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lifeinthebooklane's review
3.0
⚠️ Warning Ranty Review Ahead with possible spoilers
Whilst reading, this book was easily between a 4 and 5 star read. The story held me transfixed, rather like watching a train crash. But I was waiting for one of two things to happen...... and then it ended. Well if you could call it an ending, I mean technically the story stopped so it definitely ended but for me it wasn’t anywhere near complete.
I loved how Big Sky finished in much a similar way but the difference there was that I felt the heroine’s peace and contentment. All I saw for Saskia was discontent, self loathing and mental instability. I also didn't see ANY real relationship, other than a man who owned an object of art and a self-deluded woman. Normally Kitty convinces me that however unusual the relationship is, both parties benefit, I spent the whole book waiting for that but it was never delivered.
I read far too late into the night to finish it. That’s how much I was anticipating the ending. So when I did reach the‘conclusion’, for the first time ever I found myself disappointed by a Kitty Thomas book. I felt no connection between the characters and had zero empathy for them. Indeed by the end of the book I didn’t even like them.
I just couldn’t buy into Saskia going from a woman savvy and brave enough to con a billionaire to one so desperate for any crumbs of possible affection that she allowed herself to be literally prostituted out to the male protagonists friends. Good job they were all so good looking and dominant otherwise she might have really struggled with having sex with virtual strangers when she really wasn’t 100% on board with the idea. What on earth happened to the strong female? Saskia at the start and Saskia for most of the book were like two disparate characters.
At no point was I convinced she shared Niche/Quill/Drake/yet-another-pseudonym’s particular kink. He got off on selling her and watching her with others, or so we were told. She seemingly went along with it because she stupidly hoped that it would make him love her. And why was this cold, manipulative, abusive and self centred arsehole so damaged? What terrible catastrophe had befallen him to turn him into such a monster? What vile abuses had he suffered to warp and twist him into this cruel male? He’d been dumped by his first collared submissive. Yes he’d gone through the BDSM equivalent of a divorce and that was enough to turn him into this uncaring and abusing man who had zero redeeming features.
Then there is Saskia who, as I mentioned before, was brazen enough to pull a con on someone rich and powerful. Someone who repulsed her and made her skin crawl. That very same man turned out to be someone she admired and suddenly all that revulsion turns to lust. JUST LIKE THAT. And she is soooooo in lust with him that she allows herself to remain in an unhealthy, abusive quasi-relationship. I have seen Saskia in other books and what I saw here wasn't that character. For the majority of this book she just felt like the worst doormat ever, clearly have either zero self-respect or somehow being so brainwashed by Niche/Quill/Drake/blah blah blah's treatment that she couldn't step away. Women do get caught in abusive relationships but I just wasn't convinced that is what was happening here. I didn't see enough of him mentally breaking her down - particularly as every time he pushed her boundaries he also offered her an out, but she agreed because of who he was in her crazy mental fantasies. I say crazy because she actually thought that somehow they would become reality, despite constant evidence to the contrary.
I wanted to say the only redeemable character was Marcus, but actually he wasn't. He was either as brainwashed by the antihero as Saskia was or an even bigger doormat. Though at least his appeared to be a more caring relationship with the MMC than the one Saskia had. Marcus, however, allowed her to remain in an unhealthy relationship, in fact he enabled it, so I can't really like him much either.
The only reason I didn't give this 2 stars was that it's well written. But clearly this story and these characters just weren't for me.
ETA - the two options I was waiting for was (a) for Saskia to grow a backbone, discover some self-respect and leave or (b) for Quill to show a small amount of caring towards Saskia. Even to believe either of them was truly happy with their relationship would have helped.
Whilst reading, this book was easily between a 4 and 5 star read. The story held me transfixed, rather like watching a train crash. But I was waiting for one of two things to happen...... and then it ended. Well if you could call it an ending, I mean technically the story stopped so it definitely ended but for me it wasn’t anywhere near complete.
I loved how Big Sky finished in much a similar way but the difference there was that I felt the heroine’s peace and contentment. All I saw for Saskia was discontent, self loathing and mental instability. I also didn't see ANY real relationship, other than a man who owned an object of art and a self-deluded woman. Normally Kitty convinces me that however unusual the relationship is, both parties benefit, I spent the whole book waiting for that but it was never delivered.
I read far too late into the night to finish it. That’s how much I was anticipating the ending. So when I did reach the‘conclusion’, for the first time ever I found myself disappointed by a Kitty Thomas book. I felt no connection between the characters and had zero empathy for them. Indeed by the end of the book I didn’t even like them.
I just couldn’t buy into Saskia going from a woman savvy and brave enough to con a billionaire to one so desperate for any crumbs of possible affection that she allowed herself to be literally prostituted out to the male protagonists friends. Good job they were all so good looking and dominant otherwise she might have really struggled with having sex with virtual strangers when she really wasn’t 100% on board with the idea. What on earth happened to the strong female? Saskia at the start and Saskia for most of the book were like two disparate characters.
At no point was I convinced she shared Niche/Quill/Drake/yet-another-pseudonym’s particular kink. He got off on selling her and watching her with others, or so we were told. She seemingly went along with it because she stupidly hoped that it would make him love her. And why was this cold, manipulative, abusive and self centred arsehole so damaged? What terrible catastrophe had befallen him to turn him into such a monster? What vile abuses had he suffered to warp and twist him into this cruel male? He’d been dumped by his first collared submissive. Yes he’d gone through the BDSM equivalent of a divorce and that was enough to turn him into this uncaring and abusing man who had zero redeeming features.
Then there is Saskia who, as I mentioned before, was brazen enough to pull a con on someone rich and powerful. Someone who repulsed her and made her skin crawl. That very same man turned out to be someone she admired and suddenly all that revulsion turns to lust. JUST LIKE THAT. And she is soooooo in lust with him that she allows herself to remain in an unhealthy, abusive quasi-relationship. I have seen Saskia in other books and what I saw here wasn't that character. For the majority of this book she just felt like the worst doormat ever, clearly have either zero self-respect or somehow being so brainwashed by Niche/Quill/Drake/blah blah blah's treatment that she couldn't step away. Women do get caught in abusive relationships but I just wasn't convinced that is what was happening here. I didn't see enough of him mentally breaking her down - particularly as every time he pushed her boundaries he also offered her an out, but she agreed because of who he was in her crazy mental fantasies. I say crazy because she actually thought that somehow they would become reality, despite constant evidence to the contrary.
I wanted to say the only redeemable character was Marcus, but actually he wasn't. He was either as brainwashed by the antihero as Saskia was or an even bigger doormat. Though at least his appeared to be a more caring relationship with the MMC than the one Saskia had. Marcus, however, allowed her to remain in an unhealthy relationship, in fact he enabled it, so I can't really like him much either.
The only reason I didn't give this 2 stars was that it's well written. But clearly this story and these characters just weren't for me.
ETA - the two options I was waiting for was (a) for Saskia to grow a backbone, discover some self-respect and leave or (b) for Quill to show a small amount of caring towards Saskia. Even to believe either of them was truly happy with their relationship would have helped.
kelly_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! This story of the con artist was devastatingly gut wrenching. Saskia is caught in Quills crazy world if art and BDSM. There is no escape for her from him kinky messed up world.
Kitty Thomas writes books with soul and heartache.
Kitty Thomas writes books with soul and heartache.
booknerdqueen's review
5.0
Yet again this author outdone herself with this story that pushes boundaries with unimaginable situation and chatacters. I have always loved her unique writting and amazing story telling. She has a different style of ending her stories....if you’re looking for an HEA....well this ain’t this author style. I love Saskia the female lead, she a strong and determined female which I think that why Lachlan got a deep interest for her. If you want an interesting story full of BDSM with a different ending well this book is for you.
truden's review
5.0
My third time reading this one and it just keeps getting better. You definitely need to read The Escape Artist to get the whole happy ending for Saskia and Quill, as the ending in this one is more of a HFN. The bonus epilogue though, so good!
This whole story is from Saskia’s POV so you can get frustrated with Quill and everything he does. But with the bonus epilogue you get a little insight in his mind and how he works and it makes everything so much better! It really made me like him more, which is good cause he isn’t always easy to like.
I love this story though!
This whole story is from Saskia’s POV so you can get frustrated with Quill and everything he does. But with the bonus epilogue you get a little insight in his mind and how he works and it makes everything so much better! It really made me like him more, which is good cause he isn’t always easy to like.
I love this story though!
triciacoker's review
5.0
The Con Artist was just as original and surprising as each of Kitty Thomas' books I have ad the chance to read. She does not shy away from dark places or more taboo concepts, and does not feel the need to have a Happily Ever After in her work. That makes it feel more realistic in so many ways, and lets us, the readers, really sink into these characters. What always gets me is the deep, psychological issues she brings forth and how well she weaves them into the tapestry of her worlds. These are not flat, two dimensional characters and Niche and Saskia do not disappoint. The path Niche leads Saskia on is a dark, convoluted ride that was impressive and unexpected.
As always, if you are not a fan of dark romance or may not enjoy the gritty deep dive into the psyche of these dark worlds, I do not recommend Kitty Thomas. For those of us who enjoy all manner of the spectrum of reading enjoyment, do not pass this book up or anything this author has put forth. You will not be disappointed!
As always, if you are not a fan of dark romance or may not enjoy the gritty deep dive into the psyche of these dark worlds, I do not recommend Kitty Thomas. For those of us who enjoy all manner of the spectrum of reading enjoyment, do not pass this book up or anything this author has put forth. You will not be disappointed!
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
3.0
Saskia tries to con a man out of millions but only succeeds in screwing herself out of a normal life and a safe, sane, and consensual relationship. The book is dark and steamy but only rated three stars since it ends too abruptly with zero closure. I bought the duet so let’s hope book two has more of an ending.
fjordic's review against another edition
4.0
Very dark. I kept reading out of morbid curiosity. Fascinating character study.
t5678's review against another edition
4.5
I love this authors books and this was another one I never wanted to finish. I will say this wasn’t my favorite by her, but by no means was it bad. I just didn’t connect with the characters, yet they were still likable and intriguing. I love how dramatic the story was and how it kept you on the edge of your seat.
littlewitch_reads's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0