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A review by haletostilinski1
Takeover by Anna Zabo
4.0
This was a solid 4 star read for me.
So, I tagged this as "bdsm-lite" because it definitely has elements of BDSM between the two MC's, but it doesn't go that far beyond spanking/flogging, and it is really only in the bedroom that Michael and Sam take on the D/s rolls. Also, Michael says that he likes being in charge in the bedroom, he likes to top, but he didn't like being a Dom when he was in the Scene way back when. So it didn't feel like a full on BDSM novel/relationship.
And honestly, that just made me like it more, because I'm not too into BDSM myself. I see that the next book is full on BDSM, so I dunno if I'm going to read.
But anyway, for me BDSM has to be done in such a way for me to enjoy and like it, and this book accomplished that. It wasn't too much, and normally I'm not into the whole "pain with your pleasure" type deal during sex, but Michael and Sam obviously loved it so much and they were so communicative and caring. Michael always knew when to stop, to take care of Sam. Even though Sam would want more, Michael knew when it was too much for Sam's body to take.
I have to say, at first I thought this was going to be another fairly simple story with one dimensional characters - in the beginning, it felt so convenient that Michael was able to find the exact sexual partner he wanted in that random bar, and of course out of all the bars in all the world, he walks into mi-wait, that's Casablanca. Anyway, you know what I mean. It just felt too easy, that one minute Michael wanted a guy who his type, and who would love to be controlled in bed, and then BAM, there's Sam, the perfect guy for that.
But then as the book progressed, I came to really like the characters, and they had a lot more depth than I was expecting, and were more realistic than I thought they would be. They both had hang ups and fears holding them back, and it was hard for them to move forward, and I loved that because that felt so realistic to me.
I do wish there had been one small scene were we saw William get his comeuppance, but I guess since we knew he was going to get it, it didn't necessarily need to be in the story.
There wasn't anything in particular to make this a standout book or a favorite of mine, but it was solid and fairly well written.
If you want an enjoyable read with some BDSM elements to the story, then I definitely recommend this. It has just the right amount of sweetness with the (consensual) pain. I loved that. I loved the love between Michael and Sam. So definitely think this book deserves a higher overall rating than it has :)
So, I tagged this as "bdsm-lite" because it definitely has elements of BDSM between the two MC's, but it doesn't go that far beyond spanking/flogging, and it is really only in the bedroom that Michael and Sam take on the D/s rolls. Also, Michael says that he likes being in charge in the bedroom, he likes to top, but he didn't like being a Dom when he was in the Scene way back when. So it didn't feel like a full on BDSM novel/relationship.
And honestly, that just made me like it more, because I'm not too into BDSM myself. I see that the next book is full on BDSM, so I dunno if I'm going to read.
But anyway, for me BDSM has to be done in such a way for me to enjoy and like it, and this book accomplished that. It wasn't too much, and normally I'm not into the whole "pain with your pleasure" type deal during sex, but Michael and Sam obviously loved it so much and they were so communicative and caring. Michael always knew when to stop, to take care of Sam. Even though Sam would want more, Michael knew when it was too much for Sam's body to take.
I have to say, at first I thought this was going to be another fairly simple story with one dimensional characters - in the beginning, it felt so convenient that Michael was able to find the exact sexual partner he wanted in that random bar, and of course out of all the bars in all the world, he walks into mi-wait, that's Casablanca. Anyway, you know what I mean. It just felt too easy, that one minute Michael wanted a guy who his type, and who would love to be controlled in bed, and then BAM, there's Sam, the perfect guy for that.
But then as the book progressed, I came to really like the characters, and they had a lot more depth than I was expecting, and were more realistic than I thought they would be. They both had hang ups and fears holding them back, and it was hard for them to move forward, and I loved that because that felt so realistic to me.
I do wish there had been one small scene were we saw William get his comeuppance, but I guess since we knew he was going to get it, it didn't necessarily need to be in the story.
There wasn't anything in particular to make this a standout book or a favorite of mine, but it was solid and fairly well written.
If you want an enjoyable read with some BDSM elements to the story, then I definitely recommend this. It has just the right amount of sweetness with the (consensual) pain. I loved that. I loved the love between Michael and Sam. So definitely think this book deserves a higher overall rating than it has :)