4.3 stars

What a pleasant surprise. I have always been a fan of this author after discovering the Black Light series. However, I might have to say that I liked this a little more. I had never read the original version and only have to go on this updated version.

From the beginning, I could tell by the characters that as happy as they both were they weren't exactly being honest. I just didn't know how much until later. I have to be honest, I did not see things turning out the way that they did with Brianna and Jake, nor did I see the reasons why. As a certain scene was happening, I couldn't help but think why she was keeping such a secret from Marcus, especially as there was more to it than just what she felt forced to do. I felt like this portion of the story could have expounded on the reasons why. Especially, as Brianna and Marcus were so well established. It raised questions for me. If Brianna had told Marcus about her past relationship with Jake and that was the reason that he didn't act a certain way, wouldn't he have known that she was submissive? In all their openness, why did neither of them truly open up about their wants and needs? Isn't that the primary objective of any relationship, regardless of whether it is a BDSM one?

Even with those questions, the punishment scenes were Fire. Good Lord, I loved that things were explained with such detail, some things were even more spelled out than they are in Black Light and I loved getting to see more of what is out there in this world. I was prepared to hate Lukas for going the route that he did, especially as it is apparent even though things could have gone differently if they had communicated that Brianna loved Marcus. Yet, as the book and punishments went on, I found myself wishing that this would turn into a poly relationship because there was just something about Lukas as he discovered her secrets. I felt bad for him that he realized how perfect Brianna was and how lucky Marcus was.

I was confused about how Tiffany came into play, and how she was going to factor in with this story in regard to Lukas, Marcus, and Brianna. I wasn't ready for the story to end. there are definitely some triggers in this book for some reasons and not everything is safe, sane, and consensual (SSC). ( )

It's very rare that I give a book that I almost didn't DNF 5 stars, and even rarer that I give 5 stars to a book where I strongly dislike 2 of the main characters, but if I'm going to do that for anyone, it's definitely going to be Livia Grant and this book.

I really don't like Brianna in the beginning of the book, for a lot of reasons. I like her more toward the end of the book, but I still am not 100% on the like train. I think that she makes some really stupid choices, and doesn't take advantage of the things that are right there that she could use to help herself out of the situation she finds herself in. I think that she should've said something to Markus. I can understand her choices, but that doesn't mean that I don't think that they are stupid.

I started out liking Markus, but I liked him less and less as the time went on. I think that he didn't stop and think and try to figure out what was going on.

Lukus interests me deeply. I can't wait to get to know more about him. Same with Tiffany. I can not wait for the 2nd book to come out, because this one left me hanging in a good way. ( )