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jackiehorne's review against another edition
2.0
Was excited to read this, given the author's pen name. But it turned out to be a portrait of a black woman who is a submissive both in her sexual life and in her everyday interactions with her boyfriend/fiancé David, which did not appeal to me at all. I'm having a hard time thinking about such a relationship as feminist.
Nicole/Star is a social worker, but we see very little of her work life; most of what we are shown is David telling her what to do, in the guise of catering to her need to submit and to experience physical pain: "She, of course, was His to use as He needed" (50). We hear about Nicole's former boyfriend, who committed an heinous act of physical abuse on her without her consent, and I guess we're meant to appreciate David in contrast, because he cares about Nicole's career and wants her to thrive. But I found their relationship rather disturbing, nonetheless. As Nicole seems to have no personality at all, besides a desire to serve David, I had difficulty understanding her motives or relating to her wants and needs.
There's not much in the way of plot until Nicole's abusive former boyfriend shows up at a holiday party at David's mother's house (son of mom's new boyfriend), and he and David get into a fight, during which Nicole. The story takes a major turn toward melodrama here, complete with amnesia, paternity confusion, and an ending.
Must be extra difficult being a sexually-submissive African-American woman, given our country's history of enslaving Africans. We get little hint of this in this book, though.
(FYI, the characters' race is not mentioned directly, just implied via cultural cues)
Nicole/Star is a social worker, but we see very little of her work life; most of what we are shown is David telling her what to do, in the guise of catering to her need to submit and to experience physical pain: "She, of course, was His to use as He needed" (50). We hear about Nicole's former boyfriend, who committed an heinous act of physical abuse on her without her consent, and I guess we're meant to appreciate David in contrast, because he cares about Nicole's career and wants her to thrive. But I found their relationship rather disturbing, nonetheless. As Nicole seems to have no personality at all, besides a desire to serve David, I had difficulty understanding her motives or relating to her wants and needs.
There's not much in the way of plot until Nicole's abusive former boyfriend shows up at a holiday party at David's mother's house (son of mom's new boyfriend), and he and David get into a fight, during which Nicole
Spoiler
falls off the porch and ends up in a comaSpoiler
"it was all a dream"Must be extra difficult being a sexually-submissive African-American woman, given our country's history of enslaving Africans. We get little hint of this in this book, though.
(FYI, the characters' race is not mentioned directly, just implied via cultural cues)
melg0378's review against another edition
5.0
Great short quick read. The kink was the right touch along with the story
kyra0627's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
purelynicole's review against another edition
3.0
The characters are well crafted, but the story is a bit disjointed at times. For example, there are points where there are flashbacks with no indication, which left me confused. The ending was also not particularly strong.
That being said, I enjoyed the book. If/when the author puts out something else I'll pick it up as well.
That being said, I enjoyed the book. If/when the author puts out something else I'll pick it up as well.
tishushu's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the book. Nicole was a very complex character, and I appreciated that. Marcus... Ugh...
glassesgirl79's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who has read “50 Shades of Gray,” I was intrigued with the premise of a book presenting a BDSM relationship experiences by people of color. In “Push the Button,” the readers are introduced to David and Nicole, a thirty something black couple who are excelling in their professional goals as well as enjoy a dominant/submissive lifestyle.
The book begins with David being aware on a business trip and Nicole giving him pleasure via Skype. As the book progresses, the author shifts the story from the present day of David and Nicole’s relationship to the darker days of abused Nicole experienced at the hand of her previous lover Marcus.
Although David has been open and honest with Nicole during the course of their relationship, Nicole neglected to fully disclose her relationship with Marcus and the traumatic event which led her to leave him. During a night out at their favorite social club, David and Marcus meet and Nicole is forced to face her past which inadvertently embarrasses David.
After David punishes Nicole for her forgetfulness, their relationship grows stronger and he eventually proposes to her. While they are enjoying being engaged and living their lives in a dominant/submissive relationship, danger is lurking around the corner.
Even during their tumultuous experiences, David and Nicole never lose their love for each other and I loved the playful interactions between David and Nicole. I especially liked the email exchanges and their screen names which is a play on their actual names.
I wish more books existed that presents the BDSM lifestyle from the perspective of people of color however this is a great opportunity to discover that white people are the only ones who enjoy an erotic lifestyle.
The book begins with David being aware on a business trip and Nicole giving him pleasure via Skype. As the book progresses, the author shifts the story from the present day of David and Nicole’s relationship to the darker days of abused Nicole experienced at the hand of her previous lover Marcus.
Although David has been open and honest with Nicole during the course of their relationship, Nicole neglected to fully disclose her relationship with Marcus and the traumatic event which led her to leave him. During a night out at their favorite social club, David and Marcus meet and Nicole is forced to face her past which inadvertently embarrasses David.
After David punishes Nicole for her forgetfulness, their relationship grows stronger and he eventually proposes to her. While they are enjoying being engaged and living their lives in a dominant/submissive relationship, danger is lurking around the corner.
Even during their tumultuous experiences, David and Nicole never lose their love for each other and I loved the playful interactions between David and Nicole. I especially liked the email exchanges and their screen names which is a play on their actual names.
I wish more books existed that presents the BDSM lifestyle from the perspective of people of color however this is a great opportunity to discover that white people are the only ones who enjoy an erotic lifestyle.
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