Sandy M’s review of The Training (Submissive Trilogy, Book 3) by Tara Sue Me
Erotic Romance published by NAL Trade 1 October 2013
After really enjoying the first two books in this trilogy – Nathaniel and Abby finding their way to love amid their D/s lifestyle and a bit of heartache – I knew we’d get a lot of training. I hoped we’d also get more of their daily life together – their playtime is weekends only – plus see how their new world progresses for them both. There’s a little of that, but I feel we get to know only one of these characters better than we already do.
Of course, the main focus is Abby’s training, and there is plenty going on in Nathaniel’s playroom. I like that he takes his time allowing Abby to experience her submission an element or two at a time. She still hesitates, although minutely, at certain points, thus bringing punishment into the scene, which they both don’t enjoy. Nathaniel doesn’t like punishing Abby, but to reach their goal of her total submission, it’s necessary. Abby hates disappointing Nathaniel and takes those extra spankings with a stiff upper lip. I also like the care Nathaniel takes with Abby, something he was lacking earlier in the story. After their weekends are over, they talk about what they each liked or didn’t like; Nathaniel even goes so far as to schedule a weekend with his mentor and his wife/submissive, someone Abby can talk to about the lifestyle.
But this Nathaniel is the Nathaniel who has been in evidence all through the trilogy. There have been those moments when we see his doubt, his vulnerability, and his uncertainty, but I’d hoped for a closer look at that Nathaniel, one who grows more confident in the side of life he never thought he’d live. As Abby grows in her submission, Nathaniel should also grow into the softer side of himself and we should see that. We know they’re trying to make it work, and we see plenty of Abby’s evolution, including a lot of help from Nathaniel, but we don’t get nearly as much of the lover as we do of the Dom.
Thus, the sex is hot and intense and there’s a lot of it. Abby takes to each new element Nathaniel surprises her with. Then comes the part of Nathaniel I don’t like, which I have a feeling will happen with a lot of readers. I’m sure my eyes were wide as saucers when reading what he’d demand Abby do, and there are a number that don’t sit well with me. That being said, nothing is sugar coated. The author has done her research and I’m confident this is pretty dang close to what the BDSM world is truly like. Doesn’t make me like it any better, but props to her for keeping it realistic. I still don’t get the “my pleasure is your pleasure” bit to go along with pain and humiliation, which is what some of it seems to me, but Abby’s needs take precedence. Giving herself and her trust over to Nathaniel is exactly what she needs when in her submissive role.
I enjoyed getting caught up with Felicia and Jackson; Felicia is coming to terms with Abby’s decisions, but I would have liked more resolution between them. The scenes with Paul, Nathaniel’s mentor, and his wife/submissive help Abby tremendously, which is Nathaniel’s goal, as does the journal he gives Abby while he’s on a business trip, which are the types of things I wanted to see happen with his “training.” Nathaniel’s past pops up to put a wrinkle in their life, but they work through it all to focus on them and what they need and want. The drama doesn’t drag on, which is nice.
Despite not getting further into Nathaniel’s head and heart on his non-Dominant side, he’s still an engaging hero who has come a very long way from first meeting him. Abby is obviously good for him in all aspects of his life, as he is for her. They’ve been an interesting couple to get to know, to watch grow into a relationship that works for them both, and to know that they’ll last together until the end of their days. I’m happy to have found them, and look forward to Tara Sue Me’s future endeavors.
Grade: B
Summary:
It started with a hidden desire.
Millionaire CEO Nathaniel West has always played by his own strict set of rules, ones he expects everyone to follow—especially the women he’s dominated in his bedroom. But his newest lover is breaking down all his boundaries and rewriting his rule book.
Abby King never imagined that she would capture the heart of Nathaniel West, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors—and its most desirable dominant. What began as a weekend arrangement of pleasure has become a passionate romance with a man who knows every inch of her body and her soul – yet remains an enigmatic lover. Though he is tender and caring, his painful past remains a wall between them.
Abby knows the only way to truly earn his trust is to submit to him fully and let go of all of her lingering inhibitions. Because to lead Nathaniel on a path to greater intimacy, she must first let him deeper into her world than anyone has ever gone before…
Read an excerpt. (scroll down)
Other books in this series:
