Review: Was very hesitant to read it, but I'm happy I did
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 21, 2011
I was very conflicted about even reading this. I'm glad there is a content warning and from reviews it seemed like the issue was treated very well, but just the idea that there's role playing like that made me uncomfortable and wary about reading the book. The review by Fiction Vixen on Goodreads is what ended up convincing me to give it a try and after having read it, I agree with all she wrote.I have always had a big problem with romance authors (from my experience, mostly HRs) who write rape scenes that masquerade as love scenes. Happens much less than it used to - was basically a must component with romances from the 80s - but every now and then I'll still find a book that has it; recent examples being Gaelen Foley and Christina Dodd.Here, it was slightly different though, because it's not a rape scene that the author, characters, and readers are supposed to find romantic and non-offensive - it's consensual role playing. So I got it ... and I read it ... and I surprisingly liked it. Though obviously we all know this type of role playing exists, to properly and respectfully depict it in a "romance" is a difficult task; here, McKenna accomplishes that.MAIN CHARACTERS:Both Flynn and Laurel were interesting characters and one of the things I appreciated from the get-go was that they were both normal, everyday people - no millionaires, no famous people, no business geniuses, no superman military spies etc. It's rare to have a romance where both characters are just regular people. McKenna also surprised me in the depth that she managed to give both of them, and in that sense the fact that it was a novella made it feel too short - she gave them enough meat and background to leave room to more fully explore who these people are and how their developing relationship affects them.I liked both of the main characters, which is something I often don't when it comes to these types of books. Both were very well portrayed and although the story is told completely from Laurel's third person POV, we're given a great deal of insight into Flynn's character and by the end one feels that we know him almost as well as Laurel. I always prefer back and forth POVs that show us both the man and the woman's perspective, but it didn't bother me here.LAUREL, 29:Laurel was smart and curious; she's brave enough to explore what is unfamiliar to her, but we also see her vulnerability and uncertainty throughout the book, which for me is always key - I need to have both sides in order to find the heroine likable or relatable. At the beginning I felt a little frustrated with her because of the fact that she has let herself drift along and hasn't been an active participant in her own life. I did like her though and she reads as very authentic.FLYNN, 32:Especially given what the issue is, I think McKenna's most difficult feat was correctly portraying Flynn, and here - in the most important aspect of the book - she didn't stumble. At no point does Flynn seem dangerous and at no point does he not listen to what Laurel (or at first Pam) want. From the beginning, he appears mysterious and aloof, but he's never a jerk or mean. He's self-confident, comfortable in his own skin and with who he is, knows what he wants. He's also very respectful and really quite trusting of others. I loved that he didn't take himself too seriously, had a strong sense of self, and was so laid-back and content. Watching him with his sister and the fact that he drives her and her daughter to church was so cute.RELATIONSHIP:The exchanges between Laurel and Flynn are really enjoyable and I liked how she was often unsure when they're first trading words back and forth, but slowly becomes increasingly confident and comfortable with saying what she wants to. I couldn't help but smile every time she would say or do something that made Flynn smile or laugh, which wasn't often at the beginning but became more and more common. You can see him begin to loosen up, really trust her, and let down his guard with her.One of the things I loved most about this book was how their relationship progresses and transforms. From Laurel, Flynn needs more than just the usual role play he does because it becomes more about just sex. I liked that at the end not only does he not always need to do the role play with her, but he actually needs to *not* do that. It's a continued component of their relationship, but I appreciated seeing how it became just one aspect, one dimension of it.CRITICISM:One thing I'll say is that the ending felt way too rushed. I know it's a novella, but it was way too abrupt and far too much is brought to (somewhat of) a conclusion within just a few pages. Also, I really wish the title was different, because I feel like one of the main points of this story is that Laurel is not a victim - she's just as active a participant in the relationship as Flynn is. Just the idea of "willing victim" is something I find offensive and as someone who has worked with survivors of sexual assault and rape, I will tell you there is an entire dialogue around the idea of "victimhood" and that is why we use the word "survivor." The book did so well with the sensitive issues it deals with, that I thought the title ends up selling it short and seems more like that of the book I feared this would be.FAVORITE QUOTE:Fiction Vixen also quoted this in her review and it was one of the main things that swayed me into reading it, because it really shows what this book is *not*:"This man could actually rape her, if he was so inclined---he was physically capable of it. She felt her throat constrict as if a fist had closed around it.'Michael.'His posture transformed in an instant. He sat down next to her on the bed, hands clasped between his knees, wary eyes on her face. 'Too rough?''I'm not sure. I think mostly I just wanted to test the safe word. I think I needed to know you'd stop, if I asked you to.''Always.'Then Laurel did something that surprised even herself. She turned and reached out a hand, setting her palm on his jaw. She brought her face up and drew his down and kissed his mouth. A first-date good-night kiss, no tongue, just lips finding their way for a few moments. Flynn set a hand softly on her arm, taking all her cues. Laurel pulled away feeling safe, knowing she was calling the shots."(p.50)