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Coercion
How far will one woman go for love?
Introverted and insecure Valerie Mercer was promised that during her senior year of college she would finally attract attention from boys...but never dreamed that would include Michael Vartanian.
Good looking, troubled and every parent's nightmare, Michael is adamant on introducing Valerie to a world of both pleasure and, inadvertently, heartbreak. His interest in Valerie is dependent upon the mood and fidelity of his on-and-off-again girlfriend, Breeze.
Nevertheless, Valerie lets her hope and desire override common sense and soon finds she can't deny Michael anything...no matter what's at stake.
Introverted and insecure Valerie Mercer was promised that during her senior year of college she would finally attract attention from boys...but never dreamed that would include Michael Vartanian.
Good looking, troubled and every parent's nightmare, Michael is adamant on introducing Valerie to a world of both pleasure and, inadvertently, heartbreak. His interest in Valerie is dependent upon the mood and fidelity of his on-and-off-again girlfriend, Breeze.
Nevertheless, Valerie lets her hope and desire override common sense and soon finds she can't deny Michael anything...no matter what's at stake.
- GenresErotica
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 25, 2010
1 person is currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Lux Zakari
19 books31 followersLux Zakari is the author of the novels Coercion, Finale, Secretly More, Wild Arcana, and Single, Cool, and Fine: How to Get Laid as an Ex-Teen Idol. Her work has been published in anthologies (Best Bondage Erotica, Best Women's Erotica) and on websites (For The Girls, The Erotic Woman). Her short stories, Across the Way and The Mouth, are available as free downloads on Goodreads.
For details, visit www.luxzakari.com.
For details, visit www.luxzakari.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 6, 2010
I truly had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book, but what I received was something out of left field: a realistic coming-of-age story with characters so real you nearly expect to run into them on the street.
Coercion is a bittersweet tale about a shy young woman, Valerie, who enters her senior year of college, thinner and optimistic about her romantic prospects. She attracts male attention, which is foreign to her, and also encounters a high school crush – bad boy, bad-influence Michael.
Michael is everything Valerie is not. He’s not academically ambitious, not particularly driven by anyone or anything, a habitual drug user, and constantly on the outs with his longtime girlfriend, Breeze. Michael is particularly taken with Breeze almost to the point of obsession; they don’t get along most of the time, but mutual understanding keeps drawing them back to each other. They are routinely unfaithful while still remaining jealous of the other’s infidelity. Breeze goes through a number of both reputed and verified sexual partners, while Michael notices sweet Valerie, and proceeds to take her on a dark sexual journey, either unaware or apathetic that her heart is in the balance.
This book was—oh, what’s the word—fantastic. It typically isn’t my sort of story, admittedly, but I found I couldn’t stop reading. Every page, every word, hell, every syllable drew me in even more. What really propelled the novel forward were the characters. These were true people on a page, complete with their virtues and vices. I really loved Valerie, even in her weaker moments, even when I thought she was a complete moron for the way she allowed herself to be treated. Sometimes people are morons. Sometimes people are weak. Sometimes people make the wrong choice for the wrong reasons. Sometimes people do the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Sometimes, smart girls fall for the bad boy. And if we’re being truthful, the bad boy doesn’t always turn into Prince Charming. Sometimes it goes exactly the way it should.
This novel was a perfect blend of characterization, dialogue, writing, angst, realism, and the unexpected happy ending. Anyone who loves a good story will adore Coercion. I eagerly await Lux Zakari’s next work. This is definitely an author to watch.
Coercion is a bittersweet tale about a shy young woman, Valerie, who enters her senior year of college, thinner and optimistic about her romantic prospects. She attracts male attention, which is foreign to her, and also encounters a high school crush – bad boy, bad-influence Michael.
Michael is everything Valerie is not. He’s not academically ambitious, not particularly driven by anyone or anything, a habitual drug user, and constantly on the outs with his longtime girlfriend, Breeze. Michael is particularly taken with Breeze almost to the point of obsession; they don’t get along most of the time, but mutual understanding keeps drawing them back to each other. They are routinely unfaithful while still remaining jealous of the other’s infidelity. Breeze goes through a number of both reputed and verified sexual partners, while Michael notices sweet Valerie, and proceeds to take her on a dark sexual journey, either unaware or apathetic that her heart is in the balance.
This book was—oh, what’s the word—fantastic. It typically isn’t my sort of story, admittedly, but I found I couldn’t stop reading. Every page, every word, hell, every syllable drew me in even more. What really propelled the novel forward were the characters. These were true people on a page, complete with their virtues and vices. I really loved Valerie, even in her weaker moments, even when I thought she was a complete moron for the way she allowed herself to be treated. Sometimes people are morons. Sometimes people are weak. Sometimes people make the wrong choice for the wrong reasons. Sometimes people do the same thing over and over again expecting different results. Sometimes, smart girls fall for the bad boy. And if we’re being truthful, the bad boy doesn’t always turn into Prince Charming. Sometimes it goes exactly the way it should.
This novel was a perfect blend of characterization, dialogue, writing, angst, realism, and the unexpected happy ending. Anyone who loves a good story will adore Coercion. I eagerly await Lux Zakari’s next work. This is definitely an author to watch.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2011
Coercion is written about a very typical love triangle. If you take away the fashions, the music, the college setting and the occasional marijuana use this story could have happened anywhere at anytime.
In brief, this is the story:
Man (Michael Vartanian) has girlfriend, (Kim Breza, also known as Breeze.) Man treats girlfriend badly, relationship is on again / off again for the past three years.
Slacker Man, pushed by father, finally enrolls in college as freshman where girlfriend is a senior.
Man meets old schoolmate in class (Valerie Mercer.) Formerly an overweight drudge, Valerie is now a hot chick, nursing a childhood infatuation with Michael.
Man pays attention to Valerie. Breeze sleeps around to make him jealous. Man takes Valerie’s virginity. Man crassly uses both women to suit his own convenience. Breeze dumps Michael.
Book ends with Man searching his soul.
For my part, this is a story line that I didn’t enjoy. It is tragic enough when you see this kind of thing happen in real life, and generally speaking, for most folks reading provides an escape from the everyday norm. It certainly is not a happy or uplifting tale. Additionally, I found that the characters didn’t engage me. Perhaps it is my age showing, but I find that I prefer stories about adults, or at least people over twenty-five years old. Regarding my age, I was around in the ‘70s and I have a hard time believing the casual looseness of the sexual behavior of Breeze and Valerie in the context of that time period.
I did not care for this book. As the British say, it was just not my cup of tea.
In brief, this is the story:
Man (Michael Vartanian) has girlfriend, (Kim Breza, also known as Breeze.) Man treats girlfriend badly, relationship is on again / off again for the past three years.
Slacker Man, pushed by father, finally enrolls in college as freshman where girlfriend is a senior.
Man meets old schoolmate in class (Valerie Mercer.) Formerly an overweight drudge, Valerie is now a hot chick, nursing a childhood infatuation with Michael.
Man pays attention to Valerie. Breeze sleeps around to make him jealous. Man takes Valerie’s virginity. Man crassly uses both women to suit his own convenience. Breeze dumps Michael.
Book ends with Man searching his soul.
For my part, this is a story line that I didn’t enjoy. It is tragic enough when you see this kind of thing happen in real life, and generally speaking, for most folks reading provides an escape from the everyday norm. It certainly is not a happy or uplifting tale. Additionally, I found that the characters didn’t engage me. Perhaps it is my age showing, but I find that I prefer stories about adults, or at least people over twenty-five years old. Regarding my age, I was around in the ‘70s and I have a hard time believing the casual looseness of the sexual behavior of Breeze and Valerie in the context of that time period.
I did not care for this book. As the British say, it was just not my cup of tea.
February 11, 2012
I reviewed this for Erotica Revealed.
Bad boys are a staple of fiction. The slightly broken guy who is on the shadier side of society evokes something in the reader that is titillating. He’s dangerous. He’s wild. He’s got smouldering good looks and isn’t afraid to do things that aren’t done in polite society. He’s the one the heroine starts to think about while she touches herself, wondering if a man who isn’t necessarily good for her would be good to be with.
When I’m reading, the most successful “bad boys” are the ones who are on the wrong side of the tracks (or the law, or society in general) because they’ve had no choice. Their reputation isn’t wrong – it’s just the result of taking a bad option from a list of poor choices. The scoundrel isn’t all bad, there’s a redemptive element to him, and when push comes to shove, the realization of this knight in slightly-tarnished-armor comes with a bit of relief. You want to like him, and now you have a reason.
In Coercion, I couldn’t quite find that sense for Michael. He’s spoiled, petulant, dates a girl who is equally spoiled and petulant, and has a kind of hot-and-cold desire for the heroine of the tale, Valerie, whom he basically treats as a throw-away sexual release valve whenever he and his girlfriend are on the outs.
Valerie herself is a woman who was once chubby but has slimmed and toned herself with diet and exercise, and is suddenly attractive and desirable to men – but her proper ways and virginal inexperience seem to put off the guys around her – or she just doesn’t really notice they’re looking. Except for Michael, who definitely notices her and fingers her in a parking lot when he’s struggling with his girlfriend – and then doesn’t speak to Valerie for weeks.
Valerie is an apparently smart and gentle sort. Her desire for Michael is something even she admits to herself is foolish, and yet she falls into the traps of the low self-esteem. She wonders if he’d like her if she were as thin as his girlfriend, for example, and although I understand the allure of the handsome rake, by that point I was starting to get annoyed with her. Yes, I’ve been attracted to people I shouldn’t be. Who hasn’t? And especially in college – the setting for Coercion – the raging hormones are flying in all directions, but I wanted to slap Valerie. This guy has spoken to you twice all year – both times fingering you and then leaving immediately thereafter, by the way – and he drops you like a rock whenever his girlfriend pays attention to him. And you’re pining after him? Grow a spine.
Instead, Valerie allows herself to be used by Michael more and more. I wanted to enjoy the erotic prose – which is well written, well crafted, and builds at a surprisingly slow pace throughout the novel, nudging Valerie into deeper territory – but I just couldn’t get past disliking Michael thoroughly and getting annoyed at Valerie’s inability to realize what a cad Michael was. When she does realize he’s a jerk, she’s helpless to her desire, her body reacting regardless and her mind unable to turn away from Michael’s touch. Which, okay, it’s an erotic story but it just goes to underline Valerie’s hopelessness and lack of conviction or strength.
By the time Valerie gathers some self-worth, it was on the edge of being too late for me. If I hadn’t been reviewing the book, I’m not sure I would have made it past Michael’s request that she go ask her friend to join in – which she does, though mercifully her friend reacts like a sane woman given how Michael has treated Valerie from step one.
I should mention that at no point is Coercion written poorly. The writing is good, the descriptions do well to evoke the time period of the piece, and the characters – for all that I found them unlikeable – are consistent. This is not a badly written story, which is part of the confusion for me. The zero empathy factor I had for the characters shot me down.
I’m not sure where Coercion was intending to lead me. I think it was aiming to be a “coming of age” for Valerie, but it felt like it took her too long to get a clue. It very likely could be that this just wasn’t the right kind of story for me by virtue of the characters. Valerie’s weakness left me so frustrated, and Michael just seemed without redemption. Michael’s girlfriend seemed like a female version of Michael, and I just found myself caring for almost no one in the tale, with the exception of the one nice guy who seems to like Valerie, but he barely blips on the radar throughout the story. The story is saved by its ending somewhat, which I won’t ruin, but overall Coercion left me more angry than titillated.
Bad boys are a staple of fiction. The slightly broken guy who is on the shadier side of society evokes something in the reader that is titillating. He’s dangerous. He’s wild. He’s got smouldering good looks and isn’t afraid to do things that aren’t done in polite society. He’s the one the heroine starts to think about while she touches herself, wondering if a man who isn’t necessarily good for her would be good to be with.
When I’m reading, the most successful “bad boys” are the ones who are on the wrong side of the tracks (or the law, or society in general) because they’ve had no choice. Their reputation isn’t wrong – it’s just the result of taking a bad option from a list of poor choices. The scoundrel isn’t all bad, there’s a redemptive element to him, and when push comes to shove, the realization of this knight in slightly-tarnished-armor comes with a bit of relief. You want to like him, and now you have a reason.
In Coercion, I couldn’t quite find that sense for Michael. He’s spoiled, petulant, dates a girl who is equally spoiled and petulant, and has a kind of hot-and-cold desire for the heroine of the tale, Valerie, whom he basically treats as a throw-away sexual release valve whenever he and his girlfriend are on the outs.
Valerie herself is a woman who was once chubby but has slimmed and toned herself with diet and exercise, and is suddenly attractive and desirable to men – but her proper ways and virginal inexperience seem to put off the guys around her – or she just doesn’t really notice they’re looking. Except for Michael, who definitely notices her and fingers her in a parking lot when he’s struggling with his girlfriend – and then doesn’t speak to Valerie for weeks.
Valerie is an apparently smart and gentle sort. Her desire for Michael is something even she admits to herself is foolish, and yet she falls into the traps of the low self-esteem. She wonders if he’d like her if she were as thin as his girlfriend, for example, and although I understand the allure of the handsome rake, by that point I was starting to get annoyed with her. Yes, I’ve been attracted to people I shouldn’t be. Who hasn’t? And especially in college – the setting for Coercion – the raging hormones are flying in all directions, but I wanted to slap Valerie. This guy has spoken to you twice all year – both times fingering you and then leaving immediately thereafter, by the way – and he drops you like a rock whenever his girlfriend pays attention to him. And you’re pining after him? Grow a spine.
Instead, Valerie allows herself to be used by Michael more and more. I wanted to enjoy the erotic prose – which is well written, well crafted, and builds at a surprisingly slow pace throughout the novel, nudging Valerie into deeper territory – but I just couldn’t get past disliking Michael thoroughly and getting annoyed at Valerie’s inability to realize what a cad Michael was. When she does realize he’s a jerk, she’s helpless to her desire, her body reacting regardless and her mind unable to turn away from Michael’s touch. Which, okay, it’s an erotic story but it just goes to underline Valerie’s hopelessness and lack of conviction or strength.
By the time Valerie gathers some self-worth, it was on the edge of being too late for me. If I hadn’t been reviewing the book, I’m not sure I would have made it past Michael’s request that she go ask her friend to join in – which she does, though mercifully her friend reacts like a sane woman given how Michael has treated Valerie from step one.
I should mention that at no point is Coercion written poorly. The writing is good, the descriptions do well to evoke the time period of the piece, and the characters – for all that I found them unlikeable – are consistent. This is not a badly written story, which is part of the confusion for me. The zero empathy factor I had for the characters shot me down.
I’m not sure where Coercion was intending to lead me. I think it was aiming to be a “coming of age” for Valerie, but it felt like it took her too long to get a clue. It very likely could be that this just wasn’t the right kind of story for me by virtue of the characters. Valerie’s weakness left me so frustrated, and Michael just seemed without redemption. Michael’s girlfriend seemed like a female version of Michael, and I just found myself caring for almost no one in the tale, with the exception of the one nice guy who seems to like Valerie, but he barely blips on the radar throughout the story. The story is saved by its ending somewhat, which I won’t ruin, but overall Coercion left me more angry than titillated.
May 18, 2011
I didn't know what to expect when I delved into Coercion by Lux Zakari but I have got to say that it certainly held my undivided attention throughout which had me going from the start to finish in one sitting, just taking a timeout for toilet breaks in between. I was utterly riveted and fascinated with everything that was going on and for the world of me I couldn't have dragged myself away from the story that unfolded.
I have a hard time defining Coercion as a romance because simply put, this is not a romance novel. But, Coercion is a story that combines the power of love, the ability of mind numbing lust to obliterate everything else and the lengths to which humans would go to possess the ones that they love.
Valerie Mercer is an only child and an introverted and insecure one at that who in her aim to change her life for the better sheds 25 pounds and emerges with a new look just in time for the start of the new semester. Though guys who have never noticed her before seems to be doing the total opposite, the only guy that Valerie wants to be noticed by is the one and only Michael Vartanian, the proverbial bad-boy of Kenton.
Michael is the only son of a Reverend, whose mother just one day upped and left and never returned. Michael doesn't seem to care about anything in his life apart from being with his on and off girl friend Kim Breza (Breeze) and getting his kicks from indulging in the forbidden.
When circumstances at first drives Michael to seek Valerie, she is more than willing to be driven out of her senses right up against her mother's car. And though Michael has no intention of returning any of what Valerie so obviously feels for him, time and time again Michael seeks her out, and makes use of her only to discard her once the deed is done. There is nothing on Earth that Valerie wouldn't do to keep Michael by her side, to earn his love and approval, even if it means going against each and every belief that she has upheld till now.
In the end, there is no happily ever after for either of them, but nevertheless it was a fitting end to the volatile stream of emotions that this novel seems to be able to invoke in abundance, leaving a bittersweet tang in the air, which had me wistfully wishing for a novel that would portray the new Michael that would emerge from what follows the conclusion of this story.
Coercion is a novel that delivers well in the angst department, drawing me in until I was as helplessly ensnared in the story as Valerie seems to be with Michael. Michael is a hero not many readers would be willing to take. But I applaud Lux Zakari for having the guts to come out and write such a hero and send out a huge thank you to Lyrical Press for publishing this novel as it is. Because whilst happily ever afters and rosy kisses at the end are all well and good, Coercion is a novel that rings true to real life in so many ways which makes this book all that much better.
Whilst Michael makes you want to sit back in horrified fascination it is Valerie that you want to shake up well and good to make her see that it is Valerie that gives Michael the ability to screw up her life in more ways than one. In the end, Coercion does leave one with the valuable lesson that in order to be loved for who you are, you need to love yourself for who you are - all that more.
I loved this utterly fascinating piece of work and would recommend this highly to readers who want something a LOT more different than the usual romance novels that your erotica generally delivers. This ones made of much more and if you are a reader like myself this one would leave you definitely wanting more of Michael, no matter how unlikely it may seem. And that is a testament to Lux Zakari's ability to spin a well rounded tale which certainly lands her in my list of authors to look out for in the future.
Rating=4/5
Original Review Posted at: Link to MBR's World of Romance
I have a hard time defining Coercion as a romance because simply put, this is not a romance novel. But, Coercion is a story that combines the power of love, the ability of mind numbing lust to obliterate everything else and the lengths to which humans would go to possess the ones that they love.
Valerie Mercer is an only child and an introverted and insecure one at that who in her aim to change her life for the better sheds 25 pounds and emerges with a new look just in time for the start of the new semester. Though guys who have never noticed her before seems to be doing the total opposite, the only guy that Valerie wants to be noticed by is the one and only Michael Vartanian, the proverbial bad-boy of Kenton.
Michael is the only son of a Reverend, whose mother just one day upped and left and never returned. Michael doesn't seem to care about anything in his life apart from being with his on and off girl friend Kim Breza (Breeze) and getting his kicks from indulging in the forbidden.
When circumstances at first drives Michael to seek Valerie, she is more than willing to be driven out of her senses right up against her mother's car. And though Michael has no intention of returning any of what Valerie so obviously feels for him, time and time again Michael seeks her out, and makes use of her only to discard her once the deed is done. There is nothing on Earth that Valerie wouldn't do to keep Michael by her side, to earn his love and approval, even if it means going against each and every belief that she has upheld till now.
In the end, there is no happily ever after for either of them, but nevertheless it was a fitting end to the volatile stream of emotions that this novel seems to be able to invoke in abundance, leaving a bittersweet tang in the air, which had me wistfully wishing for a novel that would portray the new Michael that would emerge from what follows the conclusion of this story.
Coercion is a novel that delivers well in the angst department, drawing me in until I was as helplessly ensnared in the story as Valerie seems to be with Michael. Michael is a hero not many readers would be willing to take. But I applaud Lux Zakari for having the guts to come out and write such a hero and send out a huge thank you to Lyrical Press for publishing this novel as it is. Because whilst happily ever afters and rosy kisses at the end are all well and good, Coercion is a novel that rings true to real life in so many ways which makes this book all that much better.
Whilst Michael makes you want to sit back in horrified fascination it is Valerie that you want to shake up well and good to make her see that it is Valerie that gives Michael the ability to screw up her life in more ways than one. In the end, Coercion does leave one with the valuable lesson that in order to be loved for who you are, you need to love yourself for who you are - all that more.
I loved this utterly fascinating piece of work and would recommend this highly to readers who want something a LOT more different than the usual romance novels that your erotica generally delivers. This ones made of much more and if you are a reader like myself this one would leave you definitely wanting more of Michael, no matter how unlikely it may seem. And that is a testament to Lux Zakari's ability to spin a well rounded tale which certainly lands her in my list of authors to look out for in the future.
Rating=4/5
Original Review Posted at: Link to MBR's World of Romance
September 7, 2011
Originally reviewed at The Forbidden Bookshelf
2.5 Stars
Coercion takes place in the 1970’s. I liked the references to the music and style of dress. The use of marijuana was featured in several scenes. There were 3 main protagonists: Michael Vartanian, Valerie Mercer and Kim Breza - also known as Breeze. I didn’t like any of them so it was really hard to get excited about their story. Breeze and Michael have had an on/off again relationship for the past 3 years. Breeze is in her senior year of college and Michael has just started his freshman year at the insistence of his preacher father. The story begins on the first day of the school year when Michael sees Valerie in his history class. She has known Michael since junior high school but he has never given her the time of day presumably because she used to be overweight. She has just recently lost a lot of weight and is now one of the sexy hot girls.
Valerie is the smart, girl next door who is the perfect daughter and gets good grades and never gets into trouble. Michael is the bad boy that she has fantasized about for years. When he finally shows her some affection and takes her virginity in the parking lot of his father’s church, she falls deeper in love with him. Love is blind and it is exemplified in painful details as Michael uses Valerie heartlessly only hooking up with her when he and his girlfriend, Breeze get into an argument. Even though she knows that she’s nothing but a convenient lay for him Valerie does anything and everything to please him. Michael was a complete ass to both Breeze and Valerie. Breeze supposedly only slept around with multiple guys to make Michael jealous and to try to get him to realize how much he loved her.
I didn’t quite understand what these two heroines saw in Michael. I understand he was hurting and dealing with abandonment issues but he really treated Valerie & Breeze horribly. Although he never led Valerie on or promised her any type of permanent relationship it was still maddening to watch her get used so badly.
The best part of the book was when Valerie finally told Michael off and it was actually the beginning of him waking up and taking stock of his life and finally dealing with his own demons. The only decent characters were Valerie’s best friend, Shannon and her study partner, Daniel who had been in love with her the whole time and stood by her even through her moronic periods with Michael.
This novel was just okay for me. I didn’t like any of the characters so from the beginning I just really didn’t care what happened to them. No one ended up together but these three young people grew up a little bit and were able to learn more about themselves from their experiences with each other. If you’re looking for a sweet romance this is definitely not it. This was a coming of age novel with each character getting their own separate happily ever after. Coercion gets 2.5 stars.
2.5 Stars
Coercion takes place in the 1970’s. I liked the references to the music and style of dress. The use of marijuana was featured in several scenes. There were 3 main protagonists: Michael Vartanian, Valerie Mercer and Kim Breza - also known as Breeze. I didn’t like any of them so it was really hard to get excited about their story. Breeze and Michael have had an on/off again relationship for the past 3 years. Breeze is in her senior year of college and Michael has just started his freshman year at the insistence of his preacher father. The story begins on the first day of the school year when Michael sees Valerie in his history class. She has known Michael since junior high school but he has never given her the time of day presumably because she used to be overweight. She has just recently lost a lot of weight and is now one of the sexy hot girls.
Valerie is the smart, girl next door who is the perfect daughter and gets good grades and never gets into trouble. Michael is the bad boy that she has fantasized about for years. When he finally shows her some affection and takes her virginity in the parking lot of his father’s church, she falls deeper in love with him. Love is blind and it is exemplified in painful details as Michael uses Valerie heartlessly only hooking up with her when he and his girlfriend, Breeze get into an argument. Even though she knows that she’s nothing but a convenient lay for him Valerie does anything and everything to please him. Michael was a complete ass to both Breeze and Valerie. Breeze supposedly only slept around with multiple guys to make Michael jealous and to try to get him to realize how much he loved her.
I didn’t quite understand what these two heroines saw in Michael. I understand he was hurting and dealing with abandonment issues but he really treated Valerie & Breeze horribly. Although he never led Valerie on or promised her any type of permanent relationship it was still maddening to watch her get used so badly.
The best part of the book was when Valerie finally told Michael off and it was actually the beginning of him waking up and taking stock of his life and finally dealing with his own demons. The only decent characters were Valerie’s best friend, Shannon and her study partner, Daniel who had been in love with her the whole time and stood by her even through her moronic periods with Michael.
This novel was just okay for me. I didn’t like any of the characters so from the beginning I just really didn’t care what happened to them. No one ended up together but these three young people grew up a little bit and were able to learn more about themselves from their experiences with each other. If you’re looking for a sweet romance this is definitely not it. This was a coming of age novel with each character getting their own separate happily ever after. Coercion gets 2.5 stars.
August 26, 2014
Valerie Mercer has undergone a transformation. No longer labelled as the overweight ugly duckling, she has followed her aunt’s advice and has shed kilos. The only problem is that she’s lost none of her insecurities.
Michael Vartanian doesn’t know what he wants. And his on again, off again relationship with his girlfriend Breeze is a source of great discontent to both of them. Even though he can’t seem to stay away from her, he still has a wandering eye. Also, the thing that I picked up from him is that he purposefully avoids facing up to his own shortcomings. I don’t blame Breeze for treating him the way she does. The boy needs a serious wake-up call.
If you’re looking for a new adult-type romance with a HEA then this is not going to be the story for you. As always, Zakari writes authentic characters who make poor decisions and have to deal with the fallout from their mistakes.
The bottom line is that Valerie’s insecurities mean that Michael basically walks all over her. His blatant callous attitude would send any girl with a shred of self-worth running. Not so with Valerie, who spends months moping after this fiend. A sexy fiend, but a fiend nonetheless. She has no rational explanation as to why she allows him to use her, and she keeps going back for more.
I can understand that this might be a turn-off to some readers who want a gallant badboy type with a goodheart. Michael is most emphatically not the man you are looking for.
Their sexual encounters are steamy and illicit, but they are tainted by Michael’s casual cruelty. Valerie makes the prime error of mistaking lust for love, and my heart ached for her even as I wanted to deliver a swift slap to the side of her head.
Yet there is a glimmer of hope. Valerie’s pain is a crucible for her, and although she goes through a difficult time – don’t we all at that age? – she is stronger for it, and I enjoyed seeing her learn to stand her ground.
This isn’t my favourite of Zakari’s writing, but it’s nonetheless still good. There’s a wry, barbed undercurrent that’s present in all her works I’ve read so far, and she weaves an eminently readable slice of life, love and passion.
Michael Vartanian doesn’t know what he wants. And his on again, off again relationship with his girlfriend Breeze is a source of great discontent to both of them. Even though he can’t seem to stay away from her, he still has a wandering eye. Also, the thing that I picked up from him is that he purposefully avoids facing up to his own shortcomings. I don’t blame Breeze for treating him the way she does. The boy needs a serious wake-up call.
If you’re looking for a new adult-type romance with a HEA then this is not going to be the story for you. As always, Zakari writes authentic characters who make poor decisions and have to deal with the fallout from their mistakes.
The bottom line is that Valerie’s insecurities mean that Michael basically walks all over her. His blatant callous attitude would send any girl with a shred of self-worth running. Not so with Valerie, who spends months moping after this fiend. A sexy fiend, but a fiend nonetheless. She has no rational explanation as to why she allows him to use her, and she keeps going back for more.
I can understand that this might be a turn-off to some readers who want a gallant badboy type with a goodheart. Michael is most emphatically not the man you are looking for.
Their sexual encounters are steamy and illicit, but they are tainted by Michael’s casual cruelty. Valerie makes the prime error of mistaking lust for love, and my heart ached for her even as I wanted to deliver a swift slap to the side of her head.
Yet there is a glimmer of hope. Valerie’s pain is a crucible for her, and although she goes through a difficult time – don’t we all at that age? – she is stronger for it, and I enjoyed seeing her learn to stand her ground.
This isn’t my favourite of Zakari’s writing, but it’s nonetheless still good. There’s a wry, barbed undercurrent that’s present in all her works I’ve read so far, and she weaves an eminently readable slice of life, love and passion.
October 26, 2011
3.5 Stars
Well to start, I was having kind of mix feelings about this story.
I am not 100% why. But the start just was not what I was thinking it should have been.
However, after I set down and really started to get into it.
It started to look up in a good way.
In life, you have your ups and downs; well the same went for Lux Zakari “ Coercion”.
Heartbreak is heartbreak either way you look at it.
And there is plenty of it in this one. But if you let it keep happing, does that make you the fool?
To sum it up, I did enjoy reading “Coercion”.
It had lots of lust flying around and mixed feelings, or maybe a better word is confused feelings.
I am looking forward to reading some more of Lux Zakari.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Well to start, I was having kind of mix feelings about this story.
I am not 100% why. But the start just was not what I was thinking it should have been.
However, after I set down and really started to get into it.
It started to look up in a good way.
In life, you have your ups and downs; well the same went for Lux Zakari “ Coercion”.
Heartbreak is heartbreak either way you look at it.
And there is plenty of it in this one. But if you let it keep happing, does that make you the fool?
To sum it up, I did enjoy reading “Coercion”.
It had lots of lust flying around and mixed feelings, or maybe a better word is confused feelings.
I am looking forward to reading some more of Lux Zakari.
Happy Reading Everyone!
December 17, 2011
My very first Lux Zakari book and I loved it! Zakari made me feel for Valerie and really pull for her to come out on top of everything going on with Micheal. At the same time, she included enough in Micheal's character to make me feel some sympathy for him despite the fact that he was so frustrating throughout the book. I highly recommend the book and I can't wait to read more books from the wonderful Lux Zakari!
November 27, 2011
Evil marketers seek to control your mind, but you encouraged them. Somewhat hype-filled, but a good reminder to understand clearly what you want, and remain focused on it, as opposed to listening what "they" (marketers, culture, even friends) say.
May 24, 2012
What? I did not get this book at all and every character completely pissed me off. Blah
November 22, 2012
RATING: 4.5/5 stars
February 23, 2013
???... i just hope lux zakari will continue the story.
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