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kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
First in the Nature of Desire erotica romance series, and I'm not sure if it revolves around members of The Zone or Dominants and submissives. The couple focus in Holding the Cards is on Josh and Lauren. Be warned, it is M/F/M.
My Take
The underlying conflict is betrayal with Hill slowly drawing out Jonathan's betrayal and Josh's coming out at the end. That said, this is the ideal vacation, hubba-hubba! It certainly starts off with an unexpected conflict: that tree climbing incident was pretty funny — and so exposed, lol! It's also amazingly homey and cozy for erotica!
I love how beautifully Hill avoids the info dumps! She does some nice writing with the show as well. The island. Lisette's house. It all sounds so incredibly gorgeous, I wanted to melt.
It did feel weird for that first night to progress so easily. It's also a different look at the relationship and actions of a Dominant with her submissive, the good and the bad.
I couldn't get too excited about aspects of the scene on the beach. I'd'a thought Josh'd get gritty bits of sand in his mouth. Ick.
Wouldn't we all (okay, mostly the girls *grin*) like to find ourselves "at the mercy of a miracle, two nurturing men".
The Story
Retreating to an isolated island to lick her wounds, Lauren doesn't stay isolated long when she locks herself out of Lisette's house.
Lucky Lauren encounters two knights in jeans who proceed to care for her and for whom she cares in return.
The Characters
Dr. Lauren splits her pediatric residency between rural clinics in North Carolina and an ER in a university hospital. She's also a Domme with a broken heart. Jonathan is a manipulative submissive and her ex.
Josh is a caretaker on the island. Isabel is a white elephant on the island who loves Josh. Winona is his now ex-wife, a real bitch and a tattoo artist.
Marcus has been a friend of Josh's for years; he's also a very successful art dealer in New York City and a gay Dom. Thomas is the submissive whom Marcus had loved.One of his best clients is J. Martin who creates incredible erotic art.
The Salernos' house (she's a cosmetic company CEO, and he's a retired police chief) is as beautiful as Lisette's with some exotic extras.
Lisette Delamar is an author and Lauren's friend. Another Thomas operates a ferry service to the island. Maria is a waitress at the club who is another friend of Lauren's with good advice. The island is a refuge for rich artists of all sorts.
The Cover and Title
The cover definitely tells you what the story is about with a dominant-looking woman in black elbow-length gloves, a cream and black lace bra and underbust corset with a Queen of Hearts playing card tucked into it, long chandelier earrings, and holding a riding crop. A black banner across the top informs us of the publisher and imprint while the title and author's name is at the bottom.
The title is all about Lauren, as she is the one Holding the Cards.
My Take
The underlying conflict is betrayal with Hill slowly drawing out Jonathan's betrayal and Josh's coming out at the end. That said, this is the ideal vacation, hubba-hubba! It certainly starts off with an unexpected conflict: that tree climbing incident was pretty funny — and so exposed, lol! It's also amazingly homey and cozy for erotica!
I love how beautifully Hill avoids the info dumps! She does some nice writing with the show as well. The island. Lisette's house. It all sounds so incredibly gorgeous, I wanted to melt.
It did feel weird for that first night to progress so easily. It's also a different look at the relationship and actions of a Dominant with her submissive, the good and the bad.
I couldn't get too excited about aspects of the scene on the beach. I'd'a thought Josh'd get gritty bits of sand in his mouth. Ick.
Wouldn't we all (okay, mostly the girls *grin*) like to find ourselves "at the mercy of a miracle, two nurturing men".
The Story
Retreating to an isolated island to lick her wounds, Lauren doesn't stay isolated long when she locks herself out of Lisette's house.
Lucky Lauren encounters two knights in jeans who proceed to care for her and for whom she cares in return.
The Characters
Dr. Lauren splits her pediatric residency between rural clinics in North Carolina and an ER in a university hospital. She's also a Domme with a broken heart. Jonathan is a manipulative submissive and her ex.
Josh is a caretaker on the island. Isabel is a white elephant on the island who loves Josh. Winona is his now ex-wife, a real bitch and a tattoo artist.
Marcus has been a friend of Josh's for years; he's also a very successful art dealer in New York City and a gay Dom. Thomas is the submissive whom Marcus had loved.One of his best clients is J. Martin who creates incredible erotic art.
The Salernos' house (she's a cosmetic company CEO, and he's a retired police chief) is as beautiful as Lisette's with some exotic extras.
Lisette Delamar is an author and Lauren's friend. Another Thomas operates a ferry service to the island. Maria is a waitress at the club who is another friend of Lauren's with good advice. The island is a refuge for rich artists of all sorts.
The Cover and Title
The cover definitely tells you what the story is about with a dominant-looking woman in black elbow-length gloves, a cream and black lace bra and underbust corset with a Queen of Hearts playing card tucked into it, long chandelier earrings, and holding a riding crop. A black banner across the top informs us of the publisher and imprint while the title and author's name is at the bottom.
The title is all about Lauren, as she is the one Holding the Cards.
pamgodwin's review against another edition
5.0
This is a comprehensive review of the series as a whole.
Every character is unique, each one bringing his/her own experiences to the BDSM scene. And every story is deeply buried under layers of hurt and distrust. But these characters are mighty, their love limitless. Lots of dungeon time, winding dark sensuality with anguish and courage, making these stories live on long after they’re devoured.
Every character is unique, each one bringing his/her own experiences to the BDSM scene. And every story is deeply buried under layers of hurt and distrust. But these characters are mighty, their love limitless. Lots of dungeon time, winding dark sensuality with anguish and courage, making these stories live on long after they’re devoured.
tasnim_2000's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape
booklvrkat's review against another edition
5.0
This story read like a piece of art hits you in your soul. It may present itself as a D/s story, but there is so much more to it. You are seduced to finish each page, you cannot rip your eyes away from the Mistress of this story. You might learn a thing or two about how you think, you might not. With a lump in my throat from the passion and fear of this story, I recommend this to all of my GR Friends that enjoy Erotic stories, with no qualms in my heart that you will not feel something from this story.
lovelymisskay's review against another edition
4.0
Some lovely scenes that got me hooked on the author’s work, but I did feel like the story didn’t truly grab me until near the end.
sowaneed's review against another edition
4.0
4 Fap Fap Fap Stars
I'm really falling in love with this author she always manages to capture the psychology of D/s along with the emotional sides of it.... which makes imperfect when you add the hot sex... lol .. hoo boy
I'm really falling in love with this author she always manages to capture the psychology of D/s along with the emotional sides of it.... which makes imperfect when you add the hot sex... lol .. hoo boy
floppybutton's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 BUTTERFLY STARS!!!
This book is completely unrealistic! Which is why I loved it so much!
White elephant, tree climbing, dancing, art, massages on the beach, making sand castles….and of course, it wouldn’t be a Joey Hill book without BDSM. Lauren is a Domme. I think this was my first Domme story I’ve ever read, and I really loved it.
My Lauren:
Lauren is escaping a heart-breaking break-up from a man who chewed her up and spit her out. She is spending a few days on an island. Soon after she arrives, she meets one of the maintenance men, Josh, who assists her out of a pretty sticky, uncomfortable, and awkward situation…I know that sounds vague, but you just have to read the book to find out what the situation is (it’s hilarious).
My Josh:
Josh has dark secrets of his own. He has been threw a horrible divorce and has never really overcome the emotional trauma from it.
It doesn’t take long for Lauren and Josh to get hot and heavy. I was pretty much turned-on the whole book…I mean, it is a Joey Hill book after all. I didn’t mind how fast things moved because it is a shorter book and I just accepted early on that everything was unrealistic, yet entertaining. So I sat back and enjoyed every moment :).
My Marcus:
Let’s not forget about Marcus (Never. Never forget about Marcus!). Marcus is the second maintenance man. The gay one. It is obvious part of him feels something for Josh…well, mainly because he’s not afraid to share his feelings, but Josh isn’t gay. So Marcus functions as the sexual instigator for most of the book. He has a smart and sassy mouth that is irresistible. He has an odd role in the story, but the story would be empty without him!!!
I just felt so relaxed while reading this book. Yes, it still has the usual inner thoughts of the characters from a Joey book, but it was really laid back. It has a childish energy feel to it...uninhibited, animal instincts.
80% of this book is spent...naked. Another unrealistic part to it. But completely entertaining! :)
This book is completely unrealistic! Which is why I loved it so much!
White elephant, tree climbing, dancing, art, massages on the beach, making sand castles….and of course, it wouldn’t be a Joey Hill book without BDSM. Lauren is a Domme. I think this was my first Domme story I’ve ever read, and I really loved it.
My Lauren:
Lauren is escaping a heart-breaking break-up from a man who chewed her up and spit her out. She is spending a few days on an island. Soon after she arrives, she meets one of the maintenance men, Josh, who assists her out of a pretty sticky, uncomfortable, and awkward situation…I know that sounds vague, but you just have to read the book to find out what the situation is (it’s hilarious).
My Josh:
Josh has dark secrets of his own. He has been threw a horrible divorce and has never really overcome the emotional trauma from it.
It doesn’t take long for Lauren and Josh to get hot and heavy. I was pretty much turned-on the whole book…I mean, it is a Joey Hill book after all. I didn’t mind how fast things moved because it is a shorter book and I just accepted early on that everything was unrealistic, yet entertaining. So I sat back and enjoyed every moment :).
My Marcus:
Let’s not forget about Marcus (Never. Never forget about Marcus!). Marcus is the second maintenance man. The gay one. It is obvious part of him feels something for Josh…well, mainly because he’s not afraid to share his feelings, but Josh isn’t gay. So Marcus functions as the sexual instigator for most of the book. He has a smart and sassy mouth that is irresistible. He has an odd role in the story, but the story would be empty without him!!!
I just felt so relaxed while reading this book. Yes, it still has the usual inner thoughts of the characters from a Joey book, but it was really laid back. It has a childish energy feel to it...uninhibited, animal instincts.
80% of this book is spent...naked. Another unrealistic part to it. But completely entertaining! :)
b0okcupidity's review against another edition
2.0
I was enthralled with most of this book - mostly because I was surprised by how deeply emotional it became. I thought the set up was fun, damaged Dom ends up on a completely secluded island with exactly what she needs. I was pretty wrapped up in Lauren and Josh's story.
But the ending, it took such a strange turn.
It was too bad that the little misstep (for my personal taste) was at the very conclusion of the book because it just skewed the way I felt in the end.
But the ending, it took such a strange turn
Spoiler
Lauren's request for Marcus and Josh? Nothing about that really felt appropriate. Didn't make sense at all considering the weight of the rest of everyone's actions during the entire book - was very frivolous and didn't seem like something that was terribly wanted by Josh. Additionally, I thought that Lauren pushed very hard to get the story of his past out of Josh, so why the extra push, that seemed very extreme given the fact that Josh had never done that before?It was too bad that the little misstep (for my personal taste) was at the very conclusion of the book because it just skewed the way I felt in the end.
belladonna_loves_to_read's review against another edition
No idea what I'm going to rate this one. I'll have to think on it a bit...