Member Reviews
Submit is a memoir of Sonnet the Submissive.
She takes us through her experiences with examples of sexual encounters, her relationship, and also the thoughts and feelings she has whilst going through her experiences.
It was a very interesting read and I liked that there was as much discussion on the feelings, conversations etc rather than just descriptions of the sexual activities themselves.
An honest memoir and a good read.
I clicked request on #Submit by Sonnet because I wanted to know more. However, for as much as I discovered much of the content read like porn being passed off as lived experience. While much of what Sonnet is interesting, the best parts were those referencing history and literature. In a way, I feel this book is done a disservice by the encounters being described. The scenes got increasingly extreme until they were laughably implausible. Those interested in kink, who are without true guidance, may feel a need to attempt.some of what occurs in this book, and this will be detrimental to their mental and physical health. Submit is definitely .a title for adults, and adults who are either comfortable with their sexuality and play consensually and sensibly. 18+
My thanks to @hodderbooks and @netgalley for the free e-arc in return for an honest review.
#bdsm #kink #impact #submissive
A book which has reinforced to me the importance of reading a blurb thoroughly instead of skim reading – I managed to miss the word “memoir” THREE TIMES.
My misunderstanding of what this book would be going in didn’t detract from the experience of reading it at all. It could well have been a work of fiction, but the content just isn’t something you could make up. This is an utterly fascinating deep dive into the world of submission, and it’s refreshingly unique in that it’s a submissive taking power and control in telling her story. Sonnet explains not only her physical experiences but the emotions and psychology behind it too, in a completely unpretentious way. It’s bold. It won’t be for everyone. But it’s superbly narrated and I felt immersed in her world.
This book is a frank and thought-provoking look at fetish, kink and sex, particularly on submission. I thought it was very well done, and wasn't titillating for the sake of it, but rather did a deep exploration into the psychology of submission, and where limits and consent fit in more 'extreme' instances of kink worlds. She herself is a fascinating advocate for the power in submitting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Interesting story and very engaging at the start. I found it a bit repetitive as the story progressed.
4.5 stars
Found this one raw, intriguing, and utterly compelling. Yes, it's salacious & totally NSFW, but it's more than just sex and kink and sexy/kinky anecdotes. It was a deep plunge into not just the life of a 'regular' woman opening up her personal world to the reader, but it was also an exploration and sort of beginner's roadmap to BDSM and the underworld of D/s, leading into the mindset of submission, the allure of it, the delivery of dominance by the people she encounters. It's refreshing in the sense that there's no need or desire for the sensational here. It's a person recounting their life, how they live it, why they live it like they do...and this person happens to be a submissive. It's raw, it's open, it's candid, it's 'real', and this is what makes it compelling.
The reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I especially loved the psychology and 'lived' aspect of the point-of-view, and I wanted to see more of this. After a while, especially in the second half, this 'depth' of the psyche tends to go a bit AWOL and vignettes & anecdotes from her submission and encounters fill the book. It's this immersive POV narrative that drew me in from the very first page, and I would've wanted more of this ilk rather than sexy bits thrown in more and more as we got farther into the book.
Very good read. Frank account of a woman's journey through submissive sex. Some alarming tales of wanting to be hurt but told incredibly well. Has some slight repetitive feel but still fascinating.
It's okay. The book follows a woman who likes to submit to her lovers. It is nice to read about it in a positive way but to be honest I wanted more stories and less about what is going on in her head. It felt like an essay.
I felt this booked started off very hot and exciting but half way in there was an anticlimax. A lot of repetitive areas.
A kink memoir which, so far as I can tell (because ultimately you can only read a book from one perspective), does a better job than most of balancing accessibility for the curious outsider, with not appalling the cognoscenti by making a Fifty Shades-style hash of things. Similarly, there's a good balance between hot (needless to say, YMMV) descriptions of filthy scenes and the humanising details of Sonnet working out how this all fits into her wider life; very occasionally it tipped a little too far from psychologically interesting into woo for me, but in territory as extreme as some of this, that's hardly the most grievous failure mode. Early on, there are some entertainingly awful social events - a munch with too many 'amusing' hats contrasted with an equally unappealing Mayfair sex party where "There were a few women, but mostly there were men, who en masse bore a striking resemblance to the Tory backbench." Thereafter, though, Sonnet and her beau Max seem remarkably fortunate not only in how many hot and willing playmates they encounter, but in how well-behaved and deeply aware of consent &c they all are, how remarkably free of (unintended) drama it all is. Doubtless some of the usual suspects, who regard any life less boring than their own as de facto implausible, will seize on this to question the veracity of the whole thing; personally, I prefer to think that at least someone out there, and someone who mostly seems pretty likeable at that, is just very fortunate and having a wickedly good time. And besides, I've read more than enough terribly British memoirs where people are playing up their own supposedly relatable hopelessness and mishaps as applied to whatever new hobby or interest they've got into, and I really don't need that as applied to sex, where there's more than enough lingering embarrassment already. Though the acknowledgement that even the most full-on liaison can still have its occasional sillinesses - Sonnet asking if the fireplace is original while bound and awaiting a beating in front of it, then realising this maybe wasn't quite the right moment - is a different matter, and very welcome.
(Netgalley ARC)
Title: Submit by Sonnet
Release Date: September, 5th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
This memoir is a bold, unfiltered glimpse into the experiences of a woman who finds liberation in submission, and it’s unlike anything you’ve read before.
Sonnet is the quintessential modern woman—successful, connected, and creatively thriving. She juggles her professional life with ease, never forgetting to send a Christmas card. But behind this polished exterior lies a secret world where Sonnet willingly gives up control. She enjoys being caned, humiliated, and entering rooms blindfolded, surrendering herself to the whims of strangers. She delights in fulfilling whatever desires are imposed upon her.
This memoir isn’t just a recounting of her experiences; it’s an electric and vivid exploration of her journey through submission. Every page pulses with the raw truth of her encounters and the intensity of her emotions. Sonnet’s story is an invitation to understand a different kind of pleasure and fulfillment, one that defies societal norms and expectations.
Why I loved It:
✔ Unfiltered Honesty: Sonnet’s candid narration pulls no punches, offering a raw and unvarnished look at her life.
✔ Unique Perspective: This memoir dives deep into the psyche of a submissive, providing insights rarely discussed openly.
✔ Vivid Writing: Sonnet’s writing is electric and immersive, making you feel every emotion and sensation.
✔ Thought-Provoking: Challenges conventional ideas about pleasure, control, and the nature of submission.
✔ Empowering Narrative: Despite the submissive acts, Sonnet’s control over her narrative and choices is empowering.
Submit is a memoir that commands attention from the first page. Sonnet’s journey is both shocking and enlightening, taking readers into the depths of her desires with unapologetic honesty. The writing is vivid, almost electric, making it impossible to put down. Her story is not just about submission but about finding joy and freedom in unexpected places.
What makes this memoir truly compelling is Sonnet’s ability to articulate the complexities of her experiences with such clarity. She takes the reader beyond the physical acts, delving into the psychological and emotional realms of her desires. It’s a provocative read that challenges preconceived notions and invites you to see the world through her eyes.
If you’re looking for a memoir that’s raw, intense, and utterly captivating, Submit is a must-read. Just be prepared to have your perceptions challenged and expanded. This is an experience you won't want to miss. All I ask is that you submit...
Thank you to The Publisher Hodder & Stoughton | Coronet ,The Author Sonnet & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Submit by Sonnet
Rating:4/5
Release Date: 26 September 2024
Sonnet, a writer of immense talent, boasts a professional prowess matched only by her extensive network of influential connections. Athletic, creative, and triumphantly successful, she never forgets to spread holiday cheer with her thoughtful Christmas cards. Yet, behind closed doors, Sonnet harbours desires of a different nature.
For her, the thrill lies in submission. She revels in the sting of a cane, finds pleasure in the sting of humiliation. Blindfolded, she willingly surrenders control to ten strangers in a room, embracing their every whim as her own desire. Sonnet's preferences are fluid, adaptable to whatever fantasies are woven around her.
This is the clandestine memoir of a submissive, a raw and captivating testimony of one woman's pursuit of pleasure. Every word rings true, painting a vivid portrait of Sonnet's electrifying journey into the depths of her desires.
I found this book utterly captivating. What sets “Submit” apart is its ability to draw in not just those within the community, but also outsiders, offering a glimpse into a world that may seem foreign yet undeniably intriguing. Sonnet's story left me yearning for more, eager to explore further into her realm of experiences.
In essence, "Submit" provides a stimulating read, delving into the intricacies of identity and desire from a distinctive angle. However, for readers in search of deeper psychological insights or a meticulously crafted storyline, it may leave something to be desired.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton. and the author, Sonnet, for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Submit is the story of "Sonnet" and her life and thoughts as a submissive. A very intelligent woman,she tells of her escapades with like-minded partners ....met in clubs , online or casual hook ups.....and gives insights into the BDSM scene and the mindsets of those who follow that lifestyle.
This is a very graphic book and Sonnet indulges some very extreme practices so it's certainly not a book for everyone,I have to admit I found much of it quite disturbing,though everything was consensual and exactly what she expected and enjoyed. As a very eloquent person Sonnet gives an insight into the psychology of those who enjoy what many of us would have nightmares about,and emphasises that the vast majority are friendly,sociable and as normal as anyone else.
Not any easy read but a great insight into an alternative lifestyle that might not be for most of us but those who live it find enjoyable and rewarding.