Thalia and James have just met under the most insane of circumstances. He purchased her at an underground auction from a man who kidnapped her, tormented her, and sold her to the highest bidder.
In their first few months together Thalia wants to view James as her savior, her knight in shining armor that she can stay with in safety, but she can’t escape the trauma she went through and the … the lingering effects it has caused. James isn’t sure, now that he has Thalia, if he can handle the depth of submission she displays.
Can James help her strike a balance between who she is as a person and her newfound craving for submission, or will her urge to submit swallow her whole until James has no choice but to set her free?
**WARNING: This book contains BDSM, strong language, and discussions of dubious consent which may be triggering for some readers. Intended for mature audiences.
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A really good follow up to Security Binds Her
The first thing I will say is that Striking a Balance must be read after reading Security Binds Her . This book really won’t make any sense without an indepth knowledge of the events that occur in Book #1.
Whilst the first book is a very dark read, this was much more of a contemporary BDSM romance read, though I do believe the next book edgers into darker territory. Having read and loved SBH , I very much wanted to continue on this journey with Thalia. Although the story didn’t quite proceed in the way I imagined it would, it is still a very captivating and engaging read. In fact I thoroughly enjoyed it, loving how it was more about getting to know James, the hero, and to understand the dynamic between he and Thalia
This picks up from where SBH ends, with Thalia setting off to begin her new life with James. At one point (and this was a fair chunk into the book) I began to wonder why Thalia wasn’t receiving more help following her captivity, rape and torture. I got that letting the authorities know what had happened would put James in the firing line, but with his resources he should have been able to get her some type of support. It was almost enough to reduce my enjoyment of the book, until it wasn’t. Stick with it because, just as I reached that point, we get a very unexpected twist that leads to truths being revealed and a total change in direction of the book.
Most of the time it felt as though Thalia still remained a captive, captive in a different way but still not truly free. This gave a much needed edge to the book and kept me reading. She is so totally lost that at times it was difficult to ‘get’ her character, but that is the whole point. I felt that the author did an amazing job of portraying how very broken Thalia is.
Written in third person the book also allowed me to get a very good feel for James, both as a character and also as a Dom. There were times I wanted to shake the arrogance from him, thankfully Thalia did a damn good job of doing just that when her confession pulled the rug out from under his feet. He has a selfish streak, that was shown by the fact that he watched footage of Thalia, knowing the girl wasn’t a willing trainee slave. But I liked how it made him fallible and human, so much more believable as a ‘hero’.
Finally, and oh my word, that cliffhanger – the only reason I’m not cursing the author is because book #3 is already available, lol. I’m off to read that one now!
All I can say is if you’ve not read this series you have no idea how good they are. This is book 2 of Thalia & James’s story as James takes Thalia to his home in London to try and develope a relationship with each other. This book sucked me in and didn’t let go till I got to the end and it’s done nothing but left me wanting more. You need to get these book’s in this series if you haven’t read them yet.
This was a chance to step back
To heal
For Thalia to truly find herself
And for James to reconcile with himself to come to terms with his choices
James is such a dichotomy for me
Kalen is right (you’ll meet him) if he was truly practicing SSC what was he doing watching the feeds?
Why didn’t he ask for help?
I do believe he cares deeply for Thalia and the fact he is willing to own up to his mistakes and seek help for her trauma says a lot about him
I hope they find their way
Do not like the gold digger
Worried about the psycho and how badly his mind has twisted what he did and his desires for Thalia
Eager to move forward I need to know how this plays out – for everyone
Book 2 is about Thalia’s new life with James. Things at home are fine but not when they go out shopping, to dinner, etc. James ends up taking her to his old friend Kalen so they can get guidance, therapy and hopefully fix Thalia at his submissive training facility called Purgatory. Very interesting interactions with the Dom’s and submissive’s at Kalen’s. Delicious scenes. Drama. Cliff hanger had me on the edge of my seat. I received an ARC and voluntarily left an honest review.
I am hooked on Thalia’s story, I don’t think she even realizes how strong she is. This is the second read in the series and now that Thalia has chosen James as her Master she is supposed to be happy and move on with her life, but she can’t forget what Marcus did to her. Will James find a way to help her through? This is a fast-paced story with lots of drama and emotion and hot steamy sex! The characters are amazing and we get to meet some of James’ friends and learn more about who Thalia chose. I was hooked from beginning to end a great read. Looking forward to finding out what is in store for Thalia and James in book 3.
This book wasn’t as dark as the first but while still appeal to any fan of dark erotica.
Really Ms Bene?
In this second part of the series Thalia is finally out of the clutches of her abusers and starting life with James. But the transition is not as seamless as they wished. It soon becomes apparent that the training methods of Marcus have far reaching consequences that endanger their relationship.
Finally James reaches out for help, and ensconced with accepting and helpful friends things are starting to look up.
Kink and love abound !!
And then comes the end of the book !!!!
Am I glad that part three is already on my tablet and waiting.
This is 2nd part of a 3 book series. The first book might contain triggers for some. I do reccomend reading all the books but be warned of triggers. this does contain bdsm themes and is greatly written
This series is just WOW!!! I love these characters and their devotion to each other is truly amazing and beautiful to be able to feel that way for one person it justs makes you feel every single thing. I love how James is so protective and Thalia finds her voice somewhat and is truly trying to overcome her issues and do right by him and for herself and I’m so happy they are working together.
James is so swoon worthy and patient and when these two are together wholly god their hot.I wasn’t sure what to think of Kalen it was intense for a bit but he grew on me and now I understand his reasoning and why James asked for help.I loved how the situation was explained between D/s relationships and the ones that abuse the situation by force and now I am off to read book 3 and pray to god this works.
Striking A Balance:
This is a continuation of what happens once James gets Thalia back to his home. He tries to help Thalia get some of her spunk back, but learns he needs some help. Enter Kalen and Maggie and their little place called Purgatory. I wish I could teleport myself into Purgatory because despite the name, this place is heaven for me. This book is a must read!!
Oh boy, is it hot in here because…wow. I so loved the continuation of Thalia and James’ story. The gradual transition from what was an incredibly dark story in “Security Binds Her” to “Striking a Balance”, so much happens as Thalia fights to figure out who she is and where she belongs. *Spoiler alert: She belongs with James. I LOVED Purgatory (Okay, as an ex-catholic that sounds weird). I loved reading about the other doms and subs at the school. It was an amazing way to draw out the turmoil going on inside Thalia’s head as she fights with her inner demons. So, good.
James helps Thalia to be his sub
This is my 2nd book by Jennifer, and the 2nd in this series. I love an author who writes in dual point of view. After James leaves the auction with Thalia, he explains how he wanted to get her out of Marcus and Anthony’s clutches sooner. James is frustrated with the dynamic between them, so he takes Thalia to his friend Kalen who runs Purgatory. Thalia struggles to learn to be the submissive that James needs, but the overall program works on Thalia’s issues. You will enjoy Thalia’s times with the other women in training, and especially the steamy scenes with James and Kalen. It ends on a cliffhanger, but thankfully the 3rd book in the series is available.
Thalia is getting the help she needs. It’s quite a whirlwind. She’s finally coming together when she gets bad news. Very good read. Onto the next!
Thalia and James once again have gripped my heart and ruined multiple panties. I can’t wait to continue this amazing series.
Saved but broken can Thalia find her way back. James and Thalia struggle to find balance in their relationship but will she be strong enough to survive her past and reach for her future. Plenty of steam to go along with the angst.
After all that Thalia has undergone in the first book, I just expected this story with James to be an erotically enticing Dominant/submissive love story between two individuals who have found their mate. But, I was in for a surprise. Making a relationship work, sometimes takes more patience, caring and intensity than either had expected.
Thalia had been kidnapped and brutally trained to become a slave, until James bought her at an auction. He believes in safe, sane and consensual play sessions and always makes sure that Thalia remembers her safe word. But Thalia has been traumatized by her training. When James realizes she needs more help to function in a normal world than he is qualified to provide, he takes her to Scotland to work with his friend, who trains subs and his sister, who is a therapist. Will they be able to discover what Thalia needs? Will they be able to help her adjust to the “normal” world? Will Thalia choose to remain with James?
This book picks up right where first book ended, and it should definitely be read after reading Security Binds Her.
The storyline in this one is much lighter than the first book. We get to know more about James who is a true dominant but also caring and patient with Thalia and helping her become her true self again after everything she’s been through.
Author’s writing really managed to portray Thalia’s struggle and aftermath of trauma she endured. I was completely engrossed in Thalia’s journey to find her independence and get a chance for a bright future with James by her side.
After all the darkness from the first book, there is finally hope and beginning of a beautiful love story.
Another excellent read by Jennifer Bene with lots of extreme scenes and hot chemistry. Thalia has to find a way to survive the polar opposite world of what she went through with her first Master during her “training”. James has rescued her from her torturous existence and introduced her to his high society life and she has to decide what she wants to do with her life. Will she be able to move past her past with Marcus and embrace the love of a man who has always given her something noone else has? …A choice.
The author does an excellent job making you feel the roller coaster of emotions that all the characters feel, with enough action and drama to keep you reading so you can find out what happens and hope for true love between James and Thalia
“Acceptance. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”
This books begins right where Security Binds Her finishes. You have to read that book first, and if you haven’t, beware-there may be spoilers ahead! Thalia’s treatment at the hands of Marcus and Anthony was harsh & barbaric, and it reinforced her submissive behaviour. But different masters require different things, and some of that learned behaviour is difficult to extinguish. How can Thalia learn to balance her submissive side with her own personality, which is now deeply buried? James and Thalia have lots to sort, and we meet James’ friend Kalen, who has much to say about James’ behaviour, his lovely wife & sub, Maggie, and Kalen’s sister Ailsa, a psychologist. I found myself getting frustrated with the Thalia and James, their stumbling and fumbling to find their “normal”, and virtually ignoring the abuse Thalia had endured. I felt a huge sense of relief when they arrived at Purgatory. The author did a fantastic job of dragging me into the characters’ emotions. I am absolutely loving this story, which ends on a cliffhanger, and looking forward to Salvaged by Love.
I received a copy of this book. My honest review is voluntarily provided.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
This is the second book in the Thalia Series from Jennifer Bene. You have to have read the first book Security Binds Her or you’re going to be lost. This book takes right off from where we ended in Security Binds Her. It is not as dark but that’s a good thing since it was intense and heavy. I love love love the relationship between James and Thalia. He her Dom and she the Sub. This book is absolutely amazing. I loved every single second of it and can not wait for the next book!!!