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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Amazing book. The way kitty blends psychology and smut
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Scorching hot and satisfyingly twisted.
Despite guessing the twist from the off (since there's plenty of foreshadowing), I still absolutely loved this book. The richness and enjoyment of watching, of experiencing, Vivian's battles with her submission was captivating. Added to that wondering just how the twist would play out, how Vivian would react to the revelation had me on edge too. This is very much a story of forced submission, if that doesn't float your particular boat then this might not be for you. Vivian, however, is a very repressed submissive though, so her conflict comes much less from what she is subjected to and much more from allowing herself to accept her feelings and desires.
As is so very common in a Kitty Thomas book, this is unusual in that there isn't a clear "hero" character, nor is there a traditional HEA. Not really a HFN. In fact I think we need a new acronym of KVOHEAWTHGWSN - "Kitty's Version Of Happy Ever After Where The Heroine Gets What She Needs." I found my feelings of Michael, Gabe, Lyndsay and Anton very much reflected how Vivian felt about them, because we only have her perspective, her feelings and emotions to guide us on both characters and events. It's capture/rape fantasy at it's finest, a smorgasbord of everything our lusting little hearts and minds could desire. Those who don't have these kind of fantasies, or who are as in denial about it as Vivian is, might feel that this is abuse, that it is degrading and criminal. As Vivian learnt, there should be no guilt or embarrassment in admitting and indulging in those baser desires, however "wrong" society tells us they are.
In terms of captive romances this was not as harsh or violent as some. Gabe, Anton and Lyndsay might torment and punish Vivian, but no more than one would expect from a consensual BDSM relationship. That line of consent is incredibly smudged and blurry, it is crossed but at the same time it isn't crossed. Vivian may have had options but they were very much a Hobson's choice of between the devil and the deep blue sea. What is clear is that her "true" self is fully onboard, but social conditioning and moral obligations hold her back.
The sex scenes are scorching hot, kinky and depraved, and even when she was punished the men made sure she was never scared. This quote here nicely sums up the feel, the ethos one could say, of the book.
Talk about killing with kindness, though this was more breaking down inhibitions and repression with pleasure and orgasms.
I've now got a complete hankering to read the next book in this series... but then I do find Kitty Thomas' work to be utterly addictive.
Her panties were soaked again. She wasn't in the best position to make a rational decision. Most people weren't when they were that horny, or they wouldn't make half the stupid sexual choices they made.
Despite guessing the twist from the off (since there's plenty of foreshadowing), I still absolutely loved this book. The richness and enjoyment of watching, of experiencing, Vivian's battles with her submission was captivating. Added to that wondering just how the twist would play out, how Vivian would react to the revelation had me on edge too. This is very much a story of forced submission, if that doesn't float your particular boat then this might not be for you. Vivian, however, is a very repressed submissive though, so her conflict comes much less from what she is subjected to and much more from allowing herself to accept her feelings and desires.
As is so very common in a Kitty Thomas book, this is unusual in that there isn't a clear "hero" character, nor is there a traditional HEA. Not really a HFN. In fact I think we need a new acronym of KVOHEAWTHGWSN - "Kitty's Version Of Happy Ever After Where The Heroine Gets What She Needs." I found my feelings of Michael, Gabe, Lyndsay and Anton very much reflected how Vivian felt about them, because we only have her perspective, her feelings and emotions to guide us on both characters and events. It's capture/rape fantasy at it's finest, a smorgasbord of everything our lusting little hearts and minds could desire. Those who don't have these kind of fantasies, or who are as in denial about it as Vivian is, might feel that this is abuse, that it is degrading and criminal. As Vivian learnt, there should be no guilt or embarrassment in admitting and indulging in those baser desires, however "wrong" society tells us they are.
In terms of captive romances this was not as harsh or violent as some. Gabe, Anton and Lyndsay might torment and punish Vivian, but no more than one would expect from a consensual BDSM relationship. That line of consent is incredibly smudged and blurry, it is crossed but at the same time it isn't crossed. Vivian may have had options but they were very much a Hobson's choice of between the devil and the deep blue sea. What is clear is that her "true" self is fully onboard, but social conditioning and moral obligations hold her back.
The sex scenes are scorching hot, kinky and depraved, and even when she was punished the men made sure she was never scared. This quote here nicely sums up the feel, the ethos one could say, of the book.
"I'm not going to hurt you. That's not the point of this exercise. I'm training you to like this, not be terrified of it for the rest of your life."
Talk about killing with kindness, though this was more breaking down inhibitions and repression with pleasure and orgasms.
I've now got a complete hankering to read the next book in this series... but then I do find Kitty Thomas' work to be utterly addictive.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Read as part of [b:The Pleasure House|56133379|The Pleasure House|Kitty Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1606867495l/56133379._SX50_.jpg|87064905] boxed set.
I was recommended to read books by this author if I want to read a dark and not-so-frilly romance. This book will not be for everyone. It is a walk on the dark side in the romance books with dark subjects and scenes. Personally, I enjoyed the book even with the knowledge that it is out of my usual comfort zone.
Guilty Pleasures was absolutely phenomenal!
Vivian and Michael are a couple stuck in a rut in their marriage and a therapist is recommended from there.
This storyline was so unique and filled with so many twists and turns, I could not put this book down!
Vivian and Michael are a couple stuck in a rut in their marriage and a therapist is recommended from there.
This storyline was so unique and filled with so many twists and turns, I could not put this book down!
I don't know why I did pick this up, I am not really a fan of bdsm an humiliation/degradation. Man, this is dark. I had a hunch that I was her man's doing all along cause he seemed so sus, but I was still shocked when it was revealed. Man, I know dom/sub tend to do ageplay/ play on submissiveness like that but this took it to another level of ensuring your sub obeys you til the end. It's the deceit of it all that put this off to me. They knew like third visit that she can be a good sub, but welp, they stuck to their plan til the end.
2.5 stars because this book satisfies some of my kinks but pisses off the feminist in me and I don't know how to feel about it.