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Synopsis

Jonathan Drazen is an attractive billionaire with a proclivity for control and a history that haunts him. When Monica Faulkner, a struggling musician, meets Jonathan while working at one of his hotels’ bars, her world is flipped upside down. Jonathan doesn’t do anything ordinary in the bedroom, and Monica is far from being a compliant submissive. But she can’t stay away; his dominant nature draws her in. Every time he demands that she get on her knees, she decides to comply. Even though deep down she knows it’s dangerous, Monica tells herself it will only be temporary – like a game they play over the course of a few nights. With this idea in mind, the first book of their trilogy, Submission, starts.

Genre 

• BDSM
• Romance
• Erotica

Book Setting – time and place 

Los Angeles

The storyline, in general terms 

Submission chronicles Monica’s struggles to make a living while also pursuing her dreams of becoming a musician in bustling Los Angeles. In the trilogy’s first instalment, we learn about Monica’s complex relationship with Gabby, her mentally-unstable friend; Darren, her high school ex; and Kevin, the boy whose heart she shattered 18 months prior to avoid any pain for herself.

After being let go from her waitressing job, Monica mulls over the possibility of suing her former employer for sexual harassment. Enter Jonathan Drazen: he is rich, attractive, and sophisticated. Though Monica isn’t looking for a relationship, she allows herself to be drawn into his orbit of seduction. He makes it clear that he can’t love her, so there shouldn’t be any consequences involved. Or should there be? Despite her attempts to remain unattached, they cannot keep themselves away from each other. Before long, she finds herself kneeling at his feet, begging for more – though she could walk away anytime – until the boundaries blur.

What did I like about the book? 

Everything! This book had me in a chokehold from the first page to the last! Damn, you, Jonathan Drazen! But the story gripped me like nothing I’ve read in years. Pulling me in between the pages, I wanted to be Monica! I wanted Jonathan to pull me into his arms and tell me he owned me!

I stumbled upon the series of books while browsing the web for reference materials on BDSM and domestic violence. Even though I had read all of the Fifty Shades books and seen the movies, this was unlike anything else: it featured real-seeming characters entangled with issues such as trauma, relationship struggles, loss, former spouses, crazed exes, mental health problems, suicide attempts, depression, alcoholism, and substance abuse – it had it all!

“I want you all to myself. I want to know what they didn’t do so I can do it. So I can keep you longer.”

CD. Reiss – Submission Book 1 (Jonathan)

I honestly can’t fault this book, it just made sense from the very beginning, and her writing is fantastic! Unlike some BDSM writers, she has a knack for descriptive writing.

What would have made it better? 

Finding out Monica was half Brazilian! This wasn’t revealed until book two; then, suddenly, it was a significant part of their lives in book three! Making it part of her life and culture would have made sense.

What didn’t I enjoy in the book? 

I’m not up there in the art world, especially in LA, so I skim-read some of those parts. It’s not because I didn’t enjoy them; the long description hurt my head. Nothing personal, just not my thing.

Any scene with Jessica! Unless she became an entirely different person, how did Jonathan ever love her? She was more manipulative than his father! Scorned ex-wives make the best antagonists.

Will I read another book by this author? 

I want to read all her books, but I’m not sure if I will ever get over this trilogy enough! I want the collection in paperback so I can reread it in two years! Honestly, I wish I could read it for the first time again! I’ve been walking around in a fog all week! I could talk about this book all day!

If you would like to know more about CD. Reiss or check out her books, please go to her website https://cdreiss.com/.

Star rating: 5 stars

Have you read this book yet, or do you plan on adding it to your TBR? Let me know by commenting below.

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