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Rough Love #3
Trust Me
It’s been three years since they first met, and Chere is finally where she wants to be: in Price’s dungeon.
Well, she’s in his dungeon part of the time. The rest of the time, she’s living in his home, eating his food, sleeping in his bed, reading his books, wearing his—well, no, he won’t let her wear anything. In fact, there are a lot of things he doesn’t allow, more than she ever imagined in her torrid fantasies. Life under Price’s control is an adjustment, and sometimes a nightmare.
It’s not long before she realizes she’s in way over her head…
Note: This book is super rough. There’s love, but it’s rough. Hence, Rough Love series. This full-length novel is the final book in a three-part storyline that culminates in Happily Ever After. But, full disclosure, this is the roughest part of the ride.
Well, she’s in his dungeon part of the time. The rest of the time, she’s living in his home, eating his food, sleeping in his bed, reading his books, wearing his—well, no, he won’t let her wear anything. In fact, there are a lot of things he doesn’t allow, more than she ever imagined in her torrid fantasies. Life under Price’s control is an adjustment, and sometimes a nightmare.
It’s not long before she realizes she’s in way over her head…
Note: This book is super rough. There’s love, but it’s rough. Hence, Rough Love series. This full-length novel is the final book in a three-part storyline that culminates in Happily Ever After. But, full disclosure, this is the roughest part of the ride.
196 pages, Nook
First published March 1, 2016
91 people are currently reading
762 people want to read
About the author
Annabel Joseph
70 books2,217 followersAnnabel Joseph is a NYT and USA Today bestselling BDSM erotic romance author. She writes mainly contemporary romance, although she has been known to dabble in the medieval and Regency eras. She is recognized for writing emotionally intense BDSM storylines, and strives to create characters that seem real--even flawed--so readers are better able to relate to them.
Annabel also writes non-BDSM erotic romance under the name Molly Joseph. You can sign up to receive Annabel's newsletter here: http://wordpress.us7.list-manage.com/...
Some of Annabel's favorite authors are Laura Kinsale, Judith McNaught, Jo Beverley, Flannery O'Connor, Molly Weatherfield, and Anneke Jacob.
Annabel Joseph loves to hear from her readers at annabeljosephnovels(@)gmail.com.
Annabel also writes non-BDSM erotic romance under the name Molly Joseph. You can sign up to receive Annabel's newsletter here: http://wordpress.us7.list-manage.com/...
Some of Annabel's favorite authors are Laura Kinsale, Judith McNaught, Jo Beverley, Flannery O'Connor, Molly Weatherfield, and Anneke Jacob.
Annabel Joseph loves to hear from her readers at annabeljosephnovels(@)gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
February 15, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Trust Me, book 3 of 3. The conclusion to the mysterious W & Chere dysfunctional & unorthodox love!
“Everything I do, everything I say, every rule, every protocol, every session between us is motivated by my fucking love for her. I guide her. I encourage her. I write her fucking poetry.”
Books in the Rough Love Trilogy should be read in order:
Book 1: Torment Me
Book 2: Taunt Me
Book 3: Trust Me
Torment Me, book 1-2 followed the dysfunctional and volatile relationship between former escort Chere and her mysterious client “W”. It was an roller-coaster of mind-blowing sex and submitting to W, but also violence, manipulation, simulated and non-simulated rape, sadism and BDSM without safe words sprinkled with confusing moments of poetry and tenderness.
Trust Me, book 3 has W and Chere facing many obstacles. This final leg in their journey is about self-reflection and growth, tough choices, sacrifices, compromises, balance and most importantly learning to trust in their love.
“I stayed to watch her sleep, and tried to convince myself that it was okay to love her even if I hurt her. Did all my love for her cancel out the control, the sadism, the pain?”
Eight words to describe W: Secretive, manipulative, detached, calculated, remote, commanding, possessive and aloof.
Eight words to describe Chere: Nurturing, loyal, reflective, broken, insecure, dependent, meek and determined.
Trust Me, told from dual POVs, is a candid glimpse into a sadist-masochist relationship between two broken and damaged souls. Violence, manipulation even cruelty marred their journey. But out of the darkness an impossible love blossomed. It ends beautifully with an epilogue years into the future.
What a journey! What a couple! What a hero!
“I could tear you up, but I won’t, because I love you.”
***
Hero: ★★★★★
Heroine: ★★★★1/2
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★★
***************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | HIGH FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | HIGH FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | HIGH FOCUS |
Suspense: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
July 8, 2017
Wow okay, I think I'm going back to my hearts&flowers books because this series literally fucked me very good. 😂😂😂
June 18, 2020
Torment me - 4.5 ⭐️
Taunt me - 4.5 ⭐️
Trust me - 4 ⭐️
Song : Nine Inch Nails - Closer
Stage 1
“I’d rather have the want of you
The rich, elusive taunt of you”
Stage 2
“Look at what you do for me.
You’re so beautiful”
Stage 3
What you see right now
Is what I see when I dream.
Beautiful diamond, beautiful heart.
Beautiful fighter, and a soul like art.
Rating this trilogy was hard. I was extremely confused because it had all the things I didn't like in my books, but I was completely captivated from start to finish.
I don't like BDSM books. I don't mind a BDSM aspect (preferably minor), but the whole dom/sub thing?
This begs the question : why did I decide to read this ?
*adds this to the list of things i'm gonna discuss with my future therapist*
Any-bananas-way, KUDOS to Annabel Joseph for creating characters that should've been detestable but somehow weren't, a story that should've made me run for the hills but somehow didn't . The woman is insanely talented, and I'm glad I took a chance on this trilogy.
Rough Love is the journey of Chere Rouzier and Price Eriksen, and the title fits them perfectly. Their journey was rough, hard, bumpy, frustrating and all the similar words you can think of, but it was theirs.
There was always a way, if you wanted it badly enough. We’d fought for what we wanted, and now it was ours.
Chere is a 28 yo escort stuck in an abusive relationship. She can't leave her boyfriend and is deeply convinced that she deserves all the bad things that happen to her. Every person in her life treats her like shit, that's all she's ever known. She actually keeps working as an escort to support her abusive bfs drug addiction.
Chere takes "codependent" a whole new level, my friends. Her low self-esteem, her self-loathing and her desperation for love should've made me hate her, or at the very least dislike her. But the truth is, while she sometimes annoyed me to no ends, I just couldn't hate her. Maybe it was the way she was written? Again, Kudos to Ms Joseph.
One day, Chere is summoned to the W hotel and asked to put on a blindfold for her "session" with a client who wishes to remain unknown.
This client, whom she calls W, turns out to be a sadist that is into some very kinky and very painful things. After an intense session, he asks her to meet him again.
W, or Price Erisken, also known as P.T. Eriksen and sometimes Sir (we actually find out his name in book 2, he's W for all of book 1) is a star-chitect by day, sadist by night and asshole always.
It was hard being an ultra-possessive, ultra-protective sadist and pervert. It made my life complicated as shit.
This guy was a real piece of work. The first time he called Chere "a piece of shit", I was outraged. Once I got used to his brand of asshole, he just made me laugh. 🤣
“Paris makes me horny”
All Price is looking for is a woman who embraces his brand of fucked up, and in Chere, he found his perfect submissive/potential sex slave. Once he decided she was his, he redefined the meaning of controlling, obsessed, possessive and manipulative.
What started out as a clear weekly arrangement between escort and client soon becomes a murky, muddy kinda-relationship where feelings are involved and lines are blurred.
What I mentioned here is just the tip of the iceberg, the warm up before the tango and the first drop of the deluge.
I want to say so much more but if I do, I'll end up retelling these books scene by scene. 😅
So I'm just gonna say this :
These characters were far from perfect.
Their decisions and actions were far from perfect.
Their relationship was far from perfect.
Their story was far from perfect.
BUT
I recommend this trilogy to any BDSM fan.
It's incredibly well written and I found myself enjoying it, against all odds.
“Love always hurts.”
“No…Love always lies.”
“How many stars in your bowl? How many shadows in your soul?”
July 5, 2017
This final installment of Chere and Price's intense relationship was the perfect conclusion. With the way Taunt Me ended I was beyond excited and jumped right into Trust me, because I had to know if their relationship could handle the choice Chere made and also Price's demanding rules. It wasn't without problems and it definitely put a strain on both of them.
Chere started out being very immersed in her slave relationship with Price. It was pretty much all consuming for her. So much that it affected her job as a jewelry designer. Price was also consumed with providing pain and pleasure to Chere but he also wanted her to have a life besides him. A career. He truly wanted the best for her because she deserved it. Yet he also isolated her with his very crazy and demanding rules. That dynamic between the two of them was very interesting and fascinating because it had two sides. Yes, Chere was loving being on the receiving end of Price's punishments and gained pleasure from it, she also experienced him being very possessive and jealous, that she started to question herself and her choices. This was really difficult and emotional to read and I enjoyed their struggle tremendously because it was captured so beautifully with so much intensity.
The ending was fabulous and how they both ended up was how I envisioned it and yet again it wasn't. I really liked that. Their relationship and love was unique. I got a glimpse into a hardcore dominant and submissive relationship and it fascinated the heck out me. Annabel Joseph is very honest and raw with her writing and it only made me enjoy this series even more.
4 BadAssDirtyStarshineStars
Chere started out being very immersed in her slave relationship with Price. It was pretty much all consuming for her. So much that it affected her job as a jewelry designer. Price was also consumed with providing pain and pleasure to Chere but he also wanted her to have a life besides him. A career. He truly wanted the best for her because she deserved it. Yet he also isolated her with his very crazy and demanding rules. That dynamic between the two of them was very interesting and fascinating because it had two sides. Yes, Chere was loving being on the receiving end of Price's punishments and gained pleasure from it, she also experienced him being very possessive and jealous, that she started to question herself and her choices. This was really difficult and emotional to read and I enjoyed their struggle tremendously because it was captured so beautifully with so much intensity.
The ending was fabulous and how they both ended up was how I envisioned it and yet again it wasn't. I really liked that. Their relationship and love was unique. I got a glimpse into a hardcore dominant and submissive relationship and it fascinated the heck out me. Annabel Joseph is very honest and raw with her writing and it only made me enjoy this series even more.
4 BadAssDirtyStarshineStars
September 19, 2020
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟭: Torment Me 2.5 ★
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟮: Taunt Me 4 ★
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯: Trust Me 3 ★
I can't really talk deeply about this book coz that's the level of my "messed up head and feelings" after reading this book and the things that happened in it.
— 𝘐'𝘮 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥.
𝙏𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬, 𝙬𝙚’𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮.
𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙬𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥
How do I justify what I feel about this book?!! I absolutely loved some things? But of course I didn't like some things and those things were supposed to happen?!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁
First known as W, Later he's this rich as hell man named P.T. Erikson. I'll just call him Price. Coz that's really his name.
This guy!! I mean, this was like the peak of being sick! He's a man, he loves to control, he loves to have a submissive, he loves to order and get things done his way, fine. Fine. I get that. And maybe people who are into it would love it. But it just wasn't for me, I had no idea this would be the extent to where things would go and never in my life would I be with a man like that. But I still I rate this book 3 because, there were just so many messed up things that did make sense and I can't talk about it coz I'm not giving away anything except maybe a little spoiler.
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙠, 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪.
The Dungeon, at first, did sound sexy and scary but honestly, I would have understood the things he did if he said he didn't love her coz a man who loves you, I just fail to understand why they feel the *need* yes, need, to hurt you. He's a sadist and that's how things work for him but dude!! You don't love her as the woman she is, you love her for the fighter she is coz it freaking excites you! It excites you that your slave rebels against you so you can do the dirty things you want to do to discipline her.
𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨. 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣.
I know what he thinks for her is right, I know he thinks best for her regarding some things but that just doesn't justify *how* and *what* he does to protect her.
𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨? 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲
Everytime he's harsh with her, everytime she submits to him, he writes poetry for her.
𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚, 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙. 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩. 𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮, 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 “𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘.” 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣.
And those words mean so much to her that even when everything seems to fall apart, she holds onto those words and tells herself that things are fine.
That he's writing poetry for her,
that they're good,
that things are fine.
𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡. 𝙔𝙚𝙨, 𝙄’𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚.
—𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚.
She loves to be his slave but the thing is, he isn't only controlling her sexually, he's controlling her Life, saying it's for her safety and protection and that he cares; When really, the lack of trust between them has made both of them insecure and especially this guy! I just, I couldn't accept the shit he did to her and I had no hope for this man to change coz the book was ending and he was effing same!
𝙋𝙤𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙝𝙮𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. I think that's a really good thing about books. In books, people change even when you lose hope and in reality, you keep hoping but often times, people don't change or change too late.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬
𝙄𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢. 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙙, 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙩.
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟮: Taunt Me 4 ★
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟯: Trust Me 3 ★
I can't really talk deeply about this book coz that's the level of my "messed up head and feelings" after reading this book and the things that happened in it.
— 𝘐'𝘮 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘲𝘶𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥.
𝙏𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬, 𝙬𝙚’𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮.
𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙬𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥
How do I justify what I feel about this book?!! I absolutely loved some things? But of course I didn't like some things and those things were supposed to happen?!
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁
First known as W, Later he's this rich as hell man named P.T. Erikson. I'll just call him Price. Coz that's really his name.
This guy!! I mean, this was like the peak of being sick! He's a man, he loves to control, he loves to have a submissive, he loves to order and get things done his way, fine. Fine. I get that. And maybe people who are into it would love it. But it just wasn't for me, I had no idea this would be the extent to where things would go and never in my life would I be with a man like that. But I still I rate this book 3 because, there were just so many messed up things that did make sense and I can't talk about it coz I'm not giving away anything except maybe a little spoiler.
𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙠, 𝙗𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚. 𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪.
The Dungeon, at first, did sound sexy and scary but honestly, I would have understood the things he did if he said he didn't love her coz a man who loves you, I just fail to understand why they feel the *need* yes, need, to hurt you. He's a sadist and that's how things work for him but dude!! You don't love her as the woman she is, you love her for the fighter she is coz it freaking excites you! It excites you that your slave rebels against you so you can do the dirty things you want to do to discipline her.
𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚. 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨. 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙜𝙤 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙, 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣.
I know what he thinks for her is right, I know he thinks best for her regarding some things but that just doesn't justify *how* and *what* he does to protect her.
𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨? 𝙄 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚. 𝙄𝙛 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨, 𝙄’𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲
Everytime he's harsh with her, everytime she submits to him, he writes poetry for her.
𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨, 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙥𝙤𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙮, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚, 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙. 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩. 𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮, 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥, 𝙤𝙪𝙧 “𝙙𝙮𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘.” 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜: 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣.
And those words mean so much to her that even when everything seems to fall apart, she holds onto those words and tells herself that things are fine.
That he's writing poetry for her,
that they're good,
that things are fine.
𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡. 𝙔𝙚𝙨, 𝙄’𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚.
—𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚.
She loves to be his slave but the thing is, he isn't only controlling her sexually, he's controlling her Life, saying it's for her safety and protection and that he cares; When really, the lack of trust between them has made both of them insecure and especially this guy! I just, I couldn't accept the shit he did to her and I had no hope for this man to change coz the book was ending and he was effing same!
𝙋𝙤𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙝𝙮𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡, 𝙨𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩.
𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀, 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲. I think that's a really good thing about books. In books, people change even when you lose hope and in reality, you keep hoping but often times, people don't change or change too late.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬
𝙄𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢. 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙙, 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩. 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙩.
February 23, 2016
I had a privilege of reading an ARC of this final installment and all I can say is "WOW"! I have never had this happen to me before but I cried through 95% of this trilogy. The story of 'W' and Chere made me feel so much that I think it's fair to say this is THE most emotional series I've read to date.
This series won't be for everyone. Please read the warnings in the blurbs and don't take them lightly. If you are familiar with Annabel's work then you know what you are getting into. This is a story of two adults that have certain needs ... the stuff they do is 100% consensual. There are a lot of BDSM elements in this trilogy that a lot of readers won't be comfortable with, HOWEVER, just because this isn't the lifestyle you may practice/understand, doesn't mean it's wrong. Not to mention, this is a work of fiction so take it for what it is.
If you have an open mind and love stories that make you feel, this is definitely a journey worth taking.
Cheers!
March 13, 2016
4 ROUGH LOVE, STARSHINE!!
Chere & Price has complicated relationship. In Taunt Me, Chere confess her feeling to Price many times. Price couldn't love her. His way of showing love is far different from vanilla couple. Finally Chere give up her give up freedom in order to gain his love. There is always a way, she said. Her days with Price filled with rough and kinkiness. Price has done many wicked things with Chere. So much for love, she think. It's not only Chere has to accept Price as her Master in bedroom also in everyday's life.
I enjoyed their journey very much. They have interesting 24/7 BDSM relationship. I was amazed with Price's sadism because he never run out of ideas to torment Chere. Price really made her very special like he always do. He didn't want 'full-time' slave. He wants Chere to growing up outside their M/s relationship. This is my plus point for him.
As a ultra-possessive sadist like Price, he's controlling her life. He's so freaky in this book because it looks like he doesn't trust Chere. As much I enjoyed their rough sex, I hardly enjoyed their feeling. So different than the previous. Their M/s relationship was so intense and filled with command and punishment. Also, I kinda hated Chere in here. She changed into whinny woman. It disappoint me on how she's so clingy to Price. She almost throw out her education to be Price's dutiful slave. What the F, woman? I liked her spirit in 1st and 2nd book because she seems has bright future and quite smart. But in this book, she turns to annoyed me.
Trust Me got me very emotional until the end. Finally their relationship has to face the main problem. In this case, Price and Chere have lack of trust and maturity. Why? Even they loved each other and could be hopelessly romantic, but they're so stubborn. In every relationship you need to understand each other and they didn't have it. Yeah, They both have different way to showing love. For Price, he needs to control Chere's life because he's afraid of losing her. Too much control that made Chere almost insane. At first, Chere think it's fine for Price to control her but as time goes by she slowly realize that Price's control means not trust her.
Once upon a time, there was a lost, lonely princess, and a rough-edged prince who owned a castle with a dungeon.
... She loved and hated both of them, her dreams a peculiar mixture of happiness and dread. Sometimes the prince tormented her, whipped her or choked her while he whispered lurid threats in her ear, but sometimes he gave her poetry, real poetry he’d written only for her.
Chere & Price has complicated relationship. In Taunt Me, Chere confess her feeling to Price many times. Price couldn't love her. His way of showing love is far different from vanilla couple. Finally Chere give up her give up freedom in order to gain his love. There is always a way, she said. Her days with Price filled with rough and kinkiness. Price has done many wicked things with Chere. So much for love, she think. It's not only Chere has to accept Price as her Master in bedroom also in everyday's life.
I enjoyed their journey very much. They have interesting 24/7 BDSM relationship. I was amazed with Price's sadism because he never run out of ideas to torment Chere. Price really made her very special like he always do. He didn't want 'full-time' slave. He wants Chere to growing up outside their M/s relationship. This is my plus point for him.
As a ultra-possessive sadist like Price, he's controlling her life. He's so freaky in this book because it looks like he doesn't trust Chere. As much I enjoyed their rough sex, I hardly enjoyed their feeling. So different than the previous. Their M/s relationship was so intense and filled with command and punishment. Also, I kinda hated Chere in here. She changed into whinny woman. It disappoint me on how she's so clingy to Price. She almost throw out her education to be Price's dutiful slave. What the F, woman? I liked her spirit in 1st and 2nd book because she seems has bright future and quite smart. But in this book, she turns to annoyed me.
Trust Me got me very emotional until the end. Finally their relationship has to face the main problem. In this case, Price and Chere have lack of trust and maturity. Why? Even they loved each other and could be hopelessly romantic, but they're so stubborn. In every relationship you need to understand each other and they didn't have it. Yeah, They both have different way to showing love. For Price, he needs to control Chere's life because he's afraid of losing her. Too much control that made Chere almost insane. At first, Chere think it's fine for Price to control her but as time goes by she slowly realize that Price's control means not trust her.
I’d always love her,... Sometimes there were just bonds between people. Not manacles or leather cuffs or rope, but bonds deep inside you, because someone understood you and accepted you despite all your pathetic flaws.I have love-hate relationship with Chere and Price. Mostly with Chere. She turns into unreasonable woman. Ungrateful, even. The most thing I hated is I couldn't blame Chere because Price has mistake too. His lack of trust made Chere doubt her love. But in the end, they worked it out. Baby steps. It was beautiful on how their repair the relationship. BDSM and vanilla. Annabel Joseph always made me speechless with her writing about BDSM aspect. But this series is really made for me. This is another plus that different from her other series that I've read.
“If you let me in…”I loved how hard and crazy Price made me. He is a sadist also freakin' romantic with poem. Even he’d written only for her. *swoon* Overall, this is the best series ever! Definitely a compelling series.
“I know.”
“I’ll do terrible things to you. Rough, uncontrolled things.”
“That’s kind of what I was hoping.”
What you see right now
Is what I see when I dream.
Beautiful diamond, beautiful heart.
Beautiful fighter, and a soul like art.
February 10, 2017
4.5 Stars
Trust me opens with a continual timeline from Taunt Me where Chere and W reached a pivotal point in their relationship. For W, it meant really sharing his ultimate vision of a relationship and for Chere it translated to total submission leading to a total power exchange. Taking this big step signifies the magnitude of W’s feelings for Chere and having her inside his private dungeon is sheer ecstasy for this sadist and his feisty masochist.
With W’s emotional and professional support, he imposes goals and pushes her to promote her new business. Chere is extremely grateful for W’s expertise and her opportunity but she must balance the requirements of her relationship to the needs of her business. Having always been a giver and putting herself second, Chere falls into old habits to please W.
Sharing such intense moments in the dungeon further bonds Chere to W but his obsessions begin to reach a threshold point leading to more grueling punishment sessions. Delving into her personal limits, Chere must decide how far she is willing to push herself to please W inside and outside the playroom. While W continues to slowly share more with Chere, these moments are not enough to sustain the turbulent times.
In Trust Me, limits are pushed to a point where Chere and W are forced to address their vulnerabilities. It isn’t an easy journey for either character, as there are cringe worthy moments steeped in W’s sadistic desires and Chere’s tolerance for pain but there is also deep love and respect for each other’s well being.
While Chere and W came from very different places in their lives, they balance each other completely and defined their own relationship boundaries. The evolution of these characters felt natural and while they attain a happy medium, it’s realistic one.
Throughout the series, Chere exceeded my expectations. She is strong, resilient, determined, loving and not afraid to take risks. At times, I felt her struggles and shared in her pleasure. As for W, he isn’t your storybook hero and for that reason, I loved him. With his confidence and no bullshit attitude, it’s easy to fall for him but to accept his darker side takes a certain appreciation of his needs. Adding to the storyline are strong secondary characters that support the struggles Chere and W experience.
With the final book of the Rough Love series, the storyline comes full circle and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the journey. For those who appreciate BDSM dynamics, Annabel Joseph writes an accurate portrayal and isn’t afraid to push the limits. I highly recommend Trust Me and the entire series.
Rough Love series:
Trust me opens with a continual timeline from Taunt Me where Chere and W reached a pivotal point in their relationship. For W, it meant really sharing his ultimate vision of a relationship and for Chere it translated to total submission leading to a total power exchange. Taking this big step signifies the magnitude of W’s feelings for Chere and having her inside his private dungeon is sheer ecstasy for this sadist and his feisty masochist.
“Your only job is to fucking be owned.”
With W’s emotional and professional support, he imposes goals and pushes her to promote her new business. Chere is extremely grateful for W’s expertise and her opportunity but she must balance the requirements of her relationship to the needs of her business. Having always been a giver and putting herself second, Chere falls into old habits to please W.
“He was inside me and around me all the time, and I’d become scarily addicted to his nearness, to the fullness of his mastery.”
Sharing such intense moments in the dungeon further bonds Chere to W but his obsessions begin to reach a threshold point leading to more grueling punishment sessions. Delving into her personal limits, Chere must decide how far she is willing to push herself to please W inside and outside the playroom. While W continues to slowly share more with Chere, these moments are not enough to sustain the turbulent times.
“I didn’t know what I feared more, his punishment or his desertion.”
In Trust Me, limits are pushed to a point where Chere and W are forced to address their vulnerabilities. It isn’t an easy journey for either character, as there are cringe worthy moments steeped in W’s sadistic desires and Chere’s tolerance for pain but there is also deep love and respect for each other’s well being.
While Chere and W came from very different places in their lives, they balance each other completely and defined their own relationship boundaries. The evolution of these characters felt natural and while they attain a happy medium, it’s realistic one.
Throughout the series, Chere exceeded my expectations. She is strong, resilient, determined, loving and not afraid to take risks. At times, I felt her struggles and shared in her pleasure. As for W, he isn’t your storybook hero and for that reason, I loved him. With his confidence and no bullshit attitude, it’s easy to fall for him but to accept his darker side takes a certain appreciation of his needs. Adding to the storyline are strong secondary characters that support the struggles Chere and W experience.
With the final book of the Rough Love series, the storyline comes full circle and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the journey. For those who appreciate BDSM dynamics, Annabel Joseph writes an accurate portrayal and isn’t afraid to push the limits. I highly recommend Trust Me and the entire series.
Rough Love series:
August 15, 2016
I probably should have stopped with the first book. The series got progressively questionable and uncomfortable; I think adding in Price's POV really did not do this series any good. And by the third book it's clear that he is just an abusive fuck. I'm so angry, and maybe I'm naive and stupid for not preparing myself for that with the whole master-slave dynamic set up by the end of the second book, but I think there's a way to write that and not have the guy be an emotionally physically abusive asshole. I was really interested in reading that kind of story. At least, if you're going to take it in that direction, acknowledge the behavior is abusive, which the author and MC did, thankfully! I was hopeful in the beginning that this would be a different kind of story, with responsible, respectful narrative about the blurry lines of an abusive relationship. But then by the end it's just swept under the rug.
February 18, 2017
Rougher than Annabel's other stories,i still recommend this series. It's a beautiful story about a girl that grows from a troubled past to a beautiful future with the help of a demanding,controlling,but loving man. A bit rough loving,but still loving,man....
June 22, 2025
Wasn’t a huge fan of the ending… not every couple needs to be married and have kids. 🤦♀️
March 14, 2019
Book 1- 4.5 stars
Book 2- 5 stars
Book 3- 4 stars
Series-4.5 stars!!
**For the record: there were way too many quotes, so I just added them to Goodreads for each book! I tried to make sure they weren't too spoiler-y, either**
Okay, so this trilogy was a lot of what I was expecting and even more of what I wasn’t. I’ve read enough Annabel Joseph now to know that while the journey might be raw and rough, the outcome will be extremely rewarding. Her books are filled with different personalities, plots, and preferences, but they’re always heartfelt and deeply real. This trilogy was no different, and I applaud the author for being brave enough to write a love story this rough around the edges.
When we are introduced to these characters- and them to each other- Chere is a high-class escort and W is, well, a mystery. I’m going to be honest and tell you that I adored W from the beginning. He has that dry sense of humor that I always respond to, and he’s also very self-aware and intuitive. Does he have flaws? Absolutely. He’s selfish and stuck in his ways. He’s hedonistic, and he doesn’t care if his pleasure comes at the behest of someone else’s peril. He likes Chere simply because she isn’t another submissive masochist, at least not on the surface. He loves her fight, which means there’s a lot of violent encounters, especially one that made me cringe really hard. I will never forget that particular scene, because I swear I felt Chere’s emotions, her fear and self-doubt. While that was a tough scene to read so early in the story, it was necessary for us to understand both characters. That’s when you know you’re reading a well-written story; when you’re uncomfortable but still turning each page like a fiend.
Like I said, W is a mystery at first, and I don’t want to spoil that. I think it’s important the reader experience bits and pieces of him at a time, like Chere herself does. The first book is solely from her POV, so when we get his in books 2 and 3, it’s soooo exciting. I will say this: not everyone will like him, but I do think most readers can see pretty quickly that Chere means something to him. Is he controlling, selfish, possessive, and downright toxic at times? Yes. Is he also caring, encouraging, and one-hundred percent devoted? Absolutely. He’s intense in everything he does; there are no half-measures. He’s obsessive about the things that are important to him. Personally, I love him, and he’s a new top ten book boyfriend for me.
Oh, Chere. I did like her most of the time, especially in the first two books. I had sympathy for the situation she was in during the majority of the first story, and I understood her feelings of abandonment in the second one. But by the third, she really starting to grate on my nerves. She came across as emotionally weak, and it was frustrating that after all W did to help her evolve, she was still too stupid to see when she was being emotionally manipulated. It made me resent her, that she would even thinking about allowing herself to move backwards like she wanted to. I could see why W loved her, and why he believed in her, but I just wanted her to believe in herself. I understood her desire for independence sometimes, but it was hard to want that for her when she did such stupid shit with that independence. She can be so tenacious, so determined, but she can also be codependent and destructive. Thankfully, she fought for what mattered when it actually mattered, so I will mostly think of her fondly.
So, to recap, this trilogy was intense and all-consuming. This isn’t the kind of BDSM with light spankings and a bunch of cheap talk. The sex is hot and edgy, but also rough and violent, sometimes even terrifying. By the third book, they’re in a relationship with total power exchange- no safeword and virtually no breaks from the dynamic. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you won’t like this story, because it is mine and I even found it to be overwhelming at times. What actually made it work was my genuine belief that W loved her and wanted what was best for her, and his actions continually showed that. It didn’t hurt that Chere made awful decisions when he wasn’t in control. Additionally, he was up front and very clear about what he wanted from a relationship- total control- and she agreed to it. So by the third book, the consent issues were pretty much ironed out for me, because she knew exactly who he was. Also, while their scenes can be violent and painful, it’s only ever the two of them. W is far too possessive to allow any man near Chere, let alone touch her. I know some people are against sharing, so I thought it’d be important to point that out. My only complaint? In the third book, Chere started to seem whiny and annoying. I understand self-destruct behaviors, and codependent tendencies, but not when you’ve had years to reflect on your previous life and see how unhealthy it was. She came across as weak, not the fighter W loved. I still loved the story and W, I just didn’t love Chere for most of the last book.
If you're feeling brave, and you want a story that's intense, rough, raw, and real, than I'd recommend giving this one a try!
Book 2- 5 stars
Book 3- 4 stars
Series-4.5 stars!!
**For the record: there were way too many quotes, so I just added them to Goodreads for each book! I tried to make sure they weren't too spoiler-y, either**
Okay, so this trilogy was a lot of what I was expecting and even more of what I wasn’t. I’ve read enough Annabel Joseph now to know that while the journey might be raw and rough, the outcome will be extremely rewarding. Her books are filled with different personalities, plots, and preferences, but they’re always heartfelt and deeply real. This trilogy was no different, and I applaud the author for being brave enough to write a love story this rough around the edges.
When we are introduced to these characters- and them to each other- Chere is a high-class escort and W is, well, a mystery. I’m going to be honest and tell you that I adored W from the beginning. He has that dry sense of humor that I always respond to, and he’s also very self-aware and intuitive. Does he have flaws? Absolutely. He’s selfish and stuck in his ways. He’s hedonistic, and he doesn’t care if his pleasure comes at the behest of someone else’s peril. He likes Chere simply because she isn’t another submissive masochist, at least not on the surface. He loves her fight, which means there’s a lot of violent encounters, especially one that made me cringe really hard. I will never forget that particular scene, because I swear I felt Chere’s emotions, her fear and self-doubt. While that was a tough scene to read so early in the story, it was necessary for us to understand both characters. That’s when you know you’re reading a well-written story; when you’re uncomfortable but still turning each page like a fiend.
Like I said, W is a mystery at first, and I don’t want to spoil that. I think it’s important the reader experience bits and pieces of him at a time, like Chere herself does. The first book is solely from her POV, so when we get his in books 2 and 3, it’s soooo exciting. I will say this: not everyone will like him, but I do think most readers can see pretty quickly that Chere means something to him. Is he controlling, selfish, possessive, and downright toxic at times? Yes. Is he also caring, encouraging, and one-hundred percent devoted? Absolutely. He’s intense in everything he does; there are no half-measures. He’s obsessive about the things that are important to him. Personally, I love him, and he’s a new top ten book boyfriend for me.
Oh, Chere. I did like her most of the time, especially in the first two books. I had sympathy for the situation she was in during the majority of the first story, and I understood her feelings of abandonment in the second one. But by the third, she really starting to grate on my nerves. She came across as emotionally weak, and it was frustrating that after all W did to help her evolve, she was still too stupid to see when she was being emotionally manipulated. It made me resent her, that she would even thinking about allowing herself to move backwards like she wanted to. I could see why W loved her, and why he believed in her, but I just wanted her to believe in herself. I understood her desire for independence sometimes, but it was hard to want that for her when she did such stupid shit with that independence. She can be so tenacious, so determined, but she can also be codependent and destructive. Thankfully, she fought for what mattered when it actually mattered, so I will mostly think of her fondly.
So, to recap, this trilogy was intense and all-consuming. This isn’t the kind of BDSM with light spankings and a bunch of cheap talk. The sex is hot and edgy, but also rough and violent, sometimes even terrifying. By the third book, they’re in a relationship with total power exchange- no safeword and virtually no breaks from the dynamic. If that isn’t your cup of tea, you won’t like this story, because it is mine and I even found it to be overwhelming at times. What actually made it work was my genuine belief that W loved her and wanted what was best for her, and his actions continually showed that. It didn’t hurt that Chere made awful decisions when he wasn’t in control. Additionally, he was up front and very clear about what he wanted from a relationship- total control- and she agreed to it. So by the third book, the consent issues were pretty much ironed out for me, because she knew exactly who he was. Also, while their scenes can be violent and painful, it’s only ever the two of them. W is far too possessive to allow any man near Chere, let alone touch her. I know some people are against sharing, so I thought it’d be important to point that out. My only complaint? In the third book, Chere started to seem whiny and annoying. I understand self-destruct behaviors, and codependent tendencies, but not when you’ve had years to reflect on your previous life and see how unhealthy it was. She came across as weak, not the fighter W loved. I still loved the story and W, I just didn’t love Chere for most of the last book.
If you're feeling brave, and you want a story that's intense, rough, raw, and real, than I'd recommend giving this one a try!
March 28, 2016
TRUST ME
Maybe you think I’m too cruel. Maybe you think I’m a bastard. Yeah, I’m both of those things, but she was here, and she accepted the sadistic side of me like the hard-core masochist she was.
Trust me, starts right where taunt me left off. Chere is in Price dungeon right where she wanted to be, lets remember how she begged Price to make her his slave.
Chere also has started her new jewelry business thanks to Price investment in it.
Price is still the sadist dominant that we all know from the previous books. In this book we have a glimpse of how Chere and Price life is, which is totally crazy sexy and a bit overwhelming.
I have read all three books of Annabel Joseph , and I have enjoyed all of them: again I will repeat this the way I have in every review that I have written on her books .
I love her writing when it comes to BDSM, her books are very entertaining and will make you feel like you are experiencing everything yourself . that being said the book is a bit tough so if you are not into the sadist masochist type of thing do not read it its not for you , now if you are not faint of heart , I totally recommend the book its…very entertaining ,sexy, romantic even has you on the tip of your toes .
“ do it again and ill beat your ass until you cant walk. He reached between the bars and grabbed my hair , giving it a firm yank.’
I Could be harder on you, you know,’ ‘I could tear you up, but I wont because I love you’
Price Erickson , he is a major sadist dominant there are things I don’t like about him ,but here he opens a bit more to Chere ,he is more loving in his own sadist way.
When it come to anything to do with Chere he is crazy possessive , which I liked but I didn’t like the fact that he would take things out on Chere to much, punish her for things that really weren’t that big of a deal.
‘Youre mine I said grabbing her neck again submit.’
“Your mine I whispered I want you . I always want you”
Chere , I love chere she is one tough girl she receives everything that her master gives. But when she wants something she also fights for it not caring what the punishment or consequence will be .
“I slapped him. Hard. When he didn’t react, I launched myself at him, scratching and flailing. We struggled until he caught my hands in his.”
we also have some old characters in the book some we love like Chere best friend Andrew. And some we don’t love at all like Simon the ass and Cantor the creepy pervy teacher. So overall as always I pretty much loved it .
4 master price has a heart .
Maybe you think I’m too cruel. Maybe you think I’m a bastard. Yeah, I’m both of those things, but she was here, and she accepted the sadistic side of me like the hard-core masochist she was.
Trust me, starts right where taunt me left off. Chere is in Price dungeon right where she wanted to be, lets remember how she begged Price to make her his slave.
Chere also has started her new jewelry business thanks to Price investment in it.
Price is still the sadist dominant that we all know from the previous books. In this book we have a glimpse of how Chere and Price life is, which is totally crazy sexy and a bit overwhelming.
I have read all three books of Annabel Joseph , and I have enjoyed all of them: again I will repeat this the way I have in every review that I have written on her books .
I love her writing when it comes to BDSM, her books are very entertaining and will make you feel like you are experiencing everything yourself . that being said the book is a bit tough so if you are not into the sadist masochist type of thing do not read it its not for you , now if you are not faint of heart , I totally recommend the book its…very entertaining ,sexy, romantic even has you on the tip of your toes .
“ do it again and ill beat your ass until you cant walk. He reached between the bars and grabbed my hair , giving it a firm yank.’
I Could be harder on you, you know,’ ‘I could tear you up, but I wont because I love you’
Price Erickson , he is a major sadist dominant there are things I don’t like about him ,but here he opens a bit more to Chere ,he is more loving in his own sadist way.
When it come to anything to do with Chere he is crazy possessive , which I liked but I didn’t like the fact that he would take things out on Chere to much, punish her for things that really weren’t that big of a deal.
‘Youre mine I said grabbing her neck again submit.’
“Your mine I whispered I want you . I always want you”
Chere , I love chere she is one tough girl she receives everything that her master gives. But when she wants something she also fights for it not caring what the punishment or consequence will be .
“I slapped him. Hard. When he didn’t react, I launched myself at him, scratching and flailing. We struggled until he caught my hands in his.”
we also have some old characters in the book some we love like Chere best friend Andrew. And some we don’t love at all like Simon the ass and Cantor the creepy pervy teacher. So overall as always I pretty much loved it .
4 master price has a heart .
October 20, 2023
Wow... Annabel Joseph did it again. This is such a mind fuck, even more then the Mephisto books!
Songs that remind me of the main characters and their relationship: Dear Trouble by Correatown
Rise Up by Andra Day
Re-read: I keep telling myself not to finish books at 3AM because I am supposed to be a functional adult... And yet... I still love this insane book and series and I still give up sleep to read it
Songs that remind me of the main characters and their relationship: Dear Trouble by Correatown
Rise Up by Andra Day
Re-read: I keep telling myself not to finish books at 3AM because I am supposed to be a functional adult... And yet... I still love this insane book and series and I still give up sleep to read it
March 3, 2016
It was just too "rough" for me. It felt abusive rather then consensual.
February 23, 2017
This is book 3 of the Rough Love series. Book 3 is the conclusion to Price & Chere's story.
Price & Chere embark on a relationship that evolves from total and consensual power exchange to utter abuse. Price just justifies this that she knew upfront and agreed with so shut up and take it.
In book 1, and a small part in book 2, there was a bit of caring of Price's part that I missed here.
I felt that Price was always just looking for reasons to go off the rail and freely abuse someone. At some point I even got the feeling that Chere was not even a masochist.
IMO Chere is a true submissive and afraid of being alone again and does not speak up.
I didn’t know what I feared more, his punishment or his desertion.
She is being told by Price that she likes the pain, likes being choked and abuse by him. Price knows that she does not like the choking part but does not care about her feelings, he only cares about what he wants to get the trill he needs.
We never read that Chere acknowledges that the pain turns into pleasure, only how awful it was.
Price "awards" Chere for letting him abuse her with poems.
Price enforces his ownership on Chere by spying on her with camera's unbeknown to her. He not only abuses her physical but also mentally, by forbidding her to have friends. She is just allowed one that she can only meet in public places if she get Price's permission.
When Price holds her prisoner to prevent her for going to her ex's funeral she finally snaps and leaves Price. When he goes to her after one week he reluctantly apologises and starts abusing her immediately.
The last part of the book felt a bit rushed and forced. Abuse makes trusting again pretty hard and, I think, needs a lot of professional help. Price was never a talker and did not wanted to listen to Chere about his actions towards her, he just wanted her to accept all. Albeit, they suddenly started to communicate openly, and they even manage to build trust in a really short time.
I was surprise at the swiftness in which they started to trust each other, started to communicate and letting each other in, it was a bit too rosy, IMO!
This book is part of a series that has to be read in order:
January 19, 2020
Its always a bummer when your anticipation of a trilogy doesn’t meet your anticipation and for me the final book didn’t get me there.
Despite Annabel Joseph’s powerful writing I felt the this co-dependent relationship was just over done in book three.
Price’s controlling nature was just so over the top I thought he was mentally unstable. His lack of human decency and caring for Chere specifically over Simon’s death was final the nail in the coffin for me.
Chere made too many excuses for his behaviour and literally became a fish in a fish tank. Instead of sitting down and thinking cohesively about situations she found herself in, she just went round in circles ending back at the same point she complained she wanted out of.
Nothing she said to him mattered, her feelings or her emotional pain never permeated his armour of control.
He hurt her for caring
He hurt her for yelling at him
He hurt her for getting a backbone
He hurt her because he could
Most relationships have a semblance of freedom and consideration for the other person’s feelings - except Price didn’t see this. Every rule, protocol or session was motivated because he was adamant it was for the best (for her)
Despite continually showing her love for him, he continued with his punishments and exclusion until loneliness and rejection finally got to her. Her self-hatred became so overwhelming she got the backbone and left him.
This story won't appeal to everyone. It is not a fluffy romance and there are a number of edgier/kinky and dark BDSM moments in this very dependent Sadist/masochistic relationship.
There is a “happy ending” but to get there these two imperfect characters needed to learn some hard life lessons.
Despite Annabel Joseph’s powerful writing I felt the this co-dependent relationship was just over done in book three.
Price’s controlling nature was just so over the top I thought he was mentally unstable. His lack of human decency and caring for Chere specifically over Simon’s death was final the nail in the coffin for me.
Chere made too many excuses for his behaviour and literally became a fish in a fish tank. Instead of sitting down and thinking cohesively about situations she found herself in, she just went round in circles ending back at the same point she complained she wanted out of.
Nothing she said to him mattered, her feelings or her emotional pain never permeated his armour of control.
He hurt her for caring
He hurt her for yelling at him
He hurt her for getting a backbone
He hurt her because he could
Most relationships have a semblance of freedom and consideration for the other person’s feelings - except Price didn’t see this. Every rule, protocol or session was motivated because he was adamant it was for the best (for her)
Despite continually showing her love for him, he continued with his punishments and exclusion until loneliness and rejection finally got to her. Her self-hatred became so overwhelming she got the backbone and left him.
This story won't appeal to everyone. It is not a fluffy romance and there are a number of edgier/kinky and dark BDSM moments in this very dependent Sadist/masochistic relationship.
There is a “happy ending” but to get there these two imperfect characters needed to learn some hard life lessons.
January 9, 2024
Last book in the trilogy…This series definitely draws you in like a voyeur. I couldn’t stop reading. The author weaves such a spell with words that you are drawn Into this world. Call me ignorant but I never knew tpe existed.
This is the culmination of Chere and Prices love story and their hea. Price is one sadistic mf… but he’s in love!
This is the culmination of Chere and Prices love story and their hea. Price is one sadistic mf… but he’s in love!
February 3, 2018
I hated the first 60% of the book. I wanted to give it 1 star and DNF it. It wasn’t BDSM; it was abuse and obsessive control, and there was absolutely nothing romantic about it. I stayed on because I expected a turning point and I really wanted to see this heroine to grow some spine. That did eventually happen but by then it was a little too late to rebuild my respect for either main characters, and I found myself feeling skeptical about their attempted change and HEA. Also the tone of the writing went from dark and oppressive, to (briefly) angsty, to downright cheesy, the transition didn’t sit right with me.
March 9, 2016
This was a book of two halves for me, the first half was hard going and it did take me a while to get into this final instalment. However it did pick up in the second half and once the ending really got going for this couple I was invested. Chere and Price are definitely not normal, nor do they pretend to be, but it works for them and once they iron out their kinks these two really do have something. The past comes back to haunt to them that causes problems but this instalment was more about them working on their insecurities and what they have to bend to be able to be together.
March 12, 2016
I was a little disappointed with this 3rd book but not in the writing style or story telling. Ms. Joseph is a superb writer and one of my favorites. Maybe I just can't relate or understand the slave/master dynamic but my feelings were the same as Andrews. Price was abusive. And I couldn't see how or why Chere would stay with him. But maybe because that's all she's ever known. I had gone into this knowing I'd be worried about their dynamic and it was as expected. My rating is based solely on my own feelings and not how the book was written.
May 2, 2016
I need time to process.
![Profile Image for Michelle [Helen Geek].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1448463806i%2F5557851._CR0%2C13%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 27, 2016
11/24/2016 -- 3.5 Stars.
I gave the first book 4.5 Stars, the second 4 Stars, and this one 3.5 Stars. I think because I didn't like Price. I wasn't crazy about Chere and I really, seriously didn't like them together. I've read DARK books before. I've read AJ's books before. I've loved Dark and loved AJ. This series disappointed me. I think I wasn't ready for a sadist and how he developed a masochist. Their co-dependence is seriously whacked. The breath play is scary to me.
I didn't like the way that Price had the nerve to look down on artist ex-boyfriend for his dependencies when he has his own. He fights it, but it consumes him. Nothing about this book seemed to have a semblance of normal but yet she tried to weave a normal existence for two and that just isn't possible. Price won't let it happen.
So, overall, I'd give this series 3.5 Stars. I really liked book 1, I was hopeful things would evolve in book 2, but book 3 was just more of the craptastic book 2 and left me feeling bereft. I really feel bad for Chere. She seems fine, happy even, so it is only my impression of what will make her happy that died.
Happy Reading!
I gave the first book 4.5 Stars, the second 4 Stars, and this one 3.5 Stars. I think because I didn't like Price. I wasn't crazy about Chere and I really, seriously didn't like them together. I've read DARK books before. I've read AJ's books before. I've loved Dark and loved AJ. This series disappointed me. I think I wasn't ready for a sadist and how he developed a masochist. Their co-dependence is seriously whacked. The breath play is scary to me.
I didn't like the way that Price had the nerve to look down on artist ex-boyfriend for his dependencies when he has his own. He fights it, but it consumes him. Nothing about this book seemed to have a semblance of normal but yet she tried to weave a normal existence for two and that just isn't possible. Price won't let it happen.
So, overall, I'd give this series 3.5 Stars. I really liked book 1, I was hopeful things would evolve in book 2, but book 3 was just more of the craptastic book 2 and left me feeling bereft. I really feel bad for Chere. She seems fine, happy even, so it is only my impression of what will make her happy that died.
Happy Reading!
March 2, 2016
Trust Me was a satisfying wrap-up to the Rough Love trilogy. I wouldn't read it without reading the other two first, and as often happens I think the happy ending romance trope and the BDSM erotica don't quite mesh. It's not that kinky people can't be happy but rather the tropes are an awkward fit.
Still, I have to appreciate that Annabel Joseph writes kinky romance protagonists who are imperfect humans but for whom the kink is not the fucked up part of them. As a work of literature, Trust Me is competent and formulaic. But in its specific subgenre it's something special.
I would also say that if you liked the Club Mephisto trilogy, you're definitely going to enjoy Rough Love as a trilogy. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if it's the kind of cup of tea you like, well, you probably know who you are.
Still, I have to appreciate that Annabel Joseph writes kinky romance protagonists who are imperfect humans but for whom the kink is not the fucked up part of them. As a work of literature, Trust Me is competent and formulaic. But in its specific subgenre it's something special.
I would also say that if you liked the Club Mephisto trilogy, you're definitely going to enjoy Rough Love as a trilogy. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if it's the kind of cup of tea you like, well, you probably know who you are.
September 4, 2016
3.5 stars
I loved the previous books, one of them is featured in my list of Favorites of 2015.
But this time I had a really HARD time connecting with Price and Chere.
I couldn't relate to any of them as much as I did in the other books and I'm glad Chere started to grow a backbone, but for me, she needed more of that. And Price needed to suffer just a bit more! LOL
It was good to see the other side of their love story though. What happens after they finally get together. With those two we always knew it wouldn't be hearts and flowers or a path made of rainbows. They have to really work hard to work out together and that part of the story was very real.
I loved the previous books, one of them is featured in my list of Favorites of 2015.
But this time I had a really HARD time connecting with Price and Chere.
I couldn't relate to any of them as much as I did in the other books and I'm glad Chere started to grow a backbone, but for me, she needed more of that. And Price needed to suffer just a bit more! LOL
It was good to see the other side of their love story though. What happens after they finally get together. With those two we always knew it wouldn't be hearts and flowers or a path made of rainbows. They have to really work hard to work out together and that part of the story was very real.
March 5, 2016
5++++ Stars from me
Trust Me is the final book in the Rough Love series and Annabel Joseph did not disappoint.
Price & Chere's story started off in an unusual way both felt worthless and not deserving of love and a happy future. This series takes you through all the drama, kinky passion, heart break, fights and love.
For me Annabel wrote that true love can be found if you have met the right person and regardless of your kinks things can work in a way that also enables a stable family life.
Cannot wait for the next series coming soon from Annabel Joseph.
November 28, 2017
Although I did not like book 2, I knew I'd read this one because I was so curious to see Price's dungeon.
It was not much better, I still can not see why they are together, they were better as escort & client!
One of the worst relationship I've read about!
August 12, 2016
Love this series and I am so sad it's over, Price and Chere are one of my favourite fictional couples. I love the darker edgier BDSM theme in the Rough Love series.
July 31, 2016
Smut, smut, really filthy smut.
October 14, 2016
“Poems don’t have to rhyme to be beautiful.”
There are no words to adequately describe the gamut of emotions I felt while reading TRUST ME, the third installment in the darkly entrancing ROUGH LOVE trilogy. This is the first series I have ever read by the awe-inspiring Annabel Joseph but it will not be my last. The author blew me away with this entire trilogy, and her raw talent shone through on each and every page, yet in my opinion, she truly outdid herself with this riveting final installment.
But first...a “naughty” confession. It took me a while to work up the nerve to dive into this last book, because I knew I was about to embark on the ROUGHEST ride of them all, especially since the true master/slave power exchange would finally commence.
In. The. Dungeon. Eeeek!!!!
The TORTUROUS love affair between Chere, a ghetto-bred ex-hooker-turned-boutique jewelry designer and the filthy rich, enigmatic Price (aka famous architect P.T. Eriksen) was confounding, all consuming and soul shattering. I was so swept up in this story that I felt the unbridled passion and heartache pouring off the pages and seeping right down to my core.
And what a tumultuous journey it was!
Ms. Joseph did as remarkable job of depicting the unique, emotionally intense master/slave dynamic, but I am admittedly still trying to wrap my brain around it all! Throughout the book, I wavered between being completely enraptured by the spellbinding connection between this tempestuous couple and feeling intense despair and even a hint of disdain for them. On one hand, I admired Chere's tenacity, unconditional loyalty and unfaltering devotion to the stern, broken man who marked her so acutely with his thrilling brand of rough possession it threatened to incinerate them both.
But on the other hand...I winced with dread over her complete submission to a master who claimed to worship her yet unleashed his wrath on her so mercilessly when she "displeased" him. I mean how could she blindly surrender to Price's cruel, harsh ministrations and suffer so mightily at his iron hands? Why did she stay with this irrationally jealous sadist who refused to trust in her love? Continue to wear his suffocating collar? Allow him to dictate her every single move out of his warped attempt to "save" her from herself?
But then her "tormentor" would write her eloquent, romantic poetry and lavish her with such love, devotion and exquisite tenderness it would fill my heart to overflowing and make me weep with unabashed joy. And then hope against hope that she would somehow muster the inner strength to continue to champion and fight for this beautifully savage, damaged man!
Both of these protagonists were so real and palpable that they made me ache inside. Chere was strong and brave, sassy and sweet, and weak and vulnerable, often all at the same time, the very definition of a multi-faceted heroine whom you can't help but love.
And Price. OMG….THIS MAN!!!! He was truly a fascinating contradiction!!! Equal parts brilliant architect, strict dominant and closeted romantic, he was so SCARY intense he made my insides quiver. He evoked so many conflicted feelings in me that I am still REELING! There is just something about this character that drew me like a moth to a flame. He was so rich and powerful. Gruffly tender. Primally sexy. Fiercely protective. Unapologetically sadistic and a COMPLETE and UTTER control freak.
But buried down deep beneath the almighty exterior, he was in a constant state of emotional turmoil because he was paralyzed with fear that the monster inside of him would ultimately cost him the only woman that mattered. So even though it’s all kinds of wrong, I am NOT ashamed to admit I have mad, insane love for this dark, demonic Master of the Dungeon!!! The keeper of Chere's hopes and dreams, the tormenter of her body and soul...the center of her ENTIRE WORLD!!!
I am not gonna sugarcoat it--this was not a swoony romance by any means. It was dark and disturbing, tinged with rare moments of raw, devastating tenderness, and some of the scenes (especially the S&M "training" and punishment sessions in the dungeon) were so hardcore they were GRUELING for me to get through. But I carried on. Because the soul-deep connection between Price and his luminous "starshine" was so powerful and profound and I Couldn't. Stop. Reading.
This brilliantly insightful passage pretty much sums up my feelings about this formidable master and his beloved slave: "He could insist on rules. He could hide behind protocols and training, but I knew that the other man was there, the Price who was full of love and tenderness and poetry. Those thoughts sustained me through every stringent session in the dungeon..."
There are so many riveting layers to the toxic love affair between Price and Chere that I could probably go on and on psychoanalyzing this infuriatingly complex duo, but when it comes down to it this final book was ultimately about TRUST. Or lack thereof. It would either tether them together or tear them apart forever. Could they overcome their irrational fears, insecurities and festering self-doubts, find a way to fix EACH OTHER, or would they end up broken beyond repair?
Bottom line...I am glad I took a chance on this series even though it pushed me way out of my comfort zone and at times left my soul stripped bare. It was a wild, intense, frenzied roller coaster ride from start to finish, and the final reckoning between this couple, the mind-blowing denouement, was truly epic in breadth and scope.
Still, now that the three-part journey has reached an end, I must ask myself...so was it truly worth it?? All the torturous passion, blind obsession, fiery discord, the agony and the ecstasy? Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! Because sometimes you have to claw your way through the darkness to ultimately bask in the light.
In closing, to quote Chere’s mantra,”There’s ALWAYS a way.”
5++ FANFREAKINGTASTIC Flogger Stars!!!!!
There are no words to adequately describe the gamut of emotions I felt while reading TRUST ME, the third installment in the darkly entrancing ROUGH LOVE trilogy. This is the first series I have ever read by the awe-inspiring Annabel Joseph but it will not be my last. The author blew me away with this entire trilogy, and her raw talent shone through on each and every page, yet in my opinion, she truly outdid herself with this riveting final installment.
But first...a “naughty” confession. It took me a while to work up the nerve to dive into this last book, because I knew I was about to embark on the ROUGHEST ride of them all, especially since the true master/slave power exchange would finally commence.
In. The. Dungeon. Eeeek!!!!
The TORTUROUS love affair between Chere, a ghetto-bred ex-hooker-turned-boutique jewelry designer and the filthy rich, enigmatic Price (aka famous architect P.T. Eriksen) was confounding, all consuming and soul shattering. I was so swept up in this story that I felt the unbridled passion and heartache pouring off the pages and seeping right down to my core.
And what a tumultuous journey it was!
Ms. Joseph did as remarkable job of depicting the unique, emotionally intense master/slave dynamic, but I am admittedly still trying to wrap my brain around it all! Throughout the book, I wavered between being completely enraptured by the spellbinding connection between this tempestuous couple and feeling intense despair and even a hint of disdain for them. On one hand, I admired Chere's tenacity, unconditional loyalty and unfaltering devotion to the stern, broken man who marked her so acutely with his thrilling brand of rough possession it threatened to incinerate them both.
But on the other hand...I winced with dread over her complete submission to a master who claimed to worship her yet unleashed his wrath on her so mercilessly when she "displeased" him. I mean how could she blindly surrender to Price's cruel, harsh ministrations and suffer so mightily at his iron hands? Why did she stay with this irrationally jealous sadist who refused to trust in her love? Continue to wear his suffocating collar? Allow him to dictate her every single move out of his warped attempt to "save" her from herself?
But then her "tormentor" would write her eloquent, romantic poetry and lavish her with such love, devotion and exquisite tenderness it would fill my heart to overflowing and make me weep with unabashed joy. And then hope against hope that she would somehow muster the inner strength to continue to champion and fight for this beautifully savage, damaged man!
Both of these protagonists were so real and palpable that they made me ache inside. Chere was strong and brave, sassy and sweet, and weak and vulnerable, often all at the same time, the very definition of a multi-faceted heroine whom you can't help but love.
And Price. OMG….THIS MAN!!!! He was truly a fascinating contradiction!!! Equal parts brilliant architect, strict dominant and closeted romantic, he was so SCARY intense he made my insides quiver. He evoked so many conflicted feelings in me that I am still REELING! There is just something about this character that drew me like a moth to a flame. He was so rich and powerful. Gruffly tender. Primally sexy. Fiercely protective. Unapologetically sadistic and a COMPLETE and UTTER control freak.
But buried down deep beneath the almighty exterior, he was in a constant state of emotional turmoil because he was paralyzed with fear that the monster inside of him would ultimately cost him the only woman that mattered. So even though it’s all kinds of wrong, I am NOT ashamed to admit I have mad, insane love for this dark, demonic Master of the Dungeon!!! The keeper of Chere's hopes and dreams, the tormenter of her body and soul...the center of her ENTIRE WORLD!!!
I am not gonna sugarcoat it--this was not a swoony romance by any means. It was dark and disturbing, tinged with rare moments of raw, devastating tenderness, and some of the scenes (especially the S&M "training" and punishment sessions in the dungeon) were so hardcore they were GRUELING for me to get through. But I carried on. Because the soul-deep connection between Price and his luminous "starshine" was so powerful and profound and I Couldn't. Stop. Reading.
This brilliantly insightful passage pretty much sums up my feelings about this formidable master and his beloved slave: "He could insist on rules. He could hide behind protocols and training, but I knew that the other man was there, the Price who was full of love and tenderness and poetry. Those thoughts sustained me through every stringent session in the dungeon..."
There are so many riveting layers to the toxic love affair between Price and Chere that I could probably go on and on psychoanalyzing this infuriatingly complex duo, but when it comes down to it this final book was ultimately about TRUST. Or lack thereof. It would either tether them together or tear them apart forever. Could they overcome their irrational fears, insecurities and festering self-doubts, find a way to fix EACH OTHER, or would they end up broken beyond repair?
Bottom line...I am glad I took a chance on this series even though it pushed me way out of my comfort zone and at times left my soul stripped bare. It was a wild, intense, frenzied roller coaster ride from start to finish, and the final reckoning between this couple, the mind-blowing denouement, was truly epic in breadth and scope.
Still, now that the three-part journey has reached an end, I must ask myself...so was it truly worth it?? All the torturous passion, blind obsession, fiery discord, the agony and the ecstasy? Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! Because sometimes you have to claw your way through the darkness to ultimately bask in the light.
In closing, to quote Chere’s mantra,”There’s ALWAYS a way.”
5++ FANFREAKINGTASTIC Flogger Stars!!!!!
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