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Take Me Once
Take me once.
I’m begging you.
One night of wild fantasies is all I want. Take me when I least expect it. I don’t want to know you’re coming. Break into my house, strangle me, drag me by the hair to someplace I can’t escape. And use me until I break.
For one night, I’m yours.
And no one else’s.
I’ll belong to you. Not my husband. Not my responsibilities. Not the life I’m chained to. You, a stranger, will make me feel freer than I have in ages. I trust you to do this. Because I can’t deny what I want any longer. I’m ready to cast aside this boring, lame, overweight person I’ve become.
Make me who I want to be.
I dare you.
***this is a dark contemporary and sapphic romance, read at your own risk***
For one night, I’m yours.
And no one else’s.
I’ll belong to you. Not my husband. Not my responsibilities. Not the life I’m chained to. You, a stranger, will make me feel freer than I have in ages. I trust you to do this. Because I can’t deny what I want any longer. I’m ready to cast aside this boring, lame, overweight person I’ve become.
Make me who I want to be.
I dare you.
***this is a dark contemporary and sapphic romance, read at your own risk***
- GenresDark
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Imprisoned in the drudgery of a loveless marriage with no career or outside interests, Lizzie finds solace in lurid sexual fantasies until she encounters someone with the power to make them all come true. One brutal, wild, and exhilarating night may teach her to be careful what she wishes for...because what if she can't stop wanting more?
Take Me Once is an explosive dark romance genre debut from A. Jezebel that packs a hard punch, especially for a relatively short novella. It unfolds in a dual timeline, creating a stark and telling contrast between Lizzie's two worlds: her suffocating domestic prison versus the indulgent, transcendently masochistic one that her Captor builds around her. Near continuous cycles of tension and release--both physical and emotional--drive the story forward, making it nearly impossible to put down until the final tantalizing conclusion. Take Me Once will ensnare dark romance fans in the best way and then leave them begging for the sequel.
I received an advance reader copy of this book.
Take Me Once is an explosive dark romance genre debut from A. Jezebel that packs a hard punch, especially for a relatively short novella. It unfolds in a dual timeline, creating a stark and telling contrast between Lizzie's two worlds: her suffocating domestic prison versus the indulgent, transcendently masochistic one that her Captor builds around her. Near continuous cycles of tension and release--both physical and emotional--drive the story forward, making it nearly impossible to put down until the final tantalizing conclusion. Take Me Once will ensnare dark romance fans in the best way and then leave them begging for the sequel.
I received an advance reader copy of this book.
Read
June 15, 2026[Insert about ten fan emoji’s and fifty flame ones] umm, wow. I will start by mentioning I’ve always considered myself to be relatively trigger free, and still, Take Me once had me questioning my morals. Ethics? It had me questioning everything.
So let’s cut straight to the chase – if you get triggered by anything read the warnings first. And still be prepared to be shocked. Did you think that Eden Emory pushed the boundaries? How about Chaos Davey? Well let me tell you that A Jezebel, aka Adrian J. Smith has outdone the smuttiest of smuttiest authors. She has taken their line and shifted it about twenty metres forward. And she does it while maintaining a gripping plot, and an undercurrent that isn’t lost amongst the filth.
Told in first person, Lizzie just wants to be seen. She wants to feel again, and when she meets someone online she gives parts of her she never knew existed. And then they take it all, and Lizzie has to question whether it’s what she actually wanted.
Spoiler alert – it is. And its rough and sometimes very grey, but mostly, it truth and speaks of a woman who is finally brave enough to ask for what she wants, and to take it with a gag in her mouth.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving a voluntary review.
So let’s cut straight to the chase – if you get triggered by anything read the warnings first. And still be prepared to be shocked. Did you think that Eden Emory pushed the boundaries? How about Chaos Davey? Well let me tell you that A Jezebel, aka Adrian J. Smith has outdone the smuttiest of smuttiest authors. She has taken their line and shifted it about twenty metres forward. And she does it while maintaining a gripping plot, and an undercurrent that isn’t lost amongst the filth.
Told in first person, Lizzie just wants to be seen. She wants to feel again, and when she meets someone online she gives parts of her she never knew existed. And then they take it all, and Lizzie has to question whether it’s what she actually wanted.
Spoiler alert – it is. And its rough and sometimes very grey, but mostly, it truth and speaks of a woman who is finally brave enough to ask for what she wants, and to take it with a gag in her mouth.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving a voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*I have received an ACR for this review*
4.25
This book delivers on what it promises. If that is your cup of tea, drink it !
Before going any further, and at the risk of repeating what others have said, READ THE WARNINGS. They are there for a reason. If nothing triggers you, chances are you will love every second of it.
This is a fast-paced novella alternating between two timelines. There is nothing tentative about it : it is daring, provoking, pushing all the limits you can think of. To me, this is a story about women empowering themselves to explore desires they have repressed for too long, to give themselves the right to do so. Kudos to the author for daring to do so. Although this is A Jezebel’s debut in the dark romance genre, she is a well-established author under another pen name who is now expanding her horizons.
This book is not confined to one particular dynamic. You never know what to expect, and the fast pace prevents you from having the time to speculate.
It has ups, downs and all shades in between. It describes messy, abusive relationships. But it is also the first in a series of four, if I am not mistaken. So it sets the stage for what will come later on, I believe (and hope).
As for why not giving it a 5 star rating ? Simply because, to me, this is not descriptive enough. This is a matter of personal taste, obviously, but I would have liked more meat around the bone. I however reserve the right to call this rating provisional : I believe it could change upon reading the next book in how they will complement each other.
All in all, I cannot wait for the second instalment !
(My first language being French, please forgive any and all mistakes I might have made in this review)
4.25
This book delivers on what it promises. If that is your cup of tea, drink it !
Before going any further, and at the risk of repeating what others have said, READ THE WARNINGS. They are there for a reason. If nothing triggers you, chances are you will love every second of it.
This is a fast-paced novella alternating between two timelines. There is nothing tentative about it : it is daring, provoking, pushing all the limits you can think of. To me, this is a story about women empowering themselves to explore desires they have repressed for too long, to give themselves the right to do so. Kudos to the author for daring to do so. Although this is A Jezebel’s debut in the dark romance genre, she is a well-established author under another pen name who is now expanding her horizons.
This book is not confined to one particular dynamic. You never know what to expect, and the fast pace prevents you from having the time to speculate.
It has ups, downs and all shades in between. It describes messy, abusive relationships. But it is also the first in a series of four, if I am not mistaken. So it sets the stage for what will come later on, I believe (and hope).
As for why not giving it a 5 star rating ? Simply because, to me, this is not descriptive enough. This is a matter of personal taste, obviously, but I would have liked more meat around the bone. I however reserve the right to call this rating provisional : I believe it could change upon reading the next book in how they will complement each other.
All in all, I cannot wait for the second instalment !
(My first language being French, please forgive any and all mistakes I might have made in this review)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Lizzie’s desires are so desperate and depraved and she’s about to get them all fulfilled. This short sapphic novella is DARK and full of all the trigger warnings. If you’re like me, that just made you run to this book faster. So proceed with caution if you need to. I easily devoured this in one sitting and immediately wanted to read it again.
Lizzie is in a loveless perfunctory marriage to her husband Reik. His behavior borders on abusive and he is definitely inconsiderate. He expects Lizzie to be the perfect wife and fulfill all her domestic duties Including cooking and keeping up with the house. I have no issues with those expectations except he’s an ass about it. He really seems to have no love for her at all. They don’t interact with each other in a positive way. Lizzie spends all her free time lost in reading books and dreaming about dark fantasies she is wanton to have enacted. Lizzie seeks out a willing partner to engage her fantasies on the dark web and meets BandAid42. Lizzie never realizes that BandAid42 is really a woman named Norah.
I loved every word of this dark romance. While some might have a hard time finding anything romantic in this relationship I did see hints of care and concern from Norah. Each character wants something that the other can provide. Take Me Once is not a cute little role play fantasy. These women are enacting out very dark desires and there are no safe words. Now please be a good girl A Jezebel and give us book two.
Lizzie is in a loveless perfunctory marriage to her husband Reik. His behavior borders on abusive and he is definitely inconsiderate. He expects Lizzie to be the perfect wife and fulfill all her domestic duties Including cooking and keeping up with the house. I have no issues with those expectations except he’s an ass about it. He really seems to have no love for her at all. They don’t interact with each other in a positive way. Lizzie spends all her free time lost in reading books and dreaming about dark fantasies she is wanton to have enacted. Lizzie seeks out a willing partner to engage her fantasies on the dark web and meets BandAid42. Lizzie never realizes that BandAid42 is really a woman named Norah.
I loved every word of this dark romance. While some might have a hard time finding anything romantic in this relationship I did see hints of care and concern from Norah. Each character wants something that the other can provide. Take Me Once is not a cute little role play fantasy. These women are enacting out very dark desires and there are no safe words. Now please be a good girl A Jezebel and give us book two.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Take Me Once” is a short, dark, erotic, sapphic romance. It’s a book one of the “Confessions” series. Definitely check the triggers, as it has a lot of heavier themes.
Despite the book being short, it was done magnificently. It’s engaging from the start, and keeps the interest, and tension all the way. I was confused at the beginning, as it often happens when starting a new story for the first time, but everything was swiftly explained, which quite quickly let me enjoy the book fully.
The chapters are shifting back and forth through time, which I felt was perfect in this book. It let me enjoy the spice without it becoming monotonous, but at the same time it explained a lot of what was happening and why.
What positively surprised me was the emotional depth that alternated between what was happening. I was fully ready to dive into the darkest depths of lust and desire, but instead was met with addition of the vulnerability, loneliness, and how life-draining getting settled for the sake of appearances can be.
I was absolutely hooked from the start, and devoured the book within hours. I can’t wait for book 2. I wish I could read it again for the first time, and have no doubt I’ll be re-reading it in the future.
Also, once again, check the triggers! And if they feel more like a shopping list, welcome to the club, and enjoy the read. Definitely worth your time!
I received an ARC (thank you!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite the book being short, it was done magnificently. It’s engaging from the start, and keeps the interest, and tension all the way. I was confused at the beginning, as it often happens when starting a new story for the first time, but everything was swiftly explained, which quite quickly let me enjoy the book fully.
The chapters are shifting back and forth through time, which I felt was perfect in this book. It let me enjoy the spice without it becoming monotonous, but at the same time it explained a lot of what was happening and why.
What positively surprised me was the emotional depth that alternated between what was happening. I was fully ready to dive into the darkest depths of lust and desire, but instead was met with addition of the vulnerability, loneliness, and how life-draining getting settled for the sake of appearances can be.
I was absolutely hooked from the start, and devoured the book within hours. I can’t wait for book 2. I wish I could read it again for the first time, and have no doubt I’ll be re-reading it in the future.
Also, once again, check the triggers! And if they feel more like a shopping list, welcome to the club, and enjoy the read. Definitely worth your time!
I received an ARC (thank you!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Currently Reading
May 29, 2026I received this book free as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a very dark sapphic novella. Lizzie is very unhappy in her emotionally abusive marriage and through the dark web finds an anonymous person online to describe and act out her dark erotic fantasies with. She is then kidnapped by this faceless person who proceeds to carry out all the dark things she described fantasising about.
This story is very dark with themes including but not limited to rape, CNC, Humiliation & Degradation, Strangulation, whipping & spanking and knife play (so definitely check the trigger warnings first). It’s also important for readers to know going into this that this book is not a depiction of safe kink and CNC, there are no safe words or ways out for the fmc once she’s in the scene. So, if you are sensitive to any of that then this may not be the right book for you.
That said, if you like dark erotic stories that don’t hold back with unhinged characters that allow the darkest erotic fantasies to come to life, then this most definitely is for you. It’s a wild ride!
The story doesn’t end with this book and will be continued in future books in the series and I look forward to finding out more about Norah and how their relationship continues after the scene has ended.
This is a very dark sapphic novella. Lizzie is very unhappy in her emotionally abusive marriage and through the dark web finds an anonymous person online to describe and act out her dark erotic fantasies with. She is then kidnapped by this faceless person who proceeds to carry out all the dark things she described fantasising about.
This story is very dark with themes including but not limited to rape, CNC, Humiliation & Degradation, Strangulation, whipping & spanking and knife play (so definitely check the trigger warnings first). It’s also important for readers to know going into this that this book is not a depiction of safe kink and CNC, there are no safe words or ways out for the fmc once she’s in the scene. So, if you are sensitive to any of that then this may not be the right book for you.
That said, if you like dark erotic stories that don’t hold back with unhinged characters that allow the darkest erotic fantasies to come to life, then this most definitely is for you. It’s a wild ride!
The story doesn’t end with this book and will be continued in future books in the series and I look forward to finding out more about Norah and how their relationship continues after the scene has ended.
Read
May 30, 2026I got this as an ARC and I thought i knew what i was getting into. It was a lot darker then i thought it would be so if you decide to read it please cCheck the Triggers before reading this book. I also want to add some extra triggers I had saw: the CNC is more Dub Con and there is a beating she takes that includes be punch multiple times that isn’t in the trigger warning I saw. This book is not tinder at all. A straight housewife has some dark fantasies and goes to the dark web to find someone to share her desires with. She wants to have an experience where she is taken without warning and then she wants to be raped and abused by the person she is taken by.
This book has two Female MCs however one of them doesn’t know the true sex of the other person involved. There is one short paragraph of the MC with her husband in bed but it is not in detail.
This book is not for everyone. It is very well written with A LOT of in depth detail. I honestly had a hard time with some of the things that happened between the MCs but I was warned in advance. So if you are on the fence about reading know that it is not a romantic story and that it is a DUBCON CNC situation. there is a book two coming so it ends on a desperate note of what happens next.
This book has two Female MCs however one of them doesn’t know the true sex of the other person involved. There is one short paragraph of the MC with her husband in bed but it is not in detail.
This book is not for everyone. It is very well written with A LOT of in depth detail. I honestly had a hard time with some of the things that happened between the MCs but I was warned in advance. So if you are on the fence about reading know that it is not a romantic story and that it is a DUBCON CNC situation. there is a book two coming so it ends on a desperate note of what happens next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC REVIEW
Single 1st Person POV. 5🌟 5🌶️. 122 pages
7 Spicy & Heavy BDSM Scenes
Me: I’m a massive dark romance fan
Adrian J Smith: Hold my beer!
I’m not joking when say this book is DARK and that I’d highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading, or if you’re like me and want to just raw dog it, go for it. But you have been warned!
Despite the books darkness, you can see and feel the underlying vulnerability, the loneliness and the want for saving throughout. Lizzie is in a dead end marriage to a man that does not appreciate her and instead treats her like his personal slave. It is completely understandable that she would want to turn to her darkest fantasies and have them carried out. The book may be dark but the MC is raw and vulnerable, with deep emotional and possibly physical wounds and she wants what she wants in order to feel desired, to feel less lonely and ultimately to reclaim a piece of herself that she has lost!
I loved every second of this book, no it is not for the faint of heart and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2. I’d highly recommend picking up Take Me Once when it is released June 17th!
Things to LOVE:
📚Dark Romance
📖Confessions Book 1
😈Darkest Desires
💻Dark Web
🪢Kidnapping
👀Taboo
🧠Obsession & Stalking
😡Asshole Husband
Single 1st Person POV. 5🌟 5🌶️. 122 pages
7 Spicy & Heavy BDSM Scenes
Me: I’m a massive dark romance fan
Adrian J Smith: Hold my beer!
I’m not joking when say this book is DARK and that I’d highly recommend checking the trigger warnings before reading, or if you’re like me and want to just raw dog it, go for it. But you have been warned!
Despite the books darkness, you can see and feel the underlying vulnerability, the loneliness and the want for saving throughout. Lizzie is in a dead end marriage to a man that does not appreciate her and instead treats her like his personal slave. It is completely understandable that she would want to turn to her darkest fantasies and have them carried out. The book may be dark but the MC is raw and vulnerable, with deep emotional and possibly physical wounds and she wants what she wants in order to feel desired, to feel less lonely and ultimately to reclaim a piece of herself that she has lost!
I loved every second of this book, no it is not for the faint of heart and I absolutely cannot wait for book 2. I’d highly recommend picking up Take Me Once when it is released June 17th!
Things to LOVE:
📚Dark Romance
📖Confessions Book 1
😈Darkest Desires
💻Dark Web
🪢Kidnapping
👀Taboo
🧠Obsession & Stalking
😡Asshole Husband
Review of advance copy received from Author
(received advanced copy by author)
I can't tell you how long I've craved a book that lived up to its trigger warnings. Please take your time and review them before you read. This is a dark, fast-paced sapphic romance that will leave you wet and wanting.
~Our main character, Lizzie, has been conditioned to live the life of a stay-at-home wife catering to her not-so-loving and mentally abusive husband, Reik. Trapped with no hope. Lizzie turns to those NSFW books. Tired of just using her imagination, she wonders if there is anyone else out there that thinks like this. With a background in technology, Lizzie uses every precaution and goes on the dark web for some answers. After hours of searching, she finds a promising website that's more than just fantasizing but something even darker than she could have imagined. After days of scrolling, reading all the desperate pleas, she itches to type, except something holds her back. Just then she sees a private message pop up. Before opening the message, she checks to make sure no one is around and clicks.
Band-Aid 42
Are you just going to watch? ~
The reason I only gave 4 stars is that it couldn't be as descriptive as I wanted it to be since it is a short book. Hopefully with this being the first book we will get more once we are good girls.
I can't tell you how long I've craved a book that lived up to its trigger warnings. Please take your time and review them before you read. This is a dark, fast-paced sapphic romance that will leave you wet and wanting.
~Our main character, Lizzie, has been conditioned to live the life of a stay-at-home wife catering to her not-so-loving and mentally abusive husband, Reik. Trapped with no hope. Lizzie turns to those NSFW books. Tired of just using her imagination, she wonders if there is anyone else out there that thinks like this. With a background in technology, Lizzie uses every precaution and goes on the dark web for some answers. After hours of searching, she finds a promising website that's more than just fantasizing but something even darker than she could have imagined. After days of scrolling, reading all the desperate pleas, she itches to type, except something holds her back. Just then she sees a private message pop up. Before opening the message, she checks to make sure no one is around and clicks.
Band-Aid 42
Are you just going to watch? ~
The reason I only gave 4 stars is that it couldn't be as descriptive as I wanted it to be since it is a short book. Hopefully with this being the first book we will get more once we are good girls.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.25⭐️ 4🌶
A spicy novella, a wish fulfilled, a desire brought to life. Lizzie is in a loveless marriage. Chained to her obligations, isolated from friends and family. A servant to whims of her husband Reik. She yearns for freedom and finds it on the dark web. She engages in a slow moving fantasy that merges into reality. She is whisked away and given everything she could hope for, but who is her secret genie? All of her darkest desires are doled out by this masked captor.
I enjoyed this little holiday novella. Even though it's centers on her Valentine's day kidnapping, the slow succumbing to her current predicament and her acceptance of all the joys and pain that go with it.
There are a lot of triggers, so if you are sensitive, please read them all.
Tropes and triggers: forbidden romance, masked main character, cheating on spouse, bd$m, hurt/ comfort, captor and captive, banter, spicy talk, toys
A spicy novella, a wish fulfilled, a desire brought to life. Lizzie is in a loveless marriage. Chained to her obligations, isolated from friends and family. A servant to whims of her husband Reik. She yearns for freedom and finds it on the dark web. She engages in a slow moving fantasy that merges into reality. She is whisked away and given everything she could hope for, but who is her secret genie? All of her darkest desires are doled out by this masked captor.
I enjoyed this little holiday novella. Even though it's centers on her Valentine's day kidnapping, the slow succumbing to her current predicament and her acceptance of all the joys and pain that go with it.
There are a lot of triggers, so if you are sensitive, please read them all.
Tropes and triggers: forbidden romance, masked main character, cheating on spouse, bd$m, hurt/ comfort, captor and captive, banter, spicy talk, toys
June 18, 2026
Be careful what you wish for has never suited a novella more than this. This is an exploration of the dark, dubcon/CNC needs of an oppressed housewife and the tormentor she bonds with on the dark web so please read the trigger warnings beforehand. We are given entry into Lizzie’s most intimate thoughts and needs by a constant shift in perspective between the current circumstances she finds herself in and those she wishes to escape. Stuck in a marriage that no longer brings her any fulfilment Lizzie longs for something more and a tentative search leads her to the BDSM world and a journey of discovery. The story is fast paced and the writing is good, these along with the need to find out just who this anonymous tormentor really is kept me interested until the end. I definitely want to read the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
thank you to the author for the ARC!
If you’re into dark romance with CNC and power dynamics, you’ll probably love this like I did but definitely check the trigger warnings because they are there for a reason👀
I really liked how Lizzie was so desperate to break out of her life that feels suffocating and she desperately wants something else. It’s very chaotic and the chapters shifting back and forth through time each chapter kept me hanging for what was going to happen next. It was a little unhinged at times in the best way and keeps you hooked just to see how far things will go.
The pacing is very quick, I flew through it in like 2 hours 🤣It does leave you hanging, i’m craving part 2 already!!
This is a dark, short read with so many elements to keep you entertained!
If you’re into dark romance with CNC and power dynamics, you’ll probably love this like I did but definitely check the trigger warnings because they are there for a reason👀
I really liked how Lizzie was so desperate to break out of her life that feels suffocating and she desperately wants something else. It’s very chaotic and the chapters shifting back and forth through time each chapter kept me hanging for what was going to happen next. It was a little unhinged at times in the best way and keeps you hooked just to see how far things will go.
The pacing is very quick, I flew through it in like 2 hours 🤣It does leave you hanging, i’m craving part 2 already!!
This is a dark, short read with so many elements to keep you entertained!
May 26, 2026
Wow, what a ride that was. I have never read dark sapphic romance before apparently because this was on another level the way the author writes the story keeps you engaged the whole entire time. It’s like I couldn’t stop reading because I just needed to figure out what was gonna happen. While it’s a short story. I do feel like it was one of the fastest I’ve ever read because I couldn’t put it down. This is not your average love story. This obsession here is real. While this is a spicy story I’m sure it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea so I recommend to read the trigger warning for this one! I can’t wait for the next one! Way to leave a girl waiting!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was absolute dark fantasy brought to the page. So very well written. READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS.
This book is not for everyone. It is complete fantasy, very dark and touches on emotional abuse in a relationship too. The author has put together a story woven with erotica that explains why the main character feels and fantasises the way she does. Sure, you can read this for a quick thrill, but there is depth to the character.
Pain is blended with pleasure and if you enjoy this book you will be itching to get your hands on the next one in the series!
This book is not for everyone. It is complete fantasy, very dark and touches on emotional abuse in a relationship too. The author has put together a story woven with erotica that explains why the main character feels and fantasises the way she does. Sure, you can read this for a quick thrill, but there is depth to the character.
Pain is blended with pleasure and if you enjoy this book you will be itching to get your hands on the next one in the series!
Read
June 2, 2026Wow. Just wow. This book was INTENSE but holy sh** I couldn't put it down! I love a good dark sapphic book with a masked MC and I wasn't sure what to expect with this one but it exceeded all expectations. I especially liked how the author went back and forth between present events and the months leading up to it. It gives you a little more insight to Lizzie's mindset about what's happening and how they got to that point. Now, if you need me, I'll be sitting in a corner impatiently awaiting book 2.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book delivers exactly what it promises. It's truly an erotic dark sapphic romance. Take Me Once is one of the darkest sapphic romances I've read and one of the best. Lizzie gets exactly what she asked for. There's kidnapping, degradation, humiliation, rape, and more all set contemporarily in a well written storyline. I'm eagerly looking forward to what awaits in the next installment. Proceed with caution and review the trigger warnings before reading. It's definitely not for everyone.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 17, 2026
OK, this one is really dark, but if you like this kind of story, it’s very well written, as are all of this author’s works. It’s a story of someone who is not seen at all in her marriage, desiring to be seen through the pain and humiliation of an online, then a physical encounter involving extreme BDSM. No safewords, and complete trust in the hands of a stranger. It’s pretty extreme, so be aware of that going into the book. I was, and I enjoyed it (while cringing at times), and the ending leaves me looking forward to seeing where this relationship ends up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this as an ARC and this is my honest review. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading. I usually don't go for cheating, but Lizzie's husband is emotionally abusive so I didn't mind that part. I felt like the emotional connection was very one-sided, but I think that's largely because it was only from Lizzie's POV. Hopefully in book 2 we'll get some of Norah's POV. Overall a decent and super spicy quick read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wowowow. I really didn’t know what I was getting into when reading this ARC. I’m used to Adrian J. Smith books. This was NOT that. This pseudonym is going to be a real game changer for dark romance. Like other reviewers stated, CHECK THE TRIGGERS. I look forward to the possibility of either a dual POV or the POV of another character in the next book. This book was fast and rough, in all the right ways. Just the way some of us like it ;)
May 28, 2026
Welcome to my life A Jezebel! I love a dark romance and if they’re erotic even better. This style of BDSM may not be to my particular tastes but this book was gripping and if I didn’t need to sleep I would have smashed it out in one sitting.
Dark is definitely the word for it and I strongly suggest reading the trigger warnings before reading but if you’re comfortable with them then crack on my lovelies, it’s worth the trip!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Dark is definitely the word for it and I strongly suggest reading the trigger warnings before reading but if you’re comfortable with them then crack on my lovelies, it’s worth the trip!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2026
Wow, just wow. Take Me Once was nothing like what I expected from Adrian J. Smith, and it’s a massive must read for anyone who likes dark romance.
I am just obsessed with this super spicy, sapphic, dark romance by A. Jezebel. It is a wild, intense ride from start to finish and it just left me wanting more.
Just a heads up to definitely check the trigger warnings before you dive in. I completely devoured this and desperately need book two already!
I am just obsessed with this super spicy, sapphic, dark romance by A. Jezebel. It is a wild, intense ride from start to finish and it just left me wanting more.
Just a heads up to definitely check the trigger warnings before you dive in. I completely devoured this and desperately need book two already!
June 20, 2026
Lizzie and Norah have some very dark wishes and wants. I personally tried not to focus on the rough side of this book. It was there, but I believe behind the scenes is what drew me in. I want to know the backstreet. You get a little about Lizzie and Norah, but I want more. I want to know what makes them both tick. I think we will find out. I took the risk on reading and typical of A Jezabel, I could not put the book down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
To A Jezebel: thank you so much for the ARC!
I need more please and thank you. If you enjoy the spicier side of sapphic connections, I highly recommend this novella. Dark romance isn't just for the straight girlies anymore. We're here, we're queer, we're filthy as f*ck. Read the trigger warnings, they're there for a reason. Feeling desperate and depraved? Dive in...
I need more please and thank you. If you enjoy the spicier side of sapphic connections, I highly recommend this novella. Dark romance isn't just for the straight girlies anymore. We're here, we're queer, we're filthy as f*ck. Read the trigger warnings, they're there for a reason. Feeling desperate and depraved? Dive in...
Review of advance copy received from Author
This very short dark romance is a page turner, so addictive that I have to finish it in one go! Nor a fan of pain and suffering, I cringe when I read some scenes. But the story is very interesting and the writing is so good!
June 17, 2026
Wow i absolutely loved it. It has so much suspense just reeling you in word by word i loved the tension and the surrender to the deepest dark desire to be throughly taken was a phenomenal story I couldn't put it down definitely must read congratulations
June 17, 2026
wow!!!!!
Soooooooo good! Devoured this book. Only complaint is I wish it was longer! Dying to get my hands on book 2!
Soooooooo good! Devoured this book. Only complaint is I wish it was longer! Dying to get my hands on book 2!
June 18, 2026
Whole lotta spice. Fun read but it went quick.
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