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emreadswhatshewants's review against another edition
5.0
Equal parts sweet and sexy bdsm short story
rchll's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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? No
3.5
taranaimc's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
theverysleepygirl's review against another edition
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? No
3.0
This was an ok read, but I skimmed the end. Also, for some reason, felt like the main character loved the love interest like, wayy more than he loved her? If he even wanted her at all? Was still romantic but I don't know.
isitcake's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Genius astrophysicist is socially awkward and asks girl to tutor him in social situations. His career is on the line as he needs to be able to schmooze for grant money. Meanwhile she gets schooled by him in the bedroom. The BDSM is definitely the point of this book. The plot itself is pretty meh. The conflict revolves around him being soooo socially inept that he can't form normal relationships, he "doesn't know what love is," so she gets hurt when she lets herself "fall in love with him" and then blames it all on herself when he refers to her only as his friend and submissive instead of anything more. This is basically a 50 Shades of Grey ripoff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
isabelisalright's review against another edition
4.0
Really fun and different from other books! Highly recommend for a sexy read with BDSM elements. It was great seeing two geeks find love and get through a really interesting situation.
Read this in one night because it was short, but enjoyable.
Read this in one night because it was short, but enjoyable.
mayarelmahdy's review
2.0
Characters were ASD that aren't weird are hard to come by. I hated Ivan so much. He reminded me of Ian Mckenzie, who happens to be a bad ASD dude as well.
I know no two people are the same, and the authors can't know exactly how the atypical mind works and it's mostly guesswork. I still hate Ivan.
Also, why is he slut-shaming the female lead? It's so out of character for him. It's also a major turn-off.
I know no two people are the same, and the authors can't know exactly how the atypical mind works and it's mostly guesswork. I still hate Ivan.
Also, why is he slut-shaming the female lead? It's so out of character for him. It's also a major turn-off.
msdeecm's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3,5 but not quite 4.
It seems that I have gotten into the habit of reading romances about researchers/scientists/university professors. Following my review of Undercover Professor, this week I'm reviewing another “nerdy” romance. It appears like someone at Carina Press is trying to make “high IQ romance heroes” happen and I wholeheartedly approve of that.
At the beginning of the novella, Camilla is almost stalking Ivan, if one can call stalking knowing your neighbour’s and close friend’s schedule to a “t”. Ivan is a man of routine, very predictable, which I suppose makes stalking him all that much easier. And then he breaks from his predictable mould to ask Camilla to train him socially which of course results to them coming closer and eventually get together.
Ivan is portrayed as socially awkward, possibly on the autism spectrum, though his exact diagnosis is not specified. The heroine even speculates on the matter a few times. Him being a Dom is explained as a natural progression of his need to control every aspect of his life, from his schedule to the parameters of a scientific experiment. Cami’s desire to submit is never explained and at times it feels as if she’s only doing it because this is what Ivan needs. I’m not sure as to how I feel about that.
In the process of the novella, the difficulties of dating someone who cannot pick up social cues are subtly portrayed, culminating in the novella’s finale which aptly takes place during a thunderstorm. Yet the ending is hopeful, or at least I found it to be.
What intrigued me the most with this one was how the characters are forced to clearly communicate what they’re thinking with their words since any sort of body language would be indecipherable for one of them. At one point, Ivan begs Cami to explain what he did to upset her. “You know I’ll never figure it out myself,” he says. This forced honesty is quite rare in a romance novel, where “being upset” is usually portrayed through passive aggressiveness and love declarations are usually filled with flowery words and dramatic alliterations.
An impressive attempt, I will be looking for more books by Ms Dryden.
It seems that I have gotten into the habit of reading romances about researchers/scientists/university professors. Following my review of Undercover Professor, this week I'm reviewing another “nerdy” romance. It appears like someone at Carina Press is trying to make “high IQ romance heroes” happen and I wholeheartedly approve of that.
At the beginning of the novella, Camilla is almost stalking Ivan, if one can call stalking knowing your neighbour’s and close friend’s schedule to a “t”. Ivan is a man of routine, very predictable, which I suppose makes stalking him all that much easier. And then he breaks from his predictable mould to ask Camilla to train him socially which of course results to them coming closer and eventually get together.
Ivan is portrayed as socially awkward, possibly on the autism spectrum, though his exact diagnosis is not specified. The heroine even speculates on the matter a few times. Him being a Dom is explained as a natural progression of his need to control every aspect of his life, from his schedule to the parameters of a scientific experiment. Cami’s desire to submit is never explained and at times it feels as if she’s only doing it because this is what Ivan needs. I’m not sure as to how I feel about that.
In the process of the novella, the difficulties of dating someone who cannot pick up social cues are subtly portrayed, culminating in the novella’s finale which aptly takes place during a thunderstorm. Yet the ending is hopeful, or at least I found it to be.
What intrigued me the most with this one was how the characters are forced to clearly communicate what they’re thinking with their words since any sort of body language would be indecipherable for one of them. At one point, Ivan begs Cami to explain what he did to upset her. “You know I’ll never figure it out myself,” he says. This forced honesty is quite rare in a romance novel, where “being upset” is usually portrayed through passive aggressiveness and love declarations are usually filled with flowery words and dramatic alliterations.
An impressive attempt, I will be looking for more books by Ms Dryden.
lcdmccullough's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story because I love nerdy heroes :) However, it's not for everyone. The hero is portrayed as so socially awkward that he's compared to someone autistic (maybe Aspergers) and I could understand why he may have appeared cold to some.
Personally, I thought it was really great to watch him struggle and go from not caring about anyone to deciding the heroine was "worth the deviation" from his usual routine.
Also, the BDSM aspect was well done. Delphine Dryden's other books are great also, if you like intelligent Dominant heroes.
Personally, I thought it was really great to watch him struggle and go from not caring about anyone to deciding the heroine was "worth the deviation" from his usual routine.
Also, the BDSM aspect was well done. Delphine Dryden's other books are great also, if you like intelligent Dominant heroes.
deanie's review
4.0
Dr. Ivan Reynolds is in trouble. While he's a brilliant scientist, his complete lack of social skills has made him more of a liability when it comes to schmoozing donors for funds, and he's heard that the department is considering replacing him. With her degree in social anthropology and love of throwing parties, his neighbor Camilla seems like just the person to show him how to interact with other people. However, Camilla quickly learns that there's more to Ivan -- he may be clueless at faculty parties, but he's an expert sexual Dominant capable of showing a woman pleasure beyond her wildest dreams -- and he's attracted to her.
This novel deftly balances the cutesy banter between Ivan and Camilla with smoking hot BDSM sex scenes. They both have flaws and strengths and seem like they could be real people. Their relationship is fun and fulfilling. Also, while this is a novella, it never seems short or rushed. It's a great book.
This novel deftly balances the cutesy banter between Ivan and Camilla with smoking hot BDSM sex scenes. They both have flaws and strengths and seem like they could be real people. Their relationship is fun and fulfilling. Also, while this is a novella, it never seems short or rushed. It's a great book.