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A review by dinipandareads
Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon
3.0
I saw Weatherspoon post about this series the other day and immediately went off to buy a copy after deciding it sounded like something different I'd want to try. I don't read much romantic suspense nor do I seek out bondage romances but my mood has been feeling fickle so I thought I'd give it a go. I ended up enjoying it and found it to be angsty tension-filled romance with interesting characters and I think I'll continue with the series!
The book kicks off in a helluva way. I had goosebumps and felt equally sickened, horrified, and terrified. It was a very strong start to the story! From what they experience that night, it's clear Claudia and Shep's bond is based on trauma and that's further explored through the sexual relationship they develop in the months following their meeting. I would say that if you're not in a good headspace if you decide to pick this up, this might not be what you want to read at the moment because these characters are in the thick of grief and so much trauma. It was honestly a bit painful to read at times because of how raw the emotions are and how realistically these characters are portrayed. Claudia and Shep are complex characters—what they go through is undeniably heavy—and their coping and healing process isn't linear nor particularly healthy at times (imo). I know that people process trauma and grief differently but it quickly became clear that no matter how much both wanted their sexual relationship to be a "cure" to what they've experienced, it wouldn't be. I appreciated that exploration for both of them though and unsurprisingly, the sex and BSDM aspects were extremely well done! Their relationship is founded on clear communication about their needs, as well as trust and respect. I loved all the frank conversations they had before starting their D/s relationship but also during said period. They did keep some things from each other but when they get to the point of opening up, they don't hold back and I appreciated how Shep was so upfront about his past trauma and what Claudia thought she needed to feel to heal from the event that bound them together. Again, there are some really tough and raw emotions packed into this but I think Weatherspoon handles it well!
That said, what I missed was a deeper connection between the characters (outside of the physical because when it came to that they set my kindle aflame) but also the on-page processing of their personal journeys. The most important part of Claudia's processing happens at the end but it all happens off-page and I wished that we got to see that because it would've made the ending feel less rushed. I also wished we got to see them getting to really know each other by having proper conversations and showing us more of that connection they already have just on a deeper more emotoinal level.
The book kicks off in a helluva way. I had goosebumps and felt equally sickened, horrified, and terrified. It was a very strong start to the story! From what they experience that night, it's clear Claudia and Shep's bond is based on trauma and that's further explored through the sexual relationship they develop in the months following their meeting. I would say that if you're not in a good headspace if you decide to pick this up, this might not be what you want to read at the moment because these characters are in the thick of grief and so much trauma. It was honestly a bit painful to read at times because of how raw the emotions are and how realistically these characters are portrayed. Claudia and Shep are complex characters—what they go through is undeniably heavy—and their coping and healing process isn't linear nor particularly healthy at times (imo). I know that people process trauma and grief differently but it quickly became clear that no matter how much both wanted their sexual relationship to be a "cure" to what they've experienced, it wouldn't be. I appreciated that exploration for both of them though and unsurprisingly, the sex and BSDM aspects were extremely well done! Their relationship is founded on clear communication about their needs, as well as trust and respect. I loved all the frank conversations they had before starting their D/s relationship but also during said period. They did keep some things from each other but when they get to the point of opening up, they don't hold back and I appreciated how Shep was so upfront about his past trauma and what Claudia thought she needed to feel to heal from the event that bound them together. Again, there are some really tough and raw emotions packed into this but I think Weatherspoon handles it well!
That said, what I missed was a deeper connection between the characters (outside of the physical because when it came to that they set my kindle aflame) but also the on-page processing of their personal journeys. The most important part of Claudia's processing happens at the end but it all happens off-page and I wished that we got to see that because it would've made the ending feel less rushed. I also wished we got to see them getting to really know each other by having proper conversations and showing us more of that connection they already have just on a deeper more emotoinal level.