Review: One heck of a Mind Bender!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 8, 2014
WORD OF WARNING if you enjoy a happy romance with a HEA this isn't a book for you, however, I was gripped!  This is a dark twisting tale with seriously dark subject matter.  It is written from a male perspective which I found to be a refreshing change and in a manner that challenged me to even feel sorry for Alexandre at times!I have cringed, had anger and been utterly disgusted at the insight we have into this Therapists mind and at times I was left reeling!  Alexandre is a therapist who a some point prior to the book starting has created a "programme" using sex as a way of helping to heal selected female patients of his.  Much as we don't get a massive insight into why he felt this was a good plan it is an important part of the plot of this story.We spend a few days inside his head and you realise that things aren't great in there either! He has issues, lots of issues and the glimpses you get of his internal dialogue recounting his childhood go a long way to you reconciling why he does certain things.  This however doesn't explain a lot of what you read!I liked the inclusion in the story of the various patients you come across and the insight you get into their perceptions of the professional "sexual" relationship with Alexandre and you also get a hint that things aren't all they seem!  Then walks in Mistress - the red taloned mysterious temptress who appears to deliver punishments to Alexandre for his actions.  There are also a couple of other women we meet, Blythe and Jane, both of whom seem relevant but you cant quite picture why!This tale is full of small twists and you get the feeling that in a normal scenario Alexandre does have quite particular sexual proclivities and this is demonstrated quite graphically, and frequently, in the book.  Then we get to the ending! AND I can wholeheartedly say I NEVER saw that one coming! Although you do get a sense of disclosure (yes disclosure rather than closure!) at the end, there are still a lot of things that are left to your own imagination and I think Jaden nails it perfectly when she says this at the end of the book,"Not much to say about this one.  I suppose how you interpret this novel will tell you a lot about yourself."And, erm, yes I agree!This deserves FIVE stars just because of its unique storyline and concept  and although I have read many dark novels, none beat this for twisted endings and mind mashing content!  This book is a lot like Marmite - you're going to either love it or hate it, but I'd highly recommend you giving it a go!