Against the glittering backdrop of New York City, budding theatrical publicist Maxine Kirk, fresh off the bus from a small Pennsylvania town, stumbles into the arms of her beloved teenage crush, unleashing desires that she never imagined.
Enter Drew McKenzie, a rising star on Broadway with dashing looks and talent to match, who masquerades behind the characters he portrays.
Instantly, Maxine finds herself lured into Drew’s high society world only to uncover a complicated man beneath the glitz and glamour of his public persona. As soon as the curtain falls, Drew sheds his stage costumes to reveal a daring Dominant side.
Titillated by his enigmatic life, Maxine clamors to discover a surreptitious and possibly perilous affair with Drew, all the while questioning her own preconceived notions on romance.
Secrets surface, revealing haunting truths that test both Maxine and Drew of their own intentions. But in this high-stakes game of trust, only the strongest survive.
When Drew McKenzie presents Maxine Kirk with an ultimatum, challenging her to engage in his wanton brand of desire, she readily embraces her awakening hunger for a lifestyle that defies her perceptions of romance.
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When Drew McKenzie presents Maxine Kirk with an ultimatum, challenging her to engage in his wanton brand of desire, she readily embraces her awakening hunger for a lifestyle that defies her perceptions of romance.
Entranced by Drew’s charming appeal and by his sensual assault to her senses, Maxine clamors to discover every nuance of this new relationship, ravenous to explore verboten fantasies that seem possible to fulfill only with Drew.
Along the way, he introduces her to his glamorous world of wealth and celebrity—where lavish galas and luxurious gifts are the norm—and entices her into his realm of control with his tender mode of domination.
All the while, however, they both grapple with painful emotions brought about by the extenuating circumstances of their separate pasts.
While Drew remains both confident and conscientious in his parlay of power over Maxine, his own tragic secret lurks in every shadow upon his path in life. Behind the façade of his stage persona and the origin of old Manhattan society, he struggles to hide the unforgiving reality he faced as a child.
Just as Maxine finds the strength to conquer her own torment with Drew’s patience and guidance leading her toward closure, terrifying truths begin to chip away at the surface of his composure.
As the nightmarish details of Drew’s unimaginable life emerge, he fears that this new world he’d begun to build with Maxine will crumble around him.
As Maxine finds herself embroiled in the battle to save Drew’s tortured soul from the atrocities that continue to stalk his every move, two lost souls struggling to find comfort and completion converge.
However, as Drew opens his heart to Maxine’s unwavering support, he questions his own bravery, wondering if she’ll take a bow and make her exit…or if she’ll stick around for the encore?
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HOLY HOTNESS!!
Now, THIS is what I call a great book!
After more than a year after her mother lost her battle with cancer, Maxine moves to New York, her and her mother’s beloved city, with her best friend, Ben. Leaving her father back in Pittsburg, she’s now ready to embark on her new job as a theatrical publicist and make a career for herself.
The last thing she expects after her short arrival is to stumble in the arms of her biggest crush, Drew McKenzie.
“Electricity, white and hot, radiated through the palm of her hand that he held so delicately in his own. This single moment rendered her speechless. She couldn’t mode, paralyzed by this blond, curly haired gentleman with the chiseled jaw, steely gaze and too-handsome face that she recognized immediately.”
One thing is for sure, though: the connection they share is instantaneous and undeniable.
Drew is a man with a past that he isn’t ready to share with anyone and, despite his charming exterior, he’s an enigma. In truth, he has built high walls around himself and, when he meets Maxine, he’s taken aback with her spirit and her cleverness. For Drew, she is unlike any woman he’s ever met.
Drawn into his world, Maxine discovers he has a dark, Dominant side that surges strange desires within her and that she isn’t that repelled by a lifestyle she has never considered for herself.
“There was something so very different about Drew that evening – something a little dark, and maybe even fraying on the cusp of sinister – yet Maxine couldn’t take her eyes off him. He wasn’t the sweet, polite gentleman she’ met at the stage door.
There was a certain edge to him that she would never have imagined, yet she wanted nothing more than reach out and rake her fingers through those blonde curls. And pull him closer and… Stop it, Maxine, she warned herself. “
Juliet’s writing style is just flawless and, ever since I began her book, I wasn’t able to stop. She managed to create a striking story that lures you in, with characters that seem so real, I felt like I knew every one of them.
I don’t know what else to say, except that I loved it and I cannot wait for the following books in this amazing series.
I won’t go into how Maxine and Drew met because you’ve read about it in Diana’s review of Weakened. Let me tell you instead why I loved this book.
First of all, a little something about the characters.
I loved every single one of them.
Drew is fascinating, charismatic, funny and a hopeless romantic. His way of behaving even when he’s in Dom mode is so sweet. He takes such good care of Maxine and he’s so tender.
Maxine. Life hasn’t been very kind to her but she’s strong and, with the support of her loved ones, she is finally following her dream. Little did she know how much she will achieve when she took that bus to New York.
Ben. He’s the best friend a girl, hell, ANYONE could ask for. He’s there for Maxine every step of the way even when he himself could use some love and tenderness. And he’s such a hoot. The guy has no filter but it’s just a part of his charm and it suits him perfectly. Aaaand, HE’S MINE!! Seriously, don’t make me fight you.
In Wrapped we see Maxine and Drew’s relationship evolve, we see them evolve and change.
Maxine is embracing her new role as a submissive under the careful and caring guide of her lover.
Drew is finally opening up, at least to her, about his past and his fears. Step by step, they start the process of healing each other.
You’ll also get to meet Drew’s family and his older brother Adam. He’s a very … colorful character and he kind of steals the show. You’ll love him.
One of the things I loved about this book: no useless, senseless drama. No ditzy heroine who’s falling all over herself to please the guy she likes. No insta-love.
This is a slow building story that will pull you in from the beginning and won’t let go until you’re done.
Maxine is strong, she knows what she wants and follows her dream. She might be an innocent when it comes to sex, but this girl is no pushover.
Drew’s start in life has been rough but he hasn’t allowed his past to ruin his future. He might have his demons, but he keeps a good grip on that part and it doesn’t let it interfere with his life.
He’s successful, he’s chosen to follow his own dreams instead on taking his wealth for granted and he has no problem in creating new relationships and forging new bonds.
His relationship with Maxine is healthy. The BDSM side of it is something they both enjoy and not just a sick, twisted way for him to prove something.
He doesn’t feel the need to own her to prove his manliness.
Another great thing about these books is how Juliet made the city feel like a character. The descriptions are so accurate, it felt like I was walking the streets myself.
This series it’s totally worth it and I can’t wait to read Knotted. Is it September yet?
We highly recommend!
Juliet Braddock loves eighties music, wine, food, theater and all things French. When she’s not exploring the big cities of the world—most notably Paris—she lives and writes in Manhattan, and is the proud cat mom to a very spoiled Russian Blue rescue.
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