"It reminded him of that saying about roses having thorns.
She was just as beautiful and certainly as prickly,
but he sensed she wasn't always like that.
The way she acted was more of a defense mechanism than a real part of her personality."
She was just as beautiful and certainly as prickly,
but he sensed she wasn't always like that.
The way she acted was more of a defense mechanism than a real part of her personality."
--Lauren Smith, The Gilded Cage
Genre: Adult Contemporary, Erotica, Suspense
Genre: Adult Contemporary, Erotica, Suspense
Publisher: Forever Books
Pages: 384
Publication Date: June 2nd, 2015
Source: eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Previous Books in Series: The Gilded Cuff
Goodreads Description
Passion that takes no prisoners, and love that tests the limits of ecstasy . . .
Fenn Lockwood comes alive in the shadows. Though he might have physically survived the kidnapping that stole his childhood, the trauma and pain he lived through have marked him forever. Now the only place where Fenn can be himself is within the walls of his private BDSM world—a place of erotic obsession, where desire isn't just captured . . . it's bound.
Hayden Thorne knows that behind Fenn's hardened exterior is a man worth fighting for. Yet to save him from the past that still haunts him, Hayden will have to abandon every inhibition she's ever had and venture into Fenn's intoxicatingly sensual world. Each tantalizing second she spends in Fenn's searing embrace is more delicious than the last and soon Hayden begins to think that she may never want to leave such torturous bliss . . .
Passion that takes no prisoners, and love that tests the limits of ecstasy . . .
Fenn Lockwood comes alive in the shadows. Though he might have physically survived the kidnapping that stole his childhood, the trauma and pain he lived through have marked him forever. Now the only place where Fenn can be himself is within the walls of his private BDSM world—a place of erotic obsession, where desire isn't just captured . . . it's bound.
Hayden Thorne knows that behind Fenn's hardened exterior is a man worth fighting for. Yet to save him from the past that still haunts him, Hayden will have to abandon every inhibition she's ever had and venture into Fenn's intoxicatingly sensual world. Each tantalizing second she spends in Fenn's searing embrace is more delicious than the last and soon Hayden begins to think that she may never want to leave such torturous bliss . . .
It is no secret I love this series. The Gilded Cuff was the first erotic novel I ever cried while reading. The emotions are high and the suspense/mystery of the story is compelling and horrifying, and with The Gilded Cage we get just as much emotion and more, including a resolution to that mystery. This book continues our story right where the last book left off. Hayden has flown to Colorado to get to Fenn first and sparks fly almost immediately but I never got the sense of insta-love. Both Fenn and Hayden are cautious with one another and don't believe the other could ever be in it for the long haul. While this sounds like it could be irritating with the mixed communication, it is anything but.
The Romance
The dynamic between Hayden and Fenn is hot as all hell but it still builds in anticipation. Fenn is more hesitant to start anything with Hayden because of where she comes from and Hayden, while completely infatuated with Fenn, doesn't push him. I loved that they started to become friends and then circumstances brought them even closer together.
The Story
The drama of this story does not abate at all. Somebody is still after the Lockwood brothers and even the backwoods of Colorado does not keep this killer away. I'm not usually into romantic suspense but THIS is a huge hit! I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and who would be behind it and how it would resolve. The climax of this conflict is brutal and made my heart pound with trepidation and fear. I had so many emotions while reading these scenes because I LOVE these characters so incredibly much and they love one another just as much.
The Love
SPEAKING of emotion and love for these characters, there are so many moments of such pure love that, AGAIN, I found myself crying. No spoilers, but let's just say a few reunions happen and oh.my.heart. could not take it. It was SO heartfelt and emotional and so, so, so well done. I want to lay out in detail SO BADLY what was going on but I refuse to give spoilers. I will give a mild spoiler and tell you my favorite interactions by far were between the two Lockwood brothers...*le sigh*.
The Set-Up
What I love about these books is the perfect balance between the mystery and the romance. I love that the romance isn't the total focus of the book and while it is not overshadowed by the killer in their midst, the balance between the two kept me invested and nowhere near bored. I also loved the glimpse and beginnings we get into our next couple...where the hero actually kind of scares the shit out of me...but in the best way. CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!! (And hopefully a few more after that one *fingers crossed*)
The Romance
The dynamic between Hayden and Fenn is hot as all hell but it still builds in anticipation. Fenn is more hesitant to start anything with Hayden because of where she comes from and Hayden, while completely infatuated with Fenn, doesn't push him. I loved that they started to become friends and then circumstances brought them even closer together.
The Story
The drama of this story does not abate at all. Somebody is still after the Lockwood brothers and even the backwoods of Colorado does not keep this killer away. I'm not usually into romantic suspense but THIS is a huge hit! I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and who would be behind it and how it would resolve. The climax of this conflict is brutal and made my heart pound with trepidation and fear. I had so many emotions while reading these scenes because I LOVE these characters so incredibly much and they love one another just as much.
The Love
SPEAKING of emotion and love for these characters, there are so many moments of such pure love that, AGAIN, I found myself crying. No spoilers, but let's just say a few reunions happen and oh.my.heart. could not take it. It was SO heartfelt and emotional and so, so, so well done. I want to lay out in detail SO BADLY what was going on but I refuse to give spoilers. I will give a mild spoiler and tell you my favorite interactions by far were between the two Lockwood brothers...*le sigh*.
The Set-Up
What I love about these books is the perfect balance between the mystery and the romance. I love that the romance isn't the total focus of the book and while it is not overshadowed by the killer in their midst, the balance between the two kept me invested and nowhere near bored. I also loved the glimpse and beginnings we get into our next couple...where the hero actually kind of scares the shit out of me...but in the best way. CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK!!! (And hopefully a few more after that one *fingers crossed*)
The Gilded Chain
The fact that I don't have this book in my hand right now is a major 'Beast' and problem for me...*sigh*...
The fact that I don't have this book in my hand right now is a major 'Beast' and problem for me...*sigh*...
Backstage Pass
If you love a romance with a mystery, all the feels, and hot hot hot guys...this book's for you.
If you love a romance with a mystery, all the feels, and hot hot hot guys...this book's for you.
I also really loved this!!! I totally teared up too -- i was NOT expecting there to be so many emotional scenes. I adored Hayden and liked her independence. And I'm def going back to read Cuff. But I do really love Fenn. Like seriously, give me wranglers and a cowboy hat any day. And Coda! <3
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