origamy's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
unlimitedhappylife's review
5.0
Was not sure what to expect going into this because I really enjoyed it.
It is a lot more emotional and heavy than your typical smutty romance, but it made the connection between the two main characters feel more intimate and real.
I had read some reviews that said they did not like the main female lead, Starla, but I thought she was a great character. She did frustrate me at times, but she's human and one that has to face the monster that is mental health every day which can cause intrusive thoughts and doubts.
She is the type of heroine I enjoy in this type of romance. Too many BDSM romances, who have a submissive female lead, feature a woman down on her luck, homeless, or being abused and the dominant hero swoops in to save her, and we don't get much substance on her besides the horrible situation she came from. Starla is someone who has gone through a lot in her life but fought her way to where she is, stability. Though she can take care of herself, she desires to give her submission to someone she trusts.
I really like Lowry as well. I liked that he was new to ddlg but would listen and learn from Starla who was more experienced in it. Once he gets going though, DAMN, does the man have quite the dirty mouth on him. He also had his own journey of discovery in the story. I did get pissed at him at one point, but it's hard to stay mad at him.
Definitely one I would recommend.
It is a lot more emotional and heavy than your typical smutty romance, but it made the connection between the two main characters feel more intimate and real.
I had read some reviews that said they did not like the main female lead, Starla, but I thought she was a great character. She did frustrate me at times, but she's human and one that has to face the monster that is mental health every day which can cause intrusive thoughts and doubts.
She is the type of heroine I enjoy in this type of romance. Too many BDSM romances, who have a submissive female lead, feature a woman down on her luck, homeless, or being abused and the dominant hero swoops in to save her, and we don't get much substance on her besides the horrible situation she came from. Starla is someone who has gone through a lot in her life but fought her way to where she is, stability. Though she can take care of herself, she desires to give her submission to someone she trusts.
I really like Lowry as well. I liked that he was new to ddlg but would listen and learn from Starla who was more experienced in it. Once he gets going though, DAMN, does the man have quite the dirty mouth on him. He also had his own journey of discovery in the story. I did get pissed at him at one point, but it's hard to stay mad at him.
Definitely one I would recommend.
icarusfallstan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was the the kinda book I expected when they said this was a “daddy kink.” this was my first time reading a book centred around the ddlg dynamic so it was outta my comfort zone. I honestly have no thoughts I was on autopilot white reading this but I will say I enjoyed reading about her personal journey and experience with depression
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
sabarinamf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
onthesamepa9e's review
4.0
Stunning
This book was truly excellent!! Seeing Starla & Lowry Learn to love each other & grow throughout the book was really awesome, and the depiction of depression was handled really deftly (duh its #ownvoices but I thought it still merited a shout out
This book was truly excellent!! Seeing Starla & Lowry Learn to love each other & grow throughout the book was really awesome, and the depiction of depression was handled really deftly (duh its #ownvoices but I thought it still merited a shout out
briarsreviews's review
5.0
Oh man, oh man, oh man! Another Tamsen Parker gem!!
This book is a 6 out of 5, but unfortunately that rating does not exist on this site so I guess I can settle with just a 5 out of 5.
Seriously though, this one was a DOOZIE!
Tamsen has amped up the plot, has some truly epic references and kept me hooked the entire time! Starla and Lowry (amazing names, by the way) are one incredibly interesting pair that make this book feel more than just a romantic, erotic tale. These characters felt real - mental health issues, sweet and seductive storylines and one heck of a finale! This book is just AMAZE-BALLS.
So, down to the actual plot - Starla was Dr. Lowry Campbell's patient way back in the day (about 15 years if you are a numbers person) and suddenly he's back into her life. Except, this time he's not her doctor and is instead a sexy man she's interested in. She liked him back then, but now the lines are blurred and it's their chance to pounce at each other. Their romance is slow burn and faces many obstacles along the way. Starla has some mental health issues but deals with them like a champ. Lowry is an understanding man who is hella sexy and ready to be in her life.
If I have to summarize ALL of the amazing things I liked, here's a list to start you off:
1. Lowry's descriptions and accents and OMG Tamsen seriously made this man my dream man. She's killing me! Reddish copper hair, smart doctor and the European twang... Ugh. SO SEXY.
2. This story has such a way with words - "Tongue like a whip" - seriously majestic. I loved some of the amazing phrases used because they added SO MUCH to this book. It felt like this book had attitude and was sassy at times. Example number two: "He deserves to have his heart cut out with a rusty spoon and fed to him."
3. Star Wars references galore! "My enemies encased in carbonate" was the best gem, but there's SO MANY.
4. "Daddy kink kryptonite" is the best way to describe this novel AND that's a quote from the book!
5. Oh, and did I mention there's a dominatrix? Oh yeah, this book is SPICY.
This slow burn novel is ridiculously amazing. Tamsen's writing is only getting better and this book was seriously cool. Not all readers will like it - it takes about half the novel for the couple to get dealing with their romantic emotions - so readers who like quick, fast-paced romance might want to steer clear. There's also talks of self-harm and suicide, so this book might be a little triggering for some.
Overall, I think this book is incredible! As I said, 6 out of 5 stars level good! I liked that Tamsen keeps taking risks with these stories. They are different, totally romantic and erotic and well written! What more can this reader ask for?
Five out of five stars!
I received this book for free from Tamsen Parker in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a 6 out of 5, but unfortunately that rating does not exist on this site so I guess I can settle with just a 5 out of 5.
Seriously though, this one was a DOOZIE!
Tamsen has amped up the plot, has some truly epic references and kept me hooked the entire time! Starla and Lowry (amazing names, by the way) are one incredibly interesting pair that make this book feel more than just a romantic, erotic tale. These characters felt real - mental health issues, sweet and seductive storylines and one heck of a finale! This book is just AMAZE-BALLS.
So, down to the actual plot - Starla was Dr. Lowry Campbell's patient way back in the day (about 15 years if you are a numbers person) and suddenly he's back into her life. Except, this time he's not her doctor and is instead a sexy man she's interested in. She liked him back then, but now the lines are blurred and it's their chance to pounce at each other. Their romance is slow burn and faces many obstacles along the way. Starla has some mental health issues but deals with them like a champ. Lowry is an understanding man who is hella sexy and ready to be in her life.
If I have to summarize ALL of the amazing things I liked, here's a list to start you off:
1. Lowry's descriptions and accents and OMG Tamsen seriously made this man my dream man. She's killing me! Reddish copper hair, smart doctor and the European twang... Ugh. SO SEXY.
2. This story has such a way with words - "Tongue like a whip" - seriously majestic. I loved some of the amazing phrases used because they added SO MUCH to this book. It felt like this book had attitude and was sassy at times. Example number two: "He deserves to have his heart cut out with a rusty spoon and fed to him."
3. Star Wars references galore! "My enemies encased in carbonate" was the best gem, but there's SO MANY.
4. "Daddy kink kryptonite" is the best way to describe this novel AND that's a quote from the book!
5. Oh, and did I mention there's a dominatrix? Oh yeah, this book is SPICY.
This slow burn novel is ridiculously amazing. Tamsen's writing is only getting better and this book was seriously cool. Not all readers will like it - it takes about half the novel for the couple to get dealing with their romantic emotions - so readers who like quick, fast-paced romance might want to steer clear. There's also talks of self-harm and suicide, so this book might be a little triggering for some.
Overall, I think this book is incredible! As I said, 6 out of 5 stars level good! I liked that Tamsen keeps taking risks with these stories. They are different, totally romantic and erotic and well written! What more can this reader ask for?
Five out of five stars!
I received this book for free from Tamsen Parker in exchange for an honest review.
readingromancehea's review
4.0
Starla is just trying to survive when everyone just keeps leaving her. Lowry is determined to get back the one person he left behind. They finally see each other after years of being apart. Starla is a strong and independent. She just needs someone to love her. She needs a Daddy. Lowry may not know much but he's dreamed of being a Daddy. It's such a good story. I like Jade and how protective she is. Mauve is sweet. Tad is sketchy and creepy. The smut in this is fantastic. I really enjoyed this.
catsandb00ks's review
4.0
4.5
I cant remember a time when I felt more seen in a book than this. I wasnt really sure what I was walking into with this but this turned out to be painful and cathartic and amazing. I do have to mention that this book deals HEABILY with mental illness and suicide topics so if that's a trigger then I would steer clear. There was a lot of passages that called to exactly the way I feel when my depression raised its head as well as my feelings on DDLG kinks. This book also had THE single most sexiest freaking sex scene I have ever read in my life.
I cant remember a time when I felt more seen in a book than this. I wasnt really sure what I was walking into with this but this turned out to be painful and cathartic and amazing. I do have to mention that this book deals HEABILY with mental illness and suicide topics so if that's a trigger then I would steer clear. There was a lot of passages that called to exactly the way I feel when my depression raised its head as well as my feelings on DDLG kinks. This book also had THE single most sexiest freaking sex scene I have ever read in my life.
ofjustimagine's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75