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ibens's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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
1.5
lynsdv's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
kate_and_books's review against another edition
I stopped reading the book at 40% due to that fact I can't and won't write a review. Maybe it was just my mood.
daisybox's review against another edition
2.0
The story had potential and I don't think the author gave everything to make this book a great one.
Emma's autism is not enough exploited and while reading her past has more consequences than her mental shape.
And Brandon acted more like a woman than a Dominant. He was quite funny actually and it was not the purpose.
All the BDSM books are basically all the same, but C. E. Kilgore decided to add a special something in her characters (autism - OCD...) and it would have rocked to learn more about that (we learn nothing about Emma's autism except the things Charlie knows and it's not a lot - I don't even think Emma is aware of her autism)
Emma's autism is not enough exploited and while reading her past has more consequences than her mental shape.
And Brandon acted more like a woman than a Dominant. He was quite funny actually and it was not the purpose.
All the BDSM books are basically all the same, but C. E. Kilgore decided to add a special something in her characters (autism - OCD...) and it would have rocked to learn more about that (we learn nothing about Emma's autism except the things Charlie knows and it's not a lot - I don't even think Emma is aware of her autism)
bwmurf's review
4.0
A nice read
I really enjoyed this book getting to know Emma, Brandon, and all their friends. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
I really enjoyed this book getting to know Emma, Brandon, and all their friends. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
see_sadie_read's review
2.0
I want to give this book a 2, but will allow a 2.5. The reason is that the writing is fine (though it needs a bit more editing) and it's probably even a fine book, conforming to genre standards etc. However, it pretty much pissed me off at every single turn!
I'm struggling to explain why without writing a 2,000 word ranty review. I'll start with the autism aspect. No, first I'll state for the record that I think Kilgore had a wonderful idea in writing a series involving non-normalized individuals. Incorporating mental health issues and physical abnormalities into main characters is a laudable goal. I only wish she had actually accomplished it.
Now I'll address Emma's autism. Not once in the entire book (other than the first sentence of the blurb) is the word autism used. Autistic is used twice. In this sentence: "The Fed's brain-doctor thought she might be autistic, but they don't really know for sure. Then again they label everyone autistic, thesedays." That's it for the entire book for autism. I don't know about you, but I find it less than compelling.
Perhaps you're thinking a diagnosis doesn't need to be named to exist in a character. I might agree with that, except that Emma doesn't seem to self-identify as autistic and she doesn't display any behaviours that are particularly autistic. In fact, none of her thoughts, actions, or behaviours fall outside of the realm of standard, fragile, broken heroine in need of a man to set her world to rights.
More to the point, what Emma's every description screams is the standard child-like heroine of 4 bazillion other contemporary romances. Even when being introduced into BDSM she's clad as such:
Plus, no one, not even the author, addressed the fact that this particular style is an adult version of what her mother used to dress her in to pimp her to older men as a child. (Or at least to attract older men into her embezzlement schemes.) Yes, lets accidentally sexualise her history abuse. Sounds like a great idea.
Instead of providing an empowered, sexual agent who happens to be on the autism spectrum we're given a broken, abused, mentally unstable woman. It plays into the same tired record of female mental fragility that I hate with a vitriolic passion I'm not sure I can adequately express.
What the book feels like instead, is that the author did her market research to find what was trending at the moment and came across BDSM and autism. She then went through and painted autism onto the surface of a preexisting M/F erotic romance. (Kind of like what a lot of M/M romance authors do to sell M/F romances to M/M readers.) Because honestly, what the BDSM themes have to do with the autism theme is a complete mystery. I think the book would have been vastly improved by choosing one or the other and not both.
An author can call a character anything she likes and have it be true. They're the author. But beyond Kilgore's assertion that Emma is autistic, I don't see it. What Emma is an archetype of a child-sexpot and personally, I want to read about adult, fully integrated women in sexual roles.
The book also has insta-love, which I hate. Insta-trust, which baffles me (and kind of pisses me off, too). A group of five childhood friends who all grew up to have essentially the same sexual kinks (six if you count Crow), which mystifies me. The required lecture and training in BDSM, which bores me. The endless repetitive drivel about being awed and blown away, which irritates me. The cliché scene where the rich man takes the woman shopping for clothing, which makes me roll my eyes, and an ending so sappy I damn near choked on it, which frankly disgusts me.
So, that all makes this book a complete failure for me. However, to be fair, I did actually like the characters (including the side characters) and really appreciated the fact that BDSM wasn't presented as abusive and humiliating. (I know that's some people's kink, but it's not mine and I appreciated not finding it here.) That's what saved the book from a 1 star, if I'm honest.
I'm struggling to explain why without writing a 2,000 word ranty review. I'll start with the autism aspect. No, first I'll state for the record that I think Kilgore had a wonderful idea in writing a series involving non-normalized individuals. Incorporating mental health issues and physical abnormalities into main characters is a laudable goal. I only wish she had actually accomplished it.
Now I'll address Emma's autism. Not once in the entire book (other than the first sentence of the blurb) is the word autism used. Autistic is used twice. In this sentence: "The Fed's brain-doctor thought she might be autistic, but they don't really know for sure. Then again they label everyone autistic, thesedays." That's it for the entire book for autism. I don't know about you, but I find it less than compelling.
Perhaps you're thinking a diagnosis doesn't need to be named to exist in a character. I might agree with that, except that Emma doesn't seem to self-identify as autistic and she doesn't display any behaviours that are particularly autistic. In fact, none of her thoughts, actions, or behaviours fall outside of the realm of standard, fragile, broken heroine in need of a man to set her world to rights.
More to the point, what Emma's every description screams is the standard child-like heroine of 4 bazillion other contemporary romances. Even when being introduced into BDSM she's clad as such:
Her curly hair has been pinned up into bouncing caramel ringlet pigtails and she’s dressed all in white. White leather. White. Fucking. Leather! A front-laced corset leads down into a pair of frilly bloomers, which then leads down into matching garter belts and white lace stockings. There are tiny, pink bows everywhere, including on the bands of her white Mary-Jane shoes. White leather bracers with lace frills and a matching collar complete the look, and in her hand is a thin, white riding crop.It's all angelic innocence and virginal naiveté, even in a BDSM club. As if the more child-like the heroine, the more appealing she is. Gah! Basically, everything I hate about contemporary romances in one place.
Plus, no one, not even the author, addressed the fact that this particular style is an adult version of what her mother used to dress her in to pimp her to older men as a child. (Or at least to attract older men into her embezzlement schemes.) Yes, lets accidentally sexualise her history abuse. Sounds like a great idea.
Instead of providing an empowered, sexual agent who happens to be on the autism spectrum we're given a broken, abused, mentally unstable woman. It plays into the same tired record of female mental fragility that I hate with a vitriolic passion I'm not sure I can adequately express.
What the book feels like instead, is that the author did her market research to find what was trending at the moment and came across BDSM and autism. She then went through and painted autism onto the surface of a preexisting M/F erotic romance. (Kind of like what a lot of M/M romance authors do to sell M/F romances to M/M readers.) Because honestly, what the BDSM themes have to do with the autism theme is a complete mystery. I think the book would have been vastly improved by choosing one or the other and not both.
An author can call a character anything she likes and have it be true. They're the author. But beyond Kilgore's assertion that Emma is autistic, I don't see it. What Emma is an archetype of a child-sexpot and personally, I want to read about adult, fully integrated women in sexual roles.
The book also has insta-love, which I hate. Insta-trust, which baffles me (and kind of pisses me off, too). A group of five childhood friends who all grew up to have essentially the same sexual kinks (six if you count Crow), which mystifies me. The required lecture and training in BDSM, which bores me. The endless repetitive drivel about being awed and blown away, which irritates me. The cliché scene where the rich man takes the woman shopping for clothing, which makes me roll my eyes, and an ending so sappy I damn near choked on it, which frankly disgusts me.
So, that all makes this book a complete failure for me. However, to be fair, I did actually like the characters (including the side characters) and really appreciated the fact that BDSM wasn't presented as abusive and humiliating. (I know that's some people's kink, but it's not mine and I appreciated not finding it here.) That's what saved the book from a 1 star, if I'm honest.
valefimbres's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jslcbb's review
5.0
Very good
I thought this book was very well written. The characters were very believable and likeable. I think that this book has explained the BDSM aspect better than ano other I have read.
I thought this book was very well written. The characters were very believable and likeable. I think that this book has explained the BDSM aspect better than ano other I have read.
tch2917's review
4.0
Became totally immersed...
I loved the romance of Brandon and Emma! The love they share evolves quickly yet is soul deep! That love allowed each to accept one another’s broken pieces, give trust and find strength in one another!
I loved the romance of Brandon and Emma! The love they share evolves quickly yet is soul deep! That love allowed each to accept one another’s broken pieces, give trust and find strength in one another!
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