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Lesson in Control #1
The Assignment
What would you do if someone offered to fulfill your wildest fantasies?
Seductive.
Charming.
Dominant.
Dean Sova is everything Maya Clery craves. From the first touch, their connection is intense. After leaving her troubled past behind, Maya thought she was happy-she is happy-but meeting Dean forces her to acknowledge dark needs she longs to explore yet has never had the courage to face.
Her perfect match, Dean encourages Maya to set loose the submissive urges inside her in a series of assignments intended to open her mind and test the limits of pleasure…but Maya isn't sure she can fully let go of her inhibitions.
What would you do if someone offered to fulfill your wildest fantasies?
The answer seems obvious. You take the offer and hope the price isn't too high.
Book one of Lessons in Control
This book is approximately 81,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise.
Seductive.
Charming.
Dominant.
Dean Sova is everything Maya Clery craves. From the first touch, their connection is intense. After leaving her troubled past behind, Maya thought she was happy-she is happy-but meeting Dean forces her to acknowledge dark needs she longs to explore yet has never had the courage to face.
Her perfect match, Dean encourages Maya to set loose the submissive urges inside her in a series of assignments intended to open her mind and test the limits of pleasure…but Maya isn't sure she can fully let go of her inhibitions.
What would you do if someone offered to fulfill your wildest fantasies?
The answer seems obvious. You take the offer and hope the price isn't too high.
Book one of Lessons in Control
This book is approximately 81,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise! Find out more at CarinaPress.com/RomancePromise.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2016
22 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Jade A. Waters
21 books36 followersJade A. Waters is an erotica author and poetess in Northern California. She is also the author of the Lessons in Control series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 3, 2016
4.75 stars!
ARC kindly provided by Carina Press via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
This is the story of Maya and Dean and their exploration!
The Assignment is a great erotica book with plot and heroes with personality! Maya and Dean feel attracted to each other and decide to explore their wants and needs. I really loved how they met, they got involved and most of all how they communicate with each other. There were no major twists or a cliff-hanger and still I couldn’t put down this book. I needed to know what will happened with them, how they will get over their issues and take their connection to the next level. Ms. Waters is writing beautifully! The book felt like a film since I could picture every single part of it! Ms. Waters also challenged my thoughts and feelings and I loved it! Thank you Ms. Waters.
Maya is a great woman! She is honest with herself and her wants. She takes risks but she is not putting herself in actual danger and she doesn’t act stupidly. I really like that she dares to go out of her comfort zone although she is scared.
Dear is an amazing guy! Honestly I could fall for him! I love how direct and honest he is. I love that he knows the difference between dominance and respect! And I love that he is not broken! He likes control because he likes it! No abusive past, no child traumas. Although the story is said only by Maya’s POV, I still feel like I know how Dean is and what he thinks and feels.
Their interactions were beautiful! They had an insta-lust connection that they decided to explore further and it was fantastic! The tension, the challenge, the feelings! Everything was present! Although The Assignment is an erotica book, it wasn’t just about the sex but it was about the communication in it, the feelings that were inspired through it. I actually learnt during this book that honesty and communication is vital for the survival of a relationship, even if it’s only a physical one.
The end of the book was great! I really loved Maya and Dean and their adventure and I look forward to reading the next instalment of this series and how they move forward!
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves an erotica book with more than just sex.
ARC kindly provided by Carina Press via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
This is the story of Maya and Dean and their exploration!
The Assignment is a great erotica book with plot and heroes with personality! Maya and Dean feel attracted to each other and decide to explore their wants and needs. I really loved how they met, they got involved and most of all how they communicate with each other. There were no major twists or a cliff-hanger and still I couldn’t put down this book. I needed to know what will happened with them, how they will get over their issues and take their connection to the next level. Ms. Waters is writing beautifully! The book felt like a film since I could picture every single part of it! Ms. Waters also challenged my thoughts and feelings and I loved it! Thank you Ms. Waters.
Maya is a great woman! She is honest with herself and her wants. She takes risks but she is not putting herself in actual danger and she doesn’t act stupidly. I really like that she dares to go out of her comfort zone although she is scared.
Dear is an amazing guy! Honestly I could fall for him! I love how direct and honest he is. I love that he knows the difference between dominance and respect! And I love that he is not broken! He likes control because he likes it! No abusive past, no child traumas. Although the story is said only by Maya’s POV, I still feel like I know how Dean is and what he thinks and feels.
Their interactions were beautiful! They had an insta-lust connection that they decided to explore further and it was fantastic! The tension, the challenge, the feelings! Everything was present! Although The Assignment is an erotica book, it wasn’t just about the sex but it was about the communication in it, the feelings that were inspired through it. I actually learnt during this book that honesty and communication is vital for the survival of a relationship, even if it’s only a physical one.
The end of the book was great! I really loved Maya and Dean and their adventure and I look forward to reading the next instalment of this series and how they move forward!
I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves an erotica book with more than just sex.
December 10, 2016
So flipping HOT!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book is exactly what I look for in a hot, erotic read. Electric connections fly from the beginning and never ends. The author spices it up with a wicked imagination, plenty of panty melting scenes, and amazing characters that make you think you are right there watching them. It made me wish she was writing about me! WOW
A sweaty and exciting read that landed this author on my favorites list! Off to grab more from this talented author! Definitely one to watch and one-click!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book is exactly what I look for in a hot, erotic read. Electric connections fly from the beginning and never ends. The author spices it up with a wicked imagination, plenty of panty melting scenes, and amazing characters that make you think you are right there watching them. It made me wish she was writing about me! WOW
A sweaty and exciting read that landed this author on my favorites list! Off to grab more from this talented author! Definitely one to watch and one-click!
December 31, 2016
Maya is trying to move forward from a less than pleasant past. When she meets Dean, there is a connection, a craving to explore her darker side, sexually. Dean is definitely a Dom, a control freak and enjoys his power over the women he traps in his web. There is something different about Maya, she needs to feel submissive, overpowered mentally by Dean and his assignments she is to fulfill at his command. Will he actually help her overcome her inhibitions or is he pushing her beyond her limits of comfort?
THE ASSIGNMENT by Jade A. Waters is dark, filled with erotic scenes that feel almost overpowering. Dean’s need for total control concerning Maya goes beyond intimacy between two people as his games often take place in social settings, leaving her completely unsettled and struggling with composure a little too much for me to consider it “teasing.” Not sure who I thought had more issues, but this went beyond a magical bond of romantic need for me.
Maya has a past that haunts her, and she seems desperate to explore a lifestyle that she thinks will free her from that past. While the story has some merit, the Dom/Sub thing was not sizzling or enticing to me. This one did NOT make me uncomfortable, the presentation of their relationship just didn’t feel real and definitely not romantic, more like two people with deep-seated issues who feed off each other.
I received this copy from Carina Press in exchange for my honest review.
MY RATING: 2 Stars
Publisher: Carina Press (December 12, 2016)
Publication Date: December 12, 2016
Genre: erotica
Print Length: 241 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
THE ASSIGNMENT by Jade A. Waters is dark, filled with erotic scenes that feel almost overpowering. Dean’s need for total control concerning Maya goes beyond intimacy between two people as his games often take place in social settings, leaving her completely unsettled and struggling with composure a little too much for me to consider it “teasing.” Not sure who I thought had more issues, but this went beyond a magical bond of romantic need for me.
Maya has a past that haunts her, and she seems desperate to explore a lifestyle that she thinks will free her from that past. While the story has some merit, the Dom/Sub thing was not sizzling or enticing to me. This one did NOT make me uncomfortable, the presentation of their relationship just didn’t feel real and definitely not romantic, more like two people with deep-seated issues who feed off each other.
I received this copy from Carina Press in exchange for my honest review.
MY RATING: 2 Stars
Publisher: Carina Press (December 12, 2016)
Publication Date: December 12, 2016
Genre: erotica
Print Length: 241 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 23, 2016
3.5 Stars - 3 Flames
Clever. The Assignment is just that. A bunch of assignments given to the lead female to help "find" who she is sexually. I have to admit that the idea behind the assignment(s) was probably what pulled me in to this story the most. I was hooked not only the premise, but the way the assignments were playing out. I wanted to see just how far they would go. Although, the problem with that was that I was having an issue with the lead female...let me explain...
Maya is a Greek Goddess. But she had a very dangerous relationship when she was in college. One that left many scares and still haunted her. So instead of trying to find "the one", she's been having fun, playing around and not committing to anyone. Her bestie doesn't exactly like what she's been doing, but tries understanding because she loves her. But when Maya meets one of her besties boyfriends' friend (say that fast), things start getting pretty steamy...and real.
Dean is the boyfriends' friend. Sounds weird that they would "just" meet for the first time after years of knowing their friends, right? Apparently that was supposed to be that way. Dean likes things a certain way, in bed. Or at least that's what his friends think. And knowing Maya's past kept the friends from introducing them in fear Maya would retreat back in to her head. Dean is instant arousal for Maya. His voice, the things he says, the way he says them. It's everything Maya thought she didn't want....until Dean.
Remember I mentioned that dangerous relationship thingy? That thingy plays a larger role in this story than you'd think. I mean, Maya's career is based solely from that thingy. But here's my problem. For someone who spends her entire career talking to battered and abused woman, Maya not only hasn't truly gotten over her past issues, but isn't willing to share them with Dean. The man who is pushing her limits in ways that any woman would need to communicate properly in order to have a successful relationship. And EVERY time he asks her to talk to him, she bails, because she just can't do it. This was frustrating. So the reason I gave this a 3.5 star rating wasn't because I liked the characters. It was because the concept of the story line (assignments) was cleverly done.
*I received this book from the Jeep Diva in exchange for my honest opinion.
Clever. The Assignment is just that. A bunch of assignments given to the lead female to help "find" who she is sexually. I have to admit that the idea behind the assignment(s) was probably what pulled me in to this story the most. I was hooked not only the premise, but the way the assignments were playing out. I wanted to see just how far they would go. Although, the problem with that was that I was having an issue with the lead female...let me explain...
Maya is a Greek Goddess. But she had a very dangerous relationship when she was in college. One that left many scares and still haunted her. So instead of trying to find "the one", she's been having fun, playing around and not committing to anyone. Her bestie doesn't exactly like what she's been doing, but tries understanding because she loves her. But when Maya meets one of her besties boyfriends' friend (say that fast), things start getting pretty steamy...and real.
Dean is the boyfriends' friend. Sounds weird that they would "just" meet for the first time after years of knowing their friends, right? Apparently that was supposed to be that way. Dean likes things a certain way, in bed. Or at least that's what his friends think. And knowing Maya's past kept the friends from introducing them in fear Maya would retreat back in to her head. Dean is instant arousal for Maya. His voice, the things he says, the way he says them. It's everything Maya thought she didn't want....until Dean.
Remember I mentioned that dangerous relationship thingy? That thingy plays a larger role in this story than you'd think. I mean, Maya's career is based solely from that thingy. But here's my problem. For someone who spends her entire career talking to battered and abused woman, Maya not only hasn't truly gotten over her past issues, but isn't willing to share them with Dean. The man who is pushing her limits in ways that any woman would need to communicate properly in order to have a successful relationship. And EVERY time he asks her to talk to him, she bails, because she just can't do it. This was frustrating. So the reason I gave this a 3.5 star rating wasn't because I liked the characters. It was because the concept of the story line (assignments) was cleverly done.
*I received this book from the Jeep Diva in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 4, 2017
Hmm ... Hmm ... Hot ! Kinky and smutty through and through . The book had a mysterious feel to it at times , but I felt it wasn't really explored . Maya and Dean have an explosive chemistry and while we figure out a lot about Maya since she is the narrator of the story , Dean felt like a total mystery to me . I mean yes we find out a lot about him through Maya , but I still feel like I couldn't figure much out about him .
December 12, 2016
Leigh's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
I went into this book hoping for an edgy story of a man bringing a submissive into the world of BDSM, but maybe I’ve just been reading too many dark stories lately. “The Assignment” was well written, sexy, erotic and down to earth, but something about the characters and their interactions just didn’t hit all of my hot buttons.
Dean and Maya meet and hit it off immediately. But I’m not sure what that connection was based on other than physical attraction. Not that there is anything wrong with that and I’ve certainly read (and loved) a number of stories where the relationship started with insta-lust and grew from there. However, here it just felt off.
Dean pulls Maya into a relationship based on assignments he gives her. But for some reason, they felt more awkward than sexy to me. Perhaps it was because Maya overanalyzed them. Perhaps it was because she constantly alluded to her past relationship which dabbled in BDSM and went wrong and the repetitive references became tiresome. Whatever the reason, I didn’t feel the eroticism that the assignments were supposed to elicit. When Dean and Maya were together they were scintillating. But the tasks felt forced.
I also felt that there was a larger story I was missing. There was an undercurrent running through the book that I felt I should be picking up on, but just couldn’t grasp because I wasn’t given enough information. Dean constantly referenced his mentor, but I couldn’t understand if there was supposed to be more than met the eye there. Maya’s best friend warns her off of Dean, but never gives her a clear reason why. Maya’s past relationship keeps popping up as a large part of her past, but it seems as if her ex is just a jerk and there is no reason why she couldn’t have walked away. The story dragged in parts for me and I’m not sure if it was because this book was just setting up the remainder of the trilogy which would answer these questions.
Also, when I read BDSM, I like to see a true alpha-male and that was not Dean. He was dominant in the bedroom and nice and considerate, and I liked all of those things in him. He was a good guy and always making sure that Maya was comfortable and saw to her needs. He came off as the perfect hero in a romance, with just a side of kink. But I felt he was the wrong guy for a story based on commanding the heroine to take on kinky assignments to push her boundaries. Both of these characters were exploring their dominant and submissive sides and it was a journey they were traveling through together. This is completely a personal opinion, but I just like my story men that dabble in BDSM to be more experienced. Many people will enjoy watching Dean and Maya grow together as a couple. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Overall, The Assignment was a decent read. It was sexy and sweet. But it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
ARC provided with no expectations.
I went into this book hoping for an edgy story of a man bringing a submissive into the world of BDSM, but maybe I’ve just been reading too many dark stories lately. “The Assignment” was well written, sexy, erotic and down to earth, but something about the characters and their interactions just didn’t hit all of my hot buttons.
Dean and Maya meet and hit it off immediately. But I’m not sure what that connection was based on other than physical attraction. Not that there is anything wrong with that and I’ve certainly read (and loved) a number of stories where the relationship started with insta-lust and grew from there. However, here it just felt off.
Dean pulls Maya into a relationship based on assignments he gives her. But for some reason, they felt more awkward than sexy to me. Perhaps it was because Maya overanalyzed them. Perhaps it was because she constantly alluded to her past relationship which dabbled in BDSM and went wrong and the repetitive references became tiresome. Whatever the reason, I didn’t feel the eroticism that the assignments were supposed to elicit. When Dean and Maya were together they were scintillating. But the tasks felt forced.
I also felt that there was a larger story I was missing. There was an undercurrent running through the book that I felt I should be picking up on, but just couldn’t grasp because I wasn’t given enough information. Dean constantly referenced his mentor, but I couldn’t understand if there was supposed to be more than met the eye there. Maya’s best friend warns her off of Dean, but never gives her a clear reason why. Maya’s past relationship keeps popping up as a large part of her past, but it seems as if her ex is just a jerk and there is no reason why she couldn’t have walked away. The story dragged in parts for me and I’m not sure if it was because this book was just setting up the remainder of the trilogy which would answer these questions.
Also, when I read BDSM, I like to see a true alpha-male and that was not Dean. He was dominant in the bedroom and nice and considerate, and I liked all of those things in him. He was a good guy and always making sure that Maya was comfortable and saw to her needs. He came off as the perfect hero in a romance, with just a side of kink. But I felt he was the wrong guy for a story based on commanding the heroine to take on kinky assignments to push her boundaries. Both of these characters were exploring their dominant and submissive sides and it was a journey they were traveling through together. This is completely a personal opinion, but I just like my story men that dabble in BDSM to be more experienced. Many people will enjoy watching Dean and Maya grow together as a couple. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Overall, The Assignment was a decent read. It was sexy and sweet. But it just wasn’t the right fit for me.
ARC provided with no expectations.
December 21, 2016
3 Stars, 4 Flames
Maya is not out looking for love, not after her disastrous relationship with her previous Dom. He opened her up to a world she never thought possible but it ended up crushing her spirit. Now all Maya wants is to have fun and play. At a friends' party she meets Dean who is everything she ever wanted in a man and Dom. Now if only she can let go of her past and her insecurities to fully embrace everything Dean promises.
I don't know why I could not love this one as much as I wanted too but from the very first chapter it was hard to connect to Dean and Maya. I love BDSM stories that show the progress and growth of the characters and the awesome kink that is in it. Dean and Maya have amazing chemistry that you can see it with each page read. Some of the assignments Dean had given are pretty tame with each one progressing.
However, it was Maya's constant back and forth with questioning her ability to stay independent and yet submissive to Dean. She was so scared that she was going to have a repeat of what happened in her past. I found myself skimming through the book and was still able to understand what was going on. I enjoyed the writing style, the glimpse into the BDSM lifestyle, and the journey Deans and Maya take.
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
Maya is not out looking for love, not after her disastrous relationship with her previous Dom. He opened her up to a world she never thought possible but it ended up crushing her spirit. Now all Maya wants is to have fun and play. At a friends' party she meets Dean who is everything she ever wanted in a man and Dom. Now if only she can let go of her past and her insecurities to fully embrace everything Dean promises.
I don't know why I could not love this one as much as I wanted too but from the very first chapter it was hard to connect to Dean and Maya. I love BDSM stories that show the progress and growth of the characters and the awesome kink that is in it. Dean and Maya have amazing chemistry that you can see it with each page read. Some of the assignments Dean had given are pretty tame with each one progressing.
However, it was Maya's constant back and forth with questioning her ability to stay independent and yet submissive to Dean. She was so scared that she was going to have a repeat of what happened in her past. I found myself skimming through the book and was still able to understand what was going on. I enjoyed the writing style, the glimpse into the BDSM lifestyle, and the journey Deans and Maya take.
I was gifted a copy of this novel from the JeepDiva in exchange for an honest review.
September 15, 2016
This review is based on an ARC received from the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
3.5
The book is very erotic. Both the H and h are dabbling their feet in the world of BDSM. Their lack of communication and inexperience caused some trials that could have otherwise easily been avoided. You could tell by the end of the book that they would be successful in the future.
3.5
The book is very erotic. Both the H and h are dabbling their feet in the world of BDSM. Their lack of communication and inexperience caused some trials that could have otherwise easily been avoided. You could tell by the end of the book that they would be successful in the future.
April 2, 2017
A really nice start to a new series. At times, this book reads a little 50 Shades, and I didn't like that at all, but it never goes completely there, thankfully. The difference? Two adults who both know they are getting into things that neither of them are completely sure about, but want to explore, and the trust that builds throughout is really nice to see.
Both MCs are pretty open and honest, for the most part, about their desires, experience, and pasts. They never go too far into BDSM at all, something neither of them are really that familiar with, but mostly focus on the D/s aspects and how that can heighten their intimacy.
I really liked the way they date... I love the way Dean treats Maya, and Maya treats Dean. I think the best part of the story is the mutual respect they afford each other. Their sex life is extraordinarily hot.
My biggest issues with the story center around Maya's best friend Shelby. She's such a prude that every time she was on page, I wanted to skip over the whole section. But there is a lot of really good stuff to cover up Miss Prude.
I enjoyed this so much, I moved on to book two immediately so... check it out.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Both MCs are pretty open and honest, for the most part, about their desires, experience, and pasts. They never go too far into BDSM at all, something neither of them are really that familiar with, but mostly focus on the D/s aspects and how that can heighten their intimacy.
I really liked the way they date... I love the way Dean treats Maya, and Maya treats Dean. I think the best part of the story is the mutual respect they afford each other. Their sex life is extraordinarily hot.
My biggest issues with the story center around Maya's best friend Shelby. She's such a prude that every time she was on page, I wanted to skip over the whole section. But there is a lot of really good stuff to cover up Miss Prude.
I enjoyed this so much, I moved on to book two immediately so... check it out.
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2017
I've been a fan of Jade A. Waters' writing for a long time and it was wonderful to see it expanded into a full length novel. I loved the plot and the chemistry between Maya and Dean, who embark on a series of increasingly risqué assignments that range from getting it on outdoors in view of other people to bondage and beyond. Their affair is complicated in several ways, largely by the fact that Maya is still dealing, years later, with the ghosts of past abuse. I thought Waters did an especially good job of both writing hot sex scenes that made it clear this was as much, if not more, Maya's fantasies as Dean's, even if he's the one doling out the assignments, while also portraying how her past sneaks up on her and threatens to derail her enjoyment. I eagerly raced to see what wicked thing Dean would think of next and wasn't disappointed, and also really enjoyed the heavy focus on consent (their negotiation scene is scorching and one of the best fictional representations I've ever read around the issue). Both were fascinating characters and I look forward to reading more about them in the next books in the series. If you're into or curious about BDSM, I would check this out, especially for newcomers because the characters are new to it as well.
December 12, 2016
I had the pleasure of reading The Assignment by Jade A. Waters in an ARC in exchange for a honest review. I am giving this book 5 stars because this was first time reading a book by this Author, and wow she made me a fan of her books with this book. Dean and Maya are two people who you know belong together, but the problem is will they be able to find their happiness because it seems like they are scared to let go and fall in love. I just fell in love with their story. What I loved most was how right away they had a connection how you right away new they were perfect for each other. I also loved how yes this is a eroctica book but it just wasn't sex. I mean don't get me wrong those scenes are always wonderful and a much needed lol. But the writer made it also a lot about feelings and emotions and how these two characters are able to show how they feel for one another in such deeps ways by the way they treat and talked to each other. Dean is a gorgeous man who likes control and dominance over Maya, but it has nothing to do with anything in his past its just what he likes. And when it comes to Maya he enjoys it so much more because she just such so good at being his beautiful submissive. Their story was more about just sex it was about them finding their happy ending, and finding a person who can get them on ever level good or bad. They were a couple readers good relate to. I mean who doesn't want a man like Dean who could open us up to a more hot sexy world. I could not put this book I felt like every chapter just got better and better. I also enjoyed how Jade A. Waters right away got to the story and how the story didn't feel like it was dragging on. So if you love eroctica love stories then I think your going to really enjoy this book. Because this is a couple that is never boring and always keeps us readers wanting more.
December 12, 2016
MY THOUGHTS
Ever meet somebody and at first sight the fire is there? Maya and Dean both immediately are into each other. They have kink in common. It didn't take long for a relationship to develop. We have a dominant male and a submissive female. Maya has done this before but Dean is rather new to this side of sex. Maya is a little on the skittish side since her past boyfriend was abusive to her. She's not ready for another failed relationship. She wants one that will work. Both of them seem scared of a real commitment and are holding back. The author gives a lot of sex in this book but I wanted more on the characters themselves, not all about their kinky sex. I had a hard time with Dean. He just hit me wrong for some reason. Now Maya was different. She was strong although in sex she had the submissive side. After a while she gains confidence and feels that she can explore sex although it excites her but at the same time embarrasses her. The two eventually do find love and the ending is a happy one but I still would have liked a little more about the two. Maybe some background, what got them into this type of sex and what the future holds for them. Perhaps another book will add more detail. I didn't like the strict dominance that Dean had over Maya. True, he did get her to let go and explore new avenues. That was good for Maya if it made her happy and evidently it did. If you love erotica stories than you might want to try this one.
I voluntarily decided to review this book.
Ever meet somebody and at first sight the fire is there? Maya and Dean both immediately are into each other. They have kink in common. It didn't take long for a relationship to develop. We have a dominant male and a submissive female. Maya has done this before but Dean is rather new to this side of sex. Maya is a little on the skittish side since her past boyfriend was abusive to her. She's not ready for another failed relationship. She wants one that will work. Both of them seem scared of a real commitment and are holding back. The author gives a lot of sex in this book but I wanted more on the characters themselves, not all about their kinky sex. I had a hard time with Dean. He just hit me wrong for some reason. Now Maya was different. She was strong although in sex she had the submissive side. After a while she gains confidence and feels that she can explore sex although it excites her but at the same time embarrasses her. The two eventually do find love and the ending is a happy one but I still would have liked a little more about the two. Maybe some background, what got them into this type of sex and what the future holds for them. Perhaps another book will add more detail. I didn't like the strict dominance that Dean had over Maya. True, he did get her to let go and explore new avenues. That was good for Maya if it made her happy and evidently it did. If you love erotica stories than you might want to try this one.
I voluntarily decided to review this book.
February 11, 2017
Maya has submissive urges, but has been burnt by a bad experience some years before by an abusive lover. So when she meets Dean she is, understandably, a little cautious, especially as her work involves her with women who are in abusive relationships. They hit it off from the start, but Maya worries that their relationship, which involves some BDSM practices, is moving too fast. Dean wants to free her from caution and sets her assignments that he expects her to fulfil. Quickly their sexual exploration intensifies, until Maya reaches a point where her demons of the past come back to haunt her.
The book, written in the first person, is intense and full of passion and pulled me into the centre of their relationship very quickly. It is very well written and captures the intensity of the relationship very well. It is pure escapism and very hot, and I loved it. I would recommend it without hesitation.
The book, written in the first person, is intense and full of passion and pulled me into the centre of their relationship very quickly. It is very well written and captures the intensity of the relationship very well. It is pure escapism and very hot, and I loved it. I would recommend it without hesitation.
October 21, 2016
Maya and Dean meet at a mutual friend's party and the sparks fly between them right from the start. Discovering they share an interest in kink, they set out to explore each other and their boundaries, while developing a deeper relationship. Dean has a delicious dominant side, but he's new to the scene. Maya was in a previous relationship where her submissive side was used as an excuse by her ex-boyfriend to be emotionally abusive. As such she is wary and conflicted by her feelings for Dean, wanting to explore her own desires while battling internally with the idea that she is setting herself up for another failed relationship. Because they are both relatively inexperienced they don't follow 'the rules' so to speak in a proper order - for example they don't decide on a safe word until after they've played together a few times, nor do they discuss limits until later in the relationship. That bothered me even though Maya was on board with Dean's 'assignments' for her. However he does provide appropriate after care. There are lots of sexy scenes in this one but they come at the cost of character development. I couldn't really get a fix on Dean for the first half of the story (really, he kept pushing the wrong buttons with me) though I warmed up to him in the second half. However I really liked Maya's character. She's a strong woman who made the right choice to leave her abusive ex, and now works with women in similar situations. She feels safe with Dean to explore the side of her sexuality that both embarrasses and excites her. I would have liked to see them spend more time together developing the non-sexual side of their relationship, but in the end, they do get a happy ending. Though there are some hits and misses for me here, I like the author's writing style and I'm definitely planning to read the next in the series. 3.5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
January 4, 2017
This book was previously reviewed at http://missnicolethelibrarian.blogspo...
Hmmm...this felt like what happens when two people with extreme issues have sex. It didn't make me uncomfortable exactly, but pretty much everything about Dean and Maya's relationship felt off from the very beginning.
They meet through mutual friends at a cookout and are instantly attracted to each to each other. Okay. I'll bite. That happens a lot. They could have gone off on their sexy time adventures and figuring themselves and each other out for the rest of the book and it would have been alright.
Alas, that's not what happened. It all felt less sexy and more awkward/borderline uncomfortable when Dean starts cranking out these sexual assignments for Maya right off the bat. Like before they've even kissed. I get that this is a BDSM novel, but so much with this story felt off to me. I never understood why Maya's best friend was always trying to steer Maya away from Dean when aside from being pretty kinky, he was a pretty sweet and romantic guy. Then there's this mysterious mentor of Dean's, Niko, that it felt like he was mentioned enough that there should have been more to, but I guess not?
I think this would have been a better story if the author had developed more into Maya's recovery from an abusive boyfriend and how that played into her sexuality in a more healthy manor. Even their romance and declaration of love for each other at the end came out of nowhere with not much explanation for why they fell. Other than a few steamy scenes, this book is just a lot of loose ends that never got tied up. Pun intended.
Hmmm...this felt like what happens when two people with extreme issues have sex. It didn't make me uncomfortable exactly, but pretty much everything about Dean and Maya's relationship felt off from the very beginning.
They meet through mutual friends at a cookout and are instantly attracted to each to each other. Okay. I'll bite. That happens a lot. They could have gone off on their sexy time adventures and figuring themselves and each other out for the rest of the book and it would have been alright.
Alas, that's not what happened. It all felt less sexy and more awkward/borderline uncomfortable when Dean starts cranking out these sexual assignments for Maya right off the bat. Like before they've even kissed. I get that this is a BDSM novel, but so much with this story felt off to me. I never understood why Maya's best friend was always trying to steer Maya away from Dean when aside from being pretty kinky, he was a pretty sweet and romantic guy. Then there's this mysterious mentor of Dean's, Niko, that it felt like he was mentioned enough that there should have been more to, but I guess not?
I think this would have been a better story if the author had developed more into Maya's recovery from an abusive boyfriend and how that played into her sexuality in a more healthy manor. Even their romance and declaration of love for each other at the end came out of nowhere with not much explanation for why they fell. Other than a few steamy scenes, this book is just a lot of loose ends that never got tied up. Pun intended.
June 9, 2020
Interesting
Exciting book dealing with real life crises. Can these two characters make it with the part lurking to drag one down? You have to read to find out, but it was difficult to put down!!
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest voluntary review.
Due to explicit sexual content and adult situations and language this novel is recommended for readers 18 and older.
Please be ADVISED before reading this book, I feel that I need to advise you and all future readers that in all likelihood this book may have some things that you as a reader may find objectionable or repulsive. So PLEASE if you have a prejudice viewpoint regarding BDSM or Sharing Partners that you cannot set aside while reading a fictional story, then please STOP reading and find another book. It would be unreasonable & unfair to the author if you read and then rated their work poorly based on personal feelings instead of the fictional work the produced. If you do decide to continue reading, HAPPY READING!
Exciting book dealing with real life crises. Can these two characters make it with the part lurking to drag one down? You have to read to find out, but it was difficult to put down!!
ARC received from Netgalley for an honest voluntary review.
Due to explicit sexual content and adult situations and language this novel is recommended for readers 18 and older.
Please be ADVISED before reading this book, I feel that I need to advise you and all future readers that in all likelihood this book may have some things that you as a reader may find objectionable or repulsive. So PLEASE if you have a prejudice viewpoint regarding BDSM or Sharing Partners that you cannot set aside while reading a fictional story, then please STOP reading and find another book. It would be unreasonable & unfair to the author if you read and then rated their work poorly based on personal feelings instead of the fictional work the produced. If you do decide to continue reading, HAPPY READING!
May 15, 2017
It's a good erotic romance...very contemporary and well written. I don't think it's fair to say that it lacked romance once the focus of the story is the sexual chemistry and the sex itself between the MCs.
But then, the plot wants you to believe there is more going on than two people doing kinky sex, and THIS is what I foundd not very well developed.
The characters are very limited, maybe because the author is saving a little for later, since I just noticed this is a trilogy, but still, I found them kind of one dimensional and it was hard to believe in the SOMETHING ELSE that presumably was going on...
Despite the abrupt end, it's not really a cliff hanger and yes, I'm curious to know how the MCs relationship is going to develop.
But then, the plot wants you to believe there is more going on than two people doing kinky sex, and THIS is what I foundd not very well developed.
The characters are very limited, maybe because the author is saving a little for later, since I just noticed this is a trilogy, but still, I found them kind of one dimensional and it was hard to believe in the SOMETHING ELSE that presumably was going on...
Despite the abrupt end, it's not really a cliff hanger and yes, I'm curious to know how the MCs relationship is going to develop.
September 26, 2023
Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Well...the other reviews were accurate...this was spicy! It also had some deeper themes which I appreciated and watching Dean and Maya work through those was great. I do wish we would have gotten more of Dean's backstory and his side of things, but I understand that this was Maya's story. There were things I wish were a little more fleshed out, mostly in the form of supporting characters who seemed a little one dimensional. Overall, I enjoyed this though and would definitely read more from this author.
Well...the other reviews were accurate...this was spicy! It also had some deeper themes which I appreciated and watching Dean and Maya work through those was great. I do wish we would have gotten more of Dean's backstory and his side of things, but I understand that this was Maya's story. There were things I wish were a little more fleshed out, mostly in the form of supporting characters who seemed a little one dimensional. Overall, I enjoyed this though and would definitely read more from this author.
December 29, 2016
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I loved the chemistry between Maya and Dean and the bedroom (or kitchen, or bathroom, or...) scenes are super hot. I'd love to get an assignment from Dean! It's also an entertaining read. I laughed at their antics.
This book is absolutely worth 5 stars. Thanks so much for the opportunity to experience this book!
I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. I loved the chemistry between Maya and Dean and the bedroom (or kitchen, or bathroom, or...) scenes are super hot. I'd love to get an assignment from Dean! It's also an entertaining read. I laughed at their antics.
This book is absolutely worth 5 stars. Thanks so much for the opportunity to experience this book!
May 31, 2017
Eh. This book is well written, but I felt frustrated by the hero and heroine. I didn’t feel like the amount of angst and issues they had was proportionate, you know? It felt like things could have been resolved sooner. Not planning to read book 2.
Bought from Carina
Bought from Carina
June 14, 2017
ARC provided by Carina Press and NetGalley for an honest review
January 29, 2017
This is the first novel I've read by this author and after reading the blurb, I was expecting a very hot BDSM read but this book wasn't quite what I expected and while it's well-written, I liked but didn't love it--I give it 3 stars.
The main characters are Dean, an architect, and Maya, a social worker and counselor for a non-profit battered women's organization. The two meet at the home of their mutual friends, Selby, who is Maya's closest friend (and extremely vanilla), and Alex, who works with Dean. When Dean and Maya meet, it's insta-lust, which is far more believable to this reader than insta-love. Maya is torn between being BDSM curious, and at the same time BDSM fearful. Her first experience at bondage was with Charlie, a man who while being dominating was also physically and emotionally abusive, belittling her, calling her a whore and a slut and not in a nice way, and while she eventually got away from him physically, the emotional scars she carries are still at war with her interest in BDSM, but she's avoided doing much of anything about it for years. Now, she's only dating casually, having short-term affairs and keeping away from heavy commitments. The few men to whom she's mentioned wanting to explore her kink weren't into it.
Dean, while clearly a Dom, is fairly new to the BDSM lifestyle too, and he's eager to explore his own kink with Maya. He starts out by giving her assignments to fulfill, all of which are intended to help her explore her own sexuality and sexual freedom and test her limits. The body of this novel is about those assignments and their mutual exploration of their kink, and if you like your novels hot, this one sizzles, but it really only addresses the domination and bondage side of the lifestyle--there really isn't much in the way of discipline, and it totally ignores the sadism and masochism sides of the equation. In many ways, it seemed to this reader that it was like taking a class called Introduction to BSDM 101.
While I enjoyed the assignments Dean gives Maya, which begin with having Maya merely examine and communicate her sexual wants and needs, the assignments progress to various types of exhibitionism and dressing the part, and her rewards for completing her assignments are hot sex with Dean in control. Unfortunately, we aren't given as much of Dean's backstory and interest in kink as we are in Maya's case. When the exploration ends rather badly for Maya at a sex club Dean brings her to, Maya loses it, and although she's counseled others in the same situation, her reaction is complete and total avoidance. These two characters, while exploring, have never really discussed boundaries or soft and hard limits. If Dean was as into BDSM as he appears to be, he should have known and dealt with Maya's limits before putting her in a situation that he couldn't control.
Luckily, Maya is at least able to talk with her co-worker, Maddie, about her issues with Dean and the world of BDSM she's becoming involved in. She is also preoccupied and worried about one of her current cases with a battered woman named Carrie, whose abusive relationship reminds Maya of her past relationship and unresolved issues with Charlie. When Carrie ends up badly beaten, broken and hospitalized, Maya is shaken to her core, and goes through a long period of solitude and self-examination, avoiding Dean's texts and phone calls entirely.
The fact that Dean, who fancies himself a Dom, doesn't show up for several weeks to help Maya deal with what happened to her just felt wrong. A good Dom would have seen to Maya's aftercare, something that was never even mentioned. Additionally, since Dean is portrayed as controlling, the fact he and Maya see each other only sporadically seemed rather far-fetched, as did the entire sex club incident. Dean admits he's never been there, yet he gains instant access without question, nor are either of these two newbies required to sign a contract which would have given them the opportunity to discuss limits. I think that the author failed to do her homework on sex clubs and the manner in which they operate.
While Selby and Alex are the means by which Dean and Maya meet, they really are secondary and while Maya thinks of Selby as her best friend, the fact that she has to hide her interest in kink from Selby, who is so vanilla that she's utterly unable to even have a conversation about sex just didn't make sense. She knows about Maya's bad experience with Charlie, but in this reader's opinion, her inability to listen to Maya's issues and experiences with Dean didn't scream "best friends" to me.
While Ms. Waters has produced a well-written novel with fairly interesting main characters, it felt as though something was missing--and that was depth. Dean's internal dialogue throughout this novel was nonexistent, a flaw I found hard to overlook. If you're new to BDSM, there are beginners novels that are far better researched and more realistic than this one. Finally, since the novel is about the various assignments Maya is given, why was the title singular?
The main characters are Dean, an architect, and Maya, a social worker and counselor for a non-profit battered women's organization. The two meet at the home of their mutual friends, Selby, who is Maya's closest friend (and extremely vanilla), and Alex, who works with Dean. When Dean and Maya meet, it's insta-lust, which is far more believable to this reader than insta-love. Maya is torn between being BDSM curious, and at the same time BDSM fearful. Her first experience at bondage was with Charlie, a man who while being dominating was also physically and emotionally abusive, belittling her, calling her a whore and a slut and not in a nice way, and while she eventually got away from him physically, the emotional scars she carries are still at war with her interest in BDSM, but she's avoided doing much of anything about it for years. Now, she's only dating casually, having short-term affairs and keeping away from heavy commitments. The few men to whom she's mentioned wanting to explore her kink weren't into it.
Dean, while clearly a Dom, is fairly new to the BDSM lifestyle too, and he's eager to explore his own kink with Maya. He starts out by giving her assignments to fulfill, all of which are intended to help her explore her own sexuality and sexual freedom and test her limits. The body of this novel is about those assignments and their mutual exploration of their kink, and if you like your novels hot, this one sizzles, but it really only addresses the domination and bondage side of the lifestyle--there really isn't much in the way of discipline, and it totally ignores the sadism and masochism sides of the equation. In many ways, it seemed to this reader that it was like taking a class called Introduction to BSDM 101.
While I enjoyed the assignments Dean gives Maya, which begin with having Maya merely examine and communicate her sexual wants and needs, the assignments progress to various types of exhibitionism and dressing the part, and her rewards for completing her assignments are hot sex with Dean in control. Unfortunately, we aren't given as much of Dean's backstory and interest in kink as we are in Maya's case. When the exploration ends rather badly for Maya at a sex club Dean brings her to, Maya loses it, and although she's counseled others in the same situation, her reaction is complete and total avoidance. These two characters, while exploring, have never really discussed boundaries or soft and hard limits. If Dean was as into BDSM as he appears to be, he should have known and dealt with Maya's limits before putting her in a situation that he couldn't control.
Luckily, Maya is at least able to talk with her co-worker, Maddie, about her issues with Dean and the world of BDSM she's becoming involved in. She is also preoccupied and worried about one of her current cases with a battered woman named Carrie, whose abusive relationship reminds Maya of her past relationship and unresolved issues with Charlie. When Carrie ends up badly beaten, broken and hospitalized, Maya is shaken to her core, and goes through a long period of solitude and self-examination, avoiding Dean's texts and phone calls entirely.
The fact that Dean, who fancies himself a Dom, doesn't show up for several weeks to help Maya deal with what happened to her just felt wrong. A good Dom would have seen to Maya's aftercare, something that was never even mentioned. Additionally, since Dean is portrayed as controlling, the fact he and Maya see each other only sporadically seemed rather far-fetched, as did the entire sex club incident. Dean admits he's never been there, yet he gains instant access without question, nor are either of these two newbies required to sign a contract which would have given them the opportunity to discuss limits. I think that the author failed to do her homework on sex clubs and the manner in which they operate.
While Selby and Alex are the means by which Dean and Maya meet, they really are secondary and while Maya thinks of Selby as her best friend, the fact that she has to hide her interest in kink from Selby, who is so vanilla that she's utterly unable to even have a conversation about sex just didn't make sense. She knows about Maya's bad experience with Charlie, but in this reader's opinion, her inability to listen to Maya's issues and experiences with Dean didn't scream "best friends" to me.
While Ms. Waters has produced a well-written novel with fairly interesting main characters, it felt as though something was missing--and that was depth. Dean's internal dialogue throughout this novel was nonexistent, a flaw I found hard to overlook. If you're new to BDSM, there are beginners novels that are far better researched and more realistic than this one. Finally, since the novel is about the various assignments Maya is given, why was the title singular?
November 22, 2016
I don't know... this book blurb lured me in, it held promise. Promise that I think fell a little short in some areas of the book.
Dean and Maya meet at mutual friends. Dean is an architect, Maya works for a non for profit agency that helps battered women. These two hit it off right away. Dean's a total flirt. Maya is into the no strings scene which bothers her friend Selby. Selby and Alex live together, Alex and Dean have business together and Selby and Maya have been friends since 1st grade. Maya still has issues with a bad relationship that dates back several years, one that was a sort of pseudo BD relationship, but the ex was abusive. She left him, but still has a few things that bother her. Yet she counsels battered women, one in particular that concerns her.
She starts a relationship with Dean who makes it clear he's into kink, but he's new to the game. So they agree to try things and take them as they come. He starts by giving her "assignments" to complete when they are apart. They start out rather benign and escalate to things like exposing her in public, and then they go to a sex club one night. Things implode for her, when he leaves her to get a couple drinks with a stranger. She flips her nut, as I would too. She wants to leave and stays aways from Dean for a good while, refusing to speak to him and shuts him out. The episode dredges up the bad memories of her previous abusive relationship. Add to that during this time her client in brutally assaulted and is in the hospital. She tends to her gently and very well. Pushing aside her own issues.
She does talk to Selby about what's going on. Even though Selby can't handle hearing the "P" word, she does listen and Alex is a big support too. Maya finally realizes she needs to talk to Dean about her history and what happened and boundaries.
Okay, that said... Dean was a little over the top and not really the strong alpha male we're so used to reading. My feeling was it was more like two young people trying to imitate something they read.
Dean was a control freak. Maya let him control everything. She let her "assignments" drive her to distraction and so worried she'd fail and wouldn't get her "reward." The other thing was the length of time these two spent apart. It didn't set well with me. It was mentioned once in the story and then not brought up again. At times she wouldn't see him for two weeks. Yes, they talked on the phone and texted. Most of the time. A few times there was no contact, but for as sexual as this couple was supposed to be, it just didn't set right with me. And then him taking her to a sex club, one that didn't vet it's members? They just walked in the door? That absolutely didn't set well.
Dean, Maya, Selby and Alex seemed likable enough but they were a tad superficial. The only one you gain any insight into is Maya and the little bit of history with her ex. Had this story centered around Maya more with Dean as a secondary it would have worked much better. There were just too many things that didn't add up for me in this one.
I have to give it 3.5 stars and that's a little generous.
*advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for a fair review**
Dean and Maya meet at mutual friends. Dean is an architect, Maya works for a non for profit agency that helps battered women. These two hit it off right away. Dean's a total flirt. Maya is into the no strings scene which bothers her friend Selby. Selby and Alex live together, Alex and Dean have business together and Selby and Maya have been friends since 1st grade. Maya still has issues with a bad relationship that dates back several years, one that was a sort of pseudo BD relationship, but the ex was abusive. She left him, but still has a few things that bother her. Yet she counsels battered women, one in particular that concerns her.
She starts a relationship with Dean who makes it clear he's into kink, but he's new to the game. So they agree to try things and take them as they come. He starts by giving her "assignments" to complete when they are apart. They start out rather benign and escalate to things like exposing her in public, and then they go to a sex club one night. Things implode for her, when he leaves her to get a couple drinks with a stranger. She flips her nut, as I would too. She wants to leave and stays aways from Dean for a good while, refusing to speak to him and shuts him out. The episode dredges up the bad memories of her previous abusive relationship. Add to that during this time her client in brutally assaulted and is in the hospital. She tends to her gently and very well. Pushing aside her own issues.
She does talk to Selby about what's going on. Even though Selby can't handle hearing the "P" word, she does listen and Alex is a big support too. Maya finally realizes she needs to talk to Dean about her history and what happened and boundaries.
Okay, that said... Dean was a little over the top and not really the strong alpha male we're so used to reading. My feeling was it was more like two young people trying to imitate something they read.
Dean was a control freak. Maya let him control everything. She let her "assignments" drive her to distraction and so worried she'd fail and wouldn't get her "reward." The other thing was the length of time these two spent apart. It didn't set well with me. It was mentioned once in the story and then not brought up again. At times she wouldn't see him for two weeks. Yes, they talked on the phone and texted. Most of the time. A few times there was no contact, but for as sexual as this couple was supposed to be, it just didn't set right with me. And then him taking her to a sex club, one that didn't vet it's members? They just walked in the door? That absolutely didn't set well.
Dean, Maya, Selby and Alex seemed likable enough but they were a tad superficial. The only one you gain any insight into is Maya and the little bit of history with her ex. Had this story centered around Maya more with Dean as a secondary it would have worked much better. There were just too many things that didn't add up for me in this one.
I have to give it 3.5 stars and that's a little generous.
*advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for a fair review**
February 18, 2017
Hot. Written so well I didn't notice the writing, just the lust.
December 8, 2016
Received a copy for review.
This was a phenomenal, lighthearted bdsm read. I really enjoyed everything about this story. From the characters to the romance to the writing. A couple trying and exploring different things together. The experience of it all was beautiful.
Maya Clery is a woman who knows what she likes. She likes to be set free and enjoy her sexuality. She's into being tied down and dominated, but she isn't sure why. She's had her bad experience with being dominated by her ex Charlie. Maya is a strong woman -- she didn't hesitate with what she wanted sexually. She enjoyed taking control sometimes, but her she found that release and freedom in being overwhelmed. I liked watching her internal fight with all the feels that were arising in her. It showed how much she was growing and overcoming her past.
Dean Sova is a strong, dominating man with a sweet, sensitive side. I enjoyed watching him be direct with Maya. Dean seemed to have taken a strong liking to Maya immediately and he wasn't afraid to show it. I loved how he found it so easy to turn his dominate side off to his sweet side. It kept him mysterious. I just loved Dean.
The romance was amazing. It showcased bdsm in both a good and bad light which I think is key. It showed how a couple can trust each other and really experiment with sex. I loved the intensity between Maya and Dean. From the moment they met sparks flew between them. I will say it was insta love, but it thought it progressed pretty well.
Great read for those who may want to dive into reading bdsm, but get scared or turned off by it. It's a quick read and keeps you intrigued from beginning to end.
This was a phenomenal, lighthearted bdsm read. I really enjoyed everything about this story. From the characters to the romance to the writing. A couple trying and exploring different things together. The experience of it all was beautiful.
Maya Clery is a woman who knows what she likes. She likes to be set free and enjoy her sexuality. She's into being tied down and dominated, but she isn't sure why. She's had her bad experience with being dominated by her ex Charlie. Maya is a strong woman -- she didn't hesitate with what she wanted sexually. She enjoyed taking control sometimes, but her she found that release and freedom in being overwhelmed. I liked watching her internal fight with all the feels that were arising in her. It showed how much she was growing and overcoming her past.
Dean Sova is a strong, dominating man with a sweet, sensitive side. I enjoyed watching him be direct with Maya. Dean seemed to have taken a strong liking to Maya immediately and he wasn't afraid to show it. I loved how he found it so easy to turn his dominate side off to his sweet side. It kept him mysterious. I just loved Dean.
The romance was amazing. It showcased bdsm in both a good and bad light which I think is key. It showed how a couple can trust each other and really experiment with sex. I loved the intensity between Maya and Dean. From the moment they met sparks flew between them. I will say it was insta love, but it thought it progressed pretty well.
Great read for those who may want to dive into reading bdsm, but get scared or turned off by it. It's a quick read and keeps you intrigued from beginning to end.
December 9, 2016
http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...
The Assignment was a great 5 star read.
Maya meets Dean at her friend Selby’s house. Dean is good friends with Selby’s boyfriend and Maya doesn’t understand why she hasn’t met Dean sooner. She confronts Selby and Alex as to why and she finds out that: He’s not very vanilla . Which this news peaks her interest.
Maya and Dean decide to go out and boy does it get steamy. Maya and Dean are great for each other. They are both adventurous and willing to try new things. The assignments and reward piece was great.
We do get to see some BDSM with this hot erotic read. I didn’t warm up to Dean until about half-way through the book due to some of his actions. We find out some things about Maya’s past that really built her into who she is today. I really enjoyed reading about these two and how they connected. The secondary characters were great as well, I loved Selby. We do get to see a HEA and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Thank you Jade A. Waters for a great hot and sexy read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
The Assignment was a great 5 star read.
Maya meets Dean at her friend Selby’s house. Dean is good friends with Selby’s boyfriend and Maya doesn’t understand why she hasn’t met Dean sooner. She confronts Selby and Alex as to why and she finds out that: He’s not very vanilla . Which this news peaks her interest.
Maya and Dean decide to go out and boy does it get steamy. Maya and Dean are great for each other. They are both adventurous and willing to try new things. The assignments and reward piece was great.
We do get to see some BDSM with this hot erotic read. I didn’t warm up to Dean until about half-way through the book due to some of his actions. We find out some things about Maya’s past that really built her into who she is today. I really enjoyed reading about these two and how they connected. The secondary characters were great as well, I loved Selby. We do get to see a HEA and I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Thank you Jade A. Waters for a great hot and sexy read.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club
October 15, 2017
I received a free copy from net gallery for an honest review.
Dean and Maya meet through their best friends and discover they both share an interest in kinky sex. These two explore their kinky fantasies together: learning as they go along but what happens when things go too far?
This was an interesting read and their attraction towards each other was undeniable. However, I felt that both characters lacked in emotional depth and intensity. There's a lot of erotic sex and BDSM and that overshadowed everything. I wanted to know more about Dean and his background. These two talk via text quite a lot, they didn't meet up often but when they did, it mainly centres around sex. Their relationship felt superficial and lacked a deeper emotional connection.
There were times the book dragged on and got the story became dry.
This was an okay read and despite my criticisms I still liked it. If you like a book with lots of hot, erotic, kinky sex then you won't be disappointed.
Dean and Maya meet through their best friends and discover they both share an interest in kinky sex. These two explore their kinky fantasies together: learning as they go along but what happens when things go too far?
This was an interesting read and their attraction towards each other was undeniable. However, I felt that both characters lacked in emotional depth and intensity. There's a lot of erotic sex and BDSM and that overshadowed everything. I wanted to know more about Dean and his background. These two talk via text quite a lot, they didn't meet up often but when they did, it mainly centres around sex. Their relationship felt superficial and lacked a deeper emotional connection.
There were times the book dragged on and got the story became dry.
This was an okay read and despite my criticisms I still liked it. If you like a book with lots of hot, erotic, kinky sex then you won't be disappointed.
December 29, 2016
The description pretty much says it all, but The Assignment was still more than I expected.
Maya wasn't looking for a relationship when she met Dean at her friends' party. She definitely wasn't looking for a fantasy lover, but Dean was more than she bargained for. The heat between these two was combustible.
The 'assignments' that Dean gave Maya gave this story a unique twist that definitely kept things interesting. Dean wasn't exactly a Dom, but he was the one in control... until things spiraled out of control. At one point I got kind of aggravated with both characters. Dean because he was a little irresponsible with his control and Maya for not being totally honest. Dean's obvious worry and devotion finally won me over though.
Jade A. Waters has a great start to her Lessons in Control series and Dean and Maya's story continues in The Discipline. I can't wait to see where their story goes...
I received The Assignment in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Maya wasn't looking for a relationship when she met Dean at her friends' party. She definitely wasn't looking for a fantasy lover, but Dean was more than she bargained for. The heat between these two was combustible.
The 'assignments' that Dean gave Maya gave this story a unique twist that definitely kept things interesting. Dean wasn't exactly a Dom, but he was the one in control... until things spiraled out of control. At one point I got kind of aggravated with both characters. Dean because he was a little irresponsible with his control and Maya for not being totally honest. Dean's obvious worry and devotion finally won me over though.
Jade A. Waters has a great start to her Lessons in Control series and Dean and Maya's story continues in The Discipline. I can't wait to see where their story goes...
I received The Assignment in exchange for a fair and honest review.
November 30, 2016
The Assignment is an interesting take on the Dom/sub relationship - both partners are learning as they go, and it leads to mistakes as well as teaching them each a lot about themselves, and about each other. As erotica goes, The Assignment works well - it's super-hot in places, while managing to retain a credible storyline. As with a lot of such books, the sex is hotter in the first half of the book, before feelings and drama start getting in the way, and there were a couple of things hinted at but not explored, which I found a bit disappointing, but overall it's a very good example of the erotic romance genre.
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