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This is erotica with a thin veneer of romance.
Kelly Quinn is the owner of Lix an exclusive women's club which offers an environment for all manner of kink with non-judgemental acceptance. Lauren, a very femme, currently single lady is encouraged by an ex who is currently a good friend to explore Lix by herself to help her move out of her comfort zone. The day is the club's Leather & Lingerie theme.
Quinn is immediately attracted to Lauren and vice versa. However, Quinn is dealing (or not) with her own dark memories and is strictly a no-relationship person. Lauren is not particularly looking for a relationship either. But ultimately things do get more serious between the two.
This is erotica. Make no mistake about that. There is BDSM -- more the domme-sub dynamic than physical pain (though there is some of that too on a mild level). There is voyeurism and exhibitionism. There is lots of sex.
Quinn is forty-eight and though we don't recall Lauren's age, this is an age-gap lust driven relationship. The one thing we really liked in the dynamic was the fact though Lauren is described as a natural submissive during sex, she is no pushover otherwise. She's not willing to take any crumbs given by Quinn and has enough self-esteem to know she deserves better. We also liked the fact that each time Quinn behaved like an ass or shortchanged Lauren, she apologised and corrected her behaviour. The dialogue is stilted and unrealistic but that's really not a big draw for this one.
As an erotic romance, this is one of the better reads.
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