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I'm obsessed with her.
I watch her.
I follow her.
To see her lips move when she talks on the phone.
To see her take down her hair while no one else is watching.
I want to taste her.
Down to her marrow.
Write her onto every cell.
Change the paths of every synapse.
Inhale her.
Convert oxygen into an undiscovered state of matter.
But I'd consume her.
And I could never.
Would never tell her.

Force Majeure takes us on a lustful journey of near obsession, past the normal niceties of sex and romance, and into the intricate mind of Jeff Rainier. A mind both complex and simple. He knows the rules, but doesn't always want to understand them.

Evan Monroe was looking for more in her life, but was unconvinced there was such a thing. She was bored, and unnecessarily jaded. But, she'd try anything once; twice if you begged.

Jeff Rainier turned out to be a force that was almost too hard for her to handle.

Force Majeure is a novel that tries to define love, but only confuses the matter.

Unknown Binding

First published August 31, 2013

7 people are currently reading
112 people want to read

About the author

Arden Aoide

48 books198 followers
Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ardenaoide.com/connect/

Arden Aoide lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and three cats. Turn ons include men who cry during sex, long walks on the beach, and talking about herself in the third person. Turn offs include mean people and trying to figure out how to write an interesting author bio.

She doesn't write about the typical men you normally read about in erotic romance novels. She likes her men brainy and just this side of manic.

She's an introvert, she loves coffee, Internet, British television, and pot stickers. And pie. She loves pie.



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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for MrsJoseph *grouchy*.
1,010 reviews82 followers
January 26, 2018
http://bookslifewine.com/r-force-maje...


force majeure (noun force ma·jeure \ˌfȯrs-mä-ˈzhər, -mə-\)
1: superior or irresistible force
2: an event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled


I am quite at a loss for words with this one. But I really, really liked it! I reminds me a lot of The Theory of Attraction in that Jeff, like Ivan, is a "nerd Dom." Except Jeff doesn't appear to be as well adjusted as Ivan - although the reader never gets Ivan's POV in The Theory of Attraction unlike Force Majeure.

Jeff is different. He's incredibly smart - maybe too smart? His brain works too fast and he gets panic attacks. Jeff has all sorts of quirks: he stutters, especially when nervous - and he has a really bad tendency to say the wrong thing or say something cruel. But Jeff is a pretty nice guy with an interesting set of kinks. Jeff is a dominate in the bedroom but he is not an Alpha Male, which I truly enjoyed. Every man who likes to pull your hair and smack your ass (or tie you up and flog you, lol) isn't an "alpha male." Bedroom domination doesn't always equate to a domineering attitude.

Jeff also has a love for The Little Prince that made me fall in love with him a little, too. There's a scene where Jeff had to apologize to a friend of his for being jerk and he sends to her the scene from The Little Prince where the fox teaches the little Prince to tame him. Oh my. I got a little teary eyed.

Evan was a little harder to get a bead on. She wasn't a submissive in the classic sense that [most] people think of.


The more Jeff watched her, the more he realized that she wasn’t the submissive type. Her face was tilted upward, even if her eyes were closed. He could push her to her knees, but she would never truly kneel. Hell, she’d been on her knees, but he was under no illusions who was really running the show. He could tie her up, and she wouldn’t fight the restraints, nor would she look defiant. Her eyes would be closed, and she would be smiling.
- Force Majeure




Evan has a desire to be forced - to be used as an object for someone's depravity. The terrifying part for Jeff was that Evan wanted and trusted him to take her. Evan reveled in the fact that such an intelligent man as Jeff could expend so much emotional energy on her. Reveled.



Evan felt a surge of arousal unlike any she’d felt before. She has had this brilliant man’s attention on her for so long. Her. Evan Monroe. He’d been watching her every move and wanting her. It was almost too much.

She always knew that she wasn’t the type to be doted on. Coveted, though. That was sublime. Just imagining him watching her while she dated other men and kept his distance, and kept on, spoke of a self-control that she couldn’t fathom. She would do anything to keep his interest trained on her.
- Force Majeure


While it was a little hard to get a bead on Evan, I really liked her. And I liked her strength. Her ability to face not only her fears but Jeff's fears, too. Evan has had few relationships and she was never really attached to any of the men she dated previously. In fact, she rarely dated due to her inability to deal with people long term. Evan's feeling for Jeff were difficult for her to parse: she realized she wanted him and cared for him but couldn't put her finger on why. The need she felt - for his attention, his presence - almost made Evan feel panicky but she went after Jeff regardless.

Unlike The Theory of Attraction, the reader spends a lot of time in Jeff's head. Being in Jeff's head - especially when he's feeling agitated - added a lot of tension to this read. I could feel Jeff's insecurities and frustrations - and his love of the word "fuck," lol. I would get irritated with Jeff when he shortchanged himself or Evan. But Jeff felt oh, so real. I was right there with him when he realized that Evan would either bring to life his most hidden fantasy or she would destroy him whole.

My copy of Force Majeure is actually part of the Healing Submission: Tales of Hurt and Comfort Boxed Set which is no longer available. I have to say that I don't know what encouraged me to read Force Majeure but I am so glad I did. Prior to reading Force Majeure I had plans on DNF'ing Healing Submission - I'd read a couple of the other entries and was starting to feel a bit alarmed. But Force Majeure really gives me hope. And I'm pretty desperate to read the other books in the Apprivoisé series - Ms Aoide really caught my attention with this one! Once again, we have an Anthology book WIN. :-D I love finding new authors that fix my attention like this.

Profile Image for Epicbookaddict.
711 reviews12 followers
January 3, 2015
I've started to write this review so many times and end up walking away only to re-read chapters. There is something about Jeff that is....
and here is where I start to stumble. It's not so much about the sex (albeit the sex is hot) but more about his compulsion and the extreme control he's learned to exercise so he can try and compete/exist with 'normal'. The genuine RAW honesty with which he faces life, his suspicions nature of anyone who befriends him, the lack of filter; even the lack of caring that he doesn't have the 'filtering' ability that most use but he has the understanding that most people want or need that in a partner/friend/lover. I don't have all the right words to describe the complexities I got from this character.

I'll try to tamp down my jealousy long enough to write something short about Evan. She is smart, determined, unyielding in what she wants, patient when she needs to be and just kinky enough to be a perfect match for Jeff. (whew that last little tidbit was hard to type out)

Dahlia has a big presence in this book and her overwhelming need to nurture is consistent throughout. I have really liked her character throughout the series but I found myself thinking she was to perfect a friend in this book. I suppose most wish for a friend that can be so unbiased and available as she is to Jeff. It's not that I expected her to judge or reprimand, she was just there..always.... Having said that I also love the fact that that is who she is, she hasn't changed from one story to another only my perspective has changed. I think the annoyance I felt for Dahlia was supposed to be there because it helped me identify with Evan. I was a little jealous and catty along with Evan at Jeff's need to consult with Dahlia. Then on the other side of the coin I was so happy that Jeff had someone he could turn to that would be honest with him and help him to find the security he needed to move forward.

One thing I feel important to add and a little odd about is my complete inability to give you a description of the character's physical appearances. I know Dahlia has curly hair, Jeff has an attractively careless appearance and Evan has long hair. When I read the first book in this series I found it odd that I was so involved in the story that I hadn't registered the character's descriptions. The descriptions are there, I know that because I've re-read it just doesn't matter. The soul of the character's came through so strongly I found myself indifferent to what they may look like. Odd you say...hell yea but "that's the way.. uh-hu, uh-hu I like it, uh-hu, uh-hu.

oh, one more thing: I loved the constant inner dialogue, train of thought from Jeff. There were times I had to go back and read a sentence or text to clarify if it was in his head or if it was spoken. For one thing he is fucking hilarious and it really helps you 'get' his mind, how he second guesses what he should say, that he may be insecure, how filthy his mind is (yum!)
Example of his hotness: during a texting session with Evan, she asks:
"What else have you got going for you?"

One of the things he says:"I can drive a standard and fix computers"...
.........One of the things he thinks to himself: I can kiss you until you can't breathe.

I'm pretty sure I stop breathing every time I read that particular chapter.
Profile Image for Red Cheeks Reads.
2,279 reviews373 followers
August 18, 2014


Force Majeure was so stiflingly…sweet! I was bursting. The story of Jeff and Evan makes me think about, if I may be so bold to compare, as Amy and Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Jeff has many idiosyncrasies and he is a genius. He works in the IT department of the same bank as Alex and he also frequents Club Dishabille. He used the Club before to basically ensure that there wasn’t any touching between him and his partner. He can’t handle the intense stimuli that comes with having sex. But being a ‘Dom’ is not really who he is. He is the type of person that sees in absolutes. In black and white. He is 100% honest about everything, He can’t comprehend why people would lie.
He is infatuated with a girl from work, Evan. He is extremely observant, and pays attention when she visits Club Dishabille. She always seems to try different kinks, with different men, but she doesn’t settle. She’s clearly looking for something. Jeff would never even begin to believe that he could have all his fantasies fulfilled with taking Evan. But that’s exactly it. He does and she becomes completely enamored. Yes, he is ‘weird’, but that’s what she wants. She wants to be the object of someone’s affection. She’s not really a sub, much like Jeff is not really a Dom, but they both find that little bit that satisfies within each other.
The sex between these two is off the charts hot. They are very imaginative and the intensity with which Jeff feels, takes your breath away. He wants to do right by Evan. To be her fantasy come true. He is scared to death of messing up. The genuineness displayed between these two is humbling. They are my favorite couple out of the three.
Tame is a beautiful compilation of some amazing couples. They all have their kinks, their idiosyncrasies. They are all getting to a point in their lives where they know who they are, and what they do and don’t want out of life. They are all both bold and scared. They are certainly relatable. Arden does such an amazing job of creating characters that are so multi-faceted that you are left yearning to have a conversation with them. The dialogue is brilliant, as is the texting and the book references. Everything comes together full circle for these amazing couples; these amazing friends.

5 SMOOCHES
~Nicole
RCR Bloggerette
Profile Image for JC (Jen).
248 reviews8 followers
September 18, 2013
This story had my full attention from page one! I absolutely loved the first two books and could not wait to see what this one had in store. Of course I was not let down, this was an amazing book! I knew from book two that Jeff was going to be a key player in book 3 and I wasn’t sure how it would work out but it did! I think this is the best one yet! To see Jeff grow and overcome his issues was so inspiring. Having Dahlia be there for him and help him through, it was great to see that friendship unfold. Evan and Dahlia were both so patient and honest, which in turn gives him the confidence to live his life. I like that the slight jealousy of Jeff and Dahlia’s friendship from Evan was added, it made the story feel more real, in my head I was thinking how Evan could get the wrong impression of them and then it was there, not a single detail was missing! In the end I was so happy to see that Jeff was able to face one of his biggest issues (Sabrina) in stride, it shows just how far he had come. And of course I love the style of writing in these books, as in the main characters change from book to book but they are still there for us to see everything unfold. The flow is great! Of course the sex was great, so spontaneous and adventurous, Evan and Jeff have found their perfect soul mates. Each other. Evan gives Jeff what he needs and has the patience to help him through, he is so delicate, I just fell in love with Jeff’s character. Jeff is great for Evan and gives her all the things she needs in a relationship. In conclusion I highly recommend this book, it is a great read!! Wish I could give it more than 5 stars!!
Profile Image for A..
Author 0 books10 followers
March 8, 2014
Geek-o-rama, check! Libertine-o-licious, check! Kink-o-scrumptious, check! This hot little read checked all my Lustful Thought-o-meter lists. I really got my get my Geek-O-Kink on!

Evan Monroe is a sexy little siren and bit of a rough and dirty kind of libertinette. When I pictured her I think of a young Lady Godiva! She doesn't know how to ask for what she wants in the bedroom instead she tries to show them and all she ends up with is notches on her bedpost.

Jeff Rainier is a socially awkward, genius IQ bearing IT geek. His general state of unease with life is so heartbreaking I just want to pull him close and kiss the stutter right off his lips. He may not know how to communicate in words but when he communicates in the physical sense, WOWZERS, he can burn some calories of your....

When these two come together is like a who's in control, touch me, don't touch me, freaky, dizzy carnival ride and I never wanted to get of it.

Can't wait to sink my teeth into more of Arden Aoide's freaky, geeky, cheeky and amusing reads!
Profile Image for LAKristy.
253 reviews39 followers
October 10, 2014
Well written with several editing issues. There are some strange inconsistencies with perspectives switching mid paragraph, but it's distracting, not irritating. This is a stand-alone book with no cliffhanger.

The third installment in this series is another interesting fringe story of two people with poor social skills -- although each is lacking in a different way. The message of hope that there really is someone for everyone and that patience and acceptance cannot be overrated is well illustrated. It's an oddly gentle exploration of two people who need some delicate emotional support for their not-so-delicate kinks.

As with the prior books, very little of this book occurs in a public club setting. This book explores the sensitive topics of dating a co-worker, pining versus stalking, the art of an apology, and the real purpose of a safe word. Because the people involved in this romance are so unusual, the BDSM is simultaneously familiar and unusual.

Strongly recommended for anyone interested in the BDSM genre.
Profile Image for Mary Mooney.
2,539 reviews59 followers
September 21, 2013
I received a copy from the author for my honest review, so here it is. This is the third book of the Apprivoise' series and it is good. It started out a little slow for me but picked up after a few chapters. The sex was hot bur didn't seem to be as much as the first to books. Dahlia was her usual self helping others and Jeff needed her help. Both Jeff and Evan had not been getting what they needed sexually until they found each other. He has been watching her since she started working where he was working. They were drawn to each other but not knowing it. After the first date, they were both ready for more but it really freaked Jeff out and Evan was patient with him and she gladly gave him what he needed. The ending was perfect since Sabrina (the ex-girlfriend) over hears Dahlia and Evan talking about Jeff and she can not believe what she is hearing. Love Arden Aoide's writing style, she really knows how to tell a story.
Profile Image for Kayla.
46 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2013
I was provided a copy of this for my honest opinion. I wasn't sure what to think about it when I first started reading it, but I love it. It took me a few minutes to remember how Jeff fit in with the group from disabille, but once I did everything seem to go together. Jeff's ex-girlfriend screwed him up mentally and it takes Dehlia and Evan and a lot of honesty to get him to trust again and the sex between Evan and Jeff WOW, the kink is definetly there.
Profile Image for Marci.
278 reviews
October 10, 2013
omg this was good, i love that you were able to use a character that in some eyes would have a disability and make him human. it's not your standard hunk perfect male, but he is human and a person can relate to him. i love that he is able to find love. every page offers you a great flow of the characters. i love the relationship that they all share.
Profile Image for Jules The Book Junkie Reviews.
1,604 reviews97 followers
February 29, 2020
Aoide's Force Majeure is well paced and filled with interesting characters. The anticipation within the story and between the characters slowly builds. Readers will not be disappointed in this rich and fulfilling story of two unique people, a nerd and a commitment-phobe, who find fulfillment with each other.
I strongly recommend.
Profile Image for Ashlee.
178 reviews6 followers
April 12, 2019
I wasn't keen to read about Evan because I didn't know much about her from previous two books in the series but I was pleasantly surprised! I love her dynamic with Jeff and how they just go for it! Again this one ended a bit abruptly but maybe I just didn't want it to end because it was so good?
Profile Image for Yahaira.
557 reviews55 followers
June 4, 2017
This is my favorite one so far but I have to admit Dahlia is one amazing woman and I'm glad she is in all the books.

Give this series a try!
Profile Image for Katerina.
318 reviews27 followers
August 6, 2016

I am confused and sad because of my own rating...

Force Majeure is the third and final installment in the Apprivoisé Trio and it´s the one I enjoyed less than the first two.
But let´s start at the beginning, shall we?

Jeff, our protagonist, was briefly mentioned in Club Dishabille as being a friend of Alex. He had an appearance in Morphoses, when he came upon Alex and Dahlia at the club while he stalked Evan.
Evan has been his secret crush from the day she began working for the same company as Jeff. After he found out that she frequented the fetish club, he started to follow her there on every occasion, but could never work up the courage to approach her.
This changes after he talks with Dahlia.

Jeff seems to have a form of autism, which has him having massive problems to function under stress and in society. He freaks out when he gets emotionally overwhelmed and he stutters.
Dahlia somehow reminds him of his mother, the one and only person he has an emotional bond with. And because of Dahlia´s similarly attentive and protective behavior, he starts to open up to her.

If I continue to retell the plot, I will possibly spoil the whole story for future readers.
And therefore, I only want to mention what my issues have been while reading this.

Jeff!
And Dahlia..!

Jeff seems like the perfect character when you have a proclivity for weird and awkward characters. Which I have!
But following his constant train of thoughts was completely overwhelming and took a lot of focus. In my opinion, he saw himself a Dom not because of what this title entails but for the reason that this position seemed to provide him with the most comfort during intimate encounters.

I started to dislike Dahlia in this part of the series.
Her motherly behavior towards everyone started grating on my nerves and she had too large a part in this story, when the only thing I was interested in was Jeff and Evan´s blossoming relationship.
Unfortunately "Jeff and Evan together" happened too sparsely for my liking and was clouded by Dahlia´s constant presence. Not during their encounters as "in the flesh", but as an all present thought of Jeff and for the fact that she became his personal consultant in "all things Evan".

In conclusion, I want to add that the story of "The little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has a major role in all the three parts of this trilogy.
Every story begins with a quote from it, which fits perfectly in there.
The story of the prince gets more important in Force Majeure because it is Jeff´s favorite book and he likes to quote from it whenever he seems fit.
I have to say that all the quotes indeed are perfect here as something which tie the stories together.











Profile Image for Debbie.
2,696 reviews49 followers
June 6, 2014
This series has some pretty hot scenes and I really like the characters. Jeff is a computer nerd who works with Alex. He's been in love/lust with Evan since he first laid eyes on her, but is too shy to ask her out. So he follows her for months and observes her from afar. Finally Alex asks him to a party in front of her and tells him to bring a date. This is his chance, and she agrees.

They start an unsteady relationship that quickly moves forward. Like Dahlia and Alex, they have some pretty hot and informative texts, which I loved. Jeff has a number of anxiety issues and he likes more pain with his pleasure, but Evan is agreeable to this and everything works for them well. I liked Jeff's character and the way he comes across so unsure of himself and child like. Yet he is brutally honest and really a sweetheart. Evan is a great character as well. She's been looking for someone and realizes quickly that person is Jeff. She's really gentle with him and you'll find yourself pulling for their HEA.

Overall, it's a good book with fun characters.
Profile Image for Jen Cousineau.
Author 11 books343 followers
March 19, 2014
I was gifted a copy by the author for an honest review. I actually wasn't fully sold on this series based off of the first book. I felt that a few of the characters were under-developed and that, that particular story wasn't finished. Going on to read part 2 and 3 - my thoughts changed. The character development became deeper - and the way that Arden ties all three stories together was done creatively and in a way to pull me in more. I personally feel that part 3 appealed to me most. But then again - maybe I like the quirkiness to Jeff. Definitely worth the reads!
Profile Image for Carrie.
162 reviews31 followers
April 28, 2014
Evan and Jeff WOW, the kink is definitely there. It is really nice to see an author is able to use a character that in some eyes would have a disability and make him human. It's not your standard hunk perfect male, but he is human and a person can relate to him.

I will be looking forward to more from this author.
Profile Image for Chande.
239 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2014
I have read all three books in the series and this one is the best. I just love Jeff with all his little quirks. Had a very hard time putting this book down I read it in one day . It will keep your interest paid at the page.
1,554 reviews2 followers
November 27, 2014
Loved Jeff's character. I can relate to a character who is a little bit awkward and unsure of himself. I just wish the story was longer !!
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