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"Do you surrender?" I repeated, dropping my cuff links in the jewelry tray near the door. "Will you trust me with your body? With your submission?"

Sophia Slater is dying for her big break. An expose on Hush, an elite, invitation-only BDSM club that boasts a member's list full of the rich and famous, is her way in...she just has to pretend she's a submissive.

When she snags a job at the club as a hostess, she begins plotting the story that will put her name on the map. But her lie lands her at sexy Dominant Desmond O'Connell's feet, and Sophia is thrust into his dark, dangerous world...



Red (The Safeword Series: Book One) is the first book in a three part series.

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2015

16 people are currently reading
108 people want to read

About the author

Ava Claire

93 books656 followers
Ava Claire is a sucker for Alpha males and happily ever afters. When not putting pen to paper or glued to her Kindle, Ava likes road tripping, karaoke, and vintage fashion.

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5 stars
44 (33%)
4 stars
43 (32%)
3 stars
29 (21%)
2 stars
7 (5%)
1 star
9 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,523 reviews320 followers
February 10, 2019
This was a short quick read that I wished was longer. Sophia Slater is trying to get her big break with a story. She gets a job at a BDSM club called "Hush" as a hostess named Sin. There she meets Desmond, who makes her feel things that she never knew where possible. Desmond is struggling with something from his past. This book was hot but I wished it was longer. Both of these character's have a lot of chemistry. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Golden.
53 reviews9 followers
November 22, 2015
I received this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

GENERAL INFO: Red (The Safeword Series)
===========================
Year Pub: 2015- No RePub
Book Type: Short Story
Genre: Romance
Sub-Categories: Anthologies, Serials, Light BDSM (none - only thoughts in this book)
Book's Price: $2.95
Price I'd Value: $0.99
Standalone/Cliffhanger: Cliffhanger
Epilogue Included: No
===========================
POV: H/h (Alternates between Desmond & Sophia)
===========================

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
This is book 1 of 3
Sophia Slater is dying for her big break. An expose on Hush, an elite, invitation-only BDSM club that boasts a member's list full of the rich and famous, is her way in...she just has to pretend she's a submissive. When she snags a job at the club as a hostess, she begins plotting the story that will put her name on the map. But her lie lands her at sexy Dominant Desmond O'Connell's feet, and Sophia is thrust into his dark world. Will they make it? Or will they decide it's not worth the fight?
===========================
Ratings 1(low) - 5(high)
M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F
HEA/HFN/etc Ending: Cliffhanger
Contains Cheating: No
Multi-Luv'n/Ménages: No
Contains Children: No
Contains Flashbacks: Yes
Jealy/Possy/OTT Rating: 2
Angst Level Rating: 2
Feel-Good Level Rating: 5
Steam Factor Rating: 2
Kink Level Rating: 1
Amount of Sex In The Book: None
Overall Smex Rating: 2
===========================
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION: Desmond is your usual BDSM master, he has a heart but also has been deeply hurt. Sophia is strong and yet has insecurities like everyone else. Will they make it? Or will they decide it's not worth the fight?
===========================
HERO:
Hero Description: Alpha-4, Billionaire, sex club owner
Hero Likability Rating: 5
HEROINE:
Heroine Description: Strong -4, Smart,
Heroine Likability Rating: 5
===========================
H/h RELATIONSHIP INFO:
===========================
Buildup Instant/Just Right/Too Long:
Just Right
Any H/h Separations: No
Amount of Time H/h Spends Together: Just Right
Overall H/h Relationship Rating: 4
===========================
TRIGGERS/WARNING: No
==========================
Any Triggers/Warnings: No
Detail:
===========================
Overall Rating: 4
Do You Recommend This Book: YES
Will You Re-read This Book: Maybe
Would You Read More Books By This Author: Definitely
===========================
COMMENTS/NOTES: I really enjoyed this book! It looks like I potentially have 2 new favourite characters! Desmond is your usual BDSM master, he has a heart but also has been deeply hurt. Sophia is strong and yet has insecurities like everyone else. Will they make it? Or will they decide it's not worth the fight?
Profile Image for Shonnie.
443 reviews17 followers
September 30, 2017
Um, Boring

I felt like it had potential however it fell short. It's one of those continuation stories so the author gives you a little bit to keep you interested. However I'm not interested. I didn't connect with the characters to want to know more and that could be because the author spent to much on things that didn't move the story forward.

It's a no for me.
Profile Image for Veronica Shields.
206 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2023
Poorly plotted with mediocre prose with shockingly bad understanding and representation of BDSM. When your author doesn’t seem to know the difference between masochism and submission, you know you’re in the trenches.
Profile Image for Belladonna.
45 reviews
July 5, 2025
This is a short but good read. I wish it was longer because the characters are very interesting. If you like romances, check this book out.
Profile Image for Jamie Mounts.
180 reviews
November 9, 2015
Ava Claire as always done it again in this new series on the kinky side of love and lust. Although I miss Jacob and Leila, Desmond and Sophia have the same exact connection. I can see a lot of the power couple in this new couple. Sophia is a entertainment reporter looking for her big break after her break up with the man she spent her college years with that also cheated on her making her give up on love and Desmond has it all but dealing with the losing the love of his life and now only wants the D/s relationship with no strings attached. Sophia goes undercover at Desmond's BDSM club Hush to get her big story but has trouble being the submissive she is acting to be but once Desmond lays eyes on her after she puts another Dom in he's place and he's world starts to change. One look at Desmond and Sophia is ready to submit to him and him only. I can't wait to see where this adventure takes us. Who is going to change their mind about love? Will sophia submit completely? Will Desmond be able to let Caity go finally and move on with his life? All questions we are waiting for answers too. I can wait till the next book comes out.
Profile Image for Amanda.
1,277 reviews5 followers
November 13, 2015
I was leery about this series at first because the BDSM is so over done now, but this surprised me. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Sophia is a journalist who is trying to find her place in the business when she has a great idea for an inside story. I have a feeling that this story she is trying to get is going to cause more hurt than anything, especially when the subject of her story is on the man she can't seem to get out of her head.

Desmond has no idea what is coming after him, and I am going to enjoy seeing how this all pans out.

For the first book in this series it was extremely good, it kept me pulled in and left me wanting more.

Advanced copy graciously received from author for an honest review,
Profile Image for Anita Powers.
1,461 reviews40 followers
November 8, 2015
I really like this storyline and am looking forward to more. I love Desmond and cannot wait to learn what happened in his past that continues to haunt him. I cannot wait to see how far he pushes Sophia. I like Sophia alot but I loved her when she showed how clearly she was fascinated by the BDSM stuff in the room and how excited she got from his touch, it felt like we were seeing the real Sophia. I am curious to see what happens with her co-worker Peter, not sure what is up with that. I also can already see where there is going to be some major issues down the line with her and Desmond having any kind of relationship due to her job and her recent assignment, can't wait to see how that unfolds. I love everything Ava writes and once again she has written another winner.
Profile Image for Sue Zawisa.
334 reviews4 followers
November 18, 2015
Review for RED
I received this as a gift for an honest review
Sophia Slater works for the gossip rag DISH. To hear her tell it, this is her dream job, maybe she needs to find a new dream. Desmond O’Connell, renowned chef, restauranteur and executive producer of American chef-a top rated reality show. Sophia needs a big story to push her dreams to reality. Little does she know her next endeavor is going to bring these two face to face, but not in the way she expected. Des is looking for someone or something that he lost. He brought HUSH to what it is now- a BDSM club for people like him. Could this chance meeting of these two souls be his ultimate downfall or the rebirth of his heart ?
Profile Image for Mary Jo.
2,374 reviews59 followers
November 9, 2015
I’ve been totally drawn into this latest drama. Sophia is trying to make it as a Hollywood/entertainment reporter which sends her to an exclusive BDSM club, Hush, in search of an expose. What she doesn’t expect is to cross paths with Desmond, the mysterious masked dominant that awakens something in her. Desmond is a famous chef and reality TV host, he uses Hush to fulfill his innermost desires and keeps this part of his life private. The new hostess at Hush, Sin, has enthralled him. There is an exciting and sexy connection between Sophia and Desmond so I’m very curious what will happen when identities are revealed. Anxious for part 2!
Profile Image for DawnMarie  Carpintero.
Author 2 books19 followers
November 18, 2015
5 Stars

I was given this book for my honest review

Sophia and Desmond's journey begins here. This erotic yet romantic read of these characters are in need of some shaved ice when reading this book..I say shaved ice cause this one hotness and steamy read will have you gasping and we know how ice-cubes don't work well if swallowed whole..

The twists and the secrecy of this read will also have you screaming words that are not allowed in reviews so with this I say go read and enjoy this first part of this series.

Ava Claire brings yet another FABULOUS EROTIC read for all of us to enjoy

Happy Reading
Profile Image for Cheryl Sanders.
2,246 reviews31 followers
December 7, 2015
4.5 Stars
She needs a story. Hush, the BDSM club, is it. If she can get a job there she'll have the inside track about who and what goes on in the ultra private club. There was only one problem. She didn't count on meeting HIM. The man in the black mask.

This is the first book of The Safeword Series. It's another fantastic series of shorts by Ava Claire. Outrageously sexy with some unrequited love, some betrayal and lots of secrets!

Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was not compensated for my review.
I was not required to write a positive review.
The opinion expressed is my own.
Profile Image for K Fly.
179 reviews9 followers
December 12, 2015
*********I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*******

This book was a great beginning to the budding relationship between to masked stranger who met at a sex club. Enter Sophia aka Sin who's going undercover as a submissive at the exclusive BDSM club Hush. Then enters the sex Dom of her dreams who makes her forget she's not really a submissive but under his sensual touch she's thirsty for more. Will she get her story? Will she get caught? Will the owner get wise to her inexperienced ways? Will there be more between them? Guess you will have to keep reading to find out who are they really behind those masked
Profile Image for Tanya Mayes.
710 reviews23 followers
November 10, 2015
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.

What a way to start of a new series. This is about to be super Hot. I love Desmond and Sophie "Sin" together. From the moment theirs met it was on. I love Desmond restraint and control. He is the perfect DOM but will but can he let go of the past and let Sophie into his heart. Love that Sophie is a strong no nonsense type of woman. Able to take a man down. Even though she didn't know she was submissive. She knows she would submit to Desmond. Looking forward to reading the next book. I can't wait too see who gives in.
Profile Image for ENA.
49 reviews
December 27, 2015
Great quick read. It is the introduction of Sin and Des! Where will it lead? Who will discover who is behind the mask 1st? How will the story unfold? Desmond is a reality TV host by Day and the owner of an elite BDSM club by night. Sophia (AKA Sin) is a Hollywood journalist who is looking for her first BIG STORY and finds herself in the arms of Des. They are masked but.... what will happen when the masks come off and their true identities are revealed. GREAT READ. I can't wait to see what happens.
100 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2016
"Red" Hot!!! ARC Review

Sophia Slater is trying to get her big break with a story. She gets a job at a BDSM club called "Hush" as a hostess named Sin. There she meets Desmond, who makes her feel things that she never knew where possible. But we learn that Desmond is struggling with something from his past. What is it? Ava Claire has started this new series and she hasn't disappointed. I think it is going to be a great and I can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Catherine Coffman.
751 reviews6 followers
November 16, 2015
First I love Ava Claire's series. You always know that within two weeks the next one will be out. This is a different kind of bdsm story. Sophia is beautiful friendly and wants to make it as a reporter. Desmond is within drawn, mean and needs bdsm. The story is told by both Sophia and Desmond which is great because you get to see what both of their thoughts and feelings. Can't wait for book two to see more on this couple.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,573 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2015
Red

Going to be a great series, Sophia trying to get that one big break story, Desmond struggling with something in his past, she comes to his BDSM club under disguise, he is intrigued, yet on alert due to how she acts, how will this play out? This is full of potential for love, lust, sadness, heartbreak, cannot wait for book 2.
5,704 reviews39 followers
November 20, 2015
desmond is so hott, sexy and mmmm... yummy lol. i am totally in love with this series. ava's writing is even more amazing.. this series is starting out amazing just as her others were. i cannot wait to see where it goes from here...so much kinky... lust... love... and sex.. mmm yum. i am so glad i got to review this one
251 reviews
January 25, 2016
2.99 for 60 pages--really?!
The story doesn't really get going anywhere--more of just a set up or prologue. Billionaire series grabbed me right away, this one didn't. I got all 3 books at once, so will finish it. Hopefully more is going on in the next two.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,006 reviews4 followers
November 12, 2015
Hmm.

Finished this first part, and I'd say it's enjoyable and full of intrigue. I got a little lost for a bit. Kind of confused, but I liked the ending and await the next segment.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

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