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lifeinthebooklane's review against another edition
5.0
I read the fifth book of this series first, and I'm glad I did because I would have hated Lindsay too much to ever want to see him get his HEA. However enough of him, because this is Mina and Brian's story and I loved every moment of this story about two broken souls "clinging to each other at sea on a raft that would never reach land".
This isn't a romance in the typical sense of the word, but this pair definitely care for one another in a very unconventional and very unique way. I'm not sure how Kitty Thomas managed it, but she totally and utterly convinced me that Mina and Brian shared a connection much deeper than romantic love. A lasting connection that didn't make them whole, but made them able to cope with their brokenness.
Considering what we see and experience in book #1, this was a surprisingly unerotic tale, with very little sexual action and no real BDSM "play". And I never once missed it. I was far too invested in Mina and Brian's story, in how they would become the bandage that holds together the raw edges of the psychological wounds they both bear.
I do think this is the type of book you will love or hate, it isn't bland enough to just be a "meh" read. It ticked all my boxes and rang all my bells, rather than pushing any buttons, so I'm firmly in the absolutely loved it camp.
This isn't a romance in the typical sense of the word, but this pair definitely care for one another in a very unconventional and very unique way. I'm not sure how Kitty Thomas managed it, but she totally and utterly convinced me that Mina and Brian shared a connection much deeper than romantic love. A lasting connection that didn't make them whole, but made them able to cope with their brokenness.
Considering what we see and experience in book #1, this was a surprisingly unerotic tale, with very little sexual action and no real BDSM "play". And I never once missed it. I was far too invested in Mina and Brian's story, in how they would become the bandage that holds together the raw edges of the psychological wounds they both bear.
I do think this is the type of book you will love or hate, it isn't bland enough to just be a "meh" read. It ticked all my boxes and rang all my bells, rather than pushing any buttons, so I'm firmly in the absolutely loved it camp.
truden's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 ⭐️
What to say about this book. This is one of my favorites of Kitty’s books. And Brian is one of my favorite characters of Kitty’s. He’s just so unrepentant. He does whatever he want whitout care for who he hurts in the process. Until Mina comes along. She makes him feel and he doesn’t know what to make of that or how to process it.
I love these two together. Mina is exactly what Brian needs to keep away the nightmares and Brian is exactly what Mina needs, even though she doesn’t realize it before it’s almost too late. The ending in this book is both really unsatisfying and perfect. We get to see a small piece of what exsist inside Mina and what probably was some of the reason she ended up in Brian’s limited protection bubble. And I’m so happy we get to see it grow in Brian and Mina’s Holiday Hits!
What to say about this book. This is one of my favorites of Kitty’s books. And Brian is one of my favorite characters of Kitty’s. He’s just so unrepentant. He does whatever he want whitout care for who he hurts in the process. Until Mina comes along. She makes him feel and he doesn’t know what to make of that or how to process it.
I love these two together. Mina is exactly what Brian needs to keep away the nightmares and Brian is exactly what Mina needs, even though she doesn’t realize it before it’s almost too late. The ending in this book is both really unsatisfying and perfect. We get to see a small piece of what exsist inside Mina and what probably was some of the reason she ended up in Brian’s limited protection bubble. And I’m so happy we get to see it grow in Brian and Mina’s Holiday Hits!
readerkat8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Wow - possibly the darkest one of Kitty Thomas's books I've read yet.
Mina is broken - used and abused by past masters who have ignored her boundaries and physically and emotionally damaged her, and yet while she can't stop craving the M/s relationship, she can't trust herself or her Dom to actually play within her limits. She seeks out a kink-friendly therapist who tells her he can find the perfect Master for her who won't hurt her - but when she gets to the house she piques the interest of Brian, the sadist who keeps all the girls in line.
But somehow Mina's damaged past matches Brian's and he finds himself needing to protect her instead of desiring to hurt her. But will he be able to keep her protected - even from himself?
The audiobook narration was excellent.
Mina is broken - used and abused by past masters who have ignored her boundaries and physically and emotionally damaged her, and yet while she can't stop craving the M/s relationship, she can't trust herself or her Dom to actually play within her limits. She seeks out a kink-friendly therapist who tells her he can find the perfect Master for her who won't hurt her - but when she gets to the house she piques the interest of Brian, the sadist who keeps all the girls in line.
The audiobook narration was excellent.
kelly_reads_books's review
5.0
Two broken people, Brian and Mina, are introduced at the Pleasure House. They both are scarred and afraid of relationships, they don't believe that any relationship is good, which makes them feel unworthy.
This story is all encompassing in it's ability to make the reader feel sorry for the monster, and to feel angry at the rescuing angels.
Broken Dolls was well written and with phenomenal characters!
This story is all encompassing in it's ability to make the reader feel sorry for the monster, and to feel angry at the rescuing angels.
Broken Dolls was well written and with phenomenal characters!
thelibrophile's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
jje121579's review
4.0
So dark, but you can’t look away...
Mina is broken. Years of abuse disguised as BDSM or by sorry Doms have left her physically and psychologically scarred. Brian is a certified monster. How could they ever be together?
Mina is broken. Years of abuse disguised as BDSM or by sorry Doms have left her physically and psychologically scarred. Brian is a certified monster. How could they ever be together?
anbananova's review
4.0
i liked and sympathized brian and was rooting for him. i was annoyed with mina when she kept saying that he didn’t deserve love.
lustfullit007's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 ⭐️’s
The relationship between Mina and Brian is intense, and super hot at times
The relationship between Mina and Brian is intense, and super hot at times
booknerdqueen's review against another edition
5.0
**Be warned this book is not for people who are easily offended...it has extreme violence towards woman, slaves, and D/s relationship**
WOW! Just WOW!! I like that its kind of a follow-up from Guilty Pleasure but its still a stand-alone, you do not need to read Guilty Pleasure beforehand but, if you do, you get the pleasure to meet Dr. Lindsey, Anton, Michael, Briand and the famous house of slaves again!!
Brian is the most sadistic character I've ever read (awwwwwwww in love)!! Mina and Brian are totally the best match....Mina's need to be with a gentle master, someone who won't abuse her and to see Brian needing to be the protector she wants!!
This writer has the ability to make you love her character,s even the most cruel and sadistic one!!
This book portrayed how someone can used the D/s relationship and just turned it totally abusive for the submissive one. For Mina, most of her D/s relationship turned bad...every guy she was with used the term submissive and made her believe that to be a good submissive she had to endure extreme violence (abuse) and be sexually abuse.... her last relationship left her beyond broken...her body full with horrendous scars and cigarette burns!!
I was so mad when I though Brian had give up on Mina but I should've know that the story would give me another major twist....oh and what a happy twist it was for me :)
Miss Thomas normally doesn't end her books with HEA but for me this one had this HEA (a f***-up HEA but still a great one)
Way too go Miss Thomas!! You keep surprising me-I taught Tender me was my favorite book well it has just been replaced by Broken Dolls!!
I give this book a 10 (that's how much I loved it)
WOW! Just WOW!! I like that its kind of a follow-up from Guilty Pleasure but its still a stand-alone, you do not need to read Guilty Pleasure beforehand but, if you do, you get the pleasure to meet Dr. Lindsey, Anton, Michael, Briand and the famous house of slaves again!!
Brian is the most sadistic character I've ever read (awwwwwwww in love)!! Mina and Brian are totally the best match....Mina's need to be with a gentle master, someone who won't abuse her and to see Brian needing to be the protector she wants!!
This writer has the ability to make you love her character,s even the most cruel and sadistic one!!
This book portrayed how someone can used the D/s relationship and just turned it totally abusive for the submissive one. For Mina, most of her D/s relationship turned bad...every guy she was with used the term submissive and made her believe that to be a good submissive she had to endure extreme violence (abuse) and be sexually abuse.... her last relationship left her beyond broken...her body full with horrendous scars and cigarette burns!!
I was so mad when I though Brian had give up on Mina but I should've know that the story would give me another major twist....oh and what a happy twist it was for me :)
Miss Thomas normally doesn't end her books with HEA but for me this one had this HEA (a f***-up HEA but still a great one)
Way too go Miss Thomas!! You keep surprising me-I taught Tender me was my favorite book well it has just been replaced by Broken Dolls!!
I give this book a 10 (that's how much I loved it)