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San Francisco #1

San Francisco Longing

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From International Bestselling Author Lila Dubois comes a story of passion, lies, and love.

She never meant to lie to him, let alone submit to him.

When Christiana discovered the secret BDSM club she threw caution to the wind and snuck in, hoping only to watch the things she’d been fantasizing about.
Until James.
Dominant and charming, he’s everything she never knew she needed.
And he wants her.

Three amazing nights together, but then the party’s over. He thinks he’ll see her again. Christiana knows this is the end.

But how can she say goodbye to the man who claimed her, body and soul?

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First published January 1, 2019

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915 people want to read

About the author

Lila Dubois

97 books583 followers
Lila is a multi-published, bestselling author of erotic, paranormal and fantasy romance. Having spent extensive time in France, Egypt, Turkey, Ireland and England, Lila speaks five languages, none of them--including English--fluently.

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5 stars
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231 (32%)
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147 (20%)
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45 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
March 14, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (1/10/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
She never meant to lie to him, let alone submit to him.

When Christiana discovered the secret BDSM club she threw caution to the wind and snuck in, hoping only to watch the things she’d been fantasizing about.
Until James.
Dominant and charming, he’s everything she never knew she needed.
And he wants her.

Three amazing nights together, but then the party’s over. He thinks he’ll see her again. Christiana knows this is the end.

But how can she say goodbye to the man who claimed her, body and soul?
Profile Image for Heather.
1,433 reviews24 followers
December 27, 2018
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger. And for that I really shouldn't complain but I just wasn't ready to stop reading! Especially since Christiana had just done something really foolish. So while this was a relatively short installment to a trilogy, it was intensely hot! Let's just say I'll never think of Alice in wonderland quite the same way again, looking forward to the next installment!
Profile Image for Deb.
686 reviews
January 28, 2021
5 stars ⭐️

A new author to me, and boy did I enjoy the read. This book is part of a trio, so don’t read this one expecting a HEA. The story is well written, and full of steamy BDSM.
Profile Image for Michelle the Romance Witch.
2,529 reviews75 followers
June 1, 2019
Damn...


Just Damn.


That was so hot, sweet and heartwrenching all at once. I am kinda scared for book 2 but dying for book 3 so gotta read 2 first no matter what happens.
Profile Image for Kerry.
820 reviews
December 23, 2018
The first in a trilogy that spans the fantasy and reality of Christiana and James, San Francisco Longing has me hooked in and screaming at my kindle as I realise that Lila Dubios has played a perfect game. Her vividly descriptive words and stunningly evocative story has left me hanging at such a pivotal moment for Christiana and James that I am simultaneously blissfully aroused by the sensuality Ms. Dubios story has produced and angry that I have been so cruelly left high and dry!

I am in love with James and Christiana as both seem to be looking for more than the fantasy but stuck in very differing worlds where reality is starker than the beautifully exotic and sensually erotic secret the Orchard Club produces. Christiana is the woman falling through 'the looking glass' into a world she could only have dreamed of in fantasy and never knew could exist in her reality. While James, is stuck in an extravagant and spoilt world where temptation is daily life and far from enjoying all open to him, is struggling with all his privilege provides. Together these two spend time challenging each other's perception of fantasy and reality and what they become in such a short space of time is sadly a dream that is simply out of reach - for now!

I loved every high and low James and Christiana's story produced and though I don't usually read series that aren't completed simply because I am an impatient reader, this first instalment of The San Francisco Trilogy has me falling so far into the rabbit hole that I can't wait to see what happens in San Francisco Lost, book 2 of this superbly written trilogy.

Once again Lila Dubois proves that she is simply a master at what she writes and this for me is a 5plus star read that no-one should pass by!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reading copy of this book.
Profile Image for (the.darkandmoody.reader).
1,155 reviews32 followers
January 6, 2019
5/5 - ARC review. Book releases January 8, 2019

So. Freaking. Good.

Ms. Lila can write the best stories. Her BDSM is legit. You will not get rough, rapey sex passed off as kink. With her you get Dom’s that are in control and subs that want to submit — all consensual, and pre-negotiated, with safewords.

San Francisco Longing starts off in a basically dilapidated building by the bay. Christiana is doing a walk through for work decked out in her safety vest and orange spray paint - all civil engineered out. She stumbles upon a hidden room that reveals decor from a speakeasy era. Hearing voices she hides and overheard plans for a gathering later that night.

Christiana finds herself in the midst of a high end BDSM club that travels from one city to the next every month, The Orchid Club. High rollers, pay for membership. NDA’s etc. She meets James. Handsome, uber rich, suit wearing Dom. He finds her in the shadows and can’t stay away.

Over the course of three days that the club is open, the learn and play with each other with consent and prior negotiation. James is in lust with her and she is falling for him but she has a secret she never told him. With the promise of meeting in Luxembourg the next month they separate. Only she never shows.

Can’t wait for book two: San Francisco Lost

FYI-

Sex: oral, penetrative. Anal play. Spanking with hand and paddle, nipple play, bondage. AFTER CARE.

** I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a honest review **
Profile Image for Janet Rodman.
495 reviews27 followers
January 2, 2019
San Francisco Longing (San Francisco Trilogy, Pt 1)
Lila Dubois
While checking out a building for demolition, Christiana Dell, a civil engineer, discovers a false wall. She breaks through to see what is on the other side. She goes through, almost like Alice falling down a rabbit hole. Christiana discovers a whole extravagant setup on the other side. As she walks around, she recognizes some things and not others. She soon realizes that she is in a makeshift BDSM club. Now comes the hard part, should she go and report what she’s found, or should she indulge in a fantasy? Christiana decides to stay and just watch. She dresses up as one of the submissives to blend in, worried the whole time she will be caught and thrown out. Then she sees him – James Nolen. James is rich and a Dom, a member of the Orchid Society, a travelling BDSM club, and he is also bored. Life has no challenges for him. Then he looks across the room and see Christiana and is immediately drawn to her. Christiana is a novice in this world. But she wants a chance to experience submission with James. James has only three nights with Christiana before the club shuts down. But will three days be enough?
This is Book 1 in a trilogy. I started reading it and couldn’t put it down. Both of these characters are interesting and come from diverse backgrounds. As the story develops, we see that James ends up with a new purpose, to win Christiana’s trust and submission. Christiana soon discovers another side of herself and enjoys it. She also begins to develop feelings for James as he does for her. As I read, I kept wondering if she would be discovered. Christiana feels she should tell James the truth of who she is but is afraid it will end their interaction. I also found James’s friend Jun another interesting character, This ends in a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens next to Christiana and James.
Profile Image for Isabel Jolie.
Author 43 books520 followers
November 8, 2019
So, I got this one on a Book Bub deal....I believe for free. Which should have been a tip that it's a cliffhanger. Only, this one isn't just a cliffhanger - it feels like you've read about a third of the book and then it ends. This literally feels like one book was written and split into three parts and then sold as three books.

I'm not a fan of that. At all. Of course, I'm not a huge fan of trilogy series in general. It feels like a marketing gimmick to sell more books and make more money.

That said, San Francisco Longing is good. Love the premise and the entree into the BDSM world and the private Orchid Club. I'm on the fence if I'm going to buy the second one in this series, because it sounds like it's filled with him searching for her. I will buy the third book because I'm an HEA addict and I have to see them back together.
Profile Image for Melissa De Cunto.
Author 5 books7 followers
May 27, 2022
Took me a while to finish this. Some was due to school but others times I just didn’t want to read this. Now with the story I like the few first chapters but at around chapter 5 I started to lose interest because I didn’t like what I was reading. However the last two chapters have brought this book from originally two stars to three. So pretty soon I will read the rest of the series because I need to know what happens next. I like Cliffhanger in books if the full series are already out so the ending was not a problem for me.
93 reviews11 followers
January 2, 2019
The only complaint I have about this book is that it ends too soon. I would have preferred the whole trilogy in one book, maybe in three parts, but still one volume. I read whole series at a time, sometimes several series at the same time, and I'm not averse to cliff-hangers. This doesn't feel like a cliff-hanger situation. The book just feels unfinished. The writing, the intimate connection to the characters and the portrayal of what BDSM is really about are excellent, however, as I have come to expect from Lila Dubois. Alice-down-the-rabbit-hole is a great metaphor for a neophyte's introduction to this world. Descriptions of Christiana's discovery, confusion and beginning acceptance of her desires made me both cry and laugh. Been there and am still there!
I received this book as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,036 reviews317 followers
April 11, 2024
Not quite what I expected but very enjoyable and I can't wait to read the next book!

I picked this up free a while back, and several friends had enjoyed the book so on an evening where I wanted an 'easy' read I chose this. It was actually a lot better than I had expected, so much so that I immediately bought book 2 the moment I had finshed this.

Whilst some parts of the story pushed on the boundaries of being believable, the main story of James' and Christiana's time together was wonderful. It held me spellbound, bewitching me with it's smoothly flowing writing, the hot BDSM scenes and the truly beautiful emotions shown by both main characters.

The story is mainly set over the course of 3 nights, focusing it's spotlight on the emerging connection between Christiana and James. We get a little background and enough world building to support the story and give it extra texture. However it was window dressing on the brilliance that was James and Christiana. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and could easily allow myself
to overlook the several unlikely coincidences that allowed the book to work. For me it was no different than believing a hero is an assassin or a heroine can have her HEA with a psychopath, unlikely but not impossible.

Whilst it's not the longest of books it is a good length story, albeit one that ends on a fairly soft cliff-hanger. I'm definitely going to be finishing the trilogy based on how much I enjoyed this and the quality of writing. I definitely recommend this to those who enjoy a good erotic/BDSM romance.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
805 reviews19 followers
December 30, 2018
I'm not usually a fan of serials, really don't like cliff hangers. But since I absolutely adore this author's writing, I decided to give it a go. Plus, the blurb sounded too good to pass up! As I started reading, I became so engrossed in the spectacular descriptions, that I read the book in one sitting! The writing was so vivid, I could actually picture the club, hidden away in a derelict building. My heart was pounding with anticipation, and a little bit of trepidation. And that first kiss! I just can't get over how amazing that was!

Christiana is just your average, girl next door, living her ordinary life in San Francisco. Until she stumbles upon something she was never meant to find, and her insatiable curiosity leads her into a weekend so far outside of her realm of experience that she is sure discovery is inevitable.

James is bored. No other way to describe it. He has a life that is the envy of everyone, anything he wants at his fingertips, but he is bored. Nothing captures his attention, nothing fulfills him anymore, and he has no idea what to do about it. And then he catches sight of Christiana.

This story is absolutely scorching. The vivid descriptions, unique story line, and the undeniable chemistry between James and Christiana made for a book that I just couldn't put down. And while I usually do not like cliff hangers, (and this story definitely has one!) I don't feel like the story ended unfinished, like most cliff hangers do. The story doesn't feel incomplete, it feels like the author did what she set out to do, introducing us to James and Christiana, and their story. I can't wait to dive into the next book!
3,054 reviews17 followers
January 2, 2019
Scintillating and Passionate Story – Part 1!!

Imagine in your every-day-job you ran into a world you only read about in books. Engineer Christiana is inspecting a building about to be taken down. She discovers a new interior, recently updated to host an exclusive 3-day party for the millionaires and billionaires of the Orchid Club. When Christiana sneaks in just to look, she captures the attention of a charismatic member James.

When they decide to spend the three evenings together, Christiana almost gives herself away as she does not know the rules of the Club, or the basics of submitting. James is the perfect dom for her as he is attentive, caring and intuitive.

Once assumed to be a member, Christiana cannot figure out how to reveal the lie and try for more than this “moment” with someone she has nothing in common with. James believes that they can reconnect at the next monthly meeting, but Christiana, of course is not a member, and cannot jet around the world for a sensual weekend.

This is presented as a Trilogy, and I cannot wait to get more of this delightful progression between these two!

*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
Profile Image for Aerin.
214 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2019
I am a great fan of Lila Dubois, so I was super excited to read San Francisco Longing, the first book in her new trilogy. Sadly, she lost me in the first few chapters and never really recovered.

My issue is this: women in STEM still have to deal with a staggering amount of sexism. So the idea that a female engineer would do something with the possibility of such a huge negative impact on her reputation and career just... stopped me. I love imaginary settings in books: paranormal? Bring on the werewolves! Magic? Hot witch sex, yes! But a supposedly intelligent woman making such a poor choice? And that choice is the basis for the plot of the whole book? Nope, sorry.

I did finish, just to see if there was a saving moment and it's hard to say, since it ends on a mid-action cliffhanger. (A cliffhanger, I might add, that is triggered by yet another very stupid decision by our heroine.) Yes, this is billed as a trilogy and that is meant in the older sense of the word. This isn't a related series, it's one long story offered in three novel length parts. This doesn't bother me, but if you have a problem with those, I'd recommend avoiding this one.  

As for me, I'll be looking forward to more of Lila's other series, but I won't be following up on this one.
2,939 reviews15 followers
January 4, 2019
City worker Christiana stumbles across a secret BDSM club while inspecting a supposedly deserted old warehouse. Compelled by an urge she can't deny, she sneaks into the club where she meets James. James is a Dom who hasn't played in a long while but he is immediately as taken with her as she is with him. Three blissful nights of self-discovery with James unlocks her hidden desires but this party has an expiration date and Christiana knows she will never see James again because she's not part of his world of wealth and privilege.

This is the first part of James and Christiana's story. I couldn't put it down. These are great characters with massive chemistry and I was completely caught up in their story. The writing is great in this exciting and steamy BDSM romance. This is another great read by Lila Dubois. I can't wait to read book two.

I am voluntarily reviewing an advance reader copy of this book.
354 reviews
January 3, 2019
This is the first book in the San Francisco Trilogy. This is a trilogy and NOT a serial. The author was very clear in her blog that this story would be in three parts and there would be less than a month in between each book. This book was a modern day BDSM Cinderella story to me. Christinana is an engineer who stumbles on an under ground super exclusive BDSM club while surveying the building for demolition. James is a play boy billionaire and the son of a UAE princess. The attraction between these two character is instant and the author does a really good job of making the story realistic. The sex/play scene were done with taste and adds to this romance story. The book does end on a mini cliffhanger but as I said earlier the wait is very short. I recommend this new series and cannot wait for the next installment.
Profile Image for Madm007.
1,156 reviews7 followers
November 4, 2019
Warning Cliffhanger-3 books needed

I despise cliffhangers and where does it say this is a cliffhanger? Finally, reading the reviews, it doesn't even end with the 2nd book. There is a 3rd book you will need to purchase to come to some kind of conclusion. I will chalk this one up to nothing is really free! I liked the story up until the woman did the expected typical coward thing, didn't admit to her deception. To top that she goes off with a totally unknown supposed dom to his private house with a dungeon, helloooo dumba$$. And that's it for this one folks!
I feel this is deception at its finest. I very willingly and often BUY more books from good authors, but not when they're forcing me to in order to get an HEA! There are way too many other great authors who don't need to resort to this.
3,542 reviews14 followers
October 28, 2020
San Francisco Longing is a fantastic contemporary romance by Lila Dubois. Ms. Dubois has delivered a well-written book loaded with fabulous characters...but beware. This book does end in a cliff-hanger...that is the only reason I rated this book a 4 instead of a 5. If you don't mind cliff-hangers, you'll love this book. Christiana found a BDSM club hidden away in a building she was checking for demolition. When she overheard a conversation that the club would be open, she decided to check it out, without an invite. James finds Christiana and invites her to play. Christiana and James' story is packed with drama, humor, sizzlin' kink and suspense. I loved this book right up to the cliff-hanger ending, then not so much.

I voluntarily read a complimentary copy of this book that I received from Bookfunnel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
204 reviews14 followers
December 22, 2018
If you had the chance to walk into your fantasy, would you take it, would you break the rules, live on the wild side?

This new series is scorching. Christiana lives a everyday life, with everyday rules, and everyday expectations. One day on the job, she gets the opportunity to be Alice in Wonderland.

James is an elite. Privileged to the point of boredom. Not realizing what he wants until he sees a light in his darkness.

3 days... that is all they have, or is it?

If you love Lila Dubois books as much as I do, you will absolutely love this new Trilogy. If you haven't read her before and love kink, then she is a must read.

I was honored to receive an ARC copy for my honest review. I loved this book and would def. recommend it.
Profile Image for thehotmesslibrary.
824 reviews21 followers
December 22, 2018
This is the first book in Lila Dubois 'Orchid Society' Series and it starts with a fantasy and a what would you do if it could come true?

Christiana is an everyday girl, she goes to work, goes home and puts it on repeat. But one day she gets to go down the rabbit hole and that's where she comes across the enigmatic James and starts a wild adventure that is both hot, alluring and tempting.the only problem is that Christiana isn't being honest and that's going to come back to bite her! Christiana and James have 3 nights, but is that going to be enough? This is a hot new series and you're going to want to check it out!

This book ends on a cliffhanger, so you'll have to read the next one to see what happens.

I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for TinaMarie.
3,513 reviews38 followers
December 27, 2018
The first chapter is happens after this story, so don't be startled when it goes back in time in the second chapter. It's clear this has to be fantasy because my logical mind kept objecting to the concept that a sex club would go to the expense of creating such an extravagant play space hidden in a building about to be demolished as unstable and unsafe. Getting over that, it was brilliant. I loved the characters, their interactions, her responses came across so real, I was right there in the moment. Lila has a true talent to bring you so deep into her world that you are startled at the end when it's over. Great read, can't wait for the next installment. Be warned, the end will leave you hanging for the next part of their story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lissa.
221 reviews12 followers
December 27, 2018
I haven't read a story with a BDSM storyline that is so captivating in a Very, Very Long Time!!! I LOVED the instant chemistry and the trust between these two strong characters. Loved the vivid descriptions, it made me feel everything right down to the tips of my toes! It was bewitching!! I rarely do this, but this is a book I will definitely read again! It is so complex and it takes you somewhere so enjoyable that you want to go again!!! Can't wait to read the next instalment of Christiana and James’ story! Thank goodness that at the end of this part, the opportunity to go and re-read the first chapter was there to give me hope, or my heart would have been broken. BRAVO!! Absolutely LOVED it!!!
Profile Image for Dar.
4,531 reviews92 followers
December 24, 2018
This was a sensual read, yet, it wasn't cloaked in mist, but had a soft light shown on it the whole time. Except at the end, that was a glaring spotlight that showed the danger and worry. But before that, two lonely souls, meeting by chance, not meant to meet, and definitely not destined to meet again, spend glorious time together and make a real connection. He is delighted, she knows the truth. He sees a beginning, while she knows it is the end. He is gutted, she makes poor decisions. Cue the cliffhanger, completing this part of the journey, and setting up the next chapter between these two. Loved it!
19 reviews
December 27, 2018
Fantasy! You got it!
This book is fantastic read. It is going to be a great trilogy, a definite page turner. Lila writes in such details that you can see everything happening in front of you. She also writes the situations from both viewpoints ( Christiana nievness and James experience ).
This book has strong caractors, Christiana is new at kink and James is so good at giving exactly what she needs. If you like BDSM books you will love this one. Looking forward for the next installment.
Lila Dubois is one of my favorite writers, I have never been disappointed in any of her books that I have read.
Profile Image for Rachael.
267 reviews
December 31, 2018
What happens when you look down the looking glass may not be what you think it us.

Christiana, a lonely civil engineer didn't know what she would stumble upon when she marked a warehouse for demolition. But braking through a false wall turned her world upside down.

She meets James, who assumes that she is part of the secret BDSM club that moves around the world each month. She never corrects him. The club is only open for 3 day and then gone until next month. They spend the time together and James is looking forward to the following month. Unfortunately for him, she won't be there. She never told him the truth.

We are left with a cliffhanger. I am glad book 2 is coming soon.
Profile Image for Judi.
1,912 reviews14 followers
January 2, 2019
A deep longing fulfilled...

I love books about smart women who let their minds rest and just do. The instant attraction between Christiana and James could be skin deep, could be the environment, could be scary. This story takes "one of us", Chris is a college graduate, working a government job, saving for her future, and she is thrown into the sexy playground of the rich and affluent. But it is only pretend and for a limited time. This tale is so much fun to read and just made me “feel” like Christiana through the looking glass. What's next? At least we don't have long to find out. I wait with baited breath
Profile Image for Ann.
2,261 reviews8 followers
April 29, 2019
Sexy hot read. 4.5.

Christiana, an engineer for the city uncovers a BDSM club hidden away in a building that is slated to be demolished. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she decides to check it out by watching. Things heat up from there. As she tries to pull off a degree of experience she does not have, she finds herself involved with a Domm and enjoys her experience. Then the time comes to say goodby until a month later when the next one is held. One that she can’t possibly attend. This book ends with a cliff hanger but the price seems reasonable so I will try the next one.
692 reviews6 followers
October 2, 2023
This is a truly excellent start of a BDSM romance.

Christiana is a civil engineer who stumbles onto a secret BDSM club and uses subterfuge to enter to "watch". James is very, very rich and very, very bored. They discover each other, James thinks Christiana is an experienced sub and is continually startled by her lack of experience. Christiana is, both because of lack of experience and because she is a pragmatic working engineer instead of a billionaire, completely a fish out of water.

This book is the start of a trilogy. While the ending is not quite a cliffhanger, you really need the other two books.

Very, very well written.
258 reviews2 followers
December 19, 2018
Lila does a good job with a chance meeting with a woman exploring an exclusive club and a man seemingly jilted by the decadence of the club. Having their perceptions from different viewpoints was intriguing. Being caught up in the moment for Ana was overwhelming and for James bringing excitement back to the lifestyle that wasn’t bringing him the same pleasure as it once did. Seeing a situation from different viewpoints of the have and have nots brought another level of conflict when Ana didn’t want James to know her status. I can’t wait to see what danger Ana is in.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews

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