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Pleasure House #2
Broken Dolls
A broken woman. A sociopathic killer. An unlikely love story.
The house promises a kind master, but the monster in the dungeon wants her. And Brian breaks all his toys.
Mina Calloway always finds herself in the hands of the wrong master: Gentle at first, then brutally sadistic and abusive. She no longer believes it’s possible to find a man who will be gentle with her. After seeing a kink-friendly therapist for months, the doctor makes her an illicit offer she isn’t yet smart enough to refuse: “Let me find you a good master.”
Brian Sloan is a dangerous sociopath with a dark and brutal past. Only taking his sadistic urges out on the women at a submissive training house allows him to sleep through the night. When Brian sees Mina, she should be ripe for the picking, but her damage is too similar to his own. Can he fight past his demons to protect the one person he considers worth saving?
Note: This book happens in the same world as Guilty Pleasures with reoccurring settings and characters. However, it is not a direct sequel and it isn’t necessary to have read Guilty Pleasures first. If you enjoy this book, you can continue Brian and Mina’s story in “Brian and Mina’s Holiday Hits”, The Easter Hunt is the first novella in this 5 novella series continuing their story. They also make recurring cameos throughout The Pleasure House books.
The house promises a kind master, but the monster in the dungeon wants her. And Brian breaks all his toys.
Mina Calloway always finds herself in the hands of the wrong master: Gentle at first, then brutally sadistic and abusive. She no longer believes it’s possible to find a man who will be gentle with her. After seeing a kink-friendly therapist for months, the doctor makes her an illicit offer she isn’t yet smart enough to refuse: “Let me find you a good master.”
Brian Sloan is a dangerous sociopath with a dark and brutal past. Only taking his sadistic urges out on the women at a submissive training house allows him to sleep through the night. When Brian sees Mina, she should be ripe for the picking, but her damage is too similar to his own. Can he fight past his demons to protect the one person he considers worth saving?
Note: This book happens in the same world as Guilty Pleasures with reoccurring settings and characters. However, it is not a direct sequel and it isn’t necessary to have read Guilty Pleasures first. If you enjoy this book, you can continue Brian and Mina’s story in “Brian and Mina’s Holiday Hits”, The Easter Hunt is the first novella in this 5 novella series continuing their story. They also make recurring cameos throughout The Pleasure House books.
220 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2014
379 people are currently reading
6520 people want to read
About the author
Kitty Thomas
55 books4,890 followers😈 Author of Comfort Food, published in early 2010: The OG (original gangster/the first) Dark Romance 😈
NEW RELEASE:
RUTHLESS DEVOTION: A dark stalker forced marriage romance:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Devot...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/ruthless...
"If dark romance with obsession, danger, and just the right touch of chaos is your thing, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read. Aidan is intense, unhinged in the best way, and completely fixated on Maddie—yet somehow, you can’t help falling for him.”-Booksnliftsdiary, Goodreads
"Dark, Twisted, and Addictively Compelling.” – Good Booking Girl, Goodreads
"Maddie is strong, she is smart, and I love her. I’ll be honest I was not sure how Kitty Thomas was gonna get me on team Aiden but she did! I can’t wait to read more from this author!” – Katlyn, Goodreads
Get a FREE ebook when you subscribe to my newsletter: https://kittythomas.com/free-book/
🔥 COMFORT FOOD, the OG Dark Romance: 🔥
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Food-K...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/comfort-...
🔥 BOOK OF THE WEEK: 🔥
For readers who like to share promotional images on their socials or in groups, you can get those here: https://bookbrush.com/reader-hub/Kitt...
Kitty began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling, COMFORT FOOD.
Thank you for reading!
Kitty ^.^
NEW RELEASE:
RUTHLESS DEVOTION: A dark stalker forced marriage romance:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Devot...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/ruthless...
"If dark romance with obsession, danger, and just the right touch of chaos is your thing, Ruthless Devotion is a must-read. Aidan is intense, unhinged in the best way, and completely fixated on Maddie—yet somehow, you can’t help falling for him.”-Booksnliftsdiary, Goodreads
"Dark, Twisted, and Addictively Compelling.” – Good Booking Girl, Goodreads
"Maddie is strong, she is smart, and I love her. I’ll be honest I was not sure how Kitty Thomas was gonna get me on team Aiden but she did! I can’t wait to read more from this author!” – Katlyn, Goodreads
Get a FREE ebook when you subscribe to my newsletter: https://kittythomas.com/free-book/
🔥 COMFORT FOOD, the OG Dark Romance: 🔥
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Food-K...
All Links: https://kittythomas.com/book/comfort-...
🔥 BOOK OF THE WEEK: 🔥
For readers who like to share promotional images on their socials or in groups, you can get those here: https://bookbrush.com/reader-hub/Kitt...
Kitty began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling, COMFORT FOOD.
Thank you for reading!
Kitty ^.^
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
July 28, 2022
📚 I must say it’s been some time since I’ve read Pleasure House Series
Mina Calloway
Jason seems to be her last-ditch effort In the Dome and submissive relationships. It just didn’t feel like the right Lifestyle fit for her anymore.
Jason was no real DOM, what DOM Would abuse their submissive in front of his friends. what DOM whipped their submissive without reason? Or cut them, or put out cigarettes on them, then Jason passed her around like some old shoes…….. no real Dom would do that, so yeah It seems like Every man Mina trusted turned out to be a monster
There was nothing left of her. One small piece at a time had been traded out while she’d hardly noticed… and now… she didn’t recognize any of it. She didn’t recognize herself anymore.
Mina felt broken, so she went in search for a kink-friendly therapist, hoping that they might be able fix her, Instead, she found something much, much worse.
Welcome back to the Pleasure House.
Mina is schedule to be auction, but first she needs to be trained properly.
Brian was a blunt force instrument designed to do damage, create fear, and keep every girl obedient on threat of being sent to him. He was the enforcer. With him there, the house only needed one.
Brian is a full-on sociopath. If he wasn’t doing this, he’d probably be a serial killer
January 5, 2015
Best way to describe Kitty Thomas and her novels?
Her writing, the way she pulls you into the absolute darkest parts of human wants and needs and urges, how she effortlessly walks down the road of everything that is "forbidden" or "taboo"... Kitty Thomas is a queen of mind-fuck stories.
Fink - Perfect Darkness
Broken Dolls happens in the same fictional setting as Guilty Pleasures, but if you don't want to, there is no need to read that book first. As someone who read them both, I assure you that you will not miss anything.
Fink - Warm Shadow
What can you expect?
- The most darkest and twisted Beauty and the Beast kind of story. With scars, pain, D/s relationship, kidnap and murder.
- The biggest monster of them all.
- Unconventional love story.
- Sweet moments in the world of complete brutality and cruelty.
Who should read it?
Fans of Kitty Thomas previous books. Everyone who loved Captive in the Dark and similar stories.
Come to the dark side,
we have cookies.
Her writing, the way she pulls you into the absolute darkest parts of human wants and needs and urges, how she effortlessly walks down the road of everything that is "forbidden" or "taboo"... Kitty Thomas is a queen of mind-fuck stories.
Fink - Perfect Darkness
Broken Dolls happens in the same fictional setting as Guilty Pleasures, but if you don't want to, there is no need to read that book first. As someone who read them both, I assure you that you will not miss anything.
Fink - Warm Shadow
What can you expect?
- The most darkest and twisted Beauty and the Beast kind of story. With scars, pain, D/s relationship, kidnap and murder.
- The biggest monster of them all.
- Unconventional love story.
- Sweet moments in the world of complete brutality and cruelty.
Who should read it?
Fans of Kitty Thomas previous books. Everyone who loved Captive in the Dark and similar stories.
October 13, 2015
KITTY THOMAS MARATHON!
** 4-4,5 “Run.” STARS **
“I don’t know if I love you or if I’m capable of it, but you are MINE. You will ALWAYS be mine.
In the future I will consider all the ways I could damage you,…, and I will protect you from those things. That’s THE BEST I can offer. I need your obedience, and I need you to understand that I’m TOO BROKEN to ever fix. I am what I am, but you are under my protection.
That HAS TO be enough.”
~ BRIAN
Kitty Thomas is full of surprises... In her previous book, Guilty Pleasures, we have met some of the characters and while reading Broken Dolls, I've realized I have misjudged them all.
Apparently, you can never know who the REAL monster is...
OVERALL: What an unconventional “love” story... I am speechless.
He lingered and held her gaze, a long moment of understanding passing between them. They were too BROKEN –both of them– clinging to each other at sea on a raft that would NEVER reach land.
P.S: This one can be read as a standalone, you don't need to get to Guilty Pleasures first, but I would STRONGLY recommend that you read them both, successively.
November 6, 2014
Broken Dolls by: Kitty Thomas
Mina Calloway
Always finds herself in the hands of the wrong master: Gentle at first, then brutally sadistic and abusive. She no longer believes it’s possible to find a man who will be gentle with her. After seeing a kink-friendly therapist for months, the doctor makes her an illicit offer she isn’t yet smart enough to refuse: “Let me find you a good master.”
Brian Sloan
Is a borderline sociopath with a dark and brutal past. Only taking his sadistic urges out on the women at a submissive training house allows him to sleep through the night. When Brian sees Mina, she should be ripe for the picking, but her damage is too similar to his own. Can he fight past his demons to protect the one person he considers worth saving?
A Special Offer from Kitty Thomas
The first 500 pre-orders made before 11:59 pm Pacific Time will get a signed book plate. Enter the giveaway below and your time stamped entry will be sent to Kitty. Please allow 48 hours after the end of the giveaway to receive an email from Kitty if you have won.
Pre-Order Today!
January 18, 2015
This can be read as a standalone. This is a WTF book. It wraps up too fast with no real resolution. I guess this is why life is so messy. Brian is the villain from the loosely tied first book, Guilty Pleasures. I didn't like him in that book. Although truth be told I didn't like Vivian either. Her cameo appearance in this book didn't impress me that much either.
The concept of this book is sound. I liked Brian quite a bit after reading this book. It gives me a new perspective of him. Mina who is the broken doll...I didn't feel anything for because I'm not interested in broken dolls. She does seem to broken to be fixed unless she wants to fix herself. She is pretty helpless and I guess it's why males torture and abuse her. She lets it happen.
This exclusive club seems as if it is going down a shit hole. The owners have lost control and the inmate are running the asylum. There are so many business things wrong with this story, it was frustrating. There is little BDSM in here other than used to prove a point that Brian is a fucked up asshole and really shouldn't be into BDSM. The blasé manner for killing people is rather disturbing yet oddly satisfying. I say this because in a fantasy world, people who are so damn annoying or a threat, killing them off is rather soothing.
It would be nice if the book club wasn't filled with princesses and cunts. It's be nice if this club wasn't so paradoxically. Why do I say this? Because the owner will assess a female for being trained and auctioned off, yet for some reason, they keep letting in bad eggs which need to be disciplined to scarification or killed off. WTF? Either these guys are terrible at assessing submissives or this is a contrived plot device which doesn't make sense to me. Still, I enjoyed the story because of Brian. Everyone else can burn in hell.
The concept of this book is sound. I liked Brian quite a bit after reading this book. It gives me a new perspective of him. Mina who is the broken doll...I didn't feel anything for because I'm not interested in broken dolls. She does seem to broken to be fixed unless she wants to fix herself. She is pretty helpless and I guess it's why males torture and abuse her. She lets it happen.
This exclusive club seems as if it is going down a shit hole. The owners have lost control and the inmate are running the asylum. There are so many business things wrong with this story, it was frustrating. There is little BDSM in here other than used to prove a point that Brian is a fucked up asshole and really shouldn't be into BDSM. The blasé manner for killing people is rather disturbing yet oddly satisfying. I say this because in a fantasy world, people who are so damn annoying or a threat, killing them off is rather soothing.
It would be nice if the book club wasn't filled with princesses and cunts. It's be nice if this club wasn't so paradoxically. Why do I say this? Because the owner will assess a female for being trained and auctioned off, yet for some reason, they keep letting in bad eggs which need to be disciplined to scarification or killed off. WTF? Either these guys are terrible at assessing submissives or this is a contrived plot device which doesn't make sense to me. Still, I enjoyed the story because of Brian. Everyone else can burn in hell.
January 5, 2025
I read the fifth book of this series first, and I'm glad I did because I would have hated Lindsay too much to ever want to see him get his HEA. However enough of him, because this is Mina and Brian's story and I loved every moment of this story about two broken souls
"clinging to each other at sea on a raft that would never reach land"
.
This isn't a romance in the typical sense of the word, but this pair definitely care for one another in a very unconventional and very unique way. I'm not sure how Kitty Thomas managed it, but she totally and utterly convinced me that Mina and Brian shared a connection much deeper than romantic love. A lasting connection that didn't make them whole, but made them able to cope with their brokenness.
Considering what we see and experience in book #1, this was a surprisingly unerotic tale, with very little sexual action and no real BDSM "play". And I never once missed it. I was far too invested in Mina and Brian's story, in how they would become the bandage that holds together the raw edges of the psychological wounds they both bear.
I do think this is the type of book you will love or hate, it isn't bland enough to just be a "meh" read. It ticked all my boxes and rang all my bells, rather than pushing any buttons, so I'm firmly in the absolutely loved it camp.
This isn't a romance in the typical sense of the word, but this pair definitely care for one another in a very unconventional and very unique way. I'm not sure how Kitty Thomas managed it, but she totally and utterly convinced me that Mina and Brian shared a connection much deeper than romantic love. A lasting connection that didn't make them whole, but made them able to cope with their brokenness.
Considering what we see and experience in book #1, this was a surprisingly unerotic tale, with very little sexual action and no real BDSM "play". And I never once missed it. I was far too invested in Mina and Brian's story, in how they would become the bandage that holds together the raw edges of the psychological wounds they both bear.
I do think this is the type of book you will love or hate, it isn't bland enough to just be a "meh" read. It ticked all my boxes and rang all my bells, rather than pushing any buttons, so I'm firmly in the absolutely loved it camp.
August 8, 2024
• If Dana says it's good, 100% chance it's good
• Kitty Thomas's dark romances make me feel (period). Her characters' darkness is magnetic.
• Sadistic sociopath pays 5 million to just to protect his broken angel.
• Some books you feel in your soul -- this was one
• Brian's athletic coaching had me ready to hop on a treadmill
• 10/10 will make you want a collar.
• Kitty Thomas's dark romances make me feel (period). Her characters' darkness is magnetic.
• Sadistic sociopath pays 5 million to just to protect his broken angel.
• Some books you feel in your soul -- this was one
• Brian's athletic coaching had me ready to hop on a treadmill
• 10/10 will make you want a collar.
August 31, 2018
3.5* broken STARS!
Just a little warning. For your own good, you better read Guilty Pleasures first because the inter connected world. Yes, the story is different but I'm afraid that my review contains spoiler. We will going back to the mansion where all the women train to be good slave for their future Master. Insane, huh?
The story contains forced submission but the woman already has the pervy side inside of them. The trio; the Good Doctor Lindsay Smith, the Spa Manager Anton, and the Bodyguard Gabe will return. Ah, don't forget Brian the Sadist. Broken Dolls is about Brian finding his chance against the odds.
Mina had 'escaped' from his abusive Master with scars and broken heart. She thought that she is not submissive enough. She went to therapist with Dr. Lindsay Smith but couldn't work it out. Desperate for a chance to cure herself and finding good master, she accepted the doctor's proposition. Mina abandoned all her life to the mansion where she will be 'trained' and fix herself
Brian is a cold person. The sadist who also equal partners in the mansion. He's the brain and the muscle. He always do the dirty work for the job. Because his dark and awful past, Brian has to keep feeding his sadism through pain. When Mina enter the place, Brian couldn't stop wanting her. Even owning Mina is one of his excuses to cure himself.
I'm quite enjoyed their chemistry. Both of them scared and frightened. Two lost broken souls meet through odd destiny. Brian promise not to hurt her beyond the agreement. Mina still afraid with Brian because yeah, he's the sadist and every girls kinda hated him yet jealous of her. Mina has been mindfuck by his old master, so she's kinda unstable and alarmed. But slowly, both of them are open to each other. It was slow, private and intense. Both of them is too reserved to open. There is no trust, yet. I marked this boring because there is no sexy times that i wish to happen *sob*
My favorite is when Brian bought her and made her collar with very detailed. Their intimate moment is in the 'prep' room. They're role-played as doctor and patient is kinda cute ;)
Broken Dolls isn't your HEA romance and there is no happily ever after. It contains psychological aspect of two broken human. I'm not expect Brian to be that kind of 'hero'. Because, Brian is a anti-hero and he would do anything to protect Mina. That's kinda impressive. I wish they could have happy ending and working their relationship to be deeper. However, it's still a better read than Mafia Captive :p
Just a little warning. For your own good, you better read Guilty Pleasures first because the inter connected world. Yes, the story is different but I'm afraid that my review contains spoiler. We will going back to the mansion where all the women train to be good slave for their future Master. Insane, huh?
The story contains forced submission but the woman already has the pervy side inside of them. The trio; the Good Doctor Lindsay Smith, the Spa Manager Anton, and the Bodyguard Gabe will return. Ah, don't forget Brian the Sadist. Broken Dolls is about Brian finding his chance against the odds.
Mina had 'escaped' from his abusive Master with scars and broken heart. She thought that she is not submissive enough. She went to therapist with Dr. Lindsay Smith but couldn't work it out. Desperate for a chance to cure herself and finding good master, she accepted the doctor's proposition. Mina abandoned all her life to the mansion where she will be 'trained' and fix herself
Brian is a cold person. The sadist who also equal partners in the mansion. He's the brain and the muscle. He always do the dirty work for the job. Because his dark and awful past, Brian has to keep feeding his sadism through pain. When Mina enter the place, Brian couldn't stop wanting her. Even owning Mina is one of his excuses to cure himself.
I'm quite enjoyed their chemistry. Both of them scared and frightened. Two lost broken souls meet through odd destiny. Brian promise not to hurt her beyond the agreement. Mina still afraid with Brian because yeah, he's the sadist and every girls kinda hated him yet jealous of her. Mina has been mindfuck by his old master, so she's kinda unstable and alarmed. But slowly, both of them are open to each other. It was slow, private and intense. Both of them is too reserved to open. There is no trust, yet. I marked this boring because there is no sexy times that i wish to happen *sob*
My favorite is when Brian bought her and made her collar with very detailed. Their intimate moment is in the 'prep' room. They're role-played as doctor and patient is kinda cute ;)
Broken Dolls isn't your HEA romance and there is no happily ever after. It contains psychological aspect of two broken human. I'm not expect Brian to be that kind of 'hero'. Because, Brian is a anti-hero and he would do anything to protect Mina. That's kinda impressive. I wish they could have happy ending and working their relationship to be deeper. However, it's still a better read than Mafia Captive :p
May 5, 2023
2023 : Losing track of how many times I've read this now and it's just as good every time.
-------
May 2019 reread- just as twisted as I remembered! I read this in one sitting and loved every second of it.
---------
As expected, I adored this book. I read this in one morning, I couldn't put it down. Kitty Thomas introduced me to dark erotica with Comfort Food. It blew my mind and world open and I haven't looked back since. While I've read so many other dark erotic stories in the last few years, this book just confirms why Kitty Thomas will forever be my favourite, not just my first dark erotica author.
First of all, I enjoyed this more than Guilty Pleasures, a previous Kitty book set in the same world. There's just something about the characters in this book that really appealed to me. Ever since I read and fell in love with Tender Mercies, I've been looking for something that scratches a similar itch. Broken Dolls is exactly what I've been looking for.
I adored Mina, she was fundamentally broken yet she refused to let that define her. She was so strong and determined to survive, any way she could. She makes no apologies for what she craves, even when at time she believes it's makes her damaged. It's just who she is.
Brian is so dark and twisted inside, he's the ultimate tortured hero and yet he really tries to protect Mina from the evil in the world, including himself. I think I'm in love with him.
I know I'll definitely read this again. It's going on the pile of all time favourites. Keep them coming Kitty!
-------
May 2019 reread- just as twisted as I remembered! I read this in one sitting and loved every second of it.
---------
As expected, I adored this book. I read this in one morning, I couldn't put it down. Kitty Thomas introduced me to dark erotica with Comfort Food. It blew my mind and world open and I haven't looked back since. While I've read so many other dark erotic stories in the last few years, this book just confirms why Kitty Thomas will forever be my favourite, not just my first dark erotica author.
First of all, I enjoyed this more than Guilty Pleasures, a previous Kitty book set in the same world. There's just something about the characters in this book that really appealed to me. Ever since I read and fell in love with Tender Mercies, I've been looking for something that scratches a similar itch. Broken Dolls is exactly what I've been looking for.
I adored Mina, she was fundamentally broken yet she refused to let that define her. She was so strong and determined to survive, any way she could. She makes no apologies for what she craves, even when at time she believes it's makes her damaged. It's just who she is.
Brian is so dark and twisted inside, he's the ultimate tortured hero and yet he really tries to protect Mina from the evil in the world, including himself. I think I'm in love with him.
I know I'll definitely read this again. It's going on the pile of all time favourites. Keep them coming Kitty!
Read
May 21, 2025I can tell you with absolute certainty that I will never read another Kitty Thomas book again. I've read two before that I did not enjoy, but for some reason this one pulled me in. I can't say she's an awful writer in the true sense - but I do feel like she writes the most AWFUL books. I hate everything in them. This review is going to be crappy because I'm fresh off the read and still in my "I hate you" stage.
This completely idiotic girl Mina has been in one abusive relationship after another looking for a Master who will treat her kindly. After her most recent abusive relationship, she started seeing a therapist, Dr. Lindsey, who convinces her that he can find her the perfect Master - but she has to agree to go with him to this "house" and be SOLD to whomever he finds for her. Once she's there - SHE CAN NEVER LEAVE. She will be their property, and if she tries to leave - she will be killed.
I mean sure - what the fuck could go wrong with that!?!?!
So this fucking moron agrees to go to this house - with the condition that SHE DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE INTERCOURSE. Seriously WTF is she even looking for. She wants a man to care for her, not beat her, and not fuck her. I can't even....
So they get there and she's told to stay away from this one guy, Brian, because he's a sadist and will kill her. She's absolutely terrified of him and pretty much every single man she encounters because she doesn't want to get beaten again. Well.... Brian is the "discipliner" in the house. Any of the girls that misbehave get sent to him where he whips and beats them. Fun times!!!! Dr. Lindsey is now tired of Mina's crying all the time and he decides he's ready to just give her away so he holds an auction - well Brian wants her because he was abused horrifically as a child and he feels some sort of protective way towards Mina. So yada yada Brian ends up purchasing her for $5mil. Of course Mina feels betrayed - he never really touches her sexually, except a few rare occasions. He never hurts her. He does take other women into his dungeon to beat and fuck.
And that's not the only one he fucks where Mina catches him, but I won't put you thru that. It's bad enough I had to survive it. Later he has this convo with her.
Then he and her share a few oral orgasms which consist of things like:
Our ever intelligent Mina finally finds someone who will help her escape the house, where she's later kidnapped by another "Master" who beats her and plans to kill her until Brian shows up to save the day. Turns out, the last girl Brian beat and fucked had found the name of the sadist and told him where to find Mina.
We end with Mina back in Brian's room - he tells Mina that he's about to go beat and fuck the girl that betrayed her. This is the last two paragraphs of the book.
THAT'S HOW IT FUCKING ENDS
Seriously - I just can't. How was this even classified as erotica, much less dark romance?!?!
I don't even know how to process this.
I'm sorry to those of you that love this author - I don't actually take pleasure in trashing someone's work - but I'm definitely going to tell you exactly how I feel and if I can save at least one person from experiencing this, then I guess it's worth it.
This completely idiotic girl Mina has been in one abusive relationship after another looking for a Master who will treat her kindly. After her most recent abusive relationship, she started seeing a therapist, Dr. Lindsey, who convinces her that he can find her the perfect Master - but she has to agree to go with him to this "house" and be SOLD to whomever he finds for her. Once she's there - SHE CAN NEVER LEAVE. She will be their property, and if she tries to leave - she will be killed.
I mean sure - what the fuck could go wrong with that!?!?!
So this fucking moron agrees to go to this house - with the condition that SHE DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE INTERCOURSE. Seriously WTF is she even looking for. She wants a man to care for her, not beat her, and not fuck her. I can't even....
So they get there and she's told to stay away from this one guy, Brian, because he's a sadist and will kill her. She's absolutely terrified of him and pretty much every single man she encounters because she doesn't want to get beaten again. Well.... Brian is the "discipliner" in the house. Any of the girls that misbehave get sent to him where he whips and beats them. Fun times!!!! Dr. Lindsey is now tired of Mina's crying all the time and he decides he's ready to just give her away so he holds an auction - well Brian wants her because he was abused horrifically as a child and he feels some sort of protective way towards Mina. So yada yada Brian ends up purchasing her for $5mil. Of course Mina feels betrayed - he never really touches her sexually, except a few rare occasions. He never hurts her. He does take other women into his dungeon to beat and fuck.
".... her waist had been tied to keep her in place, allowing Brian to nudge her legs apart. Harsh marks glared from where he'd whipped her, and her face was swollen from crying. He fucked her, one hand wrapped around her throat, pulling her closer.... He thrust into her, and she whimpered in something like relief. That was when he looked up to find Mina watching him. He was not happy......Brian groaned as he came, the new girl trembling in his arms. Her fear was intoxicating."
And that's not the only one he fucks where Mina catches him, but I won't put you thru that. It's bad enough I had to survive it. Later he has this convo with her.
"Sharing upsets you."
"Yes."
"But you know I can't be exclusive. I'm going to be with others down here. And with your list of limits, exclusivity was never in the cards with any master."
Then he and her share a few oral orgasms which consist of things like:
He knelt between her legs while the water ran cold, stroking her with his tongue until she shuddered and came."
Our ever intelligent Mina finally finds someone who will help her escape the house, where she's later kidnapped by another "Master" who beats her and plans to kill her until Brian shows up to save the day. Turns out, the last girl Brian beat and fucked had found the name of the sadist and told him where to find Mina.
We end with Mina back in Brian's room - he tells Mina that he's about to go beat and fuck the girl that betrayed her. This is the last two paragraphs of the book.
He lingered and held her gaze, a long moment of understanding passing between them. They were too broken - both of them - clinging to each other at sea on a raft that would never reach land. Brian squeezed her hand and left. Minutes later Cate's screams filled the hallway. Mina looked to the door then back at her food and finished dinner."
THAT'S HOW IT FUCKING ENDS
Seriously - I just can't. How was this even classified as erotica, much less dark romance?!?!
I don't even know how to process this.
I'm sorry to those of you that love this author - I don't actually take pleasure in trashing someone's work - but I'm definitely going to tell you exactly how I feel and if I can save at least one person from experiencing this, then I guess it's worth it.
May 5, 2024
Having all of the Holiday Hits gave me a good excuse to reread Broken Dolls.
To give you a better understanding of where they started,this is the story you should read before trying that delicious series of short stories.
And to get a better understanding of the road they followed to get to My Violent Valentine,it’s best to read the Holiday Hits in order.
It’s quite the rollercoaster ride,but i loved every second!
Welcome back to the Pleasure House. So good to see you again.
Bring your traumas and brace yourself.....
Being a sociopath,makes Brian a great enforcer of the rules of the house.
Having had a childhood made in hell,he has nightmares that only fade (a little) if he can take out his sadistic urges on defiant subs.
But when Lindsay brings Mina to the house,there is something about her,that brings out another side of him. One he didn’t know he had....
Mina has fallen for abusive a**holes once too often,and the last one has left her broken beyond repair.
After thát experience she needs help,and Lindsay is the doctor she turns to.
Somehow,he convinces her there is still a possibility to find someone that cán be good for her.
But when she arrives at the house,Brian is the first Master she sees,and he scares the crap out of her....
He knows he frightens her,but after seeing her scars,he knows why,and he also knows they’re the same. And she somehow soothes his sadistic needs.
Lindsay is convinced that Brian is bad for Mina,and decides to find her a suitable Master ASAP.
But Brian has other plans.....he needs Mina to feel safe,and he’s the one to make that happen.
Can these two damaged people really help eachother? Can they be good together?
Or will Brian eventually hurt Mina beyond repair......
Re-reading Broken Dolls was such a pleasure!
Even though Brian is still scary....
Because he’s so gentle with Mina.
Because she soothes his rage,his pain.
Because he makes her feel safe.
Because he is the only person to understand her pain.
And she his....
To give you a better understanding of where they started,this is the story you should read before trying that delicious series of short stories.
And to get a better understanding of the road they followed to get to My Violent Valentine,it’s best to read the Holiday Hits in order.
It’s quite the rollercoaster ride,but i loved every second!
Welcome back to the Pleasure House. So good to see you again.
Bring your traumas and brace yourself.....
Being a sociopath,makes Brian a great enforcer of the rules of the house.
Having had a childhood made in hell,he has nightmares that only fade (a little) if he can take out his sadistic urges on defiant subs.
But when Lindsay brings Mina to the house,there is something about her,that brings out another side of him. One he didn’t know he had....
Mina has fallen for abusive a**holes once too often,and the last one has left her broken beyond repair.
After thát experience she needs help,and Lindsay is the doctor she turns to.
Somehow,he convinces her there is still a possibility to find someone that cán be good for her.
But when she arrives at the house,Brian is the first Master she sees,and he scares the crap out of her....
He knows he frightens her,but after seeing her scars,he knows why,and he also knows they’re the same. And she somehow soothes his sadistic needs.
Lindsay is convinced that Brian is bad for Mina,and decides to find her a suitable Master ASAP.
But Brian has other plans.....he needs Mina to feel safe,and he’s the one to make that happen.
Can these two damaged people really help eachother? Can they be good together?
Or will Brian eventually hurt Mina beyond repair......
Re-reading Broken Dolls was such a pleasure!
Even though Brian is still scary....
Because he’s so gentle with Mina.
Because she soothes his rage,his pain.
Because he makes her feel safe.
Because he is the only person to understand her pain.
And she his....
January 21, 2015
I know it says Broken Dolls can be read as a stand alone novel, but...for those planning to read this book I would advise you to read Guilty Pleasures first. It gives the main characters and setting to date, the premise of the business side of this House, the links of the Dr/psychologist with Dr Lindsey, and the massage parlour with Anton...and for some reason I liken these two to spiders sitting in a strong sticky web of BDSM sex slavery, with no change of extricating oneself in this life once you touch this web!
Whereas in Guilty Pleasures, I quite liked Dr Lindsey, Anton, and Gabe, and was very aware of master sadist and an evilness about Brian the disciplinarian one would least wish to meet...in Broken Dolls, Ms Kitty Thomas turns the whole scenario of characters on their heads. Like can become loathe. Loathe may even have tinged my pity and compassion through understanding of past experiences and traumas in life of characters like Brian as she does cleverly with the nature of these men, who never forget are proponents of the BDSM sex slave trade.
Enter Mina, poor Mina, excited and enticed to follow her inclinations into the BDSM world but who only finds the worst that it has to offer, bad dom wannabes...I say this to differentiate with the many good and knowledgable Doms as opposed to the abusers Mina has experienced to date. Mina has become the product of 'cat and mouse' treatment. Looking for a good Dom, ends with one who will be nice one moment, vile the next, puts the victim always on the back foot, never knowing what will be their next abuse to tripped up by, their next experience, groomed, controlled and very much likened to Stockholm syndrome mentality...where you attach emotionally to your abuser and find life difficult to live without. Then break away and you are lost...and alone...and needy...and along came a spider...
So sets the scene for this story, but by the end I was thinking WTF have I read...was it a psychotic serial murder story, or just a dark dub con BDSM story...it has elements of potential romance but desecrated. My heart went out to poor Elsa, a minimal character, so badly abused and I hoped to be rescued.
I cheered at some rough justice, but know it shouldn't be in any half civilised society and this surely isn't though early interactions with the Michael, Dr Lindsay, Anton and Gabe characters had me sort of fooled. I even thought the 'pine box' part light hearted jest...but with this, and Ms Thomas, and the writers who have influenced her, I should have known better.
There was a line that 'paraphrased' says something likened to...Two Broken Dolls floating away together on a raft all at sea, never to be saved... This summed the story up.
I didn't feel good inside reading this, neither could I put it down. Anyone who is in an emotional or fragile state, avoid this until strong again.
One part of it felt crazy, rushed, bordered on ridiculous and I was thinking 2-2.5 stars...then I start to analyse and think better than that, 4 stars...but the way I was left feeling 3.5 and believe me when I say this is not a feel good story, you have been warned.
Whereas in Guilty Pleasures, I quite liked Dr Lindsey, Anton, and Gabe, and was very aware of master sadist and an evilness about Brian the disciplinarian one would least wish to meet...in Broken Dolls, Ms Kitty Thomas turns the whole scenario of characters on their heads. Like can become loathe. Loathe may even have tinged my pity and compassion through understanding of past experiences and traumas in life of characters like Brian as she does cleverly with the nature of these men, who never forget are proponents of the BDSM sex slave trade.
Enter Mina, poor Mina, excited and enticed to follow her inclinations into the BDSM world but who only finds the worst that it has to offer, bad dom wannabes...I say this to differentiate with the many good and knowledgable Doms as opposed to the abusers Mina has experienced to date. Mina has become the product of 'cat and mouse' treatment. Looking for a good Dom, ends with one who will be nice one moment, vile the next, puts the victim always on the back foot, never knowing what will be their next abuse to tripped up by, their next experience, groomed, controlled and very much likened to Stockholm syndrome mentality...where you attach emotionally to your abuser and find life difficult to live without. Then break away and you are lost...and alone...and needy...and along came a spider...
So sets the scene for this story, but by the end I was thinking WTF have I read...was it a psychotic serial murder story, or just a dark dub con BDSM story...it has elements of potential romance but desecrated. My heart went out to poor Elsa, a minimal character, so badly abused and I hoped to be rescued.
I cheered at some rough justice, but know it shouldn't be in any half civilised society and this surely isn't though early interactions with the Michael, Dr Lindsay, Anton and Gabe characters had me sort of fooled. I even thought the 'pine box' part light hearted jest...but with this, and Ms Thomas, and the writers who have influenced her, I should have known better.
There was a line that 'paraphrased' says something likened to...Two Broken Dolls floating away together on a raft all at sea, never to be saved... This summed the story up.
I didn't feel good inside reading this, neither could I put it down. Anyone who is in an emotional or fragile state, avoid this until strong again.
One part of it felt crazy, rushed, bordered on ridiculous and I was thinking 2-2.5 stars...then I start to analyse and think better than that, 4 stars...but the way I was left feeling 3.5 and believe me when I say this is not a feel good story, you have been warned.
November 27, 2020
Welcome back to the Pleasure House. So good to see you again.
Bring your traumas and brace yourself.....
Being a sociopath,makes Brian a great enforcer of the rules of the house.
Having had a childhood made in hell,he has nightmares that only fade (a little) if he can take out his sadistic urges on defiant subs.
But when Lindsay brings Mina to the house,there is something about her,that brings out another side of him. One he didn’t know he had....
Mina has fallen for abusive a**holes once too often,and the last one has left her broken beyond repair.
After thát experience she needs help,and Lindsay is the doctor she turns to.
Somehow,he convinces her there is still a possibility to find someone that cán be good for her.
But when she arrives at the house,Brian is the first Master she sees,and he scares the crap out of her....
He knows he frightens her,but after seeing her scars,he knows why,and he also knows they’re the same. And she somehow soothes his sadistic needs.
Lindsay is convinced that Brian is bad for Mina,and decides to find her a suitable Master ASAP.
But Brian has other plans.....he needs Mina to feel safe,and he’s the one to make that happen.
Can these two damaged people really help eachother? Can they be good together?
Or will Brian eventually hurt Mina beyond repair......
When i first met Brian,he terrified me. But now?
Knowing his past? And seeing him with Mina?
I can’t help,but love the man!
Bring your traumas and brace yourself.....
Being a sociopath,makes Brian a great enforcer of the rules of the house.
Having had a childhood made in hell,he has nightmares that only fade (a little) if he can take out his sadistic urges on defiant subs.
But when Lindsay brings Mina to the house,there is something about her,that brings out another side of him. One he didn’t know he had....
Mina has fallen for abusive a**holes once too often,and the last one has left her broken beyond repair.
After thát experience she needs help,and Lindsay is the doctor she turns to.
Somehow,he convinces her there is still a possibility to find someone that cán be good for her.
But when she arrives at the house,Brian is the first Master she sees,and he scares the crap out of her....
He knows he frightens her,but after seeing her scars,he knows why,and he also knows they’re the same. And she somehow soothes his sadistic needs.
Lindsay is convinced that Brian is bad for Mina,and decides to find her a suitable Master ASAP.
But Brian has other plans.....he needs Mina to feel safe,and he’s the one to make that happen.
Can these two damaged people really help eachother? Can they be good together?
Or will Brian eventually hurt Mina beyond repair......
When i first met Brian,he terrified me. But now?
Knowing his past? And seeing him with Mina?
I can’t help,but love the man!
June 13, 2015
Well, well, well... Aren't you one cold-blooded assassin, Brian?
But I can't bring myself to hate you somehow.
I wish the back-together moment for Mina and Brian was longer! One more chapter likely won't hurt anybody, eh :/
But I can't bring myself to hate you somehow.
I wish the back-together moment for Mina and Brian was longer! One more chapter likely won't hurt anybody, eh :/
November 27, 2020
Re-reading Broken Dolls was such a pleasure!
Even though Brian is still scary....
Because he’s so gentle with Mina.
Because she soothes his rage,his pain.
Because he makes her feel safe.
Because he is the only person to understand her pain.
And she his....
Welcome back to the Pleasure House. So good to see you again.
Bring your traumas and brace yourself.....
Being a sociopath,makes Brian a great enforcer of the rules of the house.
Having had a childhood made in hell,he has nightmares that only fade (a little) if he can take out his sadistic urges on defiant subs.
But when Lindsay brings Mina to the house,there is something about her,that brings out another side of him. One he didn’t know he had....
Mina has fallen for abusive a**holes once too often,and the last one has left her broken beyond repair.
After thát experience she needs help,and Lindsay is the doctor she turns to.
Somehow,he convinces her there is still a possibility to find someone that cán be good for her.
But when she arrives at the house,Brian is the first Master she sees,and he scares the crap out of her....
He knows he frightens her,but after seeing her scars,he knows why,and he also knows they’re the same. And she somehow soothes his sadistic needs.
Lindsay is convinced that Brian is bad for Mina,and decides to find her a suitable Master ASAP.
But Brian has other plans.....he needs Mina to feel safe,and he’s the one to make that happen.
Can these two damaged people really help eachother? Can they be good together?
Or will Brian eventually hurt Mina beyond repair......
When i first met Brian,he terrified me. But now?
Knowing his past? And seeing him with Mina?
I can’t help,but love the man!
Even though Brian is still scary....
Because he’s so gentle with Mina.
Because she soothes his rage,his pain.
Because he makes her feel safe.
Because he is the only person to understand her pain.
And she his....
Welcome back to the Pleasure House. So good to see you again.
Bring your traumas and brace yourself.....
Being a sociopath,makes Brian a great enforcer of the rules of the house.
Having had a childhood made in hell,he has nightmares that only fade (a little) if he can take out his sadistic urges on defiant subs.
But when Lindsay brings Mina to the house,there is something about her,that brings out another side of him. One he didn’t know he had....
Mina has fallen for abusive a**holes once too often,and the last one has left her broken beyond repair.
After thát experience she needs help,and Lindsay is the doctor she turns to.
Somehow,he convinces her there is still a possibility to find someone that cán be good for her.
But when she arrives at the house,Brian is the first Master she sees,and he scares the crap out of her....
He knows he frightens her,but after seeing her scars,he knows why,and he also knows they’re the same. And she somehow soothes his sadistic needs.
Lindsay is convinced that Brian is bad for Mina,and decides to find her a suitable Master ASAP.
But Brian has other plans.....he needs Mina to feel safe,and he’s the one to make that happen.
Can these two damaged people really help eachother? Can they be good together?
Or will Brian eventually hurt Mina beyond repair......
When i first met Brian,he terrified me. But now?
Knowing his past? And seeing him with Mina?
I can’t help,but love the man!
Read
February 20, 2024NOW available at all retailers (re-release.)
May 5, 2020
Too much crying. Plus the plot fell flat.
How many more characters am I going to read about who have scars all over their body from whippings? Outlander, Vicious by Shen, and plenty of bodice rippers....Am I suppose to be emotionally moved by their scars? Oh, and these scarred heroes often have nightmares. They're tortured souls. Sometimes authors will leave the MMC's skin intact and just give them nightmares. In this book there's double everything. Both the hero and heroine are scarred, and both suffer from nightmares.
I think this was suppose to be heartfelt and emotionally moving but I couldn't get into it. It's not even that erotic or suspenseful. I ended up skimming and almost dnf. The ending was anti climatic. Nothing was really resolved regarding Mina's inner conflict with Brian.
Not my favorite by Kitty Thomas.
How many more characters am I going to read about who have scars all over their body from whippings? Outlander, Vicious by Shen, and plenty of bodice rippers....Am I suppose to be emotionally moved by their scars? Oh, and these scarred heroes often have nightmares. They're tortured souls. Sometimes authors will leave the MMC's skin intact and just give them nightmares. In this book there's double everything. Both the hero and heroine are scarred, and both suffer from nightmares.
I think this was suppose to be heartfelt and emotionally moving but I couldn't get into it. It's not even that erotic or suspenseful. I ended up skimming and almost dnf. The ending was anti climatic. Nothing was really resolved regarding Mina's inner conflict with Brian.
Not my favorite by Kitty Thomas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2015
3 Broken Stars.
I've been waiting to read this book for weeks before it was out and when I finally got this book I was so excited that I couldn't wait to devour it. As always, I love Kitty Thomas' twisted mind in writing and I have to give her credit for it. But sadly, the book wasn't as great as I thought it would be. The plot had so much potential if the story was longer enough. About 90% of the book and I felt like the scenarios were rushed and too abrupt. And that ending, holy shit. My mind is in knots and I'm still having a hard time wrapping everything up in this book. I usually stay away from novels where but I'd say that Kitty Thomas' books are an exception. I love how she portrayed her characters even though in this book, which I'm quite surprised about. I just love how this author's dark and twisted mind works.
This book is deliciously dark and you certainly won't find rainbows and flowers and happy ever afters here.
I've been waiting to read this book for weeks before it was out and when I finally got this book I was so excited that I couldn't wait to devour it. As always, I love Kitty Thomas' twisted mind in writing and I have to give her credit for it. But sadly, the book wasn't as great as I thought it would be. The plot had so much potential if the story was longer enough. About 90% of the book and I felt like the scenarios were rushed and too abrupt. And that ending, holy shit. My mind is in knots and I'm still having a hard time wrapping everything up in this book. I usually stay away from novels where but I'd say that Kitty Thomas' books are an exception. I love how she portrayed her characters even though in this book, which I'm quite surprised about. I just love how this author's dark and twisted mind works.
This book is deliciously dark and you certainly won't find rainbows and flowers and happy ever afters here.
December 26, 2014
It's 3:30 in the morning and I'm speechless. This book was a total mind bender. Brian reminded me of an even more twisted version of Dexter. Both he and Mina are beyond repair, and I like how Thomas didn't wrap it up with rainbows and sunshine. Broken Dolls is a fitting title.
Violent, provocative, and suspenseful to the last page. I'm rarely disappointed with Kitty Thomas' work, and Broken Dolls is no exception. 4.5 stars!
Violent, provocative, and suspenseful to the last page. I'm rarely disappointed with Kitty Thomas' work, and Broken Dolls is no exception. 4.5 stars!
December 25, 2014
Exceptional!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Spend all night reading it and I'm amazed.
Brian, broken beyond repair but irresistible. Mina, broken too, looking for a master who won't hurt her. Great combo for an amazing story <3
Why do I love fucked-up characters so much?
Spend all night reading it and I'm amazed.
Brian, broken beyond repair but irresistible. Mina, broken too, looking for a master who won't hurt her. Great combo for an amazing story <3
Why do I love fucked-up characters so much?
December 31, 2015
“He lingered and held her gaze, a long moment of understanding passing between them. They were too broken—both of them—clinging to each other at sea on a raft that would never reach land.”
December 25, 2014
4.5 stars
There's no way I'm going to read "Guilty Pleasures" now that I put Brian in the tortured hero list of misunderstood characters. Okay I don't have a book shelf like that but anyway, this book sets me into adrenaline rush, it always been when I read a Kitty Thomas book, I'm such a masochist *sigh* and I always wanted a happy ending even though that was too far gone in dark romance books especially in her stories.
But I love a book when you close it and still think about it like processing something and rewinding and hoping you could change something or make a continues story in your head.
Mina Calloway was a former sub that had led her with abusive amateur masters, she's scarred mentally and physically, shewanted no, needed to find a master that is gentle and kind to her. When she told her therapist what triggers her sexually, he told him he could help and would give her the suitable master to her. Being scared into the changing demeanor of her therapist led her to agreed to come to a mansion which will led her to no escape.
Brian Sloan is a sadistic psycho who craves the pain of her victims, punishes them to brutally draws blood into extent until they plead no more. When he saw Mina walked to the mansion, he was intrigue to the new girl who was scared when she saw him, somehow she knew he was monster.
Mina knows instinctively that she needed to be far away from Brian, even her therapist told her not to get closer to him. But when opportunity met and they crosses path, Brian saw something in her that struck him personally and needed to protect her instead of torment her.
You see readers this two has a complicated relationship to deal at the first place. An already broken woman in the hands of a sadistic master. Its scary to follow their story waiting for the other shoe to drop but also hoping for a way to make them be together. Crazy right?
I really like this two characters, they are so alike yet so different in so many ways but you still wanted to hug them both.
This is another great read from the author. Can't wait for more.
They were too broken—both of them—clinging to each other at sea on a raft that would never reach land.
There's no way I'm going to read "Guilty Pleasures" now that I put Brian in the tortured hero list of misunderstood characters. Okay I don't have a book shelf like that but anyway, this book sets me into adrenaline rush, it always been when I read a Kitty Thomas book, I'm such a masochist *sigh* and I always wanted a happy ending even though that was too far gone in dark romance books especially in her stories.
But I love a book when you close it and still think about it like processing something and rewinding and hoping you could change something or make a continues story in your head.
Mina Calloway was a former sub that had led her with abusive amateur masters, she's scarred mentally and physically, she
Brian Sloan is a sadistic psycho who craves the pain of her victims, punishes them to brutally draws blood into extent until they plead no more. When he saw Mina walked to the mansion, he was intrigue to the new girl who was scared when she saw him, somehow she knew he was monster.
Mina knows instinctively that she needed to be far away from Brian, even her therapist told her not to get closer to him. But when opportunity met and they crosses path, Brian saw something in her that struck him personally and needed to protect her instead of torment her.
Maybe this person had a soul somewhere in there. Maybe she could reach it and find some softer part of him to appeal to.
You see readers this two has a complicated relationship to deal at the first place. An already broken woman in the hands of a sadistic master. Its scary to follow their story waiting for the other shoe to drop but also hoping for a way to make them be together. Crazy right?
I really like this two characters, they are so alike yet so different in so many ways but you still wanted to hug them both.
She didn’t know how it was possible for someone so fucked up to make her feel not fucked up.
This is another great read from the author. Can't wait for more.
May 14, 2020
Dark romance.
Dark fucking romance.
I got the dark, but where the fuck was the romance? Where was the character development? The plot development? The development of everything in general?
And who told this woman that Master/slave relationships were buckets of abuse because lady, that’s all you’ve giving me.
There is no way in hell this book went through developmental edits. Not a chance. It went to an indie editor that just did copyedits for grammar and that’s it. I know it. There isn’t a hope on Earth that a line editor got their hands on this because the backstory for both characters wasn’t laid well and nothing about the characters, or plot, grew. Nothing was resolved. There was no point to this book because the characters ended the same way they started, with the exception of them not having nightmares any more.
Mina was broken by Jason - her ex-master - and his friends but in the end she just accepts a murdering sociopath knowing he is a billion times worse. The very woman who wanted a GENTLE MASTER. The books ended while Brain is abusing - possibly murdering - a girl in his dungeon and Mina just eats her dinner like that wasn’t her in that situation before by Jason, the man she called a monster.
And as far as I’m aware, Brian is the only sociopath in the house. He killed multiple people on this book - my guy literally dismembered a man and no one did ANYTHING but question whose body parts where in the rubbish bags he brought back? WHAT? Jesus merciful Christ.
I couldn’t stop reading at this point because I didn’t believe it could get any worse but it did. Each page was just ... Christ. It was so frustrating that I laughed. Laughed. While reading dark romance.
The dark aspects don’t bother me but fuck, make it make sense to your characters. It kills me as a reader to have zero character development, zero drive from either character, zero substance to the plot. I swear this woman can’t write dark romance for shit. I gave her a pass with two others Ive read by her because I liked the dark elements, but she’s rubbish with making the ‘romance’ work.
Dark thriller (maybe) should be the genre, putting it in dark romance is an insult to the authors who can actually make romance deliciously twisted.
Dark fucking romance.
I got the dark, but where the fuck was the romance? Where was the character development? The plot development? The development of everything in general?
And who told this woman that Master/slave relationships were buckets of abuse because lady, that’s all you’ve giving me.
There is no way in hell this book went through developmental edits. Not a chance. It went to an indie editor that just did copyedits for grammar and that’s it. I know it. There isn’t a hope on Earth that a line editor got their hands on this because the backstory for both characters wasn’t laid well and nothing about the characters, or plot, grew. Nothing was resolved. There was no point to this book because the characters ended the same way they started, with the exception of them not having nightmares any more.
Mina was broken by Jason - her ex-master - and his friends but in the end she just accepts a murdering sociopath knowing he is a billion times worse. The very woman who wanted a GENTLE MASTER. The books ended while Brain is abusing - possibly murdering - a girl in his dungeon and Mina just eats her dinner like that wasn’t her in that situation before by Jason, the man she called a monster.
And as far as I’m aware, Brian is the only sociopath in the house. He killed multiple people on this book - my guy literally dismembered a man and no one did ANYTHING but question whose body parts where in the rubbish bags he brought back? WHAT? Jesus merciful Christ.
I couldn’t stop reading at this point because I didn’t believe it could get any worse but it did. Each page was just ... Christ. It was so frustrating that I laughed. Laughed. While reading dark romance.
The dark aspects don’t bother me but fuck, make it make sense to your characters. It kills me as a reader to have zero character development, zero drive from either character, zero substance to the plot. I swear this woman can’t write dark romance for shit. I gave her a pass with two others Ive read by her because I liked the dark elements, but she’s rubbish with making the ‘romance’ work.
Dark thriller (maybe) should be the genre, putting it in dark romance is an insult to the authors who can actually make romance deliciously twisted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2014
3.5 stars rounded up.....
This is a companion book to the novel Guilty Pleasures but you don't need to read Guilty Pleasures to follow this story. It revolves around a submissive who doesn't like pain falling for a sadist who needs to inflict pain.
In my opinion this one is not as good as Guilty Pleasures, but still a fairly entertaining story. A little ridiculous and unbelievable at times, basically your typical Kitty Thomas erotica. Overall I enjoyed it.
This is a companion book to the novel Guilty Pleasures but you don't need to read Guilty Pleasures to follow this story. It revolves around a submissive who doesn't like pain falling for a sadist who needs to inflict pain.
In my opinion this one is not as good as Guilty Pleasures, but still a fairly entertaining story. A little ridiculous and unbelievable at times, basically your typical Kitty Thomas erotica. Overall I enjoyed it.
Want to read
January 16, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/6/2022)! 🎁
January 28, 2015
Do I recommend Broken Doll? Yes!!
This review is from: Broken Dolls (Kindle Edition)
If you know me, you know I enjoy DARK. If you enjoy DARK, Kitty Thomas is a MUST!
That said, when I learned Kitty was writing another book (it can be a standalone) in the world of Guilty Pleasures I was thrilled!!
Even though it had been a while since I'd read Guilty Pleasures, I had NO problem at all falling back into the world of these characters. I must admit, one of my "favorite" things about Kitty's books is that her characters are flawed. They ALL have issues. Who's the good guy? Who's really the bad guy? And...are you sure???
That's what's so GREAT....(it's fiction) and I can look at the behaviors and understand the "WHY" and suddenly it makes the "bad" guy not so bad.
I admit, in a world of black and white, (good / evil), there may be "complaints". But when I pick up a Kitty Thomas book, I throw my "real life" glasses off and enter her FANTASTIC world of consensual vs. unconsensual "gray". And no matter how many books she writes, I will enter this amazing "fictional" world and EAT it UP!!!
Do I recommend Broken Doll? Hell yes!! If you are comfortable with the world she's created..GO...Enjoy!! I did!!
This review is from: Broken Dolls (Kindle Edition)
If you know me, you know I enjoy DARK. If you enjoy DARK, Kitty Thomas is a MUST!
That said, when I learned Kitty was writing another book (it can be a standalone) in the world of Guilty Pleasures I was thrilled!!
Even though it had been a while since I'd read Guilty Pleasures, I had NO problem at all falling back into the world of these characters. I must admit, one of my "favorite" things about Kitty's books is that her characters are flawed. They ALL have issues. Who's the good guy? Who's really the bad guy? And...are you sure???
That's what's so GREAT....(it's fiction) and I can look at the behaviors and understand the "WHY" and suddenly it makes the "bad" guy not so bad.
I admit, in a world of black and white, (good / evil), there may be "complaints". But when I pick up a Kitty Thomas book, I throw my "real life" glasses off and enter her FANTASTIC world of consensual vs. unconsensual "gray". And no matter how many books she writes, I will enter this amazing "fictional" world and EAT it UP!!!
Do I recommend Broken Doll? Hell yes!! If you are comfortable with the world she's created..GO...Enjoy!! I did!!
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June 23, 2023Brian and Mina are BACK in BRIAN AND MINA'S HOLIDAY HITS, but first, you need to know where it all began... with BROKEN DOLLS. Start here, before continuing with their new adventures together, you won't believe what they're doing now!
To get all the links and information for BROKEN DOLLS and Brian and Mina's new stories, go here:
https://kittythomas.com/book-series/b...
Available in print, ebook, and audiobook.
Thanks for reading!
A little teaser image for their future together... (You saw snippets of it in SURRENDER if you continued on with THE PLEASURE HOUSE books):
April 19, 2022
Surprisingly, better than the first one. I think it dealt with trauma and transference in interesting ways, but it’s still pretty far from a slam dunk.
But it was free, so I can’t complain too much. Or I could. But I won’t.
Not this time at least.
But it was free, so I can’t complain too much. Or I could. But I won’t.
Not this time at least.
January 1, 2015
This book was well written, but it didn't pull me in or make me feel like I couldn't put it down. I definitely respect the author's talent though, and will always check out her work.
February 3, 2015
Kitty Thomas delivers yet another twisted tale like only she can.
This story starts out with Mina being thrown out by her abusive Dom/boyfriend. He has forced her to move in with her and quit her job, so she has no where to go and no money. You can see the desperation that she is in. The story then jumps to several months later when she is talking with her therapist, Lindsay Smith. Mina made it a point to find a therapist who was into the world of kink and BDSM so that they would understand where her needs came from. Mina was very surprised when Lindsay turns out to be a man and not a woman. Lindsay has a solution for Mina, but will it make things better or worse?
Brian is a sadistic sociopath. He works with several others training women to be sold as sex slaves. The women come willingly, if not through a little coercion. Once they are in the program, there is no leaving. Brian is the one who does all the dirty work. Not only is he the one who takes on the task of punishing the subs who are out of control and need more punishment than the other men are willing to do the women. He also takes care of any other issues when someone knows more than they should. He has killed more than once to protect himself, his partners and the business. Everyone is scared of him, the subs and his partners.
Both of these characters are broken. Both for different reasons. They each have their own way of dealing with their issues. When I met Brian in Guilty Pleasures, I was really surprised when I heard that Kitty was writing him his own story. I knew she liked to play with readers minds, but Brian gives new meaning to crazy. I should've had more faith, Kitty knew exactly what she was doing. The way that Brian was able to deal with Mina and her exact issues was perfect. Don't get me wrong, Brian is still not a nice guy, but I do have more of an appreciation for his ability to not be a dick all the time. I actually liked him much more than Mina who whines a lot. I know she has had it tough, but she is wishy-washy in that she wants to leave and then isn't happy when she is allowed it. She won't make up her mind what she wants.
While this book is a "sequel" to Guilty Pleasures, this book is truly a stand alone. It is set in the same world with some of the same characters. It does take place after Guilty Pleasures chronologically, but you can truly read this book without having ever read a book by Kitty Thomas.
If you've never read a Kitty Thomas book, there are a few things you should know. Her stories are dark. There is a bunch of mindfuck that goes on in them. While they are listed as erotica, there isn't sex scene after sex scene after sex scene like some erotica books. She messes with your mind much more than she writes gratuitous sex scenes. I think that is one reason I love her work so much. The depth in the stories and the characters is truly amazing. She will push limits and a lot of what is done isn't consensual. If you like your stories dark and provocative, then Kitty Thomas is the author for you.
This story starts out with Mina being thrown out by her abusive Dom/boyfriend. He has forced her to move in with her and quit her job, so she has no where to go and no money. You can see the desperation that she is in. The story then jumps to several months later when she is talking with her therapist, Lindsay Smith. Mina made it a point to find a therapist who was into the world of kink and BDSM so that they would understand where her needs came from. Mina was very surprised when Lindsay turns out to be a man and not a woman. Lindsay has a solution for Mina, but will it make things better or worse?
Brian is a sadistic sociopath. He works with several others training women to be sold as sex slaves. The women come willingly, if not through a little coercion. Once they are in the program, there is no leaving. Brian is the one who does all the dirty work. Not only is he the one who takes on the task of punishing the subs who are out of control and need more punishment than the other men are willing to do the women. He also takes care of any other issues when someone knows more than they should. He has killed more than once to protect himself, his partners and the business. Everyone is scared of him, the subs and his partners.
Both of these characters are broken. Both for different reasons. They each have their own way of dealing with their issues. When I met Brian in Guilty Pleasures, I was really surprised when I heard that Kitty was writing him his own story. I knew she liked to play with readers minds, but Brian gives new meaning to crazy. I should've had more faith, Kitty knew exactly what she was doing. The way that Brian was able to deal with Mina and her exact issues was perfect. Don't get me wrong, Brian is still not a nice guy, but I do have more of an appreciation for his ability to not be a dick all the time. I actually liked him much more than Mina who whines a lot. I know she has had it tough, but she is wishy-washy in that she wants to leave and then isn't happy when she is allowed it. She won't make up her mind what she wants.
While this book is a "sequel" to Guilty Pleasures, this book is truly a stand alone. It is set in the same world with some of the same characters. It does take place after Guilty Pleasures chronologically, but you can truly read this book without having ever read a book by Kitty Thomas.
If you've never read a Kitty Thomas book, there are a few things you should know. Her stories are dark. There is a bunch of mindfuck that goes on in them. While they are listed as erotica, there isn't sex scene after sex scene after sex scene like some erotica books. She messes with your mind much more than she writes gratuitous sex scenes. I think that is one reason I love her work so much. The depth in the stories and the characters is truly amazing. She will push limits and a lot of what is done isn't consensual. If you like your stories dark and provocative, then Kitty Thomas is the author for you.
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