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The Story of X
A darkly seductive and passionate tale of secret societies, elaborate rites and sexual experimentation, in the tradition of the captivating classic Story of O and Kubrick's film Eyes Wide Shut.
Shy American student Alexandra Beckmann-'X' to her friends-arrives in Naples desperate for adventures beyond the sheltered life she has led. She is there to study the Camorra, an infamous Italian crime organization. But in the sun-soaked, ancient city streets, her research leads her to a man like no one else she has ever met.
Irresistibly handsome, Lord Marcus Roscarrick is an Italian aristocrat with a mysterious past. Yet, underneath his refined exterior, X senses a man who is well-acquainted with danger.
Soon they begin a passionate affair, and X is drawn into Roscarrick's world-a world she never dreamed existed. But as she falls ever more deeply under Roscarrick's spell, X must decide whether she dares to submit entirely to this shadowy realm of dark desire.
Shy American student Alexandra Beckmann-'X' to her friends-arrives in Naples desperate for adventures beyond the sheltered life she has led. She is there to study the Camorra, an infamous Italian crime organization. But in the sun-soaked, ancient city streets, her research leads her to a man like no one else she has ever met.
Irresistibly handsome, Lord Marcus Roscarrick is an Italian aristocrat with a mysterious past. Yet, underneath his refined exterior, X senses a man who is well-acquainted with danger.
Soon they begin a passionate affair, and X is drawn into Roscarrick's world-a world she never dreamed existed. But as she falls ever more deeply under Roscarrick's spell, X must decide whether she dares to submit entirely to this shadowy realm of dark desire.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
April 4, 2014
Could someone please explain to me what this book was about?
Here is my take on it:
The heroine, X, is the stupidest thing I have ever had "pleasure" of reading about.
I'm not going to waste my time describing her. Here are some of her lines:
Marcus: Creepy, perverse, billionaire/Mafioso, weird ass lord of the underground sex cult.
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He tells her she can't be with him unless she is initiated in to the "brotherhood" or whateverthehell that was. The whole thing got scarier by the page.
The writing: horrendous. If you haven't got that from heroine's lines, here is some more:
Ain't that just the sexiest thing you've ever heard? Not really! Vacca in Italian is still a vacca in English, honey!
That is all I can say about this book.
I did not finish this book and don't even feel bad about it. Life is too short, moving on to bigger and better things.
Here is my take on it:
The heroine, X, is the stupidest thing I have ever had "pleasure" of reading about.
I'm not going to waste my time describing her. Here are some of her lines:
"Um..." I am flustered, stammering like a fool. Glansing at both my mom and Marcus. "Um.. Ah.. Uh..."
***
"Mom, this is... Marc. He's a... He's a..." Spit it out. "He's a friend, um... a friend I made here... I mean."
***
"Marc, I... God... I... I want... I just, I'm sorry... I... I wonder... What are you doing?"
***
"But Marc, but Marc... I can't... I..."
***
"Where? I... I... I don't... Oh, yes..." I see. Yes, I see."
Marcus: Creepy, perverse, billionaire/Mafioso, weird ass lord of the underground sex cult.
[image error]
He tells her she can't be with him unless she is initiated in to the "brotherhood" or whateverthehell that was. The whole thing got scarier by the page.
The writing: horrendous. If you haven't got that from heroine's lines, here is some more:
"We got back in his car and drove to his palazzo and then we parked by the rear door, in the dark, and we got out - and suddenly he picked me up and turned me around and threw me over the hood of the car and lifted up my dress and yanked down ...(blah blah blah happening) me from behind, over his beautiful Mercedes sports."And all that happened in one f-ing sentence, and a lousy one at that!!!!
"You know, if I was vulgar, I could call you a stubborn cow."
I looked at him.
"Tua vacca, Celenza."
Your cow, Excellency."
Ain't that just the sexiest thing you've ever heard? Not really! Vacca in Italian is still a vacca in English, honey!
That is all I can say about this book.
I did not finish this book and don't even feel bad about it. Life is too short, moving on to bigger and better things.
April 12, 2015
-2.5-
Estoy confusa.
Tengo la sensación de haber mandado a la mierda unas horas de mi vida que jamás recuperaré. Pero ha sido en parte.
Más de medio libro se resume en:
Joven humilde y dulce, con pocas experiencias sexuales satisfactorias en su vida, conoce por casualidad a un lord ricachón al que le gustan los juegos eróticos. Él la avisa de que se mantenga alejada, ella ilusa se lanza a sus brazos, se enamoran…
Iba por la página 60 y quería quemar el libro. ¿No hay otro argumento para una novela erótica? ¡Originalidad llamando a los escritores!
Entonces la originalidad me hace caso, llama a mi puerta y la novela da un giro de 180 grados.
Empieza la trama de Villa de los Misterios, junto con los cinco Misterios en los que alcanzar el placer. Todo va mejorando, es más, estoy enganchada totalmente. Me gusta la intriga de no saber cuáles son esos Misterios (Obvio por el nombre), que el protagonista masculino no sea el típico macho dominante gilipollas, y ella tenga sus ovarios bien puestos y no se amilane.
Entonces llegamos a la parte final y:
Una mierda enorme. ¿En serio? ¿Tanto para ese final?
Estoy confusa.
Tengo la sensación de haber mandado a la mierda unas horas de mi vida que jamás recuperaré. Pero ha sido en parte.
Más de medio libro se resume en:
Joven humilde y dulce, con pocas experiencias sexuales satisfactorias en su vida, conoce por casualidad a un lord ricachón al que le gustan los juegos eróticos. Él la avisa de que se mantenga alejada, ella ilusa se lanza a sus brazos, se enamoran…
Iba por la página 60 y quería quemar el libro. ¿No hay otro argumento para una novela erótica? ¡Originalidad llamando a los escritores!
Entonces la originalidad me hace caso, llama a mi puerta y la novela da un giro de 180 grados.
Empieza la trama de Villa de los Misterios, junto con los cinco Misterios en los que alcanzar el placer. Todo va mejorando, es más, estoy enganchada totalmente. Me gusta la intriga de no saber cuáles son esos Misterios (Obvio por el nombre), que el protagonista masculino no sea el típico macho dominante gilipollas, y ella tenga sus ovarios bien puestos y no se amilane.
Entonces llegamos a la parte final y:
Una mierda enorme. ¿En serio? ¿Tanto para ese final?
November 25, 2012
Well what can I say..I Loved it so intense and such an emotional rollercoaster between the 2 characters.Marc was a very complex character but loveable and gentle at the same time.X was feisty but she definitely had a softer side to her which showed in her submission to Marc with all the initiations she had to complete to be with him.As the front cover of the book says this was a love do sweet and a desire so stronger.
Every emotion was felt throughout this book,it was very well written and all the twists between the 2 characters made it an awesome read ;-)
Every emotion was felt throughout this book,it was very well written and all the twists between the 2 characters made it an awesome read ;-)
July 22, 2013
Marc and X
The end was just too much for me. So not cool. Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
A darkly seductive and passionate tale of secret societies, elaborate rites and sexual experimentation, in the tradition of the captivating classic Story of O and Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut.
This first part of the blurb really caught my attention. It sounds a little dark, a little disturbing and like something I could really get behind. Then comes the second part:
Shy American student Alexandra Beckmann—‘X’ to her friends—arrives in Naples desperate for adventures beyond the sheltered life she has led. She is there to study the Camorra, an infamous Italian crime organization. But in the sun-soaked, ancient city streets, her research leads her to a man like no one else she has ever met.
Irresistibly handsome, Lord Marcus Roscarrick is an Italian aristocrat with a mysterious past. Yet, underneath his refined exterior, X senses a man who is well-acquainted with danger.
Soon they begin a passionate affair, and X is drawn into Roscarrick’s world—a world she never dreamed existed. But as she falls ever more deeply under Roscarrick’s spell, X must decide whether she dares to submit entirely to this shadowy realm of dark desire.
Sound familiar anyone? It does to me. It sounds like a blurb that I have seen at least 100 times in the past year or so. But because of the first part, I decided to give this book a go.
I got to about the 17% mark and almost turned it in. Marc and Alexandra, called X by her friends, were behaving in the typical young woman/billionaire form I have come to realize is standard for many books now. There was still something that kept me hanging on though and then I found out what it was.
Marc tells X that they cannot have a relationship unless she goes through the five Mysteries. The Mysteries are back of an ancient group and if you are not indoctrinated you cannot have a relationship with someone that is. Marc show X pictures of one of the Mysteries and it just happens to be a woman being beaten. Cue typical BDSM theme…..but not so much.
Marc didn’t come across as your normal dominant personality. He is a bit laid back and quiet. X refuses to go through the rituals and Marc accepts her wishes and they stop seeing each other. Of course, if that lasted for long this wouldn’t be much of a book. X really wants to be with Marc so gives in and the Mysteries begin. The Mysteries are to take place over the course of several months and go on in different locations. X will not know what she is going to asked to do each time. She is given a safe word and repeatedly reminded the reason she is doing this is so she can have an open relationship with Marc.
Intertwined with the Mysteries, X is working on a thesis about Italian history and the mob. This was also part of the book that kept me coming back for more. The history and detail are so well done. I was completely sucked by the research, descriptions of locations and famous landmarks. The history mixes beautifully with the overall story too. There is some question of whether Marc is involved in the mafia and what connection he or they have to the Mysteries.
As Marc and X go through each Mystery the wtf is upped. One thing I wasn’t sure of was the purpose of each task. I thought maybe is there was a goal or some explanation behind the reasoning for each act they performed then maybe I would understand the rationale better. X was clearly uneasy at each event and even used her safe word at one point. I will say that I was on the edge of my seat just as X was. I was a bit nervous each time a Mystery was presented because I didn’t know what was going to happen. The book is very suspenseful.
Over time Marc and X form a strong connection that goes beyond what they are doing with the Mysteries. When it comes time to do the fifth Mystery Marc mentions that he doesn’t know what it is. Apparently it is different for men and women and he has only seen/done the men’s side. Lucky for them, someone else is chosen to go first and X is able to see what the fifth Mystery involves. She is horrified but in order to be with Marc she will do anything.
Full stop. I think this is where I started to derail with the book. She will do anything. Get that? Just think of all the things that anything can be and let me tell you that they happen to X from this point to the end of the book. Marc jumps in the middle of the fifth Mystery and says he will not allow X to complete it but because they interrupted a sacred ritual they are slated for death. Death can only be avoided by performing the very, very secretive sixth Mystery. The sixth Mystery took the book straight into OH HELL NO land for me. At that point, I was done. I no longer believed in their HEA or the romance of this book. So sad.
Had this story not involved the sixth Mystery I would have enjoyed but that part was too much for me. I don’t understand why it would happen or what the purpose of it was. I know I am being vague but this would be a spoiler and I don’t want to ruin something for someone who will read all the way through. Final grade- D
Favorite Quote:
Oh, Mom, meet Marc, he’s a billionaire aristocrat into prehistoric S&M who fucked me into blissful oblivion the other night; shall we have some coffee?
The end was just too much for me. So not cool. Full review on Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
A darkly seductive and passionate tale of secret societies, elaborate rites and sexual experimentation, in the tradition of the captivating classic Story of O and Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut.
This first part of the blurb really caught my attention. It sounds a little dark, a little disturbing and like something I could really get behind. Then comes the second part:
Shy American student Alexandra Beckmann—‘X’ to her friends—arrives in Naples desperate for adventures beyond the sheltered life she has led. She is there to study the Camorra, an infamous Italian crime organization. But in the sun-soaked, ancient city streets, her research leads her to a man like no one else she has ever met.
Irresistibly handsome, Lord Marcus Roscarrick is an Italian aristocrat with a mysterious past. Yet, underneath his refined exterior, X senses a man who is well-acquainted with danger.
Soon they begin a passionate affair, and X is drawn into Roscarrick’s world—a world she never dreamed existed. But as she falls ever more deeply under Roscarrick’s spell, X must decide whether she dares to submit entirely to this shadowy realm of dark desire.
Sound familiar anyone? It does to me. It sounds like a blurb that I have seen at least 100 times in the past year or so. But because of the first part, I decided to give this book a go.
I got to about the 17% mark and almost turned it in. Marc and Alexandra, called X by her friends, were behaving in the typical young woman/billionaire form I have come to realize is standard for many books now. There was still something that kept me hanging on though and then I found out what it was.
Marc tells X that they cannot have a relationship unless she goes through the five Mysteries. The Mysteries are back of an ancient group and if you are not indoctrinated you cannot have a relationship with someone that is. Marc show X pictures of one of the Mysteries and it just happens to be a woman being beaten. Cue typical BDSM theme…..but not so much.
Marc didn’t come across as your normal dominant personality. He is a bit laid back and quiet. X refuses to go through the rituals and Marc accepts her wishes and they stop seeing each other. Of course, if that lasted for long this wouldn’t be much of a book. X really wants to be with Marc so gives in and the Mysteries begin. The Mysteries are to take place over the course of several months and go on in different locations. X will not know what she is going to asked to do each time. She is given a safe word and repeatedly reminded the reason she is doing this is so she can have an open relationship with Marc.
Intertwined with the Mysteries, X is working on a thesis about Italian history and the mob. This was also part of the book that kept me coming back for more. The history and detail are so well done. I was completely sucked by the research, descriptions of locations and famous landmarks. The history mixes beautifully with the overall story too. There is some question of whether Marc is involved in the mafia and what connection he or they have to the Mysteries.
As Marc and X go through each Mystery the wtf is upped. One thing I wasn’t sure of was the purpose of each task. I thought maybe is there was a goal or some explanation behind the reasoning for each act they performed then maybe I would understand the rationale better. X was clearly uneasy at each event and even used her safe word at one point. I will say that I was on the edge of my seat just as X was. I was a bit nervous each time a Mystery was presented because I didn’t know what was going to happen. The book is very suspenseful.
Over time Marc and X form a strong connection that goes beyond what they are doing with the Mysteries. When it comes time to do the fifth Mystery Marc mentions that he doesn’t know what it is. Apparently it is different for men and women and he has only seen/done the men’s side. Lucky for them, someone else is chosen to go first and X is able to see what the fifth Mystery involves. She is horrified but in order to be with Marc she will do anything.
Full stop. I think this is where I started to derail with the book. She will do anything. Get that? Just think of all the things that anything can be and let me tell you that they happen to X from this point to the end of the book. Marc jumps in the middle of the fifth Mystery and says he will not allow X to complete it but because they interrupted a sacred ritual they are slated for death. Death can only be avoided by performing the very, very secretive sixth Mystery. The sixth Mystery took the book straight into OH HELL NO land for me. At that point, I was done. I no longer believed in their HEA or the romance of this book. So sad.
Had this story not involved the sixth Mystery I would have enjoyed but that part was too much for me. I don’t understand why it would happen or what the purpose of it was. I know I am being vague but this would be a spoiler and I don’t want to ruin something for someone who will read all the way through. Final grade- D
Favorite Quote:
Oh, Mom, meet Marc, he’s a billionaire aristocrat into prehistoric S&M who fucked me into blissful oblivion the other night; shall we have some coffee?
August 28, 2015
Propagace knihy, která je „vhodná pro fanoušky Padesáti odstínů“ je hodně přesná. Seznamte se s Alexandrou, dvaadvacetiletou americkou vysokoškolskou studentkou, která přijíždí do Itálie, aby napsala svoji absolventskou práci a tajně doufá, že zde najde i lásku a vášeň, která v jejím životě chybí. Setkání s bohatým, atraktivním a tajemným lordem Marcusem Roscarrickem však může přinést mnohem víc, než v co doufala... a čeho se bála.
Ixka, jak je naše hrdinka přezdívána (no ano, vážně), je nezkušená a má za sebou dlouholetý nudný vztah a jen tři milence, což je na dvaadvacetiletou dívku zjevně tak málo, že se sama sebe nazývá „skoro pannou“. Svoje představy o milostném životě nejspíš bere od své bývalé spolubydlící a nejlepší kamarádky, nevázané Jessiky, která podle vyprávění během prvních pár stran působí jako promiskuitní coura. A právě s Jessikou má Alex strávit tři měsíce v Neapoli, kde bude sbírat materiály pro svou práci o italské mafii a zároveň zkušenosti z první cesty do magické Evropy.
Hned první den po příletu do Itálie Jessika s Ixkou (taky máte takový problém s českým překladem přezdívky X nebo je to jen mnou?) narazí na lorda Marcuse Jamese Anthony Mastrosso Di Angelo Roscarricka, který Ixku na první pohled očaruje. Je neuvěřitelně přitažlivý, charismatický a... no, je to multimiliardář, takže to samo stačí, aby k sobě obrátil pozornost jakékoliv ženy (či muže)... a je kolem něho doslova cítit tajemná atmosféra nahánějící husí kůži.
Netrvá dlouho a znovu se setkají. Ixka hned druhý den vyráží směr Placa Roscarrick, aby načerpala informace o mafii, která je předmětem její diplomové práce, a zároveň se znovu setkala s Ním.
Lord Rocarrick nebo-li Mark na ni působí doslova jako magnet, ovšem docela jasně jí dá okamžitě najevo, že o ni nestojí. Proto je Ixka v takovém šoku, když je později zachráněna při napadení právě dotyčným, který ji i přes svá slova hlídá a chrání na každém kroku... Markova minulost je obestřena mnoha tajemstvími a Ixka je chce za každou cenu zjistit, i když si uvědomuje, že jednou bude možná litovat a především, že není cesty zpět. Vztah s temným lordem Roscarrickem má svá pevně daná pravidla.
Mysteria představují jakousi formu rituálů prováděných „sektou“. Lidmi, kteří přísahali, že udrží tajemství – a proto o tom mluví, jak se jim zachce – a nikdy nebudou v dlouhodobém vztahu s nikým jiným, než se svými členy. Mark tedy ví, že nemůže s Ixkou být, i když už od první chvíle ví, že to je pro něj nemožné... jediné řešení je, že Alexandra postoupí všech pět rituálů. Pokud projde, pohádka bude mít šťastný konec.
Rituály jsou plné orgií – nahota, erotika, voayerství, sebeuspokojování, bolest a především oddanost. Ixka v sobě musí najít nového člověka a zapomenout na tu skoro panenskou (stále to opakuje, protože tři muži ve dvaadvaceti letech jsou očividně příšerně malé číslo) holku z Ameriky, kterou byla. A zároveň se pokusit uchránit srdce před útokem oslnivého lorda, pokud už není pozdě.
První věcí, která mě na knize překvapila ještě dřív, než jsem ji stačila otevřít, byl fakt, že na její obálce nebyl doporučený věk. Syn pekel od Fragmentu je doporučován od patnácti let – nejspíš proto, že tam sem tam někoho zabijou – a tohle psané porno, nemá žádné varování, přestože vychází u stejného nakladatelství.
Pak jsem knihu otevřela...
Nemůžeme se vyvarovat srovnání s Padesáti odstíny, protože základní kostra příběhu – nezkušená mladá holka, tajemný milionář a trochu zvrácený sex – je takřka totožná. Začneme stylem psaní, protože obě knihy jsou vyprávěny dívčí ich-formou, a tady narážíme na první problémy. Přestože neznámá autorka píšící pod pseudonymem A. J. Molloy má zjevně mnohem větší slovní zásobu, než E. L. James, tak jednoduše píše divně. Zbytečně se vysiluje, užívá až moc slov, které se do situací nehodí (tady netuším, jak moc je na vině překladatel a jak autorka) a především vše zbytečně zdůrazňuje.
A Markova sladká ústa se mi tisknout k pohlaví, k mé touze, k mé kundě, mé vulvě.
... může mě znásilnit, zpustošit a zšikanovat mě. Ale svolím ke všemu, jen abych ho cítila v sobě."
Buď se snaží o jakési literární umění a marně anebo... no ne, celý sloh, který nerespektuje čas – v jedné větě se ocitáme v minulém i přítomném čase, jak se zrovna autorce zamane – je tím nejdivnějším, co jsem za poslední dobu četla a pokud Padesát odstínů šedi bylo dobré alespoň v něčem, tak že první díl byl čtivý (druhý už se táhl, ale ta angličtina byla dokonale primitivní).
Dalším problémem knihy je absolutní nereálnost. Co si budeme povídat... tyhle popelkovské červené knihovny jsou celkově neoriginální vykrádačka až hamba. Ana, která se „udělala“ při každém sexu, byla v jednadvaceti letech panna (no proč ne) a naprosto nezkušená (??) a dokázala vystudovat vysokou školu bez vlastního mobilu či telefonu (?!?!)... byla neuvěřitelným prototypem nereálné Mařeny. Tentokrát nejde ani tak o postavy (i když Marcus narozdíl od Chrisitana Greye nemá dokonce ani tu pošramocenou osobnost), jako o celý koncept, který je tak pitomý, až to bolí... události střídají jedna druhou a jsou napsané čím dál hůř a abstraktněji, až čtenář chvílemi neví, jestli čte obyčejný román nebo futuristickou scifi.
Během prvních stran je hrdinka napadena... a už vidím feťáky, jak ji touží znásilnit, ale co hůř – znovu je tu problém s jejími myšlenkovými pochody:
První čahoun s nepovedeným a pořád ještě živým tetováním na krku, které připomíná pásový opar, popojde dopředu. Zahání mě do kouta. Jsem pouze jedna z krys v neapolské uličce.
Nůž má falický tvar, je ztopořený. Mžiknu k bezmocnému nebi a pak na nelítostnou temnotu uličky za zády násilníků. Ne. Odtud žádná naděje nepřichází. Není ani tady. Ani jinde. Jsem sama.
Krom toho potom, co těsně unikne znásilnění, vrátí se domu, příkladně se osprchuje a pak si jde klidně na rande v letních šatečkách, protože má nutkání vypadat co nejvíce žensky... většina žen by po podobném útoku, kdy jí „ruce drásaly prsa“ toužila po pravém opaku.
Ovšem Mark vyslovující podobné hlášky od prvního setkání téměř neustále (no, on nic jiného, než hlášky nebo drsně ale něžně – všiml si někdo protikladů? – šoustat vlastně neumí) na tom není o moc líp:
„Máte v sobě něco, nejenom vaše krása, prostě něco hluboko. Poznal jsem to, hned jak jste vstoupila do paláce. Vaše odvaha, vaše nebojácnost. Ta jiskřivá inteligence. A mě to k vám začalo přitahovat hned a nepřekonatelně. Jako zemská gravitace."
Sečteno a podtrženo, když rovnici vynásobíme ještě mysteriemi, jenže mají být děsivé a hrdinka se u nich sesypává, aby pak ukazovala, že je... jak řekla Polgara... p*ča uvažující p*čou a nakonec velkým „zlomem“, jde nejspíš o tu nejhloupější knihu, s kterou jsem měla tu smůlu se setkat a tímto se musím omluvit dokonce i Upírům z Morganville, jejichž hrdinka sice byla stupidní a příběh na hlavu, ale autorka se alespoň trochu držela pod kontrolou.
Každopádně jsem pochopila, proč se „tajemná velice známá britská autorka“ schovává za pseudonym A. J. Molloy, já bych se za tuhle knihu taky styděla.
*Zvláštní je, že když Ixka projde rituály, kde si ji všichni prohlížejí nahou a dotýkají se jí, líbají ji a milují se s ní tři ženy s umělým pomocníkem, tak největší haló je z toho, že by měla před všemi „kopulovat“ s tajemným mužem v masce, což jí připadá zvrácená a bojí se. Neříkala náhodou, že touží po více partnerech? Nebo je čtyři tak velký rozdíl oproti těm třem, s kterými byla „skoro panna“?
**Ach ano a nakonec po naprosto předvídatelným závěru (to jejich „mučení“ bych si dala ráda líbit) přichází i to, na co jsem čekala celou knihu. Po tolika ztrojených a vícenásobných písmenkách jako „oooch“ a podobně přichází i: Alex???? (protože jeden nebo i tři otazníky nestačí). Můžu s klidem umřít.
Pokud jsi miloval, skutečně miloval aspoň okamžik, pokud jsi byl milován, pak jsi zamilovaný a milovaný navždy. A smrt prohrává.
Nic než Bůh, vše ostatní je dým.
Nic než láska nepřetrvá, vše ostatní je dým.
December 23, 2012
FULL REVIEW ON SMUTBOOKCLUB.COM
I didn't expect this to be funny and light-hearted, but it was without taking away from the intensity of the rituals and storyline. If you're infatuated with anything Italian, you'll love the history embedded into the storyline. Highly recommend for readers who like stories of discovery, intensity, and intimately detailed sex scenes.
I didn't expect this to be funny and light-hearted, but it was without taking away from the intensity of the rituals and storyline. If you're infatuated with anything Italian, you'll love the history embedded into the storyline. Highly recommend for readers who like stories of discovery, intensity, and intimately detailed sex scenes.
February 16, 2013
OMG this is an amazing story seriously beautiful but also disturbing, exposing things about the past which really should have stayed in the past but the main thing is that Love does conquer all. I would recommend and read this book in about 8 hours as it had me gripped, loved it.
January 6, 2013
So good I read it twice good plot beleivable characters and good story. The kind of book that takes you into a different world and you feel just like you are there.
February 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! It makes me want to travel to Italy. The details that are described about the wining, dining and you-know- whating are funny & extremely real.
August 6, 2015
hm, tak, tak, nije bas uvjerljiva ali OK
May 6, 2013
When X goes on a work study program to Italy, she goes looking for love but never dreams it will lead her head long into ancient mysteries best left alone.
Alexandra Beckmann, otherwise known as X, is in Italy with her friend Jessica working on her thesis. Choosing to write about the mob is probably not the safest subject matter, but being steeped in all of Italy’s essences, it stirs her blood. X and Jessica meet an enigmatic wealthy man at one of the corner cafes and he pays for their drinks and food. X is transfixed by the allure of the mysterious Marcus Roscarrick. Wealthy, hot and eligible, X pursues him only to be rebuffed. Feeling like a fool, she heads off and resumes work on her thesis. Wandering the environs of Italy’s darkest corners, Roscarrick saves her when she gets into a situation over her head. The game is on.
From the first page, this story grabbed my interest. Here was a girl in Italy studying the mob. Talk about poking a bear with a stick! As X gets in deeper, you get a tour of the best and worst that Italy has to offer, both in experiences and travel destinations. As she becomes involved with Marcus sexually, hidden dimensions about the man, his past and whether their relationship can possibly go any further glued me to my chair. Was he in the Italian mob? How did he garner his fortune? What was that about a dead wife with a whole lot of money that he inherited? Lots of questions kept me guessing and that wasn’t even the best part.
Marcus is a member of a Mystery Religion based out of a Dionysian tradition. It is secretive and dangerous and in order for X to see him, she has to be initiated into the society. Fearful and upset, X is repelled by the idea, but can’t stand the thought of being apart fromMarcus. The Mysteries are a series of rites performed in secret locations that involve ancient knowledge, sexual situations and drugs. Leading her into this hidden world, Marcus tries to protect her even as they both get deeper into the intricacies of the Italian mob and the web of violence and intrigue that comes with it.
The Story of X is a compelling read that takes smoking hot sex scenes and pairs them with a Mystery religion so that the two are intertwined. BDSM elements including voyeurism, drugged orgies, multiple partners, public spankings, nudity and whippings are all a part of the initiation process. Not to mention a special tattoo as well. Marcus is a conflicted character with a lot of personal history to deal with and X has to navigate some seriously shark infested waters if she is going to be with this smoking hot billionaire.
Overall, this book was such a different BDSM twist that it had me guessing the entire time. Part mystery, part erotic romance, this story was unique enough that I could not put it down. Everyone hears about the fun parts of Italy, but what about the slums and crime ridden parts? This author did a great job of letting me see the good, bad and ugly while still keeping me riveted to the passion between the characters and what was at stake if the initiation didn’t take place.
For a hot read with some biting dialog, nicely rounded characters and a tour of Italy that reads like the most interesting travel brochure ever, put this one on your reading list.
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
Alexandra Beckmann, otherwise known as X, is in Italy with her friend Jessica working on her thesis. Choosing to write about the mob is probably not the safest subject matter, but being steeped in all of Italy’s essences, it stirs her blood. X and Jessica meet an enigmatic wealthy man at one of the corner cafes and he pays for their drinks and food. X is transfixed by the allure of the mysterious Marcus Roscarrick. Wealthy, hot and eligible, X pursues him only to be rebuffed. Feeling like a fool, she heads off and resumes work on her thesis. Wandering the environs of Italy’s darkest corners, Roscarrick saves her when she gets into a situation over her head. The game is on.
From the first page, this story grabbed my interest. Here was a girl in Italy studying the mob. Talk about poking a bear with a stick! As X gets in deeper, you get a tour of the best and worst that Italy has to offer, both in experiences and travel destinations. As she becomes involved with Marcus sexually, hidden dimensions about the man, his past and whether their relationship can possibly go any further glued me to my chair. Was he in the Italian mob? How did he garner his fortune? What was that about a dead wife with a whole lot of money that he inherited? Lots of questions kept me guessing and that wasn’t even the best part.
Marcus is a member of a Mystery Religion based out of a Dionysian tradition. It is secretive and dangerous and in order for X to see him, she has to be initiated into the society. Fearful and upset, X is repelled by the idea, but can’t stand the thought of being apart fromMarcus. The Mysteries are a series of rites performed in secret locations that involve ancient knowledge, sexual situations and drugs. Leading her into this hidden world, Marcus tries to protect her even as they both get deeper into the intricacies of the Italian mob and the web of violence and intrigue that comes with it.
The Story of X is a compelling read that takes smoking hot sex scenes and pairs them with a Mystery religion so that the two are intertwined. BDSM elements including voyeurism, drugged orgies, multiple partners, public spankings, nudity and whippings are all a part of the initiation process. Not to mention a special tattoo as well. Marcus is a conflicted character with a lot of personal history to deal with and X has to navigate some seriously shark infested waters if she is going to be with this smoking hot billionaire.
Overall, this book was such a different BDSM twist that it had me guessing the entire time. Part mystery, part erotic romance, this story was unique enough that I could not put it down. Everyone hears about the fun parts of Italy, but what about the slums and crime ridden parts? This author did a great job of letting me see the good, bad and ugly while still keeping me riveted to the passion between the characters and what was at stake if the initiation didn’t take place.
For a hot read with some biting dialog, nicely rounded characters and a tour of Italy that reads like the most interesting travel brochure ever, put this one on your reading list.
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
October 20, 2014
Jmenuji se IQ tykve. Tak bych tu knihu přejmenovala. Všechno v ní bylo absurdní. Ixka( příšerné jméno hlavní hrdinky) mě neskutečně vytáčela svým nesmyslným chováním, které se nedá omluvit ani naivitou. Jednu hvězdičku dávám knize málokdy, protože knihu s takovým hodnocením většinou ani nejsem schopná dočíst. Tady mě poháněla jediná věc, jediné co podněcovalo mou zvědavost, byla záhada těch mistérií. Ale ani to spisovatelka nedokázala využít ku prospěchu a celé to vyšlo vniveč a frašku. Celý příběh byl nesmyslný, hlavní hrdina mi byl ukradený a omáčkou okolo byl popis historických míst Itálie. Tohle byl jednoznačně nejhorší erotický román, co jsem kdy četla.
July 31, 2015
A možda 2.5..
Ideja nije loša, ali neiskusna i naivna dvadesetdvogodišnjakinja koja bude bolja od Ethana Hunta (Nemoguća misija)? Tipson opet trideset i pun ko` brod!? Mah...
Ideja nije loša, ali neiskusna i naivna dvadesetdvogodišnjakinja koja bude bolja od Ethana Hunta (Nemoguća misija)? Tipson opet trideset i pun ko` brod!? Mah...
March 25, 2013
Already annoyed with this book. The heroine is 22 and sounds like a 13 ear old trumped up on steroids! SERIOUSLY! Her inner monolog comes across as bipolar, or schizophrenic. All the constant talking to herself internally grates on your nerves. Well, mine.
On the plus side? I.T.A.L.Y!!!!! Such a beautiful sounding place. Well, aside from the fictional trash and mob LOL I don't know about other folks, but I'm catching a whiff of Twilight in the air true?
*In her best George voice* "Oh My" I suspect the author is another failed author come fan fiction rip off. Just like . . Oh what's the name of that idiotic trilogy floating about? Fifty somehing . . Sirius-ly its another one of THOSE novels. You know the one . . Where the heroine is dumped into the alternative lifestyle by a billionaire.
Like FSOG, I can't stand the heroine or hero. No substance. I can't stand their tween POV. I abhor their need to justify abuse. I like the mystery surrounding the mysteries but its to skeevy for me. And I detest the words . . Down there!! I hate that the author oushes the word A.L.P.H.A on me. The boy is a bata using the cult, fuck yeah its a cult!, to keep her. And appear Alpha.
I don't buy the free will bit surrounding the mysteries. If it was free will, why then the need to drug the initiates with drink and actual drugs? I don't give a shit, its all about perverted old men justifying their predilictions and parading their meat around.
I couldn't stand the heroine and her dramatics. Oh, hero is out without me? I am woman hear me roar!!!!!!! I shall dramatically rush out, dive over the speed limit, on my own, toward a known gangster, down a road known for kidnapping, rape and murder. PUHLEASE!!!!
Top it off? think the bitch is preggers cause its oh so sexy to fuck a stranger without protection. Don't give a shit if youre on the pill. Glove it you damn fool. Dont need another idiot running amock.
Is this bitch for real!!!! Is she fucking for real? The bastards drug her but it OK cause at least he "Has some too" WTF!! oh but it was consentual and they did tell her what the effects would be NOT. That would ruin the mystery.
*Deep Breath* Any who, so the drug is a hallucinagin and a aphrodisiac on crack. Heroine is lead to a room, split, cuffed to the bed and a FFF menage ensues. Hero admires from sidelines with the other "Men" at one poiint she makes to protest but naturally hero wants her, so naturally, she had the time of her life *Rolls Eyes* makes me sick!
Oh for the love of all that is holy! So now the mysteries are teaching about Sex, Love, Death and God? How the hell do you figure that? I hope she walks down the road naked. Better yet, have Jessica and her man join her.
Wonder if its so sexy if it was MMM better yet, how about her and three males? Yeah, so not happening.
Oh snap!!!! You fucking sexest, hypocritical, bastard Marc!! What? not so "Beautiful" when YOU gotta watch another "Man" fuck your bitch aye? What just cause he has a dick not a clit? Phulease!!! Fuck off already!!
Heroine is a dumb fucker too for allowing it! They all are. Elinghtenment? Please, its just a way for dirty old fuckers to find a free fuck and dumb fucks to lend em to em!!!
I really hope Marc got fuck up the arse in his mouth and bis ears for shits and giggles. By big males with Z sized appendages!!!!
On the plus side? I.T.A.L.Y!!!!! Such a beautiful sounding place. Well, aside from the fictional trash and mob LOL I don't know about other folks, but I'm catching a whiff of Twilight in the air true?
*In her best George voice* "Oh My" I suspect the author is another failed author come fan fiction rip off. Just like . . Oh what's the name of that idiotic trilogy floating about? Fifty somehing . . Sirius-ly its another one of THOSE novels. You know the one . . Where the heroine is dumped into the alternative lifestyle by a billionaire.
Like FSOG, I can't stand the heroine or hero. No substance. I can't stand their tween POV. I abhor their need to justify abuse. I like the mystery surrounding the mysteries but its to skeevy for me. And I detest the words . . Down there!! I hate that the author oushes the word A.L.P.H.A on me. The boy is a bata using the cult, fuck yeah its a cult!, to keep her. And appear Alpha.
I don't buy the free will bit surrounding the mysteries. If it was free will, why then the need to drug the initiates with drink and actual drugs? I don't give a shit, its all about perverted old men justifying their predilictions and parading their meat around.
I couldn't stand the heroine and her dramatics. Oh, hero is out without me? I am woman hear me roar!!!!!!! I shall dramatically rush out, dive over the speed limit, on my own, toward a known gangster, down a road known for kidnapping, rape and murder. PUHLEASE!!!!
Top it off? think the bitch is preggers cause its oh so sexy to fuck a stranger without protection. Don't give a shit if youre on the pill. Glove it you damn fool. Dont need another idiot running amock.
Is this bitch for real!!!! Is she fucking for real? The bastards drug her but it OK cause at least he "Has some too" WTF!! oh but it was consentual and they did tell her what the effects would be NOT. That would ruin the mystery.
*Deep Breath* Any who, so the drug is a hallucinagin and a aphrodisiac on crack. Heroine is lead to a room, split, cuffed to the bed and a FFF menage ensues. Hero admires from sidelines with the other "Men" at one poiint she makes to protest but naturally hero wants her, so naturally, she had the time of her life *Rolls Eyes* makes me sick!
Oh for the love of all that is holy! So now the mysteries are teaching about Sex, Love, Death and God? How the hell do you figure that? I hope she walks down the road naked. Better yet, have Jessica and her man join her.
Wonder if its so sexy if it was MMM better yet, how about her and three males? Yeah, so not happening.
Oh snap!!!! You fucking sexest, hypocritical, bastard Marc!! What? not so "Beautiful" when YOU gotta watch another "Man" fuck your bitch aye? What just cause he has a dick not a clit? Phulease!!! Fuck off already!!
Heroine is a dumb fucker too for allowing it! They all are. Elinghtenment? Please, its just a way for dirty old fuckers to find a free fuck and dumb fucks to lend em to em!!!
I really hope Marc got fuck up the arse in his mouth and bis ears for shits and giggles. By big males with Z sized appendages!!!!
January 28, 2013
I got this as an ARC. Alexandra AKA X is doing research for her senior thesis in Naples. There she sees Marc in a cafe. After flirting with each other, she learns that to date him, she must be inducted into the Mysteries. While I enjoyed the setting - the author does a good job of bringing Naples and Italy to life, the characters were rather flat and the secondary characters mere cardboard cutouts.
November 2, 2019
Loved this more than I thought I would.
Very wild in lots of different ways. And SO sensual! I have never read anything like this. It was very unexpected but wonderful!
I learnt a lot about Italy and the mafia (I didn't even know such a thing existed!)
Now I am so intrigued and want to learn more about 'Ndrangheta and Camorra.
I liked how detailed the world building was; the descriptions of the caffe's/restaurants, to the ancient writing on the cave walls to the clothing and outfits. I also really enjoyed how real the love felt between X & Lord R.
The only thing that I questioned was X & her best friend Jess who I felt should of demanded more of an explanation on what X was doing in regards to the brutality of the mysteries, and with a guy whom she'd only just met. If I was Jess I would of been way less understanding about it, asked many more questions and insisted I be there in case she needed a friend.
I will be looking into more of A.J Molloys books 😍
Very wild in lots of different ways. And SO sensual! I have never read anything like this. It was very unexpected but wonderful!
I learnt a lot about Italy and the mafia (I didn't even know such a thing existed!)
Now I am so intrigued and want to learn more about 'Ndrangheta and Camorra.
I liked how detailed the world building was; the descriptions of the caffe's/restaurants, to the ancient writing on the cave walls to the clothing and outfits. I also really enjoyed how real the love felt between X & Lord R.
The only thing that I questioned was X & her best friend Jess who I felt should of demanded more of an explanation on what X was doing in regards to the brutality of the mysteries, and with a guy whom she'd only just met. If I was Jess I would of been way less understanding about it, asked many more questions and insisted I be there in case she needed a friend.
I will be looking into more of A.J Molloys books 😍
July 12, 2024
denne boka er twilight (i napoli) hvis stephanie meyer ikke var mormon (leste kun denne boka fordi jeg og sussi fant den i en lesekiosk)
May 10, 2016
When I was almost 18, I read "Fifty Shades of Grey" books and I kind of liked it. I mean, sex scenes didn't bother me, but love story was quite sweet, I guess. I mean, it was Twilight fanfiction for me and I liked that. So, when I finished that trilogy I was curious to read different kind of or erotic book. I accidentally found this book, so I gave it a chance. I couldn't say that I enjoyed this books more than "FSoG", but it wasn't bad either. It was.... okay, I guess.
The thing is, that this kind of book isn't my cup of tea. I'm not against them, sex topic don't annoy me or anything, I can easily read about it. But the main story wasn't very interesting to me. Just that. I read it and after few days I forget that I had this book in my hands.
The thing is, that this kind of book isn't my cup of tea. I'm not against them, sex topic don't annoy me or anything, I can easily read about it. But the main story wasn't very interesting to me. Just that. I read it and after few days I forget that I had this book in my hands.
April 12, 2013
god its taken me soooo long to finish this book, simply because there was nothing really that made me want to come back to it once I stopped reading. I did like Marc, and was relieved that he finally stood up for the woman he supposedly loved by stopping her going through with the 5th mystery, but reading what she endured in the 6th he may as well have left her to it as the 6th was horrendous! X's ramblings did my head in! the only saving grace of this book for me was the wonderful descriptive writing about Italy. The end was a joke. just glad its over.
March 13, 2013
Well, if you finished reading 50 Shades of Gray, this book has more than a few similarities that will tide you over. While not lacking completely in bizarro male-female gender/power issues and pseudo-stalking, the relationship between X and her rich love-ah was more... um... normal. Also, the writing is FAR less deplorable.
The last chapter, however, is pretty extreme, and not in a fun-sexy way. Be warned.
I am reviewing porn now, apparently. You are welcome.
The last chapter, however, is pretty extreme, and not in a fun-sexy way. Be warned.
I am reviewing porn now, apparently. You are welcome.
April 18, 2013
This is definitely the most ridiculous story I've read in a long time, like WTF-is-this-really-happening ridiculous. Two stars because I was curious enough to skim through the last half to see what happened.
By the way,I would not consider this a "dark" book.
By the way,I would not consider this a "dark" book.
December 8, 2012
Ever read a book and just go huh? That's how I felt about the story of x. Longer review posted soon at romance books forum. Com
April 8, 2013
What a wonderful, intelligent read. Absolutely loved it!!!!
Read
April 10, 2013What an interesting and fresh take on an Italian study program. Loved the book and can't wait to read more by this author. Original and fun!
April 8, 2020
I don't normally review romance novels. I don't normally read romance novels because a belief in crazy, no-holds-barred love is dangerous and irrational. I especially don't read and review self-published erotica, because it is ubiquitously awful. But for some reason, I read this book. And I liked it.
There is nothing novel about this trope. The inexperienced college girl meets the billionaire who requires her complete submission to his will. Except the two people in this book, X and Marc, are likeable people. He's not a jerk. She's not a silly twit with a head full of dreams. Outside the bedroom, he treats her like she has a brain. They discuss art and architecture and act like they have interests other than sex. Inside the bedroom, there's a give and take that allows her to express herself. He's dominant, but he's giving. There's no need for her to "reform" him into a human being.
The writing style is unusual. It is not polished, or even grammatically correct at times, but it works. It draws the reader in. There is a blend of history, intrigue, danger, and heat that never veers too much in one direction. The story moves quickly, too. It would be easy for the author to get bogged down in details about Italian history, or the evolution of crime gangs, or the pagan Mysteries, but she manages to tangle them together in a way that, while completely unbelievable, is enjoyable in its incredulity.
The Story of X is not erotic literature. It is somewhere between smut and romantic fluff, written in the Fifty Shades Of Grey formula, with many similarities. But for me, a skeptic and absolute non-believer in happy ever afters, I found myself charmed by the main characters' willingness to sacrifice themselves for each other. It's overblown, over the top, and could never happen, and somehow that made me smile instead of rolling my eyes.
This is a quick read, a few hours at most. It probably won't linger or have you shedding sentimental tears. But it will make you sigh, swoon a little, and wish there was something so noble as love that will run a literal gauntlet and survive intact. And in the world right now, that's a good thing.
There is nothing novel about this trope. The inexperienced college girl meets the billionaire who requires her complete submission to his will. Except the two people in this book, X and Marc, are likeable people. He's not a jerk. She's not a silly twit with a head full of dreams. Outside the bedroom, he treats her like she has a brain. They discuss art and architecture and act like they have interests other than sex. Inside the bedroom, there's a give and take that allows her to express herself. He's dominant, but he's giving. There's no need for her to "reform" him into a human being.
The writing style is unusual. It is not polished, or even grammatically correct at times, but it works. It draws the reader in. There is a blend of history, intrigue, danger, and heat that never veers too much in one direction. The story moves quickly, too. It would be easy for the author to get bogged down in details about Italian history, or the evolution of crime gangs, or the pagan Mysteries, but she manages to tangle them together in a way that, while completely unbelievable, is enjoyable in its incredulity.
The Story of X is not erotic literature. It is somewhere between smut and romantic fluff, written in the Fifty Shades Of Grey formula, with many similarities. But for me, a skeptic and absolute non-believer in happy ever afters, I found myself charmed by the main characters' willingness to sacrifice themselves for each other. It's overblown, over the top, and could never happen, and somehow that made me smile instead of rolling my eyes.
This is a quick read, a few hours at most. It probably won't linger or have you shedding sentimental tears. But it will make you sigh, swoon a little, and wish there was something so noble as love that will run a literal gauntlet and survive intact. And in the world right now, that's a good thing.
May 15, 2025
Worst book I have picked up in the last few years. DNF — I genuinely don't see how anyone could finish it. The writing is atrocious: lazy, repetitive, and littered with awkward phrasing. I am pretty sure I know teenagers on wattpad who can whip up something better. Even though half of the book does sound like it was stolen directly from one of those young people. You can play a pretty entertaining game of "what will be said next" and trust me, you will win. Every character is one-dimensional, indistinguishable from one another. The dialogue is unnatural, and internal monologues read like parodies of self-serious erotica.
What’s worse — and more concerning — is the deeply misogynistic tone that runs through the book. It’s not just clueless about women; it actively distorts and degrades them. The female protagonist is not written as a person but as a blank canvas for male fantasy and control, devoid of agency or believable emotion. She says one thing about herself, and then contradicts her own thoughts 4 sentences later. She is supposedly from California, but she uses words more typical for the UK. The author shows no understanding of women’s inner lives, motivations, or complexities — just a shallow, objectifying lens. The women in her life also failed her- her best friend told her to go join a sex cult because she should "live a little", and her mother has also pushed her towards that decision because "I was never young, don't do what I did". Awful awful rhetoric.
This isn’t just bad writing — it’s problematic. The book disguises itself as edgy or erotic while pushing harmful, regressive ideas about gender and power. It’s clear the author has had no experience with real HEALTHY human interaction.
Avoid at all costs.
What’s worse — and more concerning — is the deeply misogynistic tone that runs through the book. It’s not just clueless about women; it actively distorts and degrades them. The female protagonist is not written as a person but as a blank canvas for male fantasy and control, devoid of agency or believable emotion. She says one thing about herself, and then contradicts her own thoughts 4 sentences later. She is supposedly from California, but she uses words more typical for the UK. The author shows no understanding of women’s inner lives, motivations, or complexities — just a shallow, objectifying lens. The women in her life also failed her- her best friend told her to go join a sex cult because she should "live a little", and her mother has also pushed her towards that decision because "I was never young, don't do what I did". Awful awful rhetoric.
This isn’t just bad writing — it’s problematic. The book disguises itself as edgy or erotic while pushing harmful, regressive ideas about gender and power. It’s clear the author has had no experience with real HEALTHY human interaction.
Avoid at all costs.
June 18, 2019
Another one of those books that rode on the coattails of ‘Fifty Shades’, though I would say this book tries harder with the plot.
American girl X, comes to Naples to study the Italian mafia and ends up falling for Marcus who may have links to the mafia himself. There is also a catch, to be with him, X must take part in ‘The Mysteries’. This happens to be some sort of sexual secret society. I have no idea if this is based on any fact but I would like to find out!
She starts out enjoying ‘The Mysteries’, a little spanking, being naked in public, being pleasured by some random girls, though as X likes to point out, she’s no lesbian. But then they start to get a bit more sinister, now random guys have to sleep with her and although she has her doubts, she is prepared to do this for Mark, he can't stand the thought of sharing her with another man ( he seemed cool about sharing her with the ladies though...).
Mark stops the ritual and pisses off the mafia big time. The only way X can stop him being killed is by her completing the sixth mystery, which involves her sleeping with lots of men. Yeah.... I didn't really see the point in stopping the fifth if this was going to be the outcome.
Like most of these types of books, there were some points where I got a little bored but some bits were really good. If you like the ‘mummy porn’ genre, you will like this.
On a side note, I had an awkward moment when the new guy at work asked what I was reading and what it was about. I was too embarrassed to say erotica so he thinks this book is a mystery and thriller about the Italian mafia.......
American girl X, comes to Naples to study the Italian mafia and ends up falling for Marcus who may have links to the mafia himself. There is also a catch, to be with him, X must take part in ‘The Mysteries’. This happens to be some sort of sexual secret society. I have no idea if this is based on any fact but I would like to find out!
She starts out enjoying ‘The Mysteries’, a little spanking, being naked in public, being pleasured by some random girls, though as X likes to point out, she’s no lesbian. But then they start to get a bit more sinister, now random guys have to sleep with her and although she has her doubts, she is prepared to do this for Mark, he can't stand the thought of sharing her with another man ( he seemed cool about sharing her with the ladies though...).
Mark stops the ritual and pisses off the mafia big time. The only way X can stop him being killed is by her completing the sixth mystery, which involves her sleeping with lots of men. Yeah.... I didn't really see the point in stopping the fifth if this was going to be the outcome.
Like most of these types of books, there were some points where I got a little bored but some bits were really good. If you like the ‘mummy porn’ genre, you will like this.
On a side note, I had an awkward moment when the new guy at work asked what I was reading and what it was about. I was too embarrassed to say erotica so he thinks this book is a mystery and thriller about the Italian mafia.......
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2021
I feel that I am being slightly harsh with the 1 star review but it really was a slog to force myself to keep reading this book. It was such a fifty shades of gray story it was ridiculous.
A young, pretty American girl goes to Italy and falls in love with an Italian mega good looking billionaire. He falls in love with her too but has a weird kinky secret where she must go through five mysterious rituals (all sexual obviously) before they can be together properly, although they certainly seem to do a lot of shagging before and during the rituals.
Marc doesn't really explain what the rituals are and doesn't give X much information, even though he says that he could die for not following them/telling anyone about them. X tells her best friend the whole way through. X all puts herself in precarious situations a couple of times which are laughable in how they are resolved.
Marc seems to get all wound up about the fifth mystery as another man has to have sex with X, even though he told X at the start that orgies were involved and he doesn't seem to mind her getting it on with other women? The sixth mystery is very obvious and a complete let down as well.
In short, the story makes little sense and is just generally dull.
A young, pretty American girl goes to Italy and falls in love with an Italian mega good looking billionaire. He falls in love with her too but has a weird kinky secret where she must go through five mysterious rituals (all sexual obviously) before they can be together properly, although they certainly seem to do a lot of shagging before and during the rituals.
Marc doesn't really explain what the rituals are and doesn't give X much information, even though he says that he could die for not following them/telling anyone about them. X tells her best friend the whole way through. X all puts herself in precarious situations a couple of times which are laughable in how they are resolved.
Marc seems to get all wound up about the fifth mystery as another man has to have sex with X, even though he told X at the start that orgies were involved and he doesn't seem to mind her getting it on with other women? The sixth mystery is very obvious and a complete let down as well.
In short, the story makes little sense and is just generally dull.
April 28, 2025
Яка ж це надзвичайна фігня! Жахлива книга! Скоріше, навіть, фанфік на "50 відтінків сірого" і "З широко заплющенними очима", але НАБАГАТО гірший🤢. Головний персонаж плаский і не викликає жодних емоцій. Головна героїня викликає лише величезне роздратування, при тому що вона теж абсолютно ніяка. Це просто загадка! Гарячі сцени тут теж абсолютно пласкі і не цікаві.
Однозначно одна з найгірших книг на данний момент в цьому році.
Однозначно одна з найгірших книг на данний момент в цьому році.
April 8, 2019
I was delighted with the first few chapters of this novel. I could see this wasn't Fifty Shades - here was an author who could actually write, able to paint a vivid picture of Italy and create realistic characters, while clearly having a ball writing the over-wrought sex scenes demanded by the Romance genre. But after that great start, either the author or the publisher lost their nerve, and the promised sizzle never eventuates.
Alexandra falls for a wealthy Italian businessman in Naples. Turns out he's a member of a secret society, and she can't be his girlfriend unless she's initiated too. He takes her to Pompeii, where the frescoes give her a hint of what she's in for. That, together with the title's obvious reference to The Story of O, set up a clear expectation of all kinds of orgiastic goings-on.
But having had that idea, I think the author found himself (herself?) in a difficult situation, because the novel is a Romance. That means the heroine has to be faithful to the hero, and the alpha-male hero mustn't be able to bear the thought of another man touching his woman. Clearly, it's difficult to write orgies with that restriction! Molloy has sought to solve that problem by making all the "orgy" action girl-on-girl - which might be titillating in its own right, except that it's all impersonal. Alex has things done to her by anonymous women - she's never active and she never relates to them in any way.
She has to undergo five trials (Mysteries). The first is very tame, but it's meant to be a gentle introduction for her, so it makes sense. In the second trial, she has to attend a party dressed in a corset and stockings and nothing else, where she
Alexandra falls for a wealthy Italian businessman in Naples. Turns out he's a member of a secret society, and she can't be his girlfriend unless she's initiated too. He takes her to Pompeii, where the frescoes give her a hint of what she's in for. That, together with the title's obvious reference to The Story of O, set up a clear expectation of all kinds of orgiastic goings-on.
But having had that idea, I think the author found himself (herself?) in a difficult situation, because the novel is a Romance. That means the heroine has to be faithful to the hero, and the alpha-male hero mustn't be able to bear the thought of another man touching his woman. Clearly, it's difficult to write orgies with that restriction! Molloy has sought to solve that problem by making all the "orgy" action girl-on-girl - which might be titillating in its own right, except that it's all impersonal. Alex has things done to her by anonymous women - she's never active and she never relates to them in any way.
She has to undergo five trials (Mysteries). The first is very tame, but it's meant to be a gentle introduction for her, so it makes sense. In the second trial, she has to attend a party dressed in a corset and stockings and nothing else, where she
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