What do you think?
Rate this book
DeKnight #1
Past Midnight
How far will they go…
Past Midnight
Jasmine Haynes spices things up in Past Midnight, as a husband and wife satisfy every craving—and push past every inhibition…
Erin and Dominic had the perfect life—until a devastating blow rocked their marriage to the core. Now they only reconnect after dark, when sleepless nights become hours of ecstasy as they soothe emotional pain with physical pleasure—but still wake up feeling distant and alone.
Dominic refuses to give up on the relationship. To save their marriage, he sets up erotic adventures that take them far beyond the boundaries of both their comfort zones. As their love life moves from the privacy of their bedroom to public parties and sex retreats where anything is possible, will Dominic and Erin form a deeper bond…or will they lose it all?
Past Midnight
Jasmine Haynes spices things up in Past Midnight, as a husband and wife satisfy every craving—and push past every inhibition…
Erin and Dominic had the perfect life—until a devastating blow rocked their marriage to the core. Now they only reconnect after dark, when sleepless nights become hours of ecstasy as they soothe emotional pain with physical pleasure—but still wake up feeling distant and alone.
Dominic refuses to give up on the relationship. To save their marriage, he sets up erotic adventures that take them far beyond the boundaries of both their comfort zones. As their love life moves from the privacy of their bedroom to public parties and sex retreats where anything is possible, will Dominic and Erin form a deeper bond…or will they lose it all?
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2011
15 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
Jasmine Haynes
121 books714 followersNeed some freebies? Get them by signing up at http://bit.ly/SkullyNews!
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jasmine Haynes loves giving readers sexy, classy stories about real issues like growing older, facing divorce, starting over. Her books have passion, heart, humor, and happy endings, even if they aren't always traditional. She also writes gritty, paranormal mysteries in the Max Starr series. As Jennifer Skully, she writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedies laced with a heavy dose of mystery. Look for Jennifer’s new series written with Bella Andre, starting with Breathless in Love, The Maverick Billionaires Book 1. Having penned stories since the moment she learned to write, Jasmine now lives in the Redwoods of Northern California with her husband and their adorable nuisance of a cat who totally runs the household. Join her newsletter for updates on contests, new releases, and freebies by going to www.jasminehaynes.com.
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jasmine Haynes loves giving readers sexy, classy stories about real issues like growing older, facing divorce, starting over. Her books have passion, heart, humor, and happy endings, even if they aren't always traditional. She also writes gritty, paranormal mysteries in the Max Starr series. As Jennifer Skully, she writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedies laced with a heavy dose of mystery. Look for Jennifer’s new series written with Bella Andre, starting with Breathless in Love, The Maverick Billionaires Book 1. Having penned stories since the moment she learned to write, Jasmine now lives in the Redwoods of Northern California with her husband and their adorable nuisance of a cat who totally runs the household. Join her newsletter for updates on contests, new releases, and freebies by going to www.jasminehaynes.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 12, 2011
Past Midnight was not what I expected. The back blurb made me want to read it, but I was saddened when I realized the tragedy was the death of a child. I kind of had to step outside of myself and read this without inflicting my personal morals and beliefs where commitment and relationships are concerned. After all, everyone deals with the tragedy of an unexpected death in their own way and this is an erotic romance.
Dominic and Erin DeKnight are a 40-ish aged married couple who also own and run their engineering company DeKnight Gauges (DKG). The story begins a little over a year since the death of their young son, just before the holidays. Since their son’s death, their relationship is strained to say the least and while Erin seems ok with the status quo, Dominic is tired of walking on eggshells and avoiding the elephant in the room, so to speak. He can’t talk to Erin about what happened. Their employees know not to speak of their son and they know better than to mention the upcoming holidays in any way.
Since their son’s death, the only time Erin is intimate with Dominic is after midnight when she’ll reach for him, in total darkness and they make love without a sound. Erin uses sex as an escape of sorts. She needs the connection to Dominic, and she wants the release, but she does not want to deal with her emotions at all. Dominic loves his wife and he doesn’t know what to do. He wants his wife back, the way she was and he does not know how to bring her back. He accepts that this is all his wife has to give, but it’s not enough.
At work, Dominic and Erin are dealing with a serious patent infringement charge from one of their major competitors. Dominic doesn’t think the charge will stand, but it’s just one more thing for Erin to worry about. When Dominic begins to receive letters with information that there is no way the competitor should or could know, he begins to suspect that one of his employees might be providing the information to their competitor.
In a desperate attempt to break down the wall Erin has erected around herself, Dominic decides to make Erin attend a trade show that DKG is attending in Florida. At an after party, Dominic notices a good looking man checking Erin out and when he brings it to her attention, Erin immediately blushes, but there is that telltale spark of interest in her eye which Dominic can’t miss. Eventually the man introduces himself and there is a lot of sexy talk with innuendo. When Erin and Dominic go back to their hotel, the sex is hot and nothing like their silent sex of the past year. Dominic is ecstatic and thinks that things are on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, once Monday rolls around things are decidedly back to the way they were before Florida. Erin’s walls are back up and she doesn’t touch Dominic at all, not even after midnight. When Dominic realizes that the change in Erin was brought on by their brief encounter with the man at the party, he decides that they need to do that again. What follows is a series of sex play and encounters which include role playing, light BDSM and ménage.
I didn’t like Erin. Sure, she lost her child and we can all imagine the complete and utter grief of the situation, but because the author alludes to their happiness prior to their tragedy, I could not understand why Erin almost completely shut out Dominic. Yes, she’s dealing with her own guilt as is Dominic, but shouldn’t he be her “go to” person? The first time you see Erin show any emotion regarding her son, when she lets that wall down for mere seconds, she’s talking to an employee. I felt so much more for Dominic. For a year he’s played along, letting Erin be, hoping that she’ll come back to herself in her own time. When it’s clear that’s not going to happen he takes matters into his own hands. While I may not agree with his methods, you knew that he was willing to do anything, to bring that spark to Erin’s eye, to see her look alive, to see her experience emotion. His heart was breaking, he was barely hanging on and he was desperate. He does all this knowing that in the end, he could lose her for good.
Past Midnight will take you on quite a ride. Ms. Haynes writes hot sex but she can totally bring heartfelt emotions into play. The story lags a little at points and there is some repetition but in the end you will believe in the love that Dominic and Erin feel for each other and you will long for them to get back to the place where they are everything they need to be for each other. Just them. No one else.
June 30, 2011
This book will put you through the wringer when you are reading it.
Erin and Dominic are a year past every parent's worst nightmare, their child dying. Their lives seem to be stalled, they can't talk to each other except when at work at the company they own. At home there is lots of silence and guilt on both their parts.
Dominic is reaching is breaking point, he lives for the times that Erin reaches for him in bed, sex being their only connection anymore. But the sex is cold, they don't talk it is only the mechanics of the act itself. Needing more Dominic ends up bullying Erin to go to a convention that is a big deal for their business.
Things start to change at the convention, the sex is no longer silent and the connection they have leading up with the extended foreplay and during makes it seem like before and even for some time after, it is like they have a time out from their real lives.
When they get back home they both crave those encounters again and they start to have a sexual battle. At first it is done in a way to comfort them both and is fun, however after one encounter it turns and things get ugly.
It is at this lowest, ugly point that Dominic can't take it any more and starts to talk about their son. During the talk you can just hear the begging note in his tone, he wants to acknowledge his son, not forget him, he wants forgiveness for what he perceives is his fault in his death. Erin just can't deal with the death and shuts down. You can hear the breaks in their already fractured relationship.
All the while their personal lives are in turmoil their business is in trouble from a competitor. Slow steps happen where things come to a head after their ugly encounter and you think this is it for them both personally and professionally.
In a gut reaction Dominic makes a choice and drags Erin with him. It is here that things become do or die for them. They find out where their business troubles come from, discover just why they love each other, and are able to finally talk about their son.
While this book is filled with a lot of hot sex, it will be the relationship between Dominic and Erin that will have you flipping the pages faster and faster hoping they can work things out. I would highly recommend having a box of Kleenex by your side when reading, you will need it!
Erin and Dominic are a year past every parent's worst nightmare, their child dying. Their lives seem to be stalled, they can't talk to each other except when at work at the company they own. At home there is lots of silence and guilt on both their parts.
Dominic is reaching is breaking point, he lives for the times that Erin reaches for him in bed, sex being their only connection anymore. But the sex is cold, they don't talk it is only the mechanics of the act itself. Needing more Dominic ends up bullying Erin to go to a convention that is a big deal for their business.
Things start to change at the convention, the sex is no longer silent and the connection they have leading up with the extended foreplay and during makes it seem like before and even for some time after, it is like they have a time out from their real lives.
When they get back home they both crave those encounters again and they start to have a sexual battle. At first it is done in a way to comfort them both and is fun, however after one encounter it turns and things get ugly.
It is at this lowest, ugly point that Dominic can't take it any more and starts to talk about their son. During the talk you can just hear the begging note in his tone, he wants to acknowledge his son, not forget him, he wants forgiveness for what he perceives is his fault in his death. Erin just can't deal with the death and shuts down. You can hear the breaks in their already fractured relationship.
All the while their personal lives are in turmoil their business is in trouble from a competitor. Slow steps happen where things come to a head after their ugly encounter and you think this is it for them both personally and professionally.
In a gut reaction Dominic makes a choice and drags Erin with him. It is here that things become do or die for them. They find out where their business troubles come from, discover just why they love each other, and are able to finally talk about their son.
While this book is filled with a lot of hot sex, it will be the relationship between Dominic and Erin that will have you flipping the pages faster and faster hoping they can work things out. I would highly recommend having a box of Kleenex by your side when reading, you will need it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2017
OK, so I'm finally getting around to catching up on my reviews...I read this a few months ago, but it is unforgettable!
This book will take you on quite a ride. Ms. Haynes writes hot sex but she can totally bring heartfelt emotions into play. The story lags a little at points and there is some repetition but in the end you will believe in the love that Dominic and Erin feel for each other and you will long for them to get back to the place where they are everything they need to be for each other. Just them. No one else.
Background: They lost a child. Dominic blames himself and Erin cant get past it. Dominic thinks Erin has moved away from him except 'after midnight' because she too blames him and Erin just cannot talk or think about the loss because if she does, then it's real .... I am sure there are plenty of you out there that can relate.
Sex is their medicine. Kinky sex. And Dominic goes above and beyond to use this medicine to try and bring them back together. And in the end it works.
As I stated earlier, this story is heartwarming but it is also a bit taboo. You gotta read it without prejudiced, or you wont enjoy it. I myself find it easy to shut off my own prejudices and likes and dislikes in order to give a book a fair read. SO although Dominic and Erin crossed a lot of sexual lines that I would never consider crossing, I still fond this story to break my heart and loved both Dominic and Erin for who they were and their struggle to get to where they should be, to them.
LOVED IT!
This book will take you on quite a ride. Ms. Haynes writes hot sex but she can totally bring heartfelt emotions into play. The story lags a little at points and there is some repetition but in the end you will believe in the love that Dominic and Erin feel for each other and you will long for them to get back to the place where they are everything they need to be for each other. Just them. No one else.
Background: They lost a child. Dominic blames himself and Erin cant get past it. Dominic thinks Erin has moved away from him except 'after midnight' because she too blames him and Erin just cannot talk or think about the loss because if she does, then it's real .... I am sure there are plenty of you out there that can relate.
Sex is their medicine. Kinky sex. And Dominic goes above and beyond to use this medicine to try and bring them back together. And in the end it works.
As I stated earlier, this story is heartwarming but it is also a bit taboo. You gotta read it without prejudiced, or you wont enjoy it. I myself find it easy to shut off my own prejudices and likes and dislikes in order to give a book a fair read. SO although Dominic and Erin crossed a lot of sexual lines that I would never consider crossing, I still fond this story to break my heart and loved both Dominic and Erin for who they were and their struggle to get to where they should be, to them.
LOVED IT!
May 25, 2012
I found this from downloading The Principal's office and not realizing it was the last book in a series so I went back to this, the first in the series.
I really liked this story. I think what I liked most about it is that Dominic and Erin are married, have been married for 15 years. They go through an unimaginable loss and the only connection they have is what happens Past Midnight. There were a couple scenes I had to back away from and look at without my personal belief lenses on. I was uncomfortable but I knew it was necessary for the growth of the characters.
I really liked this story. I think what I liked most about it is that Dominic and Erin are married, have been married for 15 years. They go through an unimaginable loss and the only connection they have is what happens Past Midnight. There were a couple scenes I had to back away from and look at without my personal belief lenses on. I was uncomfortable but I knew it was necessary for the growth of the characters.
July 28, 2012
Dominic and Erin have one child, a 9 year-old boy, who dies unexpectedly. Erin tries to deal by basically shutting down, refusing to talk to Dominic about their son and what happened. After a year, Dominic is at the point where he can't continue the way they are and decides to force Erin out from behind the wall she's built around herself. He does this by pushing the limits of her sexual boundries, trying to recover any connection he can with her. I thought this was a really sad book. I got tired of how selfish Erin was and how she refused to allow any reminder of her son to be displayed. She annoyed me to no end but as a mother I can see myself reacting the same way. There was light at the end of the tunnel for them, which was a relief. Very graphic sexual scenes!
June 15, 2011
I couldn't finish this book. I was more than two thirds done with it and I just gave up. The two main characters were so angsty and had so many unresolved issues. I just wanted to smack them and get them into some serious counseling... The side story about the business being in jeopardy didn't ring true for me at all. But, after the tragedy the two characters suffered, it would have been impossible to remain married without intense therapy... Sexual therapy in the dark wouldn't have served as a way to build connection for them sufficiently either.
March 11, 2012
Courtesy of Happy Endings Reviews
A dark look at marriage and tragedy shows the underbelly of the romance genre
The first in the DeKnight trilogy, this story focuses on married couple Dominic and Erin DeKnight, who own their own manufacturing company and who are coming off an unspeakable tragedy, the death of their young son. They have both been going through the motions for a year, Dominic wanting to go to counseling and get help to heal and Erin not mentally or emotionally able to deal with any of it. The only connection remaining in their marriage is when Erin reaches for Dominic in the dead of night for some physical comfort. But it’s purely sex. She won’t allow talking or touching beyond what’s required, and she doesn’t want laughter or light.
Finally, desperately, Dominic is determined to make a change, so he begins pushing Erin little by little to connect through sex again. The couple goes on a couple of different trips with the excuse of work or trying to escape the pain of the upcoming holidays, and as their sex becomes more extreme and slowly starts involving other people, a fantasy of both Dominic and Erin’s, the layers of distance are slowly peeled away, until finally the DeKnights reach the point where they really much decide to heal themselves and their marriage or say good-bye forever.
This was my first Jasmine Haynes novel, and she is a very talented writer. I enjoyed her intellectual style and love scenes that were delicious without being salacious. I found an instant connection with Dominic and Erin as a couple, and I really wanted them to work it out and get back to being fulfilled with each other. I found the scenes at their company really interesting, with a side story about a security leak and the threat of the DeKnights’ complete professional downfall paralleling nicely with their personal demise. The technical speak does get a little heavy at times, though. And fortunately, being a romance, there is a satisfying happily ever after that it felt like Dominic and Erin had to work especially hard for. I also look forward to the next two stories about accountant Bree who has a secret of her own and receptionist Rachel who is a newly divorced single mom.
However, the material was just so dark with the death of the DeKnights’ son. When it doesn’t feel as if it could get any more depressing, and Dominic and Erin seem as if they might be beginning to have a breakthrough, Erin will regress again and the walls come up. This happens repeatedly. While Erin is a sympathetic character, at times she begins to be frustrating. The pain surrounding Dominic and Erin is so all-consuming that at times, it’s just too difficult to recall that this is supposed to be a romance.
Series: DeKnight trilogy #1
#1 Past Midnight
#2 What Happens after Dark
#3 The Principal’s Office
A dark look at marriage and tragedy shows the underbelly of the romance genre
The first in the DeKnight trilogy, this story focuses on married couple Dominic and Erin DeKnight, who own their own manufacturing company and who are coming off an unspeakable tragedy, the death of their young son. They have both been going through the motions for a year, Dominic wanting to go to counseling and get help to heal and Erin not mentally or emotionally able to deal with any of it. The only connection remaining in their marriage is when Erin reaches for Dominic in the dead of night for some physical comfort. But it’s purely sex. She won’t allow talking or touching beyond what’s required, and she doesn’t want laughter or light.
Finally, desperately, Dominic is determined to make a change, so he begins pushing Erin little by little to connect through sex again. The couple goes on a couple of different trips with the excuse of work or trying to escape the pain of the upcoming holidays, and as their sex becomes more extreme and slowly starts involving other people, a fantasy of both Dominic and Erin’s, the layers of distance are slowly peeled away, until finally the DeKnights reach the point where they really much decide to heal themselves and their marriage or say good-bye forever.
This was my first Jasmine Haynes novel, and she is a very talented writer. I enjoyed her intellectual style and love scenes that were delicious without being salacious. I found an instant connection with Dominic and Erin as a couple, and I really wanted them to work it out and get back to being fulfilled with each other. I found the scenes at their company really interesting, with a side story about a security leak and the threat of the DeKnights’ complete professional downfall paralleling nicely with their personal demise. The technical speak does get a little heavy at times, though. And fortunately, being a romance, there is a satisfying happily ever after that it felt like Dominic and Erin had to work especially hard for. I also look forward to the next two stories about accountant Bree who has a secret of her own and receptionist Rachel who is a newly divorced single mom.
However, the material was just so dark with the death of the DeKnights’ son. When it doesn’t feel as if it could get any more depressing, and Dominic and Erin seem as if they might be beginning to have a breakthrough, Erin will regress again and the walls come up. This happens repeatedly. While Erin is a sympathetic character, at times she begins to be frustrating. The pain surrounding Dominic and Erin is so all-consuming that at times, it’s just too difficult to recall that this is supposed to be a romance.
Series: DeKnight trilogy #1
#1 Past Midnight
#2 What Happens after Dark
#3 The Principal’s Office
April 30, 2011
Erin and Dominic had not only a great marriage but a loving one as well. Until the day they loose there son unexpectedly. Now its been over a year, Erin and Dominic don't speak unless its about the business they own. Can this couple heal each other or will they finally call it quits?
Now when I started this book I wasn't so sure about it. As soon as I started the book I was pulled into a depressed and emotional cluster. I am all for a great plot but this was just depressing. I didn't want to read about them loosing a son in an erotic book. Now I do understand that tends to be a part of life, but when you are ready to cry in a book that is supposed to add flush to your cheeks I just couldn't believe it. I wasn't expecting this. I was thinking it had to do with something completely different. Well, of course I was wrong.
Dominic loves Erin more than anything in the world. All he wants is his loving wife back. He decides to take her away not only to try and save her but their marriage as well. Dominic, I has no issues liking. He was controlled, sweet, caring and most of all patient. Hey, the man only wants his wife back and he would do anything to make that happen. Who wouldn't want a man like that? I hated the fact that he tried to be there for her and only got the silent treatment after sex after. I am sorry that isn't good enough for me.
Erin on the other hand I couldn't stand from the first chapter. Now I was willing to give her a chance, but she was bitchy and selfish. She disregarded her husband and his feelings when he needed her. It was unbelievable. On that note I can understand her being upset about loosing her child, but acting the way she does is just wrong. I wanted to choke her at times for Dominic. She would ignore him unless it was Past Midnight. Poor Dominic.
Overall I wasn't left flushed or satisfied after reading this. I had a really hard time getting lost in this story. I will say there was one good sex scene that I flushed for. Now who is to say that someone else might actually enjoy there story but It just wasn't my cup of tea. I am not saying I wont read any of her other books but I will have to be careful which ones I will decide to dive into.
Now when I started this book I wasn't so sure about it. As soon as I started the book I was pulled into a depressed and emotional cluster. I am all for a great plot but this was just depressing. I didn't want to read about them loosing a son in an erotic book. Now I do understand that tends to be a part of life, but when you are ready to cry in a book that is supposed to add flush to your cheeks I just couldn't believe it. I wasn't expecting this. I was thinking it had to do with something completely different. Well, of course I was wrong.
Dominic loves Erin more than anything in the world. All he wants is his loving wife back. He decides to take her away not only to try and save her but their marriage as well. Dominic, I has no issues liking. He was controlled, sweet, caring and most of all patient. Hey, the man only wants his wife back and he would do anything to make that happen. Who wouldn't want a man like that? I hated the fact that he tried to be there for her and only got the silent treatment after sex after. I am sorry that isn't good enough for me.
Erin on the other hand I couldn't stand from the first chapter. Now I was willing to give her a chance, but she was bitchy and selfish. She disregarded her husband and his feelings when he needed her. It was unbelievable. On that note I can understand her being upset about loosing her child, but acting the way she does is just wrong. I wanted to choke her at times for Dominic. She would ignore him unless it was Past Midnight. Poor Dominic.
Overall I wasn't left flushed or satisfied after reading this. I had a really hard time getting lost in this story. I will say there was one good sex scene that I flushed for. Now who is to say that someone else might actually enjoy there story but It just wasn't my cup of tea. I am not saying I wont read any of her other books but I will have to be careful which ones I will decide to dive into.
July 10, 2012
Review also posted at Under The Covers Book Blog
Ms. Haynes is the Nicolas Sparks of the Erotic/Rom world. Like Sparks novel, she pulled me in a roller coaster ride full of emotions but Ms. Haynes story is with shit loads of erotica.
Dominic and Erin lost their son Jay about a year ago and had not recovered since. In fact, not only that their marriage had fallen apart, their company (DeKnight Guages) has a big problem that is driving them further apart. Sad to say that both Dominic and Erin have become so distant that the only way they show emotions is through their “Past Midnight” rendezvous. As anyone would know, that is just not enough in a relationship. Especially with a recent loss, marital or other form of support is probably the most important factor of healing.
In an attempt to save his marriage, Dominic will do anything and everything including going beyond his sexual boundaries. He is determine to shock the hell out of Erin by exploring his and her deepest fantasy. And way to go Dominic! Your tactics worked even for me but that's a whole different story. ;).
I love Dominic and Erin’s story. Their situations are very realistic; from business problems, social issues, marital issues to death of a loved one.
Ms. Haynes did a wonderful job reminding me that life is anything but perfect and marriage is hard work. This may be TMI but damn, I got some ideas about exploring. This book is full of extremely hot scenes that include voyeurism, threesomes, exhibitionist and some bondage.
I have to note that I went about this series the wrong way. I first read Principal’s Office (which I loved), knowing it was book 3. I could beat myself for doing that and for waiting so long to get to this book. This one I would recommend for this summer’s hot and heartfelt read.
Ms. Haynes is the Nicolas Sparks of the Erotic/Rom world. Like Sparks novel, she pulled me in a roller coaster ride full of emotions but Ms. Haynes story is with shit loads of erotica.
Dominic and Erin lost their son Jay about a year ago and had not recovered since. In fact, not only that their marriage had fallen apart, their company (DeKnight Guages) has a big problem that is driving them further apart. Sad to say that both Dominic and Erin have become so distant that the only way they show emotions is through their “Past Midnight” rendezvous. As anyone would know, that is just not enough in a relationship. Especially with a recent loss, marital or other form of support is probably the most important factor of healing.
In an attempt to save his marriage, Dominic will do anything and everything including going beyond his sexual boundaries. He is determine to shock the hell out of Erin by exploring his and her deepest fantasy. And way to go Dominic! Your tactics worked even for me but that's a whole different story. ;).
I love Dominic and Erin’s story. Their situations are very realistic; from business problems, social issues, marital issues to death of a loved one.
Ms. Haynes did a wonderful job reminding me that life is anything but perfect and marriage is hard work. This may be TMI but damn, I got some ideas about exploring. This book is full of extremely hot scenes that include voyeurism, threesomes, exhibitionist and some bondage.
I have to note that I went about this series the wrong way. I first read Principal’s Office (which I loved), knowing it was book 3. I could beat myself for doing that and for waiting so long to get to this book. This one I would recommend for this summer’s hot and heartfelt read.
August 3, 2012
3.5 stars
A year after a devastating loss ruined their lives, Dominic and Erin still haven’t healed from their wounds. Erin will turn to Dominic in the hours past midnight, seeking physical pleasure to ease her pain, but in the light of the day their marriage is in shambles. Dominic refuses to give up on Erin and seeks out ways to connect with his wife again, even if it’s only the physical.
My heart broke for Erin and Dominic as I read this. Their pain was a tangible thing that hung in the air between them. Both of their need for physical pleasure, for sex, to assuage their pain and guilt was real. The sex and the fantasies played out in this one really served to show the connection, or their need for connection, since their world had fallen apart. I do like that both Erin and Dominic had been married for 15 years, so they know each other and are comfortable with each other sexually to play out their fantasies.
Wow, once again I have to tip my hat to Ms. Haynes for the flaming-hot sex and the fantasies, including voyeurism, threesomes, and exhibitionism. The fantasies Erin and Dominic played out were so very out-of-the-box and out-of-the-comfort zone for me, but as I was reading it, I was fascinated by what Erin or Dominic will do, whether they will go through with it or not, and about the consequences of acting out those fantasies. I cheered from the get go because these are two people who have suffered enough.
Near the end, it did drag a little and became a bit repetitive. Erin and Dominic act out their fantasy, then Erin shuts down, over and over again. I was ready to scream at Erin to just get over herself and come clean!
I really enjoyed Past Midnight and can’t wait to read more of Ms. Haynes works. I definitely recommend this to erotica fans!
Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire
A year after a devastating loss ruined their lives, Dominic and Erin still haven’t healed from their wounds. Erin will turn to Dominic in the hours past midnight, seeking physical pleasure to ease her pain, but in the light of the day their marriage is in shambles. Dominic refuses to give up on Erin and seeks out ways to connect with his wife again, even if it’s only the physical.
My heart broke for Erin and Dominic as I read this. Their pain was a tangible thing that hung in the air between them. Both of their need for physical pleasure, for sex, to assuage their pain and guilt was real. The sex and the fantasies played out in this one really served to show the connection, or their need for connection, since their world had fallen apart. I do like that both Erin and Dominic had been married for 15 years, so they know each other and are comfortable with each other sexually to play out their fantasies.
Wow, once again I have to tip my hat to Ms. Haynes for the flaming-hot sex and the fantasies, including voyeurism, threesomes, and exhibitionism. The fantasies Erin and Dominic played out were so very out-of-the-box and out-of-the-comfort zone for me, but as I was reading it, I was fascinated by what Erin or Dominic will do, whether they will go through with it or not, and about the consequences of acting out those fantasies. I cheered from the get go because these are two people who have suffered enough.
Near the end, it did drag a little and became a bit repetitive. Erin and Dominic act out their fantasy, then Erin shuts down, over and over again. I was ready to scream at Erin to just get over herself and come clean!
I really enjoyed Past Midnight and can’t wait to read more of Ms. Haynes works. I definitely recommend this to erotica fans!
Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire
April 27, 2011
Past Midnight by Jasmine Haynes
Contemporary Romance –May 3rd, 2011
4 stars
Past Midnight by Jasmine Haynes is an erotic emotional roller coaster as the two main characters struggle to deal with a failing marriage after the death of their son Jay.
Erin loved her son Jay. When he died so did much of her will to live. Her husband, Dominic has struggled to bring Erin back from her self imposed emotional exile but finds they can only connect at night, when they have heated sex. Dominic wants more and refuses to give up on their relationship. He feels he needs to shock Erin back to life and gets her to agree to a small vacation. But this is only the start of an enthralling sexual odyssey that will hopefully bring them back together.
This book has incredibly HOT writing. That only gets steamier as it progresses. My first thought was how lucky Erin was to have such a devoted and patient husband who is determined to ‘get her back.’ As Dominic pushes Erin, she is forced to feel and is stunned by how much she enjoys living again and exploring her wilder side. But she is still afraid of letting down her walls. Dominic is the perfect hero. Sexy and supportive. As for the heroine, I could understand Erin’s pain but sometimes I got a little frustrated with her because Dominic needed her, too.
Emotionally satisfying and sexually adventurous this was a surprisingly deep erotic romance.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Contemporary Romance –May 3rd, 2011
4 stars
Past Midnight by Jasmine Haynes is an erotic emotional roller coaster as the two main characters struggle to deal with a failing marriage after the death of their son Jay.
Erin loved her son Jay. When he died so did much of her will to live. Her husband, Dominic has struggled to bring Erin back from her self imposed emotional exile but finds they can only connect at night, when they have heated sex. Dominic wants more and refuses to give up on their relationship. He feels he needs to shock Erin back to life and gets her to agree to a small vacation. But this is only the start of an enthralling sexual odyssey that will hopefully bring them back together.
This book has incredibly HOT writing. That only gets steamier as it progresses. My first thought was how lucky Erin was to have such a devoted and patient husband who is determined to ‘get her back.’ As Dominic pushes Erin, she is forced to feel and is stunned by how much she enjoys living again and exploring her wilder side. But she is still afraid of letting down her walls. Dominic is the perfect hero. Sexy and supportive. As for the heroine, I could understand Erin’s pain but sometimes I got a little frustrated with her because Dominic needed her, too.
Emotionally satisfying and sexually adventurous this was a surprisingly deep erotic romance.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
August 23, 2011
An amazing book! Heartwarming, emotional, suspenseful, roller coaster ride - it has it all. Being a mother, I was very curious how Ms Haynes handled the death of a child and how the parents coped with it. And Ms Haynes did it very well. I can't say much more without a lot of spoilers except to say - read it.
July 29, 2013
This book has a lot of emotional depth and I really liked the characters. Although written about a sad topic, it's handled well and not overwhelming. I was really rooting for the characters to heal in the passion department and boy, did they!
April 16, 2014
Im speechless. This book was so fucking sexy, honest & raw it was beautiful. To know your partner so intimately. For a man to be so into his wife's pleasure to not only watch but to participate.....holy hell thats HOT.
April 18, 2011
I had the pleasure of having an ARC of Past Midnight and it was devastatingly beautiful! Well done, Ms. Haynes! This is one that will settle right into the heart and stay for a long time to come.
July 10, 2012
H-A-T-E-D Erin. As a mom, the book was so very sad.
June 30, 2013
Heart breaking story. As a mother I can't imagine the loss. I was amazed by adventure and thought they found beauty together.
January 18, 2019
I found this book at my local Dollar Tree. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It triggered real emotions as I have experienced similar loss. It was emotional and steamy. Jasmine paints a very hot sex scene. The multiple partner angle was interesting, but it was almost needed to drive the point home. All and all I enjoyed the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2014
This author has been on my radar for awhile. I wanted to try The Naughty Corner, but it was kind of expensive so I picked up this one instead. I like marriage in trouble stories.
One of the reviews said this was about "hotwifing" and I guess it was. To me it wasn't much different than a regular m/f/m threesome. The husband wants to watch his wife with other men, but he also participates. He doesn't hide in the closet. ;) Nor does he push her into anything too fast. They circle around the idea of her with another man and mostly just fantasize/do each other.
The erotic aspect was okay, sexy in some places and...interesting in others. The emotional content really made the story for me. The couple lost their son a year ago and both struggle with blame and guilt. Their sexual games push them to the edge and instigate a long overdue confrontation. Complicating matters, the couples owns a company that is under siege. This is well integrated into the storyline and the business details seem authentic, more so than the couple's amazing luck in finding hot kinky men. I liked that the h/h were older/40s too.
Quality erotic romance, good writing, well done overall. More of a tearjerker than a pantyjerker. 4.5
One of the reviews said this was about "hotwifing" and I guess it was. To me it wasn't much different than a regular m/f/m threesome. The husband wants to watch his wife with other men, but he also participates. He doesn't hide in the closet. ;) Nor does he push her into anything too fast. They circle around the idea of her with another man and mostly just fantasize/do each other.
The erotic aspect was okay, sexy in some places and...interesting in others. The emotional content really made the story for me. The couple lost their son a year ago and both struggle with blame and guilt. Their sexual games push them to the edge and instigate a long overdue confrontation. Complicating matters, the couples owns a company that is under siege. This is well integrated into the storyline and the business details seem authentic, more so than the couple's amazing luck in finding hot kinky men. I liked that the h/h were older/40s too.
Quality erotic romance, good writing, well done overall. More of a tearjerker than a pantyjerker. 4.5
January 20, 2014
Very good. The author deeply explores the relationship of a couple that has been together for 15 years. They're in their 40s and they try to renew the intimacy and communication in their marriage after the one-year anniversary of the death of their 8-year-old son. The author realistically explores their different personalities, the relationships they have with co-workers, and how they work to overcome communication difficulties. At the same time, the couple works to incorporate eroticism to renew their intimate commitment and connection to each other. The one thing that disappointed me, however, was the wife's lack of attention to her own feelings over the loss of her son and to the potential loss of her marriage. I felt, as a reader, to be put at arm's length with her as she did with her husband. This story is definitely for more mature readers, not just for the sexual scenes, but also in facing emotionally difficult issues, such as death.
March 17, 2017
Past Midnight is the 1st book in the DeKnight series and is about Erin and Dominic DeKnight, the owners of their own company with a marriage in deep trouble ever since their son died a year ago. It takes us on the journey they go to in order to find their way back to each other and a life together that doesn't hurt quite so much.
I've read all 3 books in the series, and although this wasn't my favorite, it was still a really good read. As always, I don't enjoy reading about 2 people in a committed relationship sharing, but that's just my personal feeling as jealousy would be way too much of a factor in my life, and it in no way affects my final review, even though it does affect my enjoyment of the story just a bit.
I've read all 3 books in the series, and although this wasn't my favorite, it was still a really good read. As always, I don't enjoy reading about 2 people in a committed relationship sharing, but that's just my personal feeling as jealousy would be way too much of a factor in my life, and it in no way affects my final review, even though it does affect my enjoyment of the story just a bit.
September 25, 2012
emotional... to think that so much pain and suffering could render a home so utterly silent. Whatever possesses Dominic to actually hang on into the wee hours of the morning, night after night, all in the hopes that Erin will actually touch him (no matter how clinical) is mind-blowing! That they go on a kinky adventure in an attempt to find their lives together again is heart-melting and sweet even as the kink is divinely adventurous.
expect some weepy moments to tear at your heart, but well worth the read.
expect some weepy moments to tear at your heart, but well worth the read.
November 1, 2012
Holy steamy Batman! I was recommended to read "principals office" but opted to go wi book 1 in the series! WOW! This book was really good! The ONLY reason I didn't give it five stars was that it was a little too steamy for me. It took me well out of my comfort zone with their sexcapades, but then again, that could be a good thing. The story was amazing and the sex played a large role inn the story line which definitely made it less gratuitous. What a love story! On to book 2 in the DeKnight trilogy!
June 12, 2012
I was surprised and impressed with this erotic romance novel, which had gripping emotional depth, even during its most otherwise arousing moments. It is thoughtful and generally believable, and while its ending reaffirms marriage, as is often the case in the romance genre, it does so in a grounded and realistic rather than hasty, starry-eyed way. It is almost always well written and carefully edited. Well done.
March 2, 2015
Loved how far a man would go to get back the wife that he once knew. Erin and Dominic's story is heartbreaking but the way they find themselves back to one another is anything but. The way they push their sexual boundaries is very interesting and makes me wonder why they never did this before the tragedy they went through.
January 11, 2012
I might not have read this if I'd remembered a child had died. Too much sadness in the real world, I read to escape.
In a romance book I just want smutty exciting sex.
And there was some good stuff. The train was pretty awesome.
In a romance book I just want smutty exciting sex.
And there was some good stuff. The train was pretty awesome.
April 19, 2013
I have to admit that it was just the erotica fix I was looking for. I stayed up pretty much all night and read the whole thing.
April 6, 2012
This book was so much more than the cover advertised (although it did deliver on that promise, as well). Definitely going to read more Haynes.
June 24, 2012
Erin and Dominic have been married a long time, and lost their son. Now they are separate but together, having sex at night and suffering. A touching story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews