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Alex Kennedy #3
Vanilla
It's an acquired taste…he just has to acquire it
Elise knows what she wants in the bedroom, and she makes sure she gets it. Her thirst for domination has long been quenched by a stable of men only too happy to bow down before her.
But sexual satisfaction isn't the same as love, and she's been burned in the past by giving her heart too freely.
Niall is handsome, smart, successful and sweet—sweet as vanilla. When they meet, their romantic connection is electric, even though he's way on the opposite end of the kink spectrum. Despite how she fights it, Elise falls for him—but how can a relationship work when both lovers want to be on top?
Elise knows what she wants in the bedroom, and she makes sure she gets it. Her thirst for domination has long been quenched by a stable of men only too happy to bow down before her.
But sexual satisfaction isn't the same as love, and she's been burned in the past by giving her heart too freely.
Niall is handsome, smart, successful and sweet—sweet as vanilla. When they meet, their romantic connection is electric, even though he's way on the opposite end of the kink spectrum. Despite how she fights it, Elise falls for him—but how can a relationship work when both lovers want to be on top?
411 pages, Paperback
First published February 24, 2015
56 people are currently reading
1825 people want to read
About the author
Megan Hart
265 books4,057 followersMegan Hart has written in almost every genre of romantic fiction, including historical, contemporary, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, futuristic, fantasy and perhaps most notably, erotic. She also writes non-erotic fantasy and science fiction, as well as continuing to occasionally dabble in horror.
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
--from the author's website
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
For Megan Hart, the nutritionist, click here
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
January 17, 2015
*** 3.5 On-His-Knees Stars ***
(Arc kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley)
If you've ever read a Megan Hart novel, you know her stories are always complex and alluring and Vanilla was no exception.
Elise is a woman that knows what she wants and she likes to dominate her men in the bedroom. She's not into causing pain or humiliation but she enjoys being in control and feeling worshiped by the man at her feet. She's beautiful and smart, her career as a partner to a financial planner keeps her busy and after a bad breakup that even years later she still can't shake off, there is no room for a committed relationship in her life. She struggles with the memories of the one that got away, her mysterious playmate who gives her everything in the bedroom but nothing outside of it and when she meets a new man that for the first in a long time, makes her want to give love another try, her life gets really complicated, because this new guy likes his sex one hundred percent Vanilla.
The story also includes Elise's struggles with her family, they don't understand her choices in life; her Jewish mother just wants her to find a nice man, settle down and have a bunch of babies but that's not who she is nor what she wants. After a string of bad relationships Elise is ready for love and Niall is offering an honest and simple love but he can't play those dominant games Elise likes; will they be able to reach a middle ground and move forward with the relationship or will it crash and burn just like the rest? Elise will need to decide whether she'll move on from her past lovers and take what Niall is offering or continue on a lonely path of sex and domination without love.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I have to say I thought that the story was too embellished, the idea of the plot was fantastic if it have been kept more simple. I understand the author's intent to shock the reader, which she did but in the end it was a little too much. Have you ever read a book, where you enjoy the story but didn't like any of the characters? That was me in this case, not the primary or secondary characters were appealing to me, their connections seemed shallow and arrogant and nothing about them reach out to me. I recommend this book to those erotica readers looking for a complex and sexy read, where a woman is on top.
Vanilla music playlist:
*Wasting All These Tears by Cassadee Poppe
*Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
*1,000 Times by Sara Bareilles
*Beautiful War by Kings of Leon
(Arc kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley)
If you've ever read a Megan Hart novel, you know her stories are always complex and alluring and Vanilla was no exception.
Elise is a woman that knows what she wants and she likes to dominate her men in the bedroom. She's not into causing pain or humiliation but she enjoys being in control and feeling worshiped by the man at her feet. She's beautiful and smart, her career as a partner to a financial planner keeps her busy and after a bad breakup that even years later she still can't shake off, there is no room for a committed relationship in her life. She struggles with the memories of the one that got away, her mysterious playmate who gives her everything in the bedroom but nothing outside of it and when she meets a new man that for the first in a long time, makes her want to give love another try, her life gets really complicated, because this new guy likes his sex one hundred percent Vanilla.
The story also includes Elise's struggles with her family, they don't understand her choices in life; her Jewish mother just wants her to find a nice man, settle down and have a bunch of babies but that's not who she is nor what she wants. After a string of bad relationships Elise is ready for love and Niall is offering an honest and simple love but he can't play those dominant games Elise likes; will they be able to reach a middle ground and move forward with the relationship or will it crash and burn just like the rest? Elise will need to decide whether she'll move on from her past lovers and take what Niall is offering or continue on a lonely path of sex and domination without love.
I enjoyed reading this book, but I have to say I thought that the story was too embellished, the idea of the plot was fantastic if it have been kept more simple. I understand the author's intent to shock the reader, which she did but in the end it was a little too much. Have you ever read a book, where you enjoy the story but didn't like any of the characters? That was me in this case, not the primary or secondary characters were appealing to me, their connections seemed shallow and arrogant and nothing about them reach out to me. I recommend this book to those erotica readers looking for a complex and sexy read, where a woman is on top.
Vanilla music playlist:
*Wasting All These Tears by Cassadee Poppe
*Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
*1,000 Times by Sara Bareilles
*Beautiful War by Kings of Leon
May 15, 2018
2,5. Como yo soy así de torpe a veces, no me había enterado de que este libro pertenece a una serie. Aunque aquí el protagonista de los libros anteriores es un personaje secundario, el compañero de trabajo de la protagonista femenina, y cuenta de refilón y muy parcialmente su historia.
Pero vayamos al libro que nos ocupa. Su título representa muy bien de lo que trata, de cómo el sexo que decidimos tener o nos gusta (que no siempre es lo mismo), ya sea vainilla o algo más duro, condiciona nuestra vida pero no tiene por qué definirnos absolutamente y de cómo todo en la vida se reduce a lo mismo: tratar de establecer una conexión significativa con alguien para no sentirnos tan espantosamente solos. Una pena que esta vez la escritora no me haya convencido, como ha conseguido otras veces, si no simplemente deprimido.
Pero vayamos al libro que nos ocupa. Su título representa muy bien de lo que trata, de cómo el sexo que decidimos tener o nos gusta (que no siempre es lo mismo), ya sea vainilla o algo más duro, condiciona nuestra vida pero no tiene por qué definirnos absolutamente y de cómo todo en la vida se reduce a lo mismo: tratar de establecer una conexión significativa con alguien para no sentirnos tan espantosamente solos. Una pena que esta vez la escritora no me haya convencido, como ha conseguido otras veces, si no simplemente deprimido.
April 2, 2015
Vanilla is a word which conjures up many different emotions for someone in the lifestyle. For Vanilla is what we use for those who are not interested in kink. It's not a bad word, it's word which implies a lot and for those who are happy to let their freak flag fly, it's a not a flavour we thrive on. We can take a bit of a taste here and there, but to live on Vanilla alone may be the death of us. Elise is a women who enjoys sexual power over men. Her past relationship burned her so badly she now has a no dating rule. She can dominate and scene with a man, she just doesn't want a relationship. Yet she yearns for more. Perhaps four years is long enough and she is ready to begin learning how to love again.
This book breaks my heart. It is about a woman who is in tuned with her needs and others either judge or disappoint her. Ms. Hart does an amazingly accurate job of capturing the difficulties of being a female sexual dominant. From the misunderstanding of her kink to dating outside the kink pool - all of it is scarily realistic. At the heart of this journey, is a woman who wants to find a man who understands her. A man who she understands and enjoy an erotic power exchange. Someone who can see and appreciate the sum of all her parts. Elise is tired of only being seen for parts of herself. What woman or man doesn't want this? The difficult for her is the fact that not only is she kinky but she wants to be the one on top. Female dominants are oft maligned as man-hating sadistic bitches ready to cut off men's balls. This is unfortunate because most of the dommes I know in real life are nothing like this. As a switch, I'm not like this and yet I am also painted with the same brush of being a cruel heartless bitch. This is why I connected so well with Elise. I understand her in all levels and my heart cries for her painful rejections.
I'm not going to lie. My heart physically hurt whilst reading this book. I know going into a Ms. Hart book that I need to brace myself for being torn apart and then then slowly be built back together. Even with my preparation, I felt destroyed near the end. I end up gasping for breath as I choke back sobs. This book will touch the softer side of a
strong woman. The part which is hidden from the world because of how often people want to tear down a successful woman who is both strong and soft.
Niall is a great guy. As a love interest character, he's an ideal boyfriend until it gets into the sex part. The things he says are hurtful and he doesn't even understand why. The scene where he thinks it's okay to do what he did, if I had been Elise, no lie, I would have hurt him terribly. I would have cut him down where it hurt the most in the coldest way and walk away with him bleeding his heart out. I would never take him back. He would be dead to me. D.E.A.D.T.O.M.E. DEAD. In that moment in time, all the love would have instantly turned to hate. That's how offensive his actions are to me. I would never trust him again and I wouldn't be able to repair the relationship with him because I will always remember this one defining moment. For Ms. Hart to write this and yet be able to change it into something different, I'm impressed. Now many readers may not get why I consider Niall response such a hurtful act. And that is okay.
For those who don't understand femdom and think it's all about stepping on men's balls and pegging them in the ass, this is a different version of femdom. In this one, Elise shows how she derives pleasure from controlling and pleasing. She shows how her dominance brings strong orgasms and connections. She also shows how it does take trust and negotiation for a D/s relationship to work. Her relationship with Niall is a perfect example of how vanilla and kink can cross paths and end up with heartbreak. With work, there is a possibility for the vanilla person to become spiced vanilla. In all honestly, I don't believe it will happen in real life. I haven't seen nor experienced it. There is no swaying and if a kinky person decides to be with a vanilla, it will end up in heartbreak or dissatisfaction. This story whilst painfully moving, it is still a romantic fictionalization when kinky meets vanilla. Recommended for kinky readers who are hopeless romantics.
*provided by NetGalley
This book breaks my heart. It is about a woman who is in tuned with her needs and others either judge or disappoint her. Ms. Hart does an amazingly accurate job of capturing the difficulties of being a female sexual dominant. From the misunderstanding of her kink to dating outside the kink pool - all of it is scarily realistic. At the heart of this journey, is a woman who wants to find a man who understands her. A man who she understands and enjoy an erotic power exchange. Someone who can see and appreciate the sum of all her parts. Elise is tired of only being seen for parts of herself. What woman or man doesn't want this? The difficult for her is the fact that not only is she kinky but she wants to be the one on top. Female dominants are oft maligned as man-hating sadistic bitches ready to cut off men's balls. This is unfortunate because most of the dommes I know in real life are nothing like this. As a switch, I'm not like this and yet I am also painted with the same brush of being a cruel heartless bitch. This is why I connected so well with Elise. I understand her in all levels and my heart cries for her painful rejections.
I'm not going to lie. My heart physically hurt whilst reading this book. I know going into a Ms. Hart book that I need to brace myself for being torn apart and then then slowly be built back together. Even with my preparation, I felt destroyed near the end. I end up gasping for breath as I choke back sobs. This book will touch the softer side of a
strong woman. The part which is hidden from the world because of how often people want to tear down a successful woman who is both strong and soft.
Niall is a great guy. As a love interest character, he's an ideal boyfriend until it gets into the sex part. The things he says are hurtful and he doesn't even understand why. The scene where he thinks it's okay to do what he did, if I had been Elise, no lie, I would have hurt him terribly. I would have cut him down where it hurt the most in the coldest way and walk away with him bleeding his heart out. I would never take him back. He would be dead to me. D.E.A.D.T.O.M.E. DEAD. In that moment in time, all the love would have instantly turned to hate. That's how offensive his actions are to me. I would never trust him again and I wouldn't be able to repair the relationship with him because I will always remember this one defining moment. For Ms. Hart to write this and yet be able to change it into something different, I'm impressed. Now many readers may not get why I consider Niall response such a hurtful act. And that is okay.
For those who don't understand femdom and think it's all about stepping on men's balls and pegging them in the ass, this is a different version of femdom. In this one, Elise shows how she derives pleasure from controlling and pleasing. She shows how her dominance brings strong orgasms and connections. She also shows how it does take trust and negotiation for a D/s relationship to work. Her relationship with Niall is a perfect example of how vanilla and kink can cross paths and end up with heartbreak. With work, there is a possibility for the vanilla person to become spiced vanilla. In all honestly, I don't believe it will happen in real life. I haven't seen nor experienced it. There is no swaying and if a kinky person decides to be with a vanilla, it will end up in heartbreak or dissatisfaction. This story whilst painfully moving, it is still a romantic fictionalization when kinky meets vanilla. Recommended for kinky readers who are hopeless romantics.
*provided by NetGalley
March 1, 2015
Elise is used to a certain type of man, a certain type of relationship. Although the domination over a man isn’t about whips & chains, it is about the control and the desire found when a man is willing to worship at her feet. Closed off from love after being hurt by someone four years ago, she takes on lovers; men that share the similar desires. But when she meets Niall, who works with her brother, she starts to want things with a man that has no desire that mimics her own.
But there is something to be said for a man that just pays attention, one that does things for you because he knows that you’d enjoy it. But as Elise starts to open herself up to the idea of Niall, her lifestyle wedges itself into the middle of their relationship; forcing Niall to doubt if he’d ever be enough for her.
I want to split this book into two parts. The first 60% and the last 40%. The first 60% was slow and at times I really struggled to continue on. We are given a glimpse of Elise’s past with a man we only know as “George” and a current lover, who for all purposes just felt like a prop at time. I know that his role was needed, not only did it show her lifestyle, but it also Elise some additional emotional dimension. A woman who gave up on love, waiting for a man to come back, but still caring deeply for another – even if the rules didn’t allow for it... It just felt like I was reading a story in slow motion.
For the final 40% I was excited, I wanted more. I loved Niall and slight unease in being with Elise, given what he knew of her prior bedroom activities. The pace of the end of this book was so different from the how it started. I loved watching their relationship start, how careful he was with her – so polite. I loved seeing her allow him to set the pace and just go along for the ride, enjoying the way he cared for her.
In the end, this was truly Elise’s story. I think that is where my struggle starts and ends. I did not care for Elise enough to want just her story. I understood her kink, that it was something she enjoyed... but at the same time I could not understand how a woman that enjoyed being dominant could be such a doormat. Her behavior with “George” set a tone that stuck. And after discovering what it was that actually happened, I was disappointed. Something major could have been the cause for her lack of ability to move on – to let go. Something that could have explained it, but in the end for me – she just seemed far weaker than I had originally thought. Had this story been more than just Elise’s story I could have moved past that, sort of. But being that this was in fact more centered around her, it really just made me keep her at a bit of a distance throughout the story.
I am glad the final parts of this book picked up, but meeting Niall at nearly 30% into the story and then not really getting a chance to watch their story unfold for some time – just didn’t sit well with me. This one just didn’t have enough in it to allow me to overlook the things that I did not like about it.
But there is something to be said for a man that just pays attention, one that does things for you because he knows that you’d enjoy it. But as Elise starts to open herself up to the idea of Niall, her lifestyle wedges itself into the middle of their relationship; forcing Niall to doubt if he’d ever be enough for her.
I want to split this book into two parts. The first 60% and the last 40%. The first 60% was slow and at times I really struggled to continue on. We are given a glimpse of Elise’s past with a man we only know as “George” and a current lover, who for all purposes just felt like a prop at time. I know that his role was needed, not only did it show her lifestyle, but it also Elise some additional emotional dimension. A woman who gave up on love, waiting for a man to come back, but still caring deeply for another – even if the rules didn’t allow for it... It just felt like I was reading a story in slow motion.
For the final 40% I was excited, I wanted more. I loved Niall and slight unease in being with Elise, given what he knew of her prior bedroom activities. The pace of the end of this book was so different from the how it started. I loved watching their relationship start, how careful he was with her – so polite. I loved seeing her allow him to set the pace and just go along for the ride, enjoying the way he cared for her.
In the end, this was truly Elise’s story. I think that is where my struggle starts and ends. I did not care for Elise enough to want just her story. I understood her kink, that it was something she enjoyed... but at the same time I could not understand how a woman that enjoyed being dominant could be such a doormat. Her behavior with “George” set a tone that stuck. And after discovering what it was that actually happened, I was disappointed. Something major could have been the cause for her lack of ability to move on – to let go. Something that could have explained it, but in the end for me – she just seemed far weaker than I had originally thought. Had this story been more than just Elise’s story I could have moved past that, sort of. But being that this was in fact more centered around her, it really just made me keep her at a bit of a distance throughout the story.
I am glad the final parts of this book picked up, but meeting Niall at nearly 30% into the story and then not really getting a chance to watch their story unfold for some time – just didn’t sit well with me. This one just didn’t have enough in it to allow me to overlook the things that I did not like about it.
March 10, 2015
3.5 - 4 STARS
Genre: Romance
Cover: 7/10
Writing: 9/10
Heroine: 8/10
Hero: 7/10
Humour: 3/10
Hotness: 4/10
Romance: 6/10
Extra book Details: Heroine POV; 1st person. Stand-alone. Approx 310 kindle pages.
Vanilla is a realistic tale of a woman's struggles with her love life. The grief of her past love, the troubles with her current lover, and the possibilities of her future partner.
While I wasn't enthralled or in love with the book, it was a very good read. There were no stereotypes, plenty of depth, some wit, some hotness and some great side characters. No OTT drama but enough to make you feel. It was well written, not a lot of romance but it had a very admirable and interesting heroine which pulled the book through.
Worth a read when you're feeling fed up of the same old NA romance tropes.
February 21, 2015
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this one at all. I made it 68% into the story before I finally decided that this one is just not for me. I found it difficult to become engaged in the story and found Elise to be somewhat tiresome. I understand that she had a major heartbreak as well as having her trust broken, but I still didn't feel a connection or sense of empathy for her that I would have liked. I had trouble with Elise's portrayal as a Domme. Elise consistently gets upset with Niall because he is being true to what he wants. She wants Niall to embrace the things that she feels she needs from a man sexually while not seeming to respect Niall' not being interested in being dominated by her. I truly wanted to like Vanilla because it featured a woman in charge of the sexual dynamics, but this one was a miss for me.
You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
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You can find more from me at Monlatable Book Reviews
http://www.monlatablereviews.com/
January 29, 2015
"Don't flirt with me unless you're ready to deal with the consequences."
Elise had her heart broken in the past and never really got over it. That heartache sort of drove her need to be the dominant one in the bedroom. She convinced herself it would be easy and safe to be in control. So she seeks out anonymous sexual relationships with submissive men. For her it's not about being a bitch or inflicting pain. It's about having the control to pleasure her partner in any way he desires.
"There's something so lovely in the curve of a man's spine when he is on his knees, head bowed, hands behind his back. The back of his neck, vulnerable and exposed."
Her tendencies are no secret to her family, which I found interesting. She's not ashamed of her desires and often puts it on display. She models for a photographer that takes racy photos that depict her in her most comfortable role - as a female dominant. It's at one of the artist's shows featuring Elise's pictures that she meets Niall, her twin brother's co-worker.
Right from the start Elise and Niall sort of have an unexpected connection. Their banter is cute and he's pretty honest that he thinks her preferences in the bedroom are weird. So it's not totally shocking when he sort of blows her off. But things change between them when they run in to each other again at her nephew's bat-mitzvah. She's a little lonely and he's a little sweet. It's a slow build between them, but it's quite steamy! He's no submissive, that's for sure. It's a struggle for Elise to relinquish control of her heart and a struggle for him to give up any control in the bedroom.
"Sometimes you have to be selfish, if you want to be happy."
For me, this was another great book from Megan Hart. They only thing that threw me off at first was Elise being the dominant one. I prefer my men to be dominant in the bedroom, but I found this story to be so well written that I was able to get over it pretty quickly. I have to mention that there was one scene in particular, with Esteban, that was a first for me. It may have even pushed my limits a little bit. Not sure I want to experience that again anytime soon, to be honest. But that's what I like about Megan Hart's books. You never know what to expect. I found this story to be a little bit of a slower build-up compared to some of her other books, but it was worth it in the end. It was refreshing to me that Niall wasn't all about the sex and got Elise to look at love and sex in a different way. He was kind of amazing to me. He felt like a genuine guy.
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Elise had her heart broken in the past and never really got over it. That heartache sort of drove her need to be the dominant one in the bedroom. She convinced herself it would be easy and safe to be in control. So she seeks out anonymous sexual relationships with submissive men. For her it's not about being a bitch or inflicting pain. It's about having the control to pleasure her partner in any way he desires.
"There's something so lovely in the curve of a man's spine when he is on his knees, head bowed, hands behind his back. The back of his neck, vulnerable and exposed."
Her tendencies are no secret to her family, which I found interesting. She's not ashamed of her desires and often puts it on display. She models for a photographer that takes racy photos that depict her in her most comfortable role - as a female dominant. It's at one of the artist's shows featuring Elise's pictures that she meets Niall, her twin brother's co-worker.
Right from the start Elise and Niall sort of have an unexpected connection. Their banter is cute and he's pretty honest that he thinks her preferences in the bedroom are weird. So it's not totally shocking when he sort of blows her off. But things change between them when they run in to each other again at her nephew's bat-mitzvah. She's a little lonely and he's a little sweet. It's a slow build between them, but it's quite steamy! He's no submissive, that's for sure. It's a struggle for Elise to relinquish control of her heart and a struggle for him to give up any control in the bedroom.
"Sometimes you have to be selfish, if you want to be happy."
For me, this was another great book from Megan Hart. They only thing that threw me off at first was Elise being the dominant one. I prefer my men to be dominant in the bedroom, but I found this story to be so well written that I was able to get over it pretty quickly. I have to mention that there was one scene in particular, with Esteban, that was a first for me. It may have even pushed my limits a little bit. Not sure I want to experience that again anytime soon, to be honest. But that's what I like about Megan Hart's books. You never know what to expect. I found this story to be a little bit of a slower build-up compared to some of her other books, but it was worth it in the end. It was refreshing to me that Niall wasn't all about the sex and got Elise to look at love and sex in a different way. He was kind of amazing to me. He felt like a genuine guy.
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
January 31, 2015
Received an ARC for honest review
Oh, why could I not get off this train wreck of a book? I've read several of Ms. Hart's serials and didn't like them. I thought a whole book might be better, so I gave her another chance. NEVER AGAIN. Elise was so annoying, and wishy-washy, and weird, and maybe a domme, and annoying. The only reason I stayed on this train (speed reading over half of it) cause I needed to see which door (aka man) she choose...Door #1 or Door #2 or Door #3. I personally didn't like any of the doors. And don't get me started on the whole conversation with her boss. Sorry, Ms. Hart, but three strikes and you're out.
Oh, why could I not get off this train wreck of a book? I've read several of Ms. Hart's serials and didn't like them. I thought a whole book might be better, so I gave her another chance. NEVER AGAIN. Elise was so annoying, and wishy-washy, and weird, and maybe a domme, and annoying. The only reason I stayed on this train (speed reading over half of it) cause I needed to see which door (aka man) she choose...Door #1 or Door #2 or Door #3. I personally didn't like any of the doors. And don't get me started on the whole conversation with her boss. Sorry, Ms. Hart, but three strikes and you're out.
September 18, 2016
Dominare o essere dominata? Questo è il dilemma!
Ogni volta che mi approccio alla lettura di un romanzo di Megan Hart ho il terrore. Sì, perché le sue protagoniste hanno sempre qualcosa di me, e quindi ho come l'impressione che la storia che vado a leggere abbia qualcosa da dirmi.
Da dire solo a me.
La pelle conserva la memoria di quella sensazione, come se volesse rammentare cosa si provi a farsi marchiare per non dimenticare.
È bastato il prologo per stendermi. Io ho sei tatuaggi, di cui cinque con un significato importante. Sono stati fatti proprio per rammentarmi ogni giorno che devo soffrire – e leggere questa scena iniziale . . . è stato un duro colpo. Non sapevo ancora nulla di questa donna, eppure tra di noi si è creato immediatamente un legame.
Il mio obiettivo nel tatuarmi non era esattamente di essere contenta. Volevo qualcosa di permanente e che mi facesse male.
Elise è una dominatrice.
Ma non di quelle che siamo abituati a immaginare. È come piace a me. Austera, inavvicinabile, una regina. Una leader.
Una vera padrona che sottomette il suo schiavo con la sua sola presenza, senza alcuna umiliazione.
Gli presi forte il mento per bloccarlo ed Esteban emise un sospiro che si trasformò in un gemito lieve quando lo strinsi più forte e attirai il suo viso verso il mio, provocandolo con le labbra a un soffio dalle sue, nella promessa di un bacio che sapevamo entrambi che non gli avrei mai dato.
Questo è POTERE.
Avere la devozione assoluta di un individuo che sai non ti tradirà mai, non ti abbandonerà mai, non ti farà mai del male.
Non come lui.
Non ho mai avuto paura di amarti. Per quanto fossi innamorata, per quanto avessi perso me stessa, non avevo alcun dubbio che tutto fosse perfetto quando eravamo insieme. Potevo contare sul fatto che appena avessi teso la mano tu l'avresti presa.
Quello che mi dispiace è che a un certo punto tu l'abbia lasciata.
Già . . . ci lasciano sempre andare, perché non sanno come gestire creature come noi. E noi, che continuiamo a ricordare, che non dimentichiamo, che non riusciamo a capire cosa sia successo.
PERCHÉ è successo.
È stato per qualcosa che abbiamo fatto? Perché non siamo come loro?
Sai com'è amarti? È come trovarsi in bilico sull'orlo di un precipizio in cui butto dei frammenti del mio cuore. Certo, so che non cadrò mai in quel baratro, e alla fine avrò strappato tutti i brandelli del mio cuore e non ne rimarrà neanche una briciola per me, ma lo faccio ugualmente perché sono una deficiente.
Perché ti amo.
Dannato l'amore, dico io.
Non risponderà mai a tutto ciò che gli scriverò, dice Elise.
Avrei voluto che mi avesse rimpianta e desiderata, che avesse sentito la mia mancanza, che avesse sofferto le pene che io non potevo fare a meno di soffrire per lui.
Ma sapevo che non l'avrebbe mai fatto.
E allora il destino mette un uomo particolare sul cammino di Elise. Un uomo che la affascina immediatamente e la attira a sé come una calamita
Ma Niall non è per le donne come lei.
Lui non è un sottomesso, ed Elise può facilmente leggere nei suoi occhi che mai la vedrà come la sua padrona. Niall ha una forte personalità, sa quello che vuole e la sua virilità non gli permetterà mai di cedere il controllo a lei.
Perciò, ecco la mia domanda:
È GIUSTO RINUNCIARE A QUELLA PARTE DI NOI CHE CI RENDE QUELLO CHE SIAMO, PER AMORE?
Elise sceglierà la dominatrice in lei, o deciderà che anche un gelato al gusto vaniglia, il più classico, può essere buono?
Amo tantissimo la scrittura di Megan Hart, mai volgare e così sensuale. Io non apprezzo più l'erotico puro e il BDSM, ma narrato dalla penna della Hart è veramente eccitante.
Vi dirò, mi sono emozionata molto di più con la relazione tra Elise ed Esteban – ci sono stati momenti davvero toccanti e significativi. Mentre Niall . . . non è che non mi sia piaciuto. È che . . . non mi sono mai fidata di lui e non mi fido tuttora, nonostante tutto.
Vorrei concludere lasciandovi le parole di Alex, socio di Elise. Parole che spero illumino tutte le donne che, come Elise, sono state prese in giro e continuano ad esserlo.
Parole che hanno illuminato me.
«Ti ha messo nell'elenco delle riserve. Tu sei come un giocatore che resta in panchina ma s'illude sempre di entrare in campo un giorno, e lui lo sa.»
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February 24, 2018
1.5 Stars
Sadly, this one didn’t work for me. The heroine spent a good portion of the book in a D/s relationship with a secondary character, who I actually quite liked. In fact, most of the sex scenes were between them, too. The actual hero wasn't even introduce into the story until around 30%. And even then, he had very little page time and was sorely underdeveloped. This book was definitely only about the heroine and her journey to find, I don’t know, acceptance in a romantic relationship considering her sexual preferences? Letting go of a past destructive relationship? He role as a Domme and what that meant to steady relationship? Heck, I don’t know, I’m not quite sure what her story was about. I never warmed up to the heroine so I spent most of the book in a disconnected state. Also, I wouldnt classify this story as romance. It was more erotic Chic Lit. We did get a lot of page time with my favorite character in the series, Alex. I loved getting to see him married and happy. He was a hoot in this book and brought much needed comic relief. I gobbled up every moment we spent with him. His involvement in the book is what kept me reading until the end.
Sadly, this one didn’t work for me. The heroine spent a good portion of the book in a D/s relationship with a secondary character, who I actually quite liked. In fact, most of the sex scenes were between them, too. The actual hero wasn't even introduce into the story until around 30%. And even then, he had very little page time and was sorely underdeveloped. This book was definitely only about the heroine and her journey to find, I don’t know, acceptance in a romantic relationship considering her sexual preferences? Letting go of a past destructive relationship? He role as a Domme and what that meant to steady relationship? Heck, I don’t know, I’m not quite sure what her story was about. I never warmed up to the heroine so I spent most of the book in a disconnected state. Also, I wouldnt classify this story as romance. It was more erotic Chic Lit. We did get a lot of page time with my favorite character in the series, Alex. I loved getting to see him married and happy. He was a hoot in this book and brought much needed comic relief. I gobbled up every moment we spent with him. His involvement in the book is what kept me reading until the end.
June 28, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Vanilla is a realistically raw look into a damaged and flawed mind. This is not your typical happy love story. I loved Megan Hart’s stellar writing style, I just couldn’t get into this relationship.
Opening Sentence: The hum and the sting.
The Review:
Vanilla is not your typical love story and it definitely was not what I was expecting. If you go into this novel thinking that you will be surprised. Vanilla is a realistically raw look into a damaged and flawed mind. Elise has suffered from a past relationship. A relationship that she compares everything to yet she never really discloses what happened to make her the way she is. Elise doesn’t hide the fact that she likes to dominate men in the bedroom. She even likes to model for pictures doing what she loves, something that her mother really hates. Elise has a lover that she meets once a month satisfying both of their fetishes. Her love life does take an abrupt turn when her lover gets clingy. Then almost, a third of the way through the novel we finally glimpse Niall, the man she is going to fall in like/lust/love with. I have a really hard time trying to define their relationship.
The bulk of the novel was Elise dealing with her relationship issues and hoping to have a real loving relationship with a man instead of just having sex. Elise loves to dominate during sex but she does believe that if she finds the right guy then maybe things could change. All she is asking for is a little give and take with both parties as willing participants.
Elise is damaged and flawed. Vanilla is also about her working through her issues and coming to peace with her life. Her character does change and evolve over the course of the story. I had more of a like/hate relationship with her as the novel progressed. I liked how she acted as the voice of reason at times, especially with her family but she really frustrated me with her clinginess and stubbornness. She would keep things in instead of talking it out, she would rather be mad. Although, there is one scene where I totally agreed with her anger so I will forgive her for that. Elise is also not ashamed of the choices that she makes in life. She stands by what she believes in and doesn’t make excuses for it.
One thing that I really loved about Vanilla. It felt very realistic in the issues that Elise faced. Her conversations were spot on about everyday life and how people deal with their issues and talk to one another. I really did enjoy her interactions with her family and friends. I felt like there was a lot of depth to everyone. It is the little things that really make a story. It almost felt like a real life story, because no one person or family is perfect.
I had two really huge beefs with this story. One of them was Elise’s obsessive/stalkery personality. As soon as she began sending messages to the guy who hurt her, I wanted to drop out of the story but I kept going. She would also obsessively check to see if he saw her messages or was even online. My other issue was the frustration with her relationship with Niall. I just didn’t get it. I would get so upset by their interactions that I wanted to throw my Kindle just because their arguments would make me mad.
Vanilla is told in the first person. It has a bit of a gloomy air to the story, because this world isn’t all sunshine and happiness, but there are some really funny scenes especially the ones that involve her boss.
I would recommend Vanilla for those who like a more realistic story. Vanilla wasn’t wrapped up with a happy little bow, more of a happy “for now” ending.
Notable Scene:
“It’s a big responsibility, you know. Keeping me happy,” I said against his mouth. My fingers toyed with the length of his hair in the back, and when he shivered, I grinned. “I can be very particular.”
“I know, I know,” Niall said. “Lime in the iced tea, not lemon.”
I’d been dreamy, teasing, but at this I pushed away from him then so I could turn and keep my face from him. Not because I was mad or sad, but because in all my life, there’d never been a man who’d bothered to pay attention to such a small detail…or who got it right.
And then he hit a home run.
“You were left-handed as a kid,” he continued in a low voice from behind me. “But someone must’ve made you switch, huh?”
Slowly, I turned, my heart pounding so hard it’s a wonder it didn’t block out the sound of anything but its beating. “Yes. My mother. Evan was right-handed, and she thought I should be, too. The kindergarten teacher said nobody forced lefties to switch any longer, but my mom insisted anyway. I learned to write right-handed, but yeah…I’m a leftie. I’ve never told anyone that.”
“You didn’t have to tell me. You automatically reach with your left hand,” he said. “I’ve watched you do it with just about everything. I figured.”
That was it, then. The moment I knew. Despite how strangely it had begun, the time I’d so far spent with him still so short it was hardly time at all, when I stood in front of him and knew that Niall Black knew me, really fucking knew me, that was it. I was done.
I was in love.
FTC Advisory: Harlequin Mira provided me with a copy of Vanilla. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Vanilla is a realistically raw look into a damaged and flawed mind. This is not your typical happy love story. I loved Megan Hart’s stellar writing style, I just couldn’t get into this relationship.
Opening Sentence: The hum and the sting.
The Review:
Vanilla is not your typical love story and it definitely was not what I was expecting. If you go into this novel thinking that you will be surprised. Vanilla is a realistically raw look into a damaged and flawed mind. Elise has suffered from a past relationship. A relationship that she compares everything to yet she never really discloses what happened to make her the way she is. Elise doesn’t hide the fact that she likes to dominate men in the bedroom. She even likes to model for pictures doing what she loves, something that her mother really hates. Elise has a lover that she meets once a month satisfying both of their fetishes. Her love life does take an abrupt turn when her lover gets clingy. Then almost, a third of the way through the novel we finally glimpse Niall, the man she is going to fall in like/lust/love with. I have a really hard time trying to define their relationship.
The bulk of the novel was Elise dealing with her relationship issues and hoping to have a real loving relationship with a man instead of just having sex. Elise loves to dominate during sex but she does believe that if she finds the right guy then maybe things could change. All she is asking for is a little give and take with both parties as willing participants.
Elise is damaged and flawed. Vanilla is also about her working through her issues and coming to peace with her life. Her character does change and evolve over the course of the story. I had more of a like/hate relationship with her as the novel progressed. I liked how she acted as the voice of reason at times, especially with her family but she really frustrated me with her clinginess and stubbornness. She would keep things in instead of talking it out, she would rather be mad. Although, there is one scene where I totally agreed with her anger so I will forgive her for that. Elise is also not ashamed of the choices that she makes in life. She stands by what she believes in and doesn’t make excuses for it.
One thing that I really loved about Vanilla. It felt very realistic in the issues that Elise faced. Her conversations were spot on about everyday life and how people deal with their issues and talk to one another. I really did enjoy her interactions with her family and friends. I felt like there was a lot of depth to everyone. It is the little things that really make a story. It almost felt like a real life story, because no one person or family is perfect.
I had two really huge beefs with this story. One of them was Elise’s obsessive/stalkery personality. As soon as she began sending messages to the guy who hurt her, I wanted to drop out of the story but I kept going. She would also obsessively check to see if he saw her messages or was even online. My other issue was the frustration with her relationship with Niall. I just didn’t get it. I would get so upset by their interactions that I wanted to throw my Kindle just because their arguments would make me mad.
Vanilla is told in the first person. It has a bit of a gloomy air to the story, because this world isn’t all sunshine and happiness, but there are some really funny scenes especially the ones that involve her boss.
I would recommend Vanilla for those who like a more realistic story. Vanilla wasn’t wrapped up with a happy little bow, more of a happy “for now” ending.
Notable Scene:
“It’s a big responsibility, you know. Keeping me happy,” I said against his mouth. My fingers toyed with the length of his hair in the back, and when he shivered, I grinned. “I can be very particular.”
“I know, I know,” Niall said. “Lime in the iced tea, not lemon.”
I’d been dreamy, teasing, but at this I pushed away from him then so I could turn and keep my face from him. Not because I was mad or sad, but because in all my life, there’d never been a man who’d bothered to pay attention to such a small detail…or who got it right.
And then he hit a home run.
“You were left-handed as a kid,” he continued in a low voice from behind me. “But someone must’ve made you switch, huh?”
Slowly, I turned, my heart pounding so hard it’s a wonder it didn’t block out the sound of anything but its beating. “Yes. My mother. Evan was right-handed, and she thought I should be, too. The kindergarten teacher said nobody forced lefties to switch any longer, but my mom insisted anyway. I learned to write right-handed, but yeah…I’m a leftie. I’ve never told anyone that.”
“You didn’t have to tell me. You automatically reach with your left hand,” he said. “I’ve watched you do it with just about everything. I figured.”
That was it, then. The moment I knew. Despite how strangely it had begun, the time I’d so far spent with him still so short it was hardly time at all, when I stood in front of him and knew that Niall Black knew me, really fucking knew me, that was it. I was done.
I was in love.
FTC Advisory: Harlequin Mira provided me with a copy of Vanilla. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
February 25, 2015
Thank you to MIRA and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One thing I know for sure when I pick up a book by Megan Hart is that I am in for a surprise; this is an author who never writes the same book twice. What I can count on is characters in realistic situations with emotions that are so genuine they leap off the page. These books may be classified as romance or erotica, but they’re so much more than that.
Vanilla was Elise’s journey to find not only herself, but a contentment she didn’t know existed. Her character was very interesting. For someone so open about alternate lifestyles, I think she unknowingly had a rigid vision of the way things were supposed to go for her. When Elise was introduced to something new, she wasn’t closed to it, but she was taken by surprise at how simple things could affect her. Her family was a wreck, and she tried to be a buffer at times. And while all this was going on, she was still recovering from a break up that had happened years ago.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. I felt like it was broken up into two parts – the first gives us a glimpse into Elise’s sexual tastes and establishes who she is as a person. She’s compassionate and always tries to do the right thing, but sees that right and wrong isn’t always black and white. The second half shows us what happens when Elise’s life is upended, and she doesn’t get what she wants. This is where Niall shows up and throws a wrench into Elise’s life, forcing her to sort through her past. Niall was a force to be reckoned with, and he wasn’t willing to give in to everything Elise wanted. But the chemistry between them was electric, and it was clear she was going to have to compromise if she wanted things to work out. Her journey begins at this point, and the reader gets an opportunity to see Elise’s struggle to come to grips with her past and present – and if she’s willing to make some changes in order to be with Niall.
What I loved about this book, and every other Megan Hart book I’ve read, is that things were resolved in a plausible way. It’s never perfect, just like in real life, but it is at a place where I can believe these are choices the characters would make. If you're looking for a story about self-discovery with some surprises and steamy scenes along the way, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
One thing I know for sure when I pick up a book by Megan Hart is that I am in for a surprise; this is an author who never writes the same book twice. What I can count on is characters in realistic situations with emotions that are so genuine they leap off the page. These books may be classified as romance or erotica, but they’re so much more than that.
Vanilla was Elise’s journey to find not only herself, but a contentment she didn’t know existed. Her character was very interesting. For someone so open about alternate lifestyles, I think she unknowingly had a rigid vision of the way things were supposed to go for her. When Elise was introduced to something new, she wasn’t closed to it, but she was taken by surprise at how simple things could affect her. Her family was a wreck, and she tried to be a buffer at times. And while all this was going on, she was still recovering from a break up that had happened years ago.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book. I felt like it was broken up into two parts – the first gives us a glimpse into Elise’s sexual tastes and establishes who she is as a person. She’s compassionate and always tries to do the right thing, but sees that right and wrong isn’t always black and white. The second half shows us what happens when Elise’s life is upended, and she doesn’t get what she wants. This is where Niall shows up and throws a wrench into Elise’s life, forcing her to sort through her past. Niall was a force to be reckoned with, and he wasn’t willing to give in to everything Elise wanted. But the chemistry between them was electric, and it was clear she was going to have to compromise if she wanted things to work out. Her journey begins at this point, and the reader gets an opportunity to see Elise’s struggle to come to grips with her past and present – and if she’s willing to make some changes in order to be with Niall.
What I loved about this book, and every other Megan Hart book I’ve read, is that things were resolved in a plausible way. It’s never perfect, just like in real life, but it is at a place where I can believe these are choices the characters would make. If you're looking for a story about self-discovery with some surprises and steamy scenes along the way, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
February 26, 2015
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for an honest review at The Romance Evangelist.
When I pick up a Megan Hart erotic romance, I know I’m going to get my heart broken, and all that’s left to discover is how, and whether or not she’ll put it back together again by the end of the book. What I got with VANILLA was heaping helpings of everything I love about her books, with a heroine not quite like any other she’s written and a hero who more than lived up to that definition by how he overcame his own fears and misguided notions to be the man most worthy of the heroine’s love.
Elise knows who she is and what she needs in the bedroom, and she’s not going to give that up for any man, not even one who might be her best shot at true love. After all, the last time she let love overrule her best judgment is still an open wound on her heart, and the last thing she needs is another one.
Niall wasn’t expecting to fall for his friend’s older sister, let alone have her push him into a sexual role he’d never ever thought about, let alone considered as something he could enjoy. But Elise is different and special and that one woman who just might be able to show him another way of making love, and in the process, find the self he didn’t know he'd had.
Any preconceived notions of how a Megan Hart book will go and what you’ll get by the end should always be thrown out, as anyone familiar with her books should already know. When we first meet Elise, I made assumptions about her based on the way she still couldn’t let go of the man who had hurt her even though he’d let go long before. Yet as her on again, off again romance with Niall progresses, I could see that the strength she shows in the face of his initial derision and resistance was a direct result from her previous emotional damage, and how it was Niall who needed to decide if what she offered was what he could take without losing what he’d always thought was his sexual identity. I was so proud of them both for working through the conflicts that threatened to separate them even though they loved each other so much, and how their happy ending was about more than just love and acceptance of the other person, but also of themselves. VANILLA was a perfect Megan Hart story for me and I’m so glad I was able to read it.
When I pick up a Megan Hart erotic romance, I know I’m going to get my heart broken, and all that’s left to discover is how, and whether or not she’ll put it back together again by the end of the book. What I got with VANILLA was heaping helpings of everything I love about her books, with a heroine not quite like any other she’s written and a hero who more than lived up to that definition by how he overcame his own fears and misguided notions to be the man most worthy of the heroine’s love.
Elise knows who she is and what she needs in the bedroom, and she’s not going to give that up for any man, not even one who might be her best shot at true love. After all, the last time she let love overrule her best judgment is still an open wound on her heart, and the last thing she needs is another one.
Niall wasn’t expecting to fall for his friend’s older sister, let alone have her push him into a sexual role he’d never ever thought about, let alone considered as something he could enjoy. But Elise is different and special and that one woman who just might be able to show him another way of making love, and in the process, find the self he didn’t know he'd had.
Any preconceived notions of how a Megan Hart book will go and what you’ll get by the end should always be thrown out, as anyone familiar with her books should already know. When we first meet Elise, I made assumptions about her based on the way she still couldn’t let go of the man who had hurt her even though he’d let go long before. Yet as her on again, off again romance with Niall progresses, I could see that the strength she shows in the face of his initial derision and resistance was a direct result from her previous emotional damage, and how it was Niall who needed to decide if what she offered was what he could take without losing what he’d always thought was his sexual identity. I was so proud of them both for working through the conflicts that threatened to separate them even though they loved each other so much, and how their happy ending was about more than just love and acceptance of the other person, but also of themselves. VANILLA was a perfect Megan Hart story for me and I’m so glad I was able to read it.
March 9, 2015
Sometimes love takes you by the hand and leads you to run through fields of flowers while butterflies weave you a dress out of rainbows. Other times, love takes you by the throat and chokes you until all you see is the bright, sharp trail of shooting stars right before everything turns to black. The problem is, you can never tell in advance which way the story ends, not until you're too far into it, and you have no choice but to keep turning the pages.
4 stars
I love Megan Hart. I love the way she writes. The way she doesn't sugarcoat any of the stories she tells.
The heroine, Elise, is a very sexual character. She has certain tastes that most of us aren't used to but she enjoys. Some of the things she enjoys I would never think about doing. Yeah, it's out there!
All in all I thought this was a good read. In my opinion Elise cried too much. It was a little bit of a put off for me but other than that, I enjoyed the story. The other characters were great as well. I wish I hadn't waited so long to read it.
**ARC graciously provided by Harlequin via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Read
February 5, 2015DNF at 55%
Megan Hart and D/s just don't get along.
Megan Hart and D/s just don't get along.
January 4, 2020
Okay, 2020! Happy New Year!
New year - new book resolutions. Well, in my case the same book resolutions as last year's, but I'm more resolved this year! One of my resolutions is to review the books I read, even if it's just a few sentences. So... here I go...
First, something that's bugging me. Vanilla (Alex Kennedy, #3)?! NO! would be the short answer. The longer one would be that Vanilla is about Elise Klein whose story earned this book a place on my Depressionville shelf, and whose boss/partner is Alex Kennedy. Alex made an appearance here and there, he got a short chapter where he talked about his complicated past with Anne and Jamie, and it was nice to get an update on him and Olivia (as was on Sarah and Jack), but that does not make this Alex Kennedy, #3!
Elise is not the first domme I've read about in Megan Hart's works. Come to think of it, I've found quite a few of her vanilla heroines dommish. The thing is, I've never completely clicked with the BDSM in Hart's books. That is why it took me this long to get around to reading Vanilla. For a while, I thought I was right to avoid it. I thought I would get to the end of the book, then write a review listing the things that didn't work for me. When such thoughts come to me while I'm reading, I tend to go on Goodreads, and check if anyone already did that. I always find readers who did. Readers did with Vanilla, too. However, there was one review that chased away those thoughts. It made me see Elise and the book in a different light. Nothing bothered me about the book anymore. All I could think was Poor Elise.
Poor Elise. As is the case with the majority of Hart's novels published by MIRA, Vanilla is labeled as romance, but that's just a part of it. It's Elise's story, and yes, there's romance in her story, but also family, friends, work, ex and current lovers. Elise was lucky with work, and friends. Family was a different story, with a difficult mother, even more difficult sister, absent father, and a twin brother whose marriage was rocky. Her romantic life was a painful story.
The book introduced three men in Elise's life. The past, the present, and the future, I'd say they represented. One she loved too much, one not enough, and the third just right. George was her past, the one she loved too much, the one who broke her heart, the one who haunted her present. Four years after the split, she was hurting, and reaching out to him hoping for a reply. Oh, it was painful to read. Stop! Have some pride! I kept saying to the woman on the pages that kept on giving her heart on a platter to an obvious jerk. She wouldn't listen. Esteban was her present, her submissive lover she saw regularly, but never dated. He's the one she didn't love enough, but who despite all the rules, and lack of information, managed to hurt her.
And now I come to Niall, the future. Niall I liked from the get-go. He seemed nice, caring, attentive. Yes, he was vanilla, and Elise was not, but nice, caring and attentive was perfect for that domme who just liked to take charge in the bedroom, and torture with pleasure. She wanted to be taken care of, to be seen, and Niall gave her that making her fall for him hard. She also wanted to be understood and accepted, as we all do, and that was where Niall failed miserably. Her style of domination was as sweet as vanilla, if only Niall had bothered to find out before acting like a complete douchebag. I could hardly believe it. I wished Elise's story would include a fourth man who'd never reject who she is in such a manner. Elise forgave him, though. She cried, despaired, nursed a heartache, but in the end, they patched it up. She let go of George and Esteban, and embraced Niall.
There are many romances written in which three people find a happily ever after together. When Megan Hart wrote about a relationship involving three people, their story ended badly. It ended realistically. There are many BDSM romances written in which kinky people find other people whose kinks complement theirs perfectly. Megan Hart wrote Vanilla.
And I liked it.
February 28, 2015
Elise kind of rocked my world. She’s damaged and half-crazy and filled with domination tendencies and a texting fiend who doesn’t let a single message go unanswered (the callback can occasionally be an issue for some) and sexy and an outfit whore and there’s probably just a bit more that I’m missing. But she’s good at falling for the wrong men. Which begs the question: Why settle for a bastard? Tis one of life’s great mysteries. Curiosity has gotten the better of me before, and it probably will again sometime soon. Questions tend to lead to more questions, and before I know it, it’s completely out of control.
Niall wasn’t one of my favorite characters. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. Maybe it’s because I became protective of Elise, and her domineering antics. Were I to have her all to myself, though, I’d probably be in over my head in less than ten seconds. But good plans fail and even great ones don’t always succeed.
VANILLA proved a little formulaic, but I was willing to forgive it this shortcoming, because yes, I was rather invested with Elise. Probably too much in this particular instance, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. Isn’t that why we read erotica? At least that’s the case with me anyway. I want to see the panties drop and the breasts bounce and the shower scene and the ladies scream and debonair with more than a hint of flair and slightly contrived plots that sometimes coat check my imagination and the occasional ménage a trois. And all I can say is I’m a man with an active imagination. And I don’t give a shit if it’s supposedly just for chicks.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
Niall wasn’t one of my favorite characters. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. Maybe it’s because I became protective of Elise, and her domineering antics. Were I to have her all to myself, though, I’d probably be in over my head in less than ten seconds. But good plans fail and even great ones don’t always succeed.
VANILLA proved a little formulaic, but I was willing to forgive it this shortcoming, because yes, I was rather invested with Elise. Probably too much in this particular instance, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. Isn’t that why we read erotica? At least that’s the case with me anyway. I want to see the panties drop and the breasts bounce and the shower scene and the ladies scream and debonair with more than a hint of flair and slightly contrived plots that sometimes coat check my imagination and the occasional ménage a trois. And all I can say is I’m a man with an active imagination. And I don’t give a shit if it’s supposedly just for chicks.
I received this book for free through NetGalley.
Cross-posted at Robert's Reads
January 15, 2015
3.5 Stars
I'm a huge fan of Megan Hart. I have come to expect a sexy, steamy book with a solid plot to back it up. Broken and Dirty are my favorites of this author's books.
I found Vanilla to be a lot slower paced than most of Megan Hart's books.
It took me a while to even figure out who the male lead was going to be. The first 60% of the book was very slow moving. I kept reading, waiting for things to pick up.
The last portion of the book did pick up the pace, but only slightly.
My favorite part was getting to see Alex Kennedy. I love how this author weaves characters from other books into her new releases. It's not related to Tempted or Naked at all, but we get to see how he's doing regardless.
All in all, this book was not my favorite from this author, but I continue to look forward to her future books.
I'm a huge fan of Megan Hart. I have come to expect a sexy, steamy book with a solid plot to back it up. Broken and Dirty are my favorites of this author's books.
I found Vanilla to be a lot slower paced than most of Megan Hart's books.
It took me a while to even figure out who the male lead was going to be. The first 60% of the book was very slow moving. I kept reading, waiting for things to pick up.
The last portion of the book did pick up the pace, but only slightly.
My favorite part was getting to see Alex Kennedy. I love how this author weaves characters from other books into her new releases. It's not related to Tempted or Naked at all, but we get to see how he's doing regardless.
All in all, this book was not my favorite from this author, but I continue to look forward to her future books.
February 7, 2016
Sempre innovativa, provocante e sensuale nella narrazione dei suoi erotic romance, Megan Hart è una conferma per chi vuole sognare un viaggio appassionante alla scoperta del piacere dei sensi.
Anche questa volta, la scelta è tra dominare o essere dominati e la protagonista Elise è pronta a percorrere il suo viaggio nell'erotismo. Megan Hart sa come raccontarci una storia piena di suspense e colpi di scena, ma anche di appassionato romanticismo.
Elise non è una sprovveduta: sa esattamente cosa vuole a letto e fa sempre in modo di ottenerlo. Da tempo frequenta una serie di uomini ben felici di sottomettersi davanti ai suoi desideri, ma essere veramente soddisfatta sessuale è ben altra cosa? Forse manca l'amore ...
Quando incontra Niall, l'intesa, che prova con lui, è intensa ed elettrizzante. Niall è bello, intelligente e dolce come la vaniglia. Ecco il perché di questo titolo che trasmette la sensazione gustosa di un sapore dolce, mentre la storia che si va a leggere e tanto coinvolgente quanto romanticamente sconvolgente.
C'è soltanto un problema fondamentale che ostacola il loro rapporto: entrambi, sessualmente, vogliono essere chi dà gli ordini. Come può funzionare una relazione dove entrambi gli amanti vogliono essere il più forte? Ciò che è certo, è che il loro rapporto necessita una conciliazione e Niall è pronto, forse troppo, a imporre piacevolmente il suo punto di vista. "Niall sorrise mefistofelico «Non ancora»"
Anche questa volta, la scelta è tra dominare o essere dominati e la protagonista Elise è pronta a percorrere il suo viaggio nell'erotismo. Megan Hart sa come raccontarci una storia piena di suspense e colpi di scena, ma anche di appassionato romanticismo.
Elise non è una sprovveduta: sa esattamente cosa vuole a letto e fa sempre in modo di ottenerlo. Da tempo frequenta una serie di uomini ben felici di sottomettersi davanti ai suoi desideri, ma essere veramente soddisfatta sessuale è ben altra cosa? Forse manca l'amore ...
Quando incontra Niall, l'intesa, che prova con lui, è intensa ed elettrizzante. Niall è bello, intelligente e dolce come la vaniglia. Ecco il perché di questo titolo che trasmette la sensazione gustosa di un sapore dolce, mentre la storia che si va a leggere e tanto coinvolgente quanto romanticamente sconvolgente.
C'è soltanto un problema fondamentale che ostacola il loro rapporto: entrambi, sessualmente, vogliono essere chi dà gli ordini. Come può funzionare una relazione dove entrambi gli amanti vogliono essere il più forte? Ciò che è certo, è che il loro rapporto necessita una conciliazione e Niall è pronto, forse troppo, a imporre piacevolmente il suo punto di vista. "Niall sorrise mefistofelico «Non ancora»"
January 8, 2015
This one is not up to Hart's typical work. I loved Flying and how realistic it felt. Vanilla is almost a nod to that book, but Flying is so much better. I'm not quite sure what the point was with this one. The heroine is a strong one, at first, but is reduced to tears for about the final 40% of the book because she doesn't get her way. She holds onto a relationship for the potential of maybe. She denies the possibility of another relationship because of the unknown and lack of wanting to put herself out there. I get that part; I understand the reluctance to open oneself up to another for fear of rejection. I'm not sure I get the hero's holdups either. Hart does an OK job with the characterizations in this one, but I still felt they weren't real people. I'm more inclined to like William, Elise's nephew, more than anyone. As I've said before, I'm on the fence about Hart's novels. Some are good, some are bad, and some are just meh, like Vanilla is to me. This one just isn't for me. And it's borderline boring.
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
March 31, 2015
This erotic romance tells the story of Elise and the three men she is involved with. The first is a man she refers to as George, her ex boyfriend whom she no longer has any contact with but with whom she is still emotionally attached. The second is Esteban, her lover who gives her what she desires but in a strictly sexual relationship with no strings. And the third is Niall, ostensibly the hero of the story, whom Elise meets at a photo gallery exhibition where pictures of her in various femdom poses are displayed. Niall works with Elise's brother and is not into kink and definitely not the variety that Elise likes. But something about him sparks her interest and vice versa. Elise will have to decide where she wants her future to lie.
Firstly I have to say that I'm never quite sure how things will turn out in a Megan Hart story. Will there be a happy ending? Will lovers go their separate ways? I know to expect steamy sex scenes and heartwrenching emotions but I'm always on tenderhooks as the story plays out. In fact, that's one of the things that delights me about reading her novels, that they aren't predictable, and that's refreshing.
I loved this story! It starts with a bang, showing Elise's dominant side in a steamy sex scene with her lover Esteban. It shows what she craves sexually, but her heart isn't in it - nor does she want her heart to be involved as it's still broken from her relationship with George. So already we have a complex character who is unfulfilled and not sure if she's even looking for someone. When she meets Niall, she knows that part of his interest is his fascination with her kink - a kink that makes him uncomfortable but doesn't stop him from pursuing her. I really liked Niall, and I felt that I understood him and his desire for Elise even as he wars with himself over what is acceptable to him. Their sex scenes are equally hot if different than the ones Elise shares with Esteban. Emotionally she becomes attached to Niall and this creates a problem for her, knowing he might reciprocate the feelings but not really understand her. And yet she finds he does know her, he pays attention to her and that's more then she's ever gotten in the bedroom from her submissive lovers.
Secondary characters play a key role in the story, Elise's family and her co-workers and friends heightening the tension and adding depth to the emotional side of the story. It was a reminder that no matter what happens in the bedroom the rest of ones lives play out like everyone elses, with problems and friendships and the minutiae of living.
I didn't know what Elise was going to decide, who she would end up with until the very end as the story played out. The ending was sweet and satisfying and lovely, making me laugh and shed a few tears. I look forward to more stories that test the boundaries of sex and love from this author. 5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
Firstly I have to say that I'm never quite sure how things will turn out in a Megan Hart story. Will there be a happy ending? Will lovers go their separate ways? I know to expect steamy sex scenes and heartwrenching emotions but I'm always on tenderhooks as the story plays out. In fact, that's one of the things that delights me about reading her novels, that they aren't predictable, and that's refreshing.
I loved this story! It starts with a bang, showing Elise's dominant side in a steamy sex scene with her lover Esteban. It shows what she craves sexually, but her heart isn't in it - nor does she want her heart to be involved as it's still broken from her relationship with George. So already we have a complex character who is unfulfilled and not sure if she's even looking for someone. When she meets Niall, she knows that part of his interest is his fascination with her kink - a kink that makes him uncomfortable but doesn't stop him from pursuing her. I really liked Niall, and I felt that I understood him and his desire for Elise even as he wars with himself over what is acceptable to him. Their sex scenes are equally hot if different than the ones Elise shares with Esteban. Emotionally she becomes attached to Niall and this creates a problem for her, knowing he might reciprocate the feelings but not really understand her. And yet she finds he does know her, he pays attention to her and that's more then she's ever gotten in the bedroom from her submissive lovers.
Secondary characters play a key role in the story, Elise's family and her co-workers and friends heightening the tension and adding depth to the emotional side of the story. It was a reminder that no matter what happens in the bedroom the rest of ones lives play out like everyone elses, with problems and friendships and the minutiae of living.
I didn't know what Elise was going to decide, who she would end up with until the very end as the story played out. The ending was sweet and satisfying and lovely, making me laugh and shed a few tears. I look forward to more stories that test the boundaries of sex and love from this author. 5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
March 1, 2015
Elise is a confident woman who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. In her experience as a Domme, she has had many a man more than willing to bow down at her feet.
Having been burned in the past by a relationship that continues to haunt her, Elise is careful not to cross the lines between sex and love; careful to remain in control.
When Elise meets Niall, their connection is instant and soon she finds herself falling for him despite their differences in sexual preference. Together, the two of them struggle to find a balance between both of them wanting to be in control sexually.
This book fascinated me! I am a huge Megan Hart fan, and I gobble up her books easily in a day or two, but this one definitely takes the cake.
I admit that I had a crush on Elise throughout the entire book. Elise is the epitome of a confident woman making it impossible to not only like her, but impossible to not want to be just like her.
Along with her full time job working as a partner with Alex Kennedy, Elise is a model for some seriously sexy photo shoots that give a peek into her Domme lifestyle. And while we are on the subject, what woman wouldn't love to have men eating out of the palm of her hand? Believe me when I say that the men in this novel, all of them, are quite smitten with Elise and it shows throughout the story.
When Elsie is not busy working, or enjoying her lifestyle of choice, she spends quite a great deal of time with her nephew, the son of her twin brother. As she spends more time with her nephew, it becomes clear that Elise's brother and his wife are having marital problems. Throw in Elise's eccentric mother, and her know it all older sister, and Elsie has plenty to keep her busy.
When Elise is alone, thoughts of her former love creep in. It's evident that she is still hurting from the break-up, still trying to reach out to him after years of being apart. For all of the confidence of her exterior, on the inside, she is nursing a still broken heart.
When Elise meets Niall, they click instantly and before long, Niall is courting her, wooing her, making it impossible for her not fall for him. He has made it no mystery that her sexual preferences intimidate him, and that he's uncomfortable with the lifestyle. Their road together is rocky, and in the end, I was left really rooting for Elise to get her happy for now with Niall.
I will say this book was educational as well. I had no idea what the lifestyle of a Domme was like and after reading this, any preconceived ideas I may have had were knocked out of the water.
I brought this rating down a half star, because I really didn't care for how hung up Elise was still on her former lover. I felt like that really hindered her from moving on, but in the end, I was really satisfied with how this book ended. 4 1/2 stars!
Having been burned in the past by a relationship that continues to haunt her, Elise is careful not to cross the lines between sex and love; careful to remain in control.
When Elise meets Niall, their connection is instant and soon she finds herself falling for him despite their differences in sexual preference. Together, the two of them struggle to find a balance between both of them wanting to be in control sexually.
This book fascinated me! I am a huge Megan Hart fan, and I gobble up her books easily in a day or two, but this one definitely takes the cake.
I admit that I had a crush on Elise throughout the entire book. Elise is the epitome of a confident woman making it impossible to not only like her, but impossible to not want to be just like her.
Along with her full time job working as a partner with Alex Kennedy, Elise is a model for some seriously sexy photo shoots that give a peek into her Domme lifestyle. And while we are on the subject, what woman wouldn't love to have men eating out of the palm of her hand? Believe me when I say that the men in this novel, all of them, are quite smitten with Elise and it shows throughout the story.
When Elsie is not busy working, or enjoying her lifestyle of choice, she spends quite a great deal of time with her nephew, the son of her twin brother. As she spends more time with her nephew, it becomes clear that Elise's brother and his wife are having marital problems. Throw in Elise's eccentric mother, and her know it all older sister, and Elsie has plenty to keep her busy.
When Elise is alone, thoughts of her former love creep in. It's evident that she is still hurting from the break-up, still trying to reach out to him after years of being apart. For all of the confidence of her exterior, on the inside, she is nursing a still broken heart.
When Elise meets Niall, they click instantly and before long, Niall is courting her, wooing her, making it impossible for her not fall for him. He has made it no mystery that her sexual preferences intimidate him, and that he's uncomfortable with the lifestyle. Their road together is rocky, and in the end, I was left really rooting for Elise to get her happy for now with Niall.
I will say this book was educational as well. I had no idea what the lifestyle of a Domme was like and after reading this, any preconceived ideas I may have had were knocked out of the water.
I brought this rating down a half star, because I really didn't care for how hung up Elise was still on her former lover. I felt like that really hindered her from moving on, but in the end, I was really satisfied with how this book ended. 4 1/2 stars!
February 18, 2015
ARC provided by Harlequin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
“Why do you do that?”
“It’s not something I do….It’s who I am.”
This book was so amazing. Megan Hart is just one of the best writers out there today. I have to say that this book did not make me cry as much as the others. Instead she took me on one of the most perfect journeys into the life of someone who has different sexual preferences. I have to say that until this book I never even considered how weird it is that people are so overly fascinated with those who have dom/domme preferences. I love how honest, and open Elise was with the people around her. I love that she's not ashamed of who she is, or how she loves.
“I am the sum of many parts.”
“We all are.”
I smiled. “True.”
“Some of my parts would like to get to know some of yours a lot better.” Niall said.
Niall was just a great male lead (in the pool of males of this book). He was so sweet, and kind and caring, and just so damn thoughtful. I could really see his side of the story as well, and I think that is a craft that Megan Hart is so damn talented in wielding. I have to say that reading this book never felt like fiction, every choice seemed so real, every character so well crafted that I could not find a flaw that didn’t below.
In the end, only three things matter. How much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of that which is not meant for you.
Another amazing, unforgettable, touching story, about people who are just trying to find love even when they think they don't want it.
“Why do you do that?”
“It’s not something I do….It’s who I am.”
This book was so amazing. Megan Hart is just one of the best writers out there today. I have to say that this book did not make me cry as much as the others. Instead she took me on one of the most perfect journeys into the life of someone who has different sexual preferences. I have to say that until this book I never even considered how weird it is that people are so overly fascinated with those who have dom/domme preferences. I love how honest, and open Elise was with the people around her. I love that she's not ashamed of who she is, or how she loves.
“I am the sum of many parts.”
“We all are.”
I smiled. “True.”
“Some of my parts would like to get to know some of yours a lot better.” Niall said.
Niall was just a great male lead (in the pool of males of this book). He was so sweet, and kind and caring, and just so damn thoughtful. I could really see his side of the story as well, and I think that is a craft that Megan Hart is so damn talented in wielding. I have to say that reading this book never felt like fiction, every choice seemed so real, every character so well crafted that I could not find a flaw that didn’t below.
In the end, only three things matter. How much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of that which is not meant for you.
Another amazing, unforgettable, touching story, about people who are just trying to find love even when they think they don't want it.
March 1, 2015
I am going to start my review by quoting something in the blurb…
For some this book may be “acquired taste…” but others not so much… I am with the later. I have loved many of Megan’s books in the past for some reason here lately (the last 4 books…. This will be the 5th one…) I really wasn’t into them and was starting to dislike them. This one was an almost DFN and I was battling with myself to follow thru to finish it.
I am discovering Megan Hart’s writing style has REALLY changed over the years and it ain’t for the better which is sad in my mind… since for the longest time she was one my auto-buy authors when she has a new book that comes out.
I found Elise to be annoying and irritating. There was some sections of the book that seemed to be lacking or just overall off to me…
Life isn’t so sugar and spice … Elisa does try to do the best just like the author who wrote this book.
I liked the idea that this was a female Dom… and what drew me in to.
I liked the revisit, aka appearance of Alex Kennedy. A character from a prior book by Megan that I LOVED…
And the ending oh my goodness I didn’t see that… 3.75 stars
For some this book may be “acquired taste…” but others not so much… I am with the later. I have loved many of Megan’s books in the past for some reason here lately (the last 4 books…. This will be the 5th one…) I really wasn’t into them and was starting to dislike them. This one was an almost DFN and I was battling with myself to follow thru to finish it.
I am discovering Megan Hart’s writing style has REALLY changed over the years and it ain’t for the better which is sad in my mind… since for the longest time she was one my auto-buy authors when she has a new book that comes out.
I found Elise to be annoying and irritating. There was some sections of the book that seemed to be lacking or just overall off to me…
Life isn’t so sugar and spice … Elisa does try to do the best just like the author who wrote this book.
I liked the idea that this was a female Dom… and what drew me in to.
I liked the revisit, aka appearance of Alex Kennedy. A character from a prior book by Megan that I LOVED…
And the ending oh my goodness I didn’t see that… 3.75 stars
July 3, 2022
DNF.
Elise is a woman who likes to take the reins in the bedroom. She's emotionally attached to her ex, trying to deal with her current lover (who runs very hot when they get together and cold when she wants to have intimacy on a romantic level), and has no idea that her perfect man might not be into kink.
I'd never heard of Megan Hart prior to reading this book. The blurb made it sound like it was going to be a feelings-heavy, sorta erotic romp.
However, aside from the first chapter, this book kept testing my patience.
There was a lot about the characters (including Elise) that I didn't like. The writing sounded artificial and the plot moved slower than molasses in the middle of a snowstorm. I made it as far as 44% before I DNF'd it.
Though I'm sure that there are other readers who enjoyed Hart's novels, I can't give this book a rating, let alone recommend it.
Elise is a woman who likes to take the reins in the bedroom. She's emotionally attached to her ex, trying to deal with her current lover (who runs very hot when they get together and cold when she wants to have intimacy on a romantic level), and has no idea that her perfect man might not be into kink.
I'd never heard of Megan Hart prior to reading this book. The blurb made it sound like it was going to be a feelings-heavy, sorta erotic romp.
However, aside from the first chapter, this book kept testing my patience.
There was a lot about the characters (including Elise) that I didn't like. The writing sounded artificial and the plot moved slower than molasses in the middle of a snowstorm. I made it as far as 44% before I DNF'd it.
Though I'm sure that there are other readers who enjoyed Hart's novels, I can't give this book a rating, let alone recommend it.
did-not-finish
February 21, 2015I really enjoyed Lovely Wild and was looking forward to diving into another Megan Hart book but this is just moving way, way too slow. The opening chapter was a turn off for me because I don't find the submissive male appealing or attractive. This was the first book I've read where the man was the submissive and well, now I know... it's just not for me. The leading lady just didn't make for a very appealing Dom either. I was already doing some major skimming by chapter three so yeah... that's about as far as I got!
I didn't get far enough into the book to give it a fair rating so it's just a plain old DNF status from me... :)
ARC was provided by Harlequin via netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
I didn't get far enough into the book to give it a fair rating so it's just a plain old DNF status from me... :)
ARC was provided by Harlequin via netgalley
www.ktbookreviews.com
May 27, 2020
I liked the Domme angle of the story between Elise and her various lovers. There was a lover where the passion burned very hotly, too brightly and it didn't last (George), while the other lover (Estaban) her didn't give her the passion but comfort for what it was, though she knew it could never last. What Elise found with Niall was just right for her comfort. Elise was a dominant woman with a need for control, and she had it....kind of. George made her crazy, and she had that blind spot for him where she didn't recognize the manipulation that he wielded over her but he was so much a part of her story throughout, though we don't find out why until the end. Niall came in and liked what he saw and courted Elise. He thought he knew what she wanted, but really, he made speculation based off of porn so he made stupid decisions based off of misconceptions and he had to be taught that things aren't always what someone thinks. He would run hot and then cold and I understand that he had a lot to deal with, but sometimes, I wanted to smack him. For someone who seemed so observant, he missed a couple of major marks. This story was good in and of itself but it lacked the emotion that I should have for a story of love. Niall should have been perfect and for the most part he was, but I could have seen this story have an ending that didn't end up with him but with someone else. Just sayin......
February 24, 2015
Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Vanilla is anything but … it’s more of a swirl of vanilla and chocolate with sprinkles on top. Megan Hart grabbed my attention with “Flying” and her eclectic way of writing. With “Vanilla”, she took me to the next level and had me holding my breath to see where she was taking all of the characters.
Even though the book is written in Elise’s point of view and I knew what she was thinking and feeling, I was intrigued to see how Megan Hart was going to evolve the Domme into a vanilla relationship. She did not disappoint me in the least with how she formed each character and then changed them. Yes, evolve is the correct word here … as the characters are introduced, they are one person … by the end of the book they are another. Each one reevaluating their lives, their wants and needs and then reforming themselves into the person they really wanted to be to make the other happy. No, no one really gave in to the other, no one totally changed but, recognizing love is more than sexual satisfaction, each of them put aside their baser needs and built a future on love.
I would have really enjoyed knowing Niall’s POV throughout the book. He wasn’t introduced into the story until about one-quarter of the way in, but he was very intriguing. Just when you thought he may be considering giving into the Domme, he surprised me and really pulled a pricks-trick that had me reeling. In the end, he did come through, finally spoke his peace and put all his cards on the table. But, as I said, maybe if I knew what he was thinking, I would have understood more of why he did what he did. The same could be said for Esteban … a major character in the beginning that slowly fades into the background.
But, the way the story was written worked. The minor characters in the book had their own trials and tribulations which tied into Elise’s life. And, as she took me on a slow ride into the life of Elise, Megan Hart totally had me engrossed with how everything was going to work out.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Vanilla is anything but … it’s more of a swirl of vanilla and chocolate with sprinkles on top. Megan Hart grabbed my attention with “Flying” and her eclectic way of writing. With “Vanilla”, she took me to the next level and had me holding my breath to see where she was taking all of the characters.
Even though the book is written in Elise’s point of view and I knew what she was thinking and feeling, I was intrigued to see how Megan Hart was going to evolve the Domme into a vanilla relationship. She did not disappoint me in the least with how she formed each character and then changed them. Yes, evolve is the correct word here … as the characters are introduced, they are one person … by the end of the book they are another. Each one reevaluating their lives, their wants and needs and then reforming themselves into the person they really wanted to be to make the other happy. No, no one really gave in to the other, no one totally changed but, recognizing love is more than sexual satisfaction, each of them put aside their baser needs and built a future on love.
I would have really enjoyed knowing Niall’s POV throughout the book. He wasn’t introduced into the story until about one-quarter of the way in, but he was very intriguing. Just when you thought he may be considering giving into the Domme, he surprised me and really pulled a pricks-trick that had me reeling. In the end, he did come through, finally spoke his peace and put all his cards on the table. But, as I said, maybe if I knew what he was thinking, I would have understood more of why he did what he did. The same could be said for Esteban … a major character in the beginning that slowly fades into the background.
But, the way the story was written worked. The minor characters in the book had their own trials and tribulations which tied into Elise’s life. And, as she took me on a slow ride into the life of Elise, Megan Hart totally had me engrossed with how everything was going to work out.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
January 13, 2015
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think any book that has Alex Kennedy in is my favorite of Megan's. This book is about Elise who works as Alex's assistant. Elise is juggling her need to dominate as well as her need to date or perhaps have a relationship in the future. She's been burned and as we all know when burned we try our damnest to let that burned bridge go but it's tough to overcome.
When the story opens Elise is single but seeing a man who loves to be submissive. Their arrangement is for play only, nothing personal such as wanting a deeper involvement or knowing more about each other.
Elise also poses for a photographer for very classy pinup photos for gallery showings. Her family has very mixed feelings about her lifestyle choices and the photos, mainly her mother.
As her domme play starts to become a bit more intense and personal, she meets Niall who works with her brother. They meet at a gallery showing. He wins one of her paintings. Niall is nothing like her submissive boy nor does he want to be. Things start heating up as Elise's submissive breaks away from their agreement. Niall and Elise start dating. The add Alex Kennedy to the mix and it all starts to get crazy funny and deeply emotional.
Will the Elise and Niall become a couple or will her need to dominate change things? What is her submissive hiding? Let me just mention there is a mini drama going on behind the scenes with Elise's brother and his wife.
As I have mentioned before Megan gets better with every book and this one is no exception. I am so happy Alex Kennedy is back and the bonus is you find out a little more about him...without giving it away let's just say it had me holding my breath and shedding a few tears but then Alex Kennedy is a heart breaker in more ways than one.
Megan Hart steps over the boundaries when she writes and that is what I love about her writing. It isn't about a happy ending, it's about her storytelling and the characters.
I think any book that has Alex Kennedy in is my favorite of Megan's. This book is about Elise who works as Alex's assistant. Elise is juggling her need to dominate as well as her need to date or perhaps have a relationship in the future. She's been burned and as we all know when burned we try our damnest to let that burned bridge go but it's tough to overcome.
When the story opens Elise is single but seeing a man who loves to be submissive. Their arrangement is for play only, nothing personal such as wanting a deeper involvement or knowing more about each other.
Elise also poses for a photographer for very classy pinup photos for gallery showings. Her family has very mixed feelings about her lifestyle choices and the photos, mainly her mother.
As her domme play starts to become a bit more intense and personal, she meets Niall who works with her brother. They meet at a gallery showing. He wins one of her paintings. Niall is nothing like her submissive boy nor does he want to be. Things start heating up as Elise's submissive breaks away from their agreement. Niall and Elise start dating. The add Alex Kennedy to the mix and it all starts to get crazy funny and deeply emotional.
Will the Elise and Niall become a couple or will her need to dominate change things? What is her submissive hiding? Let me just mention there is a mini drama going on behind the scenes with Elise's brother and his wife.
As I have mentioned before Megan gets better with every book and this one is no exception. I am so happy Alex Kennedy is back and the bonus is you find out a little more about him...without giving it away let's just say it had me holding my breath and shedding a few tears but then Alex Kennedy is a heart breaker in more ways than one.
Megan Hart steps over the boundaries when she writes and that is what I love about her writing. It isn't about a happy ending, it's about her storytelling and the characters.
May 10, 2018
No he conseguido empatizar con la historia, ni con los personajes. En concreto, Elise es bastante incongruente en todo el libro. No sé porque entra en ese circulo vicioso por un desamor...Niall si que me ha gustado, pero no ha conseguido enamorarme como personaje. Bueno, al final actua de una forma incomprensible.
En conjunto, la idea no es mala, pero compactando toda la historia faltan más detalles o que se hubiese llevado de otra forma.
El tema de la sumision y la dominacion tampoco creo que este bien llevado ya que es demasiado light, por decirlo de alguna manera.
También hay un cumulo de personajes que no tienen relevancia en la historia, por lo que su participacion en la trama es para alargar un poco mas el libro.
RESEÑA COMPLETA: http://librosenfamilia.blogspot.com.e...
En conjunto, la idea no es mala, pero compactando toda la historia faltan más detalles o que se hubiese llevado de otra forma.
El tema de la sumision y la dominacion tampoco creo que este bien llevado ya que es demasiado light, por decirlo de alguna manera.
También hay un cumulo de personajes que no tienen relevancia en la historia, por lo que su participacion en la trama es para alargar un poco mas el libro.
RESEÑA COMPLETA: http://librosenfamilia.blogspot.com.e...
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