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Monday, June 27, 2016

Book #Review: Asking For It by Lilah Pace

Book Title: Asking For It ( Asking For It 1)
Author:  Lilah Pace|WebsiteTwitterFacebook|
Publisher:  Berkley
Genre: Erotic Romnce, BDSM, Erotica
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: ebook
Cost: $4.99
Pages: 336
How I got it: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound
Publication Date: June 6 2015
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Synopsis:
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.
*****TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT*******

I took a while to go into this because I needed to shore up my emotions and my mental walls before I could read this. Once I was ok then I read this and I loved every second I flew through this.  I really loved how Lilah dealt with the topic of the fantasy.  The clear and concise element of consent and it;s place in each scene.  I really loved how the story is from Vivienne POV and we only know how she truly feels.  Even though Jonah's actions back his words.

I loved that the characters were written so strongly and well developed, despite being smart well rounded people they still had things that were controlling them from their past and they just hadn't learned to lean on anyone yet.  I loved that Jonah heard her desire and made her feel like she was ok for wanting it, they set their rules and worked hard to make sure they were both getting what they wanted from it.  It made me wonder about him though and of course I needed to know more, about him about her, about everything involving their families.

I really enjoyed the exploration of the human/survivor's psyche and what makes us need the things we do.  It's so sad the amount of victims who must see their abusers each and every single days and how ti affects them.  I had to know how the story continued so I purchased the next one right away.  Price didn't matter and this point I needed to know.

I love that the author explored all the ways that Vivienne felt about the relationship that developed and about her wants and how it placed a strain on her.  Personally didn't find the story triggering at all but the detail of her history mad me cringe and shed a tear.

I think it was done wonderfully and want to read more from her.  She didn't try to normalize or demonize the things being done she just shared the reality and how it affects each person differently. The part that made me realize just how well this was written came several weeks later, when my office was moving and we had to shred the old files, I was checking one of them out and in the process found the patient's note to the Dr and in it the patient detailed her experience including her fantasies that developed and it was a little shocking to realize how similar they were to Vivienne's.  Afterward I made it a point to ask one of the sex therapist on staff and she noted that it happens way more than people talk about.  

I have read all of the series and can say I highly recommend it and if you are easily triggered this still is a good book because you can see how consent is discussed and note the way in which the characters go about exploring their fantasy.
★★★★
Read with caution my loves, but know that it is truly worth the read.  And I highly recommend this series.