Chain Me, I'm Yours

"I don't just want to belong to someone.
I want someone to belong to me."

--Lauren Smith, The Gilded Chain

Genre: Adult Romance, Erotica

Publisher: Forever Romance

Pages: 297

Publication Date: November 3rd, 2015

Source: ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

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Previous Books in Series: Gilded Cuff & Gilded Cage

Goodreads Description 

Explore a hidden world of erotic fantasies, where the greatest pleasures are stolen and the fiercest passions are untamed. . .

For years, Callie Taylor has been obsessed with two things: a man she can never have and escaping to Paris where she can follow her artistic passions. But everything changes when Callie meets Wes Thorne, a wealthy, mysterious art collector and famous dominant. Despite all the nights she's spent dreaming of another man, it is Wes's predatory gaze that suddenly consumes her every thought and sets her body on fire. One touch from him promises unforgettable passion, but Callie knows that passion often comes with a price...

From the moment he sets eyes on Callie, Wes is intrigued by her artistic talent and her delightful innocence of all things erotic. A stolen kiss leaves him aching and desperate to claim her in a way he's never wanted any woman. But first he must convince her to surrender her control. And what better place to seduce an artistic soul like Callie's than Paris?

*sigh* Before I started this book I had previously DNF'd two books in a row. I needed something that would get me out of this bad book funk. Lauren Smith, Wes, and Callie got me back into my groove. Here's why..

The Setting
Circumstances bring our main duo, Wes and Callie, to Paris. This. Was. Amazing. The sights, the food, the art, it all came to life in my head. I loved walking the streets of Paris and reading about the meals they ate, it was completely brought to life. Reading about Callie experience this city and all it has to offer was beautiful.

The Romance
Reading about her seeing Wes in a whole new light was even more beautiful. Her vulnerability was my favorite part. Combine that with her fiery nature and it makes for some great plot points. My favorite part of the entire book is after a very poignant and important moment and things happen, words are exchanged, and this bitch hauls back and slaps the shit out of Wes. It is legit my favorite part of the book. What she says to Wes at this moment is some of the most honest and best communicated words to her feelings I have ever read. She doesn't let the gray area invade and intimidate her actions, she says exactly what she's feeling and tells it like it is. It's fucking amazing. I loved every second and I read that part approximately 5 times.

Beyond that, their courtship is fantastic. I loved how Wes knew her heart was with another but waited patiently for her to realize that what she felt for Fenn would be nothing compared to requited love with a partner who loves her. The journey isn't smooth and isn't easy but it is so worth it in the end. I loved how devoted he was to her and made it his job to make her feel comfortable in her new surroundings. Another favorite part of mine is when he takes her on a shopping trip in Paris. Oh, holy fucking swoon. I was so hearts in eyes at this moment. It was amazing. Not to mention that Wes is protective as all fuck and it is so freaking hot. When people try to put their relationship down, he goes ape-shit and it's freaking brilliant. Hot hot hot.

The Mystery
Mystery/thriller books are not something I really gravitate towards but when I do find one that works for me, I absolutely love it. Lauren has the amazing ability to weave in a mystery without overpowering the story or making it seem unrealistic. I had no idea this would even be an element with how the second book ended and this one was integrated perfectly. She is the Mistress of my thriller heart in that she gives me exactly what I need without me even asking for it...see what I did there?

The Sex Frequency
My only complaint is that I felt the sex was a little excessive. I KNOW! Who am I right now?! I love the sexy times but with Callie being a virgin, the number of times she and Wes copulate seemed a bit over the top. They were hot, don't get me wrong but it seemed to overpower that section of the book.

Backstage Pass
If you love accurate BDSM, Parisian settings, and protective alphas...this book is for you.

Cuff Me, I'm Yours

"No one had ever...
She closed her eyes a moment, trying to regain control.
It was all she'd ever craved, in the darkest, loneliest part of her soul.
One wish: to be wanted.
And he'd uttered those longed-for words with the hunger of a starving man."

--Lauren Smith, The Gilded Cuff

Genre: Adult Contemporary and Erotica

Publisher: Forever Yours

Pages: 352

Publication Date: February 10th, 2015

Source: eARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review

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Previous Books in Series: First book in series of companions

Goodreads Description

Every passion has its price . . .

Journalist Sophie Ryder has been following Emery Lockwood’s story since she was a little girl. There has always been something in his haunted eyes that she couldn’t resist and now, when she’s certain he holds the key to solving a string of kidnappings, she’ll do anything to speak to him. Even if it means venturing deep into the seductive world of the Gilded Cuff, a luxurious BDSM club on Long Island’s Gold Coast and Emery’s personal playground.

From the moment Sophie enters his shadowy, sensual domain, Emery Lockwood knows this tantalizing new little sub was meant to belong to him. However, Sophie wants more from Emery than just pleasure . . . she wants his past. And that is something he isn’t willing to give—no matter who is asking. But every moment he spends with Sophie, Emery feels his control slipping and he knows it’s only a matter of time before he surrenders to her heart, body, and soul.

When Estelle told me she had a book she thought I’d like, I immediately perked up. One-Estelle knows my twisted, dirty little heart probably better than anyone and two-she has yet to steer me wrong in the directions of smut. With that said, I was excited to read The Gilded Cuff and my expectations were high. Disappointment was not present Estelle for the win, yet again.

The Gilded Cuff follows Sophie, an investigative journalist who is trying to solve the 25 year old mystery of a kidnapping of twin boys. One survived, Emery Lockwood, and Sophie is braving the underground world of a BDSM club that her friend got her into. Her perogative? Get his attention so she can save his life. What? Where did that come from? WELL, Sophie is also a special kind of genius that she helps solve cold case kidnappings because she can see patterns in behavior and more likely than not catch who did it. Yeah, she’s that badass. So she goes to find Emery, they meet…and that’s where I leave you…I know, I’m awful, tell me something I don’t know.

I will nitpick my one point right now and move on because it is something I noticed and had an eyebrow raise on. The story is pretty insta-love-y. Don’t let that dissuade you though because while it was present, I chose to ignore it because for the plot and storyline to work these two people needed a deep connection. Don’t get me wrong, these two individuals were definitely supposed to meet in the destiny way of things because they have more things in common than you would think so their connection is anything but unbelievable. But shit gets real, real fast but it didn’t bother me. Moving on.

The BDSM component was pretty stellar. I love Sophie’s curiosity and desire to please yet at the same time totally rebelled. I loved the juxtaposition of her willingness to want to submit to Emery but also knew what her hard limits were. I also really enjoyed that Emery saw this thing with her as more than just a D/s relationship. He wanted more from her almost immediately and made sure she knew it. I feel like the emotional component of these relationships lacks a lot with the submissive (usually the heroine) feeling like the Dominant only wants her for the obedience and sexual relationship and that is so not the case here and I loved it. Emery wanted feelings and talking and emotions and opening up and it was beautiful…then you add in the sexual component and it’s just hot as all hell.

While I loved their relationship, the kidnapping aspect is what really kept me turning the pages. I was so invested in finding out who was doing this and why and what was going to happen that I couldn’t put the book down. Add in to that the absolutely heart-wrenching moment when Emery talked about his kidnapping and his brother just BROKE my fucking heart. I could feel his pain and suffering about his brother and how much it hurts him still. I cried…y’all I actually cried while reading a smut book. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. It HURT, you guys! The thought of a sibling in that situation with you trying to protect you is just heart-breaking. I can’t guys. I just can’t.

The book ends with a mostly definite conclusion but not all our questions are answered. I love this. I can’t wait for the next book for the continuation of the kidnapping story…but it’s also a companion novel with another main man as our focus…who is it?…I’ll never tell…

Backstage Pass

If you like BDSM, emotional characterizations, and a helluva good mystery…this book is for you.