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_charliesbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Firstly I want to say that it’s so good to be back in the world of SPC and I LOVED how the Sara (author) included a recap for the previous books. This was such a small detail but it was so thoughtful and awesome to read!!!!
Now that’s out of the way let’s get to talking about the actual story. After a bet goes wrong Fmc Daisy finds herself on the auction block at SPC. Not expecting any interest Daisy is surprised when there’s a bidding war between to men for an hour date with her.
Ultimately billionaire Ronan Kade wins the auction. Interesting because he’s the reason she’s working at the club. Daisy goes looking for answers and gets so much more. Once getting to know Ronan, Daisy finds out he’s not what she expected.
As with all the SPC books I throughly enjoyed this book too. Sara Cate has an amazing ability of merging spice, drama and whirlwind emotions/situations together in a way that’s not only entertaining, seamless but it’s leaves you wanting more. I really enjoyed exploring the new side of kinks within this series, loving when “Daddy” Ronan helps Daisy to explore her sexuality and how Daisy gets a taste of the extremely sought after pleasure dom.
While I find most SPC books can be read as individual books this one does have spoilers about the previous books so I’d definitely recommend reading the others first. That being said I adored reading this book and I’d certainly recommend reading it and the series if you like taboo romance. 🔥
🔞 Warning this book contains explicit content and tropes not everyone may like. My page is a no-hate zone. Don’t ick someone’s yum.
Tropes include but aren’t limited to:
- Age gap (30+ Years)
- Daddy kink
- Insta-love/attraction
Now that’s out of the way let’s get to talking about the actual story. After a bet goes wrong Fmc Daisy finds herself on the auction block at SPC. Not expecting any interest Daisy is surprised when there’s a bidding war between to men for an hour date with her.
Ultimately billionaire Ronan Kade wins the auction. Interesting because he’s the reason she’s working at the club. Daisy goes looking for answers and gets so much more. Once getting to know Ronan, Daisy finds out he’s not what she expected.
As with all the SPC books I throughly enjoyed this book too. Sara Cate has an amazing ability of merging spice, drama and whirlwind emotions/situations together in a way that’s not only entertaining, seamless but it’s leaves you wanting more. I really enjoyed exploring the new side of kinks within this series, loving when “Daddy” Ronan helps Daisy to explore her sexuality and how Daisy gets a taste of the extremely sought after pleasure dom.
While I find most SPC books can be read as individual books this one does have spoilers about the previous books so I’d definitely recommend reading the others first. That being said I adored reading this book and I’d certainly recommend reading it and the series if you like taboo romance. 🔥
🔞 Warning this book contains explicit content and tropes not everyone may like. My page is a no-hate zone. Don’t ick someone’s yum.
Tropes include but aren’t limited to:
- Age gap (30+ Years)
- Daddy kink
- Insta-love/attraction
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Medical content, and Pregnancy
icelandicbookreview's review against another edition
2.5
this just... was not it for me. the FMC's inner dialogue when it came to the MMC was just too much for me at some points. if that would have been different, I honestly think I would have liked this one more. plus, that twist towards the end? unnecessary. and that's coming from someone who enjoys that trope
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
cheesie's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
this was such an anticipated read for me and it met my expectations and then some. i love this series and am happy they continue to impress me! i would recommend it to anyone who’s read katee robert’s neon gods and is looking for more in the realm of sex clubs and taboo relationships while still being more light than dark.
pros:
- it has elements of a “romancing my stepdad” trope without being gross. despite the age gap, ronan and daisy did NOT know eachother until daisy was an adult
- ronan kade has the potential to be… an annoying cliche “grumpy” character to daisy’s sunshine but this book veered away from those stereotypes and i was sooo thankful.
- a short read! good if you read romance fast like i do and want to get thru a story quick
cons:
- pretty predictable conflict, and daisy’s inner monologue while thinking about it got tired fast. WE KNOW, you have to tell him about your mom! we know it’s coming!
- not a fan of the ending trope but i blacked it out already. i pretended it do not exist
pros:
- it has elements of a “romancing my stepdad” trope without being gross. despite the age gap, ronan and daisy did NOT know eachother until daisy was an adult
- ronan kade has the potential to be… an annoying cliche “grumpy” character to daisy’s sunshine but this book veered away from those stereotypes and i was sooo thankful.
- a short read! good if you read romance fast like i do and want to get thru a story quick
cons:
- pretty predictable conflict, and daisy’s inner monologue while thinking about it got tired fast. WE KNOW, you have to tell him about your mom! we know it’s coming!
- not a fan of the ending trope but i blacked it out already. i pretended it do not exist
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
literarylily's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
sindi_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I ate this book right up.
Like all the other books in the series, miss sara cate don’t miss.
I love a good 10 year age gap, but this 30 year age gap was really gapping but I was not mad at it.
Daisy is such a lovely fmc. But daddy Ronan🥵😮💨, did not know he had a soft side to him based on his appearance in the other books. Nonetheless I enjoyed every minute and moment between the two😭
This series be so emotional though 😭😭? Got me tearing up on both they back stories, my god.
Like all the other books in the series, miss sara cate don’t miss.
I love a good 10 year age gap, but this 30 year age gap was really gapping but I was not mad at it.
Daisy is such a lovely fmc. But daddy Ronan🥵😮💨, did not know he had a soft side to him based on his appearance in the other books. Nonetheless I enjoyed every minute and moment between the two😭
This series be so emotional though 😭😭? Got me tearing up on both they back stories, my god.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
andeng's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pregnancy
jessiereads98's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Sara Cate’s writing just isn’t very strong. Daisy is a basic two dimensional main character who I found incredibly cringey. I had to read far too much about her songs that weren’t good. Ronan was likeable enough as a main character, but again very surface level with not a lot going on. Everything that happened was predictable. Last, but certainly not least, surprise pregnancy trope is tired, never really a surprise to the reader, and just plain sucks. Authors should retire that one. Let alone surprise breeding kink.
This all could’ve been done without the weird detail that he had previously been in a relationship with her mother. The story realistically would’ve been the same if it was about two people working through their grief and unhealthy coping mechanisms.It ultimately doesn’t end up being why they break up. They break up due to their individual issues they need to work through. (Which I guess Ronan just never does? We never see him work through any issues, and he himself says that he hasn’t.) The line at the end about Daisy picking up where her mother left off and their hearts beating for the same man is also just weird, and squicks me out.
Additionally, I don’t understand why Daisy’s musical aspirations are made such a big deal of. Ultimately, she doesn’t go to music school like she dreamed, and it seems like nothing really comes of any music career for her. The impression I got was that she gave it up to be a mother to Ronan’s kids; which really makes Ronan’s comment about bringing a strong woman to her knees for him look bad.
This all could’ve been done without the weird detail that he had previously been in a relationship with her mother. The story realistically would’ve been the same if it was about two people working through their grief and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Additionally, I don’t understand why Daisy’s musical aspirations are made such a big deal of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Child death, Medical content, Car accident, and Alcohol
emilysbookedup's review against another edition
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
thecajunbookworm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Alcohol
Minor: Child death
weelasswithabook's review against another edition
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
4.0
*** ARC received in exchange for an honest review ***
CW: graphic sexual content, cancer, grief, death of loved ones, deception, homelessness
⭐️ Age Gap romance
⭐️ BDSM erotic romance
🌶 Daddy kink
🌶 Impact play
🌶 Pleasure dom
🌶 Restraints
Okay this one surprised me...
The SPC series is widely known for it's extremely spicy scenes and having a true emotional connection. They are notoriously wonderful romance novels.
However, the whole tone of Highest Bidder felt extremely different (not in a bad way, just generally). This was much softer and emotionally driven with the themes of grief and loss pushing the characters through the story.
This didn't detract from the erotic content of the book whatsoever (for those who follow the SPC series more for the spicy aspects) in fact, with the softer tone, it created a more startling contrast when it came to the erotic content. There was plenty of spice and kink in there to 110% categorise is as an erotic romance 👀
My only criticism was the instalove (or more just a really speedily falling in love would be a fairer description) vibe I got. And this is simply a me issue, not a reflection on the standard of the book itself. I think had there been a little slower of a burn, the emotional connection between the two might have been a little more impactful in the long run.
The conflict in itself was pretty solidified right at the start, but there was that anxious anticipation of not knowing when it was going to crop up. So it saved it from being predictable. I liked that it appeared when it did and how it did because it really propelled the character's relationship into a flux. And it's not a petty miscommunication trope either, it's a biggie.
One thing I really appreciated was the fact that the heroine wasn't saved or left needing to be saved by the hero. She healed and grew on her own to come to terms with her grief and take care of herself.
I cannot wait to see what's to come next.
CW: graphic sexual content, cancer, grief, death of loved ones, deception, homelessness
⭐️ Age Gap romance
⭐️ BDSM erotic romance
🌶 Daddy kink
🌶 Impact play
🌶 Pleasure dom
🌶 Restraints
Okay this one surprised me...
The SPC series is widely known for it's extremely spicy scenes and having a true emotional connection. They are notoriously wonderful romance novels.
However, the whole tone of Highest Bidder felt extremely different (not in a bad way, just generally). This was much softer and emotionally driven with the themes of grief and loss pushing the characters through the story.
This didn't detract from the erotic content of the book whatsoever (for those who follow the SPC series more for the spicy aspects) in fact, with the softer tone, it created a more startling contrast when it came to the erotic content. There was plenty of spice and kink in there to 110% categorise is as an erotic romance 👀
My only criticism was the instalove (or more just a really speedily falling in love would be a fairer description) vibe I got. And this is simply a me issue, not a reflection on the standard of the book itself. I think had there been a little slower of a burn, the emotional connection between the two might have been a little more impactful in the long run.
The conflict in itself was pretty solidified right at the start, but there was that anxious anticipation of not knowing when it was going to crop up. So it saved it from being predictable. I liked that it appeared when it did and how it did because it really propelled the character's relationship into a flux. And it's not a petty miscommunication trope either, it's a biggie.
One thing I really appreciated was the fact that the heroine wasn't saved or left needing to be saved by the hero. She healed and grew on her own to come to terms with her grief and take care of herself.
I cannot wait to see what's to come next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Medical content, Car accident, and Pregnancy