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cady_sass's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Seemed like the right time to finally give this a shot, was not disappointed. I am slightly baffled as to what made this one particular erotic novel become the absolute pop culture phenomenon that it did, but I have no complaints
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
annaofjesup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Vomit, and Abandonment
pbella3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
mahra's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I will be very blunt.
I read this when I was 15 (too young, I know), and even at the time I could not believe that a grown adult wrote this. It reads like a bad fanfic written by a teen.
I am not even going to get into this abusive relationship depicted as romantic, and somehow desirable. Shameful.
I read this when I was 15 (too young, I know), and even at the time I could not believe that a grown adult wrote this. It reads like a bad fanfic written by a teen.
I am not even going to get into this abusive relationship depicted as romantic, and somehow desirable. Shameful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
mckenna0628's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Okay. I hate myself for giving this more than one star but there’s a reason it’s a best seller. The spicy scenes do make you feel something. It just makes me upset because there are so many other GOOD books that include spicier or just better writing in terms of that where it doesn’t advertise toxic relationships as incredibly romantic and something you want in a man. Stop romanticizing fictional, toxic men that cut you off from your family and friends!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
planetshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.0
Initial thoughts: This is the only book I’ve ever listened to in 3x speed because it’s the only book I was fine with only halfway comprehending. It was in Libby’s “Available Now” section, so I borrowed it. And no, I am not sure why I did it.
Reflection: But as it turns out, I feel that I have gained something by reading this series. I actually ended up listening to the audiobooks twice. The relationship is undoubtedly complicated, and so are many real ones, so it was interesting to analyze its evolution.
I ended up adding a half-star to my previous 2.5 after my second read.
Reflection: But as it turns out, I feel that I have gained something by reading this series. I actually ended up listening to the audiobooks twice. The relationship is undoubtedly complicated, and so are many real ones, so it was interesting to analyze its evolution.
I ended up adding a half-star to my previous 2.5 after my second read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse and Stalking
Minor: Addiction, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
i_dont_knoe's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Pedophilia
meganpbennett's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
After *years* of being told that I couldn't discuss how this book normalizes abuse and is a bad example of BDSM practices, I finally read it. And it's somehow worse than I imaged.
First things first: Grey is an abuser. He's a bit of a gaslighter as well, but first and foremost, he is an abuser. He gives the BDSM community a bad name, using "but I'm a Dom" to excuse his stalking, controlling, and abusing of women. One of the many examples is that contract, which does nothing but give him an excuse for controlling and abusing her (I can hear it now: "you signed the contract, Anastasia, you're mine for good."). She's very leery of the contract, and sends back her changes, most of which he rejects or otherwise indicates are part and parcel of getting into a relationship with him.
He shows her his "playroom" without discussion it with her. Just sort of whip out his whips. When she indicates that she doesn't know very much (anything) about it, he tells her to do some research and sends her off. It's very one-sided, and he seems unwilling to accept any concessions from her, even when she says something is hard or soft no. A hard no is not negotiable.
Within the book, it is very clear that she's not interested in and doesn’t actually want to do this (both the D/s aspects and the B&D aspects), but Grey makers she feels that she has no choice but to accept the contract and the minor concessions he’s made to it. This comes up again and again with aspects of play that she's leery about or uninterested in - such as gagging - but he pushes the topic again and again, attempting to get her to change her mind.
Aftercare. Aftercare is an important part of any BDSM relationship, and is sometimes considered the most important part of the scene. There is next to no aftercare in the book, and as she doesn't know that it's supposed to be, it never comes up.
Grey admits that he likes hitting women, that he likes hurting women. She doesn't take him seriously, and believes that he won't hurt her. This is very apparent in his play practices. I'm not going to get into why they are so bad, but they are incredibly unsafe, and very likely to hurt the submissive partner. As in, "send the submissive partner to the hospital" hurt if the Dom is experienced, and "send the submissive partner to the morgue" if the Dom is inexperienced.
Grey stalks her, something she mentions regularly, but she somehow never realizes that it's a bad thing. She even calls him a stalker, but it's somehow not important that he's stalking her.
Grey attempts to isolate her from her friends, which is a hallmark of abuse. It makes the victim dependent on the abuser, and keeps the family and friends from figuring out the abuse. His first attempts at isolation are passed off as jealousy, and he uses that jealousy as an excuse to get extra Dommy on her. He gets mad at her when she mentions that she was thinking about visiting her mother, because she hadn't discussed that with him. It's as if he was trying to police her thoughts, as well as her actions. He doesn't like that she interviewed from jobs that weren't at his company, because he wanted her under him thumb, dependent on him for everything, including financially (which is another hallmark of abuse).
When we get Grey's backstory, we learn that he was groomed and abused by a pedophile. A pedophile who is now one of his closest friends. A close family friend took advantage to groom and abuse him.
This book excuses and romanticizes abuse. It plays into dangerous stereotypes about BDSM, and badly misrepresents the community.
First things first: Grey is an abuser. He's a bit of a gaslighter as well, but first and foremost, he is an abuser. He gives the BDSM community a bad name, using "but I'm a Dom" to excuse his stalking, controlling, and abusing of women. One of the many examples is that contract, which does nothing but give him an excuse for controlling and abusing her (I can hear it now: "you signed the contract, Anastasia, you're mine for good."). She's very leery of the contract, and sends back her changes, most of which he rejects or otherwise indicates are part and parcel of getting into a relationship with him.
He shows her his "playroom" without discussion it with her. Just sort of whip out his whips. When she indicates that she doesn't know very much (anything) about it, he tells her to do some research and sends her off. It's very one-sided, and he seems unwilling to accept any concessions from her, even when she says something is hard or soft no. A hard no is not negotiable.
Within the book, it is very clear that she's not interested in and doesn’t actually want to do this (both the D/s aspects and the B&D aspects), but Grey makers she feels that she has no choice but to accept the contract and the minor concessions he’s made to it. This comes up again and again with aspects of play that she's leery about or uninterested in - such as gagging - but he pushes the topic again and again, attempting to get her to change her mind.
Aftercare. Aftercare is an important part of any BDSM relationship, and is sometimes considered the most important part of the scene. There is next to no aftercare in the book, and as she doesn't know that it's supposed to be, it never comes up.
Grey admits that he likes hitting women, that he likes hurting women. She doesn't take him seriously, and believes that he won't hurt her. This is very apparent in his play practices. I'm not going to get into why they are so bad, but they are incredibly unsafe, and very likely to hurt the submissive partner. As in, "send the submissive partner to the hospital" hurt if the Dom is experienced, and "send the submissive partner to the morgue" if the Dom is inexperienced.
Grey stalks her, something she mentions regularly, but she somehow never realizes that it's a bad thing. She even calls him a stalker, but it's somehow not important that he's stalking her.
Grey attempts to isolate her from her friends, which is a hallmark of abuse. It makes the victim dependent on the abuser, and keeps the family and friends from figuring out the abuse. His first attempts at isolation are passed off as jealousy, and he uses that jealousy as an excuse to get extra Dommy on her. He gets mad at her when she mentions that she was thinking about visiting her mother, because she hadn't discussed that with him. It's as if he was trying to police her thoughts, as well as her actions. He doesn't like that she interviewed from jobs that weren't at his company, because he wanted her under him thumb, dependent on him for everything, including financially (which is another hallmark of abuse).
When we get Grey's backstory, we learn that he was groomed and abused by a pedophile. A pedophile who is now one of his closest friends. A close family friend took advantage to groom and abuse him.
This book excuses and romanticizes abuse. It plays into dangerous stereotypes about BDSM, and badly misrepresents the community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
fanboyriot's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
-5 stars*
Short Version:
- Unhealthy relationship is romanticized
- No consent
- Actually plotless and not in a pwp way
- Painful to read
- Repetitive
- Overhyped
- Barely changing anything—except the names—from the original??
- Lazy writing tbh
Long Version:
I feel like this was one of those books were I could go off on a tangent every time I hear the name. There are so many problems with it and yet there are so SO many people who read this as if it is the kinkiest, nastiest, amazing romance they had ever read. How?? Frankly it’s very vanilla, so I’m just confused with why people are saying it is so X rated or the worst thing they have read in regards of smut.
There was no—to very little—consent is given with this relationship, which isn’t really my thing even in fiction. I mean you are telling me that he made a big deal about what’s her face signing a contract (which was one of the only things that made sense) and then goes and hits her (without consent of course) before she signs it?? Makes SO much sense. It’s not like she sobbed to her mom after that—oh wait.
BDSM is about communication, consent, things are discussed before scenes are done. Limits/boundaries are respected and etc. this book has none of that.
This isn’t even talking about the characters I mean both of them were annoying. Christian only liked Anastasia because she reminded him of his mom. Yeah, not creepy at all… They both needed therapy, Christian most of all. Anastasia was one of those characters that “isn’t like other women” quirky, clumsy, nervous, shy, and boring to default. Christian was one of those characters that was the “attractive rich man who everyone wants” the “man” had severe mommy issues and he is praised for it almost, he has past trauma that he takes out on others, he’s really clingy, and manipulative, and selfish, and boring as well to read.
To be honest I hate giving books this low of a rating, especially when I find out it started as a fan-fiction, however, even the fan-fiction seems to be exactly like the original work, again with just switching out the names. How did this get so popular?? Do yourself a favor and just read the fan-fiction version on this if you what to, at least it’s free.
Short Version:
- Unhealthy relationship is romanticized
- No consent
- Actually plotless and not in a pwp way
- Painful to read
- Repetitive
- Overhyped
- Barely changing anything—except the names—from the original??
- Lazy writing tbh
Long Version:
I feel like this was one of those books were I could go off on a tangent every time I hear the name. There are so many problems with it and yet there are so SO many people who read this as if it is the kinkiest, nastiest, amazing romance they had ever read. How?? Frankly it’s very vanilla, so I’m just confused with why people are saying it is so X rated or the worst thing they have read in regards of smut.
There was no—to very little—consent is given with this relationship, which isn’t really my thing even in fiction. I mean you are telling me that he made a big deal about what’s her face signing a contract (which was one of the only things that made sense) and then goes and hits her (without consent of course) before she signs it?? Makes SO much sense. It’s not like she sobbed to her mom after that—oh wait.
BDSM is about communication, consent, things are discussed before scenes are done. Limits/boundaries are respected and etc. this book has none of that.
This isn’t even talking about the characters I mean both of them were annoying. Christian only liked Anastasia because she reminded him of his mom. Yeah, not creepy at all… They both needed therapy, Christian most of all. Anastasia was one of those characters that “isn’t like other women” quirky, clumsy, nervous, shy, and boring to default. Christian was one of those characters that was the “attractive rich man who everyone wants” the “man” had severe mommy issues and he is praised for it almost, he has past trauma that he takes out on others, he’s really clingy, and manipulative, and selfish, and boring as well to read.
To be honest I hate giving books this low of a rating, especially when I find out it started as a fan-fiction, however, even the fan-fiction seems to be exactly like the original work, again with just switching out the names. How did this get so popular?? Do yourself a favor and just read the fan-fiction version on this if you what to, at least it’s free.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
nannaolsen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting