Sandy M’s review of Unraveled (Mastered, Book 3) by Lorelei James
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by NAL 3 Mar 15
I knew this twist on the Dom/sub concept would be in great hands with Lorelei James at the helm. I’ve not read this often, and even when I have it’s not worked that well, but in this instance a sexy, alpha hero who is submissive in the bedroom? Especially when he doesn’t realize it and doesn’t even believe it at first? And while there’s a lot of sizzle and heat going on, it’s the emotional aspect these characters go through that brings the world into focus for everyone involved.
Knox and Shiori have been throwing barbs and sarcasm at each other from the moment they met. So you know they’ll be just as explosive between the sheets, even if they’d snort at the idea of them ending up there together. Knox is in charge of the dojo while Ronin and Amery are in Japan for the next couple of months, so for the moment his doubts about where he fits in the business are on the back burner. Running into Shiori at the club where he provides a variety of services gives him pause when he realizes Shiroi is a Domme, and she even throws his personal life into chaos when she tells him he’s a sub. No effin’ way, as far as Knox is concerned.
Having never been in a long-term relationship as a Domme, Shiori isn’t on an even keel herself when she and Knox come together. She’s confident she can prove to him his submissive tendencies and make their time together worthwhile for them both, but eventually she will head back to Japan, letting another relationship come to an end. But they’re each quite surprised at the depth of feeling they have to face when the time comes, and I love the way they fight for each other and the life they can have, despite what others believe.
As much as I love Ronin and Amery, Knox and Shiori have now taken their place beside that dynamic couple. I enjoyed the give and take between them, Shiori giving way to Knox outside the bedroom when it comes to their professional relationship and dating. There are terrific scenes as Knox begins to understand his submissive side, being the only one who can give Shiroi what she wants and needs in every way. Then there’s the heartbreaking scenes when Shiori realizes she’s the one who has broken the trust between them, breaking promises when they mean the most and taking control when it’s not hers to have.
Lorelei James knows how to keep her books well balanced with storyline and erotic content. I never have that “I’d like some story with my sex, please” feeling when reading her books. Every sex scene is right where it’s needed, nothing gratuitous about any of them and not too many included to bore a reader into skimming pages. And my one of my favorite things about her stories is the inclusion of family. Knox and his sisters are such fun together, you feel the love and support with his entire family. Then Ronin and Amery return, and though Ronin needs a nudge to dial himself back a bit, you can see the change in him when it comes to his sister. I also like that we meet Ronin and Shiori’s mother, who does exactly what a mother should.
We get to spend a bit more time with secondary characters in this book, due to Ronin’s absence. That paves the way for the next book in the series, Caged, in which Deacon and Molly are featured. That releases in July, and it can’t get here soon enough to suit me.
Grade: A
Summary:
…a man will find the domination he’s always craved…
Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…
At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman…
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
