What do you think?
Rate this book
Lust
Lust…
My darkness was born in it.
Her secret was created by it.
My job was immersed in it.
It would either ruin us or save us.
My name is Caden Morgan, and I’m a sex surrogate.
After years of seclusion and fear-induced abstinence, Ivy Jaymes came to me for help. I had done this sort of thing hundreds of times…but she was different.
Ivy’s secrets threatened my own.
Her darkness paralleled mine.
And my obsession for her was sure to break me.
We would either heal each other with love,
Or decimate one another with Lust.
My darkness was born in it.
Her secret was created by it.
My job was immersed in it.
It would either ruin us or save us.
My name is Caden Morgan, and I’m a sex surrogate.
After years of seclusion and fear-induced abstinence, Ivy Jaymes came to me for help. I had done this sort of thing hundreds of times…but she was different.
Ivy’s secrets threatened my own.
Her darkness paralleled mine.
And my obsession for her was sure to break me.
We would either heal each other with love,
Or decimate one another with Lust.
364 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2015
31 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
Leddy Harper
35 books1,307 followersLeddy Harper had to use her imagination often as a child. She grew up the only girl in a house full of boys. At the age of fourteen, she decided to use that imagination and wrote her first book, and never stopped.
She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.
The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. Most importantly Leddy wanted to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.
She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.
The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. Most importantly Leddy wanted to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
February 5, 2019
Two broken souls help each other to fight against their inner demons might look like a cliche but there is not a single word could be considered as cliche in this book.
Especially when I read the reason of heroine’s intimacy issues, it was just like sucker punch on the face!!!! To say “ I never see it coming!” is not enough!
I truly loved character development. The background tragedies of two people were told so meticulously and heart-wrenchingly.
The heroine’s insecurities and fears push her to choose the fiction characters’ background stories and behave like those characters. She lives in an empty house because she doesn’t know who she is and what she likes. She is completely lost until she talks with Cade ( our tormented hero).
I loved this book because it’s not only fiction, it’s realistic and tragic. It touches your heart and mind at the same time !
Especially when I read the reason of heroine’s intimacy issues, it was just like sucker punch on the face!!!! To say “ I never see it coming!” is not enough!
I truly loved character development. The background tragedies of two people were told so meticulously and heart-wrenchingly.
The heroine’s insecurities and fears push her to choose the fiction characters’ background stories and behave like those characters. She lives in an empty house because she doesn’t know who she is and what she likes. She is completely lost until she talks with Cade ( our tormented hero).
I loved this book because it’s not only fiction, it’s realistic and tragic. It touches your heart and mind at the same time !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2021
Unique story!
I loved this book but I need to start with some warnings before I praise about it.
Warnings:
1. Please DO NOT READ any spoilers in any reviews about this book. This is my most important warning.
2. This is NOT a safe book. It has a lot of triggers. I know that some readers don't like sex scenes with other people after the hero & heroine meet. If you are one of them, this book is definitely NOT for you because there are three sex scenes with another woman after they meet.
(There is no cheating after they start to be lovers.)
3. The hero suffers from PTSD and during sex with this other woman, he has a blackout and he gets too rough and hurts her badly without meaning to. It happens only once.
4. Their relationship is unethical as the main characters cross the boundaries of "therapist / patient" relationship.
5. The book does have a happy end but do not expect a traditional ending :)
***********************************************
If you can read a book with the above triggers, then prepare yourself for a very different story. I loved it despite everything I would normally criticize in the real world!
***********************************************
This is a spoiler-free review...
LUST is one of those books with a unique plot and it is written in an amazing way that it totally owned me. If you ask me, it is one of those “must-read” books and it surely goes to my “favorites” shelf.
If you've read the blurb and have some assumptions, please make sure that what you will read will be beyond your imagination.
It has darkness behind the background but it is also deeply emotional.
Looking at its title “LUST”, do not assume that this is a hot or dirty/naughty book. It is not.
***********************************************
The Plot:
This is the story of how two damaged souls meet and how their lust and love for each other heal them. It is a unique plot and the writing is very skillful. You feel everything, every emotion deep in your bones. You cry and smile with them with every page turn.
Ivy is a 30-year old woman with blond hair and grey eyes.
Ivy has been in and out of therapy since she was 11 years old.
She reads e-books and writes reviews for them. She has problems of being intimate with people. The more she reads the hot love scenes in books, the more she wants to be normal like them.
Therefore, she decides to go to a sex surrogate.
Sometimes, I felt like giving up and just succumbing to the darkness that has been my existence since day one. But then I would see glimpses of normalcy in the stories that I read, and I’d find myself yearning for a normal existence.
Did I want to fight? To live and love like normal people? To feel real intimacy?
I was told I was a survivor more than once… I’m sure I could be one again. I just had to try. The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t do it alone. I needed help.
Caden Morgan is at the age of 32. He is a very hot man with dark hair and dark eyes.
When it comes to helping women with problems of intimacy and having sex, Caden is a successful therapist but the thing is he also has his own demons and he goes to a psychiatrist himself, as well.
For example, he cannot stand the silence or the heat. He cannot have sex in a bed. He has panic attacks and blackouts.
The Prologue of the book is written by Ivy, the heroine, but the rest of the book is written by the male point of view, which is in this case, by Caden.
The writing is really amazing.
When Ivy goes to Caden for help, their "first ethical & soon unethical" relationship starts.
Caden has some assumptions about why Ivy cannot look anyone in the eye and why she cannot feel comfortable with touching (and I did, too) but Ivy shocks him and us, the readers as well, with her unique story.
“Ivy, look at me.” … “Open your eyes and look at me.”
“I can’t. You’ll see me.”
“That’s exactly what I want to do. Let me see you.”
I said she has been in and out of therapy since she was 11 years old and if you think this is the story of a child rape victim, NOPE, it is not!
I said, "different and unique", right?
So, believe me this is really a very interesting story. There is, of course, a sick story behind it, sick enough to make her sick!
***********************************************
We hear Ivy’s voice in the Prologue only...
Looking at me, no one would guess what I have lived through.
No one would know the demons that dance around inside my head.
But I know them. I see them and they taunt me.
I’ve been with them for a long time.
…
I have sought help countless times and they’ve all told me the same thing.
I’m a survivor.
That’s what the shrinks wanted me to believe, but I know it’s crap.
They’d tell me I’m strong and making progress because I had figured out what they wanted to hear and recited the stories obediently. Stories that I had concocted in my demented mind while my demons sat idly by and watched.
Ivy intrigues Caden more than any other patient did in the past. Every revelation of Ivy makes him feel more connected to her.
“I thought you couldn’t remember what happened,” I goaded her.
“I do. I remember it all.”
***
I had seen many patients over the years, thousands even, but none like Ivy. She made me curious, intrigued, scared, and worried.
***
Who the fuck was this girl? Who the hell was Ivy?
What. The. Fuck. Just. Happened?
My head was spinning as I came to the forgone conclusion.
***
She was a puzzle to me and I needed to see it completed. Even if that meant it would destroy me in the process.
***********************************************
This book is refreshing with its plot that is free of clichés.
Whatever you think has happened IS NOT what really happened.
Her story made me say “WTF?” a few times!
It was even shocking for a therapist doing this for more than 10 years…
“What is it that you think you know? Because I can assure you that whatever it is, you have no idea.”
She was angry. Her tone went from desperate to pissed off in a matter of seconds. I didn’t know what to do about it. For the first time in my entire career, I was at a loss for words.
***
“I no longer think anything when it comes to you, Ivy. I can’t allow myself to think anything because you have a way of proving that it’s worse.”
***********************************************
Ivy turns Caden’s world upside down because he sees himself in her, the same fear, the same sadness, the same darkness.
“I’m invisible. I have no one; I am no one.”
…
Ivy was going to be harder to treat than I had initially planned. And that was because I related to her more than I wanted.
While he really wants to help her as a patient, he is at the same time bewitched by her beauty and intrigued by her character.
Ivy soon becomes Caden’s “only work & only patient” because he is OBSESSED with her. He wants to be around her all the time and he wants to help her but he is also terrified that she will ruin him in the process.
“I feel like I can really help her. She’s been through so much shit in her life and I feel that I am the most qualified to help. At the same time, I can’t help but think she has the ability to fix me—or break me, I’m not sure which one.”
***
I wanted to push her until she broke, until she was so shattered she mirrored my own reflection. That way, I could take the pieces of us and put them back together until there was just one. That’s what I wanted...
***********************************************
While trying to solve her puzzles and helping her, Caden gets very confused and goes between the voice in his head that says he should follow the rules and stay true to work ethics and the other voice that says, “f*ck the rules” …
What?
Oh, you wonder what he does?
Of course, he f*cks the rules :)
And you know what, I surprised myself because I was happy that he f*cked the rules!!! They were meant to be with each other no matter what.
I was past the point of no return. I no longer cared. I saw it. I knew it. It was wrong, but I didn’t care.
***
I was crossing all sorts of boundaries and borderline stalking her.
***********************************************
There are so many things to tell about this amazing book but whatever I say will be a spoiler and I want you to experience everything without knowing about it.
It is an interesting journey to the deep and dark corners of human soul and I really wish many more people gave this book a chance.
***********************************************
This is one of those times when I want to share nearly all of the book because every word, sentence, paragraph and page counts… So here you are - lots and lots of quotations. (Yeap, I am trying to persuade you to read this book; guilty as charged :)
“I don’t want to hear the voices anymore. I want them to go away, but you make them so loud I can’t hear anything else.”
Looking at her now, I didn’t see a person surrounded by a terrifying past or someone that isolated herself from the rest of the world.
I saw someone that held the ability to tear me apart. I saw someone that could ruin me. But more than anything, I saw someone that needed me. Was it possible that I also needed her?
There was nothing more beautiful on the face of the earth. She was breathtaking. Completely and utterly beautiful and sexy without even trying.
How was that even possible?
How could someone that had gone through all that she had have the ability to hold herself in that way?
This woman would be the death of me; she would forever be known as the cause for the Fall of Cade.
***
Was she the cause or was she the cure?
“What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.
I wanted to say, “cleaning the kitchen,” but the words wouldn’t come out. The truth poured out instead. “Trying to stop myself from doing something I know I shouldn’t.” I kept my eyes trained on her face, roaming from her eyes to her lips and fighting my inner demons.
“What shouldn’t you do?”
“Kiss you.”
I worried that she was seeing the real me, the unstable man with issues that dated back to one weekend twenty-seven years ago. The man I kept hidden away, even from myself.
“I want to feel your body against mine, skin against skin, until you’re etched into my every pore. I feel like I can’t breathe without your air and my heart doesn’t beat properly without mirroring yours.”
***
“I wanted to have sex in order to be normal. But you make me want to have sex because I want it.”
I felt like this was the very first time anyone had ever touched me, and maybe it was. Because it felt as if she were touching a hell of a lot more than just my d*ck. She was touching me… inside, outside, everywhere… filling me with her soft caresses and her light touch.
“I have no idea what this is that I feel for you, but I can’t call it love. I don’t want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you and I can’t explain it. Please… don’t ask me to.”
***
“The things you fucking do to me, Ivy Jaymes. I wish you knew. If you knew the way you make me feel, the way you’ve completely turned my world inside out, flipped it on its axis, and filled it with things that have been missing for hundreds of lifetimes, you might understand half of what I see.”
I didn’t believe in love… but I believed in Ivy. And that was all that mattered. She was all that mattered.
***
“So own me, Cade.”
I needed to mark her—brand her—as mine. If she wanted me to own her, I would own the f*ck out of her.
I’m fine, Cade. I just wish I could make this go away for you. I wish I could help you the way you’ve helped me. That’s all I want to do.”
…
“Then fix me,” I said as I grabbed her ass in my hands and lifted her until she was pressing down onto me again. “F*cking fix me, Ivy.”
Ivy did more than fix me because when you fix something, you can still see where it was broken to begin with. Instead, she remade me from scratch. She built me back up…
“This is your book, Ivy. This is your scene—your character. Show me how Ivy Jaymes would f*ck her therapist. Read the scene to me. I don’t need anything else… I only need you.”
“But you like—”
I interrupted her, “I like you, Ivy. I’ll like anything you give me. And when the time is right, I will f*ck you like the men in your books do, and you’ll love it so much you won’t be able to help but to scream my name and claw my back.
But that doesn’t matter right now because this is your story to tell.
So tell it.
Tell me the story of how you became the only woman to ever own me.”
I loved this book but I need to start with some warnings before I praise about it.
Warnings:
1. Please DO NOT READ any spoilers in any reviews about this book. This is my most important warning.
2. This is NOT a safe book. It has a lot of triggers. I know that some readers don't like sex scenes with other people after the hero & heroine meet. If you are one of them, this book is definitely NOT for you because there are three sex scenes with another woman after they meet.
(There is no cheating after they start to be lovers.)
3. The hero suffers from PTSD and during sex with this other woman, he has a blackout and he gets too rough and hurts her badly without meaning to. It happens only once.
4. Their relationship is unethical as the main characters cross the boundaries of "therapist / patient" relationship.
5. The book does have a happy end but do not expect a traditional ending :)
***********************************************
If you can read a book with the above triggers, then prepare yourself for a very different story. I loved it despite everything I would normally criticize in the real world!
***********************************************
This is a spoiler-free review...
LUST is one of those books with a unique plot and it is written in an amazing way that it totally owned me. If you ask me, it is one of those “must-read” books and it surely goes to my “favorites” shelf.
If you've read the blurb and have some assumptions, please make sure that what you will read will be beyond your imagination.
It has darkness behind the background but it is also deeply emotional.
Looking at its title “LUST”, do not assume that this is a hot or dirty/naughty book. It is not.
***********************************************
The Plot:
This is the story of how two damaged souls meet and how their lust and love for each other heal them. It is a unique plot and the writing is very skillful. You feel everything, every emotion deep in your bones. You cry and smile with them with every page turn.
Ivy is a 30-year old woman with blond hair and grey eyes.
Ivy has been in and out of therapy since she was 11 years old.
She reads e-books and writes reviews for them. She has problems of being intimate with people. The more she reads the hot love scenes in books, the more she wants to be normal like them.
Therefore, she decides to go to a sex surrogate.
Sometimes, I felt like giving up and just succumbing to the darkness that has been my existence since day one. But then I would see glimpses of normalcy in the stories that I read, and I’d find myself yearning for a normal existence.
Did I want to fight? To live and love like normal people? To feel real intimacy?
I was told I was a survivor more than once… I’m sure I could be one again. I just had to try. The only thing I knew for sure was that I couldn’t do it alone. I needed help.
Caden Morgan is at the age of 32. He is a very hot man with dark hair and dark eyes.
When it comes to helping women with problems of intimacy and having sex, Caden is a successful therapist but the thing is he also has his own demons and he goes to a psychiatrist himself, as well.
For example, he cannot stand the silence or the heat. He cannot have sex in a bed. He has panic attacks and blackouts.
The Prologue of the book is written by Ivy, the heroine, but the rest of the book is written by the male point of view, which is in this case, by Caden.
The writing is really amazing.
When Ivy goes to Caden for help, their "first ethical & soon unethical" relationship starts.
Caden has some assumptions about why Ivy cannot look anyone in the eye and why she cannot feel comfortable with touching (and I did, too) but Ivy shocks him and us, the readers as well, with her unique story.
“Ivy, look at me.” … “Open your eyes and look at me.”
“I can’t. You’ll see me.”
“That’s exactly what I want to do. Let me see you.”
I said she has been in and out of therapy since she was 11 years old and if you think this is the story of a child rape victim, NOPE, it is not!
I said, "different and unique", right?
So, believe me this is really a very interesting story. There is, of course, a sick story behind it, sick enough to make her sick!
***********************************************
We hear Ivy’s voice in the Prologue only...
Looking at me, no one would guess what I have lived through.
No one would know the demons that dance around inside my head.
But I know them. I see them and they taunt me.
I’ve been with them for a long time.
…
I have sought help countless times and they’ve all told me the same thing.
I’m a survivor.
That’s what the shrinks wanted me to believe, but I know it’s crap.
They’d tell me I’m strong and making progress because I had figured out what they wanted to hear and recited the stories obediently. Stories that I had concocted in my demented mind while my demons sat idly by and watched.
Ivy intrigues Caden more than any other patient did in the past. Every revelation of Ivy makes him feel more connected to her.
“I thought you couldn’t remember what happened,” I goaded her.
“I do. I remember it all.”
***
I had seen many patients over the years, thousands even, but none like Ivy. She made me curious, intrigued, scared, and worried.
***
Who the fuck was this girl? Who the hell was Ivy?
What. The. Fuck. Just. Happened?
My head was spinning as I came to the forgone conclusion.
***
She was a puzzle to me and I needed to see it completed. Even if that meant it would destroy me in the process.
***********************************************
This book is refreshing with its plot that is free of clichés.
Whatever you think has happened IS NOT what really happened.
Her story made me say “WTF?” a few times!
It was even shocking for a therapist doing this for more than 10 years…
“What is it that you think you know? Because I can assure you that whatever it is, you have no idea.”
She was angry. Her tone went from desperate to pissed off in a matter of seconds. I didn’t know what to do about it. For the first time in my entire career, I was at a loss for words.
***
“I no longer think anything when it comes to you, Ivy. I can’t allow myself to think anything because you have a way of proving that it’s worse.”
***********************************************
Ivy turns Caden’s world upside down because he sees himself in her, the same fear, the same sadness, the same darkness.
“I’m invisible. I have no one; I am no one.”
…
Ivy was going to be harder to treat than I had initially planned. And that was because I related to her more than I wanted.
While he really wants to help her as a patient, he is at the same time bewitched by her beauty and intrigued by her character.
Ivy soon becomes Caden’s “only work & only patient” because he is OBSESSED with her. He wants to be around her all the time and he wants to help her but he is also terrified that she will ruin him in the process.
“I feel like I can really help her. She’s been through so much shit in her life and I feel that I am the most qualified to help. At the same time, I can’t help but think she has the ability to fix me—or break me, I’m not sure which one.”
***
I wanted to push her until she broke, until she was so shattered she mirrored my own reflection. That way, I could take the pieces of us and put them back together until there was just one. That’s what I wanted...
***********************************************
While trying to solve her puzzles and helping her, Caden gets very confused and goes between the voice in his head that says he should follow the rules and stay true to work ethics and the other voice that says, “f*ck the rules” …
What?
Oh, you wonder what he does?
Of course, he f*cks the rules :)
And you know what, I surprised myself because I was happy that he f*cked the rules!!! They were meant to be with each other no matter what.
I was past the point of no return. I no longer cared. I saw it. I knew it. It was wrong, but I didn’t care.
***
I was crossing all sorts of boundaries and borderline stalking her.
***********************************************
There are so many things to tell about this amazing book but whatever I say will be a spoiler and I want you to experience everything without knowing about it.
It is an interesting journey to the deep and dark corners of human soul and I really wish many more people gave this book a chance.
***********************************************
This is one of those times when I want to share nearly all of the book because every word, sentence, paragraph and page counts… So here you are - lots and lots of quotations. (Yeap, I am trying to persuade you to read this book; guilty as charged :)
“I don’t want to hear the voices anymore. I want them to go away, but you make them so loud I can’t hear anything else.”
Looking at her now, I didn’t see a person surrounded by a terrifying past or someone that isolated herself from the rest of the world.
I saw someone that held the ability to tear me apart. I saw someone that could ruin me. But more than anything, I saw someone that needed me. Was it possible that I also needed her?
There was nothing more beautiful on the face of the earth. She was breathtaking. Completely and utterly beautiful and sexy without even trying.
How was that even possible?
How could someone that had gone through all that she had have the ability to hold herself in that way?
This woman would be the death of me; she would forever be known as the cause for the Fall of Cade.
***
Was she the cause or was she the cure?
“What are you doing?” she asked breathlessly.
I wanted to say, “cleaning the kitchen,” but the words wouldn’t come out. The truth poured out instead. “Trying to stop myself from doing something I know I shouldn’t.” I kept my eyes trained on her face, roaming from her eyes to her lips and fighting my inner demons.
“What shouldn’t you do?”
“Kiss you.”
I worried that she was seeing the real me, the unstable man with issues that dated back to one weekend twenty-seven years ago. The man I kept hidden away, even from myself.
“I want to feel your body against mine, skin against skin, until you’re etched into my every pore. I feel like I can’t breathe without your air and my heart doesn’t beat properly without mirroring yours.”
***
“I wanted to have sex in order to be normal. But you make me want to have sex because I want it.”
I felt like this was the very first time anyone had ever touched me, and maybe it was. Because it felt as if she were touching a hell of a lot more than just my d*ck. She was touching me… inside, outside, everywhere… filling me with her soft caresses and her light touch.
“I have no idea what this is that I feel for you, but I can’t call it love. I don’t want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you and I can’t explain it. Please… don’t ask me to.”
***
“The things you fucking do to me, Ivy Jaymes. I wish you knew. If you knew the way you make me feel, the way you’ve completely turned my world inside out, flipped it on its axis, and filled it with things that have been missing for hundreds of lifetimes, you might understand half of what I see.”
I didn’t believe in love… but I believed in Ivy. And that was all that mattered. She was all that mattered.
***
“So own me, Cade.”
I needed to mark her—brand her—as mine. If she wanted me to own her, I would own the f*ck out of her.
I’m fine, Cade. I just wish I could make this go away for you. I wish I could help you the way you’ve helped me. That’s all I want to do.”
…
“Then fix me,” I said as I grabbed her ass in my hands and lifted her until she was pressing down onto me again. “F*cking fix me, Ivy.”
Ivy did more than fix me because when you fix something, you can still see where it was broken to begin with. Instead, she remade me from scratch. She built me back up…
“This is your book, Ivy. This is your scene—your character. Show me how Ivy Jaymes would f*ck her therapist. Read the scene to me. I don’t need anything else… I only need you.”
“But you like—”
I interrupted her, “I like you, Ivy. I’ll like anything you give me. And when the time is right, I will f*ck you like the men in your books do, and you’ll love it so much you won’t be able to help but to scream my name and claw my back.
But that doesn’t matter right now because this is your story to tell.
So tell it.
Tell me the story of how you became the only woman to ever own me.”
May 7, 2015
2 stars. DNF @70%. Review posted May 7, 2015
I'm pretty flabbergasted. After my update at 40% everything went down the drain fast. I never really connected with the main characters, yet I enjoyed the writing up to that point. I think what this story lacked was credibility. I understand this is romance and therefore it would be presumptuous to believe that Cade would be a virtuecrat filled with altruistic intentions all while playing by the rules all the time. Let's face it, if he had there wouldn't have been a story. Yet I found myself more and more struggling with his severely unprofessional attitude.
I appreciated the fact that the author took her time until the MCs kissed for the first time. But, from there on out, a lot of actions came off as way too rushed and highly inconsiderate, even inappropriate. Also, obsession and desperation did not look good on Cade at all. I came to a point where he pretty much disgusted me and he ended up being a total turn-off for me. What a douche! Cade acted selfishly and was led around by his dick and a sick obsession for Ivy. To me, it felt like he took advantage of her; he pushed her. That's not what I'd call "treat a patient". I also had to question his general aptitude as a therapist, a sex surrogate, that is due to his unresolved issues. A therapist who wants to help a patient but uses her to "heal" himself?
There were other things that bothered me, i.e. neglecting other patients because he was solely focused on Ivy. And, I found his ignorance in other areas quite surprising. He didn't know what Indie authors were and he misspelled BDSM. Hello? Is he a sex therapist or not? Cade was never in love yet reading a romance book made him understand what being in love felt like? What love was like? That's such a ridiculously unrealistic concept I don't even know what to say.
The BSMD lapse...
That so-called therapist is just not credible.
And Ivy was right…reading that book helped me understand what love would feel like if I ever allowed myself to do so. But I knew that would never happen.
"Yes, but most of those are Indie books."
I stared at her as her eyes moved around the brightly lit room. "Like from India?"
The sex therapist said:
I couldn't believe what I was reading, never realizing how much goes on in other countries that I wasn't aware of.
He's so unbelievably clueless it's embarrassing.
"No. Love only ruins things. I'm already ruined. I have no idea what this is that I feel for you, but I can't call it love. I don't want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you and I can't explain it. Please…don't ask me to."
Melodramatic and cheesy...
It's more than a little bit disconcerting hearing a therapist talking like that.
In addition to my afore-mentioned issues, after my update at 40%, the writing pushed the sweet tooth way too hard for my liking. Fact is, I don't enjoy spending time in Sugarville.
Anyway, I think the story had great potential and the blurb did intrigue me but it saddens me to say that author Leddy Harper didn't pull it off. Regardless, I'm tempted to give her another try because I liked her writing up to the 40% mark which, to me, is an encouraging sign.
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy
**ARC courtesy of The Hype PR via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I'm pretty flabbergasted. After my update at 40% everything went down the drain fast. I never really connected with the main characters, yet I enjoyed the writing up to that point. I think what this story lacked was credibility. I understand this is romance and therefore it would be presumptuous to believe that Cade would be a virtuecrat filled with altruistic intentions all while playing by the rules all the time. Let's face it, if he had there wouldn't have been a story. Yet I found myself more and more struggling with his severely unprofessional attitude.
I appreciated the fact that the author took her time until the MCs kissed for the first time. But, from there on out, a lot of actions came off as way too rushed and highly inconsiderate, even inappropriate. Also, obsession and desperation did not look good on Cade at all. I came to a point where he pretty much disgusted me and he ended up being a total turn-off for me. What a douche! Cade acted selfishly and was led around by his dick and a sick obsession for Ivy. To me, it felt like he took advantage of her; he pushed her. That's not what I'd call "treat a patient". I also had to question his general aptitude as a therapist, a sex surrogate, that is due to his unresolved issues. A therapist who wants to help a patient but uses her to "heal" himself?
She was my therapy.
There were other things that bothered me, i.e. neglecting other patients because he was solely focused on Ivy. And, I found his ignorance in other areas quite surprising. He didn't know what Indie authors were and he misspelled BDSM. Hello? Is he a sex therapist or not? Cade was never in love yet reading a romance book made him understand what being in love felt like? What love was like? That's such a ridiculously unrealistic concept I don't even know what to say.
The BSMD lapse...
That so-called therapist is just not credible.
And Ivy was right…reading that book helped me understand what love would feel like if I ever allowed myself to do so. But I knew that would never happen.
"Yes, but most of those are Indie books."
I stared at her as her eyes moved around the brightly lit room. "Like from India?"
The sex therapist said:
I couldn't believe what I was reading, never realizing how much goes on in other countries that I wasn't aware of.
He's so unbelievably clueless it's embarrassing.
"No. Love only ruins things. I'm already ruined. I have no idea what this is that I feel for you, but I can't call it love. I don't want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you and I can't explain it. Please…don't ask me to."
Melodramatic and cheesy...
It's more than a little bit disconcerting hearing a therapist talking like that.
In addition to my afore-mentioned issues, after my update at 40%, the writing pushed the sweet tooth way too hard for my liking. Fact is, I don't enjoy spending time in Sugarville.
Anyway, I think the story had great potential and the blurb did intrigue me but it saddens me to say that author Leddy Harper didn't pull it off. Regardless, I'm tempted to give her another try because I liked her writing up to the 40% mark which, to me, is an encouraging sign.
All quotes are taken from the pre-published copy and may be altered or omitted in the final copy
**ARC courtesy of The Hype PR via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
May 10, 2017
*****4.5 STARS*****
Unfiltered review here... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
I want to give a shout out to Leddy Harper for not following the trend of using the term “you’re mine” 30 million times like so many other authors. She showed her skill and found a different term to convey the same message. I was getting sick of that “you’re mine” shit. Finally a writer with who used their own style and didn’t follow trends. Hallelujah!
There are not many female authors who can write a book told completely from a male POV very realistically, but Leddy knocked it out of the park. She killed it! Hat’s off to you baby girl.
The topic itself was not one I ever read before and took me by surprise. One might even say it was taboo. Caden Morgan is a sex surrogate/therapist – I didn’t even know that was a thing, but hey, I'm all about finding a way to be your best sexual self. Damn, maybe I need to find one of those myself.
Ivy Jaymes is a 30 year old woman with some major, major issues who goes to Caden to help her find a way to enjoy sex. Her head is all the way fucked up to where at one point I thought only Jesus could help that poor child.
Little does she know, Caden has sexual issues of his owns. You know what they say that most therapists get into the business of therapy to heal and/or understand themselves and Caden was the perfect example of that.
Ivy had no idea that throughout their sessions they became more about Caden healing himself vs. giving 100% of his energy into healing Ivy. This could have been perceived as a wee bit creepy, but that’s not what I took away from it. As much as he was using Ivy to come to terms with his path, he still had good intentions and didn’t want to hurt her. I don’t know if I can say he was using her, but I can see how others (closed-mined folks – clears throat) could come to that conclusion.
I was left alone, and that’s when it hit me. The darkness grew pervasive, and the need to fill the deep hole with something worthwhile grew larger. I needed to know why Ivy was the way she was and why she wanted to change. – Caden
Unfiltered review here... https://prettymessreading.wordpress.c...
I want to give a shout out to Leddy Harper for not following the trend of using the term “you’re mine” 30 million times like so many other authors. She showed her skill and found a different term to convey the same message. I was getting sick of that “you’re mine” shit. Finally a writer with who used their own style and didn’t follow trends. Hallelujah!
There are not many female authors who can write a book told completely from a male POV very realistically, but Leddy knocked it out of the park. She killed it! Hat’s off to you baby girl.
The topic itself was not one I ever read before and took me by surprise. One might even say it was taboo. Caden Morgan is a sex surrogate/therapist – I didn’t even know that was a thing, but hey, I'm all about finding a way to be your best sexual self. Damn, maybe I need to find one of those myself.
Ivy Jaymes is a 30 year old woman with some major, major issues who goes to Caden to help her find a way to enjoy sex. Her head is all the way fucked up to where at one point I thought only Jesus could help that poor child.
Little does she know, Caden has sexual issues of his owns. You know what they say that most therapists get into the business of therapy to heal and/or understand themselves and Caden was the perfect example of that.
Ivy had no idea that throughout their sessions they became more about Caden healing himself vs. giving 100% of his energy into healing Ivy. This could have been perceived as a wee bit creepy, but that’s not what I took away from it. As much as he was using Ivy to come to terms with his path, he still had good intentions and didn’t want to hurt her. I don’t know if I can say he was using her, but I can see how others (closed-mined folks – clears throat) could come to that conclusion.
I was left alone, and that’s when it hit me. The darkness grew pervasive, and the need to fill the deep hole with something worthwhile grew larger. I needed to know why Ivy was the way she was and why she wanted to change. – Caden
Caden’s odd obsession with Ivy became borderline stalker like after a while, or 5 days actually. He would just do these random pop-ups at Ivy’s house like they’ve known each other for longer than a week.
Their entire love affair takes place over the course of two weeks which normally I hate that rushed type of love affair and find so unrealistic. This is the first book that I’ve read in a while where a quick love affair seemed plausible.
This book had me seeing everything I thought I hated so differently. The writing was just that damn good.
One of the things that made this book, for me, is how much Caden talked. Usually when I read books where men talk about their feelings too much or just plain talk out too much, I find it difficult to believe. The thing about Caden was the fact that he was a therapist, which made it more realistic and pulled me in. Ivy was the one who was closed off and could barely speak two words in a sentences.
Ivy was a very insecure woman which I normally HATE in the female character, but for her it worked. It was who she was. That’s a sign of a brilliant writer, when they can take something that you normally hate about a book and turn it into something you understand and can eventually love.
This ladies and gentleman this is why Leddy is officially been added to my favorite authors list.
I’ve read other reviews for Lust so I know many people had a hang up on how credible Caden was as a therapist but I would urge those folks to think about something real quick…
If Caden was a woman and Ivy was a man, would you think differently? If the roles where reversed I truly believe more people would have found a way to connect to a female playing Caden’s role more. They would have seen Ivy as a woman attempting to find anyway she could, to bring this man out of the dark and into the light. Personal opinion here folks.
Caden even speaks about it in the book...…for some reason, when a man admits to a woman he’s incapable of such emotion (love), they feel the need to fix you. Their twisted logic made sense, but it just wasn’t true. – Caden
I just want to say that I don’t give a damn how fucked up Caden was, I would still fuck him. Personally, I love a fucked in the head man because I’m just as fucked up too. Fact. He could get it.
Follow all my...
https://prettymessreading.wordpress.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettymessr...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/prettymessre...
Twitter https://twitter.com/prettymessread
April 16, 2019
4 stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐
I promised my dear friend Dilek that I would read this powerful book by Leddy Harper.
I was really hoping to love it without "any reservations" and to feel the strong connection that she experienced with this unconventional story but actually I did have a few problems with the hero's contradictory behaviour (SORRY but there you have it...).
I realize that Cade is conflicted and has his own demons to conquer but his responses to the heroine at times bothered me. He came across as selfish, putting his own needs first and also to a lesser degree his flagrant abuse of his position as her therapist niggled me (YES, maybe it was ultimately beneficial for Ivy's wellbeing and progress but still....).
I also realize that this story is told solely from Cade's POV so we do end up experiencing his thoughts and reactions firsthand before he can process many of the difficult events contained, it essentially made the whole story a lot more raw and honest and I really did LOVE💕 that aspect of the narrative.
This was super intense reading at times!!!
Witnessing Ivy battle her fears and observing her gradual opening up (emotionally and sexually) was liberating to say the least.
Cade's struggle with his past and his feelings for Ivy were also affecting and they did sway me in a positive way towards him .
I do want to emphasize that I have NOW read several books by Leddy Harper and I really do admire and love her writing style, this book included (recommended author). 🥰
So ultimately, I really did enjoy this angsty story, especially towards the end of the book.
I also appreciated the inclusion of such a sweet epilogue. 👏
PROVOCATIVE, THOUGHTFUL AND EMOTIONAL.
Thank you , Dilek for this recommendation. ❤
***Word of warning for readers that like safety in all their reads this book is probably a pass for you.***
I promised my dear friend Dilek that I would read this powerful book by Leddy Harper.
I was really hoping to love it without "any reservations" and to feel the strong connection that she experienced with this unconventional story but actually I did have a few problems with the hero's contradictory behaviour (SORRY but there you have it...).
I realize that Cade is conflicted and has his own demons to conquer but his responses to the heroine at times bothered me. He came across as selfish, putting his own needs first and also to a lesser degree his flagrant abuse of his position as her therapist niggled me (YES, maybe it was ultimately beneficial for Ivy's wellbeing and progress but still....).
I also realize that this story is told solely from Cade's POV so we do end up experiencing his thoughts and reactions firsthand before he can process many of the difficult events contained, it essentially made the whole story a lot more raw and honest and I really did LOVE💕 that aspect of the narrative.
This was super intense reading at times!!!
Witnessing Ivy battle her fears and observing her gradual opening up (emotionally and sexually) was liberating to say the least.
Cade's struggle with his past and his feelings for Ivy were also affecting and they did sway me in a positive way towards him .
I do want to emphasize that I have NOW read several books by Leddy Harper and I really do admire and love her writing style, this book included (recommended author). 🥰
So ultimately, I really did enjoy this angsty story, especially towards the end of the book.
I also appreciated the inclusion of such a sweet epilogue. 👏
PROVOCATIVE, THOUGHTFUL AND EMOTIONAL.
Thank you , Dilek for this recommendation. ❤
***Word of warning for readers that like safety in all their reads this book is probably a pass for you.***
May 15, 2017
Could two fractured souls come together and make one?
Wow! Okay, this book really, really surprised me. When I first read the blurb and look at the cover, I was waiting a really erotic book but this story was more emotional than I expected. I really loved this book just the way it is because it felt so real. Sexual tension between Ivy & Cade were so good but no matter how their chemistry are so good, they couldn't get over some problems. They are both broken, they have a tragic history. What they lived in their past life affect their current life and when piece by piece learn their history, why they're stuck in the past... Ugh when you find out the reasons, your heart will break for them too and you simply want to see their HEA. Because my God, they deserve a fucking HEA!!!! Ugh of course I won't tell you how this book will end but if you're looking something will shake you up, I highly recommend this book... Trust me, you don't wanna miss this beautiful story. ;)
Ps. Dilek, thank you so much for the book recommendation. I really loved it, my dear. :)
You can read her full review with this link. <3
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Wow! Okay, this book really, really surprised me. When I first read the blurb and look at the cover, I was waiting a really erotic book but this story was more emotional than I expected. I really loved this book just the way it is because it felt so real. Sexual tension between Ivy & Cade were so good but no matter how their chemistry are so good, they couldn't get over some problems. They are both broken, they have a tragic history. What they lived in their past life affect their current life and when piece by piece learn their history, why they're stuck in the past... Ugh when you find out the reasons, your heart will break for them too and you simply want to see their HEA. Because my God, they deserve a fucking HEA!!!! Ugh of course I won't tell you how this book will end but if you're looking something will shake you up, I highly recommend this book... Trust me, you don't wanna miss this beautiful story. ;)
Ps. Dilek, thank you so much for the book recommendation. I really loved it, my dear. :)
You can read her full review with this link. <3
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 8, 2017
2.5 STARS
Wow, just wow. I really don’t know what to say, let alone write a coherent review, but I will try.
Cade Morgan is a highly regarded sex therapist, helping people with their sexual insecurities and problems. His life is turned upside down when he meets his newest patient, Ivy Jaymes. She stirs emotions in him that he never had before, and he is scared. After all, he is a professional, and he is not allowed to have any type of inappropriate feelings towards a patient
Ivy Jaymes was so severely abused by her mother, she is a shell of a person. Ivy is an avid read of romance novels, and is hoping that she will one day be able to fall in love and have sex like the couples have in the book that she reads. When she meets Cade, she is terrified she won’t be able to continue with the therapy. She doesn’t like to be touched or looked at and sadly feels she is no one.
So the first 50% of the book, I really enjoyed, especially since the book is in Cade’s POV. Being in Cade’s head was a plus. He honestly didn’t understand why he was drawn to Ivy, but he had to have her. That is where I started having a problem with the story because it was then he was getting creepy and almost stalkerish (I know that isn’t a word, but go with it) There were several times when I thought he definitely crossed the therapist/patient line. Ivy was pushing him away because she was absolutely terrified of physical contact, but yet he kept pushing. Yet, I understood his deep need to be with her because as much as he thought he was helping her, she was definitely helping him through his demons. . He also survived a horrific event in his childhood that shaped his outlook on relationships. He never believed he could care and want another person as much as he needed to be with Ivy.
.
At one point it was a strong 4-4.5 star read, but then it just took a turn for me. Many of my GR friends that I absolutely trust, rated this 5 star, and I understand why. How two broken people heal each other is a beautiful story. Yet another bestie was unable to rate the book, and again, I get why. My advice is, go into this book with an open mind. Please don’t let my opinion stop you from reading it, because my emotions were all over the place while reading it.
Wow, just wow. I really don’t know what to say, let alone write a coherent review, but I will try.
Cade Morgan is a highly regarded sex therapist, helping people with their sexual insecurities and problems. His life is turned upside down when he meets his newest patient, Ivy Jaymes. She stirs emotions in him that he never had before, and he is scared. After all, he is a professional, and he is not allowed to have any type of inappropriate feelings towards a patient
Ivy Jaymes was so severely abused by her mother, she is a shell of a person. Ivy is an avid read of romance novels, and is hoping that she will one day be able to fall in love and have sex like the couples have in the book that she reads. When she meets Cade, she is terrified she won’t be able to continue with the therapy. She doesn’t like to be touched or looked at and sadly feels she is no one.
So the first 50% of the book, I really enjoyed, especially since the book is in Cade’s POV. Being in Cade’s head was a plus. He honestly didn’t understand why he was drawn to Ivy, but he had to have her. That is where I started having a problem with the story because it was then he was getting creepy and almost stalkerish (I know that isn’t a word, but go with it) There were several times when I thought he definitely crossed the therapist/patient line. Ivy was pushing him away because she was absolutely terrified of physical contact, but yet he kept pushing. Yet, I understood his deep need to be with her because as much as he thought he was helping her, she was definitely helping him through his demons. . He also survived a horrific event in his childhood that shaped his outlook on relationships. He never believed he could care and want another person as much as he needed to be with Ivy.
.
At one point it was a strong 4-4.5 star read, but then it just took a turn for me. Many of my GR friends that I absolutely trust, rated this 5 star, and I understand why. How two broken people heal each other is a beautiful story. Yet another bestie was unable to rate the book, and again, I get why. My advice is, go into this book with an open mind. Please don’t let my opinion stop you from reading it, because my emotions were all over the place while reading it.
January 3, 2017
5.0 "THIS BOOK OWNED ME" STARS!!!
I haven't read the previous version of this book nor read any spoilers for that matter, safe to say that I read this book blind. And I having nothing left in mind after finishing the book except Leddy Harper could definitely write and she's a one hell of a versatile writer. Hands down to this amazing delivery of a book that had me gasping for air to breathe. Because Lust? WOWZA!!! I spent sleepless night with wine by my side reading this book. Perfect portrayal of two broken souls so different yet almost the same. And Leddy, you most certainly had me with this.
Admittedy, among the books I read from her, this one is far most the different of them all. Where I ugly cried the others or bawled like a baby, this one had me cursing Leddy Harper and chugged wine while reading. Amongst being engrossed and captivated, the book OWNED me from beginning until the end. It was just so deep and fucked up it messed up with my mind and then to fucked it all up in the process. It was not an easy read nor a safe one at that but I was lovin' it deeply and I appreciated how everything is delivered. It was mind numbing and body cringing but I devoured it wholeheartedly starved with every words and lines.
I cannot say much though because to be honest it's so hard to expound on something without spoiling it. The book is legitly not for everyone but for those like me who loves to read something beyond swoony moments, hunicorns, rainbows and fairytales...I recommend this book to you. Seriously, you cannot read swoony feels here instead a healing process with bits of sexiness and heat of two broken souls with demons from the past that inhibits them to move forward. It was a very good story though but when you read it, you need to have an open mind. That way you'll get to enjoy their journey on how Lust became a catalyst to healing one another and then more, instead of drowning them together scarred for life.
Lust?Damn!You really owned me. You fucked with my sanity but at least you leave me with a heartwarming feels.
I haven't read the previous version of this book nor read any spoilers for that matter, safe to say that I read this book blind. And I having nothing left in mind after finishing the book except Leddy Harper could definitely write and she's a one hell of a versatile writer. Hands down to this amazing delivery of a book that had me gasping for air to breathe. Because Lust? WOWZA!!! I spent sleepless night with wine by my side reading this book. Perfect portrayal of two broken souls so different yet almost the same. And Leddy, you most certainly had me with this.
Stitches. Scars. Sewn shut.
Admittedy, among the books I read from her, this one is far most the different of them all. Where I ugly cried the others or bawled like a baby, this one had me cursing Leddy Harper and chugged wine while reading. Amongst being engrossed and captivated, the book OWNED me from beginning until the end. It was just so deep and fucked up it messed up with my mind and then to fucked it all up in the process. It was not an easy read nor a safe one at that but I was lovin' it deeply and I appreciated how everything is delivered. It was mind numbing and body cringing but I devoured it wholeheartedly starved with every words and lines.
I cannot say much though because to be honest it's so hard to expound on something without spoiling it. The book is legitly not for everyone but for those like me who loves to read something beyond swoony moments, hunicorns, rainbows and fairytales...I recommend this book to you. Seriously, you cannot read swoony feels here instead a healing process with bits of sexiness and heat of two broken souls with demons from the past that inhibits them to move forward. It was a very good story though but when you read it, you need to have an open mind. That way you'll get to enjoy their journey on how Lust became a catalyst to healing one another and then more, instead of drowning them together scarred for life.
Lust?Damn!You really owned me. You fucked with my sanity but at least you leave me with a heartwarming feels.
February 19, 2020
5+++++ stars...
Loved...Loved...loved this book...
Its a MUST READ BOOK....
So unique and so different.....epic and excellent book...
twists and turns which make you so shocked...
Harsh realities which make you forced to think deeply....amazed your heart that really it can be possible that something like this happened to anyone.....this book will force you to google that things which are the main themes of the book....and when you once google it ,you just find yourself shocked that really some cultures and religions belifs on such concepts .....guys what are these concepts and themes of this epic book,I l not tell you,you will find it by yourself.....
I want every female on this earth to read this book.....especially those females who belongs to conservative families...who forced to think that being sexual creature is a bad thing.....
this book has too much knowledge.....I personally learned alot...
the book is damn too good....too emotional that I cry like a baby....
my breath is like stealing at every page....there are too much shocking unbelievable twists.....too much dark....so suspense....
You will intrigue from the prologue and devoured it to the end......I killed my one night sleep just to read this book....
This book is stay with me forever kind book....I personally thank to my friend dilek vt by whom I found this book....I believed on her taste in books and when I read that she gave beyound 5 stars to this book I just without no doubt jumped to read this gem .....
And guys this book makes worth every second of mine while reading...
Hero rating.....10 stars
Heroine rating .....10 stars
Suspense.....so intrigued and keep you intrested to the end.....10 stars
Story plot.....its out of the world....
Writing by author.....million stars...
Recommend this book to every women on this world....
Loved...Loved...loved this book...
Its a MUST READ BOOK....
So unique and so different.....epic and excellent book...
twists and turns which make you so shocked...
Harsh realities which make you forced to think deeply....amazed your heart that really it can be possible that something like this happened to anyone.....this book will force you to google that things which are the main themes of the book....and when you once google it ,you just find yourself shocked that really some cultures and religions belifs on such concepts .....guys what are these concepts and themes of this epic book,I l not tell you,you will find it by yourself.....
I want every female on this earth to read this book.....especially those females who belongs to conservative families...who forced to think that being sexual creature is a bad thing.....
this book has too much knowledge.....I personally learned alot...
the book is damn too good....too emotional that I cry like a baby....
my breath is like stealing at every page....there are too much shocking unbelievable twists.....too much dark....so suspense....
You will intrigue from the prologue and devoured it to the end......I killed my one night sleep just to read this book....
This book is stay with me forever kind book....I personally thank to my friend dilek vt by whom I found this book....I believed on her taste in books and when I read that she gave beyound 5 stars to this book I just without no doubt jumped to read this gem .....
And guys this book makes worth every second of mine while reading...
Hero rating.....10 stars
Heroine rating .....10 stars
Suspense.....so intrigued and keep you intrested to the end.....10 stars
Story plot.....its out of the world....
Writing by author.....million stars...
Recommend this book to every women on this world....
July 9, 2015
I give this emotional roller coaster a perfect five stars. From the very first few pages, Leddy Harper drags you into the novel's world and keeps you in it. The spell Harper weaves through each printed word is as potent as the title choice. Ivy and Cade are two beings, two shattered souls, that mirror one another. While Ivy so desperately wants to participate in reality, Cade wants to desperately escape it.
Cade meets Ivy because she becomes his client. The problem is he can't seem to keep her in his mind in strictly a professional sense. He begins to crave her, lust after her, obsess over her. Cade is still battling his own demons and tends to use sex as an escape. What he finds in Ivy is a person who could either save him or break him completely.
Ivy has a past that has left her a shattered soul. She is uncomfortable with touching herself even in the most innocent of ways and is most certainly uncomfortable with sex. She's learned to lie to all her traditional therapists in order for them to tell her she's making progress when she knows for a fact she's not. Something about Cade speaks to Ivy to bring her comfort so she opens up to him completely and gives him the truth she could never give others.
The two fall into one another, falling further down their very own rabbit hole, and carve out their own reality. There's moments of push and pull, moments of confusion, moments of confession, and moments of tenderness. Ivy and Cade save one another and their love is what is the most redeeming part of each of them.
Cade meets Ivy because she becomes his client. The problem is he can't seem to keep her in his mind in strictly a professional sense. He begins to crave her, lust after her, obsess over her. Cade is still battling his own demons and tends to use sex as an escape. What he finds in Ivy is a person who could either save him or break him completely.
Ivy has a past that has left her a shattered soul. She is uncomfortable with touching herself even in the most innocent of ways and is most certainly uncomfortable with sex. She's learned to lie to all her traditional therapists in order for them to tell her she's making progress when she knows for a fact she's not. Something about Cade speaks to Ivy to bring her comfort so she opens up to him completely and gives him the truth she could never give others.
The two fall into one another, falling further down their very own rabbit hole, and carve out their own reality. There's moments of push and pull, moments of confusion, moments of confession, and moments of tenderness. Ivy and Cade save one another and their love is what is the most redeeming part of each of them.
May 19, 2015
Ms. Harper, what in the world did you do to my heart? It was definitely put through the ringer, and I honestly didn't know if it was going to be okay in the end.
Caden Morgan was traumatized from an incident that scarred him from a young age, yet now that he's all grown up, he's a sex therapist, and a damn good one at that. His latest client, Ivy, has him intrigued and from the moment he reads her profile and meets her, he knows he's done for. But will Ivy be able to accept him once she learns his dark secrets?
Once I started reading, I could not put it down so I did the unthinkable, and read it when I should have been working! Now, Ivy is a little indecisive about Caden; one minute she wants him and the next she doesn't, and that drove me a bit crazy. I kept telling myself, “Hey, if I were in her shoes, I would probably feel the same way.” And the deeper I got in to their story, the more I wanted to know Caden's secret and the more I wanted Ivy to be the one to save him from himself. But how can she save him when she can't even save herself?
This story is mysterious, raw, passionate, sweet, loving and oh, so amazing, that it left me wanting more even though it was beautifully wrapped up. Thank you, Leddy Harper, for such a unique book. It’s one that will stay with me for a long time to come and that will definitely be re-read many more times! ~ Kara, 5 Amazing stars
Caden Morgan was traumatized from an incident that scarred him from a young age, yet now that he's all grown up, he's a sex therapist, and a damn good one at that. His latest client, Ivy, has him intrigued and from the moment he reads her profile and meets her, he knows he's done for. But will Ivy be able to accept him once she learns his dark secrets?
Once I started reading, I could not put it down so I did the unthinkable, and read it when I should have been working! Now, Ivy is a little indecisive about Caden; one minute she wants him and the next she doesn't, and that drove me a bit crazy. I kept telling myself, “Hey, if I were in her shoes, I would probably feel the same way.” And the deeper I got in to their story, the more I wanted to know Caden's secret and the more I wanted Ivy to be the one to save him from himself. But how can she save him when she can't even save herself?
This story is mysterious, raw, passionate, sweet, loving and oh, so amazing, that it left me wanting more even though it was beautifully wrapped up. Thank you, Leddy Harper, for such a unique book. It’s one that will stay with me for a long time to come and that will definitely be re-read many more times! ~ Kara, 5 Amazing stars
December 21, 2016
Lust by Leddy Harper is an all male POV story which is a hard sell to me sometimes. Luckily, I have been fortunate enough to have read enough of this lady's work, that it didn't push me away! Make no mistake Leddy can write!
I'm sure that you all have read the other reviews and have come across some spoilers, etc
As far as I am concerned, I would read another book about these characters, I got a bit invested.
I'm sure that you all have read the other reviews and have come across some spoilers, etc
As far as I am concerned, I would read another book about these characters, I got a bit invested.
May 10, 2015
This one started out slow , but damn did it not make me go all hot and bothered at certain intervals ! The story explores two people who are trying live their lives by overcoming the demons that haunt them . One sex surrogate the other a woman afraid to touch herself or be touched by others . Both are dealing with their issues .. well more like trying to deal with it .
The first half of the book was kinda sad , at the same time moved at a snails pace . And , in a way , that was necessary because Ivy is very very skittish and insecure . She is scared , timid and shy . Most of the time she was lost in her head making it very difficult for Cade to help her in any way . What was making matters worse was that spending time with Ivy was messing up with Cade's coping mechanisms . Cade has constructed his life in a way which allows him to not think about his past and the events that shaped him . Being with Ivy he realises that she is at the same place that he was at at some point in his life .
Ivy's life on the other hand was tragic as fuck ! A psychotic mother that ruined her to shambles . The shit she pulled had me sooooo infuriated that I can't even ! The rest 50% of the book set the tone for Ivy and Cade to be true to each other and try and fix the messed-up-ness that is their life ! The epilogue was sweet ! Loved it !
The first half of the book was kinda sad , at the same time moved at a snails pace . And , in a way , that was necessary because Ivy is very very skittish and insecure . She is scared , timid and shy . Most of the time she was lost in her head making it very difficult for Cade to help her in any way . What was making matters worse was that spending time with Ivy was messing up with Cade's coping mechanisms . Cade has constructed his life in a way which allows him to not think about his past and the events that shaped him . Being with Ivy he realises that she is at the same place that he was at at some point in his life .
Ivy's life on the other hand was tragic as fuck ! A psychotic mother that ruined her to shambles . The shit she pulled had me sooooo infuriated that I can't even ! The rest 50% of the book set the tone for Ivy and Cade to be true to each other and try and fix the messed-up-ness that is their life ! The epilogue was sweet ! Loved it !
not-interested
February 18, 2018https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I might be risking sound very ignorant and clueless, but a psychiatric/psychologist/therapist/ etc. should at least be informed about modern and ancient culture. The male mc here doesn't sound like a trustworthy doc. IMO, people in this area are always learning and studying, because the mind is an endless labyrinth. Things happen pretty fast, new things are throwing in our faces everyday. How can you help people if little things happening around you" doesn't catch" your attention? Aahh....... but maybe is not something he's not interested about. Well, a sex therapist should know some extra things to be able to help his patients. IMHO. This doctor looks pretty silly and clueless.
Great review of someone I miss around GR
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I might be risking sound very ignorant and clueless, but a psychiatric/psychologist/therapist/ etc. should at least be informed about modern and ancient culture. The male mc here doesn't sound like a trustworthy doc. IMO, people in this area are always learning and studying, because the mind is an endless labyrinth. Things happen pretty fast, new things are throwing in our faces everyday. How can you help people if little things happening around you" doesn't catch" your attention? Aahh....... but maybe is not something he's not interested about. Well, a sex therapist should know some extra things to be able to help his patients. IMHO. This doctor looks pretty silly and clueless.
Great review of someone I miss around GR
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 10, 2017
5 stars!!!!! I dont usually write reviews but ı couldnt pass this without one. So it was definetly a hook up. And also was an interesting read. The character devrlopment was perfect and the writing was exquisite. Ofcourse it was a fiction but it felt like real most of the time. The main characters both have real disturbing pasts and although I've known and read about the h's issue before it made me cringe while reading it. (Sorry tryin not to give spoilers:)) so it was nothing I've read in a book before. Sooo what is you're thinking about it is worse. So dont try to solve it. Just read it:)))
“Whatever you say, Ivy, but I can’t fuck you with your pants on. I’m good, but I’m not that good,” best quote ever:)))
“Whatever you say, Ivy, but I can’t fuck you with your pants on. I’m good, but I’m not that good,” best quote ever:)))
May 19, 2015
Lust is the first book I have read by Leddy Harper, her work is very unique and not like any one I have read before. I really enjoyed reading Lust and it left me wanting to read more. I really felt like I could relate to the characters on some level, my heart really went out to Caden. His character was so amazing, I mean come on he's got it all the cocky bad boy personality, wealth and he's hot. However he's broken and his demons have haunted him for years but so is Ivy Jaymes. Caden's world has been turned upside down the rules have changed and he's out of his element. This is one book you don't want to miss reading, I've been in a reading funk for the last few months and I think Lust is just what I needed to get back into reading again. Leddy Harper has a talent with words, the way she described and told Caden and Ivy's story made you feel what the characters were going through, you wanted to scream, yell and cry for them to get through to them. Job well done Leddy I cant wait to read more!!!
January 26, 2021
LUST has an original storyline, one I haven't read anything like that before. As recommended by Dilek VT, I didn't even take a look at the previous GR reviews& spoilers before starting.
This is from Chapter 13:
“To walk away. To give you other options for therapy. To end this before one of us ends up broken…or worse. But I can’t do any of that. I can’t walk away from you without feeling like I’ve left part of me behind. I can’t pass you off to someone else, knowing they can’t give you what I will. No matter how many times I contemplate ending this, I can’t. Because I don’t want to. I want to start this.”
“Start what?”
I shook my head, unable to find the words to answer her question. “I don’t know. I don’t know what this is…but whatever it is, I want it. With you. I don’t want you to simply be my client, because then there’d be an end date to our relationship. And I don’t want that.”
She swallowed thickly and averted her eyes. “I don’t know what that means, Cade.”
“I don’t either. All I know is I’ve never understood why people choose to be with one person when there’s a world full of others. It never made sense to me why anyone would give up their options in exchange for monogamy. But since meeting you…there isn’t anyone else. I don’t have a need for other options any longer. There’s no one else in this world but you and me.” I couldn’t make sense of the words falling from my mouth. My brain hadn’t sorted through them before I spoke, because they came straight from my heart. Every syllable that passed my lips were the most honest words I had ever uttered, and aside from their truth terrifying me, they liberated me. I felt free once they were out.
“Are…are you saying you’re…in love with me?” she whispered beneath the spray of water.
“No. Love only ruins things. I’m already ruined. I have no idea what this is I feel for you, but I can’t call it love. I don’t want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you but I can’t explain it. Please…don’t ask me to.”
I gave up. I couldn’t even call for help correctly. I wasn’t able to call for help when I was eight, and I couldn’t do it at thirty-four. I should’ve known the moment would come. It was written in the stars. My life was mapped out from early on and there was no way to change it. All the years I’d trained myself to avoid the inevitable were worthless....
This one is truly one of a kind but it goes a little bit slow. They were both broken, he recognized a kindred spirit and took the opportunity. Their journey was so intense and the characters had so much depth. I kept the pages turning and thinking/guessing like a puzzle until the revelation but I felt that there are some parts lacked. I could not grasp the MCs totally. Perhaps, because of Cade's POV only or perhaps his somehow insta-feelings. The attraction was there and I loved the HEA. I always keep in mind that these books are romantic fiction and almost never think about the real life. Because, obviously H and h had heavy psychological problems which needed further professional help. I wholeheartedly appreciated the creative writer; Leddy Harper, she posed several issues and they flowed just great. Whole story was intriguing and thought provoking. If you are looking for a clever psychological romance book with both broken MCs and triggers, then this one is recommended. Thank you again Dilek VT. 4,25 stars....
Reference:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is from Chapter 13:
“To walk away. To give you other options for therapy. To end this before one of us ends up broken…or worse. But I can’t do any of that. I can’t walk away from you without feeling like I’ve left part of me behind. I can’t pass you off to someone else, knowing they can’t give you what I will. No matter how many times I contemplate ending this, I can’t. Because I don’t want to. I want to start this.”
“Start what?”
I shook my head, unable to find the words to answer her question. “I don’t know. I don’t know what this is…but whatever it is, I want it. With you. I don’t want you to simply be my client, because then there’d be an end date to our relationship. And I don’t want that.”
She swallowed thickly and averted her eyes. “I don’t know what that means, Cade.”
“I don’t either. All I know is I’ve never understood why people choose to be with one person when there’s a world full of others. It never made sense to me why anyone would give up their options in exchange for monogamy. But since meeting you…there isn’t anyone else. I don’t have a need for other options any longer. There’s no one else in this world but you and me.” I couldn’t make sense of the words falling from my mouth. My brain hadn’t sorted through them before I spoke, because they came straight from my heart. Every syllable that passed my lips were the most honest words I had ever uttered, and aside from their truth terrifying me, they liberated me. I felt free once they were out.
“Are…are you saying you’re…in love with me?” she whispered beneath the spray of water.
“No. Love only ruins things. I’m already ruined. I have no idea what this is I feel for you, but I can’t call it love. I don’t want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you but I can’t explain it. Please…don’t ask me to.”
I gave up. I couldn’t even call for help correctly. I wasn’t able to call for help when I was eight, and I couldn’t do it at thirty-four. I should’ve known the moment would come. It was written in the stars. My life was mapped out from early on and there was no way to change it. All the years I’d trained myself to avoid the inevitable were worthless....
This one is truly one of a kind but it goes a little bit slow. They were both broken, he recognized a kindred spirit and took the opportunity. Their journey was so intense and the characters had so much depth. I kept the pages turning and thinking/guessing like a puzzle until the revelation but I felt that there are some parts lacked. I could not grasp the MCs totally. Perhaps, because of Cade's POV only or perhaps his somehow insta-feelings. The attraction was there and I loved the HEA. I always keep in mind that these books are romantic fiction and almost never think about the real life. Because, obviously H and h had heavy psychological problems which needed further professional help. I wholeheartedly appreciated the creative writer; Leddy Harper, she posed several issues and they flowed just great. Whole story was intriguing and thought provoking. If you are looking for a clever psychological romance book with both broken MCs and triggers, then this one is recommended. Thank you again Dilek VT. 4,25 stars....
Reference:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 18, 2017
Oh boy I always have chills when I start to read anything from this author. Wanna know why? Because the fist book that I've read from her had marked me in a way that I will not forget.
Do you know Leddy Harper? If you do you totally know what I'm talking about but if you don't I'll explain.
Her writing is simple but pretty much detailed. She can put you laughing in one sentence and crying in the next one. She put do much emotion into her books that you will feel every word, feel every pain or happiness at the sand time as the characters. You don't believe me? Well it's about time you start to read her work and then we will talk.
And dayum just the prologue let me anxious.
Lust is her newest book and tells the stories of Ivy and Caden.
Ivy is a broken women. She had endured the toughest battles and because of that she's not sure of herself and she don't trust nobody. She wants to feel free and alive but sometimes life isn't fair.
Caden is a sexual surrogate that help treat people with problems related to sex and intimacy.
When he meets Ivy he didn't expect her to be that way, gorgeous and breathtaking but so damaged. He also has a dark past but he try to hide it from everyone.
Can two broken souls help each other? Can happiness fulfil their hearts and souls?
I can't say anything else, I can only say that this book is something out of all charts.
My God this story is so intense with a impact so dark that I can't quite describe it, i can't manag to find the perfect word that can explain how i'm feeling.
The way the story unfolds will hook you up in a way that you can't stop reading.
There were parts of this book that I thought I couldn't handle it simply because they were so breathtaking and I felt that all air had left my lungs.
I should have guessed that Leddy Harper would do this to me. Let's face it, all her book are so beautiful and with a valuable lesson to be learned.
Leddy Harper you own me, body, heart and soul.
Do you know Leddy Harper? If you do you totally know what I'm talking about but if you don't I'll explain.
Her writing is simple but pretty much detailed. She can put you laughing in one sentence and crying in the next one. She put do much emotion into her books that you will feel every word, feel every pain or happiness at the sand time as the characters. You don't believe me? Well it's about time you start to read her work and then we will talk.
And dayum just the prologue let me anxious.
Lust is her newest book and tells the stories of Ivy and Caden.
Ivy is a broken women. She had endured the toughest battles and because of that she's not sure of herself and she don't trust nobody. She wants to feel free and alive but sometimes life isn't fair.
Caden is a sexual surrogate that help treat people with problems related to sex and intimacy.
When he meets Ivy he didn't expect her to be that way, gorgeous and breathtaking but so damaged. He also has a dark past but he try to hide it from everyone.
Can two broken souls help each other? Can happiness fulfil their hearts and souls?
I can't say anything else, I can only say that this book is something out of all charts.
My God this story is so intense with a impact so dark that I can't quite describe it, i can't manag to find the perfect word that can explain how i'm feeling.
The way the story unfolds will hook you up in a way that you can't stop reading.
There were parts of this book that I thought I couldn't handle it simply because they were so breathtaking and I felt that all air had left my lungs.
I should have guessed that Leddy Harper would do this to me. Let's face it, all her book are so beautiful and with a valuable lesson to be learned.
Leddy Harper you own me, body, heart and soul.
May 29, 2017
5 stars out of 4.5
I may have not given enough importance to this book because of my translating work.. But this book was really amazing.... with interraptions I finally achieved to finish it..
Firstly do not be prejudiced because of book's name... There arent lots of sex scenes or stuff. It is about two wounded people who suffered so much a person hardly deal with... their path crossed and they find cure being each other's companion..
Ivy and Caden's past was really painful and unbearable.. you learn that through the end not first or middle of book... This makes book more curious and you find yourself on the edge all these times......
I love it.
I ache for them....
But knowing that always there is a way make you alive or breathe .....being hopeful...
If you believe chance or hope read it.....
I may have not given enough importance to this book because of my translating work.. But this book was really amazing.... with interraptions I finally achieved to finish it..
Firstly do not be prejudiced because of book's name... There arent lots of sex scenes or stuff. It is about two wounded people who suffered so much a person hardly deal with... their path crossed and they find cure being each other's companion..
Ivy and Caden's past was really painful and unbearable.. you learn that through the end not first or middle of book... This makes book more curious and you find yourself on the edge all these times......
I love it.
I ache for them....
But knowing that always there is a way make you alive or breathe .....being hopeful...
If you believe chance or hope read it.....
May 15, 2015
Intriguing. Captivating. Hanging on every word.It's so seductive and intoxicating.
Therapist vs. patient. Helping each other. Who is healing who? The therapist becomes the patient and the patient the therapist. I feel like an observer in a therapy session. I've always wanted to know what goes on in the mind of the therapist and this story fulfills that curiosity. Therapy in this setting seems plausible. It's a great idea. One I've pondered myself.
I love the tie in with other familiar books and having a man read what we enjoy reading. So many times I say to myself, "my husband could learn a thing or two about how to please me in the bedroom if only I could get him to read this book". It's ironic that men can watch porn for endless amounts of hours but when a woman reads erotic stories she gets scolded for reading porn. Yet men want us to watch porn with them and still have no clue that porn is not the forum in which a woman wants to be pleasured.
At times you are consumed with words about Cade and then other times the story is helping and focused on Ivy. Then there are times when they interact together that you want more from them. Your craving intimacy. Your hoping for a fix. Your clinging for clarity. You want a bonding moment. You want the suffocating and suffering to stop for both of them.
It's true sometimes reading books helps give the reader perspective on their own lives. Sometimes we identify with a character and that's what makes us enjoy the story. While I'm reading I'm taking notes for myself so I can remember how to handle a situation.
Love the role playing scenario. I would very much love to re-enact every book boyfriend scene from my favorite book. Life would be amazing if I got to feel how each of those characters felt in those amazing scenes.
I love Cade's determination to plow through these situations to help Ivy. The desire to be worshipped is heady. I feel naughty and exhilarated reading Ivy's first time experiencing intimacy with a man. It's so sweet and tender.
Leddy uses words that take you on a journey so far away from your world that your head is wrapped around these words pulling you in. I grab these words and hang onto them. I wrap myself in these words. I can truly picture the story coming to life inside my mind. It's like sitting motionless in a chair while having an outer body experience.
Leddy you challenge me as a reader to continually find new and interesting stories that don't fit into any particular genre. Your stories are refreshingly new and inspiring. I always learn something new from reading one of your stories. I think Leddy is a creative genius.
Therapist vs. patient. Helping each other. Who is healing who? The therapist becomes the patient and the patient the therapist. I feel like an observer in a therapy session. I've always wanted to know what goes on in the mind of the therapist and this story fulfills that curiosity. Therapy in this setting seems plausible. It's a great idea. One I've pondered myself.
I love the tie in with other familiar books and having a man read what we enjoy reading. So many times I say to myself, "my husband could learn a thing or two about how to please me in the bedroom if only I could get him to read this book". It's ironic that men can watch porn for endless amounts of hours but when a woman reads erotic stories she gets scolded for reading porn. Yet men want us to watch porn with them and still have no clue that porn is not the forum in which a woman wants to be pleasured.
At times you are consumed with words about Cade and then other times the story is helping and focused on Ivy. Then there are times when they interact together that you want more from them. Your craving intimacy. Your hoping for a fix. Your clinging for clarity. You want a bonding moment. You want the suffocating and suffering to stop for both of them.
It's true sometimes reading books helps give the reader perspective on their own lives. Sometimes we identify with a character and that's what makes us enjoy the story. While I'm reading I'm taking notes for myself so I can remember how to handle a situation.
Love the role playing scenario. I would very much love to re-enact every book boyfriend scene from my favorite book. Life would be amazing if I got to feel how each of those characters felt in those amazing scenes.
I love Cade's determination to plow through these situations to help Ivy. The desire to be worshipped is heady. I feel naughty and exhilarated reading Ivy's first time experiencing intimacy with a man. It's so sweet and tender.
Leddy uses words that take you on a journey so far away from your world that your head is wrapped around these words pulling you in. I grab these words and hang onto them. I wrap myself in these words. I can truly picture the story coming to life inside my mind. It's like sitting motionless in a chair while having an outer body experience.
Leddy you challenge me as a reader to continually find new and interesting stories that don't fit into any particular genre. Your stories are refreshingly new and inspiring. I always learn something new from reading one of your stories. I think Leddy is a creative genius.
June 3, 2015
LOVED this book! Such a different story! There are so many things that I loved about this story. One is that it is from the POV of Cade Morgan. And Cade, he is a sexual surrogate (a type of therapist). Ivy is a new patient of his who needs help overcoming her demons to be able to have sex and enjoy it. Even though Cade is her therapist he also has some major demons to over come. He finds Ivy is similar to himself and while trying to treat her this sets off some triggers for him but he also thinks that they can help each other heal. He has to battle between helping Ivy while starting to have feelings for her that he can't describe or letting her go. Ivy loves to read and uses reading as a coping mechanism. Even saying that the characters in the books are her only friends. It's these stories and characters that have made her want to seek help. She wants what she reads about and I think that many of us can relate to that on one level or another. I loved how complex the characters where and you could tell that Leddy really took the time to do her research, including Ivy's eye color. I would definitely recommend that you read this!
January 18, 2017
Some people are so scarred they're almost beyond help.
Ivy Jaymes was traumatized by things beyond her control when she was a child. She has created a world for herself, one she's comfortbale with. Until she meets him.
Caden Morgan has a slightly unorthodox profession. One his peers don't readily agree with. He is happy with the life he has. Then he meets her and everything he knows changes.
This story is a different kind of love story. It is written in such a way I could feel the chemistry between the two main characters. I was hooked from the beginning. The book flows effortlessly and kept me wondering where it was going to take me.
I loved these characters. They were so beautifully flawed and imperfect that they were perfect for each other. It's almost as if they were two parts of one whole being.
This is the second book I've read from this author. From what I've read of her works, she's not going to give you the easy boy meets girl and they live happily ever after type of romance but she will leave you with a happy ending.
Ivy Jaymes was traumatized by things beyond her control when she was a child. She has created a world for herself, one she's comfortbale with. Until she meets him.
Caden Morgan has a slightly unorthodox profession. One his peers don't readily agree with. He is happy with the life he has. Then he meets her and everything he knows changes.
This story is a different kind of love story. It is written in such a way I could feel the chemistry between the two main characters. I was hooked from the beginning. The book flows effortlessly and kept me wondering where it was going to take me.
I loved these characters. They were so beautifully flawed and imperfect that they were perfect for each other. It's almost as if they were two parts of one whole being.
This is the second book I've read from this author. From what I've read of her works, she's not going to give you the easy boy meets girl and they live happily ever after type of romance but she will leave you with a happy ending.
December 16, 2016
"Owned"
Ivy Jaymes has had this issue for way too long and just wants to be fixed! One day she decides its time to try again- but this time she made an appointment with Caden Morgan. Cade is a licensed sex therapist that specializes in sexual surrogacy.
The issues and demons that Ivy struggles with was a HUGE shock to me! I cried for her. I was angry for her. I was really wanting to hunt down the person who could even do such things and .... Well just say it would not be pretty!
Cades issues and demons he struggles with were not as shocking but left me sad. That would be something so tragic and I can very well see how it could scar a person and leave lasting issues. It tore at my heart so much.
I absolutely love how this amazing story of two broken and fractured souls bind together and conquer the demons together.
Ivy Jaymes has had this issue for way too long and just wants to be fixed! One day she decides its time to try again- but this time she made an appointment with Caden Morgan. Cade is a licensed sex therapist that specializes in sexual surrogacy.
The issues and demons that Ivy struggles with was a HUGE shock to me! I cried for her. I was angry for her. I was really wanting to hunt down the person who could even do such things and .... Well just say it would not be pretty!
Cades issues and demons he struggles with were not as shocking but left me sad. That would be something so tragic and I can very well see how it could scar a person and leave lasting issues. It tore at my heart so much.
I absolutely love how this amazing story of two broken and fractured souls bind together and conquer the demons together.
May 6, 2015
**provided to me from NetGalley for my honest review**
I finished this book a few days ago and I still smile thinking about this book. First off what a nice refreshing story line. Ivy has issues with her body and she goes to see Cade a sex therapist. What starts out of Cade trying to help Ivy turns to Ivy helping Cade with his own demons. This story was such an enjoyable read. The story wasn't rushed, the character detail was amazing and the sex was off the hook HOT!!! Great read and can't wait to read more from Leddy Harper!! A must read!!!
I finished this book a few days ago and I still smile thinking about this book. First off what a nice refreshing story line. Ivy has issues with her body and she goes to see Cade a sex therapist. What starts out of Cade trying to help Ivy turns to Ivy helping Cade with his own demons. This story was such an enjoyable read. The story wasn't rushed, the character detail was amazing and the sex was off the hook HOT!!! Great read and can't wait to read more from Leddy Harper!! A must read!!!
May 10, 2015
I loved this book from the word go! It's so different and the story so good.
October 28, 2020
No one ever noticed me. I was like a ghost, a figment of their imagination. I didn’t exist. I was nothing but a warm body with a dark and empty soul. I was lost. Left and never to be found again.
Blurb
Lust…
My darkness was born in it.
Her secret was created by it.
My job was immersed in it.
It would either ruin us or save us.
My name is Caden Morgan, and I am a sex surrogate.
After years of seclusion and fear-induced abstinence, Ivy Jaymes came to me to fix her. Her love of erotic books brought her out of hiding and into my office. I had done this sort of thing hundreds of times… but she was different.
Ivy’s secrets threatened my own.
Her darkness paralleled mine.
And my obsession for her was sure to break me.
Could we heal each other with love?
Or would we end up decimating one another with Lust?
Review
It has taken me a while to finish this book. There were so many times I put it down...
Fair warning:
- If you're uncomfortable reading a hero having an on-page affair with OW (this book aren't for you)
- If the Therapist/patient liaison was something you dislike (well better stay away from this book)
and lastly...
- This book contains triggering matters.
PS: If you still want to read the book I advise PLEASE go in BLIND ☺
“I didn’t want to tell you that I have no friends. No one sees me. No one notices me. So there’s no point in me even trying to make friends with people. I’m invisible. I have no one; I am no one.”
This book is very intriguing and atmospheric. At first, I don't have any idea where the storyline takes off. We only get Caden POV for the entire book except for the prologue it was from Ivy POV keeping the paradox aspect of her.
Caden is a sex surrogate helps women who have low self-esteem or having issues including sex. Ivy came to Caden for help because she can't bear someone looking at her in the eyes especially during intercourse. But that wasn't the reason why Caden's so enticed with her, it's because, for him, she's an enigma, her pretence pulls him in.
As the story moves forward Caden's predicament about her growing feelings for Ivy gets harder and intense,
a borderline fixation. He wants to be with her but then he's fearful. Can two broken people be together? Can they free themselves from their demons in past?
“No. Love only ruins things. I’m already ruined. I have no idea what this is that I feel for you, but I can’t call it love. I don’t want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you and I can’t explain it. Please… don’t ask me to.”
I said before that this book contains a trigger warning except for sexual abuse, Ivy's traumatic background was way more deplorable and disquieting. And I also said go in blind right? So I'm sticking to that, I promise you this story has the profoundness and gratification in the end.
“You want to know what I see?” I asked breathlessly, locking eyes with her. “I see the strongest person alive. I see someone that has no idea how much courage and strength she possesses. I see complete and utter beauty that can only be found in you.”
Caden and Ivy's relationship aren't easy, it's full of thorns and anguish. It's unorthodox nonetheless fundamental. Yes, you might be thinking that since the title is Lust this is just gonna be hot, dirty and pretty much plotline none existing. Yes, it's pungent but in an inescapable way. The story has more to it than the Title this is the moment I will say Don't judge the book by its cover.
To conclude my thoughts, Lust dives into much deeper and lauding sense of narrative about accepting you're fear and overcoming the past. Conveying sensationalism in structures of displaying submerging story arc and multi-faceted characters.
“We are two broken people that complete each other. Like two halves that come together and make a whole.
Blurb
Lust…
My darkness was born in it.
Her secret was created by it.
My job was immersed in it.
It would either ruin us or save us.
My name is Caden Morgan, and I am a sex surrogate.
After years of seclusion and fear-induced abstinence, Ivy Jaymes came to me to fix her. Her love of erotic books brought her out of hiding and into my office. I had done this sort of thing hundreds of times… but she was different.
Ivy’s secrets threatened my own.
Her darkness paralleled mine.
And my obsession for her was sure to break me.
Could we heal each other with love?
Or would we end up decimating one another with Lust?
Review
It has taken me a while to finish this book. There were so many times I put it down...
Fair warning:
- If you're uncomfortable reading a hero having an on-page affair with OW (this book aren't for you)
- If the Therapist/patient liaison was something you dislike (well better stay away from this book)
and lastly...
- This book contains triggering matters.
PS: If you still want to read the book I advise PLEASE go in BLIND ☺
“I didn’t want to tell you that I have no friends. No one sees me. No one notices me. So there’s no point in me even trying to make friends with people. I’m invisible. I have no one; I am no one.”
This book is very intriguing and atmospheric. At first, I don't have any idea where the storyline takes off. We only get Caden POV for the entire book except for the prologue it was from Ivy POV keeping the paradox aspect of her.
Caden is a sex surrogate helps women who have low self-esteem or having issues including sex. Ivy came to Caden for help because she can't bear someone looking at her in the eyes especially during intercourse. But that wasn't the reason why Caden's so enticed with her, it's because, for him, she's an enigma, her pretence pulls him in.
As the story moves forward Caden's predicament about her growing feelings for Ivy gets harder and intense,
a borderline fixation. He wants to be with her but then he's fearful. Can two broken people be together? Can they free themselves from their demons in past?
“No. Love only ruins things. I’m already ruined. I have no idea what this is that I feel for you, but I can’t call it love. I don’t want you to love me, Ivy. I want you to own me. I want to own you. I want to fix you and break you all at once. I need you and I can’t explain it. Please… don’t ask me to.”
I said before that this book contains a trigger warning except for sexual abuse, Ivy's traumatic background was way more deplorable and disquieting. And I also said go in blind right? So I'm sticking to that, I promise you this story has the profoundness and gratification in the end.
“You want to know what I see?” I asked breathlessly, locking eyes with her. “I see the strongest person alive. I see someone that has no idea how much courage and strength she possesses. I see complete and utter beauty that can only be found in you.”
Caden and Ivy's relationship aren't easy, it's full of thorns and anguish. It's unorthodox nonetheless fundamental. Yes, you might be thinking that since the title is Lust this is just gonna be hot, dirty and pretty much plotline none existing. Yes, it's pungent but in an inescapable way. The story has more to it than the Title this is the moment I will say Don't judge the book by its cover.
To conclude my thoughts, Lust dives into much deeper and lauding sense of narrative about accepting you're fear and overcoming the past. Conveying sensationalism in structures of displaying submerging story arc and multi-faceted characters.
“We are two broken people that complete each other. Like two halves that come together and make a whole.
November 4, 2019
3.5 stars
March 8, 2017
This was DNF for me at 47% and it was a struggle to get there. Could not connect with the characters and he has no business being a therapist.
May 16, 2017
4 Fix-Me Stars
"I don’t know what love is or what it’s supposed to feel like, but I love you."
"No…you don’t love me. You own me."
Cade is a sexual surrogate and Ivy is his client. She wants to be able to have sex and enjoy it but her problem is she doesn’t like to be touched or looked at.
"In her eyes, I saw a woman on the verge of breaking. A woman on the edge of giving up, desperately hoping someone would pull her back from the ledge to reality. Lost and disconnected from the world around her. I could’ve been looking in a mirror at my own reflection."
At first sight Cade attracted to her but not sexually. He wanted to fix her issues, he wanted to be intimate with the inner workings of her mind. But Ivy isn’t an easy case. Cade feels some similarity with Ivy. They both have demons and they both thinks they are incapable of love and they both are alone. Ivy is like a mystery for him that he is determined to solve it.
"But something about Ivy intrigued me, as if we were born from the same darkness. Lived in the same shadows and harbored the same emptiness. Her eyes, void of emotion, created a desire, a need, to know every intricate detail of her."
Ivy had a really bad childhood, but it wasn’t the kind of abuse you anticipated. In some ways it was worse. Cade has his own demons. The weight of his past is like a burden on his shoulders. He hates love but Ivy is his salvation, his peace; his therapy. He needs her so much.
"I wanted to push her until she broke, until she was so shattered she mirrored my own reflection. That way, I could take the pieces of us and put them back together until there was just one."
This story is my second read by this author and like the other one I loved it. It was really good. Two broken characters who help each other, heal each other. The story-line was perfect and well-paced, the characters were well-written. The story told from just Cade’s POV, 1st person. It’s a standalone story. All in all, it was an enjoyable one and I hope you like it as well!
"I don’t know what love is or what it’s supposed to feel like, but I love you."
"No…you don’t love me. You own me."
Cade is a sexual surrogate and Ivy is his client. She wants to be able to have sex and enjoy it but her problem is she doesn’t like to be touched or looked at.
"In her eyes, I saw a woman on the verge of breaking. A woman on the edge of giving up, desperately hoping someone would pull her back from the ledge to reality. Lost and disconnected from the world around her. I could’ve been looking in a mirror at my own reflection."
At first sight Cade attracted to her but not sexually. He wanted to fix her issues, he wanted to be intimate with the inner workings of her mind. But Ivy isn’t an easy case. Cade feels some similarity with Ivy. They both have demons and they both thinks they are incapable of love and they both are alone. Ivy is like a mystery for him that he is determined to solve it.
"But something about Ivy intrigued me, as if we were born from the same darkness. Lived in the same shadows and harbored the same emptiness. Her eyes, void of emotion, created a desire, a need, to know every intricate detail of her."
Ivy had a really bad childhood, but it wasn’t the kind of abuse you anticipated. In some ways it was worse. Cade has his own demons. The weight of his past is like a burden on his shoulders. He hates love but Ivy is his salvation, his peace; his therapy. He needs her so much.
"I wanted to push her until she broke, until she was so shattered she mirrored my own reflection. That way, I could take the pieces of us and put them back together until there was just one."
This story is my second read by this author and like the other one I loved it. It was really good. Two broken characters who help each other, heal each other. The story-line was perfect and well-paced, the characters were well-written. The story told from just Cade’s POV, 1st person. It’s a standalone story. All in all, it was an enjoyable one and I hope you like it as well!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews