Caly's Game

by Trinity_

Caly Arling is a headstrong, independent attorney who has always been the hunter when it came to getting men into bed. As a fat chick, she learned a long time ago to grab her world by the horns. She doesn’t do relationships; she takes what she wants and sends the man on his way.

When Caly meets sexy architect Evan Morrell, her world is thrown topsy-turvy. He doesn’t respond to her advances the way she’s used to men responding—yet he seems interested. Evan pulls her from her game of hunter/prey into his, which includes rope, blindfolds, and spanking benches. Can Caly break old habits in order to explore this powerfully sensual world with a man who inspires her most staggering emotions?

Genres: Romance

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 31, 2015

About the author

Trinity writes realistic kink! Trinity came up in the Atlanta BDSM scene in the mid-90s and has been an active BDSM and poly person for two decades. She’s a kink educator, having traveled the Southeast from the Carolinas to Louisiana, teaching classes about kink and D/s. Her particular passions are protocol, ritual, and rope, which readers will see reflected in her books. And, of course, hot sex! She also loves to attend conventions and conferences, both vanilla writing conferences and kink events. Travel is one of her passions; she’s been to twenty of the fifty states and ten countries outside the United States. Otherwise, she can be found at home with her hubby, who doubles as her muse, and three often temperamental cats

Reviews

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received from the author in exchange for an honest review via the BDSM Group on Goodreads.

I had high hopes for this book from the start, as Caly sounded like my sort of girl. On the larger side, likes being in control, knows what she wants, isn’t afraid to go out and take it. She is successful, confident, but quite happily single. So when someone intriguing comes along and throws her off her game, trying to pull her into his…

Interesting premise, as I’m the kind of girl who likes to be in control, but loves the idea that someone might come along and entice me into something new. Yet, for Caly, she’s completely new to any of those sorts of games, hasn’t the foggiest and, as she’s slowly pulled along into it, she has to decide whether she wants to play Evan’s game or not.

It was slow to start, for me. Even with us being shown Caly playing her “game” in the beginning, it didn’t quite pull me in. Not until we got to meet Evan… Plus there were moments of unnecessary information, like, ‘not much happened today.’ It might be done in a first person narrative style, but even so this is extraneous information that could just be left out.

But, the good points. I like that Caly doesn’t just give in. She’s strong, independent, and lets it show. The storyline itself, the build between Caly and Evan, is certainly not wooden. And Evan himself – it’s great to show that he is caring, that there is far more to him than just his “game”. There were a couple of new things in there for me, which is always fun! Plus there was no holding back on detail in the sex scenes. Once it got going, it was vibrant and fun, and I absolutely loved the ending!

Now this one I do want more of!

Final rating: ★★★★☆ – Really liked

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

This was a nice little read, and a splendid introduction into the BDSM lifestyle.

Caly is an attorney and her free time is spent volunteering at a homeless shelter and on the hunt for new men to play with. She has no intention or desire to settle down with anyone, and she lives for the pursuit. That is until she meets Evan, the architect who is building the new shelter. He is different from anyone she has ever met and she's never sure if she wants to strangle him or sleep with him. He introduces her to his game, where he is in control, and lets her decide if that's what she wants.

Much to Caly's dismay and confusion, it does seem to be what she wants, but can she settle down with a man who drives her crazy in more ways than one?
Expect some bondage, rope work, and spanking, along with delayed orgasms and extremely hot sex. Evan is a splendid Dom, taking control and seducing Caly into the lifestyle without ever forcing her into a decision. Every move is up to her.

There were things I liked about Caly, her volunteer work, her loyalty to job and friends, and her quick tongue, but her predatory nature made it hard to appreciate her at first.

Don't expect great drama or a really complex plot, but if you like hot BDSM romance with lots of sex, this book is for you.

Review copy provided for an honest review.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads Review Team~
Caly is a curvy gal, but she likes to call herself a fat chick. Caly knows what she wants, hunts it, gets it and then moves on. Basically a female player. When Caly meets Evan she wants him, but he doesn’t want to play her game, he wants to play his. So the huntress becomes the hunted and Caly doesn’t like that. Evan’s game is different and he slowly but surely shows her. The chemistry is evident between these two and the sex scenes are hot. I wish we would have gotten to know Evan a little more and heard things from his perspective so I could have gotten more of a connection with his character. This is a steamy summer read for anyone who loves BBW, BDSM and romance.
Characters: well written and easy to relate to
Sex: yes
Religious: no
Would I recommend to others: yes
More than one book in the series: I don’t think so
Genre: BBW/BDSM/Romance
Would I read more by this author: yes
~Wicked Reads Review Team~

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads

I found this to be an interesting and slightly different read. It is told solely from Caly's viewpoint, and at times that is incredibly frustrating - which actually plays into the book perfectly, as that is exactly how she is feeling too! It is so different to the usual introduction to the lifestyle, and so tinged with hot chemistry that draws the reader into the situation and the confusion - very clever.

I know this will be one of those books which sits in my mind for a very long time, and will be reread in the desire to see whether I see it differently when I know the outcome ... even though it wasn't really the kind of book where the outcome was at issue - it was very much about the journey - fascinating read, thank you Trinity!

[Rachael Orman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big girl book and I absolutely loved how it was incorporated into the book where normally you only see thinner girls.

Caly is a huntress. She hunts a man, takes him home and never speaks to him again. Until she becomes the hunted. She doesn't let her weight stop her from enjoying her life or this man who throws her off her game.

I loved the slow steps into BDSM that are taken and the way they are so wonderfully descriptive and pull you right into the scene with emotions. The characters interactions together is just great. They feel real and true to themselves in their actions. There is no surprising, why would they do that? type moments.

It's sexy but not all about sex. It's about trust and finding out what the other wants and if they can work together.

A great book!! Can't wait for more!

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

[Joey Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t really a love story, so I wouldn’t read it with that expectation in mind. It’s an interesting play-by-play of the steps a Dom takes toward setting up the structure with a submissive, in a real-world environment. We get a lot into Caly’s head during the process, seeing a woman who has unacknowledged submissive inclinations become more open to them, thanks to Evan’s patient, experienced and respectful approach. Very good story for someone to read who might be considering embracing this orientation themselves. A little slow-moving and overly detailed on the day-to-day in some parts, which I think would have been helped if the story had been written third person instead of first person. However, still a very good story for someone to read who might be considering embracing this orientation themselves, or just interested to see a healthy example of how it should play out. Since Evan and Caly come back in Trinity’s short stories, that may take the relationship into deeper emotional waters – it would be intriguing to see where that goes!

[2kasmom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caly Arling and Evan Morrell shoot sparks off one another right from the start. Only he thinks they are playing different games. One Caly is playing, the other Evan is playing. It gets confusing but only because their relationship is so complicated.

Caly in the space of one week, has met three very different - but interesting men. She is not sure how to react, since she usually only hooks up once in a while, and does not plan for dating or exclusivity. Then she meets Gary, who is great in bed and makes her laugh. Her friends introduce her to Thomas - who wants to date her. Last is the elusive and always present Evan - who is everywhere lately.

In the past she has always been the huntress. Never wanting to be the hunted. Now she finds herself with choices of men who are changing the way she looks at her love life. Caly is a strong woman, thinks of herself as independent and heavier than the other women she competes with for male attention.

As an attorney, she is used to arguing her point - and winning. As this pertains to her sex life and dating it can be a turnoff. She is learning that in the game of life - all bets are off but she is still young - So Game ON!

Unexpectedly delicious and completely satisfying! This book will make you feel every nerve in your body and make you cheer for the little girls everywhere who think being overweight means they do not get the guy. I was impressed with both the characters and the writing. I also recommend you get yourself a copy to relax in the bubble bath with.



***This ARC copy was given FREE for review purposes by the author and publisher. My humble and honest opinion is completely my own and not a reflection of others.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caly's Game is a sexy, fun book that I enjoyed reading. It has a feisty BBW heroine and a sexy, mysterious hero and the chemistry between them is sizzling. I enjoyed the author's writing style and I was impressed by the realistic way she wrote the BDSM scenes. I also loved that the heroine was a BBW (or in her words a fat chick) and she was confident, sexy and happy with her size.

Caly likes to play a game where she is the huntress stalking her prey - men to take home for the night. She only has one night stands, she doesn't do relationships and she's happy with her life as it is. But the huntress turns into the prey when she meets hunky architect Evan. He plays his own game where he's the one in control. Can Caly play by Evan's rules?

I really enjoyed the power exchange between Caly and Evan. It was fascinating to watch Caly learning about Evan's 'game' and that you can still be a strong woman if you submit to you partner. The sex scenes were wonderfully written and really hot. I really liked the use of bondage, these scenes were so sensual and sexy. The characters are interesting and believable, I loved the chemistry and bond between them.

This is an enjoyable book, although I would have liked it to be a little longer so we could explore Caly and Evan's relationship further. This is the first book I've read by Trinity, but I would definitely read more. Carly's game gets four out of five stars.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

[DebbieReadsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian I Dig Good Books. I recieved this book from Barcaly Publicity in exchange for my personal review.

Caly plays a game, she hunts. She gets what she wants, needs but on her terms, and her way. So when Evan doesn't want to play her game, she is pissed. More so, she is intrigued when he starts talking about HIS game, HIS hunt. The huntress becomes the hunted.

While its fairly obvious what Evan's game is, how he plays his game, its not immediately obvious which way he plays. He is a Dom, that much is very clear, early on, but how he plays his game is soft, and subtle, throwing Caly off at every opportunity. AND I LIKED that! Its not jump straight with the St Andrews Cross, whips and all that. NOPE! soft and subtle, like his rope.

Written from Caly in the first person, I really would like to have heard from Evan. I think he needed his say, especailly when roping Caly up that first time. I needed to hear what was going through his mind. I wanted to know why he choose the words he used when talking to Caly.

Little over an hour reading time for me, but a very pleasurable time, thank you.

Short, sweet and sexy.

4 stars

**same worded review appears on Goodreads, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk**

[HEATHER-LEIGH · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Caly’s Game,” the first book of the Sanctum Series, is a treat for connoisseurs of realistic and respectfully explicit kinky fiction. Readers are introduced to Caly, an independent attorney who knows what she wants, both in the bedroom and in her daily pursuits. Caly is a relatable protagonist; smart and savvy. And she is about to discover she really doesn’t know it all. The question: Is she willing to be vulnerable enough to learn?

An engaging read, Trinity’s debut is just as clever and perceptive as the protagonist herself. The author rises beautifully to the challenge of presenting an accomplished, thoughtful, and downright sexy read that showcases an environment of trust and consent which is panty-soakingly effective and emotionally, exhaustingly honest.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caly Arling is used to playing the game her own way. She is the hunter and almost always gets her prey. When sexy Evan Morrell enters her world, he changes the game entirely. Caly's world turns upside down and sideways. Caly is curious about the world Evan has to offer, but can she leave her old ways behind and embrace this new way to play? Will she ever see the game in the same light again?

This is a HOT read, very well written. Caly is strong and independent, not your normal heroine who needs saving. These are real characters who could be living right next door. Who knows, it could be your friends. It might even turn your world upside down.

[ShayWebbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed borh characters. Both were smart, great vocab, and funny. I liked the way the story progressed. The characters got to know each other feel the side stores suffered, still a good read.

[K. Nilsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I wanted to like this. The book had potential. But sadly, I couldn't get into it.

The reviews were positive. Trinity's Bio was interesting. The blurb was different, a tongue in cheek style of writing which was consistent throughout the book. She is knowledgeable about the BDSM activities. The sex vignettes were hot, but I could read scenes like that on Literotica.

What I read was ballsy, "fat" woman attorney with no personality; pre-occupied with body image. The main character was one dimensional and boring.

About the body image issue, okay it's a BBW, but why should it be elevated to a thing? On the other hand, considering the bdsm activities involved nudity, I can understand mentioning it once, maybe twice tops.

There was a lack of chemistry between the characters. I wish the author would have added Evan's pov to the story. The author had written roughshod over how Caly went from headstrong fat chick to a besotted submissive. Maybe she could have focused a little more on Caly's emotional growth and less on how she felt about her body.