Review: David is leaning more towards abuser than just kinky...
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 07 19, 2014
I found that there was some improvement to the writing in the fifth installment, but that improvement for me; just doesn't carry to the story. The connection to any character is missing and desperately needed. Grace should be somewhat pitied at this point. She is weak and easily manipulated and David...David has to be one of the jerkiest males (Hero is not the term for this guy) I have come across. Although I doubt Grace will come to her senses and leave David - I have a feeling that the change of heart might come from David having a revelation of his feelings for Grace; ultimately attempting to win over our affections. Too little too late. David is not redeemable.This type of story needs to be able to pull in the reader and connect them to the characters. This is not happening. David is placing Grace into situations to explore HIS sexual desires so she can be kept around. And yes, in turn she is finding herself aroused, but these situations require the trust of the partner. David for lack of a better word/phrase is an abuser.I am not one of those readers who reverts to the word abuse when it comes to kink or hard core reads. David is manipulative and he is conning her into agreeing to do things she has hesitations about. The trust is non-existent and in part the acts are not consensual until he tells her that if she fails or says no, then they are finished. If that was not the intent of the author so be it - but it is the impression received. If the intent was to make him so horrible that his redemption is a fantastical transformation ; she unfortunately made him just too horrible for any chance of being seen as anything more than a deplorable human (fictional) being.Will I read more of this series? Unfortunately probably yes. I want to know what the last trials are and part of me wants her to tell him to take his Dining Club & Trials and shove them up his rear end.