aliciasplendeur's review
5.0
I was given a free download of this novella via an author's newsletter.
And I almost passed on it because the couple in this novel was religious but wow the steam was pretty off the charts. It deals with BDSM so if that isn't your thing go ahead and skip this book. But if you enjoy erotica, you might just love this.
And I almost passed on it because the couple in this novel was religious but wow the steam was pretty off the charts. It deals with BDSM so if that isn't your thing go ahead and skip this book. But if you enjoy erotica, you might just love this.
catra121's review
5.0
I LOVED this! Definitely in my top 5 of the year. Very steamy, quick read with a unique storyline that completely captivated me from start to finish. I love learning about different cultures and lifestyles and this was so interesting for me.
stitchnlich's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
savviecake's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
taisie22's review against another edition
5.0
When I first read the blurb for this book, I really wondered how the author was going to pull this off. I'll recap it here so you can see what I mean:
Tzipporah Berger is thirty-seven and single, which is practically unheard of in the Orthodox Jewish community she now calls home. Her increasing religiosity and need for kink may have broken up her first marriage, but she’s decided it’s time to try again. And the rabbi’s wife has just the man in mind.
Elan Klein is the neighborhood butcher whose intimidating size and gruff manner hint at a deliciously forceful personality. But BDSM isn’t exactly something you discuss during an Orthodox courtship. Will a marriage to Elan solidify her place in the community that she loves and provide the domination and pain Tzipporah craves or will she forever have to rely on flights of fancy to satisfy her needs?
So Orthodox Judaism and BDSM? Yet this is a terrific story, beautifully written and extremely well researched. Tzipporah's neighborhood and neighbors are described realistically. I know only a little about this religion, but I learned a lot. That also goes for the BDSM lifestyle; I thought the two would be incompatible, but found that the author managed to intertwine both concepts into a wonderful book.
This is a quick read, but I feel that I will be thinking about it for some time. I definitely want to read other books by this author. I was given the book and choose to give an honest review.
Tzipporah Berger is thirty-seven and single, which is practically unheard of in the Orthodox Jewish community she now calls home. Her increasing religiosity and need for kink may have broken up her first marriage, but she’s decided it’s time to try again. And the rabbi’s wife has just the man in mind.
Elan Klein is the neighborhood butcher whose intimidating size and gruff manner hint at a deliciously forceful personality. But BDSM isn’t exactly something you discuss during an Orthodox courtship. Will a marriage to Elan solidify her place in the community that she loves and provide the domination and pain Tzipporah craves or will she forever have to rely on flights of fancy to satisfy her needs?
So Orthodox Judaism and BDSM? Yet this is a terrific story, beautifully written and extremely well researched. Tzipporah's neighborhood and neighbors are described realistically. I know only a little about this religion, but I learned a lot. That also goes for the BDSM lifestyle; I thought the two would be incompatible, but found that the author managed to intertwine both concepts into a wonderful book.
This is a quick read, but I feel that I will be thinking about it for some time. I definitely want to read other books by this author. I was given the book and choose to give an honest review.
ba8's review
5.0
Wonderful story, I couldn't put down this novella.
It was a really good and quick read in which I learned a lot about a different culture to mine. The relationship between Tzipporah and Elan is so sweet and hot
It was a really good and quick read in which I learned a lot about a different culture to mine. The relationship between Tzipporah and Elan is so sweet and hot
regencyfan93's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this look into another culture yet so nearby. Tamsen Parker kept wrenching my heart with her writing.
abp2019's review against another edition
5.0
This was fantastic!! I thought the way Tamsen Parker incorporated the aspects of Orthodox Jewish life was really well done. I didn’t know that much about it before but after having read this novella I feel like I’ve learned a lot.
Also the kink in this I thought was really well written!
Also the kink in this I thought was really well written!
briarsreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Tziporrah and Elan are another hit pair by Tamsen Parker!
To say this story is unique is an understatement! It's rare for me to read a book involving some heavy erotica mixed with religion, but yet again Tamsen blows readers's expectations out of the water.
You can tell this is one of Tamsen's earlier novels - it's written beautifully, but it's not as awesome as her newer ones. Her skill has grown so much, that if you haven't read some of her newer readers, please pick it up after this book! This novel was fantastic, but her skill is continually growing.
To pick apart this book, it's an emotional roller coaster full of romance, self doubt and change. In so few pages, Tamsen is able to weave some fantastic story telling to introduce us to a woman who seems so down on herself. She finds her religion, gets married and tries to live the life she wants to - yet it's just not that perfect. I felt so strongly for this woman, and at times I hated Elan with a passion. He slowly grows on you, but I still felt frustrated with some of his behaviour. I would love to see Tzipporah grow more, but in under 200 pages Tamsen did a fantastic job of growing her character.
BDSM is a big part of this novel (and it seems to have more sex scenes in it than most erotica books I've read, percentage wise anyways). The romance isn't as big of a focus as the BDSM and strange relationship the main couple have. That being said, I liked that it was so different and wasn't just focused on some heavy romance. While I was frustrated with some of the situations, that just showed up skilled Tamsen is as a writer. She made me feel so passionately for Tzipporah which many other writers struggle to do.
Overall, I liked this book! It's unique and made me think. Also, everytime Elan said "little bird" it killed me a little on the inside because it seems so cute!
Five out of five stars.
To say this story is unique is an understatement! It's rare for me to read a book involving some heavy erotica mixed with religion, but yet again Tamsen blows readers's expectations out of the water.
You can tell this is one of Tamsen's earlier novels - it's written beautifully, but it's not as awesome as her newer ones. Her skill has grown so much, that if you haven't read some of her newer readers, please pick it up after this book! This novel was fantastic, but her skill is continually growing.
To pick apart this book, it's an emotional roller coaster full of romance, self doubt and change. In so few pages, Tamsen is able to weave some fantastic story telling to introduce us to a woman who seems so down on herself. She finds her religion, gets married and tries to live the life she wants to - yet it's just not that perfect. I felt so strongly for this woman, and at times I hated Elan with a passion. He slowly grows on you, but I still felt frustrated with some of his behaviour. I would love to see Tzipporah grow more, but in under 200 pages Tamsen did a fantastic job of growing her character.
BDSM is a big part of this novel (and it seems to have more sex scenes in it than most erotica books I've read, percentage wise anyways). The romance isn't as big of a focus as the BDSM and strange relationship the main couple have. That being said, I liked that it was so different and wasn't just focused on some heavy romance. While I was frustrated with some of the situations, that just showed up skilled Tamsen is as a writer. She made me feel so passionately for Tzipporah which many other writers struggle to do.
Overall, I liked this book! It's unique and made me think. Also, everytime Elan said "little bird" it killed me a little on the inside because it seems so cute!
Five out of five stars.