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carole_cookie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
ekasssssss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
**spoiler alert** Again this book was only smut tho this time it was pretty good and stuff I really liked all that sadist shit but like come on add some plot yk? Tho I love how Danielle was a complete bitch and how Lawrence is a perfect fit but like drama I NEED DRAMA
lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read January 2022.
Honestly, a TBR as long as my arm and I'm re-reading books again! That said I own and need to read the rest of the series. I plan to read the remaining books over the next couple of months and it didn't seem right not to refresh my memory of Book #1.
Whilst there is a love element to the book the main theme is off surrendering one's ego and learning to submit fully to the will of another. Spanning a two week period, we experience the joys, pleasures, challenges and trials that is the life of an Enclave house slave. Jaime, the FMC, is submissive to her bones but one who, at times, struggles to submit fully and give over her free will to others.
Her responses, reactions and inner battles felt very honest, her journey was not always easy and there is a scene where a master crosses the line. Whilst this may be triggering to some the author didn't dwell on it too long, or delve massively into Jaime's head after the fact, allowing the reader to move on too. I quickly warmed to most of the characters in the book, Danielle felt a little cliched but I could live with that.
The story held my attention throughout and I very much enjoyed the book. Whilst I fully bought into the attraction between Jaime and Mark I did struggle somewhat with the rather instalove aspects of their relationship. I didn't see enough of them interacting with one another to be convinced of anything more than a crush or lust. However, I wouldn't have wanted seeing more of Mark and Jaime together to be at the expense of her training scenes.
I would recommend this for fans of erotic BDSM romance.
Previous review
Quite different to most other BDSM stories
I read this as part of a challenge in the Dark Erotica group. There are an awful lot of dark/BDSM books that start with the letter B but I'd struggled with the letter N!
I wouldn't call this dark OR a romance, whilst there was technically no safeword there was always a choice. I would describe it as well written, sometimes thought-provoking and well informed, both in physical aspects of BDSM play as well as the psychology and mental impact. There were times when Jaime struggled with her experiences, the author portrayed these incredibly well showing how she coped, as well as always reinforcing the consensual nature of events.
There is one incidence where a master steps over the line, which may be a potential trigger for some. I found it very refreshing how this was handled, with consequences that felt realistic. Indeed there were several times I felt this took a route less travelled in BDSM romance, feeling perhaps less glamorised but more honest.
Jaime is in training to be a slave to, and serve, all the Masters and Mistresses of The Enclave. Most of us are conditioned to believe in and seek monogamous relationships, and to truly enjoy this story you have to let go of those preconceptions. Whilst later in the story there is a romantic element most of the story focuses on the mental acceptance of becoming a 'slave'. Many of us would never be interested in entering a total power exchange of this kind. I certainly don't understand the appeal that Jaime found in it but by opening my mind to the possibilities I did find her choices easier to accept.
My only 'issue' as such was that I didn't buy into the romance aspect of the story. There is a hero, whom we meet as the story progresses, and I felt their attraction and lust for one another. However there just weren't enough one-on-one interactions/conversations for me to believe it was anything more than a strong sexual attraction and the beginnings of building a relationship. I rather wish the 'L-word had not been used.
However not only did this book help me complete my alphabet challenge, but it also introduced me to a new author whose work I will be reading more of.
Honestly, a TBR as long as my arm and I'm re-reading books again! That said I own and need to read the rest of the series. I plan to read the remaining books over the next couple of months and it didn't seem right not to refresh my memory of Book #1.
Whilst there is a love element to the book the main theme is off surrendering one's ego and learning to submit fully to the will of another. Spanning a two week period, we experience the joys, pleasures, challenges and trials that is the life of an Enclave house slave. Jaime, the FMC, is submissive to her bones but one who, at times, struggles to submit fully and give over her free will to others.
Her responses, reactions and inner battles felt very honest, her journey was not always easy and there is a scene where a master crosses the line. Whilst this may be triggering to some the author didn't dwell on it too long, or delve massively into Jaime's head after the fact, allowing the reader to move on too. I quickly warmed to most of the characters in the book, Danielle felt a little cliched but I could live with that.
The story held my attention throughout and I very much enjoyed the book. Whilst I fully bought into the attraction between Jaime and Mark I did struggle somewhat with the rather instalove aspects of their relationship. I didn't see enough of them interacting with one another to be convinced of anything more than a crush or lust. However, I wouldn't have wanted seeing more of Mark and Jaime together to be at the expense of her training scenes.
I would recommend this for fans of erotic BDSM romance.
Previous review
Spoiler
Quite different to most other BDSM stories
I read this as part of a challenge in the Dark Erotica group. There are an awful lot of dark/BDSM books that start with the letter B but I'd struggled with the letter N!
I wouldn't call this dark OR a romance, whilst there was technically no safeword there was always a choice. I would describe it as well written, sometimes thought-provoking and well informed, both in physical aspects of BDSM play as well as the psychology and mental impact. There were times when Jaime struggled with her experiences, the author portrayed these incredibly well showing how she coped, as well as always reinforcing the consensual nature of events.
There is one incidence where a master steps over the line, which may be a potential trigger for some. I found it very refreshing how this was handled, with consequences that felt realistic. Indeed there were several times I felt this took a route less travelled in BDSM romance, feeling perhaps less glamorised but more honest.
Jaime is in training to be a slave to, and serve, all the Masters and Mistresses of The Enclave. Most of us are conditioned to believe in and seek monogamous relationships, and to truly enjoy this story you have to let go of those preconceptions. Whilst later in the story there is a romantic element most of the story focuses on the mental acceptance of becoming a 'slave'. Many of us would never be interested in entering a total power exchange of this kind. I certainly don't understand the appeal that Jaime found in it but by opening my mind to the possibilities I did find her choices easier to accept.
My only 'issue' as such was that I didn't buy into the romance aspect of the story. There is a hero, whom we meet as the story progresses, and I felt their attraction and lust for one another. However there just weren't enough one-on-one interactions/conversations for me to believe it was anything more than a strong sexual attraction and the beginnings of building a relationship. I rather wish the 'L-word had not been used.
However not only did this book help me complete my alphabet challenge, but it also introduced me to a new author whose work I will be reading more of.
bookfaekaty's review against another edition
2.0
Heavy elements of BDSM, but poorly written. Half the time I couldn’t take the Masters seriously. It was comical.
jazzi's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
travelthrupages's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
meganlouise815's review against another edition
4.0
This was actually a really good read. I liked the look into the bdsm scene and thought Jaime was a solid main character. The writing was also really good and kept me engaged.
prinzessbookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
This book was good, I'm not sure why it's considered dark erotica. I'm not sure it's five stars but the plot held my attention.
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