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onceupon_a_bookdream's review against another edition
3.0
[ I received a digital copy from netgalley for an honest review]
The Story of L is wonderfully written BDSM F/F erotica, yet I am not sure exactly how I feel about it.
I have been reading more and more BDSM novels lately, and I really appreciate ones that portray the lifestyle with respect. This book includes club scenes, private scenes, all of which are described in detail. While it's intense it's beautifully written, and you can feel all the pleasure, pain and release that L is feeling and how much her submission means to her. I also really appreciated the accurate portrayal of Reese as a transgender male during his on page intimate scenes.
While what I mention in the last paragraph are so important there were a few things that I was missing from the story for me to really love it. Some might say I'm being nit picky but in my version when in reference to the transgender side character Quinn the author miss labels their pronouns, which bothered me. I also feel like it might have been an editing oversight because the other transgender character Reese is never once referred to with the wrong pronouns. On another note, as the reader I had trouble connecting with Cassandra. I feel like we really knew nothing about her until way past the halfway mark and then was only able to form a surface level connection to her. I felt a stronger connection and care for Reese than Cassandra. The connection I want to feel with both Dom and Sub wasn't present in the novel for me. I understand that the story focus was L and her journey, but I just prefer more.
The Story of L is wonderfully written BDSM F/F erotica, yet I am not sure exactly how I feel about it.
I have been reading more and more BDSM novels lately, and I really appreciate ones that portray the lifestyle with respect. This book includes club scenes, private scenes, all of which are described in detail. While it's intense it's beautifully written, and you can feel all the pleasure, pain and release that L is feeling and how much her submission means to her. I also really appreciated the accurate portrayal of Reese as a transgender male during his on page intimate scenes.
While what I mention in the last paragraph are so important there were a few things that I was missing from the story for me to really love it. Some might say I'm being nit picky but in my version when in reference to the transgender side character Quinn the author miss labels their pronouns, which bothered me. I also feel like it might have been an editing oversight because the other transgender character Reese is never once referred to with the wrong pronouns. On another note, as the reader I had trouble connecting with Cassandra. I feel like we really knew nothing about her until way past the halfway mark and then was only able to form a surface level connection to her. I felt a stronger connection and care for Reese than Cassandra. The connection I want to feel with both Dom and Sub wasn't present in the novel for me. I understand that the story focus was L and her journey, but I just prefer more.
nessas_lair's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC! I thought this was a pretty good book until the Sunderland fiasco. This story has many elements that are similar to "The Story of O" such as the o-ring collar, L's training in Sunderland, and her name being shortened to an initial. I thought this was a pretty realistic BDSM story since the main character still worked at her job and there was a lot of focus on consent, limits, and aftercare. This was less of the 24/7 submissive slave type fantasy. The Sunderland part kind of ruined the story for me because it seemed very random and Cur's girls were just high school level drama which just jarred me out of the story. After this point I still kept reading to see how it ended and it had a pretty decent ending. I thought L's relationship with Cassandra was beautiful in its own way. However, this just wasn't my type of fantasy and I wasn't too engaged in the story after Sunderland.
mellyfish's review against another edition
3.0
Requested on a whim from NetGalley. As it turns out, I'm still not a lesbian. I could see how this would be fun for someone who was, and will certainly recommend it.
llanahreads's review against another edition
5.0
I am astounded at how much I adored this book. This is the first BDSM erotic novel that I actually enjoyed. It felt true to the BDSM scene and had very inventive encounters between the characters. The sexually experiences in the book were like none I have read before and they were very fun to see unfold. From beginning to end the book was well written, fun, and interesting. I couldn't ask for more in an erotic novel. This author and her book are very underrated and I cannot believe that I haven't heard of her works before. I get asked a lot for good books to read after 50 Shades of Grey and this is definitely the one I will recommend to everyone!
genej101's review against another edition
2.0
I will freely admit I do not understand this desire. In men or women. I just don't. I read the Story of O decades ago, did NOT like it for many reasons, primary is that though told from the viewpoint of a woman, it is a male power trip. I don't understand either sadism or masochism as a practice.
I know others feel differently and perhaps its true that women, at least, become multi orgasmic while in the throes of a scene (something that's trick to accept given the difficulties women have in this area in other things I have read - not novels, articles, etc.), in this genre they ALL do. If so, wonderful for them. But what I objected to in O was the degradation, the lack of free will, even if the practice is consensual (it does not feel safe, or sane), seems "wrong" to me, people are given free will here in this life, if this is how they choose to use it, that's okay. But not for me.
I also understand polyamory, but using people as props, lending them to others to use, just isn't something I will ever get comfortable with - it's too reminiscent of sex trafficking to me, a real world problem that mirrors, in many ways, this genre. The book itself is well written but that's all I can say for it. I see from the reviews that women love it, or some do. So is their right, I just don't understand this as "loving" in any sense of the word. A sexual release simply can't be what people live for, not and live a meaningful life that betters the world we share. This will be the end of my reading in the deep end of this genre.
I know others feel differently and perhaps its true that women, at least, become multi orgasmic while in the throes of a scene (something that's trick to accept given the difficulties women have in this area in other things I have read - not novels, articles, etc.), in this genre they ALL do. If so, wonderful for them. But what I objected to in O was the degradation, the lack of free will, even if the practice is consensual (it does not feel safe, or sane), seems "wrong" to me, people are given free will here in this life, if this is how they choose to use it, that's okay. But not for me.
I also understand polyamory, but using people as props, lending them to others to use, just isn't something I will ever get comfortable with - it's too reminiscent of sex trafficking to me, a real world problem that mirrors, in many ways, this genre. The book itself is well written but that's all I can say for it. I see from the reviews that women love it, or some do. So is their right, I just don't understand this as "loving" in any sense of the word. A sexual release simply can't be what people live for, not and live a meaningful life that betters the world we share. This will be the end of my reading in the deep end of this genre.
amanda_lee's review against another edition
4.0
This is very much a BDSM erotica with a lot of slave/master scenes, which I quite enjoyed about it. This is a good story about complete submission and I liked how L transformed from a switch to dedicated submissive. I didn't care for the term 'the Void' but I did understand the idea she was getting at with it, I just wish the term didn't bother me every time I read it. There's not a lot of Liv and Cassandra conversing and bonding but I could see the strength of their connection. I really enjoyed the lesbian take, which is something I haven't found a lot of in BDSM books.
night_owl_84's review against another edition
4.0
This is not my first time reading BDSM...I’ve read a variety of stories that have light, intermediate and advance BDSM scenes. I would probably say this was more intermediate/advanced. I really enjoyed this book and lost sleep over it because I wanted to see the conclusion...
The growth between the main characters is astounding! What really got me was the whole aspect of longing for something, but yet you don’t quite know what that is until you find it. Then once that longing is fulfilled it somewhat surprises you because you didn’t expect that to be what you were longing for.
For me BDSM is all about trust and intimacy on a different level. Which this book definitely had. It might not be what you would expect, but if you’re open to experiencing something different then read this for sure!
The growth between the main characters is astounding! What really got me was the whole aspect of longing for something, but yet you don’t quite know what that is until you find it. Then once that longing is fulfilled it somewhat surprises you because you didn’t expect that to be what you were longing for.
For me BDSM is all about trust and intimacy on a different level. Which this book definitely had. It might not be what you would expect, but if you’re open to experiencing something different then read this for sure!
thefreckledbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
We all know how much Fifty Shades was acclaimed by the world, even though it doesn't take any BDSM experience to notice the hundreds of red flags popping throughout those books. It was obvious the author had no experience with these kind of relationships. I spent houuurs talking this through with some fellow bookstagram friends, who are more into the BDSM scene. This is also why I was intrigued by this book, which led me to request it on Netgalley!!
THINGS I LIKED :
• The (many) gender and sexual diversity
• The descriptions were so detailed and well done
• The portrayal of the deep connection between Dom and Sub
• This book isn't just about sex. There's a story and a well developed plot!
• Consent, consent, always consent!!!!
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE :
• The spelling mistakes
THINGS I LIKED :
• The (many) gender and sexual diversity
• The descriptions were so detailed and well done
• The portrayal of the deep connection between Dom and Sub
• This book isn't just about sex. There's a story and a well developed plot!
• Consent, consent, always consent!!!!
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE :
• The spelling mistakes
heartof_tati's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.
My expectations were not high going into this book. I just wanted a fun smutty read, and it’s definitely just that. Liv, a woman who believes she cannot be satisfied due to the “void” demanding pleasure within her. However, things change when she meets the infamous Cassandra. No longer a switch, Liv has to completely submit to Cassandra’s every request if she wants the privilege of becoming her submissive.
There was a lot of extremely smutty scenes, but there was also vulnerability and love. In my opinion, it’s not the main theme of the story, but it’s definitely there.
The biggest thing for me was the switch on POV. The author would randomly switch from 3rd POV to 1st POV. I know it was meant to be hearing liv’s inner thoughts, but you kind of had to guess when that was. It wasn’t my favorite writing choice, but to each their own.
If you are looking for a quick, smut read, this one would be fun.
My expectations were not high going into this book. I just wanted a fun smutty read, and it’s definitely just that. Liv, a woman who believes she cannot be satisfied due to the “void” demanding pleasure within her. However, things change when she meets the infamous Cassandra. No longer a switch, Liv has to completely submit to Cassandra’s every request if she wants the privilege of becoming her submissive.
There was a lot of extremely smutty scenes, but there was also vulnerability and love. In my opinion, it’s not the main theme of the story, but it’s definitely there.
The biggest thing for me was the switch on POV. The author would randomly switch from 3rd POV to 1st POV. I know it was meant to be hearing liv’s inner thoughts, but you kind of had to guess when that was. It wasn’t my favorite writing choice, but to each their own.
If you are looking for a quick, smut read, this one would be fun.
storieswithbee's review against another edition
4.0
Warning- this books is explicit in nature with many strong scenes, language and themes, and is not suitable for audiences under 18 years of age.
The story of L falls under erotica, yet it challenges the very premise and foundation of the genre. Don’t get me wrong, the book features very graphic and descriptive depictions of sex, I mean, LOTS of very graphic and descriptive depictions of sex, but it’s not just the sex that keeps the reader turning the page.
First of all, the relationship between Cassandra and L - for the lack of a better word - is intense, but I think when you really engage with the story itself, you realise that the relationship is no less stunning or lacking in any ounce of love than those in any romance novel. Hyde captures love and passion in such a raw and authentic way and I find it so incredibly beautiful.
Second, its not like the usual sex with a chance of a storyline. The book also contains such mundane but honest parts of every day life, and a smattering of well developed side characters. The inclusion of some of these moments makes the main characters seem that much more real and complex. Erotica isn’t often a genre that focuses on maintaining the integrity of these points in particular.
With an obvious loving devotion to how this book was delivered, Hyde gives the reader a space where they take a path of transformation, learn devotion and loving submission alongside L.
Something I didn’t expect was to have learnt so much during this book. Not only did I discover new terms and concepts, I also got a glance into a different community that I’ve had little to no involvement with in this sense.
The only reason I didn’t give the book five stars was because there was a scene involving knives that put me on edge. I don’t mean any ill will to those who enjoy it, I just think that at this book of the book it wasn’t really needed and there is so many other possible ‘scenes’ that could have been used in place of this when it comes to BDSM
I was given the opportunity to read this book thanks to Debra Hyde, Riverdale Avenue Books, and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story of L falls under erotica, yet it challenges the very premise and foundation of the genre. Don’t get me wrong, the book features very graphic and descriptive depictions of sex, I mean, LOTS of very graphic and descriptive depictions of sex, but it’s not just the sex that keeps the reader turning the page.
First of all, the relationship between Cassandra and L - for the lack of a better word - is intense, but I think when you really engage with the story itself, you realise that the relationship is no less stunning or lacking in any ounce of love than those in any romance novel. Hyde captures love and passion in such a raw and authentic way and I find it so incredibly beautiful.
Second, its not like the usual sex with a chance of a storyline. The book also contains such mundane but honest parts of every day life, and a smattering of well developed side characters. The inclusion of some of these moments makes the main characters seem that much more real and complex. Erotica isn’t often a genre that focuses on maintaining the integrity of these points in particular.
With an obvious loving devotion to how this book was delivered, Hyde gives the reader a space where they take a path of transformation, learn devotion and loving submission alongside L.
Something I didn’t expect was to have learnt so much during this book. Not only did I discover new terms and concepts, I also got a glance into a different community that I’ve had little to no involvement with in this sense.
The only reason I didn’t give the book five stars was because there was a scene involving knives that put me on edge. I don’t mean any ill will to those who enjoy it, I just think that at this book of the book it wasn’t really needed and there is so many other possible ‘scenes’ that could have been used in place of this when it comes to BDSM
I was given the opportunity to read this book thanks to Debra Hyde, Riverdale Avenue Books, and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.