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Addicted
Zoe Reynard has it all. A successful career, a loving husband, three beautiful children, a devoted mother, and the house of her dreams. Most women would kill to be in her shoes. There's just one thing she has that no one else in their right mind would want. A secret addiction that could very well ruin her fairy tale life. Zoe is addicted to sex. Addicted is the story of Zoe, an African-American female arts dealer. It traces her life from the time she first meets her husband, Jason, in the fifth grade, falls in love with him over a game of Twister in the eighth grade, loses her virginity to him in high school and eventually marries him. Everything seems perfect in Zoes life to her friends and family as she secretly deals with serious problems in her marriage. After failing to get Jason to open up to her sexually, Zoe becomes involved in not one, not two but three extramarital affairs. By the time she seeks the aid of a prominent female African-American therapist, the walls of her picture perfect life have already started to crumble. Addicted shifts into high gear as Zoe finds out that everyone from her lovers to her husband to her own mother are hiding secrets of their own. Zoe's best friend, Brina, is physically abused by her alcoholic boyfriend, Dempsey. Meanwhile, Zoe discovers under hypnosis that her fascination with sex stems from she had buried deep in the crevices of her mind years before. Zoe ends up being repetitively stalked and attacked. It all comes to a head on a cold, dark mountain following a trail of murders and the true murderer is anyone's guess. Addicted does for women what Fatal Attraction did for men. It will make a woman think twice before risking it all.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
1340 people are currently reading
26008 people want to read
About the author
Zane
88 books3,695 followersZane is the New York Times bestselling author of Afterburn, The Heat Seekers, Dear G-Spot, Gettin’ Buck Wild, The Hot Box, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Nervous, Skyscraper, Love is Never Painless, Shame on It All, and The Sisters of APF; the ebook short stories “I’ll be Home for Christmas” and “Everything Fades Away”; and editor for the Flava anthology series, including Z-Rated and Busy Bodies. Her TV series, Zane’s Sex Chronicles, and The Jump Off are featured on Cinemax, and her bestselling novel Addicted is a major motion picture with Lionsgate Films. She is the publisher of Strebor Books, an imprint of Atria Books/Simon & Schuster. Visit her online at EroticaNoir.com. - See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Z...
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March 29, 2016
DISCLAIMER: I do not condone cheating, ever. Cheating is bad. NO SPOILERS, ALL SPOILERS ARE HIDDEN
NOW COMPLETE WITH A MOVIE UPDATE!!!
I decided to read this novel in preparation for the upcoming movie. I thought I would hate the book, but I had no idea it would be this horrible. o.O Let's take it step-by-step, shall we?
PROBLEM 1.
Zane is trying to get me to believe that Zoe, the protagonist, is a sex addict. SHE IS NOT A SEX ADDICT.
Her husband, Jason, the only man she's ever had sex with, does not engage in any foreplay. In addiction to refusing to 'play' before sex, he refuses to let her give him a blowjob, or go down on her, or finger her, or let her give him a handjob. He only will participate in penis-in-vagina sex. Also – in addition to that – he always has to be on top. Always. He will accept no other sexual positions. He will only have sex at night and with the light off.
Two minutes and about thirty pumps later, he pulled it out, and I wanted to scream. I lay there, thinking to myself, "Is this all I get?
So.
Our protagonist has been with this guy all her life, since she was 13 or so. This is the only man she's ever been with. She is a sexual person who enjoys masturbating and has the natural, normal urge to have orgasms.
Needless to say, she is very, deeply sexually unhappy in this marriage, even though she truly loves her husband. She just waits til he's done pumping on top of her, and then she sneaks off to masturbate.
Still, this is perfectly normal, not sex addict behavior.
Then she starts cheating on Jason. (After being loyal to him for 13 years! Obviously NOT a sex addict).
She doesn't plan to, or seek out cheating. A man comes on to her and she is turned on by his proposal. (I personally thought this guy was a huge creeper, but *shrug * we all have our own preferences, I guess.)
She ends up cheating on her husband with 3 different lovers. While this is a bad thing to do, it is not even close to qualifying Zoe as someone with a sexual addiction.
PROBLEM 2:
Zane tries to tell us that the reason Zoe enjoys sex so much is because This is terrible. I feel like, throughout the novel, Zane is saying that if a woman enjoys sex and is interested in sex, it is because she is a sex addict/nymphomaniac OR because she was This is absolutely not true. Many women enjoy sex and have a sex drive because, hello, they're human! Being interested and excited about sex is not “bad” or a sign that you're “damaged” in any way.
Zane seems to believe that unless you are like, “Oh, no, this again? Well, I guess I'll just shut my eyes and let him have his way with me. Men are so disgusting,” then you are some kind of slut. Um, not true. You can be a 'good girl' and loyal to your husband/boyfriend and still have tons of fun in bed.
BEING FUN, HAPPY, AND ORGASMIC IN BED DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A WOMAN WHO WILL CHEAT. Cannot stress this enough. Terrible message to say that women who love sex are going to turn into cheating wives. NOT TRUE.
PROBLEM 3:
The plot is bad and badly put together. The last 25% of the novel is an absolute mess that makes my eyes bleed. Zane just starts throwing every bizarre, crazy, strange thing that could possible happen right after the other. It is nuts and it makes no sense. I was maybe not enjoying, but at least following and understanding the book up until about 75%. After that it was just like, “Are you serious?” and “Are you flippin' kidding me?”
PROBLEM 4:
That's a bit hard for me to believe.
PROBLEM 5:
Zoe TRIES to do the right thing. She talks to Jason about sex a bajillion times. Every single time he shuts her down and tells her that if she wants anything besides man-on-top-zero-foreplay then she's a whore. He thinks only whores enjoy sex or want any other kind of sex besides quick missionary. o.O He constantly calls her friends sluts and whores because they go to clubs.
Zoe also tries really hard to get Jason to go to couples counseling with her, but he says psychiatrists are disgusting quacks and people who go see therapists are raging loonies. Except he uses stronger language than this.
Yeah, he's a real charmer, isn't he? Not to mention the fact that when he finds out Zoe's cheating on him, he I was like *blink blink * I mean, I can understand his anger, but I think this was very wrong.
I didn't like this guy, and he was supposed to be the guy we're cheering for. The loving husband.
In the end, we're supposed to understand why he's like this: but I can't even tell you how sick and tired I am of that cliché. Not to mention it doesn't excuse his opinions on therapy, mental illness or the fact that he
PROBLEM 6:
This is NOT an erotic novel. There is nothing erotic about it. I expect an “erotic novel” to have exciting descriptions of sex that are a turn-on. There is nothing that will make you sexually excited in this book. The sex descriptions are rather boring and not very stimulating. I just wasn't turned on by any of it. And in the hands of a better author, it could have been very sexy. But it just isn't. The sex descriptions aren't repulsive, but they are certainly not something get excited about.
PROBLEM #7:
She never uses condoms. SHE CHEATS ON HER HUSBAND WITH THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND NO PROTECTION IS USED. I mean, seriously, what the bleep are you thinking!??!!?!? And all the people she cheats on Jason with have multiple other lovers. Think of the STDs. Zane also makes it pretty obvious Zoe isn't on the pill, either, so you've got pregnancy to think about, too. Use condoms! Authors: you can put condoms in your book and still have a sexy book. Use condoms! <--- Can't repeat this enough.
PROBLEM #8:
PROBLEM #9:
So, is there anything you LIKED about the book, Carmen?
Yes. Zoe is a great friend. She has a close girlfriend in the book named Brina. She never slut-shames her, and is very supportive and caring with her. She also defends her and is strong for her. They have a great friendship.
Another thing I liked was the narrator's voice. I loved the writing style of Zane. Not her plot, or her sex descriptions, but the way she put things and some of the things she said. I really enjoyed this voice.
Also, I completely agree with her on how important kissing is and how couples should continue having make-out sessions even after sex has been introduced.
Back when we were still virgins, we would make out for hours, but when the sex between us started, it seemed like the intimacy went away.
So important to keep up with kissing! And to practice long kissing, even after you are already having sex. KISSING FOR THE WIN. KISSING IS IMPORTANT.
...
UPDATE: 10/11/2014 THE FILM
IF YOU OPEN THE SPOILER TAGS, IT WILL SPOIL BOTH THE MOVIE AND THE BOOK FOR YOU.
- Okay, the film is rather different, mainly because of Jason (the husband). In the movie, he and Zoe have a normal sex life. He has sex with her from behind AND he has sex with her in the shower, things that (in the book) it was explicitly stated that he wouldn't do. He's not a messed-up, prudish, sex-phobic guy like in the book. This makes what Zoe does (stepping out on him) seem worse.
- The whole Brina (the best friend) subplot was cut out. And I thought that the relationship between Brina and Zoe was the strongest part of the novel. Brina is IN the movie, but she
-
- Zoe uses condoms with her lovers in the film. In the book, no condoms are ever mentioned.
- Zoe uses a lot of porn in the film. This is an actual sign of sex addiction, and I was glad they added it to the film, it made her "sex addiction" seem more real. She didn't use porn in the book.
- Also, her "sex addiction" really affects her work in the film. In the book, it didn't. This is another more realistic touch to add to the feeling that she's a sex addict.
- I was very annoyed with the mother, who in the film lives with Zoe and her family. In every single scene the mother was in, she gives Zoe long, judging, suspicious looks. Every scene. But she never actually confronts her daughter about anything or asks any questions. If I was film-Zoe I would have been ready to smack her. Sheesh. So annoying!
- Corey (the film's version of Tyson from the book) takes Zoe to a sex club and the film shows her using drugs with him. I personally felt like the whole sex-club-thing was just because of 50 Shades and due to the fact that BDSM clubs are "in" right now.
-
-
- Again, they obviously wanted us to like and sympathize with Jason, and making him do that like he did in the book would alienate movie audiences.
-
- I thought William Levy did a great job, because I was creeped out by him so much and was not attracted to him at all. That's good acting. :) I'm used to him playing a wonderful, prince-among-men character in LA TEMPESTAD, so it was a huge change for me. Also, it was my first time seeing him act in English - I vastly prefer listening to him speak Spanish, and that's all I have to say about THAT. ;)
P.S. If you are interested in seeing a movie that more realistically (although still not perfectly) displays sexual addiction, I recommend SHAME with Michael Fassbender. Less good, but funnier (especially if you can't handle the brutal stuff - SHAME is brutal) would be THANKS FOR SHARING with Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Pink.
NOW COMPLETE WITH A MOVIE UPDATE!!!
I decided to read this novel in preparation for the upcoming movie. I thought I would hate the book, but I had no idea it would be this horrible. o.O Let's take it step-by-step, shall we?
PROBLEM 1.
Zane is trying to get me to believe that Zoe, the protagonist, is a sex addict. SHE IS NOT A SEX ADDICT.
Her husband, Jason, the only man she's ever had sex with, does not engage in any foreplay. In addiction to refusing to 'play' before sex, he refuses to let her give him a blowjob, or go down on her, or finger her, or let her give him a handjob. He only will participate in penis-in-vagina sex. Also – in addition to that – he always has to be on top. Always. He will accept no other sexual positions. He will only have sex at night and with the light off.
Two minutes and about thirty pumps later, he pulled it out, and I wanted to scream. I lay there, thinking to myself, "Is this all I get?
So.
Our protagonist has been with this guy all her life, since she was 13 or so. This is the only man she's ever been with. She is a sexual person who enjoys masturbating and has the natural, normal urge to have orgasms.
Needless to say, she is very, deeply sexually unhappy in this marriage, even though she truly loves her husband. She just waits til he's done pumping on top of her, and then she sneaks off to masturbate.
Still, this is perfectly normal, not sex addict behavior.
Then she starts cheating on Jason. (After being loyal to him for 13 years! Obviously NOT a sex addict).
She doesn't plan to, or seek out cheating. A man comes on to her and she is turned on by his proposal. (I personally thought this guy was a huge creeper, but *shrug * we all have our own preferences, I guess.)
She ends up cheating on her husband with 3 different lovers. While this is a bad thing to do, it is not even close to qualifying Zoe as someone with a sexual addiction.
PROBLEM 2:
Zane tries to tell us that the reason Zoe enjoys sex so much is because This is terrible. I feel like, throughout the novel, Zane is saying that if a woman enjoys sex and is interested in sex, it is because she is a sex addict/nymphomaniac OR because she was This is absolutely not true. Many women enjoy sex and have a sex drive because, hello, they're human! Being interested and excited about sex is not “bad” or a sign that you're “damaged” in any way.
Zane seems to believe that unless you are like, “Oh, no, this again? Well, I guess I'll just shut my eyes and let him have his way with me. Men are so disgusting,” then you are some kind of slut. Um, not true. You can be a 'good girl' and loyal to your husband/boyfriend and still have tons of fun in bed.
BEING FUN, HAPPY, AND ORGASMIC IN BED DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE A WOMAN WHO WILL CHEAT. Cannot stress this enough. Terrible message to say that women who love sex are going to turn into cheating wives. NOT TRUE.
PROBLEM 3:
The plot is bad and badly put together. The last 25% of the novel is an absolute mess that makes my eyes bleed. Zane just starts throwing every bizarre, crazy, strange thing that could possible happen right after the other. It is nuts and it makes no sense. I was maybe not enjoying, but at least following and understanding the book up until about 75%. After that it was just like, “Are you serious?” and “Are you flippin' kidding me?”
PROBLEM 4:
That's a bit hard for me to believe.
PROBLEM 5:
Zoe TRIES to do the right thing. She talks to Jason about sex a bajillion times. Every single time he shuts her down and tells her that if she wants anything besides man-on-top-zero-foreplay then she's a whore. He thinks only whores enjoy sex or want any other kind of sex besides quick missionary. o.O He constantly calls her friends sluts and whores because they go to clubs.
Zoe also tries really hard to get Jason to go to couples counseling with her, but he says psychiatrists are disgusting quacks and people who go see therapists are raging loonies. Except he uses stronger language than this.
Yeah, he's a real charmer, isn't he? Not to mention the fact that when he finds out Zoe's cheating on him, he I was like *blink blink * I mean, I can understand his anger, but I think this was very wrong.
I didn't like this guy, and he was supposed to be the guy we're cheering for. The loving husband.
In the end, we're supposed to understand why he's like this: but I can't even tell you how sick and tired I am of that cliché. Not to mention it doesn't excuse his opinions on therapy, mental illness or the fact that he
PROBLEM 6:
This is NOT an erotic novel. There is nothing erotic about it. I expect an “erotic novel” to have exciting descriptions of sex that are a turn-on. There is nothing that will make you sexually excited in this book. The sex descriptions are rather boring and not very stimulating. I just wasn't turned on by any of it. And in the hands of a better author, it could have been very sexy. But it just isn't. The sex descriptions aren't repulsive, but they are certainly not something get excited about.
PROBLEM #7:
She never uses condoms. SHE CHEATS ON HER HUSBAND WITH THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND NO PROTECTION IS USED. I mean, seriously, what the bleep are you thinking!??!!?!? And all the people she cheats on Jason with have multiple other lovers. Think of the STDs. Zane also makes it pretty obvious Zoe isn't on the pill, either, so you've got pregnancy to think about, too. Use condoms! Authors: you can put condoms in your book and still have a sexy book. Use condoms! <--- Can't repeat this enough.
PROBLEM #8:
PROBLEM #9:
So, is there anything you LIKED about the book, Carmen?
Yes. Zoe is a great friend. She has a close girlfriend in the book named Brina. She never slut-shames her, and is very supportive and caring with her. She also defends her and is strong for her. They have a great friendship.
Another thing I liked was the narrator's voice. I loved the writing style of Zane. Not her plot, or her sex descriptions, but the way she put things and some of the things she said. I really enjoyed this voice.
Also, I completely agree with her on how important kissing is and how couples should continue having make-out sessions even after sex has been introduced.
Back when we were still virgins, we would make out for hours, but when the sex between us started, it seemed like the intimacy went away.
So important to keep up with kissing! And to practice long kissing, even after you are already having sex. KISSING FOR THE WIN. KISSING IS IMPORTANT.
...
UPDATE: 10/11/2014 THE FILM
IF YOU OPEN THE SPOILER TAGS, IT WILL SPOIL BOTH THE MOVIE AND THE BOOK FOR YOU.
- Okay, the film is rather different, mainly because of Jason (the husband). In the movie, he and Zoe have a normal sex life. He has sex with her from behind AND he has sex with her in the shower, things that (in the book) it was explicitly stated that he wouldn't do. He's not a messed-up, prudish, sex-phobic guy like in the book. This makes what Zoe does (stepping out on him) seem worse.
- The whole Brina (the best friend) subplot was cut out. And I thought that the relationship between Brina and Zoe was the strongest part of the novel. Brina is IN the movie, but she
-
- Zoe uses condoms with her lovers in the film. In the book, no condoms are ever mentioned.
- Zoe uses a lot of porn in the film. This is an actual sign of sex addiction, and I was glad they added it to the film, it made her "sex addiction" seem more real. She didn't use porn in the book.
- Also, her "sex addiction" really affects her work in the film. In the book, it didn't. This is another more realistic touch to add to the feeling that she's a sex addict.
- I was very annoyed with the mother, who in the film lives with Zoe and her family. In every single scene the mother was in, she gives Zoe long, judging, suspicious looks. Every scene. But she never actually confronts her daughter about anything or asks any questions. If I was film-Zoe I would have been ready to smack her. Sheesh. So annoying!
- Corey (the film's version of Tyson from the book) takes Zoe to a sex club and the film shows her using drugs with him. I personally felt like the whole sex-club-thing was just because of 50 Shades and due to the fact that BDSM clubs are "in" right now.
-
-
- Again, they obviously wanted us to like and sympathize with Jason, and making him do that like he did in the book would alienate movie audiences.
-
- I thought William Levy did a great job, because I was creeped out by him so much and was not attracted to him at all. That's good acting. :) I'm used to him playing a wonderful, prince-among-men character in LA TEMPESTAD, so it was a huge change for me. Also, it was my first time seeing him act in English - I vastly prefer listening to him speak Spanish, and that's all I have to say about THAT. ;)
P.S. If you are interested in seeing a movie that more realistically (although still not perfectly) displays sexual addiction, I recommend SHAME with Michael Fassbender. Less good, but funnier (especially if you can't handle the brutal stuff - SHAME is brutal) would be THANKS FOR SHARING with Mark Ruffalo, Tim Robbins, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Pink.
February 16, 2020
uh. interesting. rtc.
Read
March 8, 2009This is an EXTREMELY inaproppiate book,but i loved it. It was juicy and scandalous.
February 23, 2011
not that i was expecting anything spectacular, but seriously, WHY?! this novel is written like a poorly orchestrated soap opera with more twists and turns than can possibly happen to any human being. it is overly-dramatic and completely unbelievable. the only reason why i'm giving this book a star at all is for the theme of true love which i actually liked. other than that, there were extremely stereotypical portrayals of perceptions of beauty in the black community, ie: straight long hair, colored eyes, and the list goes on and on. also, the book had a lot of branding of material items like cars, shoes, bags, etc. i could go on and on for days...but i won't. my first and last zane book for sure.
January 5, 2022
I don't know what impelled me to read this but I did and it wasn't a great experience. I read this 5 months ago and I can still taste my frustrations as I write this review. The writing was great but I just didn't like how the story was executed, especially the ending. Like, huh? OK. Even the reveal of the bad guy wasn't note worthy. This is an erotic novel but I didn't find the s*x stuff powerful or interesting, it actually felt like a cheap B-movie p**no.
Some people would definitely love this but it was horrible for me.
Some people would definitely love this but it was horrible for me.
January 16, 2016
Book description is as follows: "Addicted is the story of Zoe, an African-American female arts dealer. It traces her life from the time she first meets her husband, Jason, in the fifth grade, falls in love with him over a game of Twister in the eighth grade, loses her virginity to him in high school and eventually marries him. Everything seems perfect in Zoe's life to her friends and family as she secretly deals with serious problems in her marriage. After failing to get Jason to open up to her sexually, Zoe becomes involved in not one, not two but three extramarital affairs. By the time she seeks the aid of a prominent female African-American therapist, the walls of her picture perfect life have already started to crumble.~~~~~~~Addicted shifts into high gear as Zoe finds out that everyone from her lovers to her husband to her own mother are hiding secrets of their own. Zoe's best friend, Brina, is physically abused by her alcoholic boyfriend, Dempsey. Meanwhile, Zoe discovers under hypnosis that her fascination with sex stems from she had buried deep in the crevices of her mind years before. Zoe ends up being repetitively stalked and attacked. It all comes to a head on a cold, dark mountain following a trail of murders and the true murderer is anyone's guess. Addicted does for women what Fatal Attraction did for men. It will make a woman think twice before risking it all."~~~~~~~Very intense read from Zane. A page-turner, a little more erotic then I'm used to reading, but it touched on some serious issues with the main character.
May 17, 2022
This was one of the first erotic books that I read and it was great. Addicted, chronicles the life of Zoe, a middle class African American female who seeks therapy for sexual addiction. Zoe becomes obsessed with sex in early adolescence and relentlessly pressures Jason, her high school sweet heart to take her virginity.
Although she manages to marry Jason, the love of her life and they experience financial stability in spite of becoming teen parents, Zoe leads a double life. By day she is mother, doting wife and successful art dealer. By night and sometimes in the afternoon, she goes barreling headfirst into affairs with people who keep dangerous secrets. Blunt, violent and entitled, something black women have never collectively been, Zoe, feels she has a right to toe curling extramarital "sexcapades" with people she knows only on a first name basis to fulfill the sexual desires her sexually repressed husband cannot. She's possessive of her lovers and feels justified in having knockdown drag-out fights with their women and justified in telling outlandish lies to Jason to cover her tracks. Thanks for the fabulous read Zane,
Although she manages to marry Jason, the love of her life and they experience financial stability in spite of becoming teen parents, Zoe leads a double life. By day she is mother, doting wife and successful art dealer. By night and sometimes in the afternoon, she goes barreling headfirst into affairs with people who keep dangerous secrets. Blunt, violent and entitled, something black women have never collectively been, Zoe, feels she has a right to toe curling extramarital "sexcapades" with people she knows only on a first name basis to fulfill the sexual desires her sexually repressed husband cannot. She's possessive of her lovers and feels justified in having knockdown drag-out fights with their women and justified in telling outlandish lies to Jason to cover her tracks. Thanks for the fabulous read Zane,
Want to read
August 21, 2014I just saw the film's trailer and I'm definitely interested in reading this now.
January 23, 2016
Boo!! Boo!!! Boooooo!!!! And I don't mean it as a term of endearment. No. Just no. Sorry I was liking this book in the beginning and it just kept spiraling into a trifling mess.
June 17, 2024
Yep! I enjoyed this!
March 17, 2010
This book has the sexual morals of a teen slasher flick combined with the dedication to research of an Encyclopedia Brown mystery. The author's choice of putting her own ideas of what "sexual addiction" means (masturbation! teenage interest in sex!) in the mouths of psychiatrist characters is just plain irresponsible.
July 4, 2011
Don't get what the fuss is about. This was not a book I would recommend to anyone. It's not sexy. The dialogue is unbelievable, the characters are one-dimensional. I'm just sorry a tree had to be sacrificed.
August 29, 2013
So, I first picked “Addicted” (of the many Zane books) because there is a movie that will be coming out based on this book. When I first read the book blurb, I wasn’t sure I was going to like the storyline. Zoe, the main character, is addicted to sex; come on – how is this going to be entertaining or even good? It sounded like just a porn book with nothing but bad scenes and stupid lines. But, boy was I WRONG!!!
The plot starts with Zoe’s childhood. You see how she met her husband and how they fell in love. Her support systems are strong, with great friends like Brina and the solid love of her father. Towards the middle of the book is when things start to unravel for Zoe. I found myself so invested in the characters, wanting the best for Zoe, her husband Jason, and Brina. They are all around good people-just bad life stuff happens.
There were times you want to yell at the book and ask Zoe, “what are you doing?!” But she keeps digging her hole deeper and deeper. There is a point in the book that makes you think, “Ok, something is off and we just have to wait and see what it is.”
I don’t want to give away the book, but there are points where Zoe knows what she is doing is wrong, but just she doesn’t seem to know why. I think it is safe to say that she could use a little help from a professional to figure it out. If you like drama, romance, and entertaining reads, this book is for you.
“I love you Jason!”
“I love you Zoe” “This is forever”.
“Always has been! Always will be!”
Andrea's Book Blog: For more of my reviews go to http://www.itsandrea.net
The plot starts with Zoe’s childhood. You see how she met her husband and how they fell in love. Her support systems are strong, with great friends like Brina and the solid love of her father. Towards the middle of the book is when things start to unravel for Zoe. I found myself so invested in the characters, wanting the best for Zoe, her husband Jason, and Brina. They are all around good people-just bad life stuff happens.
There were times you want to yell at the book and ask Zoe, “what are you doing?!” But she keeps digging her hole deeper and deeper. There is a point in the book that makes you think, “Ok, something is off and we just have to wait and see what it is.”
I don’t want to give away the book, but there are points where Zoe knows what she is doing is wrong, but just she doesn’t seem to know why. I think it is safe to say that she could use a little help from a professional to figure it out. If you like drama, romance, and entertaining reads, this book is for you.
“I love you Jason!”
“I love you Zoe” “This is forever”.
“Always has been! Always will be!”
Andrea's Book Blog: For more of my reviews go to http://www.itsandrea.net
July 4, 2012
I absolutely love this book! The story was on point, I love all the twists & the fact that the book wasn't predictable. One thing I could say that I dislike about it is how extra parts could be, like how "perfect" her life is, and the part where she got hypnotized etc. It just seems a bit too exaggerated, but I guess you could find people like Zoe in real life. And the sex scenes were kind of whack. They weren't descriptive & exciting... I don't know if that's a good term, but anyway the book was good & I'd definitely recommend it. It's a mind blower!
October 4, 2016
Kind of ridiculous but interesting and well written.
September 8, 2014
All my life, my black girlfriends have hailed Zane as the ultimate writer of erotica and romance. Because I cut my teeth on Historical romances and read it exclusively for so many years, I didn't get around to reading Zane until now. When I saw the trailer for the movie Addicted, and immediately ran out and bought the book.
Well, let's just say I think that in this case, the movie might end up being better than the book. This was an okay read for me. I gave it 3 stars because despite the numerous problems I had with the book, it kept me engaged mostly and once I got to a certain point I had to finish it to the end. So, that counts for something.
But this book was kind of a ghetto mess. I can't stand books where every one of the black characters in it are some overblown caricature ... where every woman is a black bitch with a neck-rolling attitude, popping her lips and wagging her finger. That is pretty much Zoe to a tee, as well as everyone else she comes in contact with. As for the men in this book ... let's just say it was hard to find any of them sexy. They were all weak, whiny pushovers, with the exception of Tyson, who was a bit TOO alpha .
I think this book spent too much time in Jason and Zoe's childhood, as almost the entire first half of the book details how they met and have this bizarre on again off again relationship that left me wondering where the attraction was for either of them. Especially when it came to Zoe. She was a spoiled, loudmouthed, annoying little brat ... which I thought would get better when she became an adult, but she was just as bad once out of the tricky stage of puberty.
My feelings for Zoe are mixed. One one hand, she annoyed the crap out of me. On the other, she was kind of ridiculous, and I couldn't help but want to know what she was going to do next.
As for the sex appeal of this book, there was none really. There were a few sensual scenes, but most of the sexual descriptions were clinical and robotic, leaving me to wonder what the fuss is all about when it comes to Zane. There's a scene involving nacho cheese that pretty much made me want to barf. Not at all sexy.
Toward the end, the books takes on a suspenseful twist, but I think it went too far. And in the end, it doesn't seem like much gets accomplished. Spoiled, selfish Zoe suffers a bit before getting everything she wants, because this is her world and everything in it revolves around her.
On a final note, I felt the profanity to be overused and gratuitous for no reason. I am usually not bothered by cursing in books, at all. But when it's every other word, every sentence, it gets annoying. Instead of Zoe going downstairs, she 'goes her ass downstairs'. And I kid you not, it's said like that everytime someone goes to do something. He sat his ass down. She shut her ass up. So on and so on. After awhile I got sick of it.
But here's the thing about this book. As much as it annoyed and frustrated me, I couldn't stop reading it. Isn't that something? This book was like a huge plate of loaded french fries. You know all the grease, cheese, bacon, and sour cream are bad for you ... but you eat them anyway. That is this book for me, in a nutshell. Will it be my last Zane book? Probably not. We all get that craving for junk food every now and then.
Well, let's just say I think that in this case, the movie might end up being better than the book. This was an okay read for me. I gave it 3 stars because despite the numerous problems I had with the book, it kept me engaged mostly and once I got to a certain point I had to finish it to the end. So, that counts for something.
But this book was kind of a ghetto mess. I can't stand books where every one of the black characters in it are some overblown caricature ... where every woman is a black bitch with a neck-rolling attitude, popping her lips and wagging her finger. That is pretty much Zoe to a tee, as well as everyone else she comes in contact with. As for the men in this book ... let's just say it was hard to find any of them sexy. They were all weak, whiny pushovers, with the exception of Tyson, who was a bit TOO alpha .
I think this book spent too much time in Jason and Zoe's childhood, as almost the entire first half of the book details how they met and have this bizarre on again off again relationship that left me wondering where the attraction was for either of them. Especially when it came to Zoe. She was a spoiled, loudmouthed, annoying little brat ... which I thought would get better when she became an adult, but she was just as bad once out of the tricky stage of puberty.
My feelings for Zoe are mixed. One one hand, she annoyed the crap out of me. On the other, she was kind of ridiculous, and I couldn't help but want to know what she was going to do next.
As for the sex appeal of this book, there was none really. There were a few sensual scenes, but most of the sexual descriptions were clinical and robotic, leaving me to wonder what the fuss is all about when it comes to Zane. There's a scene involving nacho cheese that pretty much made me want to barf. Not at all sexy.
Toward the end, the books takes on a suspenseful twist, but I think it went too far. And in the end, it doesn't seem like much gets accomplished. Spoiled, selfish Zoe suffers a bit before getting everything she wants, because this is her world and everything in it revolves around her.
On a final note, I felt the profanity to be overused and gratuitous for no reason. I am usually not bothered by cursing in books, at all. But when it's every other word, every sentence, it gets annoying. Instead of Zoe going downstairs, she 'goes her ass downstairs'. And I kid you not, it's said like that everytime someone goes to do something. He sat his ass down. She shut her ass up. So on and so on. After awhile I got sick of it.
But here's the thing about this book. As much as it annoyed and frustrated me, I couldn't stop reading it. Isn't that something? This book was like a huge plate of loaded french fries. You know all the grease, cheese, bacon, and sour cream are bad for you ... but you eat them anyway. That is this book for me, in a nutshell. Will it be my last Zane book? Probably not. We all get that craving for junk food every now and then.
October 16, 2014
3.5☆
De verdad que aún no encuentro la razón por la cuál el libro me gustó tanto,pero lo cierto es que no podía despegarme de él y llevo meses que eso no me sucede.
El libro está publicado desde el 2001,por lo tanto aunque es erótico, las escenas no son tan porno como los libros actuales del género.
Desde el prólogo leemos que su protagonista femenina, Zoe,es una mujer casada, con un esposo amoroso y padres de tres niños. Ahí también nos enteramos de que Zoe no sólo es infiel,si no que también es adicta al sexo. Lo que quiere decir que no es una historia recomendada para personas que odian las infidelidades, así que ni pierdan el tiempo,porque desde el título hasta la sinopsis advierte de que este es el tema que trata.
Ya entrando en los capítulos, vamos conociendo como Zoe y Jason se conocen desde niños. Cómo del odio nace el amor entre ellos y nos damos cuenta de los serios problemas que arrastra Zoe desde niña. Yo la encontré muy histérica, egoísta y demasiado agresiva. Pero ésta es la pare que más me gustó del libro. Era tierna toda su relación. Pero Zoe tenía que rogarle mucho a Jason, así que en realidad no sé como ellos terminaron juntos,pero así fue.
Las relaciones extra matrimoniales de Zoe no sólo la llenan de culpa,si no que más adelante le complica no sólo su vida,si no la de su familia. Yo no justifico para nada el comportamiento de ella,ella está muy mal. Pero Jason a pesar de amarla tanto,tampoco estaba muy bien. Él tenía su carga extra y por más que ella trataba de decirle la verdad,le pedía y le suplicaba que cambiaran su rutina sexual tan absurda y anticuada,el Jason pasaba totalmente de ella. Por eso aunque Zoe esté como una cabra,sea una total perra y OJO jamás justifico ni justificare una infidelidad,lo cierto es que en su matrimonio faltaba lo más importante además del amor: la COMUNICACIÓN. Si ella,el amor sólo no funciona. Así que aunque Zoe lleve la gran parte de la culpa, el Jason no se queda sin su parte de ella.
Ya al final todo es muy apresurado y pasan tantas cosas que ya veo porque será una película.
De verdad que aún no encuentro la razón por la cuál el libro me gustó tanto,pero lo cierto es que no podía despegarme de él y llevo meses que eso no me sucede.
El libro está publicado desde el 2001,por lo tanto aunque es erótico, las escenas no son tan porno como los libros actuales del género.
Desde el prólogo leemos que su protagonista femenina, Zoe,es una mujer casada, con un esposo amoroso y padres de tres niños. Ahí también nos enteramos de que Zoe no sólo es infiel,si no que también es adicta al sexo. Lo que quiere decir que no es una historia recomendada para personas que odian las infidelidades, así que ni pierdan el tiempo,porque desde el título hasta la sinopsis advierte de que este es el tema que trata.
Ya entrando en los capítulos, vamos conociendo como Zoe y Jason se conocen desde niños. Cómo del odio nace el amor entre ellos y nos damos cuenta de los serios problemas que arrastra Zoe desde niña. Yo la encontré muy histérica, egoísta y demasiado agresiva. Pero ésta es la pare que más me gustó del libro. Era tierna toda su relación. Pero Zoe tenía que rogarle mucho a Jason, así que en realidad no sé como ellos terminaron juntos,pero así fue.
Las relaciones extra matrimoniales de Zoe no sólo la llenan de culpa,si no que más adelante le complica no sólo su vida,si no la de su familia. Yo no justifico para nada el comportamiento de ella,ella está muy mal. Pero Jason a pesar de amarla tanto,tampoco estaba muy bien. Él tenía su carga extra y por más que ella trataba de decirle la verdad,le pedía y le suplicaba que cambiaran su rutina sexual tan absurda y anticuada,el Jason pasaba totalmente de ella. Por eso aunque Zoe esté como una cabra,sea una total perra y OJO jamás justifico ni justificare una infidelidad,lo cierto es que en su matrimonio faltaba lo más importante además del amor: la COMUNICACIÓN. Si ella,el amor sólo no funciona. Así que aunque Zoe lleve la gran parte de la culpa, el Jason no se queda sin su parte de ella.
Ya al final todo es muy apresurado y pasan tantas cosas que ya veo porque será una película.
May 1, 2010
Much like reading the comic strip Curtis, everytime I picked this up on the bus (and hope the person next to me didn't read the cover), I wondered if Zane is really black. I also wonder if "she" is really a woman. If it turned out that "Zane" is really a psuedonym for a racist, misogynist, white man, trying to reinforce every idiotic negative stereotype you've ever encountered, I wouldn't bat an eye. Or maybe she's just someone who discovered people will buy horrendous trashlit that traffics in wish-fulfilment and the most pedestrian taboos treated in the clumsiest ways. To say that this book is trash would be unfair. To trash. Ka-zing. I would be hard pressed to say reading this is better than not reading at all. It's perhaps a step-up from internet fan-fiction.
Reading Zane is much like eating McDonald's. The first taste almost fools you with its instant blast of fat/salt/sugar, but as the initial nicotine-like high wears off, it reveals itself to be increasingly, unceasingly vile. And when you actually think about it, you can't escape the awareness that it is actively RUINING the WORLD.
Reading Zane is much like eating McDonald's. The first taste almost fools you with its instant blast of fat/salt/sugar, but as the initial nicotine-like high wears off, it reveals itself to be increasingly, unceasingly vile. And when you actually think about it, you can't escape the awareness that it is actively RUINING the WORLD.
October 20, 2014
A heart stopping 4.5 stars.
I can completely see why this has been made into a movie .... It is jam packed with passion, suspense and surprises. Top that off with a gorgeous cast it's no wonder I loved it.
I can completely see why this has been made into a movie .... It is jam packed with passion, suspense and surprises. Top that off with a gorgeous cast it's no wonder I loved it.
March 30, 2015
I loved this book!
Am I turning into a Jenny?
Am I turning into a Jenny?
July 15, 2020
Wow this was my first Audible Escape thriller it was excellent!
September 25, 2014
O M G …so I initially heard about Addicted from a fellow blogger but I didn’t know too much about it and really didn’t give it much thought. And then I happened to stumble upon the trailer for the movie (releasing on October 10th ) and I was sold! My interest was immediately piqued and I was determined to read the book before seeing the movie.
What I loved most about this book is the way it’s written. I greatly appreciate “real talk”, meaning characters who talk like your average person, slang and all. It makes them easier to relate to and the story just flows better because it’s almost like you’re talking to or listening to a friend. That’s one of the reasons I was able to finish it in a day, well that and because I literally couldn’t put it down.
While I typically don’t go for books that involve cheating or love triangles I couldn’t resist this one. We always hear about male characters or even male celebs in real life being sex addicts, but we never really hear the story from a female addict’s perspective. Some people might say, “I don’t care what she has to say about it, cheating is cheating”, but it’s really not, at least not in this situation. Zane does an amazing job of portraying Zoe and Jason’s relationship from the moment they first met until their current predicament. She basically lays out the foundation showing their ups and downs and mixed emotions, so we know without a shadow of a doubt that Zoe is in fact madly in love with her husband. She’s just sick and needs help.
I can’t help but place some of the blame on Jason. Zoe reaches out to him every chance she gets, trying to initiate both sex and conversation, and he turns her down every single time. On the rare occasions they actually do have sex it’s bland and boring and Zoe is always left unsatisfied. It’s not that she doesn’t desire her husband or that she finds him unattractive. It’s the complete opposite, she comments on his good looks and amazing personality all the time. The problem is that he’s just not worried about her needs and wants, only his own, and that’s not enough for her. Coupled with the addiction, it just leads to numerous bad decisions on Zoe’s part.
The amount of drama, romance, suspense and over all craziness packed into this novel was insane, in a good way. I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, hence the reason I finished it in a day. All of the plot twists really did catch me by surprise, especially the ending. Zane does an amazing job of weaving an intricately detailed story of lies and deception and spinning it into an absolutely gripping unputdownable (totally making that a word) novel. My coworkers and I did a group reading of this book, even though we all finished at different times, and we all agreed that it was sexy, shocking and seriously intense. And we’ll all be seeing the movie together :)
As much as I loved this book I do have a couple of issues. My main issue being a little something I like to call inappropriate use of exclamation points. In my opinion exclamation points are used to express excitement or anger and should always be used in the proper context. That wasn’t the case here; exclamation points were used at the most awkward times when neither of the aforementioned emotions was present. Now this might not bother you in the slightest but for me it interfered with my reading because in my mind I’m picturing the characters responding a certain way and the exclamation points just don’t coincide with what’s being said or the tone of the scene.
My other issue is that certain plot points seemed unbelievable. To give an example I have to include a SPOILER so consider this your warning. When Zoe is in the hospital from her accident she awakes to her husband and her therapist in the room. The therapist then proceeds to tell Zoe how she already informed Jason of EVERYTHING that had happened with Zoe and her affairs. Umm, I’m sorry but is a doctor supposed to do that?? What about the whole doctor-patient confidentiality thing?? I mean I felt like Zoe’s therapist was way underqualified to help her anyway and should’ve referred her to another doctor who specialized in Zoe’s type of addiction but that’s another issue entirely. Maybe she was supposed to be like that, who knows.
This was my first experience reading a book by Zane but definitely not my last. I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer. Oh and if you couldn’t tell I DEFINITELY recommend this one ;)
What I loved most about this book is the way it’s written. I greatly appreciate “real talk”, meaning characters who talk like your average person, slang and all. It makes them easier to relate to and the story just flows better because it’s almost like you’re talking to or listening to a friend. That’s one of the reasons I was able to finish it in a day, well that and because I literally couldn’t put it down.
While I typically don’t go for books that involve cheating or love triangles I couldn’t resist this one. We always hear about male characters or even male celebs in real life being sex addicts, but we never really hear the story from a female addict’s perspective. Some people might say, “I don’t care what she has to say about it, cheating is cheating”, but it’s really not, at least not in this situation. Zane does an amazing job of portraying Zoe and Jason’s relationship from the moment they first met until their current predicament. She basically lays out the foundation showing their ups and downs and mixed emotions, so we know without a shadow of a doubt that Zoe is in fact madly in love with her husband. She’s just sick and needs help.
I can’t help but place some of the blame on Jason. Zoe reaches out to him every chance she gets, trying to initiate both sex and conversation, and he turns her down every single time. On the rare occasions they actually do have sex it’s bland and boring and Zoe is always left unsatisfied. It’s not that she doesn’t desire her husband or that she finds him unattractive. It’s the complete opposite, she comments on his good looks and amazing personality all the time. The problem is that he’s just not worried about her needs and wants, only his own, and that’s not enough for her. Coupled with the addiction, it just leads to numerous bad decisions on Zoe’s part.
The amount of drama, romance, suspense and over all craziness packed into this novel was insane, in a good way. I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, hence the reason I finished it in a day. All of the plot twists really did catch me by surprise, especially the ending. Zane does an amazing job of weaving an intricately detailed story of lies and deception and spinning it into an absolutely gripping unputdownable (totally making that a word) novel. My coworkers and I did a group reading of this book, even though we all finished at different times, and we all agreed that it was sexy, shocking and seriously intense. And we’ll all be seeing the movie together :)
As much as I loved this book I do have a couple of issues. My main issue being a little something I like to call inappropriate use of exclamation points. In my opinion exclamation points are used to express excitement or anger and should always be used in the proper context. That wasn’t the case here; exclamation points were used at the most awkward times when neither of the aforementioned emotions was present. Now this might not bother you in the slightest but for me it interfered with my reading because in my mind I’m picturing the characters responding a certain way and the exclamation points just don’t coincide with what’s being said or the tone of the scene.
My other issue is that certain plot points seemed unbelievable. To give an example I have to include a SPOILER so consider this your warning. When Zoe is in the hospital from her accident she awakes to her husband and her therapist in the room. The therapist then proceeds to tell Zoe how she already informed Jason of EVERYTHING that had happened with Zoe and her affairs. Umm, I’m sorry but is a doctor supposed to do that?? What about the whole doctor-patient confidentiality thing?? I mean I felt like Zoe’s therapist was way underqualified to help her anyway and should’ve referred her to another doctor who specialized in Zoe’s type of addiction but that’s another issue entirely. Maybe she was supposed to be like that, who knows.
This was my first experience reading a book by Zane but definitely not my last. I can’t wait to see what else she has to offer. Oh and if you couldn’t tell I DEFINITELY recommend this one ;)
June 27, 2014
Better the second time..Love this book.. Can't wait for the movie
October 12, 2014
Everyone has his or her own addicted. My addicted is reading a good book, speeding, music, tattoo and dancing. This book is a good experience for everyone and myself. I enjoyed reading this book. Zane did a good job. The part that turn me off when Zoe is telling her business to doctor because she's having affair to her husband with her different lovers. She has mental issues and problem. Why didn't she tell Jason about her problem before she cheating on him with different lovers? If she wasn't happy then she should tell Jason how she feels and work out with him instead of cheating on him. Cheating is bad. Lying is also bad. I felt bad what's happen to Zoe's best friend. However, Jason is a good husband and good person to Zoe but he also has issues problem. I'm happy that they're working out with their relationship and talk their problems to each other. Another part that turn me off when Zoe's parents didn't protect her when she was young.
So far, Addicted by Zane is a good book. It is well-written and well character. I give five stars to this author and this book. I'm looking forward to discussion this book to another readers today. Also, I'm looking forward to watch the movie and reading another book from this author.
Nice Read!
Sandra
So far, Addicted by Zane is a good book. It is well-written and well character. I give five stars to this author and this book. I'm looking forward to discussion this book to another readers today. Also, I'm looking forward to watch the movie and reading another book from this author.
Nice Read!
Sandra
February 6, 2013
This is the first book that I've read by Zane and I must say that it has made me an instant fan. This book was very entertaining because it had some of everything in it from romance, true love and humor to scandal, murder and tragedy. The book also had lots of steamy scenes, which also added to my enjoyment in reading it. This book had so many unexpected twists and turns that it kept me on the edge of my seat; it was definitely a page turner for me. This was an awesome read and a breath of fresh air since I've been reading pretty much from the same authors for awhile. I liked the flow of the book and I really enjoyed Zane's writing style. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
November 7, 2014
Wow... I really loved this book.. I read a few reviews here and some of those reviews was putting me in doubt f I should read it ? Or not..but I saw the movie preview I like the thriller,romance , suspense and drama... good think I didn't pay mind with all those bad reviews that's the reason I barely follow reviews because a lot of ppl I don't know they quickly judging a book just for a few chapters pages or cover ..if you want a book that will have u in the edge and you won't be able to put down... You should read this...I recommended it 100%
July 6, 2014
A great book, the ending was a little too "wild" for my taste (feeling like too much happened in a short period of time) but all in all, I loved this book and could NOT PUT IT DOWN! I really wonder how the movie will be!
September 7, 2022
This book was juicy af, unethical marriage issues (LOL) a few laughable moments. The naivety of these female main characters always entertain me, as much as the crazy sensual tensions and sex scenes
I enjoyed this book
I enjoyed this book
October 2, 2014
Exciting, Invigorating, Edgy & Gripping!
December 28, 2011
Well - this was my first Zane book!!
I think I read it when I was 14yrs, so that's about 5-6yrs ago.
Let me tell you - I LOVE IT!
It was eye popping... Never had I read a book so...explicit! I've been mentally introduced to alot of these my innocent mind back then didn't know of. I wasn't stupid to rush into anything based on "curiosity" though - and for anyone out there who happens to run across Zane's book - I hope you won't wound up doing something just to be experimental without the rightful knowledge.
This book is for MATURE readers.
Zane is am amazing writer! She brings the angst, the sexual and the drama all wrapped into a plain, tell-it-as-i-see it raw literature.
I think I read it when I was 14yrs, so that's about 5-6yrs ago.
Let me tell you - I LOVE IT!
It was eye popping... Never had I read a book so...explicit! I've been mentally introduced to alot of these my innocent mind back then didn't know of. I wasn't stupid to rush into anything based on "curiosity" though - and for anyone out there who happens to run across Zane's book - I hope you won't wound up doing something just to be experimental without the rightful knowledge.
This book is for MATURE readers.
Zane is am amazing writer! She brings the angst, the sexual and the drama all wrapped into a plain, tell-it-as-i-see it raw literature.
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