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Comfort Food
Emily Vargas has been taken captive. As part of his conditioning methods, her captor refuses to speak to her, knowing how much she craves human contact. Told in the first person from Emily's perspective, Comfort Food explores what happens when all expectations of pleasure and pain are turned upside down, as whips become comfort and chicken soup becomes punishment.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2010
779 people are currently reading
34536 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Thomas
56 books4,957 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:
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 ^.^
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 2,124 reviews
August 13, 2016
I've been all over the place on rating and reviewing this book. So if you gave it a low rating, I'm in total agreement with you! My rating is based solely on the fact the book was able to take my mind (and libido) in places I would normally be totally against. It was able to totally manipulate me emotionally. I know somewhere in my subconscious I was doing this
I went in blind thinking it was some type of
The answer to that would be a big fat
We have two characters in this book: Emily and the guy who's never named....Let's call him 'The Monster'....it fits. As soon as I met The Monster
I just kept thinking
It finally became clear
Then, things started getting really bad......and sexual. While everything The Montser's doing I'm thinking
and yet I'm
I guess on some level I'm thinking (against my better judgement)
I hate what he's doing and yet it's turning me on?
I really HATED The Monster. I wanted to cut off testicles and make him eat them. THEN, I found out The Monster's story.
Now I'm thinking
But I'm not sure if I do.
Emily eventually leaves The Monster and the sensible part me is saying
Yet, there's this other part of me (that is clearly insane) screaming
In the end I realized
I'm left wondering why things couldn't have went differently while also hoping for the possibility they can. I would love a second book.
I went in blind thinking it was some type of
The answer to that would be a big fat
We have two characters in this book: Emily and the guy who's never named....Let's call him 'The Monster'....it fits. As soon as I met The Monster
I just kept thinking
It finally became clear
Then, things started getting really bad......and sexual. While everything The Montser's doing I'm thinking
and yet I'm
I guess on some level I'm thinking (against my better judgement)
I hate what he's doing and yet it's turning me on?
I really HATED The Monster. I wanted to cut off testicles and make him eat them. THEN, I found out The Monster's story.
Now I'm thinking
But I'm not sure if I do.
Emily eventually leaves The Monster and the sensible part me is saying
Yet, there's this other part of me (that is clearly insane) screaming
In the end I realized
I'm left wondering why things couldn't have went differently while also hoping for the possibility they can. I would love a second book.
April 17, 2011
This book is about a woman, Emily, who's kidnapped and "broken" by a psycho with good looks.
BIG SPOILER AHEAD
Main problem: she is so weak that she can't stand to be alone after the first day - she'd rather prefer her kidnapper to touch her than to be alone and safe in an empty room. Seven days later she wants him fiercely. After two weeks (which in the book represent less than 30 pages) she's having orgasms over him. Hmmm... I'm more disappointed in the reviews than in the book, which in the end is just a plain-erotica-wannabe-psychological novel.
Really? That's what women dream in their spare time? Based on the GREAT reviews I would say "Yes - apparently they do."
This woman sells herself so cheap that's pathetic (and I'm afraid to think that the women who gave those rating would do the same):
- nice clothes... check
- hundreds of shoes... check
- nice house... check
- great male (hansom, rich, awesome in bed)... check, check, check.
Come on, all the shoes in the world shouldn't make you want to give up on your freedom after the first 30 pages!
Pg. 47 - she masturbates to tempt HIM to take her.
Pg. 50-something - she's jealous that he might have other slaves like her, and she was not the only one to give it to him.
Pg. 67 - this book makes me sick! I was contemplating to give it three stars, but it just felt to two. This woman behaves like a puppy although she has no reason to.
Pg. 69 - "When he finally returned, she'd climaxed FIVE MORE times and was so wet, the vibrator would have slipped out if not for her free hand..." Dear, dear, you'd think that the author, being a woman, knows better than this. Anyone should admit that was a toy worth of legend.
Pg. 80 - In fact it does get better although in a very sick way. Mr. A$$hole is mute, which leads to him being completely unable to communicate, not because he's can't speak, but because he doesn't even try to communicate. And hence when he sees a woman whom he likes (our main female character) he decides to kidnap her. Gee, that's just logical. And then, my favorite part: because he spent so much money in his attempt to steal and control her life, he considers her "a piece of property."
50 pages later - And she runs back to him (after he threw her out the door) begging him to take her back. "Let me stay. I’ll be your slave. I’ll be your whore. I’ll never fight you. I won’t disobey. Whatever you want, just don’t make me go back. Please. I can’t live in that world anymore. You know it’s true. I just want to be yours."
This book is distasteful, disrespectful to women that's it's scary it was a woman who wrote it, and fifty others thought that it's great. You're suppose to connect with at least one character - but I hate "Master" for being such a horrible man and I can't stand Emily for being his doormat.
This novel made my stomach ill! The best part of it is that it was free.
P.S. I have to admit that it was OK written (excluding the over use of the word "like"). But all the execution is forgotten when you can't connect with any of the main characters.
BIG SPOILER AHEAD
Main problem: she is so weak that she can't stand to be alone after the first day - she'd rather prefer her kidnapper to touch her than to be alone and safe in an empty room. Seven days later she wants him fiercely. After two weeks (which in the book represent less than 30 pages) she's having orgasms over him. Hmmm... I'm more disappointed in the reviews than in the book, which in the end is just a plain-erotica-wannabe-psychological novel.
Really? That's what women dream in their spare time? Based on the GREAT reviews I would say "Yes - apparently they do."
This woman sells herself so cheap that's pathetic (and I'm afraid to think that the women who gave those rating would do the same):
- nice clothes... check
- hundreds of shoes... check
- nice house... check
- great male (hansom, rich, awesome in bed)... check, check, check.
Come on, all the shoes in the world shouldn't make you want to give up on your freedom after the first 30 pages!
Pg. 47 - she masturbates to tempt HIM to take her.
Pg. 50-something - she's jealous that he might have other slaves like her, and she was not the only one to give it to him.
Pg. 67 - this book makes me sick! I was contemplating to give it three stars, but it just felt to two. This woman behaves like a puppy although she has no reason to.
Pg. 69 - "When he finally returned, she'd climaxed FIVE MORE times and was so wet, the vibrator would have slipped out if not for her free hand..." Dear, dear, you'd think that the author, being a woman, knows better than this. Anyone should admit that was a toy worth of legend.
Pg. 80 - In fact it does get better although in a very sick way. Mr. A$$hole is mute, which leads to him being completely unable to communicate, not because he's can't speak, but because he doesn't even try to communicate. And hence when he sees a woman whom he likes (our main female character) he decides to kidnap her. Gee, that's just logical. And then, my favorite part: because he spent so much money in his attempt to steal and control her life, he considers her "a piece of property."
50 pages later - And she runs back to him (after he threw her out the door) begging him to take her back. "Let me stay. I’ll be your slave. I’ll be your whore. I’ll never fight you. I won’t disobey. Whatever you want, just don’t make me go back. Please. I can’t live in that world anymore. You know it’s true. I just want to be yours."
This book is distasteful, disrespectful to women that's it's scary it was a woman who wrote it, and fifty others thought that it's great. You're suppose to connect with at least one character - but I hate "Master" for being such a horrible man and I can't stand Emily for being his doormat.
This novel made my stomach ill! The best part of it is that it was free.
P.S. I have to admit that it was OK written (excluding the over use of the word "like"). But all the execution is forgotten when you can't connect with any of the main characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2011
Adult review for taboo erotic content.
How do I describe this book without making it sound like run-of-the-mill erotica fare? There's only one way I can think of - if you're looking for a steamy, turn-you-on book, look somewhere else. Yes, there is explicit sexual content, but the sex is merely used as a tool to emphasize the power that "master" has over "servant."
Comfort Food takes us inside the life of a woman who has fallen victim to Stockholm Syndrome, but in this particular case, she chose her prison of dependency rather than being forced to live in a prison of solitude.
Considering this book is a work of fiction, it sometimes reads like a non-fiction, almost as if we're witnessing the personal account of a woman as she descends into her own personal hell and decides that she would rather have hell than heaven.
There is nothing "easy" about reading this book. I would warn anyone who has lived through any sort of abuse, especially the kind sexual in nature, to stay far, far away.
If delving deeper into the human mind and seeing what happens to people when they are pushed to their breaking point is something that would interest you, then I would highly recommend this book.
How do I describe this book without making it sound like run-of-the-mill erotica fare? There's only one way I can think of - if you're looking for a steamy, turn-you-on book, look somewhere else. Yes, there is explicit sexual content, but the sex is merely used as a tool to emphasize the power that "master" has over "servant."
Comfort Food takes us inside the life of a woman who has fallen victim to Stockholm Syndrome, but in this particular case, she chose her prison of dependency rather than being forced to live in a prison of solitude.
Considering this book is a work of fiction, it sometimes reads like a non-fiction, almost as if we're witnessing the personal account of a woman as she descends into her own personal hell and decides that she would rather have hell than heaven.
There is nothing "easy" about reading this book. I would warn anyone who has lived through any sort of abuse, especially the kind sexual in nature, to stay far, far away.
If delving deeper into the human mind and seeing what happens to people when they are pushed to their breaking point is something that would interest you, then I would highly recommend this book.
January 16, 2025
͙͘͡★ 2.5 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕤 ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
'𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷, 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓸𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓸𝓫𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓽.'
Emily wakes up to find herself drugged, blindfolded and tied to a chair. Her captor comes in, gives her chicken soup and after her first bite, fondles her. She immediately recoils and he stands up to leave. That’s her first realization that this is a game. She has to allow him to touch her if she expects any food…
A psychological journey that is dark, twisted and everything in between. Emily is what you’d call a social butterfly. Needs and craves social contact. Take that away and you get this;
'𝓞𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓘’𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓭𝓮 𝓰𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓸𝓭. 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓭 𝓷𝓸𝔀..𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓼. 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓮𝔀 𝓲𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓴, 𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽, 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓱𝓲𝓶.'
When she doubted her sanity I worried about my own…for understanding her choices. And then we get to find out about him…no name other than Master. I just couldn’t believe how well suited they were for each other…
'𝓘𝓯 𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮 𝓹𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓮𝓻, 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓼 𝓪𝓷 𝓮𝓺𝓾𝓪𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓮.'
He did kidnap her after all…and introduce her not just to BDSM…but the twisted world he had created.
He didn’t want the illusion of control; he wanted actual control. That was something very different. No matter how women might fawn over him, what he wanted, what he needed, was something he could only get in this way.
This was pretty good... quick and pretty entertaining. But I did feel like it wasn't as dark as I expected. It was pretty predictable and seeing that either the author or publisher has dubbed this 'The Original Dark Romance' girl BYE. That title belongs to CJ. Roberts and her Captive in the Dark series.
'𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷, 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓸𝓽𝓪𝓵 𝓸𝓫𝓮𝓭𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮. 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓽.'
Emily wakes up to find herself drugged, blindfolded and tied to a chair. Her captor comes in, gives her chicken soup and after her first bite, fondles her. She immediately recoils and he stands up to leave. That’s her first realization that this is a game. She has to allow him to touch her if she expects any food…
A psychological journey that is dark, twisted and everything in between. Emily is what you’d call a social butterfly. Needs and craves social contact. Take that away and you get this;
'𝓞𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓘’𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓭𝓮 𝓰𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓸𝓭. 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓸𝓾𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓭 𝓷𝓸𝔀..𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓪𝓬𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓷𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮𝓪𝓵𝓼. 𝓘 𝓴𝓷𝓮𝔀 𝓲𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓬𝓴, 𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓬𝓽, 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓾𝓷𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓱𝓲𝓶.'
When she doubted her sanity I worried about my own…for understanding her choices. And then we get to find out about him…no name other than Master. I just couldn’t believe how well suited they were for each other…
'𝓘𝓯 𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓭𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓹𝓵𝓮𝓽𝓮 𝓹𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓱𝓮𝓻, 𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓼 𝓪𝓷 𝓮𝓺𝓾𝓪𝓵 𝓪𝓵𝓶𝓸𝓼𝓽 𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓰𝓲𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓮.'
He did kidnap her after all…and introduce her not just to BDSM…but the twisted world he had created.
He didn’t want the illusion of control; he wanted actual control. That was something very different. No matter how women might fawn over him, what he wanted, what he needed, was something he could only get in this way.
This was pretty good... quick and pretty entertaining. But I did feel like it wasn't as dark as I expected. It was pretty predictable and seeing that either the author or publisher has dubbed this 'The Original Dark Romance' girl BYE. That title belongs to CJ. Roberts and her Captive in the Dark series.
August 6, 2010
Disturbing, twisted and just plain weird with no redeeming qualities. Did not connect with either character and was not drawn into the storyline. Captor was flat, deplorable, more machine than human and victim was pathetic and frustrating. Comfort Food may appeal to a lot of people, but not to me.
June 22, 2016
Genre: Dark Erotica
Type: Standalone
POV: Shifting
Rating:
1st read: December 2013
2nd read + 1st review: June 2016
Emily Vargas was a minor celebrity in public speaking circuit. As a women empowerment motivational speaker, she understood the tenets of psychology. It never occurred to her that her knowledge would be used against her when she was taken captive by a beautiful monster.
I've read this book a while ago and it became my favorite dark book since then. But I read it before I started reviewing and I feel like my love for this book is not justified without a review. Even though I don't re-read books, I think this one was worth it to remind me why I love it in the first place.
The captor was only known as Master. He was a fascinating enigma. There was barely any info about his background, but instead of feeling deprived, I like that it made him untouchable which added value to his persona. He was incredibly calm and patient and that's what made him a respectable and powerful villain.
Emily's story would make you realize that no matter how much you think you know, it won't necessarily help you when you're thrusted into a stressful situation. In fact, it could possibly hurt you even more. It was interesting to see her thought process, coping mechanism and rationalization in order to survive.
What made this my favorite dark book is the psychological aspect of the captor/captive dynamics. This is dark erotica (which is not for everyone), not dark romance. So there is no romantic element to dilute or justify the psychological manipulations - which for me what made the story special.
Comfort Food is a fascinating yet disconcerting look into human psyche and how people cope when the line between fear and free will is blurred. It may not appeal to everyone, but if you can handle a non-romantic dark read, this one could be something to ponder about.
Note: Be prepare to be turned off by chicken noodle soup after reading this book :p
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: Shifting
Rating:
1st read: December 2013
2nd read + 1st review: June 2016
Emily Vargas was a minor celebrity in public speaking circuit. As a women empowerment motivational speaker, she understood the tenets of psychology. It never occurred to her that her knowledge would be used against her when she was taken captive by a beautiful monster.
I've read this book a while ago and it became my favorite dark book since then. But I read it before I started reviewing and I feel like my love for this book is not justified without a review. Even though I don't re-read books, I think this one was worth it to remind me why I love it in the first place.
I want her fear, desperation, complete and total obedience. And I am willing to wait for it.
The captor was only known as Master. He was a fascinating enigma. There was barely any info about his background, but instead of feeling deprived, I like that it made him untouchable which added value to his persona. He was incredibly calm and patient and that's what made him a respectable and powerful villain.
He always gave me choices. Or maybe what he gave me was force wrapped in the pretty package of pretend free will.
Emily's story would make you realize that no matter how much you think you know, it won't necessarily help you when you're thrusted into a stressful situation. In fact, it could possibly hurt you even more. It was interesting to see her thought process, coping mechanism and rationalization in order to survive.
What made this my favorite dark book is the psychological aspect of the captor/captive dynamics. This is dark erotica (which is not for everyone), not dark romance. So there is no romantic element to dilute or justify the psychological manipulations - which for me what made the story special.
I'd been irrevocably changed, and no one wanted to accept it, not even me.
Comfort Food is a fascinating yet disconcerting look into human psyche and how people cope when the line between fear and free will is blurred. It may not appeal to everyone, but if you can handle a non-romantic dark read, this one could be something to ponder about.
Note: Be prepare to be turned off by chicken noodle soup after reading this book :p
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December 18, 2023
Do you ever just finish reading a book that you reallyyy enjoyed
Slowly put it down
and think...
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Absolutely genius.
I swallowed this book whole in a matter of a few hours.
I got to see a woman be taken against her will and transformed into a willing, brainwashed captive for a man whose name we don't know. The progression of Stockholm Syndrome in this book is fucking phenomenal and so satisying.
The manipulations her "master" has put her through in order to force her into a complete compliance are so devious in their simplicity. The way he didn't even have to use physical force, just good old psychological torture. Our captive's reaction to her life after captivity truly shows how badly this man fucked her up.
Also the chapters where they engaged in sexual acts were all written in third person, while the rest of the book is in our captive's POV. I found that a unique and interesting addition. I enjoyed how impersonal the writing style felt. the characters and their story were not romanticised...at least not in my opinion. The author did a great job of portraying the captor as a disturbed and repulsive individual, but still "likeable" enough for us to at least try to relate and understand the heroine.
Slowly put it down
and think...
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Absolutely genius.
I swallowed this book whole in a matter of a few hours.
I got to see a woman be taken against her will and transformed into a willing, brainwashed captive for a man whose name we don't know. The progression of Stockholm Syndrome in this book is fucking phenomenal and so satisying.
The manipulations her "master" has put her through in order to force her into a complete compliance are so devious in their simplicity. The way he didn't even have to use physical force, just good old psychological torture. Our captive's reaction to her life after captivity truly shows how badly this man fucked her up.
Also the chapters where they engaged in sexual acts were all written in third person, while the rest of the book is in our captive's POV. I found that a unique and interesting addition. I enjoyed how impersonal the writing style felt. the characters and their story were not romanticised...at least not in my opinion. The author did a great job of portraying the captor as a disturbed and repulsive individual, but still "likeable" enough for us to at least try to relate and understand the heroine.
September 24, 2011
MIND…IS…BLOWN
Let me start with the “About the Author” found on the very last page:
“Kitty Thomas writes dark erotic fiction that explores the psychology of ownership. She believes there is no topic too taboo to write about and that fiction isn’t meant to teach morality. If you haven’t developed morals by the time you start reading erotica, it’s probably too late.”
Oh yes, this book is a dark and delicious mind f*ck. The best of its kind that I’ve ever encountered and it’s absolutely going on my “favorite” shelf, despite the past few days of, “Oh, are you really going to put yourself out there by ‘favoriting’ this book?” that’s been floating around in my head…But to hell with that because this book is so worthy. Countless times throughout this book, you keep telling yourself, “OMG, this is SO f*cked up…and so am I for loving it.” After having this lendable Nookbook sitting on my ereader for months, I loaned it to a friend who sent me numerous texts as she was reading. I’ve never included text messages in a review before, but I’ve just got to, because she was cracking me up, and you’ll better understand why I had to move this book to the top of the TBR mountain and yank back my Nookbook before the 14 day loan period even expired. So here are my girlfriend’s texts, in all their fangirling glory:
Sat 2:06 a.m.
“Just finished Comfort Food. WHAT…THE F*CK!! Read it in 4 hours. This b*tch has me fucked up! Crazy book. Erotic, but I feel dirty for being turned on by it!”
Sat 8:38 a.m.
“Girl!!!!! Have you read it yet???”
Sat 8:42 a.m.
“Let me tell you….!!! Mmmm mmmm mmmm ….It totally has me f*cked in the head. I’m going to a coffee shop later & I’m tempted to read it again.”
Sat 12:43 p.m.
“Quickly & frustratingly learning that I shouldn’t stray far from home & bed *wink*when reading certain novels.”
That’s right. She was getting too aroused at the coffee shop and had to stop.
After reading a few Comfort Food reviews when it first starting getting buzz, I knew I’d like it. And I knew I didn’t want it spoiled for me. Is she an actual kidnap victim, there against her will? Or is this just some sort of BDSM game they’re playing? That question has now been answered by the disclaimer in the Goodreads book description above. And it’s also crystal clear by line one: she’s been kidnapped. Forreals.
I really don’t want to give too many details on the actual story. You need to go in blind like I did and just trust that much of the suspense comes from not knowing. And my feelings with this story – the shock, arousal, guilt, submission, acceptance - mimicked the heroine’s journey. Everything that happens is, in the Master’s mind, “by choice”…but not really…but then yes…Really. But wait a minute, how could it be? She shouldn’t be wanting this – it’s all his fault…and am I really rooting for what I’m rooting for...as an HEA?? Yes, I did. And did I get the HEA I wanted? I’ll say no more. Find out for yourself.
This is a well-written, riveting, sexy dark psychological journey. It is the kind of book that would make you follow an author forever. I wanted to immediately re-read upon finishing it.
I’ll end with a few review quotes that captured this book so perfectly:
My Goodreads buddy Cat Russel~Addicted2Heroines~:
“I am ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed this book. It’s just wrong! It’s dark, degrading and twisted…and I would absolutely read it again!”
And Goodreads member, Jaymzangel, discussing her frantic texts to the buddy that recommended Comfort Food to her:
“I give kudos to Bear for reading it & not having anyone to OMG to because I was IM’ing her like crazy with things like, ‘I think I need to have my head examined. I’m finding this so hot.’ to which she replied (perfectly, of course) ‘he has you, doesn’t he?’ oh yes, he did.”
Yes…he has me, too.
You will want to recommend this to all your BDSM loving girlfriends, but you can’t. This is just not for everyone…but if it’s for you, it will become an instant favorite and keeper. I dare you to find out which side of the line you fall on.
Let me start with the “About the Author” found on the very last page:
“Kitty Thomas writes dark erotic fiction that explores the psychology of ownership. She believes there is no topic too taboo to write about and that fiction isn’t meant to teach morality. If you haven’t developed morals by the time you start reading erotica, it’s probably too late.”
Oh yes, this book is a dark and delicious mind f*ck. The best of its kind that I’ve ever encountered and it’s absolutely going on my “favorite” shelf, despite the past few days of, “Oh, are you really going to put yourself out there by ‘favoriting’ this book?” that’s been floating around in my head…But to hell with that because this book is so worthy. Countless times throughout this book, you keep telling yourself, “OMG, this is SO f*cked up…and so am I for loving it.” After having this lendable Nookbook sitting on my ereader for months, I loaned it to a friend who sent me numerous texts as she was reading. I’ve never included text messages in a review before, but I’ve just got to, because she was cracking me up, and you’ll better understand why I had to move this book to the top of the TBR mountain and yank back my Nookbook before the 14 day loan period even expired. So here are my girlfriend’s texts, in all their fangirling glory:
Sat 2:06 a.m.
“Just finished Comfort Food. WHAT…THE F*CK!! Read it in 4 hours. This b*tch has me fucked up! Crazy book. Erotic, but I feel dirty for being turned on by it!”
Sat 8:38 a.m.
“Girl!!!!! Have you read it yet???”
Sat 8:42 a.m.
“Let me tell you….!!! Mmmm mmmm mmmm ….It totally has me f*cked in the head. I’m going to a coffee shop later & I’m tempted to read it again.”
Sat 12:43 p.m.
“Quickly & frustratingly learning that I shouldn’t stray far from home & bed *wink*when reading certain novels.”
That’s right. She was getting too aroused at the coffee shop and had to stop.
After reading a few Comfort Food reviews when it first starting getting buzz, I knew I’d like it. And I knew I didn’t want it spoiled for me. Is she an actual kidnap victim, there against her will? Or is this just some sort of BDSM game they’re playing? That question has now been answered by the disclaimer in the Goodreads book description above. And it’s also crystal clear by line one: she’s been kidnapped. Forreals.
I really don’t want to give too many details on the actual story. You need to go in blind like I did and just trust that much of the suspense comes from not knowing. And my feelings with this story – the shock, arousal, guilt, submission, acceptance - mimicked the heroine’s journey. Everything that happens is, in the Master’s mind, “by choice”…but not really…but then yes…Really. But wait a minute, how could it be? She shouldn’t be wanting this – it’s all his fault…and am I really rooting for what I’m rooting for...as an HEA?? Yes, I did. And did I get the HEA I wanted? I’ll say no more. Find out for yourself.
This is a well-written, riveting, sexy dark psychological journey. It is the kind of book that would make you follow an author forever. I wanted to immediately re-read upon finishing it.
I’ll end with a few review quotes that captured this book so perfectly:
My Goodreads buddy Cat Russel~Addicted2Heroines~:
“I am ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed this book. It’s just wrong! It’s dark, degrading and twisted…and I would absolutely read it again!”
And Goodreads member, Jaymzangel, discussing her frantic texts to the buddy that recommended Comfort Food to her:
“I give kudos to Bear for reading it & not having anyone to OMG to because I was IM’ing her like crazy with things like, ‘I think I need to have my head examined. I’m finding this so hot.’ to which she replied (perfectly, of course) ‘he has you, doesn’t he?’ oh yes, he did.”
Yes…he has me, too.
You will want to recommend this to all your BDSM loving girlfriends, but you can’t. This is just not for everyone…but if it’s for you, it will become an instant favorite and keeper. I dare you to find out which side of the line you fall on.
June 7, 2012
This book is messed up on so many levels but I couldn't put it down for one second. But what made me think was this line from About the author:
"If you haven't developed morals by the time you start reading erotica, it's probably too late."
"If you haven't developed morals by the time you start reading erotica, it's probably too late."
March 5, 2013
Disturbing five negative stars.
This didn't do it for me. Twisted, dark and not erotic at all. This is a unhealthy tale of Stockholm syndrome with BDSM. It holds no fascination to me. I read the book in a shocked state. I couldn't believe it was rated as erotic. That it received so many 5 stars! GOD! This is f****** c***!
The hero (?) was flat monster - not even a twisted psycho. And the author could have explored him very well as he has some characteristics that could have made him a very interesting character. But the author left him an unjustified kidnapper and brainwasher just for the sake of his sudden whim.
The heroine (?) is a pathetic victim. When she allows her captor to fondle her within a few hours just for a chicken soup... What? Just because she needs human contact? really? I hate weak characters and Emmie (ridiculous!) is beyond weak.
What is the problem with women these days? Everyone wants to be beaten into submission! Everyone wants to be broken and find this erotic. Is it commendable to be weak and a doormat? Is it nice to be tortured, hurt and raped? Oh... PLEASE, ladies!!
This didn't do it for me. Twisted, dark and not erotic at all. This is a unhealthy tale of Stockholm syndrome with BDSM. It holds no fascination to me. I read the book in a shocked state. I couldn't believe it was rated as erotic. That it received so many 5 stars! GOD! This is f****** c***!
The hero (?) was flat monster - not even a twisted psycho. And the author could have explored him very well as he has some characteristics that could have made him a very interesting character. But the author left him an unjustified kidnapper and brainwasher just for the sake of his sudden whim.
The heroine (?) is a pathetic victim. When she allows her captor to fondle her within a few hours just for a chicken soup... What? Just because she needs human contact? really? I hate weak characters and Emmie (ridiculous!) is beyond weak.
What is the problem with women these days? Everyone wants to be beaten into submission! Everyone wants to be broken and find this erotic. Is it commendable to be weak and a doormat? Is it nice to be tortured, hurt and raped? Oh... PLEASE, ladies!!
March 17, 2016
4.5 Stars
There are a lot of excellent reviews on this, but I will just say that I thought it was a very compelling read. I loved the human psychology aspects and I couldn't put it down. Definitely not for everyone though.
There are a lot of excellent reviews on this, but I will just say that I thought it was a very compelling read. I loved the human psychology aspects and I couldn't put it down. Definitely not for everyone though.
October 15, 2023
I couldn't bring myself to hate him.
But it wasn't love either. What we shared was deeper than love. It was a mad and unyielding obsession, and it was mutual. And the flames from it would likely kill one of us some day. Probably me. I couldn't bring myself to care. I'd rather have this intensity with him than a hundred years of mediocrity with another.
September 21, 2016
"His touch was like heroin in my veins, and I was a grateful addict."
Well that was really fucked up and twisted story... But God help me, I loved it so freaking much. :)
Well that was really fucked up and twisted story... But God help me, I loved it so freaking much. :)
August 18, 2017
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“Today I found something beautiful and decided to break it. I wanted to see it shatter in my hand and crumble at my feet.”
I have owned this book for nearly five years and have only considered reading it twice. I picked it up when my friend Sammy pointed out it was free one day without bothering to read the synopsis. Once I did I put it on the backburner knowing it would have to be a “right place/right time” type of read for me. The right place/right time ended up being right after a book was banned from Amazon for being soooooo offensive – when in reality it was more eye-rolly (new word) than anything else. (And for those in the cheap seats, NEITHER of those offenses should result in book banning.) I decided to finally give Comfort Food a shot now due to it being another selection about “offensive” subject matter – but somehow that subject matter has become one of the greatest love stories of all time to humans around the globe . . . .
The story here is about Emily, a self-help guru who knows that you should never leave your drink unattended at a bar – but never thought something nefarious would happen to her at a mixer after her own speaking engagement . . . .
Emily wakes up locked in a basement - held by a man who never speaks to her, but only brings her . . . .
The rules are simple: Comply with his wishes and be fed. Don’t??????
(^^^^Changing your perspective about your fave Disney romance yet, kids?)
The more she’s willing to tolerate, the better her treatment will be. The menu will improve as well – from chicken noodle soup to actual fried chicken, taters, biscuits and all the other trimmings . . . . .
She just has to do whatever he wants.
Okay, so here’s the deal. This is shelved by most Goodreads users as erotica and per the disclaimer at the end of the blurb apparently it was marketed as erotica as well. I’m telling you right now that I don’t get it. I don’t see many readers picking this up because they’ll get off on it. It is, however, a pretty dang good rendering of Stockholm Syndrome. 4 Stars because there were things that didn’t jive for me that I think were included in an attempt to morph it into some twist on BDSM when really it should have just been left as fucked up dark fiction.
“Today I found something beautiful and decided to break it. I wanted to see it shatter in my hand and crumble at my feet.”
I have owned this book for nearly five years and have only considered reading it twice. I picked it up when my friend Sammy pointed out it was free one day without bothering to read the synopsis. Once I did I put it on the backburner knowing it would have to be a “right place/right time” type of read for me. The right place/right time ended up being right after a book was banned from Amazon for being soooooo offensive – when in reality it was more eye-rolly (new word) than anything else. (And for those in the cheap seats, NEITHER of those offenses should result in book banning.) I decided to finally give Comfort Food a shot now due to it being another selection about “offensive” subject matter – but somehow that subject matter has become one of the greatest love stories of all time to humans around the globe . . . .
The story here is about Emily, a self-help guru who knows that you should never leave your drink unattended at a bar – but never thought something nefarious would happen to her at a mixer after her own speaking engagement . . . .
Emily wakes up locked in a basement - held by a man who never speaks to her, but only brings her . . . .
The rules are simple: Comply with his wishes and be fed. Don’t??????
(^^^^Changing your perspective about your fave Disney romance yet, kids?)
The more she’s willing to tolerate, the better her treatment will be. The menu will improve as well – from chicken noodle soup to actual fried chicken, taters, biscuits and all the other trimmings . . . . .
She just has to do whatever he wants.
Okay, so here’s the deal. This is shelved by most Goodreads users as erotica and per the disclaimer at the end of the blurb apparently it was marketed as erotica as well. I’m telling you right now that I don’t get it. I don’t see many readers picking this up because they’ll get off on it. It is, however, a pretty dang good rendering of Stockholm Syndrome. 4 Stars because there were things that didn’t jive for me that I think were included in an attempt to morph it into some twist on BDSM when really it should have just been left as fucked up dark fiction.
February 26, 2013
I read this at the recommendation of Facebook Friends - and because it was free.
The first 20 % freaked me out because of how similar it was to Consequences... all the way to the description of his eyes and the room with the bookcases and large attached bath. BUT, the similarities ended there!!!!
I totally get Stockholm. I've done a lot of reading about it. (In case you haven't guessed) Emily's case is severe... Kitty does a great job of letting us into her head. I guess this leaves us wondering once again, when does Stockholm syndrome morph into obsession or love? Since I've never been in Emily's shoes... or out of them... I can't judge.
If you like dark erotica, this is for you. Very quick read. IMO
The first 20 % freaked me out because of how similar it was to Consequences... all the way to the description of his eyes and the room with the bookcases and large attached bath. BUT, the similarities ended there!!!!
I totally get Stockholm. I've done a lot of reading about it. (In case you haven't guessed) Emily's case is severe... Kitty does a great job of letting us into her head. I guess this leaves us wondering once again, when does Stockholm syndrome morph into obsession or love? Since I've never been in Emily's shoes... or out of them... I can't judge.
If you like dark erotica, this is for you. Very quick read. IMO
November 14, 2011
Disturbing 4 stars
This book is: Fascinating. Alarming. Realistic. Sadistic. Disturbing. Convoluted. Gripping.
Comfort Food had such an authentic and realistic feel to it that even days later, I was still reeling from its impact. If you're in the mood for a book that messes with the psyche, then I highly recommend giving this one a try.
This book is: Fascinating. Alarming. Realistic. Sadistic. Disturbing. Convoluted. Gripping.
Comfort Food had such an authentic and realistic feel to it that even days later, I was still reeling from its impact. If you're in the mood for a book that messes with the psyche, then I highly recommend giving this one a try.
June 2, 2013
Hmmm. What the hell what that?
I'm all about reading crazy dark stuff but this book was just a huge question mark in my head.....
The heroine is drugged and abducted by this guy (never found out his name). She's thrown in a cell and fed chicken noodle soup three times a day. He doesn't speak to her. EVER. We get answers later as to why but I'm not spoiling the book....even if I didn't especially enjoy it.
Over time, she's rewarded with good behavior and is allowed into a nicer room..... Gradually she feels the need to please him and is happy being there. Until the day he kicks her out......
Enough said. I didn't bond with either character. I really wanted to understand the guy and why he did what he did to her. You sort of get answers but not enough to form any bond with his story. I didn't understand her desire to stay with him over freedom. I get the whole Stockholm Syndrome and in some books, I completely buy it. In fact, one of my favorite series builds that perfectly. This one just didn't sell the goods to me the way I needed. I read the entire book. I about croaked to be reading the epilogue at 69% in. I don't know if that was an error but I was like, "Who took the rest of the book away?" It lacked the closure I needed. Absolutely no fluffy HEA, no love whatsoever, just massive fucked up-ness. Hmm.
Here's a few quotes I highlighted along the way....
"He always gave me choices. Or maybe what he gave me was force wrapped in the pretty package of free will."
"He'd gone from being just my tormentor to being my tormentor and protector, though I needed protection from nothing but him."
October 6, 2012
Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas. Burlesque Press (2010)
BIG SPOILER AHEAD.
Is it too wrong for me to have liked this?
Lets drawn some boundaries in here.
This is not a romance, and it's not about love. At all.
This is about dominance and submission, without safewords or any kind of protection cable. The book is also narrated in first and third person (At sex scenes).
This book is very detailed. What surprised me was the little sex that has. Kitty Thomas created a world of forced submission and dominance (and kidnapping) where the victim is willing to be abused.
Emily don't fight. She's too scared of what he might do to her. She prefers to be the pampered submissive-victim, over the victim that tries to escape and run. The level of psychology is very high, and while reading I tried to understand both Master and Emily.
Master is a sick man, yes he is. He just needed a reason, an excuse to do what he had done. He used his mutism and reclusion to do just that.
She coming back to him, only showed he was a real master in mind games.
I feel like, if she haven’t returned to him, it would be too politically correct. Everything this book is not.
Is it wrong, is incorrect , and what he did is a real crime that deserves punishment, but this book, I must say that I liked for all the psychology involved.
Five Stars for Comfort Food, and a warning to keep one eye open at Miss Kitty Thomas.
(reread at 10/05/12 - Rating 5 Stars)
(read 04/02/2011 - Rating 5 Stars)
BIG SPOILER AHEAD.
Is it too wrong for me to have liked this?
Lets drawn some boundaries in here.
This is not a romance, and it's not about love. At all.
This is about dominance and submission, without safewords or any kind of protection cable. The book is also narrated in first and third person (At sex scenes).
I wondered again if he believed freeing me had been a cruelty or a kindness, if he thought he’d done something wrong in taking me. I wondered if he regretted letting me go, and if he ever thought of me or dreamed of me as I did him. Surely my obsession couldn’t now be greater than his.
~ Emily ~
This book is very detailed. What surprised me was the little sex that has. Kitty Thomas created a world of forced submission and dominance (and kidnapping) where the victim is willing to be abused.
Emily don't fight. She's too scared of what he might do to her. She prefers to be the pampered submissive-victim, over the victim that tries to escape and run. The level of psychology is very high, and while reading I tried to understand both Master and Emily.
Master is a sick man, yes he is. He just needed a reason, an excuse to do what he had done. He used his mutism and reclusion to do just that.
She coming back to him, only showed he was a real master in mind games.
I feel like, if she haven’t returned to him, it would be too politically correct. Everything this book is not.
Is it wrong, is incorrect , and what he did is a real crime that deserves punishment, but this book, I must say that I liked for all the psychology involved.
Five Stars for Comfort Food, and a warning to keep one eye open at Miss Kitty Thomas.
(reread at 10/05/12 - Rating 5 Stars)
(read 04/02/2011 - Rating 5 Stars)
July 17, 2010
Ah...reading this book by Ms. Thomas was like having a feast after being on bread and water. It's so seldom that I find a book that a) surprises me and b) impresses me with the quality of writing. This book did both.
First of all, there are none of the usual tropes associated with non-consensual slavery erotica. No violence, no lurid fights and unrealistic cruelty, no blatant disregard for the well-being of the enslaved. This "Master" plans and proceeds with so much thought and intelligence (and gentleness) that you are at once both outraged and yet drawn in by this guy. Not that he is completely kind--he isn't. But there's no thoughtless and spiteful brutality, which placed me in a strange imbalance--hating him and yet feeling an unwilling attraction to him too.
Like Emily, the protagonist, you are left to divine what drives him and what he wants from her, and as you read along with Emily's narration, it is written so realistically and so skillfully that you find Emily voicing your own questions and feelings almost eerily as she is moved along a spectrum of conditioning from being an independent successful person to becoming his slave. I can't explain it or figure out how Ms. Thomas pulled it off or made it so spot on, but you have to experience it for yourself.
Because of the way the book is written, it is almost impossible not to read compulsively from start to finish. "What happens next? How will this end?" I felt as if I was swept along with Emily, and I felt her highs and her lows. My only gripe about the book is that I wanted about five hundred pages MORE of their Master/slave interactions together because those too were well-written and hot!
First of all, there are none of the usual tropes associated with non-consensual slavery erotica. No violence, no lurid fights and unrealistic cruelty, no blatant disregard for the well-being of the enslaved. This "Master" plans and proceeds with so much thought and intelligence (and gentleness) that you are at once both outraged and yet drawn in by this guy. Not that he is completely kind--he isn't. But there's no thoughtless and spiteful brutality, which placed me in a strange imbalance--hating him and yet feeling an unwilling attraction to him too.
Like Emily, the protagonist, you are left to divine what drives him and what he wants from her, and as you read along with Emily's narration, it is written so realistically and so skillfully that you find Emily voicing your own questions and feelings almost eerily as she is moved along a spectrum of conditioning from being an independent successful person to becoming his slave. I can't explain it or figure out how Ms. Thomas pulled it off or made it so spot on, but you have to experience it for yourself.
Because of the way the book is written, it is almost impossible not to read compulsively from start to finish. "What happens next? How will this end?" I felt as if I was swept along with Emily, and I felt her highs and her lows. My only gripe about the book is that I wanted about five hundred pages MORE of their Master/slave interactions together because those too were well-written and hot!
April 9, 2016
4.5 Disturbingly Uncomfortable Stars!!!
Wow...that was so dark and fucked up but I LOVED it!!!
I need to check out more from this author!
Wow...that was so dark and fucked up but I LOVED it!!!
I need to check out more from this author!
February 8, 2016
Emily Vargas is a successful and well-known self-help guru who craves connections with others. It isn’t until one regular day when she wakes up in a strange room, blindfolded and tied to a chair. At that point, her limits are tested and all she has ever known irrevocably changes.
“He always gave me choices. Or maybe what he gave me was force wrapped in the pretty package of pretend free will.”
Emily’s captor is an enigma at first. He begins by methodically conditioning her with rewards and punishment. It is quickly apparent that he is controlled and very patient in his lessons with Emily. While the captor is observing every single move Emily makes, she is also studying him but there is one particular characteristic that she overlooks due to their unique connection.
“I was starting to feel safe with him. He’d gone from being just my tormentor to being my tormentor and protector, though I needed protection from nothing but him.”
As Emily’s time with her captor passes, their master/slave relationship progresses in unexpected ways and Emily begins to acknowledge her deepest needs while also coming to terms with her existence. The manner in which Emily accepts her manipulated free will is complicated and it is this process that the reader also experiences. While Emily tries to do what she can to free herself, her captor is controlling all the strings. When pleasure is derived from pain, Emily is forced to come to terms with her darkest desires.
“Every touch, every caress, every lash of the whip, crop, or cane. It was all communication, a private conversation that no one else could intrude upon.”
What ensues is how the captor/captive relationship progresses, and while it is disturbing, this story is told in such a way that the captor’s manipulation and the ministrations aren’t gratuitous. As this captor takes pride in his impenetrable self-control and lack of physical violence, it allows the reader to experience and focus on how Emily’s frame of mind changes and it is a true mind trip!
“I came to trust him more than I’d ever trusted anyone. Because even if he was a monster, he followed his own rules. And he was my monster.”
Although I’ve read some captive books, it is generally a theme I undertake with a good amount of trepidation. However, after considering this book for some time, I decided to shoot the moon and I am so glad I did! From the first page, this book had me hooked and it is exactly what I had been looking for in captive book. With a strong emphasis on the heroine’s psychological breakdown and rebuilding, I was fascinated by her strength and acceptance. Additionally, I liked how the captor’s intent and actions did not waver throughout the story. While I wanted some level of redemption, I also did not hold any misconceptions of his ability to change. Thankfully, Kitty Thomas held true to her characters even though the ending is considered controversial to some.
This book will take you down a path where you begin to question just how much conditioning is socially acceptable and when it crosses the line. For me, it was exactly the type of book I was looking to read – mysterious, tense, dark and thought provoking. The decisions these characters made continue to resonate in my mind. If you’re looking for a read that is intelligently written and slightly outside your comfort zone, take a chance on Comfort Food. I highly recommend it!
*Note: Thanks JaviG for being my surrogate (f)buddy reader! ;D
May 8, 2011
I dreaded reading this book based on the mixed reviews and feedback from the different GR groups. Still, one of my friends was insistent that I read the book and respond back to her on how I felt.
I want to state, this is definitely NOT your standard masturbatory BDSM book. This is not the first one I've read where a woman is kidnapped and trained to be a slave. However, this is the first one I read where it crossed the line between reality and fantasy. Most of the capture, kidnap and slavery BDSM books are easily scoffed off as fantasy. This one, while some of it is a bit unrealistic, the feel of it is too realistic and plausible. Ms. Thomas creates a possible scenario, especially with the amount of money some men have in this day and age.
I was mixed in whether I should rate this a 4 or 5. I finally decided on a 4 because there was a certain lack of love that caused me to not like the monster as much as I could have liked him.
The story while not exactly intense in physical pain, the psychological mind fucking was intense. As a gregarious and extroverted female who is independent and rather strong, I could understand Emily's distress and logic. I don't know if I would have as much of a problem as she did with isolation because there are times where I just want plain silence and not speak to people for days.
During Emily's captivity, I kept wanting to tell her to submit. What the monster did to her and the insights into his methodical and rather diabolical destruction of a self confident woman was well done. I found it to be well thought out and impressive. If I ever wanted to break someone, I would use his method as a template. I really enjoyed Emily's understanding of what was happening to her and her inability to stop it. This sense of helplessness and lack of control was rather heady. It gave me guilty chills of desire.
The ending was not unexpected. I wasn't sure how it would wrap up in detail, but I did have a general idea of what would happen. I admit, I loved the ending. While I'd like to see a sequel to this story, I think it would probably ruin it. I like being left wondering what is happening to Emily.
The Monster Ms. Thomas created was someone I loved to hate. His matter of fact cruelty and fucked up mind games is something I hate. I can't respect a man who can't be honest and communicate with me. When the truth is revealed, I still have some issues with him but I understand the method to his madness. I can appreciate his slave training. As a sadist, I admire his skill. As a masochist, I shiver in frightened delight. I do love the sexual sadism his doles out, but his psychological ones I probably would not be able to handle and unlike Emily, I'd probably kill him. I'd wait until I caused him to be hopelessly in love with me and then I'd kill him, even if I ended up loving him. This story kind of messed me up. It's a good thing I'm reading this story when I'm more assured of myself than when I was a younger feminazi. I probably would be out for Ms. Thomas's blood if I read it during that phase. Now, I just want to read more of her stories and enjoy my guilty pleasure of wanting something that is destructive for me.
I recommend this book only for people who are okay with TPE and mind fucks. I do NOT recommend this book to people who have issues with a women being turned into a dependent slave unable to cope with the real world.
I want to state, this is definitely NOT your standard masturbatory BDSM book. This is not the first one I've read where a woman is kidnapped and trained to be a slave. However, this is the first one I read where it crossed the line between reality and fantasy. Most of the capture, kidnap and slavery BDSM books are easily scoffed off as fantasy. This one, while some of it is a bit unrealistic, the feel of it is too realistic and plausible. Ms. Thomas creates a possible scenario, especially with the amount of money some men have in this day and age.
I was mixed in whether I should rate this a 4 or 5. I finally decided on a 4 because there was a certain lack of love that caused me to not like the monster as much as I could have liked him.
The story while not exactly intense in physical pain, the psychological mind fucking was intense. As a gregarious and extroverted female who is independent and rather strong, I could understand Emily's distress and logic. I don't know if I would have as much of a problem as she did with isolation because there are times where I just want plain silence and not speak to people for days.
During Emily's captivity, I kept wanting to tell her to submit. What the monster did to her and the insights into his methodical and rather diabolical destruction of a self confident woman was well done. I found it to be well thought out and impressive. If I ever wanted to break someone, I would use his method as a template. I really enjoyed Emily's understanding of what was happening to her and her inability to stop it. This sense of helplessness and lack of control was rather heady. It gave me guilty chills of desire.
The ending was not unexpected. I wasn't sure how it would wrap up in detail, but I did have a general idea of what would happen. I admit, I loved the ending. While I'd like to see a sequel to this story, I think it would probably ruin it. I like being left wondering what is happening to Emily.
The Monster Ms. Thomas created was someone I loved to hate. His matter of fact cruelty and fucked up mind games is something I hate. I can't respect a man who can't be honest and communicate with me. When the truth is revealed, I still have some issues with him but I understand the method to his madness. I can appreciate his slave training. As a sadist, I admire his skill. As a masochist, I shiver in frightened delight. I do love the sexual sadism his doles out, but his psychological ones I probably would not be able to handle and unlike Emily, I'd probably kill him. I'd wait until I caused him to be hopelessly in love with me and then I'd kill him, even if I ended up loving him. This story kind of messed me up. It's a good thing I'm reading this story when I'm more assured of myself than when I was a younger feminazi. I probably would be out for Ms. Thomas's blood if I read it during that phase. Now, I just want to read more of her stories and enjoy my guilty pleasure of wanting something that is destructive for me.
I recommend this book only for people who are okay with TPE and mind fucks. I do NOT recommend this book to people who have issues with a women being turned into a dependent slave unable to cope with the real world.
June 14, 2021
3 Stars
Told in dual POV, both in 1st & 3rd person. It’s a standalone novel. This was my first read by this author and I wasn’t familiar with her books or her writing but you know how I like them Dark. So the plot was one of my faves but the writing wasn’t as good as I thought it should be. It felt too mechanical, nothing to feel, no love, no hate, no real fear, no real happiness, nothing at all. Overall, it fell flat for me but hope you enjoy it more than me!
Told in dual POV, both in 1st & 3rd person. It’s a standalone novel. This was my first read by this author and I wasn’t familiar with her books or her writing but you know how I like them Dark. So the plot was one of my faves but the writing wasn’t as good as I thought it should be. It felt too mechanical, nothing to feel, no love, no hate, no real fear, no real happiness, nothing at all. Overall, it fell flat for me but hope you enjoy it more than me!
December 12, 2020
This isn’t romance.
This is straight up dark erotica that will have you questioning your own sanity while your heart beat is accelerating at a pace you can’t control.
Emily was slowly broken into her role as a perfect submissive to her master. Every reward, every touch she earned it.
He never uttered a single word to her. Just the mere look into his eyes and he had the ability to break her and mold her. I was shocked. But damn I couldn’t help but not love it.
This is straight up dark erotica that will have you questioning your own sanity while your heart beat is accelerating at a pace you can’t control.
Emily was slowly broken into her role as a perfect submissive to her master. Every reward, every touch she earned it.
He never uttered a single word to her. Just the mere look into his eyes and he had the ability to break her and mold her. I was shocked. But damn I couldn’t help but not love it.
April 10, 2013
I was looking for a dark read and thought I'd try this book as I have had it on my to read shelves for ages!
I was so disappointed- not just because it wasn't as dark as I was expecting but because I just had no interest in the story by the end of it!
It wasn't anything to do with the fact it was too dark- My issue was IT WASN'T DARK ENOUGH (for me anyway!)
I'm not going into huge detail about the issues I had with it. I know some people have loved this book but I just couldn't connect with the character's and their 'so called' relationship/bond together!!
Anyway moving onward in search of the next dark read :D
I was so disappointed- not just because it wasn't as dark as I was expecting but because I just had no interest in the story by the end of it!
It wasn't anything to do with the fact it was too dark- My issue was IT WASN'T DARK ENOUGH (for me anyway!)
I'm not going into huge detail about the issues I had with it. I know some people have loved this book but I just couldn't connect with the character's and their 'so called' relationship/bond together!!
Anyway moving onward in search of the next dark read :D
July 15, 2012
I would've paid 10x what I paid for this ebook. This grabs hold of you from the first paragraph and never lets go. A smart girl, with a normal life, is drugged, kidnapped, and kept as a sex slave by a man who never utters a single word. During her initial captivity, she adapts through the simple gesture of food. Calling this a total mind-f^@k is an understatement. Gasping for air under a tide of emotions, the victim knowingly succumbs to Stockholm syndrome. Hell, so did I.
March 17, 2016
3 STARS!
Hmm.. Where's to begin? I will just keep it clear and simple. Comfort Food was an okay read and straight-forward. There's nothing to love and nothing to hate.
A woman kidnapped by a stranger. Blindfolded. Never know where is she and who did it. She's smart. She was self-help guru and understand psychological. She will never fall into Stockholm Syndrome, she said. He never speak. He will never hurt her. He guard his emotion very well; just slightly to show her that he understand everything. He just show her the only choice to submit willingly.
Her attempt to escape always failed. Time goes fast, the woman understand what he wants. She play by his rule because he's her Master now. Rewards and punishment is her only choice to follow his order. He will reward her with everything beyond nice. But her punishment is very painful. Touching is the only communication between them. Without it, she will go insane.
There is a warning that this is not romance story. Not about BDSM either. This is like 'actual slavery' without consent. Yes, the woman never consent to anything for him. He just break her painfully slow. He give her trust so she will surrender to him completely. Also he made her learn about give and take. If you want something, you have to earn in. Wowza! The sex scenes is very intimate and mixed pain with pleasure. Unfortunately, it's lack of emotion and chemistry. It was quite sad for me because I couldn't feel it.
Whew... Near the end, I understand why he never talk and it was quite sad. Comfort Food left me confused and stunned about what happened. Fast paced and well-written until the end. The story about forced submission until she couldn't leave him. She always need him and finally realize that she never will be complete without being with him. It's far from beautiful story but left me wondering about how could this happened. There is no happy ending because they're just about to begin.
Hmm.. Where's to begin? I will just keep it clear and simple. Comfort Food was an okay read and straight-forward. There's nothing to love and nothing to hate.
A woman kidnapped by a stranger. Blindfolded. Never know where is she and who did it. She's smart. She was self-help guru and understand psychological. She will never fall into Stockholm Syndrome, she said. He never speak. He will never hurt her. He guard his emotion very well; just slightly to show her that he understand everything. He just show her the only choice to submit willingly.
Her attempt to escape always failed. Time goes fast, the woman understand what he wants. She play by his rule because he's her Master now. Rewards and punishment is her only choice to follow his order. He will reward her with everything beyond nice. But her punishment is very painful. Touching is the only communication between them. Without it, she will go insane.
"He was everything. We communicated on the primal level of touch. Dominance and submission. Master and slave. Nothing else was required."
There is a warning that this is not romance story. Not about BDSM either. This is like 'actual slavery' without consent. Yes, the woman never consent to anything for him. He just break her painfully slow. He give her trust so she will surrender to him completely. Also he made her learn about give and take. If you want something, you have to earn in. Wowza! The sex scenes is very intimate and mixed pain with pleasure. Unfortunately, it's lack of emotion and chemistry. It was quite sad for me because I couldn't feel it.
"It didn't matter anymore because we were both insane. How can the crazy judge the crazy? He was a sadist, and he'd trained me into the perfect masochist."
Whew... Near the end, I understand why he never talk and it was quite sad. Comfort Food left me confused and stunned about what happened. Fast paced and well-written until the end. The story about forced submission until she couldn't leave him. She always need him and finally realize that she never will be complete without being with him. It's far from beautiful story but left me wondering about how could this happened. There is no happy ending because they're just about to begin.
June 11, 2011
Fuck me, that was a weird book. I'm not sure I've read enough erotica to review this effectively. All I can say is that it's an interesting character study, but not as deep or as well-written as I'd hoped for nor as graphically sexual as I'd expected. It's not romantic enough to be a romance, sexual enough to be erotica or insightful enough to be a psychological thriller. It really needed to commit to at least one of these facets to be a purposeful book.
So, it was an entertaining read, but nothing earth-shattering.
So, it was an entertaining read, but nothing earth-shattering.
December 18, 2023
4 stars
*actual proof of me completely disassociating from the fuckedup-ness of this fabulous piece of fiction*
hero: drugs and kidnaps the heroine, holds her hostage in a dungeon, psychologically fucks with her head till she does everything he says to avoid “punishment”. the punishment being not touching her for days and putting her in a cell where he feeds her just enough not to starve. then he uses the information he knows about her to emotionally manipulate her into becoming his slave
me: but isn’t he dreamy
the progression of emily (h) from a captive to a victim of stockholm syndrome was so well done. the mind games ‘the master’ (H) played with her were insanely well thought out by the author. i think the fact that we didn’t know his name only further immersed me into the story.
as a read, i realized everything was perfectly orchestrated by the hero and nothing happened was by chance. he really thought of everything and even when she tried to escape, he knew it was coming and let it happen so she could “get it out of her system”. he was always 20 steps ahead of the heroine and it honestly was glorious to read from a psychological perspective.
it's definitely a bit fucked up that i enjoyed reading the heroine become completely conditioned into the woman the hero wanted but i think we've all fallen victim to a few fictional, psychopaths in our lives
emily is so real for that
and no one is going to change that 💞
*actual proof of me completely disassociating from the fuckedup-ness of this fabulous piece of fiction*
hero: drugs and kidnaps the heroine, holds her hostage in a dungeon, psychologically fucks with her head till she does everything he says to avoid “punishment”. the punishment being not touching her for days and putting her in a cell where he feeds her just enough not to starve. then he uses the information he knows about her to emotionally manipulate her into becoming his slave
me: but isn’t he dreamy
the progression of emily (h) from a captive to a victim of stockholm syndrome was so well done. the mind games ‘the master’ (H) played with her were insanely well thought out by the author. i think the fact that we didn’t know his name only further immersed me into the story.
as a read, i realized everything was perfectly orchestrated by the hero and nothing happened was by chance. he really thought of everything and even when she tried to escape, he knew it was coming and let it happen so she could “get it out of her system”. he was always 20 steps ahead of the heroine and it honestly was glorious to read from a psychological perspective.
it's definitely a bit fucked up that i enjoyed reading the heroine become completely conditioned into the woman the hero wanted but i think we've all fallen victim to a few fictional, psychopaths in our lives
No matter how desperately I wanted to, I couldn’t bring myself to hate him. But it wasn’t love either. What we shared was deeper than love. It was a mad and unyielding obsession, and it was mutual. And the flames from it would likely kill one of us some day. Probably me. I couldn’t bring myself to care. I’d rather have this intensity with him than a hundred years of mediocrity with another.
emily is so real for that
and no one is going to change that 💞
April 18, 2022
3.5⭐️
i liked this a lot, i think i just expected it to go differently. the writing in this book was so beautiful and unique, i felt way too much.
“He always gave me choices. Or maybe what he gave me was force wrapped in the pretty package of pretend free will.”
i liked this a lot, i think i just expected it to go differently. the writing in this book was so beautiful and unique, i felt way too much.
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