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Review

“Sacrifice can only get you so far … And although two people can love each other deeply, sometimes love alone doesn’t cut it. We can only sacrifice so much of ourselves in a relationship before there’s nothing left to love or be loved. “

Whoa, this book messed with my head! I had NO idea what to expect going in, while I was reading I couldn’t predict where the story was going, and strangely, I didn’t even know where I wanted it to go! But I was enthralled the whole way through, and I finished it completely gobsmacked, not even sure what I should be feeling. Even a day later, I can’t stop thinking about it.

The book introduces us to Nora Sutherlin. Erotica writer, dominatrix, and one of the most shameless, outspoken, and sexually confident heroines I have ever read. But she also has her vulnerabilities, and her own pain to deal with, and it makes her a brilliantly complex character. And all of these different facets are explored through watching her interactions with all of the men in her life – her book Editor, her Intern and best friend, the great love of her life, and a handful of lovers – past and present.

We are first introduced to Nora through the eyes of Zach. Begrudgingly appointed as her Editor, he thinks she is a porn-writing guttersnipe not worthy of his time. She knows this, and even if she didn’t, Zach makes it abundantly clear, and they have a fantastically antagonistic, banter-filled, and sexually charged (on Nora’s side) ‘relationship’.

“Why my personal life is of such fascination to you, I cannot fathom.”
“I’m a cat. You’re a shiny object.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“I am, aren’t I? Somebody should spank me.” She sighed. “So you’re kind of an asshole. No offense.”
“And you appear to be two or three words I don’t feel quite comfortable saying aloud.”
“I’d tell you to say them anyway, but I promised Wesley I wouldn’t let you flirt with me. But I digress. Tell me what’s wrong with my book. Say it slowly,” she said, grinning.

Desperate for her ‘antiromance’ novel to be turned into something special and published, Nora allows Zach to take control of her writing, and in the process of working together, she shows him her lifestyle, and her predilections, and through that, the reader also gets sucked into the dark and seedy underworld that Nora inhabits.

“I know a lot of people think erotica is just a romance novel with rougher sex. It’s not. If it’s a subgenre of anything, it’s horror
… Romance is sex plus love. Erotica is sex plus fear.”

This is not a romance book. It’s also not strictly an erotica book. Although it contains elements of both, I honestly don’t know how to describe it. There are a lot of raw and shocking moments in the story, but it’s all very meaningful, and not gratuitous in any way. There are also some beautifully tender parts which provide a really nice balance, plus the dark and dirty, sarcastic humour that I absolutely loved.

This is my first book by Tiffany Reisz, and God, I love her writing! It’s sharp, it’s clever, it’s profound and it’s absolutely mesmerising! The way that she told her story without really telling a story was brilliant! That sounds really vague, but there is no big, cataclysmic event. The book takes place around the six weeks it takes Nora to write her book, and follows the ups and downs of her life, and the interactions she has with the people in her life. And it all unfolds and flows beautifully.

This book has the most sensational character dynamics! And as the intricacies of her relationships unfold, it becomes more complicated and intense as the story goes on. I loved the development of Nora’s relationship with Zach, I love and adore Wesley, and thought that he, and what he represents to Nora, brings something really special to the book. Michael was a huge surprise, Griffin and Kingsley, although only appearing briefly, both appear to be fantastic characters, and Soren – God, I don’t particularly like him, I actually want to hate him, but for some reason I can’t. All so different, each with very different feelings for Nora, and therefore each of them showing us a different side to her, and bringing their own unique part to the story.

I can honestly say that I have no clue where this series is going to go, but I am trusting in the talents of Ms Reisz, and I’m looking forward to continuing the ride.

4.5 stars.

 

The Original Sinners series

 

For more information, see our Original Sinners Series Info page