Slave (Finding Anna, #1)

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.

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.

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.

He walks in looking at the girl chained up in front of him. "You'll do." He states smirking

In black armor bursts in. He unlocked her chains and tossed her some camo armor. "Come on. Im getting you outta here!"

The young girl was wearing a maids uniform and a headdress. She had a collar that was chained to a pole

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

Cant wait to read the other three. Addictivly to good to put down

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.

Love love love it

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.

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.

This book is nothing I repeat nothing like Fifty Shades of Grey. Annastasia was not broken. And Steven is not Christian by any sense of the word.

This book had me interested pretty much right from the start. I have never read a BDSM book that didn't have tons of crazy kinky sex. It was a nice change to read a book that wasn't all roses and sunshine. My heart really broke for Brianna and all that she had to endure under Ian. Stephan was a likable character but so bad I wanted him to treat her better than just another submissive. Maybe in future stories this may happen....who knows. I do know that I will be looking forward to finding out how this story unfolds as it continues. I think that we will probably find out even more of the terrible things that happened to this poor girl in her life of slavery. To me, this story flowed very well and nothing felt forced. A lot of stuff happens in not a super long story. Really good read for someone who likes maybe a darker kind of story. As president of a not-for-profit foundation, Stephan knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave. Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing. Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?

Sherri Hayes is truly a gifted writer.  She puts such depth and emotion into her characters that you can't help but lose yourself in the story.  Don't let the cover of this book deter you as it is the beginning to a beautiful love story just unfolding.  Take a chance and dive right in you will not regret it. Slave is an emotional love story with just a splash of mystery and suspense. This BDSM book is unlike any I have read before.  Stephan's and Brianna's story is one of a kind and is not about sex but more about the building of trust and rebuilding a broken spirit.  I immediately fell in love with Stephan’s strong dominant character and his need to rescue and care for Brianna.  My heart just ached for Brianna as you can feel she has truly been broken and lost herself.  Stephan however is there to guide her and return to her the life that was stolen.  They have many challenges ahead to face and I really enjoyed how Sherri Hayes folded in the BDSM theme as a tool to aid in Brianna’s mental recovery.  I cannot wait to read the continuation of their story in the second book titled Need and look forward to the story continuing on after.  

This book isn't erotica if thats what you're looking for. I enjoyed it. It seems like it's setting up for the sequels.

loved reading it:))

I like reading about a powerful man taking care of someone who is broken, and trying to fix them.