| Title | : | Untether (Alchemy #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 424 |
| Publication | : | Published February 8, 2024 |
I've endured fifteen years of underwhelming marital sex with Lord John Russell.
One front-page tell-all from his secretary puts an end to that misery pretty efficiently.
As the media furore rages around our divorce, two things become abundantly clear.
One. It’s time for some decent orgasms.
Which is why I’ve joined the Unfurl programme at London’s top sex club, Alchemy.
Two. It’s time to take control of the narrative. For myself and for other women.
And that's why I plan to document my sexual revolution on camera.
CAL
Sexy AF celebrity, Aida Russell, is looking for a mentor on her journey to reclaim her sexuality.
As co-founder of London’s most exclusive sex club, I’m her man.
I’ll make her come.
Make her forget.
Untether her from the constraints of her past.
I warn her at the outset not to get emotionally attached. I don’t do commitment.
But when she begins to revel in the new-found liberty I helped her find, I'm the one who struggles.
I should be proud. Relieved.
Job done, right?
But the higher she soars, the more attached I get.
Untether is a spicy reverse age gap romance (10 years' age gap) where he falls first. It's full of the searing heat levels, glamour, and mega-feels you've come to expect from the Alchemy series.
Untether (Alchemy #4) Reviews
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Untether is the 4th book in the Alchemy series and this one was just a lot of fun and a breeze to fly through! This whole series has followed co-owners of an exclusive London kink club and has just been a fun time.
Cal is a cofounder of Alchemy, and all his fellow cofounders are all partnered up (they’ve had books in the series). He’s 36, loves his life and all the fun he has at the club, but when Aida steps into the Alchemy world he’s ready to focus solely on her. Aida is 46, a renowned broadcast journalist, and recently divorced after her British aristocracy husband’s exploits are told to the media with his multiple affairs. Now Aida is ready to reclaim her own sexuality and prove to other women of a “certain age” that they can do that too. She signs up for the Unfurl program at the club and wants to document it as well!
This was just a good time and it was such a fast read. Some of the other books in the series dealt with religious trauma and grief, and I liked how this one was just fun and snappy and didn’t dig too deep! Cal and Aida are so opposite, but really fit together. This one felt like it had less time at the club than the rest of the series, but it was fun to just see Cal and Aida together. This has age gap, with her being 10 years older and I liked the overall message of their journey and her story.
I received an ARC from the author, all thoughts in this review are my own. Untether is out February 8, 2024! -
They’ve fallen like sexy dominoes!
The Alchemy series by Elodie Hart (a pen name for Sara Madderson) has taken us along on an eye opening journey with the four friends who own the classy and über sexy den of sin, known as Alchemy. Rafe, Zach, Gen, and now Cal, have found their forevers with Belle, Maddy, Anton, and Aida, respectively.
This series has been eye opening, to say the least. Transformative I’d call it. Cal, (Mr. T-fal himself ) is the happy-go-lucky one you’d least expect to fall for anyone, least of all an older (gasp!) woman. But it’s the ones you least expect to fall that fall with the biggest splash…
Be prepared to get wet with this one.
Aida is a smart and sexy woman who knows what she wants and knows she can find it at Alchemy. This book has such a refreshing view on the older woman / younger man, because bloody well why not?! Elodie/Sara is officially my hero for writing such a wildly uninhibited book and seeing all four central characters in this series with beautiful happily ever afters.
There’s more to come… and I’m there for it! -
I've always liked younger men ;)
Cal is SO easy to love. He's one of the 4 owners of the extremely high class sex club in London - Alchemy. Well known (American) broadcast journalist Aida Russell wants to sign up for the Unfurl program after her messy and publicly humiliating divorce, because she's tired of a woman's sexuality being treated shamefully while men get away with that whole "boys will be boys" attitude.
Top that off with the fact that the bedroom relationship between Aida and her ex was unsatisfying to them both - while he went out and got what made him happy (which led to the demise of the marriage), she was still feeling like her hands were tied by the court of public opinion, which really doesn't want to hear about a woman not getting her needs met.
Aida decides to use her journalistic profession to film a short documentary about awakening her sexual identity. She didn't have a lot of experience prior to her marriage so she's hoping she can figure that out in the Unfurl program at Alchemy - and Cal is the one who's going to "mentor" her.
Cal is the director of events at the club, and has been enjoying the perks thereof for as long as it's been open. He meets with Aida and decides on a particular course of action to show her how to take what *she* wants. He's had a kind of celeb-crush on her for years because she's very good at her job - professional, straight talker, knows how to get what she wants from her interviews.
What she hasn't ever known exactly how to express was what she wanted in the bedroom (or the party room, but whatever) ;)
When Aida decides she wants to attend the Masked Ball at the club, it changes everything about the way Cal thought he wasn't going to approach things, but in the best way for both of them.
Cal was SO much fun to read. I freely admit that Cal would *not* be the right guy for me, but as it turns out, he's absolutely the right guy for Aida.
Aida is a great character. She's got strength of self, intelligence, she's caring and nurturing. She was brave enough to put forth this pretty risky venture to give women - especially more mature (over 40) a voice in their own sexual awakenings.
I write this review freely after having received an ARC copy of this book. -
Oh Cal, I love you so much. I was so so so excited for Cal’s book as I’ve loved him since book 1, ‘Unfurl’, and I knew I’d love it when he was the main character, but he did throw me some curveballs I didn’t expect. Mainly those curveballs came in how accepting he was of his feelings towards Aida. We all know Cal was the remaining single Alchemy founder and he enjoyed his lifestyle, but he fell for Aida as soon as she came into the picture and he fell haaaard, and I didn’t expect that. I definitely thought he’d fight his feelings but it was so nice to see them together. They are complete opposites in every sense of the word, but Aida was so good and healthy for Cal and they provided so much love and balance for each other.
I also LOVED the underlying message within this book. Yes we know that Alchemy is a sex club so there is spice galore (and we’re here for it🔥���) and all books thus far have been extremely sex positive, but I liked the particular message from Aida in this book. I’m not in Aida’s targeted demographic but seeing her encourage middle aged and perimenopausal women to take back and own their sexuality and not be ashamed of it was wonderful to see. And it also seems like the response to her project was pretty accurate as to what media would report on if this were real.
Overall I flew through this book just like the others and Elodie has outdone herself once again. Extra special thanks to her and her team for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. -
Swoon! I don’t care how old you are- every woman needs a Cal in their life! Another great instalment in the series. It took me a little while to get used to the shorter chapters, but after half way, I just had to keep reading, other projects be damned.
Thanks to the author for the early copy. -
Boy is this baby hot hot hot. If you have read Elodie Hart's previous books in this series you know her writing is off the charts fantastic . I can't call it smutty because this British lady writes a smutty book like a true British lady. She does it with the art of class and sophistication like a lady. Yes these books are on fire hot but you definitely get that air of sophistication that the British are known for. You ask yourself how can an author write a book about an British sex club and make it classy and tasteful but still keep that sexual tension high. Elodie can. And she does it like a lady.
The fc is on the other side of sexual experiences. She's mid 40s. She was in a lack luster marriage and her husband cheated. This character is making a public documentary about the sexual female after 40 in perimenopause and menopause state. This character happens to be in the news anchor business so she's very aware of how the public views females that age. She's trying to change minds and most certainly her mind with the idea she's still wanted and attractive.
Since I follow this author and she shares her current life experiences I know elodie is writing this on her base knowledge of current experience with her own female issues. So if this book was written to bring light to what a woman experienced in her 40s she had nailed it. I'm over that side of it but can relate to the emotional side of it. -
Cal….just Cal. My kinky cinnamon roll with a big old sprinkle of dirty talk.
Grab this book peeps! I loved it and it wasn’t what I was expecting in the best way! Aida is coming out of a very..ahem…unfulfilling marriage of 15 long, dry years. As a journalist, Aida decides to go to Alchemy for the unfurled program and make it a story. Enter Cal and his kinky self to help Aida along.
This is a great story of a strong woman who learns that she’s allowed to feel pleasure, and Cal supports her. All I can say is, we met Cal in prior books and we just didn’t know him; he always was game to play, but, he has a hidden side which you’ll get to see in this book. I do want to mention that I love how the author writes her characters, they are adults and communicate like adults; it makes a difference!
I highly recommend this book and the series too! -
Aida is looking to reset her own narrative. Or at least the one the tabloids have written for her. But, also, the one she's unknowingly let happen. She's been defined as a mom, a wife and a news woman. But, now she wants to be seen as a sexual being, even though she's 46, and coming back from a public divorce and marriage, where her husband cheated on her. To do this, Aida is filming a documentary about her sexual reawakening. She wants to empower other women of a certain age to do the same.
Enter Cal. Delicious, sex club owning, Cal. He's going to untether Aida in all the best ways.
I loved getting to know Cal even better, after seeing him in the first three books. He's such a wonderful combination of sweet and sexy and charming. And you don't even mind that he's a little conceited and never met a mirror that he didn't like. He's a great guy and the perfect man to reawaken Aida and show her how wonderful a relationship can really be.
This is a wonderful story that will definitely heat up your ereader! -
I was able to read this early as an ARC reader and I'll say this latest Elodie Hart book doesn't disappoint, in both spicy content and deep, rich character lives. She always manages to cover important and relevant topics in her books, along with the heat and passion, which I appreciate.
But I didn't realize how much I needed to hear this particular message- women over 40 are still vital, sexual beings and deserve to be loved, cherished, adored and... satisfied.
It just so happens that Aida finds that in Cal, a wild and charming, younger lover. She may be a strong, powerful woman in her career but she had lost some of her confidence in who she is as a woman. Cal soothes away her pain and reminds her who she really is. He's easy to love (and lust after) and together they make the sparks fly off the page. Just the balm I needed. -
Drop everything- read this book NOW!!! You won’t regret it!
Another beautiful written smutacular addition to the Alchemy series!!
Elodie Hart NEVER fails to deliver! Her books are steaming hot and stunningly articulated.
Cal was everything a book boyfriend should be, hot AF, dirty talking, witty & well endowed!
Aida was stunning, strong and relatable. The two were absolute fire together.
I cannot wait for Dex’s book! -
Just finished Untether (as a very grateful ARC reader) and my goodness 🥵🥵🥵...Cal is absolutely freaking ADORABLE and I loved Aida so so much!! Not having to sort through all the usual miscommunications and 3rd act break-ups that usually accompany romance books was SO refreshing! I absolutely LOVED it!!! Also, reading British speaking characters is so much fun for this southern girl! I am a SUCKER for an accent and the British verbiage! Elodie/Sara you are incredible!
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If Elodie writes it, I’m reading it. This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024 and my god was it good. Cal is a dirty talking, charming, hilarious, golden retriever of a man that you can’t help but fall in love with. I loved Aida’s character. She is a strong, intelligent and brave woman embracing her sexuality and showing women in their 40s and above that they don’t have to be ashamed of their sex lives.
I adored everything about Cal and Aida’s journey through the documentary to their relationship. This book had me blushing and laughing the entire time and the spice was perfection. I thought Zach was my favourite Alchemy man but I think Cal has just dethroned him.
I honestly can’t recommend this book and the entire series enough.
Thank you to Elodie for allowing me to be apart of her ARC team! -
5⭐️ for no 3rd act breakup!!!
Best Alchemy book so far. I loved that everything was so laid back but still spicy as hell. 🥵🌶️
Can’t wait for Dex, Darcy, & Max in Unstitch 🥰
**I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion** -
If I could give this book a thousand stars I would.
I said this already but I will repeat it a thousand times if necessary… ANYTHING THAT ELODIE/SARA WRITES IS PURE UNADULTERATED MAGIC!! I don’t know what kind of drug she puts in her books but I’m here for it. There’s no doubt that she is my number one romance author and I will read anything she puts out in the world.
This book was everything I hoped for and more as usual. It’s a lot lighter in theme than the previous books in the series but the main subject matter is still extremely relevant. Aida and her journey to find her (not so) lost sexuality at an age in which women are not seen at sexual beings anymore is amazing. You can feel everything with her through the pages in a way not so many authors can manage. Aida is strong, smart and a force of nature. And you know who else sees this? CALLUM!! Omg Cal is the ultimate playboy but the way he falls for Aida is so endearing, but don’t be fooled, he might fall as a cutie for her but that doesn’t mean he does it in a vanilla way… HE IS THE EPITOME OF HOT! All the men in this series are hot AF, but Cal is in a whole different level mainly because even himself didn’t see his feelings for Aida coming and it was such an amazing thing to read (he’s also an accomplished song re writer and his lyrics will live rent free in my head for ages to come). Cal is everything Aida needed to move on from years of underwhelming sex and he also shows her a kind of love we all wish for (if you say you don’t wish for a Cal in your life I will know for sure you’re lying)
And don’t get me started on the friend dynamics in this series, I love every single person in this, and the love and support between all of them. I want to live inside this universe so bad.
I will be so sad when this series end but I’m sure Sara/Elodie will find ways to keep us entertained 😬 -
Brava, Elodie/Sara
What a work of art this is!
All the spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶, laughter, and not least of all the songs, thanks Cal.
Having read the other books in the series, I could not wait to get started on this one.
Cal is the 4th member of the Alchemy team. The 'rockstar' persona but with a boyish vulnerable charm that literally charms the pants of anyone.
Aida is a force of nature, and for some reason, I thought I may not like her character, but I was so, so wrong.
I had not even considered how invisible women of, dare I say it, over 40, are in this modern world. The expectation on us all is exactly what we allow it to be.
Along comes Cal as her 'mentor' in her sexual reclamation and her 'untethering' from what society expects of a middle-aged woman's sexuality....which is absolutely nothing. They are not supposed to be sexual beings.
Cal and Aida prove everyone wrong. Cal is the man we all secretly hope to have. A man who communicates, cares, and is our loudest cheerleader. Oh, and giving us the best O's of our lives while worshipping everything about us.
I finished this book at lunchtime, at work, blinking back tears. 2 reasons for this. No.1. It had come to an end. No.2. This book left me feeling all the feels.
As a woman about to turn 55 but still peri-menopausal, I totally agree that smut books, especially ones of this calibre, should be prescribed on the NHS.
p.s.I stopped highlighting towards the end of the book because there was soooo much good stuff. -
Cal...oh Cal...I cannot tell you how surprised I was by how much I loved Cal. And Aida as well. Cal ended up being the perfect book boyfriend. Being a woman of "a certain age" myself, I found I was really surprised though by how much I identified with Aida and her journey to find the sexual being still inside her. It resonated with me in a way that I am still thinking about now. She is a strong, powerful and successful woman who has lost something inside herself.
I've loved all the Alchemy books and have found something to love in every one of them. I think that says everything about Elodie Hart's writing style and what keeps me coming back to her books. 5 Star book! -
The easiest 5 star read ever. I'm obsessed with the Alchemy series and everything it stands for.
My god Cal, I think he was my most favourite yet, and he met his match with Aida. This book is easy to read and hot AF you will need yet another cold shower. Loved catching up with all the old characters and seeing what they have been up to.
I can't wait to read the final in the Alchemy series, this has been the ultimate journey I don't want to end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -
Cal and Aida
This was an absolute gem of a book. Fun loving Cal was great and so sexy. I really liked Aida's character and her growth. The thing I love about this series is that it can be so spicy, but doesn't have to have a 3rd act break up or miscommunication. The dark fantasy reader in me always expects it, but thus series of books shines without them. -
Omg thank you for yet another fantastic read cal had crying with laughter I just loved the whole book and to see him finally fall can’t wait for the next book xx
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Untether is the 4th book in the Alchemy series written by Elodie Hart and this book is phenomenal and was a quick and calm read. The other books in this series deal with a lot of trauma however this book was very fresh and not a heavy book to sit through. As always the characters in this book are feisty and very well written as always by Elodie.This book has such an interesting take on an older woman and younger man relationship and I loved this so much! It was very fresh and nice as you don’t see it much in books these days at all. I love how all the characters in this series get happily ever afters in such positive heartwarming ways it’s very cute. There's more books in the series that are due to be released and I can’t wait to read them. I received an ARC from Elodie in exchange for this review.
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Imagine being bored during a book written about a sex club owner? I was that was terrible
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Book four in the series can be read as a standalone and ends in a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
This book is a little lighter than some of the others, yet still beyond hot. Previous characters had to deal with religious trauma and grief. Aida is dealing with being newly single at 46 and exploring what she wants her sexual future to look like. She wants women her age and older to embrace their desires and to be seen as fully feminine creatures in a world that largely views the age group as invisible. I loved how smart and powerful Aida was. I love that she comes with a magnetism, a gravitas, that draws people to her and that commands a room. I respected her immensely for her achievements and her navigation of motherhood while being front and center in the news in many ways. I loved how brave she was and how she made the decisions that were the right decisions for her.
Cal. I loved him in the other books because he was always up for fun. I loved him in this book because I got to see another side of him. He is a cinnamon roll with Alpha frosting, and you cannot help but fall in love with him. He likes to be dominant and say the filthiest things, and it is exactly what Aida didn’t fully realize that she needed. Neither one of them is looking for a relationship. Yet, their chemistry is off-the-charts hot. It was inevitable that it would lead to moments where boundaries are pushed, and vulnerabilities are exposed. I adore how enamored Cal is with Aida from the very beginning. I love how their desires align in a way that is completely satisfying to both characters. I adore how Cal cares for Aida. And I absolutely love the way this author writes characters who communicate like the adults they are supposed to be instead of getting caught up in a bunch of unnecessary misunderstandings.
This was smoking hot, with moments of tender romance and a few seriously laugh-out-loud moments that came unexpectedly. I would have a hard time picking a favorite book in this series. Before this book, I would have chosen Zach as my favorite hero. Now, though I still love Zach, I have to say that Cal holds that spot uncontested.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book. -
It took me a while before I started reading this amazing series as I felt it would be too raunchy for me and I was right - it was! However, it was too addictive to stop! I absolutely loved the first book and they kept on getting better and this one is proof of that, it really is the best of the series.
We’ve all been waiting for Cal’s story and all I can say is it most definitely doesn’t disappoint! He is sextacular, charismatic and so much fun.
Aida Russel’s fifteen year marriage has ended in divorce, following her husband’s infidelity being splashed over the news papers. Rather than hide from the world she decides to embrace her new found freedom and find out what she’s been missing in the bedroom during her marriage, as it was greatly lacking in o’s! As a celebrity she decides to make a documentary about it and uses the professional expertise of Alchemy’s Unfurl programme and in doing so help other women of a similar age/circumstance to take learning on what’s available to them rather than shrinking their lives they can grow them in so many ways, should they choose to. Cal is her mentor and boy does he show her how her husband’s infidelity has done her a massive favour.
As with all of Elodie’s books it also broaches important topics which are experienced by many but not often openly discussed (e.g. the hidden delights of peri menopause).
I am over the moon this series will continue and look forward to the next book.
