What do you think?
Rate this book
Becoming Mistress Maye
In a world that tells women to hate their bodies, this empowering novel celebrates beauty beyond size and the power of self-confidence.
Shelbi Mae has spent her life chasing the perfect body. After countless failed diets, programs, and promises, she is heavier and unhappier than she’s ever been.
Desperate for change, Shelbi turns to an unconventional life coach who challenges her to stop counting calories and start looking inward. As she sheds her old beliefs, her journey takes a daring and unexpected turn into an underground world where acceptance isn’t tied to size.
As her desire to feel beautiful pulls her deeper into this taboo realm, Shelbi finds herself in a dangerous dance with seduction and power, risking her marriage, her safety, and the woman she thought she knew. When the illusion unravels, Shelbi faces an impossible has becoming Mistress Maye cost her everything—or is it the only way to discover her true self?
For readers who love bold, provocative stories of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Becoming Mistress Maye tackles body image and sensuality with unflinching honesty, leading readers on a journey where inner strength is born in the most unexpected places.
Shelbi Mae has spent her life chasing the perfect body. After countless failed diets, programs, and promises, she is heavier and unhappier than she’s ever been.
Desperate for change, Shelbi turns to an unconventional life coach who challenges her to stop counting calories and start looking inward. As she sheds her old beliefs, her journey takes a daring and unexpected turn into an underground world where acceptance isn’t tied to size.
As her desire to feel beautiful pulls her deeper into this taboo realm, Shelbi finds herself in a dangerous dance with seduction and power, risking her marriage, her safety, and the woman she thought she knew. When the illusion unravels, Shelbi faces an impossible has becoming Mistress Maye cost her everything—or is it the only way to discover her true self?
For readers who love bold, provocative stories of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation. Becoming Mistress Maye tackles body image and sensuality with unflinching honesty, leading readers on a journey where inner strength is born in the most unexpected places.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2024
6 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Love-Jones
6 books6 followersC.J. Love-Jones is the bestselling author of nothing. Yet. But she wants to be.
Her alter ego has had some success in nonfiction—but writing fiction under a pen name? It's like turning fifty and finding out you’re pregnant. Starting over is hard—all chaos and praying for miracles. But still... the best thing that ever happened.
For now, she’s writing from her backyard greenhouse in Fargo, where it feels like a tropical jungle while outside it’s all wind and snow—because there’s nothing she’d rather be doing.
Gloria Steinem said it best: “Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else.”
C.J.’s real life reads like a cliché-riddled romance novel: passionate love affair, dreamy husband, wild children, rescued animals, and a good bottle of wine in the hot tub by candlelight.
But her books? They’re anything but cliché. She writes for readers like herself who have the attention span of a fungus gnat—readers who need to be sucked in on page one and held hostage until the very end.
C.J. crafts the stories she loves to read—packed with tension, passion, seduction, transformation, and a good dose of compassion for animals.
Maybe someday one will hit the big time. She hopes so. But either way, she’s already living her storybook dream—and if no one else notices, her dogs still think she’s a big deal.
https://linktr.ee/cjlovejonesauthor
Her alter ego has had some success in nonfiction—but writing fiction under a pen name? It's like turning fifty and finding out you’re pregnant. Starting over is hard—all chaos and praying for miracles. But still... the best thing that ever happened.
For now, she’s writing from her backyard greenhouse in Fargo, where it feels like a tropical jungle while outside it’s all wind and snow—because there’s nothing she’d rather be doing.
Gloria Steinem said it best: “Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else.”
C.J.’s real life reads like a cliché-riddled romance novel: passionate love affair, dreamy husband, wild children, rescued animals, and a good bottle of wine in the hot tub by candlelight.
But her books? They’re anything but cliché. She writes for readers like herself who have the attention span of a fungus gnat—readers who need to be sucked in on page one and held hostage until the very end.
C.J. crafts the stories she loves to read—packed with tension, passion, seduction, transformation, and a good dose of compassion for animals.
Maybe someday one will hit the big time. She hopes so. But either way, she’s already living her storybook dream—and if no one else notices, her dogs still think she’s a big deal.
https://linktr.ee/cjlovejonesauthor
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 21, 2024
In a world obsessed with size, Becoming Mistress Maye is an empowering tale of self-discovery.
Not only is Becoming Mistress Maye an empowering tale, it's a refreshingly deep and thoughtful one. C.J. Love-Jones refuses to rush things, and while that makes for a slower pace than some readers may be anticipating, it's nothing you'll begrudge. We get a chance to know and love Shelbi Mae, to understand not just issues with body image, but the deeper issues underlying that.
Bold, daring, and transformative—this novel celebrates confidence beyond appearances.
Neither Shelbi nor the reader see it at first, but if this is a story of body image on the surface, it's one of confidence underneath. We see it in her relationships with coworkers, her husband, her sister, and the coach she seeks out to help her. She's tried diets, drugs, surgeries, fitness routines, and all the rest, but none of them tackle what's really eating her up inside. It's only once she finds the confidence to take chances, to take risks, to take the initiative that her journey becomes something bold and decisive.
For readers who love bold, provocative stories of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation.
It's heartbreaking to see all the ways in which Shelbi's journey stalls, confronted by challenges she can't control, and that makes it even more satisfying to watch her transform from a timid, insecure, apologetic woman into a bold, powerful, assertive Mistress. Love-Jones does a wonderful job of allowing her to explore that world, to educate herself about it, and to practice the role before risking a human engagement. She also doesn't shy away from the challenges of a husband who is so very much not submissive, and who has a hard time dealing with what his wife wants . . . needs . . . demands.
Becoming Mistress Maye tackles body image and sensuality with unflinching honesty.
In many ways, Becoming Mistress Maye can be separated into three clear acts. It's in the first that we empathize with her body image issues and understand how much she's done to 'fix' herself. The second is all about that unflinching honesty, as she starts to admit to herself who she is and what she wants out of life. And then it's the third where the sensuality kicks in, as we see a woman who was always beautiful finally come to see that in herself.
There were a few times when I found myself uncomfortable with things being said or done, but that's part and parcel of what Shelbi Mae endures to thrive - and, looking back, I know we're all better for that honest attention to detail.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/...
Not only is Becoming Mistress Maye an empowering tale, it's a refreshingly deep and thoughtful one. C.J. Love-Jones refuses to rush things, and while that makes for a slower pace than some readers may be anticipating, it's nothing you'll begrudge. We get a chance to know and love Shelbi Mae, to understand not just issues with body image, but the deeper issues underlying that.
Bold, daring, and transformative—this novel celebrates confidence beyond appearances.
Neither Shelbi nor the reader see it at first, but if this is a story of body image on the surface, it's one of confidence underneath. We see it in her relationships with coworkers, her husband, her sister, and the coach she seeks out to help her. She's tried diets, drugs, surgeries, fitness routines, and all the rest, but none of them tackle what's really eating her up inside. It's only once she finds the confidence to take chances, to take risks, to take the initiative that her journey becomes something bold and decisive.
For readers who love bold, provocative stories of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation.
It's heartbreaking to see all the ways in which Shelbi's journey stalls, confronted by challenges she can't control, and that makes it even more satisfying to watch her transform from a timid, insecure, apologetic woman into a bold, powerful, assertive Mistress. Love-Jones does a wonderful job of allowing her to explore that world, to educate herself about it, and to practice the role before risking a human engagement. She also doesn't shy away from the challenges of a husband who is so very much not submissive, and who has a hard time dealing with what his wife wants . . . needs . . . demands.
Becoming Mistress Maye tackles body image and sensuality with unflinching honesty.
In many ways, Becoming Mistress Maye can be separated into three clear acts. It's in the first that we empathize with her body image issues and understand how much she's done to 'fix' herself. The second is all about that unflinching honesty, as she starts to admit to herself who she is and what she wants out of life. And then it's the third where the sensuality kicks in, as we see a woman who was always beautiful finally come to see that in herself.
There were a few times when I found myself uncomfortable with things being said or done, but that's part and parcel of what Shelbi Mae endures to thrive - and, looking back, I know we're all better for that honest attention to detail.
https://sallybend.wordpress.com/2024/...
April 24, 2025
I received this book as an ARC & I’m obsessed.
Mistress Maye’s story is relatable and refreshing. We live in a world so focused on our size and I could relate to a lot of her story, as I’m sure many woman can. I liked that the story showcased change in a positive way and also showed BDSM in a positive educational light. I was nervous when I started reading it wouldn’t but the author handled it with poise!
A new author to me but I’ll definitely pay attention to what they have upcoming!
Mistress Maye’s story is relatable and refreshing. We live in a world so focused on our size and I could relate to a lot of her story, as I’m sure many woman can. I liked that the story showcased change in a positive way and also showed BDSM in a positive educational light. I was nervous when I started reading it wouldn’t but the author handled it with poise!
A new author to me but I’ll definitely pay attention to what they have upcoming!
January 28, 2025
Becoming Mistress Maye by CJ Love-Jones is a book about Shelbi Maye, a plus-size woman in her 30s looking to lose the excess weight (and all the shame that comes with it) to live her idealized life. Along the way, she discovers a latent kink that changes everything.
Jones, whose CV includes a career in the wellness industry (per her author's note), used one client's story (with permission) as the basis of this novel. She clearly cares about her message that confidence is sexy and self-acceptance will make one happier than any weight loss could. Shelbi is a robust main character with a rich inner voice and flaws that readers on similar paths may relate to and commiserate with; her discovery of self-acceptance is genuine and shows that learning to love oneself can be a difficult journey that's worth it in the end. However, the narrative seems to walk the line between an original story and a dramatized biography, which is a detriment to the pacing and flow of the tale. Seemingly trying to stay true to Shelbi's real-life counterpart, the novel suffers from heavy narration, with only a handful of pivotal scenes involving the main action sprinkled in and several clunky "montages "denoting the passage of time that may take the reader out of the tale instead of drawing them in with richer detail.
The first two acts—while heavily narrated—weave a cohesive story of a woman hitting rock bottom and realizing she needs a dramatic life change, but the narrative's third act loses steam and focus. Shelbi contradicts her motivations, which threaten to undermine the story's message. Jones introduces a creative choice to toggle POVs from third person to first, a device that should have been present from the outset. A major plot beat that bafflingly wraps up Shelbi's journey and a conclusion with a jarring time jump (which introduces more questions than answers) will leave the reader wondering if the book omitted a fourth act.
With a title like Becoming Mistress Maye, readers may assume this story will include sexy romps into the world of BDSM, but the novel is primarily fade-to-black; the few explicit scenes that do get page time are a spice-level 3 but lack actual heat or titillation. Jones clearly researched the kink scene and presented it without bias, yet those scenes in the narrative feel more clinically descriptive and factual than sexy or emotional (one can tell she is an outsider looking in). The characters around Shelbi—her husband, sister, & BIL—often read as sitcom caricatures as they react to Shelbi's newfound interest; their reactions are bizarre, and everyone uses almost scientific terms to describe sex acts and body parts. For a BDSM-adjacent story, it's almost prudish. The evocative title seems to entice readers to pick up the novel, but make no mistake—the book's main focus is self-care through self-acceptance, not kink.
Becoming Mistress Maye is a heartfelt tale of digging deep and doing the work, has an engaging and believable main character, and explores an unorthodox world. Readers of self-help books and motivational stories may find this an edifying and uplifting read. However, readers pulled in by the allusion to racy subject matter expecting an intimate story rich with detail may toss this on their DNF pile.
I received an ACR from Reedsy
Jones, whose CV includes a career in the wellness industry (per her author's note), used one client's story (with permission) as the basis of this novel. She clearly cares about her message that confidence is sexy and self-acceptance will make one happier than any weight loss could. Shelbi is a robust main character with a rich inner voice and flaws that readers on similar paths may relate to and commiserate with; her discovery of self-acceptance is genuine and shows that learning to love oneself can be a difficult journey that's worth it in the end. However, the narrative seems to walk the line between an original story and a dramatized biography, which is a detriment to the pacing and flow of the tale. Seemingly trying to stay true to Shelbi's real-life counterpart, the novel suffers from heavy narration, with only a handful of pivotal scenes involving the main action sprinkled in and several clunky "montages "denoting the passage of time that may take the reader out of the tale instead of drawing them in with richer detail.
The first two acts—while heavily narrated—weave a cohesive story of a woman hitting rock bottom and realizing she needs a dramatic life change, but the narrative's third act loses steam and focus. Shelbi contradicts her motivations, which threaten to undermine the story's message. Jones introduces a creative choice to toggle POVs from third person to first, a device that should have been present from the outset. A major plot beat that bafflingly wraps up Shelbi's journey and a conclusion with a jarring time jump (which introduces more questions than answers) will leave the reader wondering if the book omitted a fourth act.
With a title like Becoming Mistress Maye, readers may assume this story will include sexy romps into the world of BDSM, but the novel is primarily fade-to-black; the few explicit scenes that do get page time are a spice-level 3 but lack actual heat or titillation. Jones clearly researched the kink scene and presented it without bias, yet those scenes in the narrative feel more clinically descriptive and factual than sexy or emotional (one can tell she is an outsider looking in). The characters around Shelbi—her husband, sister, & BIL—often read as sitcom caricatures as they react to Shelbi's newfound interest; their reactions are bizarre, and everyone uses almost scientific terms to describe sex acts and body parts. For a BDSM-adjacent story, it's almost prudish. The evocative title seems to entice readers to pick up the novel, but make no mistake—the book's main focus is self-care through self-acceptance, not kink.
Becoming Mistress Maye is a heartfelt tale of digging deep and doing the work, has an engaging and believable main character, and explores an unorthodox world. Readers of self-help books and motivational stories may find this an edifying and uplifting read. However, readers pulled in by the allusion to racy subject matter expecting an intimate story rich with detail may toss this on their DNF pile.
I received an ACR from Reedsy
April 8, 2025
Plus-size Shelbi Mae has spent a lifetime chasing thinness. With every diet she fails, she hates herself even more. The scale keeps going up, and her confidence plummets. This weight obsession is destructive to all areas of her life, especially her marriage.
As a last resort, Shelbi turns to a life coach to help her lose weight. The coach’s methods are far from conventional, but Shelbi is determined. The coach advises her to try things that bring her joy, and this is how she stumbles upon the dom-sub (dominant and submissive) lifestyle.
Nothing makes Shelbi feel more powerful or confident than the prospect of dominating and punishing men. But her husband has understandably mixed feelings about this. Shelbi’s new hobby, while highly taboo, fills her bucket and makes her feel sexy in a way that she never knew was possible. And it has nothing to do with her size. For the first time in her life, Shelbi isn’t consumed with becoming a smaller version of herself. But as she becomes Mistress Maye (her dom ego) and is deeply immersed in this alternative culture, she risks her safety and her marriage.
“Becoming Mistress Maye” by C.J. Love-Jones is one of the most enlightening novels I’ve read in a long time. With its focus on body positivity and rejecting patriarchy, it is the apex of women’s fiction. Have you ever felt ashamed of your body, or felt like you need to apologize for taking up space? C.J. Love-Jones’ writing will compel you to be big, bold, and unabashedly you!
While I could sing this novel’s praises for hours, the most exceptional thing about Shelbi Mae’s journey was her compelling transformation. We are all too familiar with the destructive messages women are fed about their bodies, but nothing has us cheering louder than a woman who rises up and challenges the toxic culture. Shelbi spent so much of her precious time hiding and berating herself, but as soon as she slid into that leather bodysuit, it was like sliding on armor. She became a force to be reckoned with, and I loved every minute!
Beyond the overarching message of embracing your authentic self, the author introduces us to the spicy world of dom-sub culture, where the power dynamic is everything, and Shelbi Maye trades her insecurities and body hang-ups for confidence and a case chock-full of titillating toys. While tastefully done, these scenes are not for the faint of heart! If you’ve ever been curious about this underground culture, this novel provides a good starting point to satisfy your curiosity.
Calling all women who have ever felt held back by society’s impossible beauty standards: “Becoming Mistress Maye” is for you! From Shelbi Mae’s intriguing transformation to the alluring world of erotic play, C.J. Love-Jones stuns with this decadent novel that will stay with you long after the last page.
As a last resort, Shelbi turns to a life coach to help her lose weight. The coach’s methods are far from conventional, but Shelbi is determined. The coach advises her to try things that bring her joy, and this is how she stumbles upon the dom-sub (dominant and submissive) lifestyle.
Nothing makes Shelbi feel more powerful or confident than the prospect of dominating and punishing men. But her husband has understandably mixed feelings about this. Shelbi’s new hobby, while highly taboo, fills her bucket and makes her feel sexy in a way that she never knew was possible. And it has nothing to do with her size. For the first time in her life, Shelbi isn’t consumed with becoming a smaller version of herself. But as she becomes Mistress Maye (her dom ego) and is deeply immersed in this alternative culture, she risks her safety and her marriage.
“Becoming Mistress Maye” by C.J. Love-Jones is one of the most enlightening novels I’ve read in a long time. With its focus on body positivity and rejecting patriarchy, it is the apex of women’s fiction. Have you ever felt ashamed of your body, or felt like you need to apologize for taking up space? C.J. Love-Jones’ writing will compel you to be big, bold, and unabashedly you!
While I could sing this novel’s praises for hours, the most exceptional thing about Shelbi Mae’s journey was her compelling transformation. We are all too familiar with the destructive messages women are fed about their bodies, but nothing has us cheering louder than a woman who rises up and challenges the toxic culture. Shelbi spent so much of her precious time hiding and berating herself, but as soon as she slid into that leather bodysuit, it was like sliding on armor. She became a force to be reckoned with, and I loved every minute!
Beyond the overarching message of embracing your authentic self, the author introduces us to the spicy world of dom-sub culture, where the power dynamic is everything, and Shelbi Maye trades her insecurities and body hang-ups for confidence and a case chock-full of titillating toys. While tastefully done, these scenes are not for the faint of heart! If you’ve ever been curious about this underground culture, this novel provides a good starting point to satisfy your curiosity.
Calling all women who have ever felt held back by society’s impossible beauty standards: “Becoming Mistress Maye” is for you! From Shelbi Mae’s intriguing transformation to the alluring world of erotic play, C.J. Love-Jones stuns with this decadent novel that will stay with you long after the last page.
November 22, 2024
Relatable main character, accessible, fast paced read.
Becoming Mistress Maye is a 3 act story: in the first we get to know Shelbi, her struggles with weight, work and yearning for a different self. Great writing and as a reader you feel for her - some of the work scenes harrowing. The second act we see her growing into herself, how she sees empowerment and how to explain it to her husband. Good writing. The final act we follow her as she starts her journey as a Dom, how to learn how to push boundaries. And here is where the writing let Shelbi’s story down - discordant jumps from first to third person, strange farfetxhed resolutions.
The prologue is fun, and the epilogue explaining the inspirational rounded the book out well.
A solid 3.5 stars rounded down, because of that last act being so discordant.
Thanks to Book Sirens and the author C J Love for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Becoming Mistress Maye is a 3 act story: in the first we get to know Shelbi, her struggles with weight, work and yearning for a different self. Great writing and as a reader you feel for her - some of the work scenes harrowing. The second act we see her growing into herself, how she sees empowerment and how to explain it to her husband. Good writing. The final act we follow her as she starts her journey as a Dom, how to learn how to push boundaries. And here is where the writing let Shelbi’s story down - discordant jumps from first to third person, strange farfetxhed resolutions.
The prologue is fun, and the epilogue explaining the inspirational rounded the book out well.
A solid 3.5 stars rounded down, because of that last act being so discordant.
Thanks to Book Sirens and the author C J Love for the ARC in return for an honest review.
November 27, 2024
I don't typically read erotica, but the premise of the book spoke to me; an overweight woman who doesn't feel comfortable in her own skin. Shelbi has struggled with her weight as long as she can remember. She's tried everything to lose weight but has had zero success. Her self-image is becoming a detriment to her relationship with her husband, so she decides to take extreme measures to find her inner confidence.
This book began in the most creative way I've ever seen; with a "contract". I was excited to jump in and get started. I waited, and waited, and waited for the "spice" to start. Unfortunately, that never occurred. The author had many missed opportunities to go into detail about Shelbi's sexual encounters.
I'm not sure I would classify this book as "erotica". It left me disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
This book began in the most creative way I've ever seen; with a "contract". I was excited to jump in and get started. I waited, and waited, and waited for the "spice" to start. Unfortunately, that never occurred. The author had many missed opportunities to go into detail about Shelbi's sexual encounters.
I'm not sure I would classify this book as "erotica". It left me disappointed.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion/review.
November 4, 2024
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to be an advanced reader of this book!
This book was a solid 4 stars for me. A good little dip into the BDSM lifestyle from a non-erotic novel. The interview at the end with the person who inspired the novel was a nice little touch as well. It was an enjoyable story and a relatively quick read for me. It never stopped moving.
The switch from first to third person that happened a few times was really jarring to me and didn’t flow well. There were also a few kink/BDSM terms that the author never defined that could be confusing to readers who don’t know about the lifestyle.
I really appreciated the way the author handled the FMCs weight. I thought it was going to be too heavy handed on the sale hatred but it was enough to get the point across and make you feel for the main character without being too much.
This book was a solid 4 stars for me. A good little dip into the BDSM lifestyle from a non-erotic novel. The interview at the end with the person who inspired the novel was a nice little touch as well. It was an enjoyable story and a relatively quick read for me. It never stopped moving.
The switch from first to third person that happened a few times was really jarring to me and didn’t flow well. There were also a few kink/BDSM terms that the author never defined that could be confusing to readers who don’t know about the lifestyle.
I really appreciated the way the author handled the FMCs weight. I thought it was going to be too heavy handed on the sale hatred but it was enough to get the point across and make you feel for the main character without being too much.
February 8, 2025
This is a book about a woman named Shelbi finding herself and realizing she is more then who she thinks she is. Life and acceptance aren’t all about looking a certain way but feeling your best self! Loving who you are and finding what makes you happy!
This opens with a contract to the reader, and I have to say this was a great touch. I literally almost got my pen out to sign. I also loved that it was in parts, and I have to say part one got to me. I felt like this character was me as I have, and probably other women, have had body insecurities. I could really relate and understand how she felt. Always thinking others were judging how we look when honestly it is just ourselves judging. Then part two, Shebi really hits a low and realizes she needs to do something about this. She starts to become Mistress Maye. She finds herself and learns to love a new part of herself. Part three, she is thriving and loving this new version of herself and gets caught up in the thrill and slightly lets her guard down. You will just have to read to find out what happens and how this all plays out.
Again, I love how this is a book about a woman discovering who she is and who she can be. How to learn to love yourself and embrace who you truly are.
This opens with a contract to the reader, and I have to say this was a great touch. I literally almost got my pen out to sign. I also loved that it was in parts, and I have to say part one got to me. I felt like this character was me as I have, and probably other women, have had body insecurities. I could really relate and understand how she felt. Always thinking others were judging how we look when honestly it is just ourselves judging. Then part two, Shebi really hits a low and realizes she needs to do something about this. She starts to become Mistress Maye. She finds herself and learns to love a new part of herself. Part three, she is thriving and loving this new version of herself and gets caught up in the thrill and slightly lets her guard down. You will just have to read to find out what happens and how this all plays out.
Again, I love how this is a book about a woman discovering who she is and who she can be. How to learn to love yourself and embrace who you truly are.
October 21, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
Shelbi has had enough. She has a wonderful, loving husband that accepts her for her. However, outside of that, she is miserable. Overweight her whole life, something needs to give. She turns to a life coach who explains to her that unless she takes care of herself "emotionally, spiritually, and physically" she will never be happy.
One night after a pedicure, her sister points out a new adult store across the street. Shelbi walks in and gets quite an education from someone working that night. She goes home and starts looking into this new lifestyle. She decides she wants to look into a dom/sub relationship. Her husband is NOT into this, but after the rules are laid down, he allows her to explore this part of her life. She LOVES it. But, can their relationship continue this new path?
Shelbi has had enough. She has a wonderful, loving husband that accepts her for her. However, outside of that, she is miserable. Overweight her whole life, something needs to give. She turns to a life coach who explains to her that unless she takes care of herself "emotionally, spiritually, and physically" she will never be happy.
One night after a pedicure, her sister points out a new adult store across the street. Shelbi walks in and gets quite an education from someone working that night. She goes home and starts looking into this new lifestyle. She decides she wants to look into a dom/sub relationship. Her husband is NOT into this, but after the rules are laid down, he allows her to explore this part of her life. She LOVES it. But, can their relationship continue this new path?
November 12, 2024
Let me start by saying I have had the same book on my nightstand since January of 2024 that I’ve been trudging through for the past 11 months whenever I have a spare moment. I received my copy of Becoming Mistress Maye and finished it in 3 days. I could not put it down! This book has an amazing message about self empowerment and I enjoyed reading about a lifestyle that is so different than my own. It’s written in an inviting and nonjudgmental manner that every reader can appreciate. I loved this book and I believe every reader can be inspired and entertained when reading it!
December 28, 2024
A 3.5 for me. Shelby showcases hating yourself to accepting yourself then loving yourself she goes through a big transformation but I love that hee feeling great in herself is still a normal size body- this book is based off a real life person with the interview at the end being just as interesting,
Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.
Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.
August 17, 2025
Thank you English Publishing House and NetGalley for this arc. I enjoyed the story and am surprised that it’s based off of true events. I found the story to be captivating but it left me wanted a little more. Shelbi was an interesting character to follow along with. Tom will always have my heart. He is truly a book boyfriend. The mistakes in this book took me out of it.
November 27, 2024
Shelbi Mae is obsessed with the perfect body. She has been on a diet since birth. These diets have only thought to tear her down and make her binge eat and ultimately her self confidence and the way she sees herself has been her downfall throughout her life. I think most of us can relate to this. I know I have struggled with my weight for a long time and have struggled with self confidence.
Shelbi decides to try a life coach that ultimately challenges her to stop counting calories and just live her life. Do what makes her feel good. Throw her scale out and stop using it to hate herself. Shelbi can't see this working but she decides she has nothing to lose so she tries it. She is really blown away when she starts to get into a spicier book and then a world where size doesn't matter as much. She can be in control of what a man does for her. Will Shelbi risk everything she has in order to carry out her fantasies?
Originally I thought this book was about weight loss and I was all in. As the plot started going into a darker realm I was a bit uncomfortable but as I opened my mind a little, I started to see how this world gave the character self confidence. I applaud the author for going there and for speaking their truth. I loved Shelbi's voice. I felt she was very authentic and real. I would challenge others to open their hearts and minds to Shelbi's journey. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Shelbi decides to try a life coach that ultimately challenges her to stop counting calories and just live her life. Do what makes her feel good. Throw her scale out and stop using it to hate herself. Shelbi can't see this working but she decides she has nothing to lose so she tries it. She is really blown away when she starts to get into a spicier book and then a world where size doesn't matter as much. She can be in control of what a man does for her. Will Shelbi risk everything she has in order to carry out her fantasies?
Originally I thought this book was about weight loss and I was all in. As the plot started going into a darker realm I was a bit uncomfortable but as I opened my mind a little, I started to see how this world gave the character self confidence. I applaud the author for going there and for speaking their truth. I loved Shelbi's voice. I felt she was very authentic and real. I would challenge others to open their hearts and minds to Shelbi's journey. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
February 9, 2025
I rarely get to sit down and read, I live on audiobooks! I was lucky enough to get a physical copy of this book and could not put it down. BDSM was a little out of my comfort zone but the story line was fascinating. I loved how the author wrapped it up with the interview. Loved it!
November 12, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I couldn’t put it down and thoroughly enjoyed the storyline - the main character was relatable for me.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews