A woman unable to connect, struggling to hide another part of her. A man burning to learn her truth, and make her whole. Through explosive passion and deep exploration, they are about to take the greatest risk of all. But will they be able to take that leap, and come out on the other side together? In this next passionate novel in the Honey series, New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley … author Kristen Ashley delivers a stunningly romantic and intensely sexy novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
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4.5 Stars
I will be the first to admit, my first foray into this series didn’t really go well- at all- much to my extreme disappointment. I heard great things about the second book in the series though, so when I was given the opportunity to read The Greatest Risk I decided to give the series another chance. I am so glad that I did!
This series is set in the world of the exclusive Bee’s Honey club so of course the theme of sexual exploration is a big part of the story. But The Greatest Risk is about so much more than that! It’s about trust, finding self-worth, and breaking free from the prison of the past to find a future that you never dreamed of.
Sixx and Stellan are a Mistress and Master at the Honey, and both have very strong personalities. Sixx has been attracted to him for years but has always found one excuse or another to avoid acting on it. She has many acquaintances in her life, but her only true friend is Aryas, another Master at the club. Aryas sees a bit too much for her comfort level at times and he pushes her to take a chance on actually being happy for a change, but Sixx isn’t wired that way.
Her childhood gave her a different frame of reference on life than most, and her existence to this point has been all about just that- existing. She keeps people at arm’s length with the Sixx persona in effort to protect herself and those around her. Stellan is a force to be reckoned with though. He is not a man to back down from pursuing what he wants, and he definitely wants Sixx. But he is also smart enough to realize that he has to make his approach carefully because he will only have one shot at making her his own. He does the research and quietly observes for months, and when he finally makes his move, he is able to catch the notoriously wary woman off guard in a good way and leaves her stunned at her own reaction to both his proposal and his over-the-top gift to her.
And so begins the war of wills! Stellan goes all in with his quest to find Simone, the real heart of Sixx that she has buried beneath her carefully crafted walls, but he has his work cut out for him. She has lived a life that has taught her love isn’t safe if it exists at all, and for every step forward that they take, they also take 3 steps back. Add in that they are both tops although it becomes obvious that she is a switch only when it comes to him, and Stellan definitely needs to be creative when it comes to truly fulfilling her needs. Her MO is to run scared every time things get too real though, and it happens pretty often! Fortunately Stellan recognizes the signs, and I loved the way that he handles her freak out moments. He finds just the right mix of straight talk, strength, dominance, and acceptance to pull her out of her own head when she needs it, and he also gives her the quiet and space she needs to process it all too when he sees right through to the heart of the issues that are weighing her down.
“Sixx is the coward full of bullshit and bravado that hides Simone, who lives down deep. And that’s who I have right now. But Simone is the real survivor. She’s the one who keeps you living and breathing, who you’re fucking terrified to let free, thinking you’re protecting her, not having that first idea you’re suffocating her. And if you don’t stop, and soon, she’ll be lost. Gone for eternity.”
These two people truly are the other half of each other and Amelie’s description of them seems very fitting.
“You were meant for each other. No less equal than a partner who fits the unique puzzle that is the two of you, forming the perfect picture. But a different kind of equal, not two halves that make a whole. Two like-minded souls who share a vital understanding.”
Despite the fact she is absolutely terrified of the prospect of finding true happiness only to have it ripped away from her, she slowly finds herself starting to believe in it. At times the journey was a bit frustrating for everyone – including me- but it is a journey that I thoroughly enjoyed and that is still forefront in my mind even a few days after finishing the book. This story definitely had some elements that I never would have dreamed up, but even though it surprised me from time to time there was nothing that sent me running screaming in the other direction. Familiar faces from other stories both within the series and from other series make appearances and made me smile. The narrative contained some of the lightness, camaraderie and sassy attitude of the Rock Chick series that I love so much to offset the heavier, sometimes darker and more emotional moments too.
So suffice it to say I am thrilled that I gave this series another shot because Simone and Stellan’s journey was well worth it!
“Be strong for the world, darling, it that’s what you need to be. But here, with me, you can be whatever you care to be.”
The Greatest Risk is an amazing conclusion of the fantastic Honey series. I have loved these amazing characters, loved their relationships and their development into couples and embracing their true submissive and dominant natures. And even when they’re both.
I have been anxiously awaiting Sixx and Stellan’s story. Wondered how the Domme and Dom would work together in a relationship. And I loved it.
Sixx and Stellan are two very strong, very domineering individuals. Both are fighting to be better than their upbringing. Both chose their own path, their own way to live life. And both have found their way through BDSM.
Sixx and Stellan are brilliant together. I love their interactions. That Stellan knows just how much to push Sixx in her submission, and I am awed at Sixx and her strength. I loved how they navigated their relationship—that they both had to give to get everything they never realized they wanted in and out of the bedroom. And whoa those between the sheets times were hot and sexy and panty melting.
Sixx’s growth and development and work through her past was true to her personality. I loved how Stellan supported her and never gave up, even when Sixx wanted to. Forcing Sixx to see the love and support that surrounded her . . . that her friends were truly her family.
The Greatest Risk was a fantastic story about love, life and finding your true self. Which, I believe is truly the most intimate part of the lifestyle. I’m sorry to see this amazing series end, it was such a fabulous journey.