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onebluereader's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
caseroo7's review against another edition
3.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
Break Me Down is the newest novella in the Loving on the Edge Series from Roni Loren. Though this book takes place between books eight and nine, it can be read as a standalone. Break Me Down is the story of Gibson (Kade's stepbrother) and Samantha (Tessa's best friend). If you are a fan of the series, there are a few other familiar faces that appear here as well and it was really good to see them again as well.
Gibson Andrews helped train Samantha Dunbar to be a Domme. Though he had a moment with her where he submitted, he can't afford for others to see him as weak. As much as he wanted to be with Sam and she wanted him, he walked away saying that they weren't right for each other and that he couldn't be what she needed. But when Sam is attacked and heads to her grandma's rundown house in the middle of nowhere, Gibson can't let he go alone. Knowing that Sam needs someone though she will push everyone away, Gibson agrees to spend the week with her in private and be whatever she needs. But can one week together cure the desires that Gibson is scared others will find out about?
I liked both Gibson and Sam. I thought that there was a lot of heat and chemistry between them, and it was clear that they cared about each other. I did find it hard to relate to Sam though and I think that is more of a personal thing for me. Though I have no problem with other people's kinks, I just find it hard to relate to female Dommes and male subs. There is just something sexy to me about alpha males that take control and own that side of themselves. The biggest thing that was hard for me here was that I think I might have been able to feel more connected had Gibson owned who he was and his desires. If you are a male sub there is no problem with that, but don't be embarrassed and think that is weak. It is the same thing as a female being a sub, and I have a problem with them thinking that they are weak by submitting. It takes an incredible amount of strength and confidence to give up control and trust to someone else, and I want whoever is submitting to realize the power and beauty of that. I was expecting Gibson to get over that fear and insecurity a bit earlier, and it got to the point that I was tired of waiting. I knew that with this being a novella that it was a short book, so I wanted to see him and Sam on solid ground before the very end. I just felt like the longer it took, the more rushed and abrupt the ending seemed.
There were also a few things that made me uncomfortable as far as the scenes went as well. There were a few issues with force and coercion that I just felt didn't sit right with me. Though there wasn't anything major that I could draw fault to, it felt like there were some things that just weren't exactly kosher. There was also something that happened at The Ranch at the end that I wasn't entirely comfortable with either, and I felt like it was a bit unsafe. Precautions are put in place for a reason, and though it was Gibson who made the terms the removal of a safe word is something that just doesn't sit right with me when it comes to BDSM. I don't care that he asked for it or that he trusted Sam fully, I just couldn't get behind that considering the type of play they were entering together. So while I liked Gibson and Sam, this wasn't my favorite of the series. It was hard for me to get into the story and the few things I mentioned just made this one hard to get into for me. I think a lot of this is personal issues though, and no matter what I felt about this particular story there a few things that can't be argued when it comes to Roni's work. Roni Loren is a fantastic writer and her stories are always super hot! If you are a fan of the series, I still recommend this story. If you are new to the series, you definitely should give these books a shot. This series is one of my favorites and I know I will read more from Roni in the future.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Break Me Down is the newest novella in the Loving on the Edge Series from Roni Loren. Though this book takes place between books eight and nine, it can be read as a standalone. Break Me Down is the story of Gibson (Kade's stepbrother) and Samantha (Tessa's best friend). If you are a fan of the series, there are a few other familiar faces that appear here as well and it was really good to see them again as well.
Gibson Andrews helped train Samantha Dunbar to be a Domme. Though he had a moment with her where he submitted, he can't afford for others to see him as weak. As much as he wanted to be with Sam and she wanted him, he walked away saying that they weren't right for each other and that he couldn't be what she needed. But when Sam is attacked and heads to her grandma's rundown house in the middle of nowhere, Gibson can't let he go alone. Knowing that Sam needs someone though she will push everyone away, Gibson agrees to spend the week with her in private and be whatever she needs. But can one week together cure the desires that Gibson is scared others will find out about?
I liked both Gibson and Sam. I thought that there was a lot of heat and chemistry between them, and it was clear that they cared about each other. I did find it hard to relate to Sam though and I think that is more of a personal thing for me. Though I have no problem with other people's kinks, I just find it hard to relate to female Dommes and male subs. There is just something sexy to me about alpha males that take control and own that side of themselves. The biggest thing that was hard for me here was that I think I might have been able to feel more connected had Gibson owned who he was and his desires. If you are a male sub there is no problem with that, but don't be embarrassed and think that is weak. It is the same thing as a female being a sub, and I have a problem with them thinking that they are weak by submitting. It takes an incredible amount of strength and confidence to give up control and trust to someone else, and I want whoever is submitting to realize the power and beauty of that. I was expecting Gibson to get over that fear and insecurity a bit earlier, and it got to the point that I was tired of waiting. I knew that with this being a novella that it was a short book, so I wanted to see him and Sam on solid ground before the very end. I just felt like the longer it took, the more rushed and abrupt the ending seemed.
There were also a few things that made me uncomfortable as far as the scenes went as well. There were a few issues with force and coercion that I just felt didn't sit right with me. Though there wasn't anything major that I could draw fault to, it felt like there were some things that just weren't exactly kosher. There was also something that happened at The Ranch at the end that I wasn't entirely comfortable with either, and I felt like it was a bit unsafe. Precautions are put in place for a reason, and though it was Gibson who made the terms the removal of a safe word is something that just doesn't sit right with me when it comes to BDSM. I don't care that he asked for it or that he trusted Sam fully, I just couldn't get behind that considering the type of play they were entering together. So while I liked Gibson and Sam, this wasn't my favorite of the series. It was hard for me to get into the story and the few things I mentioned just made this one hard to get into for me. I think a lot of this is personal issues though, and no matter what I felt about this particular story there a few things that can't be argued when it comes to Roni's work. Roni Loren is a fantastic writer and her stories are always super hot! If you are a fan of the series, I still recommend this story. If you are new to the series, you definitely should give these books a shot. This series is one of my favorites and I know I will read more from Roni in the future.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
yanina_amanto's review
5.0
And Roni does it again... Damn this book is HOT!!! I'm not usually too fond of stories where the man is the sub and the woman is the dom, but in this case I loved it :) I highly recommend this book.
jaimejustreadsromance's review
5.0
This was a definite first for me. I've never read a story featuring a female Domme and her male sub, but I have to say it's made quite the impression on me.
As expected this novel was beyond hot and took me out of my comfort zone and frankly I'm still not completely sure how I feel about the situation. However, I'm positive I know how I feel about Sam and Gibson. I love them and the connection they share. I love how their first priority was to make each other feel safe and that trust was a must between them before they would proceed to something more permanent. When a scene in a book evokes tears in me because I can feel the emotions from the characters so completely that it shatters my heart, that's a great fucking story.
I've yet to be disappointed by any book I've read by Roni Loren and I don't foresee it happening any time soon. She blends kink and romance like I've never read before. So, bring on the pain because she makes it feel so good.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
As expected this novel was beyond hot and took me out of my comfort zone and frankly I'm still not completely sure how I feel about the situation. However, I'm positive I know how I feel about Sam and Gibson. I love them and the connection they share. I love how their first priority was to make each other feel safe and that trust was a must between them before they would proceed to something more permanent. When a scene in a book evokes tears in me because I can feel the emotions from the characters so completely that it shatters my heart, that's a great fucking story.
I've yet to be disappointed by any book I've read by Roni Loren and I don't foresee it happening any time soon. She blends kink and romance like I've never read before. So, bring on the pain because she makes it feel so good.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
undrcvrbookahlc's review against another edition
5.0
Alright this was surprisingly heartwarming. This book explores the topic of internalized toxic/fragile masculinity and what it means to be strong - being true to yourself regardless of anyone else's opinion. Our FMC, Sam, is a newer domme (not brand new but maybe a year or so) but has found peace within her role once she recognized that power within her. Our MC, Gibson (Gib), is a leader in his corporate job and was raised to take pain from his abusive father without flinching. After a traumatic event , Sam flees to her grandmothers dilapidated house that she is in the middle of fixing up. Gib chases after her knowing she shouldn't be alone. Sam and Gib had a fling the summer before but ended things respectfully when they both couldn't budge from their dominant roles. However, they both realize that this week at the house can be their chance to explore a D/s relationship and Gib can give in to his overwhelming desire to submit.
Since this is told in dual POV, we see his every hesitation and thought behind not wanting to admit that he wants to be dominated. During this exploration, Sam pushed Gib to some limits and he found it harder and harder to deny that he wanted to be her sub, but his anxiety towards being publicly known as a submissive stopped him from fully committing to her. Sam knew that she never wanted to be a secret again so she respected Gib's decision despite having fallen in love with him and how it meant this was the end for them for good this time. While this means that there was a 3rd act breakup, it was done in a way that I've never seen before. This was more of a "right person, wrong time" sort of situation and that almost made it worse. It was a very respectful, mutual decision that they both hated but knew was the right thing to do.
Since this is a novella, it was pretty quick but that doesn't mean the spice and the heart isn't there. I really enjoyed this book and seeing Gib's transformation. You feel the connection between them and seeing them together at the end was extremely rewarding. We also get to see Gib's friends support him in the end and I was so happy for him that he had friends that would help him through anything. There was some light teasing but Pike and Foster are the real deal, friend-wise.
Make sure to check CW/TW - (forced play scenes/cnc are discussed and somewhat executed at the end of the book)
Spoiler
(descriptive, attempted rape)Since this is told in dual POV, we see his every hesitation and thought behind not wanting to admit that he wants to be dominated. During this exploration, Sam pushed Gib to some limits and he found it harder and harder to deny that he wanted to be her sub, but his anxiety towards being publicly known as a submissive stopped him from fully committing to her. Sam knew that she never wanted to be a secret again so she respected Gib's decision despite having fallen in love with him and how it meant this was the end for them for good this time. While this means that there was a 3rd act breakup, it was done in a way that I've never seen before. This was more of a "right person, wrong time" sort of situation and that almost made it worse. It was a very respectful, mutual decision that they both hated but knew was the right thing to do.
Since this is a novella, it was pretty quick but that doesn't mean the spice and the heart isn't there. I really enjoyed this book and seeing Gib's transformation. You feel the connection between them and seeing them together at the end was extremely rewarding. We also get to see Gib's friends support him in the end and I was so happy for him that he had friends that would help him through anything. There was some light teasing but Pike and Foster are the real deal, friend-wise.
Make sure to check CW/TW - (forced play scenes/cnc are discussed and somewhat executed at the end of the book)
vasixox's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Lovely read with very minimal plot outside of their relationship. It mostly explores the MCs' kinks and why they developed them. Strong femdom.
It's not profoundly deep or anything, a fun afternoon read, I devoured it in a day.
The steamy bits focus on emotions and the reactions of the reciever more than the physical aspect.
CW: CNC, forced orgasms and BDSM (lots of it, every letter in the abbreviation, more than once)
It's not profoundly deep or anything, a fun afternoon read, I devoured it in a day.
The steamy bits focus on emotions and the reactions of the reciever more than the physical aspect.
CW: CNC, forced orgasms and BDSM (lots of it, every letter in the abbreviation, more than once)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual content, and Child abuse
smbmar's review
5.0
Loren's raciest novel to date
While fans of Loren's Loving on the Edge series are used to a little dramatic storyline and a not for the faint of heart steamy couple, this pushes all limits. Sam and Gibson's story will leave the reader begging for more. It is the hottest story I have ever read to day. I love the role reversal from Loren's normal character match up. The book touches on the taboo subject of the female lead's dominance over the male character. While this could be written trashy, Loren keeps the story classy. I can't wait to see what's next in this series!
While fans of Loren's Loving on the Edge series are used to a little dramatic storyline and a not for the faint of heart steamy couple, this pushes all limits. Sam and Gibson's story will leave the reader begging for more. It is the hottest story I have ever read to day. I love the role reversal from Loren's normal character match up. The book touches on the taboo subject of the female lead's dominance over the male character. While this could be written trashy, Loren keeps the story classy. I can't wait to see what's next in this series!
karmamaurer's review
2.0
I saw a page of the book on a TikTok and looked good but I didn't realize the premise of the book was this. Good but not what I was looking for.