Reversal (Curio Vignettes #4) by Cara McKenna

I'm giving this one 5 stars but I actually would have given it more if that was possible :) I SO loved this one! We go back to listening to Didier's POV which is very different than we heard before and a little similar to the voice of Caroly in the first installment where she is so insecure, wanting yet afraid to reach and caress. Didier is the same, only his insecurities aren't in bed, but outside his bed and outside his flat. 

We got to listen to Didier's inner fears, inner torture, how much he wants Caroly and how much he wants to give her or rather wishes he could. He has such a tender heart. his love for Caroly and the respect he has for her is simply beautiful and the way Caroly doesn't give up on him, she knows him, can read his body when he is stressed, calms him when he is in this state but also doesn't leave him like all the people around him - locked in a cage he himself built. You have to truly love someone to do what she is willing to do for him - helping him deal with this crippling fear of outdoors. 

And then there's the sex.. WOW. That was truly amazing. It was so much more than just sex or kinky / naughty sex, it had a lot of meaning for the both of them. For once he had to surrender to her. Yeah, he surrendered to women before but that was part of the act, he didn't REALLY surrender and he was playing, he wasn't himself. With Caroly he truly gives up his control and let her take him. The experience was special for the both of them and brought a new intimacy that was more about the two of them and their love for each other and what they are willing to do / be for one another than it was about the act itself. 

Simply Beautiful. I find myself utterly in love with Didier. I think it's impossible not to. He is perfect, yet he is human, has his flaws, has his difficulties. I can totally relate to Caroly. I see what she finds in him, why she is willing to keep him even for a short while (not knowing if what they have can really work on the long run) and how much he deserves "saving". So many women come to him to take comfort, to be pampered, but when does he get to be taken care of? Never before Caroly.  

Rushing up for the next installment! :)

 

Additional Details: Kindle Ebook, 51 pages, 30 April 2014 / On GoodReads

 

ABOUT THIS SERIES

 

Curio Vignettes was the first (and only, actually) work I've read by Cara McKenna, I did read most of her Contemporary Romance work on her pan name Meg Maguire and was really interested in reading more by her in the Erotica genre. 

This is a series of short novellas telling us the love story between Didier and Caroly. The first novella is a bit longer than the others (~100 pages) while the other ones are shorter (~50 pages). Each novella tells us of how their relationship is going / proceeding which makes it more real than some novels telling us of love at first (or second) sight and then happily ever after too soon to feel reliable. Here it's different, each part takes place at least a week or few weeks from the other making the timing more real. 

I think you could consider this a full novel and not really a series but maybe because each part is set apart from the other and has it's separate story it makes more sense separating it into a series of novellas.  As I've written about "Roman Holiday" by Ruthie Knox, sometimes it's nice having a separate short story when you don't have the time to commit to a long book or series. 

I don't think I ever read a book with this sort of a plot line. Caroly, 30 years old, an American living in France is tired of the fact that she is still a virgin. Speaking to a friend about it she recommend Didier a mouth watering ex model who is also a man-whore - a high class whore. 

Caroly and Didier start their "relationship" exactly in the manner you think, she pays him to free herself of her virginity but both of them are surprised when it becomes more than that, they soon become friends. When Caroly learns the truth of what makes Didier keep his occupation (it's not what you think :P) she is determined to help him free himself of his burden. I really enjoyed the originality in this part and how it was brought and handled throughout the series. I don't want to write more not to spoiler.. 

I do think that we all need a lover like Didier. So in sync with our wants and needs. So patient and aiming to please. I don't think the majority of women can say they had a first (and second and..) time as AWESOME as hers :D A shame really :P

Recommended! :)

Books:
1. Curio (published 28 September 2011) ★★★★★
2. Coercion (published 29 August (2012) ★★★★½
3. Craving (published 26 September 2012) ★★★★★
4. Reversal (published 24 October 2012) ★★★★★
5. Confession (published 21 November 2012) ★★★★★
6. Exposure (published 26 December 2012) ★★★★★