ARC Review + Excerpt: The Deep End by Kristen Ashley

“While this book was not a favorite of mine by the author, it was well written and the characters were well developed.”
~ Under the Covers

I was elated at the opportunity to review an ARC of The Deep End. I would get to read this book, the first in a brand-new series by one of my favorite authors before release, yippee que the trumpets. With all that excitement came a sense of temerity as having read the blurb for this novel, I was very aware that Ms. Ashley would take a huge veer away from her trademark formula. Ms. Ashley excels in writing an awesome set of an Alpha male and a strong female character all wrapped up with some suspense, culminating with a beautifully fulfilling HEA. I have experienced another favorite author of mine decide to try to navigate the written world of BDSM with and Alpha Sub and it was greatly disappointing. I struggled greatly with the idea of an Alpha Sub then and once I finished reading The Deep End I find that I still do.

In The Deep End, we meet Amelie, aka Leigh-Leigh a domme well versed in the BDSM realm and continuously searching for that special someone. Prior partners have not been able to stand the test of time, nor were they able to become a true partner in life. Enter Olivier aka Olly an ALPHA male huge and strong in every sense. Olivier is more of a novice who has conned his way into a membership at the elite sex club The Honey, Olly has been searching for someone to understand and meet his needs. The chemistry of Amelie and Olivier was strong yet for me I was not convinced that such an Alpha male could be so great a sexual submissive. It left me always wondering perhaps if this was a case of “Sybil” and maybe he was schizophrenic, a thought that would have made these vast personality swings more believable to me. The erotic scenes were many and some I thoroughly enjoyed, however I have a big issue with humiliation in any form and that is the way I perceived many parts of this book, whether that was not what was intended it is what I so strongly perceived. There were parts to this story that for my personal taste went too far, at one point I cringed as some references and scenes, almost making me think of bestiality, in fact her pet name for him was beast. During this journey as these 2 characters fall in love we meet other characters which I am hoping will have their own stories told in future installments. Future installments that I will read as I would like to see where else Ms. Ashley takes us amongst her talented storytelling in the world of BDSM.

While this book was not a favorite of mine by the author, it was well written and the characters were well developed. I recommend you read this book if you are comfortable diving into BDSM erotic romance, specifically with an Alpha Sub character you may be more open minded than I and not have issue with any of the scenes or actions of this story. I wholeheartedly wanted to love this book as she is such a beloved author of mine. An auto buy every time, I will still be ready to one click on the next release of this series and any other release that she may have.

If you like a good strong Alpha male character, yet are not too interested in the BDSM realm I strongly recommend that you read Rock Chick or please stop by her site for a full booklist and suggested reading order and make another selection as I guarantee they will not disappoint. http://www.kristenashley.net/titles/reading-order/

 

EXCERPT

She turned back to him. “You seem to have a good deal of stamina.”

“Amélie…Mistress, I don’t think you’re getting’ that I seriously find you not hard on the eyes.”

She bent closer, as intended for this part of their session, some of her fair falling on his chest in another caress. She did this letting her amusement show, if not all of the emotion she felt at his compliment.

“I wonder, mon chou, if you think you can butter me up with compliments.”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Though not sure why I’d bother since I didn’t give you one and you just made me shoot a huge-ass load the like that have never come from my cock.”

“And he gives another compliment,” she said through a smile.

“You earn it, I’ll say it, he replied, his lips twitching. “That is, if I’m physically capable of speech.”

She was still smiling when she reached out a hand and delicately traced circles around his nipple.

His eyes darkened.

Her good humor increased.

“You’re of course aware I should do something about you being so audaciously cheeky.”

Another darkness crossed his face. “What?”

“I shouldn’t allow you to be cheeky with me.”

“Cheeky?”

“Impudent,” she explained.

The look fled. “You mean, in uppity, hot-chick speak, a wise-ass.”

Amélie couldn’t help it, she laughed softly.

“She’s got a pretty laugh, too, to go with that pretty accent,” he murmured and she saw his eyes on her lips.

I could get lost in this one, she thought. Lost and never found.

[about-author author=”Kristen Ashley”]

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