Review: Subordination by Katie Ashley

Note: This ARC was provided by TRSoR Promotions in exchange for an honest review.

Inside the confines of Club 1740, Mistress Juliette is known for her prowess as a professional dominatrix and her services are always in high demand. After five years and with her graduate degree in hand, it's time for Mistress Juliette to hang up her corset, whips, and rope so that Sophie Jameson can finally pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. But on her last night, she meets a stunningly attractive submissive named William who looks every bit an alpha male. One session, a twisted ankle, and an unforgettable day and night together has both of them wanting more...until the realization that he's Dr. William Foster, the principal in the school she's now teaching at. They try to keep things professional, but pretending that their connection doesn't exist is more difficult than they anticipated. The temptation to pursue a relationship, even one in secret, is far too enticing for either of them to resist, but if it were ever to come out, the possible consequences could lead to them losing far more than either one of them bargained for. 

Subordination is a standalone erotic romance by bestselling author Katie Ashley and is a story that chronicles the life of a dominatrix named Sophie Jameson as she meets the man of her dreams, William Foster, and tries to strike a balance between accepting the natural need to dominate that exists within her and the need for a reciprocal relationship based on love and not merely a submissive's desire to please and obey his domme. The distinction that Sophie constantly makes about being a professional domme and not one who actually indulges in the lifestyle outside of Club 1740 was an interesting one, but her time with William proves that she earned her reputation as a domme because of her innate need for and ability to take control. Sophie had me with her foul-mouthed observations and pronouncements, though there were times that the woman needed a bit of shaking so that she would quit with the skewed view she had of her relationship with William. And William? Ah, the man was book boyfriend material from beginning to end.

This story is really Sophie's and her journey as she discovers and embraces things about herself that she never realized were really part of her from the beginning. William accepted his desire for pain in order to attain pleasure sexually when he was nineteen, and this gives him far more insight than Sophie. He's the one who opens her eyes and her heart to the possibilities that being together can bring. She may wield the flogger, but it's William who wields the knowledge that provides him with the security and power of knowing what he wants and going after it. He gives his all while Sophie holds back, so the dynamic between them makes for an engrossing interplay. The book, however, isn't limited to just their love story, and Sophie's relationships with her ailing father and younger brother was touching and highlighted just how much wiser they were in matters of the heart. Sophie's character evolved in the story, and that's something you always want in your heroine. Subordination is Katie Ashley at her best (so far!) and I give it 4.5 stars. ♥

Date Read: 23 December 2015

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