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prairiewolf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
starlightspell's review against another edition
1.75
I skipped a lot of this. The story and drama was over the top for me…
earlgreyhhot's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
3.0
TW: physical abuse, domestic violence, gaslighting, grooming, emotional abuse, glancing reference to pedophilia and child trafficking
I liked the plot for this one. If all of your characters are going to be idealized, then have them deal with real issues. The distinction between BDSM and abuse is one of those issues. Emotional abuse is another. Although Piper sees a counselor at the end, Ethan's therapeutic attempts are dangerous. He could have done this in conjunction with Piper seeing a counselor. Happy to see that the Doms turned in one of their own and Serna was arrested/investigated. No one ever did find out that Serna paid Jerry for Piper.
For many reasons I object to that game.
And I was really, really disappointed that Ethan made her beg. I know, not for food and water. Sex, however, is on the same level of food and water on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I know, he wanted to show that she was safe. Still, begging for her was symbolic of her defiled state. To not recognize that, to make her choose to defile herself just to gratify his own need for her submission? More in character of him to recognize what begging means to her and respect that.
I liked the plot for this one. If all of your characters are going to be idealized, then have them deal with real issues. The distinction between BDSM and abuse is one of those issues. Emotional abuse is another. Although Piper sees a counselor at the end, Ethan's therapeutic attempts are dangerous. He could have done this in conjunction with Piper seeing a counselor. Happy to see that the Doms turned in one of their own and Serna was arrested/investigated. No one ever did find out that Serna paid Jerry for Piper.
For many reasons I object to that game.
And I was really, really disappointed that Ethan made her beg. I know, not for food and water. Sex, however, is on the same level of food and water on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I know, he wanted to show that she was safe. Still, begging for her was symbolic of her defiled state. To not recognize that, to make her choose to defile herself just to gratify his own need for her submission? More in character of him to recognize what begging means to her and respect that.
booklvrkat's review
5.0
It's been awhile since we've visited Dark Haven. And boy did I miss it. Ethan is powerful in his protection mode and I loved Piper. Her strength is amazing. Reading the love blossom between these two is powerful enough for most, add in everything else in the story, the rest of the characters from DH and this is a rousing addition to a shelf of favorites. I savored, didn't rush, and want to beg for more.
sarm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thenovellush's review
2.0
I've read a few of Sinclair's books by now, though I read this one before the other two or three, and one thing that remains the same is the odd way she has of characterizing all of her characters as giant (and I mean GIANT) exaggerated stereotypes. The characters from Texas are such caricatures that it's just painful. Swaggering, straw chewing characters who say things like 'git along little doggie' and other old school John Wayne-esque sayings that nobody actually uses. Especially in 2019.
It's distracting, as are the odd nicknames which didn't really appear much in this book as they have in the others.
In I Will Not Beg, our MC is in a BDSM relationship, embodying the s in the s/M (slave/Master) dynamic. She signed a contract with The Defiler (yup, that's what she calls him in his head the entire book) stating that she'd be his slave and then that particular defiling character and many in the BDSM community treat it like it's a legal and binding contract, going so far as to actually "retrieve" their "runaway slaves". I believe I don't need to point out why this bugs the fuck out of me. Now, again other people in the community seem to back this up, that a slave contract is legal and binding, but correct me if I'm wrong, the pillars of BDSM are Safe, Sane, Consensual, but many, MANY people in parts of this book treat it as she literally signed over her life with no way out.
Alas, the author combats this by getting very preachy with her "good Doms" and having them time and again heavy handedly "teach" the members of their club that a slave contract is not, in fact, legal and binding.
It's distracting, as are the odd nicknames which didn't really appear much in this book as they have in the others.
In I Will Not Beg, our MC is in a BDSM relationship, embodying the s in the s/M (slave/Master) dynamic. She signed a contract with The Defiler (yup, that's what she calls him in his head the entire book) stating that she'd be his slave and then that particular defiling character and many in the BDSM community treat it like it's a legal and binding contract, going so far as to actually "retrieve" their "runaway slaves". I believe I don't need to point out why this bugs the fuck out of me. Now, again other people in the community seem to back this up, that a slave contract is legal and binding, but correct me if I'm wrong, the pillars of BDSM are Safe, Sane, Consensual, but many, MANY people in parts of this book treat it as she literally signed over her life with no way out.
Alas, the author combats this by getting very preachy with her "good Doms" and having them time and again heavy handedly "teach" the members of their club that a slave contract is not, in fact, legal and binding.
syndi3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Miss Sinclair usually writes a red hot steamy BDSM story. Her works does not have much plot but straight to dirty things. So i was so excited to begin my journey again in I Will Not Beg.
Imagine my surprise that i do not like this book that much. I think the story is too weak and too much of the BDSM. I can not really feel the characters develop together. I do like Ethan. He is steady and enigmatic hero. His patience with Pipper is so tender that i almost can not believe he is actually a Dom.
While with Pipper,i lost. I can not really connect with her. Her transformation from victim to survivior is too fast and too confusing.
Overall i still do enjoy this book OK. The BDSM helps to keep my interest finishing the book.
Imagine my surprise that i do not like this book that much. I think the story is too weak and too much of the BDSM. I can not really feel the characters develop together. I do like Ethan. He is steady and enigmatic hero. His patience with Pipper is so tender that i almost can not believe he is actually a Dom.
While with Pipper,i lost. I can not really connect with her. Her transformation from victim to survivior is too fast and too confusing.
Overall i still do enjoy this book OK. The BDSM helps to keep my interest finishing the book.