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mxsallybend's review
4.0
I Want You to Own Me is an interesting novel, a sweet boys' love romance that's book-ended with some rather dark family drama, featuring both a heart-melting power-exchange dynamic and a heart-rending one. Personally, I think it works better because of the contrast, with the darker pitfalls of submission making us better appreciate the brighter heights of fated domination, but there's no question some scenes may be too much for some readers.
Since this is my first experience with Eve Healy, I just have to say something about her Dom/Sub universe. I absolutely adored the idea of a universe where people have primary and secondary genders, the first being masculine or feminine (which we're assigned at birth), and the second being dominant or submissive (which manifests on your 19th birthday). As someone who identifies as submissive first, and any gender/orientation second, this is absolutely wonderful! What makes it even more fun is how deeply biological those traits are, with Doms having almost magical powers of compulsion over Subs, and with subspace being something almost sacred.
Anyway, the story here is of Anthony, a young man whose family always assumed would be a Dom, but whose blood tests reveal is really a Sub. In the blink of an eye, his entire future is gone, his place in the family business erased, and his familial/social ties cut. He's thrown into a life of submission with only the bare minimum of training, and finds himself hating the life - at least until he's stolen away by a new Dom, one with whom he connects.
The darker power exchange still had appeal for me because, as much as it's cold and selfish, the way Anthony's body and mind react was exciting. The helpless intensity of those scenes spoke to me, and I wished he could find a way to enjoy it. The happier power exchange was softer, more subtle, lacking the overpowering domination that I found so exciting, but the romantic intimacy of it was lovely.
I thoroughly enjoyed I Want You to Own Me and am eagerly looking forward to more romances in the Dom/Sub universe.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2023/03/07/book-review-i-want-you-to-own-me-by-eve-healy-erotic-romance/
Since this is my first experience with Eve Healy, I just have to say something about her Dom/Sub universe. I absolutely adored the idea of a universe where people have primary and secondary genders, the first being masculine or feminine (which we're assigned at birth), and the second being dominant or submissive (which manifests on your 19th birthday). As someone who identifies as submissive first, and any gender/orientation second, this is absolutely wonderful! What makes it even more fun is how deeply biological those traits are, with Doms having almost magical powers of compulsion over Subs, and with subspace being something almost sacred.
Anyway, the story here is of Anthony, a young man whose family always assumed would be a Dom, but whose blood tests reveal is really a Sub. In the blink of an eye, his entire future is gone, his place in the family business erased, and his familial/social ties cut. He's thrown into a life of submission with only the bare minimum of training, and finds himself hating the life - at least until he's stolen away by a new Dom, one with whom he connects.
The darker power exchange still had appeal for me because, as much as it's cold and selfish, the way Anthony's body and mind react was exciting. The helpless intensity of those scenes spoke to me, and I wished he could find a way to enjoy it. The happier power exchange was softer, more subtle, lacking the overpowering domination that I found so exciting, but the romantic intimacy of it was lovely.
I thoroughly enjoyed I Want You to Own Me and am eagerly looking forward to more romances in the Dom/Sub universe.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2023/03/07/book-review-i-want-you-to-own-me-by-eve-healy-erotic-romance/
adricheyenne's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a quick and easy read! I absolutely adored Noah. The concept of Dom/Subs in this book was interesting as well. Only took a star off because of some of the “play”. It was well written and I loved the consent with Noah, but overall not my typical cup of tea. I would recommend!
ivyinthepages's review
3.0
Rating: 3 leaves out of 5
Characters: 2.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 2/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Genre: Romance
Type: Ebook
Worth?: If this is your thing go for it
Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
I am not sure how I would rate this given that I have learned I don't like the subject of this.... whole book. The whole Dom/Sub is fine if you still have free freaking will at the end of the day. This is just borderline rapey to me and I can't. Even though the two main characters are good to each other it is just the disgusting beginning that left me feeling... like I needed to soak in freaking acid.
As for the writing, I don't expect much... not with these type of books and I was proven right. They story was just tainted but it was so/so. I know I have another one of her books to read but I think I am just not going to give it a go since I am not liking her content.
Characters: 2.5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 2/5
Writing: 2.5/5
Genre: Romance
Type: Ebook
Worth?: If this is your thing go for it
Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
I am not sure how I would rate this given that I have learned I don't like the subject of this.... whole book. The whole Dom/Sub is fine if you still have free freaking will at the end of the day. This is just borderline rapey to me and I can't. Even though the two main characters are good to each other it is just the disgusting beginning that left me feeling... like I needed to soak in freaking acid.
As for the writing, I don't expect much... not with these type of books and I was proven right. They story was just tainted but it was so/so. I know I have another one of her books to read but I think I am just not going to give it a go since I am not liking her content.
rowenapotter2731's review
4.0
I am giving this book 4 stars. It is a short book, only 175 pages. I did receive this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway, which was exciting, but all the opinions expressed in this review are my own. I like M/M romance, dom/sub, second genders, etc., so this romance was right up my alley. I would search TW as there is non-con and some abuse in this (though not by the main couple). There is some insta-love, but with the length of the novel, it is kind of hard not to have that unless it's a multi-book series, which this is not (as far as I know). I like insta-love, so this didn't bother me. There is a lot of sex in this, but I feel it was balanced well with plot, so I would not say it is pure smut. It has some kinkiness to it as well, which I enjoyed. All in all, this was a well written, short, erotic M/M romance that I read in about an hour or so, and it was enjoyable. I would read again. If you don't like any of the aforementioned tropes, then I would probably skip because they are in abundance, but if you do or are unsure, I would give this a try.
cozymindful's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first time reading something like this and it was not bad! And I typically am not into this type of genre but this one is actually really good.
woolfinbooks's review
I mistakenly requested this assuming it was a manga. The writing is good, the story was pleasant, but I’m asexual so parts of it just weren’t for me. I don’t think it’s fair to give it a negative review based on my mistake, so 5 stars!
sab_rose's review against another edition
4.0
What really throw me was that lack of content warnings. Not for the graphic sexual parts but just for the more triggering situations (emotional abuse, dubious consent). Some warning prior would have appreciated.
Overall, I found the premise of the book to be interesting. The idea of either being a Dom or a Sub and it can be seen in someone's bloodwork isn't something I have come across before. What I felt like was a plot hole was that Anthony wasn't effected by Doms until he found out that he was one. If he was a Sub and it's something that is written in DNA, you'd think that there were have been early signs.
Anthony was failed by all of the adults around him, especially his parents. 100% garbage people. When Anthony and Noah got together I was overcome with joy. They are so sweet and kind one another that it warmed my soul <3
Overall, I found the premise of the book to be interesting. The idea of either being a Dom or a Sub and it can be seen in someone's bloodwork isn't something I have come across before. What I felt like was a plot hole was that Anthony wasn't effected by Doms until he found out that he was one. If he was a Sub and it's something that is written in DNA, you'd think that there were have been early signs.
Anthony was failed by all of the adults around him, especially his parents. 100% garbage people. When Anthony and Noah got together I was overcome with joy. They are so sweet and kind one another that it warmed my soul <3
librarianryan's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This light novel was of the erotic variety. In this world, most people have a second “sex” that rears around age 19. Most are either Dom or Sub. In the main character’s case, his parents are two prominent Dom’s who created life to ensure their heritage is passed on. However, when their son Anthony, turns out to be a sub, they sell, or parcel him off to a rich guy for business connections. After the diagnosis, Anthony’s dad’s Sub (who is a switch) has to initiate him so he is ready for the prominent businessman and knows the basics of being a sub and obeying orders. Anthony is taken to a fancy glass house where his new “owner” keeps him locked up and naked. Until the day the house is broken into, and Anthony begs the thief to take him away. And he does. I DNFed this story. The main reason, there is blood play, which I do not care for. I also do not care for the forceful nature of the world. Where you are commanded and cannot resist even if you want to. It was just a huge turn off. And all the biting to draw blood… hard line NO.