Identity Crisis
Lila MunroBDSM
Available from Rebel Ink Press
March 2011
| Tori is the pampered wife of Chad Dearborn, a rich and well-known man. Before she was a high-society wife, she spent her time at a BDSM club, which is where Chad found her. Chad is very clear that he can't be the sadist Tori craves. She must be his conservative, proper wife all but three days a year. During those three days, he allows a Dom or Domme to help them indulge in her wildest fantasies. After five years, he still can't bring himself to dole out the punishment. As their anniversary gift, he brings in a third, an alpha Dom to help Chad perfect his role as a beta Dom. Afterward, Tori must choose whether or not she wants Ren as a permanent addition to their marriage.
I liked the characters, but I didn't feel I knew them on any but the most superficial level. I'm not sure why a hardcore, masochistic submissive would consent to living the majority of her life without BDSM. That aside, Chad obviously loved and cherished Tori. She had a happy life and wanted for nothing, which is a fantasy I think most people have. I liked that Ren didn't come out of nowhere. He was a friend who had been a frequent visitor to their home. He helped Chad overcome his fears and learn how to use whips correctly. This story had a lot of potential. Tori's compromise and Chad's reluctance set up a great conflict. Because the bulk of the identity crisis actually belonged to Chad, I would have liked for the majority of the story to be told from his point of view. The sex scenes were told only from Tori's point of view. They were hot and erotic, but they lacked the emotionality they could have had if we were privy to Chad's emotional turmoil. I think the story could also have been improved with a little more research into BDSM. There's never an okay time to go from anal to vaginal sex with the same implement, and when a submissive is unable to speak, she needs a safe signal instead of a safe word. That aside, it was a hot, fun read, perfect for a lazy summer afternoon.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Clare |
