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Perfection
Everyone said I married the perfect man. But if Conall Walsh were perfect, I wouldn’t have killed him.
I thought I got away with it until I received an anonymous note at the ballet company I dance for. A mysterious stranger threatens to spill all my secrets. To ruin my life. To put me in prison for my crime.
I’m meeting him tonight at the abandoned opera house to beg him to spare me.
I can pay him. I have money. But his price isn’t money. It’s me.
This book is a standalone contemporary dark romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers.
“A hot dark story with a twist you won’t see coming. Perfection lives up to its name!” – Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling author of TWIST ME
“So raw, sexy, and twisted, I couldn’t stop reading.” – Annabel Joseph, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of MERCY
I thought I got away with it until I received an anonymous note at the ballet company I dance for. A mysterious stranger threatens to spill all my secrets. To ruin my life. To put me in prison for my crime.
I’m meeting him tonight at the abandoned opera house to beg him to spare me.
I can pay him. I have money. But his price isn’t money. It’s me.
This book is a standalone contemporary dark romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers.
“A hot dark story with a twist you won’t see coming. Perfection lives up to its name!” – Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling author of TWIST ME
“So raw, sexy, and twisted, I couldn’t stop reading.” – Annabel Joseph, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of MERCY
174 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2020
173 people are currently reading
6256 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Thomas
56 books4,958 followers😈 Author of Comfort Food, published in early 2010: The OG (original gangster/the first) Dark Romance 😈
NEW RELEASE:
RUTHLESS DEVOTION: A dark stalker forced marriage romance:
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"If dark romance with obsession, danger, and just the right touch of chaos is your thing, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read. Aidan is intense, unhinged in the best way, and completely fixated on Maddie—yet somehow, you can’t help falling for him.”-Booksnliftsdiary, Goodreads
"Dark, Twisted, and Addictively Compelling.” – Good Booking Girl, Goodreads
"Maddie is strong, she is smart, and I love her. I’ll be honest I was not sure how Kitty Thomas was gonna get me on team Aiden but she did! I can’t wait to read more from this author!” – Katlyn, Goodreads
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Kitty began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling, COMFORT FOOD.
Thank you for reading!
Kitty ^.^
NEW RELEASE:
RUTHLESS DEVOTION: A dark stalker forced marriage romance:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Devot...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/ruthless...
"If dark romance with obsession, danger, and just the right touch of chaos is your thing, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read. Aidan is intense, unhinged in the best way, and completely fixated on Maddie—yet somehow, you can’t help falling for him.”-Booksnliftsdiary, Goodreads
"Dark, Twisted, and Addictively Compelling.” – Good Booking Girl, Goodreads
"Maddie is strong, she is smart, and I love her. I’ll be honest I was not sure how Kitty Thomas was gonna get me on team Aiden but she did! I can’t wait to read more from this author!” – Katlyn, Goodreads
Get a FREE ebook when you subscribe to my newsletter: https://kittythomas.com/free-book/
🔥 COMFORT FOOD, the OG Dark Romance: 🔥
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Food-K...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/comfort-...
🔥 BOOK OF THE WEEK: 🔥
For readers who like to share promotional images on their socials or in groups, you can get those here: https://bookbrush.com/reader-hub/Kitt...
Kitty began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling, COMFORT FOOD.
Thank you for reading!
Kitty ^.^
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
April 10, 2020
A woman kills her abusive cheater husband.
Next day she gets a blackmail note telling her to meet her at some old opera house.
She goes there as she has no other option.
The blackmailer hides himself from her and talks to her from some hidden perch through some speaker.
This was so boring. I admit I was interested in the beginning. But soon the book became dull nonsense.
Next day she gets a blackmail note telling her to meet her at some old opera house.
She goes there as she has no other option.
The blackmailer hides himself from her and talks to her from some hidden perch through some speaker.
This was so boring. I admit I was interested in the beginning. But soon the book became dull nonsense.
April 11, 2020
Ballet dancer Cassia Lane, finally finds freedom from her rich abusive husband but by committing a crime that she thinks she has hidden. When an anomymous blackmailer threatens to reveal her secret. Paranoid Cassia follows the threat note to the mysterious man who wants her time instead of money. The situation was an enigma. She was said to dance, was seduced and there was the blackmailer's motivations.
The story had dark elements but it wasn't that dark. The blackmailer had genuine feelings for Cassia and wants her which he accomplishes in his own twisted way. There is a menage here, and the third person wasn't properly highlighted. Overall the story was great.
The story had dark elements but it wasn't that dark. The blackmailer had genuine feelings for Cassia and wants her which he accomplishes in his own twisted way. There is a menage here, and the third person wasn't properly highlighted. Overall the story was great.
April 11, 2024
Perfection is a very twisty, unusual and full of surprises read, so good I read it in virtually one sitting.
Overall I really enjoyed this story of Cassia and the mysterious man who knows her secret. I did find I had to suspend my disbelief at times, in order for the story to work, but even despite that I was totally drawn in. The blurb is deliberately vague, and to avoid spoilers I'm going to do the same thing.
I can tell you that I really liked Cassia, she was a really normal, down to earth character - murder of her husband aside. Given the situation, and I'm being deliberately vague here, I did struggle with how quickly she was attracted to her blackmailer. I wasn't quite convinced by the speed with which she became infatuated, hence the 4 stars. That said, the chemistry was incredibly well written and it didn't take long for me to buy into the connection. The story itself makes it harder to connect fully with the hero, as he remains very mysterious throughout most of the book Though the situation did make things more interesting and exciting too.
The middle part was less dark, but this was where we really start to build a picture of the characters, and where the story really began to unfold. I have to give credit to the author for some unexpected twists, for seeming to be heading in one direction but actually be leading us along a totally different path and for pulling out some real shocking surprises. I also found it very refreshing that the principal ballerina wasn't portrayed as a raving bitch, instead was actually a kind and caring human being.
The ending of the book was the real highlight for me, it is incredibly strong and those last few chapters had me gripped. It actually felt really sinister and dark at times, and definitely pushed both mine and Cassia's buttons. Her confusion, hurt and angst were so visceral, so real that it felt like a punch to the gut.
There are elements of dubious consent, some fairly mild discipline scenes and the relationship contains elements of power exchange and mild humiliation. There is, however, a very definite HEA to soothe the soul.
Overall I really enjoyed this story of Cassia and the mysterious man who knows her secret. I did find I had to suspend my disbelief at times, in order for the story to work, but even despite that I was totally drawn in. The blurb is deliberately vague, and to avoid spoilers I'm going to do the same thing.
I can tell you that I really liked Cassia, she was a really normal, down to earth character - murder of her husband aside. Given the situation, and I'm being deliberately vague here, I did struggle with how quickly she was attracted to her blackmailer. I wasn't quite convinced by the speed with which she became infatuated, hence the 4 stars. That said, the chemistry was incredibly well written and it didn't take long for me to buy into the connection. The story itself makes it harder to connect fully with the hero, as he remains very mysterious throughout most of the book Though the situation did make things more interesting and exciting too.
The middle part was less dark, but this was where we really start to build a picture of the characters, and where the story really began to unfold. I have to give credit to the author for some unexpected twists, for seeming to be heading in one direction but actually be leading us along a totally different path and for pulling out some real shocking surprises. I also found it very refreshing that the principal ballerina wasn't portrayed as a raving bitch, instead was actually a kind and caring human being.
The ending of the book was the real highlight for me, it is incredibly strong and those last few chapters had me gripped. It actually felt really sinister and dark at times, and definitely pushed both mine and Cassia's buttons. Her confusion, hurt and angst were so visceral, so real that it felt like a punch to the gut.
There are elements of dubious consent, some fairly mild discipline scenes and the relationship contains elements of power exchange and mild humiliation. There is, however, a very definite HEA to soothe the soul.
April 20, 2020
So I really liked the beginning of this one it packed a massive punch pulling me in and investing me in the unfolding story.
This is a dark romance and set in the world of ballet another theme that I do adore, I love books set in the dance world.
Another plus was the phantom of the opera vibe running through it, I greatly appreciated this.
So dark level here, I found this on the lighter side more of a murky grey with a touch of kink and a side of control and mild humiliation thrown into the mix to keep the reader on their toes.
I also don't want to give away to much of the plot which would be very easy so am going to keep this review pretty vagueish.
So Cassia has a mysterious blackmailer who knows exactly what she has done and will use that information (while keeping their own identity a secret) for there own ends and to force Cassia's compliance.
What he wants is control and her willing obedience.
This was all sorts of sexy and mysterious and it was an easy read that did keep my attention.
There was a big twist that I did not see coming and that was a bloody shocker let me tell you.
So although I did enjoy this I also had some slight issues I wasn't completely convinced of the actual depth of the chemistry of the characters.
I also wasn't the biggest fan of Cassia herself she just seemed such a wuss with all the crying and wailing and I found it difficult to compare this girl with the bad-ass who had sliced, diced and dumped her abusive husband.
They just seemed like such different individuals.
Still, this was different and very unusual and it did stand out from the crowd, it was also beautifully written in fact it definitely had more positives than negatives overall.
so it gets a thumbs up from my camp.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
January 23, 2023
This is Kitty at her best!
I don't know where to even start with this one. It exceeded all of my expectations.
To preface, I'm a huge Kitty fan, I love everything she writes so I was of course hoping I'd like this. However, in general, I don't like books about dancers or artists, I've read a few and they're just not my jam. So with all that being said, I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I usually love a Kitty book, I was wrong, so wrong.
This book was fantastic. It had all of the elements that make a great Kitty book; dark and dangerous heroes, mind fuckery and kinky sex. It also had a great story and characters, I just loved it.
I loved Cassia. She was strong, determined and brave. She also happened to be wonderfully subby given the right situation. I appreciate that Kitty's heroines don't have 'too stupid to live' syndrome that you see in a lot of dark romance, where the heroine feels the need to fight against her situation out of principle, despite it being a ridiculously stupid thing to do. Cassia is strong in so many ways, she's also smart enough to just go along for the ride, and it's a great one.
I loved the concept of this book, it's such a cool idea. She kills her husband, almost gets away with it and then has to appease her blackmailer. It makes for a really twisted relationship, I was there for every second of it.
I don't want to say anything about the blackmailer, because spoilers, other than I love him.
The twists and turns in this book were great, I didn't see them coming, at all. The ending in particular was just fantastic.
I feel like the last four books Kitty has written have each been just as good as, if not better than what's came before. My all time favourites are Comfort Food and Tender Mercies and this is seriously coming close to pushing The Escape Artist out of third place. It's incredible, it really is, I would say Perfection is one of Kitty's best books yet.
I don't know where to even start with this one. It exceeded all of my expectations.
To preface, I'm a huge Kitty fan, I love everything she writes so I was of course hoping I'd like this. However, in general, I don't like books about dancers or artists, I've read a few and they're just not my jam. So with all that being said, I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I usually love a Kitty book, I was wrong, so wrong.
This book was fantastic. It had all of the elements that make a great Kitty book; dark and dangerous heroes, mind fuckery and kinky sex. It also had a great story and characters, I just loved it.
I loved Cassia. She was strong, determined and brave. She also happened to be wonderfully subby given the right situation. I appreciate that Kitty's heroines don't have 'too stupid to live' syndrome that you see in a lot of dark romance, where the heroine feels the need to fight against her situation out of principle, despite it being a ridiculously stupid thing to do. Cassia is strong in so many ways, she's also smart enough to just go along for the ride, and it's a great one.
I loved the concept of this book, it's such a cool idea. She kills her husband, almost gets away with it and then has to appease her blackmailer. It makes for a really twisted relationship, I was there for every second of it.
I don't want to say anything about the blackmailer, because spoilers, other than I love him.
The twists and turns in this book were great, I didn't see them coming, at all. The ending in particular was just fantastic.
I feel like the last four books Kitty has written have each been just as good as, if not better than what's came before. My all time favourites are Comfort Food and Tender Mercies and this is seriously coming close to pushing The Escape Artist out of third place. It's incredible, it really is, I would say Perfection is one of Kitty's best books yet.
March 5, 2022
I highly recommend this black humor, self-reflexive, BDSM riff on The Phantom of the Opera.
I began this with some trepidation because A) I don't like books that use domestic violence as a device; and B) I really hated the gender-essentialist, ultra-conservative Twisted Fates, in which a woman more or less forgives a man who had badly injured her (because you know the female sex is supposed to forgive men who hurt them: it's de rigueur). However, this book's opening page won me over with its black humor ("I wonder suddenly if beachfront property is so expensive because of the ease of body disposal"), so I decided to persevere.
Cassia thinks she's hidden the murder of her abusive husband, but receives a blackmail threat to the contrary. The book details her growing D/s relationship with her blackmailer as she reports to him one night a week for lessons in ballet/BDSM. Throughout, her self-reflexive, slightly snarky comments kept me entertained ("I'm the idiot girl in the horror movie doing all the stupid shit that leads to her grisly murder in the second act").
I didn't find this book particularly "dark." While it's true that Cassia is blackmailed, the man doesn't rape, beat, kidnap, imprison, or injure her, and he truly wants what's best for her. This, right here, is why "dark" is such a vague word: it rarely means the same thing for any two books. For me, this comes as a relief, but I know many readers prefer hard-core "dark."
Regardless, I do recommend this since there's lots to appreciate. Cassia is likeable; the writing is lively and well-edited; and the situation had enough passion and suspense to keep me engaged. I found Ms. Thomas's connections between the rigid, highly-disciplined, pain/pleasure art of ballet with the rigid, highly-disciplined, pain/pleasure act of BDSM interesting. (However, if Ms. Thomas truly believes that a performer makes no decisions, then she's obviously never performed. I assure you that no matter how "disciplined" something looks, there's always variation; otherwise, why do some performers stand out while others do not if everyone does everything the same way?) Finally, I loved the details of the dance world. I'm not an expert, but it appears that the author did her research. A special shout out to "ballet kink." Perhaps a new sub-genre? Certainly, ballet is a highly fetishized art.
The negatives for me include the myriad gay stereotypes; Cassia's too-easy acceptance of her blackmailer's attentions dilutes the tension; jarring tonal changes and incoherent character motivations towards the end; and an ending that while a genuine surprise simply isn't my kink (I suspect, in fact, that it won't be to all tastes). Finally at the end of the day -- erotic fantasy aside -- there's really nothing sexy or appealing about blackmailing a victim of domestic violence into sexual servitude and deceiving her to the extent that happens here. That Cassia accepts it all simply strained my suspension of disbelief to its breaking point. YMMV.
4 stars. I'm grateful to Ms. Thomas for NOT going down the well-traveled road of pitting female characters against each other.
Note: I adhere to the ratings system as laid out by Goodreads: 2 stars = it was okay; 3 stars = liked it; 4 stars = really liked it; 5 stars = it was amazing. I do not think that every book I read is "amazing;" further, I think that it cheapens the rating system to always assign 4 or 5 stars. If a book really earns the 4 or 5 stars (and I realize that this is, to some degree, subjective), I'll give them -- but it certainly shouldn't apply to every book. YMMV, and everyone should enjoy/rate these books as they wish. Additional Note: I did not receive this book as an ARC; I'm not another author who hosts or is hosted by other authors in this genre on our websites; and I'm not friends with the authors IRL, "friends" on this site, or friends on any social media site.
ETA: Uhm, I wonder if some reviewers realize that if men don't do ballet, women would have no one to partner with?
Second ETA: If you have not read this book and would like the ending to be a surprise, I suggest you be judicious in which reviews you read -- more than a couple have revealed the twist at the end, which is a shame.
I began this with some trepidation because A) I don't like books that use domestic violence as a device; and B) I really hated the gender-essentialist, ultra-conservative Twisted Fates, in which a woman more or less forgives a man who had badly injured her (because you know the female sex is supposed to forgive men who hurt them: it's de rigueur). However, this book's opening page won me over with its black humor ("I wonder suddenly if beachfront property is so expensive because of the ease of body disposal"), so I decided to persevere.
Cassia thinks she's hidden the murder of her abusive husband, but receives a blackmail threat to the contrary. The book details her growing D/s relationship with her blackmailer as she reports to him one night a week for lessons in ballet/BDSM. Throughout, her self-reflexive, slightly snarky comments kept me entertained ("I'm the idiot girl in the horror movie doing all the stupid shit that leads to her grisly murder in the second act").
I didn't find this book particularly "dark." While it's true that Cassia is blackmailed, the man doesn't rape, beat, kidnap, imprison, or injure her, and he truly wants what's best for her. This, right here, is why "dark" is such a vague word: it rarely means the same thing for any two books. For me, this comes as a relief, but I know many readers prefer hard-core "dark."
Regardless, I do recommend this since there's lots to appreciate. Cassia is likeable; the writing is lively and well-edited; and the situation had enough passion and suspense to keep me engaged. I found Ms. Thomas's connections between the rigid, highly-disciplined, pain/pleasure art of ballet with the rigid, highly-disciplined, pain/pleasure act of BDSM interesting. (However, if Ms. Thomas truly believes that a performer makes no decisions, then she's obviously never performed. I assure you that no matter how "disciplined" something looks, there's always variation; otherwise, why do some performers stand out while others do not if everyone does everything the same way?) Finally, I loved the details of the dance world. I'm not an expert, but it appears that the author did her research. A special shout out to "ballet kink." Perhaps a new sub-genre? Certainly, ballet is a highly fetishized art.
The negatives for me include the myriad gay stereotypes; Cassia's too-easy acceptance of her blackmailer's attentions dilutes the tension; jarring tonal changes and incoherent character motivations towards the end; and an ending that while a genuine surprise simply isn't my kink (I suspect, in fact, that it won't be to all tastes). Finally at the end of the day -- erotic fantasy aside -- there's really nothing sexy or appealing about blackmailing a victim of domestic violence into sexual servitude and deceiving her to the extent that happens here. That Cassia accepts it all simply strained my suspension of disbelief to its breaking point. YMMV.
4 stars. I'm grateful to Ms. Thomas for NOT going down the well-traveled road of pitting female characters against each other.
Note: I adhere to the ratings system as laid out by Goodreads: 2 stars = it was okay; 3 stars = liked it; 4 stars = really liked it; 5 stars = it was amazing. I do not think that every book I read is "amazing;" further, I think that it cheapens the rating system to always assign 4 or 5 stars. If a book really earns the 4 or 5 stars (and I realize that this is, to some degree, subjective), I'll give them -- but it certainly shouldn't apply to every book. YMMV, and everyone should enjoy/rate these books as they wish. Additional Note: I did not receive this book as an ARC; I'm not another author who hosts or is hosted by other authors in this genre on our websites; and I'm not friends with the authors IRL, "friends" on this site, or friends on any social media site.
ETA: Uhm, I wonder if some reviewers realize that if men don't do ballet, women would have no one to partner with?
Second ETA: If you have not read this book and would like the ending to be a surprise, I suggest you be judicious in which reviews you read -- more than a couple have revealed the twist at the end, which is a shame.
October 12, 2020
Enjoyable, but follows the same formula as , and isn’t nearly as good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 23, 2023🩰 Read FIRST SCENE of my Dark Romance, Perfection, FREE: 🩰
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PERFECTION has a NEW ebook and audiobook cover:
https://kittythomas.com/book-of-the-w...
PERFECTION has a NEW ebook and audiobook cover:
Everyone said I married the perfect man. But if Conall Walsh were perfect, I wouldn’t have killed him.
I thought I got away with it until I received an anonymous note at the ballet company I dance for. A mysterious stranger threatens to spill all my secrets. To ruin my life. To put me in prison for my crime.
I’m meeting him tonight at the abandoned opera house to beg him to spare me.
I can pay him. I have money. But his price isn’t money. It’s me.
This book is a standalone contemporary dark romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers.
“A hot dark story with a twist you won’t see coming. Perfection lives up to its name!” – Anna Zaires, New York Times bestselling author of TWIST ME
“So raw, sexy, and twisted, I couldn’t stop reading. The combination of mystery, fear, and eroticism is what Kitty Thomas does best.” – Annabel Joseph, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of MERCY
September 19, 2025
Kindle Unlimited: No
Stand-alone: Yes
Author: Kitty Thomas
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 4/5 🌶
POV: First Person Perspective -Cassia
Main Couple:
Trope(s): Dark Romance, Power Dynamics - Dom/Sub, Master/Slave
“I’ve never wanted someone so completely in such an animal magnetic way.”
I downloaded this book as a freebie. On a clear out my kindle adventure I came across this book. And, DEVOURED it. This book is gripping, erotic, and literally a mindfuck. In all the best ways. It is twisty, alluring, and a rabbit hole of good dark romance. I was struck silent at one point and all I wanted was more when it ended.
Cassia married young to a man who rescued her from poverty and seemed perfect. Until he wasn’t . The only way out from under his thumb is if he isn’t around. Permanently.
Ballet is her only salvation and outlet.
She thought she covered her tracks well until the note showed up.
The price for her silence is her obedience.
So, every Wednesday night she goes to the old opera house. Wearing what is asked. Doing what is told. Falling deeper into her blackmailer's trap.
The doors that once seemed closed to her begin to open. Her dreams are coming to reality. No longer under her husband's thumb.
All she has to do is call him Master.
Stand-alone: Yes
Author: Kitty Thomas
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 4/5 🌶
POV: First Person Perspective -Cassia
Main Couple:
Trope(s): Dark Romance, Power Dynamics - Dom/Sub, Master/Slave
“I’ve never wanted someone so completely in such an animal magnetic way.”
I downloaded this book as a freebie. On a clear out my kindle adventure I came across this book. And, DEVOURED it. This book is gripping, erotic, and literally a mindfuck. In all the best ways. It is twisty, alluring, and a rabbit hole of good dark romance. I was struck silent at one point and all I wanted was more when it ended.
Cassia married young to a man who rescued her from poverty and seemed perfect. Until he wasn’t . The only way out from under his thumb is if he isn’t around. Permanently.
Ballet is her only salvation and outlet.
She thought she covered her tracks well until the note showed up.
The price for her silence is her obedience.
So, every Wednesday night she goes to the old opera house. Wearing what is asked. Doing what is told. Falling deeper into her blackmailer's trap.
The doors that once seemed closed to her begin to open. Her dreams are coming to reality. No longer under her husband's thumb.
All she has to do is call him Master.
April 7, 2020
I marked my calender as soon as i heard this story was coming.
Because anything Kitty writes is bound to be good.
More than that,anything Kitty writes is bound to be GOOD!
And hearing it was coming early,that was really good news!
Trying to stay close to the release-date was hard.....
Because i only wanted one thing when it landed in my library.....devour it.
Cassia’s husband may seem like a good man,but she knows better.
And one day she decides she’s suffered enough and she kills him.
But making sure there’s no evidence of her crime,that proves to be hard on her...
Trying to act natural afterwards isn’t easy either,but she manages.
Until....
She finds a note.
One that clearly states someone knows what she did.
And she’ll have to pay for his silence,but not with money.....
Cassia surrenders rather quickly to her blackmailer’s demands.
But. She feels she has no choice if she doesn’t want to go to prison....
And what her blackmailer asks of her,and does to her?
Just when you think you have it figured out,something else happens.
This story keeps you on your toes,and makes you love every second!
Because anything Kitty writes is bound to be good.
More than that,anything Kitty writes is bound to be GOOD!
And hearing it was coming early,that was really good news!
Trying to stay close to the release-date was hard.....
Because i only wanted one thing when it landed in my library.....devour it.
Cassia’s husband may seem like a good man,but she knows better.
And one day she decides she’s suffered enough and she kills him.
But making sure there’s no evidence of her crime,that proves to be hard on her...
Trying to act natural afterwards isn’t easy either,but she manages.
Until....
She finds a note.
One that clearly states someone knows what she did.
And she’ll have to pay for his silence,but not with money.....
Cassia surrenders rather quickly to her blackmailer’s demands.
But. She feels she has no choice if she doesn’t want to go to prison....
And what her blackmailer asks of her,and does to her?
Just when you think you have it figured out,something else happens.
This story keeps you on your toes,and makes you love every second!
June 28, 2020
Wow! This was a brilliant story!! It started off with a bang and never let up. It was beautiful, hot, elegant and forbidden all rolled in to one incredible book! I couldn't put it down once I started it. It was absolute perfection!!
And now let's talk about the narration shall we. Shirl Rae did such a fantastic job with this book! I loved this book when I initially read it, but it was even better listening too it. Shirl really brought the story to life.
And now let's talk about the narration shall we. Shirl Rae did such a fantastic job with this book! I loved this book when I initially read it, but it was even better listening too it. Shirl really brought the story to life.
April 5, 2020
Oh, I do love Ms. Thomas' writing. I do.
She is able to bring the reader an almost physical heat in the erotic scenes she writes, her characters are complex & wonderously multi-layered, inviting a desire to reread her books in order to discover new nuances & perceptions missed or overlooked the first time.
And I've personally found her writing swirls me into the book & surrounds me with stimulating details that are sensuous & intriguing. Scents that I am able to imagine, sounds that I can imagine indulging in or that I imagine would cause me to flinch to surprise or pain, touches that would cause me to bite my lip or goosebumps to cover my skin or that would make me gasp with pain or pleasure. And that for me is the magic of Ms. Thomas' writing: it's like a 3D movie in which I find myself drawn.
And all of this is EXACTLY what she accomplishes in this latest book 'PERFECTION'.
Because of the many layers (characterwise & plotwise) of this story, I don't want to divuge any details except to say it involves ballet in depth, a woman's focused lifelong dream & her short term nightmare, murder, suspense, betrayal, tension (erotic & plotwise), a thrilling mystery male Phantom & superb sensuously erotic interludes. And a startling surprise near the end.
All of which are beautifully blended into Perfection.
She is able to bring the reader an almost physical heat in the erotic scenes she writes, her characters are complex & wonderously multi-layered, inviting a desire to reread her books in order to discover new nuances & perceptions missed or overlooked the first time.
And I've personally found her writing swirls me into the book & surrounds me with stimulating details that are sensuous & intriguing. Scents that I am able to imagine, sounds that I can imagine indulging in or that I imagine would cause me to flinch to surprise or pain, touches that would cause me to bite my lip or goosebumps to cover my skin or that would make me gasp with pain or pleasure. And that for me is the magic of Ms. Thomas' writing: it's like a 3D movie in which I find myself drawn.
And all of this is EXACTLY what she accomplishes in this latest book 'PERFECTION'.
Because of the many layers (characterwise & plotwise) of this story, I don't want to divuge any details except to say it involves ballet in depth, a woman's focused lifelong dream & her short term nightmare, murder, suspense, betrayal, tension (erotic & plotwise), a thrilling mystery male Phantom & superb sensuously erotic interludes. And a startling surprise near the end.
All of which are beautifully blended into Perfection.
April 4, 2020
It's no secret that Kitty Thomas is one of my favorite dark romance writers. On top of that, books set in the ballet world have always been my guilty pleasure. So I was extremely excited when I heard about Perfection. It absolutely didn't disappoint. This is a tale of an aspiring ballet dancer stuck in an abusive marriage and forced to resort to quite gruesome measures to escape her tormentor.
But is she safe or is another predator waiting in the wings? I loved the premise of the book and the mystery as well as a sort of Phantom of the Opera vibe that was woven through the narrative. Cassia is a very relatable heroine despite the circumstances she finds herself in. Ms. Thomas really invites the reader to experience the gamut of feelings from despair to lust to fear as Cassia is drawn deeper into the depraved web masterfully woven by the mystery man. I really loved how well researched the dance aspects of the book appeared and the detail that Ms. Thomas included to make it feel authentic. The book didn't seem overly dark even though the subject matter certainly holds some dark elements. The chemistry between main characters was off the charts. The book is definitely as hot and provocative as you would expect from Kitty Thomas' work. I have to say that the twist took me for a loop and I didn't see it coming. I really enjoyed how it all turned out and I hope Ms. Thomas revisits the world of dance in the future.
But is she safe or is another predator waiting in the wings? I loved the premise of the book and the mystery as well as a sort of Phantom of the Opera vibe that was woven through the narrative. Cassia is a very relatable heroine despite the circumstances she finds herself in. Ms. Thomas really invites the reader to experience the gamut of feelings from despair to lust to fear as Cassia is drawn deeper into the depraved web masterfully woven by the mystery man. I really loved how well researched the dance aspects of the book appeared and the detail that Ms. Thomas included to make it feel authentic. The book didn't seem overly dark even though the subject matter certainly holds some dark elements. The chemistry between main characters was off the charts. The book is definitely as hot and provocative as you would expect from Kitty Thomas' work. I have to say that the twist took me for a loop and I didn't see it coming. I really enjoyed how it all turned out and I hope Ms. Thomas revisits the world of dance in the future.
April 9, 2020
Sheer perfection
Kitty Thomas is back and in such great form. Ballerina Cassia is a character that I didn't always like. There were some times during the book I really was annoyed by her, and I kinda wanted to smack her. I also liked her at other times. That's a mark of a great character.
This isn't the darkest book that Thomas has written, but it's not sweet and light, for sure. I mean, we start off with a murder.
There are a lot of twisty twists and turny turns in this, just like any Kitty Thomas book, and it was a fantastic ride. I was always surprised by what going on, and fascinated by it.
Kitty Thomas is back and in such great form. Ballerina Cassia is a character that I didn't always like. There were some times during the book I really was annoyed by her, and I kinda wanted to smack her. I also liked her at other times. That's a mark of a great character.
This isn't the darkest book that Thomas has written, but it's not sweet and light, for sure. I mean, we start off with a murder.
There are a lot of twisty twists and turny turns in this, just like any Kitty Thomas book, and it was a fantastic ride. I was always surprised by what going on, and fascinated by it.
Want to read
November 23, 2024having some difficulty choosing my next read but this actually sounds so fucking good so i think ill start this one either next or sometime soon 🤭
May 3, 2025
I think KT is a very good story teller. I do think this could have been much better. I know the Cassia is only 24, but does she need to cry quite so much? It was getting rather tedious. I just read her other little novella, and that lead also cried throughout the story. I like my female leads to be a bit stronger and not quite so simpering, as unrealistic as that might be.
June 8, 2025
I regret reading this
May 15, 2020
[1 star] did not like this book at all. the heroine felt very whiny to me. and there isn't much to say except its a book about sex and bdsm book. it lacks explanation about a lot of things as well, like the whole book just dont make sense to me.
overall, it's a book you can miss. wasted one hour plus of my time, should have stop reading when i felt bored out halfway through.
overall, it's a book you can miss. wasted one hour plus of my time, should have stop reading when i felt bored out halfway through.
April 13, 2020
This is difficult as the author’s written some of my favourite books.
It felt like a long, hot shower was needed when I finished this book, which is only 155 pages; like a novella. It creeped me out totally. I’d wanted to bin it at several points but forced myself to read it all, although I knew there was zero redemption to be had. I disliked Ballet before reading this, now I hate it. I’d had some Ballet lessons as a youngster and couldn’t warm to it. Weird and full of weirdos?? It would seem so if this book is anything to go by. 🤔🤨 I wouldn’t recommend this book, and wish I’d not read it.
It felt like a long, hot shower was needed when I finished this book, which is only 155 pages; like a novella. It creeped me out totally. I’d wanted to bin it at several points but forced myself to read it all, although I knew there was zero redemption to be had. I disliked Ballet before reading this, now I hate it. I’d had some Ballet lessons as a youngster and couldn’t warm to it. Weird and full of weirdos?? It would seem so if this book is anything to go by. 🤔🤨 I wouldn’t recommend this book, and wish I’d not read it.
dnf
June 19, 2022Dnf without prejudice @ 5%
The highlight to me was the heroine's inner mono. It had dry humour, was sarcastic, and self-aware in a lovely & funny way. I'm also all for a woman who murdered her abusive husband. This book started going sideways for me as soon as the heroine is blackmailed by the H and he tells her to call him 'Sir' at their meeting, demands her obedience, and starts giving her all these directions & orders like what to wear. So this is obviously very BDSM sexual fantasy territory. All of this is in the blurb, I knew this going in, so I'm not rating this dnf.
I have read and enjoyed bdsm romance before, but I'm just not in the mood for this right now. It was especially hard for me to suspend disbelief that someone was blackmailing the h. Authors have to be crafty to get me to enjoy bdsm and I prefer a more realistic, organic development of the bdsm relationship. This was very upfront and in your face with the orders/demands of obedience.
The highlight to me was the heroine's inner mono. It had dry humour, was sarcastic, and self-aware in a lovely & funny way. I'm also all for a woman who murdered her abusive husband. This book started going sideways for me as soon as the heroine is blackmailed by the H and he tells her to call him 'Sir' at their meeting, demands her obedience, and starts giving her all these directions & orders like what to wear. So this is obviously very BDSM sexual fantasy territory. All of this is in the blurb, I knew this going in, so I'm not rating this dnf.
I have read and enjoyed bdsm romance before, but I'm just not in the mood for this right now. It was especially hard for me to suspend disbelief that someone was blackmailing the h. Authors have to be crafty to get me to enjoy bdsm and I prefer a more realistic, organic development of the bdsm relationship. This was very upfront and in your face with the orders/demands of obedience.
Read
November 27, 2022Rep:
Gay side character
TW/CW:
Murder, gore, marital abuse, blackmail, fatphobic sentiment from a dancing career, BDSM elements, dub con.
This would’ve been so good but there was way too much crying and sobbing from the heroine that made me really uncomfortable and cringing. I never thought it would bother me but my god was that painful. I also wanted romance and chemistry between the characters but I guess since this is an erotic romance, the sex and BDSM are put in the forefront. Unfortunately, even that was taken from me because of the aforementioned excessive crying, writing erotica means writing your MC in pleasure, not... sobbing her heart out.
September 28, 2021
Take a Bow Ms. Thomas
Perfection is alluring, intoxicating, and darkened deliciousness. What would you do to cover up your sins? How far would you go to keep your "freedom"?
This little birdie chose captivity and its quite the choice. Not knowing is an interesting excuse for accepting her plight but Cassia is about to learn just how accepting she can be.
Perfection is alluring, intoxicating, and darkened deliciousness. What would you do to cover up your sins? How far would you go to keep your "freedom"?
This little birdie chose captivity and its quite the choice. Not knowing is an interesting excuse for accepting her plight but Cassia is about to learn just how accepting she can be.
April 7, 2020
Kitty Thomas has successfully crafted a tale with PERFECTION that makes the reader question what they think they know. Even as you read, you are as blind to the truth as Cassia is, and that just builds a deeper addiction to find out what exactly is going on. It all starts with wondering how you would react to committing murder. You most likely see scenarios play out on television and you think to yourself, "I wouldn't do *that*" or "But that's how you get caught!" It's all innocent conjecture until you find yourself standing over your dead husband, surprised the poison worked. Using what she learned on television, ballet dancer Cassia Lane manages to pull off a seemingly well-crafted murder of her abusive husband, Conall Walsh. She even manages to dispose of the body all on her own. But the fog of shock and accomplishment vanishes when she receives a note from an anonymous blackmailer threatening to expose her crime.
Cassia does what any paranoid murderess in shock does - she blindly follows the orders to meet the unknown person late at night, in a dark and abandoned location, all alone. It turns out, her blackmailer isn't all that interested in trading silence for money or outright sex or the death of the dancer. No, he wants her. All of her.
What follows is a dark yet sensual seduction. Cassia dances to please her mysterious Master, telling herself she is doing it to avoid prison so she can fly freely upon the stage. His reasoning and identity remain shrouded in shadow until a very climactic dance number that leaves the reader's heart beating frantically and chest heaving just as breathlessly as Cassia at the revelations.
Kitty Thomas' PERFECTION is an erotic ode to the Phantom of the Opera and to ballet in general. If you have ever seen any romantic comedy film with a dance theme, you know the stereotypes that get referenced - and quickly smashed. Kitty Thomas builds her own world and brings you along for the ride. At times, you sit in the audience watching the dance play out on stage, while at others, you are Cassia, twirling and leaping with practiced grace.
PERFECTION is not as dark as some of Kitty Thomas' other works. Neither is it as smutty; the sex and the sexual tension are rampant, though. The passion flows more freely for the ballet than it does between the sheets. That is not to say the Master is lacking! No, he is every bit the Master that Kitty Thomas fans love; he is as caring as he is strict, as soft as he is hard, and far sweeter than a man of his position could be imagined with the experiences he has lived.
The book does contain a little ménage, though, as well as a minor age gap (which isn't highlighted) between Cassia and her blackmailer. Readers that enjoy a sensual Master and those that are new to Kitty Thomas will enjoy PERFECTION.
Cassia does what any paranoid murderess in shock does - she blindly follows the orders to meet the unknown person late at night, in a dark and abandoned location, all alone. It turns out, her blackmailer isn't all that interested in trading silence for money or outright sex or the death of the dancer. No, he wants her. All of her.
What follows is a dark yet sensual seduction. Cassia dances to please her mysterious Master, telling herself she is doing it to avoid prison so she can fly freely upon the stage. His reasoning and identity remain shrouded in shadow until a very climactic dance number that leaves the reader's heart beating frantically and chest heaving just as breathlessly as Cassia at the revelations.
Kitty Thomas' PERFECTION is an erotic ode to the Phantom of the Opera and to ballet in general. If you have ever seen any romantic comedy film with a dance theme, you know the stereotypes that get referenced - and quickly smashed. Kitty Thomas builds her own world and brings you along for the ride. At times, you sit in the audience watching the dance play out on stage, while at others, you are Cassia, twirling and leaping with practiced grace.
PERFECTION is not as dark as some of Kitty Thomas' other works. Neither is it as smutty; the sex and the sexual tension are rampant, though. The passion flows more freely for the ballet than it does between the sheets. That is not to say the Master is lacking! No, he is every bit the Master that Kitty Thomas fans love; he is as caring as he is strict, as soft as he is hard, and far sweeter than a man of his position could be imagined with the experiences he has lived.
The book does contain a little ménage, though, as well as a minor age gap (which isn't highlighted) between Cassia and her blackmailer. Readers that enjoy a sensual Master and those that are new to Kitty Thomas will enjoy PERFECTION.
April 13, 2020
#Perfection
#Kitty #Thomas
🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤
Anyone who knows my tastes knows that I love taking stories or works that are familiar classics and turning them into something special and different according to our genre.
Not always successful but here in the story that Kitty wrote it succeeded her and big time!
ק Kitty's novella fits exactly what I like.
A story that has tension and mystery with a lot of sexual tension in the air, that turns into sensual sex and more with a mysterious stranger ....
אס # Cassia is one of the best ballet dancers. She is only married for the sake of happiness and wealth, but in reality she is humiliated and abused until she tells herself enough! Water came to her mind and she disposes of her husband in an unconventional way
A mysterious stranger followed her saw her actions and decided to blackmail her for a pause.
He asked her to come to the opera building once a week and make it available for 3 hours.
What did Cassia do and who is the mysterious stranger ??
This squeeze will keep you intrigued throughout the story and you will end up being as shocked as I am by the twist. I'm sure.
🖤 The story is crazy crazy.
I felt the sensuality and chemistry between Cassia and the mysterious stranger passing through the words to me.
Anyone who knows the author knows that she writes extremely hot sex scenes
# The scenes # include # BDSM🔞
♥ If you want to escape the imagination (unfortunately, far away today when we can really go to a ballet show) and watch the Phantom of the Opera
Or in Swan Lake
I highly recommend this book. You are expecting an addictive sensation.
Must read♥️♥️♥️♥️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Kitty #Thomas
🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤❤️🖤
Anyone who knows my tastes knows that I love taking stories or works that are familiar classics and turning them into something special and different according to our genre.
Not always successful but here in the story that Kitty wrote it succeeded her and big time!
ק Kitty's novella fits exactly what I like.
A story that has tension and mystery with a lot of sexual tension in the air, that turns into sensual sex and more with a mysterious stranger ....
אס # Cassia is one of the best ballet dancers. She is only married for the sake of happiness and wealth, but in reality she is humiliated and abused until she tells herself enough! Water came to her mind and she disposes of her husband in an unconventional way
A mysterious stranger followed her saw her actions and decided to blackmail her for a pause.
He asked her to come to the opera building once a week and make it available for 3 hours.
What did Cassia do and who is the mysterious stranger ??
This squeeze will keep you intrigued throughout the story and you will end up being as shocked as I am by the twist. I'm sure.
🖤 The story is crazy crazy.
I felt the sensuality and chemistry between Cassia and the mysterious stranger passing through the words to me.
Anyone who knows the author knows that she writes extremely hot sex scenes
# The scenes # include # BDSM🔞
♥ If you want to escape the imagination (unfortunately, far away today when we can really go to a ballet show) and watch the Phantom of the Opera
Or in Swan Lake
I highly recommend this book. You are expecting an addictive sensation.
Must read♥️♥️♥️♥️
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 6, 2020
*I was given this book as a gift in exchange for my honest opinion.
I'd like to first point out this cover. Check out how simplistic, yet perfect and stunning it is. Why would I point out a cover this way? Because the cover speaks volumes about a story, and this cover perfectly matches this one.
I guarantee that you'll be pulled in to this book within the first paragraph. I know...that's a strong statement and one that seriously needs to be backed up, right? Don't worry. I only speak the truth. I mean, just read the first line of the blurb.
Cassia is a ballerina. She has also been married to a man who not only abused her physically, but mentally as well. Until one night when everything changes. One night that not only frees her from a man she thought she knew and loved, but pushes her through a rabbit hole that thrusts her in to a whole new world.
Now, if you've read Kitty Thomas before, you know that her rabbit holes can be a multitude of things. This one? This one is filled with suspense, lust, intrigue and most of all a twist that will have you smiling because it's totally not what you'd expect. But mostly, this rabbit hole will leave you wishing there was more, because that's the kind of writer Kitty is.
Buckle up and select a classical music piece... or five when reading this one. It'll help set the mood, pulling you even deeper in to the rabbit hole.
ENJOY!!!!
I'd like to first point out this cover. Check out how simplistic, yet perfect and stunning it is. Why would I point out a cover this way? Because the cover speaks volumes about a story, and this cover perfectly matches this one.
I guarantee that you'll be pulled in to this book within the first paragraph. I know...that's a strong statement and one that seriously needs to be backed up, right? Don't worry. I only speak the truth. I mean, just read the first line of the blurb.
Cassia is a ballerina. She has also been married to a man who not only abused her physically, but mentally as well. Until one night when everything changes. One night that not only frees her from a man she thought she knew and loved, but pushes her through a rabbit hole that thrusts her in to a whole new world.
Now, if you've read Kitty Thomas before, you know that her rabbit holes can be a multitude of things. This one? This one is filled with suspense, lust, intrigue and most of all a twist that will have you smiling because it's totally not what you'd expect. But mostly, this rabbit hole will leave you wishing there was more, because that's the kind of writer Kitty is.
Buckle up and select a classical music piece... or five when reading this one. It'll help set the mood, pulling you even deeper in to the rabbit hole.
ENJOY!!!!
April 3, 2020
I have a new favorite of Kitty's books, and it's this one! I am so in love with this book, I couldn't put it down. I had to know what was happening. There are a few mysteries going on in here, and such intriguing mysteries they are. I don't want to recap the book, you can read the blurb, and I don't want to give anything away. Just trust me, you will want to read it. It gave me all the feels and shivers while I was reading it. I 100% felt the lust, the pull, the temptations and the strings that were slowly starting to bind her more and more, until she couldn't even think about pulling away. Her fear in the beginning turned into her dreams of her future. You will have to read it and you will understand. What an awesome book.
November 24, 2021
Don't get me wrong. This was dark and sexy and the whole atmosphere of the book was mysterious and exciting, but I think I had an issue with how fast the heroine developed feelings for her...what do I call him? Her captor?
Also although she is clearly a strong woman having sliced and diced her abusive husband, she gives off a weak vibe that irked me.
I loved the sexual tension between the characters though.
Also although she is clearly a strong woman having sliced and diced her abusive husband, she gives off a weak vibe that irked me.
I loved the sexual tension between the characters though.
August 13, 2025
This was just something i decided to read on my plane ride cuz i was bored😭
I did NOT like the mmcs cuz they lowkey pmo
The only good part about this was the ballet knowledge i earned otherwise it was meh
I didnt hate it but it also isn’t my favorite
Sorry for the short review i just dont know what to say about this 😀
ALSO IT WAS KINDA DEGRADING TO THE FMC, BUT IF UR INTO THAT IM NOT JUDGING
I did NOT like the mmcs cuz they lowkey pmo
The only good part about this was the ballet knowledge i earned otherwise it was meh
I didnt hate it but it also isn’t my favorite
Sorry for the short review i just dont know what to say about this 😀
ALSO IT WAS KINDA DEGRADING TO THE FMC, BUT IF UR INTO THAT IM NOT JUDGING
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
Well that was intense 😮💨
It’s too easy to spoil this one with any description but all you really need to know is that it’s dark, kinky, and is set in the world of professional ballet. Just read it!
(4 stars because I wish it was a few chapters longer ☺️)
It’s too easy to spoil this one with any description but all you really need to know is that it’s dark, kinky, and is set in the world of professional ballet. Just read it!
(4 stars because I wish it was a few chapters longer ☺️)
April 23, 2020
This book was a bit of a let down for me. Well I suppose I didn’t actually have specific hopes when I went into it but it wasn’t quite what I expected. It felt, not rushed per se, but almost a bit boring I suppose. Not something I usually feel when it comes to Kitty Thomas books. But the beginning and middle were just meh to me. Do this, do that, she likes it, etc. But then the big ‘reveal’ of sorts happens and she handles it poorly, but really she handles it like just about any other woman would. There’s some resistance, some stubbornness, then nothing. It let me down a bit.
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