Reviews

The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden

whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition

4.0

Oh yes, the six-pack having astrophysicists of Houston. I see those everywhere. Seriously though, a fun book with some sexy sex scenes.

sophiarose1816's review against another edition

dark funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 

Recently, brainy romances with STEM characters has been all the rage, but lo and behold, Delphine Dryden was writing about rocket scientists and gaming geeks, anthropologists and university settings long before.  And, with a kinky twist at that.  

 

The Theory of Attraction is told from the heroine’s point of view so the reader gets her thoughts and impressions regarding the hero.  Generally, I appreciate more the romances with alternating perspectives so I can get to know both characters equally.  However, occasionally, the little bit of mystery when it comes to the thoughts and motives of the hero can be fun.  This is true when it comes to Ivan. 

 

Even now, I’m not sure if Ivan is neuro-divergent or a genius with almost zero social skills and a need for control when it comes to his daily schedule and his sex life.  What I am sure of, and was from the first, is that for all Cami’s air of worldly wisdom she took when she compared herself to Ivan, she was in over her head and baiting a bear.  There are little hints that all is not quite what it seems leading up to her great discovery about Ivan’s secret. 

  

The story gets underway with Cami’s amusing observations about the neighbors.  She’s hung up on the gorgeous, sexy Ivan who is oblivious to her and anything that doesn’t have to do with astrophysics.  But, then Ivan comes to her for help.  He needs to wow potential supporters for his current project at the university in the upcoming fundraiser event.  He has zero social skills and wants Cami to teach him. 

 

One night, in an attempt to really get Ivan’s notice, he warns her that he’s no sexual innocent and she’d best leave well enough be.  She doesn’t and Cami finds herself introduced to BDSM and a series of D/s encounters.  Now, who knows zip and needs teaching? 

 

I appreciated the awkwardness and isolation, the frustration and irritation that comes with Ivan’s brilliance.  Delphine Dryden chooses to write him without soft edges and a ‘take me or leave me’ attitude.  Cami’s his polar opposite and is warm and friendly and cares what people think about Ivan and cares what he thinks of her. 

 

But… this gal likes a dark, cold, commanding male.  She likes Jane Austen’s handsome, elegant, intelligent and austere Darcy before he changes is ways and she likes a bit of edge to her man so… she enters Ivan’s sexual world willingly.  I appreciated how the author handled this aspect.  As a brand new submissive, it was clear that Cami had the control and Ivan was practicing the safe, sane, and consensual conduct as her Dom.  Ivan’s not a sadist so their play was mostly bondage, light whips, and toys. 

 

Communication is key, but when it came to relationships this pair were sometimes speaking at cross purposes so the typical dramatic tiff late in the story caused by lack of or miscommunication had a twist to it.  And, the one least expected to cross the divide, does.  Swoon! 

 

And, so, once again, I was well rewarded for taking down an oldies, but a goodie from my dusty shelf.  This was a fun and steamy opposites erotic romance and I can recommend it. 

 

limeykiss's review against another edition

1.0

Character development: not so great. Dialogue: Meh. Plot: Interesting.

cleelovessmut's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

romancejunkie1025's review against another edition

3.0

Ehh. Not great but id say pretty good. Cam and Ivan were an interesting mix of characters and I was more than happy to learn more about them. Ivan was one of those characters who is just so lost in his head, that only something very extreme can pull him out to embrace the real world. Cam is determined to find just what it takes to bring this hunky nerd into her life and out into the real world. As they embark on a lesson to humanize Ivan, Cam finds herself learning more than she is teaching to a man with a very well hidden dark side. Ivan finds in Cam the one things that has been missing from his life and is more than happy to welcome her into his bed-- and his heart if only he can figure out how. In the end they both learn that the most important part of any interactions is communication. There are some really intense moments and the love scenes between Cam and Ivan were extremely hot and very enjoyable. For a relatively short erotic read I am thrilled to say it was worth every moment. I look forward to reading more stories by this author.

lifeand100books's review against another edition

4.0

I personally don't find anything sexy about science and/or math. I had a hard time believing I'd enjoy a book where the hero was a rocket scientist. (What's sexy about quantum physics and the like?) Dear God was I wrong. This book is like molten lava. It's short, fun, sexy, and hot as hell.

Ivan seriously may have no idea how to handle people in social situations, but when it comes to sex....the man knows what the hell he's doing. Camilla on the other hand is a highly relatable character, one that readers can connect with as they learn about the beginning of a Dominant/submissive relationship. What I liked about this relationship was how much Ivan paid attention to Camilla's boundaries and what she felt comfortable doing. All too often I've read books where a woman wants to be Dominated, yet feels scared of her partner and what they're going to do to them. Isn't a D/s relationship all about trust? You GET that with Ivan and Camilla. She totally trusts him and while nervous at first about starting this type of sexual lifestyle realizes she trusts Ivan fully and lets her inhibitions slide.

Great great read.

perilous1's review against another edition

3.0

2 1/2 Stars

This book was recommended to me (in the wake of 50 Shades of Gray) as a sort of more-accurate breakdown of the BDSM lifestyle/phenomenon. How good a job it did of depicting it, I can't possibly say. I can say that the prose was vastly preferable on many levels--I read far more of it than I could manage with 50 Shades (which for me was an extremely rare DNF.)

Rather than a 50 Shades alternative, I'm compelled to explain this book as erotic Big Bang Theory fanfic. If that's what you're looking for, this is probably the book for you. Although this reader personally found Ivan interesting enough, I cared nothing for Camilla. As a protagonist--and our only POV--she came off as clinical, sexually desperate, and lacking in a critical dimension of believability.

I could appreciate that the story started out with a lot of build up rather than jumping right in to the sexual. But after page 100 the pacing and character growth seemed to falter--making it difficult to remain engaged in the story line.

jro14x's review against another edition

3.0

I didn't hate it, but I kind of wished Ian had just been a nerdy, shy guy. Adding in the BDSM about a third of the way through was kind of abrupt and if I hadn't already read the blurb it would have been even more so. That said, I liked the dialog and the humor, so I'll definitely try this author again.

carobcbg's review against another edition

4.0

Really loved this. It was sexy, but also funny and the main characters were so endearing. It was almost "Big Bang Theory" meets light BDSM. And amazingly, it works!
Well written. I'll try this author again.

bookworm_anna's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyable! short, fun read