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Break Me First
He wanted control.
She made him kneel.
Naomi Walker follows the stay professional, keep your head down, and never, ever touch the boss. But one night at an exclusive club changes everything—because the man who commands her body knows exactly how to unravel her mind.
What she doesn’t know? He’s not just a dominant stranger. He’s Gideon Hawke, CEO of Leviathan Tech. Ruthless. Powerful. Completely off-limits.
Their chemistry is magnetic. Their connection? Explosive.
But when secrets become currency and control is the most dangerous game, Naomi and Gideon will have to risk more than just their rules—they’ll risk their hearts.
Some rules aren’t meant to be followed.
Some power plays end with surrender.
And sometimes, the one who breaks you... is the only one who can put you back together.
She made him kneel.
Naomi Walker follows the stay professional, keep your head down, and never, ever touch the boss. But one night at an exclusive club changes everything—because the man who commands her body knows exactly how to unravel her mind.
What she doesn’t know? He’s not just a dominant stranger. He’s Gideon Hawke, CEO of Leviathan Tech. Ruthless. Powerful. Completely off-limits.
Their chemistry is magnetic. Their connection? Explosive.
But when secrets become currency and control is the most dangerous game, Naomi and Gideon will have to risk more than just their rules—they’ll risk their hearts.
Some rules aren’t meant to be followed.
Some power plays end with surrender.
And sometimes, the one who breaks you... is the only one who can put you back together.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 6, 2026
🥃 ARC Review: Break Me First by Fortuna Lux
Rating: 4/5 stars
Vibe: Dark, Intense, Powerful, High-Stakes
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (A scorching power-exchange romance where control is the ultimate aphrodisiac.)
Reviewed by The Bourbon Sipping Bibliophile
If you are looking for a romance that explores the razor-thin line between dominance and devotion, Break Me First is an intoxicating shot of adrenaline. Fortuna Lux kicks off the Chaos & Chemistry series with a story that proves the most powerful man in the boardroom can be brought to his knees by the right woman.
🥃 The Pour The story follows Naomi Walker, a dedicated professional who lives by a strict code: keep your head down and never touch the boss. But when a night at an exclusive club leads her into the arms of a commanding stranger, her carefully constructed boundaries vanish. She knows him only as "Sir"—the man who knows exactly how to unravel her mind and body.
The "kick" in this cocktail? That dominant stranger is actually Gideon Hawke, the ruthless CEO of Leviathan Tech and Naomi's very off-limits boss. As their connection moves from the shadows of the club to the bright lights of the corporate world, they enter a dangerous game of power exchange where secrets are currency and surrender is the only way to win.
🥃 The High Notes
The "Switch" Dynamics: This isn't a one-sided story of dominance. The exploration of a "Switch" lifestyle—where Gideon, a man obsessed with control, finds peace in kneeling for Naomi—is handled with incredible nuance and heat.
The Global Stakes: From the sterile, high-tension offices of Leviathan Tech to the romantic, sweeping backdrops of Italy, the setting adds a cinematic "whirlwind" feel to their developing relationship.
The Emotional Core: Beyond the "Sir" and the spice, there is a grounded story about family drama and the vulnerability required to let someone truly "put you back together." The chemistry is explosive, but the mutual respect is what lingers.
🥃 The Low Notes The intensity of Gideon’s lifestyle and the dark billionaire tropes mean this isn't a "cozy" read. The power plays are high-pressure, and at times the "ticking time bomb" of their secrets creates a level of tension that feels almost suffocating. Readers who prefer a low-conflict journey might find the heavy weight of the corporate and family drama a bit daunting before the final resolution.
🌺 Overall Break Me First is a stunning exploration of "power personified." It’s a story of "breaking and rebuilding" that reminds us that sometimes you have to lose control to find out who you really are. It is a bold, unapologetic, and fiercely sexy debut for the series.
The Bourbon Sipping Bibliophile's Drink Pairing
🥂 The CEO’s Surrender (Smoked Dark Cherry Sazerac) I chose this drink to represent the duality of Gideon and Naomi: the sophisticated, "bitter" edge of the corporate world (Absinthe/Peychaud’s) balanced by the dark, sweet intensity of their private connection (Dark Cherry).
The CEO’s Surrender Ingredients
2 oz Rye Whiskey: (The "Gideon" element—bold, spicy, and uncompromisingly strong)
1/4 oz Demerara Syrup: (The "Naomi" element—providing the necessary sweetness to balance the heat)
3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters: (The "Chaos" element—adding a complex, herbal sting)
Absinthe Rinse: (The "Exclusive Club" element—mysterious, dangerous, and intoxicating)
1 Barspoon Black Cherry Juice: (The "Chemistry" element—deep, dark, and lingering)
The Method:
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with Absinthe, swirling it until coated, then discard the excess.
In a mixing glass, stir the rye, syrup, bitters, and cherry juice with large ice cubes until "chilled to a boardroom temperature."
Strain into the prepared glass (no ice, to keep the intensity pure).
Garnish with a scorched lemon peel and a single, dark Maraschino cherry dropped to the bottom. Serve while contemplating that "sometimes the one who breaks you is the only one who can put you back together.".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Vibe: Dark, Intense, Powerful, High-Stakes
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (A scorching power-exchange romance where control is the ultimate aphrodisiac.)
Reviewed by The Bourbon Sipping Bibliophile
If you are looking for a romance that explores the razor-thin line between dominance and devotion, Break Me First is an intoxicating shot of adrenaline. Fortuna Lux kicks off the Chaos & Chemistry series with a story that proves the most powerful man in the boardroom can be brought to his knees by the right woman.
🥃 The Pour The story follows Naomi Walker, a dedicated professional who lives by a strict code: keep your head down and never touch the boss. But when a night at an exclusive club leads her into the arms of a commanding stranger, her carefully constructed boundaries vanish. She knows him only as "Sir"—the man who knows exactly how to unravel her mind and body.
The "kick" in this cocktail? That dominant stranger is actually Gideon Hawke, the ruthless CEO of Leviathan Tech and Naomi's very off-limits boss. As their connection moves from the shadows of the club to the bright lights of the corporate world, they enter a dangerous game of power exchange where secrets are currency and surrender is the only way to win.
🥃 The High Notes
The "Switch" Dynamics: This isn't a one-sided story of dominance. The exploration of a "Switch" lifestyle—where Gideon, a man obsessed with control, finds peace in kneeling for Naomi—is handled with incredible nuance and heat.
The Global Stakes: From the sterile, high-tension offices of Leviathan Tech to the romantic, sweeping backdrops of Italy, the setting adds a cinematic "whirlwind" feel to their developing relationship.
The Emotional Core: Beyond the "Sir" and the spice, there is a grounded story about family drama and the vulnerability required to let someone truly "put you back together." The chemistry is explosive, but the mutual respect is what lingers.
🥃 The Low Notes The intensity of Gideon’s lifestyle and the dark billionaire tropes mean this isn't a "cozy" read. The power plays are high-pressure, and at times the "ticking time bomb" of their secrets creates a level of tension that feels almost suffocating. Readers who prefer a low-conflict journey might find the heavy weight of the corporate and family drama a bit daunting before the final resolution.
🌺 Overall Break Me First is a stunning exploration of "power personified." It’s a story of "breaking and rebuilding" that reminds us that sometimes you have to lose control to find out who you really are. It is a bold, unapologetic, and fiercely sexy debut for the series.
The Bourbon Sipping Bibliophile's Drink Pairing
🥂 The CEO’s Surrender (Smoked Dark Cherry Sazerac) I chose this drink to represent the duality of Gideon and Naomi: the sophisticated, "bitter" edge of the corporate world (Absinthe/Peychaud’s) balanced by the dark, sweet intensity of their private connection (Dark Cherry).
The CEO’s Surrender Ingredients
2 oz Rye Whiskey: (The "Gideon" element—bold, spicy, and uncompromisingly strong)
1/4 oz Demerara Syrup: (The "Naomi" element—providing the necessary sweetness to balance the heat)
3 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters: (The "Chaos" element—adding a complex, herbal sting)
Absinthe Rinse: (The "Exclusive Club" element—mysterious, dangerous, and intoxicating)
1 Barspoon Black Cherry Juice: (The "Chemistry" element—deep, dark, and lingering)
The Method:
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with Absinthe, swirling it until coated, then discard the excess.
In a mixing glass, stir the rye, syrup, bitters, and cherry juice with large ice cubes until "chilled to a boardroom temperature."
Strain into the prepared glass (no ice, to keep the intensity pure).
Garnish with a scorched lemon peel and a single, dark Maraschino cherry dropped to the bottom. Serve while contemplating that "sometimes the one who breaks you is the only one who can put you back together.".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 20, 2025
“I want him on edge. I want to press and pull. I want to be devoured, but on my own fucking terms.”
Fortuna Lux’s Break Me First explores the balance of power and vulnerability. You have sexiness mixed with a bunch of emotional twists between Naomi and Gideon. There’s family drama & secrets, a turn in relationship dynamics, and great friendships in the story. The fun part about the beginning of this story is that Naomi has no idea that the man she’s been calling Sir is the one and only Gideon Hawke, CEO of Leviathan Tech, her boss! Everything that happens after Naomi finds out is a hell of a whirlwind. From trips to Italy to the tall, sexy, brooding MMC begging on his knees, this book gives you everything you need and more.
Fortuna Lux’s Break Me First explores the balance of power and vulnerability. You have sexiness mixed with a bunch of emotional twists between Naomi and Gideon. There’s family drama & secrets, a turn in relationship dynamics, and great friendships in the story. The fun part about the beginning of this story is that Naomi has no idea that the man she’s been calling Sir is the one and only Gideon Hawke, CEO of Leviathan Tech, her boss! Everything that happens after Naomi finds out is a hell of a whirlwind. From trips to Italy to the tall, sexy, brooding MMC begging on his knees, this book gives you everything you need and more.
December 25, 2025
A Sexy Crazy Good Read
This one of a very few that can take a “Switch” and turn it into a lifestyle of compromise and of mutual respect.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Not just once, but twice. See this is the first time I’ve ever read anything from this author, definitely not the last. Even the storyline is clear, detailed and the characters have a great relationship with each other that draws you in.
Any opinions, recommendations, or suggestions expressed within this review our Solely and uniquely made by me. I originally and voluntarily had received in advance copy of this book via Bsprout.
This one of a very few that can take a “Switch” and turn it into a lifestyle of compromise and of mutual respect.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. Not just once, but twice. See this is the first time I’ve ever read anything from this author, definitely not the last. Even the storyline is clear, detailed and the characters have a great relationship with each other that draws you in.
Any opinions, recommendations, or suggestions expressed within this review our Solely and uniquely made by me. I originally and voluntarily had received in advance copy of this book via Bsprout.
December 2, 2025
Break Me First had a beautifully written plot and story line. It has family drama secrets, emotional twist exploring the line between the balance of power and vulnerability, which can be a very dangerous games. Specially since at first Naomi had no clue when things start out that the man she is calling Sir just happens to be the CEO of the tech company she works for.
November 16, 2025
Fire
This book holds a beautiful plot and story line, setting a clear line that surrenders is sometimes power personified!! Hooked
This book holds a beautiful plot and story line, setting a clear line that surrenders is sometimes power personified!! Hooked
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews