This is typical Felicity Brandon. It’s dark, it’s non-consensual, the MMC is narcissistic and cruel, and the FMC is both horrified and highly aroused by the way he degrades and demeans her. She longs for and fights for her freedom but is drawn towards the man who has captured her. This book is the first of 4, and while it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, it certainly doesn’t end on resolution. There is so much more to come.
It’s written from a dual POV, but getting inside Kade’s head does not make him sympathetic. In so many of these enemies to lovers books, the MMC’s perspective makes him, if not sympathetic, at least understandable, and we’re hoping for his redemption. Felicity Brandon writes men who seem unredeemable. I don’t know, maybe my opinion will change by the end of the series, but as of now, I can’t imagine him being redeemed or redeemable.
The FMC has a history of fantasizing about the very things that Kade does to her, and when she experiences them, she hates her loss of freedom, but a part of her loves what he does, or at least a lot of it. (I find it hard to believe anyone loves having their nipples clamped. It sounds agonizing. But that is probably lack of imagination on my part.)
Read the trigger warnings. This is not BDSM - it’s not safe, same and consensual. It’s dangerous, mad and non consensual. If you don’t enjoy reading about these things, stay away. If you do, you’re in for a ride. Brandon writes amazing stories, and this one is no exception.