It began as research. Just research. The technical approach. One that delivers the content necessary for a hidden culture to seem plausible, even if it’s not. Readers expect perfection from me. They need to be taken on a journey. That’s my job as a writer. Trouble is, I know nothing about my new subject matter – kink. Blaine Jacobs is his name. He’s my research. A man who seems as logical and … and focused as me. A man who agrees to help. A man who, regardless of his stature in the community, seems to offer a sense of realism to this strange section of society.
And even if he does occasionally interrupt my data with dark brooding eyes and a questionably filthy mouth, what does it matter? It’s just research, isn’t it? It’s not real. None of this is. Nothing will come of it or change my mind.
So why am I confused?
I’m becoming lost.
Falling apart.
And Blaine Jacobs, no matter how calm he might have seemed at first, now appears to linger on the edges of sanity, pushing my boundaries with every whispered word.
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This story is dark and twisted and will blow your mind! It’s not going to be for every reader that’s for certain but if you enjoy testing the limits of your comfort zone, then this book should be perfect for you.
I absolutely love the push and pull between Alana and Blaine. I loved witnessing their journeys. I love how complex Blaine is, and I loved seeing Alana discovering her true self. The couple’s chemistry is palpable and the sexual tension…… wow!!
I love that the story is written using dual POVs, it allowed me to gain a greater understanding to the thoughts and feelings of both characters. My only niggle is that during some parts of the book I would have preferred the pace of the story to be quicker. It took a little time for the book to fully grab my attention but once it did, that was it for me.
One thing I am learning quickly about this author is that she creates the most incredible alpha men. If you like your men intense with a darker side to their personalities then Ms. Hart has you spoiled for choice. Blaine and Alana are perfect for each other and I am so pleased I can dive straight into the second book in this duet, and see what happens next!
OMG this book is amazing with its dark style that is told and how you can fell the emotions coming off the pages. This will take you on a intense ride with lots of twist and turns that you will need to hang on. This story is a BDSM story that is dark not a romance book so get ready for the book that will keep you up all-nighter reading and turning the pages.
Oh my good god…
I can’t breathe let alone think right now so if this is a jumbled mess of words that make no sense please forgive me.
Charlotte is the queen of alpha men, if you’ve met Alexander White and Pascal Van Der Braak then you will know what I mean (telling you if Pascal was real I would be running away with him but I digress). But Blaine… Blaine is something else, something so bloody good he has left me breathless, shaking and in dire need of the next book. He is dark, has so many demons and…Oh hell I don’t know, all I know is I loved him throughout this book, wanted to help him battle those demons and watch as he fought his instincts to stay away from Alana… Alana I love her too and that doesn’t happen often as I tend to struggle to connect to female characters. I guess we have all felt lost at one point or another in our lives just like her just not always fortunate enough to meet our version of Blaine. I related to her so much and felt as if I was there with her as she took the path to find herself. Their story unfolds in a beautifully dark way that as I said left me truly breathless and needing more, honestly I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself now I’ve finished reading this, I may have to go lie down in a dark room to calm my racing heart
Bloody Hell, What an experience that was, I have absolutely no idea where to start with this review, I have so much white noise running through my head at the mo, this page-turning addictive read has short-wired my ability to well, frankly articulate, I’m like a goldfish gasping unable to convey much at all.
All my concepts and thoughts are ping ponging around my brain as I try to analyse and dissect what I have just indulged in.
So I’m going to try to compartmentalise all my concepts and thoughts internally so I can analyse everything that is “Once Upon A”.
I want to remember all my first impressions without forgetting anything as this is such a unique read with so many indefinite angles to the characters involved.
So First Things First, A Warning!!!
This a very dark read, dealing with some very disturbing stuff, if this is not your flavour, well you have been cautioned.
Myself, I happen to like fiction that stretches my boundaries, forcing me to contemplate instances outside my comfort zone, forcing that discomfited almost uneasy feeling.
This definitely Delivered in spades and them some.
So brief synopsis, Alana Williams is an author living with various pen-names One of these names she has decided is going to write the next BDSM/Kink bestseller all she needs is some research into the scene.
Enter Blaine Jacobs, Blaine of the humiliating set-downs and filthy mouth, All round degenerate of the highest order he doesn’t play, annihilating his opponent is his kink.
So Alana is going to learn in a big way what it means to be Blaine’s obsession and he is going to enjoy every Humiliation and lesson he bestows while making his little brat thank him prettily.
All in the name of research of course.
This Tale is probably gonna be marmite for people, me I abhor the rank stuff, I’m more of a peanut butter sort of gal, this story is so my peanut butter and I was nuts for the whole nine yards.
This book is so much more than the sum of its parts, I really think what this tale ultimately imparted to me, the main lesson I found myself taking away from this was acceptance.
He was right. It’s full of honesty and trust, more so perhaps than the normal pronouncement of love. To give yourself to someone who wants to cause pain, needs to even, to offer them that with no recriminations and bathe in the glory of their honesty, too? That’s a love unencumbered by restriction or temptation.
So That’s all from me guys and gals, So Sorry for the vagueness but this is really something you need to go into blind and just behold.
Once Upon A (The Stained Duet #1) By Charlotte E Hart is so well written and such a fascinating read, managing to portray the decadence of such a lifestyle, while still managing to connect with the reader’s heart, this is a rare talent that many authors fail to achieve, not so Miss Hart all her arrows shoot true and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every word, I will be waiting with baited breath for take two of Blaine and Alana.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced readers copy, this is my own personal opinion.