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rihoward's review
4.0
4.1 stars
Interesting book on all the various aspects of BDSM and what love Bing in a community would be like if one lived in that type of lifestyle 24/7.
Interesting book on all the various aspects of BDSM and what love Bing in a community would be like if one lived in that type of lifestyle 24/7.
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.
kelly_reads_books's review
5.0
A very good book representing a secret BDSM estate and the people who live there.
Jaime is looking for something more in her life and meets Anthony who sees something in her and offers her a 2 week trial.
There is plenty moments at the Enclave that cause her a lot of anxiety but also a feeling of having found herself.
This book was hard to put down, it was that good.
Jaime is looking for something more in her life and meets Anthony who sees something in her and offers her a 2 week trial.
There is plenty moments at the Enclave that cause her a lot of anxiety but also a feeling of having found herself.
This book was hard to put down, it was that good.
kymagirl's review
5.0
Jaime (h) has known since a young age that she was meant to be a submissive and readily accepts when the opportunity to experience a two-week 24/7 slave/Dominant training program at a private BDSM community. Jamie experiences many things with her Masters and Mistresses where she’s constantly pushed in her search for pleasure and pain. She becomes close with Master Mark (H) as she pursues the possibility of being a full-time staff slave at the community and will have to consider her feelings for him as she makes her choice. Ultra-hot and steamy BDSM with slave training, including punishments, knife play, branding, needle play, piercings, impact play, blood play, and more.
missysreadingcorner's review
5.0
I really didn't expect to enjoy this story as much as I did. I've been reading a lot of m/m stories lately. So m/f stories are getting more difficult to get through, However, I love this book. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed everything from the quick back stories to the school girl antics. I think this was the first BDSM story where I didn't think the characters suffered from Stockholm syndrome. Even though there were no safewords, I like how all the slaves were there free of choice. The Enclave actually seemed like a cool place. They could walk out any time like others before Jamie did. Master Lawrence and Danielle were the perfect antagonists. Danielle reminded me of every mean girl from every high school movie. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get into dark erotica without going super dark.
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
bookfaekaty's review
2.0
Heavy elements of BDSM, but poorly written. Half the time I couldn’t take the Masters seriously. It was comical.