Our 4 star review by Guest Reviewer Dawn Mazzeo
I have read books that have
dealt with non-traditional sexual couplings, but this is the first book I have
read about the rules and motives of those who actively participate in the
swinging lifestyle.
Wow! To say this book left me dangling off a cliff barely holding on by my
slipping fingertips would be a colossal understatement! I am referring to the
book Blindfolded Innocence by Alessandra Torre.
Blindfolded Innocence is the story of Brad De
Lucca, the devastatingly hot, sexy, successful divorce attorney. Brad has a 10
month waiting list (which consists of all women, who enjoy the sexual "perks"
Brad bestows on them after securing them multi-million dollar settlements). Brad
is a partner at the law firm where fresh faced, innocent Julia Campbell has just
started her internship. Julia has just turned 21 and has been assigned to work
with Mr. Broward, a very straight laced partner who despises Brad (for reasons
we find out later).
Mr. Broward and Julia's co-workers warn her that
Brad is "incorrigible...he stopped getting female interns three years ago
because he couldn't keep his hands off of them." Julia's lust for Brad is fueled
by their warnings of his "badness," and she cannot seem to stop thinking about
him, "the man was walking, breathing sex," and forbidden, no less!
Julia
may be inexperienced sexually, but she is by no means a vulnerable, shrinking
wallflower. On the contrary, Julia is sexy, feisty, strong willed, fun, and
confident in her sense of self. She is used to toying with college boys: "I am
a cock tease. I know it, I own it, and I am not the least bit ashamed of it."
She teases these college boys, doesn't put out, and then kicks them to the curb.
She just does not feel the "spark" until alpha male Brad De Lucca struts into
her life.
Brad is used to getting whatever and whomever he wants, though
Julia is not so sure he is what is "good" for her, so she rejects him. One of my
favorite exchanges in the book is when Brad asks her out to lunch:
"Would you like to go to lunch?" He turned on some powerful, magical force and
radiated with intense sexual heat.
"Umm, no."
"No? His grin
increased and he looked almost incredulous. He glanced around as if wanting
someone around to witness this.
"No." My voice grew in strength and
confidence. (Cocky prick).
"Why?"
"For one thing, you're a
little old."
It is just so fun to watch this 21 year old girl nail this
egotistical S.O.B to the wall! This, of course, leaves Brad panting with desire
for her, the challenge she presents; the ultimate turn on for a playboy like
him. If you are a reader who cannot get into romantic interludes between
older men and younger (albeit adult) women, this book is probably not for you.
The age difference between Brad and Julia did not bother me in the least. I was
able to see them as individuals. Brad needed someone he was attracted to
sexually who would keep his ego in check, and Julia needed a sexual partner who
could please her and respect her. The question becomes what will it take to get
Brad to become "husband material," and what will it take to get Julia to
consider, and ultimately embrace, an "alternative lifestyle" with Brad.
Warning: this book contains girl on girl action as well as 2 men with one
women. The sex is always 100% consensual and very, very erotic. I think the most
erotic sex scene I have ever read to date is in this book! (and, yes, I have read
Backstage Pass)
I instantly related to Julia and her two best
girlfriends, Becca and Olivia. Becca is more eccentric and she is the one Julia
confides in concerning Brad. Becca's response is "Welcome to my slutdom!" Julia
is instantly likable, a perfect combination of strength and vulnerability.
Brad, while hot and generous, came off as secretive, egotistical and
emotionally unavailable for a good portion of the book. For this reason, despite
his panty melting good looks, he was not an instant Book Boyfriend of mine. As
the book progressed, cracks in Brad's armor started to emerge, his playboy
facade slipping away. His true needs and wants beyond sexual gratification came
to the forefront revealing a vulnerable man desperate to find his sexual and
life soul mate. It was then, I started to warm up to him. The truth is, if it is
just about the sex for him then who cares?
What was interesting about
this book was the shifting of the power dynamics between Brad and Julia. Though
Brad was much older, he was not always the one who held the power and that was
fun to read. Julia made him squirm. This book mildly reminded me of This Man
because there was an Adonis like, sexy, experienced, older alpha male trampling
all over the place. The difference was he was much less controlling than Jesse
in This Man, and where Ava was weak, Julia was strong. That made for interesting
reading.
Another thing I liked about this book was its examination of
what society tells us is "correct" sexual behavior. Brad says to Julia, "society
says we should all be monogamous and have missionary sex three times a week."
Brad offers Julia the fulfillment of any and every sexual fantasy she might
have. She must ponder this offer and make a decision.
She makes a life
altering decision in reference to her sexual and emotional relationship with
Brad and what levels she is willing to explore with him. We are taken through
her very intimate and erotic journey and are jolted in and out of the story by
the sudden insertion of the "Rules."
"Rule #1: She is kept blindfolded for
the first meeting. If the blindfold is to be taken off, it must be done by her
and her alone."
"Rule #2: She is mine and not yours. Remember that."
For your reading pleasure, I will not disclose all the rules. If you are
intrigued, you will go out and buy the book! As I was reading this book, I kept
waiting for the big event to occur. The story line developed at a leisurely
pace, I suspect to stretch it out for installment #2, Masked Innocence, coming
out in July. As I was reading I was thinking 3.75 stars, then the last 1/4 of
the book gained tremendous momentum and my heart was literally pounding out of
my chest. Heart palpitations while reading are not something that happen to me
often. When I read the last sentence, I thought 4 stars! I will definitely read
book 2 because there are so many unresolved subplots, and I want to crawl back
up this darn cliff and see what naughty, fun, scary, shocking things Alessandra
Torre has in store for me.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for a chance to win, & the book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteHey, you totally sold me the book in your review. I'm sure I'm gonna love the story, however I'll wait #2 to be released before reading it. I don't like the idea of waiting 3 months to know the rest of the story. Sylvia Day's waiting has been the last time for me.
ReplyDeleteBlindfolded Innocence is going to my TBR shelf right now!
Cheers
Sounds Awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour review hooked me on this Book, can't wait to read it