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Thrill Seeker
'I'd never set out to snag Mr Right but I'd veered so far off that track I was now at the mercy of Mr Dangerously Wrong...'Betrayed by her lover, Natalie Lovell finds herself exploring the world of internet dating.Then she meets a dark sexy stranger online who promises all the danger, excitement and dominance she craves. But how far will Natalie go to get the ultimate in thrills...?A sexy and controversial erotic thriller - Fifty Shades Darker than E L James and Sylvia Day.
- GenresEroticaDark RomanceDark
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2013
8 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Lloyd
41 books75 followersKristina Lloyd's erotic fiction centers on female sexual submission and frequently features themes of sexual obsession and danger alongside elements of the suspense thriller. She lives in Brighton, a seaside town in England and the setting for her controversial and most popular novel, Asking for Trouble. Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies, including several "Best of" collections in both the UK and US, and her non-fiction has appeared in publications such as The Guardian, Sunday Times Travel and the International Business Times. Her work has been translated into German, Dutch, Greek and Japanese. Kristina has been described as an author who "writes sex with a formidable force" and "makes no apology for writing transgressive fiction with some heavy female submission".
Find out more on Kristina's site
Find out more on Kristina's site
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 14, 2014
Kristina Lloyd has been on my to-read list for a while, and despite a plethora of books screaming for my attention, I couldn't resist jumping into this one after reading A.M. Hartnett's blog post on it. Her point was that people went into the book expecting something that it clearly doesn't promise, when really it's a book about a woman who is submissive through and through. The post was dead on.
Natalie is indeed a submissive, but in no way is she weak, passive, or any other ludicrous trait that has somehow become popular in other, more mainstream BDSM-focused erotica books. She is well-aware of her wants and desires, as well as how far she wants to take them (note: "thrill seeker"—so, quite far). Her trysts throughout the book are superbly written, full of raw emotion and gritty sex. In addition, Baxter, her main partner-in-crime, is delightful despite his flaws. Real delightful.
If you're expecting soft fluffy pillows and rainbows, this book is simply not for you. However, if you are interested in a REAL exploration of BDSM and the mind of a thrill-seeking woman who loves to submit, then this is it. Fabulous!
Natalie is indeed a submissive, but in no way is she weak, passive, or any other ludicrous trait that has somehow become popular in other, more mainstream BDSM-focused erotica books. She is well-aware of her wants and desires, as well as how far she wants to take them (note: "thrill seeker"—so, quite far). Her trysts throughout the book are superbly written, full of raw emotion and gritty sex. In addition, Baxter, her main partner-in-crime, is delightful despite his flaws. Real delightful.
If you're expecting soft fluffy pillows and rainbows, this book is simply not for you. However, if you are interested in a REAL exploration of BDSM and the mind of a thrill-seeking woman who loves to submit, then this is it. Fabulous!
June 8, 2013
The publisher has called this novel controversial. I’m not going to argue with that.
Not everyone is going to like it. Some people will hate it. Probably for the very reasons that make it so good.
I first came across Kristina Lloyd in the Mammoth Book of Erotica 2009. Her story in that collection was exceptional and ever since then I’ve rated her as one of the very best writers in the genre. Thrill Seeker does nothing to change my view but I have to admit that it presents a few challenges.
One of the things Kristina does very well is to stimulate your physical senses. This alone would make her worth reading but Kristina goes further, teasing those elusive other senses of imagination, anticipation and lust. This is where she excels, in my view, for she does it very simply and subtly and with consummate skill.
Here’s an example. Disturbed by the sounds of an intruder while giving her boyfriend a blowjob, Natalie goes downstairs to investigate...
It’s because she works on your senses with all those succinctly provocative physical descriptions that the psychological impact, when it comes, is so powerful. The first time I read those paragraphs, my skin tingled.
Film makers would kill for that kind of reaction. The scene could in fact work very well on film. It has another ingredient that screen writers like to sprinkle into their work, which is foreshadowing. Those ditsy gingham curtains are not just damp and fluttering because they are exposed to the hidden dangers of the darkness outside. They are flags of surrender.
Surrender is one of the novel’s key themes. In this respect it has a lot in common with Kristina’s earlier novel, Asking For Trouble, which was hugely popular and sold very well. But Thrill Seeker goes deeper and hits harder than the earlier book. In some respects it is more serious. I think it really stretches the limits of the genre. It’s about surrender but it’s also about being honest with yourself and finding what you want. And for this you need to be tough enough not to give in to another kind of constraint – the constraint of public opinion.
Natalie has the courage not to surrender to the censures of society but to surrender instead to her sexual cravings. She is a strong woman who likes to be dominated and abused. Like her predecessor in Asking For Trouble, she does not believe in compromise. There are no safe words for her. Where is the thrill in danger if you know it’s not real? She likes to go to the very knife-edge of consensual sex. She doesn’t so much flirt with danger as issue an open invitation to the worst possible kind of sexual pervert to seize her and do his worst.
This is probably not every woman’s idea of a romantic story. “Plenty of people out there think that what I’m doing is ridiculous or wrong,” moans Natalie. And I must admit that I am not, like Natalie, turned on by “arrogance, ingratitude and disdain.” I do not enjoy being sexually degraded. For me, therefore, there was a distance between the pleasures I seek and some of the the sexual activities depicted in the story.
Then I started to wonder, Do we really want men reading this stuff? Do we want them to think women really have these kind of fantasies? When there are real sexually-motivated horrors emerging every other day in the newspapers, do we really want to give men this kind of licence to do their worst under the misguided impression that they are giving us what we really want?
But that is partly the subject matter of this book, that very serious social issue. It is not an irresponsible book. It’s a very serious one.
And as a writer, everything Kristina does is spot on. The writing is so taut and controlled that I was fixated on it, unable to look away. The sex, of course, is sometimes gratuitous. The descriptions are long, lingering and detailed. All well and good, you might think, but what about the characters? Well, the characters are true to themselves. The dangers escalate and the climax has a dizzy inevitability. This is not a how-to manual for BDSM neophytes. Natalie is no role model for the internet dating generation. But this is an important, exciting and provocative book that really throws down the gauntlet for anyone wanting to take up the challenge of writing a BDSM thriller and says, “Top that!”
And, in her next book, if rumours are to be believed, Kristina will do exactly that.
I can't wait!
Not everyone is going to like it. Some people will hate it. Probably for the very reasons that make it so good.
I first came across Kristina Lloyd in the Mammoth Book of Erotica 2009. Her story in that collection was exceptional and ever since then I’ve rated her as one of the very best writers in the genre. Thrill Seeker does nothing to change my view but I have to admit that it presents a few challenges.
One of the things Kristina does very well is to stimulate your physical senses. This alone would make her worth reading but Kristina goes further, teasing those elusive other senses of imagination, anticipation and lust. This is where she excels, in my view, for she does it very simply and subtly and with consummate skill.
Here’s an example. Disturbed by the sounds of an intruder while giving her boyfriend a blowjob, Natalie goes downstairs to investigate...
My fingers inched over the wall’s rough stone as I descended to the kitchen. I heard nothing, saw no shadows shifting. I crept down the final few steps then switched on the light. Scanning the room, I tried to make sense of the mess. Shards of glass sparkled on the drainer of the sink. The windows were intact. No one was here. One window was open, its drooping metal handle scraping against the outside wall, hinges banging in the clattering rain. The damp gingham curtains fluttered in the breeze, ditsy flags of surrender. A vase. My glass vase on the windowsill had smashed. A wine glass too by the looks of it. The back door was ajar. My heart was thumping, my throat parched.
Liam’s feet banged on the first flight of stairs. ‘I’m coming, you OK?’
On the kitchen table, as if waiting to be filed, was a sheet of A4 paper in a clear, plastic poly pocket. It wasn’t mine. I snatched it up. Across the page, in glued lettering cut from newspapers, were the words: CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW.
It’s because she works on your senses with all those succinctly provocative physical descriptions that the psychological impact, when it comes, is so powerful. The first time I read those paragraphs, my skin tingled.
Film makers would kill for that kind of reaction. The scene could in fact work very well on film. It has another ingredient that screen writers like to sprinkle into their work, which is foreshadowing. Those ditsy gingham curtains are not just damp and fluttering because they are exposed to the hidden dangers of the darkness outside. They are flags of surrender.
Surrender is one of the novel’s key themes. In this respect it has a lot in common with Kristina’s earlier novel, Asking For Trouble, which was hugely popular and sold very well. But Thrill Seeker goes deeper and hits harder than the earlier book. In some respects it is more serious. I think it really stretches the limits of the genre. It’s about surrender but it’s also about being honest with yourself and finding what you want. And for this you need to be tough enough not to give in to another kind of constraint – the constraint of public opinion.
Natalie has the courage not to surrender to the censures of society but to surrender instead to her sexual cravings. She is a strong woman who likes to be dominated and abused. Like her predecessor in Asking For Trouble, she does not believe in compromise. There are no safe words for her. Where is the thrill in danger if you know it’s not real? She likes to go to the very knife-edge of consensual sex. She doesn’t so much flirt with danger as issue an open invitation to the worst possible kind of sexual pervert to seize her and do his worst.
This is probably not every woman’s idea of a romantic story. “Plenty of people out there think that what I’m doing is ridiculous or wrong,” moans Natalie. And I must admit that I am not, like Natalie, turned on by “arrogance, ingratitude and disdain.” I do not enjoy being sexually degraded. For me, therefore, there was a distance between the pleasures I seek and some of the the sexual activities depicted in the story.
Then I started to wonder, Do we really want men reading this stuff? Do we want them to think women really have these kind of fantasies? When there are real sexually-motivated horrors emerging every other day in the newspapers, do we really want to give men this kind of licence to do their worst under the misguided impression that they are giving us what we really want?
But that is partly the subject matter of this book, that very serious social issue. It is not an irresponsible book. It’s a very serious one.
And as a writer, everything Kristina does is spot on. The writing is so taut and controlled that I was fixated on it, unable to look away. The sex, of course, is sometimes gratuitous. The descriptions are long, lingering and detailed. All well and good, you might think, but what about the characters? Well, the characters are true to themselves. The dangers escalate and the climax has a dizzy inevitability. This is not a how-to manual for BDSM neophytes. Natalie is no role model for the internet dating generation. But this is an important, exciting and provocative book that really throws down the gauntlet for anyone wanting to take up the challenge of writing a BDSM thriller and says, “Top that!”
And, in her next book, if rumours are to be believed, Kristina will do exactly that.
I can't wait!
June 14, 2015
This book is pretty hardcore BDSM, but it's not all sex, far from it, actually. It's an extremely intelligent character study and, in my opinion, paints a perfect picture of life in a British seaside town in the 21st century. It makes some people uncomfortable because the lead character is a submissive and not in some bollocks 50 Shades sense but in an extreme, debased, treat me like I am a piece of meat and nothing else sense. I am fine with that. It's not my bag, although it can be hot to read about, but there's no question that Natalie is confident in her own sexuality. She makes some bad choices with men, but that happens for women who are solely into vanilla sex. Ultimately a woman should be able to pursue exactly the sex life she wants without being made to feel ashamed of her choices. Natalie accomplishes this, and Lloyd has written a book here which encompasses that idea. This is really, really good and everyone should read it.
May 22, 2013
This is an addictive deeply erotic book exploring the main character Natalie's love of pushing her sexual desires to the brink. We follow her journey into finding someone who can fill the space her ex lover has left.
It's so good. There are three males in the story (I'm not giving away plot here) - they are so different yet as a reader, I totally understood why Natalie is attracted to each of them. Phew! I barely know what to write. I loved Natalie - at times I was scared for her, but I was always on her side and couldn't put the book down.
Dark, sexy, gorgeously written and thrilling indeed.
It's so good. There are three males in the story (I'm not giving away plot here) - they are so different yet as a reader, I totally understood why Natalie is attracted to each of them. Phew! I barely know what to write. I loved Natalie - at times I was scared for her, but I was always on her side and couldn't put the book down.
Dark, sexy, gorgeously written and thrilling indeed.
June 17, 2013
*Received book through Goodreads first reads giveaway
Thrill Seeker is definitely a thrilling book. Very engaging story and compelling read. Great story. Great well written Characters. The writing was fantastic and very descriptive. I was able to visualize everything that was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was my first Kristina Lloyd book and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Thrill Seeker is definitely a thrilling book. Very engaging story and compelling read. Great story. Great well written Characters. The writing was fantastic and very descriptive. I was able to visualize everything that was happening. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was my first Kristina Lloyd book and I look forward to reading more of her work.
August 5, 2013
An absolute 'must read'. I adored everything about this dark and edgy novel about dangerous fantasies. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantastic writing, sexy characters and a plot that pushes boundaries.
June 30, 2013
more 3.5*
August 30, 2013
What the hell did I just read?!?! I should of flounced it, but I had hope that it would get better...
July 28, 2015
Joint Review - 3.5 Stars
Gemma
Thrill Seeker really took me by complete surprise. The saying “never judge a book by its cover” is really apt here. With the almost 50 Shades-esqueness to the cover, the colouring and innocent picture of a man in a suit with a woman's hand stretching out to slip under the jacket, I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect such a dark tale of one woman’s journey into trying to fill the void left behind by her very Dom ex-boyfriend.
From the get-go, Lloyd pulls no punches in establishing that this is a completely different beast from other books in a similar genre. The sex is rough, raw and violent, with both my and the lead characters' comfort zones being pushed by the mysterious Den. Den is a guy she “met” on an online dating site for those who choose an alternative lifestyle. Watching Natalie as she seems to be on a downward spiral is what is so riveting to witness.
Is this the type of book I would normally read, and more to the point, enjoy? No, not normally, but though there were aspects that diminished my enjoyment slightly, there was enough within the book to keep me hooked.
Carolyn
I didn't find Thrill Seeker to be dark as such, as it was between consenting adults, but I did find it ultra intense. Sometimes overly so. The Dom/sub relationship and what it entails didn't let up and there were no lighter moments to take a breather. I did like the premise of the story though and the characters were well drawn. I enjoyed Lloyd's writing style and found the prose very easy to read. There were moments when the story dragged a little, and the ending felt a little rushed, but overall, Thrill Seeker kept me engaged. I agree with Gemma that the cover really doesn't hint at what kind of story this is, but I'm not sure what sort of cover would. However, I'm sure you will have no doubt whether this book is for you or not, when you've read the opening paragraph.
Liam doesn't usually come when I'm sucking him, but on the night it started he was different. His groans were threaded with a darker note, and my throat was more open than it had ever been with him because I was thinking of someone else.
Gemma
As a romantic suspense book, Thrill Seeker really does excel. The faceless boogie-man is used to great effect. From the opening chapter to the dramatic conclusion, Lloyd manages to build a sense of foreboding It also backs up the idea that Natalie is pushing ever closer to the edge of that point where excitement and arousal can tip into something altogether much more fatal.
Even when her 'admirer' is unmasked, you still get that feeling that he is not all that he seems. There is just something about him that doesn't add up. Many a time I found myself growing frustrated at the fact that Natalie was ignoring her inner alarm bells. It seemed that Natalie was disregarding her own safety in order to find the replacement Dom to her sub, since she split up with her ex Baxter. It seemed the further that Natalie wanted to pursue this relationship, the deeper she was digging herself into a very dark hole.
The conclusion to the book was one that though I was pleased about, the inclusion of Natalie's sometimes booty-call/ friend, seemed rather off. I think I would have preferred the book to have finished the chapter before the last.
Carolyn
Natalie is struggling to come to terms with the breakup from her boyfriend, Baxter, two years previously. She's still hooked on him big time, and because he was the best sex she's ever had, and the best Dom to her sub, she's finding it hard to let go.
So she spends a lot of her time dating guys from the internet site, looking for a Dom that can take the place of Baxter, but she's had no luck, until Den. After several emails to one another, Den and Nat open up about their fantasies. Both have dark and dangerous urges and they are drawn to each other. I can understand Nat's attachment to Den. She's still vulnerable post break-up, even thought it's been two years, and we find out why her and Baxter broke up as the story moves along. This gives us insight as to why Natalie is trying so hard to replace him. She's lonely, and finds herself becoming more and more seduced by Den and the darker side of the Dom/sub relationship.
I agree with Gemma totally regarding the suspense aspect to the novel, it is executed very well. Even though I knew Natalie had agreed to act out some of their fantasies, I was still very wary of Den, and as Gemma mentions, there was just something about him that didn't sit right with me, and I did wonder where the author was going with their relationship.
The ending was a satisfying one, albeit a bit rushed and slightly weird. There's a threesome I didn't see coming, but all in all I liked the ending and I'm glad that Natalie finally found some peace and happiness.
Gemma
There was not one character who I could root for in the traditional sense. There are no true heroes, though one big surprise was the person who eventually stepped up to the plate to stage a very effective intervention. Saying that, it doesn't mean that I didn't have a deep appreciation for the emotional journey that Natalie goes through.
There is no denying that this is Natalie's tale and she is one of the most complex leading females I have encountered in a long time. She embraces the fact that she is not like the majority of her peers. She admits that her sexual preferences are more on the darker-side of the scale and it's the need for these thrills and risks that result in her engaging in what can only be described as Russian Roulette.
Natalie has been through the emotional wringer after her break up with Baxter, and goes through what many women would in trying to find a replacement. However, her expectations that every man is into the same sort of sexual relationship as she and Baxter were, proves to be misguided. She seems to overlook Den's very controlling and manipulative ways. It is through the use of flashbacks we see how very different the two men are and ultimately how much trouble Natalie is getting herself into.
I could both sympathise and chastise Natalie for some of the decisions she makes, especially when she decides to meet Den without telling anyone. My inner alarm bells were screaming at this lack of judgement and I really did fear for her, even though this happened early on in the book. I could just tell that this wasn't the conventional Erotic Romance.
The other characters are briefly explored, but I felt I wasn't given enough in order to form any deep impression of them. The slight exception was that of Baxter, who I did end up feeling a bit sorry for. Yes, he did lie to Natalie, but the reasons behind his behaviour are explained. This doesn't mean that I condone him for his actions, but I did get where he was emotionally. What Baxter did is a big no-no for me generally, but in this instance Baxter's circumstances were dire. Natalie was his escape and though it was clear it was only supposed to be a bit of fun, it did turn into something more for both parties.
Carolyn
I agree with Gemma regarding Natalie. It did feel as though she was on a path of self-destruction. Being inside Natalie's head listening to her talk about her sexual kinks did get a little too much for me at times. Didn't she have a life? Friends? Job? I would have liked a bit more of her living life amongst the heaviness of her sexual preferences. It was as though her sex life consumed her every waking moment and bordered on obsessional. I'm sure this isn't a healthy way to live, and I think this is why Natalie spiralled so quickly out of control with Den. Her slow decline into her obsession with him just showed how fragile she was after her breakup with Baxter two years before.
During the flashbacks of her time with Baxter, although most of them were sex related and how well he Dominated her, I also got the feeling that there was more; more love, more romance, more living life. With Den it is just kink. When we finally meet Baxter and hear him speak, I desperately wanted her to forgive him (even though what he did was totally wrong) and kick Den to the curb. I feared for her whenever she was with Den, even though I never knew if he was going to be her next big love or just a filler until the next Baxter. The climax to all the relationships in Thrill Seeker had me biting my nails just a little bit, as I really didn't know which way everything was going to go.
One of the aspects I loved about Natalie was she didn't apologise for who she was and what she was into. And as it's not anybody's business, I totally respected her for this. As long as it is between consenting adults, who are we to judge.
Gemma
Although this book did push my comfort zone, due to the nature and some of the activities the lead character partakes in, I can't deny that I enjoyed it on some level. Lloyd has, at least for me, taken the trend of BDSM and tried to look deeper. She doesn't shy away from the controversial, especially in the terms of "edgeplay" where there are practically no rules when it comes to sexual satisfaction of both parties. She expertly shines a light on how this lifestyle can so easily slip into something much more sinister.
What I found really stellar was the suspense aspect. Lloyd crafts a plot that is just scary to read. Another reviewer had commented that Hollywood would kill to have this level of drama, and I have to agree. This is a prime novel for those who don't mind delving into the dark side.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Carolyn
Thrill Seeker is an interesting, suspenseful, seductive read. I may not have understood some of Natalie's preferences with regards to her sexual kinks, but I really liked her as a character. I also enjoyed Lloyd's writing style and would definitely read more by her. Thrill Seeker is just that, thrilling. It's full of tension, great writing, and well drawn characters. If you're looking for a different kind of erotic romance, then look no further.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Gemma
Thrill Seeker really took me by complete surprise. The saying “never judge a book by its cover” is really apt here. With the almost 50 Shades-esqueness to the cover, the colouring and innocent picture of a man in a suit with a woman's hand stretching out to slip under the jacket, I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect such a dark tale of one woman’s journey into trying to fill the void left behind by her very Dom ex-boyfriend.
From the get-go, Lloyd pulls no punches in establishing that this is a completely different beast from other books in a similar genre. The sex is rough, raw and violent, with both my and the lead characters' comfort zones being pushed by the mysterious Den. Den is a guy she “met” on an online dating site for those who choose an alternative lifestyle. Watching Natalie as she seems to be on a downward spiral is what is so riveting to witness.
Is this the type of book I would normally read, and more to the point, enjoy? No, not normally, but though there were aspects that diminished my enjoyment slightly, there was enough within the book to keep me hooked.
Carolyn
I didn't find Thrill Seeker to be dark as such, as it was between consenting adults, but I did find it ultra intense. Sometimes overly so. The Dom/sub relationship and what it entails didn't let up and there were no lighter moments to take a breather. I did like the premise of the story though and the characters were well drawn. I enjoyed Lloyd's writing style and found the prose very easy to read. There were moments when the story dragged a little, and the ending felt a little rushed, but overall, Thrill Seeker kept me engaged. I agree with Gemma that the cover really doesn't hint at what kind of story this is, but I'm not sure what sort of cover would. However, I'm sure you will have no doubt whether this book is for you or not, when you've read the opening paragraph.
Liam doesn't usually come when I'm sucking him, but on the night it started he was different. His groans were threaded with a darker note, and my throat was more open than it had ever been with him because I was thinking of someone else.
Gemma
As a romantic suspense book, Thrill Seeker really does excel. The faceless boogie-man is used to great effect. From the opening chapter to the dramatic conclusion, Lloyd manages to build a sense of foreboding It also backs up the idea that Natalie is pushing ever closer to the edge of that point where excitement and arousal can tip into something altogether much more fatal.
Even when her 'admirer' is unmasked, you still get that feeling that he is not all that he seems. There is just something about him that doesn't add up. Many a time I found myself growing frustrated at the fact that Natalie was ignoring her inner alarm bells. It seemed that Natalie was disregarding her own safety in order to find the replacement Dom to her sub, since she split up with her ex Baxter. It seemed the further that Natalie wanted to pursue this relationship, the deeper she was digging herself into a very dark hole.
The conclusion to the book was one that though I was pleased about, the inclusion of Natalie's sometimes booty-call/ friend, seemed rather off. I think I would have preferred the book to have finished the chapter before the last.
Carolyn
Natalie is struggling to come to terms with the breakup from her boyfriend, Baxter, two years previously. She's still hooked on him big time, and because he was the best sex she's ever had, and the best Dom to her sub, she's finding it hard to let go.
So she spends a lot of her time dating guys from the internet site, looking for a Dom that can take the place of Baxter, but she's had no luck, until Den. After several emails to one another, Den and Nat open up about their fantasies. Both have dark and dangerous urges and they are drawn to each other. I can understand Nat's attachment to Den. She's still vulnerable post break-up, even thought it's been two years, and we find out why her and Baxter broke up as the story moves along. This gives us insight as to why Natalie is trying so hard to replace him. She's lonely, and finds herself becoming more and more seduced by Den and the darker side of the Dom/sub relationship.
I agree with Gemma totally regarding the suspense aspect to the novel, it is executed very well. Even though I knew Natalie had agreed to act out some of their fantasies, I was still very wary of Den, and as Gemma mentions, there was just something about him that didn't sit right with me, and I did wonder where the author was going with their relationship.
The ending was a satisfying one, albeit a bit rushed and slightly weird. There's a threesome I didn't see coming, but all in all I liked the ending and I'm glad that Natalie finally found some peace and happiness.
Gemma
There was not one character who I could root for in the traditional sense. There are no true heroes, though one big surprise was the person who eventually stepped up to the plate to stage a very effective intervention. Saying that, it doesn't mean that I didn't have a deep appreciation for the emotional journey that Natalie goes through.
There is no denying that this is Natalie's tale and she is one of the most complex leading females I have encountered in a long time. She embraces the fact that she is not like the majority of her peers. She admits that her sexual preferences are more on the darker-side of the scale and it's the need for these thrills and risks that result in her engaging in what can only be described as Russian Roulette.
Natalie has been through the emotional wringer after her break up with Baxter, and goes through what many women would in trying to find a replacement. However, her expectations that every man is into the same sort of sexual relationship as she and Baxter were, proves to be misguided. She seems to overlook Den's very controlling and manipulative ways. It is through the use of flashbacks we see how very different the two men are and ultimately how much trouble Natalie is getting herself into.
I could both sympathise and chastise Natalie for some of the decisions she makes, especially when she decides to meet Den without telling anyone. My inner alarm bells were screaming at this lack of judgement and I really did fear for her, even though this happened early on in the book. I could just tell that this wasn't the conventional Erotic Romance.
The other characters are briefly explored, but I felt I wasn't given enough in order to form any deep impression of them. The slight exception was that of Baxter, who I did end up feeling a bit sorry for. Yes, he did lie to Natalie, but the reasons behind his behaviour are explained. This doesn't mean that I condone him for his actions, but I did get where he was emotionally. What Baxter did is a big no-no for me generally, but in this instance Baxter's circumstances were dire. Natalie was his escape and though it was clear it was only supposed to be a bit of fun, it did turn into something more for both parties.
Carolyn
I agree with Gemma regarding Natalie. It did feel as though she was on a path of self-destruction. Being inside Natalie's head listening to her talk about her sexual kinks did get a little too much for me at times. Didn't she have a life? Friends? Job? I would have liked a bit more of her living life amongst the heaviness of her sexual preferences. It was as though her sex life consumed her every waking moment and bordered on obsessional. I'm sure this isn't a healthy way to live, and I think this is why Natalie spiralled so quickly out of control with Den. Her slow decline into her obsession with him just showed how fragile she was after her breakup with Baxter two years before.
During the flashbacks of her time with Baxter, although most of them were sex related and how well he Dominated her, I also got the feeling that there was more; more love, more romance, more living life. With Den it is just kink. When we finally meet Baxter and hear him speak, I desperately wanted her to forgive him (even though what he did was totally wrong) and kick Den to the curb. I feared for her whenever she was with Den, even though I never knew if he was going to be her next big love or just a filler until the next Baxter. The climax to all the relationships in Thrill Seeker had me biting my nails just a little bit, as I really didn't know which way everything was going to go.
One of the aspects I loved about Natalie was she didn't apologise for who she was and what she was into. And as it's not anybody's business, I totally respected her for this. As long as it is between consenting adults, who are we to judge.
Gemma
Although this book did push my comfort zone, due to the nature and some of the activities the lead character partakes in, I can't deny that I enjoyed it on some level. Lloyd has, at least for me, taken the trend of BDSM and tried to look deeper. She doesn't shy away from the controversial, especially in the terms of "edgeplay" where there are practically no rules when it comes to sexual satisfaction of both parties. She expertly shines a light on how this lifestyle can so easily slip into something much more sinister.
What I found really stellar was the suspense aspect. Lloyd crafts a plot that is just scary to read. Another reviewer had commented that Hollywood would kill to have this level of drama, and I have to agree. This is a prime novel for those who don't mind delving into the dark side.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Carolyn
Thrill Seeker is an interesting, suspenseful, seductive read. I may not have understood some of Natalie's preferences with regards to her sexual kinks, but I really liked her as a character. I also enjoyed Lloyd's writing style and would definitely read more by her. Thrill Seeker is just that, thrilling. It's full of tension, great writing, and well drawn characters. If you're looking for a different kind of erotic romance, then look no further.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
March 4, 2017
Erotica can be a difficult genre to review. After all, what is it's purpose? Let's not be coy, it's purpose is to arouse, and what arouses each and every one of us is slightly different and deeply personal. Something that arouses you might bore me and vice versa, and I suspect that generally, men and women will be looking for something slightly different. And what are it's boundaries? Many mainstream books contain explicit sex scenes but are they erotica? Many books are erotic without being explicit.
I guess that it's also difficult for authors. Imagine trying to write an erotic novel that will be appealing to enough people to make it successful. I'm sure most of us think we could do it; just put one of our fantasies down on paper, and wham (bam?!) you're done. If only it were that simple. I've read many erotic works over the years, and a lot were, for me, awful. Indeed, I don't normally search them out, and only pick one up if I see more than one unrelated recommendation. That's what led me to this book. I happened to see Kristina Lloyd's name in two or three places over the course of a week or so, and this book was also mentioned, so I thought I'd give it a try, particularly as all the people recommending it were women.
It's the story of one woman's exploration of her fantasies. Natalie has played in the world of submission in the past, but now single (sort of), she wants to go further. She meets a man online who seems to fit the bill, and she slowly falls under his spell, even though she's aware she knows nothing about him. The rest of the story is about trust, consent, control and danger. I won't give away too much of the plot, as it might spoil your enjoyment! Although Natalie is exploring submission, she is the one who is normally in control. As anyone with knowledge of BDSM will know, this is the reality; it's all about trust and consent. Anything else is abuse.
Against my expectations, I enjoyed this book. The main characters are believable and most are well rounded. It is a tale of domination, submission and sex and is as explicit as you would expect. But it also asks questions of the reader; would we have allowed ourselves to get into the situations Natalie does to satisfy our desires? What is the basis of sexual and emotional attraction, and how closely related are these two things?
All this doesn't mean that the book is a deeply philosophical work, it isn't. But it's more than just a simple sex story. For me, it achieves this by being both a linear story and a commentary. The unfolding plot is interspersed with long passages looking inside Natalie's head; telling us what she's thinking, and also giving us images from her past, explaining why she is as she is. Some may find this frustrating, thinking it gets in the way of the drama. But for me, it's what turns it from the mundane into something that holds your interest throughout.
I guess that it's also difficult for authors. Imagine trying to write an erotic novel that will be appealing to enough people to make it successful. I'm sure most of us think we could do it; just put one of our fantasies down on paper, and wham (bam?!) you're done. If only it were that simple. I've read many erotic works over the years, and a lot were, for me, awful. Indeed, I don't normally search them out, and only pick one up if I see more than one unrelated recommendation. That's what led me to this book. I happened to see Kristina Lloyd's name in two or three places over the course of a week or so, and this book was also mentioned, so I thought I'd give it a try, particularly as all the people recommending it were women.
It's the story of one woman's exploration of her fantasies. Natalie has played in the world of submission in the past, but now single (sort of), she wants to go further. She meets a man online who seems to fit the bill, and she slowly falls under his spell, even though she's aware she knows nothing about him. The rest of the story is about trust, consent, control and danger. I won't give away too much of the plot, as it might spoil your enjoyment! Although Natalie is exploring submission, she is the one who is normally in control. As anyone with knowledge of BDSM will know, this is the reality; it's all about trust and consent. Anything else is abuse.
Against my expectations, I enjoyed this book. The main characters are believable and most are well rounded. It is a tale of domination, submission and sex and is as explicit as you would expect. But it also asks questions of the reader; would we have allowed ourselves to get into the situations Natalie does to satisfy our desires? What is the basis of sexual and emotional attraction, and how closely related are these two things?
All this doesn't mean that the book is a deeply philosophical work, it isn't. But it's more than just a simple sex story. For me, it achieves this by being both a linear story and a commentary. The unfolding plot is interspersed with long passages looking inside Natalie's head; telling us what she's thinking, and also giving us images from her past, explaining why she is as she is. Some may find this frustrating, thinking it gets in the way of the drama. But for me, it's what turns it from the mundane into something that holds your interest throughout.
April 16, 2019
v hard to follow in terms of tense, lacking plot and tension, some basic (seeming ?) bdsm soz
November 19, 2014
Yes, it's erotica, and somewhat disturbing erotica at that. I have no interest in the disturbing bits - adults are free to seek abasement at each other's hands but I'm not remotely interested in it. And frankly, after all these years reading about Bit A fitting into Slot B (or C or D) is well, dull. There's only so much one can do to make sex fascinating to read about after a while.
So, why the 4 stars? Even with me skimming certain, um, bits to get to the story, this is a very well written and enjoyable book. Why? because while sex can get dull in fiction, well-written relationships never do. The give and take between friends, lovers, exes, crushes, strangers... it's always fascinating in the hands of an artist. Kristina Lloyd is an artist.
Plus, the setting is memorable. An ordinary small town by the sea, but so well drawn, that you absolutely are there, smelling, walking, looking over your shoulder on dark nights, yawning in committee meetings, etc. It feels so very real. Another mark of an artist ;-).
And lastly, well, I liked the ending. It was probably the least realistic bit of this entire yarn, but I didn't care. A pleasure.
So, why the 4 stars? Even with me skimming certain, um, bits to get to the story, this is a very well written and enjoyable book. Why? because while sex can get dull in fiction, well-written relationships never do. The give and take between friends, lovers, exes, crushes, strangers... it's always fascinating in the hands of an artist. Kristina Lloyd is an artist.
Plus, the setting is memorable. An ordinary small town by the sea, but so well drawn, that you absolutely are there, smelling, walking, looking over your shoulder on dark nights, yawning in committee meetings, etc. It feels so very real. Another mark of an artist ;-).
And lastly, well, I liked the ending. It was probably the least realistic bit of this entire yarn, but I didn't care. A pleasure.
July 19, 2016
I loved this book!!! It's surely not for everyone but it was definitely for me. Kristina Lloyd is one of a few authors who has made me swoonily exclaim while reading, "This woman completely gets me!" This is one of the best erotic novels I've read recently. Dark and nasty and a great exploration of the psychology of a certain kind of woman. But with a nice, neat, completely satisfying ending. Perfection.
August 2, 2014
First off I think the writing is very good. Kristina Lloyd has serious talent, so if you are a fan then perhaps you will like this a bit more than I did. It just wasn't my cup of tea so to speak. Nothing to do with the kink, I don't mind that one bit. I just didn't really connect with the main character Natalie (or any of the characters)
June 24, 2016
Different kind f story.
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