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Curio #2
Coercion
This is the first title in the Curio Vignettes series, follow-up stories to the novel Curio.
June has come to Paris. But while his neighbors are shedding layers and going out in search of spring sunshine, Didier Pedra prefers the quiet sanctuary of his garret, content to watch the city’s bustle from the safety of his windows. He’s shaped his life around venturing inside of things—inside clocks and other brass curiosities to pass a lonely afternoon, and, once the sun sinks, inside the bodies and minds of the women who pay for the privilege of sampling his other skills.
But one visitor is unlike the rest. Once a hesitant patron, Caroly is now his eager lover and a challenging but cherished companion. For weeks Didier’s indulged her questions about what other women want from him, but in words only. Now he’s ready for them to take the storytelling to the next level, and act out his clients’ most wicked desires.
Reader Advisory: This story contains forced seduction role-playing.
June has come to Paris. But while his neighbors are shedding layers and going out in search of spring sunshine, Didier Pedra prefers the quiet sanctuary of his garret, content to watch the city’s bustle from the safety of his windows. He’s shaped his life around venturing inside of things—inside clocks and other brass curiosities to pass a lonely afternoon, and, once the sun sinks, inside the bodies and minds of the women who pay for the privilege of sampling his other skills.
But one visitor is unlike the rest. Once a hesitant patron, Caroly is now his eager lover and a challenging but cherished companion. For weeks Didier’s indulged her questions about what other women want from him, but in words only. Now he’s ready for them to take the storytelling to the next level, and act out his clients’ most wicked desires.
Reader Advisory: This story contains forced seduction role-playing.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2012
8 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Cara McKenna
41 books2,239 followersSince she began writing in 2008, Cara McKenna has published nearly forty romances and erotic novels with a variety of publishers, sometimes under the pen names Meg Maguire and C.M. McKenna. Her stories have been acclaimed for their smart, modern voice and defiance of convention. She was a 2015 RITA Award finalist, a 2014 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award winner, a 2012 and 2011 RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee, and a 2010 Golden Heart Award finalist. She lives with her husband and baby son in the Pacific Northwest, though she’ll always be a Boston girl at heart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 15, 2016
3 weak stars.
I guess it was neither eventful nor important because I don't even remember what I have been reading. Except…oh, wait! He's the most handsome man she's ever met and he's so bloody perfect. It's the beauty worship that stuck to me.
I am shocked though. Everything pales next to Didier. This dress must be magical to warrant notice with him so close by.
The most handsome, elegant, kind man I've ever met, and he wants to be with me.
He's more perfect than any man has a right to be.
And when you raise a glass of wine to toast, you don't say "salut." You say santé.
Bottom line, my interest in this series is slowly fading.
As a side note
I have been reading Craving as #2. Whether it's a Goodreads or Amazon "mistake", I don't know. It's confusing because the numeration is different and Curio is #1 on GR.
Bought on Amazon.de:
I guess it was neither eventful nor important because I don't even remember what I have been reading. Except…oh, wait! He's the most handsome man she's ever met and he's so bloody perfect. It's the beauty worship that stuck to me.
I am shocked though. Everything pales next to Didier. This dress must be magical to warrant notice with him so close by.
The most handsome, elegant, kind man I've ever met, and he wants to be with me.
He's more perfect than any man has a right to be.
And when you raise a glass of wine to toast, you don't say "salut." You say santé.
Bottom line, my interest in this series is slowly fading.
As a side note
I have been reading Craving as #2. Whether it's a Goodreads or Amazon "mistake", I don't know. It's confusing because the numeration is different and Curio is #1 on GR.
Bought on Amazon.de:
March 1, 2017
All at once I want to be a hundred different men for her, so many she'll never need anyone but me.
COERCION is a short novella in the companion series that follows the initial story in CURIO. This time we get Didier's POV and.. wow. All I can say is wow.
It's too easy to love inside this safe place, too easy to feel such things for most any woman who invites me to spoil her rotten for an evening. I will tell Caroly someday soon. I'll tell her as I'm trembling, amid all those buildings and all those people, beneath that crushing sky. I will tell her when I am at my absolute worst, my least beautiful. And if she chooses to say it back, I will know she speaks the truth.
McKenna stunned me before and she keeps on stunning me now.
Near the end of CURIO we learned that Didier, the male prostitute Caroly has been visiting, is actually agoraphobic. And at the end of that introduction he made a shocking decision. Three months later, where COERCION picks up, he's still taking steps towards more of life than what is offered within the shelter of his home.
Caroly's no longer my client, and when she's with me now I am only me, the faulty human, not the perfect man women pay me to be.
I loved the introspection and careful self-dissection that Didier experiences during this vignette. Especially as it takes place parallel to a somewhat darker sexual roleplay between the two. No longer a virgin and ever curious, but not jealous, about his clients, Caroly asks about what other women want of him and Didier has been content to tell her of these things. Until now when he decides to show her instead.
McKenna's way of navigating that particular fantasy, of being coerced, was stunning. The emotions and impulses Didier himself experienced as he let himself be swept up by the role, putting himself into that mindset, but never losing control, never letting coercion become force, was almost hotter than the act itself. I've said it before and I'll say it again, and probably over and over again, but this author writes smart smart sex.
It feels sometimes as though my skin has come off, as thought she's peeled away my clothes and not stopped at exposing my mere nudity, but shed every layer straight down to my heart and nerves and bones.
But she also writes about people who feel so so real. More than just straight erotica, you're drawn to the characters themselves, their weaknesses, their identity, their observations and how they evolve. And I can't wait to see more of that with these particular individuals.
COERCION is a short novella in the companion series that follows the initial story in CURIO. This time we get Didier's POV and.. wow. All I can say is wow.
It's too easy to love inside this safe place, too easy to feel such things for most any woman who invites me to spoil her rotten for an evening. I will tell Caroly someday soon. I'll tell her as I'm trembling, amid all those buildings and all those people, beneath that crushing sky. I will tell her when I am at my absolute worst, my least beautiful. And if she chooses to say it back, I will know she speaks the truth.
McKenna stunned me before and she keeps on stunning me now.
Near the end of CURIO we learned that Didier, the male prostitute Caroly has been visiting, is actually agoraphobic. And at the end of that introduction he made a shocking decision. Three months later, where COERCION picks up, he's still taking steps towards more of life than what is offered within the shelter of his home.
Caroly's no longer my client, and when she's with me now I am only me, the faulty human, not the perfect man women pay me to be.
I loved the introspection and careful self-dissection that Didier experiences during this vignette. Especially as it takes place parallel to a somewhat darker sexual roleplay between the two. No longer a virgin and ever curious, but not jealous, about his clients, Caroly asks about what other women want of him and Didier has been content to tell her of these things. Until now when he decides to show her instead.
McKenna's way of navigating that particular fantasy, of being coerced, was stunning. The emotions and impulses Didier himself experienced as he let himself be swept up by the role, putting himself into that mindset, but never losing control, never letting coercion become force, was almost hotter than the act itself. I've said it before and I'll say it again, and probably over and over again, but this author writes smart smart sex.
It feels sometimes as though my skin has come off, as thought she's peeled away my clothes and not stopped at exposing my mere nudity, but shed every layer straight down to my heart and nerves and bones.
But she also writes about people who feel so so real. More than just straight erotica, you're drawn to the characters themselves, their weaknesses, their identity, their observations and how they evolve. And I can't wait to see more of that with these particular individuals.
August 29, 2012
I have to admit. I was a little nervous before I started reading this book. I loved the first book, Curio, so much I was afraid to be let down by a follow up. But at the same time I've been waiting for this book for months, ever since Cara McKenna announced she was writing sequels.
Ms McKenna's voice is just as haunting in this book as it was in the first one. Didier is even more intense in his own voice. It's both painful and beautiful to read the story from his point of view. He's much deeper than he was in the original book, he's much more mixed up than he looks to the outside world. He's so much more than just a pretty face and a hot bod.
Even though Coercion is shorter than Curio, it's more... It's more of everything. Intense, beautiful, sad, happy, even scary. Didier is scared to lose Caroly, and you're right there with him, scared he'll lose her too. (Ms McKenna, I really hope you'll give Didier and Caroly a happy ending in the final book.)
I'm happy there's going to be four more stories in this series, but at the same time I dread the day when they stop. Reading the Curio books isn't just another series to me. I actually dream of these characters whenever I've picked up Curio and re-read it. I don't know why these characters speak like this to me, but I've found this incredible connection I just can't let go. And I want Cara McKenna to be my new best friend! :D
Look beyond the smut, which isn't all that smutty, and look into the characters. I could write pages and pages about this book, but I'm going to stop myself and just finish up this sentence.
Ms McKenna's voice is just as haunting in this book as it was in the first one. Didier is even more intense in his own voice. It's both painful and beautiful to read the story from his point of view. He's much deeper than he was in the original book, he's much more mixed up than he looks to the outside world. He's so much more than just a pretty face and a hot bod.
Even though Coercion is shorter than Curio, it's more... It's more of everything. Intense, beautiful, sad, happy, even scary. Didier is scared to lose Caroly, and you're right there with him, scared he'll lose her too. (Ms McKenna, I really hope you'll give Didier and Caroly a happy ending in the final book.)
I'm happy there's going to be four more stories in this series, but at the same time I dread the day when they stop. Reading the Curio books isn't just another series to me. I actually dream of these characters whenever I've picked up Curio and re-read it. I don't know why these characters speak like this to me, but I've found this incredible connection I just can't let go. And I want Cara McKenna to be my new best friend! :D
Look beyond the smut, which isn't all that smutty, and look into the characters. I could write pages and pages about this book, but I'm going to stop myself and just finish up this sentence.
August 6, 2016
Coercion is book two of the five novellas following Curio. Caroly and Didier are continuing along their relationship, not really defining it. Didier is still a prostitute but holds every Friday and Saturday night aside for Caroly...for their time together as a couple and not a client/escort.
In Coersion, Caroly has questions regarding Didier's other clients...what do they like? Are they into role play? Kinks? There's an extremely sexy role play scene that accounts for a large part of the book.
Didier is still venturing out..but baby steps. Caroly is his muse and he fears someday she will grow tired of babying him. Should he tell her how he feels inside? He told her he loves all his clients. Would she feel different if he told her he loves her?
Hot, sexy, more angst as feelings are starting to grow. Looking forward to and hoping to see them moving forward with their relationship. Hoping Didier finds strength in Caroly to confess his feelings and look to a more solid future.
July 10, 2014
"But why eat grapes when one can drink wine? Why behave when sin feels so natural?"
Didier, you can sin with me anytime.
*Note: This is not a stand-alone. You must read Curio first, and actually there might be minor content spoilers in this review*
Cara McKenna has me totally hooked on this series. She writes the best erotic shorts out there, I'm telling you. This stuff is smart erotica. I felt like I was inside Didier, mind and body. The reader gets to experience these characters on a deeper level than you get with most erotic romance. Awesome, truly awesome.
Can I gush about the writing some more? I love the way Cara McKenna says everything so eloquently.
"Beauty is a queer unearthly power. I was born of my father's infidelity and my mother's consumptive infatuation. I'm a bastard and a prostitute, crippled by agoraphobia... but I am beautiful. My deeper flaws seem to go unnoticed, all cracks in the stained glass, lost amid the dazzling colors of the whole."
This series is like crack for me. Smart, sexy, well-written crack.
Didier, you can sin with me anytime.
*Note: This is not a stand-alone. You must read Curio first, and actually there might be minor content spoilers in this review*
Cara McKenna has me totally hooked on this series. She writes the best erotic shorts out there, I'm telling you. This stuff is smart erotica. I felt like I was inside Didier, mind and body. The reader gets to experience these characters on a deeper level than you get with most erotic romance. Awesome, truly awesome.
Can I gush about the writing some more? I love the way Cara McKenna says everything so eloquently.
"Beauty is a queer unearthly power. I was born of my father's infidelity and my mother's consumptive infatuation. I'm a bastard and a prostitute, crippled by agoraphobia... but I am beautiful. My deeper flaws seem to go unnoticed, all cracks in the stained glass, lost amid the dazzling colors of the whole."
This series is like crack for me. Smart, sexy, well-written crack.
February 17, 2015
3-3,5 stars
As I said in my review of Curio, I had a lot of ideas about this series, and some high expectations, but in the end I was left feeling rather disappointed with the main book. After that I was a bit reluctant to continue with this couple, but still I was not ready to give them up. I believed I would enjoy this follow-up story more than Curio, and I was correct. I also got more from Coercion than I expected, so it's safe to say I'm glad I didn't give up on Didier & Caroly. At least now I know what I can expect from them, so there won't be a repeat of having all of my hopes and dreams about their story crushed.
To be perfectly honest, the main reason I picked up Coercion is because I knew it would be from Didier's perspective, so I can put that immediately on my things-I-liked-in-Coercion list. I loved Didier's voice. He still felt a bit melancholic, but this time I didn't find him deeply sad as I did in Curio, and he seemed to be getting better. But the first thing that grabbed me here was the writing style. I honestly felt like I was actually there with Didier concentrated on his clocks in his quiet apartment on a June afternoon. Really, beautifully written. I'm inclined to think this was present in Curio as well, but that I failed to enjoy it because of my less than favorable opinion of the heroine.
Prior to reading this, I hadn't read the blurb in its entirety; all I saw was that it was Didier's POV, and about one of his clients, so I kind of thought it would be a fun, hot short story starring Didier and that client. But, it wasn't. When I said I got more from Coercion than I expected, this was what I was referring to: this was about Didier and Caroly, where they engage in one of his client's play of choice. Through that I also got to see how they were doing, both separately and as a couple, making me realize just how much was left unfinished in Curio, and how much these two have to go to really make it work, if they decide to go for it. I'm still not convinced they're a good match, but I'm giving them a chance to make a believer out of me. I think they have a long way to go, and I believe I'm going to join them on their journey. Didier's made me curious to see how it all ends.
I'm still not Caroly's fan. There's just something about her that rubs me the wrong way. I'm not too excited to read Craving, because it appears to be in Caroly's POV, but perhaps she'll win me over this time around.
September 12, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
COERCION is the first title in the Curio Vignette series. Note that you should read CURIO first, otherwise you probably won’t understand the context in which these subsequent scenes stem from. COERCION is written in Didier’s POV and I must say, this POV was so much more compelling than Caroly’s. As I was reading CURIO though, I didn’t feel as if it was less engaging. But for some reason, I devoured this book much quicker because it was from Didier’s POV.
First things first, I have to rave about McKenna’s writing. Oh my god, she is such a talented writer. McKenna paints such a vivid and intimate scene for Caroly and Didier. Set in Paris, McKenna weaves all things romantic into this 53 page short story. Yet, as you read, there is so much character development that I’m quite astounded that the author was able to fit all that into such a tight word count. McKenna is a master of lyrical words. Here’s one of my favorite scenes:
Our bodies have already spoken the words in their carnal language. When I tell her, it will be outside. It’s too easy to love inside this safe place, too easy to feel such things for most any woman who’s invited me to spoil her rotten for an evening. I will tell Caroly someday soon. I’ll tell her as I’m trembling, amid all those buildings and all those people, beneath that crushing sky. I will tell her when I am at my absolute worst, my least beautiful. And if she chooses to say it back, I will know she speaks the truth.
In addition, the role-playing that Caroly and Didier engage in brings forth sensuality and excitement to their time together. Didier is the master seducer while Caroly plays the resister and sparks fly whenever these two are together. I will warn you though, since Didier is a prostitute, many readers are expecting there to be balls-to-the-wall sex. I don’t really think that’s the case. Yes, the sex is smoking, but there’s also substance to it. Mckenna masterly weaves emotions and details into the act so that you feel the love blooming between the two. The tone of this book is far more subdued than what others would expect, but it works so damn well with McKenna’s writing that I don’t even notice.
McKenna delves deeper into Didier’s head, giving readers a look into his mind. He is beautiful, yet there is something about Didier that torments him. His agoraphobia prisons him. But at the end of the book, Didier shows just how willing he is to face his fears for the one woman he has come to love.
*Review Copy provided by publisher
COERCION is the first title in the Curio Vignette series. Note that you should read CURIO first, otherwise you probably won’t understand the context in which these subsequent scenes stem from. COERCION is written in Didier’s POV and I must say, this POV was so much more compelling than Caroly’s. As I was reading CURIO though, I didn’t feel as if it was less engaging. But for some reason, I devoured this book much quicker because it was from Didier’s POV.
First things first, I have to rave about McKenna’s writing. Oh my god, she is such a talented writer. McKenna paints such a vivid and intimate scene for Caroly and Didier. Set in Paris, McKenna weaves all things romantic into this 53 page short story. Yet, as you read, there is so much character development that I’m quite astounded that the author was able to fit all that into such a tight word count. McKenna is a master of lyrical words. Here’s one of my favorite scenes:
Our bodies have already spoken the words in their carnal language. When I tell her, it will be outside. It’s too easy to love inside this safe place, too easy to feel such things for most any woman who’s invited me to spoil her rotten for an evening. I will tell Caroly someday soon. I’ll tell her as I’m trembling, amid all those buildings and all those people, beneath that crushing sky. I will tell her when I am at my absolute worst, my least beautiful. And if she chooses to say it back, I will know she speaks the truth.
In addition, the role-playing that Caroly and Didier engage in brings forth sensuality and excitement to their time together. Didier is the master seducer while Caroly plays the resister and sparks fly whenever these two are together. I will warn you though, since Didier is a prostitute, many readers are expecting there to be balls-to-the-wall sex. I don’t really think that’s the case. Yes, the sex is smoking, but there’s also substance to it. Mckenna masterly weaves emotions and details into the act so that you feel the love blooming between the two. The tone of this book is far more subdued than what others would expect, but it works so damn well with McKenna’s writing that I don’t even notice.
McKenna delves deeper into Didier’s head, giving readers a look into his mind. He is beautiful, yet there is something about Didier that torments him. His agoraphobia prisons him. But at the end of the book, Didier shows just how willing he is to face his fears for the one woman he has come to love.
*Review Copy provided by publisher
August 30, 2012
"With my tongue and mouth I tell her, Just try to forget me. I won't make it easy."
Well let me just tell you that once you experience Didier, you will never forget him! I savored this very short day in the life of Didier and Caroly and it was as beautiful and breathtaking as I expected it to be. The only problem was it's just a taste of the extraordinary couple Cara McKenna has created and I could have read 300 more pages as opposed to the mere 49. But, I will take everything I can get with this unique and captivating couple. Coercion is told in Dider's POV and we witness his raw, internal emotion and vulnerability as he comes to grips with the fact that he is falling in love. McKenna's voice is spectacular and unfortunately makes you crave more than you can have.
This is not a stand alone. Curio is the first book of Didier and Caroly's story and the vignettes are small glimpses of how their relationship is progressing. This character guts me. I will never get enough of him.
"I wonder if maybe that too is love--to feel fondness for a person's deepest flaws, to recognize beauty even in their least flattering portrait."
July 20, 2014
We return to the story of Caroly and Didier for a short vignette that continues their relationship and exploration of one another. Caroly is still inexperienced in the world of passion and desire. But she has a window to this world that not many have. She can experience all of her hidden desires through the eyes of the faceless women that share Didier's bed.
This is first experience is dub-con, coercion through seduction. Didier taking from her what he wants, what she is too shameful to willingly hand over. But the story is not just the intimate moments between the sheets. In the same fashion that we discovered in Curio, we get a deeper insight into the heart and the mind of Didier, who is falling for the woman that showed up on his doorstep to shed herself of her virginity.
I was so glad to discover that their story did not end with just the single story, although these vingnette's are just about 50 pages each, they allow us to remain a part of their exploration of desires.
This is first experience is dub-con, coercion through seduction. Didier taking from her what he wants, what she is too shameful to willingly hand over. But the story is not just the intimate moments between the sheets. In the same fashion that we discovered in Curio, we get a deeper insight into the heart and the mind of Didier, who is falling for the woman that showed up on his doorstep to shed herself of her virginity.
I was so glad to discover that their story did not end with just the single story, although these vingnette's are just about 50 pages each, they allow us to remain a part of their exploration of desires.
August 30, 2012
I really like where this series is headed. This is the short sequel to Curio - Didier is still an active prostitute, while Caroly (a virgin in Curio) is still exploring a relationship with him. His profession doesn't make her jealous, rather more fascinated. She likes to explore what the other women want, with some role play.
Didier still struggles with leaving his apartment, only doing so for brief times with Caroly. He almost feels punished by her when she makes him leave, yet he is terrified that one day she will get fed up and leave him. We see an emotionally vulnerable side to Didier in this short story, and it is done really well. I realllllly like him as a hero.
Didier still struggles with leaving his apartment, only doing so for brief times with Caroly. He almost feels punished by her when she makes him leave, yet he is terrified that one day she will get fed up and leave him. We see an emotionally vulnerable side to Didier in this short story, and it is done really well. I realllllly like him as a hero.
February 26, 2013
Well, well, well. Haven't we got a gem in this tiny short story. This short was a lot of what I wanted and much more.
Being from Didier's Pov, we have the other side of the story we didn't get in Curio, and I was so pleasently surprised.
Is it hot? Yes.
Is it still a bit controversial? Yes.
Do I want more and more of this author and this series? Yes, yes, YES!
This little ebook packs a punch and Cara McKenna is NOT kidding when she says she writes Smart Erotica. Bravo!
4 stars
Carina Approved
Carina Recommended
Being from Didier's Pov, we have the other side of the story we didn't get in Curio, and I was so pleasently surprised.
Is it hot? Yes.
Is it still a bit controversial? Yes.
Do I want more and more of this author and this series? Yes, yes, YES!
This little ebook packs a punch and Cara McKenna is NOT kidding when she says she writes Smart Erotica. Bravo!
4 stars
Carina Approved
Carina Recommended
October 17, 2013
A solid 4 star, smart smut, dub-con read!
Dub-Con? Well, it was fantasy forced role play, but hell, I loved it!!
Continuing the story of Didier and Caroly this book is a quickie from Didier's POV - what's not to love! As always Ms McKenna you write beautifully.
http://cariads-sizzling-pages.blogspo... - come visit me!
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Dub-Con? Well, it was fantasy forced role play, but hell, I loved it!!
Continuing the story of Didier and Caroly this book is a quickie from Didier's POV - what's not to love! As always Ms McKenna you write beautifully.
http://cariads-sizzling-pages.blogspo... - come visit me!
www.sizzlingpages.com
Don't forget to follow us Facebook and Twitter.
August 29, 2012
LOVE *swoon* My only complaint, it's too short. Merely a day in the life Didier though in this single day you are bombarded with new information about him, especially his emotions. Not a standalone. You will have to read from the begging to understand what is happening in here.
September 9, 2014
***3.5 stars***
I've got two words for you......ROLE PLAY!
I've got two words for you......ROLE PLAY!
October 22, 2012
Loved Didier's perspective.
April 14, 2013
3.5 stars
Who knew hot sex could be written so beautifully. CM is a phenomenal writer and proves her prowess once again by transforming a sensuous encounter between lovers into a lyrically poetic paradise. With Didier and Caroly slowly working their way to a HEA, having this vignette from his POV gave much needed insight into who he really is.
My only issue was that it dragged at times, otherwise it was a delectable read. Definitely looking forward to the next vignette.
Who knew hot sex could be written so beautifully. CM is a phenomenal writer and proves her prowess once again by transforming a sensuous encounter between lovers into a lyrically poetic paradise. With Didier and Caroly slowly working their way to a HEA, having this vignette from his POV gave much needed insight into who he really is.
My only issue was that it dragged at times, otherwise it was a delectable read. Definitely looking forward to the next vignette.
June 26, 2025
3⭐️ Coercion picks up exactly where Curio leaves off, continuing what is essentially one long, emotionally layered narrative. But this is actually more of an intermission kind of book. It's a fantasy, not lived out yet, to push the erotic narrative but also to build up the emotional foundation between Caroly and Didier.
Here, Caroly is still struggling with her own internalised narratives—about sex, control, submission—while also being intrigued by Didier's work and what he could teach her. And we see Didier begin to lower more of his emotional armour. What I appreciated in this instalment is how their encounters shift from performance to something far more vulnerable and curious.
There’s a delicate exploration of power here, not in a real BDSM sense, but in the subtle give and take between two people learning to trust each other in an unconventional situation. Didier’s fragility becomes more visible, and Caroly begins to question the scripts she’s been taught, by using the scripts others demand of Didier. Again, it’s erotica and this instalment has the strongest focus on it. Remember that their relationship isn't really what you'd want it to be, even with the big gesture at the end of book 1. Didier is still Didier, and is still an escort. But we see Caroly dealing with the situation at hand.
Here, Caroly is still struggling with her own internalised narratives—about sex, control, submission—while also being intrigued by Didier's work and what he could teach her. And we see Didier begin to lower more of his emotional armour. What I appreciated in this instalment is how their encounters shift from performance to something far more vulnerable and curious.
There’s a delicate exploration of power here, not in a real BDSM sense, but in the subtle give and take between two people learning to trust each other in an unconventional situation. Didier’s fragility becomes more visible, and Caroly begins to question the scripts she’s been taught, by using the scripts others demand of Didier. Again, it’s erotica and this instalment has the strongest focus on it. Remember that their relationship isn't really what you'd want it to be, even with the big gesture at the end of book 1. Didier is still Didier, and is still an escort. But we see Caroly dealing with the situation at hand.
April 17, 2022
Después de publicar Curio, Cara McKenna siguió con las curio vignettes, relatos cortitos en los que Caroly y Didier profundizan en su relación. La primera es esta. Caroly ya no es clienta de Didier, pero tampoco su novia. Se gustan, de hecho, creen que se han enamorado el uno del otro, más o menos, pero no se lo dicen, tímidos que son. Una vez que ha dicho adiós a su virginidad, Caroly está decidida a conocer el resto del repertorio, a ver qué es lo que le va más. Empiezan probando con la fantasía de violación, todo role-playing, ¿eh? Mezcla hábilmente la parte sentimental, intensa, con el desarrollo de escenas eróticas muy bien escritas y excitantes. Didier es un cielo de personaje, aunque Caroly,... una torda que tiene una suerte del copón de que semejante maromo le haga caso, si os he de decir la verdad. Como el resto de las viñetas, no es algo que se pueda leer con independencia de las demás.
Crítica, en mi blog.
Crítica, en mi blog.
September 27, 2012
5 Sizzling HOT Stars the pages will burn in every scene keep your eyes wide open:)
YES Didier love Caroly but how and when will he tell her???
I love Didier in Curio 1 now I love him more because this book its his POV..his vulnerability shows in his thoughts....he wants to tell Caroly that he loves her but can't 'cause Caroly knows he would say the same to his clients...he's scared that once Caroly might tired of him and look for a man who can show the world unlike him who's agoraphobic
..this book is sexy at its best..very sensual in nature, it goes on the border of passionate and lust yet the story of both characters will give a complex output which give more dept to who they are...
I love the story it makes you indulge on it and feel it, I mean their insecurities will show then explode and you can feel how they love each other even though their scared to tell that to each other.
I hope Didier will get pass thru' his phobia and change his work...until then everything still floating in question..Overall I'll wait for their love to bloom and go beyond what's outside Didier's apartment;)
2 down, 4 books to go arghh its really painful to read short stories like this...you'll become very eager on what's going to happen to their relationship which I love:)
YES Didier love Caroly but how and when will he tell her???
I love Didier in Curio 1 now I love him more because this book its his POV..his vulnerability shows in his thoughts....he wants to tell Caroly that he loves her but can't 'cause Caroly knows he would say the same to his clients...he's scared that once Caroly might tired of him and look for a man who can show the world unlike him who's agoraphobic
..this book is sexy at its best..very sensual in nature, it goes on the border of passionate and lust yet the story of both characters will give a complex output which give more dept to who they are...
I love the story it makes you indulge on it and feel it, I mean their insecurities will show then explode and you can feel how they love each other even though their scared to tell that to each other.
I hope Didier will get pass thru' his phobia and change his work...until then everything still floating in question..Overall I'll wait for their love to bloom and go beyond what's outside Didier's apartment;)
2 down, 4 books to go arghh its really painful to read short stories like this...you'll become very eager on what's going to happen to their relationship which I love:)
August 29, 2012
It is so great to spend some time inside Didier's head. He's so much more complex than a male prostitute and it's so interesting to see his vulnerable side in how he sees himself and his relationship with Caroly. He is starting to wish for things no male prostitute should and I really look forward to the resolution.
I do wish Curio and all these future vinegrettes were one whole book instead of split up into smaller pieces, but I know I will be rereading these many times so I'm happy to have them in whatever format I can.
I do wish Curio and all these future vinegrettes were one whole book instead of split up into smaller pieces, but I know I will be rereading these many times so I'm happy to have them in whatever format I can.
April 4, 2016
I really enjoyed this sequel to Curio which tells the story of Didier, a French male agoraphobic prostitute (try saying that 5 times fast!)and Caroly, who comes to him to lose her virginity and ends up in a relationship with him. It's a short story, but told all in Didier's point of view so we get a wonderful glimpse of his evolving feelings for Caroly. They try some steamy role playing in this story, a well written, sexy and emotional scene. I look forward to seeing more of how their relationship progresses in the next part of the series.
September 4, 2012
This series is going to be the death of me. I feel completely gutted after I finish reading each book.
September 1, 2012
Another excellent novella from Cara McKenna. I'm soooo her fangurl but I don't even care. This book is lyrical, lovely, a fantastic follow up to Curio...buy that, then this if you haven't already.
September 9, 2012
Actually enjoyed this more than the first book--well written short story
October 2, 2015
the story continues... that is wonderful :)
March 19, 2022
Is this a multipart story? Yes
Does it end in a cliffhanger? Not really
Story Type and Subtypes: Erotica
Instalove? Sort of
2 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story... 1 - 2.5
If significant, why? Way too much internal dialog
Biggest deduction? 2 Stars - the entire first half of the story was either waxing poetic or angst ridden internal dialog.
Biggest deduction? 2 Stars - internal dialog
Main Character Ratings...
H (Didier) = 6/10
h (Caroly) = 5/10
TSTL Moment(s)? No
Narrator Rating(s)
M () = n/a
F (Yvonne Syn) = 7/10
If below 5/10, why?
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Funny, Cute, Cringe Inducing, Mixed or Just No!
Angst Level? Please Stop
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
3 Stars for me!
Internal Monolog/Dialog? Please please Stop!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 60%
How much of the story? 25%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... A continuation from book 1 - different perspective.
Romance or Gist: You can see that they do fall for each other, especially when they get out of their heads.
The drama explosion... None
Final Notes... The entire first half of this novella is internal dialog/head banter with a wee bit of back and forth between the MCs.
HEA or HFN? HFN
Book Source: Scribd
Does it end in a cliffhanger? Not really
Story Type and Subtypes: Erotica
Instalove? Sort of
2 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story... 1 - 2.5
If significant, why? Way too much internal dialog
Biggest deduction? 2 Stars - the entire first half of the story was either waxing poetic or angst ridden internal dialog.
Biggest deduction? 2 Stars - internal dialog
Main Character Ratings...
H (Didier) = 6/10
h (Caroly) = 5/10
TSTL Moment(s)? No
Narrator Rating(s)
M () = n/a
F (Yvonne Syn) = 7/10
If below 5/10, why?
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Funny, Cute, Cringe Inducing, Mixed or Just No!
Angst Level? Please Stop
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
3 Stars for me!
Internal Monolog/Dialog? Please please Stop!
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 60%
How much of the story? 25%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... A continuation from book 1 - different perspective.
Romance or Gist: You can see that they do fall for each other, especially when they get out of their heads.
The drama explosion... None
Final Notes... The entire first half of this novella is internal dialog/head banter with a wee bit of back and forth between the MCs.
HEA or HFN? HFN
Book Source: Scribd
May 28, 2023
3.5 stars
This is the first of the short and sexy vignettes/epilogues to Curio. It was pretty good. I like the idea of Didier and Caroly playing with different kinks...in this one it is consensual non consent. I also love that these are from mmc's point of view! That having been said, I was a little disappointed. I found it difficult to connect with the characters - even having read Curio first. I think these characters are just not my favorite, especially Carloy. Didier also uses a lot of flowery language to describe things. He's very analytical, which I enjoyed sometimes and found distracting other times.
This is the first of the short and sexy vignettes/epilogues to Curio. It was pretty good. I like the idea of Didier and Caroly playing with different kinks...in this one it is consensual non consent. I also love that these are from mmc's point of view! That having been said, I was a little disappointed. I found it difficult to connect with the characters - even having read Curio first. I think these characters are just not my favorite, especially Carloy. Didier also uses a lot of flowery language to describe things. He's very analytical, which I enjoyed sometimes and found distracting other times.
January 16, 2025
A slice of life, monologue sort of bit is what I think this novella is. Written in the POV of Didier, our MCs tried their hand at role playing and from the looks of it, it turned out successful. Not to steamy, if you ask me, but their dialogue leading up to the act is…well, okay. Thankfully it wasn’t too aggressive. Otherwise it might be interpreted as an assault. All in all, it made us understand them more without the judgement because, hey, our hero is in a complicated situation here!
August 27, 2023
Loved how we get to see the inner workings of Didier’s mind, which wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be, and was so much better. The sensuality goes up another notch as these two settle into a new way of being!
August 15, 2017
kind of bored at the sexual plays
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