For me personally, I must say that the D/s style relationship portrayed in the first book (Sweet Surrender) was more my style – in that I could understand better.

This one was a bit too much. But, then again, I don’t really understand the idea of “punishment” – no way would I let someone whip me to punish me – I just don’t get it. I can (sort of) understand the idea of spanking etc for pleasure but in this book there was a scene where she wasn’t supposed to get any pleasure from it – it was purely punishment. Frankly, I just didn’t understand it. Maybe I just don’t understand this type of lifestyle well enough but it crossed the line and well into abuse territory for me at this point.

Also, at the end of the book, I didn’t understand how they were going to work out as a couple. It was all “we’ll see how we go, we’ll be together and work from there” but I wasn’t clear on how that was going to be.

On the one hand, Damon had been very clear that what he wanted was a woman to live the “fantasy” as real life. So, I gathered from that, that he wanted the experience he had with Serena all the time. Serena, on the other hand, just wanted to try the fantasy and didn’t want that all the time. Even though she enjoyed pleasing Damon she struggled with living it forever after. For me, this conflict wasn’t really resolved. They ended up together – but how?

Does Damon tone it down because Serena herself makes him happy? Does Serena just acquiesce to Damon’s desires despite her misgivings? Does that mean he gets to “punish” (aka abuse) her if she doesn’t want something?

In the fantasy, the if Serena says “no” it’s all over red rover. What happens if she says “no” IRL? This wasn’t discussed.

Perhaps it will be picked up in the next book. The first in the series didn’t mention Serena at all and only briefly mentioned Julie. This book has actual sections about Julie and her “quest” for Nathan. So, in that sense it was a different set up from the first. Maybe the Serena/Damon story will be added to in the 3rd book.

The other thing I wondered about (and maybe this is just me thinking too much!) was – what happens if Serena and Damon stay together and then have children? Do the kids watch mum walking around the house naked all the time because dad likes it? How do the kids learn about the real world? What sort of dynamic is between Damon and Serena (hey, I just realised their initials are D/s – coincidence? – I think not! Sorry, I digress…) as parents? How can they be “equals” as parents if they are not actually equals as partners? (although this last question may just reveal my total disconnect with this type of relationship).

The dynamic between Gray and Faith is much more understandable in this regard – he comes across as an uber-alpha male but he adores Faith and I can see how their relationship works. I just can’t see it for Damon and Serena – at least not from this book alone.

I know it’s been a while since anyone posted about this book, but I’d love to hear what others think.

I am looking forward to Micah’s book – I quite like him as a character and he is much closer to Gray’s “type” than Damon’s – I think this one will be book 4 in the series as Julie/Nathan’s is next. As for Book 3 – well, at this stage I’ll read it because I plan on reading book 4 and I’ve read the first 2 but really, I’m thinking “meh”.

A lot of this is very hard to understand and relate to, and it makes me uncomfortable. But the story is well-written and strangely compelling.

I don’t have any problems reading about the “out there” sex stuff, but it’s the non-sex behavior that is hard to take. The worst thing to me is when Damon makes her walk around completely naked in front of the housekeeper and chauffeur, knowing that she is very modest and doesn’t like it. That comes across as humiliating and downright degrading. And mean. For some reason that bothers me more than cuffing her to the bed and having her lie on that pallet and all the other stuff.

I still enjoyed this book despite my discomfort and thus the writing must have been good because otherwise I would have thrown a book like this with this topic against the wall.

That’s just how I felt about the book myself. Hated the subject matter, really appreciated the story and the writing.

I don't mind it when it's obviously just “play”, but when the characters are seriously interested in maintaining a long-term D/s relationship, it's a turn-off for me.

I feel the same way. I can handle it in a fantasy or if they’re just playing at it but not as “real life.” That’s why I can’t read some of Joey Hill’s books even though I know they’re sure to be well written.

It will probably make me uncomfortable, but then again, I am curious about the whole D/s thing, so it might enlighten me a little too! (I’m looking forward to some comments from Sarah Frantz about this one too).

For me it was a roller coaster ride of emotions and trying to understand where she was coming from, I’m glad I took the trip. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.