Book Review – Hear Me by Skye Warren

Hear Me (Dark Erotica)
For those of you into “dark” erotica reads, I can certainly recommend this one! “Hear Me” is a bit more a long the lines of one of those books. You know… those we’ve enjoyed but with a fair amount of trepidation due to the lack of a “safety net” (Comfort Food, Tender Mercies, Captive In The Dark…). Those without the “safe” BDSM club environment, no safe words, maybe not even a willing submissive, for that matter. This book has a definite danger zone.

It easily skirts the line, and yet, I’d say is one of the easier reads in the genre. I wasn’t too taken aback. I didn’t find myself overly affronted. But considering some of my past reads, I may simply be a little more accustomed to the shock value, and may have anticipated more of it here. But I’m happy to say, I didn’t have to struggle too hard with myself over it. Some shock value, definite entertainment, but without whipping myself for enjoying it, like I’ve been known to do in the past.

Don’t get me wrong. While this one might not be too crazy, it definitely had a few twists that had me frightened, soothed and then frightened again (a few things I didn’t see coming). But I loved that! I love the thrill, that fear factor, the taboo, and the potential HEA that had my husband squirming in discomfort when I told him about it as I was reading it. Yep. He was looking at me with that raised eyebrow. No worries, husband. In real life, I agree… that’s just so… not. LOL!

But in book life, yes, bring it on. Every once in awhile I love that jolt of adrenaline, and my crazy thought processes as I try to assimilate/accept/anticipate this “way of life”.

So what’s it about?

“She” (for now, we’ll leave it at that), has been imprisoned, beaten, horribly abused in ALL ways and has been living in a cell, next to others just like her. She has been tortured and trained into extreme submissiveness and her only focus, now, is to live. Nothing else, but to remain alive.

There was always a sense of achievement in waking up, in knowing she’d lived through another day. She allowed herself a portion of pride. She had beaten them for one day more.

Of course, the morning was always the high point.

Every day it was the same. Bruises upon bruises. Welts upon welts.

Her past has faded from her memories, she does not speak, ever, (can’t?), and she doesn’t even remember her name. She has no recollection of her former self.

At some point, her previous life had slipped away from her, like an old skin that no longer fit. She knew better than to try to remember. If whatever she had known or believed before threated her survival in this life, she was better off without it.

The women who clung to their old identities suffered more. They fought until their last breath, finally mastered by their own stubbornness.

And one day, the opportunity to escape presents itself, and she runs. Weak, and malnourished, bruised and aching, she loses consciousness only to wake in a comfortable bed, with windows, soft sheets, and gentle scents soothing her. She loves her new cell.

Safe, she thought, even though she had no reason to know they wouldn’t hurt her here too. Home, she thought, even though she was sure she’d never seen it before.

And when a hulking male feeds her delicious bread, brings her clean water, and (mostly) handles her with gentle ministrations, she knows she will do anything for this Master. Anything so that he may keep her, and not return her to her life of vicious cruelty that she just escaped.

Thing is, he’s not interested in keeping a “slave”. In fact, he’s appalled at what has obviously been done to her, and his only goal is to bring her back to health, mentally and physically, so she may return home.

God, she would do anything. Please.

He gently pushed her hand away.

She wanted to live. How pathetic.

Tears fell in hot tracks down her cheeks.

“Someone really did a number on you, didn’t they?” he asked.

At his word, she looked into his eyes. Amazingly, they were filled with something like understanding.

And that’s where I’m ending it. Because you know what? There’s so much more to it. You’re feeling soothed right now, aren’t you? Awwww…. this crazy read might be nice, right?. Yep. It might be. Then again… be forewarned. 😉 Hehe.

Either way, if this kind of story intrigues you (shock value and all that), I’m certain you’ll enjoy it like I did. Just short of 100 pages, but it held ME captive (willingly), for hours and I was thrilled. Short, yes, but achingly detailed, beautifully written, and just so much to experience. So worth the read.

This book was sent to me by the author, and I must thank her profusely for the experience. And, for holding my hand those few times… hehe. *grins*

4 stars.