I've loved Tessa Bailey since her first book - and I just discovered Eve Dangerfield last year and I really like her voice. So when I saw these two weI've loved Tessa Bailey since her first book - and I just discovered Eve Dangerfield last year and I really like her voice. So when I saw these two were pairing up to write a book, I squeaked.
And when I read this line:
"Unzip my pants and greet your new keeper.”
I giggled!!! Oh dirty, dirty fun. I love the set-up in this one. Autumn is from Australia and moves to New York City so her boyfriend can fulfill his dream of improv comedy. She supports his dream by working as a vet and keeps her comedian dreams on the back burner. Then he crushes her dreams when he is caught cheating on her. After she throws him out of their apartment, Autumn turns to large t-shirts and ice cream to get her through her sorrow. Her work Visa is almost up, and she assumes she will go back to Australia. Then her landlord knocks on the door to collect her late rent payment.
Blake is a big, reclusive hero, that walks with a limp and hates people.
He was a big motherfucker with a distaste for people he didn't mind showing on his face. Par for the course in someone who didn't leave the confines of his building during the day. No, he'd been built for night and that suited him just fine.
I of course immediately swooned off my chair. Also - he repairs books! How sexy is that?! He is awkward and pretty much in love with Autumn since first glance, which makes him even grumpier. He reminded me of a Charlotte Stein hero, if you are familiar with her work. When he was first showing Autumn and her boyfriend the apartment, she casually moved stuff out-of-the-way so he could walk easier due to his limp. This made a huge impression on him, and he has lusted after her from a far ever since.
Well, now she is single. And he is still awkward. He notices a drawing she did of him, a very dirty drawing of him - her on her knees with her hands tied behind her back. Autumn has fantasies of being stalked, and bound and controlled. She is also very outgoing and expresses these fantasies to Blake, who is INTO it, even though he is more awkward and shy.
"I really hope you won't be offended, but you're rather large and spectacularly intimidating and I've always had a-a...wish." Her chest rose and plummeted, her words puffing out like little gusts. "A fantasy, really. To be jailed. Kept prisoner. Your likeness is sort of reminiscent of someone who could - not would, just could - do that to me."
But - he doesn't want her to be scared of him, outside of the fantasy. And since she doesn't know him that well, and his size and attitude does intimidate her, he makes her go on three "regular" dates before they start the role play.
From here they get to know each other and they start playing with Blake stalking her out in public, and then barging his way into her apartment and "forcing" her to do sexual acts. This is all 100% consensual - it's a fantasy game and they both get off on it. It's not quite as hard-core as some of the other non-consensual fantasy acts I've read, but there is a lot of verbal shaming (again she wants that).
I will say, I did get a little bit tired of the role-playing sex after a while. There is a lot and it's dirty and fun, but I lost interest for a bit. I think part of it is that Blake goes from grumpy, shy bastard to a sex fiend so quick. I wanted him to be more awkward for a little longer.
I adored Autumn. She is feisty and funny and full of life. I liked her friends and her sexual awakening she has with Blake. She is embarrassed at first by her desires and I love that Blake is there to give her confidence as he also gives her pleasure.
Overall these two are sweet together. If Eve Dangerfield is a new voice to you, please check her out. She is a fun author!