| Title | : | J is for... (BDSM Checklist #10) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 164 |
| Publication | : | Published March 28, 2019 |
There's nothing on the BDSM checklist that starts with the letter J. That should mean Grif and Davina, an established Dom/sub pair, will have an easy time with the Checklist Game. But when the overseers of Las Palmas, LA's most exclusive club, challenge them to push their personal boundaries, they'll find that they don't know each other as well as they think.
Grif wants more from Davina—they’re perfect together as master and submissive, but despite the intimacy of their power exchange, they’re essentially strangers. He doesn’t even know her last name.
Davina needs submission, and the only man she trusts to Master her is Grif. She trusts him with her body, but not with her secrets. She wants to keep it that way, but once they start playing the game, will she be able to keep her past hidden from the man she might be falling in love with?
A simple challenge, a complicated relationship, and a night that could change everything.
J is for... (BDSM Checklist #10) Reviews
-
The letter J is another journey that was surprising,even though by now i should be expecting it....
Because even the bonded couples have a challenge that will take them out of their comfort zone.
Grif and Davina have been playing together for a long time,and even though they know eachother’s bodies intimately,and their preferences,they know nothing of eachother’s lives outside Las Palmas.
When Davina joined Las Palmas,she did so as a switch,and planning scenes with Grif is one of the things she enjoys.
Even though he’s been the Dom in their “relationship” for a while,Grif enjoys the joint planning of their scenes,but he wants more than just play,he wants to know who Davina is in real life.
Because he has feelings for her,but worries she might be with someone else....
The letter J gives him the opportunity to take full control of their scene,and he plans to take her all the way into subspace.
Everything goes as planned,until....she safewords?
What made her do that,what did he do wrong?
This was a journey that went back into Davina’s history,laying bare the trauma that still lingers.
The way they dealt with it in the end was perfect for them,and i applaud them for being open to finding that solution. -
This is the tenth in what I assume will be twenty-six entries in a series set in Las Palmas Oscuras, one of those fantasy BDSM clubs popular in this genre. (I say "assume" because I'm not entirely sure what kinks begin with "Z," but we'll see.) The series' central conceit offers us a dom and sub who participate in kink scenes that begin with the letter they've been assigned ("A," for example, includes "Anal Play"). From what I can tell, each is a stand-alone featuring a single couple (some long-standing, others not) that is long on erotica and short on story. In fact, I would call these "novellas," rather than "novels" since much of the total page space is taken up with ads for Ms. DuBois' other books.
Because each story features different characters, a different relationship dynamic, and different kinks, some will appeal more to individual readers based on personal preference than others. Here we get an established couple (Grif and Davina) and only one kink ("jewelry"). While the BDSM scenes were, as always, well-described, this particular entry focuses much more on emotional connection than the previous ones have; because I prefer this, Grif and Davina are, thus far, my favorite couple.
Grif and Davina are long-time play partners and friends whose BDSM relationship is very unstructured, yet extremely satisfying to both of them. Or so they think, until the Checklist Game reveals inner wants, longings, and past traumas that threaten to undo their comfortable relationship...
I rarely give five star reviews, but I'm just going to come out and say that I thought this book was wonderful. I particularly appreciated three aspects here. First, this is the first book to acknowledge that the Checklist Game is, in fact, a potentially bad idea for some people. Most kink books offer fantasy scenarios where scenes go perfectly and no one gets upset, but given that the Checklist Game is supposed to shake things up, I'm glad we finally saw how this might trigger players unprepared for such drastic changes to their routine.
Secondly, Grif and Davina were incredibly likeable, intelligent characters whose friendly banter and relaxed manner made them a much more realistically believable couple than most of these generic books depict. Indeed, while the two are not husband and wife, they do have an "old married couple" vibe that is both comfortable and familiar. While I'm usually more partial to the female characters, it was impossible not to feel for Grif, who, although the genre-typical dom in many respects (strong, good-looking, and wealthy), was very vulnerable: he cared very much for Davina, was worried when he felt that he had hurt her, apologized when he was wrong, and never thought of Davina as "less than" in any way, shape, or form.
Finally, the "condiment" analogy was a brilliant, insightful way to explain how BDSM couples might negotiate their "vanilla" world. In the past, I've complained that this series' endings were very abrupt; this was the first that I thought fully explored how the MC could make their complex relationship work in all areas of their lives.
5 stars. If you're looking for well-described kink scenes underpinned by emotional depth and featuring a couple whose HEA you absolutely root for, you will enjoy this. -
J is for... is the latest book in the BDSM Checklist series (now known as the Standalone Billionaire Club Romance). The books are set at Las Palmas, a private BDSM club in Los Angeles that caters to the very, very wealthy. Sounds like a fairytale? Of course! But that’s what makes it fun!
The Overseers of the Club, having decided that members were getting a bit too complacent in their play, have created a “game” in which partners are paired up and assigned a letter of the alphabet to explore. Unless an item on the list for that letter was originally deemed a hard limit, it’s in the game.
What moves this series further into the realm of fairytale is that the Overseers have created the pairings in an almost fairy godmother/father like way. They bring together couples and present them with challenges that will push them to new - and better - places.
Grif and Davina are the focus of J is for... - and it turns out that J is for jewelry, the sole item on their list. Grif and Davina are a bonded pair, who don’t even know each other’s last names, as life inside the club is kept completely separate from life outside. The challenge is a catalyst for new revelations and realizations for the pair, and it’s a steamy pleasure-fest watching it unfold. -
Another marvelous entry in Dubois' BDSM Checklist series, what made this book stand out was the use of safe words and the raw exploration of past hurts effecting current relationships. Grif and Davina have this longstanding relationship at Las Palmas, but it's all on the surface; they haven't truly dug down and explored what they mean to one another outside of club encounters. But one evening following their checklist changes all that, and my favorite part of this book was this look into moving a relationship past surface attraction and easy interactions into something much harder to address yet oh so much more rewarding.
Dubois is firing on all cylinders in this book in what's already a very strong series. A definite must-read highlight of this series! -
J is for... secrets, trust, intimacy, love, and so much more.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. -
J is for... secrets, trust, intimacy, lots of feels, humor, challenges, hot scenes, love, and so much more.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. -
No matter how wild and crazy the setting might be: supernatural creatures, intergalactic empires, reverse harems of shapeshifters, the things that make for a successful book are always pretty basic. People who the reader can engage with in some way doing things that entertain or teach. And I love the BDSM Checklist series because the plotlines always grow out of the essential weirdnesses of the human condition.
At its core, BDSM is a set of guidelines that grew from a community of people who shared a basic interest and who said to themselves, "Humans are bad at communicating, but our interests can border on dangerous, so we need to make honesty a baseline of what we do." And everyone agreed in principle. And the plot of "J is for..." hinges on the ability of people to always find a way to justify exceptions for themselves.
Davina and Grif are successful people in the real world, who think they've created the ideal relationship for themselves at Las Palmas. As a bonded pair of switches, they collaborate on their scenes and know each other's predilections well. But the Overseers' game forces them to admit that their rule about sharing nothing from their lives outside the club is limiting them, not freeing them.
As usual in this series, the scenes are blisteringly hot. But even more than that, I just loved watching this couple struggle with habits and assumptions and eventually have the maturity to make scary choices and take new chances. This is book ten in the series and it's still going strong. -
I love the BDSM Checklist series and this one is no exception. This one is a little bit different than previous ones but it in no way means this is any less amazing or sexy as previous letters of the alphabet in the series! Grif and Davina are a 'bonded' pair that pretty much play by rote. Both assume they know each other well but both soon realise that, as the letter J poses one of the biggest challenges to date, there is so much more at stake than the 'game' played at Las Palmas.
L.DuBois once again entangles us in her wickedly sinful game at Las Palmas and with beautifully descriptive scenes, captures our imaginations (and hearts) as we once again fall for another couple. Grif is a strong and respectful man hiding his true feelings while Davina is a complex woman running from hers. Together as they take up the challenge they feel is somehow easy, they soon appreciate that all is not how it seems and struggle to acknowledge the hidden depths their relationship(s) entail.
I loved this one and once again got swept away in the tale. L. DuBois allows us to experience the depth of emotion but also the VERY steamy and sexy scenes played out between Grif and Davina. I enjoyed how this one moved out from Las Palmas at times but, at the heart this community seems to have a strong impact on all who play here that keeps them (and us) returning.
Another 5plus read for me and I once again am left wondering in anticipation what the next letter in the alphabet will bring! -
Right from the beginning, I could tell that this book was different from the other books in the series (so far). There is more going on here than you can see, to begin with, more than just a game thrown at them by the overseers. It's more than just something to knock them out of their comfort zones, and that is what made this such an amazing read.
Davina and Grif are in a D/s relationship, but only inside the club. They know nothing about each other in the real world, but know everything about each other's bodies, their wants and needs (or so they think). When the overseers game leads them down a path that neither are prepared for, things go from heated to electrically charged.
This book was a total surprise. I was prepared for heavy BDSM elements, a few surprises (this author always manages to take me off guard, even when I'm looking for it!) and some romance, but I wasn't ready for the amazing connection that Davina and Grif had. I wasn't expecting there to be such a sweet story hiding behind the BDSM world they are immersed in. And I never could have anticipated that ending! Absolutely perfect story!
-
I have read the previous books in this series, and I can honestly say that each book is better than the last. I was so surprised and happy that J was quite different from the previous books. This series so special to me. Each story is unique.
Davina and Grif are bonded lovers, friends and partners in their BDSM relationship. That being said, they are strangers to each other. There is no relationship outside of the club. The club overseers issue Grif and Davina a challenge, which will have them questioning everything about their relationship and what brought them together in the first place. The challenge for this bonded couple made perfect sense.
I fell in love with these two. They are funny and at ease with each other. Their scenes, especially the checklist one, are hot and perfectly written. I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes at one point.
I loved that they were willing to talk with each other, even though it was difficult. It just shows that their relationship had a solid foundation on which to build. The care and love they have for each other was really touching.
The checklist books are never long enough for me. I always wish I had more time to spend with characters that I love! I cannot wait for K!! -
Griff and Davina are switches that have played together for two years. When their club gives them the letter J in the Checklist challenge, it changes everything. While Griff normally tops Davina, she also has a Domme side, their play is very physical and this challenge opens up a different style of play that plays with the mind and opens Davina up to some old painful triggers. They both have to work together and communicate to make this new chapter in their vanilla and kink lives work.
Lila has this amazing ability to not just tell an erotic love story but to inject so much realism, getting not only into safe BDSM play but deep inside each character's heads. The author doesn't gloss over things that can go wrong in BDSM play, and that BDSM isn't all about beatings. If you like BDSM stories, this story is HOT. Great series, I can't wait for the rest of the alphabet.
More of my reviews can be found at
https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/ -
Intimate Strangers
Love with the proper stranger. The concept of two people being in a very intimate BDSM relationship for two years and not knowing anything personal about one another is intriguing. Lila Dubois explores this concept fully, building the intensity to culminate in a few "aha" moments. Life often throws us off balance and when we right ourselves it's often in a better new normal.
Davina and Grif are lovers, friends and equal partners in their BDSM relationship. They have familiarity without emotion. That is until the Las Palmas overseers decide to make Davina and Grif push their emotional envelope. They have to step outside their comfort zone in order to fulfill their weekend challenge. Suddenly things aren't aren't quite so casual as their roles are redefined . Old feelings surface and new ones both disturb and delight Grif and Davina. The real challenge will be how to reconcile the old familiar with the new them. -
I love the BDSM setting for these books and this one is no different. We're up to the letter J with sub/dom duo Griff and Davina not knowing what their letter holds.
Griff and Davina seem like the perfect couple, but they actually don't know as much about each other as they would like, and are scared to take their 'relationship' to the next level. In this novel, there were moments of complete angst when letting go of the past is easier said than done and mis-communication happens. This story is all about trust from both sides and loving the other person completely, no matter their baggage. It's all just a matter of being brave and taking the first step.
Scenes in this book were hot! And it definitely made the book quicker to read. Another book that I couldn't put down in a great series. -
I may sound like a broken record with my reviews for this series but again Lila Dubois has delivered another great book in the checklist series with J is for.... I loved how this couple and their checklist felt different from the previous books in that, yes they are a bonded couple but their roles in this game became out of the norm for both of them and that pushed them to their limits. They both learned more about themselves in this game at the club than their previous times together and that leads to a wonderful story about self discovery for both of them. Can't wait to learn about more couples at the club in future books.
-
I have read every Checklist book and while I was disappointed in H, all of them have been great including this one.
I believe this is our first bonded pair to play the game. With both Davina and Grif being switches and with nothing on the checklist for J, the Overseers prove once again how in tune they are with the members of Las Palmas (I swear that all of them have a masters in psychology and observation). There are a couple of intriguing scenes but the best part about this story is Grif and Davina actually getting to know one another. They already have a physical relationship but their developing personal relationship is the meat behind this story.
Once again it is an enjoyable addition to the series but it didn't have the feels of B, C, D, or G. -
Another great installment of the checklist series! And it's so much of what we have come to expect: hot scenes, great interesting characters, good character growth. But also so very different because for the letter J the checklist is empty! I really liked Grif a whole lot, he might be one of my favorite guys yet. My only sadness with this book was that you didn't get to see any of the other couples at work in this one. It doesn't take away from the story at all, but I always love those check ins and glimpses of the other stories!
Can't wait for the next one! -
Another long home run, out of the park. For a fairly short novel, the story of Grif and Davina runs you through a rollercoaster of emotions. You, truly, feel for the characters and wish you could have a story, like that, written about YOUR life. Oh, and did I mention the amazingly hot BDSM scenes. Oh lordy, where's the spray bottle, it's getting hot in here. Never knew the alphabet could be so much fun.
-
4 1/2 Stars! Book 10 in the BDSM checklist series. Can be read and enjoyed as stand-alone. Told in dual POV with HEA and no cheating. I liked that even thought there were no specific kinks for the letter J Davinia and Grif were still challenged. They had to step out of their comfort zone to learn to trust each other and themselves in order to find the balance to take their relationship to the next level. Loved this quick steamy read!
-
A physical AND psychological sensual experience!! Loved Davina and Grif’s story!! Extremely captivating from the very start, easy to get into the story and hard to put it down!! Every aspect is so well described, so well written that you feel every emotion and every physical touch! I don’t want to summarize the story as I don’t want to spoil it for future readers, but, just know that the experience will leave you breathless!!! Loved it! Bravo Lila!!!
-
A physical AND psychological SENSUAL experience!! Loved Davina and Grif’s story!! Extremely captivating from the very start, easy to get into the story and hard to put it down!! Every aspect is so well described, so well written that you feel every emotion and every physical touch! I don’t want to summarize the story as I don’t want to spoil it for future readers, but, just know that the experience will leave you breathless!!! Loved it! Bravo Lila!!!
