Scan barcode
A review by dobbsthedog
Salt Kiss by Sierra Simone
3.5
3.5 stars, maybe 4?
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
I’m feeling kind of unsure of how I feel about this series…. I love the idea of a queer, erotic retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend, but I’m not sure that the overall story is working for me?
Apparently both Tristan and Isolde are in love with Mark, who is this demanding Dom with no refractory period. But then Tristan is also in love in Isolde and maybe Isolde is in love with Tristan, which is a story I can get behind more than the love story with Mark. Like, I just don’t see Mark’s appeal? So far he hasn’t been written in a way that makes him appealing. He runs a kink club, trades in secrets, is apparently a Very Scary Dom™️ (how he describes himself), but he mostly just seems like a dick?
In this book especially, the lack of communication between Mark and Tristan was really frustrating. Mark tells Tristan absolutely nothing, and though we are sort of lead to believe that maybe Mark has feelings for Tristan, he never says anything, leaving Tristan to think of himself as nothing but Mark’s toy.
I’m also not sure that the shady, dark secrets aspect of the book is working for me, either. It really feels like there are all of these things that are hinted at, but not actually said, and I’m finding it quite annoying.
There is a ton of graphic, on page sex, some kink, though mostly it’s described after the fact. There’s also a whole section of dub-con, which is a choice, and even though I think it’s meant to show how much Mark wants Tristan, it seems a bit unrealistic for this to happen to an experienced Dom who runs a kink club. Also, and this is a totally personal thing for me, I just really dislike how often Simone uses the word cunt. I don’t object to the word itself, it just seems like such a crass word to use as a descriptor.
Despite all of the things I didn’t love about this book, I will probably read the rest of the series, because I am curious. I assume we are heading for a poly relationship, which isn’t something I get to see too often in romance, and I’m curious how it will play out.
*SLIGHT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
I’m feeling kind of unsure of how I feel about this series…. I love the idea of a queer, erotic retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend, but I’m not sure that the overall story is working for me?
Apparently both Tristan and Isolde are in love with Mark, who is this demanding Dom with no refractory period. But then Tristan is also in love in Isolde and maybe Isolde is in love with Tristan, which is a story I can get behind more than the love story with Mark. Like, I just don’t see Mark’s appeal? So far he hasn’t been written in a way that makes him appealing. He runs a kink club, trades in secrets, is apparently a Very Scary Dom™️ (how he describes himself), but he mostly just seems like a dick?
In this book especially, the lack of communication between Mark and Tristan was really frustrating. Mark tells Tristan absolutely nothing, and though we are sort of lead to believe that maybe Mark has feelings for Tristan, he never says anything, leaving Tristan to think of himself as nothing but Mark’s toy.
I’m also not sure that the shady, dark secrets aspect of the book is working for me, either. It really feels like there are all of these things that are hinted at, but not actually said, and I’m finding it quite annoying.
There is a ton of graphic, on page sex, some kink, though mostly it’s described after the fact. There’s also a whole section of dub-con, which is a choice, and even though I think it’s meant to show how much Mark wants Tristan, it seems a bit unrealistic for this to happen to an experienced Dom who runs a kink club. Also, and this is a totally personal thing for me, I just really dislike how often Simone uses the word cunt. I don’t object to the word itself, it just seems like such a crass word to use as a descriptor.
Despite all of the things I didn’t love about this book, I will probably read the rest of the series, because I am curious. I assume we are heading for a poly relationship, which isn’t something I get to see too often in romance, and I’m curious how it will play out.