Enter a decadent sensual world where gorgeous alpha males are committed to fulfilling a woman's every desire…
Olivier isn’t sure what he’s gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him hungers for the lifestyle offered by this exclusive club. Here, no boundary will be left untested…and one's deepest fantasies will become an exquisite reality.
When Amélie invites Olivier to surrender, she gives the alpha submissive what he craves. Soon they both find themselves falling harder than they ever anticipated—but as their connection deepens, the truth about Olivier’s past could destroy everything…
Gripping and seductive, The Deep End is the first book in a sensational new series from bestselling author Kristen Ashley.
ARC received for an honest review
The Deep End and The Honey series is a big departure from Kristen Ashley's sexy overprotective alpha that we have come to know and love, but hey, it is a Kristen Ashley book!
The Deep End delves into the world of BDSM, but with a twist to what we usually find - here we have a Domme, Amelie, and her alpha-sub Olivier.
I am not going to lie, I did struggle with the first half of the book. I felt that it dragged, that our lovelies were in rinse-wash-repeat mode. But the second half of the book felt a lot better.
I adored Olivier (Olly) and his struggles to come to terms with what he wants, what he needs in his life. I loved his alpha coming through, even though he isn't "topping from the bottom". I need a man like that in my life I think!
Amelie (Leigh) though, I just couldn't connect with her. Not sure what it was about her, but I couldn't warm up to her as much as I could other characters.
Ms Ashley always paints a very detailed picture for us - but maybe to me this was a little bit too wordy? But that could just me my little quirk.
Like I said, this is so completely different from anything else Ms Ashley has given us to date. But you will need to put your preconceived notions of "what is a Kristen Ashley book" aside and jump into The Deep End feet first.
Now I need the next in this series.
EXCERPT
“Here you go, Leigh.”
Mirabelle was extending her phone, which was good and bad.
Good because Amélie had not managed to unobtrusively deep breathe, her shallow breaths making her feel light-headed, and she needed something else to focus on.
Bad because what she was focusing on would be the profile of that beast.
She took Mirabelle’s phone and turned it her way.
O.H.
Security: Kitten
Hobbies: Everything
Limitations: Nothing
Notes: None
Hobbies: Everything
Limitations: Nothing
Notes: None
Translated, that meant:
INITIALS OR OTHER IDENTIFIER
Safe word: Kitten
Inclinations: Into anything
Boundaries, Rules, Unacceptable Play: None
Safe word: Kitten
Inclinations: Into anything
Boundaries, Rules, Unacceptable Play: None
Even with those few words, it was a surprising profile. Experienced subs, the only ones allowed on the floor, knew their boundaries and most had them. In this club, the vast majority were extreme, such as branding, marking, scarring, strangling, sensory deprivation, and so on.
But they had them.
She hadn’t seen a profile that open in a long time.
And the safe word “kitten” showed the beast had a sense of humor. He had the look that just uttering that cute word, which would bring images of the adorable creatures, would make him violently ill.
“Go hit that, tigress,” Mirabelle urged, and Amélie lookedto her.
Before she could say a word, Mirabelle continued.
“Get in there. Three times here, he’ll have heard of you. He’ll be holding out in hopes you’ll be extending the invitation to initiating him to our playrooms. I know it.” She leaned across the table. “Rock his world, lovely.”
She studied her friend, the open excitement, the budding love she was experiencing with her submissive, that time when life takes on clarity so pure and extraordinary, you want everyone to experience it with you.
She turned her head to the beast.
Years of experience only marred twice by two toys she’d had who held great promise, but who eventually fell short of the real thing, taught her that tonight, she would definitely enjoy herself.
But he might be champagne. He might be bourbon. He might, surprisingly, be cognac or port.
The bottom line was that she had to keep expectations low so she wouldn’t be devastated when he didn’t turn out to be top-shelf whisky.
Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen's Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.
Nothing's changed.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.
Nothing's changed.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she's blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.