A review by wafflesnweights
Games of Temptation by H.N. DeFore

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. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings