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kacelaface's review against another edition
2.0
This book was not very good. Too unbelievable. Had a few glimmers, but ultimately fizzled.
myloveoflit's review against another edition
4.0
This was a dark book that catapults you into the world of human trafficking and sex slavery. There were scenes that were hard to experience and can be triggering to some. I am no stranger to these types of dark romances that punch you in the gut though.
While traveling to Mexico with her boyfriend, Tess Snow was kidnapped and taken captive to be sold into sex slavery. Before being sold Tess showed unparalleled bravery and strength through her horrendous situation. Even when she arrived at her new owner’s estate in France she still had so much fight left in her. This caught Q Mercer off guard. Never had one of his slaves arrived not already broken. This awoken something inside Q that he kept hidden and at bay. He was going to brake Tess.
The things that Tess had to experience were unspeakable and hard to swallow. I was really amazed at how she would ultimately bounce back from it. Q remained mostly mysterious throughout the entire story. He protected Tess, but some of his actions were questionable still. His overall motives surrounding Tess and his slavery involvement remained a mystery for the most part.
While Q remains this enigma to me I was not fully swayed to like him. At times he acted as a protector and other times he craved to do dark things to Tess. I also began to question Tess’ own sanity for her trust and willingness to play the slave role for Q. I liked Tess at first, but by the end I was having a hard time connecting with her. It is interesting how Q and Tess seem to both harbor such dark and extreme desires. I am not giving up on yet. Friends have told me that the subsequent books in the series raise the bar. I want Q to redeem himself.
While traveling to Mexico with her boyfriend, Tess Snow was kidnapped and taken captive to be sold into sex slavery. Before being sold Tess showed unparalleled bravery and strength through her horrendous situation. Even when she arrived at her new owner’s estate in France she still had so much fight left in her. This caught Q Mercer off guard. Never had one of his slaves arrived not already broken. This awoken something inside Q that he kept hidden and at bay. He was going to brake Tess.
The things that Tess had to experience were unspeakable and hard to swallow. I was really amazed at how she would ultimately bounce back from it. Q remained mostly mysterious throughout the entire story. He protected Tess, but some of his actions were questionable still. His overall motives surrounding Tess and his slavery involvement remained a mystery for the most part.
While Q remains this enigma to me I was not fully swayed to like him. At times he acted as a protector and other times he craved to do dark things to Tess. I also began to question Tess’ own sanity for her trust and willingness to play the slave role for Q. I liked Tess at first, but by the end I was having a hard time connecting with her. It is interesting how Q and Tess seem to both harbor such dark and extreme desires. I am not giving up on yet. Friends have told me that the subsequent books in the series raise the bar. I want Q to redeem himself.
chelsiemarie1218's review against another edition
3.5
Kindle - Very interesting possible stalkholm syndrome but she always was always looking for this type of relationship.
kate9807's review against another edition
5.0
I love Pepper Winter’s novels! They are unique and such delicious reads! On to the next one!
sandeeisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Three little words.
If anyone asked me what terrified me, stole my breath and made my life flicker before my eyes, I would say three little words.
I was sold.
REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK
Oh Geezly Wizz!
What the hell was that??!
That was insane!
I haven't read anything like it.
I was a virgin to those kinds of reads and I was so happy I tried it.
THE GIST
Tess Snow.
She was kidnapped.
Tess and her boyfriend Brax went to Mexico. Brax wanted to surprise Tess. But what they didn't expect was the danger that was lurking the streets of Mexico.
Tess.
She was sold.
She was sold to the mysterious Q.
Who was he?
He was her master.
He likes to see Tess in pain.
He likes to see Tess bleed.
He was a monster.
Her monster.
But the weird thing was... She likes it.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Hmmm.. When I saw the term New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, I wasn't really sure what I was going to expect.
This was a first for me.
I am not sure if it was similar to the very popular Fifty Shades of Grey (that I haven't read yet and I am not sure if I have any plans to) but still I decided it was time to try it at least once.
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Tess
So Tess wanted more from her boyfriend, Brax. She wanted to be dominated. She wanted it to be a little rough. What she didn't know what that she was going to get what she asked for but from a different guy.
I liked Tess. She was strong. She was determined. When she was in the hands of her captors she never gave up the will to be free. A lot of things happened to her but she remained unbroken. Even when her parents didn't want her, she remained intact. She was that strong. She wasn't the whimpy kind of character who's done nothing but feel bad for herself because no one wants them or anything. Those type of characters were getting old.
There were times when I didn't really like her because she was a bit stubborn and also a little bit inconsistent at times but the positive always overcame the negative when it comes to her. Which I guess was a good thing.
Q
So. I think I had more to tell about Q than Tess actually because he is one, if not the most, complex character I have ever read about. I am a bit torn between liking him and not liking him.
Usually, I love damaged heroes. I love them because eventually they find some way to redeem themselves. With Q... He was damaged, yes. He was twisted. He was broken. And I love all of those. He considered himself a monster. My thoughts were asking why??? Why would he say that? And why was he like that? Why? Why? Why? He always makes me ask a lot more questions that I should be. In the end, I guess everything made a lot sense as to why he was like that. Why he wasn't as confident as what he appears to be. I understood why behind all that facade, there was a scared man who was afraid to give in to what he really wants.
Tess + Q = Control Me. Love Me.
Oh wow.
Where will I even start about this two.
It was very... Kinky.
It was like nothing I have read before.
It must be my fault though because I usually stay clear from books which have a more mature sexual content but I did not regret it at all.
The chemistry between Tess and Q were there all the time even when they push each other way. Even when Tess pretends she doesn't want Q and vice vesa.
Q was sadistic. He likes to cause pain. He likes seeing pain. He gets turned on by it.
Tess wanted it. She was asking for it from her boyfriend who sadly was a softie. He couldn't give her what she was looking for.
But Q was able to.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This was an absolutely good read.
It would be memorable.
For a newbie to the world of dark erotica, i thought it was pretty good. I was glad I read this first before I read the famous 50 shades of grey. I have a friends who said this was way better than that.
The scenes and the pacing of the book was A+ for me.
Your touch consumes me, frightens me, beguiles me
you want to capture me
I want to be your victim
you want to ruin me
I want to be your broken
you show me your darkness
and I’ll give you my light
I couldn't believe how at some point, Q could be really swoon-worthy. I usually don't go for a man who takes pleasure in seeing a woman in pain. That is just not for me but really... Q is really irresistable. When you read about him, you'll find out why. LOL.
I honestly didn't expect what happened towards the end. I absolutely have no idea that was going to happen. I usually am good at telling what would happen next but with this book, I didn't get anything right. LOL. Embarrasing, I know!! :p
Anyways, for those who loves BDSM, dark erotica or the sort, I would higly recommend this one! :)
Not only was it well written, the pace was perfect and the characters were just amazing!!
If anyone asked me what terrified me, stole my breath and made my life flicker before my eyes, I would say three little words.
I was sold.
REACTION AFTER READING THE BOOK
Oh Geezly Wizz!
What the hell was that??!
That was insane!
I haven't read anything like it.
I was a virgin to those kinds of reads and I was so happy I tried it.
THE GIST
Tess Snow.
She was kidnapped.
Tess and her boyfriend Brax went to Mexico. Brax wanted to surprise Tess. But what they didn't expect was the danger that was lurking the streets of Mexico.
Tess.
She was sold.
She was sold to the mysterious Q.
Who was he?
He was her master.
He likes to see Tess in pain.
He likes to see Tess bleed.
He was a monster.
Her monster.
But the weird thing was... She likes it.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Hmmm.. When I saw the term New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, I wasn't really sure what I was going to expect.
This was a first for me.
I am not sure if it was similar to the very popular Fifty Shades of Grey (that I haven't read yet and I am not sure if I have any plans to) but still I decided it was time to try it at least once.
MEET THE CHARACTERS
Tess
So Tess wanted more from her boyfriend, Brax. She wanted to be dominated. She wanted it to be a little rough. What she didn't know what that she was going to get what she asked for but from a different guy.
I liked Tess. She was strong. She was determined. When she was in the hands of her captors she never gave up the will to be free. A lot of things happened to her but she remained unbroken. Even when her parents didn't want her, she remained intact. She was that strong. She wasn't the whimpy kind of character who's done nothing but feel bad for herself because no one wants them or anything. Those type of characters were getting old.
There were times when I didn't really like her because she was a bit stubborn and also a little bit inconsistent at times but the positive always overcame the negative when it comes to her. Which I guess was a good thing.
Q
So. I think I had more to tell about Q than Tess actually because he is one, if not the most, complex character I have ever read about. I am a bit torn between liking him and not liking him.
Usually, I love damaged heroes. I love them because eventually they find some way to redeem themselves. With Q... He was damaged, yes. He was twisted. He was broken. And I love all of those. He considered himself a monster. My thoughts were asking why??? Why would he say that? And why was he like that? Why? Why? Why? He always makes me ask a lot more questions that I should be. In the end, I guess everything made a lot sense as to why he was like that. Why he wasn't as confident as what he appears to be. I understood why behind all that facade, there was a scared man who was afraid to give in to what he really wants.
Tess + Q = Control Me. Love Me.
Oh wow.
Where will I even start about this two.
It was very... Kinky.
It was like nothing I have read before.
It must be my fault though because I usually stay clear from books which have a more mature sexual content but I did not regret it at all.
The chemistry between Tess and Q were there all the time even when they push each other way. Even when Tess pretends she doesn't want Q and vice vesa.
Q was sadistic. He likes to cause pain. He likes seeing pain. He gets turned on by it.
Tess wanted it. She was asking for it from her boyfriend who sadly was a softie. He couldn't give her what she was looking for.
But Q was able to.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This was an absolutely good read.
It would be memorable.
For a newbie to the world of dark erotica, i thought it was pretty good. I was glad I read this first before I read the famous 50 shades of grey. I have a friends who said this was way better than that.
The scenes and the pacing of the book was A+ for me.
Your touch consumes me, frightens me, beguiles me
you want to capture me
I want to be your victim
you want to ruin me
I want to be your broken
you show me your darkness
and I’ll give you my light
I couldn't believe how at some point, Q could be really swoon-worthy. I usually don't go for a man who takes pleasure in seeing a woman in pain. That is just not for me but really... Q is really irresistable. When you read about him, you'll find out why. LOL.
I honestly didn't expect what happened towards the end. I absolutely have no idea that was going to happen. I usually am good at telling what would happen next but with this book, I didn't get anything right. LOL. Embarrasing, I know!! :p
Anyways, for those who loves BDSM, dark erotica or the sort, I would higly recommend this one! :)
Not only was it well written, the pace was perfect and the characters were just amazing!!
bookishwishes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Intense and so good! Really enjoyed Tess and her fire. Loved Q and who he truly is. The things he battles, and yet is still so amazing!! Dark and heartbreaking. Ended beautifully.
rchulin1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Torture, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Alcohol, Car accident, Physical abuse, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual content, Stalking, Violence, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
madbad13's review against another edition
dark
slow-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
0.5