A review by theresa_glover
The Trainer by Laura Antoniou

We all read smut. There's no reason to deny it. But there's no reason to read bad smut when there is intelligent, well-written, complex, and engaging erotica like this on the market. Just because something sells a bajillion copies doesn't make it good. Quality matters, and what makes a good book, regardless of genre, is good writing. Laura Antoniou is a respected member of the BDSM community and clearly busts her ass to write a damned good book. I read the first Marketplace books (The Marketplace, The Slave and The Trainer) back in the 90's, and I loved them then. Since that time, Antoniou has continued the Chronicles of Chris and Robin (my unofficial title) through 3 more books (The Academy, The Reunion and The Inheritor). I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to meet the author in 2015 and started re-reading the series then. Due to (reasons), I wasn't able to finish at the time, but have finally finished the last two books this year. Like many fans have already howled about, there are some seriously gut-wrenching moments in the last book, but it is a satisfying, gratifying, earned and well crafted end to a fantastic series. I highly recommend getting this series on audiobook because the voice talent embellishes the high quality of writing with a gloriously dignified and sophisticated accent. Besides, who doesn't like hearing graphic sex scenes read in a wonderfully prissy British accent?