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I’m Elite Escort’s shibari master—but I’m no sadist. I love sending a client flying, finding comfort in my ropes. Some view my form of play as an act of domination, but I see it as a way to offer an escape.

Childhood trauma honed my intuition, making me notice what others easily miss.

When a curvy sub, leashed and cowering behind a man playing Dom, visit the club I frequent, my protective instincts kick in.

Faced with an opportunity to reveal to Becky what a real D/s relationship is supposed to look like, I take on the challenge. I observe more while binding her in my ropes—bruises she attempts to hide behind her lowered head and long hair.

She’s a battered and broken spirit worn down by years of abuse—the same as my mom had been. I refuse to let her meet the same fate, but for the first time, it’s my hands that are tied.

While I long to help Becky break free, it’s up to her to find the courage to take control—before it’s too late.

ebook

Published August 24, 2023

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70 people want to read

About the author

Lynn Burke

100 books406 followers
Spicy romance author Lynn Burke believes everyone deserves healing and a happily ever after. She loves writing hot, inclusive stories of various pairings or triplings and creates characters who will steal your heart.

She is a USA Today Bestselling author, a wrangler of her three spawn, and a farmer's daughter who grows organic food. To escape reality, she hides in a quiet corner with her nose in a book.

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Florence ..
958 reviews297 followers
September 7, 2023
If there is something that makes me super gleeful when i'm reading a book, it's a super nice main character who would do everything to give their love interest a better life and it's what happens in this book. Daniel is a shibari master who just wants someone to take care off and he meets Becky, who is being abused by her partner. And all he wants is to make her his so he can take care of her and show her all of the things that she was missing.

I loved this premise for a romance, and I ended up loving the romance too. I was so invested in this story and their romance and I loved seeing all of their moments together. I loved how devoted Daniel was and how ready he was to do everything to make Becky feel better and I found Becky to be such a strong main character and I adored reading about her transformation through the book. Their interactions were just so good and I adored reading them.

This book was so lovely and I had the best of time reading this one.
Profile Image for Cécile Smits .
1,486 reviews292 followers
August 28, 2023
Seeing the word Shibari in a blurb usually is enough to draw me in.
I’ve been in love with Kinbaku,or Shibari as most call it, most my adult life,but sadly i’ve never had the opportunity to experience it myself.
Don’t worry,even though hubby’s not into that,he still satisfies me in every aspect…

But,getting back on track….First Time was such a story,and i knew i couldn’t resist.
This was so much more that the art of Kinbaku,though….
This was a story of abuse,and spending years of suffering through it.
While still hoping the old boyfriend Becky knew to resurface….
Until her niece intervened,she didn’t fully realize that would never happen.
Until Master Cooney tied her in his ropes,she didn’t know she could feel pleasure,let alone cum.
He opened her eyes,but it took another beating from the abusive boyfriend to fully comprehend her life was in danger.
What followed was a struggle to break free…..but luckily,she had people she could lean on now.
People like Master Cooney,Daniel in every day life,and her niece,Mistress Chantelle.
Daniel made her feel safe like she’d never felt before,and being in his ropes was pure heaven.
If only her abusive ex would leave her alone…..

Good story. It showed how people suffering abuse struggle to admit they’re in an abusive relationship.
And because that usually builds up throughout the years,they feel like they still have a chance at changing the abusers behaviour.
Because,sometimes,he,or she,shows remorse before relapsing into their bad behaviour.
And because they’ve known the abuser for so long,there’s enough history to make them hesitate…..
Plus,the fear of the abuser catching up after they manage to get away,and beating the sh*t out them,that’s another thing holding them back.
So,the trouble they have breaking free is understandable as well as frustrating if it’s someone you care about.
Profile Image for Neringa Neringiukas.
1,213 reviews85 followers
January 28, 2018
I really don't mind h being in abusive relationship. I had read really great books with it. But this... This was beyond my patience. Becky was so brainwashed it wasn't even funny. I wanted to wack her, hoping it will bring back sense to her, that the SOB beat off her. I would preferred that she stayed with Stephen because he made her believe, that she got lucky with him, because no other man would claim her. But nope. Becky stayed because she wanted to help him. You would ask with what? I wasn't sure myself, but it got something to do with him 'playing' to be a dom. 'Playing' was used in irony, if you didn't get. Stephan was something, but not a dom. What he did is called differently. It was abuse and rape. But Becky 'played' along with him because she wanted to help him and she trusted him. Um... What?!
How the heck Becky ended up with him to begin with? I mean, if you don't feel any sparks in your vagina while being with a guy, it would be obvious that he wasn't the one and you shouldn't become a couple. So, again, how the heck she ended up with him?
She was constantly abused physically and mentally. Humiliated. He got off on those. I full heartedly agreed with Daniels secret thoughts to wrap his rope around Stephens neck and squeeze and squeeze until his head popped. A bit bloodthirsty you say? But even this would be too nice for the SOB.
And I was frustrated with Beckys reaction to Daniels. And no, not because her reaction to him as you think. But because it not even for a second made her to wonder, that maybe she and Stephen isn't meant to be? She spent 8 years with a guy and never felt any pleasure and here is the guy who makes here wet just smelling him, not talking about what his voice, nearnes and touch does. That she feels safer with a guy she just met, then with her SOB of a boyfriend.
Honestly, I couldn't muster any sympathy for Becky. Or even care about her plate. I can't care about someone, who doesn't care about herself. It feels waisted effort.

PS And if this book got your attention, maybe give it a try. It's short story and maybe you see it differently.

PSS I'm apologising to author, but I couldn't force myself to give it more stars.
Profile Image for Romance Reader Obsession.
224 reviews12 followers
July 31, 2023
It's not my fault, I know I repeat myself and I blame Lynn Burke but these men just keep getting hotter and hotter. I want me a red-headed Giant that sends me flying like he does Becky.
I was Literally Panting while reading on the brink of you know what, HOLY HOTNESS!!
If you haven't started this series, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
SWOON-WORTHY ROMANTIC MEN!!
Profile Image for liz_loves_reading.
355 reviews8 followers
August 4, 2023
The way that Daniel loves, protects and is so tender towards Becky is off the charts hot.

Daniel Cooney is a gentle bear of a man and.is employed both by Elite Escorts and as a Shibari Master at Chantelle's BDSM club.

Becky Eaton is in an abusive relationship with the weasel Stephen, who has eroded her self-worth to the point that she has lost her way and is left isolated and dependent on him.

Becky is forced to attend Chantelle's by Stephen, and it was that night that changed everything...

I loved the story development, and how these damaged souls could come to terms with their traumatic pasts and together could heal each other.

Another sweet, steamy, and heart-warming instalment in the EE series.
Profile Image for jamies_bookreads.
1,311 reviews20 followers
August 14, 2023
I Love Cooney!!! He is my kind of Dom k!nk lover and his compassionate side screams, book-boyfriend. The strength he sees in Becky, even during her current struggles, shows his own strengths. His willingness to help her even if it means just being a friend.

Becky finds that Cooney’s compassionate side is just what she needs to learn what love is supposed to be like.

Truly loved this book & this revised series just keeps getting better!!!!
2,355 reviews31 followers
January 28, 2018
a good short read, after becky stopped being an idiot.
Profile Image for Vanessa Sumner.
267 reviews3 followers
January 29, 2024
I really liked this one! Normally I would give it 3.5 stars but the author’s storytelling has improved so much with this book that, fuck it, let’s give it a 5.
I very much appreciated the grey asexuality aspect as I don’t think I have personally read any smut books that come right out and say it. There’s bajillions of “only attracted to you” books, but that’s not exactly the same thing as a character’s friend asking if they are asexual and the character honestly saying they don’t know. I love that. And it didn’t need to be figured out. It’s fine to not know! I think lots of people don’t know. They like who they like and labels are too specific or too broad. It felt really real to me. I’m close friends with a person who probably has a grey asexual spectrum orientation, but she doesn’t really know either. I like that it was left open.

Although it was painful to read, I also was pleased by the BDSM instruction in this book. I know several subs who have been abused by doms- not respecting safe words, not responding to body language, taking rage out on the sub, no aftercare, binding and gagging the sub so they can’t give a safe word signal, all that yucky, dangerous stuff. It’s not talked about enough. I was happy to see the differences between ethical BDSM and abusive BDSM written out so starkly and clearly.

By far the best book of the series, imo.

Wanted to add that I read some reviews by people who feel that Becky wanting to have consensual sex after suffering through an SA is unrealistic. That’s untrue. It’s been established that SA survivors can definitely want to return to normalcy, replace the memories with good sexual experiences, and even become hyper sexual. These can be healthy or unhealthy coping mechanisms depending on the survivor, but one person’s experience does not invalidate other reactions. Resource: my degree in gender and crime
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Victoria Shelton.
1,048 reviews14 followers
August 18, 2023
I was super excited about this and boy, did it not disappoint.

Daniel is Elite Escorts very own Shibari Master, this man is something else when he is with his ropes. This man can be my dom any day. The caring, nurturing, bend over backwards look at like when he is in a scene mesmerizes you to keep reading.

I stay down and read this book within hours. Daniel meets Becky when she comes to a BDSM club that just so happens to be run by Becky's cousin. Becky's long term relationship isn't something her cousin wants her to be in any longer because of the abuse she goes through with her boyfriend of 12 years.

Just one chance meeting, and it turns both their lives upside down.

Kudos to Lynn again, This is great.
Profile Image for SiKReviews.
1,325 reviews5 followers
January 17, 2020
Chantelle is like Daniel and Becky's kinky fairy godmother. She just knew they would be perfect together. Becky is everything Daniel could ever want in a sub and in love. Becky had no idea what was wrong with her until Daniel showed her that it wasn't her that was broken, but rather her "wannabe" Dom, Stephen. Daniel is the type of book boyfriend anyone could fall for and wish she could feel his arms around him....and his ropes.

Safe, Sane, and Consensual always.
Profile Image for Deborah Peach.
715 reviews25 followers
August 6, 2023
Hotness overload! Daniel can tie me up anytime he wants and set me free. Becky is one lucky lady to have found a champion in the Shibari Master. This book was HOT AF and just became my favourite in the series. Each book gets better than the last, and the spice level keeps climbing. What ensues in this book is deep, thought-provoking, and very emotional. It covers a very sensitive subject with extreme care but does give the couple a happily ever after.

Daniel Cooney may look large and intimidating, but he has the most tender of hearts. He may be a gentle giant, but what he feels upon meeting Becky Eaton is a fierce need to protect her from what he lived through in his younger years. He can't stand to see Becky in her current situation and wants nothing more than to rescue her from her abusive long-time boyfriend, Stephen. While he knows he can't force her to decide what to do, he must stand on the sidelines, offering silent comfort and waiting for her to realize that her well-being and safety are more important than staying in a dangerous environment. When Becky does make her choice, what develops between them is a deep, intimate trust that is hard to find and necessary between a Dom, his sub, and his ropes.

Heart-warming, trusting, loving, and explosive are the best words to describe the relationship between Daniel and Becky. Filled with sweet, gentle caresses, softly uttered words of praise, and understanding moments, this book is much more than I thought it would be.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,783 reviews63 followers
August 1, 2023
First of all, there are parts of this story that could be triggering so be aware. Out of the 4 books I've read in this series, I swear this is my favorite one so far. The abuse that Becky is subjected to was horrible and at times, I did cringe but it happens in real life. Her reactions were real and honest. After being with the jerk for all those years, you know she's been brainwashed by him so her thought process didn't bother me. I kept rooting for her to run!! Luckily, Daniel shows up and there is light at the end of the tunnel, if only she can see it through all the haze of the abuse she's suffered. I loved her cousin and cheered when the so called "boyfriend" got tossed from the club!!! It doesn't take Daniel long to realize that Becky is the one he thought he could never have but he has secrets also. Can he save her from Stephan? And what will Becky say when she finds out his secret? Seriously, I loved this book so much!!
Profile Image for MizFig.
635 reviews8 followers
August 14, 2023
When I started reading this series, each book drew me more and more. Each book outdoes the previous one. Amazing is an understatement. The love story, the trials, the ups and downs make you feel that you are living the story.
This one hit all of those and so much more. It was like the author was in my head and saw my ultimate fantasy and brought it to life on paper. It was easy for me to put myself in Becky’s spot. I wish I was her!! You’ll agree when you read this.
When Cooney was first introduced in previous books I knew he was going to be my favorite.
You must read this series in order!! Hold on tight and have plenty of ice and extra panties around for this one, you’ll definitely need them.
As always, Lynn Burke nailed this one and blew my expectations out of the water.
Now to find Cooney!!

Profile Image for Samantha Hickey.
1,987 reviews48 followers
August 28, 2023
Every book in this series is perfection!!

First Time is book #4 in the Elite Escorts series. This is Daniel (Cooney) and Becky's story.

Lynn Burke has me falling in love with every single one of these men!!!

Daniel Cooney is a master of shibari in a club and works for Elite Escorts. He is at work one night when Becky shows up in the club with the craptastic Stephan and he knows he has to have her. But Stephan has beaten Becky down so much, and Cooney is there to build her back up and show her how strong she really is.

I'm telling you guys, this man is the perfect book boyfriend!! He is sweet and caring when he needs to be, and dirty and kinky when the time calls for it. Their story is absolutely beautiful and I didn't want to put it down.

Lynn Burke will always be a one click author for me.

Profile Image for Evita.
702 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2023
This book…wow…it hit me in all the feels. The whole storyline had me hooked and I could not rest until I turned the last page.

With this book we followed Daniel from Elite Escorts, shibari master, and how he does not want to become involved, but when he meets Becky those thoughts fly out of his head.

She comes from an abusive partner and he has also a damaged childhood. What will it take for these two to get past these hurdles and accept love and overcome their pasts.

I absolutely loved both of these characters, Lynn writes some very emotional scenes and I’m very jealous of Becky, I want my own Daniel.
Profile Image for Morgan Leigh.
845 reviews39 followers
August 26, 2023
This was such a quick and enjoyable read.
I devoured it. The characters were so good for each other and I loved how their relationship developed.

Becky deserved so much more and I’m happy she finally got that from Daniel. He really knows how to provide for her, in the ways that count. I thought they were so cute together.

“If I’m going to belong to the world’s most gracious Dom, then I want everyone to know it.”

I love the spice and the Dom aspect, it never went too far. Oh and the ropes.. I’m so interested in learning more about that.
1,692 reviews11 followers
August 22, 2023
I found this book in the series more calmly paced, smoother than the others even though it dealt with abuse of a submissive from a wannabe dom. Thank goodness for the character, Daniel, Lynn Burke brought in to help Becky get out of a very bad situation and show her the treatment she deserved. Not to forget to acknowledge the role Chantelle played and whom every abused victim needs.
I received a copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.
3,266 reviews27 followers
August 16, 2023
I read alot of books and some stick with me for a very long time and this is one of them, the compassion, heartache, emotions that these characters give off will wreck you in a beautiful way and consume your every breath waiting to see how this plays out.
Daniel Cooney is to literally die for the gentle giant with his own tortured soul helps Becky see her worth. I loved this so so much and at one touch and one glance even one sniff of Daniel's yumminess will set you off.
Lynn Burke this was amazing and I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed every word.
Profile Image for XxnightxowlxX74.
1,214 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2023
This had a different tone to it because it involved physical, emotional and mental trauma. For 12 years Becky has been in a spiral with her boyfriend. He has been using the BDSM world as an excuse to hurt and humiliate her. He takes her to a club and has her volunteer for a scene with Daniel. Becky feels arousal for the first time ever from a man and it was not her boyfriend. She has never had an o and has been humiliated by her boyfriend for years because of this. When Daniel is asked to help Becky see the difference he knows what he is setting in motion. He wants Becky but she has to be the one to take that step to receive help and leave the abusive relationship she’s in.

This was volatile and showed an ugly side of an abusive pattern. In this story our female character is one of the lucky ones that barely escapes with her life.
Profile Image for Becky Hensley.
393 reviews5 followers
August 18, 2023
I have loved every book in this series and this book does not disappoint. Daniel and Beck are perfect for each other. He helps her see her worth. Lynn has given us another great couple. Loved their story and how they come to be.
2 reviews
March 2, 2025
This was my favorite book in this series
I discovered what shibari was through this story and I've been obsessed ever since .. it's amazing how Lynn express all those emotions and complexities within her characters which makes to spice have a way way way greater impact
Profile Image for Florence Nunn.
120 reviews7 followers
September 11, 2023
This book kept me on edge the entire time! It was so spicy and had such an amazing plot line. I absolutely loved this so much and can't wait for the next one! This whole series has been a treat!
1,259 reviews4 followers
September 7, 2023
I struggled with this one as I just couldn't understand Becky wanting to stay in an abusive relationship - especially when she knew it was one too. It's not like she didn't have a place to go either. Chantelle said she could stay with her. It takes almost landing up six feet under for her to wake up to the fact that abusive men won't change. Overall, it was a very quick read though.
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