I really enjoyed this book! I read it for the erotica, but I was surprised by how interesting the storyline and the romance were. I liked all the main characters, as well as the way the story progressed.

A great escape book.
Many thanks to Penguin Group and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Totally disappointed that I DNFed the book at the 25% mark. Unfortunately, my second attempt at reading this author's work did not work out for me.

I didn’t read the previous book (The Submissive), so I am experiencing everything in this series for the first time from Nathaniel’s point of view in The Dominant. The book was..okay. Hot sex? Check. BDSM? Check. Successful CEO? (Yawns) Check. It has all the standards I have come to find in most books that seem to be written lately. What varies is the characters and the situations they experience. In this case, it is all about Nathaniel and what happens between him and Abby. From his POV, of course.

As previous stated, I found the book to be okay and semi-quasi Déjà vu to another book I read. Some parts I thoroughly enjoyed, other times I felt confused. Possibly because I didn’t read the first book and experience everything from Abby’s POV? Honestly, don’t know and since I have no plans to reading her book, I guess I will just deal with not knowing. Anyhoo… As I expected, despite Nathaniel being successful and having a happy family life, he has tragedy in his childhood. At times I liked him, other times way too controlling.

I can’t quite put my finger why, but I am walking away after reading this book as a undecided meh. I mean the sex was great and there were certainly good highs and lows. There’s just something about it I just couldn’t get into so for now I’ll just put this one in the okay pile.

Stars: 3

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated for the book other than the entertainment it provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Author: Tara Sue Me
Publisher:
Penguin Group
Rating:
7 of 10
9780451466235

Review:
Truth is, I haven't much to say about this one. Dominant is a fairly typical D/s romance.
Dominant Nathaniel West is the rich Dom, and Abigail King is on a path to becoming his sub. She's a newbie, which he doesn't like. He prefers experience, but is willing to make the sacrifice because he was gaga over Abigail before she conveniently applied to be his sub. Yes, applied. West has a matchmaker who gets these potential subs for him. I doubt the agent is listed in the yellow pages, but didn't examine that part too closely.

The story is written by Tara Sue Me, who is a woman; and the point of view character is Nathaniel West. I find myself getting off track in the book, wondering if she's got the internal mechanics of his head correct. Is this the thinking of a Dom, or an idealized Dom that the author is imagining. Since I have never fathomed what goes on in a dominant man's head in certain circumstances (beatings? whippings?), this becomes a story-breaker for me.

The story falls into the same category as Fifty Shades of Gray, which has a substantial audience. For those who want it, there is a lot of very explicit sex. There is also a whole lot of inexplicable wishy washy from the Dom, for whom the concept of developing a real relationship with his sub is an obstacle and something he can't quite understand. I take this whole overthinking of the plot with a grain of salt, because the publisher is mainstream, and probably required the Dom to be softened up to be relatable to mainstream values. This is a series, so there is more of this where this book came from, if D/s is your cuppa tea.

I have told so many people about this whole series! I loved reading this whole series, including The Dominant. I couldn't get enough of the story and it's characters.

Another scorching read by Tara Sue Me. Will be popular with readers of Maya Banks and E.L. James.

Sandy M’s review of The Dominant (Submissive Trilogy, Book 2) by Tara Sue Me
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by NAL Trade 6 Aug 13

Ever since I turned the last page of The Submissive, I’ve been waiting for Nathaniel’s story. I know there’s probably a number of readers out there who won’t like the fact that this book shares some of the same scenes with the previous one, only from the hero’s POV. But what sets this book apart is the depth of character we get in Nathaniel, the vulnerable, insecure side of him.

Don’t let the little bit of repetition deter you from reading this story. Just remember you’re in Nathaniel’s head and I think you’ll do fine with it. When we finally begin to see deeper into his heart and soul, the scenes are no longer as repetitious as those in the early chapters. I actually like this idea of writing nearly the same book in another character’s POV. I like seeing the different reactions than we got the first time around. Because, as they say, men and women are wired differently, every emotion and feeling is quite varied throughout this book.

While we see at first a confident, strong, and sometimes benevolent man, this is the person Nathaniel shows the world. He is all that, of course, but I love seeing behind the facade. Especially when it comes to Abby. He tries to keep her at arm’s length when she first comes to him as his submissive. He’s actually abrupt and very, very controlling in that regard. Sometimes even a jerk. Yes, as much as I like the man, he is a jerk in the beginning. And this is even more glaring because of Abby’s kind and gentle nature. But he has his reasons and he does change as the story goes along.

I really enjoyed seeing how Nathaniel falls in love with Abby. He feels he’s not capable of loving a woman in the traditional way, being a resolute dominant. But you begin to see the little details that he subconsciously, at first, lets slip when he’s with Abby more than just their weekends together. His dawning realization in the change of his feelings toward her is fascinating to watch. But then, just when you think all is well in their world, the bottom drops out, and Nathaniel has so much groveling to do at that point. That being said, their black moment is a bit anti-climatic, but it works despite that fact.

More changes are in store for Nathaniel. Aside from the groveling, he knows he has to learn how to have Abby in his life without his control taking over every aspect of her life all the time. He’s one lucky SOB to have found this particular woman, so he’d better do it right. As with all relationships, this one is work. Probably even more so with their dual life, so to speak. But as long as they work together and there’s compromise, there should be a long and happy life ahead for them. Which is what, I believe, we’ll get when The Training is released later this year. Or at least something along those lines. I mean, training can go both ways.

Both of these characters are quite likeable and sympathetic. Both have secrets that need to be shared and consequences to be had once those secrets are revealed. The secondary characters have much more depth to them this time around, since most are friends of Nathaniel’s, so we get a closer look at them here. Though this is probably a stand-alone book, I would recommend you read The Submissive first. I think you’ll just enjoy the experience of it all the more if you do. This is definitely a series of books that reading back to back would be beneficial. So if you’re not started it yet, the last is out in October, not all that far away. That would definitely be an experience.

Grade: B

The dominant is not the continuation of the story. Basically is the Submissive from Nathaniel's point of view. The plot is the same. So if you have read the Submissive you won't have to read this because you might lose something, but it is always good to read a book from a different POV. Your opinion about the 2 main characters might change though. At the end of The dominant I thought that Nathaniel is a knob. He is weaker than the usual alpha male.

I had a hard time finishing this book. I gave up a while ago and haven't come back to it until now. I aologize for not giving a proper review, but this title didn't entice me to read a substantial part of the book so I feel as though a review would be premature, especially since this was so long ago.

Best of luck,

TKB

"The Dominant" sounded so great to me when I read the synopsis. I don't read many books like it. However, when I requested the book I was unaware it was the second book in a series.