The Story of Simon

3.5 Star Review

Warning: This books has an intended audience of mature adults. This book is not recommended for person's under legal age.

This is not often the type of book that I would normally venture towards, however, just like Simon (the MC), curiosity lead me throughout this story. The book was well written, extremely accurate and respectful of the BDSM/ Femdom community, but, for me as a reader, I didn't find myself engaging in the story as much as I would have like. I more saw the book as an educational experience because I did learn a lot about a community that I have no part of/ no experience with, so I found it addictive and entertaining in that regard.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is about Simon and his Mistress Alannah after she purchases him at a charity slave auction.

I thought this was a good story that had a great view of a consenting BDSM relationship and included great details around safety systems. I liked seeing this positive view., and I especially enjoyed seeing the woman as the dominatrix. I did think that we could have had a bit more information and development around the characters. I don't feel like I had enough time to really get to know them. I think that is partially because it is a really short timeframe in the story, but I still would have liked more.

Content Warning: This book contains explicit sexual scenes of consensual BDSM.

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This book was different and unique but I didn't see that right away. In fact at first I wasn't even sure I was going to like it. I thought it was going to be another story about a dissolute, no direction, But after awhile it turned into something more. .

Story of Simon
Rachel Loewen
Genre: Erotica, Dark Romance, BDSM
Pages: 157

Content warning: This book can be classified as either a dark romance or erotica with consensual BDSM. This book is not suitable for readers that are sensitive to themes of dominance, submission, purposeful infliction of pain and other kinky acts.

The Story of Simon focuses on Simon’s first scene with Mistress Alannah, an established professional dominatrix in the London kink scene. It focuses on a whirlwind 24-hour period starting at a fetish ball hosted by Mistress Alannah after Simon is purchased as a gift for her during the slave auction (charity fundraiser).

What I liked:
*This book is incredibly kink positive. The portrayals of the kink culture are accurate and authentic. It also depicts very healthy open relationships between multiple characters.
*I loved the focus on a powerful competent female top. Males are so infrequently shown as bottoms or submissives. This was a refreshing perspective. Typically, the most popular erotica focuses on the alpha male dominant which can be hot but the trope gets really boring and often problematic.
*The discussion of consent using the concepts of safe, sane, and consensual as well as the color system were great in representing the fundamental concepts around consent in the kink community.
*I appreciated the discussion around subspace, endorphins, and aftercare.
*I loved that they did not make this book all about sex. It is an element in the story, but this story really shows how kink itself (use of restraints, impact play) can be very satisfying on their own.
*I LOVED that Mistress Alannah was not a secret billionaire. It was so refreshing not to have this trope present – which seems endemic to erotica right now.

What I didn’t like:
*The ending was odd. It felt like a cliff hanger but I’m not sure.
*I would have liked a bit more character development of both Simon and Mistress Alannah. I feel like I grew to know them in this 24-hour period, but I did not know anything about them outside this. Mistress Alannah is particularly intriguing.

I absolutely loved this book. It was captivating and a page-turner. I would highly recommend this book to folks who enjoy erotica, dark romance, or stories with kink. This author also gives a nice glimpse into the subculture of the kink community which is incredible to learn more about. I really hope this author writes more and I will read future stories!

ARC provided to me by Matador, via Net Galley, in exchange for an honest review.

Warning 18+

TW Mentioned Violence, Spanking, Restraints, Blood, Fire, Mental Illness, Hint at Death

5/5 stars

Spiciness: 5/5 peppers

Genre: Erotica

Description: Oh God, Kate, what the hell have you talked me into? Only the best night of your entire life, Simon, and you can thank me later...

Simon knows nothing about the fetish scene. His only experience with dominant women was his last girlfriend. But that taste has left him longing for more. He dreams of meeting a Mistress to help him explore his interest in femdom. After a drunken confession to his friend, Kate, she persuades him to join her at a BDSM club. Innocent and out of his depth, what would possibly go wrong?

Simon hopes this exotic new world will offer him everything he craves. Too shy to find a partner, he lets Kate push him into another bad decision – signing up for the slave auction. Falling into dangerous hands, he becomes a pawn in a terrifying game.

Will chasing his fantasies bring Simon everything he desires, or will he live to regret it?

Pros:

- Kink-Positive
- This book presents the BDSM scene in the way it should, focusing on consent and communication.
- The author does a good job of balancing the story with informational text about the BDSM culture to the point that I didn't even notice that I was learning until I was decently through the book.

Cons:

- The book could be very triggering for some people so please be mindful of your triggers before reading.
- Pretty major cliff hanger at the end.

Would I recommend it?

Yes.

AAAAAAAA! I loved this one so much! I'm honestly lost for words.

This was not only amazingly atmospheric, it was inclusive, it was honest, it was steamy and it was simply just so well written. I am so happy I had the opportunity to read this and I recommend it to everyone who is of age and interested in BDSM- not only because it was hot, but it was so informative and safe!

I received this copy for an honest review through NetGalley.

While this book is technically an erotica Rachel Loewen does a good job of separating BDSM from sex. While that isn't to say sex isn't a topic broached in the book it's not central to the telling of the story here. I really enjoyed seeing a Female Dominate as it something that I've rarely seen portrayed in books and other media. As someone who has had passing in the community, it's nice to see a more accurate representation for the community.

Seeing discussions of safewords and aftercare was something I really enjoyed and wished more books trying to cover BDSM would do. The ending however felt a little too quick and the epilogue, while leading into more books in an overall series, felt a little out of place.