Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Asking for It by Lilah Pace

Asking For It is not the read for everyone. It's dark, edgy, pushes the boundaries of what many would find acceptable. But it was...amazing! I couldn't put this one down and instantly wanted more as a risky fetish brings together two people who very much need each other.

The quick of it is that Vivienne and Jonah both have a particular need. Rape Fantasy is what does it for them. It's something they crave and have never been able to find that someone who could fulfill the need that simmers in them. Until a chance encounter brings them into each others lives. An opportunity is given. A risk taken. A craving indulged. And oh. It was scorching as these two did a little role playing, spiced things up and did a little soul searching.

Vivienne and Jonah. They held me completely in their spell from page one. I was absolutely fascinated and intrigued by both of them. By how their minds worked, by their fetishes and how they dealt with them. By their regular lives and the way they could slip into and out of their roles with each other. I could not get enough of these two. Smitten? Maybe.

It was interesting to see their relationship change as well. Going from strangers who set up fantasy encounters-- and kept all non encounter moments to a minimum to keep things more edgy--to actually becoming attached, the relationship changing, a sort of friendship and bond that went beyond fulfilling each others fetishes forming. It was just very interesting to watch everything unfold. The very serious bits, the hot and heavy, the touches of humor mixed in. I really enjoyed all of the different facets of these two.
[She's got a pretty big case of the mads happening here] "Where were you, that you couldn't send an e-mail or text or make a phone call even once in three weeks?"

"Antarctica."

Smart-ass. I could slap him. Then I realize--he's serious. Completely.

I repeat, "Antarctica?"

"Yes," Then his expression softens slightly, becomes less savage, more...human. "Well, Patagonia mostly. I was based in Punta Arenas, Chile. But from there I was able to charter a plane south for some flyover photography."

"Of Antarctica."

Jonah smiles, and it's not a smirk this time.
---
The one place in the entire world that's completely off the grid: That's where he was. I tuck another loose strand of hair behind my ear, "I have to admit, that's...a pretty solid excuse."
The heat factor is through the roof. It's edgy, dark and incredibly erotic. If rape is a trigger for you this is definitely one to avoid. The two have an arrangement to role play with each other and things get very intense and realistic. You could feel that edge of real fear mixed in with the desire they both had. Everything was consensual and safe--they were very frank and open in discussion prior to starting things which I thought was fantastic. Including condoms, safewords, testing, hard limits. For such a risky agreement between them they went into it very smartly which, for me, was a lot of what made it work.
Unlock your door at ten P.M. No earlier. I don't want you to do anything unsafe.

Protecting me as he plans to terrorize me. This is the paradox of Jonah Marks.
My only complaint--other than the cover because seriously?--was the ending. But in a way the ending worked so very well. It turns out this is a two part story and they'll have another book out later this year. Usually that makes me absolutely livid. But somehow while I was kind of annoyed the ending was also perfect. It's not a cliffhanger exactly but it's not a total ending either. Kind of open ended which reminds me a bit of how Cara McKenna does her books and I do adore hers. Overall it worked here. But it kept this one from being a 5 star read which it very much was heading towards.

Asking For It flowed, had tremendous depth and a richness to it. Pace is one that all erotica lovers and those who favor dark romances need to watch out for. If this is what she does with a debut book (in the genre since I believe she writes under another name) she's going to be phenomenal once she's gotten a few under her belt. If you like to push yourself and read unconventional relationships don't miss this one. It really was a knock out.

Do you like dark romances?
Do you have a favorite edgy theme that just pulls you in?

Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by force, by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy. When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.

Their arrangement is twisted. The sex is incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists. But the secrets in their pasts threaten to turn their affair even darker...

Reader Advisory: Asking for It deals explicitly with fantasies of non-consensual sex. Readers sensitive to portrayals of non-consensual sex should be advised.

Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

  



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