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jackiehorne's review
4.0
I have some mixed feelings about Parker's latest erotic romance, despite the high rating I've given it. The writing is fabulous (unsurprising, given Parker's track record), the characters sympathetic and compelling, and the kink is portrayed with respect and care. But the idea of a psychiatrist/patient sexual relationship, even if the psychiatrist hasn't treated the patient in a VERY long time, gave me pause.
The story:
A male psychiatrist who had an inappropriate attraction to an adolescent female patient struggling with major depression chooses to leave his practice, his home, and his patient behind in order to remove himself from temptation. This story begins 15 years later, when the psychiatrist, Lowry Campbell, knowing that the recent death of Starla Patrick's high-profile father is likely to be difficult for her, decides to once again upend his life, moving back from Chicago to Boston, where his former patient still lives. Starla has left her tumultuous teen years behind her and grown into a successful adult who manages both her small business (coaching others with mental health issues on how to best organize their space and schedules) and her depression with skill and aplomb. But Dr. Campbell's new job is at the same hospital where Starla's current doctor is, and it isn't too long before the two encounter one another. Starla was devastated by her doctor's abandonment, and is embarrassed by her lingering crush on him, so she initially refuses his friendly advances when they run into one another. But Starla's curiosity gradually gets the better of her, and she and Dr. Campbell begin meeting weekly for a friendly dinner. A meeting which gradually transforms into dating, and into lots of kinky sex.
Starla's well aware of her own kinky desires: she gets turned on by feeling like a "little," acting like a small child and being taken care of (and spanked) by a kind, dominant parent figure. She currently plays with a female Dom with whom she can take on the role of child, sans sex, but she'd love to find a male lover whose kink aligns with hers. In contrast, Lowry is wary of his own kinky proclivities and has never explored them. But now that Starla is a consenting thirty-three year-old to Lowry's fifty-one, perhaps it might be safe to admit that what he feels for Starla isn't just affection, or even run-of-the-mill sexual attraction?
The idea of Daddy kink usually makes my skin crawl. But Parker constructs her characters, especially Starla, with such care and respect and emotional heft that I still found myself drawn into their story. Parker's depiction of Starla's work to manage her depression is particularly compelling. Though Starla has her depression under regulation now, it is clear that she is not miraculously cured; she must continual monitor and respond to her mental health as does anyone with a chronic medical condition.
I personally would have enjoyed the story more if Lowry had come back to Boston for reasons other than still being obsessed with Starla (struck me as slightly creepy/stalkerish behavior), but I'm guessing that his obsession will be part of the appeal for many readers—a love that will not die, even after fifteen years of separation.
I do wish, though, that there had been some discussion of transference, and more about the ethics of dating a former patient, in the story itself. I know a lot of people fantasize about their doctors, especially their psychiatrists, and that this is a work of fiction that speaks to such fantasies, not to real life. But as someone who developed her own embarrassing crush on her psychiatrist (as do so many patients during their treatment), I couldn't help but be a little worried by Starla and Lowry's fall into romance.
The American Psychiatric Association's Principles of Medical Ethics states:
"Sexual activity with a current or former patient is unethical" (p. 4). The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario doesn’t consider sexual contact with former patients to be abuse, but does warn in its boundaries policy that “the physician may still be found to have committed professional misconduct.” The UK's General Medical Council used to discourage doctors from having romantic relationships with former patients, but relaxed their rules in 2013, although they also added other issues to consider before embarking on such a relationship (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4771530/). Clearly, there is disagreement and grey-area in regards to this issue. So, reader be informed...
FYI, Parker and I are both members of the New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America.
The story:
A male psychiatrist who had an inappropriate attraction to an adolescent female patient struggling with major depression chooses to leave his practice, his home, and his patient behind in order to remove himself from temptation. This story begins 15 years later, when the psychiatrist, Lowry Campbell, knowing that the recent death of Starla Patrick's high-profile father is likely to be difficult for her, decides to once again upend his life, moving back from Chicago to Boston, where his former patient still lives. Starla has left her tumultuous teen years behind her and grown into a successful adult who manages both her small business (coaching others with mental health issues on how to best organize their space and schedules) and her depression with skill and aplomb. But Dr. Campbell's new job is at the same hospital where Starla's current doctor is, and it isn't too long before the two encounter one another. Starla was devastated by her doctor's abandonment, and is embarrassed by her lingering crush on him, so she initially refuses his friendly advances when they run into one another. But Starla's curiosity gradually gets the better of her, and she and Dr. Campbell begin meeting weekly for a friendly dinner. A meeting which gradually transforms into dating, and into lots of kinky sex.
Starla's well aware of her own kinky desires: she gets turned on by feeling like a "little," acting like a small child and being taken care of (and spanked) by a kind, dominant parent figure. She currently plays with a female Dom with whom she can take on the role of child, sans sex, but she'd love to find a male lover whose kink aligns with hers. In contrast, Lowry is wary of his own kinky proclivities and has never explored them. But now that Starla is a consenting thirty-three year-old to Lowry's fifty-one, perhaps it might be safe to admit that what he feels for Starla isn't just affection, or even run-of-the-mill sexual attraction?
The idea of Daddy kink usually makes my skin crawl. But Parker constructs her characters, especially Starla, with such care and respect and emotional heft that I still found myself drawn into their story. Parker's depiction of Starla's work to manage her depression is particularly compelling. Though Starla has her depression under regulation now, it is clear that she is not miraculously cured; she must continual monitor and respond to her mental health as does anyone with a chronic medical condition.
I personally would have enjoyed the story more if Lowry had come back to Boston for reasons other than still being obsessed with Starla (struck me as slightly creepy/stalkerish behavior), but I'm guessing that his obsession will be part of the appeal for many readers—a love that will not die, even after fifteen years of separation.
I do wish, though, that there had been some discussion of transference, and more about the ethics of dating a former patient, in the story itself. I know a lot of people fantasize about their doctors, especially their psychiatrists, and that this is a work of fiction that speaks to such fantasies, not to real life. But as someone who developed her own embarrassing crush on her psychiatrist (as do so many patients during their treatment), I couldn't help but be a little worried by Starla and Lowry's fall into romance.
The American Psychiatric Association's Principles of Medical Ethics states:
"Sexual activity with a current or former patient is unethical" (p. 4). The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario doesn’t consider sexual contact with former patients to be abuse, but does warn in its boundaries policy that “the physician may still be found to have committed professional misconduct.” The UK's General Medical Council used to discourage doctors from having romantic relationships with former patients, but relaxed their rules in 2013, although they also added other issues to consider before embarking on such a relationship (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4771530/). Clearly, there is disagreement and grey-area in regards to this issue. So, reader be informed...
FYI, Parker and I are both members of the New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America.
yesididbringabook's review against another edition
5.0
This is long, but it makes up for it by being super sexy and super emotional.
My only hang up was the the hero’s choice in the third act conflict. It didn’t make sense to me.
My only hang up was the the hero’s choice in the third act conflict. It didn’t make sense to me.
origamy's review
emotional
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
3.75
unlimitedhappylife's review
5.0
Was not sure what to expect going into this because I really enjoyed it.
It is a lot more emotional and heavy than your typical smutty romance, but it made the connection between the two main characters feel more intimate and real.
I had read some reviews that said they did not like the main female lead, Starla, but I thought she was a great character. She did frustrate me at times, but she's human and one that has to face the monster that is mental health every day which can cause intrusive thoughts and doubts.
She is the type of heroine I enjoy in this type of romance. Too many BDSM romances, who have a submissive female lead, feature a woman down on her luck, homeless, or being abused and the dominant hero swoops in to save her, and we don't get much substance on her besides the horrible situation she came from. Starla is someone who has gone through a lot in her life but fought her way to where she is, stability. Though she can take care of herself, she desires to give her submission to someone she trusts.
I really like Lowry as well. I liked that he was new to ddlg but would listen and learn from Starla who was more experienced in it. Once he gets going though, DAMN, does the man have quite the dirty mouth on him. He also had his own journey of discovery in the story. I did get pissed at him at one point, but it's hard to stay mad at him.
Definitely one I would recommend.
It is a lot more emotional and heavy than your typical smutty romance, but it made the connection between the two main characters feel more intimate and real.
I had read some reviews that said they did not like the main female lead, Starla, but I thought she was a great character. She did frustrate me at times, but she's human and one that has to face the monster that is mental health every day which can cause intrusive thoughts and doubts.
She is the type of heroine I enjoy in this type of romance. Too many BDSM romances, who have a submissive female lead, feature a woman down on her luck, homeless, or being abused and the dominant hero swoops in to save her, and we don't get much substance on her besides the horrible situation she came from. Starla is someone who has gone through a lot in her life but fought her way to where she is, stability. Though she can take care of herself, she desires to give her submission to someone she trusts.
I really like Lowry as well. I liked that he was new to ddlg but would listen and learn from Starla who was more experienced in it. Once he gets going though, DAMN, does the man have quite the dirty mouth on him. He also had his own journey of discovery in the story. I did get pissed at him at one point, but it's hard to stay mad at him.
Definitely one I would recommend.
icarusfallstan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was the the kinda book I expected when they said this was a “daddy kink.” this was my first time reading a book centred around the ddlg dynamic so it was outta my comfort zone. I honestly have no thoughts I was on autopilot white reading this but I will say I enjoyed reading about her personal journey and experience with depression
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
sabarinamf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5