This is a dark and somewhat disturbing erotic read that I am somewhat torn over. Serena is a young woman who has been abused and neglected by her adopted parents and after their death has moved to London to pursue a photography career. Very quickly after arriving Serena encounters Gustav Levi, an older man with a jaded past that has made him a controlling and intense person with definite intimacy issues. The specter of Gustav's ex wife, who committed an unforgivable betrayal, still looms large and will affect Serena in ways she could never have predicted. The problem that I have with this story is one that I can't remember having in a while. I don't actually want Serena and Gustav to have a happily ever after. Serena is so much younger than Gustav and Gustav so desperately needed to purge himself of the damage done to him by his ex wife that I was left feeling that although the relationship between the two may well be essential for them both, I still don't actually want them to end up together permanently. Gustav is providing Serena with a confidence that she needed to start her career and come into her own sexually and as a confident young photographer. While Serena is providing Gustav with the means to trust that not all women are manipulative and emotionally exploitative like his ex wife.
The idea of the chain itself doesn't bother me so much as the fact that Gustav attaches the chain to Serena in public and no one mentions or questions it? He attaches it at her gallery premier and no one seems to notice. I get that it is suppose to be thin, but it's not invisible. Serena as a character seems too immature to be ready for a man in his 40's no matter how fresh and talented she is. Serena's random behavior and odd actions seems disjointed and doesn't add to any understanding of her or the story in general. I think that there are things the author may have left out of the story that would have made it flow better or at least made some things make sense.
There is an underlying darkness to this story that doesn't sit well with me. The eroticism in this book skirts too close to the edge for me, but that being said I was drawn through the book enough to finish it. Fortunately, there is a sneak peek into book two, The Golden Locket, at the end and I was able to get the little bit of information about the betrayal that I needed to feel satisfied because The Silver Chain ends with a cliffhanger which I HATE. Cliffhangers, for me, feel like a way for the author to blackmail the reader into buying the second book in a series in order to receive closure, and I don't enjoy being held hostage that way. When a story is well written and intriguing cliff hangers shouldn't be necessary. Unfortunately I did not enjoy the story enough to want to read book two.
Happy Reading!
Monica
**I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Amazon Barnes & Noble
Book Description:
Bound by passion, she was powerless to resist.
The Silver Chain is the first in the sexy, passionate and addictive Unbreakable Trilogy by Primula Bond.
One dark evening in London, photographer Serena Folkes is indulging her impulsive side with a night-time shoot. But someone is watching her – mysterious entrepreneur Gustav Levi. Serena doesn’t know it yet, but this handsome stranger will change her life forever…
Serena is fascinated by Gustav, the enigmatic owner of the Levi Gallery, and she soon feels an irresistible pull of attraction. The interest is mutual, and Gustav promises to launch Serena’s photographic career at his gallery, but only if Serena agrees to become his exclusive companion.
To mark their agreement, Gustav gives Serena a bracelet to wear at all times. Attached to it is a silver chain of which he is the keeper. With the chain Gustav controls Serena physically and symbolically – a sign that she is under his power.
As their passionate relationship intensifies, Gustav’s hold on the silver chain grows stronger. But will Gustav’s dark past tear them apart?
A seductive and beautifully written novel perfect for fans of erotic romance.
No comments:
Post a Comment