Gabriel

by Marilize Roos

Gabriel McIan is a gentleman.

He learned from his father’s example how not to treat a wife, and consequently he treats his wife like a queen. None of this BDSM nonsense his brother and sister so stubbornly cling to for him; he has a normal family built on good, solid family values.

When his wife makes a critical mistake that endangers their marriage, can Gabriel put aside the hurt, betrayal, and his aversion to violence to explore his wife’s needs and give her the pain she yearns for?

But no matter what, no one would ever hurt her again; no one but him.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2021

About the author

Marilize is an author of historical romance set in Cape Town, South Africa, but writes short stories inbetween for fun.

She used to comb the libraries and second-hand book sales for out-of-print copies of Afrikaans historical romance novels by authors such as Wille Martin and Ena Murray. She has always had a fascination for Cape Town history and Regency Romance, and thought to introduce the rest of the world to Regency-era Cape Town.

She's tried her hand at many different occupations, including working at a riding school as riding instructor, trail guide, stable manager, saddler, and horse handler on TV shows. She's worked as freelance typist, photographic assistant, maintenance contractor's assistant, Public Relations Consultant, and Administrative Assistant. These days she is a proud member of ROSA (Romance Writers' Organization of South Africa).

She lives with her husband and son in Muizenberg, Cape Town, and is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Reviews

[JD (on semi-hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This South African series features several members of an extended family who are all denizens of BDSM Club Angelus. Here, we get lawyer Gabriel and his wife, Caroline. Although his brother and sister are heavy into the lifestyle, Gabriel equates it with abuse and refuses Caroline's request to explore it. When she tries to satisfy her needs on her own, she's injured. Can Gabriel put aside his qualms to save his marriage? Note: This story features many, many characters from previous books so I'm not sure how well it works as a standalone. I, for one, had a hard time keeping everyone straight.

There's a lot I liked about this book, but also a lot that I didn't; unfortunately, the latter outweighed the former so I won't be continuing with the series. Let me begin with what worked for me. First, the MC and the conflict were atypical for this genre. An already established, older (for this genre) married couple whose happiness is tested when one partner realizes their needs aren't being met creates real, organic tension. While Caroline's need for pain and Gabriel's reluctance to administer it is specific to them, their crisis is metaphorical for the ways in which any long-term relationship changes and evolves: often partners can work through these changes; just as often they can't. Thankfully, Gabriel steps up to the plate here. I also appreciated the diversity in gender orientation; the emphasis on SSC; that the characters were regular people (I'm not one for special ops billionaire shifters); and the for me atypical setting (it's nice to read books set in a country that isn't my own).

Unfortunately, all this is ruined by gratuitous torture porn: as one Amazon reviewer noted, this really needed to come with trigger warnings. In addition, the OTT villain ruined what was an otherwise believable, relatable story about two people exploring and finding their way through a new dynamic. Finally, smexy times with the relatives really aren't for me. BDSM club series featuring large, interlocking casts of characters are common in this genre, but usually those characters are friends, not siblings. Authors can assure us all they want that they aren't having sex with each other, but it's still too incest-adjacent for me. Since my fantasies don't include appearing naked in front of my brother, this was just too icky for me.

3 stars. Those not bothered by what I say above may like this better than I did since the characters were likable, and the prose flowed and was relatively error-free. Should the author write a series that doesn't include sisters and brothers watching each other play and exploitative scenes created simply for shock value, I would read that.

[Gab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch the journey of a couple; affected by one partners childhood trauma and his subsequent life choices, almost unravel because of the unfulfilled need of the other partner.
One desperately wrong decision leads to a dangerous situation that has unexpected consequences and reveals a life threatening plot.
Enter the Club Angelus Family. With their help and guidance and a long recovery period, they finally get their second HEA.

[Deeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ARC reader review]

Book 3 in the Angelus Club series is about Gabriel. This is a story of a couple, Gabriel and his wife of sixteen years, Caroline. Gabriel is a divorce lawyer and rescuer of abused women and children. His aversion to violence has kept him away from BDSM "nonsense" that his brother and sister participate in. Caroline has an increasing need to feed her masochist side, which Gabriel is unwilling to consider feeding. It all comes to a head when Caroline makes a critical mistake, putting their marriage in danger. It's a wonderful story of rebuilding trust, finding new limits, and relationship growth. Not your usual dom meets sub. Another great read in the Club Angelus series.

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a lover of this series, but for some reason this one really took hold of me. It’s about Gabriel and Caroline, a married couple who are happy in their relationship. But sometimes Caroline wants something a bit more and tries to explain to Gabriel but because of his background, he won’t even entertain it. Until one night something happens to Caroline to change their entire marriage dynamic.

Gabriel and Caroline are such an intriguing couple. They love each other with all they have but they both know that something more can bring them even closer. I love how Caroline shows Gabriel how much she loves him, and will do anything for him. And Gabriel never wants to hurt his wife, just wants to cherish her. Maybe I enjoyed this story so much because it’s about two people in an established relationship who want to spice up their life a bit and you don’t have to be ashamed of it. I don’t want to say too much more without giving anything away, except that I love this series and need more!

[Melissa Headrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm pretty sure that wasn't the authors intention I got the impression from this story that unmet needs can lead to danger. There are a couple of traumatic incidents in this book and I wasn't quite prepared for how they made me feel. If there was a trigger warning or something explaining I may encounter prose that seemed graphic I missed it. But for the sake of this review I'm saying I found some parts triggering and graphic. I still appreciate the story as it's written. The twist isn't nice but it's interesting. Our H/h are a happily married couple but the h has some unmet needs due to the H's particular prejudices derived in his past. Fortunately they have some very understanding family that helps them navigate after the h makes a bad choice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Kemmerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel is the 3rd book in the Club Angelus collection. Gabriel is Michael and Ariel’s brother and is not a member of the club. His wife, Caroline, and their two darling daughters have a happy, worry free life, or so he thinks. Caroline has been drifting away craving something different for some time without Gabriel’s knowledge. When she seeks advice on her own it falls flat so she takes matters into her own hands and nearly loses it all. When Caroline’s desires come to light, Gabriel must find a way to save his wife, marriage, and his heart.
Strong characters, suspenseful plot, and a page turner with steamy passion!

I recommend reading the series in order as the characters are introduced accordingly and you’ll fall in love with them all the more.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book if you are looking for a romance between a married couple that reconnect after drifting apart because they can't communicate. Gabriel grew up in an abusive home and swore he would never be like his father. Instead he has gone the direct opposite and fights for the victims. He treats Caroline like a queen and they co-exist in a cotton ball world. Caroline needs more, but is afraid to voice her needs. Gabriel can't and won't step over the line past gentle love making. There are some tense scenes when Caroline tries to find what she needs in underground clubs and instead finds abusers. However, the sex between Gabriel and Caroline is soft kink and more like a tutorial for the married couple just looking to explore.

[Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the first books in this series, but I didn't miss a beat. The author wrote enough of the backstory that it didn't take much to get me caught up. Caroline wanted more in her marriage. She realized she is a masochist. Trying to convince her husband that had an abusive father was another thing. She thought she could try other things to meet her needs, but they didn't work out so well. This is a wonderful story of a couple that travels down the road of sadism and masochism together with the help of their friends.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CKD! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline knows she is a masochist but her husband can't give her what she needs. A tragic event leads them to try out the dynamic. I feel like most books have the dominant bringing the submissive into the dynamic, this book was the opposite and I enjoyed the change.

This book is part of a series and can be read as a standalone. It took me a bit to figure out the side characters from other books but didn't detract from the story. This was my first book by Ms. Roos but I will be reading others.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Clayr Catherall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Gabriel and Caroline’s story. It had me hooked from start to finish. It was a sexy romance with danger and suspense in the mix.

This is my first book by this author and I’m looking forward to reading more. I knew this was book 3 of the Club Angelus series, when I started reading. It didn’t deter me from diving in. I just planned on reading the previous books afterwards. Though I believe this story could be read as standalone.

[Catherine Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel doesn't want to "be like his Father" and Carolyn wants More than she thinks he can give, in the bedroom. I love that Carolyn is written as a very strong, independent woman and that Gabriel is her equal. To show the female character really taking charge of their lives. Learning ways to take care of herself. That is special. The hot sex helps, too.

I am completely engrossed in this series and look forward to more from this Author.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and Realistic

I’m not ashamed to admit it, I cried. The middle of this book just hit home for me; the crushing, clawing need, the tentative discussions between Gabriel and Carrie, the gut wrenching pain when things are going oh so wrong, it all hit me in the feels. Beautifully written with gripping tension (there’s both romantic tension and a suspense storyline), this is one read I highly recommend.

[Alex Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, riveting read. Deliciously dark and dangerous. Great characters, well written storyline. Would recommend, will read more from this author

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this story, I could not put it down. I read the book in one day. This author is an awesome writer. I cannot wait to read more of their books. Keep up the great work. You should definitely read this book.

[Jana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this book. In the end I was very disappointed with it. Every important conversation had happened off the book. We were told it happened, not shown. Everything was solved very easy.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars