The Client

by Meghan O'Brien

Part-time professional escort Juliet is stunned when the new client she thought was her worst nightmare ends up fulfilling her greatest fantasy. *** This short story of approximately 14,900 words contains depictions of graphic, consensual sex and features dirty talk, light role-play, and lots of feelings. ***

Genres: Erotica, Enemies To Lovers, Short Stories, LGBT, Lesbian, Romance, Novella

46 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2017

About the author

Born in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, Meghan O’Brien relocated to Northern California in 2005. As a transplant, she enjoys the moderate weather and gorgeous scenery of the Bay Area. Meghan lives with her wife, their son, three cats, three dogs, two snakes and several tarantulas. Yes, it can be just as chaotic as it sounds.

Meghan’s day job is as a software developer, but her real passion is writing. From her humble beginnings creating numerous “books” out of construction paper and crayons as soon as she learned to write, to her several published novels and various anthology contributions, writing is what makes her feel most complete. (from the author's website)

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. It is freezing here! We are having a cold snap that is getting down to -30 below with the wind chill, it’s just awful. I decided to look for a story with some heat:) I’m a fan of O’Brien and am slowly working on reading her whole catalog of stories. This was a short I had not read before. Most of the time I consider O’Brien to be steamy-romance. I think I would put this more in the erotic-romance category, as it has less romance more hot sex scenes.

This is an enemy to lovers short story. I don’t think that storyline was as successful. Not a lot of time to get over the enemy part, so it was more unrealistic. Though it was more the issue of time (due to being a short) than the writing itself. Luckily, what O’Brien always does well is to write great, steamy sex scenes and this book was no exception. Not my favorite, but it still delivered the heat.

This O’Brien short is free with Kindle Unlimited so it is a good deal. If you are looking for a full length book that handles the enemy to lovers storyline well, I’d recommend Bait and Switch by Warren. Still a big fan of O’Brien and will eventually reach my goal of reading all her stories.

[Sprinkles · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say? I see a smutty Meghan O'Brien short story, I read the description, I buy. If you're looking for a little sexy fix before heading off into dreamland (or something more titillating), this may be for you. It's very O'Brien-y: hot sex, yummy dirty talk (slut is used, for those of you turned off by the word), sweet emotions, consent, and some anal play. You know what you're in for if you're familiar!

Didn't find the backstory very compelling. I'd wished for more of a toaster oven anonymous encounter where the client has a sexual awakening. Which sorta happens, but the conflict doesn't work for me.

Btw, I totally caught onto her use of: "Nevertheless she persisted." Ha.

It's free on Kindle and a quick read, so there's little to lose here! Save it for a rainy day or some alone (or not) time. I hope O'Brien keeps on putting out these erotic ficlets between full length books!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although The Client is told in the third person, it’s all from Juliet’s perspective during her two-hour session with her new client. For a short story, she’s amazingly well fleshed out, which may be at least in part because of the premise (which I’m trying desperately not to spoil, because, trust me, you really don’t want it to be spoiled). For that matter, so is her client. For a story that’s less than 15,000 words, a lot of depth goes into these two characters and their time together, making for a very satisfying story.

Full review (The Lesbian Review): http://www.thelesbianreview.com/clien...
Full review (Curve Magazine): http://www.curvemag.com/Reviews/The-C...

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy and sexy 'revenge'

This story had me going "please Meghan may I have some more". I mean that though, I really wish there were more chapters to this. In fact, I wouldn't mind an entire novel. I doubt that will happen though so I guess I will just have to re-read this sometime in the future.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read Meghan O’Brien’s short story “The Client” when I was halfway through her novel “Her Best Friend’s Sister”. Interestingly, they were published less than two months apart, btw.

Both stories deal with women who have known each other for a decade. In “The Client”, prostitute Juliet and her unexpected client Drew haven’t been in touch since high school. Drew, repressed lesbian that she was, had tormented Juliet. She expresses deep remorse, Juliet forgives her and initiates her into the of-course-we-can-go-more-than-once world of lesbian sex. Cuddles and dinner afterword, of course.

So….hot sex…check. Believable? Sure…well, no…not really. A drawback of a short story is that there just isn’t time for any real character growth. With a MOB short story, 95% of the words are going to be used to describe what fingers and tongues can do, so there aren’t many words left over for characters to interact non-sexually.

I’m actually surprised that MOB could fit as much backstory and as many non-sex moments and discussions between the MCs into this short story, and I wonder how writing “The Client” led to her working on a longer version of long-term acquaintances becoming lovers with “Her Best Friend’s Sister”. 4* - recommended reading, especially if you have read, or plan to read, “Her Best Friend’s Sister”.

[lauraღ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“For the record, I’m scared to death right now. But I guess that’s what makes this a truly penitent act.”

A sexy enemies to lovers erotic romance. This isn't the first reformed childhood bully storyline I've read, and I do like it! This wasn't as well done as others I've read, because of how short it was, but it's still enjoyable. The majority of this is erotica, but it still has a decent amount of character writing and emotional hooks that kept me interested. There were a couple aspects to the story/kink that I didn't love, but nothing major. A fun little short.

Content warnings: referenced bullying, homophobia, homophobic slurs.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Lisa R Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fun read from Meghan O’Brien. One women working as an escort, women only, meets a client who turns out to be her high school nemesis. Dirty talk and role playing get the job done, maybe for good! Enjoy 😉

[Isha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t bad but didn't work for me. Liked the concept though. 😐

[Alicia Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Client

by Meghan O'Brien

MC Drew & Julia





Short Story



This is a enemies to lovers short story.  This is a story about Juliet,  who is the escort on the side.   She does this work  to help her pay for bills from a car accident she had.  Drew is a old classmate/bully from high school that tortured her for 3 1/2 years. She  made her feel horrible about her self every opportunity.  Deep down Drew had repressed feelings she was trying to hide.



This was quick and easy read.  I like the book and its a gem on KU ! I highly recommend this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[bikemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

Sort of a second chance//redemption plot that was maybe a bit shoehorned in but still offered up some intriguing dynamics. Still, primarily erotica and solidly so! Will read more by this author.

[Joc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the premise although I'm certain I wouldn't be nearly as nice to a high school tormentor. Nice, short, erotic read.

[Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars.
Read most of it on a plane. Had to tilt my iPad a bit so the guy next to me couldn't look over my shoulder. Hot! But not as erotic that she can write. Your mileage can vary.

She can write very good short stories - with surprisingly more backstory and character development than some authors writing novels. I would love to read the next chapters with Juliet & Drew.

[C. Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic O'Brien, explicit and very sexy.

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

This was my first attempt at bully romance and it really didn’t work for me. Maybe it was partly the short format, or the fact that it was set on one evening, but I just didn’t get the forgiveness.

Contains: ff, bully, prostitute/client, lesbian virginity, recently called off wedding and came out of the closet, teach me how to make a woman come, dirty talk, revenge porn fantasy (filmed, discussed, not actually intended to share), mild impact play, degradation kink (slurs below)

CW: homophobic bullying (in past) of one heroine by the other, slurs inc slut and d***, mention of homophobic parents and conversion therapy,

Steam: ~50% sex

[Angel Beckford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must hold on to grudges too well because this could never be me. That said, this is classic Meghan O’Brien showcasing a lust filled, chance encounter with a former enemy/childhood bully. Another short story to read in under an hour. There’s no plot, we just have the outline of their history and a couple thousand words detailing how they begin to unpack that history while tangled together horizontally.

[Judy - JC · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a pretty short story, novella, I guess, it's good but there's no big plot.
I mean it could be used as WLW 101: Your First Time.
I would say a good moment to read it: if you are not sure what to read or you are not in a place to get invested in a long book.

[🐉 PrinZessBookDragon 👑🌶️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok story, the word labia was said far too many times but other than that it was an ok story....

[Orcbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it was longer.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admittedly I’m still figuring out the spicy genre but this one was giving a little bit of cheesy acting for me LOL will check out a couple more by this author but this was a quick easy read!

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This left me felling Hot. Hot. Hot. Drew was such a bitch to Juliet in high school. I’m awed by Juliets acceptance and ability to forgive Drew’s teenage mistakes. My heart hurts for the years that were stolen because of people’s inability to love their kids no matter what. I have no doubt that these two can leave the past behind and enjoy a marvelous future together. I’m such a romantic.

[stat shiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

➬➱➫➩➪【4 Stars】
I am no stranger to Meghan O’Brien’s work and was excited to pick this short novella up. It was a short, sexy read that is recommended to anyone looking for something quick and hot. I received this through Kindle Unlimited and enjoyed both women and their chemistry. I did like that there was a bit of plot throughout, especially at the end. Great read.
➢Happy reading!

[Lorraine Rusnack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy

Meghan can really get you going with her stories. I'd love to see this story grow into a larger one.

[Sterling Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one writes lesbian steamy scenes like Meghan O'Brien.

[Zingari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you really blame me?

I feel like that should be the title for any book by Meghan O'Brien.

Today I tried to read other books, but nothing was getting my attention. I kept getting distracted and quickly became frustrated since I'm trying to meet and exceed my reading goal this year. After my third attempt, I started reading this. Sure enough, my attention was thoroughly captured.

I liked the plot, though I really did want more conversation, a date, or more interaction due to the traumatizing background for these two main characters. The plot could have gone much further. This wasn't an easy subject, therefore I was hoping for more. I was hoping for a longer book, with platonic time spent together.

Well, I know what I'm getting into when I open one of these, but I can't help but want more realness.

In short: It is a good read, with steamy scenes and an engaging topic.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Drew had a slight humiliation kink going on and while that’s not my jam I did like the way O’Brien wrote it. Yes, that was the biggest stand out of this story for me because I’m a perv, shut up. Juliet and Drew knew each other from high school where Drew bullied Juliet and made her life a living hell because she was repressed and afraid to come out. They meet again as Drew has unknowingly hired Juliet as an escort and the tension was high between them even as Juliet was (rightfully so) still pissed at her. I liked the chemistry between the two and the smut was well written but there was something about it that I just didn’t love. Still fun though.

[Cindy Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lengthy erotic short story, Juliet a lesbian sex worker opens her door to a new female client. Unbeknownst to both women, Drew, the client, is the bully who tortured Juliet in high school. The story is about how the two deal with their past as Juliet initiates Drew into having sex with a woman.

This is becoming a more prevalent theme in lesfic. The story is good but I didn't find the sex as arousing as an erotic story could since there was so much these two had to process about their past as well as about Drew's insecurities about being a newbie.

[Tierney Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun ertoica tale featuring a lesbian escort whose latest client turns out to be her highschool nemesis. How is Juliet going to deal with Drew, the girl who made her teen years so miserable?

Deals with homophobia, self-denial, and acceptance. The sex scenes are fun, tho not as detailed as Meghan O'Brien sometimes writes, perhaps because this is a short story that fits a lot into its 15,000 words.

[Swetha Chodavarpu · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Client focuses on two women, Drew and Juliet.
Drew and Juliet are enemies from high school where Drew used to bully Juliet for being a lesbian. The two women then proceed to have a few emotional exchanges after which Juliet helps Drew come to terms with her real desires.
The story is rather mundane compared to Meghan O'Brien's other works.
Read if you are a fan.

[Carolyn G. Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Worse Nightmare

Juliet opens the door to her new client only yo see the high school bully who made her teen years a nightmare. Drew had scheduled a “first encounter” experience and giving in to her true desires. Will Juliet be able to get past her hatred and allow Drew into her bedroom? Erotic romance.