New Release Review ~ The Deep End ~ Kristen Ashley (@KristenAshley69) #2017NewRelease

The Deep End by Kristen Ashley
Honey Series #1
Release Date: March 7, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Erotic Romance, BDSM
Source: Purchased on Kindle (pre-ordered in 2016)
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
Enter a decadent sensual world where gorgeous alpha males are pleasure slaves committed to fulfilling a woman's every desire. At the elite Honey club, no boundary will be left untested, and one's darkest desires will become a sensual reality.

Olivier isn't sure what he's gotten himself into when he joins the Honey Club, only that a dark part of him craves the lifestyle offered by this secret, exclusive club.

When Amelie invites Olivier to surrender, she pushes him to explore his deepest desires as a submissive. As they grow closer and find themselves falling harder than either of them anticipated, the truth about Olivier's past could threaten the budding relationship they both long for.

Gripping and seductive, The Deep End is the first book in a sensational new series from bestselling author Kristen Ashley.

Y'all are well aware of my love and adoration for KA. I'm always singing her praises - and I'm about to again. Y'all also know I never hesitate in recommending a KA book. But with The Deep End I have to warn y'all - it deals with the BDSM lifestyle and won't be for everyone. It was, however, for me. :)

I was at a KA signing when she announced she was working on something new - going in a different direction for her. She was excited yet nervous. This new direction being erotica. But this is KA so I held my nerves in check. I didn't know she'd be going in this direction - that being BDSM - but I was confident with KA taking me there. I don't claim to understand BDSM or those who live the lifestyle. I also can't deny being fascinated. I think this is mostly due to the fact that I think people involved in this lifestyle have this whole other level of trust in their relationships. But I digress...

The Deep End is a story revolving around Amelie and Olivier and the rocky road hey travel down in trying to have a relationship that satisfies them both on all levels. But since this is also the first story in a new series, it also introduces many of the players that will inhabit this series as well as a new setting: Phoenix. Quickly, I want to say I already adore and/or am captivated by many of the secondary characters and am more than eager for the next installment.

On to Amelie and Olivier... Amelie is a Domme. Yep. She's confident, intelligent, caring, and in charge. But that doesn't mean she wants a sub who rolls over and bares his tummy in submission. Oh no. She craves a challenge. Unfortunately, men like that are rare. 

Enter Olivier. Olly is all alpha and KA gives good alpha. But in the sexual arena, he craves a woman who will take control. In Amelie, he gets exactly that. But these two have some hurdles to make it over. Amelie longs for the whole package - not just a club relationship but one outside as well with marriage and children. She's been burned in the past though so she's unsure of where she and Olly are heading. Olly is alpha, as I said, so he has some issues outside the playroom/bedroom with his woman already having "more" than he could ever provide monetarily. He's also a member of Honey under dubious circumstances and that secret could break what he's trying to build.

As this is KA, there's also a strand of suspense and it was really well done. But for the most part, this is one HOT erotic romance where Amelie and Olivier enjoy their kink.

I have to admit that it took me some time getting into Amelie and Olivier's story. I thought on that and decided this was because it's not familiar. These aren't characters or a locale I'm familiar with. And then there's the BDSM. But KA took me by the hand and led me there. By 40% I was hooked! I was loathe to put it down, flipping through pages quickly needing to know what came next. And so, I'm a believer. Yes, this was a different KA but it's still KA. And I put my trust in her knowing she'd deliver the goods. She did as she always does. Bring on book #2!