Review for His Forbidden Submissive by Brandi Evans

To find happiness, she must do something she swore she’d never do again.

Let a man control her.

After beating cancer, Vivian goes on a mission to cleanse her life. First on the list, kicking her cheating, controlling husband to the curb. Second, discovering the answer to a question that’s been haunting her. Is the love she harbors for Brock, her bad-boy brother-in-law, genuine or a chemotherapy-induced illusion?

Brock loves a woman he can’t have. His brother’s wife. To claim her would be a betrayal. He knows loving her is wrong but he can’t help it. So when circumstances bring them back together, he can no longer deny his forbidden attraction, and they unite in a fury of passion, lust—and bondage.

But Vivian isn’t prepared for Brock’s BDSM lifestyle, no matter how sexy he looks with his tats and leathers. After ten years with a controlling husband, submission is terrifying—but so is never being with Brock again. Submission or freedom? No matter which she chooses, her life will change forever.

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This is one smokin' hot book that brings together two very different people who bonded during a time of crisis and are now trying to make something permanent. In His Forbidden Submissive Brock has been the rock Vivian needed to get through her cancer treatments when her husband didn't have time. From that low point they're now hoping to meet each other on a more level playing field and let their real feelings come through while avoiding the pitfalls of keeping secrets.

Vivian's been through the wringer.  She's survived a cancer that was supposed to kill her and has an adulterous husband who only cares about her designing talents.  She's finally had enough and made a break to change her life and finally start living it the way she wants to.  I applaud her finally getting a backbone and could've cheered for "I am woman hear me roar" moment.  The only thing I didn't like about her was her tendency to jump to conclusions and assume Brock was like her despicable ex-husband.  Luckily she has a strong-willed friend, and extremely appealing secondary character, to quickly set her straight so that these silly misunderstandings don't go on too long.

Brock is my ideal hero.  He's got tats and piercings and wears his leather beautifully.  He's also a Dom in the BDSM scene which he's kept a secret from Vivian who has an intense fear of being controlled courtesy of her ex-husband.  Brock is exactly the man you want guiding you through this new world.  He's caring and explains everything every step of the way.  His Dom side is quite exciting and barring a few hiccups Vivian comes to fully embrace what he offers.  There are many intensely erotic sexual interludes between them that involve just the right amount of intensity to satisfy fans of true BDSM while not scaring off readers unaccustomed to the BDSM lifestyle.

There are a few secondary characters that left a lasting impression with me and have me hoping we'll see more of.  There's quite a bit of sadness these characters are trying to hide and that have me wishing for them to find happiness.  I've also never been a big fan of BDSM stories but I give credit to Ms. Evans for giving a good explanation for why people are drawn to the lifestyle as well as showing it in an enticing and tasteful way that had my heart pounding at times.  After the final page was turned I found this story to be immensely satisfying courtesy of two very appealing main characters who make a great couple.  I hope Ms. Evans continues with this series as I'm intrigued to revisit some of the worthy secondary characters and highly recommend it.

My rating for this is an A.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.