Genre: Erotic Romance

Publisher Ellora’s Cave

Amazon $8.32

*cheaper to purchase at Ellora’s Cave for ebooks

For the past couple years Laurel’s been coasting, hiding in the backseat while her life drifts off course. Then one summer afternoon a tall, built bruiser named Flynn strides in and steers her straight into an infatuation she never saw coming.

Flynn introduces Laurel to things she’s never imagined—to the violent but exciting realm of the underground boxing circuit, to rough sex and even rougher role-playing, and to an attraction she craves even as it intimidates her. As Flynn invites her deeper into his world and his life, Laurel has to make a choice—let fear keep her holed up where it’s safe, or take a chance and fight for the man who makes her feel more alive than she’d dreamed possible.

Reader Advisory: Although all sex acts are 100-percent consensual, Willing Victim contains role-playing scenarios that may upset some readers who are sensitive about rape, even in a simulated capacity

A friend suggested I pick this one up after she cautioned me that it was ‘different’ but really good. And she was right. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the big ol warning from the author that this book is just not for everyone because it deals with role playing specifically regarding forced seduction and struggling. Say whaaaaaaat?! I’m the first to admit that all get all squishy with the whole caveman, alpha type, but forced seduction? This definitely seemed risky. I didn’t want any bad surprises…cough, Wolf Tales, cough, cough, male on male/animal rape.

Willing Victim is one of the better erotic romance books I’ve read all year. McKenna takes a controversial theme and as Tim Gunn says ‘make(s) it work’.  It takes incredible skill as an author to take a tricky subject such as the fantasy of forced seduction and create a believable story that doesn’t require you to call your therapist. We here at Smokinhotbooks are pro kink, but even we had to raise an eyebrow of doubt that we would enjoy this subject. May the man upstairs forgive me, as I have a new freak flag to fly, all I can say is that Mama like.

Flynn is a rough and tough (Southie) from Boston that likes his bedroom play a little differently than the average Joe. He likes his women a little unwilling, to fight him off – the extreme Alpha effect.
Lacey is a little lost. She working as a waitress until she can land another engineering job, and kept help but feel that she’s stuck in a rut. A chance encounter with Flynn opens her up to desires she never thought she even had.

Flynn

‘He gets off on being rough and domineering and crule, but it’s not who he is. It’s all about control—having it or giving it up. It’s really freeing, when its your thing. (Pam inviting Laurel to watch her and Flynn have sexytime)

Your heart is literally pounding for Laurel when she accepts Pam’s invitation. Now in the wrong hands this could have been a ‘9 ½ Weeks disaster, instead we see and experience everything through Laurel’s eyes. As she clutches her purse, sitting, watching both of them, wincing a little when Flynn looks at her and says ‘we’ll be ignoring you from here on out.’ And your thinking how is this author going to put these two together…

The build up and interactions between Flynn and Laurel are very well done. I love Flynn’s dialogue as you can picture with a hardcore Boston accent

‘ I’m not real interested in being psychoanalyzed, kiddo. Dissect my rotten soul all you want but keep it to yourself.’

Flynn’s intensity and realism draw you in, and McKenna’s crafty storytelling makes you feel as if you are a part of Laurel’s journey.

If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary that may push a boundary or two, Willing Victim is not to be missed.

PS I liked this book so much I downloaded Ruin Me, which is also awesome.

Other Reviews

Dear Author B-

Fiction Vixen Goodreads 4/5

Possibly Related Posts:

• Skin Game by Cara McKenna – SHB Highly Recommends
• What The Heck Has Smokinhotbooks Been Reading Lately
• One of My Fav Lanyon Characters – Review All She Wrote by Josh Lanyon
• Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun 5 Star Erotic Romance
• Review Trust Me if You Dare by LB Gregg – Awesome Sequel!