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David and Grace #1
The Dining Club
You are invited to the Dining Club.
If you pass the challenges we set, a world of pleasure awaits you.
He is everything she never brooding, secretive, rich - and far-removed from her care-free artistic lifestyle. Yet David has a power over Grace that she cannot resist, a power that comes from his darker, passionate side.
And now he is ready to truly reveal himself. Inviting Grace to a weekend at the Dining Club, David offers her the opportunity to discover his deepest desires and to find pleasures far beyond her wildest imagination - but only if she if willing to play a series of sensual games.
Grace faces a give in to her doubts and retreat to her quiet life, or truly embrace happiness with David and win over her mesmerising lover forever.
Indulge yourself in this seductive tale, perfect for true lovers of E.L. James and Sylvia Day.
If you pass the challenges we set, a world of pleasure awaits you.
He is everything she never brooding, secretive, rich - and far-removed from her care-free artistic lifestyle. Yet David has a power over Grace that she cannot resist, a power that comes from his darker, passionate side.
And now he is ready to truly reveal himself. Inviting Grace to a weekend at the Dining Club, David offers her the opportunity to discover his deepest desires and to find pleasures far beyond her wildest imagination - but only if she if willing to play a series of sensual games.
Grace faces a give in to her doubts and retreat to her quiet life, or truly embrace happiness with David and win over her mesmerising lover forever.
Indulge yourself in this seductive tale, perfect for true lovers of E.L. James and Sylvia Day.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Marina Anderson
66 books188 followersMarina Anderson is the pseudonym of British author Margaret Bingley, whose novels have been published all over the world. Margaret uses this pseudonym for her series of erotica novels. She also publishes erotica for women under the pseudonym Fredrica Alleyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 20, 2014
Okay, this is a new sensation for me. I think this might be the worst book I've ever read. I should have had an idea before I started it. This book is a compilation of 8 previously published novellas. I read the first one, Desire, and I didn't like it. But I thought maybe I didn't have enough time to properly assess the characters. I was wrong. They're just as horrible in 300+ pages as they were in 35.
Grace was an idiot. She's the very worst thing about romance novels and the worst, most insecure parts of any woman. She has a career as some kind of theater director and she's very accomplished. She's been featured in news articles about how she's the next big thing in theater (whatever that means). She was great at the start since she's a career woman who seemed to be pretty confident, sexually. But she also seemed like she was pretty selfish. Then, once she starts going to the Dining Club with her man, she gives up every single thing that makes her who she is. I absolutely understand that learning new things about yourself can be a difficult journey and is usually not drama-free. But Grace went from being mildly likable to being an absolute doormat that I disliked more and more as the story went on. It wasn't that she was finding out things about herself. In fact, I don't think she was. I think she was giving up all of her beliefs and values to be with a man who she loves and who she is desperate to have love her in return. Even after she knew that he was sabotaging her success, she still bent herself to his wants and desires. There was not one thing I liked about Grace by the end of the book. Not one.
David was a real piece ofshit work. He's a rich, famous, successful financier. He and Grace have been going out for months and months and he has never mentioned that he likes all kinds of BDSM play. He even likes the shit that's WAY out there. You know, that borderline consensual type of play. Over and over, he tells Grace something about how if she REALLY loved him, she'd go through with these BDSM play trials. She doesn't want to, she generally doesn't like it until she's mindless with desire, and she's always nervous and afraid. David seems to get off on her being unsure and (in my opinion) unhappy. There's about 1 paragraph in all 320 pages where David self-reflects and thinks that the fact that his mother emotionally manipulated his father explains (and excuses) why David is incapable of love and has no desire to attach himself to woman. And proceeds to spend the rest of the book emotionally manipulating Grace. I mean, the whole thing would be laughable if I didn't feel like I HAD to read the whole book, just hoping for a better ending. An ending where Grace tells David to kiss her fine ass and get bent.
The sex was hot so if you just want to read sex scenes, go right ahead and pick up this book. But I felt that Grace and David had zero chemistry. Actually, David had zero chemistry with anyone. Shit, no one had any chemistry with anyone else. Every person in the book was unlikable. David, Grace, Amber (Grace's competition for David's affection and time), Andrew, Fran (Grace's friend)... none of them were decent people. I mean, Fran was a total bitch in every single scene. Andrew, a club employee, was great until we got to know him better. Everyone was just plain awful.
As I said, I think this is the worst book I've ever read. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone that I wanted to keep as a friend or anyone who's respect I desired. I feel like whoever has informed this author about BDSM never informed her of the #1 main rule: Safe, Sane, Consensual. I've read a lot of Erotica, Erotic Romance, and all manner of more spicy romances and I feel like this book does nothing for any of those genres. I emphatically disagree that this book is for fans of E L James and Sylvia Day. If someone reads this book and enjoys it, more power to them, but for me, it it failed to even reach mediocrity.
Grace was an idiot. She's the very worst thing about romance novels and the worst, most insecure parts of any woman. She has a career as some kind of theater director and she's very accomplished. She's been featured in news articles about how she's the next big thing in theater (whatever that means). She was great at the start since she's a career woman who seemed to be pretty confident, sexually. But she also seemed like she was pretty selfish. Then, once she starts going to the Dining Club with her man, she gives up every single thing that makes her who she is. I absolutely understand that learning new things about yourself can be a difficult journey and is usually not drama-free. But Grace went from being mildly likable to being an absolute doormat that I disliked more and more as the story went on. It wasn't that she was finding out things about herself. In fact, I don't think she was. I think she was giving up all of her beliefs and values to be with a man who she loves and who she is desperate to have love her in return. Even after she knew that he was sabotaging her success, she still bent herself to his wants and desires. There was not one thing I liked about Grace by the end of the book. Not one.
David was a real piece of
The sex was hot so if you just want to read sex scenes, go right ahead and pick up this book. But I felt that Grace and David had zero chemistry. Actually, David had zero chemistry with anyone. Shit, no one had any chemistry with anyone else. Every person in the book was unlikable. David, Grace, Amber (Grace's competition for David's affection and time), Andrew, Fran (Grace's friend)... none of them were decent people. I mean, Fran was a total bitch in every single scene. Andrew, a club employee, was great until we got to know him better. Everyone was just plain awful.
As I said, I think this is the worst book I've ever read. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone that I wanted to keep as a friend or anyone who's respect I desired. I feel like whoever has informed this author about BDSM never informed her of the #1 main rule: Safe, Sane, Consensual. I've read a lot of Erotica, Erotic Romance, and all manner of more spicy romances and I feel like this book does nothing for any of those genres. I emphatically disagree that this book is for fans of E L James and Sylvia Day. If someone reads this book and enjoys it, more power to them, but for me, it it failed to even reach mediocrity.
September 15, 2014
Not my cup of tea
Hmm, this book wasn't for me. It had nothing to do with the subject matter and all to do with the characters themselves.
I did not like Grace at all, she was weak and delusional. And David, did nothing for me but piss me off. He was cruel and dispassionate and if anyone ever told me 'if you love me you'll do this" or "I guess you don't love me like you say you do." I'd kick him in the balls and leave. I wanted to shake Grace half the time and smack some sense into her. He only told her he loved her after she did everything he wanted, um okay?
I wasn't very connected to them, and it was a bit weird that her best friend Fran only found out they were dating because of a super rare picture of them, even though they had been seeing each other for six months prior, and this was all before he showed her the other side of him. So was she ashamed of him or something because I'm confused? Not to mention she threw away her entire life, her friendship with Fran and her budding career for him. Ugh.
I liked Andrew, he actually seemed like he cared for Grace.
The writing wasn't terrible, just a lot of exclamation points that didn't really seem necessary to me, but It wasn't bad.
This book wasn't for me, but don't let it deter you from reading it because it could very week be what you're looking for!
Hmm, this book wasn't for me. It had nothing to do with the subject matter and all to do with the characters themselves.
I did not like Grace at all, she was weak and delusional. And David, did nothing for me but piss me off. He was cruel and dispassionate and if anyone ever told me 'if you love me you'll do this" or "I guess you don't love me like you say you do." I'd kick him in the balls and leave. I wanted to shake Grace half the time and smack some sense into her. He only told her he loved her after she did everything he wanted, um okay?
I wasn't very connected to them, and it was a bit weird that her best friend Fran only found out they were dating because of a super rare picture of them, even though they had been seeing each other for six months prior, and this was all before he showed her the other side of him. So was she ashamed of him or something because I'm confused? Not to mention she threw away her entire life, her friendship with Fran and her budding career for him. Ugh.
I liked Andrew, he actually seemed like he cared for Grace.
The writing wasn't terrible, just a lot of exclamation points that didn't really seem necessary to me, but It wasn't bad.
This book wasn't for me, but don't let it deter you from reading it because it could very week be what you're looking for!
August 4, 2020
Truly the most disgusting book I’ve ever read. A lot of reviews mention the amuatuer-style writing, how freaking annoying Amber is with her temper tantrums (“what will I do if I don’t work at the club!”), but here’s the real issue with this book: it’s a story about an abusive man breaking a confident career woman by bringing her to his sleazy gangrape club.
Grace is a theater director. She’s perfectly happy with every facet of her life, except her relationship with David. They’ve been dating for six months but he’s still secretive and closed off. She just wants to be happy with David. But instead of being an adult and asking him about his constant deflections about their relationship, or even breaking off the relationship, she decides she’s eternally devoted to him no matter what.
David has different tastes in bed. That’s his entire reason for being scummy and evasive with Grace. He doesn’t like love. Like, this one time, all his mates were in happy relationships and suddenly there was less bro time and David just could not handle that. (He watched male friends fall into the same trap. Besotted with the women they’d fallen in love with, they changed. The rounds of golf became few and far between, while nights out with their male friends gradually tapered off.) So no, David will not grow up, thank you very much.
He decides maybe he likes Grace and, after six months of not even bringing up the topic in hypothetical, he wants to take her to this club that’s all about his hardcore desires. He doesn’t tell Grace this, just suggests that maybe they should get away for the weekend and wear something nice.
So this club is super posh, Grace is enthralled and thinks David is just so thoughtful and wonderful, when he springs his desires on her. Like a normal human, Grace is rightfully confused when her boyfriend suddenly admits he wants to watch her have sex with other people:
[Grace] What I don’t understand is why we have to do this when we were already so happy. We have a great sex life. You’re the best lover I’ve ever had, and we suit each other in almost every way. Stupidly it seems, I thought that would be enough for you. Why do you want to change things?
[David] I have to change things. We have been happy, but if you don’t want to share in this side of my life then no matter how hard I try to make it work out, I know I’ll get bored eventually. For me, the sex we’re having isn’t enough.
[Grace] You’re just talking about sex!
[David] Don’t you feel loved and cherished after sex?
[G] Yes, but there’s far more to it than that. Women need tenderness; desire comes through feeling that you’re cherished, not the other way around
[D] How do you know that, Gracie? How can you be so sure that what you’ve always been led to believe is, in reality, the only way women can start to feel desire?
[Grace] Don’t you believe that love exists?
[David] I hope it does, which is why I’ve brought you here. I want to experience love, love as I understand, and I believe you can help me through your experiences at the Dining Club. I want to love you, Grace, but if that’s going to happen I need you to have absolute trust in me
[Grace] I’m scared; doesn’t that matter to you?
[David] Don’t be scared. You don’t have to choose anything, you know that. If none of them appeal to you, then all you have to do is tell Laura. There’s no pressure on you, Gracie, it’s only that…
Trembling, Grace looked at him, and saw the regret in his eyes.
Just a few examples within a matter of pages. David is constantly deflecting and guilting Grace into doing what he wants. Even during the process of these idiotic trials in the Dining Club, David tells her if she fails at any time he’ll never talk to her again. That’s it. Relationship over. And instead of being a grown-up and telling David how many shades of stupid that is, Grace decides he’s worth it. Because the entire time Grace is undergoing these trials, she’s reminding herself that if SHE WANTS TO GAIN HIS LOVE, she has to succeed.
What?!?!?
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to assure you that being freaky in bed is a wonderful, normal thing. Yes, approaching the subject with your partner can be awkward and maybe sometimes difficult. But it really can be as simple as “Hey, this is kinda weird, but what if sometime we tried this thing? Haha, just kidding… but what if…” And if your partner isn’t okay with it, don’t be David. Don’t guilt, don’t coerce, don’t force! And for the love of god:
DON’T TAKE THEM TO YOUR SECRET SEX CLUB AND ALLOW YOUR EMPLOYEES TO RAPE YOUR PARTNER.
Grace and David dated for six months. At any point he could’ve pulled out some fuzzy handcuffs--something light and simple--and asked Grace what she thought. Nope, we go full steam ahead into the real kinky stuff! And here’s another big no-no: NOTHING IS EXPLAINED TO GRACE.
She’s not told what will happen in these scenes. She’s not told how to control the scene. She’s not given a safe word--ever! She’s actually pleading at one point during a trial and David, in typical David fashion:
[Grace] Stop!
[David] Be quiet, Grace! Don’t try to change what’s being done to you. That’s not allowed.
THIS IS NOT OKAY. Nothing that happens in this book is safe, sane, or consensual. Grace is constantly guilted, coerced, and manipulated because she wants David to love her. At one point, during a trial where just a tiny little bit was explained, a man penetrates Grace. She did not know this was part of the trial! She wasn’t told, “Hey, by the way, this dude is here to have sex with you!” But Grace doesn’t question it!!!!! Why doesn’t she question it!!!!!! In a normal scene, someone could call their safeword to slow down or stop! But not Grace--she knows it’s what David wants, so she does it. THIS IS NOT OKAY!
David actively secludes Grace from the outside world and anyone who would help her--y’know, like an actual abusive piece of garbage--and deludes herself into thinking everything that happens is okay. And even when Grace, before her brainwashing, asks for clarity:
[David] You’re so beautiful, beautiful and insatiable. It’s an irresistible combination
[Grace] Then why isn’t it enough for you. Why do we have to come here and...
[D] Because it’s exciting and challenging. It’s impossible to be bored if you belong to the Dining Club
[Grace] I don’t understand how, if you truly feel anything for me, you can take pleasure in seeing me hurt. It doesn’t make any sense. That’s not what a loving relationship is meant to be about
[David] I don’t want to see you hurt. I want you to learn that immense pleasure can come through just a little pain
[G] I don’t believe that’s true. It’s cruel and you’re being unkind
[D] It is true, my darling. If you really loved me, then you’d trust me
[G] I do love you! Why won’t you believe that?
[D] I want to believe it, but you’re making it very difficult for me when you won’t even try something that I’ve told you I enjoy
[G] You mean you’ll enjoy seeing me hurt in front of virtual strangers?
[D] No! The pain is nothing compared to the pleasure that follows it. You keep saying you love me, yet you won’t trust me. Show me how much you love me, try it
I WANT TO BELIEVE YOU BUT YOU’RE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME????
Ah yes, the perfect picture of a healthy relationship, right?
These examples are from only the first half of the book. I can’t type out the rest. I just can’t. I have dog-earred and penciled the heck out of this book because I am truly disgusted by this poor excuse for erotica. The majority of comments include “STOP” and “OMG” and, personally my favorite found on every other page, “RUN!!!!”
Nothing in this book is researched. If this is the author’s idea of “alpha male” and BDSM, I’m terrified.
For example. Grace, who has never shown interest or experience, is nearly suspended from the ceiling for a long period of time; she’s also left alone for an unknown amount of time WHILE suspended. You can’t do this to a green person. The strain on the muscles alone is not good; there’s no mention of aftercare because none of this is healthy BDSM and, as David constantly reminds her, none of it is about Grace. It’s about his happiness. It’s about how happy he’ll be after he’s tortured--uh, he means after he’s watched Grace experience so much pleasure! But, as Grace assures us:
Remembering how she’d struggled to control her desires, and how she’d wept in his arms when Saturday night was over, Grace wondered how he could call her experience pure pleasure, but she knew better than to say anything. If she really wanted this man to love her, then she needed to know what his deepest desires were, and whether or not she would be able to fulfill them.
Oh wait. That’s not encouraging. But David needs to love her! She has to gain his love! So she allows herself to be brainwashed, to be secluded, to throw her entire career away all for him. She throws away her career!! Because David is all that matters.
I’m not even going to mention the obvious stuff--no, let’s do it anyway. I can suspend my disbelief quite a bit but not once are condoms or medical records ever mentioned. If you and your partner are talking about getting involved in a club scene, or even attending a swinger party, please be smart and safe. In novels like this, it’s so important to mention condoms. Grace never even asks to see anyone’s STD results! She never asks for any kind of paperwork or asks about condoms, and let’s not forget that in the course of the book she’s raped several times by different men. But David said it was okay and he loved it, so it’s fine, right?
Puke.
All I can say is, there’s so much more to say about this book. There’s so much more in all of these scenes and, oh my god, the way the author attempts to fool us into believing Grace wants any of it--hint: she doesn’t! She’s coerced into every scene all to gain David’s love, which is so important to her! At one point when she’s being passed around in a competition of “sex slaves” the author is still attempting to assure us that Grace wants it, when the text reads “Removing herself mentally from what was happening” because she’s definitely enjoying herself and not using a coping mechanism to survive! I could go on and on forever.
At one point, when attempting to articulate my horror and despair about this book to my best friend, she stated matter-of-fact, “It’s a horror novel.”
And when it’s read like that--David being a charming serial dater secretly trying to ruin every woman he comes across, and Grace being too naive to understand and without a friend to help--then yes, it’s a freakishly good read. You could probably compare it to You from Caroline Kepnes. In this sense, The Dining Club is legitimately more terrifying than anything Stephen King could write. And that scares me.
Grace is a theater director. She’s perfectly happy with every facet of her life, except her relationship with David. They’ve been dating for six months but he’s still secretive and closed off. She just wants to be happy with David. But instead of being an adult and asking him about his constant deflections about their relationship, or even breaking off the relationship, she decides she’s eternally devoted to him no matter what.
David has different tastes in bed. That’s his entire reason for being scummy and evasive with Grace. He doesn’t like love. Like, this one time, all his mates were in happy relationships and suddenly there was less bro time and David just could not handle that. (He watched male friends fall into the same trap. Besotted with the women they’d fallen in love with, they changed. The rounds of golf became few and far between, while nights out with their male friends gradually tapered off.) So no, David will not grow up, thank you very much.
He decides maybe he likes Grace and, after six months of not even bringing up the topic in hypothetical, he wants to take her to this club that’s all about his hardcore desires. He doesn’t tell Grace this, just suggests that maybe they should get away for the weekend and wear something nice.
So this club is super posh, Grace is enthralled and thinks David is just so thoughtful and wonderful, when he springs his desires on her. Like a normal human, Grace is rightfully confused when her boyfriend suddenly admits he wants to watch her have sex with other people:
[Grace] What I don’t understand is why we have to do this when we were already so happy. We have a great sex life. You’re the best lover I’ve ever had, and we suit each other in almost every way. Stupidly it seems, I thought that would be enough for you. Why do you want to change things?
[David] I have to change things. We have been happy, but if you don’t want to share in this side of my life then no matter how hard I try to make it work out, I know I’ll get bored eventually. For me, the sex we’re having isn’t enough.
[Grace] You’re just talking about sex!
[David] Don’t you feel loved and cherished after sex?
[G] Yes, but there’s far more to it than that. Women need tenderness; desire comes through feeling that you’re cherished, not the other way around
[D] How do you know that, Gracie? How can you be so sure that what you’ve always been led to believe is, in reality, the only way women can start to feel desire?
[Grace] Don’t you believe that love exists?
[David] I hope it does, which is why I’ve brought you here. I want to experience love, love as I understand, and I believe you can help me through your experiences at the Dining Club. I want to love you, Grace, but if that’s going to happen I need you to have absolute trust in me
[Grace] I’m scared; doesn’t that matter to you?
[David] Don’t be scared. You don’t have to choose anything, you know that. If none of them appeal to you, then all you have to do is tell Laura. There’s no pressure on you, Gracie, it’s only that…
Trembling, Grace looked at him, and saw the regret in his eyes.
Just a few examples within a matter of pages. David is constantly deflecting and guilting Grace into doing what he wants. Even during the process of these idiotic trials in the Dining Club, David tells her if she fails at any time he’ll never talk to her again. That’s it. Relationship over. And instead of being a grown-up and telling David how many shades of stupid that is, Grace decides he’s worth it. Because the entire time Grace is undergoing these trials, she’s reminding herself that if SHE WANTS TO GAIN HIS LOVE, she has to succeed.
What?!?!?
Ladies and gentlemen, I want to assure you that being freaky in bed is a wonderful, normal thing. Yes, approaching the subject with your partner can be awkward and maybe sometimes difficult. But it really can be as simple as “Hey, this is kinda weird, but what if sometime we tried this thing? Haha, just kidding… but what if…” And if your partner isn’t okay with it, don’t be David. Don’t guilt, don’t coerce, don’t force! And for the love of god:
DON’T TAKE THEM TO YOUR SECRET SEX CLUB AND ALLOW YOUR EMPLOYEES TO RAPE YOUR PARTNER.
Grace and David dated for six months. At any point he could’ve pulled out some fuzzy handcuffs--something light and simple--and asked Grace what she thought. Nope, we go full steam ahead into the real kinky stuff! And here’s another big no-no: NOTHING IS EXPLAINED TO GRACE.
She’s not told what will happen in these scenes. She’s not told how to control the scene. She’s not given a safe word--ever! She’s actually pleading at one point during a trial and David, in typical David fashion:
[Grace] Stop!
[David] Be quiet, Grace! Don’t try to change what’s being done to you. That’s not allowed.
THIS IS NOT OKAY. Nothing that happens in this book is safe, sane, or consensual. Grace is constantly guilted, coerced, and manipulated because she wants David to love her. At one point, during a trial where just a tiny little bit was explained, a man penetrates Grace. She did not know this was part of the trial! She wasn’t told, “Hey, by the way, this dude is here to have sex with you!” But Grace doesn’t question it!!!!! Why doesn’t she question it!!!!!! In a normal scene, someone could call their safeword to slow down or stop! But not Grace--she knows it’s what David wants, so she does it. THIS IS NOT OKAY!
David actively secludes Grace from the outside world and anyone who would help her--y’know, like an actual abusive piece of garbage--and deludes herself into thinking everything that happens is okay. And even when Grace, before her brainwashing, asks for clarity:
[David] You’re so beautiful, beautiful and insatiable. It’s an irresistible combination
[Grace] Then why isn’t it enough for you. Why do we have to come here and...
[D] Because it’s exciting and challenging. It’s impossible to be bored if you belong to the Dining Club
[Grace] I don’t understand how, if you truly feel anything for me, you can take pleasure in seeing me hurt. It doesn’t make any sense. That’s not what a loving relationship is meant to be about
[David] I don’t want to see you hurt. I want you to learn that immense pleasure can come through just a little pain
[G] I don’t believe that’s true. It’s cruel and you’re being unkind
[D] It is true, my darling. If you really loved me, then you’d trust me
[G] I do love you! Why won’t you believe that?
[D] I want to believe it, but you’re making it very difficult for me when you won’t even try something that I’ve told you I enjoy
[G] You mean you’ll enjoy seeing me hurt in front of virtual strangers?
[D] No! The pain is nothing compared to the pleasure that follows it. You keep saying you love me, yet you won’t trust me. Show me how much you love me, try it
I WANT TO BELIEVE YOU BUT YOU’RE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME????
Ah yes, the perfect picture of a healthy relationship, right?
These examples are from only the first half of the book. I can’t type out the rest. I just can’t. I have dog-earred and penciled the heck out of this book because I am truly disgusted by this poor excuse for erotica. The majority of comments include “STOP” and “OMG” and, personally my favorite found on every other page, “RUN!!!!”
Nothing in this book is researched. If this is the author’s idea of “alpha male” and BDSM, I’m terrified.
For example. Grace, who has never shown interest or experience, is nearly suspended from the ceiling for a long period of time; she’s also left alone for an unknown amount of time WHILE suspended. You can’t do this to a green person. The strain on the muscles alone is not good; there’s no mention of aftercare because none of this is healthy BDSM and, as David constantly reminds her, none of it is about Grace. It’s about his happiness. It’s about how happy he’ll be after he’s tortured--uh, he means after he’s watched Grace experience so much pleasure! But, as Grace assures us:
Remembering how she’d struggled to control her desires, and how she’d wept in his arms when Saturday night was over, Grace wondered how he could call her experience pure pleasure, but she knew better than to say anything. If she really wanted this man to love her, then she needed to know what his deepest desires were, and whether or not she would be able to fulfill them.
Oh wait. That’s not encouraging. But David needs to love her! She has to gain his love! So she allows herself to be brainwashed, to be secluded, to throw her entire career away all for him. She throws away her career!! Because David is all that matters.
I’m not even going to mention the obvious stuff--no, let’s do it anyway. I can suspend my disbelief quite a bit but not once are condoms or medical records ever mentioned. If you and your partner are talking about getting involved in a club scene, or even attending a swinger party, please be smart and safe. In novels like this, it’s so important to mention condoms. Grace never even asks to see anyone’s STD results! She never asks for any kind of paperwork or asks about condoms, and let’s not forget that in the course of the book she’s raped several times by different men. But David said it was okay and he loved it, so it’s fine, right?
Puke.
All I can say is, there’s so much more to say about this book. There’s so much more in all of these scenes and, oh my god, the way the author attempts to fool us into believing Grace wants any of it--hint: she doesn’t! She’s coerced into every scene all to gain David’s love, which is so important to her! At one point when she’s being passed around in a competition of “sex slaves” the author is still attempting to assure us that Grace wants it, when the text reads “Removing herself mentally from what was happening” because she’s definitely enjoying herself and not using a coping mechanism to survive! I could go on and on forever.
At one point, when attempting to articulate my horror and despair about this book to my best friend, she stated matter-of-fact, “It’s a horror novel.”
And when it’s read like that--David being a charming serial dater secretly trying to ruin every woman he comes across, and Grace being too naive to understand and without a friend to help--then yes, it’s a freakishly good read. You could probably compare it to You from Caroline Kepnes. In this sense, The Dining Club is legitimately more terrifying than anything Stephen King could write. And that scares me.
November 16, 2014
ARC provided by author through NetGalley for an honest review.
3.5 Overall Sexually Adventurous stars
Desire: The Dining Car, #1
3.5 Intriguing stars
Grace and David have been dating for six months. But whenever it feels like things are getting too close, Grace feels David pull away. That is until he invites her away for the weekend to The Dining Club. Once there, David tries to explain why they are there, which scares Grace. Will things proceed or will Grace fail?
I don't dislike this as much as everyone seems to. I guess I'm intrigued as to where the story is going. I'm not sure I approve of David's interaction with Amber, since he's been seeing Grace for six months. But I will suspend my judgement for now.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Bound: The Dining Car, #2
3.5 Tantalizing stars
Grace is introduced to the staff at The Dining Club, which consists of twins Amy and Laura, who have a distinctly inappropriate relationship with each other, Amber who runs the place along with Andrew.
David explains what the club really is about and tells Grace that if she walks away, she walks away from him and if she fails the monthly trials, that will be the end of their relationship. This weekend that they are there, will be her first trial.
I think that Grace is a fool. I'm not saying she can't or shouldn't want to experience and enlighten herself as to what she's willing to experience sexually. But the way that David is going about it is a little tough for me to swallow. One moment he's mean and the other he seems to not like that she's enjoying herself. He also holds his potentially walking away from her over her heard every time her reticence shows up. If he had explained this all to her before dropping on her like a ton of bricks after six months of dating then maybe she would have had some time to understand what she was getting into. I want to slap Amber in the face. Her personal interests are causing problems for not only Grace, but Laura.
Crave: The Dining Car, #3
4 Struggling stars
Grace only spends limited time with David in the month between trials. At the same time, Amber realizes that Graces' hold and influence over David is more than she thought and she's determined to use the trials as a way to come between them.
Once back at The Dining Club for the second of four trials, Grace realizes that Amber wants David and wants her to fail. Though she's frightened of what is to come, she soldier forward determined to be what David wants and needs as well as learn more about what is happening to her.
Grace comes to realize that if for some reason she's unable to complete the remaining trials and possibly lose David, she's not sure what that would mean for her sexual life. She's not sure she would want to go back to the the way things were before.
Again, I'm not happy with the fact that Grace hasn't even taken it upon herself to Google this man that she's involved with. He's highly successful and it takes a friend of hers to tell her who he's dated in the past and what people are saying about him. Who can be that oblivious to what's going on around them and who they are involved with. I'm not particularly a fan of cyber stalking someone, but I do believe the more you know the easier it is to knowledgeably move forward.
Also, I said it it in my previous review, but David keeps saying, if she loved him she would try these things. Well why is this all one sided? If he thought he could ove her, why doesn't he try a more vanilla relationship. I just don't like the ultimatum. But I'm loving the trials. LOL
On to the next...
Seduce: The Dining Car, #4
3.5 Realization stars
After her second trial, Grace realizes that these new experiences at The Dining Club have given her a new outlook on who she is and what she likes sexually. At the same time Amber and Andrew join forces in devising a plan to keep Grace from completing the third trial. Andrew has found himself attracted to Grace, and although he considers David a friend. He doesn't want to live his entire life under the conditions of the club. He want to find a nice girl and settle down. He thinks that could be Grace.
In this installment we get a little of David's POV. The reason he's determined to control how his love grows for Grace and what she will experience. But what he doesn't realize is the manipulation he witnessed of his father at the hands of his mother, which colored his view of love, is the same thing that he's doing to Grace. He's manipulating her into doing and becoming what he wants in order to give her his love.
I'm hoping that Grace, though enjoying this exploration, realizes that what David is doing is manipulative and will take control of her experience and what she's giving him.
Touch: The Dining Car, #5
3 Conflicted stars
At the third trial, Grace is determined to succeed even though she realizes completely that Amber will do everything in her power to thwart her. When both Amber and Andrew conspire to keep Grace from winning the competition with Amy, even David seems aware of what they are doing. But what is confusing is David's own response. He does a few thing that go against wanting Grace to succeed. He feels that he will become bored with her eventually as he always has with other women, even though she's the only one to ever make it this far and the only one who he thinks he could actually love. He's still holding himself back.
Now Andrew comes up with another plan to come between David and Grace... and that is telling her the truth.
I think David needs a good shrink before he makes someone else jump through hoops to be what he wants the to be. He might want to know what he wants before doing that.
although I'm liking this series, this installment seems to feel like the author is dragging the story out. There are only 4 trials that Grace must complete with a 5th that David says isn't necessary for her purposes. I felt that some of the things in this installment could have been handled in a way that could bring more anxiety to what's happening with David. But just as it starts it's dropped.
I'm this far into the series, so I will keep going. There are three more installments (REALLY?!), so I'm off to the next.
Caress: The Dining Car, #6
3 Stalling stars
David is conflicted about wanted Grace to finish the tests. Grace knows what David is up to because of what Andrew told her. David still needs to decide if he wants Grace to succeed and now that the fourth test has begun, he brings up the fifth test. Still not telling her what that means.
Again, I feel like this is being drug out a little too much. I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading the series back to back. Shouldn't it get more interesting, but it just feels long at this point.
On the the next to the last....
Submit: The Dining Car, #7
3.5 Completion star
Through her fear and through Amber's machinations, Grace succeeds in the fourth test, pleasing David and saddening Andrew, to Amber's anger.
What I don't understand is that Grace has gone through all this and she still get's scared because someone's put a hood over her head. That makes no sense to me. Unless the author gives her some phobia or she was locked in a closet in the dark as a kid, I just don't understand it. At this point, she's told David how much she trusts him in all of this, to freak out over a hood after everything that's been done to her and what she's been expected to do, just baffles me.
I also don't like how much of a doormat she's become. This is a strong and smart woman, driven to success who is letting this man and these people manipulate her. Don't get me wrong, if choices are made and made with full information given, I have no issue with the what she's done. I just feel like this character was basically told, do what I want you to do or I can't date you. And those types of threats bug the crap out of me. All that being said, the author did do a good job in this installment of having Grace, at least have a similar thought flash through her mind, fleeting though it was.
Now that this has dragged out a little too long, I'm off to read the last installment.
Surrender: The Dining Car, #8
2.5 Anticlimactic stars
Grace wins...
Unfortunately after all that, and I kind of anticipated it since the author was drawing it out so much with the last two books, it ended on a very anticlimactic note. There's also sort of a cliffhanger. I mean after all that then the authors going to end it that way?
I also don't like that a woman, submissive or not would put herself through all of that just to get someone to love her. It should be the deeds proving themselves, but the person, chemistry and connection.
Oh well. It started so promising.
3.5 Overall Sexually Adventurous stars
Desire: The Dining Car, #1
3.5 Intriguing stars
Grace and David have been dating for six months. But whenever it feels like things are getting too close, Grace feels David pull away. That is until he invites her away for the weekend to The Dining Club. Once there, David tries to explain why they are there, which scares Grace. Will things proceed or will Grace fail?
I don't dislike this as much as everyone seems to. I guess I'm intrigued as to where the story is going. I'm not sure I approve of David's interaction with Amber, since he's been seeing Grace for six months. But I will suspend my judgement for now.
I'm looking forward to the next installment.
Bound: The Dining Car, #2
3.5 Tantalizing stars
Grace is introduced to the staff at The Dining Club, which consists of twins Amy and Laura, who have a distinctly inappropriate relationship with each other, Amber who runs the place along with Andrew.
David explains what the club really is about and tells Grace that if she walks away, she walks away from him and if she fails the monthly trials, that will be the end of their relationship. This weekend that they are there, will be her first trial.
I think that Grace is a fool. I'm not saying she can't or shouldn't want to experience and enlighten herself as to what she's willing to experience sexually. But the way that David is going about it is a little tough for me to swallow. One moment he's mean and the other he seems to not like that she's enjoying herself. He also holds his potentially walking away from her over her heard every time her reticence shows up. If he had explained this all to her before dropping on her like a ton of bricks after six months of dating then maybe she would have had some time to understand what she was getting into. I want to slap Amber in the face. Her personal interests are causing problems for not only Grace, but Laura.
Crave: The Dining Car, #3
4 Struggling stars
Grace only spends limited time with David in the month between trials. At the same time, Amber realizes that Graces' hold and influence over David is more than she thought and she's determined to use the trials as a way to come between them.
Once back at The Dining Club for the second of four trials, Grace realizes that Amber wants David and wants her to fail. Though she's frightened of what is to come, she soldier forward determined to be what David wants and needs as well as learn more about what is happening to her.
Grace comes to realize that if for some reason she's unable to complete the remaining trials and possibly lose David, she's not sure what that would mean for her sexual life. She's not sure she would want to go back to the the way things were before.
Again, I'm not happy with the fact that Grace hasn't even taken it upon herself to Google this man that she's involved with. He's highly successful and it takes a friend of hers to tell her who he's dated in the past and what people are saying about him. Who can be that oblivious to what's going on around them and who they are involved with. I'm not particularly a fan of cyber stalking someone, but I do believe the more you know the easier it is to knowledgeably move forward.
Also, I said it it in my previous review, but David keeps saying, if she loved him she would try these things. Well why is this all one sided? If he thought he could ove her, why doesn't he try a more vanilla relationship. I just don't like the ultimatum. But I'm loving the trials. LOL
On to the next...
Seduce: The Dining Car, #4
3.5 Realization stars
After her second trial, Grace realizes that these new experiences at The Dining Club have given her a new outlook on who she is and what she likes sexually. At the same time Amber and Andrew join forces in devising a plan to keep Grace from completing the third trial. Andrew has found himself attracted to Grace, and although he considers David a friend. He doesn't want to live his entire life under the conditions of the club. He want to find a nice girl and settle down. He thinks that could be Grace.
In this installment we get a little of David's POV. The reason he's determined to control how his love grows for Grace and what she will experience. But what he doesn't realize is the manipulation he witnessed of his father at the hands of his mother, which colored his view of love, is the same thing that he's doing to Grace. He's manipulating her into doing and becoming what he wants in order to give her his love.
I'm hoping that Grace, though enjoying this exploration, realizes that what David is doing is manipulative and will take control of her experience and what she's giving him.
Touch: The Dining Car, #5
3 Conflicted stars
At the third trial, Grace is determined to succeed even though she realizes completely that Amber will do everything in her power to thwart her. When both Amber and Andrew conspire to keep Grace from winning the competition with Amy, even David seems aware of what they are doing. But what is confusing is David's own response. He does a few thing that go against wanting Grace to succeed. He feels that he will become bored with her eventually as he always has with other women, even though she's the only one to ever make it this far and the only one who he thinks he could actually love. He's still holding himself back.
Now Andrew comes up with another plan to come between David and Grace... and that is telling her the truth.
I think David needs a good shrink before he makes someone else jump through hoops to be what he wants the to be. He might want to know what he wants before doing that.
although I'm liking this series, this installment seems to feel like the author is dragging the story out. There are only 4 trials that Grace must complete with a 5th that David says isn't necessary for her purposes. I felt that some of the things in this installment could have been handled in a way that could bring more anxiety to what's happening with David. But just as it starts it's dropped.
I'm this far into the series, so I will keep going. There are three more installments (REALLY?!), so I'm off to the next.
Caress: The Dining Car, #6
3 Stalling stars
David is conflicted about wanted Grace to finish the tests. Grace knows what David is up to because of what Andrew told her. David still needs to decide if he wants Grace to succeed and now that the fourth test has begun, he brings up the fifth test. Still not telling her what that means.
Again, I feel like this is being drug out a little too much. I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading the series back to back. Shouldn't it get more interesting, but it just feels long at this point.
On the the next to the last....
Submit: The Dining Car, #7
3.5 Completion star
Through her fear and through Amber's machinations, Grace succeeds in the fourth test, pleasing David and saddening Andrew, to Amber's anger.
What I don't understand is that Grace has gone through all this and she still get's scared because someone's put a hood over her head. That makes no sense to me. Unless the author gives her some phobia or she was locked in a closet in the dark as a kid, I just don't understand it. At this point, she's told David how much she trusts him in all of this, to freak out over a hood after everything that's been done to her and what she's been expected to do, just baffles me.
I also don't like how much of a doormat she's become. This is a strong and smart woman, driven to success who is letting this man and these people manipulate her. Don't get me wrong, if choices are made and made with full information given, I have no issue with the what she's done. I just feel like this character was basically told, do what I want you to do or I can't date you. And those types of threats bug the crap out of me. All that being said, the author did do a good job in this installment of having Grace, at least have a similar thought flash through her mind, fleeting though it was.
Now that this has dragged out a little too long, I'm off to read the last installment.
Surrender: The Dining Car, #8
2.5 Anticlimactic stars
Grace wins...
Unfortunately after all that, and I kind of anticipated it since the author was drawing it out so much with the last two books, it ended on a very anticlimactic note. There's also sort of a cliffhanger. I mean after all that then the authors going to end it that way?
I also don't like that a woman, submissive or not would put herself through all of that just to get someone to love her. It should be the deeds proving themselves, but the person, chemistry and connection.
Oh well. It started so promising.
May 15, 2019
This book had the potential to be so much more than it was, but as it was, the whole thing was a travesty from beginning to end. The writing was amateurish and rushed. The language used in many of the hardcore scenes made me laugh out loud, good writing shouldn’t do that (excluding books that are meant to be funny, of course.) There is literally no character development whatsoever so the reader can’t view the characters as anything but 2-d caricatures. It’s like neither of the main characters exist outside of the dining club and even when there are slight glimpses of it, it’s rushed through to get back to the hardcore scenes. There is a difference between erotica and pornography. What makes erotica ‘good’ is if it has a story that can stand on its own if you take the sex out, this book doesn’t do that, because again, there is zero development anywhere.
Shame on the so-called editors and publishers that let this be printed.
Shame on the so-called editors and publishers that let this be printed.
October 15, 2014
I received this book from GoodReads and I must say that I really did not care for the novel at all. First off, the cover of the novel states..."Your most forbidden fantasies awaits....The Dining Club" - um ok, it certainly was not the female character Grace's most forbidden fantasies but the creation of David's. I thought Grace was shallow, needy, insecure and desperate to do anything to gain David's love. David, the male character, was just an bored, selfish ass. Now, the actual scenes within the Dining Club were pretty intense however I think to coerce someone to submit into something they have no experience in is quite cruel and demeaning for anyone whether it's male or female.
Read
December 27, 2014Thanks Netgalley for a free book to read and review.
Dnf....why? The appeal of the book was lost on me, David was a jerk who looked out for himself only. I just didn't like the way he treated Grace. Repeatedly she just did not know what she was in for. I was amazingly shocked that she made it as far as she did. She had orgasms yes....but she did it for him. Just felt a little one sided. Usually people discuss a scene before it happens...not this.
Dnf....why? The appeal of the book was lost on me, David was a jerk who looked out for himself only. I just didn't like the way he treated Grace. Repeatedly she just did not know what she was in for. I was amazingly shocked that she made it as far as she did. She had orgasms yes....but she did it for him. Just felt a little one sided. Usually people discuss a scene before it happens...not this.
November 6, 2013
The book itself is written well. I didn't fall in love with the characters which is out of the norm for me. The story is good if you want a good quick "dirty" read. The relationships are a bit perplexing because I don't know of too many people who would tolerate being treated the way that David treated both women...
June 16, 2017
I gave this three stars because I read it in one sitting. David is far from the ideal hero and I didn't like his attitude or his views on love. I won't say any more on that so I don't give spoilers. Grace's character holds this together and kept me reading. I'd like to read something else by this author since I did enjoy the plot.
May 5, 2025
I wasn’t a fan of how this was written at all. The concept of the book seemed interesting but I couldn’t get into it so I ended up listening to it on audiobook and it was alright but not my favorite.
December 16, 2013
3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review an ARC of "The Dining Club".
Woohoo, this book is soooooooo spicy! It is hot, hot, hot, and not for the faint of heart! If you cannot handle the idea of menage type scenes, then this book is definitely not for you. If you are looking for something a bit twisted and different in your erotic reads, however, give "The Dining Club" a go - you won't regret it!
One thing I really liked about this book is the writing. It seems a notch above what a typical romance or erotic novel has, and very British to me. (I don't know about you, but whenever I read a British book, I read it with a British accent in my mind, ala Gwynneth Paltrow!)
The characters are fleshed out well enough to give us a taste of who they are - gotta say, David creeped me out the entire time! I never warmed up to him at all, but I don't think it was the author's intention to create a likable character in him. Grace is so intrigued and infatuated by David that she is willing to undergo anything in order to keep him with her. At times, I wondered why, if Grace was so scared and uncomfortable with the tests, she would go through with them - this was justified by her realizing that David would leave her if she didn't. So, even though she's consenting to everything, it's still like she's being forced into it. Bit of a conundrum!
Then we have the secondary characters, Amber and Andrew. Andrew seems like a better fit for Grace - he's definitely kinder and not as slimy as David, and Grace admits to a certain attraction to him, if only to herself. Amber is the manager of the Dining Club, and she is an interesting character. Because she is in direct competition with Grace for David's affections, she makes passing the tests that much more difficult for Grace. The author lets us into the minds of these two secondary characters briefly, so the whole book is not from just Grace or David's point of view.
All in all, "The Dining Club" was quite the ride. There is a bit of question at the end as to which direction things will go, leading me to believe there will be a sequel. I'm certainly interested enough to read more by this author!
Woohoo, this book is soooooooo spicy! It is hot, hot, hot, and not for the faint of heart! If you cannot handle the idea of menage type scenes, then this book is definitely not for you. If you are looking for something a bit twisted and different in your erotic reads, however, give "The Dining Club" a go - you won't regret it!
One thing I really liked about this book is the writing. It seems a notch above what a typical romance or erotic novel has, and very British to me. (I don't know about you, but whenever I read a British book, I read it with a British accent in my mind, ala Gwynneth Paltrow!)
The characters are fleshed out well enough to give us a taste of who they are - gotta say, David creeped me out the entire time! I never warmed up to him at all, but I don't think it was the author's intention to create a likable character in him. Grace is so intrigued and infatuated by David that she is willing to undergo anything in order to keep him with her. At times, I wondered why, if Grace was so scared and uncomfortable with the tests, she would go through with them - this was justified by her realizing that David would leave her if she didn't. So, even though she's consenting to everything, it's still like she's being forced into it. Bit of a conundrum!
Then we have the secondary characters, Amber and Andrew. Andrew seems like a better fit for Grace - he's definitely kinder and not as slimy as David, and Grace admits to a certain attraction to him, if only to herself. Amber is the manager of the Dining Club, and she is an interesting character. Because she is in direct competition with Grace for David's affections, she makes passing the tests that much more difficult for Grace. The author lets us into the minds of these two secondary characters briefly, so the whole book is not from just Grace or David's point of view.
All in all, "The Dining Club" was quite the ride. There is a bit of question at the end as to which direction things will go, leading me to believe there will be a sequel. I'm certainly interested enough to read more by this author!
March 6, 2022
Let me start off saying there should be certain authors who should be banned from writing about BDSM! What the hell was that? I found this book at a little free library, no wonder the previous owner wanted to get rid of this book.
Grace just got worse and worse. How shallow of a woman do you have to be to just give up everything you know and stand for for a dude and his attention?
David is just a prick, from the very beginning. I did not like him since chapter 2. Been dating a woman for 6 months and he didn’t find it worth mentioning that he has a bitch on the side if not a couple? And then making Grace do all these different things that he clearly saw she felt uncomfortable with. He was taking pleasure out of her being that way which is just sick. It is an abusive relationship! No real respectable Master/Submissive relationship should ever look like this. And for people that do not know that kind of relationship stuff, these kind of books can be very damaging to their perspective.
Just a big NO from me :)
Grace just got worse and worse. How shallow of a woman do you have to be to just give up everything you know and stand for for a dude and his attention?
David is just a prick, from the very beginning. I did not like him since chapter 2. Been dating a woman for 6 months and he didn’t find it worth mentioning that he has a bitch on the side if not a couple? And then making Grace do all these different things that he clearly saw she felt uncomfortable with. He was taking pleasure out of her being that way which is just sick. It is an abusive relationship! No real respectable Master/Submissive relationship should ever look like this. And for people that do not know that kind of relationship stuff, these kind of books can be very damaging to their perspective.
Just a big NO from me :)
November 9, 2013
Received from Net Galley in return for honest review.
I had read this before as 8 seperate books. In my opinion they were too short for my liking.i do love a short story but not when it's got me hanging by a loose thread waiting in the next one. ( yes they were good books).
Now this book is just what I wanted & hoped to read. It's not for the faint hearted & has lots if sex in it. I really enjoyed the different qualities David & Grace showed throughout the story. Was surprised at the ending ... But that just added to my enjoyment of this book.
I had read this before as 8 seperate books. In my opinion they were too short for my liking.i do love a short story but not when it's got me hanging by a loose thread waiting in the next one. ( yes they were good books).
Now this book is just what I wanted & hoped to read. It's not for the faint hearted & has lots if sex in it. I really enjoyed the different qualities David & Grace showed throughout the story. Was surprised at the ending ... But that just added to my enjoyment of this book.
September 10, 2023
Honestly kinda garbage, there was no depth to the characters at all, and I lost count how many times I rolled my eyes. It’s so degrading and demeaning towards woman and honestly the smut was even kinda boring 😂 I hate Gracie and David’s relationship and this book was just terrible writing. Also i HATED in the book when grace was not enjoying something sexually and admitted she wasn’t comfortable or it was painful they would say “your body is enjoying it, or that’s not how your body is responding” like bffr
March 2, 2014
Not to sure about this book. Good story, but why would Grace a novice to the BDSM scene allow herself to be put through what David wanted her to go through. She loves him and wants to make him happy, but does he love her, or he would not put her through that. I think he was a bit selfish, because it was like he was manipulating her.
December 30, 2017
I feel like this book is divided into two categories: the really, really bad, and the really, really good. I'm gonna start with the bad. It's a list.
1. The general writing -particularly the dialogue- is godawful. I'm not talking about the erotica, but everything that isn't sex is literally the WORST WRITING I've EVER read. It's to the point where in some scenes, it's like sentences start with no clear ending of where they'll stop. Every other sentence of spoken dialogue ends in an exclamation point. That's not an exaggeration. I counted. Half of the non-sexual scenes make no sense and don't really need to be there. It's. It's something.
2. David is the biggest dick I've ever read a love story about? Like through the book I literally couldn't figure out whether I, as the reader, was SUPPOSED to want Grace to be with him? Like he's that bad. He's manipulative, he basically plans on breaking up with his girlfriend for 75% of the book, he's patronizing, he doesn't listen to Grace ever, he's constantly distant--honest to god I don't know what she sees in him.
3. Related to point 2 but more: OH MY GOD WHAT WAS SO HARD ABOUT FIGURING OUT HOW CONSENT WORKS?!?! Half of the reason I bought this book was because, hey, it's erotica, but it's not EL James, right? There's no hint on the back cover that the main female is going to be constantly coerced through the entire book and that using a safe word means a) you have to leave immediately b) your boyfriend never talks to you again c) you generally just fail at everything because you're such a weak individual but d) "oh, it's fine if you don't want to...". WHAT IN HELL. THIS IS NONSENSE. WHY DO WE THINK THIS IS OK??
4. Still related to the above, WHY THE FUCK. DOES. DAVID. NOT HAVE TO OWN UP TO THE FACT THAT HE'S A SHITHEAD??? Grace is supposedly this competitive, ambitious theater director who gets what she wants, who's used to dealing with big egos, blahblah--but she NEVER calls him on his shit? She's constantly intimidated by David and can't say a peep to him? I kinda hate her. I kinda hate them both.
5. Conclusion of the bad: I basically never, ever want to read another Marina Anderson book again in my life. It's abundantly clear that the author has no proper notion of consent, the non-erotic portions of the book are literally trash, and the characters she's developed are terrible people that I vaguely want to punch.
6. Also Amber is a bitch and I'm incredibly disappointed there was no cat fight.
7. Alsoalso, I couldn't stand Fran, she's ridiculous.
8. In fact I think literally the only characters I genuinely liked were Andrew and the twins. I could read a sequel about them. I don't want to hear about anyone else in the entire book ever again, though.
Now for the good:
1. The sex scenes are 100/100. All of them. And yes, that means like 60-70% of the book is fantastic. It's good erotica. If this book was just the sex scenes, and no stupid extraneous love interests were included and I didn't have a single sentence about David's opinion on love, I would be obsessed with this book.
2. Like seriously I could see myself recommending this book just because the sex scenes are that great, even though I really, really, really despise the lack of consent and all of the characters and I would want to fight the author if we met in real life.
3. That's all I got for the good like idk I'm trying to make this a list but it's only one point. Yeah.
1. The general writing -particularly the dialogue- is godawful. I'm not talking about the erotica, but everything that isn't sex is literally the WORST WRITING I've EVER read. It's to the point where in some scenes, it's like sentences start with no clear ending of where they'll stop. Every other sentence of spoken dialogue ends in an exclamation point. That's not an exaggeration. I counted. Half of the non-sexual scenes make no sense and don't really need to be there. It's. It's something.
2. David is the biggest dick I've ever read a love story about? Like through the book I literally couldn't figure out whether I, as the reader, was SUPPOSED to want Grace to be with him? Like he's that bad. He's manipulative, he basically plans on breaking up with his girlfriend for 75% of the book, he's patronizing, he doesn't listen to Grace ever, he's constantly distant--honest to god I don't know what she sees in him.
3. Related to point 2 but more: OH MY GOD WHAT WAS SO HARD ABOUT FIGURING OUT HOW CONSENT WORKS?!?! Half of the reason I bought this book was because, hey, it's erotica, but it's not EL James, right? There's no hint on the back cover that the main female is going to be constantly coerced through the entire book and that using a safe word means a) you have to leave immediately b) your boyfriend never talks to you again c) you generally just fail at everything because you're such a weak individual but d) "oh, it's fine if you don't want to...". WHAT IN HELL. THIS IS NONSENSE. WHY DO WE THINK THIS IS OK??
4. Still related to the above, WHY THE FUCK. DOES. DAVID. NOT HAVE TO OWN UP TO THE FACT THAT HE'S A SHITHEAD??? Grace is supposedly this competitive, ambitious theater director who gets what she wants, who's used to dealing with big egos, blahblah--but she NEVER calls him on his shit? She's constantly intimidated by David and can't say a peep to him? I kinda hate her. I kinda hate them both.
5. Conclusion of the bad: I basically never, ever want to read another Marina Anderson book again in my life. It's abundantly clear that the author has no proper notion of consent, the non-erotic portions of the book are literally trash, and the characters she's developed are terrible people that I vaguely want to punch.
6. Also Amber is a bitch and I'm incredibly disappointed there was no cat fight.
7. Alsoalso, I couldn't stand Fran, she's ridiculous.
8. In fact I think literally the only characters I genuinely liked were Andrew and the twins. I could read a sequel about them. I don't want to hear about anyone else in the entire book ever again, though.
Now for the good:
1. The sex scenes are 100/100. All of them. And yes, that means like 60-70% of the book is fantastic. It's good erotica. If this book was just the sex scenes, and no stupid extraneous love interests were included and I didn't have a single sentence about David's opinion on love, I would be obsessed with this book.
2. Like seriously I could see myself recommending this book just because the sex scenes are that great, even though I really, really, really despise the lack of consent and all of the characters and I would want to fight the author if we met in real life.
3. That's all I got for the good like idk I'm trying to make this a list but it's only one point. Yeah.
July 13, 2019
I am voluntarily writing this review for this book I received through the library.
Part 1. Desire Grace/David
Grace and David have been seeing each other for 6 months and it seemed every time they start to feel close he closes up. David tells Grace he wants her to go away for the weekend and she was happy. He told her that they are staying at his friends Club. Meanwhile David goes to the club and most of the time he spent with Amber on weekends. Amber asked who Grace was and he told her his guest. Since he hadn’t brought anyone in a long time she figured that they were an item. David told Amber if Grace didn’t last he would see her. David tells Grace what is going on and if she didn’t think she could do it they would part as friends only.
Part 2. Bound
Andrew told Amber to behave because David really cared about Grace.
Amber made it clear in her mannerism that she had been with David.
After dinner the dessert menu came and Grace had to chose one of the three for her first test. Andrew, Amber and David told Grace what was about to happen. Amber was hoping that she would fail so she could
have David to herself. They were getting ready to leave when Amber came over to say goodbye and all the while massaging David’s shoulders.
and David finally told her to cut it out.
Part 3 Crave
Amber finally realized that Grace was a big threat to her and David. She realized it when he wouldn’t stay with her the rest of the day. It came
time for her second trial which she only could imagine. Amber meanwhile is try to get Grace to quit the challenge. Amber didn’t realize that Grace was on to her.
Part 4 Seduce
Andrew,David and Grace played together even though it was not what Grace really wanted. All the while she was wondering how this would play out. After Grace finished her second trial David couldn’t wait to have her.
when she gets home her friend and playwrite Fran kept asking Grace what was going on. Grace is at home when she turns on the TV and there was David with his Assistant. Grace was a little freaked out but understood David. Meanwhile Amber is trying her hardest to get rid of Grace and she asked Andrew to help.
Part 5 Touch
Grace past the next trial even though Amber and Andrew did their best to make her fail. David once they were back in the room started to wonder why he wanted her to fail. He saw how Amber was trying to make Grace quit and as far as Andrew he knew if he let Grace go Andrew would go after her. He was trying to talk himself into letting her go sooner than later because he knew with all of them that he would get tired of her. Andrew run into Grace and all Grace thought David had sent him. Andrew wanted to talk to her.
Part 6 Caress
David and Grace went to the Club for the weekend which the trial is in three days. Grace past the first part which infuriated Amber. David takes her back to the room.
Part 7 Submit
David lead Grace to the dining room after dinner she has to use one of the best three. Grace picked the Club Sandwich which was her next trial. Grace passed the last trial so David takes her back to the room. He told her he would tell her about the 5th table.
Part 8 Surrender
David finally told Grace he probably would always have to have Amber in his life for the darker side. The 5th and final tests where Amber and Grace
compete. The test was passed and Grace won over Amber to run The Dining Club. Amber reminded Grace to take Pleasure now with David and then he will be gone.
Part 1. Desire Grace/David
Grace and David have been seeing each other for 6 months and it seemed every time they start to feel close he closes up. David tells Grace he wants her to go away for the weekend and she was happy. He told her that they are staying at his friends Club. Meanwhile David goes to the club and most of the time he spent with Amber on weekends. Amber asked who Grace was and he told her his guest. Since he hadn’t brought anyone in a long time she figured that they were an item. David told Amber if Grace didn’t last he would see her. David tells Grace what is going on and if she didn’t think she could do it they would part as friends only.
Part 2. Bound
Andrew told Amber to behave because David really cared about Grace.
Amber made it clear in her mannerism that she had been with David.
After dinner the dessert menu came and Grace had to chose one of the three for her first test. Andrew, Amber and David told Grace what was about to happen. Amber was hoping that she would fail so she could
have David to herself. They were getting ready to leave when Amber came over to say goodbye and all the while massaging David’s shoulders.
and David finally told her to cut it out.
Part 3 Crave
Amber finally realized that Grace was a big threat to her and David. She realized it when he wouldn’t stay with her the rest of the day. It came
time for her second trial which she only could imagine. Amber meanwhile is try to get Grace to quit the challenge. Amber didn’t realize that Grace was on to her.
Part 4 Seduce
Andrew,David and Grace played together even though it was not what Grace really wanted. All the while she was wondering how this would play out. After Grace finished her second trial David couldn’t wait to have her.
when she gets home her friend and playwrite Fran kept asking Grace what was going on. Grace is at home when she turns on the TV and there was David with his Assistant. Grace was a little freaked out but understood David. Meanwhile Amber is trying her hardest to get rid of Grace and she asked Andrew to help.
Part 5 Touch
Grace past the next trial even though Amber and Andrew did their best to make her fail. David once they were back in the room started to wonder why he wanted her to fail. He saw how Amber was trying to make Grace quit and as far as Andrew he knew if he let Grace go Andrew would go after her. He was trying to talk himself into letting her go sooner than later because he knew with all of them that he would get tired of her. Andrew run into Grace and all Grace thought David had sent him. Andrew wanted to talk to her.
Part 6 Caress
David and Grace went to the Club for the weekend which the trial is in three days. Grace past the first part which infuriated Amber. David takes her back to the room.
Part 7 Submit
David lead Grace to the dining room after dinner she has to use one of the best three. Grace picked the Club Sandwich which was her next trial. Grace passed the last trial so David takes her back to the room. He told her he would tell her about the 5th table.
Part 8 Surrender
David finally told Grace he probably would always have to have Amber in his life for the darker side. The 5th and final tests where Amber and Grace
compete. The test was passed and Grace won over Amber to run The Dining Club. Amber reminded Grace to take Pleasure now with David and then he will be gone.
October 21, 2021
If I could give this book negative 5 stars, I would.
I don't usually take notes on the fiction I read unless I'm doing it for a book club or an assignment for university, but I genuinely found myself furiously writing notes regarding just how disgusting this piece of fiction is. As I was reading, I was constantly having my jaw drop in pure shock and horror at David's pure villany, and Grace's incredible failure to notice the severe abuse and gaslighting she's enduring to be with a man that she's convinced that she loves.
I pray to the heavens above that uneducated people don't read this, because THIS IS NOT EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF BDSM OR KINK CULTURE. This author has written literal rape and severe non-consensual scenes under the guise of kink/BDSM, and makes no mention of the characters making any effort to have safe sex. Every single thing done to her in non-consensual until she suddenly becomes overwhelmed by sensation and succumbs to whatever new form of rape is being forced upon her at the next "trial".
Communication? None.
Consent? None.
Contraceptives? None.
Safe words? None.
STD/STI testing? None.
Aftercare? None.
In addition, not only is this work an absolute disaster regarding the sex scenes, but it is also incredibly misogynistic. Grace literally gives up her entire career and any semblance of a personality she may have had in the beginning in order to be subservient to a giga-chad alpha-male in hopes that he'll love her back, AND HATES IT THE WHOLE TIME. She also spends the entirety of the book saying "no" to everything, but because David (the giga-chad) wants her to do it, she blindly agrees!!!
I will say, some parts of the premise behind the book sound interesting and would make for decent erotica, like the high-class secret sex club (which is a rather common trope), or even the ideas behind some of the scenes (like the first "trial"). Most of major issues in this book can be fixed through a total re-write of it using communication regarding his kinky interests BEFORE he throws her into the deep end when she has shown no interest in it prior, and some goddamn consent. How is this story filling desires when the main character herself doesn't even HAVE these desires? I'm honestly flabbergasted at how obtuse this author is. Just because a man says these should be your desires does NOT mean that they are.
Ultimately, I hope that this book gets wiped from history so future generations won't have to suffer through reading it like I did, or even worse, believe that this is even remotely similar to a healthy relationship, kinky or otherwise.
I don't usually take notes on the fiction I read unless I'm doing it for a book club or an assignment for university, but I genuinely found myself furiously writing notes regarding just how disgusting this piece of fiction is. As I was reading, I was constantly having my jaw drop in pure shock and horror at David's pure villany, and Grace's incredible failure to notice the severe abuse and gaslighting she's enduring to be with a man that she's convinced that she loves.
I pray to the heavens above that uneducated people don't read this, because THIS IS NOT EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF BDSM OR KINK CULTURE. This author has written literal rape and severe non-consensual scenes under the guise of kink/BDSM, and makes no mention of the characters making any effort to have safe sex. Every single thing done to her in non-consensual until she suddenly becomes overwhelmed by sensation and succumbs to whatever new form of rape is being forced upon her at the next "trial".
Communication? None.
Consent? None.
Contraceptives? None.
Safe words? None.
STD/STI testing? None.
Aftercare? None.
In addition, not only is this work an absolute disaster regarding the sex scenes, but it is also incredibly misogynistic. Grace literally gives up her entire career and any semblance of a personality she may have had in the beginning in order to be subservient to a giga-chad alpha-male in hopes that he'll love her back, AND HATES IT THE WHOLE TIME. She also spends the entirety of the book saying "no" to everything, but because David (the giga-chad) wants her to do it, she blindly agrees!!!
I will say, some parts of the premise behind the book sound interesting and would make for decent erotica, like the high-class secret sex club (which is a rather common trope), or even the ideas behind some of the scenes (like the first "trial"). Most of major issues in this book can be fixed through a total re-write of it using communication regarding his kinky interests BEFORE he throws her into the deep end when she has shown no interest in it prior, and some goddamn consent. How is this story filling desires when the main character herself doesn't even HAVE these desires? I'm honestly flabbergasted at how obtuse this author is. Just because a man says these should be your desires does NOT mean that they are.
Ultimately, I hope that this book gets wiped from history so future generations won't have to suffer through reading it like I did, or even worse, believe that this is even remotely similar to a healthy relationship, kinky or otherwise.
March 11, 2019
I was having difficulty deciding whether to give this book 1 or 2 stars. I would have given it 2 stars for the interest level. However, I almost stopped reading this book several times because the writing is so atrocious. The dialogue is that of a young adolescent girl.
I also grew to dislike the characters. Amber, as the antagonist, was utterly unlikeable, not only because of her temperament and selfishness but also because she was written with such immature dialogue. She had temper tantrums of an elementary school student--not acting like a grown woman. David is a sadist, and I'm not sure why Grace, who is also unsure of herself and immature in her own ways, is so drawn to be his masochist in a committed relationship with him. There is something deeply wrong with this couple from the beginning. David decided that he wasn't going to be like his dad was in the relationship with his mother. David's thoughts were that his mother manipulated his father into proving his love for her by progressively making her husband do endure certain masochistic tasks for her. David didn't want a woman who would do that to him, so, instead, he hypocritically becomes his mother by making Grace perform tasks to prove her love for him--each one more and more self-deprecating and masochistic.
Grace should have called a halt to the relationship with David altogether after he put her through an Abu Grab-style torture session at Level 4. His sadistic nature only proved that he lacks compassion and empathy towards his experimental "guinea pig" girlfriends. Grace should have known after being physically and psychologically tortured in that manner that David would only eventually kill her in his quest to seek a relationship lacking "boredom." No, he doesn't kill her in this story, but his claim of "love" for her rings hollow for me. He doesn't exhibit love, just says it.
I also grew to dislike the characters. Amber, as the antagonist, was utterly unlikeable, not only because of her temperament and selfishness but also because she was written with such immature dialogue. She had temper tantrums of an elementary school student--not acting like a grown woman. David is a sadist, and I'm not sure why Grace, who is also unsure of herself and immature in her own ways, is so drawn to be his masochist in a committed relationship with him. There is something deeply wrong with this couple from the beginning. David decided that he wasn't going to be like his dad was in the relationship with his mother. David's thoughts were that his mother manipulated his father into proving his love for her by progressively making her husband do endure certain masochistic tasks for her. David didn't want a woman who would do that to him, so, instead, he hypocritically becomes his mother by making Grace perform tasks to prove her love for him--each one more and more self-deprecating and masochistic.
Grace should have called a halt to the relationship with David altogether after he put her through an Abu Grab-style torture session at Level 4. His sadistic nature only proved that he lacks compassion and empathy towards his experimental "guinea pig" girlfriends. Grace should have known after being physically and psychologically tortured in that manner that David would only eventually kill her in his quest to seek a relationship lacking "boredom." No, he doesn't kill her in this story, but his claim of "love" for her rings hollow for me. He doesn't exhibit love, just says it.
November 15, 2022
Well you can read any of the other reviews and they're pretty accurate. I will say I don't think it's the worst book I've ever read, but yep - it's not good. First, I'm LOLing at the terms "sex juices" and "lady lips". Those are not sexy ways to describe things. This really isn't a sex club like you read in most books - it's more like Hunger Games with sex. Grace is annoying as F - I was wishing someone would off her. I won't waste more time because I know others have already written out how awful the book is.
January 5, 2024
David is awful and how did all the women in his life put up with his shit?? Character development was lacking, an all-around confusing storyline, and the writing didn't flow. I want a book where I constantly want to turn the page and stay up til 2 am to finish, this was a bore - even with what should have been ~interesting~ subject matter.
To quote a 2-star review from Alexis, "If you are interested in brief, unemotional, clinically descriptive sex scenes, this is the book for you."
To quote a 2-star review from Alexis, "If you are interested in brief, unemotional, clinically descriptive sex scenes, this is the book for you."
September 21, 2021
2.5 ⭐⭐💫
I feel that David did to Grace the exact thing his is fighting so hard for a woman to not do to him. He used Grace's love for him to get what he wanted and in the end was still not sure that he would stay with her for the long haul. That was very wrong of him.
I feel that David did to Grace the exact thing his is fighting so hard for a woman to not do to him. He used Grace's love for him to get what he wanted and in the end was still not sure that he would stay with her for the long haul. That was very wrong of him.
July 28, 2022
This book was a not for me. Not very imaginative, Similar style to 50 Shades of grey minus the abuse backstory. No twist or anything to get your attention. I couldn't wait to be done reading it. Very boring, dry, lack of emotion, and there wasn't any chemistry between the characters.
October 27, 2024
Within the first few chapters, he's basically admitted to cheating and will continue to cheat yet its not acknowledged..so frustrating. He literally gaslights her throughout the whole book. Not a fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2018
Too Intense.. I skipped a few pages actually :) The book is good
July 10, 2021
All I can say is OMG…
March 27, 2023
Terrible. The main male character is a terrible selfish person and the woman is so stupid in just doing what he wants.
August 23, 2023
This was…. very interesting lol.
December 12, 2014
AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall: 3 Narration: 3 Story: 2
A compilation of three previously published stories, this book is primed to push your buttons and titillate your senses. The Dining Club is the place where your sexual boundaries are expanded and tested, and we meet all of the characters in the story through their introduction to the various offerings and trials that are held in the club.
First up are Grace and David – she is convinced he is what she is looking for in a man: successful, in control, knows what he wants and how to get it. What I didn’t find in Grace was a great deal of sense or experience, or even a fairly solid grasp of determining the intentions of others. David is, for lack of a better word, flat. Cold and rather reptilian in his demeanor, none of the small details that showed me a breathing, warm-blooded creature existed beneath that over-bearing dominance. I really didn’t like David at all, and found his pushing of Grace’s boundaries to almost feel abusive, something that isn’t close to the usual or normal in a BDSM relationship.
Secondary characters Amber and Andrew were better fleshed out, and Andrew did seem like the better “fit’ for Grace, with his gentler demeanor, even though he does not lack in the dominant gene. I can’t say that these two arrived or developed into three-dimensional beings either, but these two were further from completely flat.
Sadly, that lack of emotional and character development kept the story and the heat from the various positions, requirements and tasks at a simmer rather than a full-burn. Much like other more famous titles of this genre, the scenes and background knowledge in the lifestyle do not feel honest or real, in fact they are reminiscent of a slightly detailed fantasy, not grounded in any realism at all.
Narration is provided capably by Lulu Russell, who manages to insert emotion and excitement into what is a rather lackluster story. She brings some character interest and affability with her voicing and her changes to delineate different characters and action are well-presented. Although nasal and whingy for Grace, and a bit aged for David, the narration provided needed variation that kept me from shutting the story off and moving to something else.
If you want a read that will excite or provide some distraction, this could well be it. But for the pure adrenaline rush that is a punch to the gut and stirs libido, there are other more suitable titles out there.
I received an AudioBook download from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Stars: Overall: 3 Narration: 3 Story: 2
A compilation of three previously published stories, this book is primed to push your buttons and titillate your senses. The Dining Club is the place where your sexual boundaries are expanded and tested, and we meet all of the characters in the story through their introduction to the various offerings and trials that are held in the club.
First up are Grace and David – she is convinced he is what she is looking for in a man: successful, in control, knows what he wants and how to get it. What I didn’t find in Grace was a great deal of sense or experience, or even a fairly solid grasp of determining the intentions of others. David is, for lack of a better word, flat. Cold and rather reptilian in his demeanor, none of the small details that showed me a breathing, warm-blooded creature existed beneath that over-bearing dominance. I really didn’t like David at all, and found his pushing of Grace’s boundaries to almost feel abusive, something that isn’t close to the usual or normal in a BDSM relationship.
Secondary characters Amber and Andrew were better fleshed out, and Andrew did seem like the better “fit’ for Grace, with his gentler demeanor, even though he does not lack in the dominant gene. I can’t say that these two arrived or developed into three-dimensional beings either, but these two were further from completely flat.
Sadly, that lack of emotional and character development kept the story and the heat from the various positions, requirements and tasks at a simmer rather than a full-burn. Much like other more famous titles of this genre, the scenes and background knowledge in the lifestyle do not feel honest or real, in fact they are reminiscent of a slightly detailed fantasy, not grounded in any realism at all.
Narration is provided capably by Lulu Russell, who manages to insert emotion and excitement into what is a rather lackluster story. She brings some character interest and affability with her voicing and her changes to delineate different characters and action are well-presented. Although nasal and whingy for Grace, and a bit aged for David, the narration provided needed variation that kept me from shutting the story off and moving to something else.
If you want a read that will excite or provide some distraction, this could well be it. But for the pure adrenaline rush that is a punch to the gut and stirs libido, there are other more suitable titles out there.
I received an AudioBook download from Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
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