What do you think?
Rate this book
Awakening
You awaken to complete darkness.
You’re blindfolded, gagged, tied to a chair, arms bound tightly behind you. Completely naked – and completely helpless. You have no idea how you got here. Or where “here” is.
This is just a dream, you decide.
Unable to see, you listen instead. What you hear around you is both intriguing and frightening. Other women being punished – and pleasured.
All too soon, your own ordeal begins as three women take turns subjecting you to excruciating torment – and orgasmic bliss.
It must be a dream.
Or is it?
You’re blindfolded, gagged, tied to a chair, arms bound tightly behind you. Completely naked – and completely helpless. You have no idea how you got here. Or where “here” is.
This is just a dream, you decide.
Unable to see, you listen instead. What you hear around you is both intriguing and frightening. Other women being punished – and pleasured.
All too soon, your own ordeal begins as three women take turns subjecting you to excruciating torment – and orgasmic bliss.
It must be a dream.
Or is it?
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2018
26 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
Cassidy Storm
6 books199 followershttp://www.cassidystorm.com
I'm a longtime reader of romance, erotica, sci-fi and horror. Having a vivid imagination, I'd always thought about writing. Finally, I went for it! On Valentines Day 2018, my first release, Girl Talk was released. It's a feel-good #lesfic romance, largely about coming of age and finding oneself!
My second LGBT novella, Awakening, was quite a bit darker. After that came Game Night in February 2019 -- a year to the day after Girl Talk! That one was based upon my non-adventures with a real-life "crush" whom I met through my day-job. And by that, I mean I was too chicken to make a move. (blush)
I'm a baseball fan, and I drew upon this for my first full-length book, Team Mom. This one is more toward the erotica end of the spectrum, and wanders out of the #lesfic category a bit. Research was especially fun -- I visited Marlins Park, Wrigley Field and a number of minor-league venues!
Other than my sister, who is my best friend in the world, my family doesn't know I write -- manuscripts of Girl Talk and especially, Awakening would probably not be well-received at Easter Brunch. Same holds true with the "day-job" profession I'm in -- so I keep those circles at arm's length when it comes to my writing.
When I'm not writing, I enjoy playing board and card games -- the real, physical ones. Although my sister Allison and I do play Words With Friends and I even let her win a few. I love to travel, and in May I made a trip to historic Wrigley Field to watch my beloved Marlins get trounced -- all in the name of research for another of my upcoming books. One hundred percent tax-deductible research, of course!
I also like to cook, often prompted by seeing something delicious posted on social media. I'm deathly afraid of heights and won't go near the railing at the mall, but I've actually jumped out of an airplane. So go figure.
I look forward to taking my readers on a journey!
I'm a longtime reader of romance, erotica, sci-fi and horror. Having a vivid imagination, I'd always thought about writing. Finally, I went for it! On Valentines Day 2018, my first release, Girl Talk was released. It's a feel-good #lesfic romance, largely about coming of age and finding oneself!
My second LGBT novella, Awakening, was quite a bit darker. After that came Game Night in February 2019 -- a year to the day after Girl Talk! That one was based upon my non-adventures with a real-life "crush" whom I met through my day-job. And by that, I mean I was too chicken to make a move. (blush)
I'm a baseball fan, and I drew upon this for my first full-length book, Team Mom. This one is more toward the erotica end of the spectrum, and wanders out of the #lesfic category a bit. Research was especially fun -- I visited Marlins Park, Wrigley Field and a number of minor-league venues!
Other than my sister, who is my best friend in the world, my family doesn't know I write -- manuscripts of Girl Talk and especially, Awakening would probably not be well-received at Easter Brunch. Same holds true with the "day-job" profession I'm in -- so I keep those circles at arm's length when it comes to my writing.
When I'm not writing, I enjoy playing board and card games -- the real, physical ones. Although my sister Allison and I do play Words With Friends and I even let her win a few. I love to travel, and in May I made a trip to historic Wrigley Field to watch my beloved Marlins get trounced -- all in the name of research for another of my upcoming books. One hundred percent tax-deductible research, of course!
I also like to cook, often prompted by seeing something delicious posted on social media. I'm deathly afraid of heights and won't go near the railing at the mall, but I've actually jumped out of an airplane. So go figure.
I look forward to taking my readers on a journey!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 11, 2019
There are a lot of aspects of this book that I liked but there are also some that quite honestly freaked me out a little.
First off the author made a bold move by writing this in 2nd person POV. Normally I don't like books written like that but for the purpose of this type of storytelling it works perfectly. After all it's supposedly you that's being tortured / pleasured and the author did a great job painting a vivid picture of this.
The problem with that however is that it's a double edged sword once you're in that mindset. There are parts of the narrative that I found hot enough to melt my brain but there were also parts that I found quite disturbing.
The book features a wide variety of BDSM elements. Ranging from blindfolds and ice cubes to electroshock and psychological 'torture'. I can definitely appreciate pain with my pleasure but for me personally some scenes were leaning too much towards sadism for me to enjoy it.
Although I understand the appeal of it all being a dream vs. reality, the protagonist asking herself that question over and over became too repetitive. One final thing that happened was that I was very tempted to start skimming. The book from front to back is essentially one long BDSM scene and was becoming a little overwhelming. Towards the end I just wanted it to be over with but I also didn't want to stop reading in the middle of it and then pick up later again or even the next day.
This was an overall enjoyable and hot read but given the choice, I would choose "Girl Talk" all day every day over this. Awakening for me ends with a 3.75* rating.
TW: Dub Con
First off the author made a bold move by writing this in 2nd person POV. Normally I don't like books written like that but for the purpose of this type of storytelling it works perfectly. After all it's supposedly you that's being tortured / pleasured and the author did a great job painting a vivid picture of this.
The problem with that however is that it's a double edged sword once you're in that mindset. There are parts of the narrative that I found hot enough to melt my brain but there were also parts that I found quite disturbing.
The book features a wide variety of BDSM elements. Ranging from blindfolds and ice cubes to electroshock and psychological 'torture'. I can definitely appreciate pain with my pleasure but for me personally some scenes were leaning too much towards sadism for me to enjoy it.
Although I understand the appeal of it all being a dream vs. reality, the protagonist asking herself that question over and over became too repetitive. One final thing that happened was that I was very tempted to start skimming. The book from front to back is essentially one long BDSM scene and was becoming a little overwhelming. Towards the end I just wanted it to be over with but I also didn't want to stop reading in the middle of it and then pick up later again or even the next day.
This was an overall enjoyable and hot read but given the choice, I would choose "Girl Talk" all day every day over this. Awakening for me ends with a 3.75* rating.
TW: Dub Con
February 25, 2019
Wow! That was quite a trip. Written in second person, you wake up bound, gagged, naked and blindfolded. Slowly you realise you're not alone but that's okay because you're fairly sure you're dreaming. Aren't you?
I do like the way Storm writes. It's tight and engaging but there are some caveats to this story. It's dark erotica, bdsm, f/f/f/f, and considering she finds herself unsure of where she is, bound and gagged, you can take consensual off the list. I thought the peer pressure and impossible choices were a clever addition.
I do like the way Storm writes. It's tight and engaging but there are some caveats to this story. It's dark erotica, bdsm, f/f/f/f, and considering she finds herself unsure of where she is, bound and gagged, you can take consensual off the list. I thought the peer pressure and impossible choices were a clever addition.
October 23, 2018
2.75 stars. I found this book a bit trying. I do like bdsm if done well. There are hot parts but this seemed more like a bad BDSM trip that you couldn't wait for it to end. The main character so to speak, wakes up bound, gagged, blindfolded and begins listening to another person getting a lesson from the mistress. The mistress then turns the attention to the main character. Then introduces both subs to each other, etc.
June 21, 2019
Dnf. I like dark reads, fiction that pushes boundaries, and stories that make me feel uncomfortable. What I like about these kind of stories is the psychological exploration of how a person handles a difficult situation. The psychological element was missing here.
I felt the main character's reaction was unrealistic, and did not buy into the fact she thought it was only a dream. This was basically one long bdsm scene and I wasn't into it. If it had been more character driven it would have worked for me.
This 90 pg. story shouldn't cost $2.99 on Amazon. I listened to the audio because it was included in my Scribd membership. This contributed to me not finishing because I don't usually listen to audio.
It's well-written, just be prepared for straight-up bdsm/dub-con smut.
I felt the main character's reaction was unrealistic, and did not buy into the fact she thought it was only a dream. This was basically one long bdsm scene and I wasn't into it. If it had been more character driven it would have worked for me.
This 90 pg. story shouldn't cost $2.99 on Amazon. I listened to the audio because it was included in my Scribd membership. This contributed to me not finishing because I don't usually listen to audio.
It's well-written, just be prepared for straight-up bdsm/dub-con smut.
March 26, 2019
Interesting story
This was an interesting story. It never let up with its action and mystery. Cassidy did a great job at holding your attention and never letting go! This was non stop action and I feel like I need a break after reading this. I was wore out and I wasn’t the one in restraints!! Highly recommend!!!
This was an interesting story. It never let up with its action and mystery. Cassidy did a great job at holding your attention and never letting go! This was non stop action and I feel like I need a break after reading this. I was wore out and I wasn’t the one in restraints!! Highly recommend!!!
February 27, 2019
Awakening was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a look at fantasy vs. reality. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy dark reads.
October 28, 2019
Awakening explores the blurred lines between wakefulness vs. dreams, sexual fantasy vs. stark reality and slave training vs. lesbian romance.
Storm's novella forces a nameless woman and "the girl" to service two sadistic dommes. With no memory of how she entered a BDSM sex dungeon bound, gagged and blindfolded, the nameless character does recall her afternoon work out, an uneventful nighttime date and binge watching Netflix. Did she become a sex slave in training or is she simply dreaming of her desire for "the girl"?
The graphic torture and rape scenes in Awakening are deeply problematic. For me, sexual slavery crosses a non-negotiable line. I don't believe that this was what Storm intended. The mistress/slave relationship is a very disturbing sideshow. The nameless woman character hints at an interest in the fantasy of BDSM, believes desperately that her kidnapping is a dream and confesses her indifference to dating men. "The girl" seems to be a saving grace to her horrific dreamscape and her ordinary reality. Awakening is a well written romp through one woman's mental and romantic minefield.
Storm's novella forces a nameless woman and "the girl" to service two sadistic dommes. With no memory of how she entered a BDSM sex dungeon bound, gagged and blindfolded, the nameless character does recall her afternoon work out, an uneventful nighttime date and binge watching Netflix. Did she become a sex slave in training or is she simply dreaming of her desire for "the girl"?
The graphic torture and rape scenes in Awakening are deeply problematic. For me, sexual slavery crosses a non-negotiable line. I don't believe that this was what Storm intended. The mistress/slave relationship is a very disturbing sideshow. The nameless woman character hints at an interest in the fantasy of BDSM, believes desperately that her kidnapping is a dream and confesses her indifference to dating men. "The girl" seems to be a saving grace to her horrific dreamscape and her ordinary reality. Awakening is a well written romp through one woman's mental and romantic minefield.
April 11, 2019
Hot!
This book is hot hot hot!! My only complaint is that it isn't longer! Love the 1st person point of view!!
This book is hot hot hot!! My only complaint is that it isn't longer! Love the 1st person point of view!!
October 18, 2018
Awakening, by Cassidy Storm. This novel was really an Awakening! It held me riveted from the first page to the last--which chapter was entitled Awakening! You have to read this book to get the irony. It is a fantastic introduction to BDSM and submissive behavior and so well structured that I couldn't wait for the next crescendo of pleasure/pain.
Cassidy Storm is an author with only one other book entitled Girltalk. Awakening was so fascinating I know I'm going to have to read that book next. I do hope to see more from this brilliant erotic novelist. She is now on my short list of "must reads".
Cassidy Storm is an author with only one other book entitled Girltalk. Awakening was so fascinating I know I'm going to have to read that book next. I do hope to see more from this brilliant erotic novelist. She is now on my short list of "must reads".
September 26, 2022
2.5 stars. It was fine, definitely hot in a few places, just way more extreme than I wanted. And I mean, I definitely should have guessed that from the premise, but I was holding out hope that this would take a romantic turn at some point/have some kind of a nicer twist. And I mean, it kiiiiinda did? But only barely. Listened to the audiobook as read by Faith Clark; it was fun. This was just one of those books that zigged hard when I was hoping it would zag.
Content warnings:
Content warnings:
October 7, 2018
BDSM is not my thing, per se, but I am open to all fetishes, including this one. This story is more than just a chain of sadistic concepts and the masochistic perspective. This book is literally an awakening, as you are the one telling the story. By this I mean that the narrative voice is 2nd person (the "you" voice), which is daring and risky in any literary starting point where all other elements are in your favor. In erotica, and in a story where the lead character, you, is hardly intimately familiar with BDSM, it is a choice by the author that is nothing short from... Insane, courageous, groundbreaking...
The skill with which this story was crafted leaves all options open to be explored.
The skill with which this story was crafted leaves all options open to be explored.
March 16, 2023
Trigger warnings
Bound sex
Blindfolds
Whips
Cames
Rope sex
Ropes
Gags
Edging
Dream awake sex must be a new genre.
Bound sex
Blindfolds
Whips
Cames
Rope sex
Ropes
Gags
Edging
Dream awake sex must be a new genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2018
Holy cow!!!
I have read some BDSM but nothing like this and this was at times a little annoying with “am I dreaming” but it was so freaking hot!!
My first read from this author and I was very disappointed when it ended!!! I feel like that could lead into another book but man oh man!!!
I haven’t read that many male on male or woman on woman but what you experience with this read was something different than what others give you. The point of view was also different for me because I’m a first person type of reader but this was 2nd person type, a little different but not bad. It took some getting use to but once I did, changed my mood VERY quickly!
I can’t wait to see what this author has to offer us in the future because this was a great read.
I have read some BDSM but nothing like this and this was at times a little annoying with “am I dreaming” but it was so freaking hot!!
My first read from this author and I was very disappointed when it ended!!! I feel like that could lead into another book but man oh man!!!
I haven’t read that many male on male or woman on woman but what you experience with this read was something different than what others give you. The point of view was also different for me because I’m a first person type of reader but this was 2nd person type, a little different but not bad. It took some getting use to but once I did, changed my mood VERY quickly!
I can’t wait to see what this author has to offer us in the future because this was a great read.
March 10, 2023
That's some wild stuff right there.
October 18, 2019
3 stars. Okay, so that was definitely an experience. It's dark but also incredibly sensual and I really enjoyed it. I love Storm's writing a lot and I found the way this was set up to be unique. I just wish there was a bit more to it. It ends so abruptly with no answers and I wanted something a bit more concrete. Not a bad read in the slightest. It's very entertaining and it kept me hooked from the very beginning but I was just left wanting so much more.
March 9, 2020
It was a decent read
I did not enjoy this installment as much as I did Girl Talk but it was still a really great effort I am generally not attracted to BSDM but the great detail in which each act was described peaked my interest. I dont know quite how to feel about enjoying it so much. It's a weird feeling being frightened and excited at the same time.
I did not enjoy this installment as much as I did Girl Talk but it was still a really great effort I am generally not attracted to BSDM but the great detail in which each act was described peaked my interest. I dont know quite how to feel about enjoying it so much. It's a weird feeling being frightened and excited at the same time.
October 5, 2018
This book is so different, as you are the main character. The author has done a wonderful job of setting the scene, and you can truly picture it all happening to you. Loved it!
April 12, 2020
I was debating "2 stars or 3?" and decided on 2. Not all that into BDSM myself, but other stories I've read and liked actually involved some interaction with the characters, not "she caresses you here" and you moan in your gag" et cetera.
This came through more like a "brain-in-a-vat" story than actual BDSM. The reader is told (over and over again!) that "you" cannot be sure if this is real or a dream, and the whole story is about "you" thinking and feeling this or that. So while the language may be well thought, this doesn't really even feel like a story, but a chronological list of things done to "you" and "you" guessing what's happening to "the Girl" by nondescript others.
It's not absolutely awful, but it really didn't do it for me, even as porn.
This came through more like a "brain-in-a-vat" story than actual BDSM. The reader is told (over and over again!) that "you" cannot be sure if this is real or a dream, and the whole story is about "you" thinking and feeling this or that. So while the language may be well thought, this doesn't really even feel like a story, but a chronological list of things done to "you" and "you" guessing what's happening to "the Girl" by nondescript others.
It's not absolutely awful, but it really didn't do it for me, even as porn.
August 27, 2023
Hot trash
The whole "is this a dream or not" premise only makes sense in fantasy and sci-fi, seeing it in an erotic novel makes zero sense. Not to mention, the book was boring, I couldn't even make it past page 31. This is the first book I've read from this author and it left a bad impression.
The whole "is this a dream or not" premise only makes sense in fantasy and sci-fi, seeing it in an erotic novel makes zero sense. Not to mention, the book was boring, I couldn't even make it past page 31. This is the first book I've read from this author and it left a bad impression.
October 4, 2018
WOW!!!
This is an intense story of mind boggling Domme torture training.
She thinks she is dreaming all of these scenes, but when she awakes...
Marks are over her body.
Mind blowing scenes throughout this whole story.
This is an intense story of mind boggling Domme torture training.
She thinks she is dreaming all of these scenes, but when she awakes...
Marks are over her body.
Mind blowing scenes throughout this whole story.
November 29, 2024
rate it as: 3.0/5.0 this book is crazy. i wish the character and the girl had another book where they found each other and healed emotionally and physically together :’)
-
read it as: online copy
-
favorite chapters: the ones called balanced, aquatinted, sated, and awakened
-
read it as: online copy
-
favorite chapters: the ones called balanced, aquatinted, sated, and awakened
January 1, 2022
90% torture 10% pleasure.
my throat is perched for the protagonist who didn't get enough aftercare for the whole ordeal. it's porn without plot what more can I say?
3 pinwheel stars
my throat is perched for the protagonist who didn't get enough aftercare for the whole ordeal. it's porn without plot what more can I say?
3 pinwheel stars
November 27, 2023
Not well-versed in the field of erotic literature, but this was decent. It has a moment with some rope that was really solid (the writing, not the rope) but after that it kind of loses its momentum. But it’s a 2 hour little dirty bdsm story so like, it fulfils its purpose i suppose. Didn’t read it though, listened to the audiobook. But since Goodreads is, like everything else on this site is, stuck in 2005 the system for adding books is quite ridiculous. It used to be that any user could add editions and books like Wikipedia, but now you need to be part of a group and send in a request to a mod for something to be added. Stupid stupid system. Another reason why StoryGraph is way better for logging and stats. Anyway, if you want a dirty story of being blindfolded in an unknown room with three other women then this is for you
September 30, 2023
in my mind both her and the girl are living together and super happy in a beautiful home away from any kind of torture electrical wands
October 24, 2025
i've read better lesbian bdsm on literotica 💔
May 16, 2022
After reading girl talk by this author I thought I’d try reading another book by her. Honestly this book had potential like it could’ve been longer book . Similar to her other book it didn’t even have an end just ended like that. But it was good nonetheless
May 8, 2021
The good: I liked the second person narration. It was unique and didn't distract from the story. The main character is blindfolded throughout the story and the author did a good job of working within that limitation. I liked that there was variety of things the protagonist experienes during this sadomasochistic adventure. The twist at the end was okay.
The bad: I was prepared for what I was getting myself into in terms of content. I wasn't expecting to be so bored. It read like "this happened, then this happened, and they did this." I wish there was more description of what all of these things felt like for the main character, even just on a physical level.
Overall: The Story of No.
The bad: I was prepared for what I was getting myself into in terms of content. I wasn't expecting to be so bored. It read like "this happened, then this happened, and they did this." I wish there was more description of what all of these things felt like for the main character, even just on a physical level.
Overall: The Story of No.
August 9, 2021
if i know you and you saw i read this, no you didn’t.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews