Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940153402253 |
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| Publisher: | Sherri Hayes |
| Publication date: | 08/14/2016 |
| Series: | Finding Anna , #1 |
| Sold by: | Draft2Digital |
| Format: | NOOK Book |
| Sales rank: | 13,131 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Slave
4.2 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
46 reviews.
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This is a tough book to review. A lot of people will try to compare with Fifty Shades because of the Writers Coffee House connection and the connotations between the two stories (and there’s quite a few), however this is a contemporary love story and if erotica and BDSM is your thing then this isn’t for you.
I won’t tell the synopsis of the book because there are many reviews out there doing just that. But my thoughts are as follows.
Firstly, I read the book and actually enjoyed it. One thing I really enjoyed was the two POV’s from both Stephan and Brianna. Sometimes they overlap so you can know what each of the characters is thinking, and this helped to understand the characters train of thought all the more.
The back-story of Brianna is heartrending and painful to imagine. As a 17 year old she had no idea or concept of sex, and when she’s sold and used it is without thought or feeling. Brianna’s attitude and mindset was spot on in my opinion. Her thoughts are of confusion and she spends a great deal of time not understanding Stephan’s own thoughts and motives.
Considering Stephan keeps emphasising to her the need for communication he really fell short here. I understand that he wanted to give her time to get used to a safe environment but Brianna had no idea what her status or position was in his house, and he did nothing to ease her mind. If he’d spoken at the beginning and allowed her to understand this then she might have felt a little easier. Even when Lily tells her she’s not a slave, Brianna still doubts Stephan.
So, onto Stephan. Throughout the book I considered him a great and wonderful human being. So thoughtful and understanding. He has no idea whether he can open Brianna up from the closed and broken person she’s become but his actions are always gentle, kind and unexpected for a 24 year old.
Even until the end I thought this way. But then as the book ended I started thinking again. Stephan did the most wonderful thing by ‘buying’ her and releasing her from the nightmare she was living in. At first I wondered whether he would call the authorities but he didn’t. Brianna wasn’t a submissive before she went to Ian’s. She was also still a virgin. She has no idea of the lifestyle that he enjoys. So why did he think he could change this girl and ask her to accept him as a Dominant? Effectively change her to a submissive instead. Yes, now she has the gruesome training and acts like a complete submissive but he’s doing this for his own selfish reasons. Once I got my head round this I actually felt uncomfortable. Brianna’s been raped and abused and had untold horrible things done to her. By being a submissive, will that actually help her?
In the end the story finishes abruptly, a sure sign that you have to read Need (Book 2) to continue the story.
The only downsides of this book are the interfering random dialogue scenes with no meaning for the story. For instance Stephan has whole conversations on the phone about his business and staff and this was boring. Also, and I know the context of the story probably doesn’t allow this but there is no humour but this only emphasises the seriousness of the book.
This is a harrowing story and I’m sure it will get much worse with the second book. Nevertheless, I will be reading it.
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I received this book to review from Netgalley and Smith Publicity --
The Writer's Coffee Shop. Thank you for the opportunity.
Going into this I had a preconceived idea of what the book would be about and I was completely wrong.
Slave is not a book filed with sex and BDSM playrooms. Slave is a story about a girl who has been forced into something she doesn't completely understand and someone who has the capability to save her.
I was pleasantly surprised that there would be two POV's in this book; both Brianna's and Stephan's. It helped tremendously with the story telling to really know what was going on between the two.
This book had me glued to the page and I couldn't stop turning. I felt for Brianna and her confusion on who she now was, what she could now do and how to navigate the day to day life that has changed so much in her young 18 years. At first I was thrown by her age, but I put that aside realizing that it fit the story, actually most girls forced into sexual slavery are much younger. How broken this young girl had become was heart wrenching for me. She questioned everything around her, everything being done to her but these questions weren't allowed a voice for so long, she lived in a prison in her head.
I connected with Brianna and her love of books; living inside your own head you need a little company from words on a page. I cried when she received her first punishment, I felt it right along with her.
Stephan is something else. He reluctance to buy a human being is understandable as well as is his decision to go through with the sell. He sees that Brianna is not in a good position and that he can help her. The methods he uses may not be traditional but what kind of help could he get for her that would not damage her more. I think he did what was best being in that lifestyle. Stephan has the patience of a saint and I fell in love with him for that. He just wanted to take care of her and protect her; show her that not everyone is evil, not every man wants the same thing from her and show her that she is in control even when she doubts that. She only knows who/what she has been the last 10 months, is it possible for him to change that?
I keep hearing the Lily's words that are repeated in Brianna's head "No I was never his salve. And neither are you."
The time that Stephan devotes to Brianna is amazing. The people that he brings into her life to help her was perfect. Lily and Logan understand the lifestyle and can be there for support for Stephan and Brianna even though she doesn't realize it yet.
The end was not what I expected and I cannot wait to read Need to find out what happens next.
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Brianna is taken, and broken by a monster. What transpires in her world is not exactly what any submissive would dream of, nor desire. What Brianna turns into is not what a dominate partner would dream of, nor desire. Not really. For the most part, as with anything, rules are broken and people are human. People change things as they go and make things work for them and for the moment. What was good for one man, was not good for Brianna. Now it will be up to Stephan to pave a new path and prove to Brianna her own self worth. In doing this, Stephan will need to deny himself to a degree while strengthening his own self control. Perhaps, that is exactly what the Dominate was seeking, and truly needed.
Slave is beautifully written. I can not stress this point enough. Sherri Hayes brings to us a subject matter that is controversial to say the least, telling a loving and tender story with taste. The story is broken up into two narratives. We get the story from Stephan's perspective and from Brianna's. An absolutely wonderful way to read their story, their feelings and the emotional roller coaster as they learn about themselves and about each other.
Stephan does not want Brianna to view her life as a punishment. Having a submissive nature is not a weakness and it is important to Stephan that Brianna knows this, and appreciates it fully. Brianna displays her submissive nature without even trying and it is that very trait that complicates and Dominants Stephan. However, Stephan spends much of his time displaying techniques that sharpen Brianna's awareness and at the same time heightens her level of submissiveness. Both characters are feeding from one another, their roles and at the same time relish in their nurturing, and control, of the other.
Due to how damaged Brianna is when Stephan finds her, it leaves Stephan little room to 'play'. We get a clear picture of their living arrangements and only a small taste of their life style. Simply a taste. The larger part of Slave is a story telling of two people hungry for gratification, but needing to heal before they can really allow anyone in. They are healing and trying to figure out how the other one might fit into their life. Slave really is a beautiful love story but told from a different and alternative perspective. Controversial, maybe. Written tastefully, absolutely.
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This book is definitely full of triggers, it’s dark and not for the faint of heart! The author holds no punches as she delves in to the mind of a young woman who was sold, broken and turned in to nothing more than a slave. There is some slight light in the book, in that she is bought by a man who did so only to set her free. This story goes in to all of the emotions, mind set and physical issues that go with trying to recondition the human mind from what it has been conditioned to think is normal. This truly is a horrific story to read and is one that shall have you in tears for the poor woman. It’s a really well written story and there seems to have been a lot of thought and research going in to not only the plot but also the characters and how they react and their dialogue. This is NOT your sweet little HEA story with a bit of BDSM thrown in.
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Slave was so different than what I expected which made it even more wonderful. Although I assume this series will become more erotic, the first installment of Finding Anna was demure and about the healing of a broken young girl. I really enjoyed this book - even through the editing mistakes (typical of an ARC) and frustrating repetitiveness - I simply couldn't put down.Brianna is a slave. Broken and beautiful. I can't imagine a character I've cared for more but was still left with so many unanswered questions. I expected this book to be a bit about healing, but more sexual in nature, giving Brianna control of her life sexually first thereby growing confident in her normal life. Instead, Sherri Hayes shows just how gentle a Dom can be in caring for and healing his sub - without the sex but with all the tension.This book spanned about a month in time with Brianna growing closer to Stephan every page turn. Although your first thought is why not get this girl some professional help, you come to respect and understand Stephan's choice.Unfortunately, I can't say too much without giving everything away. But I can say that Stephan is friggin sexy! Even without showing much of his Dominant side, I was drawn to his inner (and outer) alpha and wanted to much to learn more about him. What made him even more attractive was his ability to control without instilling fear, showing us how to gently encourage a woman sold and broken by the cruelest of Masters to finally trust again.At the end of this book I was SO frustrated it was over and we had only just began to uncover pieces of Brianna. I can't wait to read Need (Finding Anna, Book 2) and really delve into Brianna and Stephan's past.This is definitely a must-read! :)
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Such a good book would read it again
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This was a well written story, with a compelling plot. I'm not the most patient person though, so Brianna and Stephan's journey (or lack thereof) kind of felt a little repetitive- but that's just me. For readers that enjoy a completely emotional story, this is one that you'll really appreciate. Same goes for people that like reading about damsels in distress, rich men with a heart of gold, and women with trust issues. This is the story for you, even if I can admit it wasn't really for me. It was well-paced, descriptive, and I genuinely wanted to see where it was heading. This author definitely can tell a good story though, so if you're on the fence about giving this series a try, dive right in. You won't be disappointed.
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So good. You really feel the characters. This is not a sex book, so if thats whats u are looking 4 u will be disappointed. However i loved it. Buying box set now
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Ok
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Absolutely loved it. Couldn't put it down till I finished reading the whole book
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Boring .. drawn out then really has no end
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I really enjoyed this book, I couldn't put it down till I finished it, the characters were very interesting and thorough, I like that in a book, so I can get into what's going on in the story, this is the first book from this author that I've read, but I plan on reading everything she's written now!
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I couldn't put it down it was soooooooooooo good I'm buying the rest of them Brianna and Stephen were amazing
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Recommend.
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The young girl was wearing a maids uniform and a headdress. She had a collar that was chained to a pole
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If your expectations are a sexy romp, move on. It's a very serious book about a blossoming relationship . To find out how it comes to fruition you will have to read on to other books 2 thru 4. But I loved this one and found it difficult to put down . I will be continuing the saga
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Cant wait to read the other three. Addictivly to good to put down
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No cliffhanger but this is book 1 of 4. Many questions still need to be answered. This book topic is delicate but there is no description of rape or sex.
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Love love love it
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I could not put it down. I want to read what happens next withStephan and Brianna'story. I need to get the second book now. The only thing that i did not like was that the book ends really abrutly. I am going to read more books from this author.
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Awesome! Fantastic! Heart-Wrenching! Slave by Sherri Hayes is a well written, highly recommended romantic story told in both of the characters' point of view, Stephen and Brianna. I honestly found myself not wanting to stop reading until I finished the book and cannot wait to continue reading the series.
A friend of Stephen's lets him know that a slave is being mistreated. Stephen is not into a 24/7 dominant/slave relationship, instead he prefers a dominant/submissive relationship. Stephen purchases Brianna and saves her from a never ending abusive relationship and tries to help her heal. Stephen falls in love with Brianna and dreams of a relationship with her but does not know if that will ever happen. When Stephen tells her that she is not his slave and is free, he does not know what she will decide to do.
Read the highly recommended enthralling, captivating, romantic story Slave by Sherri Hayes.
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