Book Review: Asking For It by Lilah Pace

Title: Asking For It
Series: Asking For It, Book 1
Author: Lilah Pace
Genre: Erotic Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by publisher
Published: June 2, 2015 by Berkley

“This is who I am. This is what I want. Now I need a man dangerous enough to give it to me.”

Graduate student Vivienne Charles is afraid of her own desires—ashamed to admit that she fantasizes about being taken by force, by a man who will claim her completely and without mercy. When the magnetic, mysterious Jonah Marks learns her secret, he makes an offer that stuns her: they will remain near-strangers to each other, and meet in secret so that he can fulfill her fantasy.

Their arrangement is twisted. The sex is incredible. And—despite their attempts to stay apart—soon their emotions are bound together as tightly as the rope around Vivienne’s wrists. But the secrets in their pasts threaten to turn their affair even darker...

Reader Advisory: Asking for It deals explicitly with fantasies of non-consensual sex. Readers sensitive to portrayals of non-consensual sex should be advised.

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Reviewed by: Babs

In a Nutshell: I don't have the words to adequately describe my feelings after reading this book. It's not my usual pick. I'm incredibly glad I read it--fabulous read.

Why I Read This Book: I first heard about it when a publicist described it on a podcast. At that time I was going to pass on reading it. Then it became available on NetGalley maybe a couple months later and I took a chance after reading the note from the publisher.

This book isn't for everyone. There's a trigger warning in the beginning. Definitely use caution if reading/hearing about rape is a trigger for you. There's description of past rape and acting on rape fantasy. All the encounters between the hero and heroine during the story are consensual.

What I Liked: I'm not much for angsty, emotionally draining reads. I'm pleasantly surprised how quickly I was drawn into the story with all the emotions running high. The author did an awesome job making me care about Viv and Jonah. Jonah especially is a mystery much of the book--how is he able to know what Viv needs so readily and able to act it out so well? One of my first thoughts after finishing was I need to get Jonah’s POV since this story is from Viv’s. But then I don’t know if I could handle hearing about his past in first person.

I seem to read a lot of "it's just sex" that turns into more and that setup in this book really worked for me. I like that Viv and Jonah met right away. I thought they had an instant connection. Whether it’s healthy for both of them and they can develop that into a positive, fulfilling relationship after their secrets are revealed remains to be seen.

What I Also Liked: I'm going to just put it out there--there's no Happy Ever After or even clear Happy For Now at the end of this book although I felt there's a slim possibility of one. I really liked that the HEA/HFN wasn't forced. There is a sequel so I have to assume they end up together somehow. Viv and Jonah are both emotionally scarred by their pasts and then what they've done together seems to make it worse. I don't think I'd believe even a HFN when this book ends.

What I Didn't Like: Just a minor issue for me but there were a couple of passing references to a process I'm very familiar with that weren't completely accurate. It didn't ruin the story for me or anything but just bugged me a bit when I read them.

Overall Impression: I've been thinking about it since I finished it. It was a very intense read for me. I read it in one sitting. I was immediately sucked into the story and I anxiously await the sequel! I don't know how Viv and Jonah get to a HEA or HFN and I look forward to being convinced that's possible. They deserve it!

Bab’s Rating: