From the Bookshelf of C.D.'s Canaries…

The Deep End (Honey, #1)

Kristen Ashley

Start date: March 15, 2017

Finish date: March 31, 2017

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What Members Thought

May 04, 2017 Joey Hill rated it really liked it

Lovely emotional exploration of the Female Dominant/alpha male submissive relationship…

As a BDSM romance author, I don’t read a lot of BDSM romance because it’s a busman’s holiday. But when a successful mainstream romance author decides to try her hand at writing a BDSM romance because she personally enjoys the genre as a reader (not because she wants to ride the FSOG gravy train), that intrigues me.

A lot of first-time BDSM romance authors open with a glitzy club setting where the Dom is somewh Lovely emotional exploration of the Female Dominant/alpha male submissive relationship…

As a BDSM romance author, I don’t read a lot of BDSM romance because it’s a busman’s holiday. But when a successful mainstream romance author decides to try her hand at writing a BDSM romance because she personally enjoys the genre as a reader (not because she wants to ride the FSOG gravy train), that intrigues me.

A lot of first-time BDSM romance authors open with a glitzy club setting where the Dom is somewhat of an unapproachable god or goddess. It’s like a rite of passage for most of us, and isn’t necessarily due to lack of access to “real life” resources. That fantasy dynamic is often what first captures our imagination as romance writers – the exclusive, pricey club, the mysterious, detached Dom/me, etc. Not much different from other romance genres, where the gorgeous totally-in-charge millionaire can offer a Mary Jane heroine the fairy tale romance of her dreams, right?

Yet where any author will distinguish herself/himself in our genre is where they transform that typical trope into real, multi-dimensional characters. Kristen Ashley did not disappoint. At about 16%, she broke through the character facades and started showing me who Amelie and Olivier really were. Every BDSM relationship is different. Personalities, experiences and what the Dom/sub are really seeking from one another set the pace, tone and structure to it (like most relationships, right?). Olly is a relatively inexperienced submissive male who nevertheless needs heavy pushing to help him let go. And Amelie is so good at being a Mistress she hasn’t let anyone see her as a woman, who wants to find both partner and submissive in the same package.

KA has a unique dialogue/internal narrative style, particularly with her heroes, and it takes a little getting used to. But once I get into the rhythm, it’s very natural, emotional and (especially with the hero) very sexy. An alpha male firefighter submissive to an experienced Domme? I’m all over that, lol.

The BDSM scenes are detailed and get deeply into their heads, but another wonderful thing about KA is how organically she lets the relationship develop. In real life relationships, we go partway down forks in the road, backtrack, stumble, try again, think we want one thing and then work ourselves around to what we really want and more importantly, need. Then we sabotage it with our baggage and dysfunctionality. However, love being the miracle it is, it sometimes allows us to work our way past that. A good romance gives us that same journey, with some nice fantasy elements thrown in (like Olivier’s gorgeous abs). From reading just two of her books, I believe this is where KA’s mojo lies—her ability to deliver a pleasurable, meandering journey in the hearts and minds of two people falling in love, and yet still hold my attention like a much faster-paced book would.

The only reason this book is a four is the need for some better editing and a slow beginning, but I’d still say what came after pushed it up to 4.5. There’s also one particular scene I’d rate 5++ stars. In that scene (no spoilers) KA confronts what isn’t often confronted in BDSM romance fiction: a session where Amelie does NOT meet Olly’s needs and he has to confront her about how she fell short.

In many BDSM romances, we maintain the fantasy that the Dom can mostly intuit what a sub needs “in session,” no matter what dysfunctionalities he/she nurtures outside of it. However, in this particular scene, KA confronts head on what a power exchange truly means, and what a submissive should reasonably expect from a Dom in that kind of relationship. It’s done very well, and expressed in an emotional, sexy and non-PSA kind of way.

So in summary, I find Kristen Ashley’s first foray into BDSM romance an extremely worthwhile read, and look forward to the next in the Honey series! ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2017 TeriLyn added it

Shelves: arc

**The Deep End generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley.**

"It was that coveted, priceless, smooth, deep, incomparable burn of the finest scotch whiskey."

As a huge fan of this author I was excited for her fully immersive debut into the BDSM world of kinky fantasy. You need to know that everything you love about Kristen Ashley's books remains intact with The Deep End. A swoony alpha, yes I said ALPHA have no fear, and a strong, poised heroine make up the pages. There's love and a lot **The Deep End generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley.**

"It was that coveted, priceless, smooth, deep, incomparable burn of the finest scotch whiskey."

As a huge fan of this author I was excited for her fully immersive debut into the BDSM world of kinky fantasy. You need to know that everything you love about Kristen Ashley's books remains intact with The Deep End. A swoony alpha, yes I said ALPHA have no fear, and a strong, poised heroine make up the pages. There's love and a lot of sex, be forewarned, a lot of sex that delves into the pleasures of kink. KA does not shy away from the truth of her characters or their needs. This book is a love story based on that sexual awakening and understanding compounding the deepest fantasies of both the hero and heroine. What I loved about it was the truly naked (both literal and figurative) moments of love and passion after the kink. Kristen Ashley really captured the raw, vulnerable and exposing moments for both characters and made me feel for them greatly in those specific moments.

Unfortunately for me the relationship dynamic between the two just didn't work for me. I found myself unable to connect to the kind of relationship they facilitated. Him being an alpha sub definitely means he's an alpha and some of their play just didn't work for me. Some of Amelie's language became so repetitive. And the premise of their coupling felt a little bit forced and unnatural. Femdomme just isn't one of my personal reading kinks and it's been the case before that I struggle with these types of relationship dynamics. It just felt for me that I wanted more than the vulnerability I got after their kink. They trusted each other so much to explore their fantasies but I never felt that trust as on going catalyst for an actual loving relationship until almost the end.

Out of the utmost respect for this author, her stories, her fans, and this genre I don't want to rate as I feel this is more a personal feeling with the dynamics of this kind of kink. However I truly believe, for those of you who love a Domme and her sub and love Kristen Ashley's unique storytelling style I think you'll love this book. It's an interesting take on the standard yummimess of all Kristen Ashley stories. The Deep End is a definite exploration that you'll need an open mind and an open heart to enjoy the full impact of the story. ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Mar 11, 2017 Crazy for Books (Stephanie) rated it it was ok

I can say that I'm very sad. I'm a Kristen Ashley devotee and will read anything she writes. But I was sadly disappointed with this new book. I checked after I started reading and saw some of my book friends write DNF and became concerned. They weren't wrong. I just have an issue with not finishing what I start reading, like there will be some redeeming thing down the line; and there sort of was.

Now for the book...

Amélie Strand is a Domme who is seen as the Queen Bee (pun intended) of Honey, th I can say that I'm very sad. I'm a Kristen Ashley devotee and will read anything she writes. But I was sadly disappointed with this new book. I checked after I started reading and saw some of my book friends write DNF and became concerned. They weren't wrong. I just have an issue with not finishing what I start reading, like there will be some redeeming thing down the line; and there sort of was.

Now for the book...

Amélie Strand is a Domme who is seen as the Queen Bee (pun intended) of Honey, the BDSM club owned by her long time friend Aryas. Amélie is bored. She's sampled the many talents of Honey in her play and isn't excited about what's on offer. That is until she spies Olivier Hawkes.

Olivier is a big, strong alpha-sub, who has a particular kink which has done a number on his head. He doesn't have a lot of experience, but his friend Barclay (owner of Bolt - another BDSM club, but not as high quality as Honey) suggested he try it out. But the thing is, Honey only takes on experienced people unless they are in training, even if they are on scholarship. Olivier and Barclay have fudged his experience to get him in.

When Amélie (aka Leigh) and Olivier (aka Olly) first set eyes on each other, there is an instant knowing that they need each other. They play often growing in what Olly is willing to let Leigh do to him. But their connection is tenuous as they get to know each other. They have a couple of miscommunications which threaten their future. But with the help of friends and family, they easily get back on track. That is until one such miscommunication causes Olly to miss the fact that Leigh is in trouble and the target of another clubs members machinations. Olly has decides he can't be without his Leigh Leigh and will do whatever is necessary to keep her safe.

Unfortunately for me this book just did nothing for me. I felt there was no plot. There were so many descriptions of things, it felt like they were page fillers, which caused me to skip a lot of paragraphs just to get to what was actually happening.

I felt no connection between Leigh and Olly in either their play or real world experiences until she got hurt. And even that was just because anyone would be upset with what happened to her and I got that part. But all their play gave me nothing. And there was a lot of play.

Now that being said, the only reason, and I mean the only reason this book isn't getting a 1 star review is because of Branch Dillinger. I don't want to say too much in case anyone decides to read this book, but he is crazy intense and all I wanted to know was, "what the hell is his story?". And I guess we will find out as he is the subject of the next book in this series, The Farthest Edge.

Now again, I didn't like this book and I'm not happy about that, but... I love Kristen Ashley and I will definitely give her another chance with this series by reading Branch's story. We all have bad days and can't be perfect. This just isn't part of her perfect. I respect that, think she's an amazing author/writer and will hit it out of the park next time like she's done in the past. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

May 28, 2017 Holly rated it did not like it

Shelves: disappointing-reads, hot-mess, did-not-finish, 2017

No words.
This is probably the fastest I have ever DNF'ed a book. I didn't even make it through the 2nd chapter.

I have no problem with the subject matter. In fact the idea of an Alpha-sub was intriguing to me.
My problem was the writing.
It was flat out terrible. Run on, nonsensical sentences. No charm, no wit, nothing at all like a KA book i have encountered before. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Mar 14, 2017 Cyndi Becker rated it liked it

I tried, but sadly this one missed the mark for me. I simply couldn't connect with Amèlie as there's was nothing in her personality that made me warm up to her. Olivier didn't work for me either and I found myself skim reading just to get to the end. :-( KA is still the queen: win some, lose some. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2017 Christine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was skeptical about this book. Kristen Ashley is famous for writing strong women and alpha men. How was that going to translate into a novel that mostly takes place in a BDSM club, especially since our alpha male is sexually submissive?

Well, she pulled it off brilliantly. (view spoiler) ...more

1 like · Like · see review