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The Boss #6
The Sister
Sophie Scaife finally feels like her personal life is on the right track. Her marriage to her devastatingly sadistic billionaire Dom, Neil Elwood, is as sexually adventurous as ever. Their relationship with their lover, the glamorous and rich El-Mudad ibn Farid ibn Abdel Ati, is growing closer. Even sharing guardianship of Neil’s granddaughter with his ex is going smoothly.
But a trip to Sophie’s hometown leads to a heartbreaking discovery, and she’s forced to confront a family she never knew. When they ask her for a life-changing favor, she must choose between helping them and healing herself—unless she can find a way to do both.
While she navigates the unrelenting emotional pressure, long-simmering tensions come to a head in her professional life with dramatic consequences. Reconciling what her heart wants with fears for the future, Sophie must learn to let go of the past and embrace possibilities she never knew were options…
But a trip to Sophie’s hometown leads to a heartbreaking discovery, and she’s forced to confront a family she never knew. When they ask her for a life-changing favor, she must choose between helping them and healing herself—unless she can find a way to do both.
While she navigates the unrelenting emotional pressure, long-simmering tensions come to a head in her professional life with dramatic consequences. Reconciling what her heart wants with fears for the future, Sophie must learn to let go of the past and embrace possibilities she never knew were options…
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First published August 22, 2017
105 people are currently reading
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About the author
Abigail Barnette
63 books1,278 followersAbigail Barnette is the pseudonym of Jenny Trout (alias Jennifer Armintrout, an author, blogger, and funny person. Jenny made the USA Today bestseller list with her debut novel, Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. As Abigail Barnette, Jenny writes award-winning erotic romance, including the internationally bestselling The Boss series.
As a blogger, Jenny’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, and has been featured on television and radio, including HuffPost Live, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and National Public Radio’s Here & Now. Her work has earned mentions in The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.
As a blogger, Jenny’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, and has been featured on television and radio, including HuffPost Live, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and National Public Radio’s Here & Now. Her work has earned mentions in The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 19, 2017
Oh boy.
I adore this series. As you can see at the bottom of this review, I have been looking forward to its continuation for well over a year. In The Sister, the sixth installment in The Boss series, you can expect a lot of movement in regards to romantic, family, and work relationships. Some I am looking forward to continuing and some make me very, very apprehensive.
Things that caught me off guard: (Seriously these are huge spoilers. Don't click on this spoiler unless you have already read the book.)
Yes, I know that was a whole lot of negatives. When you are passionate and protective about your favorite characters/series, then any disappointment is going to be equally passionate. I don't know how these authors do it. To keep a story moving nonrepetitively while keeping every fan happy is impossible. I gave this book an extra star just for that. I could see Ms. Barnette try to keep the material fresh in order to prevent boredom but it didn't quite work for me personally. I'm not done with this series by a long shot. I've happily made it this far - there was bound to be an installment that didn't click with me. I'm already looking forward to the next one. There's nowhere to go but up!
My favorite quote:
“Expectations sometimes have that dismal effect on reality.” (True story!)
August 2016:
Can't wait!
The Boss series includes the following installments (as of August 2016):
#0.5:The Stranger
#1:The Boss
#2:The Girlfriend
#2.5:The Hook-Up
#3:The Bride
#4:The Ex
#5:The Baby
#6:The Sister
I adore this series. As you can see at the bottom of this review, I have been looking forward to its continuation for well over a year. In The Sister, the sixth installment in The Boss series, you can expect a lot of movement in regards to romantic, family, and work relationships. Some I am looking forward to continuing and some make me very, very apprehensive.
Things that caught me off guard: (Seriously these are huge spoilers. Don't click on this spoiler unless you have already read the book.)
Yes, I know that was a whole lot of negatives. When you are passionate and protective about your favorite characters/series, then any disappointment is going to be equally passionate. I don't know how these authors do it. To keep a story moving nonrepetitively while keeping every fan happy is impossible. I gave this book an extra star just for that. I could see Ms. Barnette try to keep the material fresh in order to prevent boredom but it didn't quite work for me personally. I'm not done with this series by a long shot. I've happily made it this far - there was bound to be an installment that didn't click with me. I'm already looking forward to the next one. There's nowhere to go but up!
My favorite quote:
“Expectations sometimes have that dismal effect on reality.” (True story!)
August 2016:
Can't wait!
The Boss series includes the following installments (as of August 2016):
#0.5:The Stranger
#1:The Boss
#2:The Girlfriend
#2.5:The Hook-Up
#3:The Bride
#4:The Ex
#5:The Baby
#6:The Sister
February 15, 2021
Not really thrilled about where Sophie and Neil's relationship has gone to with El-Mudad. I feel it cheapens the love Sophie and Neil have fought for. But it is what it is. I'll still finish this series to see what happens.
April 22, 2019
Cosa dire di un’autrice che dopo sei libri e due novelle sugli stessi due protagonisti riesce ancora a tenerti incollata alle pagine? La bravura della Barnette sta proprio nel raccontare le vicissitudini di questa coppia assolutamente non convenzionale arricchendole sempre di nuovi particolari e di colpi di scena degni dei Forrester, ma in chiave decisamente più “moderna”. Ed è così che entrano in gioco, oltre a frustini e Sybian, tutta una serie di emozioni e di introspezione, dalla paura di non essere all’altezza della vita in cui Sophie si ritrova, alla scoperta di una famiglia segreta che ha bisogno di lei, l’inadeguatezza continua del ruolo di mamma che si scontra inevitabilmente con l’amore sconsiderato che prova comunque per la piccola Olivia. Di questo libro ho apprezzato particolarmente, o forse ho prestato per la prima volta particolare attenzione, la maestria dell’autrice che con semplicissime parole, quasi senza fartene accorgere, ti fa avvertire il sottile cambiamento che avviene nella mente di Sophie ogni volta che passa dall’essere semplicemente moglie all’essere sottomessa di Neil, che dal canto suo, pur con i suoi gusti particolari, è forse il marito perfetto, sempre presente ed attento ad ogni bisogno della sua stella polare. Di contro devo ammettere che in questo volume viene tirato in ballo un argomento che la mia di mente invece non riesce proprio, volente o nolente, a concepire, ed è quello del poliamore, unico motivo per cui non di a questo libro 5 stelle, ma per me è comunque un grande si.
September 18, 2017
Oh the excitement...oh the disappointment.
The last book was not my favorite, but I'll say I would take it over this one. I mean, what just happened?? This book tears apart everything that was great with Neil and Sophie.
This whole thing with El-Mudad is just unnecessary. It isn't as if three way relationships offend me, it's just that it feels wrong between these two. Ever since he came in the picture, I've had a nagging feeling that it isn't going to end well. Neil is way too into him to be fair to Sophie and Sophie is too like "whatever" after almost losing him for me to believe it's ok. Their dynamic as a couple already feels cold and impersonal.
Another annoying part was her job complaints. They should've ended in chapter 3! This book makes Sophie seem weak to the max and it didn't look good on her.
So I gave it 2 stars because I love these two, but I can't say I'm too excited nor the next book because I don't care for the turn this series has taken.
The last book was not my favorite, but I'll say I would take it over this one. I mean, what just happened?? This book tears apart everything that was great with Neil and Sophie.
This whole thing with El-Mudad is just unnecessary. It isn't as if three way relationships offend me, it's just that it feels wrong between these two. Ever since he came in the picture, I've had a nagging feeling that it isn't going to end well. Neil is way too into him to be fair to Sophie and Sophie is too like "whatever" after almost losing him for me to believe it's ok. Their dynamic as a couple already feels cold and impersonal.
Another annoying part was her job complaints. They should've ended in chapter 3! This book makes Sophie seem weak to the max and it didn't look good on her.
So I gave it 2 stars because I love these two, but I can't say I'm too excited nor the next book because I don't care for the turn this series has taken.
September 9, 2017
Meh. I wasn't expecting a return to her earlier greatness after the atrocity that was The Baby, but I am disappointed at how this series is slowly turning to shit.
August 23, 2019
4 STARS REVIEW
I've been putting off writing this review because I have adverse feelings toward this book.
First things first, I'm a huge fan of The Boss series, I've read the first five books a lot of times and I'm so in love with Neil. I adore Jenny's style, it's unique because she's very good at describing sex scenes and at making a perfect analysis of the characters' behavior.
***WHAT I LOVE***
I adore most of the scenes in this novel, especially the sexual ones (I have a dirty mind, I know) and I am fascinated by how Sophie acts with her little stepsister.
Olivia is getting older and she is so cute, Neil and Sophie are very good at taking care of her, they are so fond of her.
And that's all, there are other things that makenme so happy, but I don't want to spoiler.
***WHAT I DON'T LIKE***
In this installment of the Boss Series, Neil, Sophie and El-Mudad decide to take their relationship a step further. They find out that they're in love with each other and their desire is to live together.
So, I am okay with Neil and Sophie having threesomes, foursomes and things like that, but I don't like that they're both in love with El Mudad.
What I have always loved about this series is the strong bond between Neil and Sophie, how much the love each other. Their connection runs so deep and they're D/S relationship is wonderful. I still remember how sweet was the marriage proposal and all the scenes where they cuddled and hugged and kissed each other.
In this book, however, they don't kiss so often, their physical relationship is not that strong and it's something that I don't like. What I truly dislike is that El-Mudad is now Sophie's "Monsieur" and It just doesn't feel right to me. It has always been something special between Neil and Sophie, something that strengthens and enriches their relationship. But now that there's El-Mudad it feels less special, I don't know.
***CONCLUSIONS***
So, what can I say? I like this book, I was really looking forward to read it and I am not disappointed. I hope I proved my point, it's not that I don't accept threesome, but I wasn't expecting this huge change to happen in Neil and Sophie's marriage.
I know will have time to get used to it while waiting for "The Boyfriend " to come out next year.
I've been putting off writing this review because I have adverse feelings toward this book.
First things first, I'm a huge fan of The Boss series, I've read the first five books a lot of times and I'm so in love with Neil. I adore Jenny's style, it's unique because she's very good at describing sex scenes and at making a perfect analysis of the characters' behavior.
***WHAT I LOVE***
I adore most of the scenes in this novel, especially the sexual ones (I have a dirty mind, I know) and I am fascinated by how Sophie acts with her little stepsister.
Olivia is getting older and she is so cute, Neil and Sophie are very good at taking care of her, they are so fond of her.
And that's all, there are other things that makenme so happy, but I don't want to spoiler.
***WHAT I DON'T LIKE***
In this installment of the Boss Series, Neil, Sophie and El-Mudad decide to take their relationship a step further. They find out that they're in love with each other and their desire is to live together.
So, I am okay with Neil and Sophie having threesomes, foursomes and things like that, but I don't like that they're both in love with El Mudad.
What I have always loved about this series is the strong bond between Neil and Sophie, how much the love each other. Their connection runs so deep and they're D/S relationship is wonderful. I still remember how sweet was the marriage proposal and all the scenes where they cuddled and hugged and kissed each other.
In this book, however, they don't kiss so often, their physical relationship is not that strong and it's something that I don't like. What I truly dislike is that El-Mudad is now Sophie's "Monsieur" and It just doesn't feel right to me. It has always been something special between Neil and Sophie, something that strengthens and enriches their relationship. But now that there's El-Mudad it feels less special, I don't know.
***CONCLUSIONS***
So, what can I say? I like this book, I was really looking forward to read it and I am not disappointed. I hope I proved my point, it's not that I don't accept threesome, but I wasn't expecting this huge change to happen in Neil and Sophie's marriage.
I know will have time to get used to it while waiting for "The Boyfriend " to come out next year.
April 21, 2019
Sophie conduce una vita serena e appassionante al fianco di Neil, suo marito più grande di lei. Insieme hanno affrontato la dura e grave malattia di lui, che ha richiesto un decorso non facile e una lunga convalescenza. Insieme hanno affrontato anche un lutto terribile, che ha messo a dura prova la sanità mentale di Neil, e hanno superato gravi e intime rivelazioni personali dopo la pubblicazione di un libro verità su di lui. Sophie partecipa ad un ritrovo di ex studenti e viene a conoscenza di una rivelazione choc che riguarda la sua vita privata. Viene a sapere dell'esistenza di due sorelle, una delle quali, Molly, ha bisogno del suo aiuto. Questo la metterà in crisi e avrà attacchi di panico perché dovrà prendere un'importante decisione. Anche sul campo lavorativo, Deja, moglie della sua migliore amica Molly e coredattrice della rivista Mode, le farà capire quali sono i suoi veri obiettivi.
Sophie l' ho amata molto in questo libro. Prova ingratitudine per la ricchezza che ha, finge di essere al livello degli altri e rifiuta i privilegi che denaro le offre. È il suo modo per non sentirsi in colpa; rimanda troppo a lungo la ricerca per trovare la nuova se stessa e ha paura di essere una donna trofeo. Questo perché non vuole semplicemente accettare passivamente di essere una donna molto ricca. In questo libro fa una ricerca interiore accurata ma trova, con meticolose introspezioni, la sua dimensione. Anche il rapporto con la piccola Olivia è molto tenero e sentito, soprattutto considerando la sua storica avversione verso i bambini. La presenza di El-Mudad ha fatto salire la parte erotica, come anche i momenti trascorsi al Pavillion.
Sophie l' ho amata molto in questo libro. Prova ingratitudine per la ricchezza che ha, finge di essere al livello degli altri e rifiuta i privilegi che denaro le offre. È il suo modo per non sentirsi in colpa; rimanda troppo a lungo la ricerca per trovare la nuova se stessa e ha paura di essere una donna trofeo. Questo perché non vuole semplicemente accettare passivamente di essere una donna molto ricca. In questo libro fa una ricerca interiore accurata ma trova, con meticolose introspezioni, la sua dimensione. Anche il rapporto con la piccola Olivia è molto tenero e sentito, soprattutto considerando la sua storica avversione verso i bambini. La presenza di El-Mudad ha fatto salire la parte erotica, come anche i momenti trascorsi al Pavillion.
May 3, 2019
La maggior parte del libro non mi è piaciuto e quando non mi piace un libro mi è anche difficile recensire , di questo libro ho amato solo l’amore di Sophie verso la sua famiglia e il suo bisogno di sentirsi amata. Per quanto riguarda la sua vita amorosa Il poliamore è una cosa che proprio non riesco a concepire .
August 24, 2017
I was so so so beyond thrilled to get a new Neil and Sophie book! I kept stalking Amazon until it was released! Once I bought it, I immediately dove right in, excited as heck to get back to my faves. But, truthfully?
I'm kind of disappointed.
Look, I get that not every book in a series can be a winner. I guess I just expected more... *something.* That spark that made me love Neil and Sophie and their friends and family in the first books. This entire thing just smacked of filler to me. It had its moments, don't get me wrong. And the sexy bits were good enough. I just felt like nothing was really fleshed out and it ended rather boringly.
At the end, it said a new book, The Boyfriend, would come out next year. Despite my boredom with this book, I'm still eager to get to the next!
I'm kind of disappointed.
Look, I get that not every book in a series can be a winner. I guess I just expected more... *something.* That spark that made me love Neil and Sophie and their friends and family in the first books. This entire thing just smacked of filler to me. It had its moments, don't get me wrong. And the sexy bits were good enough. I just felt like nothing was really fleshed out and it ended rather boringly.
At the end, it said a new book, The Boyfriend, would come out next year. Despite my boredom with this book, I'm still eager to get to the next!
October 11, 2017
First of all I LOVED the boss Series, it was something really different because of their age gap but dam isn´t Neil the sweetest person ever?
Okay so I gotta say that I tottaly love Neil, he is one of my favorite characters EVER!! and the way he is with Sophie, it's just lovely but the end of this book it's just really "weird" I want to understand the relationship they have with El-Mudad but i just can´t because i trully thought that Neil could only trully love Sophie 100% and now they say the three of them are in love? w-e-i-r-d and don't you think that kind of relationship the three of them have will be weird for poor Olivia?
p.s I was really looking foward to read the Christmas cene they talked about and guess what it didn´t came on this book so I was dissapointed
Okay so I gotta say that I tottaly love Neil, he is one of my favorite characters EVER!! and the way he is with Sophie, it's just lovely but the end of this book it's just really "weird" I want to understand the relationship they have with El-Mudad but i just can´t because i trully thought that Neil could only trully love Sophie 100% and now they say the three of them are in love? w-e-i-r-d and don't you think that kind of relationship the three of them have will be weird for poor Olivia?
p.s I was really looking foward to read the Christmas cene they talked about and guess what it didn´t came on this book so I was dissapointed
September 5, 2017
I did not like how things develope, the strong bond between the two.
is now a free for all.At least so feels it to me.
they where suppose to be the one for each other.
obivious there is room for more in their marriage.
for me it feels that the other books in this serie.
rave about the strong bond between Neil and Sophie.
and what they do to overcome big life altering things
and now,It is why settle for two,
when You can have three in a relationship/marriage.
the entire serie feels fake now. and it just became cheap and smut
is now a free for all.At least so feels it to me.
they where suppose to be the one for each other.
obivious there is room for more in their marriage.
for me it feels that the other books in this serie.
rave about the strong bond between Neil and Sophie.
and what they do to overcome big life altering things
and now,It is why settle for two,
when You can have three in a relationship/marriage.
the entire serie feels fake now. and it just became cheap and smut
September 8, 2019
Neil e Sophie mi piacciono sempre molto. Adoro la Barnette e credo che con l'uscita di questo libro abbia voluto far sentire la sua voce su moltissime tematiche ancora scottanti, tantissimi riferimenti al presidente USA con annesse frecciatine. Io ho adorato questo libro, il sesto sulla stessa coppia che non smette mai di stupirmi e riesce a farmi rimanere attaccata alle pagine. Una fame di bisogno e d'amore per Sophie, la pazienza di Neil, la vivacità di Olivia e dei personaggi unici a comporre il tutto. Non so perché non l'abbia letto prima, l'avevo acquistato quando è uscito e me ne ero completamente dimenticata, ora sono felice di aver recuperato!
January 27, 2019
I have to say that I enjoyed 'the boss' series but the rest of the series has degenerated and become fake. In the case of Sophie and Niel's relationship with El-Mudad the were no ground rules or boundaries set up to protect the marriage. Triangles have pointy edges and without the ground rules someone always gets "stabbed" or falls too deeply for another partner ruining everything and I speak from experience.
Neil and El-Mudad were carrying on behind Sophie's back whilst she was working and in a threesome this is CHEATING and frowned upon, (Both males had cheating issues - hence hypocrisy). It's only supposed to happen when they are together. Never once did the so called feminist heroine call them out on it or their misogynistic BS. eg: fellatio is a learned skill (were not born with it) and through experience and guidance from the recipient great skill can be achieved and is NOT gender based. Never has been, so for Sophie to feel inadequate is also BS and the males made her so, disempowering her and negating her - a true feminist would have been enraged over this.
The jealousy factor is also a bone of contention, Neil is such a hypocrite. He did not want Sophie talking to El-Mudad without his permission yet he is in contact with him regularly and crossing the line continually eg. giving ownership of Sophie to El-Mudad without a discussion or her consent, oh a surprise! yeh right! In 'The Boyfriend' whilst on the yacht, El-Mudad starts a sexual encounter with Sophie without Neil and he has something to say about it as he is jealous, yet what has he been doing all along? Hypocrisy once again, but the author never addresses these issues leaving a true and deep discussion wanting.
Sophie supposedly feels no jealousy when in actual fact jealousy is a biological response to a love bond and is in the DNA to protect that bond. It is primal and is based in procreation and the protection of the species, so for Sophie just to ignore or be ok with the males flagrant breaches and misogyny after going through so much to save Neil's life and her marriage, is just ridiculous and shows the authors lack of understanding of biology and feminism. She needs to do some more research! Note also that Sophie stayed faithful to Neil whist he was in the' psyche centre' and only had platonic relations with El-Mudad and what was one of the first questions he asked her - did she do it with El-Mudad and this after he had sent him to her. Raging jealousy with serious issues/hypocrisy!
The sex scenes were OK but when Neil split Sophie's skin with the cane making her bleed and El-Mudad gouged her back and drew blood, the author lost my respect.
No feminist would ever allow this to happen to her, such degradation is abhorrent and is dreadful misogynistic sadism!!! The author reduced Sophie to nothing but a 'pain slut' - so disempowering! Even in BDSM they are frowned upon. Also annoying was the fact that these painful and long lasting scars were never mentioned again as if they miraculously healed overnight, what total BS.
The books are full of flaws and if they were fantasy, no worries, but they are not as they enter the realm of realism and broach some very real and serious issues in the human condition. I just wish they had been handled differently with more respect to that human condition.
delete
Neil and El-Mudad were carrying on behind Sophie's back whilst she was working and in a threesome this is CHEATING and frowned upon, (Both males had cheating issues - hence hypocrisy). It's only supposed to happen when they are together. Never once did the so called feminist heroine call them out on it or their misogynistic BS. eg: fellatio is a learned skill (were not born with it) and through experience and guidance from the recipient great skill can be achieved and is NOT gender based. Never has been, so for Sophie to feel inadequate is also BS and the males made her so, disempowering her and negating her - a true feminist would have been enraged over this.
The jealousy factor is also a bone of contention, Neil is such a hypocrite. He did not want Sophie talking to El-Mudad without his permission yet he is in contact with him regularly and crossing the line continually eg. giving ownership of Sophie to El-Mudad without a discussion or her consent, oh a surprise! yeh right! In 'The Boyfriend' whilst on the yacht, El-Mudad starts a sexual encounter with Sophie without Neil and he has something to say about it as he is jealous, yet what has he been doing all along? Hypocrisy once again, but the author never addresses these issues leaving a true and deep discussion wanting.
Sophie supposedly feels no jealousy when in actual fact jealousy is a biological response to a love bond and is in the DNA to protect that bond. It is primal and is based in procreation and the protection of the species, so for Sophie just to ignore or be ok with the males flagrant breaches and misogyny after going through so much to save Neil's life and her marriage, is just ridiculous and shows the authors lack of understanding of biology and feminism. She needs to do some more research! Note also that Sophie stayed faithful to Neil whist he was in the' psyche centre' and only had platonic relations with El-Mudad and what was one of the first questions he asked her - did she do it with El-Mudad and this after he had sent him to her. Raging jealousy with serious issues/hypocrisy!
The sex scenes were OK but when Neil split Sophie's skin with the cane making her bleed and El-Mudad gouged her back and drew blood, the author lost my respect.
No feminist would ever allow this to happen to her, such degradation is abhorrent and is dreadful misogynistic sadism!!! The author reduced Sophie to nothing but a 'pain slut' - so disempowering! Even in BDSM they are frowned upon. Also annoying was the fact that these painful and long lasting scars were never mentioned again as if they miraculously healed overnight, what total BS.
The books are full of flaws and if they were fantasy, no worries, but they are not as they enter the realm of realism and broach some very real and serious issues in the human condition. I just wish they had been handled differently with more respect to that human condition.
delete
August 24, 2017
So I have been going back and forth on writing a book review about anything in the erotica genre. It has not really been my thing, y'know?
I fell into reading Jenny Trout (also known as Abigail Barnette) when she was writing a scathing, hilarious chapter by chapter review of Fifty Shades of Gray (and then the sequels) on her blog. It is fair to say that these reviews were the closest thing to erotica I have ever intentionally read so I learned a lot along the way. There was the critique of the writing, the themes, the presentation of a BDSM lifestyle and the line between healthy and abusive relationships, expensive cars, world building, sexuality, and feminism. I cannot remember if she issued herself the challenge or someone else did, but she set out to write a book that was the ultimate takedown of Fifty Shades - the same themes (rich older man/younger independent woman; romance; BDSM) but written from a thoughtful, considered, feminist perspective. So I read The Boss. And then the Girlfriend, The Bride, The Ex, and The Baby (over the years - not at all at once). This is the latest.
I keep coming back to these books that are not a genre I typically read because I appreciate what the author is doing. They are just so damn refreshing because they do not breeze past the difficult details of life. They do not fall into any tropes that were not part of the original challenge. The books have characters I want to keep in touch with. I cannot remember a time that I have ever read a sex scene that was not written by a man or by an excessively modest woman - and that is refreshing, educational, and hot.
I am not sure if I keep pointing out that I don't read erotica because I am claiming some sort of social media modesty or because I am embarrassed to be associated with the stereotype of the genre. If the genre becomes more like this series, I should probably get over myself. In the mean time, I have no idea how to put a star rating on it all.
I fell into reading Jenny Trout (also known as Abigail Barnette) when she was writing a scathing, hilarious chapter by chapter review of Fifty Shades of Gray (and then the sequels) on her blog. It is fair to say that these reviews were the closest thing to erotica I have ever intentionally read so I learned a lot along the way. There was the critique of the writing, the themes, the presentation of a BDSM lifestyle and the line between healthy and abusive relationships, expensive cars, world building, sexuality, and feminism. I cannot remember if she issued herself the challenge or someone else did, but she set out to write a book that was the ultimate takedown of Fifty Shades - the same themes (rich older man/younger independent woman; romance; BDSM) but written from a thoughtful, considered, feminist perspective. So I read The Boss. And then the Girlfriend, The Bride, The Ex, and The Baby (over the years - not at all at once). This is the latest.
I keep coming back to these books that are not a genre I typically read because I appreciate what the author is doing. They are just so damn refreshing because they do not breeze past the difficult details of life. They do not fall into any tropes that were not part of the original challenge. The books have characters I want to keep in touch with. I cannot remember a time that I have ever read a sex scene that was not written by a man or by an excessively modest woman - and that is refreshing, educational, and hot.
I am not sure if I keep pointing out that I don't read erotica because I am claiming some sort of social media modesty or because I am embarrassed to be associated with the stereotype of the genre. If the genre becomes more like this series, I should probably get over myself. In the mean time, I have no idea how to put a star rating on it all.
December 27, 2025
I ended up skipping a lot of the spicy scenes with Sophie, Neil and their boyfriend, El Mudad. Idk if I was just in a phase but as hot as they were in previous books, I was just kinda more into the plot outside of the bedroom. I liked how Sophie reconnected with her half sisters after her father’s abandonment and death and even though she couldn’t donate her kidney I think it was a good way to tie them in. As a type 2 diabetic I was laughing so hard myself when that was the reason Sophie couldn’t donate her kidney, or any organ, to Molly. And I loved how worried Neil was about it. Thought it was really relatable. I was getting SUPER tired of Sophie continuously apologizing for her situation or having a lot of money, so much to the point that I considered DNF. But I see now it was just necessary character development and she is finally done pretending she’s like everyone else by the end of this book.
Overall, was good. I skipped a lot of spicy scenes. I loooove Sophie and Neil and all the characters are great as is their development. But I think the spicy scenes skipping is more a ME thing versus a book thing. I think I was going through an icky phase.
For now I need a serious break from Neil and Sophie but perhaps next year I will finish the series.
Overall, was good. I skipped a lot of spicy scenes. I loooove Sophie and Neil and all the characters are great as is their development. But I think the spicy scenes skipping is more a ME thing versus a book thing. I think I was going through an icky phase.
For now I need a serious break from Neil and Sophie but perhaps next year I will finish the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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August 23, 2017
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July 20, 2023
DNF. I realized I missed a chunk of new additions to this series during my current re-read of it and was so excited to have more books to love but… what even is this book? Who are these characters? Because I know these aren’t the same characters from The Boss, The Girlfriend, The Bride, The Ex, and even The Baby(which I also didn’t love, but it was better than this)… way to drop the ball.
Get it off my desk.
Get it off my desk.
September 8, 2017
RTC. But I can already say that I liked it much better than the last book. Much, much better.
September 9, 2017
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE THIS BOOK
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE THIS SERIES
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE ALL THE FUCKING THAT GOES ON IN THIS SERIES
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE SOPHIE AND NEIL'S RELATIONSHIP AND EL-MUDAD
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE THIS SERIES
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE ALL THE FUCKING THAT GOES ON IN THIS SERIES
I FUCKING LOOOOOOOOOVE SOPHIE AND NEIL'S RELATIONSHIP AND EL-MUDAD
October 1, 2017
Once again, it's lovely being back in Sophie and Neil's world. While I could do without their "third-wheel" new lover, I suppose they can't. (sigh) However, I enjoyed the book very much, especially being with Neil, Sophie, and darling Olivia. Barnette manages to write such truth that I often feel voyeuristic in scenes, like I'm peeking into a real life as it's happening. That takes a talented author and Abigail Barnette is full of talent. Plus you get a dose of her humor, which is always on point. The scenes with Olivia rang so true, I could easily see the toddler in her mind. Next up is The Boyfriend, which will be concerning their lover. Although three in a bed isn't my favorite plot, I know it won't disappoint because Sophie and Neil will be there and I love being in their company.
February 1, 2018
I love this series. It is the only erotica I have ever stumbled across that is more than just sex. And no lie, the sex is amazing. But these characters are complicated and flawed and lovable. All three main characters are bisexual and in a healthy polyamorous relationship, which is dope. Moreover, the BDSM featured in the series is super healthy unlike SOME books (cough cough 50 Shades). Anyway, The Sister was a great continuation of this series - my only complaint is that it could have used a little more, well, sex. I love that this series is more than just smut, but this particular book covered some pretty heavy topics (i.e. chronic illness, mental health, PTSD, abandonment) and did not have quite enough steamy scenes to balance it out. Still adore the series and characters and super excited for the next installment this year!
December 6, 2017
I loved this series so much. But lately these books just haven't been doing it for me. **SPOILER ** I really don't know how I feel about El-Mudad, I like the sexy parts with them occasionally but now him moving in permanently. I feel like there is no longer that spark between Sophie and Neil with all these characters now thrown into the mix. In the previous books you could feel their love through the pages, now, not so much. The sexy bits were great but I miss it just being Neil and Sophie. I feel like Neil has done such a complete 360 (given everything he went through) and I miss that strong alpha he felt like in the first book. I certainly hope things change in the next book, but I'm not sure I'll return for it :(
Read
June 17, 2018A part of me really wants to say that it’s bad faith on the author’s part to change the dynamic of an established couple in a romance novel to polyamorous SEVEN books in, but I guess I really should have seen it coming?
As it stands, this was unfortunately
I enjoyed the stuff with Sophie’s family and her health stuff and I’m so glad someone finally told Sophie how much of an insufferable rich bitch she is (I want to buy Deja a drink) and I’d kind of be interested in hearing more about those storylines, but I think if I continued reading at this point it would just break my heart.
Originally DNFed at 29%, February 18 2018
As it stands, this was unfortunately
I enjoyed the stuff with Sophie’s family and her health stuff and I’m so glad someone finally told Sophie how much of an insufferable rich bitch she is (I want to buy Deja a drink) and I’d kind of be interested in hearing more about those storylines, but I think if I continued reading at this point it would just break my heart.
Originally DNFed at 29%, February 18 2018
August 17, 2021
I love this series but I just thought this book was okay. I'm not sure about them both now being in love with El-Mudad and how that works in their marriage. Does the connection they have together lessen? I hope not I would hate to see Sophie end up alone after everything she has done for Neil. I was also sick of hearing about job, do it or don't. She is smart and has lots of options. I love them with Olivia. Felt like the family stuff was rushed actually it all felt rushed. How did this happen with El-Mudad nothing about any of that not even some flashbacks?
So I guess a mixed bag from me and we will have to wait and see what the next book brings.
So I guess a mixed bag from me and we will have to wait and see what the next book brings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2019
After a hiatus of more than three years, I've returned to The Boss series. I bought this (and #7, The Boyfriend) when they were released, but somehow didn't get to them. Early on, it was because I was still reeling from the events of The Baby and wasn't ready for more potential heart-rending. Later, buried other under books. But because I'm making it a priority to wrap up partial series in my queue, here I am.
And I'm vaguely disappointed by my mixed reaction.
If I were judging this on the can-we-make-a-thruple-work storyline with El-Mudad, I loved it, but that came out of left field for me. One of my major issues with The Baby was that by the end of the book, after all El-Mudad had done for Sophie in her times of trouble, he felt forgotten about--he had declared his intention to be exclusive with them, if they were on board, but then other things happened (the entire plot!) and he got put on hold. I was thrown when there was no sort of closure for him.
Jump to this book, where they're talking about how the last year has brought them all closer together, and I just don't see it, he was barely a presence in the last book and now he's a central figure in their lives. Which I'd like, polyamory isn't something you see explored seriously in romance or erotica, it's often a setup for sexy hijinks but the emotions involved are relegated to the background or ignored entirely. And this book is full of emotion on that score.
The other major plot thread, the titular sister(s) that come into Sophie's life, I liked less. It felt rushed and kind of shallow, how awkward and antagonistic everyone but Molly was, while Molly was the super adorable teenage charmer for Sophie to instantly fall in love with. That isn't to say Sophie didn't experience character growth from it--she realized she didn't have to justify her anger about her father's abandonment, that she didn't need anyone's permission to feel how she felt, and that's definitely something I can empathize with (as I'm sure many other women can.) But getting there felt trite.
On the other hand, in Sophie's professional life, Deja's blow-up at her was long overdue, with the story well-paved with hints that it was coming. Sophie's sudden decision to give up her position felt both like something she would absolutely do (she's been known to make impulsive decisions, even if she was deliberately taking her time pondering the kidney donation elsewhere in this book) and the culmination of her internal struggle with finding herself filthy rich, an issue threaded throughout this series.
So I liked it, except when I didn't. Because I'm such a sucker for El-Mudad, he's the biggest softie and I love him, I'm excited to finally get to The Boyfriend next, but also wary of how messy Sophie's life has become and what that means for the plot moving forward. Because I don't think this book was as good as previous entries in the series, and I'm hoping that downward trend won't continue.
And I'm vaguely disappointed by my mixed reaction.
If I were judging this on the can-we-make-a-thruple-work storyline with El-Mudad, I loved it, but that came out of left field for me. One of my major issues with The Baby was that by the end of the book, after all El-Mudad had done for Sophie in her times of trouble, he felt forgotten about--he had declared his intention to be exclusive with them, if they were on board, but then other things happened (the entire plot!) and he got put on hold. I was thrown when there was no sort of closure for him.
Jump to this book, where they're talking about how the last year has brought them all closer together, and I just don't see it, he was barely a presence in the last book and now he's a central figure in their lives. Which I'd like, polyamory isn't something you see explored seriously in romance or erotica, it's often a setup for sexy hijinks but the emotions involved are relegated to the background or ignored entirely. And this book is full of emotion on that score.
The other major plot thread, the titular sister(s) that come into Sophie's life, I liked less. It felt rushed and kind of shallow, how awkward and antagonistic everyone but Molly was, while Molly was the super adorable teenage charmer for Sophie to instantly fall in love with. That isn't to say Sophie didn't experience character growth from it--she realized she didn't have to justify her anger about her father's abandonment, that she didn't need anyone's permission to feel how she felt, and that's definitely something I can empathize with (as I'm sure many other women can.) But getting there felt trite.
On the other hand, in Sophie's professional life, Deja's blow-up at her was long overdue, with the story well-paved with hints that it was coming. Sophie's sudden decision to give up her position felt both like something she would absolutely do (she's been known to make impulsive decisions, even if she was deliberately taking her time pondering the kidney donation elsewhere in this book) and the culmination of her internal struggle with finding herself filthy rich, an issue threaded throughout this series.
So I liked it, except when I didn't. Because I'm such a sucker for El-Mudad, he's the biggest softie and I love him, I'm excited to finally get to The Boyfriend next, but also wary of how messy Sophie's life has become and what that means for the plot moving forward. Because I don't think this book was as good as previous entries in the series, and I'm hoping that downward trend won't continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2019
Vieni a leggere la recensione su: CrazyForRomance
Per acquistare il libro clicca qui
Quanto mi erano mancati quei due porcelloni impenitenti di Sophie e Neil Elwood! Passa il tempo, le mode, noi lettrici amanti degli erotici abbiamo letto di tante altre coppie, ma un libro di Abigail Barnette è sempre una perla rara per chi ama il genere e questo ennesimo capitolo della storia dei coniugi Elwood è una gemma da incastonare tra i gioielli più splendenti della carriera di questa autrice bravissima e purtroppo non sempre apprezzata come meriterebbe. Il suo talento principale è quello di riuscire a costruire trame mai banali e scontate intorno ai suoi protagonisti, regalando al lettore colpi di scena e svolte della storia inaspettati, prendendo tutti di sorpresa e spostando il main stream delle vicende verso scenari inattesi. Vi faccio un esempio? Il terzo libro si chiama The Bride (La sposa; in italiano è The Wedding), e tutti noi abbiamo pensato che l'argomento sarebbe stato il matrimonio dei protagonisti, e invece quello avviene due libri dopo, con The Ex pensavamo che si sarebbe parlato di Valerie, l'ex moglie di Neil, e invece si parlava di un uomo del suo passato, The Baby non è figlio dei coniugi Elwood ma di Emma, la figlia di Neil.
Il tempo e il dolore e l'obbedienza si sono incrociati l'uno con l'altro. Il dolore è diventato passato, presente e futuro – il piacere una promessa. Le lacrime mi scorrevano sul viso, e tutta la confusione, la rabbia e l'autocommiserazione defluivano con loro.
La Barnette riesce sempre a sorprendere, ti spiazza, è capace di parlare nello stesso libro di argomenti estremamente delicati e scabrosi (la malattia, l'aborto, la morte, il suicidio, la violenza) unendoli a scene tra le più erotiche che mi sia mai capitato di leggere, cariche di sensualità e fantasiose perversioni, il tutto con uno stile che definirei didascalico, unico nel suo genere, riconoscibilissimo. Anche questo The Sister ha tutte queste caratteristiche, la sorella del titolo non è quella che vi potreste aspettare (Neil ha una famiglia numerosa), e le scene di menage con El -Mudad farebbero prendere fuoco un ghiacciaio, inoltre i molteplici sviluppi della trama prendono sempre direzioni diverse da quelle che ci si potrebbe aspettare, e il finale è davvero inatteso. Per il resto Sophie e Neil sono sempre loro, fantasiosi nel rapporto di coppia, sempre pronti a sperimentare nuove possibilità, aperti a ogni nuovo scenario.
Continua a leggere la recensione su: CrazyForRomance
Per acquistare il libro clicca qui
Quanto mi erano mancati quei due porcelloni impenitenti di Sophie e Neil Elwood! Passa il tempo, le mode, noi lettrici amanti degli erotici abbiamo letto di tante altre coppie, ma un libro di Abigail Barnette è sempre una perla rara per chi ama il genere e questo ennesimo capitolo della storia dei coniugi Elwood è una gemma da incastonare tra i gioielli più splendenti della carriera di questa autrice bravissima e purtroppo non sempre apprezzata come meriterebbe. Il suo talento principale è quello di riuscire a costruire trame mai banali e scontate intorno ai suoi protagonisti, regalando al lettore colpi di scena e svolte della storia inaspettati, prendendo tutti di sorpresa e spostando il main stream delle vicende verso scenari inattesi. Vi faccio un esempio? Il terzo libro si chiama The Bride (La sposa; in italiano è The Wedding), e tutti noi abbiamo pensato che l'argomento sarebbe stato il matrimonio dei protagonisti, e invece quello avviene due libri dopo, con The Ex pensavamo che si sarebbe parlato di Valerie, l'ex moglie di Neil, e invece si parlava di un uomo del suo passato, The Baby non è figlio dei coniugi Elwood ma di Emma, la figlia di Neil.
Il tempo e il dolore e l'obbedienza si sono incrociati l'uno con l'altro. Il dolore è diventato passato, presente e futuro – il piacere una promessa. Le lacrime mi scorrevano sul viso, e tutta la confusione, la rabbia e l'autocommiserazione defluivano con loro.
La Barnette riesce sempre a sorprendere, ti spiazza, è capace di parlare nello stesso libro di argomenti estremamente delicati e scabrosi (la malattia, l'aborto, la morte, il suicidio, la violenza) unendoli a scene tra le più erotiche che mi sia mai capitato di leggere, cariche di sensualità e fantasiose perversioni, il tutto con uno stile che definirei didascalico, unico nel suo genere, riconoscibilissimo. Anche questo The Sister ha tutte queste caratteristiche, la sorella del titolo non è quella che vi potreste aspettare (Neil ha una famiglia numerosa), e le scene di menage con El -Mudad farebbero prendere fuoco un ghiacciaio, inoltre i molteplici sviluppi della trama prendono sempre direzioni diverse da quelle che ci si potrebbe aspettare, e il finale è davvero inatteso. Per il resto Sophie e Neil sono sempre loro, fantasiosi nel rapporto di coppia, sempre pronti a sperimentare nuove possibilità, aperti a ogni nuovo scenario.
Continua a leggere la recensione su: CrazyForRomance
July 30, 2020
I'm not sure about the rating on this one, I am tempted to go a bit lower, but thinking about the series as a whole, I can't help but keep the rating in the 4-5 stars range. But before I go into it let me just ask this: who edited this book ("The Baby" too)? I hope they didn't edit "The Boyfriend"as well because I've been annoyed enough. Every single adverb of time was secluded between commas and it made reading some sentences so freaking annoying. There is such a thing as too many commas!
Now that that's out of the way, I read "The Sister" way slower than the other books. Part because I started work again, part because I didn't enjoy it as much. I am glad that my worst fears about what 'sister' this book might mean wasn't the case and I'm so happy Emir is now El-Mudad, but I just couldn't get so much into it.
Everyone was great as always, I'm happy that Sophie finally came to terms with some things and that she is closer to accept what her life and how she had changed. I'm glad Neil is as supportive as always and I'm sure happy El-Mudad is now playing a bigger role in their lives. I've been crazy about him since that first encounter in France.
What this book lacked, from my point of view, was the sex. There were plenty of scenes and at the same time not enough, if that makes any sense. There wasn't as much passion and I almost dreaded reading them. In a way that is understandable, with everything that's going on there are new rules and they have a way to go until things fully fall in place.
I wasn't crazy about the sisters. Well, Molly was pretty cool, Susan was meh, and we didn't get to see Renee, so as far as that goes, they were okay. I guess. I think I share Neil's feelings on the matter more than Sophie's.
Overall the sixth part of the series was okay, not the most exciting, but definitely not to be skipped.
Now that that's out of the way, I read "The Sister" way slower than the other books. Part because I started work again, part because I didn't enjoy it as much. I am glad that my worst fears about what 'sister' this book might mean wasn't the case and I'm so happy Emir is now El-Mudad, but I just couldn't get so much into it.
Everyone was great as always, I'm happy that Sophie finally came to terms with some things and that she is closer to accept what her life and how she had changed. I'm glad Neil is as supportive as always and I'm sure happy El-Mudad is now playing a bigger role in their lives. I've been crazy about him since that first encounter in France.
What this book lacked, from my point of view, was the sex. There were plenty of scenes and at the same time not enough, if that makes any sense. There wasn't as much passion and I almost dreaded reading them. In a way that is understandable, with everything that's going on there are new rules and they have a way to go until things fully fall in place.
I wasn't crazy about the sisters. Well, Molly was pretty cool, Susan was meh, and we didn't get to see Renee, so as far as that goes, they were okay. I guess. I think I share Neil's feelings on the matter more than Sophie's.
Overall the sixth part of the series was okay, not the most exciting, but definitely not to be skipped.
August 23, 2017
I'm split in two parts. Me as a reader and me as a person who's heart is entwined with story of Sophie and Neil.
I think Abigail\Jenny is a very natural writer, she's painting reality so easily, it's hard o believe her characters are not real. I see a lot of important topics even being a girl from a different part of the world. And I'm very thankful that I was laughing or intrigued this book more than while reading other parts of the story. Though I'm not sure if I like how much they're dedicting to their relationships with El-Mudad, it's just my personal feeling (cause I'm jeauous instead of them ha-ha).
But as a person who cried my guts out while reading, for example, The Baby or The Girlfriend, I was in peace with their pain. Pain and their choices. I can't just not read more (as you know now, The Boyfriend book is coming in 2018). But I think the author plays with reader by giving some... not hints, but opeping windows for some things... Looks just like teasing. I mean I really found my peace, but then next book is announced, and then next, and you can't stop being masochistic.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/6zFMNVo...
I am so in love with Sophie and Neil, I cannot even describe how much of my heart is given to them. How much I understood reading and rereading Boss Series. It's just hard to live with is sometimes. But it's what life is. Doomed to exist in letterings on stupid colorful cups while being total truth.
I think Abigail\Jenny is a very natural writer, she's painting reality so easily, it's hard o believe her characters are not real. I see a lot of important topics even being a girl from a different part of the world. And I'm very thankful that I was laughing or intrigued this book more than while reading other parts of the story. Though I'm not sure if I like how much they're dedicting to their relationships with El-Mudad, it's just my personal feeling (cause I'm jeauous instead of them ha-ha).
But as a person who cried my guts out while reading, for example, The Baby or The Girlfriend, I was in peace with their pain. Pain and their choices. I can't just not read more (as you know now, The Boyfriend book is coming in 2018). But I think the author plays with reader by giving some... not hints, but opeping windows for some things... Looks just like teasing. I mean I really found my peace, but then next book is announced, and then next, and you can't stop being masochistic.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/6zFMNVo...
I am so in love with Sophie and Neil, I cannot even describe how much of my heart is given to them. How much I understood reading and rereading Boss Series. It's just hard to live with is sometimes. But it's what life is. Doomed to exist in letterings on stupid colorful cups while being total truth.
March 31, 2020
“The Sister” è l'ultimo romanzo della serie “The Boss”.
Se siete deboli di cuore, non lo leggete! Le scene di sesso sono MOLTO esplicite e MOLTO dettagliate.
Pur non avendo letto il resto della serie, non ho avuto problemi con questo romanzo perché è a sé stante e fa riferimento spesso ai fatti già accaduti, chiarendo la situazione attuale.
Si parla di come Sophie, la protagonista, abbia paura di sembrare snob e il suo malriuscito tentativo di nascondere al mondo che è eccessivamente ricca. Si parla della storia d'amore tra lei, il marito e l'amante dei due. Si parla anche di una famiglia, quella del padre di lei.
Peccato che l'argomento sorelle sia affrontato solo marginalmente. Visto il titolo mi aspettavo di leggerne di più, invece ci ritroviamo a scoprire troppo con calma della presenza di queste sorelle e di una necessità che farà vacillare il mondo di Sophie
Per il resto posso dire che è carino ma, ripeto, mi aspettavo di più. È scritto bene, è scorrevole e i personaggi sono ben definiti ma non mi ha fatto impazzire. Mi è mancato qualcosa. Il finale lascia spazio ad altro, a qualcosa che avrebbe potuto raccontare in questo romanzo e che invece lascia con un po' di amaro in bocca. Mi dispiace che non mi sia piaciuto tanto, solo per quanto è scritto bene.
Se siete deboli di cuore, non lo leggete! Le scene di sesso sono MOLTO esplicite e MOLTO dettagliate.
Pur non avendo letto il resto della serie, non ho avuto problemi con questo romanzo perché è a sé stante e fa riferimento spesso ai fatti già accaduti, chiarendo la situazione attuale.
Si parla di come Sophie, la protagonista, abbia paura di sembrare snob e il suo malriuscito tentativo di nascondere al mondo che è eccessivamente ricca. Si parla della storia d'amore tra lei, il marito e l'amante dei due. Si parla anche di una famiglia, quella del padre di lei.
Peccato che l'argomento sorelle sia affrontato solo marginalmente. Visto il titolo mi aspettavo di leggerne di più, invece ci ritroviamo a scoprire troppo con calma della presenza di queste sorelle e di una necessità che farà vacillare il mondo di Sophie
Per il resto posso dire che è carino ma, ripeto, mi aspettavo di più. È scritto bene, è scorrevole e i personaggi sono ben definiti ma non mi ha fatto impazzire. Mi è mancato qualcosa. Il finale lascia spazio ad altro, a qualcosa che avrebbe potuto raccontare in questo romanzo e che invece lascia con un po' di amaro in bocca. Mi dispiace che non mi sia piaciuto tanto, solo per quanto è scritto bene.
February 7, 2018
I enjoyed the plot line for this and I adore El-Mudad but this book wasn't a favorite of mine in the series.
I wanted more from Sophie's character and less politically charged material. I didn't want our country's pitfalls to overwhelm each segment of the story. I'm not saying there can be no politics in erotic fiction, because some scenes in this book needed it (just not all those scenes). Also, some of the erotic scenes in this book seemed to lack something that the other books had.
I do approve of the main plot with Sophie and her other family, and I want to see how they evolve their relationships as the series continues. It was a pleasant storyline that gently piqued my interest. I do love Neil and Sophie's interaction and care for Olivia and that there is a happier medium with Valerie. However, some of Sophie's personal life irked me. She seemed weaker in this series and she really neglected her friendships. It didn't sit well with me.
I hope the next edition to the story recovers what the previous books had. Regardless, I will read it. I love El-Mudad too much to drop him out of my life.
I wanted more from Sophie's character and less politically charged material. I didn't want our country's pitfalls to overwhelm each segment of the story. I'm not saying there can be no politics in erotic fiction, because some scenes in this book needed it (just not all those scenes). Also, some of the erotic scenes in this book seemed to lack something that the other books had.
I do approve of the main plot with Sophie and her other family, and I want to see how they evolve their relationships as the series continues. It was a pleasant storyline that gently piqued my interest. I do love Neil and Sophie's interaction and care for Olivia and that there is a happier medium with Valerie. However, some of Sophie's personal life irked me. She seemed weaker in this series and she really neglected her friendships. It didn't sit well with me.
I hope the next edition to the story recovers what the previous books had. Regardless, I will read it. I love El-Mudad too much to drop him out of my life.
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