjoy this. The small number of chapters in this did make me wonder how the author was going to convincingly write a reverse harem story in the available time, so I’m glad it isn’t stand alone. So despite being absolutely desperate to know what happens next, I’m glad that this is going to be a longer, more complex and developed tale.
I LOVED Meira. A strong heroine, who might have been inexperienced in terms of contact with others, but she sure knew how to look after herself. Dusan needed to earn her affection, after all he had ‘stolen’ her from her life, one that she was perfectly content with. I liked how the pair did forge that connection, and loved that Dusan ultimately gave Meira the ability to choose freely.
Another thing I really appreciated, was how the author wove a story and set of circumstances that, both for Meira as well as the other females, made their capture a blessing rather than a curse. It pushed dub-con boundaries but was definitely the lesser of two evils.
I couldn’t read the book quickly enough and was totally captivated by it, falling in love with both Meira and Dulsan. Personally I needed to see a little more of Lucien with Meira, that part of the story line felt just a little bit too rushed for my liking. However I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity to get to really know him, and Bardhyl who I suspect will prove equally important to the story. It was surprisingly slow burn, but when the flame did ignite boy was there a heatwave. SCORCHING.
This author’s fantastic writing, great characters and brilliant storyline has definitely found her a new fan.
They call me an outcast, weak.
I’ve fought my whole life for survival, running from an attack on my family I ended up hiding with the Ash Wolves. This one move might be my biggest mistake of all. And I’m the queen of mistakes…
I let them believe I’m broken, let them believe the lies. I let them believe anything they want…as long as it isn’t the truth.
There’s a monster inside me, one made of teeth and claws and terrifying need. I swallow it down, hiding under the pretense of being normal. But I’m not normal. I’m anything but.
Bonding is the only thing that will save us—me and the Ash pack. Only I need someone strong enough to fight the darkness inside me…and savage enough to stay.
Will the three ruthless alphas help me…when they find out the truth of what I am?
This is book 1 in a shifter paranormal romance story for those who love strong protectors, wolf shifters, and steamy scenes.
Ratings 5 stars – This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again. 4 stars – I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others. 3 stars – This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre. 2 stars – Whilst the book was readable I either didn’t enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters. 1 star – This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
Am I ever going to actually like Max for more than a few pages at a time?
This was the book where for me the relationship between Lucy and Max seemed to slide slowly from consensual DD to abuse. MY boundaries were overstepped in the previous books, but that doesn’t mean it was wrong for Lucy and Max. However the more I read this the more I truly worried for Lucy. The way she took all the blame for his anger, his disappointment, even when she wasn’t really at fault. He criticises her parents for “not having raised her properly” (ie subservient to the man of the house) and reacts badly when this unsurprisingly upsets her.
Yet as with the previous two books, two things shine through. Max does deeply care for Lucy, even though he is a selfish bastard, and Lucy craves the dominance that Max wields. Whatever one thinks about this relationship, however one feels about these characters, there is no denying the skill with which the author had written the book.
I want to please Max. I want to give him everything that he demands. I want to bend to his will.
Lucy, True Choices, True #3
You find yourself questioning if this IS abuse or not, you realise that you DON’T have the right to judge how anyone else chooses to conduct their relationship (as long as it is consensual), and if you’re like me you will see-saw back and forth on whether this IS a consensual relationship or not. He forces her into jogging and keep fit (so she can run with him) but also joins an Art Institute, which is Lucy’s favourite museum. Lucy has a desperate need to please Max and it’s hard to know if he is taking advantage of that or filling a need in her.
I still don’t like Max, I admire that he is driven, he is single-minded in his focus and he does what he says. My issue is that it is all about him. He is very narcissistic when all is said and done. He may do nice things for Lucy, but often it’s only because it suits him to. He enjoys hurting her too much, especially during sex. He revels in inflicting pain and in giving punishments, and whilst I’m not experienced in the M/s world, I’ve chatted with enough Dom’s to know that most of them don’t get this type of pleasure out of punishing their submissives. They don’t enjoy seeing them in true pain. A sadist might enjoy inflicting sensual pain that ultimately brings the masochist pleasure, but that wasn’t quite the vibe I was getting here. He gets hard seeing her bruises, his marks on her body.
“I know my cruelty excites her.”
“I want to take my time hurting her.”
“I need to see her tears. I need to hear her screams.”
“Something about how embarrassed Lucy is acting makes me want to embarrass her even more.”
Max, True Choices, True #3
There were many occasions when I questioned the validity of Max’s feelings for Lucy. Does he truly love her, or does he love her submission? Her willingness to go along with everything he demands? Her desire to please and do as he tells her regardless of her own needs and wishes?
I’d rather be wearing jeans and a sweatshirt on the water, but I don’t have a choice. …. “You look great…but you’re still going to freeze. I’ll get a scarf and gloves for you from Mom.” Whilst it’s nice that Max is concerned about Lucy being cold, it’s his insistence on her wearing girly dresses and skirts that puts her in that position.
And yet there ARE times he is very solicitous of her wellbeing. “Lucy, are you cold?” Max saw me shudder and is raising the car windows. “No, I’m fine.” I smile at his attentiveness. He always notices everything. “Thank you.”
Despite rushing her to get married, and not allowing her a say in it, he DOES want to know her wedding day dreams and plans. He arranges for her friend to be a support and shoulder to cry on when she packs up her apartment before they get married. He reassures her that she will still see her friends once they are married and he uses ice packs and gives her pain killers after a very severe punishment. To top it all off, Lucy gets turned on by his actions and reactions – so is it wrong?
But then the author reminds us of how on edge Lucy is.
“Her bright blue eyes, so telling. Fear.”
“She know’s she’s angered me. Her fear is electric.”
“I just smile up at him, hoing this won’t turn into an angry night.”
“I’ve never been more scared of him.”
Lucy and Max, True Choices, True #3
Then there is how quick to anger Max is, he “goes ballistic”, his “temper flares so quickly with her”, “anger is flaring back up”
Followed by just how very controlling Max is.
“We’re getting married next month and that’s final.” He turns and walks away. I wait before following him downstairs. I know Max likes being in control, but… but this is our wedding. This is the rest of our lives together. Maybe I’ll try to talk to him again when we’re back in the city. We really need to make some decisions together. But I know I’m kidding myself. Max doesn’t just like being in control. Max is in control.
“This ring means that you are no longer in control of anything. So when I tell you that we’re getting married next month…that is what we’re doing.”
Lucy and Max, True Choices, True #3
Whilst Max acknowledges Lucy’s feelings, he doesn’t seem to be bothered by them. As though Lucy’s emotions really, really don’t matter to him. Yet later he tell’s Lucy – “I will always try to take into consideration how you feel about something. But you need to understand that in our marriage, I will make all the decisions.
He tells her that if she really doesn’t like one of his decisions she may ask him to reconsider it. Though he won’t (and doesn’t) allow her to express her thoughts/reasons/opinions on it because it is “tantamount with arguing.”
I think one of the most disturbing aspects is how Lucy is unquestioning in most of this, how she readily accepts the blame for the pain he inflicts. Though there are some doubts.
It all seemed to happen so fast. But that look…I didn’t know him. I remember what I thought when I turned away from the terrace…that I had to get away from him.
Lucy, True Choices, True #3
A DARK ROMANCE True Choices is the third book in a series that includes two alternative endings. See for yourself why fans are saying this makes all the other dark romances look like greyed out shades of fairytales.
WIN OR LOSE Max leads; Lucy follows. How far he’s willing to push her may test both their limits though. With his prize in sight, Max can’t afford to relinquish control now.
DO OR DON’T Lucy embraces all that Max offers, giving exactly what is demanded of her. How far she’s willing to go in order to please him may have her facing the ultimate True Choices.
NOTE: All the books in this series are available for purchase/download now, so you won’t be left wanting or waiting. This series involves a combination of Domestic Discipline, D/s, and Sm Now available in paperbook too!
Excerpts:
“Lucy, I understand that you’re trying. I know you want to be respectful and you’re figuring out your limits. And I want to help you.” His hand moves my chin gently back to look at him, but his voice is edgier. “Look at me when I’m talking to you.”
He drops his hand and I keep my eyes on him while he continues. “You may ask me to reconsider a decision, but giving me your reasons for wanting me to is tantamount with arguing. Try again.”
…..
What if I couldn’t give him something that he demanded? What if he couldn’t control everything about me? What would happen to us if I couldn’t bend to his will no matter how hard I would try?
I shudder and put my arms around my middle, hugging myself. I’m not ready to face a possible darkened future. A day that I couldn’t give in to Max’s needs.
I shake my head a final time, close my eyes and breathe in normally. I let go of my waist and square my shoulders. But I keep my head down. I’ll do whatever it takes to make Max happy. Whatever is in my power to do.
Ratings 5 stars – This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again. 4 stars – I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others. 3 stars – This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre. 2 stars – Whilst the book was readable I either didn’t enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters. 1 star – This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
I finished book 1, bought book 2, started it immediately and then read it straight through.
So many things to say. So many. I still doubt that this relationship is totally safe. But then I don’t doubt either that it is what Lucy wants, or at least thinks she wants. And I’m pretty sure anyone in a M/s relationship will find me a judgemental a-hole. Whilst Lucy and Max don’t define their relationship in that way he DOES want to control her even down to her thoughts. He doesn’t want her to have any free will other than the will to please and live for him. That scares me half to death and is what makes this both and uncomfortable AND a gripping read.
“I crave your love, Max. I need your love. The pain… is part of your love and I crave it.”
It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t been indecent, if I hadn’t let those men touch me, if I hadn’t gone out to lunch {this is a WORK event} without his permission…none of this would have happened. I berate myself in silence.
Lucy, True Beginnings, True #2
I’ve never really ‘felt’ any romance in either book so far, but this to me is a psychological mind-f**k of a read anyway. One that has you questioning Lucy, Max, the author and your own sanity at times. I’m determined to finish this series over the weekend, as for the first time in a long time I am TOTALLY DESPERATE to know how a story ends.
He enjoys seeing bruises he has made on her – ok I could go with that, but these bruises are on HER FACE. Conversely this means he isn’t ashamed of what he does and therefore in his mind at least it isn’t abuse. It’s part of his control over Lucy. Though at times I got the impression all he wants is a doll who dresses, acts, thinks, speaks and poses exactly to his design. He doesn’t want Lucy. THAT is where my struggle is with Max. And yet I’m still fixated and enthralled by the story – kudos to the author for such great writing.
“…I want to get you to a point that your thoughts are automatically centered on me. And nothing else. And that your behaviour is second nature.”
She’ll make a good wife… with a few more lessons.
Max, True Beginnings, True #2
So there I am hating on Max when he says “But I don’t want you to be afraid of me truly hurting you. I will never do anything to you.. that can’t heal without damage.” I want to reassure her not frighten her this morning.
So just as I step back from the edge he then tells me I expect her not to close any doors to me. She doesn’t have the right to privacy anymore. aaaannnnndddd I’m right back at wanting to suffocate him.
“You don’t have the right to decide what you do, what we do, anymore. I expect you not to make plans again, Lucy. You get my permission first.”
I’ve been controlling and demanding.
“I’ve never lied to her. Lucy knows her place.”
“You belong to me, Lucy. You are mine. And I want you dependent on me.”
There may be times when she is unable to leave the bed after a spanking, legs and ass too swollen or sore.
She knows she can’t argue with me.
Her cries only drive me to want to hurt her more. I stop and take a few deep breaths, she keeps her eyes closed still.
Max, True Beginnings, True #2
Lucy doesn’t help matters either. She has me questioning her sanity on more than one occasion. I never could have imagined him slapping me, let alone me accepting it as punishment for breaking one of his rules. But he did… and I did. And now I’m forever changed somehow. I think and feel differently. It’s all about Max, pleasing him, not disappointing him… not angering him..
It’s those last three words that bother me. So often it’s all about Max but then just when I’m back to hating him he does something thoughtful for Lucy. I turn to Max and give him a kiss on the cheek, “Thank you for thinking of this.” I know it’s really his doing. His attentiveness to me, his caring nature, is what I fell in love with first.
No, my old self didn’t have someone who cares so much about me, loves me as much as I love him.
The number of times she flinches when he raises his hand – woah. She is on edge, she is jumpy, she is scared to upset or disappoint him. That is why this doesn’t really sound a healthy relationship.
I’m afraid to move or speak.
And he told me the next day that was the only chance he was ever going to give me to make a decision for myself. I no longer had a choice of leaving him. And I knew he was right. My heart no longer had a choice. I’d given in to him…to his anger…to his control…to his love.
Lucy, True Beginnings, True #2
Seriously girl? I’m torn between wanting her to just get the heck out of there and respecting her right to choose that relationship. Particularly as there are times Max’s control really does feel more like abuse. He frequently slaps, pinches and grabs at her. He seems to enjoy thrusting deep enough to hurt her during sex, he twists her wrist at one point, he controls what she is able to wear – even when this leaves her too hot or too cold. How is any of that showing care for her welfare and wellbeing? He gets angry that she “let guy’s touch her” as though she can control the actions of others.
And yet again there are times when he DOES seem to value, care for and put her needs first.
I’m glad that I’m still in control of my anger enough to stop from slapping her as hard as I want to.
My anger is only slightly spent. I am hurt by her betrayals. My anger keeps heating up and I have to breathe deeply to get it under control again.
“But I can’t punish you more… not tonight. You are too swollen already.” Knowing that he’s putting my safety and care ahead of his anger, even in his darkness, tortures me more.
I take aspirin out and walk back to the bed. When she returns I make her take these with the water. We have a long drive today and I don’t want her too stiff to go.
“I want to make everything perfect for you, Lucy”
Max, True Beginnings, True #2
I still like Jake better
“I don’t want you to get hurt, Lucy, because he thinks it’s the only way to love.” He adds, softly, “You deserve better than that….”
Jake. True Beginnings, True #2
A DARK EROTIC ROMANCE True Beginnings is the second book in a series that includes two alternative endings. See for yourself why fans are saying this makes all the other dark romances look like greyed out shades of fairytales.
MORE OR ENOUGH Max is all about being in control. It’s the only way he knows how to be. There’s never been a question in his mind about what he wants. Lucy may accept all that he demands, but his true nature could get in the way of their happy-ever-after.
GIVE OR TAKE Lucy is head-over-heels in love, but she’s starting to figure out that this relationship may demand more than just the surrender of her heart to make it work. With a man as dominant as Max, nothing less than her absolute submission will suffice. She may not be ready for True Beginnings.
NOTE: All the books in this series are available for purchase/download now, so you won’t be left wanting or waiting. This series involves a combination of Domestic Discipline, D/s, and Sm Now available in paperback too!
Excerpts:
Max has been more attentive than any other guy I’ve dated. He notices everything, keeps an eye on me at all times when we’re together, and always does little things to show me how special I am to him. But his attentiveness also means he has a lot of these pet-peeves. A long list of things he does or doesn’t want me to do. I don’t have to guess how to make him happy. He tells, shows me.
And I have surprised myself with how much I like it this way. He’s in control. I’ve wanted to please him from the beginning. I’ve wanted to follow his little rules and old-fashion-ness to show him how much he means to me. I’ve been proud of being able to do every little thing he’s asked. Since he slapped me, though, there’s also been this element of fear of not pleasing him.
And the depth of my response to that has been the hardest for me to understand. Just looking at the darkened look he still wears now… I know that I can give into these feelings…that I’m safe…to be turned on by his anger, his control.
…..
I put my hand in her hair, give a slight tug, but mostly rub her softness. She’s so small, so soft, so yielding. “I like hurting you, Lucy.” She rubs her head against my hand, the obedient puppy. “I like that you give yourself to me completely. That I can cause you pain and fear…I can make you my good girl again with my belt or my hand…” I lower my hand to her butt. Still a little warm, the pinkness not quite faded. I pinch her lower cheek, not hard, but it’s still tender enough to squeeze the breath out of her. “That’s what punishment does…it makes you my good girl again. You want that, don’t you?”
“Yes, Sir!” Her whole body answers, trying to sway closer to me, but not moving from her spot, arms still held tight against her back.
Ratings 5 stars – This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again. 4 stars – I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others. 3 stars – This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre. 2 stars – Whilst the book was readable I either didn’t enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters. 1 star – This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
Warm, funny, cute, angsty, mysterious, steamy and with a hot as hell hero – the perfect book
What should a girl wish for when she meets the genie from the bottle? Well Ginnie didn’t want to make a wish, because she was determined to make her own way in life, not rely on others. Though the sexy AF guy demanding she makes a wish does have her desiring something.
Wish will keep you guessing through out the story. Is Mr Wish/Marus for real? Can he really grant wishes? How is it legal for a man to be so hot? The plot winds its way along, entertaining you as it goes. There is a sprinkle of just about everything you could want in a romance story and it kept me enthralled from start to finish. I absolutely adored this feel-good book.
Fantastic characters, great writing, unexpected twists, gentle humour and scorching hot chemistry makes this a must read book for anyone who enjoys good contemporary romance. A book to read when you don’t even feel like reading because it will suck you in, wrap you in a wonderful experience and leave you so very satisfied.
From New York Times bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes a sexy standalone novel.
If I could wish for one thing, it would be to have never met my ex. He took my money, cheated on me, and saddled me with an impossible mortgage.
Now, just as I’m fighting to put my life back together, I find an unusual bottle with a note inside: “You get one wish. Make it count.” Har har. Someone’s idea of a joke?
But nothing could prepare me for what comes next or for the screamin’ hot man with piercing blue eyes who shows up at my door, making demands.
I should slam the door in his sex-god face, because this guy has trouble written all over him. But I can’t. Suddenly I do have a wish…
MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a New York Times bestselling author who’s sold over one million books around the world. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dreams.
Mimi lives with her Latin lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and their three spunky dragons (really, just very tiny dogs with big attitudes) Snowy, Mini, and Mack, in the vampire-unfriendly state of Arizona.
She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.
Sign up for Mimi’s mailing list for giveaways and new release news!
My late teens and early twenties were spent reading sci-fi and fantasy written by the likes of Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, Katherine Kerr, Andre Norton, Julian May and David Eddings. That is were I learnt the patience of waiting for the next installment in a series, where I learnt that a cliff-hanger is not something to be feared but can be a thing of beauty and fell in love with all things fae.
K.J. Suttonis a new-to-me author who has instantly secured a slot on my “must buy” list. The story of Fortuna Sworn reeled me in and kept me on the edge of my seat. It took me a chapter or two to really get into the story, but once I did this became a book that I didn’t want to put down. In fact I became most irate when trivial things like work, kids needing food and sleep got in the way of my reading it.
This is a twisty tale of a Fallen one, a Nightmare, a seemingly normal girl with a hidden ability and her battle to rescue her brother. Damon has been missing for two years, when Fortuna discovers he is being held by an Unseelie fae she is prepared to do anything to win his freedom. That anything involves a mysterious fae who turns out to be a heck of a lot more important and powerful than Fortuna could ever have guessed.
Fortuna will face trials and battles that will stain her soul as dark as the blood she must shed. Those battles of wit, intelligence and cunning are woven into a complex tapestry of a story, one where you can never be sure if the person in front of her is friend or foe. Added into the mix is the mystery of Oliver, who should be just a figment of her imagination but who seems more real than it is possible for him to be.
Whilst Collith seems to be the forerunner as her love interest, there are hints at other possibilities too. The book is fairly slow burn and the sex scenes were fairly tame, making this a suitable read for older teens and upwards. I would recommend this to fans of Pippa DaCosta, Kate L Mary and Lexi C Foss, or anyone looking for a well written fantasy/paranormal story. I LOVED it and will be jumping straight in to reading the next one. I just hope book #3 is finished soon!
Restless Slumber by KJ Sutton
Book #2 of the Fortuna Sworn series and I am now totally invested in these characters.
Goodreads shows the author is planning another 4 books and they can’t come soon enough – though I did see book #3 isn’t due until the end of the year 😭. Please don’t be one of those people that “waits until the entire series is out” to buy them, because authors don’t continue if the books don’t sell. (You can always buy them and wait to read but do buy them!)
I’m not sure if this is shaping up to be RH or not, nor I would care if it did. Let’s face it Collith, Laurie and Oliver are all amazing men and why would you want to choose between them? Not forgetting Finn, who we haven’t really learnt to much about but hopefully that will change in the next book. And that last scene between Oliver and Fortuna? Oh my word I’m welling up again just thinking about it. Is it normal to cry over a fictional character that is also supposedly a figment of another fictional character’s imagination? Though Ms Sutton keeps hinting that there may well be more to the situation than might first be assumed.
I have The Jonas Brothers’ What a man gotta dorunning through my head whenever i think of Collith and Fortuna. And Oliver and Fortuna. And maybe Laurie and Fortuna too! And didn’t my heart poor heart just splinter into a thousand pieces for Fortuna in this book, especially with the decision she had to take at the end of the book.
Then there are all the other great characters Lyari, Damon, Zara, the cafe crew, Savannah and Matthew etc that just add a richness and depth to the story. Nobody is in this book without a reason, without somehow becoming part of the plot and story. How the author keeps everything straight in her head amazes me.
Oh and one final thing – she had better not be thinking of killing off any of those three men that I have fallen madly in love with. I just keep feeling like that might happen and if it does, well you’ll probably find me rocking in a corner, sucking my thumb and muttering incomprehensibly. Only able to make out the odd phrase such as “how dare she?”, “terrible woman” and “never forgive her”.
Ratings 5 stars – This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again. 4 stars – I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others. 3 stars – This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre. 2 stars – Whilst the book was readable I either didn’t enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters. 1 star – This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
Missing Pieces series by RJ Gray, Stella Moore and Rachel Blake
Finding Rowena by Rachel Blake
Synopsis
Adopted as an infant, Rowena Erikson has a nearly perfect life with wonderful, loving parents and her sexy, dominant husband, Octavius, who adores her.
She’s always wondered about her biological family, but never thought she’d actually meet them – until an extraordinary series of events reveals she has not just one, but two identical sisters. She is a triplet!
However, her newfound family is nothing like she imagined. Each sister is struggling with her own heartache, and as Rowena has learned the hard way, perfect is just an illusion.
Publisher’s Note: This story contains elements of power exchange.
Review – 3.5 Stars
On balance Finding Rowena is an engaging and enjoyable read and one that I recommend if your looking for a lighter BDSM/ DD read. The characters are likeable, Rowena and Octavius are already a couple so whilst there wasn’t so much of a romance there is plenty of steam both BDSM and discipline wise. The pace was good and there are some great supporting characters.
There were a few minor issues that meant I wasn’t able to rate this any higher than “liked it”. The first is that it felt as if I’d arrived in the middle of a story or series of books, characters and situations were spoken about as though I already had knowledge of them. This proved to be quite distracting at times and left me floundering a little.
The book also felt a little more tell than show. Since Octavius/O/Bear/Daddy (perhaps one name would have been sufficient?) and Ro were already in a dynamic and married this didn’t prove too much of an issue in terms of believing in their relationship. However it DID impact on what felt like a very abrupt and slightly out of left field decision at the end. Because we didn’t hear their ‘mental thought processes’ it felt like choices and actions came out of nowhere.
The final thing was that I wasn’t quite sure what the actual main focus of the book was, which also played into me being a little surprised by the ending. I thought the story was heading somewhere else altogether! There are quite a few loose ends left at the end of this book, which I assume will be picked up and form part of both Teagan and Evelyn’s stories.
I liked this enough that I do intend to continue reading about them all.
Will Teagan open herself up to be loved unconditionally by the new people in her life, or will she put up her defenses and shut everyone out once and for all?
Growing up as an abandoned orphan, Teagan Smith is determined to make something of herself while providing justice for abused women and children. As a ballsy, independent police detective, she does just that. Her career is fulfilling even while her personal life is nonexistent… Until the moment she looks up and sees her identical twin sister on television, a sister she didn’t know she had. Using her detective skills, she discovers not one but two identical sisters. Triplets.
Teagan suddenly goes from having no family to an instant sibling group. Not only does she have two sisters to contend with, but her brother-in-law’s best friend is a dominant, nosy, and incredibly sexy former navy Seal who won’t take no for an answer. He challenges Teagan to love not only him, but herself as well. He makes demands that even her training could have never prepared her for.
Publisher’s Note: This steamy contemporary romance contains elements of power exchange.
Review – 4 Stars
This is a very pleasant read, maybe not the deepest of stories but it was both captivating and entertaining. Luca and Teagan were immensely likeable characters and I found it easy to buy into their feelings for one another. The book easily held my attention and I loved how Luca supported Teagan as she struggled, disciplining her but also treating her with respect and care.
This is a Domestic Discipline story, with elements of power exchange, but whilst it was discussed a fair amount we actually saw very few discipline scenes first hand. I felt the balance of plot, steam and discipline was excellent, the pace and story never dragged. Whilst I’m not sure that type of relationship would be for me, the author definitely portrayed it in a way that made it easy to understand and also to enjoy. I always wonder when the guy says “you’ll answer to me”, who exactly HE will answer to, but then he shows just how thoughtful, caring and dependable he is, so I let it pass!
I’ve not read RJ Gray before but I will make an effort to do so in the future.
Adopted into a life of wealth and privilege, Evelyn Berkshire’s ivory tower has become her prison. Her fiancé, the charming, newly elected governor of Oregon, is a monster, and she is convinced she will never escape. That is, until she meets the sisters she was separated from at birth, and they refuse to abandon her to a life of hidden bruises and fake smiles.
Through her sisters, she finds the pieces of herself she never realized were missing, including the adorably nerdy former Navy SEAL, Jason Campbell. Evelyn is drawn to his quiet strength, and he quickly becomes the rock she clings to when her life spins out of control.
But when their carefully crafted escape plan takes an unexpected turn, her faith in her new family is put to the test. Can Evelyn trust them to do what’s right, or will she strike out on her own and risk the lives of everyone she loves?
Publisher’s Note: This steamy, action-packed romance contains elements of power exchange.
Review – 4 Stars
This was. at times, quite an emotional read and I found myself not wanting to put it down. Most of the story is tied up in this book, with Evie finding the perfect man in her Daddy Dom, Jason.
One of the impressive things about this book is that the secondary characters still feel true even though this book was written by yet another author. The plot was really captivating, the pace held my attention from start to finish and I really, really enjoyed every moment of reading this.
Missing Piecesis a fantastic series and one I’m very happy to recommend.
Finding Forever by Rachel Blake, RJ Gray and Stella Moore
Synopsis
Three sisters, separated at birth, identical down to their DNA. For over thirty years, they lived without knowledge of each other’s existence until one fateful night changed everything.
Now, a new revelation is testing the bonds of their relationships. Hidden family secrets and broken promises threaten to tear them apart and destroy the family they’ve just begun to build. And it’s not just their relationships with each other on the line.
Can they work past their differences and face these trials together? Or will these three sisters once again become nothing more than strangers who happen to look alike?
Publisher’s Note: The steamy conclusion of the Missing Pieces saga contains mystery, secrets, and elements of power exchange.
Review – 4.5 Stars
After reading the first book I so very nearly didn’t complete this series, thank goodness I had KU and decided to give book 2 a chance because I have to say the stories have gotten better and better. I really, really enjoyed this tying up of loose ends, this securing of futures, this learning to love and forgive.
As others have said, the writing flows seamlessly and there is never a feel of certain scenes or chapters having been written by one particular author. It felt as though one hand had written this story. A story that captivated me from the off, took me down some very unexpected paths, nicely showed that the guys weren’t perfect either and was packed full of adventure. It was also stuffed to the gills with feels and emotion. I may have found myself blinking away tears on more than one occasion!
The epilogue is Hallmark-ly sweet. On paper it was overdone, far to sugary and impossibly perfect. However I loved every darn minute of it and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Bravo ladies on a great series of books.
Ratings 5 stars – This is a book I will not forget and would definitely read again. 4 stars – I really enjoyed this book, I might not read it again but I would definitely recommend it to others. 3 stars – This story was good but either forgettable or just very typical of its genre. 2 stars – Whilst the book was readable I either didn’t enjoy parts of the plot or just could not connect to the main characters. 1 star – This is a book I simply could not finish for reasons listed in the review.
