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Haven of Obedience
If you've devoured Fifty Shades, you're now ready to explore the Haven of Obedience
Twenty-something Londoner Natalie Bowen is envied by many, but her personal life is a disaster. Men can't cope with her career success and Natalie thinks she'll never find real happiness. When she hears about an exclusive weekend retreat called the Haven, a place that specializes in introducing visitors to pleasures they could never have imagined, she is shocked at the idea—yet unable to resist finding out more. Natalie decides it's time to put her fears behind her. Once at the Haven, she meets the enigmatic and disciplined Simon, a man who is used to getting what he wants. Natalie may very well have met her match.
Twenty-something Londoner Natalie Bowen is envied by many, but her personal life is a disaster. Men can't cope with her career success and Natalie thinks she'll never find real happiness. When she hears about an exclusive weekend retreat called the Haven, a place that specializes in introducing visitors to pleasures they could never have imagined, she is shocked at the idea—yet unable to resist finding out more. Natalie decides it's time to put her fears behind her. Once at the Haven, she meets the enigmatic and disciplined Simon, a man who is used to getting what he wants. Natalie may very well have met her match.
327 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
108 people are currently reading
2074 people want to read
About the author
Marina Anderson
66 books188 followersMarina Anderson is the pseudonym of British author Margaret Bingley, whose novels have been published all over the world. Margaret uses this pseudonym for her series of erotica novels. She also publishes erotica for women under the pseudonym Fredrica Alleyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 386 reviews
January 7, 2020
I know I shouldn’t have liked this book so much... but damn it, I loved it! I devoured it page by page; dirty thought by dirty thought.
I can’t believe how dirty this book was. I never read a book as erotic as this one. Other girls are repulsed by it, but I consider it a very special book. Because it made me realize that I still have a lot to learn.
I can’t believe how dirty this book was. I never read a book as erotic as this one. Other girls are repulsed by it, but I consider it a very special book. Because it made me realize that I still have a lot to learn.
February 20, 2018
"Τίμιο". Δεν υπόσχεται τρελές λογοτεχνικές εξάψεις, είναι απλά ένα ευχάριστο βιβλίο του είδους που σου κρατάει καλή συντροφιά όση ώρα το διαβάζεις. Τουλάχιστον είναι καλογραμμένο, όχι σαν κάτι άλλα...εκτρώματα (οικογένειες δεν θίγω.)
Αυτά! 😊
Αυτά! 😊
September 1, 2012
Please do not do yourself the injustice of reading this book. It is so poorly written I can not understand how it was published and then released into book stores. Maybe for adult shops but still not worth the paper it is written on. Lent it to a friend who is having trouble getting past the first page, told her not to return it. Can not rate it Sorry. :(
November 4, 2012
After careful thought I've decided to just write a short review here instead of taking the time to write a full one on the blog. Simply put, that is all this book deserves.
I am so tired of things getting shoved under a readers nose just because they may have enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey. To even insinuate that this book is anything like 50 Shades is a direct lie. And this is coming from someone who only marginally enjoyed that book. The only two things the books have in common is sex. So really you could say any book with sex scenes is like 50 Shades. If I drink tea does that make me British?
Haven of Obedience is about Joy who is so uptight she decides to enroll in a school designed to get people to lower their inhibitions and learn to submit in order to gain the most out of their sexuality. She immediately develops feeling for her instructor Simon and things progress from there. Problem was that was it. There is no story line, no character development...nada...nothing. These characters are so flat it was like the author ironed them. There was also no protection for anyone. Not a condom in sight and since there were multiple partners and strangers climbing all over each other I would have thought protection of the prestigious clientele would have ranked high on their list of importance. Not the case and it left me shaking my head continually.
I enjoy erotica from time to time...when it's something I seek out not when it's promoted as something completely different and trying to piggy back on someone else's fame. The entire book is sex scene after sex scene strung together with the lamest story line I've read in a very long time. Whoever put that little bubble on the front that says "If you enjoyed 50 Shades...." should be fired.
I give Haven Of Obedience 1 star.
I am so tired of things getting shoved under a readers nose just because they may have enjoyed 50 Shades of Grey. To even insinuate that this book is anything like 50 Shades is a direct lie. And this is coming from someone who only marginally enjoyed that book. The only two things the books have in common is sex. So really you could say any book with sex scenes is like 50 Shades. If I drink tea does that make me British?
Haven of Obedience is about Joy who is so uptight she decides to enroll in a school designed to get people to lower their inhibitions and learn to submit in order to gain the most out of their sexuality. She immediately develops feeling for her instructor Simon and things progress from there. Problem was that was it. There is no story line, no character development...nada...nothing. These characters are so flat it was like the author ironed them. There was also no protection for anyone. Not a condom in sight and since there were multiple partners and strangers climbing all over each other I would have thought protection of the prestigious clientele would have ranked high on their list of importance. Not the case and it left me shaking my head continually.
I enjoy erotica from time to time...when it's something I seek out not when it's promoted as something completely different and trying to piggy back on someone else's fame. The entire book is sex scene after sex scene strung together with the lamest story line I've read in a very long time. Whoever put that little bubble on the front that says "If you enjoyed 50 Shades...." should be fired.
I give Haven Of Obedience 1 star.
February 22, 2023
Βασικά οκ, μέτριο. Πολύ σεξ (για να ακριβολογούμε όλο σεξ και ελάχιστη ιστορία), μία αντρική αντίληψη σχετικά με την απόλαυση του έρωτα (δεν μπορώ να πω εντελώς πατριαρχική καθώς υπάρχει αρκετές φορές και γυναικεία απόλαυση). Και πως το σεξ χρειάζεται να έχει ως προορισμό πάντα τον οργασμό. Αυτές οι παρωχημένες αντιλήψεις είναι που δημιουργούν άγχος και προσδοκίες που συνήθως δεν ανταποκρίνονται στα πραγματικά θέλω ενός σεξουαλικά ενεργού ατόμου.
Επίσης όχι, δεν είναι νόμος πως ένα επιτυχημένο επαγγελματικά άτομο, θα γουστάρει να υποτάσσεται στο σεξ.
Το βρήκα εντάξει όμως για να περάσει η ώρα και να νιώσει κανείς λίγο κα*λα αν έχει βαρεθεί της ιστορίες του literotica.
2.5 αστέρια
Επίσης όχι, δεν είναι νόμος πως ένα επιτυχημένο επαγγελματικά άτομο, θα γουστάρει να υποτάσσεται στο σεξ.
Το βρήκα εντάξει όμως για να περάσει η ώρα και να νιώσει κανείς λίγο κα*λα αν έχει βαρεθεί της ιστορίες του literotica.
2.5 αστέρια
November 2, 2022
Καλογραμμένη πικάντικη ερωτική ιστορία-φαντασίωση.
Ευχάριστο διάβασμα αν κι όχι απαραίτητα χαλαρωτικό...
Ευχάριστο διάβασμα αν κι όχι απαραίτητα χαλαρωτικό...
July 24, 2012
Where to begin? Well, this book is absolutely crammed full with sex, the scenes are imaginative and described in minute detail! However, there is no point to all the details if the main characters aren't in any way endearing. And they aren't.
Natalie is a self-obsessed spoilt cow and Simon has about as much charisma as a wet sponge. I thought that Natalie's character at the very least would be developed further, that she would become someone I could relate to or like a little but she just annoyed me to the very last page.
Just to add insult to injury the dialogue between the characters is so stunted it was really difficult to read at times.
Really, don't bother.
Natalie is a self-obsessed spoilt cow and Simon has about as much charisma as a wet sponge. I thought that Natalie's character at the very least would be developed further, that she would become someone I could relate to or like a little but she just annoyed me to the very last page.
Just to add insult to injury the dialogue between the characters is so stunted it was really difficult to read at times.
Really, don't bother.
December 20, 2012
This book was an impulsive buy. Oh how I wish my impulse was wrong. I've never ever wanted to throw a book across the room before or burn a book. It intrigued me at first, but then I was just getting so bored by it. Don't be fooled by the blurb of the Fifty Shades reference on the book. There is nothing about this book that is like Fifty. Because of that blurb is why I feel I really bought it because I liked Fifty Shades. Don't be fooled by it. I wish I didn't come across this book. The dialogue is bad, there is no real storyline, no real feelings. I feel that it is sexist towards women having to be obedient. There were times when I wanted to cry because I know how I'd feel in that moment of the story. That is not a good feeling when there isn't that emotion being portrayed by the character that you are reading under. I feel that she just rushed this book, tried to get something sexual out because of Fifty Shades being so popular and other authors want that feeling. It was a waste of time. And on that note, Do. Not. Read. Haven of Obedience.
December 8, 2012
I won this book on Goodreads.com and the giveaway was sponsored by Foreverromane
First off i would like to say that they should change the name of this book from Haven of Obedience to Porn for Woman. =)
Stars: 5+
Overall: This book left me wet in the pants and waiting to visit The Haven.
Characters: Natalie and Simon
Plot: Natalie is the owner and editor for her own magazine, but has trouble in the bedroom department. So after a friend reluctantly refers her to Haven, Natalie is in for a wild ride that will wake her up sexually and emotionally.
Page Turner: Omg Yes!!
Series Cont: I wish!
Recommend: Every man and woman should read this!
First off i would like to say that they should change the name of this book from Haven of Obedience to Porn for Woman. =)
Stars: 5+
Overall: This book left me wet in the pants and waiting to visit The Haven.
Characters: Natalie and Simon
Plot: Natalie is the owner and editor for her own magazine, but has trouble in the bedroom department. So after a friend reluctantly refers her to Haven, Natalie is in for a wild ride that will wake her up sexually and emotionally.
Page Turner: Omg Yes!!
Series Cont: I wish!
Recommend: Every man and woman should read this!
June 11, 2016
Nathalie adalah wanita sukses dlm karier tapi jeblok dlm hal relationship karena dia suka mendominasi baik di kantor maupun di ranjang.
Nah kemudian Nathalie bertemu tmn lamanya, Jan, yg kmd merekomendasikan The Haven, semacam "seminar ttg sex", dan Nathalie termakan promosi ini.
Sesampainya di Haven, Nathalie lgs didekati sang tutor seksi, Simon. Dan sbg newbie yg tdk dpt penjelasan apa2, Nathalie jelas2 kaget disuruh telanjang, memuaskan diri sendiri sambil ditonton Simon, utk dicatat. Dan sesi berikut demi berikutnya selalu menampilkan praktek sex. Nathalie adalah dominant natural, jd tidak heran dia selalu membangkang pd instruksi2 dan perintah dr Simon. Hukuman2 jg melalui sex. Nathalie merasa terguncang dan dipermalukan, namun tidak ayal juga dia bergairah dgn segala sesi latihan dan hukuman sex kinky di Haven ini.
Inti cerita ini mnrt saya adalah the Battle of Climax from Orgasm between Nathalie & Simon . Simon sbg tutor berhak memerintahkan Nathalie semaunya dan sebaliknya Nathalie yang keras kepala kerap kesulitan mematuhi Simon. Ini membuat saya jadi ketawa dlm hati, karena sifat Nathalie yg gak mau rugi krn sdh bayar mahal, tidak mau gagal dlm tiap uji nyali sex dan jika tidak bisa orgasme, Nathalie yg manipulatif tidak segan-segan main curang juga. Dan tidak heran jg menyebabkan chemistry muncul diantara mrk. Nathalie menganggap Simon adalah forbidden fruit, sebab ada peraturan tidak boleh ada chemistry antara tutor dan kliennya di Haven.
Sayangnya karena author tampaknya kelewat bersemangat menampilkan semua adegan sex yg umum terjadi di muka bumi, malah jadinya membuat bertebaran adegan sex yg bikin pusing kepala. Keinginan author utk mengubah Nathalie dari seorang dominant menjadi submissive dlm jangka waktu 2 minggu dgn therapy sex melulu, dari menage sampai dgn massage, dari spanking sampai bondage submissive, terutama dgn Simon sbg partner, tapi menurut saya malah jadi gagal total utk romance nya. Saya merasa "sulit" bagi Nathalie dari type vanilla dominant utk beranjak menjadi submissive, krn itu bkn karakter murni Nathalie. Jadi yah bagi saya, ending terlalu dipaksakan spy HEA dan mission accomplished utk Nathalie. Tapi BRAVO buat semua adegan sex yg dideskripsikan. Sukses bikin 5S hohohohoho....
Nah kemudian Nathalie bertemu tmn lamanya, Jan, yg kmd merekomendasikan The Haven, semacam "seminar ttg sex", dan Nathalie termakan promosi ini.
Sesampainya di Haven, Nathalie lgs didekati sang tutor seksi, Simon. Dan sbg newbie yg tdk dpt penjelasan apa2, Nathalie jelas2 kaget disuruh telanjang, memuaskan diri sendiri sambil ditonton Simon, utk dicatat. Dan sesi berikut demi berikutnya selalu menampilkan praktek sex. Nathalie adalah dominant natural, jd tidak heran dia selalu membangkang pd instruksi2 dan perintah dr Simon. Hukuman2 jg melalui sex. Nathalie merasa terguncang dan dipermalukan, namun tidak ayal juga dia bergairah dgn segala sesi latihan dan hukuman sex kinky di Haven ini.
Inti cerita ini mnrt saya adalah the Battle of Climax from Orgasm between Nathalie & Simon . Simon sbg tutor berhak memerintahkan Nathalie semaunya dan sebaliknya Nathalie yang keras kepala kerap kesulitan mematuhi Simon. Ini membuat saya jadi ketawa dlm hati, karena sifat Nathalie yg gak mau rugi krn sdh bayar mahal, tidak mau gagal dlm tiap uji nyali sex dan jika tidak bisa orgasme, Nathalie yg manipulatif tidak segan-segan main curang juga. Dan tidak heran jg menyebabkan chemistry muncul diantara mrk. Nathalie menganggap Simon adalah forbidden fruit, sebab ada peraturan tidak boleh ada chemistry antara tutor dan kliennya di Haven.
Sayangnya karena author tampaknya kelewat bersemangat menampilkan semua adegan sex yg umum terjadi di muka bumi, malah jadinya membuat bertebaran adegan sex yg bikin pusing kepala. Keinginan author utk mengubah Nathalie dari seorang dominant menjadi submissive dlm jangka waktu 2 minggu dgn therapy sex melulu, dari menage sampai dgn massage, dari spanking sampai bondage submissive, terutama dgn Simon sbg partner, tapi menurut saya malah jadi gagal total utk romance nya. Saya merasa "sulit" bagi Nathalie dari type vanilla dominant utk beranjak menjadi submissive, krn itu bkn karakter murni Nathalie. Jadi yah bagi saya, ending terlalu dipaksakan spy HEA dan mission accomplished utk Nathalie. Tapi BRAVO buat semua adegan sex yg dideskripsikan. Sukses bikin 5S hohohohoho....
June 18, 2013
Το έχουμε πει κι άλλες πολλές φορές τελευταία. Μετά τις πενήντα αποχρώσεις του γκρι, τα kinky αισθησιακά μυθιστορήματα έγιναν μόδα! Αν και θα μου επιτρέψετε να αναφέρω για μία ακόμα φορά ότι αυτό είναι ένα είδος που πολλοί από εμάς το γνωρίζαμε πριν καν να φτάσει στην έκδοση.
Βέβαια, κάνοντας μία σύντομη έρευνα έμαθα ότι το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο έχει γραφτεί εδώ και καιρό. Οπότε το συμπέρασμα μου είναι πως σκέφτηκαν ότι τώρα που είναι της μόδας να το διαφημίσουν κατάλληλα για να τ’ αρπάξουν!
Η Νάταλι, είναι μία επιτυχημένη επαγγελματικά ανεξάρτητη γυναίκα. Της αρέσει να έχει τον έλεγχο σε όλους τους τομείς της ζωής της ακόμα και στο κρεβάτι. Δυστυχώς όμως αυτές τις οι αντιλήψεις την υποχρεώνουν να είναι μόνη στη ζωή αφού με την συμπεριφορά της αυτή απομακρύνει τους εκάστοτε ερωτικούς της συντρόφους. Μαθαίνει λοιπόν για μία λέσχη στην οποία θα μάθει να βάζει νερό στο κρασί της και να δει κατά μία έννοια την άλλη πλευρά του νομίσματος.
Μέχρι αυτό το σημείο το βιβλίο ήταν ενδιαφέρον. Ακολουθούν στη συνέχεια επαναλαμβανόμενες σεξουαλικές σκηνές οι οποίες είναι ναι μεν αισθησιακές αλλά δίχως βάθος και ουσία. Η Νάταλι λίγο έως πολύ δοκιμάζει απ’ όλα και συνειδητοποιεί πόση ηδονή και ευχαρίστηση ��πορεί να εισπράξει από τα διάφορα αυτά σεξουαλικά παιχνίδια. Όπως ήταν αναμενόμενο, ακόμα και μέσα σε αυτό το χάος ξεχωρίζει έναν και μοναδικό άντρα.
Και αν η συγγραφέας είχε επιλέξει να εμπλέξει συναισθηματικά και σε γερές βάσεις τους δύο ήρωες ίσως αυτό να ήταν ένα βιβλίο που θα είχε κάτι να μου προσφέρει. Δυστυχώς ακριβώς εκεί που νομίζεις ότι υπάρχει κάποιο βαθύτερο νόημα ή κάποιο δίδαγμα τελικά καταλήγεις πως πρόκειται απλά για μία πιπεράτη ιστορία της οποίας η προσφορά αρκείται στο να σου ανεβάσει τη θερμοκρασία!
Η βαθμολογία που έβαλα οφείλεται στο ότι σε γενικές γραμμές πέρασα καλά και το διασκέδασα σε αντίθεση με άλλες ιστορίες του είδους που κατέληξαν να γίνουν βαρετές.
Και κλείνω σε αυτό το σημείο με την υπόσχεση ότι θα γράψω σύντομα ένα κείμενο που θα αφορά τις Πενήντα αποχρώσεις του γκρι κι αυτό επειδή το χρωστάω στον εαυτό μου εφόσον θεωρώ ότι ξεχωρίζει με διαφορά από όλα αυτά τα παρόμοια βιβλία που κατακλύζουν τα ράφια των βιβλιοπωλείων παγκοσμίως τελευταία.
Βέβαια, κάνοντας μία σύντομη έρευνα έμαθα ότι το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο έχει γραφτεί εδώ και καιρό. Οπότε το συμπέρασμα μου είναι πως σκέφτηκαν ότι τώρα που είναι της μόδας να το διαφημίσουν κατάλληλα για να τ’ αρπάξουν!
Η Νάταλι, είναι μία επιτυχημένη επαγγελματικά ανεξάρτητη γυναίκα. Της αρέσει να έχει τον έλεγχο σε όλους τους τομείς της ζωής της ακόμα και στο κρεβάτι. Δυστυχώς όμως αυτές τις οι αντιλήψεις την υποχρεώνουν να είναι μόνη στη ζωή αφού με την συμπεριφορά της αυτή απομακρύνει τους εκάστοτε ερωτικούς της συντρόφους. Μαθαίνει λοιπόν για μία λέσχη στην οποία θα μάθει να βάζει νερό στο κρασί της και να δει κατά μία έννοια την άλλη πλευρά του νομίσματος.
Μέχρι αυτό το σημείο το βιβλίο ήταν ενδιαφέρον. Ακολουθούν στη συνέχεια επαναλαμβανόμενες σεξουαλικές σκηνές οι οποίες είναι ναι μεν αισθησιακές αλλά δίχως βάθος και ουσία. Η Νάταλι λίγο έως πολύ δοκιμάζει απ’ όλα και συνειδητοποιεί πόση ηδονή και ευχαρίστηση ��πορεί να εισπράξει από τα διάφορα αυτά σεξουαλικά παιχνίδια. Όπως ήταν αναμενόμενο, ακόμα και μέσα σε αυτό το χάος ξεχωρίζει έναν και μοναδικό άντρα.
Και αν η συγγραφέας είχε επιλέξει να εμπλέξει συναισθηματικά και σε γερές βάσεις τους δύο ήρωες ίσως αυτό να ήταν ένα βιβλίο που θα είχε κάτι να μου προσφέρει. Δυστυχώς ακριβώς εκεί που νομίζεις ότι υπάρχει κάποιο βαθύτερο νόημα ή κάποιο δίδαγμα τελικά καταλήγεις πως πρόκειται απλά για μία πιπεράτη ιστορία της οποίας η προσφορά αρκείται στο να σου ανεβάσει τη θερμοκρασία!
Η βαθμολογία που έβαλα οφείλεται στο ότι σε γενικές γραμμές πέρασα καλά και το διασκέδασα σε αντίθεση με άλλες ιστορίες του είδους που κατέληξαν να γίνουν βαρετές.
Και κλείνω σε αυτό το σημείο με την υπόσχεση ότι θα γράψω σύντομα ένα κείμενο που θα αφορά τις Πενήντα αποχρώσεις του γκρι κι αυτό επειδή το χρωστάω στον εαυτό μου εφόσον θεωρώ ότι ξεχωρίζει με διαφορά από όλα αυτά τα παρόμοια βιβλία που κατακλύζουν τα ράφια των βιβλιοπωλείων παγκοσμίως τελευταία.
May 5, 2023
Καλογραμμένο αλλά βλακώδες και βαρετό. Τουλάχιστον στις τουρκικές σειρές ξέρεις ότι μιλάς για άλλον πολιτισμό εδώ τι;
November 7, 2012
This book was not my cup of tea, but I'm probably not its target audience. There is plenty of sex in this book, most of it fairly inventive and described in great detail, but not much happens apart from the sex. I found the two main characters to be flat and uninteresting, and I really didn't care whether or not they were able to make a go of it. I didn't care whether Natalie ever learned to be obedient, and I didn't care what Simon thought of her obedience (or lack thereof). I finished the thing fueled by a weird voyeuristic impulse that I'm not precisely proud of, but the book did not reward my fortitude with any sort of fulfilling ending. *yawn* At least it was a quick read, and it was rather funny (not on purpose, I think), in parts.
Other than it being rather boring (since it wasn't about anything except sex, and all of its attempts at a story line were pretty dang lame), the main thing that I found objectionable was that it kept referring to the female characters as girls, even though they are all grown women, but the men were men. In scenes where the women perform intense, sexual acts upon themselves and the other characters, it was distracting (and a trifle annoying) to see that diminutive term used.
Who knows? Maybe I just wasn't ready for the Haven of Obedience. (I doubt I'll ever be ready for that...)
Other than it being rather boring (since it wasn't about anything except sex, and all of its attempts at a story line were pretty dang lame), the main thing that I found objectionable was that it kept referring to the female characters as girls, even though they are all grown women, but the men were men. In scenes where the women perform intense, sexual acts upon themselves and the other characters, it was distracting (and a trifle annoying) to see that diminutive term used.
Who knows? Maybe I just wasn't ready for the Haven of Obedience. (I doubt I'll ever be ready for that...)
July 26, 2012
I didn't enjoy this book as much as fifty shades, yes it was steamy but to me it lacked a true story line, it's not a book I would want to read again.
Read
August 4, 2012An awful book badly written and no depth what's so ever. Nothing like fifty shades or bared to you
August 21, 2022
if ur a kinky person and horny 24/7 this is all you need.I didn't really enjoyed this book bc it doesn't have at all plot twist just erotism scenes
☆3.5/5☆
☆3.5/5☆
January 26, 2013
Gave this book 0 stars because that's what it deserves! I'm actually very surprised that this book has been published as it is, considering the large number of mistakes and typos it holds. It doesn't even look like it's been proof-read! Just to be clear, I read a paperback from my library. If it was an ebook and was self-published, I wouldn't be happy about it but I would understand how it could easily be missed. That just goes to show how bad it really was!
So on page 20 (chapter 2), I came across this: "Idon't..." For some reason or another, two words were merged into one. I thought I would give it the benefit of the doubt because, although rare, it has happened to some very big authors. I thought it was a one-off. It wasn't.
There were: letters and words missing, words merged, dialogue would be placed in a single paragraph despite a change in speaker, speech marks had been removed and on a couple of occasions, paragraphs would be set out
like this. See how annoying that is? You would be in a
middle of a sentence, only to find that it's
on a separate line.
I'll be frank. The plot (Plot? What plot?) was such a turn off. I wanted to stop reading it but a) It wouldn't have counted towards my reading goal and b) my views and comment on this book wouldn't have credibility and I thought that it would be unfair. Honestly, everything about this was just poor. I wanted to punch every single character in the face, and I'm a lover, not a fighter!
Despite Natalie saying that she didn't want to have sex with a stranger, she did. On the one hand, Natalie didn't have to do anything. Nobody was holding a gun to her head. That's why I wanted to punch the main character.
On the other hand, they were telling her to have sex with a stranger. I'm sorry but who does that?
If I'm reading an erotica then I would expect at least an attraction, chemistry, or something! No, it was just sex. It wasn't fun, sexy or well written. It was just awful. It was like they were going at it on a piece of meat that was on a hook.
Now, this wasn't raised in the book and yet this is a very serious issue. Unprotected sex.
Natalie Brown (and the other men and women) must have had sex/sexual intercourse with at least 5 people. Not once did they use a condom. Not once did the thought of a condom occur to anybody. So, taking that in mind, surely there was at least one person who got pregnant or got an STD from all this activity? Just imagine, ladies and gentlemen, a Haven of STD's. That's bound to get you going, isn't it?
I cannot honestly believe that out of the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of people got involved in this "Haven", that not one of them caught something from another person. In my opinion, these people shouldn't even be having sex anyway. They act like stupid, horny pre-teens who think that the only thing worth living for is sex. Even with Natalie and Simon, they didn't have any chemistry at all. They were just obsessed with sex and that's all they really cared about! The characters treated each other like they were cheap whores but tried to explain it away that they "wanted to change the way they approached sex". Yeah, OK, whatever. *eye roll* If you really felt that way then you would have gone to a sex therapist/counsellor/someone with an actual qualification.
So on page 20 (chapter 2), I came across this: "Idon't..." For some reason or another, two words were merged into one. I thought I would give it the benefit of the doubt because, although rare, it has happened to some very big authors. I thought it was a one-off. It wasn't.
There were: letters and words missing, words merged, dialogue would be placed in a single paragraph despite a change in speaker, speech marks had been removed and on a couple of occasions, paragraphs would be set out
like this. See how annoying that is? You would be in a
middle of a sentence, only to find that it's
on a separate line.
I'll be frank. The plot (Plot? What plot?) was such a turn off. I wanted to stop reading it but a) It wouldn't have counted towards my reading goal and b) my views and comment on this book wouldn't have credibility and I thought that it would be unfair. Honestly, everything about this was just poor. I wanted to punch every single character in the face, and I'm a lover, not a fighter!
Despite Natalie saying that she didn't want to have sex with a stranger, she did. On the one hand, Natalie didn't have to do anything. Nobody was holding a gun to her head. That's why I wanted to punch the main character.
On the other hand, they were telling her to have sex with a stranger. I'm sorry but who does that?
If I'm reading an erotica then I would expect at least an attraction, chemistry, or something! No, it was just sex. It wasn't fun, sexy or well written. It was just awful. It was like they were going at it on a piece of meat that was on a hook.
Now, this wasn't raised in the book and yet this is a very serious issue. Unprotected sex.
Natalie Brown (and the other men and women) must have had sex/sexual intercourse with at least 5 people. Not once did they use a condom. Not once did the thought of a condom occur to anybody. So, taking that in mind, surely there was at least one person who got pregnant or got an STD from all this activity? Just imagine, ladies and gentlemen, a Haven of STD's. That's bound to get you going, isn't it?
I cannot honestly believe that out of the hundreds (maybe thousands?) of people got involved in this "Haven", that not one of them caught something from another person. In my opinion, these people shouldn't even be having sex anyway. They act like stupid, horny pre-teens who think that the only thing worth living for is sex. Even with Natalie and Simon, they didn't have any chemistry at all. They were just obsessed with sex and that's all they really cared about! The characters treated each other like they were cheap whores but tried to explain it away that they "wanted to change the way they approached sex". Yeah, OK, whatever. *eye roll* If you really felt that way then you would have gone to a sex therapist/counsellor/someone with an actual qualification.
July 19, 2012
Oh, the shame of having this book on my currently-reading list! Ah well, I can plead the excuse that I work in a bookshop and need to know what these new fads are like. Haha. I bought this because I was curious about this new era of clit-lit, as I believe they are calling it, and this along with a couple of others (Destined to Play and Bared to You) are currently being sold under the tagline 'loved Fifty Shades? You'll love these!'. Although I did not love Fifty Shades at all - I found it appallingly badly written and unbelievably ridiculous - I'll admit I was somewhat more curious about the premise of this one. It's not about a stupidly innocent girl who gets swept off her feet by Mr Psycho; it's about a successful woman who wants to try something different. I guess it's something I can relate to a little more, although compared to the blank slate of Anastasia who bears about as much resemblence to me as I do to Christian Grey, it's not much of a stretch. :P
I got through half of it on the train home today; carefully holding it so no one could read the back of the book. Heh. Immediately I was struck by the fact that it is much better written than Fifty Shades. While still not up the standard of authors who I usually enjoy, I have yet to throw the book down in a rage due to some horrendous line like 'Christian Grey flavoured popsicle' or whatever that crap was in Fifty Shades. There have not been any tampon scenes yet, either, which is an automatic win.
I'm also pretty sure this (and, if they are anything like this one, the other two books I mentioned as well) is not going to be the runaway success that Fifty Shades has been. That book focused on the relationship between Ana and Christian; an unlikely pair, him stupid rich and powerful and broken, and her unbelievably innocent. It's the formula which romance books have been using for as long as they've been around. Haven of Obedience, on the other hand, is pure unadulterated smut. Oh, there's hints that there will be a relationship (remember I am only halfway through) but that is the secondary focus. What is important right now is how Natalie is getting (or not getting) her orgasms. It is not the Fifty Shades of Unbelievable, where two people are drawn to each other and end up having lots of sex; this book starts with the sex and I am 99.99% certain that it will end in a relationship.
It's entertaining, it's mindless, it's not badly written, and at no stage has someone pulled Natalie's tampon out for her. This gives it 4/4, whereas the same criteria for Fifty Shades only attained a mark of 2/4.
ETA, AFTER FINISHING: Okay, I was going to give this book 3 stars, but I've had to drop it down to 2 because of the incredibly rushed ending which left me scratching my head. Blargh. This book had an interesting premise which ultimately failed to deliver. Disappointing.
I got through half of it on the train home today; carefully holding it so no one could read the back of the book. Heh. Immediately I was struck by the fact that it is much better written than Fifty Shades. While still not up the standard of authors who I usually enjoy, I have yet to throw the book down in a rage due to some horrendous line like 'Christian Grey flavoured popsicle' or whatever that crap was in Fifty Shades. There have not been any tampon scenes yet, either, which is an automatic win.
I'm also pretty sure this (and, if they are anything like this one, the other two books I mentioned as well) is not going to be the runaway success that Fifty Shades has been. That book focused on the relationship between Ana and Christian; an unlikely pair, him stupid rich and powerful and broken, and her unbelievably innocent. It's the formula which romance books have been using for as long as they've been around. Haven of Obedience, on the other hand, is pure unadulterated smut. Oh, there's hints that there will be a relationship (remember I am only halfway through) but that is the secondary focus. What is important right now is how Natalie is getting (or not getting) her orgasms. It is not the Fifty Shades of Unbelievable, where two people are drawn to each other and end up having lots of sex; this book starts with the sex and I am 99.99% certain that it will end in a relationship.
It's entertaining, it's mindless, it's not badly written, and at no stage has someone pulled Natalie's tampon out for her. This gives it 4/4, whereas the same criteria for Fifty Shades only attained a mark of 2/4.
ETA, AFTER FINISHING: Okay, I was going to give this book 3 stars, but I've had to drop it down to 2 because of the incredibly rushed ending which left me scratching my head. Blargh. This book had an interesting premise which ultimately failed to deliver. Disappointing.
March 15, 2015
Sometimes, when I feel like punishing myself, I pick up a book even though I know - by its rating - that it's not going to be particularly good.
Haven of Obedience was this kind of book.
We start off by meeting our h, Natalie, who is oh-so-successful in her career.
You'd think she can get laid, being so awesome and all, but she doesn't really. And then...Simon pops into the picture! And he is all Christian Grey'ish (sans the charisma and the...well, other Jamie Dornan qualities) so by the time we meet and get to know him a little better, the general feeling is pretty much this:
Then before you know it they start having sex. Like, all the freaking time. I mean - ALL. THE. TIME. At one point I was like - seriously, I'm going to get a STD from this if they don't stop.
I think this book was meant to be a lesson for me to be learned. Well, I learned it. I will never read anything with less than 3.85 stars on average on Goodreads.
Haven of Obedience was this kind of book.
We start off by meeting our h, Natalie, who is oh-so-successful in her career.
You'd think she can get laid, being so awesome and all, but she doesn't really. And then...Simon pops into the picture! And he is all Christian Grey'ish (sans the charisma and the...well, other Jamie Dornan qualities) so by the time we meet and get to know him a little better, the general feeling is pretty much this:
Then before you know it they start having sex. Like, all the freaking time. I mean - ALL. THE. TIME. At one point I was like - seriously, I'm going to get a STD from this if they don't stop.
I think this book was meant to be a lesson for me to be learned. Well, I learned it. I will never read anything with less than 3.85 stars on average on Goodreads.
August 25, 2012
This book should be titled Just Sex, Through and Through.
Being subjective here, there is a storyline BUT
flimsy plot and detached characters and concentrated too much on sex instead of character building. And there's many spelling mistakes.
This book is really about BDSM and very erotica and many new sex positions.
Rihanna's S&M lyrics described Natalie and Simon's mindset perfectly.
Honestly I wouldn't want my lover to be displayed for the world or even experimented. *grimace*
In the end of this relationship,one dominates in the day, one during the night. Surreal.
Anyway courses such as The Haven really seriously much to my surprise does exist.
I read articles about this kind of courses in Japan.
Some are between virtual strangers and some courses are only for couples.
Fact: I'm very conservative and private, these courses deters and will scare the hell out of me.
Lastly, I won't recommend this to those who devoured Fifty Shades.
The best I can give this book is 2.5stars .
Being subjective here, there is a storyline BUT
flimsy plot and detached characters and concentrated too much on sex instead of character building. And there's many spelling mistakes.
This book is really about BDSM and very erotica and many new sex positions.
Rihanna's S&M lyrics described Natalie and Simon's mindset perfectly.
Honestly I wouldn't want my lover to be displayed for the world or even experimented. *grimace*
In the end of this relationship,one dominates in the day, one during the night. Surreal.
Anyway courses such as The Haven really seriously much to my surprise does exist.
I read articles about this kind of courses in Japan.
Some are between virtual strangers and some courses are only for couples.
Fact: I'm very conservative and private, these courses deters and will scare the hell out of me.
Lastly, I won't recommend this to those who devoured Fifty Shades.
The best I can give this book is 2.5stars .
July 30, 2012
I'm another who read this 'off the back of 50 shades'. I did enjoy it. Well written in comparison to 50 shades. I enjoyed Natalie learning about herself. Surprising ending and wanted to know what would come next for them in life after the Haven.
July 28, 2012
The biggest load of crap I've ever read!! poo....ha
November 27, 2012
in a word HOT!i enjoyed the fact that this was not a fifty shades inspired love story. iread this in a few hours i totally reccomed it!
January 5, 2013
Loved this hardcore book.Kinda reminded me of 50 shades somewhat.Only because of the bondage.It was totally its own story.It was getting so good then it ended grrr!Loved all the sex!Turn on!
November 18, 2014
Ach boze.... Totalni odpad!
November 20, 2022
Ostrov Subinek / Svehlavicka
1. Aby nedoslo k omylu. Ctyri hvezdicky sou tu proto, jelikoz kniha tak nejak splnila vsechno to, Co Sem si od ni predstavovat (mnozstvy nadherne popsanych sexualnich sofcore/ hardcore a ve vyjmecnych pripadech i politicky korektnich SM nebo spis s.m scen )
2. Ty ctyri hvezdicky tu nejsou protoze by tosnad melo byt nejake literarni veledilo ( neni ) nebo pro skvelou zapletku, ci vyborne prokreslene postavy ( nejsou )
3. Kniham typu Emanuele, ci pribeh O nedosahuje tato kniha ani po kotnik.
4. Proc tedy 4 hvezdicky ptate se moji mily pratele? Protoze mi tato kniha nadhernym zpusobem ukojila moje sovinysticky dominantni pudy Co se tyce zenske submisivyty.
( Kazda Zena i ta ktera se chova dominantne na venek, je vhlouby duse v podstate Subinka, touzici / cekajici na sveho Doma, ktery z ni, nepodoben renezancnimu sochari Donattelovy tu Subinku vytesa / vymlati ? )
5. Kazda Zena je v podstate Subinka nejsubinkovatejsi touzici byt podrobena, ponizena, vlastnena, nebo naopak sdilena svym uzasnym nadhernymDomem s velkym M. a jeho stejne uzasnyma kamaradama taky s velkym M.
6. Neni potreba si domlouvat mezi sebou zadna hesla v knize se nehraje na zadnou Cervenou nebo Zlutou staci proste rict sve Subince ci subince vprocesu " kdyz se Ti to neliby, tak se muzes sebrat a jit ale Tim konci tvuj vycvik" a ona subinka zatne zuby a pokracuje " ve vycviku "
7. Na Ostrove Subinek....a sem tam nejakeho Subika nemusite byt Miliardari..staci mit jakousi vyssi...blize neurcenou / neurcitou funkci ve spolecnosti. Vyjimkou je Dom / instructor Simon, ktery jak se v knize ukaze je kdyz netrima v ruce dutky, ci rakosku novinarem na volne noze.
8. Zadna otravna Domina!
Ano vazeni pratele v teto knize jsou vsechny zeny 100 % procentni Subinky !
Nemohu mluvit o dalsi autorcine tvorbe ale takhle kniha Ostrov Poslusnosti je 100% domina free! ( Viz premisa 5.)
Zadna protivna otravna Zena v korzetu a holinkach s bicem v ruce, ktera by jakkoliv omezovala kralovstvi Domu Roberta a Simona na Ostrove Poslusnosti, v jejich kralovstvi Subinek.Zadna Venuse v kozichu, zadna Lady Ariadne...a uz vubec zadna Queen Patricia.
9. Jenze hlavni hrdinka Natalie neni subinka a nikdy nebude, je dominantni do morku kosti, manipulativni a vi velice presne Co chce. Natalie je dominantni Subinka ( Dominka ) a kdyby Ostrov Subinek bylo skutecne SM misto a ne jakysi Klub dvou dominantnich nafoukancu mohla by pozdeji ziskat status Komtesky ( te Co se pripravuje byti jednoho dne Dominou a je skutecne Domine k ruce a k pomoci ) To by ale na " ostrove " musela byti pritomna aspon jedna jedina zenska dominantni postava, ktera tam ale neni, protoze tato kniha se nese na vlne popularity paskvilu 50 odstinu sedi ....prominte sede.
Tomu kdo tutio moji recenzi docetl az sem ( Gratuluji ti neznamy ctenari k tve vydrzi ) bych rad doporucil 80 dni seri od Vida Jackson, ktera je mnohem citlivejsi v Tom tematu BDSM, nez tahle kniha.
1. Aby nedoslo k omylu. Ctyri hvezdicky sou tu proto, jelikoz kniha tak nejak splnila vsechno to, Co Sem si od ni predstavovat (mnozstvy nadherne popsanych sexualnich sofcore/ hardcore a ve vyjmecnych pripadech i politicky korektnich SM nebo spis s.m scen )
2. Ty ctyri hvezdicky tu nejsou protoze by tosnad melo byt nejake literarni veledilo ( neni ) nebo pro skvelou zapletku, ci vyborne prokreslene postavy ( nejsou )
3. Kniham typu Emanuele, ci pribeh O nedosahuje tato kniha ani po kotnik.
4. Proc tedy 4 hvezdicky ptate se moji mily pratele? Protoze mi tato kniha nadhernym zpusobem ukojila moje sovinysticky dominantni pudy Co se tyce zenske submisivyty.
( Kazda Zena i ta ktera se chova dominantne na venek, je vhlouby duse v podstate Subinka, touzici / cekajici na sveho Doma, ktery z ni, nepodoben renezancnimu sochari Donattelovy tu Subinku vytesa / vymlati ? )
5. Kazda Zena je v podstate Subinka nejsubinkovatejsi touzici byt podrobena, ponizena, vlastnena, nebo naopak sdilena svym uzasnym nadhernymDomem s velkym M. a jeho stejne uzasnyma kamaradama taky s velkym M.
6. Neni potreba si domlouvat mezi sebou zadna hesla v knize se nehraje na zadnou Cervenou nebo Zlutou staci proste rict sve Subince ci subince vprocesu " kdyz se Ti to neliby, tak se muzes sebrat a jit ale Tim konci tvuj vycvik" a ona subinka zatne zuby a pokracuje " ve vycviku "
7. Na Ostrove Subinek....a sem tam nejakeho Subika nemusite byt Miliardari..staci mit jakousi vyssi...blize neurcenou / neurcitou funkci ve spolecnosti. Vyjimkou je Dom / instructor Simon, ktery jak se v knize ukaze je kdyz netrima v ruce dutky, ci rakosku novinarem na volne noze.
8. Zadna otravna Domina!
Ano vazeni pratele v teto knize jsou vsechny zeny 100 % procentni Subinky !
Nemohu mluvit o dalsi autorcine tvorbe ale takhle kniha Ostrov Poslusnosti je 100% domina free! ( Viz premisa 5.)
Zadna protivna otravna Zena v korzetu a holinkach s bicem v ruce, ktera by jakkoliv omezovala kralovstvi Domu Roberta a Simona na Ostrove Poslusnosti, v jejich kralovstvi Subinek.Zadna Venuse v kozichu, zadna Lady Ariadne...a uz vubec zadna Queen Patricia.
9. Jenze hlavni hrdinka Natalie neni subinka a nikdy nebude, je dominantni do morku kosti, manipulativni a vi velice presne Co chce. Natalie je dominantni Subinka ( Dominka ) a kdyby Ostrov Subinek bylo skutecne SM misto a ne jakysi Klub dvou dominantnich nafoukancu mohla by pozdeji ziskat status Komtesky ( te Co se pripravuje byti jednoho dne Dominou a je skutecne Domine k ruce a k pomoci ) To by ale na " ostrove " musela byti pritomna aspon jedna jedina zenska dominantni postava, ktera tam ale neni, protoze tato kniha se nese na vlne popularity paskvilu 50 odstinu sedi ....prominte sede.
Tomu kdo tutio moji recenzi docetl az sem ( Gratuluji ti neznamy ctenari k tve vydrzi ) bych rad doporucil 80 dni seri od Vida Jackson, ktera je mnohem citlivejsi v Tom tematu BDSM, nez tahle kniha.
May 21, 2021
Where oh where to begin.
First of all, if this book didn't have so much sex in it then I would think a child wrote it; there was no writing ability or skill evident in this book as it was so poorly written. In addition, the editing was terrible and had many mistakes throughout the book. I'm also really not sure where the comparison with Fifty Shades came from because at least Fifty Shades has some manifestation of a plot.
My main issues with this book (in no particular order):
1) The women are always described as girls even though the men are never described as boys, which not only is a bit... odd, but is also just demeaning and patronising.
2) There was ZERO chemistry or attraction between any of the characters whatsoever. This includes Simon and Natalie, who are supposed to, but they're both just obsessed with sex. There was no emotion beyond that.
3) I think the author needs to add the word 'plot' to her vocabulary, because it's kiiinda important when writing a story.
4) The characters are dry as hell - probably because we find out nothing about them (they're just sort of... there) - and Natalie is so irritating.
5) Consent???? Yeah, bit of a blurry line there. When the women are clearly uncomfortable and objecting to what's being done to them, the men persevere regardless and claim it's because they have to be obedient? Right. Sounds consensual to me.
6) Jan. I'm just confused by her character? (Well, all the characters really). First of all, she goes to the Haven and then can't be assed with her supposed best friend anymore because she's having sex parties every single night for months? Lmao, okay then. Also, it's mentioned multiple times that apparently she's "risking EVERYTHING" by telling Natalie about the Haven, but really she'll just lose contact with a few people. Shock horror. She's one of the most self-centred characters I've read about.
Overall, I don't really know how this got published and I wouldn't recommend unless you want a badly written story with no plot, no good characters or development and just a lot of sex. It's a quick read and it's alright at times, but realistically I only didn't DNF it because I don't DNF anything if I can help it.
1.5 stars.
First of all, if this book didn't have so much sex in it then I would think a child wrote it; there was no writing ability or skill evident in this book as it was so poorly written. In addition, the editing was terrible and had many mistakes throughout the book. I'm also really not sure where the comparison with Fifty Shades came from because at least Fifty Shades has some manifestation of a plot.
My main issues with this book (in no particular order):
1) The women are always described as girls even though the men are never described as boys, which not only is a bit... odd, but is also just demeaning and patronising.
2) There was ZERO chemistry or attraction between any of the characters whatsoever. This includes Simon and Natalie, who are supposed to, but they're both just obsessed with sex. There was no emotion beyond that.
3) I think the author needs to add the word 'plot' to her vocabulary, because it's kiiinda important when writing a story.
4) The characters are dry as hell - probably because we find out nothing about them (they're just sort of... there) - and Natalie is so irritating.
5) Consent???? Yeah, bit of a blurry line there. When the women are clearly uncomfortable and objecting to what's being done to them, the men persevere regardless and claim it's because they have to be obedient? Right. Sounds consensual to me.
6) Jan. I'm just confused by her character? (Well, all the characters really). First of all, she goes to the Haven and then can't be assed with her supposed best friend anymore because she's having sex parties every single night for months? Lmao, okay then. Also, it's mentioned multiple times that apparently she's "risking EVERYTHING" by telling Natalie about the Haven, but really she'll just lose contact with a few people. Shock horror. She's one of the most self-centred characters I've read about.
Overall, I don't really know how this got published and I wouldn't recommend unless you want a badly written story with no plot, no good characters or development and just a lot of sex. It's a quick read and it's alright at times, but realistically I only didn't DNF it because I don't DNF anything if I can help it.
1.5 stars.
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