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bri_839's review against another edition
5.0
this book was absolutely incredible! such deep emotions and love between the main couple and the ending just left me feeling warm and fuzzy!
I'm usually not a fan of second chance books but this one was just so truthful and honest that it blew me away, it was easy to see that the main couple love each other and their parting was a mistake on the hero's side but he realised his mistake and strove to do and be better.
this was a quick read only 14 chapters long but the depth of emotion and feeling it evoked was amazing! scenes were hot, hot, hot. not as plentiful as I would have liked but amazing all the same. a new found favourite author of mine!
I'm usually not a fan of second chance books but this one was just so truthful and honest that it blew me away, it was easy to see that the main couple love each other and their parting was a mistake on the hero's side but he realised his mistake and strove to do and be better.
this was a quick read only 14 chapters long but the depth of emotion and feeling it evoked was amazing! scenes were hot, hot, hot. not as plentiful as I would have liked but amazing all the same. a new found favourite author of mine!
bmzhang's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
chroniclesofabookreader's review against another edition
4.0
**4-4.5 Stars**
The first in this BDSM-heavy series leads us in with a second-chance romance between Kenna and Griffin. What was once a well-functioning D/s relationship turned sour when Kenna wanted more from their play. The domino affect from that fallout has shown both of them the harsh realities to their decisions. With Kenna, I loved that Ms. Kaye so openly went into the effects of war, and the guilt and inner-conflict within a veteran both emotionally and physically. Her pain and loss of self-respect was palpable and saddening to bear witness to. Her character was easy to tap into and get a real sense for where she is.
But what I think I enjoyed most of all is the healing process that submission had on her. How it calmed her and brought her mind into the here and now. It was fascinating to see the results and also experience it as Griffin, as he too is an outside party. What’s healing for her is also healing for him and they come together really beautifully in this story. I’m no BDSM expert in any way, but I feel like Ms. Kaye is portraying the lifestyle in a sexy yet positive manner. And it brought a lot of feels as well. I could feel the pain and the want and the need between them throughout the story–and it was both incredibly sexy while maintaining a certain level of sweetness.
I’m waffling on the star rating on this one because I wanted so much more from this story. I wanted more of their backstory and a bit more of development between them in the current; some more push-pull to make it juicier and meatier. I liked what I got so much that I’m greedy for more, and really wish it were a full-length novel so that we could have all of that. It went by way too fast, and with the emotion I could feel from their story, I felt there was a lot more we could have gotten out of it. However, aside from my greedy thoughts, it’s a fully enjoyable and erotic tale well worth reading. I really look forward to where the next Dom will take us.
**Received an early copy**
The first in this BDSM-heavy series leads us in with a second-chance romance between Kenna and Griffin. What was once a well-functioning D/s relationship turned sour when Kenna wanted more from their play. The domino affect from that fallout has shown both of them the harsh realities to their decisions. With Kenna, I loved that Ms. Kaye so openly went into the effects of war, and the guilt and inner-conflict within a veteran both emotionally and physically. Her pain and loss of self-respect was palpable and saddening to bear witness to. Her character was easy to tap into and get a real sense for where she is.
But what I think I enjoyed most of all is the healing process that submission had on her. How it calmed her and brought her mind into the here and now. It was fascinating to see the results and also experience it as Griffin, as he too is an outside party. What’s healing for her is also healing for him and they come together really beautifully in this story. I’m no BDSM expert in any way, but I feel like Ms. Kaye is portraying the lifestyle in a sexy yet positive manner. And it brought a lot of feels as well. I could feel the pain and the want and the need between them throughout the story–and it was both incredibly sexy while maintaining a certain level of sweetness.
I’m waffling on the star rating on this one because I wanted so much more from this story. I wanted more of their backstory and a bit more of development between them in the current; some more push-pull to make it juicier and meatier. I liked what I got so much that I’m greedy for more, and really wish it were a full-length novel so that we could have all of that. It went by way too fast, and with the emotion I could feel from their story, I felt there was a lot more we could have gotten out of it. However, aside from my greedy thoughts, it’s a fully enjoyable and erotic tale well worth reading. I really look forward to where the next Dom will take us.
**Received an early copy**
mags_louise's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this story, it had me completely and utterly hooked from start to finish and I honestly couldn't put it down. Not only was it full of heat but the two main characters were extremely likable especially Kenna who after surviving an IED blast in Afghanistan and losing her hand and part of her arm was a very strong and believable character whose emotions felt very real and at times raw. Which just added to my overall enjoyment of the story and left me wanting so much more that I really can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and would totally recommend this one to others.
reading_rainbows's review against another edition
Nice to see bondage with a disability perspective even though it's not well explored.
BDSM is fairly uninformed, but mostly not terrible. Twine is the what they call what they use for Shibari, when it should be jute or hemp necessary for suspensions they were doing. Twine does not have adequate load rating.
BDSM is fairly uninformed, but mostly not terrible. Twine is the what they call what they use for Shibari, when it should be jute or hemp necessary for suspensions they were doing. Twine does not have adequate load rating.
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
5.0
This was just THE BEST! Right from the start I was hooked and completely entranced by Kenna and Griffin’s story. It was filled with an incredible amount of emotion and heat and I loved how everything intertwined. Amazing read!
Laura Kaye writes some of the best heroines. I'm sure I've said this with previous books of hers as well but it's true. They just really resonate with me and effect me. I absolutely adored Kenna. There was so much strength in this women and she puts herself out there to really start healing and living her life to the fullest. It was just full of so much emotion and it was was incredibly well written. Griffin was so sweet and so there for Kenna as they come together. I loved that level of strength he gave to her to be able to really open up.
The story was amazing. The writing just had me so engrossed and the world around me fell away. I loved learning Griffin and Kenna's history, there were such great details and character development. And somebody pass me a fan because oh my goodness these two together are so freaking hot together! There was some really nice scenes in there. ;-)
There is a major amount of intensity and emotion in this but I loved that there were a few lighter moments too bringing some much needed levity to the story. I swear some of those more intense and emotional scenes had me holding my breath. They were just so raw and real with vulnerable moments.
I also really enjoyed getting more of a glimpse at the other Masters and can’t wait to read Quinton’s story. I really liked seeing Kyler and Mia again too. I think it’s just an all around great cast of characters.
This was such a well crafted story with rich characters and I loved the dual POV of storytelling. And yes it has super hot moments but it is so much more than that. It's this truly amazing journey of healing and finding love and becoming whole again. Absolutely amazing!
Laura Kaye writes some of the best heroines. I'm sure I've said this with previous books of hers as well but it's true. They just really resonate with me and effect me. I absolutely adored Kenna. There was so much strength in this women and she puts herself out there to really start healing and living her life to the fullest. It was just full of so much emotion and it was was incredibly well written. Griffin was so sweet and so there for Kenna as they come together. I loved that level of strength he gave to her to be able to really open up.
The story was amazing. The writing just had me so engrossed and the world around me fell away. I loved learning Griffin and Kenna's history, there were such great details and character development. And somebody pass me a fan because oh my goodness these two together are so freaking hot together! There was some really nice scenes in there. ;-)
There is a major amount of intensity and emotion in this but I loved that there were a few lighter moments too bringing some much needed levity to the story. I swear some of those more intense and emotional scenes had me holding my breath. They were just so raw and real with vulnerable moments.
I also really enjoyed getting more of a glimpse at the other Masters and can’t wait to read Quinton’s story. I really liked seeing Kyler and Mia again too. I think it’s just an all around great cast of characters.
This was such a well crafted story with rich characters and I loved the dual POV of storytelling. And yes it has super hot moments but it is so much more than that. It's this truly amazing journey of healing and finding love and becoming whole again. Absolutely amazing!
julaliciousbookparadise's review against another edition
4.0
Julalicious Book Paradise
So this review should have been done a while ago and I apologize for the lateness of it. I really tried to get it done before now, but I had trouble getting my reviews done lately, but here it is now.
So where do I start this review because I must say that I got hooked on it from the first lines. Kenna is a character that went through a lot in the Marines and while trying to share her experiences with other people through speeches, she has yet to deal with her own emotions and turmoils these events caused her.
Kenna's character was in way so relatable in a non-conventional way if I may say. She went through a great deal of pain and she is suffering from it, trying to move on with her life, but she has barely taken two steps forwards that she takes two back. This happens to a lot of people and those who try to deal with these traumas will often turn to something that once helped them or try something new. She went back to a time that helped her in hopes it would bring her some peace; which in this case was the BDSM club where she got her heart broken by her Dom.
Griffin hates that he lost the woman he loves many years ago because he wasn't able to realize quickly what she meant for him. Seeing her again is the second chance he never thought he would have, but he realizes that she isn't the same woman as she used to be. Helping her is only the first he is willing to take to win back her trust and her heart.
Griffin is a male character like I loved them; he is a good man. From the beginning, you can tell that he cares about the people around him. When Kenna asked for his help, he made sure that's what she wanted, he didn't push her to tell him anything she wasn't ready to tell him and he gave her what she needed.
Together, you can tell that he was made to help her piece back together the parts of her she had lost since the war. Whenever they were together, yes, it was hot and steamy, but more than that, I felt like it was really part of her healing process.
Overall, I really really enjoyed this book and I'm really looking forward to the next book of the series.
I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
So this review should have been done a while ago and I apologize for the lateness of it. I really tried to get it done before now, but I had trouble getting my reviews done lately, but here it is now.
So where do I start this review because I must say that I got hooked on it from the first lines. Kenna is a character that went through a lot in the Marines and while trying to share her experiences with other people through speeches, she has yet to deal with her own emotions and turmoils these events caused her.
Kenna's character was in way so relatable in a non-conventional way if I may say. She went through a great deal of pain and she is suffering from it, trying to move on with her life, but she has barely taken two steps forwards that she takes two back. This happens to a lot of people and those who try to deal with these traumas will often turn to something that once helped them or try something new. She went back to a time that helped her in hopes it would bring her some peace; which in this case was the BDSM club where she got her heart broken by her Dom.
Griffin hates that he lost the woman he loves many years ago because he wasn't able to realize quickly what she meant for him. Seeing her again is the second chance he never thought he would have, but he realizes that she isn't the same woman as she used to be. Helping her is only the first he is willing to take to win back her trust and her heart.
Griffin is a male character like I loved them; he is a good man. From the beginning, you can tell that he cares about the people around him. When Kenna asked for his help, he made sure that's what she wanted, he didn't push her to tell him anything she wasn't ready to tell him and he gave her what she needed.
Together, you can tell that he was made to help her piece back together the parts of her she had lost since the war. Whenever they were together, yes, it was hot and steamy, but more than that, I felt like it was really part of her healing process.
Overall, I really really enjoyed this book and I'm really looking forward to the next book of the series.
I was giving an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
morganreadsoccasionally's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars
Keena and Griffin's so much more than a steamy read. It deals with survivor's guilt and gives brief glimpses in to PTSD.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer.
Keena and Griffin's so much more than a steamy read. It deals with survivor's guilt and gives brief glimpses in to PTSD.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer.
serialromancelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: OH MY GOSH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I couldn’t put it down. It was angsty, emotional, and so tastefully written. It’s going to be a definite re-read!
* What did you think about the main characters?: Kenna and Griffin are wonderful and so well-developed. They are both strong, smart, and have smoldering chemistry. My heart actually pounded through their reunion! The secondary characters were wonderful too.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: It was all a masterpiece. I was sorry it ended!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: second chance romance, bdsm
* What did you think about the ending?: Happy tears!
* What is your impression of the author?: love love love... give me more!
Triggers: ptsd and death
* How did the book make you feel?: OH MY GOSH I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I couldn’t put it down. It was angsty, emotional, and so tastefully written. It’s going to be a definite re-read!
* What did you think about the main characters?: Kenna and Griffin are wonderful and so well-developed. They are both strong, smart, and have smoldering chemistry. My heart actually pounded through their reunion! The secondary characters were wonderful too.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: It was all a masterpiece. I was sorry it ended!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: second chance romance, bdsm
* What did you think about the ending?: Happy tears!
* What is your impression of the author?: love love love... give me more!
Triggers: ptsd and death
mitzybitzyspider's review
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
listen... there was so much that was lacking in this book... a big part of it i was intrigued, and the spice was pretty good... but, alas, the way portrayed the couple's bdsm relationship wasn't to my liking. and the main characters own development was very stunted, there was so much more room to grow, but it was all cut off in the middle without complete follow through for herself. which was disappointing. i also wish there had been more time spent on the love interest's efforts to take care of the character and her amputation and how it would direct their play, but i also feel like that's something that had to be very carefully taken care of to make sure it wasn't fetishized... anyway, there was a lot potential, but i felt like there was much lacking.
pretty sure i rambled throughout this entire review... meh.
pretty sure i rambled throughout this entire review... meh.