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Certain Requirements
Phoenix Gomez wants nothing more than to be a full-time aerial dancer, and after years of hard work, her dream is coming true. That’s until her Oakland rent spikes and her roommate moves across the country with his boyfriend. Desperate for a way to make a living, she accepts a position with a woman looking for a live-in submissive. Phoenix has always kept her love of kinky submission strictly behind the bedroom door and inside the bounds of romantic relationships, until she meets Kris Andersen.
Why would Kris--a dapper butch, seasoned dominant, and tech hotshot--be interested in such an arrangement? Because in her rigidly ordered life, she has no time to fall in love. When Phoenix challenges the rules Kris thought she wanted, their connection grows only to be put to the test when Phoenix’s career threatens to take her away from the Bay.
Why would Kris--a dapper butch, seasoned dominant, and tech hotshot--be interested in such an arrangement? Because in her rigidly ordered life, she has no time to fall in love. When Phoenix challenges the rules Kris thought she wanted, their connection grows only to be put to the test when Phoenix’s career threatens to take her away from the Bay.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2018
19 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Elinor Zimmerman
1 book6 followersElinor Zimmerman once performed trapeze and lyra hoop under the name Elinor Radical. Today she spends her time writing instead. Her work has appeared in the anthology Unspeakably Erotic: Lesbian Kink and The Lesbrary. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her wife, kid, and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 23, 2018
3.25 Stars. I thought this was slightly better than okay, but I didn’t connect to it like I hoped. I’m not a big BDSM fan, but I don’t mind it. As long as it is pain for pleasure and not pain just to cause pain, I’m okay with it. This book fit into that first category and the actual premise was interesting, but something was a little off for me.
Phoenix is an aerial dance looking to move into dancing full time. She has finally saved up her money so she can afford to only dance or teach dance. With the sudden notice of a rent increase and her roommate moving, all of her dreams seem to be crumbling. When Phoenix hears Kris, a friend of a friend, is looking for a live in submissive/household caretaker, this could be the answer to all of her problems. Will this pay to play situation work out of will feelings get involved?
First I want to mention, I loved Phoenix’s job as an aerial performer. I have been lucky enough to see some performances in Las Vegas and it is absolutely mesmerizing. It was such an interesting job for a character to have and I really enjoyed those parts. If anything I could have used even more.
This book is in first person so everything is seen through Phoenix’s eyes. I actual like first person, but in this case I don’t think it worked as well. I really struggled with any sort of connection with Kris. She was a very dull character half the time and not knowing what she was thinking didn’t help. I didn’t feel like she was a main character. I like when an author can write in first person but still make it feel like you know the other main.
Here comes the part that really surprised me, I did not care for the sex scenes. They were fine, but they were not steamy to me which was shocking. You know when there are certain books you have to be careful not to read in public? For me I learned do not read a Meghan O’Brien book, at work, on my lunch break. It is just too hot and steamy. This is what I expected in this book, and I didn’t get it. I felt almost numb reading it. I’m all for steamy and like I said I’m fine with BDSM, but these scenes just didn’t move me. I felt very detached. I don’t know if it was the first person or not connecting to Kris, but I was disappointed.
I want to make clear; I seem to be a bit of an outlier here. Other reviewers really enjoyed this book, and many thought the sex scenes were very steamy. I wish I could say the same. My suggestion is if the premise sounds good to you give the book a try. Hopefully you will enjoy it more than I did. I would be willing to give this author another read.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
Phoenix is an aerial dance looking to move into dancing full time. She has finally saved up her money so she can afford to only dance or teach dance. With the sudden notice of a rent increase and her roommate moving, all of her dreams seem to be crumbling. When Phoenix hears Kris, a friend of a friend, is looking for a live in submissive/household caretaker, this could be the answer to all of her problems. Will this pay to play situation work out of will feelings get involved?
First I want to mention, I loved Phoenix’s job as an aerial performer. I have been lucky enough to see some performances in Las Vegas and it is absolutely mesmerizing. It was such an interesting job for a character to have and I really enjoyed those parts. If anything I could have used even more.
This book is in first person so everything is seen through Phoenix’s eyes. I actual like first person, but in this case I don’t think it worked as well. I really struggled with any sort of connection with Kris. She was a very dull character half the time and not knowing what she was thinking didn’t help. I didn’t feel like she was a main character. I like when an author can write in first person but still make it feel like you know the other main.
Here comes the part that really surprised me, I did not care for the sex scenes. They were fine, but they were not steamy to me which was shocking. You know when there are certain books you have to be careful not to read in public? For me I learned do not read a Meghan O’Brien book, at work, on my lunch break. It is just too hot and steamy. This is what I expected in this book, and I didn’t get it. I felt almost numb reading it. I’m all for steamy and like I said I’m fine with BDSM, but these scenes just didn’t move me. I felt very detached. I don’t know if it was the first person or not connecting to Kris, but I was disappointed.
I want to make clear; I seem to be a bit of an outlier here. Other reviewers really enjoyed this book, and many thought the sex scenes were very steamy. I wish I could say the same. My suggestion is if the premise sounds good to you give the book a try. Hopefully you will enjoy it more than I did. I would be willing to give this author another read.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
May 17, 2018
I find it really difficult to leave negative reviews and I particularly hate doing it for debut authors, but if I’m honest, there isn’t much I liked about this book. Spoiler alert: at the end of this review, I will not be recommending ‘Certain Requirements.’
This author’s writing style and I just didn’t mix. This is told in first person POV and I didn’t like the narrator even a little bit. Phoenix is a 20-something aerial dancer who moves in to Kris’ house as a live-in submissive when her best friend/roommate moves across the country and she can no longer afford the rent on her own. This is actually a good setup for a book I’d like to read, which is why I decided to give it a go even after reading some less than stellar reviews.
One of the main problems is that I didn’t care for either character, so that starts everything off a bit rocky anyway. Phoenix is a 27 year old with the emotional maturity of a teenager and Kris is a workaholic who, at 36, is still reeling over the one and only relationship she ever had in college. Basically, both of these adult women lack an understanding of self and it doesn’t really improve much by the end.
Phoenix and kris don’t spend time together unless it’s scheduled play time (8:30pm, like clockwork 6 days a week), so there’s no room to form emotional attachments because their relationship is basically about sex. Once they started talking to one another, though, the conversations they did have felt rather surface level. It didn’t create a feeling of intimacy and I therefore never cared what happened to them. At 81% complete, I would have expected a need for closure, but I really just wanted to be finished, so I speed read through it.
Phe and Kris did start talking about their feelings somewhere around the 90% mark, but it didn’t come across as sincere because for a great part of this book the characters did nothing except avoid one another unless they were having sex. When did they fall in love and why wasn’t the reader allowed to experience that? Phoenix readily admits that she has confused sex and love in the past and it doesn’t seem like much has changed for her in this relationship. More than anything I think these two were just comfortable with their distant, but convenient, arrangement and wanted to keep it going.
While this is technically an erotic romance, the sex felt mechanical and cold and was honestly brushed over for the most part. It wasn’t necessarily fade-to-black, but it wasn’t really detailed, either. It was just kind of there in case the reader forgot that dynamic of their relationship.
There are a slew of side characters here to offer advice to our protagonist. Oddly, I didn’t like them either and didn’t feel like they offered much support in the way of friendship. Sasha, Phoenix’s aerial partner and friend, in particular was self-serving and judgmental. I’m pretty sure if she had to throw Phe under a bus to advance her career, she’d gladly start the engine of said bus and run Phoenix over herself.
So, yeah, overall, not a fan. I can’t recommend this because the content wasn’t all that pleasurable, but also because it just didn’t flow well, either. A span of ten months pass and it felt like a week. I really think this read like a diary rather than a story, which is likely because of the first person POV. Generally, this perspective is one of my favorites if done well, but I didn’t think it helped this storyline at all.
I’m giving this 2* because it’s grammatically written better (though it still has many issues peppered throughout) than some books I’ve given only 1*.
This author’s writing style and I just didn’t mix. This is told in first person POV and I didn’t like the narrator even a little bit. Phoenix is a 20-something aerial dancer who moves in to Kris’ house as a live-in submissive when her best friend/roommate moves across the country and she can no longer afford the rent on her own. This is actually a good setup for a book I’d like to read, which is why I decided to give it a go even after reading some less than stellar reviews.
One of the main problems is that I didn’t care for either character, so that starts everything off a bit rocky anyway. Phoenix is a 27 year old with the emotional maturity of a teenager and Kris is a workaholic who, at 36, is still reeling over the one and only relationship she ever had in college. Basically, both of these adult women lack an understanding of self and it doesn’t really improve much by the end.
Phoenix and kris don’t spend time together unless it’s scheduled play time (8:30pm, like clockwork 6 days a week), so there’s no room to form emotional attachments because their relationship is basically about sex. Once they started talking to one another, though, the conversations they did have felt rather surface level. It didn’t create a feeling of intimacy and I therefore never cared what happened to them. At 81% complete, I would have expected a need for closure, but I really just wanted to be finished, so I speed read through it.
Phe and Kris did start talking about their feelings somewhere around the 90% mark, but it didn’t come across as sincere because for a great part of this book the characters did nothing except avoid one another unless they were having sex. When did they fall in love and why wasn’t the reader allowed to experience that? Phoenix readily admits that she has confused sex and love in the past and it doesn’t seem like much has changed for her in this relationship. More than anything I think these two were just comfortable with their distant, but convenient, arrangement and wanted to keep it going.
While this is technically an erotic romance, the sex felt mechanical and cold and was honestly brushed over for the most part. It wasn’t necessarily fade-to-black, but it wasn’t really detailed, either. It was just kind of there in case the reader forgot that dynamic of their relationship.
There are a slew of side characters here to offer advice to our protagonist. Oddly, I didn’t like them either and didn’t feel like they offered much support in the way of friendship. Sasha, Phoenix’s aerial partner and friend, in particular was self-serving and judgmental. I’m pretty sure if she had to throw Phe under a bus to advance her career, she’d gladly start the engine of said bus and run Phoenix over herself.
So, yeah, overall, not a fan. I can’t recommend this because the content wasn’t all that pleasurable, but also because it just didn’t flow well, either. A span of ten months pass and it felt like a week. I really think this read like a diary rather than a story, which is likely because of the first person POV. Generally, this perspective is one of my favorites if done well, but I didn’t think it helped this storyline at all.
I’m giving this 2* because it’s grammatically written better (though it still has many issues peppered throughout) than some books I’ve given only 1*.
April 18, 2018
I think this must be the loneliest romance I’ve read in a long time. Phoenix has finally resigned from her boring office job to pursue her dream – being a full-time aerial dancer. She’s worked hard for years, saved whatever she could, built up contacts and lined up some teaching gigs only to find her rent has been increased. Not only that, her housemate (and best friend) tells her he is moving out. While trying to figure out if she has to get her job back, another friend tells her of a woman who wants a live-in submissive – a scenario which could solve Phoenix’s problem. Phoenix is submissive but has only ever played within a relationship so she’s not entirely sure this will work for her but she makes contact anyway.
Kris is a workaholic, suit-and-tie wearing lesbian dominant who has no interest in a relationship. Her house keeper is retiring so she needs someone to do housework and as an added bonus be available to play for an hour, five nights a week. In exchange, Phoenix gets accommodation, the use of a car and her own free time to pursue her dreams. With some of the finer details of the agreement worked out, Phoenix moves in.
This is written in first person from Phoenix’s point of view so a little distance from Kris is to be expected but the first 30% is just cold. Kris is barely present and the occasional on-page sexual encounter is just sex, no intimacy. They don’t see each other or really talk to each other beyond the contract. It’s not until halfway through that they have a meaningful interaction that isn’t just business. Kris remains emotionally shut-down and physically distant for most of the book so I found it difficult to empathise or connect with her.
I had a much better understanding of Phoenix. I liked that she, and her family, didn’t fit the stereotype. Her thoughts were well-expressed and she came across as a complex three dimensional character. Aerial dancing takes incredible strength, agility and flexibility (and that’s just to prevent you from hanging yourself) and I’m sorry that there weren’t more expressions of the physical demands of the training and performance.
I enjoyed the last 40% of Certain Requirements and I will read more by Zimmerman because I liked the premise. I’ve read Close Edge too which is beautifully erotic, in part due to the characters’ emotional connection, and it’s that eroticism and connection that is lacking in this novel.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Kris is a workaholic, suit-and-tie wearing lesbian dominant who has no interest in a relationship. Her house keeper is retiring so she needs someone to do housework and as an added bonus be available to play for an hour, five nights a week. In exchange, Phoenix gets accommodation, the use of a car and her own free time to pursue her dreams. With some of the finer details of the agreement worked out, Phoenix moves in.
This is written in first person from Phoenix’s point of view so a little distance from Kris is to be expected but the first 30% is just cold. Kris is barely present and the occasional on-page sexual encounter is just sex, no intimacy. They don’t see each other or really talk to each other beyond the contract. It’s not until halfway through that they have a meaningful interaction that isn’t just business. Kris remains emotionally shut-down and physically distant for most of the book so I found it difficult to empathise or connect with her.
I had a much better understanding of Phoenix. I liked that she, and her family, didn’t fit the stereotype. Her thoughts were well-expressed and she came across as a complex three dimensional character. Aerial dancing takes incredible strength, agility and flexibility (and that’s just to prevent you from hanging yourself) and I’m sorry that there weren’t more expressions of the physical demands of the training and performance.
I enjoyed the last 40% of Certain Requirements and I will read more by Zimmerman because I liked the premise. I’ve read Close Edge too which is beautifully erotic, in part due to the characters’ emotional connection, and it’s that eroticism and connection that is lacking in this novel.
Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
March 25, 2021
When I read the synopsis I knew this was a book I had to read. All the elements were definitely ticking all my Certain Requirements.
Phoenix is following her dream of being a full time aerial dancer until she finds out her financial status is on shaky ground. Her friend suggests she take up a position as a live in submissive, especially since it’s just the kind of kink she enjoys. Straight from the first meeting, Phoenix knows that she will enjoy being dominated by handsome, dashing and rich Kris. It’s the perfect scenario, that is if she can just keep her feelings in check.
This storyline was my fantasy come to life… I mean hot butch, who enjoys kink and has a sensitive side! I am so glad I picked up this book.
I loved the character dynamic especially, Kris. She had all the characteristics of a character I enjoy immensely but more to the point, I really liked the moments she was teaching phoenix about the BDSM scene and protocol. The sex between these characters was off the chart and I can’t emphasize that enough… It was seriously smokin’ hot.
I was a little disappointed at the ending to be honest. It felt a little rushed and not fleshed out enough (excuse the pun). If this were a series I would have ignored that part because the story would continue and if this is the case, I am happy to change my rating but as a solo novel I felt the ending was hasty.
I really enjoyed this novel and I am excited about what Elinor Zimmerman writes next. I am really hoping it’s another kinky one.
4 stars
Phoenix is following her dream of being a full time aerial dancer until she finds out her financial status is on shaky ground. Her friend suggests she take up a position as a live in submissive, especially since it’s just the kind of kink she enjoys. Straight from the first meeting, Phoenix knows that she will enjoy being dominated by handsome, dashing and rich Kris. It’s the perfect scenario, that is if she can just keep her feelings in check.
This storyline was my fantasy come to life… I mean hot butch, who enjoys kink and has a sensitive side! I am so glad I picked up this book.
I loved the character dynamic especially, Kris. She had all the characteristics of a character I enjoy immensely but more to the point, I really liked the moments she was teaching phoenix about the BDSM scene and protocol. The sex between these characters was off the chart and I can’t emphasize that enough… It was seriously smokin’ hot.
I was a little disappointed at the ending to be honest. It felt a little rushed and not fleshed out enough (excuse the pun). If this were a series I would have ignored that part because the story would continue and if this is the case, I am happy to change my rating but as a solo novel I felt the ending was hasty.
I really enjoyed this novel and I am excited about what Elinor Zimmerman writes next. I am really hoping it’s another kinky one.
4 stars
August 7, 2021
For a story built around a Dominant/submissive relationship, this has more angst and less kink than I expected.
Phoenix wants to further her career as an aerial dancer, and to make ends meet she accepts a position as a paid submissive/maid, under which she receives room and board in exchange for light household duties and participation in D/s scenes with Kris, her housemate/landlady/employer. Lines are soon crossed and "feelings" happen and both women have to overcome fear borne of past messy relationships.
In terms of their arrangement, Phoenix and Kris only interact during daily D/s sessions. The sex here is plentiful but I didn't find it as erotic as some reviewers have suggested, as Phoenix tends to be wrapped up in her own thoughts and/or dropping into "subspace", and hers is the only viewpoint. The exception to this is an encounter with Ray, a non-binary submissive who joins them one evening for an off-the-charts hot scene.
Author Elinor Zimmerman is herself a former aerialist, and I enjoyed her descriptions of the art. This appears to be her only published work to date. I don't often wish for spinoffs but if Ray were to get their own novel I'd be very excited to read it.
Phoenix wants to further her career as an aerial dancer, and to make ends meet she accepts a position as a paid submissive/maid, under which she receives room and board in exchange for light household duties and participation in D/s scenes with Kris, her housemate/landlady/employer. Lines are soon crossed and "feelings" happen and both women have to overcome fear borne of past messy relationships.
In terms of their arrangement, Phoenix and Kris only interact during daily D/s sessions. The sex here is plentiful but I didn't find it as erotic as some reviewers have suggested, as Phoenix tends to be wrapped up in her own thoughts and/or dropping into "subspace", and hers is the only viewpoint. The exception to this is an encounter with Ray, a non-binary submissive who joins them one evening for an off-the-charts hot scene.
Author Elinor Zimmerman is herself a former aerialist, and I enjoyed her descriptions of the art. This appears to be her only published work to date. I don't often wish for spinoffs but if Ray were to get their own novel I'd be very excited to read it.
April 1, 2018
I am difficult to please, I will freely admit this. I give out when romance novels lack tension and immediately fall straight to I love yous and earth shattering sex, I also give out when erotica is just sex for the sake of it (*ahem* Electra's Complex, you could have been such an awesome novel), there has to be a smidgen of plot development I feel.
Certain Requirements seemed to get the balance right for about 5/6s of its pages but then tailed off at the end. I've read one of Elinor Zimmerman's short stories, "Close Edge", anthologised in Unspeakably Erotic: Lesbian Kink and loved it so I was very excited to hear that she had a novel coming out. It's not a bad book at all, in fact I really enjoyed it and read it in two sittings and finished it in the space of a day but the ending just wasn't quite right. (By contrast, Shadow Haven which has a very different plot but similar subject matter, nailed the ending wonderfully)
Despite all my equivocating I would recommend this book, it's hot, the writing is very excellent, Zimmerman manages to address issues within the kink and wider communities, without being a preachy bollox, and did I mention the incredible sex scenes? Both lead characters are well drawn and believable, I really felt for them both (and I kind of want to *be* Kris, which is most unusual for me!)
Worth your money and time.
Certain Requirements seemed to get the balance right for about 5/6s of its pages but then tailed off at the end. I've read one of Elinor Zimmerman's short stories, "Close Edge", anthologised in Unspeakably Erotic: Lesbian Kink and loved it so I was very excited to hear that she had a novel coming out. It's not a bad book at all, in fact I really enjoyed it and read it in two sittings and finished it in the space of a day but the ending just wasn't quite right. (By contrast, Shadow Haven which has a very different plot but similar subject matter, nailed the ending wonderfully)
Despite all my equivocating I would recommend this book, it's hot, the writing is very excellent, Zimmerman manages to address issues within the kink and wider communities, without being a preachy bollox, and did I mention the incredible sex scenes? Both lead characters are well drawn and believable, I really felt for them both (and I kind of want to *be* Kris, which is most unusual for me!)
Worth your money and time.
April 28, 2018
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
It's been a really long time since I have read a BDSM romance. To be honest ive read two proper BDSM series,Fifty shades trilogy(not sure why I call it BDSM) and the "The original sinners" by Tiffany reisz. While one series was crappy the other one was pretty extreme with literally everything you can think of - lesbians, gays and heterosexuals doing all these elaborate and sometimes wierd scenes. So I've basically been on both sides of the spectrum.
I have never actually read a proper lesbian BDSM book and this was the first. I think the book got the basic D/s relationship pretty well. Thank god this wasn't a mess like Fifty shades.
Kris is a great person, just really really lonely. On the other hand phoenix is kinda in my face, and I wasn't sure what to feel about her. At times I liked her and at other times I was like *sigh*. I think this is why I wanted them to end up together, one was too self obsessed while one was too busy to care about mundane stuff.
The story had a lot of sex and a lot of D/s play which was all fun and game. I was kinda bummed that the emotional drama part of the story was really less. There's just one scene where the protagonists bonded over something other than sex. What I liked a lot was how much emphasis was put on the importance of consent. There was no blurring of lines and rules.
For someone who isn't into BDSM I think this book can be acceptable as nothing is in too much graphic detail. There is a lot of kink but its all superficial. Nothing really scarring or shocking. This is a romance in its core and that's what I really liked.
It's been a really long time since I have read a BDSM romance. To be honest ive read two proper BDSM series,Fifty shades trilogy(not sure why I call it BDSM) and the "The original sinners" by Tiffany reisz. While one series was crappy the other one was pretty extreme with literally everything you can think of - lesbians, gays and heterosexuals doing all these elaborate and sometimes wierd scenes. So I've basically been on both sides of the spectrum.
I have never actually read a proper lesbian BDSM book and this was the first. I think the book got the basic D/s relationship pretty well. Thank god this wasn't a mess like Fifty shades.
Kris is a great person, just really really lonely. On the other hand phoenix is kinda in my face, and I wasn't sure what to feel about her. At times I liked her and at other times I was like *sigh*. I think this is why I wanted them to end up together, one was too self obsessed while one was too busy to care about mundane stuff.
The story had a lot of sex and a lot of D/s play which was all fun and game. I was kinda bummed that the emotional drama part of the story was really less. There's just one scene where the protagonists bonded over something other than sex. What I liked a lot was how much emphasis was put on the importance of consent. There was no blurring of lines and rules.
For someone who isn't into BDSM I think this book can be acceptable as nothing is in too much graphic detail. There is a lot of kink but its all superficial. Nothing really scarring or shocking. This is a romance in its core and that's what I really liked.
April 23, 2018
I rarely read erotica because I want to connect with the characters in the emotional department that’s why I prefer romantic stories with hot sexy scenes, and while the description of this book was promising, it just fell short in both romance and spiciness (I had high expectations). The romance didn’t happen until the last portion and the BDSM was not very titillating, in fact awkward specifically the three-way. Ray’s character was odd, no offense, and the use of “Sir” to address a woman? It kind of ruined the dynamic for me. Plus there was this use of anti-STI paraphernalia which was not sexy at all. Ugh.
The writing wasn’t exactly bad and I would still like to read the author’s next book. It’s just that a few things in this book didn’t sit well for me. I’m giving it 3.8 stars.
-ebook copy provided by Bold Strokes for review-
The writing wasn’t exactly bad and I would still like to read the author’s next book. It’s just that a few things in this book didn’t sit well for me. I’m giving it 3.8 stars.
-ebook copy provided by Bold Strokes for review-
April 5, 2018
Well written, innovative setting, and interesting characters (although Phoenix could get whiny and Kris came off as being arrogant upon occasion).
November 17, 2018
Certain Requirements is told in the first person from Phoenix’s perspective, so we get to know her better than anyone else in the book. I love that even though she’s driven to pursue her passion, she stills maintains some balance in her life. I especially appreciated seeing how that contrasts with the way Kris is driven to work 80 hours a week and has very little balance. Both women are challenged by each other and they grow quite a lot over the course of the story (Kris even more so than Phoenix), so that they’re better people as individuals as well as for each other by the end of it.
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/cert...
Full review: https://www.thelesbianreview.com/cert...
April 9, 2018
Phoenix is an aerial dancer who quits her desk job, that only served to pay her bills, to pursue her dream. She has her life all figured out, she's happy, until her roommate decides to move across the country with his boyfriend, leaving her with an apartment she can't afford on her own. A friend of her's puts her in contact with Kris, who is a dom looking for a live-in sub. To Kris, this is the perfect fulfilment for all her fantasies. To Phoenix, this is the answer to all her money problems and sexual fulfilment. But neither were prepared for the beginning of a slow and tentative romance, with a healthy splash of erotica.
I unexpectedly loved this book. I am not usually someone who can get into stories told in the first person, because it's such a narrow POV. Even though this story was told in first person, from Phoenix's POV, I loved it because her voice was not self centred at all. It was easy to overlook that this was told in first person, because you get a good understanding of who Kris is and her feelings, and the descriptions of the surroundings were outstanding. Especially in the sex scenes, the description was so well done that you forgot that it was from one persons point of view, the descriptions were charged and magical, and left you totally lost in the moment.
Although Phoenix and Kris are both very sexual characters, they are also both very human, and you can see how they complement each other not only sexually but as partners in life. I was rooting for them so hard! The chemistry between them is there from the start, but so was the mutual respect, and the importance of communication and consent, which puts them on equal footing even though one is the dominant and one is submissive. I'm not usually keen to read BDSM or erotica because of the repetitiveness, but each and every sex scene was unique and played a role in bringing the characters closer together, allowing them to open up, and move their relationship forward. I really loved this story, because on top of the erotica there was this really nice overarching romance story, that was nicely paced, very realistic, and with no unnecessary drama.
This book is the whole package. A gorgeous mix of romance and erotica. And the writing was out of this world.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I unexpectedly loved this book. I am not usually someone who can get into stories told in the first person, because it's such a narrow POV. Even though this story was told in first person, from Phoenix's POV, I loved it because her voice was not self centred at all. It was easy to overlook that this was told in first person, because you get a good understanding of who Kris is and her feelings, and the descriptions of the surroundings were outstanding. Especially in the sex scenes, the description was so well done that you forgot that it was from one persons point of view, the descriptions were charged and magical, and left you totally lost in the moment.
Although Phoenix and Kris are both very sexual characters, they are also both very human, and you can see how they complement each other not only sexually but as partners in life. I was rooting for them so hard! The chemistry between them is there from the start, but so was the mutual respect, and the importance of communication and consent, which puts them on equal footing even though one is the dominant and one is submissive. I'm not usually keen to read BDSM or erotica because of the repetitiveness, but each and every sex scene was unique and played a role in bringing the characters closer together, allowing them to open up, and move their relationship forward. I really loved this story, because on top of the erotica there was this really nice overarching romance story, that was nicely paced, very realistic, and with no unnecessary drama.
This book is the whole package. A gorgeous mix of romance and erotica. And the writing was out of this world.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2018
3.5 stars
This was a werid one for me, I usually don't say much on these reviews but as I was reading it I kept having moments like 'oh this doesn't make sense' or 'I don't sympathise at all with the characters'.
So even though I enjoyed the read it could have been better. I also felt that the ending was too rushed.
This was a werid one for me, I usually don't say much on these reviews but as I was reading it I kept having moments like 'oh this doesn't make sense' or 'I don't sympathise at all with the characters'.
So even though I enjoyed the read it could have been better. I also felt that the ending was too rushed.
January 5, 2021
Well that was intense. Angst almost had me there. It was an enjoyable read.
June 20, 2019
The premise of this book is that a broke aerialist moves in with a butch lesbian as her live-in submissive.
That checks so many boxes for me.
I liked the premise of this book, I loved the San Francisco setting, and I liked the sex scenes. In fact, I wish there had been more of them and they were longer, because they were suuuuper hot! I also really liked the length of the build-up for the romance--Phoenix doesn't move in with Kris and then two weeks later they're ~in love~. I think the whole books takes place over the course of a year, maybe a little less, so the timeline for their relationship's development totally makes sense.
However, I did not love the character development. This book is in first person, which at first I felt was a nice change of pace from a lot of romance/erotica novels that have alternating chapters from the perspectives of each person in the relationship. I quickly realized that because Kris is so stuck in her ways and doesn't show her feelings a lot, her character felt flat. It would have been helpful to have chapters from her point of view so I could see and understand her thought processes a little better.
I did like the side characters, made up mostly of Phoenix's found family. I thought they were really cute and helped her work through her feelings when there were issues. I ended up liking this book pretty well, and I will be keeping an eye out for more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy free for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
That checks so many boxes for me.
I liked the premise of this book, I loved the San Francisco setting, and I liked the sex scenes. In fact, I wish there had been more of them and they were longer, because they were suuuuper hot! I also really liked the length of the build-up for the romance--Phoenix doesn't move in with Kris and then two weeks later they're ~in love~. I think the whole books takes place over the course of a year, maybe a little less, so the timeline for their relationship's development totally makes sense.
However, I did not love the character development. This book is in first person, which at first I felt was a nice change of pace from a lot of romance/erotica novels that have alternating chapters from the perspectives of each person in the relationship. I quickly realized that because Kris is so stuck in her ways and doesn't show her feelings a lot, her character felt flat. It would have been helpful to have chapters from her point of view so I could see and understand her thought processes a little better.
I did like the side characters, made up mostly of Phoenix's found family. I thought they were really cute and helped her work through her feelings when there were issues. I ended up liking this book pretty well, and I will be keeping an eye out for more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy free for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 28, 2019
Flying High
This romance is H O T! There are oodles of sexy loving scenes with a bit o kink and BDSM just to add to the heat. Now, that doesn’t mean there isn’t much of a story because believe me, there is a great story to back the flames up! Phoenix is an aerial dancer who dreams of making the big time while keeping secret desires hidden. Kris is a nerdy introvert that has certain needs. Together they help each other out. But as I said it goes deeper than the sex. There are such emotions here. Kris works too much and is lonely. Phoenix too is lonely and worried about Kris. They both have some hang ups and fear of change but they are strong women in spite of these things and work hard to overcome their troubles. I love this drama because it feels so good and special inside me. It is something I won’t soon forget and I’m sure I’ll be thinking of this pair for some time to come.
This romance is H O T! There are oodles of sexy loving scenes with a bit o kink and BDSM just to add to the heat. Now, that doesn’t mean there isn’t much of a story because believe me, there is a great story to back the flames up! Phoenix is an aerial dancer who dreams of making the big time while keeping secret desires hidden. Kris is a nerdy introvert that has certain needs. Together they help each other out. But as I said it goes deeper than the sex. There are such emotions here. Kris works too much and is lonely. Phoenix too is lonely and worried about Kris. They both have some hang ups and fear of change but they are strong women in spite of these things and work hard to overcome their troubles. I love this drama because it feels so good and special inside me. It is something I won’t soon forget and I’m sure I’ll be thinking of this pair for some time to come.
May 21, 2018
3.25 stars
I am feeling kinda meh about this book.
Read my review on my blog.
Content Warnings
I am feeling kinda meh about this book.
Read my review on my blog.
Content Warnings
June 21, 2018
Netgalley
My main feeling coming away from this is boredom.
I‘m not much of a fan of a first person narrator anyway, but it really didn’t work for me here.
But lots of possible bingo squares, so there’s that. (Not a motivation yet to pick a book up, but always happy when it shakes out that way.)
My main feeling coming away from this is boredom.
I‘m not much of a fan of a first person narrator anyway, but it really didn’t work for me here.
But lots of possible bingo squares, so there’s that. (Not a motivation yet to pick a book up, but always happy when it shakes out that way.)
April 28, 2020
This was different than what I expected from a D/s BDSM story.
The Dom, Kris, wasn't the usual kind of Dom I have read in past books. She was more lenient than most. She was also different during her alone/down time from her submissive. She was down to earth but closed off. Not the typical cold, in control way, though. Kris was day & night, hot n cold. Most Domme's that I've read usually carry a certain amount of control and demand in their everyday life, which was true when she was at work and dressed in her suits, but when at home not in her Dom role, she could have passed as a college burn out with a video game problem and an appetite for cold cereal. I liked her, she was just different.
Phoenix was an amazing dancer with great talent, supportive friends, and a bright future. She had made the decision to become a sub for Kris to help with finances and living arrangements, but soon realized that she wasn't exactly cut out to be a sub; she rebelled.
As much as I enjoyed Kris and Phoenix's relationship, I gotta admit, the story had me rolling my eyes in frustration when the whole "miscommunication" thing happened which caused Phoenix to freak right out in hysterics and jump to conclusions. Why is it the femmes always freaking out? Reading these types of women just makes it harder for me to like them.
All in all, it was an entertaining read, and sometimes scorching hot!
Kudos to the author for writing a nonbinary character. Ray was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed that threesome scene with them and the two protagonists. It's possible this book sparked my interest towards nonbinaries.
The Dom, Kris, wasn't the usual kind of Dom I have read in past books. She was more lenient than most. She was also different during her alone/down time from her submissive. She was down to earth but closed off. Not the typical cold, in control way, though. Kris was day & night, hot n cold. Most Domme's that I've read usually carry a certain amount of control and demand in their everyday life, which was true when she was at work and dressed in her suits, but when at home not in her Dom role, she could have passed as a college burn out with a video game problem and an appetite for cold cereal. I liked her, she was just different.
Phoenix was an amazing dancer with great talent, supportive friends, and a bright future. She had made the decision to become a sub for Kris to help with finances and living arrangements, but soon realized that she wasn't exactly cut out to be a sub; she rebelled.
As much as I enjoyed Kris and Phoenix's relationship, I gotta admit, the story had me rolling my eyes in frustration when the whole "miscommunication" thing happened which caused Phoenix to freak right out in hysterics and jump to conclusions. Why is it the femmes always freaking out? Reading these types of women just makes it harder for me to like them.
All in all, it was an entertaining read, and sometimes scorching hot!
Kudos to the author for writing a nonbinary character. Ray was a breath of fresh air. I enjoyed that threesome scene with them and the two protagonists. It's possible this book sparked my interest towards nonbinaries.
October 29, 2018
Oh wow! I must admit that this erotic romance story blew my mind because it is has important life lessons embedded within it. I loved all of the characters because they are quirky, down to earth and I easily can relate to them. I think my heart will remain in San Francisco because I fell in love with the vivid descriptions of the landscape as well. The sizzling chemistry between Kris and Phoenix is off the hook! I am giving everyone a heads up—don't read this story in public and be prepared to indulge in a lot of cold showers once you begin!
August 18, 2018
I'm a huge fan of lesfic with BDSM elements. The premise of "Certain Requirements" was interesting and quite unique. The book is well-written. Some sex scenes were extremely hot; others, with face slapping included, were off-putting. The romance seemed weak and not real, especially when MCs almost never communicated with each other.
However, I'm looking forward to reading more books by the author, preferably with the same amount of bdsm elements.
However, I'm looking forward to reading more books by the author, preferably with the same amount of bdsm elements.
March 15, 2020
I really liked this one. The unusual setting, the interactions between both characters. I only wish there was more of play between characters. More settings, action, interactions. This is extremely dog side of BDSM. All in all good read.
May 19, 2020
A surprisingly sweet romance in between all the steamy stuff. Starts out a bit different from typical romance novels as the leads are in the relationship for non-romantic reasons at first.
March 5, 2022
I am disappointed in this story. :(
The blurb mentions Kris, a butch seasoned Dominant who is looking for a live-in submissive. From this, I concluded that she must be part of the Lifestyle, which she is but we learn that the pressure of managing her tech start-up puts humongous pressure on her and she is unable to be a full-time Dominant. Instead, she is looking for a woman to fulfil her sexual fantasy; she wishes to have a housewife who will do the household chores and submit to her in the bedroom. And Phoenix is seemingly the perfect choice because she is on the verge of being homeless and is jobless apart from her teaching jobs and the shows she picks up.
Kris and Phoneix start living together and Phoenix describes the arrangement as a sexual one with Kris who is like a ghost lover; she comes home in the evening, eats the food Phoenix has cooked, they have sex and Kris performs aftercare as is necessary and come morning she is gone. This is all part of their arrangement of Kris’s fantasy to have a house-wife. I appreciate how Phoenix doesn't behave like a wronged lover (until she does) and keeps up her end of the engament. As you can expect, the arrangement doesn't provide any scope for emotional attachment—which would be perfectly fine with me as a reader but!—
This is a traditional romance in the sense that it is built not on the devotion of a submissive to her Dominant, but the characters must fall in love! In this light, it would be better to see them actually spending more time with each other but instead we have random outbursts from Phoenix because Kris refused to attend her aerial dance show. The disrespect for her Dominant put me off a lot, not to mention that Phoenix was starting to behave like a spurned lover as the book progressed.
Instead of showing actual romantic development, the author goes for the next best thing—romantic development through talking with friends. Talk! Talk! Talk! This book was all talk and don't show. Phoenix talks a lot about how she is apprehensive about falling in love with Kris and how she might be falling for Kris and so on, but we don't actually see them falling in love—at least, I didn't feel they did so anyway.
I can tolerate lack of a proper romance plot if the erotic aspects make up for it, but Certain Requirements is not at all steamy. The author glosses over the the erotic descriptions, summing them up in a paragraph (which is not a good sign for an erotica), while we get entire pages upon pages on how Phoenix met her best friend (John, was it?) in college. The monontonous monologues and dialogues and dry single paragraph sex summaries are interspersed with some bdsm erotica.
Credit must be given where it is due, the author is actually good at writing the sex (6/10 on my scale) but it was awesome seeing safe sex practices. Not only are STIs mentioned, there is use of dental dams and finger condoms and appropriate sexual protection. Another thing I like were the parts on aerial dance. I felt that the author must have a background in dance and her Goodreads profile confirms this!
I was disappointed in their dynamic and the overall characterisation. Phoenix is a bratty submissive who has seemingly never been handled by a Dom before, but not even Kris doesn't even break her in. Not only is she bratty with Kris, Phoenix tends to behave like a regular teenager with her friends too, and her character was quite annoying at times. Also, the idea of Kris selling off her company (or whatever she did by the end) didn't sit well with me at all.
BDSM includes bondage (cuffs, ropes), pain slut (but the Dominant refuses to engage in weaponry or temperature play), sexual fantasy and roleplay, humiliation. From the blurb I expected this to be full-time slave, but it was actually minor sexual roleplay than a slave). Light dom/sub without proper doctrination of submissive. Mention of rape fantasy but it was not executed.
Overall, it was a mundane read that I didn't enjoy very much. It was all over the place—trying to be cute but steamy, drabbling in BDSM without conforming to its core aspects. No actual plot progression until the ending hits you with a bam! and they are riding off into the sunset. Not romantic, not erotic—2.5 stars.
The blurb mentions Kris, a butch seasoned Dominant who is looking for a live-in submissive. From this, I concluded that she must be part of the Lifestyle, which she is but we learn that the pressure of managing her tech start-up puts humongous pressure on her and she is unable to be a full-time Dominant. Instead, she is looking for a woman to fulfil her sexual fantasy; she wishes to have a housewife who will do the household chores and submit to her in the bedroom. And Phoenix is seemingly the perfect choice because she is on the verge of being homeless and is jobless apart from her teaching jobs and the shows she picks up.
Kris and Phoneix start living together and Phoenix describes the arrangement as a sexual one with Kris who is like a ghost lover; she comes home in the evening, eats the food Phoenix has cooked, they have sex and Kris performs aftercare as is necessary and come morning she is gone. This is all part of their arrangement of Kris’s fantasy to have a house-wife. I appreciate how Phoenix doesn't behave like a wronged lover (until she does) and keeps up her end of the engament. As you can expect, the arrangement doesn't provide any scope for emotional attachment—which would be perfectly fine with me as a reader but!—
This is a traditional romance in the sense that it is built not on the devotion of a submissive to her Dominant, but the characters must fall in love! In this light, it would be better to see them actually spending more time with each other but instead we have random outbursts from Phoenix because Kris refused to attend her aerial dance show. The disrespect for her Dominant put me off a lot, not to mention that Phoenix was starting to behave like a spurned lover as the book progressed.
Instead of showing actual romantic development, the author goes for the next best thing—romantic development through talking with friends. Talk! Talk! Talk! This book was all talk and don't show. Phoenix talks a lot about how she is apprehensive about falling in love with Kris and how she might be falling for Kris and so on, but we don't actually see them falling in love—at least, I didn't feel they did so anyway.
I can tolerate lack of a proper romance plot if the erotic aspects make up for it, but Certain Requirements is not at all steamy. The author glosses over the the erotic descriptions, summing them up in a paragraph (which is not a good sign for an erotica), while we get entire pages upon pages on how Phoenix met her best friend (John, was it?) in college. The monontonous monologues and dialogues and dry single paragraph sex summaries are interspersed with some bdsm erotica.
Credit must be given where it is due, the author is actually good at writing the sex (6/10 on my scale) but it was awesome seeing safe sex practices. Not only are STIs mentioned, there is use of dental dams and finger condoms and appropriate sexual protection. Another thing I like were the parts on aerial dance. I felt that the author must have a background in dance and her Goodreads profile confirms this!
I was disappointed in their dynamic and the overall characterisation. Phoenix is a bratty submissive who has seemingly never been handled by a Dom before, but not even Kris doesn't even break her in. Not only is she bratty with Kris, Phoenix tends to behave like a regular teenager with her friends too, and her character was quite annoying at times. Also, the idea of Kris selling off her company (or whatever she did by the end) didn't sit well with me at all.
BDSM includes bondage (cuffs, ropes), pain slut (but the Dominant refuses to engage in weaponry or temperature play), sexual fantasy and roleplay, humiliation. From the blurb I expected this to be full-time slave, but it was actually minor sexual roleplay than a slave). Light dom/sub without proper doctrination of submissive. Mention of rape fantasy but it was not executed.
Overall, it was a mundane read that I didn't enjoy very much. It was all over the place—trying to be cute but steamy, drabbling in BDSM without conforming to its core aspects. No actual plot progression until the ending hits you with a bam! and they are riding off into the sunset. Not romantic, not erotic—2.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2018
My review is 4 stars.
This is not like the erotica that read all along because there is something deep that was not there in the other ones. First talking about the characters. Phoenix and Chris both are a quite strong character and the way they are written is nice. When I started this book I was a little bit disappointed and thought that I'm not going to like it and would end up like rating it around 2 or 2.5 stars. But as I progressed in the book I was enjoying myself every bit and I felt connected with the book as well as the characters and end up rating it 4 stars.
Both the characters are hot and the story is very erotic, what else you expect in an erotica but you will definitely be surprised to know that there is more to that. An impactful story with deep emotions and that was quite surprising and I must add very good surprise which I liked at my best. That why I will not put this book is in the genre of erotica but I'll mark it as a romantic book but a hot romantic book and I would definitely like to recommend this book.
*** I would like to thank Publisher for providing me with an ARC copy to review ***
This is not like the erotica that read all along because there is something deep that was not there in the other ones. First talking about the characters. Phoenix and Chris both are a quite strong character and the way they are written is nice. When I started this book I was a little bit disappointed and thought that I'm not going to like it and would end up like rating it around 2 or 2.5 stars. But as I progressed in the book I was enjoying myself every bit and I felt connected with the book as well as the characters and end up rating it 4 stars.
Both the characters are hot and the story is very erotic, what else you expect in an erotica but you will definitely be surprised to know that there is more to that. An impactful story with deep emotions and that was quite surprising and I must add very good surprise which I liked at my best. That why I will not put this book is in the genre of erotica but I'll mark it as a romantic book but a hot romantic book and I would definitely like to recommend this book.
*** I would like to thank Publisher for providing me with an ARC copy to review ***
May 3, 2018
Woah, this was one intense read. There wasn't a moment that I thought the story was slowing down, or turning boring.
It was steamy, sexy, kinky and heartbreaking all at the same time. To be honest, this was the LGBT form of Fifty Shades, only Certain Requirements was hundred times better.
The characters were well crafted, easy to relate to, despite their different careers and fun to read.
Though I loved all the characters, my absolute favourite will have to be John, because he was such a good friend. The kind of friend everyone should have.
Certain Requirements is the kind of book that won't let you go until you turn the last page, and when you do that? You'll be smiling widely, making everyone think you've gone crazy. (Thank God I finished it at night!)
So yeah, go on and preorder this really awesome book!
It was steamy, sexy, kinky and heartbreaking all at the same time. To be honest, this was the LGBT form of Fifty Shades, only Certain Requirements was hundred times better.
The characters were well crafted, easy to relate to, despite their different careers and fun to read.
Though I loved all the characters, my absolute favourite will have to be John, because he was such a good friend. The kind of friend everyone should have.
Certain Requirements is the kind of book that won't let you go until you turn the last page, and when you do that? You'll be smiling widely, making everyone think you've gone crazy. (Thank God I finished it at night!)
So yeah, go on and preorder this really awesome book!
February 13, 2024
Hot Butch 🥵
This book was all about a BDSM dynamic. Poor girl/rich girl trope. Phoenix needs a little help while her aerial career takes off, and Kris needs a live-in submissive. A steamy femme and butch relationship. You’ll love Phoenix but you’ll fall harder for Kris. This book was a page turner that I couldn’t stop reading. I wouldn’t mind reading more about Ray…. if you know, you know. I read dozens of sapphic books a month and this one definitely stands out. I think about it a lot, and have already reread it. Check it out!
This book was all about a BDSM dynamic. Poor girl/rich girl trope. Phoenix needs a little help while her aerial career takes off, and Kris needs a live-in submissive. A steamy femme and butch relationship. You’ll love Phoenix but you’ll fall harder for Kris. This book was a page turner that I couldn’t stop reading. I wouldn’t mind reading more about Ray…. if you know, you know. I read dozens of sapphic books a month and this one definitely stands out. I think about it a lot, and have already reread it. Check it out!
January 16, 2024
Let me address the sex and kink first, it's why we're here. It was good. It wasn't gratuitous, and it wasn't raunchy. I would have liked more, but not much. I liked Kris, she felt very real, very possible as a character. Storyline was cool, 2ndary characters were fine. Passion... that's what I didn't get from this. There were attempts for sure, but no mutual lust building up to crazed nights of paddles, toys, all the best stuff.
May 25, 2018
This was a good read for me. I found the story entertaining and the characters interesting. Phoenix is trying to live her dream of being an aerial dancer but doesn’t have the money to do it. Now in need of a new place to stay she meets Kris, who has certain requirements for Phoenix to live with her. Will Phoenix agree? Entertaining read with steamy chemistry.
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