ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Duality follows shortly after the conclusion of Entropy, book one in the series. Joshua Edward Smith introduced readers to two married individuals who embark on an extramarital affair through social media. Both are involved in vanilla relationships with their significant others, but together they are Sir and Lisa, a BDSM couple. They thrive on social media and followers, on being popular and well-liked. We previously saw them through their affair as Lisa in particular dealt with several serious personal issues and now we follow them after their first meeting as they embark on something more serious together.

I previously had a lot of issues with Lisa, I really struggled with liking her and her choices, but with Duality I found myself liking her and disliking Sir. Lisa learned a lot in Entropy and it is no surprise that she brought those learnings with her to Duality. She helps with the children, she becomes a domestic partner to Sir, and she provides him everything she thought he needed. Sir, however, is the kind of man who wants to have his cake and eat it too. He's never satisfied and he lets you know repeatedly through out the novel. He wants his wife's positive qualities, he wants Lisa's positive qualities, and he wants other women to fill those spaces. I really struggled with liking him, he reads very much like a selfish spoiled teenager rather than adult, well-educated man. Even with my dislike though, much like Entropy, the third person perspective allowed me to sit back and just watch it play out.

Lisa and Sir's relationship is unconventional and I really appreciated that Smith kept this novel as realistic as possible as well. Lisa has money, Sir is struggling financially, and their methods of raising children is different. We see their daily lives, the school events, the bickering between children and parents, it all is very much like real life. Slightly less complicated than Entropy, Duality deals with serious subject matters as well, especially as Lisa discovers that her role of caring for and being there for Sir is much like that of caring for her children, an opportunity she is later given in the novel. Ultimately, the characters have happiness, but overtime recognize that happiness is this flowing, changing thing that's never constant. I really felt like the characters learned over time the value of work in relationship, of compromise and learning together, but ultimately it worked out how I expected it to.

I enjoyed Duality, but not nearly as much as Entropy. I struggled with the characters, with their selfishness, but continue to appreciate how true to life they are as humans. Duality again reads more non-fiction than fiction, it delved deep into human nature and pushing the boundary of what is conventional. ( )

Although I loved the story of Sir and Kitten, I couldn't wait to read the next part of the story. I was disappointed that their relationship fell by the way side. I didn't find his relationships with his other Subs as refreshing as I found his relationship with Kitten. I hope that there is a third part to this with him and Kitten reuniting. I was disappointed with how this book turned out. Joshua did a great job writing the book, it was just that I wasn't as attuned to the this part of the story like I was to the first one. ( )

In my opinion the first part, Entropy, was better. I couldn't wait to read more about Lisa and Sir. I didn't know what to expect, how the story would develop, and although at the end all of the characters seemed to be happy with their lives and decisions they made, I was not fully satisfied. I disliked the fact that Sir was connected to more than 1 woman, actually I think I was even a little jealous. Lisa was my favorite character and I was hoping for a different ending for her but it seems like her life keeps deciding for itself.

In Entropy Sir seemed to be loving and caring but after reading Duality my opinion about him slightly changed. Now I think that he is a little selfish and I think that Ashley was right calling him a dirty old man. I would never like to be involved in a relationship like this; I don't think I am obedient. However, I enjoyed the book and I learned a lot from it. If you're interested in the book, I recommend reading Entropy first.

I received and advanced reading copy of this book via LibraryThing in an exchange for an honest review. ( )

"I am the earth and you are the moon, and you are the earth and I am the moon"
Duality: in physics and in life.

I received an ARC, and as with first book, read it in one sitting. In this sequel to Entropy, we explore the complicated nature of relationships, both new and old. As Lisa and Sir adjust to their life together, we learn that what we want isn't always what we need.

Love, friendship, and sex make a story that you won’t want to put down – and will leave you wanting more. ( )