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The Dark Garden

by Eden Bradley (Goodreads Author)

3.72 of 5 stars 3.72 · rating details · 2,065 ratings · 185 reviews

If you lovedFifty Shades of Grey. . . get ready to enterThe Dark Garden.

A deliciously potent tale of one woman’s quest for self-discovery.

Rowan Cassidy likes to be in charge—especially in her personal life. As a mistress at Club Privé, the most exclusive bondage/S & M club on the West Coast, Rowan can live out her dominant fantasies safely, and with complete control—...more

ebook, Nook, 300 pages

Published May 29th 2007 by Random House Publishing Group

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Feb 14, 2012 Taryn at My Secret Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bdsm, eden-bradley-eve-berlin, emotional-angsty, erotica, favorites, hot-steamy-romance, reviewed-by-me, romance

This review was posted at My Secret Romance

One thing I really enjoy about Eden's writing is that she makes a smooth entrance for you into the lifestyle of BDSM. There's a huge percentage of readers who like to read it, but don't know the depth of that kind of relationship. Eden does an exceptional job with it. She makes it understandable and pleasurable, while at the same time telling a story. It's why I like her books so much. She doesn't have the readers dive head first into a shallow end. She...more

13 likes · like · see review

Aug 04, 2008 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: other-romance

So I think I might be more into the BD part than the SM part of “BDSM”. This book is all about the SM part. The Dark Garden is about Rowan, who likes to be in control at all times. She is like this because of a past hurt when she tried to be a submissive person. Christian is also a Dom and feels that Rowan really is a sub and needs to show her the truth about herself. Christian asks for 30 days to convince Rowan that she really is a sub. The rest of the story is about Christian breaking down Row...more

14 likes · like · see review

Sep 20, 2012 Nia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley, bdsm, best-of-the-best

I love Eden Bradley because she knows how to write BDSM erotica in a very classy, delicate, smart and romantic way. In The Dark Garden, we are introduced to two couples. Each character is strong and successful and has their own set of limits and expectations when it comes to love, sex and BDSM.

Rowan has issues that she has dealt with by becoming a Domme. Christian instantly recognizes her naturally submissive nature and the chemical attraction between them and he sets out to discover the real R...more

9 likes · like · see review

Oct 17, 2012 Anas Attic Book Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: smut-romance

Read more of my reviews and ramblings at Ana's Attic Sexy Tales

The Dark Garden by Eden Bradley was an artistic, sensual BDSM-lite novel. It wasn’t so much about the club, or the toys, or the sex, but much more about discovering your true self. The novel was well written, and told in a very classy, sensual way.

Rowan is a Domme, at least at first. But she is feeling some dissatisfaction with this position. It just isn’t as fulfilling as it used to be. At one time she was submissive, but after a te...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Michele rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

iked this book alot...lots of sex with some story added...I need a cigarette (I dont smoke lol)

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 15, 2013 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My reviews here also appear on my blog Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust. I have a line up of books I have agreed to read and review. I've recently changed my blog focus to look at a wider range of genre.

Lately there are fewer Paranormals than I like so I hope to get back to some good Paranormal Romance, Erotica, and Urban Fantasy in a couple of days. But, I have expanded my blog to include non-paranormals romance and erotica. I did note, in this book, that some of the relationships are described in...more

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Mar 05, 2013 ♥ Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-books, netgalley

I received a galley of The Dark Garden in exchange for a review.

In The Dark Garden, Rowan is a Domme but just doesn't have her heart in it anymore. She can't figure out what is going on with her, and is frustrated by her lack of enthusiasm for the scene. Then she meets Christian, a Dom that has just moved back to California from Europe. Something about Christian intrigues Rowan, but she has doubts that they will ever have anything since they are both Tops. Christian makes Rowan a proposition to...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley, because-they-are-fun, hot-hot-hot, strong-women

3.5 Star and recommended IF and only if you like the Genre!

Meet Rowan a very professional and successful woman who is a Domme! A woman who has craved BDSM most of her adult life. When we meet her she is a Domme who is currently dissatisfied and restless. She runs a weekly meeting for newbies wanting to explore an alternate lifestyle at an exclusive members only BDSM club. She is very caring and non judgmental. We also meet April a Sub who is learning about herself and her own sexual desires and...more 3.5 Star and recommended IF and only if you like the Genre!

Meet Rowan a very professional and successful woman who is a Domme! A woman who has craved BDSM most of her adult life. When we meet her she is a Domme who is currently dissatisfied and restless. She runs a weekly meeting for newbies wanting to explore an alternate lifestyle at an exclusive members only BDSM club. She is very caring and non judgmental. We also meet April a Sub who is learning about herself and her own sexual desires and power as a sub. Rowan and April form an unusual and caring friendship. BTW - this friendship was one of my favorite relationships in the book.

Enter Christian (yes I nearly rolled my eyes) who is a DOM, alpha-sex on a stick man. Instantly recognizing Rowan at the club he challenges her to 30 days being his sub?! Huh?! She is a DOMME or so she tries to present to the world only her back story is filled with a previous time as a sub. We also meet Decker....Irish, hardcore BDSM and April is just hoping one day he notices her...even if it is only for one night. Decker doesn't do repeats! Well Rowan takes a chance subbing for Christian and Decker notices April and we are off...

This was a quick read and well written. This is no fairy tale poorly written FSoG! Gosh how I deplore those books....this is closer to what a BDSM world is like but far too romantic to be realistic and gritty.. And you know what? I didn't care....yes Rowan was a bit too dithering. However, just because the author did not detail how badly the earlier abusive episode was there is no denying this woman had been wounded. And who was the person she, this independent woman leaned on? The neophyte April! What a little firecracker she was and Decker...I'd have loved more about him! His and April's scenes were HOT HOT HOT! I loved her gumption and would have enjoyed more of their story.

Christian was not twisted and I liked his sense of honor. Rowan was my least favorite character and since she was the MAIN character, I found myself liking not loving the book. Also the ending was lovely but too quickly resolved, especially for April and Decker. I'd have liked to know more about him and why he did what he did! I hope the author writes more and fully flushed out characters in her next books, perhaps giving them richer story lines and a better plot. This was good just not great. Seduced in the Dark - now that was a rich book!

So...if you like a little kink in your romance, I highly recommend this read. (less)

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Nov 07, 2012 Wendy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I wanted MORE... I wish the book was 400 pages longer, and that we got to know Rowan and Christian even better.

Absolutely amazing depth information into the BDSM world. The psychology, the training, the understanding.. the preparation for someone to be a sub (bottom)and "let go" and that it doesn't mean you're weak. The strength, control and responsibility of a Dom (top). The terminology's used, etc... I will tell you that subspace sounds lik...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Ashley Williams rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-netgalley-edelweiss, erotica

FINALLY.. a BDSM book that isn't about a millionaire swooning a virgin and trying to turn her to the dark side (lol). I think everyone now knows what BDSM is about (since reading Fifty) and doesn't need a whole tutorial in every book. That's the main reason why I like this book, it cuts out all of the pain-is-pleasure, give-yourself-to-me, do-you-trust-me.. yada-yada. Its just a simple, wonderfully written, luxuriously steamy, BDSM romance novel.

I liked that this book was a little more sadistic...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Kira rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotica

The best thing about this book is that you get 3 stories in one! How freaking cool is that?? The stories are interwoven, not separately written. Let me explain. The main story is about Rowan and Christian. But! Rowan has a friend named April, who is a submissive. In comes Decker, a dominant at the club both ladies frequent. And then! Rowan writes a story with her own fictional characters (whom are really expressing what Rowan herself feels for Christian). So there you are, all giddy with Rowan a...more The best thing about this book is that you get 3 stories in one! How freaking cool is that?? The stories are interwoven, not separately written. Let me explain. The main story is about Rowan and Christian. But! Rowan has a friend named April, who is a submissive. In comes Decker, a dominant at the club both ladies frequent. And then! Rowan writes a story with her own fictional characters (whom are really expressing what Rowan herself feels for Christian). So there you are, all giddy with Rowan and Christian's story, and then BAM BAM, you get a taste for Decker and April's story. And I kept thinking that this book must be a series in that Eden Bradley is merely introducing April and Decker but that they'll have their own spin off book, but NO! Everyone's stories are resolved (albeit, Rowan's fictional characters' love life really ends how her own romance plays out). But still, I count that as 3 lovely stories.

Now let me know you, ladies and gentlemen, I have never read about a dom turning into a sub, which makes this book a whole new genre of erotic BDSM on my shelf. I'm so glad to have read this book! Ok, ok, so the story starts with Mistress Rowan at the BDSM club. For some time now, she's felt not quite right. She doesn't get as much pleasure from topping as she once used to yet she doesn't really understand what's wrong. That same night, Master Christian is introduced to her and they instantly feel a connection, a pull toward each other, but Rowan doesn't understand because how can two doms be attracted to one another? Christian, on the other hand, knows right away that Rowan is not a true dom, but that she is quite good at pretending to be one. And so he confronts her and proposes that she bottom for him for 30 days, during which time he will help her explore the submissive part of her sexuality.

And so, the story continues with Rowan struggling to become someone she thinks she's not, while Christian knows that Rowan is indeed truly a sub. There is a constant push and pull between the two that is both frustrating and enticing at the same time. And interwoven is April and Decker's story. Their story is almost the immediate opposite of Christian and Rowan's in that now it's Decker running away while April fights for their love, showing just how strong a sub can be and how scared even doms become when confronted with forever.

I do have to say, I love Decker and April's story more so than Rowan and Christian because I felt a deeper connection between the two and the absolute power they each have on the other. And as much as I hate it, I'm a sucker for the man making a horrible choice after the break-up, then feeling like crap about it but coming to the realization that there is nothing better in the world than to be with the one they love. I like the motto that a person never misses something until it's gone, and then they come to cherish what they think they'll never find. In stories, this is such a tear jerker for me and I love it!

There were several things that aggravated me about parts of the story. For starters, there were likes like "Where did that thought come from?" I think this line is totally overused and I would just leave those out because it's not necessary for the reader to guess where those thoughts are coming from. I also thought it was unnecessary to say the Rowan's old boyfriend, Danny, would be winning if she doesn't get back with Christian because it was never about winning for Danny. At least, that's not the impression I got since the book didn't go into detail about the psyche of the relationship between Rowan and Danny.

And throughout the whole book I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop in April and Decker's relationship. I kept waiting for him to cut her off and send her away because Rowan keeps warning April about what a playboy Decker is. But I do have to say that this was a good anxiety! I was very much wrapped up in their story and couldn't wait to find out what happens to them.

So, all in all, I give this book 4 stars out of 5. It was a lovely read and it was different from any other BDSM books I've ever read. Plus, three completed romances in one? That's always a good thing :)

(less)

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Sep 28, 2012 Sue Grimshaw rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is really a 4.9 - this was very naughty so Fifty Shades fans get ready to learn a little bit more about the dark world of BDSM -- how do they come up with things like that???? Wowzier!

Book Copy:
A deliciously potent tale of one woman’s quest for self-discovery.

Rowan Cassidy likes to be in charge—especially in her personal life. As a mistress at Club Privé, the most exclusive bondage/S & M club on the West Coast, Rowan can live out her dominant fantasies safely, and with complete control—...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Guilty Pleasures rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: guiltypleasures-angeline, publishersent

Angeline's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

4.5 Stars

In true Eden Bradley style, I was transported immediately into Rowan’s world. I felt her sadness – that something is missing part – from page one.

Discovering one’s true self is not always easy. It is often difficult and scary. Rowan had to confront her past in order to embrace her future. Christian pushed her to do this and was ready to catch her if she fell. Fully realizing that submissive does not mean weak is a huge undertaking. Rowan’s str...more

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Sep 25, 2010 Jane Stewart rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: erotic-contemporary-romance-with-sm

I did not care for the plot of psychological wounds causing the heroine to go back and forth denying her feelings and the truth.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
For those interested, there are a lot of sex scenes and a lot of bondage S&M. Rowan was hurt by former boyfriend Danny and has never gotten over it. She wants Christian but keeps stopping herself and running away from him and her own desires. There’s a mystery about what Danny did to her, but the author never explains it which frustrated me as a r...more I did not care for the plot of psychological wounds causing the heroine to go back and forth denying her feelings and the truth.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
For those interested, there are a lot of sex scenes and a lot of bondage S&M. Rowan was hurt by former boyfriend Danny and has never gotten over it. She wants Christian but keeps stopping herself and running away from him and her own desires. There’s a mystery about what Danny did to her, but the author never explains it which frustrated me as a reader. Finally somehow Rowan gets over her fears and returns to Christian.

STORY BRIEF:
Rowan goes to a private club once a week where dominants meet with submissives and play - usually with sex afterwards. The doms are sadists and enjoy seeing pain in others. The subs go into “subspace” a meditative state where they can endure pain and turn it into endorphins. They get a glazed look in their eyes when there. The doms goal is to get the subs into subspace. The doms want to see welts and other signs of pains on the body. Rowan was hurt by Danny 5 yrs earlier. She was a sub to him. Since then she has been a dom at the club but never felt fulfilled. Christian recently moved to town, and they are immediately attracted to each other. He talks her into a 30 day trial. He says either she will find she is truly a sub, or she will be a better dom afterwards. She agrees because she is so drawn to him. When he is with her the first time, he is gentle, but she cries and leaves for emotional reasons. Later he causes a lot of pain which she likes. He uses a vampire glove which I hadn’t heard of. This is a leather glove with sharp metal points sticking out all over the palm and inside of the finders. When Christian places the glove on Rowan’s rear, it feels like a hundred tiny teeth are scratching her skin.

DATA:
Story length: 293 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 18, many pages long. Setting: current day Los Angeles, CA. Copyright: 2007. Genre: erotic contemporary romance with S&M.

OTHER BOOKS:
For a list of my reviews of other Eden Bradley books, see my 4.5 star review of “Forbidden Fruit” posted 10/31/08.(less)

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Jun 17, 2010 Mrs. Missive rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was one of those books that totally killed any ability to do housework. I could not put this book down. It grabbed me from the first chapter and I was hooked.

I saw myself in Rowan's shoes more than I saw her. I was drawn that deeply into the story, and I think I identified with the character on such a multitude of levels.

I usually stay far away from any story dealing with a recovering rape victem, and I wasn't aware that was an aspect in this story until I was insanely vested in the book....more

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Sep 22, 2012 Tracey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romannce-erotic-male-female

I've read a few erotic romances lately, and really enjoyed this one. The main characthers are not billionaires as are many of these books! I liked the characthers. Christian couldn't help but fall for her and obviously she couldn't him. I did find it a bit much that April got happy ever after too though surely not that realistic in these relationships?? But I don't know maybe it is.... . The sex scenes were well written and very sensual I thought and when they orgasmed at least they were realis...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Tracee Gleichner rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: rec-d-from-publisher, paperback

I wanted to like this book. I really did. And I have read quite a few erotica novels in my time. I don’t read too many of them anymore, not because I dislike them but there isn’t much of a story line most of the time. Unfortunately, that is exactly how I felt about this book. The book is based on Rowan, a dominatrix who works in a club for doms and subs. She loves her job but lately has found she doesn’t really want to “play.” She isn’t sure why this is happening, but her life is about to change...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Nenia Campbell rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: x-2007s, netgalley, did-not-finish-or-skimmed, erotica, points-for-effort, could-have-been-really-awesome, hero-is-fucking-scary, hero-is-an-alpha-douchebag, hero-wants-to-be-edward-cullen, heroine-is-flawed, heroine-is-trying-but, heroine-needs-to-shut-up, icky-things-going-on-here, maybe-its-just-me, romance-bleh, vapid-and-shallow, wtf, whiny-whiny-angst-angst-angst

You can read more reviews at my blog, The Armchair Librarian.

Hey I just met you, and this is crazy,
But here's my flogger,
Bend over, baby.

Reading The Dark Garden has taught me some things. Namely:

1. That I simply will never understand the erotic appeal of spankings.

2. That people like me, lit snobs to the nth degree who like their stories with a hefty serving of plot, should probably avoid erotica. You know, just as a general rule.

To be fair, TDG wasn't the train wreck I thought it would be. I se...more

8 likes · like · see review

Sep 18, 2012 Chanda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: net-galley

There are 2 stories (2 separate couples) going on in the book. Which I thought would have been great, but in the end I think both stories should have had their own book instead. Because it ended up just feeling to rushed.

This book is more Erotica then it is Romance. The romance I did not really buy with either of the stories.

The main love interest is between Christian and Rowen. I liked Christian's character.....he was HOT! But Rowen just annoyed me. She fell into the category I cannot stand! Th...more

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Sep 03, 2011 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, erotic-fiction, contemporary-romance, bdsm

Without the external distractions, I could've finished this in one sitting. Eden Bradley has fast become one of my favorite authors of erotica, and while the theme is BDSM, most of the story didn't revolve around it.

Rowan is a Domme at Club Prive, and her instant attraction to Christian, who's also a Dom, excited her, but scared her at the same time. She felt confused and shocked by agreeing to his 30-day contract to top her, to prove to her she's a true submissive. For Christian, it was all abo...more Without the external distractions, I could've finished this in one sitting. Eden Bradley has fast become one of my favorite authors of erotica, and while the theme is BDSM, most of the story didn't revolve around it.

Rowan is a Domme at Club Prive, and her instant attraction to Christian, who's also a Dom, excited her, but scared her at the same time. She felt confused and shocked by agreeing to his 30-day contract to top her, to prove to her she's a true submissive. For Christian, it was all about winning at first, but as the days went by, he started to see the real Rowan, even when she still hid a lot from him. The greatest catch of the contract: no sex as agreed by both parties.

This novel is more focused on the characters, and not considering Rowan's professional qualities and artistic tastes, I didn't warm to her because of her one-track mind about resistance to submission. Her outlet for writing was a clear indication of what she doesn't want to admit to herself, thus putting it in a fictional sense. Christian exhausted all means of patience and understanding, and he's not one of those arrogant asses who don't care about limits. He's all about respect and giving what Rowan wanted, I liked his character a lot because he fell in love with her and admitted that it scared him.

Rowan is a different matter. She's really stubborn and too caught up in the past, that she's not living in the present. She enjoyed what they did together and it scared her, but I hated it when she gets all defensive and twisted about being a submissive as a sex slave, or someone weaker. If she didn't have a heart-to-heart with April, then she could've been more miserable. My opinion of Christian greatly heightened when he decided to fight for her as well. He's really sweet.

It's not often I pay attention to the secondary characters but April and Decker's story was compelling. The main characters didn't have sex until 70% of the book, but April subbed for Decker and they had a lot of it. With her own charms, Decker fell for her but he had to her first (figuratively), and I'm glad she confronted him about it when he's confused in his life for the first time. I admire characters like her, those who aren't ashamed of their sexuality, and who go after what they want.

The erotic scenes were sparse at first, but they were condensed in about 3 chapters frequently, I still loved it. The quality is the same, there's the slow build, sensual touches, the five senses are involved, and it was wonderful.(less)

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Dec 21, 2012 Tammy rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012, dnf

I really loved the plot line and the synopses and was looking forward to the darker read. Rowan was a Domme who at one point had been submissive but suffered terrible abuse under her last boyfriend/Dom's hand. Thriving on the control she has over others, Rowan begins to feel restless. like she is missing something. Her body is craving the submissiveness that she won't allow it to have, Rowan has buried that part of her deep and refuses to take a backwards glance. That is until she meets Christia...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Wanderlust rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 3way-or-kinkfest, get-the-binoculars-out, hot-alpha-men, oral-exam, spanktastic, you-are-a-bastard-but-i-love-you

Cover & Title - 4 out of 5
Favorite Line - "I'm going to make love to you, my Rowan."
She smiled. "Yes..."
"And then I'm going to tie you up, work you over with my hands."
"Yes!"
"And then I'm going to make love to you again, for the next eighty years."
"Yes, Christian. I am yours."
He kissed her again; her lips, her chin, her cheeks, then whispered, "And I am yours."
Favorite Character - April

This book was totally mesmerizing. It was a really beautiful discovery of BDSM, love & fulfillment....more

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Sep 17, 2012 Aiashine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, adult, contemporary

Final Rating: 3 1/2 stars

This is my first Eden Bradley book and i loved it! Its a typical BDSM novel but its enjoyable read.

The Dark Garden has two couples. The main couple (Rowan&Christian) and the side couple (April&Decker)
This novel is focused to S&M than bondage. Rowan, is a dominant who have a ugly past about her old boyfriend from college,who dominate her and she suffered from him. So she decided to become a dominant. When Christian walked up in the club she felt attration to h...more

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Aug 20, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a book about men who like to hurt women, and the women who like to be hurt by them. This is a hard-core BDSM love story, if you can call the twisted relationships between these creatures love. Not having read 50 Shades of anything, I can't give the inevitable comparison, but I will say that this was written before that trilogy, and main male character in this book is also named Christian. Hmmm. I wonder if E.L. James could possible have read this?

I read this book as a sociological treati...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Jessica rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley-books, worst-books-ever, arc-s

The Dark Garden has to be one of the worst books I've ever read. The description says that it's similar to 50 Shades which it's not. Unless you count that both books have Dom's named Christian. There was no plot in this book and it was wicked boring. I would skip pages and skim over paragraphs because I couldn't wait for this book to end. I found that I like the secondary storyline about April & Decker better. They're the only reason i gave this book 1 star. I couldn't stand Rowan and Christ...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Krystal rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kink

Saw this book at Target. It says right on the cover "If you loved Fifty Shades of Grey, then you'll love this." Instantly bought it.

Meet Rowan:

Mistress. Suppressing her past. Fighting eternal happiness. Pride the size of Mt. Rushmore. ~~Secret author.~~

Meet Christian:

A Dom. Old member of Prive. Spent 5 years in Europe. Sculpts chicks out of marble. Fabio hair.

He seemed hot until they whip out the Fabio hair.

And we meet April and Decker :

That's when I fell in love with this book.

& then they go...more

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Nov 29, 2009 Chills rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wow this was seriously erotic, seriously potent and very graphic in the bedroom. Rowan Cassidy likes to be in charge especially in her personal life - she is mistress at an exclusive bondage club but she has very personal issues and traumas in her past which are dislodged as you come to find out about the characters and what makes them tick and why they are into bondage.
Some parts did make me feel slightly uncomfortable ie the floggings
and raised welts etc but in the context as a whole I could s...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Let me begin this review by stating that this book was originally published back in 2007, WAY before the advent of 50 Shades.

Rowan Cassidy, a self-proclaimed Top, or Domme, is finding her life unsatisfying. She’s got a job she loves, a richly decorated home and a sleek car to boot. Yet, something is missing, something is lacking in her life but she just can’t put her finger on what it is. Rowan doesn’t need a man to satisfy her, unless he is below her as her submissive. She does not need, or r...more

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Oct 14, 2012 Jasmyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, romance, bdsm, bitten-by-paranormal-romance, kindle

A slight BDSM virgin, I was amazed to see how quickly so many good books came out once Fifty paged the way. The Dark Garden has been receiving amazing reviews everywhere I looked, so I thought it would be a great way to get started. The story's main character is Rowan, a "top" or dominant who is approached by Christian and asked to give being a submissive a try. Rowan is instantly attracted to Christian, but doubts he will be able to make her enjoy the role change.

In addition to Rowan and Christ...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, contemporary, emotional, erotic, favorites, great-heroines, romance, netgalley

Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-dark-garden-by-eden-bradley.html

The Dark Garden is a story that follows a woman named Rowan. She likes to be in control which is why she is the best head mistress/Dom at Club Privé. She loves her job and she is very good at it. But things take a turn when a new Top arrives at the club named Christian. He knows what he wants and it is Rowan. Rowan will not submit to anyone, but she can't stop thinking about Christian. S...more Original review here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-review-dark-garden-by-eden-bradley.html

The Dark Garden is a story that follows a woman named Rowan. She likes to be in control which is why she is the best head mistress/Dom at Club Privé. She loves her job and she is very good at it. But things take a turn when a new Top arrives at the club named Christian. He knows what he wants and it is Rowan. Rowan will not submit to anyone, but she can't stop thinking about Christian. So Christian makes a proposition to Rowan about being her dom for thirty days to help release whatever demons she has. He can sense she has experienced something traumatic and he will do what it takes to get to the bottom of it.

I really loved this book a lot. I have reread a few parts already. It is different from most of the BDSM reads I have been reading in that it focuses on the actual feelings of the people involved. Most BDSM reads slowly work up to that, but there is an instant attraction here that could definitely lead to something more. Rowan is a smart and sassy woman. She has been through something a few years ago that has changed her. She will never let anyone get the better of her ever again. I love how confident Christian is to make her discover her true self. He says that she is a submissive. She tells him he is crazy and won't let any have control over her. She is not a weak woman. Christian is a man that has been around the world and has seen plenty. His art is his living and Rowan inspires him to do more. Rowan and Christian are explosive together. From the first meeting you felt their chemistry. The scenes they share are really unforgettable and had me entranced even after I was done reading the book.

I love the journey Rowan takes to discover herself. How she really had to look at herself in order to really understand things around her. She was quite the hypocrite in this book saying that there was no way she was a sub because it made her look weak. But she would tell fellow subs that Doms and subs have equal amounts of power. I love how Christian doesn't give up on her as much as she can't face what he is saying and her growing feelings for him. I love that this is a journey for Christian as well. He has never loved anyone. He may have seen all there is to see, but he felt empty. I love that together they made discoveries about themselves. I was dying to see whether they were willing to face the obstacles or run in the other direction.

Now as much as I loved this book, there was one thing that irritated me; April and Decker. What gives? Why weren't they given their own story? Rowan and Christian take up about 90% of this book and April and Decker's story felt sprinkled in the other 10%. I was dying to know more about them. Their scenes together were great, actually just as great as Rowan's and Christian's. But I had a hard time with it because we are given so little of them especially Decker. He has some major book boyfriend potential, but we barely get a story from him. Why was he afraid to be with April? Did something happen in his past? What is so different about April compared to the other women he Tops? We only get things from April's point of view. Well, what about Decker? It just felt odd to me. They should have gotten their own story or at least some things from Decker's point of view. We know what Rowan, Christian and April are feeling. Why was Decker left out? All we get it that he knows she is beautiful. Okay. We know there is more to it than that, but what it is? I hope we do get more because, like I said, I really liked Decker and him and April together was incredible.

Despite that, I still loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It was sexy and had characters I really cared about. The sex scenes were out of this world and memorable. I loved that shower scene between Rowan and Christian. I love all the emotion that was put into this book. I had a tear or two myself while reading. Rowan's turmoil was understandable and made me root for her happy ending no matter how hard she fought it. Even if BDSM isn't your thing, I would say pick this book up. This has a different feel compared to some others and I really like that as well. Highly recommended. (less)

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About Eden Bradley

Eden Bradley aka Eve Berlin writes erotica and erotic romance for Bantam/Delta, Harlequin Spice, Berkley Heat, and Samhain Publishing. Several of her books have been Romantic Times Top Picks, and her novel FORBIDDEN FRUIT, was profiled in Cosmopolitan magazine's Red Hot Reads.
In 2010 she launched her new pen name, Eve Berlin, exclusively for Berkley Heat, with the debut of her erotic romance, PLEA...more

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Books by Eden Bradley

The Seeking Kiss (Midnight Playground, #1)

Hot Nights, Dark Desires (Includes: ACRO, #2.5)

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