Series: Asking For It #1
Author: Lilah Pace
Published: June 2, 2015 - Berkley
Format: Egalley
Pages: 336 per Goodreads
“This is who I am. This is what I want. Now I need a man dangerous enough to give it to me.”
Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by force, by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy. When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.
Their arrangement is twisted. The sex is incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists. But the secrets in their pasts threaten to turn their affair even darker...
Reader Advisory: Asking for It deals explicitly with fantasies of non-consensual sex. Readers sensitive to portrayals of non-consensual sex should be advised.
Whoa. This book is some book. I really enjoyed it. Asking For It had me flipping through the pages like a madwoman. It is dark and a bit crazy and incredibly hot.
Vivienne has rape fantasies, and they aren't tame at all. She's even seeking therapy to deal with them because she is overloaded with shame. Her therapist tells her that it's quite normal, but Vivienne is pretty headstrong, and once she puts her mind to something, that's it. Personally, I have no issue with the content in this book, and frankly, it was quite the opposite. I found it to be exciting and sexy, and definitely on the edge. Lilah Pace has definitely pushed some boundaries here. While this book isn't for everyone, I believe those who like it dark and maybe even have their own fantasies will be turned on and excited by what's inside.
A bit of guilt salvation comes in the form of Jonah. Jonah eminates power, and that is heady in itself. But when it turns out that he has the same fantasies as Vivienne, all bets are off. The author makes sure you know that these are two consenting adults. Both Jonah and Vivienne have a frank and open conversation about what they want and expect, including hard and soft limits. I think this approach is very responsible, and I'm glad that the author handles it this way.
The sex is fascinating. It's sensual and sexy, and it feels just dangerous enough to make the fear an aphrodisiac. But even as it plays out, you can see that there are ties to each other being made between Jonah and Vivienne. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times - there's no such thing as just sex. Friends with benefits is nearly an impossibility, and in the case of this couple, when you bare your soul and you are accepted for who you are, there's no going backward. There's only forward and stop.
I think if you are looking to take a chance with your reading tastes, this is a good choice. Or maybe you already love it dark, like myself. This is an intelligent read, it doesn't feel like a bunch of gratuitous sex. Choices are thought out and discussed, and nothing feels wrong with the sexual aspect. I did have a few issues with the ending of the book, and it was kind of a letdown. However, I'm hoping this will be repaired in book two. So yeah, definitely give it a try, in my opinion.
Lilah Pace is a pseudonym for a New York Times bestselling YA author. This is her first adult novel.
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Lilah Pace on Goodreads
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