Book Review: The Dungeon by Velvet

Title: The Dungeon
Author: Velvet
Genre: Erotic Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: February 2013 by Ellora’s Cave

The Dungeon…where lust hurts so good.

Kendall Hall has a successful restaurant in Manhattan and a budding career as a television chef, but despite her accomplishments, there’s still something missing—a satisfying love life. That changes when she becomes a member of The Dungeon, a sensual, sexy and stimulating club where a wide spectrum of BDSM fun is enjoyed. It’s at The Dungeon where she meets her sub, whom she delights in dominating, though Kendall keeps her identify well hidden.

Casino owner Magnus Richards is handsome, charismatic and a member of The Dungeon. He has no idea his Dominatrix is also his business partner, and with Magnus’ face concealed beneath a leather hood, his identity remains secret as well. As they work closely together to open a new restaurant, Kendall and Magnus begin to fall in love…until their BDSM identities are revealed, which could destroy any chance at happiness—professional and personal.

A Romantica® interracial contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.

Why I Read this Book: The premise for The Dungeon got me. I enjoy reading about people being in compromising positions.

What I Liked: Kendall and Magnus were both strong leads who end up in a very interesting situation. For the most part, I liked both of the leads. I liked Kendall’s brazenness and I really liked that Magnus is a smart business man who worked his way up in the business. Though there was a time when I could have smacked Magnus for being such a hypocrite and egotistical idiot.

It was interesting to see both Kendall and Magnus switch back and forth between playing the role of the dominant and the role of the sub, both in the dungeon and in their professional and personal lives.

Sydnee, Kendall’s best friend, was a great secondary character and I would be interested in reading her book.

What I Didn’t Like: Never once was protection used or ever talked about between Kendall and Magnus. This is a BIG pet peeve of mine. It makes the characters careless and irresponsible. And speaking of their sexual relationship, Kendall gives Magnus her anal virginity with ease and no lube.

The way Kendall and Magnus went about in handling (or I should say the ‘lack of’ handling) their big conflict. Instead of talking it out with each other, they instead turned to their respective best friends, whom both “gave it to [Kendall and Magnus] straight”, and allowed their friends to do their groveling, and ultimately fix their relationship, for them. Kendall and Magnus left the fate of their relationship in the hands of their friends instead of handling it themselves, like actual adults do. This didn’t work for me.

Memorable Moment:

“There’s nothing like a good hard dick, pulsating in and out.” She closed her eyes as if reminiscing about her last sexual  encounter. “And in and out.”

Sydnee nudged her. “Uh, Kendall, snap out of it. You’re not in your bedroom. You’re out in public.”

Overall Impression: Even though there were things that didn’t sit well with me, things that took away some of my reading enjoyment, The Dungeon was still a good, fun read.

Brianna’s Rating: