Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of the ARC for review purposes.

I confess that upon reading this book, I was in the mood for something edgy and provocative, and the story fit the bill to a T. The characters were intriguing, and the situation worked in a way that pleasantly surprised me. While the topic is technically taboo, it played out in a way that worked well, was engaging, and drew me in to the budding relationship. I'm writing this review months after reading, and the story still sticks with me. I did think that one motivational/backstory element was a bit cliched, but that may just be because I saw it coming. Some readers may miss it. On the whole, I enjoyed the book, and sought out the follow-up!

This is going to be a very long post as I want to get you excited to read this one....  I was blown away by this title and hope that people will be drawn to it like I was.  This is NOT for everyone and the warning should be heeded.

My review:
I think all of us that have read this struggle with the same thing which is "How do we review this?"  I mean this is an incredible story but the subject material isn't for everyone but the way Lilah is able to show you how torn Vivienne is about her needs makes the story oddly compelling.  The thing that spoke to me most throughout this book is the way we see her crave the rough usage from our hero even as she finds her needs disgusting and wrong.  She's got a lot of work to do to realize that while her needs are the same as everyone else's they aren't wrong nor are they something to be ashamed of.  The key is that she has to come to an understanding about her past and perhaps finally get someone to believe her about the incident from her past that colors everything.

Vivienne is a character that made me wince, cry and cheer as she finally gets something that makes her stronger.  The ability to find someone that can fulfill her darkest desires unlocks the true woman she is.  She finds strength in this new relationship that makes it where she actually wants her connection with our hero to be more than just the fulfillment of her desires.  As she navigates her own mental recovery she is compelled to understand why her partner is also drawn to this as he seems to be struggling with demons as well.  I am being careful in this review to not spoil things because the way they unfold is the main reason why I adored this story.

Jonah is our dark horse because we don't get to see his viewpoint in this that often.  His actions speak volumes and what glimpses we get make me want to know more.  He has his own demons to slay but his care of her shines out.  I admit he made me flinch a few times but after the scene when he wants to actually care for her made me adore him.  I look forward to seeing where we go with him in the next book because DAMN is he compelling.

I can't say it enough but I am BEYOND ready for book 2!!!!

Excerpt:
“It’s okay. This is difficult.” He pauses a moment before adding, “Are you scared?”

Deep breath. Honest answer. “Yes and no. I believe you aren’t going to do anything without my permission. But what we’re doing feels a little like jumping off a cliff. I’ve had this fantasy since – since always, but I never thought I’d act it out with a stranger –”

At that moment, a waiter appears by our sofa. Why do bar waiters only show up when you least want them around? Offhandedly Jonah says, “Bring me whatever she’s having.”

I don’t think he’s even looked at my glass. What if I had some ridiculous tropical drink, the kind of thing served in a pineapple with pink straws and paper umbrellas? The thought of someone as serious as Jonah sipping one of those makes me smile. Finally I’m able to relax a little – but not much.

As soon as the waiter hurries off, Jonah turns to me. “What would it take to make you feel safe?”

I like that he asked this. But how do I answer?

Cut to the chase, I remind myself. Jonah’s blunt honesty is the only way to go. “I’d need you to wear condoms. Unless you want to show me your medical records.”

Jonah nods. “I can get those for you. Can you show me test results too?”

It hadn’t even occurred to me that Jonah also might be concerned about that. “Um. Yeah, sure.”

“No rush,” he says. “I don’t mind wearing a condom at first. Makes it last longer.”

My cheeks flush as I envision Jonah inside me, pounding me, going on and on and on without mercy –

Jonah must know what I’m thinking, because he tilts his head as if he’s relishing the effect he has on me. He murmurs, “What else?”

Another sip of wine steadies me enough to answer. “I wouldn’t want you to tie me up. Not the first time, anyway.”

He smiles. “I like that you’re thinking about the future. I’ll have plenty of chances to give you what you want.”

It hadn’t even occurred to me before today that Jonah might have been considering a one-time fling. Now that I think about it, that makes more sense than assuming we’d keep playing out this scenario. But I’ve wanted this too long, too much, to assume one night will be enough to get it out of my system. If Jonah’s the right partner for this fantasy, then we have a chance I don’t intend to waste.

Already I sense that one taste of Jonah Marks won’t be enough.



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*****TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT*******

I took a while to go into this because I needed to shore up my emotions and my mental walls before I could read this. Once I was ok then I read this and I loved every second I flew through this. I really loved how Lilah dealt with the topic of the fantasy. The clear and concise element of consent and it;s place in each scene. I really loved how the story is from Vivienne POV and we only know how she truly feels. Even though Jonah's actions back his words.

I loved that the characters were written so strongly and well developed, despite being smart well rounded people they still had things that were controlling them from their past and they just hadn't learned to lean on anyone yet. I loved that Jonah heard her desire and made her feel like she was ok for wanting it, they set their rules and worked hard to make sure they were both getting what they wanted from it. It made me wonder about him though and of course I needed to know more, about him about her, about everything involving their families.

I really enjoyed the exploration of the human/survivor's psyche and what makes us need the things we do. It's so sad the amount of victims who must see their abusers each and every single days and how ti affects them. I had to know how the story continued so I purchased the next one right away. Price didn't matter and this point I needed to know.

I love that the author explored all the ways that Vivienne felt about the relationship that developed and about her wants and how it placed a strain on her. Personally didn't find the story triggering at all but the detail of her history mad me cringe and shed a tear.

I think it was done wonderfully and want to read more from her. She didn't try to normalize or demonize the things being done she just shared the reality and how it affects each person differently. The part that made me realize just how well this was written came several weeks later, when my office was moving and we had to shred the old files, I was checking one of them out and in the process found the patient's note to the Dr and in it the patient detailed her experience including her fantasies that developed and it was a little shocking to realize how similar they were to Vivienne's. Afterward I made it a point to ask one of the sex therapist on staff and she noted that it happens way more than people talk about.

I have read all of the series and can say I highly recommend it and if you are easily triggered this still is a good book because you can see how consent is discussed and note the way in which the characters go about exploring their fantasy.

★★★★★
Read with caution my loves, but know that it is truly worth the read. And I highly recommend this series.

Lilah Pace took a huge risk with this one and you know what, it paid off. Bold and unapologetic, ASKING FOR IT delves deep and explores the juxtaposition of -

hard vs. soft
lying by omission vs. baring your soul
perverse fantasies vs. healthy kink
villan vs. playmate
fear vs. arousal

Had I known how utterly addictive and thought-provoking this story would turn out to be, I would have picked it up way before now. Passionate, intense and different on so many levels, I tore through the pages.

Despite the sensitive subject matter, which is most likely not to everyone’s tastes - a woman that acts on her fantasies of being taken by force - there’s no denying the author handles things in such a tasteful way. She makes it easy to sympathize with the two broken characters at the center of this provocative read.

Told solely through the eyes of the woman in question, Vivienne, we get to see her struggle with what she considers to be her weakness. Her flaw. The shameful part of herself that she’s tried so hard to keep hidden. Until she meets her perfect playmate, Jonah.
My fantasies always begin . . . normally. Whatever normal is.
If erotica isn’t your thing or if rape is a trigger, I would avoid this with a ten-foot pole. For those readers that love to dabble in the darker side of romance, don’t make the same mistake I did, pick up this book!

I have to warn you though, be prepared to jump right into the next one. The cliffhanger at the end of this book is guaranteed to leave you begging for more Jonah and Vivienne.

Holy freaking hottness! This book.... dang. It was steamy-overload and I mean that in the best way possible. BUT it wasn't just a hot read. It had so much MORE to it than that. The story it's self, was fantastic. It's intense and excepetional. The ending left me wanting so much more!