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Serve #5

Driven by Fate

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The first rule is obey... and she already broke it.

Francesca "Frankie" De Luca always pays her debts. Even when it means stepping inside Serve, the sensuous Manhattan club that caters to particular adult desires. For Frankie, it's a taste of something she's always wanted—and never received. Until a sharply dressed Brit orders her into his room, and instructs her to undress before delivering the carnal punishment she so desperately needs...

She wasn't the woman Porter Evans was expecting. Not this wild thing with the pale, silvery eyes. And such cheek. But she violates Porter's strict rules of control. Temptation is a dangerous thing indeed. Yet everything about Frankie cries out for schooling about the tantalizing interplay of pleasure and pain. So Porter offers Frankie a deal she can't refuse—and the only thing she owes him is submission...

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2015

122 people are currently reading
3312 people want to read

About the author

Tessa Bailey

110 books67.1k followers
New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
Profile Image for Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾.
2,314 reviews13.7k followers
July 15, 2015
4- 4.5 Stars

Nothing about this was familiar. Nothing controlled or simple. Just messy, chaotic need, and relief was short-lived because he already wanted her again. And he couldn't foresee a time when he wouldn't.


I am convinced, fully convinced that Tessa Bailey must have an army of pervy elves working overtime in her head. This is the only explanation I have for how the woman can keep giving up better and better dirty talkers. I mean, for the love of gawd! I need to invest in stock in Victoria Secret if my undergarments are going to survive her books. God. Damn.

So ladies and ovaries, allow me to introduce you all to Porter Evans.
...I want to secure you face down on my bed, prop your temptress backside in the air, and introduce you to my cock. You won't remember WHAT the fuck to call me by then. You'll only know two words. MORE and PLEASE. MORE and PLEASE...
Do we understand each other so far?"
Her nod was shaky. "Yes, my lord."


Got your attention now, didn't I? You dirty birds

While this is part of the series, the beauty of it is that each book is also perfectly written to be read as a standalone. Though I would highly recommend reading in order, you'd enjoy it that much more.

You may remember meeting both Porter and Frankie in Exposed by Fate. Porter made for some hot competition for Oliver and Frankie was the unwilling recipient of a college grant given by Oliver. Now fate has thrown these 2 very unique personalities together and boy do the sparks fly.
What do you mean? You mean you'll MAKE me submit?"
"I mean, I will chase you down, overpower your, and ram my cock as deep as you can take it. I'm going to leave your innocent white panties on while I do it, too. I want a reminder that I've got an eager young beginner spreading her legs for me."


Francesca “Frankie” De Luca is fiercely independent and the furthest you can get from a grily girl. She drives a cab for a living, scrapes up her knees playing hockey with her guy friends, and refuses any handout no matter how much she may need it. But beneath this tough girl exterior runs a strictly submissive curiosity. A curiosity that she's only dreamed of assuaging until she's in the wrong place at the exactly right time...
You don't like me. You HATE me, in fact. Is that right?
These are playground games, Francesca. Punching the male who you'd actually like to fuck. I don't usually play games, but I'm so hungry for your pussy after that little challenge, I can't think past fucking the hate right out of you."

Porter Evans is all about control. He thrives on it, feeds on it, craves it. So when a gorgeous tomboy with ripped jeans and a spark of wonder in her eyes walks into his room at Serve, he knows right away that it's not the woman that he's set up to meet. But damn if he can resist the lure of the tempting little beginner. He may not be a man that seek permanence in his relationships, but one night with this woman will never be enough and he knows it. So he proposes a solution; she'll work for him from 9 to 5 but after 5? All bets are off...

I loved the banter and chemistry between these two. Porter is mercurial and broody, and Frankie is tough as nails and a firecracker. And suffice it to say that the sex scenes were absolutely, burn the panties right off of you, sizzling hot.

I have to say that at times both Frankie and Porter were almost too stubborn in their own hangups that it was almost too much. I understand their individual histories leading them to be the way that they are, but not quite to the extremes that they take it too. Porter's inability to truly believe himself worthy of a relationship and Frankie's inability of accepting any form of financial support (even in the form of a grant) did get a bit much for me at times. I suppose I just didn't understand why it was as extreme as it was.

Aside from that, I really enjoyed this one. As a matter of fact, I think this may have been my favorite Tessa Bailey book in the Serve series. Porter does fuck up royally a couple of times in the book and even though I wanted his grovel to be a little bit more, he definitely made up for it all in the end. I loved the epilogue and I really can't wait for more from this deliciously sexy and kinky series.
There's a space beside you and I need to fill it to survive.


ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

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Profile Image for ✦❋Arianna✦❋.
790 reviews2,552 followers
February 19, 2015
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“Driven by Fate” is the fifth book in the “Serve” series and like its predecessors it can be read as a standalone.

Francesca 'Frankie' De Luca is a tough girl. She’s not very girly girl, she plays hockey with her guy friends and she drives a cab for a living. The book starts off with Frankie going to see Jonah, the owner of 'Serve' the biggest BDSM Club. She ends up walking into a room where a Dom is busy getting ready for his Sub. He’s very attractive and Frankie is very interested to learn one thing or two from him. She had always been curious about this lifestyle and she always wanted to submit to someone. Porter Evans, knows immediately the beautiful tomboy Italian woman is not his Sub, but he’s too intrigued not to invite her in his room. After their first hot kinky encounter, Porter makes Frankie an offer she can’t refuse – to be his assistant from 9 to 5 and after 5 to be his submissive.

“When the clock says five o’clock and your workday is over, the real work begins. You’ll spend the day making my cock stiff and the night relieving me.”


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“There will be begging and screaming and marks left behind. I’m not an easy man. Know what you’re getting yourself into.”


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Porter leads a solitary life until he met Frankie. He’s a changed man with her. He’s ready to offer everything she wants. At least in bed. He doesn’t know how to have a relationship and he thinks he’s not the man for her. Even if he knows she wants something more, a family and children someday, he’s not ready to let her go.

“Francesca.” Was that his voice? “I need you.”
She turned her head, gaze seeking his over her shoulder. Pure pleasure clouded the silver pools, but concern threaded into their depths. “I’m right here. I can’t go anywhere. You’re inside me.”


This is my favorite book in the series so far. I loved Frankie and Porter together and I really enjoyed how their relationship changed. They are fantatic together. And not only in bed. The teasing and the banter between them is very enjoyable.

Frankie is a great heroine. She’s sassy, strong, independent, but she also has a vulnerable side. She’s a tomboy, but she can be feminine as well for her “lord”. She also can be sweet and caring. I loved how ambitious and determined she is.

Porter is a complex man. He’s an alpha, controlling, possessive man and Dom. He’s very intense, intimidating and cold. At least in the beginning. As the story progresses he finds himself changing. Frankie changes not only his precious rules, but him as well. I loved his filthy mouth and I liked him as a man. Yes, he wasn’t perfect, he was a little too harsh at times, but somehow he felt real. I didn’t agree with all his decisions towards Frankie, but overall I liked him.

Like some other books in this series the ending felt a little rushed. Porter’s change was a little abrupt in my opinion. Also both Frankie and Porter were a little stubborn at times. At some point I was really frustrated with them, but overall they were ok.

I loved the kinky sex scenes between them. They were hot and passionate, but I would have liked to 'feel' a little more chemistry between them.

All in all, “Driven by Fate” was a great, sexy and smutty read with two likeable main characters, interesting storyline and great writing.

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Profile Image for Claire.
2,324 reviews739 followers
February 14, 2015
3 - "This is highly irregular." Stars.

I am a huge fan of Tessa Bailey, so it came as a bit of a surprise to not fall 100% in love with this couple. Driven by Fate has all of Tessa's usually fail safe attributes in a dominant male, a sassy female, plenty of dirty talking and a half decent back story to help carry everything along.

"I'm not your beginner course."

What didn't quite gel for me were Frankie's initial reasons for actually being at SERVE in the first place, if you have read previous books in the series, you will understand her extremely thin connection to the club and it's owner Jonah Briggs. It didn't really add to the story, make much sense, or put Frankie in a good light with me initially.



My other issue, and it was the main one. Porter Evans; he is the epitome of what Tessa does best in her men, brooding, over-protective, dirty, dark and deliciously inventive in the bedroom, but for some reason he came across as stilted, cold and completely devoid of any emotion(which I expect with a Dom) but it was at all the wrong points.

"Maybe Monocle should have been my safe word."

It may be the British connection, and that in some areas I struggled with the Anglicization of his voice, it was done pretty well for the most part, just not when it came to the important points between him and Frankie. The connection he has with Frankie, for me for most of the book felt tenuous at best, and if I am completely honest, I didn't really feel much of anything between them until the last couple of chapters.

"This cock will make you scream every damn time."

This isn't a bad book, Tessa writes so well that even on an off day she still eclipses almost everyone else in her genre, with the writing quality, characters and overall development of her stories. I think the main issue for me being British myself is that Porter didn't really come across as that, and it affected my enjoyment of this book. It will in no way stop me from grabbing anything else with sweaty, excited palms that Tessa releases in the future though.

ARC generously provided via Entangled, in exchange for the above honest review.
Profile Image for Alba and Her Secrets..♥.
949 reviews1,157 followers
July 7, 2020
4 'Monocle man' Stars!

As you probably know, I always go back to authors I love when I am between reads or when I am simply in the mood for something I know will likely work for me. Tessa Bailey is one of my top favorites and I have enjoyed the Serve series since I started it years ago. Brazen's books always deliver when it comes to sexy love stories.

Driven by Fate is my second favorite in the series. I really loved the first book and this has the same rating because I adored Porter and Frankie together. He surely was a delicious lord ;) I loved peeling the layers of these two characters and seeing how they develop their relationship. And it sure was emotional and HOT AF! Tessa brings the kinky BDSM back here and I looooooooved it!
February 25, 2015
4.5 SpAnKiE-LiCiOuS StArS


The red carpet’s rolled out. I can hear the fanfare of trumpets as the QUEEN arrives....YES that’s the Queen of the Dirtiest Talker's and the hottest Alpha Males....Tessa Bailey.



The street’s are lined with women clutching their ripped panty’s, twirling them around in the air at her arrival!!

WARNING……
reading one of Tessa’s books can induce panty-wetting and involuntary groans, leaving you quivering for more!!



Oh boy....met my new BRIT beau.....PORTER EVANS...Ladies

*Lisa coes he's name seductively * PORTTTEERRR!!







Stepping inside Serve, the exclusive BDSM Manhattan club owned by Jonah Briggs......Francesca "Frankie" De Luca is curious as to what hides behind it's doors.





Frankie is transfixed whilst looking into a room where a Dom is busy getting ready for his Sub.

The sharply dressed Brit orders her into his room, and instructs her to undress before delivering the carnal punishment that Frankie has been secretly harbouring in her mind...








Get on your knees in that virginal nightgown. I'm about to make a mockery of it"



Driven by Fate is one of my favorite of Tessa's books....I swooned over Porter's controlling, possessive, arrogant ass.....and Frankie, well she was just super cool....loved their endearments for each other.


I read this REAL SLOW...as I wanted to savour it..








Whilst this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.



Profile Image for Elle aka Leftie aka Shoebelle.
707 reviews124 followers
March 20, 2016
*Complimentary ARC received from publisher*

4.5 ★

If this is not a good reminder to pick up any of the Tessa Bailey in my to-read pile, I don’t know what is… HOLY SMOKIN’ HOTNESS!!!

For some reason, this one worked for me on so many levels.

For starter, I got Frankie, a heroine who’s funny, witty, strong, honest and feisty. Yes, she has her insecurities but it wasn’t annoying. Being raised and/or surrounded mostly by men, she’s practically a tomboy. And the more I think about it, her kind of h is one of my faves. Just because I think when one grows up that way, there’s so much testosterone around that there’s none of that girly crap that creates angst for the sake of angst. It doesn’t mean she’s not feminine but she just got the oomph that can emasculate a man easily, I’m just saying…

Then we have Porter, our Brit H, who’s alpha through and through, and he owned it. And of course with his nationality comes the dry humor. I loved his inner turmoil when it came to Frankie. I loved how much Frankie unsettled him, and that I realize now, is my most fave reaction of all, that feeling of helplessness and idiocy on the H’s part that’s brought out by the h, which I thought Tessa did well here.

Also, strangely enough, as they were both dealing with their issues in their head, about whatever it is in their respective pasts that made them irresolute, I was there with them for the ride. In another book, this would’ve been exasperating for me, but not here. I was cheering them on as they each come to their own realizations. How about that!

And now, the heat!!! *fans self* Some of the scenes are kinda’ outside my limits, but I’m telling you, put a dirty-talkin’ Brit and a woman who’s honest with her feelings and willing to trust, and what you have is just, ooof, explosive!

I did think that the ending felt a tad rushed, but then again, maybe that was just me wanting to extend the story just a tad more…

Ok, I think I’ve said enough…
Profile Image for Lana Reads.
477 reviews230 followers
January 7, 2024
Re-read this one in 2023 and realised just how toxic some of Bailey's heroes are. This one was sexy until it was not. Great heroine but a kinda stupid hero with so many issues I don't even want to get into the list.
Profile Image for Janey.
1,317 reviews
February 16, 2015
ARC kindly received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

3 My Lord stars

Tessa Bailey is a must read author for me, and this series has been the DB’s, so “excited much” was I to delve into this one.

Frankie De Luca is a cab driver, comfortable amongst her uncle and his companion drivers. She is also at college to enhance her business acumen, in a bid to transform the taxi cab market with her vision.

Due to finding out who had financed her scholarship, she finds herself in the bowels of Serve, the exclusive, hedonistic club we know and love. She’s curious, she’s enticed, but it’s not until she finds herself drawn into a room with a surly British being, that she wonders what the hell she’s walked into.

Porter Evans lives a life of regulation. Nothing happens that isn’t planned, prepared and punctuated.

”Rules, limits, plans. His three favourite words.”


When Frankie stumbles into his arena, her naivety needs obvious coaching, and he decides to present her with an offer she would struggle to refuse.

What Porter didn’t plan for was her ability to sneak inside his rough, grumpy exterior, and brashly demonstrate what has evaded him until now.

Tessa is the queen of dirty talkers, and a sullen, grumpy Dom in need of restoration, was a greatly anticipated feast. But I am peeved to say that I struggled to gain the connection with Mr Monocle. It wasn’t through lack of his dirty one liners..

”Come over here. Let me fill you right up. I’ll even let you rock nice and slow the first time.”


or

”I’m so hard and full that I’m leaking, you beautiful brat.”


I think it was more to do with his demeanour, and how the Brit characteristics were portrayed. Once that disconnect set in, I struggled to hang onto the story, finding myself re-reading paragraphs to ensure I wasn’t missing something.

My lack of connection is by no means a reflection of Tessa’s wonderful words. Her storytelling remains at the top of my list, and she would continue to be a compulsory read for me. I guess what I’m trying to say is out of a fantastic series, this was my least favourite.
Profile Image for Nicola.
1,390 reviews287 followers
February 14, 2015
I make no secret I am a huge fan of Tessa Bailey's, but I have to be completely honest and say that Driven by Fate is my least favourite of all she has written and I struggled to connect with the couple.

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Now don't get me wrong, Porter Evans has the dirty mouth, and a sexy dominance about him, but he just didn't press my buttons. A Brit, he has stand-offish nature about him, but verbally there were niggles because his speech didn't read very British at times and he felt undeveloped as he had traits and a past I was hoping would be elaborated on. Frankie De Luca, whilst stubborn and determined, lacked the flight and sass Tessa's ladies usually bring, came across as ungrateful and I struggled with her. That's not to say they weren't good together; in many respects they were, they certainly had the kink and they do bring out the better parts of one another, they just felt a little forced, with a chemistry that lacked the pizazz Tessa always brings us and when they did endear themselves to me, it was heading towards the finish line.

I enjoyed it, I just didn't love it as I have Tessa's previous offerings. As they say, you can't love 'em all, but it's certainly worth reading for yourself.

Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for *CJ*.
5,097 reviews624 followers
August 25, 2017
"Driven by Fate" is the story of Frankie and Porter, and was an absolutely wonderful read!
Frankie is a cab driver by day and business student by night, collecting enough funds to repay her scholarship debts and open her own taxi agency. While in Serve to meet her benefactor's fiancee, she decides to try out her submissive fantasies with the Brit Porter, and literally smokin' sex bombs explode!
This book was HOT.
LIKE sweat-inducing-panty melting hot!
The single minded obsession Porter has for Frankie is seriously sexy- and I loved that we got a super independent lovable h instead of a sissy! Their banter was sexy as well as funny, and both were able to quench only each other's thirsts.
The book deals heavily with BDSM, boundaries and voyeurism- but it only adds to the charm of the book.
There is a LOT of pushing away by the H, but thank god for a forgiving heroine.
Absolutely loved this one and it makes up for the crap the last two books made me endure.
Since this is the last TB book in this series- even though I rarely abandon series- I politely bow out with a great taste of Porter and esp Frankie (who is the queen of this book) in my mind.
Safe
4.5/5
Profile Image for Claire Louise¤°.¸¸.•´¯`».
1,107 reviews64 followers
June 18, 2017
LOOK at that big gorgeous British dominant five stars!!!!!!!!

I had to. I rarely give fives, for one reason or another, most books just aren't five stars to me, until I fall so hard in love I never want to crawl out of the book. And oh, my GAWD in sweet dominant heaven, Driven by Fate is the fifth book in the Serve series, written by the dirty talking Queen herself Tessa Bailey and it has a bloody glorious five star for being so addictive I never wanted this book to end.

Porter and Frankie, what a pairing, surely they wouldn't work, she's from Queens, a cab driver who wears ripped jeans, he's this well spoken antiques/security guy with a dominant side for submissives, she wanders into his life/BDSM room by accident, spanks happen and voila, one perfect couple later. But they do work, and it was so good, so good and everyone has to read this book. It's book 5, but quite stand alone within the series, the entire thing is set around a BDSM club Serve, but other than that the characters and story stand on its own merit. ( but read them all, to meet JONAH <3 and Will <3 )

I could easily quote the entire book.

I think the first scene I became deceased reading ( aka; I was left a puddle of UNF on the floor ) was a sexy chase scene. He WALKED. I love a hero who fecking walks when he's chasing his woman, nothing says arrogant dominant hero more when he just knows he's going to catch his prey.


She’d put six feet between them when Porter unbuckled his belt and whipped it through all five loops of his pants with a woosh. “I’m giving you a ten second head start.” The belt dangled at his side a moment, brushing the wood floor, before he snapped it hard against the foyer wall. Wap.
“Run.”


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“This is highly irregular, Francesca.”
I will forever swoon at this line. It's so freaking sexy and SO Porter.

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"I will sweat and come and curse all over you. And then I’ll go downstairs and introduce myself as the man who will be making an appearance whenever you require my heavy cock. The one that makes you behave.”

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Best in the series!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Annie .
2,506 reviews940 followers
February 17, 2015



DRIVEN BY FATE is the third book that Tessa Bailey had written for the Serve series, but it is technically the fifth book in the series written with Katee Robert. Following along the same lines as the rest of the series, Frankie De Luca enters the dark world of Serve, Manhattan’s hottest place to get down and dirty. The reason for her visit begins with her trying to repay a debt. However when Porter decides to punish her, it spurs her lifelong desire to submit.

Tessa Bailey’s books are often described as “sinful”, “sexy” or just downright “filthy” and I agree with all those things completely. The sex always has the biggest emphasis, especially with this series. However, after reading pretty much all of Bailey’s releases, I’m not finding anything new or refreshing with her writing. She continues to remain in her comfort zone and while it works for a lot of people, it doesn’t necessarily make me want to come back for more.

Porter and Frankie have some hot sex, but I never found myself ever making a connection with the characters. With minimal depth, the story just felt one-dimensional and I’m afraid I may be losing interest not only in this series, but with this writer’s work as a whole. This is a disappointing thing because when Bailey’s books do work for me, they end up being my favorites for awhile. Unfortunately, with rarely any depth, this author’s writing is only as good as the sex is.

*ARC provided by publisher
Profile Image for Kayla Brunson.
1,595 reviews274 followers
September 18, 2019
I finally read a book by Tessa Bailey! I guess it took some BDSM to keep my attention. I know that this book is in the middle of a series but it didn’t read like it. I honestly didn’t know it was apart of a series until I completed it.

This was a very steamy story between our main characters Frankie and Porter. Porter is a straight laced guy who is setting up for a scene when Frankie gets curious outside his door. What follows next is a steamy moment that both of them don’t want to walk away from.

Ya’ll Porter was the dirty talker of my dreams! I couldn’t wait for every sex scene because I never knew what was going to come out of his mouth. He could talk a nun out of her underwear. Frankie really didn’t know the beast she woke up when she walked into his room. Frankie was easy to like. Even though she was out of her element, she didn’t back down and continued to show up each time. The chemistry between them was there and apparent throughout the book.

What did irk me was the back and forth with Porter. He knew that was abusing Francessa’s trust but kept doing it anyway. It’s 2019, can we officially be over men who hurt and push women away just because they are starting to feel? I’m over that.

All in all, while it wasn’t the best book it was pretty steamy and kept me reading. Which is an accomplishment because I have DNF’ed so many of Tessa Bailey’s books in the past.

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Profile Image for Jan Meredith.
Author 4 books82 followers
February 12, 2015
Driven by Fate is Ms. Bailey's third contribution to the Serve series for Entangled Publishing's Brazen imprint, and like the two that precede it, I was blown away! Her signature "dirty talking hero" in this book is a smoking Brit with a need to control who takes a street-wise taxi-driving heroine and satisfies the turbulent hunger driving her. At times I laughed, at times I sniffled, and then there were the love scenes...

Awesome read, by an equally awesome author.
Profile Image for lisa.
2,108 reviews304 followers
March 9, 2015
pre read: first we have Jonah BRIGGS, and then WILL, and now FRANKIE?? my Marchetta fangirl heart cannot contain this bizarre-ness.

post read:

OH MY GOD !!!!!!!!!!

I'M FLAILING

IT'S SO GOOD GAHHHHHHHJDGNFDJKBNJDGKNBKGDMB
Profile Image for Nicole P.
784 reviews
June 16, 2018
How I feel about a Tessa Bailey book...

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How I read a Tessa Bailey book...

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How I feel reading a Tessa Bailey book...

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How I feel at the end of a Tessa Bailey book...

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And my immediate thought after that...

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Profile Image for Sarah.
3,358 reviews1,236 followers
February 18, 2015
Driven by Fate is the fifth book in the Serve series (the third by Tessa Bailey as the other two were written by Katee Robert) and although we've briefly met both of these characters in a previous instalment you don't actually have to read this series in order to be able to enjoy each story.

Frankie has wanted to explore her submissive fantasies for a long time now but visiting Serve to repay a debt gives her the perfect opportunity to test the waters. Porter knows Frankie isn't the woman he was waiting for from the second she steps into his private room but against all common sense he can't resist taking what she's offering. The two of them have explosive chemistry and neither of them is quite ready to let it end after just one session but with Porter due to return home to England in a matter of weeks someone might end up getting their heart broken if they get in too deep.

I've been intrigued by British Dom Porter since we first met him in one of the earlier novels in the series so I have to admit to being more than a little excited when I found out that this was his story. I had a feeling he'd be intense and I was right! Tessa Bailey always writes such great dirty talking heroes and Porter is as dirty as they come so you can expect some incredibly hot sex scenes when you pick up this story. I've had a few issues with some of this author's previous heroines but I found myself really liking Frankie, she's a feisty woman who knows what she wants and isn't ashamed to admit it. As much as she fantasises about being dominated in the bedroom she is far from submissive in the rest of her daily life so she definitely keeps Porter on his toes. I thought they had great chemistry and I enjoyed seeing the two of them together but what stopped this from being a five star read for me was the fact that I wanted more depth to both of their characters. We learn a lot about Frankie but Porter is more of a mystery and I would have loved to explore more of his past to see exactly what made him tick.

Driven by Fate is a fab read though and I'm really enjoying this whole series, as a long term fan of both Tessa Bailey and Katee Robert any future books will automatically be added to the top of my wish list.
Profile Image for Melissa Copeland.
Author 2 books58 followers
January 29, 2017
Whoaaaa. I have just two words to emphasize the best parts of this book: Dirty talk.

I read a lot of romance, but this book impressed me in its ability to make me blush! Porter is a British dom who meets Frankie at Serve when she decides to sneak in and pretend to be a sub for a few minutes. As you do. I had trouble envisioning Porter for awhile. He's dark and dangerous-looking, but I couldn't stop focusing on his WORDS. Oh myyyy.



Frankie shows up at Serve to settle a debt to the owner. While she's there, she just wants to see how she feels about all of this "sub" stuff. Lo and behold, she digs it, and Porter is fascinated by her newfound curiosity and lack of experience. He offers to be her dom for a test-run, and she accepts. These two both have an interesting background that gets explored here and there throughout the story. Porter vacillates back and forth from being sexy as sin and a bit of a douchebag. Frankie, for her part, struggles to give him her trust, and Porter simply doesn't know what to do with it when he has it.

Spoiler Alert:

There is definitely chemistry between the two, but I think what lost me was the speed in which it progresses. They go from being sexually compatible to madly in love to ready to get married and have babies by the end. Porter's behavior towards her while at peak douchebag status should have stalled things for longer than they did. I love an HEA just as much as the next person, but I prefer a believable one. Still a solid story and damn sexy!!!
Profile Image for Tamara Larson.
Author 9 books50 followers
March 9, 2015
First of all, let me say how much I enjoy Tessa Bailey's writing style. Her dialogue is always original and funny and wow, the dirty talk. Filthy, filthy goodness. She completely shattered the proper British stereotype with our hero, Porter. He is a very naughty boy indeed. Not proper at all.

And our heroine, Frankie, well, she was likable and spunky without coming off as a bitch or a Pollyanna. Even her struggle with her fascination with BDSM seemed plausible and realistic.

So, why wasn't this a five star review? Well, there were three instances where Porter sabotages his relationship with Frankie that seemed completely irrational. Just antagonistic impulses with no real explanation. And Frankie's reactions didn't ring true to these actions either. Maybe I'm simple but I didn't even know why she was so upset for two out of the three arguments. I need more information if I'm to relate to these characters. And I know Tessa Bailey can do better explaining their motivations, so I can't justify a rave review. However, let me just say that I will continue to purchase anything by this rare author, based on the heat and dialogue alone. Great job.
Profile Image for Amy.
631 reviews
February 28, 2015

"Reach back and feel the stiff cock you've earned. Put your greedy hand on it. Worship it."


OH YES!!! Tessa Bailey is the QUEEN of the durtyyy talking hero and she did not disappoint with Porter! Great chemistry and emotion as well as a strong, sassy heroine and one hell of a sexy, dominant Brit! This is definitely one of my favorites of Bailey's!


"I had no intention of coming inside your tight, chocking pussy just once. If you hadn't left, you'd have been bent over, put on your knees, tied up and ridden within minutes." He swelled larger in her hand. "I'm very rarely satisfied after coming once, Francesca. With you, I expect it will require much more."
Profile Image for Patricia.
1,955 reviews5 followers
February 11, 2015
The darkness in Porter with his dominant nature make him a force of nature that you can not fight.
Damn...the author has drawn me into her dark web and I'm unable to untangle myself from the need to read more.
Frankie has her own strength in her and I love it but .....I love that she feels free enough to allow herself to fully submit to Porter and his dirty talking ways.
This is an author you will want to have on your bookshelves.
I have to admit I'm always looking for more releases from her and those I've missed.....well....I'm going back to get every single one of them.
Profile Image for Danielle.
925 reviews144 followers
April 12, 2015
Driven by Fate was exceptionally good and I just couldn't put it down. It was intense, hot and sexy and I just wanted more. From beginning to end I was engrossed and just couldn't get enough of Frankie and Porter. These two were hot together! But not only that, they just had great chemistry together. This was by far Tessa Bailey's sexiest book to date.
Profile Image for Emma.
1,105 reviews101 followers
December 15, 2015
When I first got a preview of Frankie's character in an earlier Serve volume, I was not impressed and thus not looking forward to this installment. She turns out to be pretty likeable though.

Porter is to die for. Seriously. He hits the buttons. Alllllll the buttons.

The story is not bad. I cried. I panted. It was a good time.
Profile Image for Devika.
292 reviews21 followers
January 26, 2015
i think this is my favorite one from the series...Porter is such a dirty talker! absolutely loved him! tessa has outdone herself again...i just absolutely love her writing...very very much recommend reading!!!!

ARC kindly received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Tori.
2,844 reviews474 followers
February 26, 2015
Tessa Bailey continues to work her magic with two delightfully combustible personalities who come together by chance for an erotic adventure into the thrilling domain of dominance and submission. The only question is...who is submitting to whom?
Profile Image for Ratula.
2,028 reviews
November 9, 2022
Reread: 11/2022

***

Love Love Loved this book. Porter and Francesca were perfect. I didnt think I would love him but he was EVERYTHING James Cavendish should've been. Sigh. Sad to see it end . Tessa Bailey is an automatic one click for me. If she's selling...I'm buying.
Author 78 books1,675 followers
July 24, 2015
It's Tessa Bailey, bitch!
Profile Image for Paloma FC (in my reading era).
331 reviews60 followers
September 21, 2024
3,5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐
3,5 / 5 🌶️
Spicy Chapters: 2, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, Epilogue

Porter (MMC) and Frankie AKA Francesca (FMC)

I listened to the audiobook, and I must say, the narration was fantastic 👩🏼‍🍳💋.

I've read most of TB's books at this point, and believe me when I say that 'Driven by Fate' is super HOT 🔥. The amount of delicious dirty talk is off the charts and it has quality, as they are very well written. The dirty talk alone would be 5 stars ⭐️, imo.

However, this is the biggest downside for me:
As most of TB's books, this one is also insta-love (no sirprise there 🙄). The problem is that the two MC's have palpable physical chemistry, but quite honestly, they don't have anything in common outside of the bedroom. I don't find it believable that in their case, a super hot s*xual intimacy would be enough to hold a long-term relationship.
Also, Porter was kind of a douchebag more than once, making Frankie run for the hills to get away from him asap. He kept pushing her away (not literally), and then when she wanted to leave, he would immediately chase her 🙄🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️😤.

I get that this is a short romance novel and not reality, so perhaps you'll love this book and find it excellent. In a short shorty the depth and development of the characters is usually limited due to restraint of time.

The plot is the following: Frankie is an honest and hard working, blue collar taxi 🚕 driver, who is also studying to get her MBA in Business. She ran into Porter at a s*x club when she was running an errand. Porter is a British Lone Wolf who was raised with wealth but no love. He immediately feels attracted to Frankie after they spend a short time together in the s*x club (he spanks her 🍑), and decides to hire her as his assistants that he can get to know her better after hours (if you know what I mean 😏🔥).

This is an entertaining story with spice 🌶 and endearing characters. Hope you'll like it.

Happy reading! 📚
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