Scan barcode
torixreads's review
4.0
This is hard to review, I found it difficult to connect to Xavier’s character for most of the book so when the “L” bomb was dropped it caught me off guard. Overall I did enjoy the intrigue and I could really empathise with Aubrey’s experience and self image issues. TW this book does include issues around eating disorders.
Ultimately I rate this 3.5 and I would read other books by this author.
Ultimately I rate this 3.5 and I would read other books by this author.
catastrophicwx's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kaydanielsromance's review
4.0
This is not a typical BDSM romance. This is a slow burn romance with a lot of psychological elements where love isn't earned through paddles, but control.
Aubrey Knight is the daughter of a senator. She has grown up in a fake world and has never really known what it's like to be herself. Is she a brat? Yes, she is pretty good at acting out, but when it's the only way to gain attention in a world where she's never known love, and it's the only thing she knows.
Xavier Payne is a man all about control and order. When he barters a deal with the senator and Aubrey is the collateral. Xavier uses the time Aubrey is isolated in his home to fix the broken girl, but he never thought she'd turn the tables on him and crack his ice filled chest open with all of her fire.
While these two would seem like complete opposites; a bratty, spoiled girl vs. a polished, controlled man. The more time they spend together and melt each other walls, they find out they may be more alike than they ever would have guessed.
Fire vs. ice is the underlying theme throughout the entire story, but will fire melt the ice or will the ice put out the fire? These two are opposite and don't give in easy, it's a true battle to find any happiness, but neither have really experienced happiness in their lives to know it is possible and should be important.
This is a slow burn, so don't get frustrated by the back and forth. In a true enemies to lovers that push and pull makes that slow burn bubble and boil until it steams up to the perfect temperature.
A 4.5 read
Aubrey Knight is the daughter of a senator. She has grown up in a fake world and has never really known what it's like to be herself. Is she a brat? Yes, she is pretty good at acting out, but when it's the only way to gain attention in a world where she's never known love, and it's the only thing she knows.
Xavier Payne is a man all about control and order. When he barters a deal with the senator and Aubrey is the collateral. Xavier uses the time Aubrey is isolated in his home to fix the broken girl, but he never thought she'd turn the tables on him and crack his ice filled chest open with all of her fire.
While these two would seem like complete opposites; a bratty, spoiled girl vs. a polished, controlled man. The more time they spend together and melt each other walls, they find out they may be more alike than they ever would have guessed.
Fire vs. ice is the underlying theme throughout the entire story, but will fire melt the ice or will the ice put out the fire? These two are opposite and don't give in easy, it's a true battle to find any happiness, but neither have really experienced happiness in their lives to know it is possible and should be important.
This is a slow burn, so don't get frustrated by the back and forth. In a true enemies to lovers that push and pull makes that slow burn bubble and boil until it steams up to the perfect temperature.
A 4.5 read
ree128's review
5.0
Opposites Attract
Aubrey is the daughter of a long term congressman and spoiled rotten. She has no friends, no job and lives to make mischief for other's. Xavier is a well known businessman who has dealings in music, film and many other ventures. Aubrey had a run in with him when an ex boyfriend went back to his high school sweetheart Sophie, who happened to be a music sensation managed by Xavier, and Aubrey began to spread rumors about her. Xavier contacted her and gave her a warning.
Her father was up for re-election and she was expected to be at his campaign fundraising events, little did she know that Xavier was a major contributor to her father's campaign. When Xavier caught her making out with a server at her father's fundraiser, in public, he interferes and calls Aubrey on her childish behavior.
Then when her father contacts Xavier for his help to get a recount after he is behind in the election by six hundred votes, Xavier takes Aubrey as his collateral for the money he puts down.
Aubrey manages to get under Xavier's skin during her time with him. He describes is as her flame melting his ice. They are such opposites, she likes noise he like quiet, she's into knowing everything he's more comfortable with not sharing. But the time spent together they learn a lot about each other, is it enough for them to fall for each other?
Aubrey is the daughter of a long term congressman and spoiled rotten. She has no friends, no job and lives to make mischief for other's. Xavier is a well known businessman who has dealings in music, film and many other ventures. Aubrey had a run in with him when an ex boyfriend went back to his high school sweetheart Sophie, who happened to be a music sensation managed by Xavier, and Aubrey began to spread rumors about her. Xavier contacted her and gave her a warning.
Her father was up for re-election and she was expected to be at his campaign fundraising events, little did she know that Xavier was a major contributor to her father's campaign. When Xavier caught her making out with a server at her father's fundraiser, in public, he interferes and calls Aubrey on her childish behavior.
Then when her father contacts Xavier for his help to get a recount after he is behind in the election by six hundred votes, Xavier takes Aubrey as his collateral for the money he puts down.
Aubrey manages to get under Xavier's skin during her time with him. He describes is as her flame melting his ice. They are such opposites, she likes noise he like quiet, she's into knowing everything he's more comfortable with not sharing. But the time spent together they learn a lot about each other, is it enough for them to fall for each other?
daisyknox's review
4.0
All reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
The characters are interesting, and Aubrey especially drew me in, although Xavier’s story is tragic and fascinating. The age gap was a bit much for me, but it actually wasn’t as big as expected. The guy on the book looks mid- to late 50’s but Xavier is early 40’s so I think the model is all wrong for this story. He looks a good decade (or more) older than any 42-year-old hotties I’ve ever seen.
There’s a lot going on with Aubrey’s family that drives the action, and I can’t be specific without being a spoiler but it’s good stuff. The dom-sub stuff kind of bored me because Aubrey was entirely too submissive for my taste. It’s one thing to be submissive in the bedroom but she was submissive all the time. I want strong heroines who really kick ass, so she just didn’t have enough fierce for me.
Similarly, Xavier’s whole thing with control gives me a serial killer crazy vibe, but not in a sexy Cole Blackwell way. I like the character very much but don’t like that aspect of his personality at all.
This is a well-written story with interesting characters but the whole "yes, master" thing just isn't my cup of tea. It’s always hit or miss for me with the BDSM stuff because sometimes it’s a great part of the story but others it drags down the whole book. It’s well written and the action is good so I’m not criticizing the author or the story. It just comes down to my personal taste, but I still recommend the book.
tabberz77's review
5.0
THIS BOOK! This is my first book by Ivy Wild and I wasn't sure what to expect. Aubrey and Xavier were both so complex and interesting. I loved this story and it was so interesting and different.
Aubrey is the daughter of a life long Senator. She is and always has been the daughter who did whatever her parents asked her. She dressed how they wanted, looked how they wanted and was so suppressed in everything she did. She was so sick and controlled but didn't know how to get away from it.
Xavier is a powerful man. He has money and status and no one messes with him. Actually, they go to him when they needs favors. They know he has a lot of contacts and pull.
They are brought together because of some bad behavior. First by Aubrey herself, but then by her father. And what starts as an entirely contemptuous relationship blossoms into more. As they get to know each other, and more often antagonize each other, we see their walls start to slip. When they finally start to build something, you see the struggles each of them has lived with. You see how they really see themselves and then you see how they see each other.
The relationship between Xavier and Aubrey is supposed to be an age gap, which technically it is, but you never really see or feel like the age difference is a factor for them. It's not ever really a big deal between them.
**SPOILER**
What was a nice difference from the usual dom/sub books. While it's not the largest part of the story, it is significant to the storyline. I have actually never read a dom/sub book like this. Most dom/sub books is more about bdsm than just dom/sub. There's always a bondage or sadistic part to it. This is all about psychological domination, which was so different and actually very interesting.
Overall, I think that Ivy has written a beautiful story about broken people learning to help each other break down the walls that they've built up and grow together. I cried several times reading this book. Great job.
Aubrey is the daughter of a life long Senator. She is and always has been the daughter who did whatever her parents asked her. She dressed how they wanted, looked how they wanted and was so suppressed in everything she did. She was so sick and controlled but didn't know how to get away from it.
Xavier is a powerful man. He has money and status and no one messes with him. Actually, they go to him when they needs favors. They know he has a lot of contacts and pull.
They are brought together because of some bad behavior. First by Aubrey herself, but then by her father. And what starts as an entirely contemptuous relationship blossoms into more. As they get to know each other, and more often antagonize each other, we see their walls start to slip. When they finally start to build something, you see the struggles each of them has lived with. You see how they really see themselves and then you see how they see each other.
The relationship between Xavier and Aubrey is supposed to be an age gap, which technically it is, but you never really see or feel like the age difference is a factor for them. It's not ever really a big deal between them.
**SPOILER**
What was a nice difference from the usual dom/sub books. While it's not the largest part of the story, it is significant to the storyline. I have actually never read a dom/sub book like this. Most dom/sub books is more about bdsm than just dom/sub. There's always a bondage or sadistic part to it. This is all about psychological domination, which was so different and actually very interesting.
Overall, I think that Ivy has written a beautiful story about broken people learning to help each other break down the walls that they've built up and grow together. I cried several times reading this book. Great job.
valerie_amanda09's review
5.0
So good
This is a new to me author . I loved reading this story and watching the love form between these two was amazing. You couldn't help but to fall in love with these characters.
This is a new to me author . I loved reading this story and watching the love form between these two was amazing. You couldn't help but to fall in love with these characters.
bookfreak08's review
5.0
Beautiful Surrender took me by surprise and shook me to my core with its intensity. I was expecting a light read about an age-gap romance with some BDSM kink. Well, it actually was an enemies to lovers age-gap romance but it was anything but a light read. Ivy Wild put me through the wringer with two emotionally broken souls fighting to stay afloat in life by adapting fire and ice personas to protect their fragile hearts. Xavier is a middle aged successful businessman with an icy demeanor to keep people away from himself. His strongest defense is the tight control he has over his feelings. Aubrey, on the other hand, is a lonely woman who has never truly been loved by anyone passed her worth to them, and she puts up a fiery front to push down her self-hate and self-doubt. She hides all her emotions except anger to protect her heart. So, our fire and ice couple clash, fight and test each other, all the while trying to trump down their intense attraction towards the other.
Again, I was completely immersed in their love/hate relationship and appreciated Ivy’s story telling.
I reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Again, I was completely immersed in their love/hate relationship and appreciated Ivy’s story telling.
I reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.