Reviews

The Dom with a Safeword by Sorcha Black, Leia Shaw, Cari Silverwood

chelsfoust's review against another edition

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3.0

I finally finished this book. It was not a bad book, just not completely to my taste. I did catch myself smiling a few times throughout and I thought the love story was great. I am not usually one for reading this type of books, and every now and then a short story is okay, but this I think was just too much for me. I also felt like maybe Jude was superfluous, as in it really should have been a story about the Q and Sabrina, but they added Jude in for the heck of it. I know that isn't completely what i mean, but I can't seem to put my finger on it. Jude seemed sort of like an after thought, although I did like each character! I give this a 3-3.5 star rating.

aepolosauthor's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced

3.0

mila_789's review

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adventurous challenging funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh my, I'm not crying it's just a bit of dust in my eye.


She bit her lip hard all the way there, trying not to cry before she was somewhere safe. With a gasp, she rushed into the room. It was empty. A flood of tears erupted, her hands unable to hold them back. Her heart fractured, grinding down into dust. She locked a stall door behind her. The sobs were too loud and she tried to quiet herself - she didn't want to be the girl that made scenes in public restrooms. It's okay, it's okay, she kept telling herself, frantic to calm down before they came looking for her.


The very title hints to the quirky humour in this wonderful, BDSM-themed romance. The book focused more on the emotional and mental aspects of kink, with fairly "gentle" play in most of the sex scenes. Personally I would have liked a few more scenes of them just "being" in one another's presence, a chance to see the relationship build and their emotions develop. Some of this was done "off page", and it very occasionally left me playing catch-up on being convinced of the depth of their feelings. However I can't complain about how the characters were shaped and developed through the story. I'd rather have that personal growth, which is why this still hit 5 stars.


For me, the biggest strength of this book was the realistic feel to the relationship, regardless of it being an MFf one. Something that often leaves me dissatisfied with BDSM romances is how the D/s relationship seems to be the only connection the couple have, or at least the feel that it is more important than the romantic one. The dynamic between Jude, Q and Sabrina always felt natural, always felt real and always felt believable. Each character was distinct, strong, consistent and I loved them all, imperfections included.


She'd always adored the hint of humor in his eyes, and his mouth that turned into a grin at unexpected moments. It made him a man and not just her Dom.


I really appreciated how Jude allowed the girls to be themselves, how these three were a romantic triad as much as a kink one. That being together was the priority, not protocol and calling Jude "Sir". It felt much more like a sustainable relationship than those found in books by more popular and well-known "BDSM authors". This was a relationship where there was no attempt to change or alter the sub to fit the Dom(me)'s desires, where the Dom didn't claim to know the sub(s) better than they knew themselves. (I HATE that trope!!!!!!!) This ticked boxes for me I didn't even know I had. I have to admit to having previously steered away from ff, but the scenes in this one were incredibly hot.


Q put her hands around Sabrina's shoulders and tugged her closer. "Thank you for trying to distract Nico." She lowered her head and kissed Sabrina. Not hard and sexual, just the kiss of a woman appreciating the one who held her heart. As quietly as the sun rising at dawn, he felt peace drift down on them. Magic.


One thing I really do have to mention is how seamlessly the author's writing and voices blended together. I discovered partway through reading this that each wrote one character, though I still swear blind Cari Silverwood encouraged all the brattiness! I'm pretty certain Q and Sabrina personalities are very much based on the three authors themselves. The story is unlike the majority of books you could read by Ms' Silverwood and Black. It's very consensual and contemporary, with quite a gentle feel. That said, it's full of the snarky humour and great writing that I've come to expect from this pair.


We got to see the individual dynamics of the pairs within this triad, and I loved how it never felt as though the third person were being left out. Their presence was felt emotionally and mentally even when they physically could not be present. I bought the box set, so I shall soon be jumping into the follow-up book, and will be interested in seeing how the authors deal with issue of prejudice and family expectations.

When they went out to eat, she could predict what the others would order, they picked off of each other's plates, and there were so many inside jokes it was like they had their own language. It made her feel important, valued, loved.

balou's review against another edition

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5.0

5⭐️

Was really looking forward to this one to read once I got hold of a kindle since it's not available on apple books. Did not disappoint one bit.

A great FFM romance where every character feels defined and interesting. They have their own quirks and dents, but that makes it fun.

annick's review against another edition

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adventurous dark lighthearted tense medium-paced

1.25


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afestivalaparade's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

booklvrkat's review against another edition

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5.0

Cute story. Loved the characters.

boreddeadpossum's review

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funny relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5