It was supposed to be fun. They are both experienced in the club singles' lifestyle, but from the moment Connor and Laurel meet, sparks fly, heat spikes, and everything suddenly gets complicated.
Laurel wants something long term with Connor and is determined to get it, even if it means having to push him out of his comfort zone. Little does she realize just how close she is to pushing him over the edge.
When Connor pushes back, everything becomes twisted and distorted until they both end up facing their own dark consequences.
Can they find their way back, or will the secrets of Connor's past destroy them both?
This a dark, steamy story which includes themes of power exchange and other triggers
Having seen a little of Laurel and Connor in the stories of Desi,Charlotte and Luanne,i was curious what really happened between them. What i got was an emotional rollercoaster ride of epic proportions….because these two may have had chemistry in spades,they also nearly managed to destroy eachother! Laurel may have been going by the clubname Fluff,because she enjoyed her life and BDSM to the fullest,it didn’t mean she didn’t have a brain,or feelings. And Connor may have acted like he breezed through life,like he was comfortable with who he was,deep down he carried untreated childhood trauma. The moment Laurel saw him,and decided they could be good together,was the moment they were both heading towards disaster….. Because while they were indeed good together,Connor saw in her the same kind of woman as the one that was responsible for his trauma. And he fought getting serious with her,even if he couldn’t stop scening with her at Perversions,the club that became Club Risque later on. And she started doing other things that made his life easier while staying on the West Coast. It still didn’t mean he wanted anything permanent…..right? Laurel may have had a few moments of doubt about Connor’s feelings,but she’d show him they were meant to be together. She did her best to give him everything he needed,and even dropped her “bratty” behaviour….mostly. But when Desi and Joel went on their honeymoon,they had to work together,too. And being together most of the time put more pressure on Connor. To a degree that he started to behave like everything Laurel did,said or dressed like was wrong. And it got worse….so much worse,until it all went to hell and they both reached their breaking point. Connor was sent back to the South Coast,with the clear order not to come back. Which was good in a way,because he clearly needed to get help….and he wouldn’t get it here. Laurel…..the way she broke,was devastating and heartbreaking. It would take a miracle to get her through her days,let alone find a way to function.
These two didn’t mean to hurt,let alone harm eachother,but they did,badly. And what was left when the dust settled was heartbreaking to watch. It took a lot to help them find eachother again,to build something new from the pieces they were left with. Their story was hard to read,but totally worth it in the end. Rough and devastating,with triggers you need to be aware of before you even think of starting this one,it still left me feeling good in the end. And that shows the quality of the author’s writing…..so,thank you for this beauty,Poppy Flynn!
A realistic portrayal of how past trauma can affect your life and your relationships. Connor and Laurel both enjoy the kink lifestyle. Connor as a Dom, Laurel a sub. What starts out as fun becomes something a lot more as they continue to “play”. Wanting opposite outcomes it was easy to see this was going to end in tears, and for a while it does. Poppy Flynn wrote a story that is not only spicy, but it’s also emotional and includes both of the MC’s going through mental instability. This aspect of the story was told with a deft hand, and I appreciate the inclusion. Not being a part of the lifestyle I’m not sure if Laurel’s dynamic with Master X was true-to-life or not, but either way my heart felt for her.
Wow what an emotional roller coaster ride this book with past trauma’s that Laurel and Conner both had and needed to overcome so they could get to place where they are together and happy. Yes there are trigger warnings but life isn’t always perfect or safe and my heart beaks for people that have gone through such traumatic experiences but hopefully came out the other side I little better with help and understanding. Laurel has always wanted a relationship with him Conner right from the very start and even with her past issues she still wanted him but Conner was too emotionally damaged to want anything more than satisfying Laurel but he wished he could be more and this cause them to break up but the pull to each other never went away even after all this time. So now they have traveled on this journey together with there issues from both there pasts to finally get the HEA they both want in the end.
I love this series and all of the books are an emotional rollercoaster but this one is darker than the previous books. There are some disturbing topics, that are covered very sensitively and in a caring way but readers should be aware that they are there. It doesn’t however stop the book being an amazing book from start to finish. I loved the glimpses of Laurel that we saw in previous books and this provides some of the answers to situations partially seen in those books. The author very cleverly links together the overlapping timelines of the book so to not give away too many spoilers from previous books. While I always prefer to read a series in order this means you can still pick up previous books having only a brief idea of what to expect. This series is a definite add to my to be read list for to make sure I catch up with the rest of it.
Before you start with the story make sure to read about TWs, if you have any mental health issues proceed with caution, this is a dark book that depicts serious depression issues and s*xual abuse. But if you can read it till the end you will be rewarded with a fantastic read and a hard won HEA for not only the mcs but all of the characters(friends).
The book is extremely emotional, both Connor and Laurel facing past traumas(that lead each one of them to opposite wants and needs, him not wanting a relationshipand her been thirsty for one with him), we have manipulation, dark BDSM scenes, pain for the sake of pain and not only pleasure, there are plethora of emotions from laughing to the point of tears to screaming out of rage or frustration, to hot passion to cold sweat fear, from having control to be controlled.. A true emotional roller coaster. A heavy read , not for the softhearted, with many twists and turns until the HEA end.
Well, what can I say….. I love a good book that drags you in, chews you up and kicks you out at the end kicking and screaming because you don’t want to leave! This is one of those books!! If you like kink, passion, lots of sass and make sure you read the triggers before you start, then this is a book for you. It is definitely adult 💯 % I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, struggled to put it down and will continue with the series. The characters and the way they are portrayed is fantastic, you fall in love with their story and all the ups and downs that it throws at you. You will laugh, maybe cry but overall you will be enthralled by the way the story unfolds. I cannot encourage anyone enough ( if this is your type of book) to read it!!! I definitely will be reading onwards and collecting for my library!!! 📚
This one is the Connor and Laurel relationship. It starts in real time and then goes back to other books in the series where you have already met these characters.
Connor and Laurel are having some serious relationship problems and try as they might they keep making things worse between themselves. Teetering on a mental breakdown Connor's behavior becomes excessive but Laurel continues to believe he will eventually commit to her.
Though this is a brilliant series, I found that this particular story had very little plot and the never ending emotional turmoil got tedious. There were times I wanted to scream at Connor to go get therapy and be done with the problem, but, of course, if he'd done that there'd be no story. So be prepared to go with Connor into his mental breakdown and subsequent emotional destruction of Laurel. It's a gritty mess they end up in! Thank goodness for the HAE!
You, on the other hand, might enjoy living emotional rollercoaster rides, so please bear that in mind. Just look out for any TWs that come with the book.
That said, there's plenty of great stuff happening especially the hot, expertly written BDSM scenes, as Laurel's masochistic tendencies are always put to full use at the club, with Connor ever keen to provide/benefit from them. All in all, this is a really good story though it will depend on your experience with mental illness as to what you get out of it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dark Consequences is the 4th book in the series, which takes place concurrently with the previous two books. More so than the others, it has been completely revised and re-edited and with new content added, this is really a new book, blending out most of the events surrounding the other couples. Connor and Laurel's journey to love is a very rewarding, yet challenging read, with events on and off page such as sexual abuse and mental health issues that may be triggering to some. Like a train ride through the mountains, it's a mixture of straight and easy, uphill climbs, sharp turns and tunnels so dark it takes a guiding light to make it through, but all of it worthwile for the views from the top. Along the way, they are running the gamut of emotions from laughter to tears, steamy passion to ice cold fear, self-assurance to insecurity, being in control to being controlled, pleasure to pain - and yes, there are some very evocative kinky scenes that combine both as well! This story grabbed me from the first word of the prologue that had my stomach plummeting, to the last word of the epilogue which had me misty-eyed and smiling. Best of all, there is not just a jubilant, hard-won HEA for Connor and Laurel, but their group of friends as well. The series will continue, featuring other members of Club Risqué and I can't wait! I was fortunate to have received an advanced copy from the author and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
If you’re looking for a breathtaking hook to draw you into a story, then the prologue to this book definitely qualifies and provides a warning in its way. This is not an easy book to read. What is it about unattainable men that makes women want to risk their hearts to achieve the impossible? Although Connor is open about not wanting a relationship, Laurel is determined to change his mind and sets her sights on her goal. I was in two minds about the way she manipulated Connor; on the one had she was pushing him towards something he evidently didn’t want, but on the other, he needed that push to move forward in dealing with his issues. Unfortunately, neither of them would come out of this unscathed. The BDSM elements here are much darker than in the previous books in the series. Sometimes, I thought there was a fine line between the way Connor inflicted pain for pleasure and pain just for the sake of it, pushing Laurel to her limits. Throughout their relationship, they always seemed to be pulling in different directions, and as Connor struggled with his conflicting emotions, the friction only strengthened. While Laurel began as a vivacious, confident woman, I felt she gave up a part of herself in order to become what she perceived as Connor’s perfect sub. And as she tried to push Connor to make a commitment, you could see this runaway train heading for disaster. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
WARNING: This book contains scenes that depict serious issues of depression and sexual abuse, which are handled very well, that some readers may find disturbing or be triggered. For those who choose to continue, you won’t be disappointed!
While this is book 4 in the series, you can read this book standalone.
Connor and Laurel have a hot steamy attraction to each other but can they get past the traumas of the past to find a HEA? Their story pulled me in from the very first page and what a ride it was! I couldn't put this book down. The story has love and intrigue and absolutely wonderful characters! If you love angsty romance, suspense, and incredible steamy scenes, you’ll love this!
Even though there are tough times both deal with throughout the book, they are handled very well and the ride they take was incredible.
As you read their intense story you may find similarities with your own life. Remember, there is no shame in accepting help when it's needed.
Both Broken, But Made Stronger Laurel is initially attracted to Connor and they share kinky interests. But Connor is adamantly against a relationship. Ever when Laurel tries to be perfect, even when she tries to maneuver and manipulate circumstances, he is determined to keep some distance. But lines are blurring… then he’s control starts slipping… and then a series of events breaks both Laurel and Connor beyond repair. This story is twice the length of the previous three, starting slightly before the Blackwood attempted tack over (near the start of Book 1) and going beyond the end of Book 3. And it needs to be more fulsome, as Connor and Laurel have a lot to unpack and then repair before they can even think about a happily ever after. My heart broke reading Connor fracturing mental state and Laurel’s complete break - it was hard to read, but so worth it. The fact that these two had so much to work through to be together felt really, and made for a more fulfilling read.
I think this might be the first of Poppy Flynn's that I have read. This is a Club Risque book, number in the series, Dark Consequences. When I saw this book available, I knew I had to read it as I love Club books, and it didn't disappoint! I just finished Connor and Laurel's story and I know I'll be thinking about this emotional book for awhile. The characters are lifelike and they have so much baggage. I felt so bad for Connor especially, and I wasn't expecting Laurel's reaction. I loved them both, even through the difficulties that were played out. Please make sure you read the triggers as this is a really intense story. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will definitely be watching for more of Poppy Flynn's books.
This book is the fourth in the Club Risque series. It has been heavily re-edited and revised, with much new material added. There are serious issues of severe depression and sexual abuse discussed in the book. The author deals with it very well and responsibly, but for people with triggers, beware.
Connor and Laurel have an instant attraction to each other, and they decide to play within the bounds of BDSM. Unfortunately, neither communicates well, and they end up triggering one another. There is a HEA, but the journey there is slow going and hard.
I liked the story and am glad the author added more books with new characters to the series.
Laurel and Connor have met through different circumstances at a BDSM club, Club Risque. It is a singles BDSM club and everyone interacts within their comfort level. They met and had their ‘club relationship’. Due to past trauma, Connor does not want anything more. Laurel, also with past trauma, does want more in the relationship. Things go into turmoil as each persons gets trigger by different things. The book has trigger warnings so check them before you read. The author does a great job taking your emotions up and down with the characters. I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review.
This one just about broke me. I always wondered what had gone wrong between Laurel and Connor as I read the other books. I was NEVER a fan of Connor.. not once.
My heart broke for Laurel .. absolutely could see the writing on the wall.
There is a lot of dark in this one. Both of them had to deal with mental health issues. Through it all though they had friends to keep them going.
The inner strength to pull through …
Connor redeemed himself and I am so thankful they got their HEA as I doubted it would happen.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It is way too dark. I have read one other book in the Club Risque Series. I like to read BDSM romances and I’ve read some pretty dark novels but this one was too much. I kept waiting for Connor’s back story to be told and had to wait until the end to find out, although I guessed what happened. Laurel, the female protagonist, wasn’t very likeable (in my opinion). Nosey, gossipy and manipulative, I was hard pressed to feel sorry for her. Most of the kinky scenes are hot but there are some disturbing scenes. Please make sure to read the warnings and triggers at the beginning of the novel.
Dark Consequences is the 4th book in the Club Risque series. This is a dark bdsm romance. Please check the trigger warnings before reading as this book does delve into a lot of emotional scars that some may find difficult. This is the story of Laurel and Conner. I was captivated from the beginning to the end. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster! Highs, lows, trauma, obsession, manipulation, depression, heartache, emotions and lots of spice. Great addition to the series and can’t wait for the next one!
This is an intense read that brings a couple together, initially with the understanding that's it's just for fun, until Laurel decides she's wants more with Connor and things go rather sideways as she pushes him more and more. Neither communicate very well and this leads the reader on quite the emotional roller coaster of a reading ride. There are serious issues of severe depression and sexual abuse discussed in the book and while there is an HEA, the journey there is slow going and hard in this well written romance.
I loved this book. It's a story that resonates in life. People careing for those suffering from mental health problems can sometimes be pushed too far. I feel so bad for poor Laurel, she falls so hard for Conor that she does not see the way he is treating her. This story is an emotional rollercoaster. There are lots of hot erotic sexy scenes. All the characters are real and rounded. I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving an honest review. I have not read all of the books in this series but have enjoyed those that I have.
Dark Consequences is the 4th book in the series, which takes place concurrently with the previous two books. Connor and Laurel's journey to love is a very rewarding, yet challenging read, with events on and off page such as sexual abuse and mental health issues that may be triggering to some. This is not an easy book to read. The BDSM elements here are much darker than in the previous books in the series. If you love angsty romance, suspense, and incredible steamy scenes, you’ll love this! The series will continue, featuring other members of Club Risqué and I can't wait!
This is the 4th book in the series with Connor and Laurel’s story and it is an emotional roller coaster.
They started off with a crazy attraction to each other with the understanding of it just being ‘fun’. It slowly developed into more but with both dealing with past traumas it led to a blow up that left them both broken. It was a hard and rocky story that ends with love and HEA.
This story started off on spice. I absolutely love how both characters started off with their own struggles that made them turn to bdsm as a coping mechanism. Connor and laurels story was one that captivated me from the beginning and kept me hooked. You had to wait until the end to figure out the trauma that Connor went through to make him the way he is. I can't wait to read the next book from poppy.
This is Book 4 of Club Risqué Series. It can be read as a stand-alone. What an emotional roller coaster ride and journey this read was. The author handled the subject matter of some things in this book well. The book had so much realness in certain moments of this book. Definitely worth the read and the journey this book will take you on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading this book. This is the fourth book in the Club Risque series. Once I started reading this I wanted to keep reading. The characters are great and the chemistry is spicy. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone so I won't go into details. Please read the book blurb for some details. I recommend reading this book/series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Compelling and provocative, are two words I’d use to describe this book, as well as kinky, snarky and dark. These two people go through emotional and sometimes physical hell to get to their Happily Ever After. This book is not for the faint of heart. It is deep and full of “the feels”. Definitely read the first 3 books to know all the players, but it’s not necessary, just good background. If you’re into BDSM with a happy ending this book is for you. Over 18 years please due to content. 4✨’s
Book 4 in Club Risqué Series, but can be read as a standalone, although I’d recommend reading the series from the start to get the most out of it. It was an emotional rollercoaster ride full up unexpected twists and turns. This book handles some difficult topics that could be triggering to some readers. So check those warnings. I loved this couple and couldn’t wait to read their story after we were first introduced to them in a previous book. Highly recommend.
Wow! Just wow. The depth that Poppy Flynn has put on paper about the MC's Connor and Laurel just blew my mind. This story starts off as if we've been following along with these characters for awhile, then takes us back in time to discover their story of what happened.
Dark Consequences was an intense roller coaster, flipping each page as fast as I could to read what happens. This is a dark contemporary with power dynamic themes and it felt like it was a mystery genre read.
Hanging on by your fingertips Connor and Laurel had lived in a way that their paths had to cross but they never expected the explosion that they were going to cause. Feeling unfit to exist has to take a major toll on you but pushing it to the back of your consciousness might buy you some time. When feelings came into the equation then they both had to heal themselves before they could heal each other. Having a strong network of friends who are more like family was their saving grace.
Do pay attention to the trigger warnings because there is some intensity to the MH issues and previous abuse themes. An emotional roller coaster with a lot of heart and a lot of fun spice, well written with great characters and a strong plot line. I absolutely loved it!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh my word, the Club Risque series just gets better and better.
Dark Consequences is the story of Connor and Laurel and it is yet another emotional journey. I also found that my feelings towards the characters changed as I read further through the book.
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and can't wait for the next in the series.