What do you think?
Rate this book
Blue
As her guests arrive for dinner, Janet is both fearful and aroused—because this is no ordinary suburban dinner party. Recently divorced and looking for something new, Janet definitely finds it when her friend Jon invites her to join an exclusive club of kinksters whose initiation is to be the host-and the entertainment.
Before the food is even served, she's naked and on her knees, not to mention in over her head with her far more experienced guests. An avid reader of BDSM erotica, Janet learns that reality doesn't always jibe with the fantasy as she rapidly loses control of the situation.
So begins Janet's odyssey into a kinky suburban underground she never dreamed existed: caterers who were once dominatrices; real estate agents and lawyers by day who make twisted, sexy art by night; a stunning but sadistic insurance analyst who owns an entire stable of slaves of her own—one of whom might be affecting her life more than she knows.
Well-trained submissives are in short supply out here in the 'burbs, and Janet, blue-eyed and eager, has just the potential these people are looking for. Kinky and sexy, intelligent and perceptive, Blue is both highly entertaining social satire and red hot erotica.
WARNING: Contains explicit material and adult situations.
Before the food is even served, she's naked and on her knees, not to mention in over her head with her far more experienced guests. An avid reader of BDSM erotica, Janet learns that reality doesn't always jibe with the fantasy as she rapidly loses control of the situation.
So begins Janet's odyssey into a kinky suburban underground she never dreamed existed: caterers who were once dominatrices; real estate agents and lawyers by day who make twisted, sexy art by night; a stunning but sadistic insurance analyst who owns an entire stable of slaves of her own—one of whom might be affecting her life more than she knows.
Well-trained submissives are in short supply out here in the 'burbs, and Janet, blue-eyed and eager, has just the potential these people are looking for. Kinky and sexy, intelligent and perceptive, Blue is both highly entertaining social satire and red hot erotica.
WARNING: Contains explicit material and adult situations.
- GenresEroticaBDSMContemporary
458 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2016
3 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
L.N. Bey
11 books21 followersI am LN Bey; I write BDSM erotica. I am relatively new to writing in the genre, with a few stories in anthologies and a recently completed first novel, with more of both on the way. I have, however, been an avid reader of erotica for many years.
I am attracted to the inherent illogic of BDSM. The desire to be beaten, controlled, humiliated (or to do the beating, for that matter), makes no logical sense--and yet it's what has driven some of us since early childhood, before we even understood what sex actually was.
In addition to writing kinky erotica and reading kinky erotica, I like writing ~about~ kink. My website, www.lnbey.com, is devoted to finding the classics of BDSM erotica of past and present and figuring out what makes them--and their creators--tick. I like smart, creative work. On my site, I endeavor to find the hidden gems and create a place where erotic works of merit can be discussed intelligently. In my own work, I strive to create it by taking the craft of writing very seriously--while coming up with some very hot stories.
I am attracted to the inherent illogic of BDSM. The desire to be beaten, controlled, humiliated (or to do the beating, for that matter), makes no logical sense--and yet it's what has driven some of us since early childhood, before we even understood what sex actually was.
In addition to writing kinky erotica and reading kinky erotica, I like writing ~about~ kink. My website, www.lnbey.com, is devoted to finding the classics of BDSM erotica of past and present and figuring out what makes them--and their creators--tick. I like smart, creative work. On my site, I endeavor to find the hidden gems and create a place where erotic works of merit can be discussed intelligently. In my own work, I strive to create it by taking the craft of writing very seriously--while coming up with some very hot stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 10, 2016
4.5 stars overall. 5 star writing. If you like dark erotica, read on.
I went into this expecting a bit of suburban slap and tickle, one divorcee’s exploration of BDSM with multiple partners. LN Bey gave fair warning up front that it wouldn't be a bit of fluff by citing writers as influences who are not known for being light-hearted. Still, for whatever reason, I made assumptions. So fair warning to others, this book is not fluffy.
You won't find a tortured alpha male with a damaged past. No, in fact, the character who best fits as tortured (metaphorically) is Carolyn, a dominant who is losing control of herself. We meet her as she begins to act unpredictably. She has always been a harsh mistress, but over the course of the book, we see her descent towards abuse and violence. A good bit of the book concerns how her actions affect our two narrators, the submissives Janet and Ken.
Janet is a suburban divorcee. Ken is a software programmer. They don't know each other but their lives are converging.
Janet is our main narrator. She's decided to submit herself to all kinds of experiences which turn out not nearly as pleasurable as the bodice-ripping BDSM erotica she enjoys reading. Oh, she enjoys it - but she is surprised at just how much it hurts.
I admit to almost giving up on the book after the initial party at Janet's house. Again, NOTHING to do with the writing, because Bey is fantastic. Seriously. Fantastic. However, pain and humiliation by Doms who didn't care if the sub gets off...that doesn't do it for me. This one is more of a sadomasochistic journey than I usually read.
Still, I'm so glad I kept going, because this is not just erotica, and it's not just good writing. Janet is on a journey to break the bonds of what society expects her to be, to figure out who she really is, and how she can be that person. We can also contrast Janet's just-getting-started experiences with Ken's seasoned acceptance of whatever happens. He knows exactly who he is. He's Carolyn's slave, unconditionally. No safeword.
I did originally feel there were issues of consent for Janet. I thought she had been given insufficient information to make an informed decision about what to expect for her first D/s play date. However, I read the book, reflected for a couple days, and then started over and read the first hundred pages. It was astounding to realize how many subtle hints I didn't pick up the first time. Like finding Easter Eggs in software code, or clues embedded early in a mystery movie, it fascinated me to see how well Bey had laid the groundwork for everything that came after.
The author has poured years of thought and passion and research into the book, and has chosen not to treat this subject matter as a lark. Blue explores the complexity of sadism and masochism in a modern setting, with characters whose banal professions (caterer, medical records transcriptionist, programmer) are in sharp contrast to their non-vanilla private lives. Her realtor tells Janet, “The outside still fits in. But this interior décor is a little…radical, for what most people want around here.” He’s talking about her house, of course, but Janet mentally comments, “Story of my life.”
Blue also explores issues of control and consent, in a realistic setting, with people who are flawed and self-centered. If you're looking for another FSOG, you won't find it here. But if you're looking for a well-written journey into the Lifestyle, with lifelike characters and truly creative ways of punishing and pleasuring masochistic submissives, Blue is for you.
I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this expecting a bit of suburban slap and tickle, one divorcee’s exploration of BDSM with multiple partners. LN Bey gave fair warning up front that it wouldn't be a bit of fluff by citing writers as influences who are not known for being light-hearted. Still, for whatever reason, I made assumptions. So fair warning to others, this book is not fluffy.
You won't find a tortured alpha male with a damaged past. No, in fact, the character who best fits as tortured (metaphorically) is Carolyn, a dominant who is losing control of herself. We meet her as she begins to act unpredictably. She has always been a harsh mistress, but over the course of the book, we see her descent towards abuse and violence. A good bit of the book concerns how her actions affect our two narrators, the submissives Janet and Ken.
Janet is a suburban divorcee. Ken is a software programmer. They don't know each other but their lives are converging.
Janet is our main narrator. She's decided to submit herself to all kinds of experiences which turn out not nearly as pleasurable as the bodice-ripping BDSM erotica she enjoys reading. Oh, she enjoys it - but she is surprised at just how much it hurts.
I admit to almost giving up on the book after the initial party at Janet's house. Again, NOTHING to do with the writing, because Bey is fantastic. Seriously. Fantastic. However, pain and humiliation by Doms who didn't care if the sub gets off...that doesn't do it for me. This one is more of a sadomasochistic journey than I usually read.
Still, I'm so glad I kept going, because this is not just erotica, and it's not just good writing. Janet is on a journey to break the bonds of what society expects her to be, to figure out who she really is, and how she can be that person. We can also contrast Janet's just-getting-started experiences with Ken's seasoned acceptance of whatever happens. He knows exactly who he is. He's Carolyn's slave, unconditionally. No safeword.
I did originally feel there were issues of consent for Janet. I thought she had been given insufficient information to make an informed decision about what to expect for her first D/s play date. However, I read the book, reflected for a couple days, and then started over and read the first hundred pages. It was astounding to realize how many subtle hints I didn't pick up the first time. Like finding Easter Eggs in software code, or clues embedded early in a mystery movie, it fascinated me to see how well Bey had laid the groundwork for everything that came after.
The author has poured years of thought and passion and research into the book, and has chosen not to treat this subject matter as a lark. Blue explores the complexity of sadism and masochism in a modern setting, with characters whose banal professions (caterer, medical records transcriptionist, programmer) are in sharp contrast to their non-vanilla private lives. Her realtor tells Janet, “The outside still fits in. But this interior décor is a little…radical, for what most people want around here.” He’s talking about her house, of course, but Janet mentally comments, “Story of my life.”
Blue also explores issues of control and consent, in a realistic setting, with people who are flawed and self-centered. If you're looking for another FSOG, you won't find it here. But if you're looking for a well-written journey into the Lifestyle, with lifelike characters and truly creative ways of punishing and pleasuring masochistic submissives, Blue is for you.
I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2016
There’s much to admire in “Blue”, L.N. Bey’s promising debut novel that draws its inspiration from some of the great classic BDSM narratives while remaining uniquely true to itself. An ambitious effort, the story is nonetheless believably scaled, avoiding the credulity-straining grandiosity of so-much half-baked escapism, or the pretentious plot convolutions of would-be epics, which tend to collapse under the sprawling weight of their own inanity. Not that there isn’t a great deal of very imaginative, even fantastical storytelling here—this isn’t some drab novel of manners or cloyingly pointless foray into domestic realism—but everything here is decidedly to a purpose, and almost always to the point. The novelist seems to have learned the lesson some of her characters struggle with throughout the story: sometimes the greatest expressive freedom lies within a narrow set of well-defined limitations.
In essence, “Blue” is a novel about the pursuit of artistic vision, about the struggle to express one’s genuine self—or, perhaps more accurately, the search for a medium through which one may express that vision—be it film, photography, performance art, or, possibly. something a good deal more personal, subtly sensual and secret. The main characters, each in their own way, are driven by an ideal, and must find their own way ultimately to achieve that ideal.
Young—thirtysomething—attractive, recently divorced, Janet has always been drawn to the stylized BDSM of ‘trashy’ erotic novels, though she remains hopelessly naïve about what goes on in real life, her experience of sex disappointingly vanilla and reflexively heteronormative. Her first introduction to the Lifestyle is not promising, and, yet, she is spurred on by curiosity, a disquieting realization that somewhere deep down, she got off on it, was powerfully turned on in spite of the humiliation, aroused by the pain, but even more profoundly moved by a sense of belonging and at long last drawing near to knowing her place in the scheme of things.
In some ways, it’s possible to see “Blue” as a sort of sunny, secular reimagining of Pauline Réage’s “The Story of O”—one of Bey’s cited inspirations. Where O’s introduction to bondage has the feel of a quasi-religious experience, a kind of mystagogic initiation into some ancient, esoteric mystery cult, Janet’s experience seems practically prosaic, almost commonplace in a world where very little remains to shock or scandalize. The action is transposed to the suburban American Midwest—the place feels very much like Kansas City, in fact—and there is an unassuming ordinariness about the characters and their settings. Yet, like O, Janet ultimately finds herself transformed to the very essence of her being, approaching an understanding of herself more complex and affirmative than even her most famously self-martyred predecessor.
None of this is to depreciate the novel as a work of erotic entertainment—far from it! When Janet meets Dmitri, an auteur of singular and disturbing vision, the results are nothing short of seismically arousing. (I do wish the author could have done more with these characters’ personal sexual relationship.) Some effort has been made to add variety to the predictable patterns of power-exchange, which is not always an easy thing. Bey very skillfully explores the erotic possibilities of everyday activities, as when two men watching a basketball game, give a penitant slave a lash for each point scored—brilliant!—or a scene of intense self-pleasuring and voyeurism in an open convertible cruising through the countryside. And so much more!
The author avoids most of the pitfalls commonly besetting the frosh novelist, those tangent superfluities and preachy, self-indulgent digressions that are more about showing off one’s own cleverness than telling a great story. There is still a tendency towards excessive repetition, rehashing the same already-established plot points via the heroine’s seemingly endless fugue of self-doubt—a device right at home in a romance novel, but a tad tiresome here. In general, I would have preferred more subtle recapitulations, and a good deal more variation throughout.
Still, not bad on balance. Not bad at all for a first try. The writing is assured, but never cocksure, the author’s vision broad but not overreaching. The story is sufficiently interesting to inspire curiosity about what happens next, the rising action is skillfully controlled with a clear sense of dramatic momentum, and the whole thing draws to a logically satisfactory, un-open-ended conclusion, without the pretentious promise (or would it be threat?) of an unnecessary sequel.
With a first novel like this, one can clearly look forward to great things in L.N. Bey’s future. In the meantime, “Blue” is reccomended.
In essence, “Blue” is a novel about the pursuit of artistic vision, about the struggle to express one’s genuine self—or, perhaps more accurately, the search for a medium through which one may express that vision—be it film, photography, performance art, or, possibly. something a good deal more personal, subtly sensual and secret. The main characters, each in their own way, are driven by an ideal, and must find their own way ultimately to achieve that ideal.
Young—thirtysomething—attractive, recently divorced, Janet has always been drawn to the stylized BDSM of ‘trashy’ erotic novels, though she remains hopelessly naïve about what goes on in real life, her experience of sex disappointingly vanilla and reflexively heteronormative. Her first introduction to the Lifestyle is not promising, and, yet, she is spurred on by curiosity, a disquieting realization that somewhere deep down, she got off on it, was powerfully turned on in spite of the humiliation, aroused by the pain, but even more profoundly moved by a sense of belonging and at long last drawing near to knowing her place in the scheme of things.
In some ways, it’s possible to see “Blue” as a sort of sunny, secular reimagining of Pauline Réage’s “The Story of O”—one of Bey’s cited inspirations. Where O’s introduction to bondage has the feel of a quasi-religious experience, a kind of mystagogic initiation into some ancient, esoteric mystery cult, Janet’s experience seems practically prosaic, almost commonplace in a world where very little remains to shock or scandalize. The action is transposed to the suburban American Midwest—the place feels very much like Kansas City, in fact—and there is an unassuming ordinariness about the characters and their settings. Yet, like O, Janet ultimately finds herself transformed to the very essence of her being, approaching an understanding of herself more complex and affirmative than even her most famously self-martyred predecessor.
None of this is to depreciate the novel as a work of erotic entertainment—far from it! When Janet meets Dmitri, an auteur of singular and disturbing vision, the results are nothing short of seismically arousing. (I do wish the author could have done more with these characters’ personal sexual relationship.) Some effort has been made to add variety to the predictable patterns of power-exchange, which is not always an easy thing. Bey very skillfully explores the erotic possibilities of everyday activities, as when two men watching a basketball game, give a penitant slave a lash for each point scored—brilliant!—or a scene of intense self-pleasuring and voyeurism in an open convertible cruising through the countryside. And so much more!
The author avoids most of the pitfalls commonly besetting the frosh novelist, those tangent superfluities and preachy, self-indulgent digressions that are more about showing off one’s own cleverness than telling a great story. There is still a tendency towards excessive repetition, rehashing the same already-established plot points via the heroine’s seemingly endless fugue of self-doubt—a device right at home in a romance novel, but a tad tiresome here. In general, I would have preferred more subtle recapitulations, and a good deal more variation throughout.
Still, not bad on balance. Not bad at all for a first try. The writing is assured, but never cocksure, the author’s vision broad but not overreaching. The story is sufficiently interesting to inspire curiosity about what happens next, the rising action is skillfully controlled with a clear sense of dramatic momentum, and the whole thing draws to a logically satisfactory, un-open-ended conclusion, without the pretentious promise (or would it be threat?) of an unnecessary sequel.
With a first novel like this, one can clearly look forward to great things in L.N. Bey’s future. In the meantime, “Blue” is reccomended.
December 19, 2016
A tangled web of Goodreads looping led me to this book. I cannot remember quite how I reached it, but I'm glad I did. BDSM erotica, and rather good. Two linked simultaneous stories. Janet, newly divorced and trying out life as a submissive amongst a neighbourhood BDSM community. Everyone wanted Janet, she was just the perfect new submissive, I never understood why or cared that much.
The element of the novel which really caught my attention was the story of Debbie (or, Mistress) and Ken, her (primary) submissive, that engaged me. Essentially the story of Debbie falling in love with Ken and having no idea what to do about it. So in control of every aspect of her life, but not that one. It was fascinatingly written (hawt too) with a nice ending. There are not enough well written female dom books and none that I've read written this thought provokingly. What frustrated me is that by the end I wanted more of that story than of perfect Janet.
A good book if BDSM erotica is your schtick.
The element of the novel which really caught my attention was the story of Debbie (or, Mistress) and Ken, her (primary) submissive, that engaged me. Essentially the story of Debbie falling in love with Ken and having no idea what to do about it. So in control of every aspect of her life, but not that one. It was fascinatingly written (hawt too) with a nice ending. There are not enough well written female dom books and none that I've read written this thought provokingly. What frustrated me is that by the end I wanted more of that story than of perfect Janet.
A good book if BDSM erotica is your schtick.
April 6, 2017
There are no castles or billionaire mansions in Blue. Instead, the cast have day jobs, shop in supermarkets and battle traffic jams. They live in the blandest of American towns. It’s an intriguing juxtaposition from which to explore the theatrical extremes of the BDSM world.
Protagonist Janet engineers her entry into a fantasy, built upon expectations from her reading of sensational fiction (rather like a kinky, 21st century version of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey). Unsurprisingly, she’s destined for disappointment, as reality fails to match her imagination (although there are elements of her experience that do appeal to her, and keep her coming back for more).
Meanwhile, Janet’s fears must be overcome, in order for her to attain self-realization. Some of the most vivid scenes evolve around hyper-stylized film-making, where tension is heightened, since we, like Janet, have no idea what will happen next.
Blue contains reference to erotic art and fiction, creating a nod to the reader, in their role as ‘connoisseur’: we recognize ourselves in these characters who read erotica, peruse erotic art works, and indulge in sexual fantasy. Janet, the leading protagonist, begins her journey in just this way, with a collection of well-thumbed novels of ‘erotic peril’ and some coffee-table books of provocative images.
Blue isn’t just a novel of sexual self-discovery, or a tale of the art of erotic submission, and domination. It’s about subverting expectations.
September 17, 2016
Wow! This really made an impression - a good one! Written with intelligence and wit, this was a fantastic read.
The story, the action, the characterisations just got better and more compelling with each page. A word of advice - stick with it - I had a small amount of trepidation during the second scenario but after that I couldn't put the book down. It's crucible-hot, its characters have real heart and great story arcs, and it has some of the most imaginative sex scenes I've read!
Thought-provoking, creative, artistic, it's a wild exploration into BDSM, sex, art and modern life. If you like a hot kinky clever read then LN Bey's Blue is a true delight. It's erotica; it's literature; and it even crosses over into that genre of explicit erotic romance. Well-drawn characters that interact with multiple partners, body, mind and soul, with a storyline to keep you guessing culminating in a wonderful wrap-up, this will leave you satisfied.
Congratulations LN Bey on an amazing achievement. I can't wait to read what you come up with next! (ARC provided by author in return for honest review)
The story, the action, the characterisations just got better and more compelling with each page. A word of advice - stick with it - I had a small amount of trepidation during the second scenario but after that I couldn't put the book down. It's crucible-hot, its characters have real heart and great story arcs, and it has some of the most imaginative sex scenes I've read!
Thought-provoking, creative, artistic, it's a wild exploration into BDSM, sex, art and modern life. If you like a hot kinky clever read then LN Bey's Blue is a true delight. It's erotica; it's literature; and it even crosses over into that genre of explicit erotic romance. Well-drawn characters that interact with multiple partners, body, mind and soul, with a storyline to keep you guessing culminating in a wonderful wrap-up, this will leave you satisfied.
Congratulations LN Bey on an amazing achievement. I can't wait to read what you come up with next! (ARC provided by author in return for honest review)
March 7, 2017
This book felt like an addiction some nights. I didn't always *like* the characters. I didn't approve of their choices. But they were believable discreetly kinky people in a believable first-world townscape, and I found myself caring about the consequences of their actions and decisions--very much so. 1:43 am: Just one more chapter!
I was reading _Blue_ like I'd read a suspense thriller. I particularly cheered for Ken (quietly, in my late-night bed) during his eventual decisions.
Bey's voice is crisp, refreshing, humorous, merciless. I'd like to share a drink or four with the author--but I'd be ready to text my help code to a friend if a mysterious jewelry box were placed before me.
I have to take a star away because the eroticism *is* so merciless in its S/M orientation: pain, humiliation, scant trust-building or affection. Not my personal thing. I wouldn't want to be dommed by these dominants, and damn, that would *hurt* my body and soul.
My loins weren't riled up, but my heart rate certainly was.
I was reading _Blue_ like I'd read a suspense thriller. I particularly cheered for Ken (quietly, in my late-night bed) during his eventual decisions.
Bey's voice is crisp, refreshing, humorous, merciless. I'd like to share a drink or four with the author--but I'd be ready to text my help code to a friend if a mysterious jewelry box were placed before me.
I have to take a star away because the eroticism *is* so merciless in its S/M orientation: pain, humiliation, scant trust-building or affection. Not my personal thing. I wouldn't want to be dommed by these dominants, and damn, that would *hurt* my body and soul.
My loins weren't riled up, but my heart rate certainly was.
May 3, 2018
Since starting my doctoral program, I don't think I've been able to read any book for pleasure this fast. L.N. Bey did a magnificent job in creating characters that I cared for despite the fact that living in upper class suburbia is an experience I do not share personally. Having had many friends in my own kink scene, the characters in this novel are written in a way that feels like I could have met them at an event.
The main character, Janet, explore the world of kink and submission and we live vicariously through her by experiencing the same fear, shock, and anger as she gives control to the people in charge of her care. Janet's internal dialogue throughout the book helps us understand how she develops as a sub so that by the end, I understood the choice she makes of her own volition.
For someone who loves embarrassment and humiliation, Blue did a great job of sating my appetite for blushing faces and discomfort in being exposed. I like how L.N. Bey uses the "lingering" threat of exposure to incorporate embarrassment in their work. Their ability to narrate anxiety to the point of panicking is what allows Blue to continue introducing embarrassment in new ways with the same characters. There is much for Janet to blush about because the book is packed with a variety of sexy scenes from multiple points of view. The psychology nerd in me loved Carolyn's arc and found her story to be just as compelling.
I first learned of L.N. Bey through their short story in the Big Book of Submission volume 2 and I'm so glad I picked Blue up to see a larger sample of their work.
The main character, Janet, explore the world of kink and submission and we live vicariously through her by experiencing the same fear, shock, and anger as she gives control to the people in charge of her care. Janet's internal dialogue throughout the book helps us understand how she develops as a sub so that by the end, I understood the choice she makes of her own volition.
For someone who loves embarrassment and humiliation, Blue did a great job of sating my appetite for blushing faces and discomfort in being exposed. I like how L.N. Bey uses the "lingering" threat of exposure to incorporate embarrassment in their work. Their ability to narrate anxiety to the point of panicking is what allows Blue to continue introducing embarrassment in new ways with the same characters. There is much for Janet to blush about because the book is packed with a variety of sexy scenes from multiple points of view. The psychology nerd in me loved Carolyn's arc and found her story to be just as compelling.
I first learned of L.N. Bey through their short story in the Big Book of Submission volume 2 and I'm so glad I picked Blue up to see a larger sample of their work.
April 28, 2017
I knew in advance that this book would be unlike what I’m used to reading in BDSM based fiction. I was keen on reading something different, especially in a genre overpopulated with super Doms, billionaires, and virgins with six hundred G spots who climax with minimum foreplay. The story is as realistic as it gets, crushing all the pink fluffy handcuffs illusions, just like it ruins our poor and innocent heroine’s spanking, bodice ripper dreams born after reading too much erotica. I knew there would be darker scenes that would be uncomfortable to read and even challenge my idea of what is eroticism all about.
The fact that it was inspired by The Story of O bothered me a little however, I decided to give it a try and I don’t regret the decision. While The Story of O is a classic erotica that inspired many contemporary writers I could never really get into it and felt a huge distance between myself and the characters.
I had no such problem with Blue. I was invested in the emotional and sexual journey of both Janet and Ken, the two main narrators the story revolves around. I was experiencing their joy, pain, illusions, self-discoveries, especially their mistakes. Many times while flipping through the pages on my reader I found myself screaming mentally ‘No, what the hell are you doing, are you insane?’ but I kept on reading, hungrily waiting for the next encounter, next stage of the journey and the inevitable next mess up.
That is another thing that surprised me about the book. I never expected it to be so funny, even at its cringe worthy moments. The dialogue was witty, even the most embarrassing situations our heroine was putting herself into were somehow endearing.
Also, in spite of my initial expectations it would be more a book of disappointing experiences and crush with reality, there was some smoking hot erotic content, as well as intense build up. The characters were deliciously flawed people and a pleasure to read, even the particular one we were meant to hate.
I was happy that the author has decided to make her central character a woman in her early thirties, with a failed marriage, the kind who has heard of BDSM rather than the starry-eyed innocent virgin. That is not to say that Janet was the peak of maturity. At times her behavior struck me as that of an insecure teenager, desperate to please and find her place among the popular kids. On the other hand, it was difficult to blame her given she was thrown in at the deep end of the pool by a group of complete narcissists with very little preparation. At times the group of ‘cruel mother*******’ made me seriously angry for expecting Janet to be able to perform brain surgery after being given a few vague articles on medicine. However, that also made it so fun as we watched Janet grow from the bodice ripper aficionado into someone aware of her own inclinations and grows fully comfortable with her position and role.
While Janet was still in a process of self-discovery poor Ken knew exactly what he wanted, he followed the Rules and was fully dedicated to the service of his Mistress. My heart was breaking for him most of the time and I was constantly debating with myself if he was weak or strong for putting up with her, for suffering beautifully through his punishment and not leaving until the breaking point. That leads me to the most controversial character of the whole bunch. Yes, Carolyn. There were many hints in the book that in spite of being a naturally narcissistic, self-obsessed person she had another side to herself. Just when I have given up on the hope I’d stop hating her so passionately the story completely turned the tables on me and left me unsure of what the hell just happened.
That is another thing you should be prepared for if you choose to read the book. Nothing is what it seems in LN Bey’s suburban world of hidden kink. Prepare to have your expectations completely turned around. As a matter of fact, just drop your expectations at the door of your hostess just like your shoes and go along for the ride.
The writing was beautifully done, especially the scenes of collaboration between Janet and the mysterious Dimitri and his progress as a film director. For a book that was all about realism these were unexpected plunges into the land of fantasy, not the bodice rippers and the usual erotic fantasies, but intense experiences in the heart of pleasure and pain, in the eye of the storm.
I immensely enjoyed LN Bey’s debut novel and hope to see more of her future writing. I recommend it to everyone who isn’t afraid of truly dirty erotica with intriguing characters, great development and a lot of humor mixed with the darkness. 5 Filthy Stars!
The fact that it was inspired by The Story of O bothered me a little however, I decided to give it a try and I don’t regret the decision. While The Story of O is a classic erotica that inspired many contemporary writers I could never really get into it and felt a huge distance between myself and the characters.
I had no such problem with Blue. I was invested in the emotional and sexual journey of both Janet and Ken, the two main narrators the story revolves around. I was experiencing their joy, pain, illusions, self-discoveries, especially their mistakes. Many times while flipping through the pages on my reader I found myself screaming mentally ‘No, what the hell are you doing, are you insane?’ but I kept on reading, hungrily waiting for the next encounter, next stage of the journey and the inevitable next mess up.
That is another thing that surprised me about the book. I never expected it to be so funny, even at its cringe worthy moments. The dialogue was witty, even the most embarrassing situations our heroine was putting herself into were somehow endearing.
Also, in spite of my initial expectations it would be more a book of disappointing experiences and crush with reality, there was some smoking hot erotic content, as well as intense build up. The characters were deliciously flawed people and a pleasure to read, even the particular one we were meant to hate.
I was happy that the author has decided to make her central character a woman in her early thirties, with a failed marriage, the kind who has heard of BDSM rather than the starry-eyed innocent virgin. That is not to say that Janet was the peak of maturity. At times her behavior struck me as that of an insecure teenager, desperate to please and find her place among the popular kids. On the other hand, it was difficult to blame her given she was thrown in at the deep end of the pool by a group of complete narcissists with very little preparation. At times the group of ‘cruel mother*******’ made me seriously angry for expecting Janet to be able to perform brain surgery after being given a few vague articles on medicine. However, that also made it so fun as we watched Janet grow from the bodice ripper aficionado into someone aware of her own inclinations and grows fully comfortable with her position and role.
While Janet was still in a process of self-discovery poor Ken knew exactly what he wanted, he followed the Rules and was fully dedicated to the service of his Mistress. My heart was breaking for him most of the time and I was constantly debating with myself if he was weak or strong for putting up with her, for suffering beautifully through his punishment and not leaving until the breaking point. That leads me to the most controversial character of the whole bunch. Yes, Carolyn. There were many hints in the book that in spite of being a naturally narcissistic, self-obsessed person she had another side to herself. Just when I have given up on the hope I’d stop hating her so passionately the story completely turned the tables on me and left me unsure of what the hell just happened.
That is another thing you should be prepared for if you choose to read the book. Nothing is what it seems in LN Bey’s suburban world of hidden kink. Prepare to have your expectations completely turned around. As a matter of fact, just drop your expectations at the door of your hostess just like your shoes and go along for the ride.
The writing was beautifully done, especially the scenes of collaboration between Janet and the mysterious Dimitri and his progress as a film director. For a book that was all about realism these were unexpected plunges into the land of fantasy, not the bodice rippers and the usual erotic fantasies, but intense experiences in the heart of pleasure and pain, in the eye of the storm.
I immensely enjoyed LN Bey’s debut novel and hope to see more of her future writing. I recommend it to everyone who isn’t afraid of truly dirty erotica with intriguing characters, great development and a lot of humor mixed with the darkness. 5 Filthy Stars!
January 1, 2019
If you're looking for an intense erotic read, this is definitely one of the books you're looking for. Beautifully written, creative scenarios, sympathetic subs (the tops don't come off as well, but sometimes that's just the thing you're wanting at the moment) and BDSM that isn't all about billionaires. Looking forward to what Bey does next!
April 29, 2017
Janet was the hostess for the evening. On her own since her husband and she had split up, she had completely re-vamped her home into the style she had always wanted. Now she was about to re-vamp her life - to live a lifestyle about which she had fantasised - a life of submission. She had read many kinky books about slave girls, but the reality was very different. In order to be allowed into her guests' exclusive club, Janet had to be vetted and inspected and then must tell her guests what she wanted them to do for her. Her fantasy to be dominated and whipped is about to come true, but the reality may not be the same as her fantasy books had led her to believe.
There are some parallel stories involving other characters, which I won't go into in this review, but the whole book was beautifully written, and it is hard to believe that this is the first novel by this writer. It is not always an easy read, but it is an honest read, with realistic, flawed characters - the type of characters you will come across in any town across the country, whose lives behind closed doors are vividly different from the image they show to the world. I found the story erotic and absorbing, and thoroughly enjoyable. It is so refreshing from many of the bdsm novels I have read.
There are some parallel stories involving other characters, which I won't go into in this review, but the whole book was beautifully written, and it is hard to believe that this is the first novel by this writer. It is not always an easy read, but it is an honest read, with realistic, flawed characters - the type of characters you will come across in any town across the country, whose lives behind closed doors are vividly different from the image they show to the world. I found the story erotic and absorbing, and thoroughly enjoyable. It is so refreshing from many of the bdsm novels I have read.
January 23, 2017
Very well written and the intertwining of two people into one story. This book reminded me of a Quentin Tarantino movie but with a kinky story line of becoming/being a submissive in the ultimate way.
February 18, 2017
Confusing. But at least there is language in here that sounds like the author knows about the kink community.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews