Working Out the Kinks
Author: Kara Winters
Reviewer: VampBard
Rating: C, 2.5 Stars
What I’m Talking About:
With some smokin’ hot BDSM scenes, Working Out the Kinks definitely earns 5 flames from this reviewer. However, hotness isn’t the only thing important to me in a story. This title fell flat in the romance department for me. As in, I didn’t see any.
A plot arc is pretty important to me when I’m reading a story, and the resolution in romance, in my opinion, should follow some sort of conflict that threatens to pull apart the couple. I never really found one in this novella. Smokin’ hot BDSM? Sure. It was as though the only conflict present was whether Lexi would get busted for trying to get Whitney out of her BDSM arrangement. I suppose Wesley (and I’m really unsure of his relationship with Eric – he was his former Dom, but I don’t think that’s the case any more) entering the picture caused a slight breeze – not even a ripple – but nothing that could even be remotely classified as a conflict. Um. OK.
I never really saw any romance, except that which Lexi fantasized. I actually thought that Eric thought he was merely training Lexi for someone else when they went through the contract. He asked, she lied and said she had a Dom. *shrug* Didn’t see any change in emotion or anything else. What I did see, however, was a Dom caring for his sub after playing. I never saw it as romantic. I viewed it as responsible and healthy. Then, at the end… BAM! The ‘L’ word gets tossed around, and they all live happily ever after. When I reached the end, I was looking for another hundred or so pages to actually identify a conflict between the D/s and have that play out. I wanted to see romance develop between Lexi and Eric – I didn’t think Eric treated her any differently than he treated Whitney, his trainee. P.S. – the mere mention of a ‘contract’ made me cringe. In addition, there were a few things that stood out as particularly ‘Um. What?!?’ for me.
In my opinion, the only redeeming factor in this novella was the creative BDSM scenes. The emotion was definitely portrayed through Lexi’s point-of-view. As a new submissive, the uncertainty and apprehension was apparent. The pleasure/pain aspect was also evident. If you’re up for a hot read and don’t care as much about the plot, this is definitely a title for a quick read.
2.5 stars: Finished it – take it or leave it (C)
About the Book:
Love comes in many forms, even in submission to a Master.
When her childhood friend shows up in her history class completely changed, Alexandra “Lexi” Hayes knows something is wrong. She thinks it might have to do with the mysterious Dr. Eric Pierce she keeps seeing with Whitney.
Seeking to help her friend and understand the change, Lexi finds herself drawn to the man. Before she knows it, she’s fallen into his world, and under his control.
Eric Pierce is used to breaking in new subs for other Dominants, but when Lexi shows up in his office, he wants her for himself.
Can Lexi learn to let go and submit to her new Master? Or will she run from this chance at love?
CONTENT WARNING: BDSM, punishment, m/f/f sex
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Lyrical Press
Series: Chain Series #1
ISBN: 1616505125
Genre: Erotic Romance
Format(s): Paperback (98 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
Purchase Info:
Working Out the Kinks (Chain #1)
