The story is engaging enough. But why does the FMC have to be so stupid simpering and with zero agency? She had so many opportunities to take some action and she just allows herself to be washed along on the tide of male aggression and revenge. And the BDSM stuff was not that sexy, but I’m not totally sure why. Maybe it was the narration? It just sort of seemed to be a description of what was happening without actually being sexy or sounding good (and I’m generally down for that kind of book). I kept hoping their relationship would change as time went on. But at the fundamental level it does not. This is a personal preference but in the BDSM plots it is a lot more gratifying if in the end the dude gives a little and relaxes his “requirements“ because he realizes he can get what he needs without humiliating and his sub and requiring she do things in a contract. At least 50 Shades got that right. Spoiler: she still ends up wearing a collar and having a contract at the end of the book. Super weird and i find it incredibly creepy given the happy ending the couple got. Wouldn’t that be an awesome document to find in your mom and dad‘s stuff? I guess I couldn’t get past that ick factor and the fact that she is possibly the least engaging female lead character in a while. She has zero “personal growth” in the book other than finding a different kind of messed up relationship that doesn’t cause her fear. Not going to lie I was pretty disappointed by this one and I’m not really seeing a much higher quality of writing than the free books so pretty mad I spent a credit on it. I used to be a lot nicer in my reviews of this type of genre but at this point, I would just like a kinky story that doesn’t involve coercion, a female with zero agency, and generally terrible male characters.