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kathleenmcg's review
challenging
dark
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
3.75
A dark read. FMC is being exploited, learns difference between real BDSM power exchange, and all out abuse. Check the trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness
scruffykins's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
mrs_pen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
This book did not disappoint. It brought many thoughts as some believe they don’t have any other options which puts them into a challenging position when it comes to any means necessary involving taking care of loved ones. Kathy (Kat) is a lovely and strong woman and Tyson has a protective and generous nature that makes the two of them a loveable couple. Enjoyed reading their story and am always thrilled to keep up with S & S! Great read and ARC!
the_spicy_readers_club's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
To start off: I was super excited to read this book as I have begun diving into darker romances. That being said, this one was not my jam and it’s ok this kink wasn’t for me but it might be for someone else. So make sure to check the trigger warnings.
The first half of this book was really exciting if not really dark. However my problem with this book became the miscommunication amongst characters became so bad that I as a reader got confused. The convoluted plans didn’t make sense to me and then the reason why we didn’t go through with them made less sense. The stakes didn’t make sense nor did I know what they were half the time. Overall I found the story confusing and the fmc and unreliable narrator which I hate.
So this book was not for me unfortunately but I’m still thankful I got to be an arc reader.
The first half of this book was really exciting if not really dark. However my problem with this book became the miscommunication amongst characters became so bad that I as a reader got confused. The convoluted plans didn’t make sense to me and then the reason why we didn’t go through with them made less sense. The stakes didn’t make sense nor did I know what they were half the time. Overall I found the story confusing and the fmc and unreliable narrator which I hate.
So this book was not for me unfortunately but I’m still thankful I got to be an arc reader.
bried's review
4.0
I read this as a standalone, but now I want to read more about some of Tyson’s inner circle. Kathy will do whatever it takes to take care of her mom, even if she hates it. When her moms previous lawyer persuaded her to do more than she wanted for money she didn’t expect it to lead to her being hurt by some other guy. Now she’s meeting a consultant for a dungeon on her knees and finding herself wildly attracted to him.
The characters in this book have been well developed and the book flows very well. It was a fun read and I would like to thank the author for allowing me the opportunity to read it as an advanced copy and I freely leave a review
mkat1214's review
3.75
Tropes:
-BDSM club
-strangers to lovers
-found family
-multiple partner scenes
-family trauma
-dom/sub switch
-power play/power exchange
I have read a few of the books from this series and have enjoyed them. It is such a unique concept. They are all based around a private BDSM club. I have loved reading about all the characters exploring kinks in a safe environment.
We finally get to see Tyson fall for someone. Tyson always seems to be the joiner in playtime. He has never been one to settle down in walks, Kat. He is enchanted by her eyes immediately. After he learns that something fishy is going on with Kathy and Cayden, he is determined to help her escape a situation that takes advantage of her. Tyson encourages Kat to take back her sexuality and to enjoy the things she was scarred from with Cayden.
This book is dark and contains many trigger warnings, but it is also fun and full of kinky spice. I did not want to put it down. It is available on KU. If you are curious about this series, like me, you should check it out!
Quotes:
You don’t have to feel guilty for something someone else takes away. That’s his fault. Not yours.
If you live forever in what-if’s you’ll miss out on the moments right now.
-BDSM club
-strangers to lovers
-found family
-multiple partner scenes
-family trauma
-dom/sub switch
-power play/power exchange
I have read a few of the books from this series and have enjoyed them. It is such a unique concept. They are all based around a private BDSM club. I have loved reading about all the characters exploring kinks in a safe environment.
We finally get to see Tyson fall for someone. Tyson always seems to be the joiner in playtime. He has never been one to settle down in walks, Kat. He is enchanted by her eyes immediately. After he learns that something fishy is going on with Kathy and Cayden, he is determined to help her escape a situation that takes advantage of her. Tyson encourages Kat to take back her sexuality and to enjoy the things she was scarred from with Cayden.
This book is dark and contains many trigger warnings, but it is also fun and full of kinky spice. I did not want to put it down. It is available on KU. If you are curious about this series, like me, you should check it out!
Quotes:
You don’t have to feel guilty for something someone else takes away. That’s his fault. Not yours.
If you live forever in what-if’s you’ll miss out on the moments right now.
neia7's review
4.0
Please read TWs before u read this book. This is part of a series. This is book 5 but can be read as a standalone, but for full character experience, ur gonna read in order this is a BDSM book
Kathy is tryin to help her mom out and make money, so she's been doin videos with an older man Cayden who is an attorney, and he likes to take the BDSM world a lil too far. Cayden decides he is gonna take Kathy to the Sins and Secrets BDSM club, but she has to wear a disguise and use a fake name. While at the club, Kathy slips, and Tyson catches her, and he is all she can think bout. Tyson makes sex dungeons in people's basements in his spare time while also goin to Sins and Secrets club. Tyson likes Kat and wants to help her in the situation that she is in, but how is Tyson gonna get her to trust him. This is a very good book, and I love Tyson and Kat's journey. So far, all the books I have read in this series are so good.
Kathy is tryin to help her mom out and make money, so she's been doin videos with an older man Cayden who is an attorney, and he likes to take the BDSM world a lil too far. Cayden decides he is gonna take Kathy to the Sins and Secrets BDSM club, but she has to wear a disguise and use a fake name. While at the club, Kathy slips, and Tyson catches her, and he is all she can think bout. Tyson makes sex dungeons in people's basements in his spare time while also goin to Sins and Secrets club. Tyson likes Kat and wants to help her in the situation that she is in, but how is Tyson gonna get her to trust him. This is a very good book, and I love Tyson and Kat's journey. So far, all the books I have read in this series are so good.
noriboo's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Enjoyable read! Fastpaced, easy to read standalone within the Sins and Secrets series. We've seen Tyson appear as a side character in previous books, and I was curious to get to know more about him.
He always kept himself at a certain emotional distance. This time, we see a more vulnerable side of him as Kathy and he grow closer together, and he tries to help her out of the bad situation she's gotten into. While there are steamy scenes in this book, the story shines in the discussion of the more sensitive topics: imbalanced power dynamics and abuse within the kink community. Kath is never blamed as the victim, and the conversation revolves very much about what she needs to move on in a positive way.
On the romance side, the chemistry between Kathy and Tyson was spot on, and I enjoyed their interactions.
He always kept himself at a certain emotional distance. This time, we see a more vulnerable side of him as Kathy and he grow closer together, and he tries to help her out of the bad situation she's gotten into. While there are steamy scenes in this book, the story shines in the discussion of the more sensitive topics: imbalanced power dynamics and abuse within the kink community. Kath is never blamed as the victim, and the conversation revolves very much about what she needs to move on in a positive way.
On the romance side, the chemistry between Kathy and Tyson was spot on, and I enjoyed their interactions.
wafflesnweights's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Dedication: Sometimes the best God to pray to is the one who makes you c**. And Tyson always delivers.
Kathy (FMC): • File Clerk • Pleasure Slave for Money • Sole Caretaker of a Parent • Sassy & Strong •
Tyson (MMC): • Carpenter • D/switch • Builds Pleasure Rooms/Dungeons • Cinnadom • Protective •
Tropes:
🧡 Dom/switch & sub
⛓️💥 Strangers to lovers
🧡 Forbidden love (circumstantial)
⛓️💥 Dark past
🧡 Family trauma
⛓️💥 Emotional scars
🧡 Blue collar MMC
⛓️💥 Rags to riches
🧡 Power play / power exchange
⛓️💥 Multiple partner scenes
🧡 Collar & leash
⛓️💥 Aftercare
🧡 BD$M club
⛓️💥 Found family
🧡 Protective MMC
⛓️💥 Indebted FMC
🧡 $€x auction gone wrong
⛓️💥 Voyeur
🧡 Share me
⛓️💥 B0ndag€
🧡 Pleasure dungeon / Pleasure room
Rating: ✝️✝️✝️.🧎🏻♀️➡️🧎🏻♀️➡️(3.75⭐️)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (power exchange (correctly) among consenting parties, Voyeurism, group play with multiple partners (MFM, and MFFM), minor pet play, collar and leashing a sub, discussion of a D/s relationship, auction at a smex club, aftercare, impact play soft and hard, bondag€, voyeurism, minor Shibari)
T/W: extortion (not between MCs, referenced), blackmail (not between MCs, referenced), coercion (not between MCs, referenced), alcohol as a form of control and date 🍇 (on page), parent with Alzheimer’s (on page), loss of connection with parent (on page), payment for sexual acts (on page), physical abuse involving cutting/🩸play (not by MCs, on page), abusive relationship involving SA, physical and mental (not between MCs, on page), abuse of power in a D/s relationship (not between MCs, on page), recording sexual acts without consent (not between MCs, referenced), manipulation (not between MCs, on page), religious titles during play (on page), revenge 🌽 (with a “P”) (referenced), physical violence (not MCs, on page)
My heart ached for Kat at the outset. She overcame so much and became incredibly strong and confident. Tyson aided Kathy’s growth and illuminated the essence of a D/s relationship. The book was well-written, but I deducted 0.5 stars because I occasionally felt like I missed crucial details and became confused. I had to reread a few pages for clarity, but the plot simply progressed. Additionally, I sensed several unresolved plot threads that left me perplexed. It seemed implausible that everyone assumed they were mad at each other. Despite its strong character communication, this aspect felt out of place. Overall, great writing that really highlights the smex club life.
⚠️A brief note: This book is dark. Please be sure to read all TWs. Your mental health matters, please take care in reading.
This book is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone novel.
I received an ARC copy and wanted to leave an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Alcohol
smuttmuffin's review
4.0
Tyson and Kathy are the stars of our tale! When Kathy's mom fell ill and the cash flow dried up, she made a choice she’d later wish she hadn’t—enter Tyson, the heroic knight in shining armor! Now, Cayden? He's just a sneaky jersey, cashing in on Kathy's desperation and totally mishandling her trust like a hot potato. My heart ached for Kathy from the get-go, but Tyson? Oh, I was smitten faster than a cat on a laser pointer!