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The Key Club #1
His Leading Lady
Alex is America’s wholesome heartthrob, but he's ready to take his career in an edgier direction. He’ll do whatever it takes to get the coveted role of Lucas Steel right, even if that means concocting a fake relationship with a mysterious consultant, who will roughen up his public image and teach him how to portray the dark and ruthless character.
Elena thrives on control, never letting anyone get too close, but her well-ordered life is upended when superstar Alex Chase swaggers in one night with an offer too tempting to ignore--no matter how much she wants to wipe the smug grin off his face.
All Alex and Elena have to do is make it through a month in the spotlight without killing each other or crossing professional boundaries, but the fake dating handbook fails to mention how to proceed when the attraction is all too real. Elena discovers there are hidden depths to this Hollywood Pretty Boy, and her steely control melts in his presence, making her want to surrender to him completely. Alex falls fast for the intimidating woman who's challenging him to explore his dark side, but he struggles to trust it's real when he's used to everyone catering to his fame.
With a secret from Elena’s past hanging between them and both of their careers on the line, they'll have to decide whether their singular connection is worth risking it all.
Elena thrives on control, never letting anyone get too close, but her well-ordered life is upended when superstar Alex Chase swaggers in one night with an offer too tempting to ignore--no matter how much she wants to wipe the smug grin off his face.
All Alex and Elena have to do is make it through a month in the spotlight without killing each other or crossing professional boundaries, but the fake dating handbook fails to mention how to proceed when the attraction is all too real. Elena discovers there are hidden depths to this Hollywood Pretty Boy, and her steely control melts in his presence, making her want to surrender to him completely. Alex falls fast for the intimidating woman who's challenging him to explore his dark side, but he struggles to trust it's real when he's used to everyone catering to his fame.
With a secret from Elena’s past hanging between them and both of their careers on the line, they'll have to decide whether their singular connection is worth risking it all.
Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2022
54 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Nordbak
11 books312 followersJenny Nordbak is an author, retired dominatrix, and former archaeologist. When she isn't writing romance novels, she cohosts two podcasts centered on the romance genre, and delights in narrating the steamiest of audiobooks. Jenny is an advocate for sex positivity and intersectional feminism. She lives in Southern California with her handsome Viking husband and two adorably feral children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
November 1, 2021
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I was delighted by it.
I knew Jenny Nordbak from the Wicked Wallflowers podcast and I was already a fan, so I knew I would love this, but it truly blew my expectations out of the water.
Alex Chase is a wholesome, Chis-Evans-esque Hollywood superstar. He’s just been cast as the sexy, dominant Lucas Steel, the main character of a new fantasy franchise with BDSM elements, and, because of his goody-two-shoes reputation and repertoire of cinnamon roll characters, he has no idea where to even begin with this new project.
The solution? To hire Elena, a notorious Dominatrix from a high-end Los Angeles dungeon, to help him get in touch with his Alpha side. Only, in order to prevent the studio from getting cold feet about casting him, they have to pretend to be dating so they can justify spending so much time together. Obviously.
His Leading Lady has all the things: fake dating! friends with benefits kind of! so much steam! Hollywood! sex work positivity! latex!
I thought it was so interesting to see Jenny’s insights from her real life experience as a Dominatrix inserted into Elena’s storyline. I also loved how Alex was the sunshine-y one and Elena was the grumpy one.
I’m super excited for Zane and Maia’s book, and for the rest of this series. Go Jenny! ❤️
I knew Jenny Nordbak from the Wicked Wallflowers podcast and I was already a fan, so I knew I would love this, but it truly blew my expectations out of the water.
Alex Chase is a wholesome, Chis-Evans-esque Hollywood superstar. He’s just been cast as the sexy, dominant Lucas Steel, the main character of a new fantasy franchise with BDSM elements, and, because of his goody-two-shoes reputation and repertoire of cinnamon roll characters, he has no idea where to even begin with this new project.
The solution? To hire Elena, a notorious Dominatrix from a high-end Los Angeles dungeon, to help him get in touch with his Alpha side. Only, in order to prevent the studio from getting cold feet about casting him, they have to pretend to be dating so they can justify spending so much time together. Obviously.
His Leading Lady has all the things: fake dating! friends with benefits kind of! so much steam! Hollywood! sex work positivity! latex!
I thought it was so interesting to see Jenny’s insights from her real life experience as a Dominatrix inserted into Elena’s storyline. I also loved how Alex was the sunshine-y one and Elena was the grumpy one.
I’m super excited for Zane and Maia’s book, and for the rest of this series. Go Jenny! ❤️
October 9, 2021
I'm so all in on books that positively feature sex work. I thought this looked interesting and was hoping for an authentic and frankly lighter look at kink and particularly having the heroine as a dominatrix.
As anticipated (advertised!), this book was warm, without having to engage the dark side of so many romance novels that intend to explore this theme. It has angst, but it didn't dwell, making Nordbak's debut feel tonally like Kris Ripper; the exploration (and maybe education of the reader) of kink feels respectful, light (low angst), and frankly sweet. It certainly is not dismissive of dangers or dark side of sex work, but that's not the point. The exposition is largely cleverly done by featuring a dominatrix educating an actor on her craft, but it's there. For readers really sensitive to this style, I can see it being intrusive.
The characters were both sexy and sure, wicked and vulnerable. It was a really entertaining read after that first bit that felt a bit choppy. .
I am really happy to report that this book hit its stride for me midway, had excellent power exchange dynamics, had great sexual tension and then extremely hot scenes, and was overall addictive to read. There's a lot of sex content but it always felt material to the development. I'm really looking forward to more. There were a few characters I'm guessing get their own book and I had to remind myself that this was just released-can't wait for another.
As anticipated (advertised!), this book was warm, without having to engage the dark side of so many romance novels that intend to explore this theme. It has angst, but it didn't dwell, making Nordbak's debut feel tonally like Kris Ripper; the exploration (and maybe education of the reader) of kink feels respectful, light (low angst), and frankly sweet. It certainly is not dismissive of dangers or dark side of sex work, but that's not the point. The exposition is largely cleverly done by featuring a dominatrix educating an actor on her craft, but it's there. For readers really sensitive to this style, I can see it being intrusive.
The characters were both sexy and sure, wicked and vulnerable. It was a really entertaining read after that first bit that felt a bit choppy. .
I am really happy to report that this book hit its stride for me midway, had excellent power exchange dynamics, had great sexual tension and then extremely hot scenes, and was overall addictive to read. There's a lot of sex content but it always felt material to the development. I'm really looking forward to more. There were a few characters I'm guessing get their own book and I had to remind myself that this was just released-can't wait for another.
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October 7, 2021I beta read an early version of this so I will not be rating or reviewing per my policy. Jenny is also a friend, and if that wasn’t enough, she named a character after me so I’m completely biased. I aspire to be as cool as Lady Elena’s friend Leigh someday. I still can’t believe Jenny did that! If you enjoy contemporary romance and you’re looking for stellar BDSM rep, check this one out. Note: this does deal with sexual assault, both past and present, so exercise caution as needed.
Character notes: Elena is a white bisexual dominatrix and submissive. She has an MA in Clinical Psychology and is working on her sex therapy certification. Alex is a white actor and Dom. This is set in LA.
Content notes: past sexual assault (FMC), recounting of sexual assault (secondary characters, present and past), image-based sexual abuse , sexual harassment by fans, sex worker shaming (countered), panic attack, use of safeword with ex (respected), on-page sex, masturbation, D/s, sensory play, spanking, sex party, cock cage, Hollywood diet culture, BDSM slave terminology, MMC’s brother is autistic, male pejorative, “man parts” as euphemism, penis commentary, gender essentialist language, gendered insult, student loan debt, FMC is estranged from father, reference to playing “small penis therapist” with a client, reference to FMC’s mom dying when she was a kid, reference to MMC’s dad dying when he was young (heart attack), reference to MMC’s ex cheating
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from the author, who is a friend.
Character notes: Elena is a white bisexual dominatrix and submissive. She has an MA in Clinical Psychology and is working on her sex therapy certification. Alex is a white actor and Dom. This is set in LA.
Content notes: past sexual assault (FMC), recounting of sexual assault (secondary characters, present and past), image-based sexual abuse , sexual harassment by fans, sex worker shaming (countered), panic attack, use of safeword with ex (respected), on-page sex, masturbation, D/s, sensory play, spanking, sex party, cock cage, Hollywood diet culture, BDSM slave terminology, MMC’s brother is autistic, male pejorative, “man parts” as euphemism, penis commentary, gender essentialist language, gendered insult, student loan debt, FMC is estranged from father, reference to playing “small penis therapist” with a client, reference to FMC’s mom dying when she was a kid, reference to MMC’s dad dying when he was young (heart attack), reference to MMC’s ex cheating
Disclosure: I received an advanced copy from the author, who is a friend.
October 12, 2021
Lady Elena is hired to both pretend to be super star and Hollywood golden boy Alex Chase's fake girlfriend and his coach ahead of the filming of a popular BDSM romance series turned movie. Alex might have the looks and the smolders, but Elena needs to teach him how to really be a leading man.
I very much enjoyed the positive depiction of sex work and BDSM, which did sometimes veer into explain-y territory but in the context of this story worked for me, since Elena is teaching Alex. I also looooved the edging in this book. Alex and Elena are dancing around each other, in a very steamy way, and with many rules, and wow that works for me. Elena's friends and family, both coworkers, her bridge club, and her chosen family, were also a wonderful cast of characters and I cannot wait to learn more about them.
The reveal of how slimy Alex's director was a timely and deftly handled plot point, CW for discussion of sexual harassment and assault.
What a debut!
Thank you to the author for the review copy; we are friendly on social media
I very much enjoyed the positive depiction of sex work and BDSM, which did sometimes veer into explain-y territory but in the context of this story worked for me, since Elena is teaching Alex. I also looooved the edging in this book. Alex and Elena are dancing around each other, in a very steamy way, and with many rules, and wow that works for me. Elena's friends and family, both coworkers, her bridge club, and her chosen family, were also a wonderful cast of characters and I cannot wait to learn more about them.
The reveal of how slimy Alex's director was a timely and deftly handled plot point, CW for discussion of sexual harassment and assault.
What a debut!
Thank you to the author for the review copy; we are friendly on social media
March 7, 2023
Read this if you like a fake dating romance with some heat!
Avoid this if you don’t like mentions of sexual assault. Confronting her past attacker is main storyline.
Spice level 🌶🌶🌶🌶 Explicit open door (at least 2 scenes)
Standalone or part of a series? Part of a series but can be read alone.
Avoid this if you don’t like mentions of sexual assault. Confronting her past attacker is main storyline.
Spice level 🌶🌶🌶🌶 Explicit open door (at least 2 scenes)
Standalone or part of a series? Part of a series but can be read alone.
November 2, 2021
y’know when you’re reading a book, and it just feels so special that you have to like take a minute to pause & soak it all in?
yeahhhh, so thats how this book made me feel💖
in all fairness, Jenny Nordbak and I are friends & I also designed her cover, so I have ~zero~ claims to impartiality here🤷🏼♀️ but i remember tearing through Jenny’s memoir last April until like 2am, and the whole time just being utterly taken with her writing & authorial voice— my sister and i kept going off about how Jenny needed to write a romance!!! and now she has🥰
I love this book so much I’m struggling to articulate what makes it extraordinary— there’s things that immediately come to mind (Alex & Elena’s lil game of 20 questions, any time Ophelia is on page, Elena showing the cast EXACTLY what great D/s looks like) but then I’d just be giving you a blow by blow of the book, and it’s so much better in Jenny’s clever, playful voice than in my zealous rantings😂 so here is a small piece of why His Leading Lady felt extra-extraordinary
y’all know I’m a heroine-centric reader, and Elena is easily one of my favorites🙌🏻 she’s definitely a “bad bitch we don’t fuck with” but I think she defies a lot of the binary archetypes we give women in fiction/IRL. Elena isn’t quite a prickly heroine, but she has definite boundaries & holds her cards pretty close to her chest. She talks pretty openly w/ Alex about feeling alone, but she also has a killer friends in Ophelia, Leigh, and her bridge squad. She works as a dominatrix, but in her personal life is a submissive. And obviously part of why this makes Elena so appealing is that ppl relate to being a bit betwixt & between, but it ~really~ reminded me how often we’re forced to choose a lane. You can be the bad bitch OR you can be open & emotionally vulnerable. You can be successful & professional OR you can be a sex worker. And it gets back to that bullshit idea that women (honestly this applies to pretty much anyone who isn’t a straight cis white man) can’t take up space, can’t fully be themselves, and that they must instead make themselves more palatable for a moralistic, patriarchal society. It was so powerful see Elena be EVERYTHING that she wanted to be, and it made me want to take up more space🥰
In summation, Alex & Elena’s story is fucking phenomenal & u should go read it now. I loved them as a couple, and the supporting characters were just as cool— all the hints at who i ASSUME are future MCs had me practically salivating for her next book!!
yeahhhh, so thats how this book made me feel💖
in all fairness, Jenny Nordbak and I are friends & I also designed her cover, so I have ~zero~ claims to impartiality here🤷🏼♀️ but i remember tearing through Jenny’s memoir last April until like 2am, and the whole time just being utterly taken with her writing & authorial voice— my sister and i kept going off about how Jenny needed to write a romance!!! and now she has🥰
I love this book so much I’m struggling to articulate what makes it extraordinary— there’s things that immediately come to mind (Alex & Elena’s lil game of 20 questions, any time Ophelia is on page, Elena showing the cast EXACTLY what great D/s looks like) but then I’d just be giving you a blow by blow of the book, and it’s so much better in Jenny’s clever, playful voice than in my zealous rantings😂 so here is a small piece of why His Leading Lady felt extra-extraordinary
y’all know I’m a heroine-centric reader, and Elena is easily one of my favorites🙌🏻 she’s definitely a “bad bitch we don’t fuck with” but I think she defies a lot of the binary archetypes we give women in fiction/IRL. Elena isn’t quite a prickly heroine, but she has definite boundaries & holds her cards pretty close to her chest. She talks pretty openly w/ Alex about feeling alone, but she also has a killer friends in Ophelia, Leigh, and her bridge squad. She works as a dominatrix, but in her personal life is a submissive. And obviously part of why this makes Elena so appealing is that ppl relate to being a bit betwixt & between, but it ~really~ reminded me how often we’re forced to choose a lane. You can be the bad bitch OR you can be open & emotionally vulnerable. You can be successful & professional OR you can be a sex worker. And it gets back to that bullshit idea that women (honestly this applies to pretty much anyone who isn’t a straight cis white man) can’t take up space, can’t fully be themselves, and that they must instead make themselves more palatable for a moralistic, patriarchal society. It was so powerful see Elena be EVERYTHING that she wanted to be, and it made me want to take up more space🥰
In summation, Alex & Elena’s story is fucking phenomenal & u should go read it now. I loved them as a couple, and the supporting characters were just as cool— all the hints at who i ASSUME are future MCs had me practically salivating for her next book!!
September 26, 2021
I said as much on Twitter, but Jenny's just got something special here with this book. I was truly hooked from the first chapter and throughout, and this one had me from the very premise alone. When Alex Chase takes on a new starring role in a movie that's basically Game of Thrones meets Fifty Shades, his PR team decides he needs someone who knows their stuff to teach him how to dom convincingly onscreen. Finding Lady Elena is the easy part, but the rest of the world can't know he doesn't know what he's doing, so the solution is to convince everyone else that they're just dating instead — while she gives him lessons behind closed doors. This book is filled to the brim with so much thoughtfulness in terms of BDSM and romance tropes that you know it could have only come from not only an expert, but someone who loves and respects the genre too. I can't wait for however many books are left in this series.
content notes: sexual harassment, references to past assault, both MCs have a deceased parent (mentioned as happening pre-story)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
content notes: sexual harassment, references to past assault, both MCs have a deceased parent (mentioned as happening pre-story)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2022
3.25 stars
Boy next door/Hollywood leading man meets infamous dominatrix. They agree to fake date; she helps him prep for a film role as a bad ass alpha male into BDSM and in exchange, he pays her for her expertise which helps erase her student loan debt. Pretty straightforward trope, nothing too mind blowing but offers an authentic peek into the world of kink and BDSM, not your fifty shades crap. Definitely a credit to author Jenny Nordbak’s previous life as an actual pro-dom.
Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with her writing style, it felt robotic and kind of soulless to me. While I found the premise and content to be extremely interesting, the majority of the book contained a lot of telling rather than showing, IMO. I would love to read more about the characters in the next book and hopefully I’ll like it better.
Boy next door/Hollywood leading man meets infamous dominatrix. They agree to fake date; she helps him prep for a film role as a bad ass alpha male into BDSM and in exchange, he pays her for her expertise which helps erase her student loan debt. Pretty straightforward trope, nothing too mind blowing but offers an authentic peek into the world of kink and BDSM, not your fifty shades crap. Definitely a credit to author Jenny Nordbak’s previous life as an actual pro-dom.
Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with her writing style, it felt robotic and kind of soulless to me. While I found the premise and content to be extremely interesting, the majority of the book contained a lot of telling rather than showing, IMO. I would love to read more about the characters in the next book and hopefully I’ll like it better.
September 18, 2021
I’ve been in a reading slump for ages and this finally jolted me out of it. Jenny’s writing is vibrant and fun and grabs you by the throat and never lets go. Elena is fierce as hell, much like the author herself, and we could all use a bit more of her courage. And Alex is swoon!!! 5 stars for chemistry, plot, all of it.
September 28, 2021
I enjoyed reading Jenny Nordbak’s His Leading Lady. It was an engrossing read with good characters and an interesting take on the fake dating and sex lessons tropes. His Leading Lady is Nordbak’s debut romance, but not her first book. She also wrote about her experiences as a professional dominatrix in Los Angeles. She’s drawn on that experience for her fiction debut.
Lady Elena is a professional Dominatrix at the top of her field. She has recently experienced more notoriety than she would like when a video of her dominating the current (fictional) Vice President leaked to the press. Discretion is important to her work. She has the option of hiding until it blows over, or leaning into it. Alex is an actor who has just landed a coveted roll which will break him out of his clean cut niche. If he does it well. He’s concerned about failing. He needs help learning to be sexually dominant, but doesn’t want anyone to know he needs help. Obviously, they must pretend to date.
I particularly enjoyed the nuanced ways that Nordbak wrote about sex and sexual power dynamics. Alex does not need to learn how to have sex, he does need to learn how to assert dominance in a way that avoids the boundary crushing dangers of toxic masculinity. I loved that the mental and emotional elements of sex were skills to be learned and practiced. Nordbak walks the delicate line of two heavily guarded characters opening up to each other without fundamentally changing who they are. Elena is a sex worker and Norback treats her and her work with respect. She is sex positive, sex worker positive, and kink positive. It was refreshing.
My main complaint was that I found almost every other character in the book more interesting than Alex. That’s probably a me issue and I’m sure other readers will enjoy him as a character more. Elena more than made up for any lack I found in Alex.
His Leading Lady sparked some internal conversations about intimacy that I would love to have, but I don’t feel like I’m qualified to bring them up in a book review. I am also really looking forward to the next book in the series as I believe it involves my two favorite side characters.
CW: sexual harassment (off page but in the present), sexual harassment in the past, past sexual assault, misogyny.
Lady Elena is a professional Dominatrix at the top of her field. She has recently experienced more notoriety than she would like when a video of her dominating the current (fictional) Vice President leaked to the press. Discretion is important to her work. She has the option of hiding until it blows over, or leaning into it. Alex is an actor who has just landed a coveted roll which will break him out of his clean cut niche. If he does it well. He’s concerned about failing. He needs help learning to be sexually dominant, but doesn’t want anyone to know he needs help. Obviously, they must pretend to date.
I particularly enjoyed the nuanced ways that Nordbak wrote about sex and sexual power dynamics. Alex does not need to learn how to have sex, he does need to learn how to assert dominance in a way that avoids the boundary crushing dangers of toxic masculinity. I loved that the mental and emotional elements of sex were skills to be learned and practiced. Nordbak walks the delicate line of two heavily guarded characters opening up to each other without fundamentally changing who they are. Elena is a sex worker and Norback treats her and her work with respect. She is sex positive, sex worker positive, and kink positive. It was refreshing.
My main complaint was that I found almost every other character in the book more interesting than Alex. That’s probably a me issue and I’m sure other readers will enjoy him as a character more. Elena more than made up for any lack I found in Alex.
His Leading Lady sparked some internal conversations about intimacy that I would love to have, but I don’t feel like I’m qualified to bring them up in a book review. I am also really looking forward to the next book in the series as I believe it involves my two favorite side characters.
CW: sexual harassment (off page but in the present), sexual harassment in the past, past sexual assault, misogyny.
May 11, 2022
Edited on February 6, 2022: I mainlined this book in a day—SLUMP BUSTED. I loved it—clear character motivations, respect given to sex workers, hawt sex scenes, feminist as fuck, give me more now I loved it - Marisa
Edited on October 20, 2021: My Dad has reread the book already! Loved it just as much the second time <3
Original Review: My pain has been unexpectedly bad this past week, so I have a stand-in review until I feel better. This is from my Dad, George Gettas, who reads romance sparingly, but enthusiastically. In fact when he found out that I had this ARC on my kobo, he snatched it off my table and read it in one day.
His words:
“It pulled me into the story straight from the first chapter. It was well paced. I would reread this. I really felt like I got into the mind of the heroine, in a way that’s rare for me. I really felt like I understood her. If there more books in this series I would happily read them. Very enjoyable."
That’s very high praise from my Dad.
Note: I’m social with the author on multiple social media platforms. I received this ARC in return for a fair review.
Edited on October 20, 2021: My Dad has reread the book already! Loved it just as much the second time <3
Original Review: My pain has been unexpectedly bad this past week, so I have a stand-in review until I feel better. This is from my Dad, George Gettas, who reads romance sparingly, but enthusiastically. In fact when he found out that I had this ARC on my kobo, he snatched it off my table and read it in one day.
His words:
“It pulled me into the story straight from the first chapter. It was well paced. I would reread this. I really felt like I got into the mind of the heroine, in a way that’s rare for me. I really felt like I understood her. If there more books in this series I would happily read them. Very enjoyable."
That’s very high praise from my Dad.
Note: I’m social with the author on multiple social media platforms. I received this ARC in return for a fair review.
September 10, 2021
I really loved the sex-work positivity in this book a lot. Elena, or rather, Lady Elena is a Dominatrix hired to help movie star Alex get into character for the lead role in a movie based on a popular book (or series of books?) that require him to play a Dom. I loved how much attention was paid to consent and given the author’s personal knowledge of this type of sex work, it felt beautifully real and authentic. I thought the sex scenes were hot, the romance was super cute, I did think the ending was a bit cheesy but over all, I definitely enjoyed Jenny Nordbak’s first foray into fiction and look forward to reading more of her work.
CW: off page sexual assault in the past and present;
ARC provided by author. Opinions are all mine.
CW: off page sexual assault in the past and present;
ARC provided by author. Opinions are all mine.
October 30, 2022
Ugh this was so good!! I love both main characters so much, they’re both 🥵
August 18, 2023
⭐️4.5/5 Jenny Nordbak is a Queen! This book is EVERYTHING! Excellently written. Super hot 🥵. Love our leads. Damn. I need a cold shower.
September 28, 2021
✨ 4.5 Blockbuster stars ✨
Who needs sleep when you have a delicious book to devour? And what a delicious book this was! I was so endlessly delighted by it that I was squealing every other page as I couldn’t contain my sheer joy. The author’s voice is distinct and incisive and it kept me turning the pages until I’d reached the very end. Humorous and profound, sharp and insightful, Jenny uses all her expertise on kink and BDSM and human psychology to write one heck of a compelling story. You know it’s legit when you want to go pick the author’s brain about everything after having read the book.
Elena is a fierce boss ass bitch and just reading about her feels empowering by osmosis. A dominatrix but with many layers, and we learn alongside him as she’s training Alex. She doesn’t need Alex, but he’s the yin to her yang, the sunshine to her grumpy. And Alex. Oh my Goddess, this book is a lot about fantasies, but with Alex it’s like Jenny went into my brain and foraged my fantasies for the ideal man. Charming and cocky, dominant but vulnerable, alpha but non toxic, head empty only Alex. I usually go for all the toxic bookish alphas, but Alex will be the blueprint for all future men in my life. Please and thanks. On top of that he’s basically Chris Hemsworth? I’m DONE. I’ll now be dreaming in Chris Hemsworth forever. JK, I always dream in Chris but I’ll now be dreaming in Chris as Alex and I think that’s beautiful. 🥲
As their fake dating plot heats up and lines start to blur, Elena and Alex are by turns flirty and sweet and so fucking filthy with their banter and dirty talk and slow burning lust. The author has fun with the main tropes while also breaking conventions, explores kink without making it too technical for the uninitiated, makes commentary on sex work and respect and safety, and strikes a perfect balance between sexy and sweet. A bunch of potential future couples are also nicely set up and I’m very excited for their stories.
PS: An ARC was provided by the author, and all opinions are mine and mine alone.
Who needs sleep when you have a delicious book to devour? And what a delicious book this was! I was so endlessly delighted by it that I was squealing every other page as I couldn’t contain my sheer joy. The author’s voice is distinct and incisive and it kept me turning the pages until I’d reached the very end. Humorous and profound, sharp and insightful, Jenny uses all her expertise on kink and BDSM and human psychology to write one heck of a compelling story. You know it’s legit when you want to go pick the author’s brain about everything after having read the book.
Elena is a fierce boss ass bitch and just reading about her feels empowering by osmosis. A dominatrix but with many layers, and we learn alongside him as she’s training Alex. She doesn’t need Alex, but he’s the yin to her yang, the sunshine to her grumpy. And Alex. Oh my Goddess, this book is a lot about fantasies, but with Alex it’s like Jenny went into my brain and foraged my fantasies for the ideal man. Charming and cocky, dominant but vulnerable, alpha but non toxic, head empty only Alex. I usually go for all the toxic bookish alphas, but Alex will be the blueprint for all future men in my life. Please and thanks. On top of that he’s basically Chris Hemsworth? I’m DONE. I’ll now be dreaming in Chris Hemsworth forever. JK, I always dream in Chris but I’ll now be dreaming in Chris as Alex and I think that’s beautiful. 🥲
As their fake dating plot heats up and lines start to blur, Elena and Alex are by turns flirty and sweet and so fucking filthy with their banter and dirty talk and slow burning lust. The author has fun with the main tropes while also breaking conventions, explores kink without making it too technical for the uninitiated, makes commentary on sex work and respect and safety, and strikes a perfect balance between sexy and sweet. A bunch of potential future couples are also nicely set up and I’m very excited for their stories.
PS: An ARC was provided by the author, and all opinions are mine and mine alone.
October 6, 2025
bdsm authors need to stop trying to tell everyone that fifty shades was bad representation for the community. we get it! stop letting this get in the way of a good story!
September 17, 2021
TW: sexual misconduct
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HIS LEADING LADY, told in dual POV, follows Alex Chase, a charming, wholesome actor who is ready to go in an edgier direction with his career, and Lady Elena, the fierce dominatrix who agrees to be his consultant to help him embrace his dominant side for a new role he’s taking on. The pair agrees to fake date for a month, which should be easy, considering there is absolutely no real feelings involved… right?
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I couldn’t stop smiling when I was reading this book. These two characters have steamy chemistry, but they’re also so soft for one another that I was left melting! This book is incredibly sexy, funny and so endearing. I was hooked by these two from the very first time they met and I’ve been rooting for them ever since. This story is fully sex positive and sex worker positive, it has a focus on safety in BDSM, trust, and it tackles sexual misconduct in and out of the workplace. Hard hitting and handled with love and care, HIS LEADING LADY will definitely be a reread for me someday.
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The epilogue was rewritten and I had the chance to read both versions. As much as I enjoyed the first one I must admit that the new version feels more fitting. It was personal and heartfelt, and I ended the book with a huge grin on my face. Absolutely adorable!
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I know book 1 *just* came out, but I’m ready for book 2 now! If the series was already complete this is one I would have binged in one weekend, for sure. It was catnip for me! I’m eagerly awaiting Zane and Maia’s story, and *hopefully* one about Rami and Ophelia? I’d also like to read Victoria’s story…. I just really enjoyed all of these characters. 😅
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5/5 stars, HIS LEADING LADY by Jenny Nordbak is available now!
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Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC to review!
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HIS LEADING LADY, told in dual POV, follows Alex Chase, a charming, wholesome actor who is ready to go in an edgier direction with his career, and Lady Elena, the fierce dominatrix who agrees to be his consultant to help him embrace his dominant side for a new role he’s taking on. The pair agrees to fake date for a month, which should be easy, considering there is absolutely no real feelings involved… right?
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I couldn’t stop smiling when I was reading this book. These two characters have steamy chemistry, but they’re also so soft for one another that I was left melting! This book is incredibly sexy, funny and so endearing. I was hooked by these two from the very first time they met and I’ve been rooting for them ever since. This story is fully sex positive and sex worker positive, it has a focus on safety in BDSM, trust, and it tackles sexual misconduct in and out of the workplace. Hard hitting and handled with love and care, HIS LEADING LADY will definitely be a reread for me someday.
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The epilogue was rewritten and I had the chance to read both versions. As much as I enjoyed the first one I must admit that the new version feels more fitting. It was personal and heartfelt, and I ended the book with a huge grin on my face. Absolutely adorable!
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I know book 1 *just* came out, but I’m ready for book 2 now! If the series was already complete this is one I would have binged in one weekend, for sure. It was catnip for me! I’m eagerly awaiting Zane and Maia’s story, and *hopefully* one about Rami and Ophelia? I’d also like to read Victoria’s story…. I just really enjoyed all of these characters. 😅
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5/5 stars, HIS LEADING LADY by Jenny Nordbak is available now!
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Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC to review!
September 19, 2021
Sparks and banter fly when Alex and Elena strike a deal to prepare him for a challenging breakout role under the guise of dating.
As an experienced dominatrix at the Key Club, Elena is well acquainted with handling strangers’ stereotypical views of her profession, moving confidently through situations while providing actionable advice and concrete examples of what safe, sane, and consensual BDSM looks like.
Hollywood’s good boy Alex needs to learn to unleash his alpha dominate side to embody Lucas Steel, establishing a new trajectory in his career. Can he workaround his undeniable connection to Elena and overcome her antagonistic banter to keep things professional? Or will their fake dates blur boundaries? What will happen when trouble from her past resurfaces and threatens everything?
As a long time fan of Jenny Nordbak from her podcast, (Wicked Wallflowers Club) and her memoir, reading her debut romance novel was a delight and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next.
A captivating cast of side characters will keep you guessing (and hoping) for who will get the next book. Her best friend or his? His brother or her boss? Secretive former client or some one else entirely? Any and all of these are sure to become another captivating romance.
As an experienced dominatrix at the Key Club, Elena is well acquainted with handling strangers’ stereotypical views of her profession, moving confidently through situations while providing actionable advice and concrete examples of what safe, sane, and consensual BDSM looks like.
Hollywood’s good boy Alex needs to learn to unleash his alpha dominate side to embody Lucas Steel, establishing a new trajectory in his career. Can he workaround his undeniable connection to Elena and overcome her antagonistic banter to keep things professional? Or will their fake dates blur boundaries? What will happen when trouble from her past resurfaces and threatens everything?
As a long time fan of Jenny Nordbak from her podcast, (Wicked Wallflowers Club) and her memoir, reading her debut romance novel was a delight and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next.
A captivating cast of side characters will keep you guessing (and hoping) for who will get the next book. Her best friend or his? His brother or her boss? Secretive former client or some one else entirely? Any and all of these are sure to become another captivating romance.
October 21, 2021
I like the characters, and while this is a fake dating trope, there's still a lot of subjects and complexity on the characters' traits that make this story engaging. I love the focus on consent and respect over a person's passion and kinks. I did wonder over the MMC's mother and the FMC by the end of the story. Did they get along? Anyway, looking forward to the next book!
(This gets a 3-stars because even though I did generally like it, I almost DNF this halfway through. The stars for me is my rating of how I'm likely to read it again.)
(This gets a 3-stars because even though I did generally like it, I almost DNF this halfway through. The stars for me is my rating of how I'm likely to read it again.)
December 3, 2021
While I applaud the author for the pro-sex worker positivity expressed throughout the book, my main issue was the female character. For someone who preached about the safety within the BDSM scene, her character seemed to be put through some fairly traumatic events. I had to struggle to finish the book, and only did so due to the high ratings.
I know other liked the book, but this was a 2.75 stars read for me.
I know other liked the book, but this was a 2.75 stars read for me.
August 28, 2022
Loved this. Sëggs positive
K!ñk positive
Heaüx positive
Wall to wall ✨VIBES ✨
A masterclass in consent and edging and male allyship
This is such a good book I’m obsessed
CWs: sexual assault, taking advantage of swers, slut shaming (addressed, countered) me too moment (MMC takes the side of FMC)
K!ñk positive
Heaüx positive
Wall to wall ✨VIBES ✨
A masterclass in consent and edging and male allyship
This is such a good book I’m obsessed
CWs: sexual assault, taking advantage of swers, slut shaming (addressed, countered) me too moment (MMC takes the side of FMC)
February 27, 2023
DNF at 46%. There might be a plot in there somewhere, but I tried two times to get into this book and have run out of patience. This seems like a displaced Vanity Fair piece about the bdsm community that sought a second life by billing it as a romance.
October 22, 2021
I was already familiar with this author from her memoir and a longtime listener of her podcast, and I was a little scared to pick this one up - what if I didn’t like it? Writing is really really hard and What if this person who seems entertaining, funny and like she has excellent taste in romance novels is terrible at writing them? What if the dialogue is stilted and the characters are two-dimensional? But…um this book is really, really, crazy good.
This is not normally a book I would have read- I don’t love a contemporary (historicals, paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi are usually all more interesting to me). Celebrity romances and fake-dating are also not generally my jam. But this was provided as one of September’s offerings from the Bonkers Book Club (shoutout to the Bonkers Romance podcast) and I’m so glad it was. All the things that don’t usually work for me were gangbusters here.
1 - I usually like a romance with a lot more world-building than your average contemporary has. But this story really sets a believable scene and a rich world. I’m sure part of that is the fact that the author has real life professional BDSM experience, but it takes a lot of talent to know what little details to include without it turning into a boring info-dump. One aspect I absolutely loved that I wouldn’t have necessarily expected was the more psychological exploration of sexuality and kink. There are portions of the heroine’s inner monologue where she discusses sexual archetypes that I found super interesting, and I was very fascinated with the process by which someone might go about teaching the psychology of dominance to someone else.
2- I struggle sometimes with celebrity romances because at their most poorly done they can feel like bad celebrity fan-fic with extremely generic characters thrown in as stand-ins. This was not that at all. Something about the trope of a non-famous person dating a famous one doesn’t really do it for me, maybe because of the inherent imbalance there. But the heroine is competent and semi-well known in her own right and the characterization between both characters is just so well done. The hero is struggling with believable issues. The heroine has her own complicated and interesting life.
3-The fake relationship trope in contemporaries is tough. It’s usually hard for me to buy a reason why two people in the modern world truly need to pretend to be dating anyone. But it very much works here. To the extent that contract relationships between famous people are a believable thing in the real world, it is credible here that these two people might form one. It’s well justified in the story, and that’s all I really needed.
4-The BDSM. I won’t say I don’t normally enjoy reading BDSM romances, because I do, but after awhile a lot of them start to feel very same-y. I had no idea I needed to read a story about two kinky people that are both dominants. It was amazing, I need more.
5-as an FYI, I’ve seen this book described as enemies to lovers in a couple places and while that is a trope I do genuinely love, I don’t think it really applies here. The hero and heroine start off as fairly suspicious of each others motives but they aren’t really enemies in any sense and they don’t even seem to dislike each other.
To sum up, please read this. Especially if the blurb or tropes make it sound like something you’d normally skip. Because everything about it was so well done. The dialogue was bantery and witty and fun and sounded like real human beings. The plot was fast-paced and didn’t drag for a second. The characters were easy to get invested in. I had to leave for work before I was quite at the end and still reading it at stop lights, that’s how engrossing it was.
This is not normally a book I would have read- I don’t love a contemporary (historicals, paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi are usually all more interesting to me). Celebrity romances and fake-dating are also not generally my jam. But this was provided as one of September’s offerings from the Bonkers Book Club (shoutout to the Bonkers Romance podcast) and I’m so glad it was. All the things that don’t usually work for me were gangbusters here.
1 - I usually like a romance with a lot more world-building than your average contemporary has. But this story really sets a believable scene and a rich world. I’m sure part of that is the fact that the author has real life professional BDSM experience, but it takes a lot of talent to know what little details to include without it turning into a boring info-dump. One aspect I absolutely loved that I wouldn’t have necessarily expected was the more psychological exploration of sexuality and kink. There are portions of the heroine’s inner monologue where she discusses sexual archetypes that I found super interesting, and I was very fascinated with the process by which someone might go about teaching the psychology of dominance to someone else.
2- I struggle sometimes with celebrity romances because at their most poorly done they can feel like bad celebrity fan-fic with extremely generic characters thrown in as stand-ins. This was not that at all. Something about the trope of a non-famous person dating a famous one doesn’t really do it for me, maybe because of the inherent imbalance there. But the heroine is competent and semi-well known in her own right and the characterization between both characters is just so well done. The hero is struggling with believable issues. The heroine has her own complicated and interesting life.
3-The fake relationship trope in contemporaries is tough. It’s usually hard for me to buy a reason why two people in the modern world truly need to pretend to be dating anyone. But it very much works here. To the extent that contract relationships between famous people are a believable thing in the real world, it is credible here that these two people might form one. It’s well justified in the story, and that’s all I really needed.
4-The BDSM. I won’t say I don’t normally enjoy reading BDSM romances, because I do, but after awhile a lot of them start to feel very same-y. I had no idea I needed to read a story about two kinky people that are both dominants. It was amazing, I need more.
5-as an FYI, I’ve seen this book described as enemies to lovers in a couple places and while that is a trope I do genuinely love, I don’t think it really applies here. The hero and heroine start off as fairly suspicious of each others motives but they aren’t really enemies in any sense and they don’t even seem to dislike each other.
To sum up, please read this. Especially if the blurb or tropes make it sound like something you’d normally skip. Because everything about it was so well done. The dialogue was bantery and witty and fun and sounded like real human beings. The plot was fast-paced and didn’t drag for a second. The characters were easy to get invested in. I had to leave for work before I was quite at the end and still reading it at stop lights, that’s how engrossing it was.
March 3, 2022
I loved this book! There are issues I have with some of the plot devices but I just loved these characters so much it was easy to overlook them.
Something I really enjoyed about this book is the illustration of the worlds the main characters exist in and who has power and how it is given. Lady Elena receives her power from willing clients and is well regarded by her peers who have agreed to give her the title "Lady". The people recognizing Lady Elena and the other Mistresses are mostly women. Whereas, in Alex's world, it is masculine engery ruling supreme and these folks are not gifted their titles - they take them thru any means necessary. Not all men are bad but the power exchange does not always come with enthusiastic consent as it does in Lady Elena's world. In Alex's world, men seem to be the taste-makers but it is not so in Lady Elena's.
things that didn't work for me but did not diminish my love:
I'm curious about who else is going to be included in this series . . . will Alex's brother becoming a member of the Key Club? with a certain chef???? coz I feel that needs to be a thing!
Something I really enjoyed about this book is the illustration of the worlds the main characters exist in and who has power and how it is given. Lady Elena receives her power from willing clients and is well regarded by her peers who have agreed to give her the title "Lady". The people recognizing Lady Elena and the other Mistresses are mostly women. Whereas, in Alex's world, it is masculine engery ruling supreme and these folks are not gifted their titles - they take them thru any means necessary. Not all men are bad but the power exchange does not always come with enthusiastic consent as it does in Lady Elena's world. In Alex's world, men seem to be the taste-makers but it is not so in Lady Elena's.
things that didn't work for me but did not diminish my love:
I'm curious about who else is going to be included in this series . . . will Alex's brother becoming a member of the Key Club? with a certain chef???? coz I feel that needs to be a thing!
November 7, 2021
Spoilers about the end of the book below!
I really wanted to like this book. It has everything I generally like in a book - strong heroine, devoted dominant hero, bdsm, a good cast of secondary characters, and no major plot holes. Yet I ended up almost DNFing several times because the pace was too slow, the sex scenes didn't feel like they were progressing either the plot or the characters, the heroine's character didn't grow until the very end, and I continuously felt that I was being preached at ("See? Consent. Is. Sexy" "See? You. Can. Have. Good. Sex. Without. Penetration!") I did not find the heroine's submissiveness all that convincing, because it was there for a short portion of each sex scene and then she asserted herself again and she is very loud in her assertiveness. Letting someone hold your wrists for a couple minutes and make some suggestions about what you might do if you wanted to does not a D/s relationship make.
I thought that the scene the heroine rewrites for the movie in the middle of the book, to add explicit consent, is made less sexy because it feels frightened of going for it. And that's how I ended up feeling about the heroine: she spends all this time (so much time!) telling us what a badass she is. But actually she clings to control because she's scared of being vulnerable and fundamentally feels brittle. That's fine to start, but she didn't let that go until we were about 90-95% into the book. I need characters in a romance novel to actually trust one another by about halfway, or even 2/3, or the relationship doesn't have credibility for me. I just kept thinking that she obviously didn't want/like him enough to get over herself and that pulled me out of the love story over and over again.
This book has been praised for positive depictions of sex work, but the end also suggests that sex work only feels ok for people who don't have a real relationship. I'm not sure that depicting it as a second-rate activity to be discarded once the real thing comes along is positive. Still, two stars for trying to have a positive view of sex work and consent.
I really wanted to like this book. It has everything I generally like in a book - strong heroine, devoted dominant hero, bdsm, a good cast of secondary characters, and no major plot holes. Yet I ended up almost DNFing several times because the pace was too slow, the sex scenes didn't feel like they were progressing either the plot or the characters, the heroine's character didn't grow until the very end, and I continuously felt that I was being preached at ("See? Consent. Is. Sexy" "See? You. Can. Have. Good. Sex. Without. Penetration!") I did not find the heroine's submissiveness all that convincing, because it was there for a short portion of each sex scene and then she asserted herself again and she is very loud in her assertiveness. Letting someone hold your wrists for a couple minutes and make some suggestions about what you might do if you wanted to does not a D/s relationship make.
I thought that the scene the heroine rewrites for the movie in the middle of the book, to add explicit consent, is made less sexy because it feels frightened of going for it. And that's how I ended up feeling about the heroine: she spends all this time (so much time!) telling us what a badass she is. But actually she clings to control because she's scared of being vulnerable and fundamentally feels brittle. That's fine to start, but she didn't let that go until we were about 90-95% into the book. I need characters in a romance novel to actually trust one another by about halfway, or even 2/3, or the relationship doesn't have credibility for me. I just kept thinking that she obviously didn't want/like him enough to get over herself and that pulled me out of the love story over and over again.
This book has been praised for positive depictions of sex work, but the end also suggests that sex work only feels ok for people who don't have a real relationship. I'm not sure that depicting it as a second-rate activity to be discarded once the real thing comes along is positive. Still, two stars for trying to have a positive view of sex work and consent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2021
*Thanks to the author for the ARC - below is my honest review*
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
This was such a delightful, steamy, sex positive romance and I loved it so much. Elena and Alex had instant chemistry - I never knew I needed a book in my life that featured a Dominatrix engaging in a fake relationship with a sweet on the outside, dirty on the inside actor. These two had such an interesting push-pull dynamic and there were just as many moments that made me laugh out loud as made me swoon. I always get particular enjoyment (and maybe a smidge annoyance) when both characters are clearly into each other and have that longing for one another - like, just talk to each other already. Ultimately I just adored how both Alex and Elena were strong and dominant but also could be tender and vulnerable with one another.
The BDSM aspect of this book was clearly written with care by someone who knows the scene well. It came across as authentic and respectful and I loved how it focused so much on consent because consent is sexy. And we need more representations of it. Also, in some aspects the relationship between Elena and Alex felt a little slow burn...and it was delicious.
I also want to mention the strong cast of side characters; they were interesting and I felt they added some depth and support to our hero and heroine. I mean, Ophelia and Rami, Victoria, Maia, his brothers Zane and Ryan - give me more please. I appreciate when side characters are more than one-note - perhaps that's not important to everyone but it helps the world building for me, even in a contemporary story.
There was a small plot point in the epilogue that made me cringe but ultimately that's a me thing. Overall though this was a really fun book and I'm definitely excited for more.
One last note: the big bad of this book is clearly a riff on H*rvey W*instein so please be aware.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
This was such a delightful, steamy, sex positive romance and I loved it so much. Elena and Alex had instant chemistry - I never knew I needed a book in my life that featured a Dominatrix engaging in a fake relationship with a sweet on the outside, dirty on the inside actor. These two had such an interesting push-pull dynamic and there were just as many moments that made me laugh out loud as made me swoon. I always get particular enjoyment (and maybe a smidge annoyance) when both characters are clearly into each other and have that longing for one another - like, just talk to each other already. Ultimately I just adored how both Alex and Elena were strong and dominant but also could be tender and vulnerable with one another.
The BDSM aspect of this book was clearly written with care by someone who knows the scene well. It came across as authentic and respectful and I loved how it focused so much on consent because consent is sexy. And we need more representations of it. Also, in some aspects the relationship between Elena and Alex felt a little slow burn...and it was delicious.
I also want to mention the strong cast of side characters; they were interesting and I felt they added some depth and support to our hero and heroine. I mean, Ophelia and Rami, Victoria, Maia, his brothers Zane and Ryan - give me more please. I appreciate when side characters are more than one-note - perhaps that's not important to everyone but it helps the world building for me, even in a contemporary story.
There was a small plot point in the epilogue that made me cringe but ultimately that's a me thing. Overall though this was a really fun book and I'm definitely excited for more.
One last note: the big bad of this book is clearly a riff on H*rvey W*instein so please be aware.
February 16, 2022
Jenny Nordbak - of Wicked Wallflowers and Bonkers Romance podcasts fame, among others - tears it up in her debut novel. I loved it.
This was described as grumpy/sunshine where the grumpy is the FMC and the sunshine is the MMC, but I was like "uh, Elena is very practical bc this is her job and Alex is kind of a smarmy dick in this first meeting?" (he turns out not to be, luckily) The two of them get along REAL well, though, if you catch my meaning. Fabulous tension between them and while Elena would probably murder me for saying there was pining on both sides, despite the extremely sexy, five-chili-pepper sex scenes between the two characters there was DEFINITELY pining from both characters because the demarcation of "fake" relationship and "real" relationship got very murky quickly.
One of the absolute best books I've read with a dominatrix and the BDSM scene. Sometimes you read a book and it's like "oooh, a little D/s for spice haha" and that's...fine...but Elena's job as a dominatrix - and a very good one at that - is her profession and Norbak (who knows of what she writes) brings the reader into Elena's workspace and her headspace brilliantly. If you weren't very familiar with scenes or are curious how scenes work, how consent is negotiated, etc. this is a good book for showing how it works with out "explaining" in an infodump (it does help that Elena has to do this with various characters in the novel so it's a great way of getting that information into the book).
Content warnings: #metoo becomes a part of the book (which brings up an incident from Elena's earlier years working as a sub), as well as the treatment of sex workers and their depiction in the media
This was described as grumpy/sunshine where the grumpy is the FMC and the sunshine is the MMC, but I was like "uh, Elena is very practical bc this is her job and Alex is kind of a smarmy dick in this first meeting?" (he turns out not to be, luckily) The two of them get along REAL well, though, if you catch my meaning. Fabulous tension between them and while Elena would probably murder me for saying there was pining on both sides, despite the extremely sexy, five-chili-pepper sex scenes between the two characters there was DEFINITELY pining from both characters because the demarcation of "fake" relationship and "real" relationship got very murky quickly.
One of the absolute best books I've read with a dominatrix and the BDSM scene. Sometimes you read a book and it's like "oooh, a little D/s for spice haha" and that's...fine...but Elena's job as a dominatrix - and a very good one at that - is her profession and Norbak (who knows of what she writes) brings the reader into Elena's workspace and her headspace brilliantly. If you weren't very familiar with scenes or are curious how scenes work, how consent is negotiated, etc. this is a good book for showing how it works with out "explaining" in an infodump (it does help that Elena has to do this with various characters in the novel so it's a great way of getting that information into the book).
Content warnings: #metoo becomes a part of the book (which brings up an incident from Elena's earlier years working as a sub), as well as the treatment of sex workers and their depiction in the media
September 28, 2021
I received an ARC of this book to read through a review crew. All opinions are my own.
His Leading Lady by Jenny Nordback is the first book in what looks to be a delightful new series The Key Club. I loved this book so much that I’ve read it twice already. It’s a fun, smart, sex positive, book with excellent banter, well written intriguing characters and oh my the steam, I fan myself just thinking about it. Lady Elena is a well known professional dominatrix at the Key Club a VIP BDSM dungeon in Los Angeles. Late one night she’s asked to meet with a secretive client who turns out to be Alex Chase, current Hollywood It Boy, known for his wholesome heartthrob good looks. Alex needs to tap into his darker side for a new steamy blockbuster and he hires Elena to pose as his fake girlfriend to help him make the character he is playing authentic. I love a good fake relationship story and this one is excellent, it has the perfect amounts of steam and angst as well as some moments that are simply just sweet. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Content Warning: This being Hollywood there is a Me Too sub plot. Note: I subscribe to the authors Wicked Wallflowers Podcast and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Steam Level: Very Steamy.
Publishing Date: September 28, 2021. #HisLeadingLady #JennyNordback #CatlinsPress #ContemporaryRomance #ContemporaryRomanceSeries #TheKeyClubSeries #ContemporaryRomanceReader #RomanceReader #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
His Leading Lady by Jenny Nordback is the first book in what looks to be a delightful new series The Key Club. I loved this book so much that I’ve read it twice already. It’s a fun, smart, sex positive, book with excellent banter, well written intriguing characters and oh my the steam, I fan myself just thinking about it. Lady Elena is a well known professional dominatrix at the Key Club a VIP BDSM dungeon in Los Angeles. Late one night she’s asked to meet with a secretive client who turns out to be Alex Chase, current Hollywood It Boy, known for his wholesome heartthrob good looks. Alex needs to tap into his darker side for a new steamy blockbuster and he hires Elena to pose as his fake girlfriend to help him make the character he is playing authentic. I love a good fake relationship story and this one is excellent, it has the perfect amounts of steam and angst as well as some moments that are simply just sweet. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Content Warning: This being Hollywood there is a Me Too sub plot. Note: I subscribe to the authors Wicked Wallflowers Podcast and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Steam Level: Very Steamy.
Publishing Date: September 28, 2021. #HisLeadingLady #JennyNordback #CatlinsPress #ContemporaryRomance #ContemporaryRomanceSeries #TheKeyClubSeries #ContemporaryRomanceReader #RomanceReader #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
December 28, 2021
OMG I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. I don't know a lot about BDSM, and I haven't read very widely in BDSM books. But this felt really legit. And it felt like an education, the very best kind of education. This was the first book with BDSM where I saw actual power exchange. Oh it was so good.
There's one scene where Elena is upset after something scary happened to her, and Alex doesn't know how to comfort her without potentially demeaning her. So he asks how he can comfort her, and she tells him. The consent is just so good.
I also love that Alex keeps learning about various men around him being assholes and more importantly he realizes he can't know who the assholes are because he's a man. And he responds in ways that centre the women who were harmed while also supporting them.
Also... the epilogue. I LOVED The book was just chalk full of those little subversive moments.
The secondary characters are fantastic, and I'm definitely looking forward to some of them getting their own books.
I think this might be the best book published in 2021 that I've read. (Granted I haven't read a lot of books published in 2021, but I would have to go back almost a year to find a contemporary romance I loved as much as this one.)
There's one scene where Elena is upset after something scary happened to her, and Alex doesn't know how to comfort her without potentially demeaning her. So he asks how he can comfort her, and she tells him. The consent is just so good.
I also love that Alex keeps learning about various men around him being assholes and more importantly he realizes he can't know who the assholes are because he's a man. And he responds in ways that centre the women who were harmed while also supporting them.
Also... the epilogue. I LOVED The book was just chalk full of those little subversive moments.
The secondary characters are fantastic, and I'm definitely looking forward to some of them getting their own books.
I think this might be the best book published in 2021 that I've read. (Granted I haven't read a lot of books published in 2021, but I would have to go back almost a year to find a contemporary romance I loved as much as this one.)
September 20, 2021
Fun, entertaining, educational, very sexy and easy read.
Loved the dual POV, the plot sucked me in from the first couple of pages. Very well written characters, strong female lead and swoon worthy Hollywood hottie, their witty banter and chemistry is chef's kiss.
I'd love to get an audio version of this book!
Fierce portrayal of friendships and healthy romantic relationships. Consent IS sexy!
Easy-to-fall-in-love-with (and also hot) secondary characters that are not just fillers for the plot, they are interesting and add to the story, it leaves you wanting to know more about them, which is good there will be future books centered around their journey.
This book is very spicy, the sex scenes are beautifully written, and did i mention extremely hot!
I absolutely loved every word in this book and left me with a dose of fluttery happy feelings for days.
- I received an ARC.
This my personal opinion and honest review.
Loved the dual POV, the plot sucked me in from the first couple of pages. Very well written characters, strong female lead and swoon worthy Hollywood hottie, their witty banter and chemistry is chef's kiss.
I'd love to get an audio version of this book!
Fierce portrayal of friendships and healthy romantic relationships. Consent IS sexy!
Easy-to-fall-in-love-with (and also hot) secondary characters that are not just fillers for the plot, they are interesting and add to the story, it leaves you wanting to know more about them, which is good there will be future books centered around their journey.
This book is very spicy, the sex scenes are beautifully written, and did i mention extremely hot!
I absolutely loved every word in this book and left me with a dose of fluttery happy feelings for days.
- I received an ARC.
This my personal opinion and honest review.
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