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101st out of 484 books
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657 voters
Deep Desires
by
Charlotte Stein (Goodreads Author)
The Further She Goes, the More She Needs ...
Abbie Gough has done her best to escape a violent past. But in the process, she’s avoided life, desire and love. So when she sees her equally closed off neighbour, Ivan, performing for her one night through his window, she can’t stop looking.
Voyeuristic pleasures become Abbie’s lifeline. But as she comes alive and craves more, I...more
Abbie Gough has done her best to escape a violent past. But in the process, she’s avoided life, desire and love. So when she sees her equally closed off neighbour, Ivan, performing for her one night through his window, she can’t stop looking.
Voyeuristic pleasures become Abbie’s lifeline. But as she comes alive and craves more, I...more
ebook, 101 pages
Published
September 27th 2012
by Mischief (HarperCollins)
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Full review finally posted!
4 to 4 1/2 stars
Loved it! I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book. In fact, I stayed up all night to finish it. I'm not a fan of excessive narrative, and this book overflows with it, but the way the plot was constructed made it work for me. Big time!
Deep Desires is a slightly dark, intriguing and highly erotic novella. I found myself completely immersed in the provocative plot, which reminded me of the movie Rear Window, and fascinated by the two main cha...more
4 to 4 1/2 stars
Loved it! I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book. In fact, I stayed up all night to finish it. I'm not a fan of excessive narrative, and this book overflows with it, but the way the plot was constructed made it work for me. Big time!
Deep Desires is a slightly dark, intriguing and highly erotic novella. I found myself completely immersed in the provocative plot, which reminded me of the movie Rear Window, and fascinated by the two main cha...more
39 likes · like · see review
view all 37 comments
3.5 stars
Apart from the obvious psychological problems, he's the perfect man.
Abbie Gough lives a simple and unexciting life, working at the minimart, living in an average apartment block and wearing baggy, cheerless clothes. But things are about to change when she spies her neighbour in his apartment one night. Ivan Orlinsky is quiet, strange and mysterious. Nobody at the apartment block really knows him or what he does.
This erotic novel jumps straight into the action with Abbie watching as Ivan...more
24 likes · like · see review
Deep Desires immediately had me feeling like I was in an XXX rated version of Alfred Hitchcock's, Rear Window. It's dark, fantastically gripping in first person, and I was riveted to each page anticipating where Charlotte Stein would lead. I was totally captivated by the first page with two wounded individuals that have lost the ability to feel any form of individual pleasure. Ivan and Abbie are fantastically flawed individuals that ultimately find healing with each other in such a provocative a...more
13 likes · like · see review
"Listen to me: the bird has gone now. it flew away when you weren't looking, I swear." It's like he's reaching through the phone-just as he did through the glass-to stroke a hand over my back."Go to sleep now, Abbie. I'll go to sleep with you, and dream my blackbird is gone, too. You looked up at me, and it went away. For a little while, I swear, it went away."
I LOVE IT!!!
Its so Amazing when there's a plot in a story that just grab you in it and won't let go!
this book is not made just for the p...more
I LOVE IT!!!
Its so Amazing when there's a plot in a story that just grab you in it and won't let go!
this book is not made just for the p...more
8 likes · like · see review
3.5/4 Stars
One night, Abbie watches a guy in her apartment block giving himself a very sensual hand-job in front of his window with the lights on and curtains wide open. She just can't stop herself from watching and is disappointed the next night when there is no free show. One week later, he is in front of his window again, but he wants her to join in the show. Can she do it? She is willing to try just to see him do it again.
They both have secrets regarding their past and find it difficult to g...more
One night, Abbie watches a guy in her apartment block giving himself a very sensual hand-job in front of his window with the lights on and curtains wide open. She just can't stop herself from watching and is disappointed the next night when there is no free show. One week later, he is in front of his window again, but he wants her to join in the show. Can she do it? She is willing to try just to see him do it again.
They both have secrets regarding their past and find it difficult to g...more
7 likes · like · see review
I think Charlotte Stein has one of the best voices in erotic romance. I always find her heroines so intriguing, so sexually curious, teasing and flirty, and many times they take the reins and show the hero what can be between them.
This book is darker though and I really like it. Abbie works as a grocery store clerk and lives in an apartment building called The Courtyard. She wears big frumpy clothes as she hides her body with low self esteem which resulted from a previous physically abusive rela...more
This book is darker though and I really like it. Abbie works as a grocery store clerk and lives in an apartment building called The Courtyard. She wears big frumpy clothes as she hides her body with low self esteem which resulted from a previous physically abusive rela...more
8 likes · like · see review
A very emotional... very interesting story.
Charlotte Stein writes some hot stuff - like off the charts, smokin' hot - yet her stories are much more than just mere titillation and 'Deep Desires' was no different. This novella was slightly dark, sometimes disturbing, sometimes tender and a very affecting tale of self-discovery and emotional freedom. Yep - Stein definitely manages to pack quite a punch into a small package!
Told exclusively from the 1st person perspective of Abbie, a reclusive and f...more
Charlotte Stein writes some hot stuff - like off the charts, smokin' hot - yet her stories are much more than just mere titillation and 'Deep Desires' was no different. This novella was slightly dark, sometimes disturbing, sometimes tender and a very affecting tale of self-discovery and emotional freedom. Yep - Stein definitely manages to pack quite a punch into a small package!
Told exclusively from the 1st person perspective of Abbie, a reclusive and f...more
3 likes · like · see review
4.5
ZOMG!!! Charlotte Stein does it again with a dirty, sexy, raw love story that hits all the right buttons, including some I didn't even know I had.
Review posted at Heroesandheartbreakers
ZOMG!!! Charlotte Stein does it again with a dirty, sexy, raw love story that hits all the right buttons, including some I didn't even know I had.
Review posted at Heroesandheartbreakers
Sep 30, 2012
Cyn Mistress Kitty
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
dirty-talking-hero,
mild-bdsm,
5-alarm-fire-smut,
abused-heroine,
angst-storyline,
backdoor-lovin,
bondage,
curvy-heroine,
dimpled-cleft-in-chin-hero,
fucked-up-characters,
hero-has-a-big-lunchbox,
heroine-is-scared,
heroine-on-the-run,
made-me-cry,
scared-hero,
seriously-fucked-up-hero,
short-story,
shy-heroine,
tortured-hero,
voyeurism
OMG, I haven't ever read a book like this. It was just so much. It was dark, haunting, tortured, erotic, intense and disturbing and I loved it so much that I was riveted. The characters were both so fucked up and tortured that the reader just couldn't help but cry for them and will them to help each other out of their personal hells.
Wow, the sex was intense and I had to take breaks from reading just to cool down. Mercy.
My only complaint was that this story was too short and the ending was too ab...more
Wow, the sex was intense and I had to take breaks from reading just to cool down. Mercy.
My only complaint was that this story was too short and the ending was too ab...more
5 likes · like · see review
This was an incredibly original, compelling, erotic novella. It seemed too wordy at the beginning and I thought it was going to be boring, slow paced, and then found myself hooked on the H/h relationship. Not much hero’s’ development since it used heroine’s POV, no epilogue, rushed, but a unique love story about two broken people.
SCENES/CONTENT: several/erotic
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 90 pages
SCENES/CONTENT: several/erotic
GENRE/TONE: contemporary/drama
LENGTH: 90 pages
3 likes · like · see review
I wasn't quite sure what I expected from this story. Billed as erotica, the premise of two deeply wounded people searching for healing and making a connection through the safety of a relationship begun through watching each other perform sexual acts from the safety of their own window was intriguing and a little disturbing.
Both Ivan and Abbie have a dark past. We learn of Abbie's abusive partner early on in the piece and her self protective behaviours and dress habits are typical of a woman in t...more
Both Ivan and Abbie have a dark past. We learn of Abbie's abusive partner early on in the piece and her self protective behaviours and dress habits are typical of a woman in t...more
Deep desires
Novella
Its what I would call a slow burn story - Abbey is troubled young lady and so is Ivan, our Hero.
The first chunk of the story, I refer to as foreplay, that is, the slow build up to the sex. So when the occasion finally arrives, the reader is left breathless, on the edge of their seat, its both intense and cathartic. As readers we know what to expect, after all this isn't our first time reading a romance novel, therefore it becomes almost about the build up as much as the act it...more
Novella
Its what I would call a slow burn story - Abbey is troubled young lady and so is Ivan, our Hero.
The first chunk of the story, I refer to as foreplay, that is, the slow build up to the sex. So when the occasion finally arrives, the reader is left breathless, on the edge of their seat, its both intense and cathartic. As readers we know what to expect, after all this isn't our first time reading a romance novel, therefore it becomes almost about the build up as much as the act it...more
This book takes place in those dark bits of Abbie's brain where she's not sure she is able to love and be loved, be sexual and open to another person. She's terrified and turned on and desperately beautiful. Ivan is even more of a hot mess than Abbie, but we don't get to be inside his gorgeous head (which makes me a bit sad, because I'm sure it's amazing in there) because it's written in the first person all from Abbie's POV.
To me, the plot outside Abbie's head--the one where she and Ivan meet a...more
To me, the plot outside Abbie's head--the one where she and Ivan meet a...more
The following review appeared at Dear Author:
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
REVIEW: Deep Desires by Charlotte Stein
Dear Ms. Stein:
I picked up your novella, Deep Desires, after Mandi at Smexy Books recommended it. Mandi was very enthusiastic about this book, and it sounded different, so even though I hadn’t read any of your previous works, I went for it.
Abbie, the narrator of the story, is a survivor of an abusive relationship. She is living in an apartment complex called The Courtyard a...more
http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
REVIEW: Deep Desires by Charlotte Stein
Dear Ms. Stein:
I picked up your novella, Deep Desires, after Mandi at Smexy Books recommended it. Mandi was very enthusiastic about this book, and it sounded different, so even though I hadn’t read any of your previous works, I went for it.
Abbie, the narrator of the story, is a survivor of an abusive relationship. She is living in an apartment complex called The Courtyard a...more
This is one intense read. You get deep into the character of protagonist Abbie, hearing her thoughts as they arise in all their fucked-up but totally realistic honesty. The entire story takes place within the confines of an apartment block and, although background is skilfully woven in, the sharp focus on such a narrow geographical space ramps up the tension. Stein squeezes every drop of emotion and sensuality out of the two main characters’ developing relationship. It’s got mystery; it’s got vi...more
I'm never disappointed by a Charlotte Stein title. This book was agonizingly, decadently, powerfully, awesome. It sucked the breath right out of my lungs in the first pages and kept me in a gasping state until the very last. Thank god it was a novella; I might have expired.
The distance between Abby & Ivan is emotional and/or physical depending on who you ask. The exhilaration and ache of that kind of long distance discovery is captured so well. Was this a novel about voyeurs? Not really. Thi...more
The distance between Abby & Ivan is emotional and/or physical depending on who you ask. The exhilaration and ache of that kind of long distance discovery is captured so well. Was this a novel about voyeurs? Not really. Thi...more
I've been following Charlotte Stein on Twitter for a while now, and jumped at the chance of a review copy of Deep Desires.
I loved this book.
It's a story about how two introverts find a way to escape their own particular metaphorical prisons and connect with each other (both mentally and physically). The setting is a claustrophic apartment complex (I saw Rear Window mentioned in a previous review, and completely agree) which is just the right backdrop for the protagonists, who are initially trapp...more
I loved this book.
It's a story about how two introverts find a way to escape their own particular metaphorical prisons and connect with each other (both mentally and physically). The setting is a claustrophic apartment complex (I saw Rear Window mentioned in a previous review, and completely agree) which is just the right backdrop for the protagonists, who are initially trapp...more
I didn't know what to expect when Ms. Stein asked for a show of hands if anyone was interested in reviewing this book, but it certainly wasn't this.
I was aware that she writes erotica and she has been on my TBR list for some time now, but this is so much more than erotica. There is a fluidness to her words. Like a poem. But these words are not pretty, they're dark. But once you embrace this darkness and let the words flow over you, the book submerges you, taking you on its dark journey, not let...more
I was aware that she writes erotica and she has been on my TBR list for some time now, but this is so much more than erotica. There is a fluidness to her words. Like a poem. But these words are not pretty, they're dark. But once you embrace this darkness and let the words flow over you, the book submerges you, taking you on its dark journey, not let...more
1 like · like · see review
First, I received a copy of Deep Desires with the understanding that I would provide a review so here it is.
I enthusiastically volunteered to read this book because I am an unabashed Charlotte Stein fanwoman. I like her style of first person POV, I adore her “weird” characters, and she puts beautifully poetic, often stealthily hilarious, down and dirty sex words together like no one else.
Deep Desires has all of those things but it’s also darker and a bit ominous. Without spoiling anything, I’ll...more
I enthusiastically volunteered to read this book because I am an unabashed Charlotte Stein fanwoman. I like her style of first person POV, I adore her “weird” characters, and she puts beautifully poetic, often stealthily hilarious, down and dirty sex words together like no one else.
Deep Desires has all of those things but it’s also darker and a bit ominous. Without spoiling anything, I’ll...more
Ah, Charlotte. Nobody is writing erotica like Charlotte does. I think sometimes that drives her bonkers -- she is a friend -- but I am so glad that she is doing it, I can only see it as a good thing.
Deep Desires feels, thematically, like an extension of Sheltered. It's about the redemptive power of sex for psychically wounded people. And one of the things I really enjoyed about this novel -- and really appreciate about Charlotte's work -- is that she believes there *is* a redemptive role for sex...more
Deep Desires feels, thematically, like an extension of Sheltered. It's about the redemptive power of sex for psychically wounded people. And one of the things I really enjoyed about this novel -- and really appreciate about Charlotte's work -- is that she believes there *is* a redemptive role for sex...more
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Which I'll write soon. Just as soon as I can breathe again. And see my keyboard through my tears.
Okay, folks, here's the deal. I've been a die-hard romance reader for maybe a two thirds of my life now. That's a lot of books. Somewhere in my early-to-mid twenties I started reading much, much sexier romances, but romances just the same. Then I started reading erotic romance and then recently erotica.
I have no idea what this book...more
Okay, folks, here's the deal. I've been a die-hard romance reader for maybe a two thirds of my life now. That's a lot of books. Somewhere in my early-to-mid twenties I started reading much, much sexier romances, but romances just the same. Then I started reading erotic romance and then recently erotica.
I have no idea what this book...more
3 likes · like · see review
What is this? Charlotte Stein has a new book out?
I'm convinced no one can write smut like she can... I'll be the first to admit that not everything in her collection is my taste, but it is all smutastic... (is that a word?)
I follow Ms. Stein around on twitter and when she asked if anyone wanted to read her upcoming book, I jumped at the chance. I found that in the past I have really enjoyed her writing style and the characters in the books that I have liked, are ones I really find that I can f...more
I'm convinced no one can write smut like she can... I'll be the first to admit that not everything in her collection is my taste, but it is all smutastic... (is that a word?)
I follow Ms. Stein around on twitter and when she asked if anyone wanted to read her upcoming book, I jumped at the chance. I found that in the past I have really enjoyed her writing style and the characters in the books that I have liked, are ones I really find that I can f...more
8 likes · like · see review
It’s the way he puts his thumb and forefinger to his lips, licks, and then slicks that wetness over one tight nipple.
I can almost hear him moaning, through the glass. Though, of course, that’s what makes me realise what he’s going to do. I realise it before I let my gaze travel downwards, to the thick, heavy bulge between his legs.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a guy do the things he offers me, right there in his window where anyone could see. In all honesty, I’ve never even seen a guy masturbate,...more
I can almost hear him moaning, through the glass. Though, of course, that’s what makes me realise what he’s going to do. I realise it before I let my gaze travel downwards, to the thick, heavy bulge between his legs.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a guy do the things he offers me, right there in his window where anyone could see. In all honesty, I’ve never even seen a guy masturbate,...more
1 like · like · see review
You know how sometimes when you've known a friend for a long time and then they say or do something that makes you look at them and realise they've just evolved to a whole new level of self-actualisation?
I just experienced this in a totally different context.
I realised very early in this novella with a few words that lanced out of nowhere and made my body jolt that with this story, Charlotte Stein's evolved to a whole new level as a writer. And my god, that is such a privilege to witness for me...more
I just experienced this in a totally different context.
I realised very early in this novella with a few words that lanced out of nowhere and made my body jolt that with this story, Charlotte Stein's evolved to a whole new level as a writer. And my god, that is such a privilege to witness for me...more
4.5 stars
I'll be honest: I'm a little mixed up inside as I'm trying to write an eloquent review of this book. What I really want to do is reread it (and I'm going to), but I also want to get this review out so others can run to read.
What is it about Charlotte's words that are so utterly captivating? That just pull the reader in, make them take notice? She writes in such a deep POV that it's nearly impossible not to feel every ounce of what the heroine does.
This book, for me, paralleled a lot of...more
I'll be honest: I'm a little mixed up inside as I'm trying to write an eloquent review of this book. What I really want to do is reread it (and I'm going to), but I also want to get this review out so others can run to read.
What is it about Charlotte's words that are so utterly captivating? That just pull the reader in, make them take notice? She writes in such a deep POV that it's nearly impossible not to feel every ounce of what the heroine does.
This book, for me, paralleled a lot of...more
8 likes · like · see review
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Why I read it: This is another I heard about on Twitter and bought. Thank you Mandi :)
What it's about: (from Goodreads) The Further She Goes, the More She Needs ...
Abbie Gough has done her best to escape a violent past. But in the process, she’s avoided life, desire and love. So when she sees her equally closed off neighbour, Ivan, performing for her one night through his window, she can’t stop looking.
Voyeuristic pleasures become Abbie’s lifeline. But as she comes alive a...more
Why I read it: This is another I heard about on Twitter and bought. Thank you Mandi :)
What it's about: (from Goodreads) The Further She Goes, the More She Needs ...
Abbie Gough has done her best to escape a violent past. But in the process, she’s avoided life, desire and love. So when she sees her equally closed off neighbour, Ivan, performing for her one night through his window, she can’t stop looking.
Voyeuristic pleasures become Abbie’s lifeline. But as she comes alive a...more
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
The reason I read this book was because last week everyone was talking about it. Curiosity got the best of me and I went into it hopeful but not really expecting such an interesting story. It’s an Erotic Romance that’s actually erotic. Kinky and explicit enough to be more than an average Contemporary with a lot of sex (as it’s usually the case with most of the Erotic Romances out there), yet there’s enough romance and character development to make it...more
The reason I read this book was because last week everyone was talking about it. Curiosity got the best of me and I went into it hopeful but not really expecting such an interesting story. It’s an Erotic Romance that’s actually erotic. Kinky and explicit enough to be more than an average Contemporary with a lot of sex (as it’s usually the case with most of the Erotic Romances out there), yet there’s enough romance and character development to make it...more
Don't quite know how to feel about this story? I thought the summary for it sounded interesting. But wasn't quite expecting what it actually is. It definitely packs a punch. I think the author writes and describes scenes extremely well.
I loved this line in particular...something about it just sounded beautiful. :)
"Listen to me: the bird has gone now. it flew away when you weren't looking, I swear." It's like he's reaching through the phone-just as he did through the glass-to stroke a hand over...more
I loved this line in particular...something about it just sounded beautiful. :)
"Listen to me: the bird has gone now. it flew away when you weren't looking, I swear." It's like he's reaching through the phone-just as he did through the glass-to stroke a hand over...more
Deep Desires was a glimpse into something so real, so honest, so powerful, it will stay with me for a long time. Two damaged people risk the security of their protective walls for a chance at something beautiful.
I loved the first person, present-tense perspective. I could almost believe I was risking so much and benefiting so much from taking these chances.
Abbie and Ivan were so sweet, so wounded, and so okay with who they are. They approach life, walls and all, thinking, Sure, it would be good...more
I loved the first person, present-tense perspective. I could almost believe I was risking so much and benefiting so much from taking these chances.
Abbie and Ivan were so sweet, so wounded, and so okay with who they are. They approach life, walls and all, thinking, Sure, it would be good...more
As usual, Charlotte Stein has done another amazing job at combining deliciously written erotica with a heartfelt storyline. Deep Desires is about so much more than the "voyeuristic pleasure" exchanged through open windows between the hero and heroine, Abbie and Ivan, although there is still much to be said for those scenes as well. The inner turmoil the characters are experiencing, brought about by horrific events in their own past, is what drives them both to be unable to do anything more than...more
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Charlotte Stein has published many stories in various erotic anthologies, including Fairytale Lust from Cleis, and Sexy Little Numbers, from Black Lace. Her own collection of short stories, The Things That Make Me Give In, is out now, and was named one of the best erotic romances of 2009 by Michelle Buonfiglio. She has novellas and a novel coming soon from Ellora's Cave, Total-E-Bound and Xcite, a...more
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“Apart from the obvious psychological problems, he’s the perfect man.”
—
6 people liked it
“Girl with a pie, I’ll call it. It’s almost like guy with an axe, if you squint hard enough.”
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3 people liked it
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