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Audiobook Review – Dark Lessons by Julia Sykes

05/24/2018

Dark Lessons by Julia Sykes

Narrated by Fred Blogs and Lauren Sweet

Standalone BDSM Suspense Romance

I had no idea what to expect with Dark Needs by Julia Sykes. I was just going through the list of Wicked Book Weekend authors and seeing which ones had audiobooks available. Since she was the sponsor of our BDSM demonstration, I knew her books were BDSM romance, but that was all I knew.

When I started Dark Lessons, honestly, I was very “meh” about it. It seemed to traditional and almost old fashioned, if that makes sense, for a contemporary. It seemed like everything a traditionally published BDSM book was 6 years ago. It felt predictable; an amazing one night of sex and the handsome stranger turns out to be her instructor for Natalie’s first day at Quantico for FBI training. It also seemed like a beginner BDSM book, explaining the reasoning behind the submission a bit.

“Natalie’s submission was as addictive as the drugs I’d abused. Just as addictive and equally as dangerous.” 

Jason was an agent who had a bad case that left him with some major PTSD causing him to become an addict. Add to that his abusive father was a high ranking official, and Jason was sent to Quantico to be a trainer until he cleaned up. Meeting Natalie was a complication he didn’t need, but one that brought out all of his dominant and protective instincts.

“She might not need rescuing, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to protect her.” 

Still, it was a pretty tame book. The sex scenes were very beginner BDSM, and again, I was just feeling meh.

And then HOLY SHIT. Is this the same book?

DANGER. ACTION. SUSPENSE. Holy cow, this book totally turned around! It was almost like two completely different books! It had a dark turn to it, and a lot of twists and turns that were a little tough to follow on audio, but still kept me riveted.

Likes:

  • Well written.
  • A completely surprising turn.
  • The second half kept me riveted and my heart pounding.
  • Good sexy times.
  • Sometimes there was a well placed funny line that perfectly lightened an intense scene.
  • I love a kickass heroine.
  • The Jason Bourne type turn.

Dislikes:

  • The whole 1-night stand ends up being your teacher trope is so freaking overdone.
  • The BDSM and romantic relationship felt very BDSM 101. Like this should be your first foray into this genre.
  • He was a very gentle dominant and everything and the emotions behind it were explained a little too much.
  • The writing and terminology felt like a safe, traditionally published BDSM book from 2011 at first.
  • The second half where the suspense began was a little tough to follow.

The Narration:

I enjoyed both narrators. While neither are my hands-down favorite, I really have no complaints either. The voices fit the characters, and I think this story is just as good in audible as it would be if I read it.

The Down & Dirty:

Dark Lessons by Julia Sykes started as a 3 star read for me. There was nothing wrong, it just felt safe and traditional. Then it totally changed on me and I’m so glad I stuck it out through all the crazy twists, turns and excitement. It was like 2 books in one: a traditional beginning BDSM romance and an exciting, suspenseful, military romance.. Julia is in the lifestyle in real life, so I liked that the BDSM elements were realistic and informative, but if you have read other well-known authors in the genre, this will feel like BDSM 101. All in all it turned out to be a unique and exciting read.

Rating: 4 Stars, 4.5 Heat, 4 Narration

Purchase Dark Lessons by Julia Sykes

 

Related posts:

  • Flirting With Fifty by Jane Porter | Book ReviewFlirting With Fifty by Jane Porter | Book Review
  • The Reunion by Meghan Quinn | Audiobook ReviewThe Reunion by Meghan Quinn | Audiobook Review
  • Much Ado About You by Samantha Young | Audiobook ReviewMuch Ado About You by Samantha Young | Audiobook Review
  • Gossamer in the Darkness by Kristen Ashley | Book ReviewGossamer in the Darkness by Kristen Ashley | Book Review
  • April 2022 Book ReleasesApril 2022 Release and Review Recap
«
»

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Comments

  1. Bonnie Collins says

    05/26/2018 at 9:22 pm

    I love your review!! I like BDSM but they need to do it right to keep me interested.

    Reply
    • Ana's Attic says

      05/27/2018 at 11:42 am

      It was very light, but definitely done right. Julia is a sub in real life.

      Reply
  2. Cara Nicole says

    05/26/2018 at 9:44 pm

    Love BDSM and suspense, this sounds awesome!

    Reply
    • Ana's Attic says

      05/27/2018 at 11:43 am

      I hear the Impossible series is like that all the way through.

      Reply
  3. Tara says

    05/27/2018 at 12:44 am

    I don’t think I’ve ever read her so I’m totally hooked just by your review!!

    Reply
    • Ana's Attic says

      05/27/2018 at 11:43 am

      I want to read more!

      Reply
  4. Ashley Wands says

    05/27/2018 at 1:08 am

    Very straightforward review, I appreciate the honesty & would love to check this book out for myself!

    Reply
    • Ana's Attic says

      05/27/2018 at 11:43 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Kristene Skaggs says

    05/27/2018 at 8:15 am

    Great review ❤️

    Reply
    • Ana's Attic says

      05/27/2018 at 11:43 am

      Thanks so much!

      Reply

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Ana’s Attic Book and Audiobook Blog was established in 2012.

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When I was 37, my 7 year old begged me daily for a When I was 37, my 7 year old begged me daily for a little brother (or sister). We obliged, but because of my age and I had lupus, the pregnancy was high-risk. At 17 weeks I had an amniocentesis. 2 weeks later we got the devastating news that our baby, the sibling my son was begging for, had some major genetic abnormalities, plus heart problems. If she survived the birth she would need multiple surgeries & would likely never leave the hospital. 

We made the most devastating decision to end the pregnancy. The baby we made FOR my son would just devastate him. It would take me away from him. He would watch her suffer and be in pain. And how would we pay for it all?

Four months after, I became pregnant again with my wonderful son who is now 16.  Despite 8 years difference, he and his brother are best friends. They have both had a great life with a mom who was fully present for both of them.

I thank Roe v Wade every day that I was able to make that CHOICE. It was the most devastating, horrible decision we ever had to make. But it was the RIGHT CHOICE, both for that baby & my family. Plus, my son wouldn’t be here today if I hadn’t made that CHOICE. These decisions are NEVER easy. They are deeply personal and usually devastating. 

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@pocketsized_pageturner will donate $1 to @brigidalliance (provides travel assistance to those seeking abortions), $1 to @wrrapreprojustice (volunteer organization rasing money to help low income individuals access abortions and emergency contraceptives), and $`1 to @nationalabortionfederation (helping those in the US and Canada gain access to abortions through financial and travel assistance with a multilingual hotline) for every pink stack posted by May 31 with the #stackforreproductiverights. ⁣
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I love reading about older couples! Flirting with I love reading about older couples! Flirting with Fifty by Jane Porter could have been a little more exciting, but I still enjoyed the read, and can recommend this to any women looking for older couples in their romances.

💻My ARC review: https://anasattic.com/flirting-with-fifty/
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“It’s called hot flashes, Dean. Don’t judge “It’s called hot flashes, Dean. Don’t judge me.” 
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Nobody else but Tara Sivec can make me literally laugh out loud and bawl my eyes out at the same time. I look for books with older couples, so I’ve read a good number of them, but this portrayal actually felt the most real of any to me.
With This Flirt by @authortarasivec is my first 5++ star book of 2022!

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When the author of your all-time favorite series r When the author of your all-time favorite series releases the first book from the male POV, you run to read it and hope it doesn’t ruin it for you. I’m happy to say @jfrostauthor just made me love Cat and Bones more. 

If you are a fan of Cat and Bones, or you just want to start a new series, I 100% recommend The Other Half of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.

💻My review: https://anasattic.com/the-other-half-of-the-grave/
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3LfLOys
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It was SO GREAT going back to Kristen Ashley’s F It was SO GREAT going back to Kristen Ashley’s Fantasyland world again! I tried to read as slow as possible because I just didn’t want to leave. Though the whole Fantasyland series is best read in order, Gossamer in the Darkness easily stands alone. You don’t have to like fantasy or regency to love this, you just have to love romance. I am so happy to have this as a new addition to one of my favorite series, and now I may have to go and listen to the entire series again.

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“Sometimes, things need to break to be put toget “Sometimes, things need to break to be put together right.”

@catherinecowlesauthor has a way of blending steamy romance, angst, suspense, family, found family, friendship, kids, and a whodunnit into something completely unique and special. Falling Embers may be my favorite yet.

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We had some great book and audiobook releases last We had some great book and audiobook releases last month! I have them all listed in one place (hundreds!), as well as a recap list of all of my reviews —> https://anasattic.com/april-2022-recap/

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The Ravenhood Trilogy by Kate Stewart has a HUGE n The Ravenhood Trilogy by Kate Stewart has a HUGE number of people who are OBSESSED with it. I love Kate Stewart and needed to see what all the hype was about despite it being a long commitment (40+ Hours). In the end, it just wasn’t for me. It was too toxic and I never fell in love with and rooted for the MCs. Maybe I’m just too old? I wanted so much to love this! As much as I hate to sometimes, I review every book I read or listen to.

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The Other Half of the Grave by @jfrostauthor was e The Other Half of the Grave by @jfrostauthor was everything I could have dreamed of. I was nervous, because I’ve read a few other books that totally changed my opinion of the hero after reading their pov (and not in a good way). I was glad I went into this without a recent re-read of Halfway to the Grave (until after) because I wasn’t comparing the two, and The Other Half of the Grave felt fresh and new. 

I loved reading this almost as much as I loved reading the first book so many years ago, and that’s saying a lot, because I have read thousands of books since, and it still remains a favorite. If you are a fan of Cat and Bones, or you just want to start a new series, I 100% recommend The Other Half of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.

💻My review: https://anasattic.com/the-other-half-of-the-grave/
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3LfLOys
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3kc3qiF
—
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