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Jane and Lacey #1
Jane and the Sneaky Dom
Drastic times call for drastic measures, and Jane Denning's love life certainly qualifies as drastic these days. She's had a string of lousy relationships with Beemer driving, self-important yuppies that need a map and a guide to navigate a woman's body. Oh yeah, and who automatically defer to her on every decision. As a strong woman, she ends up walking all over them. BORING! She decides what she needs is a man who won't be so accommodating. One who will take control instead of giving it, demand instead of ask, command instead of cajole. One who knows what goes where when it comes to sex, for God's sake! But for a woman who's always been in charge, that's easier said than done. Enlisting the help of her best friend, together over ice cream, potato chips and chicken salad sandwiches, they hatch a plan to find the perfect man for this little experiment. As a career military man, Ian knows the value of being in the right place at the right time. So when he overhears Jane plotting with her friend in a crowded café, he's not above taking advantage of the situation, and sets about using all of his training to take the control she's so willing to give up. He has no trouble convincing Jane that he's the right man to give her a taste of what she's been missing for the short term. Trouble is, he figures out pretty quick that he doesn't want to just be her short term solution he wants to be there for the long haul. But Jane's leery of falling in love, and Ian's going to have to think fast and act faster if he's going to keep her around. Shouldn't be a problem for a sneaky Dom like him.
190 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2004
6 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Murray
56 books120 followersHannah has been reading romance novels since she was young enough to have to hide them from her mother, and decided to try her hand at writing one when she realized the book she really wanted to read lived in her head. That was a dozen years and as many manuscripts ago, and there are still more stories to be told.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband—former Special Forces and an OR nurse who writes fantasy fiction, and acts as In House Expert for his wife on matters pertaining to weapons, tactics, the military, medical conditions and How Dudes Think—and their daughter, who takes after her father.
Hannah loves to hear from readers, and will answer questions here on Goodreads.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband—former Special Forces and an OR nurse who writes fantasy fiction, and acts as In House Expert for his wife on matters pertaining to weapons, tactics, the military, medical conditions and How Dudes Think—and their daughter, who takes after her father.
Hannah loves to hear from readers, and will answer questions here on Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 5, 2008
Whew! This was one smokin' hot book! The H/H in this book, Ian and Jane, set the sheets on fire! This was a fast paced, easy read, with a likeable couple who I was rooting for all the way. There were no big misunderstandings to overcome, either.
Book store owner Jane is just a little hesitant to trust herself emotionally in the relationship, afraid of falling in love and possibly getting her heart broken. So Ian has to work at getting past the protective wall around Jane's heart. And what a guy! Former military man and now security expert Ian is dominant sexually looking for a submissive partner, and Jane is a willing participant. She's been dating a string of duds so she decides to date the opposite of what she normally looks for in a man, and total-alpha-Ian fills the bill. She's initially looking for a no strings affair, but is caught off guard when she realizes she's falling in love for the first time. Will she take the risk and let herself fall head-over-heels for Ian, or will she retreat before she gets hurt?
I loved this book! Even though Ian was an alpha and a dominant in the bedroom, he always treated Jane with love and respect and was a real sweetheart. He reminded me of some of the heroes from Lisa Marie Rice's books. He took one look at Jane and knew he wanted her, and set out to woo her. And before she knew what hit her, Ian had wormed his way into Jane's heart. Besides all the hot bedroom action, there were some tender and funny moments between Jane and Ian too, and some funny girlfriend talk between Jane and her friend Lacey. Ian's good friend Devon was also introduced, and I'm hoping he's a character in a follow up book. I will definitely look for more books by this talented author!
A small warning: this book has some scenes of light bondage, and some explicit sexual language. So if that kind of thing bothers you, then this is not the book for you.
Book store owner Jane is just a little hesitant to trust herself emotionally in the relationship, afraid of falling in love and possibly getting her heart broken. So Ian has to work at getting past the protective wall around Jane's heart. And what a guy! Former military man and now security expert Ian is dominant sexually looking for a submissive partner, and Jane is a willing participant. She's been dating a string of duds so she decides to date the opposite of what she normally looks for in a man, and total-alpha-Ian fills the bill. She's initially looking for a no strings affair, but is caught off guard when she realizes she's falling in love for the first time. Will she take the risk and let herself fall head-over-heels for Ian, or will she retreat before she gets hurt?
I loved this book! Even though Ian was an alpha and a dominant in the bedroom, he always treated Jane with love and respect and was a real sweetheart. He reminded me of some of the heroes from Lisa Marie Rice's books. He took one look at Jane and knew he wanted her, and set out to woo her. And before she knew what hit her, Ian had wormed his way into Jane's heart. Besides all the hot bedroom action, there were some tender and funny moments between Jane and Ian too, and some funny girlfriend talk between Jane and her friend Lacey. Ian's good friend Devon was also introduced, and I'm hoping he's a character in a follow up book. I will definitely look for more books by this talented author!
A small warning: this book has some scenes of light bondage, and some explicit sexual language. So if that kind of thing bothers you, then this is not the book for you.
December 29, 2010
The title of this book is very misleading, as it makes most people think this is a BDSM story. Well, it is not. And now that I stated that clearly, I can't help wondering if the word "sneaky" in the title has a hidden meaning - like, was the publisher trying to trick BDSM readers into buying this book? Hmmm...
Jane Denning is a successful bookstore owner who's used to being in control - in her professional and personal life. Tired of the kind of man she's used to dating - successful in their professional lives but kind of pushovers in their personal (aka sex) lives - and encouraged by her friend Lacey, Jane decides to do a complete 180 and find herselft an alpha man to dominate her - only in the bedroom, of course - and show her that there's more to life than vanilla sex.
Unbeknownst to Jane and Lacey, their conversation is overheard by Ian MacInnes, a former military man and security consultant who's exactly what Jane is looking for: a take-charge man who likes to be in control in the bedroom. As he also happens to find Jane very attractive, he takes advantage of what he's heard and, subtly, plants himself on her path to find the "Dom" of her dreams.
Much to their mutual satisfaction, Jane finds herself attracted to Ian instantly - and the rest is history...
I really enjoyed this hot story. Ian and Jane were very likable and sexy, their interactions outside of the bedroom were fun and funny, and their interactions inside the bedroom were hot and kinky enough to justify the premise of the story - remember, it all started because Jane was tired of vanilla sex. ;)
Ms. Murray's writing was good and kept the story flowing effortlessly. She even surprised me a bit, when she didn't resort to the always annoying Big Misunderstanding to add unnecessary conflict to Ian and Jane's relationship. Well done, Ms. Murray!
There was only one thing that bothered me in this book: the implied association between "backdoor" loving and trust. Yes, I understand and agree that you have to really trust your partner if you're going to engage in "backdoor" loving. What I didn't like in this book was the fact that that particular sex act was used to reinforce Jane's trust on Ian. In the end, the scene made me laugh - not in mock but in a that-was-funny way - because Ian and Jane had a contagious sense of humor, but still.
Overall, this was a fun read and I recommend it to everyone who's looking for a short-ish (longer than a novella, shorter than a "normal" book), hot story with a touch of kink.
Jane Denning is a successful bookstore owner who's used to being in control - in her professional and personal life. Tired of the kind of man she's used to dating - successful in their professional lives but kind of pushovers in their personal (aka sex) lives - and encouraged by her friend Lacey, Jane decides to do a complete 180 and find herselft an alpha man to dominate her - only in the bedroom, of course - and show her that there's more to life than vanilla sex.
Unbeknownst to Jane and Lacey, their conversation is overheard by Ian MacInnes, a former military man and security consultant who's exactly what Jane is looking for: a take-charge man who likes to be in control in the bedroom. As he also happens to find Jane very attractive, he takes advantage of what he's heard and, subtly, plants himself on her path to find the "Dom" of her dreams.
Much to their mutual satisfaction, Jane finds herself attracted to Ian instantly - and the rest is history...
I really enjoyed this hot story. Ian and Jane were very likable and sexy, their interactions outside of the bedroom were fun and funny, and their interactions inside the bedroom were hot and kinky enough to justify the premise of the story - remember, it all started because Jane was tired of vanilla sex. ;)
Ms. Murray's writing was good and kept the story flowing effortlessly. She even surprised me a bit, when she didn't resort to the always annoying Big Misunderstanding to add unnecessary conflict to Ian and Jane's relationship. Well done, Ms. Murray!
There was only one thing that bothered me in this book: the implied association between "backdoor" loving and trust. Yes, I understand and agree that you have to really trust your partner if you're going to engage in "backdoor" loving. What I didn't like in this book was the fact that that particular sex act was used to reinforce Jane's trust on Ian. In the end, the scene made me laugh - not in mock but in a that-was-funny way - because Ian and Jane had a contagious sense of humor, but still.
Overall, this was a fun read and I recommend it to everyone who's looking for a short-ish (longer than a novella, shorter than a "normal" book), hot story with a touch of kink.
August 8, 2008
This book was about a sweet and hot romance. The hero and heroine were both very likeable characters, and I enjoyed the way their relationship developed. The book had plenty of humor, and was fun to read.
Jane Denning has worked very hard to become a successful owner of a bookstore. She is very pleased with her professional life, but less so with her personal one. She has been disappointed with her last romantic relationships, and doesn't understand why she is suddenly finding her intimate encounters to be so boring. During a discussion with her best friend, Lacey, over Jane's less than satisfactory love life, Jane realizes that she wants a man who will control her in bed. As the two discuss a plan for Jane to go to a blues club to meet men, they are unaware that they are being overheard by an attractive alpha male who is intrigued by the idea of this appealing woman submitting to him in bed. Ian MacInnes, former military intelligence, now private security consultant, ventures to the club that he overheard Jane mentioning for the opportunity to be the man to whom she relinquishes control. Ian approaches Jane for a dance in the club, and she is immediately drawn to him. After the two share an incredibly arousing dance, Ian and Jane continue on to her house where they spend a steamy night together. Jane is excited by submitting to Ian, especially when she realizes that he only wants her pleasure and will not do anything to hurt her. Ian quickly realizes that he wants his time with Jane to be more than the short fling she expects, so he convinces her to agree to spend thirty days as his submissive lover. Ian uses the time to romance Jane in and out of the bedroom, knowing that he must win the love of this woman of his dreams.
I enjoyed reading a book in which the strong alpha male hero so quickly realizes that he loves the heroine. Even though Ian expects Jane to submit to him in the bedroom, he is more concerned with her comfort and pleasure than his own. Jane and Ian enjoy all of the time they spend with each other, and they have fun together, which makes this book a delight to read.
Jane Denning has worked very hard to become a successful owner of a bookstore. She is very pleased with her professional life, but less so with her personal one. She has been disappointed with her last romantic relationships, and doesn't understand why she is suddenly finding her intimate encounters to be so boring. During a discussion with her best friend, Lacey, over Jane's less than satisfactory love life, Jane realizes that she wants a man who will control her in bed. As the two discuss a plan for Jane to go to a blues club to meet men, they are unaware that they are being overheard by an attractive alpha male who is intrigued by the idea of this appealing woman submitting to him in bed. Ian MacInnes, former military intelligence, now private security consultant, ventures to the club that he overheard Jane mentioning for the opportunity to be the man to whom she relinquishes control. Ian approaches Jane for a dance in the club, and she is immediately drawn to him. After the two share an incredibly arousing dance, Ian and Jane continue on to her house where they spend a steamy night together. Jane is excited by submitting to Ian, especially when she realizes that he only wants her pleasure and will not do anything to hurt her. Ian quickly realizes that he wants his time with Jane to be more than the short fling she expects, so he convinces her to agree to spend thirty days as his submissive lover. Ian uses the time to romance Jane in and out of the bedroom, knowing that he must win the love of this woman of his dreams.
I enjoyed reading a book in which the strong alpha male hero so quickly realizes that he loves the heroine. Even though Ian expects Jane to submit to him in the bedroom, he is more concerned with her comfort and pleasure than his own. Jane and Ian enjoy all of the time they spend with each other, and they have fun together, which makes this book a delight to read.
July 22, 2009
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Funny title notwithstanding, Jane and the Sneaky Dom is, in all honesty, the best erotic romance I have read to date, and believe it or not, the title actually does suit the book quite well. Finally, an erotic author who knows how to write a plot that seamlessly pulls together all the luscious love scenes instead of just creating one that is nothing more than weak filler in between. Granted the plot revolves around sex and the heroine's quest to find a way to be more satisfied in the bedroom, but there are a lot of fun relationship building scenes too. As anyone who regularly reads my reviews knows, I'm not really a fan of what I call “instant meeting and mating.” Even though this story begins that way, I wasn't particularly put off by it in this case, because the author took the time to backtrack and have some nice getting-to-know-you moments, making the story more believable. Readers may have to suspend disbelief a little in order to buy into the idea that Ian knows he has found the woman he wants to marry after spending just one weekend with her, but at least they aren't on their way to the altar after just a couple of days. Their time together is spread out over the course of a full month. I also loved the idea that Ian is a marriage kind of guy and took the time to court Jane in between giving her long sessions of mind-blowing sex. I also like that he based his ultimate goal of marriage on Jane's personality and not just the amazing sex, and that he was being so "sneaky" about winning her heart was cute and funny while also being romantic.
Sometimes I have a hard time reading erotic romances because the heroes in them often tend to be uber-alphas who could literally eat me for breakfast. Ian was not like that at all. He was definitely dominating but in a very nice way, making him a positively scrumptious hero. He isn't an intense dom who forces his will on the heroine and then punishes her if she even remotely disobeys. Instead he instills trust with gentleness and commands obedience with quiet confidence. I love that he always gives Jane the option to say "No" before they try anything new, and he always checks to see if she's doing OK after. In my opinion, this demonstrated how kind and caring he could be, and of course, he exhibits a masterful control over Jane's body that was simply yummy. Ian had the heart of a romantic and a great sense of humor. He was a character who showed that a hero can be an alpha dom without being a jerk. I can't imagine any woman not feeling loved, cherished, protected and thoroughly satisfied with a guy like Ian around to take care of her.
Jane was a likable character for me as well. I respected her drive and determination to build a business from the ground up, and having that business be an independent book store, made her all the more appealing. It was very obvious that Jane loved books, and apparently Ian did as well, to spend as much time in her store as he seemingly did. I could relate to Jane being pretty controlling in every area of her life, but feeling like it was time to give the reins over to someone else in the sexual department. I thought that Ms. Murray conveyed really well how scary it can be to relinquish control of something, but the sense of freedom that can also comes with giving it up. This is something that is true in all facets of life and not just sex. It's a wonderful feeling to just be able to let things go, and if someone else is there to pick up the slack and be a true partner, that makes it all the better. I thought it was a testament to the author's writing talent that she could make me take the time to think about something deeper in the midst of a fun, breezy, erotic romance.
While Ian and Jane carried most of the story on their own, their two best friends, Lacey and Devon helped to liven things up. Of the two, Lacey appeared the most, and I enjoyed the delightful girl-talk she shared with Jane. Lacey is a very sympathetic friend who understands Jane very well, and always has solid wisdom to impart. There was also a hint of some unexplored bit of Lacey's past which made me want to know more about her. Devon was only in a couple of scenes, but I liked the part of his personality that I saw in those moments. There was enough of an intro to these two characters to make me look forward to seeing more of them in the next book of the series.
There were many things that I liked about Jane and the Sneaky Dom outside of the entertaining story. I always get irritated when the characters in contemporary romance don't bother with protection during sex, much less talk about it, so I found it very refreshing to have Ian and Jane proactively discussing the issues of birth control and STDs like two mature adults instead of being careless or leaving things to chance. While having explicit language in an erotic romance is pretty par for the course, some authors seem to gratuitously use these words every other sentence which becomes just as annoying and boring to me as it would if they were repeatedly using any other word. I greatly appreciated that Ms. Murray seems to know exactly when to use the “naughty” words to best effect and doesn't overuse them, instead finding other creative ways to express herself. Another thing that is sometimes not to my liking in erotic romances is how coarse and raw the love scenes can become. In Jane and the Sneaky Dom, I thought the love scenes were tastefully written, deliciously sensual, and even embodied a bit of sweetness, along with plenty of variety. I think the author was able to accomplish this by maintaining a certain level of lightheartedness throughout the story even in the bedroom, showing that sex can be a little kinky but should still always be fun. In my opinion, there was virtually nothing to dislike about this book. Perhaps the characters could have been a little more developed, but I got to know them enough to like them. Also, the author did overuse eye-rolling and eyebrow raising a bit too much, but that's a very minor complaint in an otherwise great story. Anyone who is looking for a quick, romantic read with some erotic, red-hot lovin' that still maintains a gentle tone, a cast of likable characters, and a decent plot should look no further than Jane and the Sneaky Dom. Because of its lighter nature, this would also, in my opinion, be a great starter book for anyone who might be looking to dip a toe into the erotic romance pool but isn't quite sure whether they will like it or where to begin. This was my first book by Hannah Murray, but it has definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I'm really looking forward to reading The Devil and Ms. Johnson, the next book in this untitled series duet.
Note: This book contains explicit language and sexual situations including some BDSM (biting, spanking, restraint, domination/submission) and anal sex, all of which some readers may find offensive.
Funny title notwithstanding, Jane and the Sneaky Dom is, in all honesty, the best erotic romance I have read to date, and believe it or not, the title actually does suit the book quite well. Finally, an erotic author who knows how to write a plot that seamlessly pulls together all the luscious love scenes instead of just creating one that is nothing more than weak filler in between. Granted the plot revolves around sex and the heroine's quest to find a way to be more satisfied in the bedroom, but there are a lot of fun relationship building scenes too. As anyone who regularly reads my reviews knows, I'm not really a fan of what I call “instant meeting and mating.” Even though this story begins that way, I wasn't particularly put off by it in this case, because the author took the time to backtrack and have some nice getting-to-know-you moments, making the story more believable. Readers may have to suspend disbelief a little in order to buy into the idea that Ian knows he has found the woman he wants to marry after spending just one weekend with her, but at least they aren't on their way to the altar after just a couple of days. Their time together is spread out over the course of a full month. I also loved the idea that Ian is a marriage kind of guy and took the time to court Jane in between giving her long sessions of mind-blowing sex. I also like that he based his ultimate goal of marriage on Jane's personality and not just the amazing sex, and that he was being so "sneaky" about winning her heart was cute and funny while also being romantic.
Sometimes I have a hard time reading erotic romances because the heroes in them often tend to be uber-alphas who could literally eat me for breakfast. Ian was not like that at all. He was definitely dominating but in a very nice way, making him a positively scrumptious hero. He isn't an intense dom who forces his will on the heroine and then punishes her if she even remotely disobeys. Instead he instills trust with gentleness and commands obedience with quiet confidence. I love that he always gives Jane the option to say "No" before they try anything new, and he always checks to see if she's doing OK after. In my opinion, this demonstrated how kind and caring he could be, and of course, he exhibits a masterful control over Jane's body that was simply yummy. Ian had the heart of a romantic and a great sense of humor. He was a character who showed that a hero can be an alpha dom without being a jerk. I can't imagine any woman not feeling loved, cherished, protected and thoroughly satisfied with a guy like Ian around to take care of her.
Jane was a likable character for me as well. I respected her drive and determination to build a business from the ground up, and having that business be an independent book store, made her all the more appealing. It was very obvious that Jane loved books, and apparently Ian did as well, to spend as much time in her store as he seemingly did. I could relate to Jane being pretty controlling in every area of her life, but feeling like it was time to give the reins over to someone else in the sexual department. I thought that Ms. Murray conveyed really well how scary it can be to relinquish control of something, but the sense of freedom that can also comes with giving it up. This is something that is true in all facets of life and not just sex. It's a wonderful feeling to just be able to let things go, and if someone else is there to pick up the slack and be a true partner, that makes it all the better. I thought it was a testament to the author's writing talent that she could make me take the time to think about something deeper in the midst of a fun, breezy, erotic romance.
While Ian and Jane carried most of the story on their own, their two best friends, Lacey and Devon helped to liven things up. Of the two, Lacey appeared the most, and I enjoyed the delightful girl-talk she shared with Jane. Lacey is a very sympathetic friend who understands Jane very well, and always has solid wisdom to impart. There was also a hint of some unexplored bit of Lacey's past which made me want to know more about her. Devon was only in a couple of scenes, but I liked the part of his personality that I saw in those moments. There was enough of an intro to these two characters to make me look forward to seeing more of them in the next book of the series.
There were many things that I liked about Jane and the Sneaky Dom outside of the entertaining story. I always get irritated when the characters in contemporary romance don't bother with protection during sex, much less talk about it, so I found it very refreshing to have Ian and Jane proactively discussing the issues of birth control and STDs like two mature adults instead of being careless or leaving things to chance. While having explicit language in an erotic romance is pretty par for the course, some authors seem to gratuitously use these words every other sentence which becomes just as annoying and boring to me as it would if they were repeatedly using any other word. I greatly appreciated that Ms. Murray seems to know exactly when to use the “naughty” words to best effect and doesn't overuse them, instead finding other creative ways to express herself. Another thing that is sometimes not to my liking in erotic romances is how coarse and raw the love scenes can become. In Jane and the Sneaky Dom, I thought the love scenes were tastefully written, deliciously sensual, and even embodied a bit of sweetness, along with plenty of variety. I think the author was able to accomplish this by maintaining a certain level of lightheartedness throughout the story even in the bedroom, showing that sex can be a little kinky but should still always be fun. In my opinion, there was virtually nothing to dislike about this book. Perhaps the characters could have been a little more developed, but I got to know them enough to like them. Also, the author did overuse eye-rolling and eyebrow raising a bit too much, but that's a very minor complaint in an otherwise great story. Anyone who is looking for a quick, romantic read with some erotic, red-hot lovin' that still maintains a gentle tone, a cast of likable characters, and a decent plot should look no further than Jane and the Sneaky Dom. Because of its lighter nature, this would also, in my opinion, be a great starter book for anyone who might be looking to dip a toe into the erotic romance pool but isn't quite sure whether they will like it or where to begin. This was my first book by Hannah Murray, but it has definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I'm really looking forward to reading The Devil and Ms. Johnson, the next book in this untitled series duet.
Note: This book contains explicit language and sexual situations including some BDSM (biting, spanking, restraint, domination/submission) and anal sex, all of which some readers may find offensive.
September 23, 2009
I really enjoyed this short and sexy story of Jane the bookstore owner who decides to stop dating pushovers and go for an alpha man, and Ian the hot alpha man who overhears her and plans his campaign to be that man. Their initial encounter on the dance floor will steam all your windows. Their subsequent encounters are equally steamy, with my favorite being the garage scene. Who knew that a car could be such a turn on? Don't expect any heavy BDSM here despite the "Dom" in the title. Some spanking and one anal scene are as heavy as it gets.
The writing flows well and the dialogue is good. The plot is pretty bare-bones but it's enough to support the sex scenes without the whole thing veering into porn territory. Jane is a commitment-phobe and Ian must figure out how to claim her for good without scaring her off. Both Jane and Ian are well-drawn and you can really see them starting to care for each other and falling in love.
This book is a bit on the short side (around 200 pages) but it doesn't feel rushed. And I'm frankly glad the author didn't try to pad things with stupid misunderstandings. (Note: there are no menages/infidelity/abuse here).
The writing flows well and the dialogue is good. The plot is pretty bare-bones but it's enough to support the sex scenes without the whole thing veering into porn territory. Jane is a commitment-phobe and Ian must figure out how to claim her for good without scaring her off. Both Jane and Ian are well-drawn and you can really see them starting to care for each other and falling in love.
This book is a bit on the short side (around 200 pages) but it doesn't feel rushed. And I'm frankly glad the author didn't try to pad things with stupid misunderstandings. (Note: there are no menages/infidelity/abuse here).
May 17, 2008
What a wickedly delightful read!
Jane is a successful bookstore owner, but lately her sex life is a dud. What used to work for her just doesn't anymore and she's not sure why. So when her best friends suggest that maybe she needs to break away from her usual patterns, Jane decides to give it a go.
Ian can't believe his luck. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. So this gorgeous woman thinks she might like to try a little bondage? He's her man.
I enjoyed the way author kept the playfulness in the incredibly hot sex scenes. If you like light BDSM, but are turned off by thoughts of pain and extreme submission, then you should really give this book a try. This really was about what turned the two of them on while still concentrating on the growing relationship, respect, and trust between the two.
I'll be looking for more by this author.
Jane is a successful bookstore owner, but lately her sex life is a dud. What used to work for her just doesn't anymore and she's not sure why. So when her best friends suggest that maybe she needs to break away from her usual patterns, Jane decides to give it a go.
Ian can't believe his luck. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. So this gorgeous woman thinks she might like to try a little bondage? He's her man.
I enjoyed the way author kept the playfulness in the incredibly hot sex scenes. If you like light BDSM, but are turned off by thoughts of pain and extreme submission, then you should really give this book a try. This really was about what turned the two of them on while still concentrating on the growing relationship, respect, and trust between the two.
I'll be looking for more by this author.
July 15, 2008
This book was too much fun. It was hot, yet I found myself laughing out loud. I would totally recommend this book. And Ian is just yummy.
November 17, 2008
Hannah Murray's lighthearted and lively romance between Jane, a bookstore owner, and Ian, a security consultant is a delight! She had me laughing from the very beginning.
Ian and Jane are both very nice, likeable people. They begin a relationship which continues to develop and deepen as the book and their romance progresses. I like that in a sexy book.
I want my own Ian! I was falling for him early on ... and when he showed up at Jane's office with a picnic basket, including chocolate ... oh, my! ;-)
As usual, after the first 20 minutes I was at the computer ISO other Hannah Murray reads!
Ian and Jane are both very nice, likeable people. They begin a relationship which continues to develop and deepen as the book and their romance progresses. I like that in a sexy book.
I want my own Ian! I was falling for him early on ... and when he showed up at Jane's office with a picnic basket, including chocolate ... oh, my! ;-)
As usual, after the first 20 minutes I was at the computer ISO other Hannah Murray reads!
October 9, 2008
Im so glad I was finally able to read this book after all the hype! It was funny, sexy and romantic with great chemistry between Ian and Jane. And wow! Ian was hot! I think I fell a little in love with him myself ;)
This book is definitely worth the read! I highly recommend it!
xo
This book is definitely worth the read! I highly recommend it!
xo
April 30, 2012
Jane Denning has had one bad date too many, after she dumps the latest who blames their so-so sex back on her, but claims to be able to work with it, she knows she needs a plan of action. With her best friend in tow she reveals her new plan, finding a man takes control in the bedroom and discovering if she can submit.
What Jane does not realize is her choice for publicly stating her new mission in her coffee shop has found it's way to the ears of a man willing to accept, only she just doesn't know that Ian has heard every word she has said about her newfound desires. Ian had planned to ask the stunning beauty out when he saw her, but when he hears her plan he puts his own in motion. The more he gets to know Jane the more he decides he is playing for keeps.
Fun filled read, hilarious, Jane is spunky throughout and some of the things she does is laugh out loud funny. Ian is all Alpha and you love every moment he is on the page, a new favorite.
**Reread since I ran across this while organizing my shelf. This is a fun read, Jane is very vocal and Ian wouldn't have her any other way.
What Jane does not realize is her choice for publicly stating her new mission in her coffee shop has found it's way to the ears of a man willing to accept, only she just doesn't know that Ian has heard every word she has said about her newfound desires. Ian had planned to ask the stunning beauty out when he saw her, but when he hears her plan he puts his own in motion. The more he gets to know Jane the more he decides he is playing for keeps.
Fun filled read, hilarious, Jane is spunky throughout and some of the things she does is laugh out loud funny. Ian is all Alpha and you love every moment he is on the page, a new favorite.
**Reread since I ran across this while organizing my shelf. This is a fun read, Jane is very vocal and Ian wouldn't have her any other way.
March 21, 2010
Light, sweet romance of a dom and the woman he sets his sights on. I probably read this too close to my Cherise Sinclair spree. Compared to her books, the sex didn't seem especially hot or intense. But the chemistry between Jane and Ian was sizzling. Also, it was refreshing to read a straight-forward romance where neither hero or heroine is dealing with a painful past or currently fending off a psychotic killer. A quick, pleasant read.
October 25, 2017
I loved this book! It’s a quick read, it’s fun and sweet and hot and the dialogue is charming. The H/h are so good together. The H is an alpha without being a jerk, he’s so sweet and fell fast and hard for the heroine. No cheating, no ow/om drama and I can see that they are deeply in love with each other.
July 16, 2024
This was a delightful scorcher of a read though I think the revelation of Ian running her name could have resulted in Jane being a little angrier than she was, she basically got over it in an instant. But it was super hot and sexy and a good time.
September 30, 2008
I loved this story, especially with my weakness for those hot military men! Not only does Ian employ sneaky techniques to be Jane's dominant lover, he also uses them to get Jane to fall in love with him. Ian falls very quickly, but Jane's just thinks of their night together as an experiment, not the start of a romantic relationship. So after that incredibly hot first night, Ian proposes a 30-day trial filled with "dates and making love" where Jane must submit sexually. And if the month passes, and Jane decides she doesn't like submission and/or Ian, they simply go their separate ways - no hard feelings. Well, you know the rest :) Sneaky Ian often incorporates "getting to know you" dates with sex, so Jane doesn't suspect his ulterior motives - and I loved the blinded-folded 9 1/2 weeks inspired session - hot fun!
I read this weeks ago, but as I flip through it now to write this review, I'm getting hot all OVER again!
I read this weeks ago, but as I flip through it now to write this review, I'm getting hot all OVER again!
February 7, 2008
This book is funny, sexy and a little bit kinky. It is on my keeper shelf. Wish there were more like this.
July 23, 2023
This book is cool for a short smutty rainy afternoon read. So that's why it's got the 2 stars.
But what bothered me and took me right out of the smutfest was the way our heroine punched the hero in the face and bust his nose. And there was zero consequences for it.
(There's no reason to make this okay, but she punched him because he laughed when she told him she was in love with him)
In fact, a friend of the hero walked up, laughed and handed him a tissue to catch the blood, said nothing about this domestic abuse.
She even said a few lines later that she wasn't going to apologize because she wouldn't be sorry for it.
Excuse the fuck me. Had the roles been reversed and the hero walloped her in the face I'm sure a lot would have been said about it, but I've looked through all the low grade reviews and not one thing was said about her punching him in the fucking face. Anyway, do better, don't use violence as a response for anything because the ick is real.
But what bothered me and took me right out of the smutfest was the way our heroine punched the hero in the face and bust his nose. And there was zero consequences for it.
(There's no reason to make this okay, but she punched him because he laughed when she told him she was in love with him)
In fact, a friend of the hero walked up, laughed and handed him a tissue to catch the blood, said nothing about this domestic abuse.
She even said a few lines later that she wasn't going to apologize because she wouldn't be sorry for it.
Excuse the fuck me. Had the roles been reversed and the hero walloped her in the face I'm sure a lot would have been said about it, but I've looked through all the low grade reviews and not one thing was said about her punching him in the fucking face. Anyway, do better, don't use violence as a response for anything because the ick is real.
September 7, 2018
I found this book to just be okay. From the synopsis on the back and the title, I had a different picture of where I thought the story would go. What I found instead was a light and swift read with some hot scenes but an overall rather forgettable plot. I especially disliked the ending. While I found the main characters likeable and the book made me laugh several times, I simply do not see myself re-reading this book. This is why I only gave it three stars.
May 5, 2021
I tried to read this, but couldn't. 1st chapter was boring. When the two characters come together in the club. I felt Jane's reaction to Ian was unrealistic. So, ended up being DNF.
This one isn't for me.
This one isn't for me.
January 23, 2019
What's not to love about Jane? She owns a bookstore in Chicago!!!
This is a very light book but enjoyable with great amounts of humor. Wonderful way to pass along a winter day.
This is a very light book but enjoyable with great amounts of humor. Wonderful way to pass along a winter day.
May 9, 2023
Hot Hilarious with a perfect happy ending
Ian and Jane are perfect for each other. I never laughed so much. Lots of steamy sex. This is a great story.
Ian and Jane are perfect for each other. I never laughed so much. Lots of steamy sex. This is a great story.
June 12, 2023
DNF 30%
…at the mouth of her womb 🥴
…at the mouth of her womb 🥴
August 19, 2025
Fun romp
What a fun romp and great premise. Loved the humor mixed with the natural flow of kinkiness. Can't wait to read more from this author.
What a fun romp and great premise. Loved the humor mixed with the natural flow of kinkiness. Can't wait to read more from this author.
September 2, 2025
I expected a lot more bdsm from this book, but despite that I absolutely flew through it. It was easy to read, had believable characters and was a whole bundle of fun.
July 30, 2024
I can always count on Murray for a good time. No BDSM really, fyi.
June 24, 2010
This is a great beach read. Nothing heart or gut wrenching, but a good, fun, easy-breazy story. After reading a few too many character driven stories that drug my emotions through broken glass, this was a nice treat.
That being said, to me five stars are for real favorites. Things I read and reread over and over.
Four stars are for amazing pieces of literature that have well developed characters, complex plots, wit, cleaverness, and originality.
This should be a 3.5. It is a great story. Simple. With fun characters and some good lines. I would recommend it highly.
When you read "dom" in the title, it is just a word for alpha who is willing to use panty hose to tie em up. Not a Master Dom who has his own tool bag and is wicked skilled with the mind fuck. This is so not the formal dom/sub relationship. And lucky for me I really needed this playful dom
That being said, to me five stars are for real favorites. Things I read and reread over and over.
Four stars are for amazing pieces of literature that have well developed characters, complex plots, wit, cleaverness, and originality.
This should be a 3.5. It is a great story. Simple. With fun characters and some good lines. I would recommend it highly.
When you read "dom" in the title, it is just a word for alpha who is willing to use panty hose to tie em up. Not a Master Dom who has his own tool bag and is wicked skilled with the mind fuck. This is so not the formal dom/sub relationship. And lucky for me I really needed this playful dom
February 23, 2011
It takes alot to make a scene move to my favorite scene list with Lorelei James Bachelorette Party from Cowgirl Up and Ride,The McKay women/baby scene in Cowgirls Don't Cry and JC Wilder's Code 3 scene in Kissing Cowboy (margarita and cinnamon rolls), But the scene where Jane's best friend Lacey "meets" Ian for the first time is now up there.
I loved this book. I wouldn't say Ian is a true Dom, more of an Alpha with Kink thrown in.
Ian is my dream man. Make him a cowboy and thrown in a couple sexy tats and he is my ultimate dream man.
Looking forward to reading Lacey and Devon's story.
D
I loved this book. I wouldn't say Ian is a true Dom, more of an Alpha with Kink thrown in.
Ian is my dream man. Make him a cowboy and thrown in a couple sexy tats and he is my ultimate dream man.
Looking forward to reading Lacey and Devon's story.
D
February 6, 2014
Not really good "literature". It's basically porn with beginner's BDSM. There's an insubstantial plot-line and very little tension to be considered a "story." Jane owns a bookstore and Ian is a former military guy, but his personality is far too mushy to be considered an "alpha male" or a "dom." Jane doesn't seem to have much of a personality beyond that of being confused about what she really wants from a relationship. This book is pretty much going from one sex scene to the next with a couple of short descriptions of how they went to get ice cream and the zoo and her workplace in between romps in the sheets.
November 16, 2009
Good read. Relationship driven plot with some fun, snarky dialogue. Heroine doesn't "do" relationships but wants to experiment with sex where someone else is in control. Hero overhears and decides he's just what she needs. Plotting ensues - along with frequent doses of lightly kinky sex - as each tries to outmaneuver the other.
There's a sequel. The Devil & Ms. Johnson [which seems to be about the h/h' best friends:] is available in paper and ebook [Ellora's Cave:]. The author has definitely moved onto my wishlist.
January 21, 2011
This is what I would call a "lite" D/S story (which is how I like them.) Ian is an alpha male who overhears that Jane wants to be dominated sexually and sets a plan to make sure he's the one she submits to. There is some lite bondage and one spanking scene but this is really a love story and most of the sex is very playful IMO. No humiliation, whips, chains, etc.
July 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this one! Read in one sitting - a well written story about a sneaky and gorgeous dom who knows what he wants and how to get it. Too many erotica romances is lacking in the plot department, but not this one - it's very well written and ties the romance and the sex scenes up (ha...) in a perfect way. Lovely! :)
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