lifeinthebooklane's review
5.0
Introduction Scene - 4.5 stars
Wow this was almost an entire story in and off itself! We get the very heated, in more ways than one, meeting at Black Light West to arrange the event, then we get a very different view of the Valley Girl that is Madison.
This totally drew me into the story, it sets up some stories for more than just what you will enjoy in Celebrity Roulette. I loved the dynamic between Jaxon and Chase, and it was good to catch up with characters we have met in more recent books.
Guarded, by Renee Rose - 5 stars
Oh my god Lincoln made me melt. This story even made me sniffle and have to dry my eyes! I absolutely adored Scarlett and Lincoln, in fact I fell in love with them. Their scenes were fairly straight forward but this didn't need extreme kink or challenge.
The depth of emotion, the connection between the characters, the strength of them just combined to make this an absolutely wonderful tale to read. It simply touched something in my heart, not an easy feat for a short story to achieve. Bravo Ms Rose!
Switched, by Livia Grant - 5 stars
I've never read a book where the heroine is a Domme, mainly because the idea doesn't appeal. I guess it's because I like my men rough, tough and alpha to the core. However this story has gone a long way to changing my mind. It was hot, sexy and emotional too.
Piper, the heroine, is known as Mistress Ice and that describes her usual emotions too. Nolan is the Dom who can't forget the night he spent with her a few years ago. He wants a chance to explore the connection he feels they have, or at least an opportunity for closure. So he submits, or at least tries his best to, for a night with the woman of his dreams.
We get some intense scenes, a lot of chemistry and a very open end that promises we will see more of Piper and Nolan. I can't wait to learn even more about this pair, both characters had good depth and I really felt their emotions. They are something very special together and this was a wonderful introduction to them both.
Determined, by Maren Smith - 5 stars
Phew! What a scorcher of a read. This story totally focuses on the BDSM play, rather than the couple or a possible romance, and I was totally fine with that. In fact it was quite a refreshing change and i liked the extra dimension it added to this anthology.
Claire and Adam were both likeable characters and I loved their scenes. Whilst the play involved was, at heart, mainstream, the intensity of it pushed this into quite a challenging read. Challenging in a very good, very hot, very naughty way! This is a really well written addition to the book.
Hooked, by Jennifer Bene - 5 stars
This was one red hot read, with a hero very unlike the usual hard-ass and even anti-hero men we are used to from this author. That isn't to say that Wyatt isn't all Dom, but it was good to read about one with deep empathy skills and his own worries. It made him so very real and easy to connect with.
Whilst Vanessa had some self-worth issues, which Wyatt definitely started to 'beat' out of her, she was still a very strong character. Both mentally and physically. The chemistry and connection between them was intense and totally believable. They drew me in to this story and I read it late into the night, just to finish it in one sitting.
We are treated to some VERY hot and sexy BDSM scenes. There is nothing too boundary pushing but they are still very powerful and potent.
Pressure, by Measha Stone - 5 stars
Michele and Egan totally stole my heart with their story. Measha smashed the ball right out of the park with this one. I loved the characters, their interactions and their play, this hit all the right notes with me. There was a really good balance of story, playtime and feels in this short tale, it had everything I never knew I wanted in the story!
I loved how most of the play wasn't extreme, but Egan still managed to push Michele's boundaries. He managed to get into her head whilst getting her out of it. Loved it!
Savor, by Maggie Ryan - 5 stars
Wow this story certainly sizzled. The chemistry between Carnegie and Ronan was red hot, yet we still had some very gentle and tender moments amidst the play. I adored how caring Ronan was, how he made sure Carnegie was never overwhelmed even when he was pushing her limits. Yet he remained hot, commanding and in charge all of the time. The power exchange in this felt very different. He was still dominant and Carnegie was very much submissive, but because they were neither an established couple or playing under a contract, it felt much more informal and I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
This was another story that left us on a HFN, rather than declarations of undying love by Ronan and Carnegie. Again this added variety and spice to the mix.
If the rest of the book is of a similar quality then this is going to be one amazing read!
Wow this was almost an entire story in and off itself! We get the very heated, in more ways than one, meeting at Black Light West to arrange the event, then we get a very different view of the Valley Girl that is Madison.
This totally drew me into the story, it sets up some stories for more than just what you will enjoy in Celebrity Roulette. I loved the dynamic between Jaxon and Chase, and it was good to catch up with characters we have met in more recent books.
Guarded, by Renee Rose - 5 stars
Oh my god Lincoln made me melt. This story even made me sniffle and have to dry my eyes! I absolutely adored Scarlett and Lincoln, in fact I fell in love with them. Their scenes were fairly straight forward but this didn't need extreme kink or challenge.
The depth of emotion, the connection between the characters, the strength of them just combined to make this an absolutely wonderful tale to read. It simply touched something in my heart, not an easy feat for a short story to achieve. Bravo Ms Rose!
Switched, by Livia Grant - 5 stars
I've never read a book where the heroine is a Domme, mainly because the idea doesn't appeal. I guess it's because I like my men rough, tough and alpha to the core. However this story has gone a long way to changing my mind. It was hot, sexy and emotional too.
Piper, the heroine, is known as Mistress Ice and that describes her usual emotions too. Nolan is the Dom who can't forget the night he spent with her a few years ago. He wants a chance to explore the connection he feels they have, or at least an opportunity for closure. So he submits, or at least tries his best to, for a night with the woman of his dreams.
We get some intense scenes, a lot of chemistry and a very open end that promises we will see more of Piper and Nolan. I can't wait to learn even more about this pair, both characters had good depth and I really felt their emotions. They are something very special together and this was a wonderful introduction to them both.
Determined, by Maren Smith - 5 stars
Phew! What a scorcher of a read. This story totally focuses on the BDSM play, rather than the couple or a possible romance, and I was totally fine with that. In fact it was quite a refreshing change and i liked the extra dimension it added to this anthology.
Claire and Adam were both likeable characters and I loved their scenes. Whilst the play involved was, at heart, mainstream, the intensity of it pushed this into quite a challenging read. Challenging in a very good, very hot, very naughty way! This is a really well written addition to the book.
Hooked, by Jennifer Bene - 5 stars
This was one red hot read, with a hero very unlike the usual hard-ass and even anti-hero men we are used to from this author. That isn't to say that Wyatt isn't all Dom, but it was good to read about one with deep empathy skills and his own worries. It made him so very real and easy to connect with.
Whilst Vanessa had some self-worth issues, which Wyatt definitely started to 'beat' out of her, she was still a very strong character. Both mentally and physically. The chemistry and connection between them was intense and totally believable. They drew me in to this story and I read it late into the night, just to finish it in one sitting.
We are treated to some VERY hot and sexy BDSM scenes. There is nothing too boundary pushing but they are still very powerful and potent.
Pressure, by Measha Stone - 5 stars
Michele and Egan totally stole my heart with their story. Measha smashed the ball right out of the park with this one. I loved the characters, their interactions and their play, this hit all the right notes with me. There was a really good balance of story, playtime and feels in this short tale, it had everything I never knew I wanted in the story!
I loved how most of the play wasn't extreme, but Egan still managed to push Michele's boundaries. He managed to get into her head whilst getting her out of it. Loved it!
Savor, by Maggie Ryan - 5 stars
Wow this story certainly sizzled. The chemistry between Carnegie and Ronan was red hot, yet we still had some very gentle and tender moments amidst the play. I adored how caring Ronan was, how he made sure Carnegie was never overwhelmed even when he was pushing her limits. Yet he remained hot, commanding and in charge all of the time. The power exchange in this felt very different. He was still dominant and Carnegie was very much submissive, but because they were neither an established couple or playing under a contract, it felt much more informal and I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
This was another story that left us on a HFN, rather than declarations of undying love by Ronan and Carnegie. Again this added variety and spice to the mix.
If the rest of the book is of a similar quality then this is going to be one amazing read!
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