Michael O’Reilly is a contented man. He has good friends, puts his family fortune to good use, and has been able to indulge his kinks on a regular basis through Odyssey, the club he built for just that purpose. And he’s always willing to welcome others to do the same—especially when they’re as delightfully eager as Ginger Dowling.
Ginger wasn’t at all sure she was interested kink. After all, before she’d moved from Small Town, Ohio to The Big City, she’d never even heard of such things, no. It's not like the kind of hold-me-down, do-me-big-Daddy, pull-my-hair-just-a-little behavior she’d occasionally encouraged in former lovers is really kink. Is it?
Oh, it is. And it turns out, there’s so much more to explore. And with Michael, a stunningly handsome, marvelously Dominant partner to explore it with.
Michael is the perfect patient, indulgent, and very big on rewards—multiple rewards. But he’s not very forthcoming with personal information, and it’s clear to Ginger that what they have is a simple teacher/student he gives orgasms, she learns about kink, and that’s it. And that’s fine.
Until feelings start to come into play, and secrets. Toss in a couple of seemingly harmless lies, and pretty soon what started out as simple and uncomplicated is a tangled mess. And the only question is, when they unravel it, will they love each other, or hate each other?
Hannah has been reading romance novels since she was young enough to have to hide them from her mother, and decided to try her hand at writing one when she realized the book she really wanted to read lived in her head. That was a dozen years and as many manuscripts ago, and there are still more stories to be told.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband—former Special Forces and an OR nurse who writes fantasy fiction, and acts as In House Expert for his wife on matters pertaining to weapons, tactics, the military, medical conditions and How Dudes Think—and their daughter, who takes after her father.
Hannah loves to hear from readers, and will answer questions here on Goodreads.
This was…fine? I liked Ginger, a newbie to the kink scene who likes to be dominated in the bedroom and I liked Michael, the sex club owner who takes Ginger under his dominant wings. What I didn’t love was the source of the conflict and the reason for the third act breakup. It felt so silly and nonsensical like why not just come clean?!! It felt like the author couldn’t think of a better way to tear these two apart. Also don’t drop the word grovel if you aren’t actually giving grovel.
I liked the story line and how it all played out, without giving spoilers its about a sex club and thr details the author put behind it help to understand that better for those that aren't familiar with it. Spice level about a 7 and its a slow burn, there was some scenes that felt pointless to have but I understood it with the story line
If you’re looking for something steamy, bold, and a little adventurous, this book definitely delivers. It dives into the world of BDSM from a beginner’s perspective, which made it feel approachable and intriguing rather than overwhelming. The author does a great job of balancing the heat with just enough plot to keep you invested - it’s not super heavy on storyline, but there’s enough tension and character connection to keep you turning the pages. The spice level? Off the charts - definitely a five chili pepper read. The scenes are intense, detailed, and unapologetically hot, while still exploring the dynamics of trust and discovery between the characters. If you want something exploratory, addictive, and insanely spicy without needing to follow a super complex plot, this is one to add to your TBR.
Michael owns a kink club. Ginger is interested in kink. Michael is interested in Ginger. Things progress. With kink.
After reading the first two books, I was looking forward to this one. And it was fine. But just fine. As Ginger notes during the story, they didn't do a lot of getting to know each other outside of kink until fairly late.
It's a perfectly nice story, and I especially liked how Ginger's anxiety was depicted, including finding release from it in being bound.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Anything that can mix cultural references including Princess Bride and K-pop demon hunters has my attention. This was a fascinating look in to a BDSM club (not my usual genre). There was humor, sarcasm, and a hefty dose of fun. The romantic plot line kind of just happens, they meet, they enjoy each others company ;-) and they end up falling in love more so “off screen” than in the words on the page but this was still a very entertaining and quick read. I felt like a got a lesson in responsible kink play and had many laughs while learning.
Some of my favorite quotes below:
“You’ve never been to a BDSM club before?” She suppressed the hysterical urge to laugh as she pictured her tiny town in Ohio. Two taverns, a roadhouse, and bingo night at the local Methodist church made up the sum total of the available nightlife. “No.” A curious light came into his eyes. “That’s a funny question?” She shook her head and took another sip of liquid courage. “No, but thinking of my hometown having a BDSM club was.” “Ah.” Curiosity
“It takes as long as it takes. It’s important to be thorough, honest, and to remember that at this stage—at any stage, really—'I don’t know’ is a perfectly acceptable answer.” “Right.” Ginger set the pages down.
“He was wandering the streets, faint with hunger,” Simon said from the kitchen where he was plating pizza. “Oliver Twist in designer jeans.” Michael choked on his beer. “I just said I’d been in meetings all day and skipped lunch.” “That’s what I said.”
“Just what are you thinking about, darling?” he asked in a low, amused drawl. “The core message of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its relevance to society today,” she managed, the sarcasm escaping without thought.
Lola exchanged a look with Anna. “Ah, something wrong?” “What could be wrong? I just found out the guy I’m fucking could buy the Cubs with pocket change.” “Pocket change is about what they’re worth,” Anna muttered.
“When we were little, my sister Georgia insisted on naming all the inanimate objects in the house. This is Mabel.” “Mabel, huh?” He grinned. “What did she name the dining room table?” “Princess Buttercup.” He shot her an incredulous look. “You’re kidding.” “The Princess Bride was very big in our house.” “Was the dishwasher named The Great Pirate Roberts?” “No, that was the cat.”
Simon, would you go get Ginger and me a drink?” “You know, you can just say, ‘I want to talk to my friend alone’,” he pointed out. She batted her eyes at him. “I thought I just did.”
He slid the rope that was left on the table up to the far end, then winced and reached down to adjust himself. Watching her contort herself had been…stimulating. “Can you—what are you humming?” “Soda Pop, from KPop Demon Hunters,” she said and kept humming. “Isn’t it a bop?”
I devoured this book in a single afternoon/evening. It's a very light and easy read, as far as kink goes (in my reading experience) but still very sexy and enjoyable to read. I enjoyed the relationship between Anna, Ginger, and Lola. It was full of banter, loyalty, and also support for each other. The boys were fun too but they didn't have such a major role. I have to say that I haven't read book 1 & 2 but would love to one day. I loved the maturity of the characters.
The situation that threatened to separate them for good was indeed not great. It was cute though. I expected to see more of a possessive side of Michael in response to another man's interest in Ginger, and it was there but not enough perhaps.
I don't love how we didn't really know much about Ginger. Also Michael but I understand his background may have been provided in the first two books. I kept thinking that Ginger has the name of a stripper too. Also, for people who haven't read book 1&2 it may have been useful to throw in some details about the other characters, like for example what jobs do the girls have. I gathered Lola may be a lawyer but was off-handedly thrown in there once. I get that this is not a book about them but if the intention was to deliver a story about the unlikely match of an experienced Dom who settles for his final Sub who just loves his dick then I guess it's fine. There was a single theme in the book and it was felt, but also made it easy to read and flip the pages, hence I read it in absolutely no time.
The e-ARC was riddled with grammar, and punctuation mistakes, and some odd sentences where it felt like a word was missing to make the sentence complete. But that has nothing to do with the rating of the book.
An honest review provided in exchange for an e-ARC by NetGalley and Solitary Vice Publishing.
Bloody hell, this was spicy — and I loved every second of it 🔥
When I requested this ARC, I honestly didn’t know a thing about it — I just saw the title and grinned from ear to ear 😏. Turns out, it’s actually book three in the Odyssey series, but that didn’t stop me from diving right in. I hadn’t read anything by this author before, but it was easy enough to follow without feeling lost, even with the established friend group and club dynamics.
I liked the storyline and how it all played out. Without giving spoilers, it’s centered around a sex club, and the details Hannah Murray put into describing that world really helped me understand it better — especially for readers who may not be familiar with the BDSM/kink community. It’s a slow burn with a spice level around 7/10, and while a few scenes felt unnecessary, they still made sense in the bigger picture.
The chemistry between Michael and Ginger was off the charts. Their dynamic starts as a Dom/sub, teacher/student relationship, but it slowly deepens into something emotional and genuine. I loved how patient and supportive Michael was, especially when it came to Ginger’s anxiety — he made sure she felt safe and comfortable, both in and out of the club.
That said, I did struggle with the lack of communication. The drama and third-act breakup felt a bit forced and could’ve been resolved with one honest conversation. The romance also moved from kink to love pretty quickly, so I wished we had seen more of them connecting outside the club to make that transition feel more natural. And as for the grovel? Didn’t really see it.
Overall, this was a fun, spicy, and emotional read that balances heat with character growth. Even though it wasn’t perfect, I still enjoyed it and would definitely go back to read the first two books in the Odyssey series.
~ What fun to be with Ginger as she explores kink with Michael and comes into her own ~ Great escape and fun way to spend the day ~
What I Liked: * Ginger Dowling: teacher, wants to share her passion for literature, from small-town Ohio, glad to be independent in Chicago, good friend of Lola and Anna from the first two books, bright, loving, kind, protective, looking for a job, curious, rather attracted to Michael * Michael O’Reilly: owner of Odyssey BDSM club, wealthy, attractive, Dom, good friend, ethical, caring, protective, attracted to Ginger, learns a lot about himself and grows during the story * Catching up with Lola & Simon and Anna & Grant and remembering their stories from the first two books * The strong friendships of the women and of the men * The maturity of the characters and the communication…when they weren’t keeping secrets…and that open honest communication was used to solve a problem of omission that reared its ugly head * The girls’ nights and how they supported one another * Thinking about the D/S relationship and what it might be like while also knowing it is not for everyone * Having enjoyed all three books in this series and though this is the final book…I wonder if perhaps more could show up in the future…Ben did seem interesting * All of it except…
What I didn’t Like: * I can’t really think of anything in the story except perhaps the one person, Jake, that gave off a creepy vibe and made me think about those that might not be willing to play by the rules * Having to say goodbye to the characters
Did I enjoy this book? Yes Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3.75** Going Deep was my first insight into BDSM romance, and I genuinely enjoyed it. The story follows Ginger and Michael as they explore a potential dom/sub dynamic—though Michael is already an experienced Dom. What made this dynamic especially compelling is that Michael already had feelings for Ginger / vise verse before she expressed interest, so there was an emotional foundation layered beneath the heat and discovery. It made their connection feel both intentional and deeply personal.
Ginger, the FMC, completely won me over. She’s witty, self-aware, and unafraid to admit when she’s unsure of herself. Her honesty felt real, and her journey of discovery was relatable. Michael, the MMC, was supportive without being overbearing; definitely book boyfriend material.
One of the standout elements for me was Ginger’s friend group. The banter between them was funny and authentic; every girl deserves a ride-or-die crew like hers. They added lightness and heart that balanced the steamier moments.
I read an advanced reader copy (ARC)/uncorrected proof, so I wasn’t sure if the formatting or editing was final, but it didn’t detract from the experience. The story flowed smoothly, and while I’m not someone who’s quick to spot plot holes, everything felt cohesive and well-paced.
As a newcomer to the genre, I can’t say how this compares to other BDSM romances, but I can say this: I liked it. I’d recommend Going Deep to romance readers looking to explore dom/sub dynamics in a way that’s both spicy and emotionally honest. The epilogue was especially satisfying; definitely left me smiling.
I was lucky to have found the first installment of Hannah Murray's Odyssey stories on NetGally, and then, as I enjoyed that enough to follow a wee link to receive ARCs directly - and here we are! The third and final installment of Odyssey!
We follow seasoned Dom Michael and the newly found sub Ginger as they navigate discovering the scene together. Michael is slightly more taken with Ginger than he usually is with subs, so spends more time with her and we get to watch a relationship form - and I'm not entirely sure either character was aware it was happening.
As with all books based around BDSM, safe words were discussed, but it was a first for me that one was used - and one that was adapted for Ginger's specific needs. I'm never sure on the accuracy of things like this in books (it's a world of literal fiction to me) but seeing someone's personal circumstances being taken into account in this situation was interesting and refreshing.
The third act drama was slightly frustrating, and a bit unnecessary, but I think given that Ginger was still being a bit stubborn and Michael was being protective of himself it was the only way to do it ... But I'll bang on my drum that we don't always need angst and drama in romance books, I'm happy with hugs and cuddles and chats all the way through, but that's just me 🤷
Very thankful to the author for including me in the direct share of ARCs. I've enjoyed this wee series - the friendship between the girls was great to watch develop! and I'm glad to have been able to read that over the three books.
I received an ARC of from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I was new to this series and started on book 3 (as you do) but my oh my it did not disappoint. This book can be read as a standalone and it still makes perfect sense - the perfect spice definitely helps ;)
I really enjoyed seeing Ginger and Michael's relationship grow throughout the book as they explored kink together - Ginger as a newbie to the kink world was also a nice touch and it creates a good rulebook for newbies wanting to get into kink and how doms should behave. As an avid fluent speaker of sarcasm, I was delighted Ginger had the same sense of humour as me - it made the book far more inviting.
Normally I hate modern references in books but this one? Oh this one did it perfectly, rather than being jarring it was hilarious - especially as I got the references to KDH and The Princess Bride. This was an easy book to devour over the course of a few days (pauses purely to charge my reading device), reading the friendship between the girls truly comes alive on the screen and you feel like you are experiencing everything with them from the quick wit to the heartbreak.
The third act breakup probably wasn't necessary but I still appreciated it for having the pair communicate - no miscommunication (much) here! It was also nice to see the characters have their lives grounded in reality - teachers, NGOs, lawyer, etc. The opening of the book baffled me a little but I did enjoy it once I got into it.
Ginger and Michael make quite the pair. She’s been around those who are apart of the bdsm world but she’s never been apart of it herself. Until now. She’s done some research and decides she wants to see if this is something she really likes or not. Enter Michael. He’s one of the owners of the club her friends frequent. He himself is a Dom and tends to be the type to help people new submissive find their way. It also helps that he’s friends with Gingers friends and they all trust him. I liked that even though Ginger has anxiety neither she nor him let that be a negating factor in her journey. They actually made a safe word that relates specifically to her anxiety and she was encouraged to use it. We do have safe word usage in this story by both the sub and the dom. There were discussions afterwards regarding it. Both of them make mistakes along the way and discover the hard way that even small lies can have bigger consequences. I won’t lie I was a bit frustrated by what they decided to lie about… after so long it was definitely something that should have come up. That was not the hill to die on. This is book 3 in the series and while you don’t have to read the other two to understand this one, it probably would have been a bit helpful for me if I did.
This is the 3rd instalment from the “Odyssey” series and follows the story of Michael (the club owner) and Ginger (a girl that is rather new to BDSM).
There wasn’t much more than I could have I asked for from this book apart from being longer really. The themes that the author included in this book, namely a secretly rich MMC and a girl new to BDSM and ready to explore different things were right up my alley. I enjoyed the spicy scenes and I liked the variety and length of them.
I really enjoyed the world of these series and the characters. We did see cameos of characters of Book 1 and 2 and that made me giddy as I really enjoyed their friendship.
The only things that I would have liked was for the book to be longer and I felt the twist was a bit too silly and falling down to miscommunication, well I love big stakes and big drama usually so this I removed one star but overall such a fast read and I would absolutely recommend to any fan of spicy romances that also like BDSM.
The book also explores BDSM with having a condition (ex anxiety) and how to have fun while working around the FMC condition which I enjoyed as it makes spicy books and BDSM inclusive.
Overall I absolutely enjoyed this book and the series and I would definitely would like to read more from the author and would recommend to anyone who is into those themes to have a read. Thank you again Hannah Murray, what an absolute pleasure was to be part of your world.
A solid 3,5* for me, this couple had a much better dynamic than the one in the previous book. (or maybe I'm just not a big fan of Lola 😅)
I liked that the author wrote a female character with anxiety. I was curious to see how Michael would handle it when she safe-worded and I was not disappointed.
Wish they had spent more time outside the club to get to know each other more. And the ending needed way more grovelling!!! But I know these books aren't too heavy on the romance and more about the kink. So I can't complain. For what they are they have a decent plot and I enjoy them everytime.
One thing I didn't understand is why he insisted on using condoms til the end. She provided a blood test and assured him she uses birth control (IUD) so why were the condoms so important to him? There was no further explanation. It's the first time I see a male character insist on them, when both are clean and not sharing multiple partners. I don't know, it stood out to me.
Going Deep is the final book in the Odyssey trilogy. I could be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the books in order for all the nuanced details to the friendships between the three guys and the ladies! Michael and Ginger's story is my favourite of the three and a simply wonderful read. I loved the banter, the camaraderie, the chemistry, the teacher/student vibe that translates into steamy hot & kinky sexy times. Of course no relationship is ever without its challenges and there's a 'making a mountain out of a molehill' moment that threatens their HEA. But their friends come to the rescue and help them see the light. A great trilogy and I would love to catch up with these characters again down the road! I received an early copy and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
Michael the owner of the kink sex club Odyssey takes an interest in Ginger the newbie. Things turn spicy in a teach me way. TW: the FMC deals with anxiety and it is depicted in different ways throughout the book.
I loved how open and eager Ginger was to explore and learn about what she wanted unapologetically. It was nice to see her friends helping her and supporting her through the emotional aspects. The part of the story that I had a hard time with is the emotional development between Ginger and Michael. They barely shared personal details or had a conversation that wasn’t related to sex then all of sudden they were in a relationship.Also, the third act breakup could have been avoided if they communicated.
All in all the book is an easy spicy read with a lot kink and BDSM. Thank you Netgallery for the ARC.
Thanks so much to the author for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I was so excited to finally get Michael and Ginger’s story, and it didn’t disappoint in the least. Michael’s style of dominance is right up my alley (since book 1 in the series!) and I loved the hints of Ginger’s submission and curiosity that we saw in the 2nd book.
What a great introduction to the world of sex clubs and BDSM! Seeing this new world presented in a safe manner by Murray was refreshing. It was also hot. So much of spicy romance focuses on the kink without any mention of safety or the importance of trust.
The world building is simple and the writing is well-paced. Our core group of characters are consistent throughout the series - Anna is still a brat, Lola is still fierce - and they’re such loyal friends to Ginger.
We love a "teach me" moment and club owner Michael and kink newbie Ginger deliver! I enjoyed reading the build-up to their relationship in the last two books— there's some mutual crushing going on, but *of course* Michael is all for no-strings.... until he very much wants strings... until he doesn't?? There is a third act break-up that felt a bit abrupt just because what should have been a non-issue... very much became an issue as time went on.
I also appreciate the anxiety rep and Michael checking in with Ginger during their scenes specifically for that reason.
I didn’t read the first two books in the series, but this one works fine as a standalone.
The world building around the Odyssey club is really strong, and the spice definitely hits. I also liked watching Ginger’s growth and development; she really came into her own.
On the flip side, the writing felt a little choppy and rushed at times. Took me 2x as long to read. I didn’t feel much of a connection with Michael, and their relationship came across as more lust than love. The third act miscommunication also didn’t work for me.
Overall, it’s a steamy read with a great setting, but I wanted more emotional depth and connection between the characters.
This is the third book in the series and the lives of the characters are closely intertwined—you’d enjoy it so much more if you read the previous two books. Ginger, new to town, has made friends with coupled up submissives. Ginger made an entrance into Odyssey, a BDSM club, in the previous book, which is how she meets Michael. Michael & Ginger agree to some exploration together and keeping it casual means that honesty is a risk when you start to catch feelings. So much to like about this story: the camaraderie & care between the women, the humorous situations, the detail level of the spice. I really loved this series, and a novella about Axe is on my wishlist!
This book hit me in all the right ways. It was full of sensual moments and kink, but what really stayed with me was how much he cared about her. That made everything feel real, not just a story about sex.
I missed the second book, which was annoying, but I still loved seeing the characters from the first one again. It was fun to watch them grow and interact in ways that made me smile, sigh, and sometimes blush.
I enjoyed every page. Even without the missing book, it gave me enough to feel connected to the story and the people in it. I wanted to stay in their world a little longer, and that’s always a good sign for me.
Going Deep is a fun, steamy, and quick read. Ginger’s journey of self-discovery is handled with care, especially when it comes to her anxiety and boundaries, and Michael is a patient, respectful Dom. The chemistry between them is strong, and the playful banter makes their dynamic easy to enjoy.
I did feel a little lost at times since I haven’t read the previous books, but the story works well enough as a standalone. While the plot is simple and doesn’t go very deep emotionally, it delivers exactly what it promises — a fast, spicy escape perfect for when you’re in the mood for something light.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Solitary Vice Publishing and Hannah Murray for sharing this ARC with me, in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. I really like this book. My first with Hannah Murray. So, I'm a rebel and started with book 3 instead of book 1. No worries though, this book can be a standalone as well. I really loved Michael and Ginger's relationship. Witnessing their growth was like watching a flower bloom. The girls' friendship is very relatable and real. At times, I felt as though I was right there with them. Hannah Murray's way with BDSM is way better than 50 Shades lol. I recommend that y'all add this book to y'alls TBR, y'all won't regret it.
I just finish the book last night and .... wow, what a surprise!!
It is a short book, but it was so addictive, it's the kind of books that makes you say "just one more chapter" and then you realize that you have finished it in less than a day. I loved the writing style; it was smooth, engaging and full of energy. The story between the FMC and MMC has the perfect mix of tension, desire and emotion that keeps you hooked all the way through. I loved how something that starts as a physical exploration for the FMC, turns into something deeper and emotional.
I love Hannah Murray and highly recommend most of her books, but this wasn’t my favorite of hers. Ginger was a newbie, so it made sense that people were explaining things to her about BDSM, but it just seemed to be an info dump to me. In contrast to all that and details about clothing, interior decoration, and frequent interludes with Ginger and her friends, it didn’t feel like there was really much going on between Ginger and Michael. This would probably be good for someone who hasn’t read much BDSM.
Hannah Murray is one of my favorite authors. Her books are spicy AF but there's great relationship building and connections between the characters. Going Deep was a treat! Michael is one of my favorite kinds of MMCs; dominant, a touch of a sadist, but very warm and caring. He was a great match for Ginger and I loved how he was aware of her reactions in scene as much as he was aware of his own.
The miscommunication trope is not my favorite, but it was easily resolved without too much drama. There is a 3rd act break up so be mindful if that isn't your cup of tea!
Thank you to Hannah Murray for providing this ARC so I could read it and give my opinion!
This series holds a special place in my heart because Snowbound was the very first ARC I was approved for and read on NetGalley ❤️
It was bittersweet to read the final book in the Odyssey trilogy. I enjoyed the references to all the couples and of course Michael & Ginger. I found Ginger’s anxiety to be so relatable. I’ve never personally been to a BDSM club but I 100% think I would have a panic attack like her.
Wow this is a saucy romp of a read about a woman exploring her kinky side and trying her best not to get in too deep with her new dom. As she discovers new things about herself and what she wants as a woman she starts to finally live her true life and leave her childhood behind. I loved the characters and this didn’t feel like your typical erotic novel with a weak woman being controlled by a man who just wanted his own pleasure this was two people who both wanted to explore and learn together and I loved it!
Ginger is new to BDSM, but happy to explore, who better than with the owner of Odyssey, Michael.
But while these two explore, the chemistry becomes explosive and soon trust will be needed to go deeper.
Murray writes a novel full of spice, which will have you not wanting to read in public. The scenes are so descriptive that you feel the heat!
I loved the side characters in this and how they all stood by each other, and even though I haven't read the other books in this series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
This is definitely an author I shall be picking up again.
Overall, this was just okay for me. I liked Ginger, new to the kink scene, and Michael, the club owner who steps in as her Dom—their connection started off intriguing. But it shifted from BDSM to love really fast. We barely see them getting to know each other outside of a couple of scenes that aren’t tied to their playtime, so the romance didn’t feel fully developed. The conflict and third-act breakup also fell flat—it seemed forced and could’ve been solved with a simple conversation. Grovel? Didn’t see her.