Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Testing Tom

Rate this book
When Katrina’s ex, Tom, turns up on her doorstep, he’s literally the last person she was expecting to see. After dumping her and running off with a vanilla chick, Tom broke the Domme’s heart and left her seriously hurting. So when he returns, begging for another chance, Katrina is understandably very confused and protective of her bruised feelings. She finds it very difficult to believe that he’s turned his back on a vanilla lifestyle for good and wants to be with her, a professional dominatrix. Rather than letting her head or her heart figure out what to do, whether to forgive him, she decides to put Tom through a series of challenges that will prove his devotion to her—or not. Testing Tom is not something she’d ever expected she’d have to do, but to her, it’s the only way she can be sure whether he’s back for good.

45 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2013

5 people are currently reading
148 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Felthouse

252 books798 followers
Lucy Felthouse is the award-winning author of erotic romance novels Stately Pleasures (named in the top 5 of Cliterati.co.uk’s 100 Modern Erotic Classics That You’ve Never Heard Of), Eyes Wide Open (winner of the Love Romances Café’s Best Ménage Book 2015 award), The Persecution of the Wolves, Hiding in Plain Sight, Curve Appeal, and The Heiress’s Harem and The Dreadnoughts series. Including novels, short stories and novellas, she has over 175 publications to her name. Find out more about her and her writing at http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/linktree

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
8 (21%)
4 stars
12 (32%)
3 stars
11 (29%)
2 stars
3 (8%)
1 star
3 (8%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Dee.
2,000 reviews100 followers
December 18, 2019
This is one of the better femdom stories I have read in the genre. Tom didn’t get put through the paces as much as I thought he would be, but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. The first half of the story was like a slow burn, and it really heated up towards the end.

I realise this is fiction, but I had an issue with some of the BDSM practices, especially due to the fact than the main character was supposedly a trained professional domme. However, I am not going to rip those aspects apart as, after all, this is a ‘fictional’ account of a female top and her submissive lover.

I received a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Jim Lyon.
Author 16 books176 followers
July 30, 2015
In the books that I have read by erotica author Lucy Felthouse, what stands out to me are her unique stories peopled with characters engaging in a version of BDSM that is probably more representative of the majority of real-life practitioners than what is commonly portrayed in books of that genre. They include some aspects of power exchange and moderate to severe corporal punishment, but nothing too extreme. Her latest novella, Testing Tom, is a case in point.

At its core, this is a HEA femdom love story… but with a twist. Katrina, a self-proclaimed domme, is moping around trying to recover from a break-up with her sub Tom, with whom she is still in love many months later. When the doorbell rings one night she assumes it is a door-to-door canvasser, but peeking out the window she discovers it is her ex. Not in the mood for whatever he has to say to her, she doesn’t answer the door. Surprisingly assertive for a submissive, Tom persists and calls out to her through the door telling her he knows she’s in there because her car is in the driveway, and he can see the television is on through the curtains.

To avoid unwanted attention from nosy neighbors, Katrina lets him in to state his case. It turns out that he wants to patch things up with her. Tom admits to Katrina that he had a sort of identity crisis and tried to revert to a vanilla lifestyle, but to no avail - he finally realized his mistake and how much he loves her. Hurt and angry, but still smitten with her errant lover, Katrina instructs him to return the following night and expect to be tasked to prove his worthiness. The remainder of the story primarily involves the testing Tom endures to regain her trust and let Katrina exact a degree of revenge for the hurt she suffered.

When you read a lot of kinky books in which the principal characters engage in some form of power play or sexual activity relatively soon into the story, it almost seems like something is missing when an author chooses to defer instant gratification in favor of developing that element of the story at a more realistic pace. Fortunately, in this case, when Ms. Felthouse finally deems it’s time for the kink to kick in, she does it spectacularly. Only the most jaded and hardcore BDSM junkie would be disappointed by the pleasure-pain and humiliation scenes that grace the latter pages of Testing Tom.

I try not to be too persnickety about inconsequential features of a story that don’t resonate with me because I realize readers’ sensibilities vary greatly. Although I was put off a bit by the narrative’s middle class British tone because my own sensibilities are borderline-effete American, I enjoyed the book despite that minor disconnect. I have no compunction recommending Testing Tom to any fan of femdom, or to any reader who wants to sample the genre.
Profile Image for BookAddict  ✒ La Crimson Femme.
6,911 reviews1,435 followers
July 23, 2013
Delicious and romantic side of femdom! Ms. Felthouse shows a more realistic D/s dynamic between a Domme and her sub. In Testing Tom, Katrina's heart is broken as her submissive tosses her over for a "normal" relationship. It came out of left field. Now Tom is back and begging for a second chance.

This could be a set up for a depraved revenge punishment as well as some harsh grudge fucking. (Not that there is anything wrong with that scenario because it's just as tempting for me.) Instead, Ms. Felthouse treats the reader to a controlling yet sweet testing of trust rebuilding. There is no set up for failure, instead it's devoted to reassure Katrina isn't setting herself up for another heartbreak.

This short story is a good example of a responsible dominant's behaviour accented with steamy kinky scenes. With just a few implements, Katrina dominates easily and it's beautiful to witness. The BDSM is realistic except for perhaps the "last" test. The last test is absolutely fabulous, one of my FAVOURITE fetishes. Not sure about the rules in UK, but in US, this wouldn't be allowed even in a private club unless it was a closed private party. Still, it's a fitting ending.

Ms. Felthouse's writing voice is smooth and infused with well placed humour. This short story is recommended to kinky romance readers looking for a good femdom piece.

*I received this book as a review copy in return for an honest review
Profile Image for Tracey Parker.
310 reviews7 followers
Read
April 8, 2015
Kat is surprised to have her ex show up one night on her doorstep. He left and broke her heart, but now is saying he was wrong. How can she ensure he won't do it again? By testing him even more then they already had done in their dom/sub relationship. Tom needs to prove that he will stick around and Kat has several plans for him to do. This was such a hot story. Just reading what Tom will do to proof he realizes this is who he is and he's not afraid anymore was so awe inducing! I loved everything about the story!
Profile Image for Alison.
743 reviews
April 3, 2015
After find the love of her life back on her doorstep, months after being dumped by him, begging her to take him back, you'd have thought Katrina would take her revenge. Well she does ... she needs to test Tom, to see just how much he really wants their life together, too see the proof of how much he loves her.

A fantastic short story that packs a lot in.

Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
448 reviews9 followers
November 22, 2015
Testing Tom is a short and sexy femdom novella that I really enjoyed. It's only a quick read, but it's really well written and it is very sexy. This is the second book that I've read by Lucy Felthouse and she is a talented author - and she sure knows how to write BDSM scenes that are hotter than hell!
Katrina was heartbroken when she was dumped by her submissive, Tom, for a vanilla woman. So when he turns up on her doorstep months later wanting a second chance, Katrina is understandably wary. The professional Dominatrix comes up with a series of tests for Tom to prove that he really loves her and is serious about their relationship this time. Can Tom prove to his Mistress that he really is back for good?
The book only takes place over a few days, so we only get a quick glimpse into the characters lives and relationship, but I still felt connected to them. The story is told entirely from Katrina's point of view so I felt especially connected to her. The chemistry between Katrina and Tom is sizzling, they were so hot together. This is a fun, sexy short story that receives four out of five stars.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Debi.
249 reviews6 followers
May 9, 2014
Testing Tom by Lucy Felthouse
Holy Cow! What kind of tests would you put someone thru to prove they wanted to get back together with you? Would you let someone back into your heart after they broke it into a million pieces? Well Katrina has decided to put Tom to the test after he left her for a vanilla relationship. Tom would do anything to be back with Katrina and into her lifestyle. The only thing Katrina is worried about is will her heart be broken again. This was an awesome short story by Lucy. How far would you go to prove your love? Check out Testing Tom to see what he had to endure for love.
I received this book as a gift from the author.
314 reviews7 followers
November 9, 2015
Katrina is a dominatrix and an excellent one. Tom was the love of her life who foolishly left her to try a vanilla relationship. Realising his mistake, he begs Katrina to take him back but Katrina isn't going to let it be easy for Tom. She needs to know that he will never hurt her again and for that to happen, Tom needs to be tested. This sexy short story packs in plenty of Dom/sub play and will keep you squirming saucily throughout.
Copy kindly gifted by author for honest review.
Profile Image for Lily Harlem.
Author 241 books682 followers
August 6, 2013
Ms Felthouse certainly cranks up the sexy in this book, she also manages a good sprinkle of romance and love, not easy with the themes she’s dealing with. If you like a well written BDSM novella with lots of heart and angst that still feels real, then I recommend Testing Tom.
Profile Image for Renay.
345 reviews
December 7, 2015
This was a sexy juicy hot BDSM HEA story. Yes, this is a romance and love story. I enjoyed this sweet novella felt the angst and love the heroine was going through. There was plenty of Dom/sub play, if you are a hardcore BDSM reader; then this book is not for you. Testing Tom showed readers a world where love in a relationship can be reborn.
Profile Image for Amy Miller.
3,793 reviews33 followers
February 15, 2016
This is a sexy little story. I liked how Katrina handled Tom and the way he left her . This story could have gone terribly bad but the author did a great job of balancing out Katrina's need for revenge and punishment to making things right and work for them.
Profile Image for Lexee Toste.
2,771 reviews17 followers
December 29, 2022
This book was not great for me. I had a hard time connecting to the characters which made it difficult for me to get into the story. It is short. I listened to the audio book and the narrator was okay, I don't think that played much of a part of not connecting. Some of the characters reactions and the way that they behaved with the situation is where I think I had my biggest issue connecting. Tom had left Cat for another woman without a good explanation/reason and now he's coming back months later wanting Cat back. He broke her heart and, for me, flipped a little too easily on taking him back and letting him back in, even with the tests. It just created that disconnect with the characters for me. The story was well written and if you are into the female domme it could be very enjoyable and entertaining. This story doesn't go too far into the kink BDSM, it's not hardcore and I thought that aspect was well done and enjoyable.
2,733 reviews29 followers
August 8, 2025
3.75 stars. This short story is female lead POV, well written, and an explicit, second chance, contemporary romantic erotica tale. I enjoyed Katrina’s determination to have Tom prove his remorse and not just accept his apology. I enjoyed Tom’s dedication to proving his remorse. I also appreciated that he had broken up with Katrina, rather than cheating, in the past. I enjoyed the erotic intimate scenes. I enjoyed the resolution, though I felt the story was a little too short and could have been more detailed.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
735 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2022
I enjoyed this story. It was written very well. Nina Nato did a phenomenal job of making the story so vivid and live! Thank you!
Despite the story being so short, Lucy Felthouse managed to pull together a wonderful story with some kind of longer time frame, with depth, and with emotion.
The only problem I had with this story is the idea of revenge. There shouldn't be any revenge in any kind of relationship, especially with DS relationship.
Altogether a very enjoyable hour and a half.

I was given this review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for J.
3,900 reviews17 followers
August 4, 2021
After having her heart broken by Tom, the last thing she expects is said Tom on her doorstep begging for another chance...Katrina has a choice - risk her heart again or stay safe?!? Since Katrina is a dom mistress it seems only fitting to test her sub to make sure he's loyal to her and her alone. Will he agree and pass or tests?!? A short, well written kinky erotic listen. Great narration as well.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
Profile Image for bella rhys (semi-hiatus).
498 reviews8 followers
December 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

A second chance erotic novella. Tom turns up unexpectedly on Katrina’s front door asking for a second chance after breaking her heart. As a Dom, Katrina decides to test his loyalty by settings a series of tests to determine whether or not to take Tom back. The narration was also excellent!

I was given a free audio copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.