Tabs’ review of The Flirtation (Submissive Series, Book 10) by Tara Sue Me
Erotic Romance published by Berkley 08 Aug 17
Tara Sue Me’s latest entry in the Submissive Series is a solid second-chance romance. Lynne is new to the BSDM lifestyle but is ready to dip her toe back in after her first try ended on a sour note. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to get her ex out of her head. Flirting with him under an alias on BSDM social media is definitely wrong, but she just can’t resist. If she takes a do-over and embraces the things she let fear hold her back from, could things end up differently for them?
This plot is bananas. It just is. There’s catphishing, hacking, an evil psycho woman, and people acting like New York City is a tiny place where it’s perfectly reasonable to accidentally run into someone at a jigsaw puzzle store. It works, though. It had me shaking my head in disbelief and laughing out loud at points, but it definitely didn’t lose my attention. It’s also a surprisingly emotional and touching story.
Lynne’s journey of self-discovery is really the driving force behind the book. She talks about how she feels like she’s a completely different person from herself from a year ago and even describes herself as “Old Lynne” and “New Lynne.” Old Lynne was hesitant and afraid and let that hold her back. New Lynne has more confidence and courage and is all about trying new things and seeing where they go. Watching Lynne let go and blossom is really compelling.
Lynne’s identity deception works for me because her intentions aren’t at all malicious, and Simon really does deserve at least a little payback for his crappy behavior from their breakup. It’s a nice turning of the tables. Simon didn’t behave maliciously either, but he did cause Lynne pain from being dishonest. This felt like a much-needed leveling of the scales between them. They’re superbly compatible with one another, but their individual issues got the better of them the first go around.
This book is half total over-the-top bananas and half earnest reconciliation, and while the two tones don’t perfectly mesh, I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. I have been reading this series rather piecemeal because the books are pricey and many of the early entries follow one couple’s journey (not something I’m usually fond of), but I have been enjoying the more standalone stories. I will definitely be reading the upcoming releases.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Lynne has not wanted for anything since she began working as Nathaniel and Abby’s nanny—until the night they invite her to a group BDSM meeting. The abrupt breakup she had with her last Dom made her turn her back on the lifestyle, but now she’s ready to dive back in. When she starts chatting on online BDSM message boards, she’s shocked to discover Simon, her former Dom, is a frequent poster—and even more shocked at herself when she creates a secret identity and strikes up a conversation.
After messaging with a mysterious submissive online, Simon forms an immediate connection. Lynne and Simon’s D/s relationship grows in intensity, but can their relationship survive after the truth is exposed, and Lynne’s identity is laid bare?
No excerpt available.
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