18+ Review: Break Me Down by Roni Loren

Break Me Down
(Loving on the Edge, #8.5)
By: Roni Loren
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: Oct. 27, 2015
Genre: Erotica
Rating:

Samantha Dunbar needs to forget Gibson Andrews. When he trained her to be a domme, she experienced just how hot things could get with the sexy executive. She was ready to hand him everything—including her heart. But Gibson backed away, declaring them incompatible. He’s a dominant, and Sam’s no submissive.

But after an attack shakes Sam to her core, Gibson tracks her down at her family’s rundown farmhouse and makes her an offer. He’ll stay the week and be hers in every way—a helping hand for the renovation and a willing lover in her bed. He swore he’d never give up control to anyone again, but he hasn’t been able to touch another woman since Sam. Maybe a week alone with her will cure him of his relentless craving.

But one taste only makes them want more, and Sam and Gibson are drawn in deeper than ever. The man who won’t give in has just met the girl who won’t give up…

Break Me Down is a story between a Domme and a sub who thinks he’s a Dom. Gibson had been training Sam in the ways of being a Domme when things got a little weird and lines were crossed. You see, Gibson is known at The Ranch as being a cocky Dom. So, when being the bottom in a scene for Sam to learn the ins and outs of her role as a Domme, he’s not supposed to enjoy the pain from her whip, let alone be aroused by it. Not wanting to admit his inner cravings he hightails it out of there and disappears from Sam’s life. However, when Sam’s attacked Gibson takes it upon himself to be there for her. They strike up a deal, she’ll let him stay with her and help her remodel her grandmother’s old home if he leaves all his baggage at the door and opens himself up to being her sub for the week.

I must admit that I’ve never read a story before where the male was the submissive. Not only that but Gibson gets off on pain. Normally you get an alpha male who is Dom all the way but that was not the case with Gibson. However, don’t be fooled. Just because he’s a sub doesn’t mean he’s a pushover. He remains an alpha male throughout the entire book but only gives up control in the bedroom to Sam. Even then he sometimes gets cocky and talks back. I think Roni did a really great job balancing out his character.

The one thing I enjoyed about this book is that each character had a reason for the way that they were. You see, Sam was a foster kid who had it rough. Not in the sense that you would think but still, there was a moment where others dominated her and took away her control of a situation leaving her helpless. So, she compensates that by being in control when it comes to the bedroom. Meanwhile, Gibson’s childhood was one filled with pain as well. He was bullied for the majority of his childhood. He had to learn to be big, strong, and exude arrogance. He views his enjoyment of pain as a sick way of turning what happened to him as a kid into a sexual pleasure and he doesn’t want to like it. He doesn’t want to be a sub. So, he fights it and pretends to be a Dom.

This was a story that takes place in a week span. Not too much goes on given the fact that it’s a novella. However, Roni was able to give the characters depth and make you feel for them. While this wasn’t my favorite from the series (sorry but Grant’s story holds a special place in my heart) I did enjoy it.

“No.” She held up a finger. “No, you didn’t. Don’t even. I had it handled. That fight was so not about me. That was about you. You proving you’re not…” She made air quotes. “‘A pussy.’ Which, by the way, pisses me off even more because I have one of those. And they’re spectacular. And being called one shouldn’t be some ultimate insult.”

Previous reviews from Loving on the Edge
Fall Into You
Melt Into You
Need You Tonight
Call on Me