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rachels_reads1203's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kate9807's review
5.0
5 Stars!!
Wow this book was great!!! It is my first M. Robinson book and I cannot wait to read more from her!
This book was written in 1st person. Dual POV with Ysabelle and Sebastian.
This book is about a young girl Ysabelle who had a very traumatic and depressing childhood. Her mother did not care about her and forced her to fend for herself. Sebastian came from a very good household. He had two neighbors, Julia and her adopted sister Olivia. Sebastian loved both of them, however he loved Julia like a sister and Olivia like a lover. He realized he could never be with Olivia without upsetting Julia. Olivia was very upset about this and she committed suicide in her late teens. Years go by and Sebastian marries Julia. They live a very comfortable life and have a son.
While this is going on, Ysabelle is discovered by Madam who is essentially a pimp. She convinces Ysabelle to come work for her. She can live a life of luxury (which she has never experienced before) while having power over men. One day Ysabelle meets Sebastian at a yacht party (Sebastian sells yachts lol so silly) and he is instantly captivated by her because she looks just like Olivia.
Sebastian and Ysabelle go on to have an affair. They try not to fall in love, however like all romance books, they fall in love. They become consumed by one another. They both live for the days they get to spend with one another. Until one night Julia finds out that Sebastian has been cheating on her. Ysabelle breaks things off with Sebastian and Sebastian and Julia end up getting a divorce.
AND THEN THE VERY LAST SCENE COMES IN AND MAKES ME WANNA READ THE NEXT BOOK!!! Gah such an intriguing ending!
The only critique I have for this book is that the main characters do not meet until 50% through the book. There is so much backstory that I found myself getting very impatient.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book!!
Wow this book was great!!! It is my first M. Robinson book and I cannot wait to read more from her!
This book was written in 1st person. Dual POV with Ysabelle and Sebastian.
This book is about a young girl Ysabelle who had a very traumatic and depressing childhood. Her mother did not care about her and forced her to fend for herself. Sebastian came from a very good household. He had two neighbors, Julia and her adopted sister Olivia. Sebastian loved both of them, however he loved Julia like a sister and Olivia like a lover. He realized he could never be with Olivia without upsetting Julia. Olivia was very upset about this and she committed suicide in her late teens. Years go by and Sebastian marries Julia. They live a very comfortable life and have a son.
While this is going on, Ysabelle is discovered by Madam who is essentially a pimp. She convinces Ysabelle to come work for her. She can live a life of luxury (which she has never experienced before) while having power over men. One day Ysabelle meets Sebastian at a yacht party (Sebastian sells yachts lol so silly) and he is instantly captivated by her because she looks just like Olivia.
Sebastian and Ysabelle go on to have an affair. They try not to fall in love, however like all romance books, they fall in love. They become consumed by one another. They both live for the days they get to spend with one another. Until one night Julia finds out that Sebastian has been cheating on her. Ysabelle breaks things off with Sebastian and Sebastian and Julia end up getting a divorce.
AND THEN THE VERY LAST SCENE COMES IN AND MAKES ME WANNA READ THE NEXT BOOK!!! Gah such an intriguing ending!
The only critique I have for this book is that the main characters do not meet until 50% through the book. There is so much backstory that I found myself getting very impatient.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book!!
stumpfed's review
5.0
Woah.
This books takes us from Sebby and Ysa from about age 5 to, eh, 35ish. Well, let me tell you, after reading this, I feel as though I spent everyday of every one of those 30 years with them! M. Robinson can do some detail, yes she can. She uses that detail to get you hooked and then she takes that hook and rams it straight through your heart. Then...yanks on it a few times! EEK!
I love the unpredictability of this book. I love the vast differences between age 5 and when Sebastian and Ysabelle find each other. This books just sucks you in and you find that you're cheering for the whore and adulterer! WTF? Did I just say that? Then in the end you're cheering for the wife and dreams come true. Unreal how you just open this book and hold on because it's a ride. I am going to have to take a little break before I read another book. Sebby and Ysa are still sort of in charge of my head right now.
This books takes us from Sebby and Ysa from about age 5 to, eh, 35ish. Well, let me tell you, after reading this, I feel as though I spent everyday of every one of those 30 years with them! M. Robinson can do some detail, yes she can. She uses that detail to get you hooked and then she takes that hook and rams it straight through your heart. Then...yanks on it a few times! EEK!
I love the unpredictability of this book. I love the vast differences between age 5 and when Sebastian and Ysabelle find each other. This books just sucks you in and you find that you're cheering for the whore and adulterer! WTF? Did I just say that? Then in the end you're cheering for the wife and dreams come true. Unreal how you just open this book and hold on because it's a ride. I am going to have to take a little break before I read another book. Sebby and Ysa are still sort of in charge of my head right now.
jill_mac's review
4.0
I just finished reading M. Robinson's debut novel, VIP and all I can say is, I NEED MORE!!!
I began reading this book not knowing much about it. We start off being introduced to two characters, Sebastian and Ysabelle. I loved Ysabel's character the first moment I was introduced to her. M. Robinson has a way with getting you to connect deeply with her characters.
I felt for Ysabelle from the beginning; she had a sad excuse for a mother, which is why she made some of the choices she did. Sebastian on the other hand, had a great upbringing. He was raised in a family of wealth. He and his best friend Julia were inseparable. From the start you knew that Julia felt more than friendship for Sebastian.
I liked how the author described each character; it made me feel like I knew them. My heart broke for the things that Ysabelle had to go through, and at the same time, my heart was happy for Sebastian for the most part. To say I was on an emotional roller coaster while I read this book is a complete understatement.
Without giving too much away in this review, a tragedy happens in Sebastian's life that makes him realize that he loves and wants to be with Julia. While that's going on, Ysabelle meets Madam and joins her team with VIP.
Fate brings both Sebastian and Ysabelle to the same place, and that's where everything starts to get juicy! Their story is so frustrating, beautiful, sad, and every other emotion one can feel (sigh). The way M. Robinson describes the emotional state of what these two characters are going through is amazing. She literally hits every emotion from loving to agonizing heartache.
I do wish that I didn't have to wait so long to see the both Ysabelle and Sebastian interact with each other. I felt like I would have liked for these two characters to have met a lot sooner. When they do meet, the feelings expressed and the circumstances they go through are well worth the wait.
This book was a great book; I would recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply emotional story of two people from very different backgrounds finding each other and the attraction that draws them together; it left me wanting so much more. VIP had a bit of a slow start but definitely ended with a BANG. I cant wait to read more! M. Robinson is off to a great start with this series.
I began reading this book not knowing much about it. We start off being introduced to two characters, Sebastian and Ysabelle. I loved Ysabel's character the first moment I was introduced to her. M. Robinson has a way with getting you to connect deeply with her characters.
I felt for Ysabelle from the beginning; she had a sad excuse for a mother, which is why she made some of the choices she did. Sebastian on the other hand, had a great upbringing. He was raised in a family of wealth. He and his best friend Julia were inseparable. From the start you knew that Julia felt more than friendship for Sebastian.
I liked how the author described each character; it made me feel like I knew them. My heart broke for the things that Ysabelle had to go through, and at the same time, my heart was happy for Sebastian for the most part. To say I was on an emotional roller coaster while I read this book is a complete understatement.
Without giving too much away in this review, a tragedy happens in Sebastian's life that makes him realize that he loves and wants to be with Julia. While that's going on, Ysabelle meets Madam and joins her team with VIP.
Fate brings both Sebastian and Ysabelle to the same place, and that's where everything starts to get juicy! Their story is so frustrating, beautiful, sad, and every other emotion one can feel (sigh). The way M. Robinson describes the emotional state of what these two characters are going through is amazing. She literally hits every emotion from loving to agonizing heartache.
I do wish that I didn't have to wait so long to see the both Ysabelle and Sebastian interact with each other. I felt like I would have liked for these two characters to have met a lot sooner. When they do meet, the feelings expressed and the circumstances they go through are well worth the wait.
This book was a great book; I would recommend it to anyone looking for a deeply emotional story of two people from very different backgrounds finding each other and the attraction that draws them together; it left me wanting so much more. VIP had a bit of a slow start but definitely ended with a BANG. I cant wait to read more! M. Robinson is off to a great start with this series.
fallen_for_books30's review
5.0
There are books which leaves you breathless and wanting for more. It affects you in a way which makes you go speechless and you don't know how to explain that feeling. Well, this book was one of them and I am still think how to exactly explain how much I loved this book. Let me tell you I loved it! I loved it!
I can't believe I do have a habit of starting the book without reading any reviews or synopsis. Sometimes I take the risk and its worth it. I did hear a few words that from my reader friends that this book was awesome and so wonderful and based on that and the cover I fell for this book and when I got this book from the author I just couldn't stop myself to leave everything and start reading this book.
I will not of course will give you any spoilers.I will just tell you how I felt. This book was hot and sexy and at the same time sweet too. I can't believe it would get so intense and emotional. My heart was totally involved in this book. There are moments in the book which will leave you surprised. you couldn't have guessed this would happen. this book is not a love story. It's about falling in love , about friendship, about protecting what you love. :)
Th characters are well built that you could connect with them, strong lead heroine, hot and loving hero , the plot addicting so much you don't want to miss any single word. Sexy and hot moments too ;) and sweet and loving. touching moments :)
So if you haven't picked it up yet, please go and read this awesome book :D
I can't believe I do have a habit of starting the book without reading any reviews or synopsis. Sometimes I take the risk and its worth it. I did hear a few words that from my reader friends that this book was awesome and so wonderful and based on that and the cover I fell for this book and when I got this book from the author I just couldn't stop myself to leave everything and start reading this book.
I will not of course will give you any spoilers.I will just tell you how I felt. This book was hot and sexy and at the same time sweet too. I can't believe it would get so intense and emotional. My heart was totally involved in this book. There are moments in the book which will leave you surprised. you couldn't have guessed this would happen. this book is not a love story. It's about falling in love , about friendship, about protecting what you love. :)
Th characters are well built that you could connect with them, strong lead heroine, hot and loving hero , the plot addicting so much you don't want to miss any single word. Sexy and hot moments too ;) and sweet and loving. touching moments :)
So if you haven't picked it up yet, please go and read this awesome book :D
_elliereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶
*sigh* It took me a while to get here because I really didn't know what to think of this book.
I went in completely blind as I got this book for free and I just randomly picked it up.
Let me start at the beginning. I was so confused about the timelines here... We're getting so much backstory on Sebastian and it takes up to the 50% mark for his story to meet the same point as Ysabelle. However her story has been at that point way longer... Okay we kind of needed the backstory about Julia, Olivia and Sebastian but whew, it did not need to be this long. Okay Ysabelle looks just like Olivia and the affair would not have started if she didn't but honestly did we need THAT much backstory? I just kept waiting and waiting for them to meet but it just did not happen. Like someone else said in their review.. It's like we have several different stories in 1 book. And the blurb for the book only advertises the 3rd story which doesn't start until the 50% mark.
Next up: without spoiling anything, how annoying is Sebastian tbh? His whole life is based on him lying basically. And always to Julia..
Then: THE NEXT HALF OF THE BOOK IS HIM CHEATING... (lol should not be a spoiler honestly because this SHOULD BE IN THE DESCRIPTION) If you're a fan of cheating then this is the book for you... I might be biased since my parents had a nasty divorce because of cheating but phew I did not like reading about it..
And to top it all of: The ending... WTFSO FIRST JULIA HATES HIM ONLY TO CHANGE HER MIND AND REVEAL THAT SHE WAS STILL TAKING BIRTH CONTROL EVEN THOUGH THEY AGREED TO TRY FOR A NEW BABY AND SURPRISE, WE SHOULD'VE ENDED OUR RELATIONSHIP SOONER.... THIS WHOLE CHEATING THING COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED....
Save to say I did not like this book.. Although the spice was nice and Sebby (ugh hate that nickname - also Babygirl????? really?????) and Ysa did make a sort of cute couple
🌶🌶🌶🌶
*sigh* It took me a while to get here because I really didn't know what to think of this book.
I went in completely blind as I got this book for free and I just randomly picked it up.
Let me start at the beginning. I was so confused about the timelines here... We're getting so much backstory on Sebastian and it takes up to the 50% mark for his story to meet the same point as Ysabelle. However her story has been at that point way longer... Okay we kind of needed the backstory about Julia, Olivia and Sebastian but whew, it did not need to be this long.
Next up: without spoiling anything, how annoying is Sebastian tbh? His whole life is based on him lying basically. And always to Julia..
Then: THE NEXT HALF OF THE BOOK IS HIM CHEATING... (lol should not be a spoiler honestly because this SHOULD BE IN THE DESCRIPTION) If you're a fan of cheating then this is the book for you... I might be biased since my parents had a nasty divorce because of cheating but phew I did not like reading about it..
And to top it all of: The ending... WTF
Save to say I did not like this book.. Although the spice was nice and Sebby (ugh hate that nickname - also Babygirl????? really?????) and Ysa did make a sort of cute couple
yeriwithaj_'s review
5.0
I'm left without words.
For a while I just stared at the review screen. I didn't know what to write, in a way I still don't.
This book hit a lot of nerves. There were good parts, bad parts and parts that made me yell "w.t.f. people get it together"; this book was good, the plot took me awhile to understand but once I got it the story for better.
I both loved and disliked this book. In life, really messed up things happen... Things we've no control over, we can't go through life making excuses and being a victim , HELLO, IN THE END LIFE SCREW'S US ALL, JUST DON'T TAKE IT LYING DOWN, and in a way I felt that's all Sebastian and sometimes Ysabelle did. It really pissed me off.
Sebastian was both a strong character and a weak character. His "shortcomings" are what made me like him and want to choke him.
Ysabelle got handed a really messed up life but she did what she thought she had to do to "survive".
In the end, the ending is what redeemed this book for me and made it a 4.5 star read.
One character I adored, even though she's a messed up b¡t¢h was The Madam.... I cannot wait to dive into her book to see what road led her to the life she leads. That woman is amazing.
For a while I just stared at the review screen. I didn't know what to write, in a way I still don't.
This book hit a lot of nerves. There were good parts, bad parts and parts that made me yell "w.t.f. people get it together"; this book was good, the plot took me awhile to understand but once I got it the story for better.
I both loved and disliked this book. In life, really messed up things happen... Things we've no control over, we can't go through life making excuses and being a victim , HELLO, IN THE END LIFE SCREW'S US ALL, JUST DON'T TAKE IT LYING DOWN, and in a way I felt that's all Sebastian and sometimes Ysabelle did. It really pissed me off.
Sebastian was both a strong character and a weak character. His "shortcomings" are what made me like him and want to choke him.
Ysabelle got handed a really messed up life but she did what she thought she had to do to "survive".
In the end, the ending is what redeemed this book for me and made it a 4.5 star read.
One character I adored, even though she's a messed up b¡t¢h was The Madam.... I cannot wait to dive into her book to see what road led her to the life she leads. That woman is amazing.
hannas_heas47's review
5.0
First off let's start on the negative and get it out of the way. I am really emo about this book....yes it was that good. I received this free copy in exchange for my review so I'm going to be like the book...lengthy. Anything I say from here on out can be considered a spoiler so if you haven't read the book, then don't read my review. I want to say this like I am actually talking to the author so forgive me if I sound snarky.... I absolutely hated the beginning of this book. I spent a good thirty percent watching Ysabelle lead a fucked up childhood that made me want to take her away from it all. Then we watched Sebatien with his girls....playing house and fucking Barbie. I don't know but maybe add a teaser in the beginning to make our brains think we're actually heading toward something. I can absolutely see why people rate this as a DNF. I really had to work through the first part because that synopsis lied to me and that's all I could think about. Then the relationship between Olivia and Sebastien really pissed me off. I'm not sure he actually loved Olivia, it didn't seem like he loved either one of them, just himself. He loved Olivia physically and He was drawn to her, but not enough to make her happy. It was okay to upset her and use her but if it upset the balance between the three then it wasn't. Sounded convenient....Love is messy. I'm not sure anyone should have that power over anyone. Then Olivia dies/commits suicide...we will never know. He's only left with one, so he chooses her. Sounds fucked up to me....and convenient, now he doesn't have to be responsible because he chose her, she was the only option left apparently. So meanwhile Ysabelle is having the time of her life.....you go girl! It doesn't last because once again Sebatien gets his sick hands on her, shocked that she looks so much like Olivia. Doesn't this girl go through enough crap, now some man she doesn't know is attracted to her because she looks like a dead ex. He says "I remember what it's like being in her arms.." He says he knows she isn't Olivia, but does he really? I don't see anything likable about Sebastien, he's a devil in disguise. All of the situations seem to have repercussions for someone else. He doesn't appear to suffer much unless he's imagining her in someone else's arms. This book was so well written, even the first 30% where I was puzzled. The story premise was phenomenal. The character building....let's just say there was a method to the authors madness. She built these characters straight out of diapers...lol. I am READY for the next book.
Overall entertainment value for me was five stars, even though I seriously hate Sebastien, he got off lucky with Julia. I want to see Ysabelle bring his ass to his knees! Yes there is cheating, and that's a serious no-no for me but I understand in order to see something big build up here, that pain has away of freeing us too.
tarazagata's review against another edition
5.0
******I was given an ARC from the author for an honest review******
That being said
<3<3<3<3<3
i Freaking loved this book... It was an emotional rollercoaster... It held my attention from the very beginning. The story begins with a look into what made Ysa and Sebastian the way they are and how they came to meet..
If you have a hard time with Abuse, Prostitution, drugs, cheating and hot sex then this is not the book for you. If you don't then buckle up cause it's an awesome ride.
Ysa grew up in a shitty home a whore for a mom who used her for a paycheck, she didn't know her father she really had no one. She spent the first 16 years of her life with her mom and learned fairly quickly that she could use her god given assets to get what she wants, especially from the opposite sex. She lost her virginity at the hands of one of her mom's johns. Awesome MOM of the Year she had. At 16 she found herself out of Tampa and into Miami getting a job and moving in with her boss, Devon, he would be the only true friend Ysa ever had even if he knew nothing about her. 2 somewhat boring years later she found herself literally in the arms of Madam. And with that Ysa became a VIP, not just a VIP but THE VIP..
Sebastian grew up the complete opposite he was loved by his parents his friends and all that met him. He grew up knowing and loving Julia from the time she was born, her parents were best friends with his... it's kinda inevitable they would end up together right? Enter Julia's adopted sister Olivia and Sebby's world was flipped on it's axis for her from the moment he saw her. But in order for him to have Olivia he'd have to hurt Julia which was something he wasn't going to do.. stolen moments were all they would have. Tragedy struck and he found himself in the arms of the woman who had been in his life forever Julia. His life was what he thought it should be.. normal, boring and scheduled basically. Then when at a party for a Yacht he just sold his world was flipped again by the green eyes that looked so familiar. He had to know her, just talk to her if anything just be in her presence.. but that would never be enough.. she was a VIP you had to pay for her time... even if it was just to talk...Madam made sure of it.
The twists and turns are crazy in this book and i found myself having emotions that I thought were wrong. so wrong I message the author and asked if I was bad for feeling like Sebastian's wife should be out of the picture..
please please please go and one click this book it's awesome and I am hard to get a 5 from.. but this author did it.. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us.
Tara
That being said
<3<3<3<3<3
i Freaking loved this book... It was an emotional rollercoaster... It held my attention from the very beginning. The story begins with a look into what made Ysa and Sebastian the way they are and how they came to meet..
If you have a hard time with Abuse, Prostitution, drugs, cheating and hot sex then this is not the book for you. If you don't then buckle up cause it's an awesome ride.
Ysa grew up in a shitty home a whore for a mom who used her for a paycheck, she didn't know her father she really had no one. She spent the first 16 years of her life with her mom and learned fairly quickly that she could use her god given assets to get what she wants, especially from the opposite sex. She lost her virginity at the hands of one of her mom's johns. Awesome MOM of the Year she had. At 16 she found herself out of Tampa and into Miami getting a job and moving in with her boss, Devon, he would be the only true friend Ysa ever had even if he knew nothing about her. 2 somewhat boring years later she found herself literally in the arms of Madam. And with that Ysa became a VIP, not just a VIP but THE VIP..
Sebastian grew up the complete opposite he was loved by his parents his friends and all that met him. He grew up knowing and loving Julia from the time she was born, her parents were best friends with his... it's kinda inevitable they would end up together right? Enter Julia's adopted sister Olivia and Sebby's world was flipped on it's axis for her from the moment he saw her. But in order for him to have Olivia he'd have to hurt Julia which was something he wasn't going to do.. stolen moments were all they would have. Tragedy struck and he found himself in the arms of the woman who had been in his life forever Julia. His life was what he thought it should be.. normal, boring and scheduled basically. Then when at a party for a Yacht he just sold his world was flipped again by the green eyes that looked so familiar. He had to know her, just talk to her if anything just be in her presence.. but that would never be enough.. she was a VIP you had to pay for her time... even if it was just to talk...Madam made sure of it.
The twists and turns are crazy in this book and i found myself having emotions that I thought were wrong. so wrong I message the author and asked if I was bad for feeling like Sebastian's wife should be out of the picture..
please please please go and one click this book it's awesome and I am hard to get a 5 from.. but this author did it.. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us.
Tara