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Darkness Falls #1
Obsession: Darkness Falls
Gabriel Hallow is a damaged man. Rock star, producer and public enemy number one, he sees his redemption in quiet, wholesome school teacher Noelle Winters. Crashing into her life like a wrecking ball, he smothers her innocence and leads her down the razor's edge between submissive and victim, opening her eyes to things she didn't even know could happen between a man and a woman.
Overwhelmed by his generosity and charm, how far will she go to save his soul? And when is it too late to turn back? With bondage and multiple scenes of a sexual nature, this descent into the darkest parts of the human psyche is not for the faint of heart.
This is a story of obsession and possession. It is not a love story. You have been warned.
Overwhelmed by his generosity and charm, how far will she go to save his soul? And when is it too late to turn back? With bondage and multiple scenes of a sexual nature, this descent into the darkest parts of the human psyche is not for the faint of heart.
This is a story of obsession and possession. It is not a love story. You have been warned.
244 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2013
37 people are currently reading
1871 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
April 27, 2014
★★★ 3 Stars!
When I finished reading this book, I felt a bit like this:
I went from liking, maybe even loving the story, to being confused and growingly frustrated by how things played out. I had this freebie on my Kindle for a while and I was intrigued by the blurb and while I'm still glad I decided to give it a try, the ending didn't exactly leave me satisfied either.
Here's what I liked and didn't like...
What I liked:
❥ Gabriel - He was the perfectly imperfect, tortured hero. Granted, he came off as a bit of a stalker at first, but I quickly got over that and started to fall for his mysterious bad boy ways. Experiences from his past made him always want to be in control and I think that was the biggest source of frustration between him and Noelle. Being dominated isn't something she's used to and it took a lot of time for her to surrender herself to him.
❥ The writing style and editing - The author has a way of catching your attention and making you engrossed in the story before you even realize it. I really enjoyed the way she waved the story together and how the two main characters came to meet and get to know each other at the beginning, right up until the final few chapters.
❥ The first 65% of the story - From alternating POV's we follow Gabriel and Noelle as they meet, get to know each other better and start a quickly developing passionate relationship. They're very different, she being a sweet innocent school teacher and him being a depraved rockstar/public enemy number one, but it was interesting to see the two of them together and I was rooting for them to get their HEA.
What I didn't like:
✖ Noelle - At first, she seemed like an okay heroine, but as the story went on she started to annoy me more and more. I couldn't connect with her in any way and the decisions she made didn't make her very likable. She came across as selfish and a bit aloof and I actually felt sorry for Gabriel because he kept pouring his heart out and she never fully returned his feelings.
✖ The last 35% of the story - From here on out, the story went downhill for me. I began to have this sense of dread and a suspicion that something bad was going to happen and well...I was right. Somehow, the story also lost my full attention and I wasn't as enraptured with it as I was during the first half so when the "big revelation" finally came it didn't affect me as much and it also didn't come as a complete surprise.
*
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and the first 60% would have received 4 stars from me, but the last few chapters were a bit all over the place, which makes it a solid 3 star read! I'm not sure if I'll continue to read the rest of the series though...
You should also know, there's no happy ending, and I don't really like it when that happens. :(
Moving on to a happier read! ;)
didn-t-finish
July 29, 2016NO, JUST NO.....
the progress of the story, the way it's all happening... I just don't feel it...
I don't feel him, I don't feel her and I don't feel the story at all :(
I need build up chemistry, I don't even mind insta lust/love but this... this just isn't griping me to see how would I feel after some more....
the first passage made me think "oh this is gonna be good", but literally the second one killed that hope!
I am missing something, don't know how to describe it, but it's just kinda weird and stupid :(
but that is only my opinion and maybe you would really love it :)
I am kinda curious to see what goes on behind tags "dark bdsm erotica" for this book but obviously not so curious to actually get to that part because the writing isn't doing it for me :(
it's just not for me :(
who knows maybe I'll give it another try in the future...
July 19, 2014
Gabriel watches Noelle. He watches her as she sips her coffee, while she works, at home in her kitchen. He watches her. He wants her. He wanted to break her.
Noelle is just your average woman. She is a school teacher living with very little in the way of luxury, but that is all about to change when a handsome stranger walks into her life. She is drawn to him, unsure if it is his good looks, that damning smile or some other unseen thing that pulls her to him. But she gives in.
The attraction is instant, but Gabriel is holding back. He must confess some dark secrets before he can move forward with her. Noelle is suddenly thrown into a relationship with a man that is the anonymous lead singer of Darkness Falls and man that has a deep need to control. She has never had much experience with sex. But Gabriel is bound to push her to the edge of her limits to expose her to the darkest parts of her mind.
As she is opened up to his lifestyle, a place where the lines are blurred between pain, pleasure, reward and punishment - she see's that this man seeking such control is horribly broken. As he confesses his darkest secrets, she knows he is utterly broken. Damaged. Fixing him might be impossible, he may not want to be fixed but she wants to find a way to save this man. Give him the forgiveness, absolution, redemption he needs
'My soul was nothing but an ink stain of consequence.
You made me Canute, the foolish man,
Trying to turn back the rolling tide of your dark.
And I drowned.
I drowned.
But I drown no more.
For she walks with me on the razor's edge
Where love has blurred the difference between right and wrong.
She is the last bastion against the rolling dark,
The prophet to your blooded sea.
I am no longer your boy king.
I am the gatekeeper, I AM the gate
And. as long as she holds the keys to my soul,
I will drown no more.
I will drown no more.
To say that this was just a glimpse into a dark place is an understatement. A man who is seeking control of others because he had no control over what happened to him. A man seeking peace for himself by giving his demons to someone else to carry. He will break her to save himself. He will find his salvation by finding the one person who breaking will be his damnation.
To say this book destroyed me is an understatement. This was not expected - this shattered me with one knock on a door. With three words written on the top of a page. A statement. A truth. Three words that brought me to my knees.
This book dives into the dark world of BDSM when a man uses this as a coping mechanism for his own pain rather than for a place to find pleasure. He will use and abuse his control - her willingness to please him.
This story will rock you and haunt you. This left me feeling a tightness in my throat and even after hours of trying to sort out my own emotions I am still broken. I knew this had a twist that was going to be difficult to take, I had no idea what that was going to be, but even in trying to prepare myself by not becoming too attached to Gabriel and Noelle - I couldn't help it. He draws you in. They are captivating when it is just them, the banter, the love, the light - even in the dark places you are drawn to them. But you just can't help but let them in...so when it happens, you have no escape.
Ivory Quinn wrote a wonderful story that will enchant you and break you.
April 1, 2013
Before I begin my review I want to make it very clear - do not compare this novel with 50 Shades of Grey. It is inevitable that it will be and yes there is the working class girl and the rich man but that is where any similarities end.
Ivory Quinn's novel takes us on a very different journey of domination, subversion and manipulation. This is no Cinderella story and it could be argued that it is not a love story either but you can also argue that love comes in many facets and for Gabriel Hallows it was multi coloured. The story contains sex multiple sex scenes and bondage.
The author introduces us to the idea to cognitive dissonance - the theory that suggests that if an individual acts in such a way that contradict their beliefs, then they typically will change their beliefs to align with their actions (or vice-versa).
The synopsis sums the story with "Gabriel Hallow is a damaged man. Rock star, producer and public enemy number one, he sees his redemption in quiet, wholesome school teacher Noelle Winters. Crashing into her life like a wrecking ball, he smothers her innocence and leads her down the razor's edge between submissive and victim, opening her eyes to things she didn't even know could happen between a man and a woman. Overwhelmed by his generosity and charm, how far will she go to save his soul? And when is it too late to turn back?"
I don't think that this scratches the surface of the contents of this story. There were times when I felt such sorrow for Gabriel and there were times I felt disbelief and anger.
When Noelle Winters bumps into Gabriel Hallows little did she know that day would be the day that Gabriel Hallows begin the process to possess her and so begins her descent into the darkest parts of her human psyche. She had no idea who she had literally collided with - the lead singer Darkness Falls. All she sees is a face that was made for sin.
For me this book wasn't just about their relationship, it was also about their personal struggles - Gabriel's inner struggle trying to find redemption and Noelle's struggle trying to come to terms with her acceptance of her submission and what she allows Gabriel to do to her.
For a debut novel this author impressed me with her plot and characters - there is nothing subtle or graceful about them. Their story carries a lot of emotion and Ivory Quinn delivers quite a sting in the tail towards the end of the book one that I did not see coming,
I look forward to the next stage of the storyline, Redemption. It is a pity we have to wait until autumn for its release.
Ivory Quinn's novel takes us on a very different journey of domination, subversion and manipulation. This is no Cinderella story and it could be argued that it is not a love story either but you can also argue that love comes in many facets and for Gabriel Hallows it was multi coloured. The story contains sex multiple sex scenes and bondage.
The author introduces us to the idea to cognitive dissonance - the theory that suggests that if an individual acts in such a way that contradict their beliefs, then they typically will change their beliefs to align with their actions (or vice-versa).
The synopsis sums the story with "Gabriel Hallow is a damaged man. Rock star, producer and public enemy number one, he sees his redemption in quiet, wholesome school teacher Noelle Winters. Crashing into her life like a wrecking ball, he smothers her innocence and leads her down the razor's edge between submissive and victim, opening her eyes to things she didn't even know could happen between a man and a woman. Overwhelmed by his generosity and charm, how far will she go to save his soul? And when is it too late to turn back?"
I don't think that this scratches the surface of the contents of this story. There were times when I felt such sorrow for Gabriel and there were times I felt disbelief and anger.
When Noelle Winters bumps into Gabriel Hallows little did she know that day would be the day that Gabriel Hallows begin the process to possess her and so begins her descent into the darkest parts of her human psyche. She had no idea who she had literally collided with - the lead singer Darkness Falls. All she sees is a face that was made for sin.
For me this book wasn't just about their relationship, it was also about their personal struggles - Gabriel's inner struggle trying to find redemption and Noelle's struggle trying to come to terms with her acceptance of her submission and what she allows Gabriel to do to her.
For a debut novel this author impressed me with her plot and characters - there is nothing subtle or graceful about them. Their story carries a lot of emotion and Ivory Quinn delivers quite a sting in the tail towards the end of the book one that I did not see coming,
I look forward to the next stage of the storyline, Redemption. It is a pity we have to wait until autumn for its release.
February 9, 2017
Holly Molly does this book creep up on you to catch you and keep you snared into its spidery web.
Gabriel is a hot controlling alpha-male rock star. He is dark, broken and damaged. He literally places himself in the path of the loveable, honest, simple and wholesome School teacher Noelle Winters. Both are wonderful and strong likeable characters.
At the beginning I had my doubts about Gabriel, as to me he was coming across has a stalker especially with his influence over Noelle so early into the book. Within the first two chapters you are left hot under the collar from the sex scenes.
They follow a path you know is going to hit rock bottom, somewhere along the line… but Blimming heck I was not expecting that….by heart was thudding away at 94% into the book!
A highly recommended book, it will take you through high and low emotions and then bam you are left completely drained and heartbroken…..Darkness Falls becomes a truly befitting and apt name for the lead Singer Gabriel Hallow…..
Ivory Quinn is a highly talented author a new favourite of mine.
Cannot wait to read book 2, Redemption ……
Gabriel is a hot controlling alpha-male rock star. He is dark, broken and damaged. He literally places himself in the path of the loveable, honest, simple and wholesome School teacher Noelle Winters. Both are wonderful and strong likeable characters.
At the beginning I had my doubts about Gabriel, as to me he was coming across has a stalker especially with his influence over Noelle so early into the book. Within the first two chapters you are left hot under the collar from the sex scenes.
They follow a path you know is going to hit rock bottom, somewhere along the line… but Blimming heck I was not expecting that….by heart was thudding away at 94% into the book!
A highly recommended book, it will take you through high and low emotions and then bam you are left completely drained and heartbroken…..Darkness Falls becomes a truly befitting and apt name for the lead Singer Gabriel Hallow…..
Ivory Quinn is a highly talented author a new favourite of mine.
Cannot wait to read book 2, Redemption ……
April 16, 2013
OMG what have I just read!!!!! 4.5 starssssss!!!
This was just WOW and totally unexpected and to think that this is a debut novel is just amazeballs!!
I really do not know where to start, I am still speechless from the ending...totally unexpected and I am devoid of all sense of feeling..the author was very brave!!
The only reason for 4 stars is that I did not cry, I am a total wimp I will admit and cry at the drop of a hat even when others are laughing..so I was a bit shocked that I didn't cry during this book, I was close but was never tipped over the edge.
Gabriel Hallow was a very broken man it was painful to read about his inner turmoil yet during the book he showed his softer side and it made you feel for him. He is very successful as lead singer of a rock band called Darkness Falls, he is a producer and song writer he is also extremely wealthy. His persona on stage is masked and he revels in the anonymity so nobody has yet put the two together of Mr Hallow and Mr Darkness. Gabriel was abused as a child and this has lead to him being a dominant and having a playroom. But he is lonely, feels that he cannot be fixed and is in need of help. He is currently being ostracised by the public as some of their songs have led to a few teenage suicides so he is public enemy number 1. He really is an enigma!
Gabriel sees Noelle Winters in a local coffee shop and immediately becomes entranced with her to the point of stalking her for days. He eventually plucks up the courage to approach her and decides to spill coffee over to enable this chance meeting, it is a case of insta lust which sometimes can be a bit unbelievable but I did actually believe this with Gabriel as his personality is the type, however it was a bit unbelievable with Noelle. Noelle is a shy, sexually inexperienced school teacher and Gabriel wants her, needs her and wants to break her...but can she be broken???
This is a dark story that takes you into the world of BDSM but not too in depth, it is about Noelle exploring her boundaries and limits and her sexual preferences and Gabriel taking her on that journey. I don't want to say too much as it will give the story away but this is a must read and the ending was just OMG you cannot be serious!!!! You did not just write that, how could you?... This boom does not have a HEA there is no hearts and flowers and all things sparkly, it is raw, aggressive, carnal and very powerful, for a first time author, truly amazing. This is why I love Goodreads and our forums as without these I never would have stumbled across this gem of a book, way to go Ivory Quinn I cannot wait for book 2.
www.theromancecover.com
This was just WOW and totally unexpected and to think that this is a debut novel is just amazeballs!!
I really do not know where to start, I am still speechless from the ending...totally unexpected and I am devoid of all sense of feeling..the author was very brave!!
The only reason for 4 stars is that I did not cry, I am a total wimp I will admit and cry at the drop of a hat even when others are laughing..so I was a bit shocked that I didn't cry during this book, I was close but was never tipped over the edge.
Gabriel Hallow was a very broken man it was painful to read about his inner turmoil yet during the book he showed his softer side and it made you feel for him. He is very successful as lead singer of a rock band called Darkness Falls, he is a producer and song writer he is also extremely wealthy. His persona on stage is masked and he revels in the anonymity so nobody has yet put the two together of Mr Hallow and Mr Darkness. Gabriel was abused as a child and this has lead to him being a dominant and having a playroom. But he is lonely, feels that he cannot be fixed and is in need of help. He is currently being ostracised by the public as some of their songs have led to a few teenage suicides so he is public enemy number 1. He really is an enigma!
Gabriel sees Noelle Winters in a local coffee shop and immediately becomes entranced with her to the point of stalking her for days. He eventually plucks up the courage to approach her and decides to spill coffee over to enable this chance meeting, it is a case of insta lust which sometimes can be a bit unbelievable but I did actually believe this with Gabriel as his personality is the type, however it was a bit unbelievable with Noelle. Noelle is a shy, sexually inexperienced school teacher and Gabriel wants her, needs her and wants to break her...but can she be broken???
This is a dark story that takes you into the world of BDSM but not too in depth, it is about Noelle exploring her boundaries and limits and her sexual preferences and Gabriel taking her on that journey. I don't want to say too much as it will give the story away but this is a must read and the ending was just OMG you cannot be serious!!!! You did not just write that, how could you?... This boom does not have a HEA there is no hearts and flowers and all things sparkly, it is raw, aggressive, carnal and very powerful, for a first time author, truly amazing. This is why I love Goodreads and our forums as without these I never would have stumbled across this gem of a book, way to go Ivory Quinn I cannot wait for book 2.
www.theromancecover.com
April 10, 2013
Bloody Hell, where to begin with this one.............. I'm still in shock!
I don't think any kind of blurb can get you prepared in readiness for the content of this book, it's raw, evocative, mesmerising, dark, colourful, very hot, uncomfortable and just absolutely riveting. But heed the warning in the synopsis, it is dark and lots of bondage and your catapulted into a world of manipulation and the dark areas in a human mind.
Gabriel, oh my what a tortured man he is. One minute you'll love him and then you'll kinda hate him for what he exerts over Noelle, his dominance and control is forefront 95% of the time and yet he captures you and like a deer in the headlights, you can't help but be drawn in.
Noelle, she's funny, clever, naive, an all round good girl. Then she's caught up in Gabriels world, introduced to things that horrify her and yet intrigue her. She find herself questioning herself a lot.
Ones of the things I loved about this book was the conversations between them, she didn't hide her questions and her concerns and they spoke freely about them. It wasn't like a lot of books on this genre when the female never questions why she suddenly ok with being tied up and having this done to her, Noelle found herself questioning a lot and I had a lot of respect for her for that, she was submissive but not to the extent of losing her ability to think about the situations.
This is really well put together and the story unfolds and springs to life in front of your eyes. Be prepared to have wet eyes, your going to be on an emotional rollercoaster and that's what in essence is why this books ticks all the right spots, it's very emotional, heavy and deep.
And oh my god I was not expecting the ending, a total shocker!
I am really looking forward to book 2 but for those readers worrying about having a gap between books, in this instance it won't detract from the story, you won't be left feeling like your arm has been cut off, yes you will be reeling from the ending of this book but it is also tied up so your not left panting for the next book. In this case for me it's going to be OK to have a gap as this story is going to resonate with me for quite some time.
April 3, 2014
I finished this book yesterday and it left me so emotionally drained I had to wait a day to review it. No spoilers here, I despise them, I want to experience the best parts of a book through the book, not a review.
I adore this book, it's well written, the characters are real and you can connect with them emotionally. This book took twists and turns near the end threw me the biggest curve ball of all. It was a shock and not the direction I saw this book going in.
Gabriel Hallow is a damaged man. Rock star, producer and public enemy number one, he sees his redemption in quiet, wholesome school teacher Noelle Winters. Crashing into her life like a wrecking ball, he smothers her innocence and leads her down the razor's edge between submissive and victim, opening her eyes to things she didn't even know could happen between a man and a woman. Overwhelmed by his generosity and charm, how far will she go to save his soul? And when is it too late to turn back?
Gabriel. The man does have some serious issues, his need to be in control could have been portrayed in a thousand different ways, but his chosen path was BDSM, which honestly doesn't give him the ultimate power, but gives it to the submissive. His past has made him who he is and this is his idea of control.
Gabriel was a strong character, I loved him and despised him. I wanted him to find peace, come to terms with his haunted past and find some type of closure with it. Not to save him, not to change his entire lifestyle but I wanted him to understand it more and be able to become more than just a man living to rid himself of his past.
Noelle. The simple school teacher. She's only had vanilla sex and never been with a man like Gabriel. I know realistically her choices were what most people would make, not rushing to fall in love and marry a man she didn't know all she needed to know about. She looked at their relationship logically which I appreciate. I understand her character but to an extent I didn't connect with her as much as I would have liked. She's a strong female character which I love, but I honestly didn't see how Noelle and Gabriel could have a lasting relationship. Really she made smart choices concerning their relationship, if your not completely comfortable with the situation then don't jump to commit to it. I got that but at some point in this story I began to blame her for Gabriel's inability to become the man I hoped he would be. I realize after giving the book a day to settle that I was wrong to do that, but while reading it, you realize how much Gabriel needs her, wants her to accept him, love him as he is, as no one has done before. It's not Noelle's fault, but I need someone to blame.
I'm still coming to terms with the last 6% of this book. I really had no clue this is the way things would end. Even though I considered Gabriel's behavior in the end once he left the final meeting, I honestly was shocked by what happened. I cried. This was not what I expected, there were no real signs this is how it would end, it was a slap in the face, a shock to my system, and broke my heart.
There's nothing better than a book that draws you in emotionally and won't let you go. Obsession did that for me. You don't get closure at the end of this book, the story continues and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.
This is not your typical BDSM novel, it's not your typical boy meets girl happily ever after.
There is no happy ending.
There is second book to continue this journey.
It's been awhile since a book hit me as hard as this one did, and I'm grateful it did, this book is what I love about reading, the range of emotion it drags out of the reader, the feelings you have in regards to each character, the not knowing whose side you truly want to be on because while each character has their flaws, you see a future for both of them, one where they are complete, have what they need to be the person you envision they can be. By the end of this book neither of them became that person. And only one of them came to terms with their choices, their life and their behavior. Honestly the morning after I'm still broken hearted for both Gabriel and Noelle, as well as Jax and Roger.
Thank you Ivory Quinn for an amazing story.
I adore this book, it's well written, the characters are real and you can connect with them emotionally. This book took twists and turns near the end threw me the biggest curve ball of all. It was a shock and not the direction I saw this book going in.
Gabriel Hallow is a damaged man. Rock star, producer and public enemy number one, he sees his redemption in quiet, wholesome school teacher Noelle Winters. Crashing into her life like a wrecking ball, he smothers her innocence and leads her down the razor's edge between submissive and victim, opening her eyes to things she didn't even know could happen between a man and a woman. Overwhelmed by his generosity and charm, how far will she go to save his soul? And when is it too late to turn back?
Gabriel. The man does have some serious issues, his need to be in control could have been portrayed in a thousand different ways, but his chosen path was BDSM, which honestly doesn't give him the ultimate power, but gives it to the submissive. His past has made him who he is and this is his idea of control.
Gabriel was a strong character, I loved him and despised him. I wanted him to find peace, come to terms with his haunted past and find some type of closure with it. Not to save him, not to change his entire lifestyle but I wanted him to understand it more and be able to become more than just a man living to rid himself of his past.
Noelle. The simple school teacher. She's only had vanilla sex and never been with a man like Gabriel. I know realistically her choices were what most people would make, not rushing to fall in love and marry a man she didn't know all she needed to know about. She looked at their relationship logically which I appreciate. I understand her character but to an extent I didn't connect with her as much as I would have liked. She's a strong female character which I love, but I honestly didn't see how Noelle and Gabriel could have a lasting relationship. Really she made smart choices concerning their relationship, if your not completely comfortable with the situation then don't jump to commit to it. I got that but at some point in this story I began to blame her for Gabriel's inability to become the man I hoped he would be. I realize after giving the book a day to settle that I was wrong to do that, but while reading it, you realize how much Gabriel needs her, wants her to accept him, love him as he is, as no one has done before. It's not Noelle's fault, but I need someone to blame.
I'm still coming to terms with the last 6% of this book. I really had no clue this is the way things would end. Even though I considered Gabriel's behavior in the end once he left the final meeting, I honestly was shocked by what happened. I cried. This was not what I expected, there were no real signs this is how it would end, it was a slap in the face, a shock to my system, and broke my heart.
There's nothing better than a book that draws you in emotionally and won't let you go. Obsession did that for me. You don't get closure at the end of this book, the story continues and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes.
This is not your typical BDSM novel, it's not your typical boy meets girl happily ever after.
There is no happy ending.
There is second book to continue this journey.
It's been awhile since a book hit me as hard as this one did, and I'm grateful it did, this book is what I love about reading, the range of emotion it drags out of the reader, the feelings you have in regards to each character, the not knowing whose side you truly want to be on because while each character has their flaws, you see a future for both of them, one where they are complete, have what they need to be the person you envision they can be. By the end of this book neither of them became that person. And only one of them came to terms with their choices, their life and their behavior. Honestly the morning after I'm still broken hearted for both Gabriel and Noelle, as well as Jax and Roger.
Thank you Ivory Quinn for an amazing story.
October 14, 2014
This book caught me off guard , and i loved it!! It was a very entertaining and twisted book full of surprises .
I really fell in love with Gabriel ,i never thought he would have been a character i would have fallen for ,he was tough but full of emotion.
At some point my heart actually hurt for him ,how much he felt that he loved Noelle , it was just to overwhelming .
Noelle was also a lovely character super cute and innocent . But i wish she would have been more understanding maybe i just dont know this book left me a mess ! Truly but it was worth it .
Some darkness for you......
April 13, 2013
Well then...
Let me just put it out there and give you a big, fat spoiler: this does NOT have a happy ending. Do not come into this book thinking the female lead and male lead live happy ever after.
Come into this book with an open mind. It's not for the weak of heart. But it most definitely IS a well written story. The twist and turns make you want to keep reading page after page. Some parts get very...intense.
Looking forward to the sequel.
Let me just put it out there and give you a big, fat spoiler: this does NOT have a happy ending. Do not come into this book thinking the female lead and male lead live happy ever after.
Come into this book with an open mind. It's not for the weak of heart. But it most definitely IS a well written story. The twist and turns make you want to keep reading page after page. Some parts get very...intense.
Looking forward to the sequel.
Want to read
September 7, 2016Currently FREE 4/2/14 - sounds really good too!
http://amzn.to/1osaPK2
http://amzn.to/1osaPK2
May 5, 2013
UPDATE:
After thinking on it for a few days I've had to bump my rating down to *3 stars*annoying. I don't think much of it was believable. . I really do think the book has GREAT potential but it was lacking in so many areas. The background of the characters was so glossed over, I wanted more when it came to their pasts. There was absolutely no description of where the book actually took place - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales?! I had no clue.
I will leave my original review because that's how I felt straight away, but things have definitely gotten worse from then on!
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I had heard that Obsession was a dark read and so I was starting to mentally prepare myself for it. I started reading and waited.. and waited.. and waited some more but the darkness just didn't appear. Now, I'm either immune to these dark books now or it really wasn't that dark and shocking. I'm sticking with my first assessment ;)
The two main characters here are worlds apart - Gabriel is a damaged, tortures soul.. my favourite! There is a past story there but I actually felt like we didn't know anything about his past. He has all these crazy needs for control in his sex life, and even his ordinary life, but the reasoning for why was really just glossed over in a paragraph. Maybe if I had had more detail on what made him the way he is, I would have felt more towards him. As it was I just thought he was a normal guy who likes BDSM. I just didn't get his need for it.
Noelle was as normal and ordinary as you can get. She lives alone in a little flat, working as a primary school teacher. That pretty much sums up her whole life.. until Gabriel comes along. I liked Noelle's character, although some of the things she did were questionable. I was also dying to know more of her past with her family and parents. Again, there was maybe one paragraph to explain why she was the way she was and that was about it.
There was a lot lacking in the general description of things. I can barely recall what Gabriel and Noelle are supposed to look like.. I'm pretty sure I only read the hair colour of Noelle and nothing else. Also, the whole way through I was wondering where the book was actually set. I had to just guess that it was in the UK, but I didn't know. I even sent me reading buddy a message to see if she'd come across any setting descriptions but there was nothing. It was hard to imagine where everything was going on because there was just no talk about it.
I'm just going to put it out there that I really hated the ending. Without giving anything away I will just say that I felt Noelle had an over the top reaction. I also hated the inclusion of a new character, Jax. He was unnecessary to me and if the second book includes him a lot (which it seems to) then I'm not sure I'll be reading it. I'd say they are wholly to blame for the way things ending.
There is no HAE. There is also no cliffhanger really but it does include a page or two from next book which if you're like me will make you not want to read it.. oops.
After thinking on it for a few days I've had to bump my rating down to *3 stars*annoying. I don't think much of it was believable. . I really do think the book has GREAT potential but it was lacking in so many areas. The background of the characters was so glossed over, I wanted more when it came to their pasts. There was absolutely no description of where the book actually took place - England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales?! I had no clue.
I will leave my original review because that's how I felt straight away, but things have definitely gotten worse from then on!
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
I had heard that Obsession was a dark read and so I was starting to mentally prepare myself for it. I started reading and waited.. and waited.. and waited some more but the darkness just didn't appear. Now, I'm either immune to these dark books now or it really wasn't that dark and shocking. I'm sticking with my first assessment ;)
"Abandon yourself to me.. Don't fight the restraints kitten. Let them set you free."
The two main characters here are worlds apart - Gabriel is a damaged, tortures soul.. my favourite! There is a past story there but I actually felt like we didn't know anything about his past. He has all these crazy needs for control in his sex life, and even his ordinary life, but the reasoning for why was really just glossed over in a paragraph. Maybe if I had had more detail on what made him the way he is, I would have felt more towards him. As it was I just thought he was a normal guy who likes BDSM. I just didn't get his need for it.
"She was so wholesome and innocent she made his teeth ache. He wanted to break her."
Noelle was as normal and ordinary as you can get. She lives alone in a little flat, working as a primary school teacher. That pretty much sums up her whole life.. until Gabriel comes along. I liked Noelle's character, although some of the things she did were questionable. I was also dying to know more of her past with her family and parents. Again, there was maybe one paragraph to explain why she was the way she was and that was about it.
There was a lot lacking in the general description of things. I can barely recall what Gabriel and Noelle are supposed to look like.. I'm pretty sure I only read the hair colour of Noelle and nothing else. Also, the whole way through I was wondering where the book was actually set. I had to just guess that it was in the UK, but I didn't know. I even sent me reading buddy a message to see if she'd come across any setting descriptions but there was nothing. It was hard to imagine where everything was going on because there was just no talk about it.
"Because being with you is like being too close to the sun. It's so overwhelming and I'm scared that I'm going to get burned."
I'm just going to put it out there that I really hated the ending. Without giving anything away I will just say that I felt Noelle had an over the top reaction. I also hated the inclusion of a new character, Jax. He was unnecessary to me and if the second book includes him a lot (which it seems to) then I'm not sure I'll be reading it. I'd say they are wholly to blame for the way things ending.
There is no HAE. There is also no cliffhanger really but it does include a page or two from next book which if you're like me will make you not want to read it.. oops.
April 14, 2013
"It's an expression, Gabriel. I don't really think you'd drive me crazy. It's a distinct possibility that I'd end up as a depraved nympho, but whether that's a mental illness or not is entirely open to debate."
"A depraved nympho? It might be all kinds of wrong, Kitten, but I'd really like to see that..."
Ummm, Wow. This review is gonna be a struggle, I'm at a complete loss here. Totally floored. I CANNOT BELIEVE this is a debut novel. I'm very much looking forward to a whole lot more from this author, if terrified at the same time.
This is NOT your average love story, hell I don't know what I could classify it as. Dark, definitely that. Intense, provocative, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, shocking, and oh yeah-Dark...have I mentioned that? It most certainly is not light hearted. You will giggle, blush, cringe, curse & cry, so sooo many emotions. Oh & by the way, I am totally in love with Jax, just sayin. Don't worry, you'll meet him ;)
'She was so wholesome and innocent she made his teeth ache. He wanted to break her.'
I can't really dive too deeply into the plot, this really is one of those stories you just have to let unfold to truly experience it properly. It will take you places emotionally, it will be uncomfortable at times, but you have to let it play out. Gabriel is just so damaged he will tear you apart. You will feel terrible for him, you will love him & hate him, you will struggle to understand him & desperately want to fix him.
"You're a dangerous man, Gabriel Hallow." She said quietly, after a moments thought. It was thrilling to have a conversation with someone so clearly intelligent, but his subversive ideas, especially when presented with such rational clarity, were speaking to some dark places inside that made her uncomfortable.
"Only to you kitten. I will persuade you to abandon yourself to me."
"I'm a school teacher. I don't do wild things. I don't go out drinking or take risks. I'm pretty sure I'll never forget who I am long enough to let go completely."
He let out a low, rumbling chuckle that stirred her libido and she knew she was lost. "We'll see kitten. We'll see..."
Noelle was beyond words. Her kind-hearted nature & innocence is what draws him to her in the first place & his desire to break her into submission. What I loved about her is she doesn't bend quietly or meekly. She doesn't understand her reactions to his dominance, so she openly questions it to him & often. She's discovering a whole different version of herself and she struggles to accept it. Her inner turmoil is gut wrenching. She likes what he does to her, though she hates to admit, even to herself, and is ashamed of it.
"I've never met anyone like you before. You're so...sinful. I don't know why I let you do the things you do. I'm ashamed to think of them in the cold light of day. I hardly know you, and yet I let you go down on me in the back seat of a car. You just...overwhelm me."
But the ending?!? Freakin hell, the ending destroyed me. Knocked me on my ass, kicked me in the stomach & ripped my heart out. I never, EVER, expected that. I think I'm still in complete shock, it just doesn't seem real. Which is just ridiculous, I know, I mean it's just a book right?? But that is what this author does to you. She completely pulled me into this story, totally submerged, and then she drowned me, left me gasping. I am gonna be climbing the walls with a death-grip on my sanity waiting for the next book & it wasn't even a cliffhanger. I'm just desperate to see what happens next.
'For my demons...I shall slay you one by one. And I shall drown no more.'
"A depraved nympho? It might be all kinds of wrong, Kitten, but I'd really like to see that..."
Ummm, Wow. This review is gonna be a struggle, I'm at a complete loss here. Totally floored. I CANNOT BELIEVE this is a debut novel. I'm very much looking forward to a whole lot more from this author, if terrified at the same time.
This is NOT your average love story, hell I don't know what I could classify it as. Dark, definitely that. Intense, provocative, thought-provoking, heartbreaking, shocking, and oh yeah-Dark...have I mentioned that? It most certainly is not light hearted. You will giggle, blush, cringe, curse & cry, so sooo many emotions. Oh & by the way, I am totally in love with Jax, just sayin. Don't worry, you'll meet him ;)
'She was so wholesome and innocent she made his teeth ache. He wanted to break her.'
I can't really dive too deeply into the plot, this really is one of those stories you just have to let unfold to truly experience it properly. It will take you places emotionally, it will be uncomfortable at times, but you have to let it play out. Gabriel is just so damaged he will tear you apart. You will feel terrible for him, you will love him & hate him, you will struggle to understand him & desperately want to fix him.
"You're a dangerous man, Gabriel Hallow." She said quietly, after a moments thought. It was thrilling to have a conversation with someone so clearly intelligent, but his subversive ideas, especially when presented with such rational clarity, were speaking to some dark places inside that made her uncomfortable.
"Only to you kitten. I will persuade you to abandon yourself to me."
"I'm a school teacher. I don't do wild things. I don't go out drinking or take risks. I'm pretty sure I'll never forget who I am long enough to let go completely."
He let out a low, rumbling chuckle that stirred her libido and she knew she was lost. "We'll see kitten. We'll see..."
Noelle was beyond words. Her kind-hearted nature & innocence is what draws him to her in the first place & his desire to break her into submission. What I loved about her is she doesn't bend quietly or meekly. She doesn't understand her reactions to his dominance, so she openly questions it to him & often. She's discovering a whole different version of herself and she struggles to accept it. Her inner turmoil is gut wrenching. She likes what he does to her, though she hates to admit, even to herself, and is ashamed of it.
"I've never met anyone like you before. You're so...sinful. I don't know why I let you do the things you do. I'm ashamed to think of them in the cold light of day. I hardly know you, and yet I let you go down on me in the back seat of a car. You just...overwhelm me."
But the ending?!? Freakin hell, the ending destroyed me. Knocked me on my ass, kicked me in the stomach & ripped my heart out. I never, EVER, expected that. I think I'm still in complete shock, it just doesn't seem real. Which is just ridiculous, I know, I mean it's just a book right?? But that is what this author does to you. She completely pulled me into this story, totally submerged, and then she drowned me, left me gasping. I am gonna be climbing the walls with a death-grip on my sanity waiting for the next book & it wasn't even a cliffhanger. I'm just desperate to see what happens next.
'For my demons...I shall slay you one by one. And I shall drown no more.'
April 19, 2013
OMG, I think this book made me a little shell shocked. I finished it last night and had a little cry before going to sleep. It has been on my mind all day too. I have not read a book that has stayed with me like this for ages. Its certainly the best freebie from Amazon. I'd already been warned for 92% and that was where the story changed. I didn't expected it. I had to flick back and forward to make sure I read it correctly.
I really loved the story and the characters were developed really well. Would have liked to have seen more of Jax from the beginning but I get the feeling he will in book 2 more. Really loved this book and can't wait for the second one.
I really loved the story and the characters were developed really well. Would have liked to have seen more of Jax from the beginning but I get the feeling he will in book 2 more. Really loved this book and can't wait for the second one.
April 18, 2013
I liked the concept of this story. The author wrote it well, and I thought Noelle was a great character, and we were just getting to know Jax too..
BUT I just didn't connect with Gabriel at all, and I think because of that, I found some of the scenes uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong..I like a bit of BDSM, but I just couldn't "see" Gabriel in my minds eye. I wanted him to be endearing..I wanted him to be saved from his darkness..
With that said, I will pick up #2 to see where the author goes with this story, as I loved her style.
April 18, 2013
I wanted to give this 2 stars but I bumped it up because it's very well written, and it's not the authors fault that BDSM is not my favourite genre. I really didn't like Gabriel and found nothing endearing about him at all, but maybe that was the point I dont know. I didn't feel anything whilst reading, and for me that's the whole point of reading.
April 18, 2013
Well this is the first book that's been highly recommended that I just didn't connect to.
It made me cringe every time Gabriel called Noelle Kitten. There was something about him that just didn't sit right with me and the ending didn't shock me at all. Which if you've read the book you'll understand that there should be a lot of emotion when the book hits 94%.
I don't think I'll be picking up book 2.
It made me cringe every time Gabriel called Noelle Kitten. There was something about him that just didn't sit right with me and the ending didn't shock me at all. Which if you've read the book you'll understand that there should be a lot of emotion when the book hits 94%.
I don't think I'll be picking up book 2.
April 23, 2013
Well I loved this one and I miss Gabriel already:( Noelle was a very strong character and stood up to Gabriel which I liked. When I started this with the name like Gabriel I thought it was maybe going down the paranormal route but boy was I wrong. Enjoyable rollercoaster of emotions:)
Look forward to reading more from Ivory in the next installment.
Look forward to reading more from Ivory in the next installment.
April 12, 2013
I really felt compelled to write this, especially because there aren't many other reviews. Let me be clear upfront about the most important two things you need to know:
1. This book is not like any other.
2. This is not a Happily Ever After story (I know some of you may consider this a spoiler, but just like movies we come to expect certain things out of a book...refer to statement 1).
I would not recommend this to my average friend. Even if it is free on Amazon. I chose this book for the Erotica and the BDSM themes, both were wrong reasons to pick this book in my opinion. I did not feel better for having read this book. (Even when reading sappy romances, I at least feel happy afterwards) However, I'm also not into horror flicks or super sad movies. To each his own.
Now. I don't want to confuse you but that being said...this book was really well written. It pulls you into a great story line, gets you emotionally involved in the characters, has a lot of twists and turns that you don't expect....it even had me crying at certain parts.
Just be aware of what you're signing up for when you click download. Even though it pulled me in and got me involved in the story...I didn't like it (refer to statement 2). That doesn't mean it can't be a great book for the right person though.
1. This book is not like any other.
2. This is not a Happily Ever After story (I know some of you may consider this a spoiler, but just like movies we come to expect certain things out of a book...refer to statement 1).
I would not recommend this to my average friend. Even if it is free on Amazon. I chose this book for the Erotica and the BDSM themes, both were wrong reasons to pick this book in my opinion. I did not feel better for having read this book. (Even when reading sappy romances, I at least feel happy afterwards) However, I'm also not into horror flicks or super sad movies. To each his own.
Now. I don't want to confuse you but that being said...this book was really well written. It pulls you into a great story line, gets you emotionally involved in the characters, has a lot of twists and turns that you don't expect....it even had me crying at certain parts.
Just be aware of what you're signing up for when you click download. Even though it pulled me in and got me involved in the story...I didn't like it (refer to statement 2). That doesn't mean it can't be a great book for the right person though.
April 13, 2013
STUNNING
Gabriel Hallow first sees Noelle Winters in a coffee shop. She's everything he's not, pure, innocent and honest. He stalks her following her home watching her every move, just as though she's his prey. He wants her really badly, so he makes his move to have Noelle for his own.
Noelle has no idea exactly what she's getting into with Gabriel, he's dark and intimidating, with specific tastes especially sexually. But she's carried along on a tide of emotion.
Wow this book is certainly a roller coaster ride. All I can say is expect the unexpected, and you will still be surprised. Gabriel dominates the whole book, his character is fascinating. He's complex and totally irresistible. Noelle's character does rather tend to pale into insignificance. But I think that's deliberate on the part of the author. Their two contrasting characters and how they react to one another is what drives this story forward. But the whole time I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew something was coming, and when it did, it was devastating. I can only wonder what's going to happen in the next book.
Gabriel Hallow first sees Noelle Winters in a coffee shop. She's everything he's not, pure, innocent and honest. He stalks her following her home watching her every move, just as though she's his prey. He wants her really badly, so he makes his move to have Noelle for his own.
Noelle has no idea exactly what she's getting into with Gabriel, he's dark and intimidating, with specific tastes especially sexually. But she's carried along on a tide of emotion.
Wow this book is certainly a roller coaster ride. All I can say is expect the unexpected, and you will still be surprised. Gabriel dominates the whole book, his character is fascinating. He's complex and totally irresistible. Noelle's character does rather tend to pale into insignificance. But I think that's deliberate on the part of the author. Their two contrasting characters and how they react to one another is what drives this story forward. But the whole time I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew something was coming, and when it did, it was devastating. I can only wonder what's going to happen in the next book.
Read
May 20, 2013I'll refrain from rating and reviewing this one.
Warning bells were going off during the first 10% of this book! I knew I wasn't going to like it. But the sex was great, Gabriel was super possessive and I'm a sucker for that. Noelle was just I don't know, she was okay, I can't say I got to know her very well though. But somewhere along the line everything came unglued, the ending and epilogue was the cherry on top! It was all too much for me! It was like watching a really good movie but with a bunch of static and interference on the screen.
Warning bells were going off during the first 10% of this book! I knew I wasn't going to like it. But the sex was great, Gabriel was super possessive and I'm a sucker for that. Noelle was just I don't know, she was okay, I can't say I got to know her very well though. But somewhere along the line everything came unglued, the ending and epilogue was the cherry on top! It was all too much for me! It was like watching a really good movie but with a bunch of static and interference on the screen.
April 28, 2013
Oh my dear lord ~ I don't know if I want to kill my little sister for recommending this one or hug her ~ this was one heck of a mind trip for me ~ I finished the book and thought WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED ~ Of course, I loved it but now I need more well I don't need but want ':) 5 freaking messed up stars ~ full review after I process what just happened!!!!
April 17, 2013
I would give it 20 stars if it was possible - though i have cried my eyes out last night and felt awful all day i looooved this book - It will stay with me for a long long time .....
January 6, 2015
This review is posted on Way Too Hot Books.
*This review may contain some spoilers*
I guess I'll never learn when it comes to these beautiful and captivating covers. They manage to trick me every frigging time. I saw it on Goodreads and it was love at first sight. Then I did a little research to see what the book was about and read the beautiful poem and I instantly knew that I just have to have this book and put everything else on hold.
Now when I think about it, I was probably doomed the moment I read that the guy in question is a rock star. Damn those sexy musicians! And then came the dark, creepy and intriguing Prologue which literally blew my my mind and made me think that this could possibly be my next favorite book, but unfortunately it turned out:
Why is that? Well, after the amazing prologue, things started to go south pretty quick and kept on going til' the very end with no possibility of redemption, to the point that I was asking myself: why was I reading this again?
In the prologue we meet one very creepy guy Gabriel who is obsessively stalking this woman Noelle and who has some pretty disturbing thoughts about her.
He had followed her home and spent hours shadowing her around her house with his eyes, window to window, the saccharine sweetness of her existence a siren song to his twisted soul.
I became intrigued right away with his character and the story, because I was yearning for some good dark read and this sounded really promising, but not for long, because with every next chapter the story was turning more and more in this mushy/ soupy BDMS insta-love story between one of the most boring, undefined and annoying characters I read about lately who rarely left the playroom through the whole book.
Gabriel turned out to be a great disappointment of a rock star with the exception of the beautiful song her wrote for Noelle. I couldn't connect to his character at all and there where some things about him that reminded me too much on the famous Christian Grey and not in a good way. Too possessive, overbearing, too annoying, too demanding with too many wtf ideas, just too much of everything.
When he spoke again, it was with the voice of the beast...quiet, silky and predatorial. “Kitten, if you don’t go to your room and do as I say right now, I’m going to come down there and kick the fucking door down. God help you if I do that, because I’m going to fuck every orifice you have as hard as I can. I will destroy you.”
But not even he could compare to Noelle who was such a monotonous, naive and annoying religious freak, non-stop questioning everything and everyone. She was full of contradictions through the whole book. She did every wicked thing Gabriel asked of her in the bedroom and she definitely enjoyed it, but later on she kept on accusing him that he in a way forced her and manipulated in submission.
Girl, you know you have your safe word and that you can put a stop on everything just by saying it anytime, but you didn't, so shut up! At least in the end she finally admitted it to herself, but I was annoyed beyond the point of caring.
“I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re so...sinful. I don’t know why I let you do the things you do. I’m ashamed to think of them in the cold light of day. I hardly know you, and yet I let you go down on me in the back seat of a car. You just...overwhelm me.”
How could he preach such morally subversive ideas and still consider himself a man of faith?
“I don’t know that I can do this.” She blurted out. The soft strains of Allegri’s Miserere haunted the air between them as Noelle laid her head on his stomach and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t know where to draw the line...where this stops at domination and becomes abuse.”
And her safe word!!! O M G...It's so stupid and hilarious! And definitely a c*ck-blocker...because it's... *prepare yourself*...her safe word is C A B B A G E *blink, blink.* Yup, it's cabbage people. I wish I was kidding, but...here it is.
CABBAGE. Girl, are you for real? Way to kill the mood, but I guess it's o.k., because you never actually used it -.-. And if you asked me to tell you something relevant about this girl aside her connection to Gabriel, like for example about her family or friends, I wouldn't know what to say to you, because we learn so little about her in the story except that she's a teacher in the daylight and a kinky submissive in the evening.
There were also other characters in the book, like for example Gabriel's band mates, but even when they were present in the scene, they never spoke or anything that you start asking yourself are they really alive or just his imaginary friends. Not until around 70% of the story do we finally meet them or anyone else for real, the whole book being focused on Noelle's and Gabriel's BDSM relationship. I didn't even feel sorry for the way things ended. The only character I felt sorry for in this book was Gabriel's poor driver who had to endure Gabriel's and Noelle's creepy exhibitionism on daily basis.
All in all : the things that I actually liked about this book are: the gorgeous cover, the intriguing and well-written prologue and the song Gabriel wrote to Noelle. And .That's.About.It.
Will I read the next installment in the series?
*This review may contain some spoilers*
I guess I'll never learn when it comes to these beautiful and captivating covers. They manage to trick me every frigging time. I saw it on Goodreads and it was love at first sight. Then I did a little research to see what the book was about and read the beautiful poem and I instantly knew that I just have to have this book and put everything else on hold.
Now when I think about it, I was probably doomed the moment I read that the guy in question is a rock star. Damn those sexy musicians! And then came the dark, creepy and intriguing Prologue which literally blew my my mind and made me think that this could possibly be my next favorite book, but unfortunately it turned out:
Why is that? Well, after the amazing prologue, things started to go south pretty quick and kept on going til' the very end with no possibility of redemption, to the point that I was asking myself: why was I reading this again?
In the prologue we meet one very creepy guy Gabriel who is obsessively stalking this woman Noelle and who has some pretty disturbing thoughts about her.
He had followed her home and spent hours shadowing her around her house with his eyes, window to window, the saccharine sweetness of her existence a siren song to his twisted soul.
I became intrigued right away with his character and the story, because I was yearning for some good dark read and this sounded really promising, but not for long, because with every next chapter the story was turning more and more in this mushy/ soupy BDMS insta-love story between one of the most boring, undefined and annoying characters I read about lately who rarely left the playroom through the whole book.
Gabriel turned out to be a great disappointment of a rock star with the exception of the beautiful song her wrote for Noelle. I couldn't connect to his character at all and there where some things about him that reminded me too much on the famous Christian Grey and not in a good way. Too possessive, overbearing, too annoying, too demanding with too many wtf ideas, just too much of everything.
When he spoke again, it was with the voice of the beast...quiet, silky and predatorial. “Kitten, if you don’t go to your room and do as I say right now, I’m going to come down there and kick the fucking door down. God help you if I do that, because I’m going to fuck every orifice you have as hard as I can. I will destroy you.”
But not even he could compare to Noelle who was such a monotonous, naive and annoying religious freak, non-stop questioning everything and everyone. She was full of contradictions through the whole book. She did every wicked thing Gabriel asked of her in the bedroom and she definitely enjoyed it, but later on she kept on accusing him that he in a way forced her and manipulated in submission.
Girl, you know you have your safe word and that you can put a stop on everything just by saying it anytime, but you didn't, so shut up! At least in the end she finally admitted it to herself, but I was annoyed beyond the point of caring.
“I’ve never met anyone like you before. You’re so...sinful. I don’t know why I let you do the things you do. I’m ashamed to think of them in the cold light of day. I hardly know you, and yet I let you go down on me in the back seat of a car. You just...overwhelm me.”
How could he preach such morally subversive ideas and still consider himself a man of faith?
“I don’t know that I can do this.” She blurted out. The soft strains of Allegri’s Miserere haunted the air between them as Noelle laid her head on his stomach and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t know where to draw the line...where this stops at domination and becomes abuse.”
And her safe word!!! O M G...It's so stupid and hilarious! And definitely a c*ck-blocker...because it's... *prepare yourself*...her safe word is C A B B A G E *blink, blink.* Yup, it's cabbage people. I wish I was kidding, but...here it is.
CABBAGE. Girl, are you for real? Way to kill the mood, but I guess it's o.k., because you never actually used it -.-. And if you asked me to tell you something relevant about this girl aside her connection to Gabriel, like for example about her family or friends, I wouldn't know what to say to you, because we learn so little about her in the story except that she's a teacher in the daylight and a kinky submissive in the evening.
There were also other characters in the book, like for example Gabriel's band mates, but even when they were present in the scene, they never spoke or anything that you start asking yourself are they really alive or just his imaginary friends. Not until around 70% of the story do we finally meet them or anyone else for real, the whole book being focused on Noelle's and Gabriel's BDSM relationship. I didn't even feel sorry for the way things ended. The only character I felt sorry for in this book was Gabriel's poor driver who had to endure Gabriel's and Noelle's creepy exhibitionism on daily basis.
All in all : the things that I actually liked about this book are: the gorgeous cover, the intriguing and well-written prologue and the song Gabriel wrote to Noelle. And .That's.About.It.
Will I read the next installment in the series?
April 12, 2013
First let me say that I found this book through an email that offered free books on Amazon. I have purchased tons of the free ones and this is the first time I have not been disappointed. The characters, the editing, the dialog, it all works so well and sucks you in for many reasons.
I have slowly been introduced to BDSM and a Dom/Sub relationship through books and fanfiction stories I've read. It's not a lifestyle I've ever lived or participated in. So as a new person there are always tons of questions in my mind. It confuses me and seem extremely unrealistic when a 'new to the lifestyle' person immediately jumps in with both feet, no questions asked. They embrace every aspect and never want to know more. Maybe I'm a nosy person but it just doesn't seem to work that way to me. I've asked plenty of friends and they all seem to question the whole hearted acceptance as well.
So, when I started Obsession and Noelle asked and wanted to know the who, what, where, when and why's of things I stood on my chair and applauded! Finally a woman who is secure enough to go with it but she needs some answers and reassurances as well. I loved how Gabriel pushed her and gave her options, how he even baited and switched her. He would offer up something she would say no to then use it as punishment so she would accept the idea and perform before she realized she liked it. I'm not sure I'd be able to freely admit I liked most of the stuff I do either and I can see how once he removed the negative connotation around it, she was able to let it go and enjoy the act itself without fear.
Now...semi spoilers here, so don't read if you don't want a small clue...My mouth fell open somewhere right after the New Year's Eve concert and never closed. The book took a dramatic left turn and left me in shock, denial and tearful. I see how the ending was appropriate but I never expected it and it caught me off guard. And by that point I had fallen in love with Gabriel, even if he was inappropriate at times, and it hurt my heart to watch it all unfold.
I haven't been this invested or shocked by a book in a long time and now I'm rushing to find part two, praying like crazy it's out already so I can just purchase it and begin to read without a wait! Well done, Ivory Quinn, you are officially my newest hero!
I have slowly been introduced to BDSM and a Dom/Sub relationship through books and fanfiction stories I've read. It's not a lifestyle I've ever lived or participated in. So as a new person there are always tons of questions in my mind. It confuses me and seem extremely unrealistic when a 'new to the lifestyle' person immediately jumps in with both feet, no questions asked. They embrace every aspect and never want to know more. Maybe I'm a nosy person but it just doesn't seem to work that way to me. I've asked plenty of friends and they all seem to question the whole hearted acceptance as well.
So, when I started Obsession and Noelle asked and wanted to know the who, what, where, when and why's of things I stood on my chair and applauded! Finally a woman who is secure enough to go with it but she needs some answers and reassurances as well. I loved how Gabriel pushed her and gave her options, how he even baited and switched her. He would offer up something she would say no to then use it as punishment so she would accept the idea and perform before she realized she liked it. I'm not sure I'd be able to freely admit I liked most of the stuff I do either and I can see how once he removed the negative connotation around it, she was able to let it go and enjoy the act itself without fear.
Now...semi spoilers here, so don't read if you don't want a small clue...My mouth fell open somewhere right after the New Year's Eve concert and never closed. The book took a dramatic left turn and left me in shock, denial and tearful. I see how the ending was appropriate but I never expected it and it caught me off guard. And by that point I had fallen in love with Gabriel, even if he was inappropriate at times, and it hurt my heart to watch it all unfold.
I haven't been this invested or shocked by a book in a long time and now I'm rushing to find part two, praying like crazy it's out already so I can just purchase it and begin to read without a wait! Well done, Ivory Quinn, you are officially my newest hero!
July 11, 2013
I hate to give this book only 3*, it’s very well written and I was enjoying the storyline a lot. Until the Chapter 17. It is difficult to explain my point of view without giving away too much, but I was thinking about these book even days after I finished it, and I just have to express myself. If you plan to read it, than just skip this review, stop to read and just forget it.
August 31, 2014
Re-read Aug 2014
Wow wow wow, Oh Gabrielle you poor tortured soul :(
Not many things are better the second time around, this story was, for me!!!
Not being so new to the erotica/BDSM genre I had no issue with the sex scenes as mentioned in my first review. They fitted the story perfectly.
Review May 2013 - 4 stars
I really enjoyed this story and had a hard time having to put it down. The plot was unique and intriguing; it sucked me in right from the start and didn’t spit me out until the very end!
The only reason I am not rating it higher is some of the sex scenes didn't appeal to me, but that was a on a personal level, and didn't take away from the mystery of an extremely well written plot!
Wow wow wow, Oh Gabrielle you poor tortured soul :(
Not many things are better the second time around, this story was, for me!!!
Not being so new to the erotica/BDSM genre I had no issue with the sex scenes as mentioned in my first review. They fitted the story perfectly.
Review May 2013 - 4 stars
I really enjoyed this story and had a hard time having to put it down. The plot was unique and intriguing; it sucked me in right from the start and didn’t spit me out until the very end!
The only reason I am not rating it higher is some of the sex scenes didn't appeal to me, but that was a on a personal level, and didn't take away from the mystery of an extremely well written plot!
April 11, 2013
I am so not sure how to describe this book. Loved parts if it. Parts of it hurt my heart..I want to read the next and I am not sure my heart will let me!!!
April 21, 2013
2.5 stars. I really enjoyed the last 25%. I didnt like Gabriel at all!
August 25, 2014
Mind-blowing!!! What an awesome book! Loved, loved, loved it! I have a major book hangover.
Not sure where to start, but I will say Ivory Quinn writes beautifully! Her characters in this book were so full of life. We meet Gabriel, a dark, tortured soul who finds Noelle and feels that she is his redemption. Gabriel is the lead singer of Darkness Falls and also public enemy number one from some past events. Noelle is a sweet, innocent school teacher, but she is sucked into Gabriel's world immediately. Gabriel's world starts to obtain some balance with Noelle involved and he is looking foward to their future.
Noelle didn't realise she was crying until someone handed her a tissue. The crowd was hushed with rapt attention, realizing they were listening to something very special. It was as though he'd ripped the demons from his body and shattered them into the glittering shards that poured through his vocal cords.
We also meet Jax, the lead guitarist for the group. He is Gabriel's friend and a sweet, kind, sexy man. He takes a fancy to Noelle, despite Gabriel's jealousy.
"Noelle, will you promise me something?" He said slowly and she shrugged. "Depends on what it is." "If things don't work out between you and angel boy here, you'll marry me?" Noelle burst out laughing. "That's very sweet Jaxon, but I really don't think I'm your type." "Baby, I didn't have a type until I met you." He winked. "Now I'm all about the sexy red-heads that are good with food."
Something happens between Gabriel and Noelle that forces their relationship to detail and all I can say is I never saw it coming! I was hit by a freight train of ugly emotion! I kept thinking, no, that can't be. Ms. Quinn wouldn't do this, would she? I can't say anything more because I don't want to give anything away. But I highly recommend this book and this wonderful author! I have started the second book in the series now and thank God, I didn't have to wait for that one!!
This was one of my favorite books of this year so far!!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not sure where to start, but I will say Ivory Quinn writes beautifully! Her characters in this book were so full of life. We meet Gabriel, a dark, tortured soul who finds Noelle and feels that she is his redemption. Gabriel is the lead singer of Darkness Falls and also public enemy number one from some past events. Noelle is a sweet, innocent school teacher, but she is sucked into Gabriel's world immediately. Gabriel's world starts to obtain some balance with Noelle involved and he is looking foward to their future.
Noelle didn't realise she was crying until someone handed her a tissue. The crowd was hushed with rapt attention, realizing they were listening to something very special. It was as though he'd ripped the demons from his body and shattered them into the glittering shards that poured through his vocal cords.
We also meet Jax, the lead guitarist for the group. He is Gabriel's friend and a sweet, kind, sexy man. He takes a fancy to Noelle, despite Gabriel's jealousy.
"Noelle, will you promise me something?" He said slowly and she shrugged. "Depends on what it is." "If things don't work out between you and angel boy here, you'll marry me?" Noelle burst out laughing. "That's very sweet Jaxon, but I really don't think I'm your type." "Baby, I didn't have a type until I met you." He winked. "Now I'm all about the sexy red-heads that are good with food."
Something happens between Gabriel and Noelle that forces their relationship to detail and all I can say is I never saw it coming! I was hit by a freight train of ugly emotion! I kept thinking, no, that can't be. Ms. Quinn wouldn't do this, would she? I can't say anything more because I don't want to give anything away. But I highly recommend this book and this wonderful author! I have started the second book in the series now and thank God, I didn't have to wait for that one!!
This was one of my favorite books of this year so far!!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
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