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genesius's review against another edition
3.75
So this book was well written and I enjoyed the story overall. However, I don't think it was for me. Maybe if it was longer and their relationship delved into more, it would have been better for me. I don't regret reading it though.
charris84's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not crying, you're crying. No, I'm crying. Who would have thunk? An office BDSM romance making me cry. I've read this book three times now and it transports me into its world so easily.
The story had so much unexpected heart to it and I felt so connected to Lacey's journey and Stian's concern over being there for her. It did move along quite fast and I wish there was slightly more tension but if she's only working with him for two months, you can't waltz through the love story . . . you gotta powerwalk.
The story had so much unexpected heart to it and I felt so connected to Lacey's journey and Stian's concern over being there for her. It did move along quite fast and I wish there was slightly more tension but if she's only working with him for two months, you can't waltz through the love story . . . you gotta powerwalk.
mastersal's review against another edition
4.0
This was a surprising romance - thankfully in a good way. Based on the cover, I was expecting erotica which was light but ultimately superficial. A good way to pass the time as it were.
This book turned out to play into its control and BDSM trope but for a purpose I was not expecting.
The relationship dynamic was great - even though the dom/sub and cover was a bit of a red herring. It matters but not in the direct way I was expecting. Perhaps that will be a problem but it worked for me.
This is the second book by the author where, despite the simple story promised by the blurb, there is an unexpected POV and plot thrust which is serious. Since I was more prepared this time it worked for me.
This book turned out to play into its control and BDSM trope but for a purpose I was not expecting.
Spoiler
The heroine suffers from an eating disorder and that, more than any control freak / BDSM issue, is the central issue of the novel. The disorder creates a challenge for the h and something she has to work through. The hero is definitely into control and a dom but his arc is not to push into something which is not for him to solve. I really liked that - he doesn't "fix" our heroine through the power of magic sex. He needs to step aside where appropriate and support where needed.The relationship dynamic was great - even though the dom/sub and cover was a bit of a red herring. It matters but not in the direct way I was expecting. Perhaps that will be a problem but it worked for me.
This is the second book by the author where, despite the simple story promised by the blurb, there is an unexpected POV and plot thrust which is serious. Since I was more prepared this time it worked for me.
kaztastrophe17's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
dontwaitforkate's review against another edition
5.0
I had the biggest, dopiest smile on my face by the end. I didn’t care how much time or pages were left in the book and I didn’t even care when the next sex scene was going to be.
The was one of the most beautiful and romantic stories I have ever read. As someone with intrusive thoughts of her own and constantly feeling inadequate to people in my life who mean everything to me this was exactly what I needed.
Was there daddy kink? Yes. Was the tension and buildup hot? Yes. Was it the most unique sex ever? No but the descriptions in this book were another level. And the love, the care and tenderness from our hero was unrivaled. Every boundary was respected and so much patience and understanding came from this man. He was unreal.
I have never heard about anorexia described in this way and it was incredibly educational and eye opening. It was heartbreaking and the heroine was white knuckling her entire life. It was so painful and devastating how it affected any and everything.
There was an HEA but a realistic one that fit very well with this story. This isn’t a tale of how kink and BDSM saved her life. It was about how our girl finally found the courage to live only if it was one hour at at time.
I left this story feeling like I learned about myself too and perhaps today is a great day for all of us to be kind to our minds. Sometimes that is the biggest struggle for us all.
The was one of the most beautiful and romantic stories I have ever read. As someone with intrusive thoughts of her own and constantly feeling inadequate to people in my life who mean everything to me this was exactly what I needed.
Was there daddy kink? Yes. Was the tension and buildup hot? Yes. Was it the most unique sex ever? No but the descriptions in this book were another level. And the love, the care and tenderness from our hero was unrivaled. Every boundary was respected and so much patience and understanding came from this man. He was unreal.
I have never heard about anorexia described in this way and it was incredibly educational and eye opening. It was heartbreaking and the heroine was white knuckling her entire life. It was so painful and devastating how it affected any and everything.
There was an HEA but a realistic one that fit very well with this story. This isn’t a tale of how kink and BDSM saved her life. It was about how our girl finally found the courage to live only if it was one hour at at time.
I left this story feeling like I learned about myself too and perhaps today is a great day for all of us to be kind to our minds. Sometimes that is the biggest struggle for us all.
rihoward's review against another edition
5.0
In my many hours perusing Instagram I came across a post with this cover and a blurb and instantly I was intrigued. Okay, I lie, I was more than intrigued. It might as well have been a Siren calling me to my death. I was mesmerized. I needed to read it. I went on a mad search looking for it. My sleuthing skills paid off because I discovered it on Netgalley and requested an ARC. Something I rarely do, and not expecting a response back. Color me surprised that I was chosen to read this book. I still had no idea what to expect other than the blurb. I am glad for that because by going in blind and seeing the way that the author wrote this story allowed me to truly appreciate this story in a way with no preconceived notions.
The age gap "daddy" is not a sub-genre that I normally read. Yet, if they were all written as exceptionally well as this one I might change my mind. I liked that the author played on the notion of "control" in this story. This had a different connotation to the word depending on the character. It also has a duality in BDSM with the idea that even though the Dominant wields the power, it is, in fact, the Submissive that truly has the power. For both Stian and Lacey, they have their own idea of needing to control something> without giving away spoilers, I will just say that it was beautiful and painful to watch as both grappled with needing it and having it be allusive in so many ways. My heart hurt at times as I watched as the helplessness of something was just out of reach and how they both tried so hard to have the hope that it wouldn't be this way forever. The steamy times in this book were very well done and I could definitely see the correlation of how this might help someone like Lacey. Yet, it is important to note that it wasn't a way to "fix" but rather give structure.
This author put a lot of work into creating a backdrop of the story, complete with history and traditions in order to enhance the storyline and the characters. She also talked about something not often read about in romance and portrayed it with such care and kindness. I, as a reader, appreciated that because I am familiar with it, not personally but with a family member. Adding in the secondary characters was much needed and showed that this was not just a plot device to add drama to the story. It made me appreciate the story that much more and made it feel as if this was truly a real couple conquering an obstacle in their journey of life.
Normally, I question the insane amount of time that I spend on IG. However, since it gave me this stunning book to add to my insane amount of books that I have read in 2019, I will say that time was well spent. Kudos to the author. I am a huge fan.
The age gap "daddy" is not a sub-genre that I normally read. Yet, if they were all written as exceptionally well as this one I might change my mind. I liked that the author played on the notion of "control" in this story. This had a different connotation to the word depending on the character. It also has a duality in BDSM with the idea that even though the Dominant wields the power, it is, in fact, the Submissive that truly has the power. For both Stian and Lacey, they have their own idea of needing to control something> without giving away spoilers, I will just say that it was beautiful and painful to watch as both grappled with needing it and having it be allusive in so many ways. My heart hurt at times as I watched as the helplessness of something was just out of reach and how they both tried so hard to have the hope that it wouldn't be this way forever. The steamy times in this book were very well done and I could definitely see the correlation of how this might help someone like Lacey. Yet, it is important to note that it wasn't a way to "fix" but rather give structure.
This author put a lot of work into creating a backdrop of the story, complete with history and traditions in order to enhance the storyline and the characters. She also talked about something not often read about in romance and portrayed it with such care and kindness. I, as a reader, appreciated that because I am familiar with it, not personally but with a family member. Adding in the secondary characters was much needed and showed that this was not just a plot device to add drama to the story. It made me appreciate the story that much more and made it feel as if this was truly a real couple conquering an obstacle in their journey of life.
Normally, I question the insane amount of time that I spend on IG. However, since it gave me this stunning book to add to my insane amount of books that I have read in 2019, I will say that time was well spent. Kudos to the author. I am a huge fan.
kiahra_sanchezz's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 Stars
(0.5 because something compelled me to finish reading this book)
This book killed an innocent tree
(0.5 because something compelled me to finish reading this book)
This book killed an innocent tree
bluebirdsfly's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
3.5
This is more a book about recovering from an eating disorder than it is a love story. I understand why people might feel peeved by the potential message of "a man can fix me" but I felt like in Lacey's case and with the added bdsm attempt, it sort of made sense? I think the author was threading a really dangerous line and could not push her exploration even further because Stian isn't a really pushy daddy (which again works because of Lacey's recovery). A pushier version of bdsm and daddy kink would have negated Lacey's struggles and then the book would definitely have fallen into "only a man can fix me". As it is, both characters still have to work at their relationship in ways most other people don't so as to be mindful of the fuckery a mental illness can cause.
Overall, and considering the length of the book, I think the subject was treated with respect. I've never had an eating disorder so I can't vouch for the accurary, but I thought it was respectful and never judgmental.
The tone and style of writing felt subdued. I don't know if it's the author's style as this is my first book but I thought it worked for the story. No big lyrical description, fairly to the point dialogue. It lacked a little in the sexual/romantic department but again, considering the theme and the length, hard to do more.
Overall, and considering the length of the book, I think the subject was treated with respect. I've never had an eating disorder so I can't vouch for the accurary, but I thought it was respectful and never judgmental.
The tone and style of writing felt subdued. I don't know if it's the author's style as this is my first book but I thought it worked for the story. No big lyrical description, fairly to the point dialogue. It lacked a little in the sexual/romantic department but again, considering the theme and the length, hard to do more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder