The Unicorn
Author: Delphine Dryden
Reviewer: Jen Twimom
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
Mara Tyndall is unhappy, but she tries to fill the void in her life with scenes at Club Onyx and her beautiful ex. Knowing Mara is unhappy, Mistress Amie pushes Mara into trying out a new club, where she may be able to figure out what she wants from life.
Daniel and Delia are happily married, but lately, they feel something is missing in their relationship. While they are exploring their mutual desire to add kink into their sex lives, they are struggling to make it all come together. When it is suggested they try a new club in town, they decide to take a chance, and after spending one evening with Mara, they both know they want more.
The Unicorn shares the story of an unconventional romance, pushing the definition of love beyond society’s norms. Daniel and Delia are in love, but recognize that they want more, and each is secure in their love to explore possibilities. With the story shared from all three character’s POVs, it allows the reader to grasp a better understanding of each person’s fears and desires. While communication break downs lead to a deeper anxiety, it is completely normal and relatable.
While a reader may not be able to relate to the situation, I feel that most people will be able to relate to one of the characters. First there is Mara who is comfortable with her sexuality, but missing love. She can’t marry her dark needs for pain and submission to finding a partner whom she can also just snuggle with and love. Then there is Delia, the wife who is always in charge of the day-to-day and can’t let go when she most needs it. She has trouble seeing her husband as her Dom because her mind can’t shut down, always worrying about things like the HOA or if she put the wet clothes into the dryer. Finally there is Daniel, who is afraid of showing his true inner self and needs because he’s been conditioned it’s wrong. He lacks the self-confidence to explore those desires, therefore his inner-Dom suffers. Each character is missing something and it isn’t until the three are together that the pieces begin to click and fall into place. And once that happens, not only do they find complete sexual satisfaction, but their lives become richer and fuller.
The Unicorn is an erotic romance; heavy on the eroticism. The story is filled with graphic BDSM D/s sex scenes. But while each scene is thorough, providing the sensual mechanics and details, it is counterbalanced with the intense emotions behind the play. The story is a romance and about finding that missing piece, regardless of how unorthodox it may be. Everyone is unique, and I like that the story allows the trio to discover that their needs are okay. The ending is an HFN, with an epilogue that indicates things progress nicely for all three. The HFN is a good fit for this story, especially because it’s not an overly long story, more novella-length than full book.
In the end, I enjoyed reading The Unicorn and found the story entertaining and even a bit emotional.
My Rating: B, Liked It
About the Book:
Delia and Daniel have a picture-perfect life. They like their jobs. They love their house. Everything is coming up roses . . . but in private, they’d rather have the thorns. Their recent forays into kink have brought them closer than ever, but there’s still something missing, and they can’t quite work it out.
Mara knows what she’s missing: a significant other. She tried vanilla, and it was a total bust. But when she and her last girlfriend took things out of the kink club and into the “real” world, they fizzled. Even their friendship is on the rocks now. Mara feels like a lost stray, looking for a forever home.
When the three of them meet up at the brand-new club Escape, their connection is instant. And surprising—none of them were expecting more than a few hot nights. But now they might be ready to bring their kinky threesome into the light of day and build a life together.
Publisher’s note: This title is a heavily revised re-issue of a prior story, Roses and Chains, originally released in 2011.
Release Date: February 22, 2016
Publisher: Riptide Publishing
Series: Escape #2
ISBN: #978-1626493728
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance, BDSM
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
Purchase Info:
The Unicorn (Escape #2)
Great review, Jen. I love stories of how people make it work for them, even if it isn’t something for everyone. I also believe that there is nothing wrong with HFN stories.
I’m starting to really like HFN stories – especially for contemporary romances. It makes more sense, if you don’t have a supernatural force binding you together for all eternity!
ohhh i will have to read this!!
I hope you enjoy it!