The girl next door. Pretty. Sweet. Kind.Submissive.Until I met her, I was alone with the dark desires that I didn’t understand, that I couldn’t reconcile. She became my best friend, and then she became so much more.Desire. Disgust. Shame.Dominance.I wouldn’t have survived until college without her. When we were together, I was at peace for the first time in my life. But it was too good to last.… first time in my life.
But it was too good to last.
Our appetite for pain and pleasure destroyed us. And all the drinks in the world weren’t enough to get used to missing her.
On the verge of earning my degree, Ana walks back into my life, those gray-blue eyes still able to see right through me. It’s the chance I’ve been waiting for. One last chance to overcome my shame.
If only it were that easy.
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I loved this book! So much.
Aspects of this reminded me of the avoiding commitment series by KA Linde. Not the same but the Same heartbreaks and love.
Kevin meets Ana (she’s his new neighbor)right before they go back to high school. He introduces her to his friends and voila she has a group at her new school.
They become best friends. The book arcs over a 10 year period. Loved loved loved it.
Not to give anything away. Individually realizing during their teen year they are into pain and some other bdsm aspects.
I have now read everything published by Fiona Cole at this point and can say I have loved them all. Her characters are relatable and believable. Plot development is great. I really really enjoyed this book!!!!
Fiona Cole
I realized I had not read this book by Fiona Cole, getting into her work with the Voyeur series. Now that I have, I’m impressed with how she guided Kevin and Anabelle and their penchant for rougher sex when both thought it was beyond taboo. Especially since their desires started at the age of 16, it was quite a tough journey for these two, feeling the ultimate shame in private, horrified should anyone ever find out.
Both Kevin and Ana were great characters. The push and pull between them was written well. Especially during their high school years when thoughts of anything that wasn’t deemed soft and romantic made them feel like they were shameful. I felt for them and was grateful, as they were, that they found in each other what they needed even if they still weren’t sure it was ‘right’ to feel that way.
Cole takes us through 10 years since Kevin and Ana walked into each other’s lives and the stops and starts at times made my head spin. But I understood where both characters were coming from and the hesitance to fully accept their desires and their need for more intensity in the bedroom. Ana, in particular, had the harder time of the two and I wasn’t sure if she’d ever fully come around and accept her wants and needs. Kevin has the patience of a saint, even though he is one sexy sinner. The domination he inflicts upon Ana was nothing short of erotic and their trysts were incredible.
Although I could have used a bit more when it came to certain events in their lives, overall this is wonderful look at the human psyche and how we often deny ourselves what we truly want if society deems it wrong. Kevin and Ana found in the other the perfect fit when it came to satisfying a desire that freed their souls and lifted their hearts despite the predilection that others may frown upon. They created a unique rhythm and it made them both happy, which is all anyone could hope for.
Looking forward to reading the novella next, I happily give Shame a solid 4 stars!
Ana and Kevin’s story took my heart on a journey that I’m having a difficult time getting over. To see the struggles they individually went through to acknowledge their desires as OK and then that same struggle together hits home. No one should have to feel or worry about being judged for who they are and what they want. My heart felt like it dropped into my stomach at the betrayal felt, and that was only halfway through the book!
Then my heart lifted again when they came back together, and most everything felt right- but that doubt and shame crept back in. And now it’s a tangle of emotions. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice part of yourself to be with someone.
The journey with Ana and Kevin always seems to come full circle, and I was not disappointed! The emotions and connection between the characters are so strong- strong enough to allow Ana to see and accept her true heart and her true self. I loved EVERYTHING about this book- the characters, the backstories, the plot twists, and the HOT HOT HOT and steamy scenes!
Seriously, I am so in love with Shame. Kevin and Ana and their story, their long path towards their much deserved happy ending, is one of my very favorites. Perhaps it’s because Shame was my introduction to Fiona Cole and her writing, and you know what they say about never forgetting your first, but this book is just so extraordinary. I’ve never been able to let it go after reading it for the first time.
I loved Ana. She’s so strong, so independent and feisty. She has an incredible sense of self and is so unique. Then there’s Kevin, the boy next door who finds so much solace in Ana. They both end up being the missing piece the other was looking for.
The steam is this book is scorching hot, there’s no question about it. Both Ana and Kevin have very specific tastes, and it’s through the other that they can fully explore their desires. They complement each other so perfectly. But this book isn’t without heartache and angst, a full spectrum of emotions. Hearts don’t get just broken, they get squeezed until their suffocating and end up splintering into a million jagged shards. But the wonderful thing about breaking is that you’ll be put together stronger in the end.
And that’s what happens with Kevin and Ana. They are so much stronger in the end, with each other. It’ll only be each other for them. I wish a love like theirs for everyone.
This was the first book I had read by Fiona Cole & I was hooked from the start. Its such an amazing story with Ana & Kevin such fantastic characters which was emotional at times but was also had some hot moments. Im going to be reading a lot more of her books soon.
I cannot get enough of Fiona Cole’s writing! She captivates the reader from the very beginning. In this story you have Ana and Kevin who are the best of friends. As they navigate school and their friendship, they also navigate who they truly are in their relationship and their preferences. No matter what they seem to come back to each other.
Shame and Make It To The Altar
These were my first books by Fiona Cole and I read it blind, but of course the cover hints already the topic of the story.
It was a damn hot and steamy story, but also a lot more than that. It’s a fight against the expectations and moral condemnations of the society.
It’s a fight against oneself and the “not normal” desires and needs that causes isolation and depression.
I had a hard time to like the characters. Yes, they were young and they behavior could be excused at the beginning, but 10 years later? They annoyed the hell of me more than a few times.
Ana was like spoiled child most of the time and let the men in her life string along and suffer. Ok, maybe I’m a little biased because I was team Kev from the beginning . And when we are by Kev: I expected him to show backbone much earlier and let her back and forth behind. I mean shouldn’t he, as a dominant guy, has to have a strong personality?
So yes, I’ve some things that I didn’t liked about the characters, but it didn’t means that I didn’t liked this book and story. I enjoyed this book very much and will definitely read more of Fiona’s book.
WARNING: This novel contains explicit content.
This book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride! It was so much more than I expected! I’ve never read something that left me gasping for air! This story was both heartbreaking and beautiful!
What a great book!!! I thought this book was so well written given that it was a journey of discovery for both Ana and Kevin that spanned over 10 years. It was a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish and it tore me apart more than once, but then but me back together to only rip me apart again. I cannot wait to read more books by this author in the future.
This is a unique look at how we are our own worst enemies when it comes to judgement. We want to fit in with everyone, but what if we are unique? What if we are looking for something more? This book is separated into three parts –
Ana and her mum move next door to Kevin’s family after her parents separated. Moving to a new state, having to attend a new school and make new friends is always daunting. Kevin’s family is very welcoming and Kevin helps with Ana’s transition into a new school. They become best friends and as the years go by they begin to explore their sexuality. At their graduation party Kevin publicly humiliate’s Ana. She’s hurt, embarrassed, angry and flees.
After three years of being away Ana has to return due to a family illness. She attends the same college as Kevin for their final year. Which results in their friendship re-igniting, they have lots to be resolved though. Ana has been seeing someone casually and she has two men fluffing their feathers for her attention. She has to make a decision the sweet, kind and gentle Andrew or her best friend and kinky lover?
Heartbroken and although surrounded by people, Ana feels overwhelmed and alone. Kevin takes control and some of the load from her shoulders. He offers her shelter and a sense of home. Ana still lacks confidence and worries about outside influences when she should learn to trust herself.
This is the first book I have ever read by Fiona Cole so I didn’t know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. I kept seeing people on facebook talk about her books and when I asked what one to start with they recommended Shame. It isn’t one of those insta love stories, it slowly develops starting from age 16 to life after college. The characters are well developed. The story is a mix of friendship, loyalty, misunderstanding, passion and heart break but also a HEA.
Perfect mix of taboo and angst romance!
Oh my lawwwd!
My first read from Fiona Cole and I was left gasping for more!
Right from the first page, this best friend turn romance turn second chance romance blow my mind away!
20% in and I was like… A sixteen year old Dom! Kevin burn me so good!
And the steamy just keep rooling
But, hold your skirt, ladies. Shame is not a smuuth, although it’s all fiiiine by me.
Shame is a lot more that steamy taboo
First of all, they are sixteen. An age where they are finding their self. And sexuality speaking it’s kinda scary to find your self “not normal”
Love how Fiona put that fact out there. The psychology of finding that particular spot of your sexuality, the author write it down so eloquently. Make Shame a perfect mix between angst and steamy taboo.
Love how Kevin and Ana fear and shame and passion and lust and finally love story was written.
I loved everything about this book. It was such a unique coming of age story. Ana and Kevin were the most perfect example of soulmates I have ever read. Two people that were truly meant for one another. Their journey to an HEA was brutal, heartbreaking, insightful and full of wonder. I loved watching their progression from young clumsy love, to grown experimental love, and again to full on love built in trust, experience and understanding.
Ana was such a fun female character to read. She was shy yet headstrong and confident. She helped bring the best out of Kevin when they were kids, and in spectacular fashion he helped her become her best version of herself when they were grown. I can’t say enough amazing things about this book.
I was captivated by this book from start to finish! Kevin and Annabelle had feelings early on that kept them battling within themselves and with each other despite having a very deep bond and friendship. I was pulled right in and held for the entire time. I loved both of these characters and wished for them to reach a place of freedom and acceptance. There were moments of despair but I love the way they each came to the realization that their love was what bound them and would sustain them!
Hot damn – the writing of this book was fabulous. The story line was “cliche” but with a twist. Neighborhood friends turned lovers with a dirty twist. Let’s just say that Ana and Kevin are into some kinky stuff. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars is because they start out as 16 years old and (I can’t remember if they were 16 or 17 at that point) engaged in adult activities that felt too mature. Not being a prude but the fact that I wasn’t even that AWARE of my sexual fantasies at 16 so it was hard for me to buy that. Of course, I grew up in a “different” time – speaking like an old person at 29 years old haha.
I really enjoyed the time line of this book. We get to witness Ana and Kevin as teenagers, young adults in college, and then as young adults in the end. We really got to enjoy their character development, their journey, and the lasting love for each other through the years.
This book was extremely hard to put down. I just needed to know what happened next – I love those kind of books.
3.5 stars!
I thoroughly enjoy Fiona Cole’s writing style so I was eager to give this read a go. It started off very strong for me. I was drawn into the relationship of Kevin and Ana and how there relationship grew and evolved, ebbed and flowed. This book takes place over the span of 8 years – through high school college and after. The storyline was interesting. I liked the hero, Kevin. He know what he wanted and was willing to fight for it. Ana was to indecisive for my taste and at times I didn’t like her at all. It was long and started to drag in parts. Overall I enjoyed the book and the journey of the characters through each phase of their lives.
Oh Kevin and your need to mark your girl-right on! If it’s your thing then by all means let loose.
While I loved the story as a whole, I really really loved Part 1 and the epilogue the most. I felt like Part 2 was a remake of part one, but they were just a bit older. We had to watch as they rediscovered themselves yet again and then bam, it ended. Again. Bring on Part 3. And it’s another chance to try again. But Kevin doesn’t let her go this time. Finally Ana owns it. Finally!
I loved the story and how the author makes you feel like you’re discovering something in yourself that you have hidden. It was a long story, though, sometimes letting my mind wander because it didn’t have that bite that keeps you hooked.
I enjoyed this very much that I asked myself why I waited so long to read it. I found myself unable to put it down. I loved Ana’s and Kevin’s story. It’s about friendship, self-discovery, acceptance, love and communication. It’s written in a 10 year span, beginning when they were teens.
Ana and Kevin are wonderful, layered characters struggling with their sexuality. Both have dark and taboo desires. I absolutely adored Kevin. He has a good heart. He’s caring and accepting, especially when it came to Ana. He was always there for her giving her what she needed. Ana sometimes was infuriating. She was hot and cold with her desires and what she wanted. I get that she’s afraid to give into her desires because she had terrible experiences when she let others known about them. And maybe I was annoyed with her because of how long it took her to open her eyes. One thing I loved about them was they were willing to have a strong communication.
The pain and struggle with the characters were palpable that I felt their every emotion. I wanted to hug them and tell them that they were normal, that they shouldn’t feel bad. And when they were happy, I wanted to bask in their bliss. Ana and Kevin had a strong bond and chemistry that the sex scenes were intense and hot AF.
Shame is also thought provoking. It deals with the stigma of wanting something that isn’t seen as socially normal. Fiona Cole did a fabulous job with this story.
This was a fantastic story. A great reminder that everyone is different and no matter what we like or don’t like we are all who we are supposed to be. There is no normal.
Kevin and Ana were an amazing couple. There was so much chemistry. Their whole relationship until they finally gave in was push and pull.
I didn’t want this book to end. It was sweet, sassy, sad, frustrating and sexy!!!!
It is a great read! I want to have never read it just so I can start it and experience it again for the first time.
This book was more than just about BDSM or kink. There actually wasn’t that much description in the book at all. It’s about two people who are trying to understand who they are, what they like, accept their feelings, and step forward with their life under their own rules and without judgement from others.
Ana and Kevin meet as teenagers becoming fast friends. Even though they like each other secretly, they maintain that arm distance and remain best friends instead. These two learn quickly that they like things differently than all of their other friends or how other people describe a sexual relationship. But, as in life, sex comes with so much shame and embarrassment. Add in the additional challenge of a sadist and a masochist and you have the makings of a very different relationship than what most couples have. Others might even find this lifestyle appalling, revolting or abusive at first glance. When we don’t understand something, we tend to turn on it and call foul or not normal.
We get to see Ana and Kevin fight with their feelings, hurt each other because they don’t understand themselves and run away from who they are time and again. But in the end and through their shame of their preferences, they finally meet in the middle. I thought this author did a really good job making the reader understand the shame the characters were feeling and portrayed two people who had to fight through their discomforts to find peace within their soul and their lives. It’s something we should all view with a different mind-set and understand we’re not all created the same, but that doesn’t have to mean we’re not normal either.