| Title | : | His Keepsake (CNC Fraternity, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 236 |
| Publication | : | First published December 7, 2021 |
EMME
Some cravings cannot be denied.
That was me with CNC. Going to clubs didn’t make me feel anything anymore. I wanted a soul-wrenching, destructive encounter with a stranger.
I wanted to be kept by someone… in a basement, or in a cage, like a bird or a treasured object?
I could pretend, couldn’t I?
As long as we had a code, the beginning was SANE.
That would be fine. All good.
But when he didn’t say THE word… THAT word.
I wonder if he is just messing with me?
Maybe this is a real abduction. If so, I should be scared.
HIM
Who knew that one day I would do what I had fantasized about for years?
Or that my best friend would insist on joining me.
This is fun. Filthy. Darker than a grave with the hole filled in, except, she isn’t getting killed.
I might keep her forever, though I’m not telling her that.
Or that I’m not the man she arranged to meet.
I open my cellar door and study this precious creature I’ve caught, from her toes to those pretty, tear-filled eyes.
This story has a HEA but for some that will not be enough. There are more triggers in this dark tale than stars in the sky.
His Keepsake (CNC Fraternity, #1) Reviews
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I slumped into the sofa once they released me, feeling all the small hurts multiply and flare. Those waned and merged into a sea of pleasant pain, as if I were an instrument recently played by an entire orchestra.
What happens when a girl who wants to be forced is taken by a man who wants to make her obey? You get His Keepsake. This book is twisted, wrong, scorching hot, sexy, dangerous and devastating. It was impossible to guess where the story was heading, whether Emme would ever discover Grayson wasn’t the man she thought he was and how two people who wanted, needed, to eschew free choice could ever hope to find a HEA.
Despite wondering if Emme was entirely sane, I adored her character, strength, determination, and brattiness, whilst I found Grayson utterly intriguing. His morals were so twisted but, despite taking what wasn’t his, he demonstrated a protective and caring attitude towards Emme. An attitude that was evidenced by his response to the CNC party. I found myself constantly wondering where the story would take Emme, Grayson and, possibly, Axl. After all, when your only desire is to be given no choice or to allow no choice, any possible relationship is bound to be fraught with danger and disappointment, this one was no exception.She squirmed, and I propped my booted foot on her chest. "Do you like breathing, Emme? Move again and my heel will be on your throat, instead. Do you know how fragile a throat can be?"
Threats were easy. Threats were nice.
The story is a strange dichotomy of scorching chemistry and excruciating terror, depraved debauchery and gentle tenderness. Lust oozes from its very pages, equalled only by the disquieting sense of wrongness. Yet nestled within the misdeeds is a strong sense of rectitude, a desire to do the wrong things for the right reasons amidst an inclination to do no permanent harm, at least not emotionally. There is also a delightful juxtaposition of snarky humour and dark misadventure that leaves the reader questioning their reading choices!
Grayson is just the right side of bad, well at least most of the time he is. He has a line he will not cross, though it’s open to negotiation. Axl is very much the bad influence in this story, with a desire to do some very bad things to our poor Emme.“I’d return his toy dirty and slightly damaged. It was the least I could do. The chainsaw he’d borrowed last summer had ended up in the repair shop for a month.”
I shivered with delight at his relegating Emme to having no more importance than a possession, a boy’s toy.
The ending broke me alotlittle, and then rather gently put me back together, before slapping my ass, calling me a dirty slut and rogering me senseless. Utter perfection.I had put myself at his mercy and yet I knew nothing about the quality of his mercy.
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How do you do it,Cari? How do you write a story this dark,and make me like it?
His Keepsake has me seriously doubting my sanity,because i ENJOYED what Emme needed!
It made me want what she had….and if that isn’t crazy,i’m not sure what is….
She was looking for a man to take her,and do anything he wants to her.
Her bestie Charity knew a Dom that was willing,but was he the man that took her?
Because he sure as hell didn’t use the agreed word for starters!
And still,even though she had her doubts,she got off on the way he treated her.
His friend,though? He was a different story….he was scary,and not in a way she liked.
Hearing the conversation Emme and her bestie are having,makes Grayson think.
Does this girl really want the same thing he does?
When he follows her,and the Dom in question doesn’t show,he can’t resist the temptation.
He’s enjoying the mindfuck he’s playing with her,making her doubt if he’s the right man…or not.
When Axl finds out about his best friend’s “guest”,he can’t help,but play a little with her.
Teaming up seems like a plan,but what happens when everything gets out of control?
These three were meant for eachother.
Even when they parted ways,they didn’t….not really.
But when things got really bad,would they be able to find a way out?
And what would it do to them??
I always love Cari’s stories,and i felt só lucky to get the ARC of His Keepsake.
But right now i feel i need time to understand exactly why i loved this one so much…..
Because love it,i most certainly did!
In all of it’s glorious darkness! -
Well, this one was full of delicious darkness with lots of triggers. The focus of the story is consensual non-consent but with a difference and what Emme initially signed up for isn’t quite where she finds herself at now. Not knowing if she’s really been kidnapped or if it’s all just a big mind fuck Emme finds herself living out all of her basest fantasies but with the very real fear that something may have gone terribly wrong and that she could really be in real danger.
We have two Male leads here Grayson who thinks and knows he’s a lot wrong and twisted and Axl who is so so much worse and Grayson is the only thing preventing him from taking things too far with Emme he’s definitely the conscience here slight though it may be.
This had me on actual tenterhooks with what could happen next it’s definitely on the darker end of the spectrum and pushed some real boundaries. it's very well written and draws you in almost instantly. This one is definitely a recommendation for those of you who like dark and twisted reads with emphasis on the dark.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com -
Not too bad. Dark. I liked the writing but the talk of sewing certain parts of the heroine together and actually doing it is a no go for me 😅
Safety:
Tons of triggers and CW
No cheating but there is sharing and more -
4.5 STARS!!
I've been in such a dark reading mood lately . . . and this really hit the spot. If you're looking for kinky, dark, and twisted, look no further.
As always, please check trigger warnings! -
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If you can’t tell, I’m on a CNC kink right now! I was super invested in the beginning but it lost my interest by about 40%. I’m not sure why, but didn’t have an interest in the F/M/M. I was interested in how the heroine was not impressed or titillated by the D/S scene, I thought was a unique character trait. I was also intrigued by the main M’s reluctance with his friend who may be too deep into CNC. However, I did start to skim.
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Another Win from Cari Silverwood
I absolutely love this book. To me, this is like Silverwood's Pierced Hearts series, which is what made her a one click author for me.
I absolutely love Emme, Grayson, and Axl. There is so much deliciously dark CNC goodness throughout the entire book. This book absolutely scratched an itch for me. -
"This story has a HEA but for some that will not be enough. There are more triggers in this dark tale than stars in the sky."
This story is going to be too much for some readers.
Emme longs for "a soul-wrenching, destructive encounter with a stranger." She has done the kink scene and "safe" scenarios with limits and safeguards leave her cold.
As our story opens, she has made an arrangement with a friend-of-a-friend who she has never met. That person is going to fake-abduct her and fake-use her for their own gratification.
"Mr Scott" overhears Emme discussing her plan on the evening it is supposed to happen. He follows, observes, and usurps the fake stranger to take her for himself.
The story is told from alternating perspectives, which works well here. The reader is aware of Scott's intentions, while Emme is left to stew in her own fear (and arousal) as she becomes increasingly aware that she is not in fake captivity.
This is the first book in an ongoing series, though the story here is complete. We see a resolution to Emme's ordeal, and journey with her through its aftermath until she gets her HEA, though even that is dark and traumatic in nature.
And the kink/sex scenes? Maybe the hottest I've read from Cari Silverwood, and that's saying something. -
Careful what you wish for…
Well, I don’t even know where to begin. This book is an epic masterpiece full of deviant sexual behaviors, filthy fantasies, and triggers oh my!! Cari Silverwood takes the reader on one woman’s exploration of just how far she will go to satisfy her dark needs that will leave you wondering why any sane adult would put themselves through this.
Emme hasn’t been able to find the sexual satisfaction she so desperately craves because her desires are dangerous and push beyond limits most people would fear to tread. Not so with Emme and with help from her friend Charity, she arranges to have herself kidnapped by a man she’s never met to indulge in the CNC play she wants.
The adage “Careful what you wish for, you just might get it” definitely applies here. Emme finds herself taken alright but it’s not the right man. Now she is the property, sexual plaything, or toy if you like, of Grayson and his friend Axl. The mind games and sexual kinks that these two men will subject Emme to would break most people but not her. As she is forced to endure the twisted sexual proclivities of these two men, she finds herself craving more. Even to the point of going beyond personal boundaries Emme didn’t realize she had.
Grayson and Axl are like night and day. Grayson is the slightly nicer of the two if that’s possible. He’s harsh and cruel but also has a slight protective instinct with Emme. It’s subtle, but even he has certain limits he won’t cross. On the other hand, I don’t believe Axl has ever met a limit he wouldn’t cross. He tends to have an almost violent approach at times when forcing Emme because he really enjoys going too far. Grayson has to be the voice of reason to keep Emme from being seriously hurt or worse possibly killed.
His Keepsake explores what happens when you remove choice from the equation and explores how far is too far. It may shock some while others like myself will indulge in the forced subjugation, fear instilled, and intensity of the sex. I LOVED this book and it’s an excellent example of why Cari Silverwood is my favorite author. She satisfies my inner demon for all things deviant and twisted in ways only she is capable of. She embraces the dark side of romance like a long, lost friend coming out of the rain. I highly recommend His Keepsake if you want to submerge yourself in a truly dark and twisted experience that just might test your own personal limits.
**Edited** At the end of the book there are two links provided, one to Cari Silverwood’s website and the other to BookFunnel. Either link will take you to a *BONUS* chapter of His Keepsake that you don’t want to miss!! -
When I began reading this story, I had certain expectations. I was trying to avoid early reviews because I didn’t want any spoilers or hints at spoilers, but I was picking up on the general “wow” or “whoa” factor associated with what they read. I wasn’t prepared. Realistically, you’re never truly prepared to read a Cari Silverwood story, but you always finish completely delighted, very self-satisfied, and/or possibly horrified. Or all three, coughs, Used. In His Keepsake, it starts off all well and disconcerting and from there, it devolves into a delightful story of what happens when you get what you wish for. The story is topsy-turvy and just when you think you have a handle on what’s happening, Ms. Silverwood changes direction. This is a great story. The characters are fab. There’s some laugh out loud moments as well as groaners. And then there’s the parts that cause virtual pearls to be clutched tightly while others might make lascivious suggestions on better ways to use them.
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Holy titfire...
I first discovered this author with her Pierced Hearts series and I have followed her down the rabbit hole ever since. To say that series was intense would be an understatement. This book gave me those same feelings and made me 1000% percent invested in this story.
The story starts out exploring Consensual non Consent. However, leave it to this author to take that kink and turn it into something else entirely. I should have been prepared that she would do something like that but she even surprised me with how she twisted and manipulated that sub-genre into something uniquely her own.
I was along for the ride with Emme and the mind games of not knowing if this was something that she had signed up for or not. I felt her despair. I loved getting to see inside her head that even as she pondered the situation that she found herself in that she also still couldn't stop her desire for the things that were happening to her. Grayson and Axl were different but also the same. I had to laugh a couple of times as one or the other would make suggestions of things that they wanted to store away as possibilities of future torment to poor Emme.
The kink and steam in this were on point. I never feel like this author is someone who just pretends to know how BDSM scenarios are enacted. She writes as if she is an authority or experienced and I find that titillating.
Towards the end of the book, something happens and is left with an unknown in regards to a certain character. I would love it if the author intends to use that as another possible story to tell. Especially, as it is something in her wheelhouse to make enticing. The ending was very abrupt was my only complaint with the story. I would have liked to see more into the future of what crazy things these men had in store with Emme, especially, as many of their ideas for the future are not things that are normally seen in books these days.
This story definitely has triggers for the pearl-clutchers out there. However, even with the dark undertones, there was still the idea that this was consensual(in a manner of speaking) and had hope and therefore did not hit my dark meter like, say, this author's Mesmer series. Highly recommend this book. It is one of my favorites of hers. -
“Could a girl date her kidnapper? A clever and determined girl might.”
This book grabs you by the throat and sucks you in with its delicious depravity.
Grayson is irredeemably scary in his kink yet quite likable and a total turn on.
Emme is relatable and I appreciate how much she was up for giving into her kink to its fullest.
The noncon and questionably consensual kink is fire. Even when consensual, there are elements of unknown intensity. Overall this book is pulse-pounding erotic heat with characters I really enjoyed. -
I truly hope this isn't your first Cari Silverwood book. You would probably do yourself a favor by reading something else by her first. Something like 'Take Me Break Me' just to be a bit prepared. But Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be. I think this story is one that comes with many warnings if you've read any reviews. Needless to say, there are triggers galore here so beware. Once you get past all that and decide to carry on, you're going to find an excellent story with so much intensity and kinkery it's hard to put down.
I loved Emme for knowing what she wanted from the start. At least she thinks she does. The plan between her friend Charity and herself sounds good, but as they say, the best-laid plans often go awry. And in this case, they certainly do. No matter how scared Emme is, this was what she wanted. To be scared, to be forced, and really have no power at all. Did I mention pain? Hence no safeword for her. You see, Emme gets bored very easily. You see that later in the story. But for now, this is what she wants. She has so much spunkiness that she can be downright bratty. Which may sound crazy in the circumstances she finds herself in.
Grayson, or Mr. Scott, as he wants to be called, I liked almost from the start. He is bad and wants to do bad things to Emme. And he does some really bad things, although Emme might disagree with that. But he also has some limits. Not many but some, like not wanting her face cut in the midst of the kidnapping. Little things. I think what I loved most about him was that he called her Emme from the beginning and not 'girl' like so many Dominates tend to do. He is, throughout the story finding things out about himself as well. His morals are constantly fighting what he can do and wants to do so bad, with what he shouldn't do. Or what someone else may want to do to Emme. That right there made me really like him.
And then there is his friend, Azl. I liked him also. But then I didn't. And then I did. It was constant back and forth with him, for me anyway. He and Grayson are best friends, which says a lot as to why Axl is allowed to do what he does with Emme. And oh my, he really doesn't have any limits. As the story goes on, Axl becomes more than I thought he would. I think he is more complex and has his own story that we really only see bits and pieces of in this telling. But when it comes down to it, this is a threesome. For now.
This story comes down to what happens when we have no limits. I think Emme finally believes she has some. But not really. She needs and loves it all. One of the many reasons I love Cari's stories. If Emme gave me even the slightest hint that she didn't like what was happening, I don't think I could have loved this book as much as I did. Even Grayson, for all his base instincts to dominate and subjugate, finds himself caring for Emme. This story went places I didn't see coming, which I love alone just for that. So many reasons to love this book!
If you love dark and twisted stories, I hope you will love this as much as I did. Only Cari can write a story like this, which is why she is my favorite writer. She can write like no other and take you places you never thought you'd go, and like it! -
This book really is basically just a huge mindfuck from beginning to end, and I have to tell you that I absolutely live for it.
Emme knows what she wants, the problem is that she has a very difficult time finding it. She has specific tastes, and finding those specific tastes in the normal kinky world is really hard. So, she does what she has to, and arranges for some help to get what she wants.
Mr. Scott hears her plans, and decides that he will help her out. The problem? She's not expecting him.
This is dark, twisted, skirts several lines, tromps on several others, and I loved the ride. -
~100% Dark and Loved it~
Oh yeah, Cari did it. Whew, I was stunned, intrigued, and kept reading until the end. Our little Miss has cravings she can't get fulfilled until...
You've heard of *the best-laid plans?* a friend's warnings, the little tingle at the back of her neck didn't deter Em from her goal.
An eased drop conversation that changes everything.
Em and G intrigued me right from the start, G fed Em just what she craved, he pushed the line... or did he. I really liked both characters. An A automatically I didn't like him, he oozed dark and creepy that crossed a few *normal* lines, but somewhere almost at the end of the book I warmed to A.
An amazing story loved the dark and dangerous. Loved the hot kink. The realism that this happens or could happen. Rich men engaging in secret high-end kink parties. A couple of places I was like OMG and had to re-read that bit over again. Cari, dang girl your talent to write a yummy hot mind *#@k. Had me all in. I recommend it to all the dark kink lovers... enjoy. -
Once Again…
This author always surprises me in the best ways.
This a story in a category all of its own. CNC is hard to write within the boundaries of a BDSM scene. What if someone wants it to feel real?
Read the trigger warnings. If you understand dark romance , you will love this book. -
Dark and dirty!
This was kinky as hell and super filthy.
Emme was way too much of a brat for my tastes but I enjoyed it anyway. Grayson was just awesome. -
This book is kind of hard to review. I liked it but there were some parts that made me uncomfortable. I liked a good dark read but this might have been a tad too dark for me. I liked the characters. Emme is definitely a contradiction she wants things but in a certain way and she gets more than she bargains for with Grayson. I started off hating him and then by the end of the book I really liked him. Axl ugh not a fan he's just so weird and creepy and I feel like there was some backstory missing, things we don't find out about him. The whole book I had no idea where things were going so that's a plus I like a book that can keep me on my toes. The ending was.... rough. It was not what I was expecting at all. All in all a good book but it pushed me out of my comfort zone and that's a good book.
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This story needs all the trigger warnings. I don't think I need to spell them out because it has Consensual Non Consent in the title, but I also think some people don't look at the titles very well. If you have read any of Ms. Silverwood's other dark books then you will know exactly what you'll be diving into, but I will preface this review by saying this is one of her darker reads. Not the darkest, Hello Used (which is one of the books I compare all dark reads to), but it is dark. It's also super sexy and took my breath away every time I turned the page. It's one of those stories that kept me on my toes and completely captivated my thoughts.
It was very easy for me to like Emme, and Grayson was that perfect blend of psycho/good guy that I love when it comes to dark reads, but Axl intrigues me the most. He is the more twisted of the two men and I never knew what he was going to do next. That guessing game added another dimension to the darkness. This is a fantastic story for those who enjoy CNC, unhinged non-heroes, and heroines who need their limits pushed past the range of sanity. I highly recommend it. -
Spice rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story rating: 🌟🌟🌟
But would I recommend this book to you? No
Is this book for you? Most probably not!
This one goes steps ahead from BDSM, Master/slave, stalker romance, RH, Mafia romance... anything you've read till now
Imagine 50 shades, 365 days, Credence, Kitty Thomas books
Now imagine something 10 times more than these. Compared to His Keepsake - all these books are sedate!
So if you're reading this you would better go in keeping this in mind, rather than shouting "toxic" later on. -
Review
This book gave me chills, but not the good kind. I could not put it down as I had to know how it ended. This author writes the emotions so you can feel the events. -
I really enjoyed this. I wish I had read it without such a long pause in between but I would recommend it! This book was oddly comforting. I related to the main character in a few ways which was nice to read. But this book is also filled with every trigger lol. So if you have a problem with blood, (obviously ) CNC, r@pe fantasy , sharing the main character, BDSM, Kidnapping, stalking, pet play, some assault but not by the MC's but also yes lol, or death I don't recommend you read it. Grayson and Axl were a fun duo. I truly didn't trust Axl till almost the end of the book but that made it fun.
The writing was easy to digest and it was great not knowing what was really going on in some cases. These characters are kinkyyyyy. And it was great. This book is mostly smut lol. If you want wholesome it's not here. But there are funny and cute moments too. -
CNC gone wrong... but oh so right!
I loved this story! Emme was just amazing in this story. I loved her feisty attitude and brattiness. She might want to be forced to do things.. but she was gonna make them earn it and give her exactly what she needed while doing it. I absolutely loved it. Although for some reason when I was reading the story I kept saying her name as Esme... not sure why lol.
Grayson I loved. He was just the right amount of bad. He had a line he wasn't willing to cross. But he might be willing to talk about it. Specially if it had to do with his Emme. He found himself in one heck of a conundrum. He wanted to keep Emme forever... but also realized that it would be very difficult to do without raising the alarm and possibly being caught... and as he said.. he has no interest in going to prison! lol
Axl... now that is one scary man! The lines he isn't willing to cross or do.. or at least says he isn't willing to cross. He is a mystery. A very big mouthwatering mystery... at the end of this story his mystery still isn't solved. I have so many questions about him. Just how dark is he really. Just what exactly is he involved in... I am dying to know. I wonder will any of it be revealed in the next story... if so how will it affect Emme and Grayson... So many questions and I need the answers now! -
There’s dark and there’s Cari Silverwood. As I turned the last page, I think my mind short circuited and the only words that came to mind were “what did I just read” and “more please.” This book is the reason I simply adore this author. She takes my imagination to places I would never dream to go and makes me ache for more. Fabulous read.
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Cari is one of the best authors I've seen at developing deep, intriguing characters and immersive worlds. She never fails to make me feel like I'm neck deep in the story and wrapped all around the characters she's giving me.
Emme, Grayson, and Axl were an enticing trio to read about. They drew me in and left me wanting more, and now I have questions I'm eager to see how Cari answers. All in all, a wickedly fun and steamy tale I can't wait for more of! -
His Keepsake was fan-freaking-tastic! Yes, it's all kinds of wrong, but it's dark, deviant, twisted, and oh so hot! CNC at its finest! Emme had no idea what she was getting herself into when she arranged for this to happen, but boy, does it turn out to be one wild ride! I loved the jaw-dropping inventiveness of the CNC scenes and how Grayson kept Emme in line. Axl was a sexy surprise, and he is one twisted, kinky AF hottie! This was a darkly delicious story from beginning to end! It's bound to keep you enthralled and on edge!
