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jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
Parker is a fellow NECRWA member, and gifted me with a copy of this, her new novella.
Really loved the depiction of the intersection of two cultures about which mainstream white middle class culture knows so little: orthodox Judaism and BDSM. Parker does amazing work not just explaining, but depicting, why an intelligent, educated woman who grew up in a rather unreligious home would find fulfillment in living as part of a tight-knit religious community. And, luckily for our college professor heroine Zipporah (formerly known as Zoe), the community's matchmaker works out a marriage for her with a widower who happens to share her sexual kink. I only wish Parker had expanded this into a full-length novel; Zipporah's character comes fully to life, but her new husband, Elan, remains pretty much a mystery, which I found frustrating. Especially when the big reconciliation scene at the end arrived; without having more insight into Elan's character, goals, and motives, I didn't find his emotional revelations as moving as they would have been if I knew more about him before that point.
Not surprisingly, these are my favorite lines:
I know what my students and the other faculty say about me and probably most of the strangers I see walking down the street. They think I'm foolish and old-fashioned and anti-feminist. I'm not.... Covering my hair isn't about being oppressed. It's about honoring my faith, but also about giving a gift and in so giving, bringing a man easily twice my weight and a good foot taller than I am to his knees. Having him so consumed with thoughts of me that I occupy his dreams" (Kindle Loc 369).
Really loved the depiction of the intersection of two cultures about which mainstream white middle class culture knows so little: orthodox Judaism and BDSM. Parker does amazing work not just explaining, but depicting, why an intelligent, educated woman who grew up in a rather unreligious home would find fulfillment in living as part of a tight-knit religious community. And, luckily for our college professor heroine Zipporah (formerly known as Zoe), the community's matchmaker works out a marriage for her with a widower who happens to share her sexual kink. I only wish Parker had expanded this into a full-length novel; Zipporah's character comes fully to life, but her new husband, Elan, remains pretty much a mystery, which I found frustrating. Especially when the big reconciliation scene at the end arrived; without having more insight into Elan's character, goals, and motives, I didn't find his emotional revelations as moving as they would have been if I knew more about him before that point.
Not surprisingly, these are my favorite lines:
I know what my students and the other faculty say about me and probably most of the strangers I see walking down the street. They think I'm foolish and old-fashioned and anti-feminist. I'm not.... Covering my hair isn't about being oppressed. It's about honoring my faith, but also about giving a gift and in so giving, bringing a man easily twice my weight and a good foot taller than I am to his knees. Having him so consumed with thoughts of me that I occupy his dreams" (Kindle Loc 369).
rachael_45's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reading_rainy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
4.0
I have very conflicting feelings about this story. I enjoyed reading it, but I also craved a little more emotional depth outside the bedroom.
The juxtaposition of the FMC being a college professor, while also trying to immerse herself into the restrictive culture of Orthodox Judaism was fascinating. It felt very taboo to have a couple in this religion practicing BDSM. I am not a fan of caning and flogging, so this kind of pain during intimacy was hard to read.
Widower MMC
Divorced FMC
Arranged marriage
Detailed descriptions of religious practices
No intimacy before wedding night
BDSM
Light drama
HEA
What I loved in this story was the aspects around how they met and their arranged marriage. I also really loved the final chapter with her husband speaking such beautiful truths.
My over analyzing reading brain wanted to know how an Orthodox man, brought up in a very strict household, was able to learn how to be a Dom.
The juxtaposition of the FMC being a college professor, while also trying to immerse herself into the restrictive culture of Orthodox Judaism was fascinating. It felt very taboo to have a couple in this religion practicing BDSM. I am not a fan of caning and flogging, so this kind of pain during intimacy was hard to read.
Widower MMC
Divorced FMC
Arranged marriage
Detailed descriptions of religious practices
No intimacy before wedding night
BDSM
Light drama
HEA
What I loved in this story was the aspects around how they met and their arranged marriage. I also really loved the final chapter with her husband speaking such beautiful truths.
My over analyzing reading brain wanted to know how an Orthodox man, brought up in a very strict household, was able to learn how to be a Dom.
nickcarravay's review against another edition
4.0
I do not usually read Orthodox Erotica, because I am not sure this is a genre that really exists, but this book intrigued me.
I felt like the Orthodox side of things was well explained and respectfully represented, with a lot of focus on reverence, family, intentionality, and a personal relationship with faith. This can be a tricky topic, particularly in such a strict space. This to me was the biggest success of the book. Though I am Jewish, I have my own feelings about Orthodoxy that do not align with Tzipporah, but I understood her motivations and needs on this front very clearly.
The erotic scenes, and honestly this is why one picks up a Tamsen Parker book, are smokin', blazin', five-alarm hot. Again, though I understand the concept of pain for pleasure I do not chase it in my personal life. I did, however, race to the bedroom (metaphorically), with Elan and her bird. I wanted to understand a bit more of why it was so meaningful for Tzipporah to surrender control. Several times in the book she says, "I don't know why this is what I need, but I do" (I'm definitely paraphrasing). I needed to know the why as well.
Overall, this was a fascinating escape into a completely different bedroom and I am here for more stories like this.
Thank you for giving a voice to such a specific kink.
I felt like the Orthodox side of things was well explained and respectfully represented, with a lot of focus on reverence, family, intentionality, and a personal relationship with faith. This can be a tricky topic, particularly in such a strict space. This to me was the biggest success of the book. Though I am Jewish, I have my own feelings about Orthodoxy that do not align with Tzipporah, but I understood her motivations and needs on this front very clearly.
The erotic scenes, and honestly this is why one picks up a Tamsen Parker book, are smokin', blazin', five-alarm hot. Again, though I understand the concept of pain for pleasure I do not chase it in my personal life. I did, however, race to the bedroom (metaphorically), with Elan and her bird. I wanted to understand a bit more of why it was so meaningful for Tzipporah to surrender control. Several times in the book she says, "I don't know why this is what I need, but I do" (I'm definitely paraphrasing). I needed to know the why as well.
Overall, this was a fascinating escape into a completely different bedroom and I am here for more stories like this.
Thank you for giving a voice to such a specific kink.
tashas_books's review against another edition
3.0
Apparently I know almost nothing about Jewish beliefs and traditions because I didn’t know what the main character was talking about a lot of the time. It’s made me realize how much religion can effect culture, and not just in how you pray/worship, but how it effects all aspects of culture, even the parts that aren’t overtly religious.
I really enjoyed this book, even though it was ver different from anything I’ve read before. But...I felt the ending was very abrupt. I though I was maybe halfway done, maybe, then suddenly feelings are uncharacteristicly being expressed and I’m reading the epilogue.
I really enjoyed this book, even though it was ver different from anything I’ve read before. But...I felt the ending was very abrupt. I though I was maybe halfway done, maybe, then suddenly feelings are uncharacteristicly being expressed and I’m reading the epilogue.
sarful's review
5.0
She has such a vivid inner monologue. Everything was so precise, clear and she was able to translate what BDSM feels like for a sub, something I've never really understood. It also paints a realized look at Orthodox Judaism, from a personal perspective. This is such a beautifully written and realized story. I'm very glad this was recommended to me because it was very much worth the read.
aliciasplendeur's review
5.0
I was given a free download of this novella via an author's newsletter.
And I almost passed on it because the couple in this novel was religious but wow the steam was pretty off the charts. It deals with BDSM so if that isn't your thing go ahead and skip this book. But if you enjoy erotica, you might just love this.
And I almost passed on it because the couple in this novel was religious but wow the steam was pretty off the charts. It deals with BDSM so if that isn't your thing go ahead and skip this book. But if you enjoy erotica, you might just love this.
catra121's review
5.0
I LOVED this! Definitely in my top 5 of the year. Very steamy, quick read with a unique storyline that completely captivated me from start to finish. I love learning about different cultures and lifestyles and this was so interesting for me.
stitchnlich's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
savviecake's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5