Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Awakenings #3

Serving Sophia

Rate this book
Walls of Pain Sophia DiMarco wants a forever kind of love. But finding the right sub isn’t easy. And so she built a fortified wall around her heart to keep her from wanting more. It worked—until Drew Snow walked through her front door and stormed her citadel with one smoldering look. Secret Shame Never having entertained the idea of being submissive before, Drew finds himself enchanted with the beautiful Domme and craving the searing kiss of her dominance. But powerful men like him—he’s a sought-after chef with a television show in the works—aren’t subs, and the price of his submission is secrecy. When tragedy strikes, he must decide whether he’s strong enough to embrace his true nature and Sophia, who has become so much more than a secret pleasure. Femdom, BDSM

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2019

15 people are currently reading
38 people want to read

About the author

Michele Zurlo

71 books287 followers
Michele Zurlo is the author of the Awakenings, Doms of the FBI, and the SAFE Security series and many other stories. She writes contemporary and paranormal, BDSM and mainstream—whatever it takes to give her characters the happy endings they deserve. Her childhood dream was to be a librarian so she could read all day. Some words of wisdom from an inspiring lady had her tapping out stories on her first laptop, and writing blossomed from a hobby to a career.

She also writes MM romance under the name A.J. Stone. Find out more at www.michelezurloauthor.com

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
37 (63%)
4 stars
15 (25%)
3 stars
5 (8%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Johanna Sawyer.
3,476 reviews41 followers
April 28, 2020
What. A. Fabulous. Read! This series is going on my top ten series of all time. Every book just feels incredible! Drew and Sophia are a phenomenal five stars. I just loved it!

What did I like? This author can create love where the characters need it. Male submissive have a catch all for being weak, but Drew is anything but that. Here he not only meets Sophia’s dominant needs but flourishes under her dominance making himself a freer person. I find it amazing as they scene and Drew opens up to realize that it takes a certain strength to just let go.

Would I recommend or buy? This author makes consensual scenes with all sort of cock and ball torture, anal sex, and oral sex. Scenes have a heady attractive male who succumbs to his Queen’s desires. If you adore BDSM scenes then this is definitely for you. The story line is about a male finding his sexual comfort in a dominant female.

Thoughts for the author? Congratulations....another great story. I really love this series. I still think Owning Up is my favorite. Can’t wait for more. I received a copy from Booksprout and this is my voluntary review.
412 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2019
Amazing series! Each book gets better and better!! This is the third book in the series - “Awakenings” and each story is impressive and fantastic. I look forward to each book and NONE have disappointed me! Each book has its own story and each story is well written, the characters have depth, they are loaded with adventure, danger, BDSM elements, romance and much more!
Drew is a gourmet Chef, gorgeous, HOT and doesn’t have trouble attracting women and being in relationships with women. Enter Sophia, small in height but strong in Karate and character. LOL She is a Domme, has studied hard to be a good one and has subs but doesn’t do relationships. Ummm, that is until they meet and the electricity cackles and scintillates.

The first time they meet one another is through one of Sophia's Subs who invites Drew to join in, while Drew thinks it will be a threesome and protests he isn't submissive - Sophia shows him who is boss and Drew is hooked, as long as no one finds out. There is much soul searching, feelings explored and understanding of trust and love.
Michele Zurlo is masterful in describing the Domme/sub relationship and how it doesn’t mean one is strong or weak. She shows that a BDSM relationship is concerned with the understanding of each other and yourself. The vulnerability of our Domme and the strength of our sub are beautifully portrayed as they learn to support and rely on each other. To discover the depth of Drew and Sophia’s relationship, their fears and hopes then it’s time for you to pick up the book that will keep you on edge while not being mundane or predictable. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Dar.
4,550 reviews94 followers
June 7, 2019
Sophia and Drew were magic together! They both knew exactly who they were, what they liked, and were very self aware. Then they met, and the sparks were there, and they both realized they might have been a bit hasty deciding on self-satisfaction. They fed each others desires, but they also filled each others hearts, and satisfied each others souls. It took a bit, they are both pretty stubborn, but it made their happy ever after all the more satisfying

The perfect balance of a partnership, accompanied by a BDSM relationship, this femdom and her sub are masterfully portrayed in this story. The concerns and feelings of both Sophia and Drew are explored, and validated, as they are their feelings, and they are real to the characters. Logic gives way to emotions, and those emotions lead to understanding. Understanding the other, and understanding yourself. The vulnerability of our Domme and the strength of our sub are beautifully portrayed as they learn to support and rely on each other. This book has a quiet grace that weaves into your psyche and has you falling for the characters
Profile Image for Ramona.
856 reviews4 followers
June 12, 2019
Exceptional Reading, Michele Zurlo at her finest...the story of Drew and Sophia will keep you turning pages until you reach the very climactic end.
Drew Snow is a very busy Chef and likes to think of himself as a ladies man. Sophia is a hard-hitting Domme who doesn't do relationships. The first time they meet one another is through one of Sophia's Subs who invites Drew to join in, while Drew thinks it will be a threesome and protests he isn't submissive - Sophia shows him who is boss and Drew is hooked, as long as no one finds out. I have read all of Michele's work and while they are all great I really loved this book.
Profile Image for SBee Reviews.
2,671 reviews81 followers
May 24, 2020
★ Fantastic FemDomme read ★

—>>> Impressive writing makes this story flow, with strong characters experiencing self discovery and mistakes and very real emotions. Loved the exploration and buildup of trust and love between Sophia and Drew, and the support of their protective and sometimes meddling families and friends. This was a fantastic FemDomme read!
Profile Image for Tammy.
964 reviews9 followers
June 12, 2019
Well this was an explosively sexual book - Sophia did things to Drew I couldn't even picture in my mind - certainly was an education. I'm just glad at the end they admitted their true feelings for each other, he came to grips with his submissive side and she brought down the wall around her heart.
Profile Image for QueenOfBooks88.
260 reviews11 followers
June 11, 2019
Well this was completely different to what i usually read but it was good none the less. Drew & Sophia's characters were brilliant and the whole book was well written.
Profile Image for Mary Lou Hoffman.
1,954 reviews34 followers
May 2, 2020
SERVING SOPHIA is the third book in the Awakening series. It stands alone, though characters from previous and future books do appear.

I love reading Michelle Zurlo’s BDSM books. She educates while entertaining. This time I learned about male subs and female Dommes – or at least about Sophia and Drew’s relationship at it developed.

I loved that they found a way for Drew’s romantic nature to be allowed a place within their D/s relationship. In fact, they each brought out more from the other… while tearing down the walls that they thought they had to have in place.

I loved that Sophia made mistakes and acknowledged them, if only to herself. Doms/Dommes do make mistakes. In this case, because in her heart of hearts because she did want the romance that Drew was hoping to bring into her life, even if she didn’t want to admit it yet.

I loved falling in love with all of these characters and their friends…. Especially her brother David and his friend Evan. I hope they soon have a story of their own.

Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.


Title: SERVING SOPHIA
Series: Awakening #3
Category /Genre: Romantic Suspense, Erotic
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC copy / errors excused
Received from: Michele Zurlo
241 reviews
May 7, 2020
Wow. Burning hot from the very start. I have read many of Michele Zurlo’s books, which have had the male role as a Dom, female as the sub. This was completely the opposite. Sophia is a beautiful young woman working as a freelance accountant by day, and Dom at a club by night.
Drew, a rising TV chef is introduced to Sophia by a current partner, takes part in a threesome scenario and from then is completely obsessed with Sophia.
Sophia, has her regular subs, and doesn’t do dating. Drew, wants exclusivity but without anyone knowing about their relationship. As their feelings develop and get stronger it becomes clear to them both, things need to change but can Drew ever let it be known that he’s a Submissive to Sophia’s powerful and strong Domme? Society has changed so much over the years, same sex relationships are completely the norm and acceptable, strong alpha males that dominate both public and private lives are applauded and accepted. For men, it’s thought of as demeaning and shameful to let a woman become dominant, to rule the bedroom and life outside. This book explores the feelings of both the Domme and the sub, what both give and get from the relationship, and the consequences of not being able to accept who you are.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Joanne Carr.
754 reviews3 followers
April 30, 2020
I am voluntarily writing this review for this book I received through Booksprouts arc.

Christopher was a high powered attorney but also Sophia submissive.
Christopher finally told her that he had met someone since their relationship was not romantic. Sophia was trying to pass it off as next time but that was when Christopher told her there would be no next time. Drew was a renowned chef and on the boat he hired a chef though it was hard cooking for a chef. His friend Livia was on the boat with him. She told him she should meet her domme. Livia took Drew to meet Sophia and Drew couldn’t believe how attracted he was to Sophia. Drew was involved in the scene between Sophia and Livia. But,he really wanted Sophia which she gave him a taste. Drew finally had it with Liv and told her that they time had ended. Sophia was really drawn to Drew which was taken her back. Drew became Sophia’s sub even though he never thought of himself as a submissive. Drew also knew she had other subs and topped people at the club though he really wasn’t happy about it. Drew was trying to keep their relationship a secret as he was preparing to do a cooking show for the network and didn’t want people knowing he had a domme
70 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2020
If the word femdom make you think of a heartless witch abusing a pathetic loser, you will be pleasantly surprised by Sophia and Drew. Sophia is a loving, compassionate domme who is nevertheless fully and happily in charge in the bedroom, and she has a wicked imagination. Drew is a classic alpha overachiever in his day-to-day life and hates the idea that deep down he wants to submit to a woman, but he does. Theirs is a very sexy love story. Their conflict revolves around her fear of having her heart broken and his fear of being thought a wimp. Don't worry, they'll work it out. Be warned, though, Sophia's BDSM techniques go beyond what some readers might be comfortable with. She loves Drew and is always respectful of his limits, and he loves everything she does to him, but your mileage may vary.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,739 reviews24 followers
May 11, 2020
This book is about something that I really enjoyed reading about which is a male sub and a female Dom. As with all Michele Zurlo books the sex scenes are off the charts but the emotional parts of the book are incredibly well written as well. The hero Drew is a well known chef and like most men feels that being a sub is something shameful especially as a newbie to the kink world. Sophia agrees to a hidden relationship which works, until it doesn’t. I am amazed looking back that I enjoyed reading about the emotional parts of their relationship even more than the sexual parts. I shouldn’t be surprised really as Zurlo is amazing at writing this kind of thing. I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Marybeth.
2,296 reviews21 followers
May 8, 2020
When Drew meets Sophia thru a friend that was a sub to her domme, Drew is instantly attracted to her. But she is a domme and he is not a sub, or at least he thinks he isn't. Sophia shows him that submitting to her is what he wants. The problem is that Drew doesn't want anyone to know as he feels there is a stigma attached to being a male submissive. This is a well written book that shows the trust that people must give to one another when going into a D/s relationship. There is eventually a HEA and the journey there is very satisfying. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Leanne Bryson.
5,204 reviews22 followers
May 11, 2020
I've not found a book that describes the power exchange between Domme and a submissive male better than this book. Drew and Sophia may be hiding who they are and what they truly desire from the world, but when they meet, they can't hide from each other. Michele Zurlo does a beautiful job allowing the reader to see that BDSM is as much about submission to the needs of the one you love and serving those needs. I loved the flow of this book, the twists and turns, and the characters were two of Michele's best written. Absolutely, 100% one of my favorite books, ever. Fantastic read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Illusode.
250 reviews7 followers
May 11, 2020

EVERYONE HAS DEEP CONNECTIONS... like adults. Plenty of friends, family, and lovers in an interconnected web. And WOW, the support, acceptance, and love from family were tremendous! The characters were rational, realistic, and complex. While there was some misunderstanding, i never felt like screaming at the characters for unbelievable and exasperating levels of stupidity. Not dumb, though I appreciated explanations; they were informative and timely without being excessive or dumbed down.

This story was hot, smart, funny, warm, and definitely makes me want more of all these characters!

1,413 reviews9 followers
April 29, 2020
Sophia is a beautiful, very strong woman. She is a Domme and she has a dream of a sub who only desires her happiness. It hasn't happened yet, but she hasn't met Drew yet either. A chef who knows he is not submissive and does not like pain. Learning the exquisite pleasure that comes from submitting your control to someone you trust blows his mind. He wants Sophia, but his hard limit is that no one can know he submits. It could ruin him. Is that a deal breaker?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
6,168 reviews58 followers
Read
May 11, 2020
This is my first voyage into FemDom. I usually go for the Alpha Dom. Loved the story. It was really hot and steamy. Sophia is a Domme who has built such high walls because she's not fount the fight sub so she closes her heart up. Drew is a closet submissive that fights for control. When they meet the sparks fly. Each of them are still hiding their secrets. Will they ever be able to be the couple they really want to be? Fast paced exciting story. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Colleen.
237 reviews
May 13, 2020
FemDom perfection!! Why do authors in the genre not write more of these. I get so excited when I read series that dive into this. It is a fun breath of fresh air to get to read this dynamic.

In Serving Sofia we get to enjoy the journey of Sofia and Drew as they both discover aspects of themselves that was bubbling to be come to the surface. The chemistry was strong. The heat was definitely scorching with these two.

I have been enjoying this series so much. It’s both entertaining and educational. I love that she touches on a variety of different aspects in BDSM.
Profile Image for SiKReviews.
1,325 reviews5 followers
July 16, 2019
Love this book. A really tough chick who has a gooey inside that with the right man can show it. I have loved Drew since book 1 and I am so thrilled he is the hero of this book. Yes, even the submissive can be the Hero in a book, and I love that!!

Even a Dominate can be self conscience of being one. I am glad that Drew can make Sophia comfortable to let her true self shine. Book is hot with a loving touch to it.
Profile Image for Kim.
127 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2020
Sophia is a Domme with only a few clients. She meets Drew, who shows great interest in her, and tells herself she won't let her heart get involved. This is a great story line with the characters learning things about themselves that were new to them. Drew learns its ok to be a submissive and male. It does have steamy scenes and a happy ending. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,847 reviews14 followers
May 8, 2020
Before reading this, I hadn’t known what femdom meant. This was an experience, and it was thought-provoking and made me question society's norm. The realization that men who submit to a woman might be considered weak or “one of those”. This was written in a way that showed emotions from both sides. I really enjoyed this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
741 reviews2 followers
May 11, 2020
I received a free copy of this book.This is my honest and voluntary review
I have recently become a fan of this author. This book is a prime example of why. I love BDSM themed books. I have read numerous D/s books but always with a Dom. This was my first with being about a Domme. I loved it. Sophia and Drew were well-written interesting characters. I loved the storyline and I can't wait to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,119 reviews49 followers
May 11, 2020
This is the 3rd book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone. Sophia wants a forever kind of love with the right sub but is tired of being hurt and walled up her heart. Drew has never thought of the idea of being submissive but when he meets Sophia sparks fly. Drew is a sought-after chef with a television show, can a man like him enjoy being submissive and can they keep it a secret? Fast-paced steamy read with great characters and plenty of twists and turns. I liked it.
10.8k reviews125 followers
May 12, 2020
I've read several books written by Michele Zurlo; she has done a great job at writing a good book; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
46 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2020
Ok so it is hard enough to find femdom oriented books... but to find a book that literally made me take half a day of vacation because I couldn't put it down when I should be working... it was that good. For those in the scene, especially for those whose interests don't tend to make mainstream writing, you have to read this!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews217 followers
May 10, 2020
I have not read a bad book from this author yet and this book is no exception! The great plot and character development kept me so engaged throughout the entire book that I had a very hard time putting this book down until the very last page was turned!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,751 reviews8 followers
May 11, 2020
Sophia is a Domme who hasn't managed to find her own submissive. She meets Drew, who doesn't think he is a submissive, but a session with Sophia suggests otherwise. Drew needed to keep their relationship a secret as it could affect his career if it became public. How are they going to work this out?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,797 reviews4 followers
May 11, 2020
This is the story of Sophia and Drew. She is looking for a submissive and has found Drew. With his chef career taking off with a new show, can he embrace his submissive side and keep his relationship with Sophia private? I enjoyed this story as they each bring something special to the relationship. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Deb.
7,569 reviews37 followers
May 29, 2020
This was a bit of a twist for me to read as I normally read about female submissives and male doms. I liked the change as I found it intriguing to see how the author crafted their chemistry and subtle nuances that comprise a BDSM relationship with this switch. An enjoyable story.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.