Begging For It by Lilah Pace (Asking For It #2)
Released: September 1, 2015
Erotic
Berkley

Reviewed by Mandi

Please be Aware: This book deals with rape and rape fantasies. While the hero and heroine always have consensual sex, there are flashbacks and other scenarios where actual rape is discussed. Also, this is book two in a closely knit series. There are spoilers from book one. 

Earlier this year, I read Asking For It by Lilah Pace, and was introduced to Jonah and Vivienne. That book (and this one) came with many warnings. Both Jonah and Vivienne had to deal with rape at a young age. Vivienne was raped by her sister’s boyfriend and Jonah had to witness (like in the same bed) his stepfather rape his mother for years. This greatly impacted both of them – and now as adults, they find sexual pleasure in working out rape fantasies in the bedroom. Always consensual, always safe, Jonah likes to pretend to rape women, and Vivienne can’t have a orgasm unless she pretends she is being raped. They found each other in book one, and their relationship continues to this book. Jonah is now pushing for less fantasy role-play. Now that he knows the truth about Vivienne and that she was raped, he doesn’t feel right playing out these scenarios. But Vivienne needs them for pleasure. So they come to a stand-still. They love each other, but are disagreeing on the physical aspect of their relationship.

As they work through their romance issues, a rapist is on the loose in their town and one night, the police come knocking on Jonah’s door. Stunned, he soon realizes an ex-girlfriend, who he shared his rape fantasies with, has gone to the police noting him as a possible suspect. With his alibi only being with Vivienne, the police keep a close eye on him. Jonah is concerned his very wealthy stepfather could get wind of this and use this against him as one of his games. Jonah’s siblings come to his defense and they all work together to keep their father out of Jonah’s life and his name in good standing.

When Jonah first becomes a suspect in the rape case, I admit I became a little annoyed. It kind of comes out of nowhere and I thought it felt a little forced. Making the guy who has rape fantasies a potential rapist – eh – I was not a fan. But by the end of the book, I was happy with how everything turns out. The rape allegations bring Jonah closer with Vivienne and his siblings (who I assume are all getting books). His stepfatherfather is a slimy toad but a powerful slimy toad. Watching those dynamics play out was interesting.

What really worked for me in this book is how Jonah and Vivienne work out their sexual issues. I like that there is no magic cure for their fantasies. While Jonah pushes for more vanilla sex, there are times where he is overcome by his desire to pretend to rape Vivienne and it’s so powerful. A very dark, intense scene plays out at one point and I think I held my breath the entire time. I think the ending drama with Vivienne is predictable, but the journey she takes in this book to be with Jonah and find peace with herself is well done.

This author does a nice job with writing a very erotic, dark, super-intense romance. I’m interested to see what happens with Jonah’s siblings in the future.

Grade : B

Goodreads l Author Website l Series

Kindle l Nook