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Way Down Deep
An erotic romance…told entirely through text messages.
The words he typed were never meant to be read, yet they found their way to her. Two wounded strangers, prisoners of their own lives, brought together by a wayward text.
Without ever hearing each other’s voices, a friendship blooms between them. Without ever seeing each other’s faces, an attraction grows. Without ever touching, the two become lovers.
But when words suddenly aren’t enough, will this bond be able to tear down the walls that keep them apart…or was it only ever fantasy?
The words he typed were never meant to be read, yet they found their way to her. Two wounded strangers, prisoners of their own lives, brought together by a wayward text.
Without ever hearing each other’s voices, a friendship blooms between them. Without ever seeing each other’s faces, an attraction grows. Without ever touching, the two become lovers.
But when words suddenly aren’t enough, will this bond be able to tear down the walls that keep them apart…or was it only ever fantasy?
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2017
29 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Stein
110 books2,077 followersCharlotte Stein is the RT and DABWAHA nominated author of over fifty short stories, novellas and novels. When not writing deeply emotional and intensely sexy books, she can be found eating jelly turtles, watching terrible sitcoms and occasionally lusting after hunks. For more on Charlotte, visit: www.charlottestein.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
June 4, 2017
3.5 Stars.
When I saw the blurb for this I was immediately intrigued and especially as it's written by two of my favourite MF romance Authors.
The story opens with Malcolm sending a desperate text message to someone who he never expected to respond.The number he sent the message to now belongs to a different person....Maya.
As the blurb suggests the only communication between them is via text-I did wonder at this as some of the messages are extremely long.They gradually get to know each other through these messages and the more familiar they get,the more comfortable they feel with each other.....which leads to stexting.....
and there's a lot of it!
Both characters have traumatic back stories and the overriding feeling I got while reading this was one of sadness...that's not to say that I didn't enjoy it.This(for me) was one of those books I couldn't put down.I was racing to get to finish line-I had no idea how things would turn out but I couldn't wait to find out.
Was I happy with the ending? Well I definitely wanted more but given the subject of the book,I think it's the only way the Authors could have gone to keep the story credible.
If you fancy reading a completely different kind of romance I would recommend this....the writing is very good which is no surprise with these Authors.
Arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We have a history, one that’s been entirely documented. The moment we met, the moment we first went to bed together, in our weird way. The moments we turned ourselves inside out and bared everything,(...)
When I saw the blurb for this I was immediately intrigued and especially as it's written by two of my favourite MF romance Authors.
The story opens with Malcolm sending a desperate text message to someone who he never expected to respond.The number he sent the message to now belongs to a different person....Maya.
As the blurb suggests the only communication between them is via text-I did wonder at this as some of the messages are extremely long.They gradually get to know each other through these messages and the more familiar they get,the more comfortable they feel with each other.....which leads to stexting.....
and there's a lot of it!
Both characters have traumatic back stories and the overriding feeling I got while reading this was one of sadness...that's not to say that I didn't enjoy it.This(for me) was one of those books I couldn't put down.I was racing to get to finish line-I had no idea how things would turn out but I couldn't wait to find out.
Was I happy with the ending? Well I definitely wanted more but given the subject of the book,I think it's the only way the Authors could have gone to keep the story credible.
If you fancy reading a completely different kind of romance I would recommend this....the writing is very good which is no surprise with these Authors.
Arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2020
4,5 stars
There is the thing I love about romance: getting to know each other over email / letters / sms. Because that's how relationship with my husband started (okay, we saw each other for one evening before we started texting two months later) and I love how some authors manage to make a story out of a written exchange, without an actual narrative.
There is a book by an Austrian writer, with a similar premise but pretentious and superficial to no end, filled with wannabe intellectual ramblings... Argh. It wasn't the case here!! Oh how I loved the hero's irony toward himself, how I loved the way heroine was honest and elusive at the same time. I absolutely adored the way their exchange became serious one minute and playful the other, with no awkward stepping on each others virtual toes.
Authors connected two heartbroken people and brought them together beautifully and naturally. I believed every moment of it!
The ending was a bit confusing and I wanted a little more there... but I guess you can't have everything. I knew and loved Cara MrKenna already, but now I discovered Charlotte Stein and definitely want to read more by her.
There is the thing I love about romance: getting to know each other over email / letters / sms. Because that's how relationship with my husband started (okay, we saw each other for one evening before we started texting two months later) and I love how some authors manage to make a story out of a written exchange, without an actual narrative.
We don't tell stories about ourselves anymore, just let the mundane blurt from our brains into our phones, hit send, half-read the reply in a rush, knowing it's our turn to blurt again, to send a photo of our boring lunches or our boring faces, made slightly less boring by the application of a colorized filter.
There is a book by an Austrian writer, with a similar premise but pretentious and superficial to no end, filled with wannabe intellectual ramblings... Argh. It wasn't the case here!! Oh how I loved the hero's irony toward himself, how I loved the way heroine was honest and elusive at the same time. I absolutely adored the way their exchange became serious one minute and playful the other, with no awkward stepping on each others virtual toes.
Authors connected two heartbroken people and brought them together beautifully and naturally. I believed every moment of it!
You make me feel like I've won something all the time.
The ending was a bit confusing and I wanted a little more there... but I guess you can't have everything. I knew and loved Cara MrKenna already, but now I discovered Charlotte Stein and definitely want to read more by her.
June 6, 2017
4 - I never expected to hear back... Stars!
The blurb for Way Down Deep is what firstly sold me on reading this book, I was interested to see if the authors would be able to transfer enough emotion and depth to a story that is basically told through the medium of text messaging.
Its Live!
Amazon US – http://a.co/6XXSjrw
Amazon UK - http://amzn.eu/0Rvn2fA
B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/way-...
The second selling point; Cara McKenna, I have only read one other book by her, but it left such a lasting effect on me, that even three years on from reading it I still think about it on occasion, when you read as voraciously as I do, that is not something that happens often.
I have a crush on someone, based on nothing but her words…
Back to the book, this essentially starts with the H, sending a text of desperation to a number he never ever expected to get a reply from, here enters the h, as she now has the number that he has texted. I did wonder if developing a relationship over text would be a struggle on a longer time-frame, because there are literally no verbal words spoken in this book between the H/h, and for me in the main the authors hit the right pitch.
The first 40% was great in building the anticipation, and you got to know Maya and Malcolm as they essentially got to know each other. The next 30% did drag a bit, because it morphed into one long stexting session, and I found myself getting a bit distracted from it all, the phrase 'actions speak louder than words' was pretty apt for the amount of typing about what they wanted to do to each other went on, but the authors did manage to pull it back with the end, and I found myself sniffling at my desk by the end of it.
Something about you, about this, give me hope.
Both characters have pretty grim back stories, and I actually think the texting helped keep from making it too angsty in its own way, because although a lot of the texts were written more of a letter length than a couple of sentences, nothing was dwelled on for too long, before they moved onto the next thing.
You’re the twig in my pine needle tea.
If you are looking for a love story, that’s a little different from the normal ‘boy meets girl’ theme, this is definitely one I would recommend you give a try. I have to say the end though… Gah! I so wanted an epilogue, in fact the authors could probably write another book from the ending they gave this one. Not a cliffy per-se, but I definitely wanted more.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
The blurb for Way Down Deep is what firstly sold me on reading this book, I was interested to see if the authors would be able to transfer enough emotion and depth to a story that is basically told through the medium of text messaging.
Its Live!
Amazon US – http://a.co/6XXSjrw
Amazon UK - http://amzn.eu/0Rvn2fA
B&N - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/way-...
The second selling point; Cara McKenna, I have only read one other book by her, but it left such a lasting effect on me, that even three years on from reading it I still think about it on occasion, when you read as voraciously as I do, that is not something that happens often.
I have a crush on someone, based on nothing but her words…
Back to the book, this essentially starts with the H, sending a text of desperation to a number he never ever expected to get a reply from, here enters the h, as she now has the number that he has texted. I did wonder if developing a relationship over text would be a struggle on a longer time-frame, because there are literally no verbal words spoken in this book between the H/h, and for me in the main the authors hit the right pitch.
The first 40% was great in building the anticipation, and you got to know Maya and Malcolm as they essentially got to know each other. The next 30% did drag a bit, because it morphed into one long stexting session, and I found myself getting a bit distracted from it all, the phrase 'actions speak louder than words' was pretty apt for the amount of typing about what they wanted to do to each other went on, but the authors did manage to pull it back with the end, and I found myself sniffling at my desk by the end of it.
Something about you, about this, give me hope.
Both characters have pretty grim back stories, and I actually think the texting helped keep from making it too angsty in its own way, because although a lot of the texts were written more of a letter length than a couple of sentences, nothing was dwelled on for too long, before they moved onto the next thing.
You’re the twig in my pine needle tea.
If you are looking for a love story, that’s a little different from the normal ‘boy meets girl’ theme, this is definitely one I would recommend you give a try. I have to say the end though… Gah! I so wanted an epilogue, in fact the authors could probably write another book from the ending they gave this one. Not a cliffy per-se, but I definitely wanted more.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
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June 13, 2017The premise of this novel sounded fascinating, teamed with the fact that I have read and loved previous novels by one of the authors in this collaborative story left me in no doubt that I had to read WAY DEEP DOWN. I got to around the 30% mark but found it simply did not work for me. I found the narrative to be too monotone and the continuing texts did not hold my interest like I thought they would. I thought the inclusion of popular culture in the prose was interesting and engaging but that fact relied on me knowing about those snippets of history, like Elliot Smith for example. The characters caught my interest initially but I did not warm to them at all or care of their situation as a result of feeling a slight disengage with the narrative. Definitely an interesting concept and maybe if I had pushed through I would have enjoyed it more but, for the moment, I have taken the decision to stop.
Advance copy provided for my honest review thoughts *
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January 11, 2021***DNF***
Time of Death: 15%
The premise of this book is amazing. I didn't even need to know what the book was about to want to pick up an erotic romance told entirely via text messages! How many in today's day and age haven't secretly wished to stumble upon an instant connection with a stranger via technology? How many has that already happened to?
While I was overjoyed at the premise, unfortunately, I was left a bit disappointment with the execution. I think the writing is too lyrical and formal for the method of communication. These are supposed to be text messages...not emails (some texts go on for pages and felt more like emails), and certainly not what felt like finding letters between two people from decades ago.
This didn't feel fresh and now like how I hoped it would.
I wasn't expecting text slang or funky abbreviations people use when they text...or even frequent trips to urban dictionary to find out what the hell some things mean...but I was expecting a book that felt current and relatable in its delivery.
Instead I got a well written story that felt forced into a box it didn't belong in.
If you took away the novelty of the story being told via text, I feel this would be a much more engaging story. Instead, everything felt off and....slooooooow. Especially considering the story is emotional and heavy and deals with some serious themes (mental health issues and a child dealing with what appears to be the trauma of losing a parent).
I was expecting something much lighter than what's going on here.
***ARC courtesy of Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
---------------------------------------
An erotic romance told entirely through text messages?!?!?!?! And co-written by Cara McKenna?!?!?!
June 13, 2017
4 stars!
"Way Down Deep" definitely had a unique plot, two strangers that by accident or destiny end up texting each other by mistake. One message turns into two and three and many more. Their messages start light and fun, but soon they start sharing their personal lives.
This was a short read but emotionally packed and sexy. I felt the MC connection I think the fact that they couldn't see each other made it easier for them both to talk about their troubles and heartbreaking pasts. The way they supported each other even via text was amazing it just shows you how even through written words can make a person not feel alone.
It took me days to come up with my rating I was between 3.75 to 4 stars. I kept thinking of the ending, did I want more? Hell yea!! But the more I thought about it the more I know this is the kinda of ending I expect form CM books. I'm not sure about Charlotte stein I'm not familiar with her books yet. So I'll just say the ending left me content.❤️
"Way Down Deep" definitely had a unique plot, two strangers that by accident or destiny end up texting each other by mistake. One message turns into two and three and many more. Their messages start light and fun, but soon they start sharing their personal lives.
This was a short read but emotionally packed and sexy. I felt the MC connection I think the fact that they couldn't see each other made it easier for them both to talk about their troubles and heartbreaking pasts. The way they supported each other even via text was amazing it just shows you how even through written words can make a person not feel alone.
It took me days to come up with my rating I was between 3.75 to 4 stars. I kept thinking of the ending, did I want more? Hell yea!! But the more I thought about it the more I know this is the kinda of ending I expect form CM books. I'm not sure about Charlotte stein I'm not familiar with her books yet. So I'll just say the ending left me content.❤️
May 22, 2017
I don't typically read ARCs but who in their right mind turns down a chance to read early a novel where the first line of a blurb is
'An erotic romance … told entirely through text messages.'
?? I am not sure how this book came to be ... I am just glad that it did! What an original concept (to me, anyhow)! As a HUGE fan of Cara McKenna's work, I am thrilled to be introduced to Charlotte Stein via this collaborative effort.
I knew going into this book that it will end up being something special. Raw, real, unique, character driver and exquisitely written. This story had it all. In fact, I loved it so much that it is going onto my 'best of 2017' self and we aren't even half way through the year.
I will try and add to this review closer to the release date but there's literally NOTHING I can ever say that will do this book justice it deserves. If you appreciate original, well written stories, I urge you to give this one a go once it becomes available.
Cheers!
Release date: June 6th, 2017.
I knew going into this book that it will end up being something special. Raw, real, unique, character driver and exquisitely written. This story had it all. In fact, I loved it so much that it is going onto my 'best of 2017' self and we aren't even half way through the year.
I will try and add to this review closer to the release date but there's literally NOTHING I can ever say that will do this book justice it deserves. If you appreciate original, well written stories, I urge you to give this one a go once it becomes available.
Cheers!
Release date: June 6th, 2017.
June 11, 2017
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Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - Stand Alone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 3 stars
★Review★
I was so intrigued by this book. And I really wanted to love it.
But, in all honesty, it felt a bit try hard. That sounds awful, but I cannot think of how else to describe it.
We have 2 characters who accidentally end up in contact via txt, and start talking to each other.
We find out over the course of this texting "relationship" (which goes from 0-60 in like 2 weeks) they both have traumatic pasts, and some quite heavy real life issues.
The problem is, it feels like this is not really addressed. They both develop a pretty co dependent relationship with each other, using it to not have to face up to the reality of their lives. It is not healthy.
There is some fairly lengthy and wordy prose here (weird given it is meant to be TXT exchanges) and I found myself skimming over it.
I don't know, maybe I am just too shallow a person for this. It needs a reader to be deeper then me, with more emotional depth.
And all the way through, I felt like I was waiting for that something to happen, (and yes the blurb says "An erotic romance…told entirely through text messages") but I really felt like I was slogging my way through it, to get to the prize at the end, only to be told...
Like if you have waited hours for the newest, best, longest roller coaster in the world, and as you get to the front of the queue, you get told the ride is now closed.
I was left vaguely disappointed and with more question left unanswered.
But maybe that was what the author was going for. It just was not for me.
I can appreciate it was well written, and certainly intriguing and interesting. But I cannot see me wanting to read anything like this again in the future.
I will sit firmly at 3 stars.
Copy received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont. Romance
Series : - Stand Alone
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 3 stars
★Review★
I was so intrigued by this book. And I really wanted to love it.
But, in all honesty, it felt a bit try hard. That sounds awful, but I cannot think of how else to describe it.
We have 2 characters who accidentally end up in contact via txt, and start talking to each other.
We find out over the course of this texting "relationship" (which goes from 0-60 in like 2 weeks) they both have traumatic pasts, and some quite heavy real life issues.
The problem is, it feels like this is not really addressed. They both develop a pretty co dependent relationship with each other, using it to not have to face up to the reality of their lives. It is not healthy.
There is some fairly lengthy and wordy prose here (weird given it is meant to be TXT exchanges) and I found myself skimming over it.
I don't know, maybe I am just too shallow a person for this. It needs a reader to be deeper then me, with more emotional depth.
And all the way through, I felt like I was waiting for that something to happen, (and yes the blurb says "An erotic romance…told entirely through text messages") but I really felt like I was slogging my way through it, to get to the prize at the end, only to be told...
Like if you have waited hours for the newest, best, longest roller coaster in the world, and as you get to the front of the queue, you get told the ride is now closed.
I was left vaguely disappointed and with more question left unanswered.
But maybe that was what the author was going for. It just was not for me.
I can appreciate it was well written, and certainly intriguing and interesting. But I cannot see me wanting to read anything like this again in the future.
I will sit firmly at 3 stars.
May 23, 2017
Go ahead, stranger. Break my heart. Show me I'm still capable of feeling something so tender.
WAY DOWN DEEP feels like a modern day romance. Not in the sense of the era but in the sense of.. this kind of connection, this kind of relationship, is so unique to our current time. How do the majority of people communicate these days? Via text. Is there anyone who hasn't sent a text to a wrong number before? Have you ever had someone reply? What if you were the one who received a message; what if it was a sad, depressed, lonely, voice reaching out. Would you reach back? Would you say, hi, I'm here, hold on?
That's what happened to Malcolm and Maya.
People don't really do that these days -- take turns, wait for the other person to finish saying what's on their mind.
The evolution of this relationship was so interesting. The senders give us the only information we have. The who and the why. We don't even know who is male and female in the initial exchanges. Everything is strictly text and I have never read a romance, read a story, like this before. But I've lived it. I know that feeling of thinking you've spent years with someone instead of days. The intensity of the connection, the simultaneous freedom and restraint in telling a stranger your deepest thoughts, your desires, even the silliest observations. Nothing feels like too much yet everything feels momentous.
There ought to be an adjective for when someone's at once melancholy and seductive. Perhaps the French have one. It feels like longing, distilled.
In true McKenna form, we also have.. sex. Of course it's virtual but that doesn't downplay the steam factor. I loved seeing some familiar elements from her other stories at play, not the same but similar, and wish I knew where Stein's influence came in. I guess I'll just have to try her out next to find out.
Your ridiculous, lust-addled thoughts are all the poetry I'll ever want for the rest of my life.
WAY DOWN DEEP was intense, hot, and, I'll admit, nerve wracking. The final chapters.. I was not prepared for them. I was so twisted up about how this would end. And then it did. And I'm just.. well, I'm not telling.
My romantic history is basically that Gotye song on repeat for four hours. Super fraught and beautifully tortured at first, then by the fifteenth time you're like ENOUGH WITH THE FUCKING XYLOPHONE.
I totally flew through this read. I found myself totally swept up in this story of these lonely people. I was fascinated, found myself smiling, and had to pause for a little face-fanning, too. I do wonder if this kind of story that people will either love or hate. And I think a lot of that opposite end of the spectrum enjoyment will be a result of the medium and whether it's enough for some readers. But maybe it'll be enough for you. I definitely connected with it and I know a lot of others, in this great virtual world of ours, will too.
4 "I should be quarantined for crimes against romance" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
WAY DOWN DEEP feels like a modern day romance. Not in the sense of the era but in the sense of.. this kind of connection, this kind of relationship, is so unique to our current time. How do the majority of people communicate these days? Via text. Is there anyone who hasn't sent a text to a wrong number before? Have you ever had someone reply? What if you were the one who received a message; what if it was a sad, depressed, lonely, voice reaching out. Would you reach back? Would you say, hi, I'm here, hold on?
That's what happened to Malcolm and Maya.
People don't really do that these days -- take turns, wait for the other person to finish saying what's on their mind.
The evolution of this relationship was so interesting. The senders give us the only information we have. The who and the why. We don't even know who is male and female in the initial exchanges. Everything is strictly text and I have never read a romance, read a story, like this before. But I've lived it. I know that feeling of thinking you've spent years with someone instead of days. The intensity of the connection, the simultaneous freedom and restraint in telling a stranger your deepest thoughts, your desires, even the silliest observations. Nothing feels like too much yet everything feels momentous.
There ought to be an adjective for when someone's at once melancholy and seductive. Perhaps the French have one. It feels like longing, distilled.
In true McKenna form, we also have.. sex. Of course it's virtual but that doesn't downplay the steam factor. I loved seeing some familiar elements from her other stories at play, not the same but similar, and wish I knew where Stein's influence came in. I guess I'll just have to try her out next to find out.
Your ridiculous, lust-addled thoughts are all the poetry I'll ever want for the rest of my life.
WAY DOWN DEEP was intense, hot, and, I'll admit, nerve wracking. The final chapters.. I was not prepared for them. I was so twisted up about how this would end. And then it did. And I'm just.. well, I'm not telling.
My romantic history is basically that Gotye song on repeat for four hours. Super fraught and beautifully tortured at first, then by the fifteenth time you're like ENOUGH WITH THE FUCKING XYLOPHONE.
I totally flew through this read. I found myself totally swept up in this story of these lonely people. I was fascinated, found myself smiling, and had to pause for a little face-fanning, too. I do wonder if this kind of story that people will either love or hate. And I think a lot of that opposite end of the spectrum enjoyment will be a result of the medium and whether it's enough for some readers. But maybe it'll be enough for you. I definitely connected with it and I know a lot of others, in this great virtual world of ours, will too.
4 "I should be quarantined for crimes against romance" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
May 24, 2017
REVIEW TO COME
* I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. *
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
* I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. *
More reviews and book talk at :
You can find me here too ☞
June 23, 2017
Never would have believed text messages could be so intimate, so raw, so honest. I'll return with a full review.
6/3/17 - Posting full review:
Lonely, hurting, and more than a little drunk, a person reaches out with a distress signal via text - not really expecting an answer. Shockingly, someone responds - tossing out a lifeline via a return text – offering a willing ear, a few encouraging words. And thus slowly, a friendship begins that grows over time to an intimate affair . . . all via texts. I admit I was skeptical going in – not sure an erotic romance could be adequately relayed without any personal contact between the characters. I’ll have to say these authors proved me wrong.
Through text messages, two people are stripped naked as they each bare their souls to a stranger – each safe in their own little world. At first, they have no idea whether they are “talking” to a male or female – not knowing the other’s name, age, physical attributes, or personal situation. As the story plays out, they begin to engage in a type of game ultimately sharing more personal details including their most intimate desires and fantasies. Safe in their cloak of secrecy, – after all, they both know they’ll never meet - their games grow to an erotic fever that erupts into a shared intimacy that many couples never accomplish in the flesh. To say it’s erotic and hot is a gross understatement – it is indeed as flammable as gasoline! Lost in an avalanche of desire, they cross a line that neither may survive.
Way Down Deep is a raw, riveting, seductive character driven story that I read in mostly one sitting. Surprisingly, it has a very intimate and honest feel to it as it becomes clear these two lost characters were brought together by fate. The plot line is intriguing as there are other things at play here that I won’t reveal due to spoilers, but through a series of twists and turns, readers learn what brought each person to this place and time. I had my doubts that a virtual erotic romance was possible – but in this case, it works! A Must Read!
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Writings and Reviews
6/3/17 - Posting full review:
Lonely, hurting, and more than a little drunk, a person reaches out with a distress signal via text - not really expecting an answer. Shockingly, someone responds - tossing out a lifeline via a return text – offering a willing ear, a few encouraging words. And thus slowly, a friendship begins that grows over time to an intimate affair . . . all via texts. I admit I was skeptical going in – not sure an erotic romance could be adequately relayed without any personal contact between the characters. I’ll have to say these authors proved me wrong.
Through text messages, two people are stripped naked as they each bare their souls to a stranger – each safe in their own little world. At first, they have no idea whether they are “talking” to a male or female – not knowing the other’s name, age, physical attributes, or personal situation. As the story plays out, they begin to engage in a type of game ultimately sharing more personal details including their most intimate desires and fantasies. Safe in their cloak of secrecy, – after all, they both know they’ll never meet - their games grow to an erotic fever that erupts into a shared intimacy that many couples never accomplish in the flesh. To say it’s erotic and hot is a gross understatement – it is indeed as flammable as gasoline! Lost in an avalanche of desire, they cross a line that neither may survive.
Way Down Deep is a raw, riveting, seductive character driven story that I read in mostly one sitting. Surprisingly, it has a very intimate and honest feel to it as it becomes clear these two lost characters were brought together by fate. The plot line is intriguing as there are other things at play here that I won’t reveal due to spoilers, but through a series of twists and turns, readers learn what brought each person to this place and time. I had my doubts that a virtual erotic romance was possible – but in this case, it works! A Must Read!
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Writings and Reviews
Read
June 15, 2017Mmmmmm, le doy DNF en el 30%, quizás en algún momento lo retome, ya veremos.
La premisa era muy prometedora, una historia solo via mensajes de texto, pero no me la he creído, sobre todo en el comienzo no me parecía el tono de mensajes de texto, y además me estaba aburriendo :/. Mala suerte.
La premisa era muy prometedora, una historia solo via mensajes de texto, pero no me la he creído, sobre todo en el comienzo no me parecía el tono de mensajes de texto, y además me estaba aburriendo :/. Mala suerte.
November 23, 2017
I haven’t read anything by either of these two authors, but I was really excited to try Way Down Deep because it’s a romance that’s told entirely through texts … and I do mean ENTIRELY. Any time a romance novel has texts or letters or emails, I’m a goner, so I knew I had to try it. Way Down Deep was an emotional, heart-aching story with a lot of depth to it, and it completely surprised me.
The whole story was intriguing. In the beginning few chapters, you don’t even know who the guy is and who the girl is. I loved the way the romance developed. The two very lonely characters, Malcom and Maya, find solace in each other and develop a friendship. Both have heartbreaking backstories, that is only slowly revealed to the readers, but the amount of strength they both possessed was glaringly obvious from the beginning. There was an intensity to their relationship that I was surprised by given how they had never met, but I liked it a lot and Charlotte Stein and Cara McKenna had me rooting for the two of them.
I know that Way Down Deep is classified as an erotic romance, but I wouldn’t call it that. Yes, there are sex scenes that happen throughout the story, and yes, they occur through texts and were way hotter than I thought possible, but this was more contemporary romance in my opinion. The focus is not on the sex. It’s on the emotional connection that Malcom and Maya forge, and how slowly they infiltrate each others lives for the better. I do admit that I would have absolutely killed for an epilogue of sort, but looking back, the ending completely made sense given the context of the story.
There’s lots more I want to say, but I don’t want to spoil things for readers. This was poignant, addictive, and I could not stop reading it. Way Down Deep might be my first book from either of these authors, but it’s certainly not going to be my last.
September 19, 2020
I read most of this last night, lying in bed in the dark. And I feel like that was the perfect way to consume this story.
Also, I shed a few tears as I finished this book, and that is always a good sign that I enjoyed something. Sometimes I tear up, not because of an ending, but because it's over.
I wouldn't have even considered reading this, based on the fact that it's entirely written through texts. Didn't sound appealing to me in the least. But it's Cara McKenna & Charlotte Stein. This is like an erotic dream about an erotic dream for me. And I really loved it. It was beautiful and heart-breaking and passionate with the perfect mix of self-deprication thrown in.
There is only one reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars, and I feel like explaining that would ruin the story for someone about to jump in. Suffice it to say it's just because I'm greedy, and I want to know so much more about Malcolm and Maya. But I think that just shows how much I loved what I did get, so I'm going with a solid 5/5. I'm borderline interested in searching out fan-fiction for this one, that's how much I loved it.
Also, I shed a few tears as I finished this book, and that is always a good sign that I enjoyed something. Sometimes I tear up, not because of an ending, but because it's over.
I wouldn't have even considered reading this, based on the fact that it's entirely written through texts. Didn't sound appealing to me in the least. But it's Cara McKenna & Charlotte Stein. This is like an erotic dream about an erotic dream for me. And I really loved it. It was beautiful and heart-breaking and passionate with the perfect mix of self-deprication thrown in.
There is only one reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars, and I feel like explaining that would ruin the story for someone about to jump in. Suffice it to say it's just because I'm greedy, and I want to know so much more about Malcolm and Maya. But I think that just shows how much I loved what I did get, so I'm going with a solid 5/5. I'm borderline interested in searching out fan-fiction for this one, that's how much I loved it.
June 28, 2017
I known these two idk got a problem with epilogues or whatever.
But seriously WTF?! WTF?!!! I'M MAD AT THAT ENDING!!!
I'm just gonna use my imagination what happens to their first meet up is. I don't want to think/imagine it. I want to fucking read it.
But seriously WTF?! WTF?!!! I'M MAD AT THAT ENDING!!!
I'm just gonna use my imagination what happens to their first meet up is. I don't want to think/imagine it. I want to fucking read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2017
As soon as I saw the first line of the blurb "an erotic romance . . . told entirely through text messages" I knew I had to read Way Down Deep. I'm already a fan of Cara McKenna's and I've seen just how well she writes romantic, but also sexy, letters in her book Hard Time so my expectations were high, especially since so many people have recommended Charlotte Stein to me too (and I'm definitely going to have to start investing in her backlist after reading this!).
The story starts when Malcom drunk texts someone from his past, someone he never expects to receive a response from. He couldn't be more shocked when he realises that the number has been reallocated and he gets a reply from a total stranger. What follows is an intense, highly emotional story as Malcom and Maya continue sending messages to each other and are both able to open up to someone they've never met much easier than they can with people they know in real life. Both characters have issues they are struggling with and we slowly get to learn about both of their lives through their continued messages. I will say it felt more like an email exchange than a text message conversation because their messages are long and detailed but the writing was beautiful and I totally fell in love with both of the characters.
It's not often that I rate an erotic romance 5 stars, especially a story that has only two characters and they never even have a single face to face conversation but I was so captivated by Way Down Deep that I can't give it anything less. Maya and Malcom's romance was in no way a traditional one but it was just so easy to root for them and I desperately wanted them to both find happiness. Oh and I just have to add that sexting has never been so hot! If there was one thing I was slightly disappointed with it was that the story is a little too open ended for my taste, I would have loved an epilogue set a few months or even years down the line but unfortunately that really wouldn't have worked with the story format and it probably would have ended up ruining things. This is a story about two messed up people finding solace in the strangest of places, it's an emotional journey that is both heart-wrenching and joyful and it left me with a huge smile on my face.
The story starts when Malcom drunk texts someone from his past, someone he never expects to receive a response from. He couldn't be more shocked when he realises that the number has been reallocated and he gets a reply from a total stranger. What follows is an intense, highly emotional story as Malcom and Maya continue sending messages to each other and are both able to open up to someone they've never met much easier than they can with people they know in real life. Both characters have issues they are struggling with and we slowly get to learn about both of their lives through their continued messages. I will say it felt more like an email exchange than a text message conversation because their messages are long and detailed but the writing was beautiful and I totally fell in love with both of the characters.
It's not often that I rate an erotic romance 5 stars, especially a story that has only two characters and they never even have a single face to face conversation but I was so captivated by Way Down Deep that I can't give it anything less. Maya and Malcom's romance was in no way a traditional one but it was just so easy to root for them and I desperately wanted them to both find happiness. Oh and I just have to add that sexting has never been so hot! If there was one thing I was slightly disappointed with it was that the story is a little too open ended for my taste, I would have loved an epilogue set a few months or even years down the line but unfortunately that really wouldn't have worked with the story format and it probably would have ended up ruining things. This is a story about two messed up people finding solace in the strangest of places, it's an emotional journey that is both heart-wrenching and joyful and it left me with a huge smile on my face.
May 27, 2017
Conceptually, this was clever and the blurb just dragged me into requesting to read and review. As a fan of Cara McKenna, I wanted to love this book but the result was like. The concept and context are two damaged strangers who begin a tentative texting friendship following a circumstantial finding of one another's numbers. There is much masked for quite some time in this read: who are the characters, what gender are they, will they ever meet?
There was power in the writing of this book, the writing was mainly strong, after all, there was only dialogue in this book, no thoughts, introspection or narrative that wasn't dialogue. I was utterly captured by the man and his boy story, for me, that was what I loved most about this story. In fact, I wanted more of the man and boy. There was some significant chemistry between the two texting and this grew in a tangible way that I believed the connection and growth of affection.
The first quarter of the book I found to be slow going but I did become invested and I enjoyed the final quarter the most.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
There was power in the writing of this book, the writing was mainly strong, after all, there was only dialogue in this book, no thoughts, introspection or narrative that wasn't dialogue. I was utterly captured by the man and his boy story, for me, that was what I loved most about this story. In fact, I wanted more of the man and boy. There was some significant chemistry between the two texting and this grew in a tangible way that I believed the connection and growth of affection.
The first quarter of the book I found to be slow going but I did become invested and I enjoyed the final quarter the most.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for an honest review.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
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July 11, 2017DNF @ 30%
It pains me so to not finish a Cara McKenna book. She's one of my favorite authors, but I just can't get into this. I like the idea behind the book.....it's told all in text messages....but it's not holding my attention. I find the guy's texts are pretty interesting but I don't care for the girl. She's long winded & doesn't say anything I can relate to. She's not at all interesting to me. I've picked this up & then put it down at least 4x so I think it's time to admit defeat.
**ARC received through Netgalley**
It pains me so to not finish a Cara McKenna book. She's one of my favorite authors, but I just can't get into this. I like the idea behind the book.....it's told all in text messages....but it's not holding my attention. I find the guy's texts are pretty interesting but I don't care for the girl. She's long winded & doesn't say anything I can relate to. She's not at all interesting to me. I've picked this up & then put it down at least 4x so I think it's time to admit defeat.
**ARC received through Netgalley**
June 11, 2017
Sweet, angsty and hot. A gorgeous little ditty from my favourite erotic-romance writers.
I had a hard time putting this one down, it was easy and a little addictive to read. Both the leads were utterly adorable and quirky. The prose and theme was a little bit divine too.
I really hope these two work together again.
I had a hard time putting this one down, it was easy and a little addictive to read. Both the leads were utterly adorable and quirky. The prose and theme was a little bit divine too.
I really hope these two work together again.
June 21, 2017
The first thing you should know about this book is that the entire story is told through text messages and I wasn't sure at first, but I ended up loving it!
That ending......at first I thought "I need more!", but then I was like "Awwww, that was an awesome ending!" and I was grinning like a total idiot!!!!!
Some texts from an unknown number to Maya's phone....her hesitation to respond.....then she does because she feels like this person needs her help. I loved how this all played out. It even took a while before they even exchanged names. They continue to text each other and get to know each others likes and dislikes. They are both tortured souls who need to release their guilt with events eating away at their souls. They confide in each other through these messages......all the while never talking to each other or seeing what the other looks like. And then, the hot steamy sex texts begin.....I seriously should have expected this from Charlotte Stein.....and it totally worked! (And of course, I have to give credit to Cara McKenna also......I wonder, did they each write a character's side.....if so, that's pretty cool!)
Short, sweet, and just really good! I highly recommend it!
I was provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
That ending......at first I thought "I need more!", but then I was like "Awwww, that was an awesome ending!" and I was grinning like a total idiot!!!!!
Some texts from an unknown number to Maya's phone....her hesitation to respond.....then she does because she feels like this person needs her help. I loved how this all played out. It even took a while before they even exchanged names. They continue to text each other and get to know each others likes and dislikes. They are both tortured souls who need to release their guilt with events eating away at their souls. They confide in each other through these messages......all the while never talking to each other or seeing what the other looks like. And then, the hot steamy sex texts begin.....I seriously should have expected this from Charlotte Stein.....and it totally worked! (And of course, I have to give credit to Cara McKenna also......I wonder, did they each write a character's side.....if so, that's pretty cool!)
Short, sweet, and just really good! I highly recommend it!
I was provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.
June 7, 2017
WAY DOWN DEEP is a collaboration novel between Cara McKenna and Charlotte Stein. These two authors are among my favorite Erotic Romance authors so I was really looking forward to this book. The premise of this book is very interesting. It’s written in an epistolary fashion, but instead of letters, it’s through texts/emails. The heroine accidentally sends a message to a stranger but instead of turning her away, the hero actually continues to chat with her. There’s a nice emotional aspect to this novel since the heroine is suffering from depression. I feel like this was a good way of creating that connection immediately between the two main characters. After all, how could someone turn another away after receiving a warning like that?
I think the blurb of this book will intrigue a lot of readers but I feel like I should warn readers that this book is quite slow. Because we don’t have any set up in the beginning that tells us who these characters are, you really have to rely on your patience to read through it all to get to know them. There are some scenes that I felt would normally get cut out if it was written in a more traditional way with third person POV and descriptions. For example, they share their favorite songs and movies, etc. While I can see how this helps with characterization, these aren’t details that I think should be presented so early on.
There were a lot of slow parts in this book as the two characters got to know each other. The book is basically a series of monologues about their inner thoughts and feelings. This is great for emotions. I thought some messages almost sounded like poems; the writing is so beautiful. But at the same time, it does take some of the realistic aspect out of it because I don’t know how believable all this really is.
For me, it was really easy to distinguish who wrote what but that’s because I’ve been reading both authors for a very long time and I feel like I know their voices very well now. But I think that both authors work seamlessly enough that it flows very well.
So, really, I think this will honestly be a hit or miss for readers. The writing is beautiful and it has a lot of emotion, but do make sure you have a lot of patience before picking this book up.
May 20, 2017
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
I really really wanted to like this book. I read the description and was immediately drawn in. I love romances that have to do with email/texting. Unfortunately, I kind of had to force myself to finish.
I couldn't really connect with the mc's at all and I especially didn't like the H. I was really irritated with the disconnect he seemed to have with his son.
The writing was very well done, don't get me wrong. This just wasn't my cup of tea.
I really really wanted to like this book. I read the description and was immediately drawn in. I love romances that have to do with email/texting. Unfortunately, I kind of had to force myself to finish.
I couldn't really connect with the mc's at all and I especially didn't like the H. I was really irritated with the disconnect he seemed to have with his son.
The writing was very well done, don't get me wrong. This just wasn't my cup of tea.
December 9, 2021
ALL THE STARS. Letters - letters - letters are my kryptonite and this book of letters is PERFECT.
Charlotte Stein and Cara McKenna are go-to erotica authors for me, and NOTHING will sell me faster than an epistolary novel. You would think that a text/email erotica wouldn't hit the way it should, but this is steamy and unforgettable.
Charlotte Stein and Cara McKenna are go-to erotica authors for me, and NOTHING will sell me faster than an epistolary novel. You would think that a text/email erotica wouldn't hit the way it should, but this is steamy and unforgettable.
June 7, 2017
Charlotte Stein and Cara McKenna are go-to authors for me when I’m looking for an edgy, sexy romance and this first collaboration shows their trademark styles combined in one intriguing package. Way Down Deep is an epistolary romance, told entirely in the form of text messages between the hero and the heroine. It’s common to have text messages or email make up part of a novel, but to have the whole story told this way is pretty unique. The result is a super sexy and enthralling romance.
The story begins with a text message to an unknown number, from a depressed writer who never expects the message to be returned. But to the writer’s surprise, someone does reply, a stranger, who tries to send some encouraging words to the initiator of the conversation. It’s gradually revealed which writer is male and which is female, and the slow unveiling of their lives takes place. Malcolm is a single dad, adjusting to being the sole parent of his toddler-aged son, and Maya is a homebound young woman. Can two strangers find companionship and even love from an online relationship?
I loved how this story unfolds, with intimate details given out over time. And then, because they are strangers and sharing things with each other, things take a more dramatic and sexy turn. Soon they’ve got their day and night messages arranged so that at night they can share some of their deep sexual fantasies with each other, while during the day they relay more of the day to day details of their lives.
They both have some trauma in their pasts that has affected them deeply and makes an online friendship one that is safe as it comes without the risk of rejection. But they also develop feelings for each other and come to a point where writing to each other isn’t enough anymore. I don’t want to give away any spoilers as it’s the kind of story you’ll want to experience for yourself. The two writers are distinguished by the use of different font styles which made for a much easier read than I’d anticipated so the story flows smoothly and once started, is hard to put down. The ending suits the story and will leave you satisfied with the romance and the connection between the characters. I would definitely be interested in reading a collaboration by this author duo again!
This review appears at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
A copy of this story was provided via NetGalley for review.
The story begins with a text message to an unknown number, from a depressed writer who never expects the message to be returned. But to the writer’s surprise, someone does reply, a stranger, who tries to send some encouraging words to the initiator of the conversation. It’s gradually revealed which writer is male and which is female, and the slow unveiling of their lives takes place. Malcolm is a single dad, adjusting to being the sole parent of his toddler-aged son, and Maya is a homebound young woman. Can two strangers find companionship and even love from an online relationship?
I loved how this story unfolds, with intimate details given out over time. And then, because they are strangers and sharing things with each other, things take a more dramatic and sexy turn. Soon they’ve got their day and night messages arranged so that at night they can share some of their deep sexual fantasies with each other, while during the day they relay more of the day to day details of their lives.
They both have some trauma in their pasts that has affected them deeply and makes an online friendship one that is safe as it comes without the risk of rejection. But they also develop feelings for each other and come to a point where writing to each other isn’t enough anymore. I don’t want to give away any spoilers as it’s the kind of story you’ll want to experience for yourself. The two writers are distinguished by the use of different font styles which made for a much easier read than I’d anticipated so the story flows smoothly and once started, is hard to put down. The ending suits the story and will leave you satisfied with the romance and the connection between the characters. I would definitely be interested in reading a collaboration by this author duo again!
This review appears at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews: https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
A copy of this story was provided via NetGalley for review.
May 30, 2019
I love to read epistolary novels. Letters, texts, emails. I love it all. The way the characters get to know each other without anything else getting in the way. This particular book was a disappointment. I did enjoy the parts where the MCs are talking, getting to know each other, sharing secrets. Where it failed was in the erotic sexy parts. Malcolm and Maya texting their sexy fantasies sounded like they were narrating their own super sexy sex scene. People just don't talk like that. Do you know who does talk like that? Romance authors. So every time things got sexy between the H and h, I got pulled out of the story thinking about these 2 women authors writing this dialogue that sounded poetic and lyrical and completely unrealistic, especially from the H. It was just so wrong and I skipped over most of it.
The MCs were both broken and their friendship helped them heal. I wish we had spent more time on the friendship and less on the phone sex. The ending was a bit abrupt and I'd say it has a HFN.
This book is entirely text messages. We get zero time with them in the same room having any face to face contact although
The MCs were both broken and their friendship helped them heal. I wish we had spent more time on the friendship and less on the phone sex. The ending was a bit abrupt and I'd say it has a HFN.
This book is entirely text messages. We get zero time with them in the same room having any face to face contact although
June 11, 2017
WTF! Ok just finished 😳
I haven't been able to put this book down. Sigh... I don't even know how many freakin stars to rate this. Because... this was so different from anything I've read. It was so beautiful and touching. The cover is beautiful! The concept was unlike any other. But the end... the end. Somebody get me a drink! I can't even explain. For sure it's a must read. I decided on 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I haven't been able to put this book down. Sigh... I don't even know how many freakin stars to rate this. Because... this was so different from anything I've read. It was so beautiful and touching. The cover is beautiful! The concept was unlike any other. But the end... the end. Somebody get me a drink! I can't even explain. For sure it's a must read. I decided on 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 31, 2024
4.5 :) rounded up because I almost cried at the end and I love an epistolary romance
Read
June 12, 2025DNF @ 17%. I like this in theory, and it started strong, but I personally have no desire to spend a whole book with these particular characters. Not for me etc.
Read
May 31, 2017Eh, great premise. I just couldn't get into it. Probably just me. Moving on...
May 30, 2017
At first- I really, really really liked it.
Mid way- I really liked it
3/4 done- I was over the texting already and wanted them to actually, finally meet. The shtick grew weary.
100% done- I was glad it was over. Didn't like the ending. I hate books that are so open ended. If it is a standalone novel- wrap it up 100%.
The last line of the novel made 100 feelings course through me. One of them righteous anger- serious! That is the last thing!?
Mid way- I really liked it
3/4 done- I was over the texting already and wanted them to actually, finally meet. The shtick grew weary.
100% done- I was glad it was over. Didn't like the ending. I hate books that are so open ended. If it is a standalone novel- wrap it up 100%.
The last line of the novel made 100 feelings course through me. One of them righteous anger- serious! That is the last thing!?
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