Despite the carefully-worded agreement meant to keep their relationship strictly professional while Kate explored BDSM for an article in her college's newspaper, Drake and Kate broke their own rules and fell in love.
Now, in the weeks before they leave for Africa, Drake takes Kate more deeply into the D/s lifestyle. In the process, the walls between them continue to crumble as they explore each other physically and emotionally and they fall even more deeply in love. But before they can even leave Manhattan, the past returns unexpectedly to challenge their blossoming relationship.
Is Kate and Drake's commitment to each other strong enough to stand the test?
By the Amazon Bestselling Romance author S. E. Lund, The Commitment is the much-anticipated sequel to The Agreement, Book 1 of the Unrestrained Series.
S. E. (Elizabeth) Lund is a writer who lives on the side of a mountain in beautiful British Columbia, Canada with her family of humans and animals. She read Dracula when she was ten, and has been warped ever since. She reads many genres and writes in a few, including paranormal romantic suspense, high fantasy, and YA SF/F. Her books are available on Amazon Kindle, which can be read on any PC, Mac or Smartphone with the Kindle App, available in the App store and at Amazon.
Not nearly as polished or exciting as the first book in the series. The first quarter of the book rehashes the plot from the first book - all well and good, I liked the first book so was happy to have more of the same. The middle bits were very boring and mundane. Mostly it felt like a detailed account of an average day in Kate's life. Once Maureen delivered her news to Drake, Kate's thoughts were "My man is going through a lot right now. I know I should assert myself, but I won't," on repeat. Where was the feisty girl from the first book? Any action by Kate came off as childish. The ending was pretty traditional vanilla romance - a makeup after a big fight because someone was being stupid, and then one large romantic gesture. For a series about being kinky, the ending was pretty boring. I just feel like there were these great scenes that were set up, and then never followed through on. I think the author has great potential, but she just didn't capitalize on it in this book. I wanted to like this story more than I did.
*ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Warning: there may be some spoilers for The Agreement in this review, so if you haven't read it...beware!
In this sequel to The Agreement, we pick up pretty much where we left off with Kate and Drake. They've declared their love for each other and are ready to set off for their time in Africa. Life, of course, intervenes and some ghosts from the past emerge to thwart their plans. The question now is: is their commitment strong enough to get them through the challenges? Oh, did you think I was going to give you the answer? Sorry, you'll have to read for yourself...and believe me, it's well worth the effort!
I loved the view we get in this book of Kate and Drake just together as a couple. They have lots of hurdles to jump in this one, but it's wonderful to see them supporting each other. One of the things they need to work through is their Agreement, or their D/s contract. It's a struggle for Kate to submit (but of course her inquisitiveness is something that attracted Drake), and it's an interesting journey as they work out what's right for them. Of course, along the way we're treated to some seriously steamy scenes of both the vanilla and the D/s variety. That's one of the things I liked the most - the variety and heat level of the sex scenes. If you've read any of her other work, you know that Ms. Lund has a way with this type of scene and we're certainly not led down in this book - bring your fans and your extra panties ladies! Besides the steam, the sex seemed real. This is not a hardcore BDSM themed novel, but a realistic portrayal of a couple finding out what works for them.
Now, I can't wait for the 3rd book! 5 stars for this one.
I had counted down the days til this sequel was released, but unfortunately it fell short for me :-(
There seemed to be a lot of redundancies - ex. "I just want to be a good submissive", the vodka was a signal of pleasure, and Drake and Kate reaffirming they love each other every other page.
I also felt the plot had a lot of loose ends
I lost interest quickly cause I felt I was reading similar chapters over and over. Error free and there are some hot sex scenes, but lost the magic from book two. Which is a bummer cause I was one of the first people to sing the praises of it on tons of book blogs.
While no cliffhanger per se, imagine another sequel might be in the works - will hold out to see the blurb, but feel I should have stopped while I was ahead with book one.
I had the opportunity and pleasure to receive an ARC of the story for an honest review.
The Commitment follows Drake and Kate, from their agreement to be in a D/s relationship, through personal growth & discovery, secrets from their pasts, to the acknowledgement of their love & desire to be together forever.
Our story continues with our couple, preparing to leave for Africa, Drake has taken leave from the hospital, while Kate has taken time off from school to go with him. Now in a committed D/s relationship, Drake and Kate continue define how they will live the lifestyle, especially since love has entered the mix. As day to day life appears to be on track, Murphy’s law raises its head and pulls the carpet out from under our couple, creating instability for Drake, and leaving Kate stumbling to support him emotionally. Moving forward though the storm, our couple tackles the new challenges to their very young relationship, with personal growth, strength, and conviction that they can make this work.
The author has given a bit more depth to both Drake and Kate’s characters in this story, shown Ethan and Elaine more as a couple, expanded on characters met in the first book and introduced us to some new supporting characters. The book includes some recurring themes from the first book, some warm and funny moments, some emotionally honest moments, as well as great sex scenes.
The book does not have a cliff hanger, and depending on how you view the ending it could be considered complete or open for a continuation of the story. A 4 start read for me and a satisfying follow-up to The Agreement.
I'm giving this one 3 stars. It was OK, but I certainly liked the first one better.
Couple of issues with this book. It didn't seem like a typical D/s relationship. Drake is right. He let Kate get by with way too much and while Kate was certainly interested in learning about the lifestyle, she wasn't a very good submissive. Drake's leniency with Kate led her to do things that would never fly in a typical D/s relationship. She'd have been punished and probably "pushed" off on a different Dom or just completely talked out of participating in a relationship like that. She wasn't a serious submissive and it seemed like Drake had it right at one point that all she wanted to do was dabble and do a little "role play" but not be in a serious D/s relationship.
I think my big issue was the arrival of Maureen, Drake's ex-wife,and her son, Liam. They had no place in this story. That was so left field, and I actually despise the author a little for putting them in. Here's this woman, who cheated on her husband and accused him of abuse. She even pulled a restraining order out against him. Like that isn't shameful or embarrassing enough. Then, five years later, she shows up out of the blue, before Kate and Drake are set to leave the country for 6 months and tells him he has a son. And this son has leukemia and he may be his only saving grace. The woman knew there was a possibility that Drake was the father (it's hinted that while they weren't having sex on a regular basis, the one time they did, Drake apparently forced her) but because of Drake's proclivities, she didn't feel it was right to inform him that he may have a child. Because apparently, people that are into BDSM can't have kids and shouldn't be allowed to be near them, like they're pedophiles or perverts. And, wait, it gets better. Not only does this spiteful, waste of a space woman want him to save her son, but afterwords, she wants him to have no contact with him. She doesn't plan on telling Liam who his real father is and doesn't want Drake to disclose that information to him either. She'll tell him when he's 18 and can decide on his own if he wants a relationship with him. By then, it'll be too late. A kid that age would certainly despise the parent that was never a part of their life, whether it was of their own decision making or not. I believe there was something in there about how Maureen's new husband is Liam's dad and just because you're a sperm donor doesn't make you one. Well, we certainly wouldn't know, since she decided that he was an unfit parent and didn't deserve to know he had a son. He never got the chance to prove he could be a good father to HIS son. And then, she threatens to slap him with another restraining order for assault, because her husband started a fight and Drake was only trying to protect himself and fought back. Seriously, this woman is certifiable and over dramatic and could probably stand to be strapped up and caned herself. Who knows, she might lighten up a little and pull that stick out of her ass and get her head out of the clouds and realize that just because Drake enjoys power exchange doesn't mean he's a bad person or a sicko. And Drake's reaction? Seriously? No anger, just acceptance. He agreed to do this for a son he didn't know he had, and took such horrible abuse from both his ex-wife and her new husband and for what? Sure, he saved Liam's life, but good gracious. The woman could be grateful. All those scenes just didn't seem natural. I can't imagine that any parent, after finding out they have a child 5 years later, would react the way Drake did. Regardless of whether he ever wanted to have children or not.
I was all sorts of prepared to give this one a 4.5 or 5 star rating. I loved the first book. I thought that we'd finally get to see Drake train Kate some. See if she actually has what it takes to be a true submissive. See if she can let go of all the societal norms and just give her trust and inhibitions over to Drake. I figured we'd get to see them in Africa where Drake could help Kate overcome a depressive time in her life and show her that Africa isn't terrible everywhere. That while there is death and famine, there is also beauty and life and abundance. But you don't even hear one of them actually acknowledge that they're in a real and exclusive relationship until 91% into the book. Almost at the very end, and Drake finally says, "Hey Kate, let's be exclusive. I don't want you seeing anyone else and I won't see anyone else either." And since this whole Maureen/Liam plot was thrown in there, Drake is way too preoccupied to even think about furthering Kate's training. These two never knew how they were supposed to introduce the other when they were meeting people. So confusing? Really, if I was going away to a country that I had previously associated with death and depression and putting my faith and trust in a man who was teaching me to submit, I damn sure would have set the parameters of our relationship way before that.
I did enjoy the fact that Kate finally told Dawn to get lost. That woman was all sorts of crazy. If I was Kate, I'd have had her arrested and charged with stalking and anything else I could have pulled out to get her ass locked up in an insane asylum. I mean, she hired a PI to investigate and follow Kate, got personal and confidential medical records and god knows what else. I'd have sued the hospital as well. Nobody should have to be subjected to that kind of behavior.
I suppose the over the top circumstances throughout the book just really sat wrong with me. There was so much stuff in this book that was just unbelievable and could have and should have been handled differently. I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth and very unsatisfied with the way this ended.
This wasn't, in my opinion, as good as the first one. The Arrangement. Whilst it carries on their exploring a D/s relationship together, this one is a bit more loved up. But it does bring itself back around to a better dynamic than if started off with.
Katherine and Drake are getting more and more involved in their D/s relationship. It's going perfectly, well nearly perfectly with a large smattering of vanilla thrown in... Until that one phone call.
It will change the whole dynamic of their relationship. It will throw out challenges that they never thought they'd have to face.
Then the reappearance of Katherine's excited, Kurt, not only throws a spanner in the works, but threatens to bring their whole house of cards crashing down around them.
This was a really good second installment in the series Unrestrained. I really love this author's Dominion UF/PNR series about two sexy vampire brothers....so when I found out that this talented author wrote a contemporary erotic romance I jumped to read it. I rated it very high...but I think I miss the vampires. LOL.
Honestly, this is a very intense and emotional story about a young graduate student coming off a bad relationship who meets her father's "mentee." Drake is a divorced 37 year old surgeon who happens to be a Dom. She slowly get's pulled into his world and agrees in the first book to become his sub. This book is more how they move from a lively sex life to committed partners. It is a bumpy road but we get to see how they each struggle with their emotional insecurities and "let each other in" and become much more than Dom and sub.
The story will continue in book 3 as they go to Africa together and no doubt struggle to overcome obstacles to save the love they have for one another. I am very much enjoying their story and look forward to it. Love the characters, nice pace, hot...steamy scenes...very emotional and a bit of angst tied up to make a definite read-worthy pick!
PS. Love the new covers!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
DNF, stopped at 49%. This book was so boring!!! And when something did happen it was still boring. There was so much repetition in the book and too moving saying "i love you", nothing else happened!
4.5 Intense Emotional Awesome Stars for The Commitment! (ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review)
They had an agreement. Drake was her Dom. Kate was his submissive. Then they broke their own rules and fell in love. Even as lovers, they continued their D/s relationship. Kate challenged Drake's control. Drake pushed Kate's limits. Together, Kate and Drake found deeper love and unbelievable pleasure neither one thought they could experience.
All seemed perfect as the lovers made plans to start their new life together. But from out of the blue, people from each of their pasts reappear unexpectedly. The events that occur threaten to change, maybe even destroy, everything. Their love, their trust, their commitment.
Kate and Drake's story is one of control and submission. Intense desire and pleasure. The love and trust between a man and woman. Their Commitment to each other.
*****
Let me start by saying I loved The Agreement (Book 1) and was anxious to read more about Kate and Drake. I loved that Kate was hesitant to be completely submissive to Drake. Even though it's what she wanted, and finally admitted it, she still fought it. (To me, it seemed very realistic; she was new to the lifestyle and wasn't ready to hand over all control, even though she knew it was what she wanted.) I also loved that Drake had a hard time staying in scene with Kate. She often resisted him, challenged him, and he had a hard time resisting her. He was smitten and I found it very refreshing that an active Dom, in the lifestyle for several years, was so affected by a young, petite "sub". Love has a way of changing things and to me, this was proof that he was falling. Was so pleased with their "HEA" in The Agreement.
In The Commitment, we are able to witness the early days of their new love. The tender moments and the intense, lust-filled sex, whether it's D/s or even a little vanilla. Drake was just delicious and absolutely swoon-worth! Kate was lovely, trying to be a better sub, learning about herself and her own sexuality. The two of them together are explosive. They've overcome the threat they faced in The Agreement and are now able to be carefree and in love, together. Loved this part of the book!
The chain of events that happened next were totally unexpected and definitely threw Drake and Kate into a tailspin. Drake was pushed to his limits and old, dark issues surfaced. For Kate, she was very understanding and stood by her man as best she could. When her own past returns, she has her own issues to deal with. Between the two of them, trust was challenged and it threatened to be too much for them. This was definitely a darker part of the book. Intense situations that really added layers of interest, to the story and to the characters.
Despite the emotional turmoil, and some dark days for our lovers, it only proved to me what a good-hearted, caring, noble man Drake was. Even though he had issues to deal with, and those issues changed him, I had faith he would find his way. I thought that Kate also changed, evolved in many ways. Her relationship with Drake matured and so has her relationship with her father. She's a happier person because of these men in her life but also because the world has opened up to her again. Even though I liked Kate to begin with, I like her even more now.
I love Drake and Kate together and hoped they would overcome the newest threats to their relationship. I so want a HEA for these two! I can't wait for book 3!
This story flatlined for me! Every time it seeemd like this story would actually come to life, it would go back to flatlining!
After I read the first book I couldn't wait to see where Kate and Drake's story would go, boy was I dissappointed! I would have loved to have read Drake's POV since it seemed like he had more interesting things going on behind the scenes. There was a jaw dropping moment in the book, but after that I was pretty bored.
I love this series. The continuation of the series with book two, take us a little further into the relationship of Kate and Drake. As they prepare to go to Africa, many things are happening. They are completing tasks, putting their American life on hold and packing. Little did they know how their pasts would creep into their life prior to their departure. Would there love be able to stand the test?
I find Kate's younger age at times to definitely be a deterrent. Drake has to be incredibly patient and reassuring to her. At the same time, I see Drake's insecurity as well and want to shake him! Their relationship evolves and it is like we are on the journey with them. While not too dark, but not too vanilla, this story is incredibly addicting.
Emma Wilder continues an incredible narration. I love her voices and have come to equate her with this story.
--I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review
I loved "The Agreement" I really love "Commitment" I won't give out the spoilers but, I was happy with the storyline as the angst is perfectly leveled with the happiness. The fun is there and so is the heart wrenching backstory. I think Drake took the too high road. Kate stood up for her man several times. As always Drake is misunderstood and Dawn is still trying to come between Kate and Drake. And the love it flowing and the hot steamy sex is great. Kate isn't quite as submissive and Drake decides that needs to end. He blames it on himself and takes control. Kate didn't think she'd like it but, Drake told her too bad. That was great! Looking forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book! S.E. Lund brought out the characters personalities, good and bad. She hit a homerun!
Well ... I was sooo excited to read this book to see where Drake and Kate take their relationship too! Dawn ... still the same fucking bitch ... Maureen the ex-wife ... A new bitch I wanted to take down ... Katherine ... dammit ... she pissed me off something fierce in this book .. always arguing ... always wanting to change the rules .. I get why she does ... but don't be a whiny bitch about it!!! Drake ... my delicious Dr. D ... he was amazing ... even tho he too got on my nerves!! The endlessness of the Agreement that they signed !! Why can't he just say that he really truly wanted to be with her!!! Soo many obstacles for them to overcome and they did!!! I wanted an epilogue to see where they end up ... married ... kids ... does he get to see his son at all ... I want more dammit!! Overall ... I loved it!!! <3
I loved the Agreement.... That being said... I did like the committment but it left a bitter taste in my mouth at the end with the argument and Drake not giving in AT all with the spanking part of agreement. I feel like Kate gave up alot and she wanted to try a normal relationship thinkin he would not need so much D/s anymore for control. I was angry at her for always giving in although she thinks she's not a submissive... Drake was willing to totally let her go if she did not come back to him and be punished.. Really?? Did he even love her?? I know in the end he did the right thing. It just hurt a nerve with me, if ya could not tell!! I am interested in their outcome of the trip and possible future for them though.
So after reading and enjoying the first book I felt compelled to purchase the remaining books in the series. I did not enjoy the second book nearly as much as the first. Seemed the female character reverted back to being a teenager and wasn't nearly as strong. If this had been the first book in the series, I never would have purchased the other two. Overall was disappointed in this second book of the series.
The Commitment is the second installment in the Unrestrained Series. I recommend the books be read in chronological order. This story picks up where the first book left off. I was unsure where this story was headed because the couple seemed to be in a good spot. I didn't see any problems in the horizon. Though a few problems arose, I felt like the story didn't progress as much as I would've liked. I hope the next installment is better.
The story continues and as it does so does their relationship. What I like is that the relationship evolved as they got to know each other and they still maintained the ad relationship. I am not not an expert but it was interesting to see how they kept the D relationship and allowed their relationship to grow. This book put many challenges in their way And how they worked through it.
Now that the threat to "out" Drake to Kate's father and to the hosputal has been neutralized, Kate and Drake move on with their relationship. He's returning to Africa to teach and operate and he's asked Kate to join him. Packing up Kate's household and packing things to be sent to Africa is both exhausting and exhilarating. Learning to live with a man is an adjustment too. Kate's best friend is still trying to paint Drake in the worst possible light and refuses to listen to Kate's side of things. Kate finally realizes she has to let the friendship go. Drake is blindsided by his ex-wife when she informs him that he is the father of her son. The boy needs a stem cell transplant because he has leukemia. Hopefully Drake will be a match. In a cruel twist of fate, Drake's ex informs Drake that although he is a match, once the transplant is successful, he cannot have anthing to do with the boy. Their trip on indefinite hold, Kate starts drawing again and plans to paint a nude of Drake. She's finally happy to return to her real passion, art, again. All is not bluss with the duo though. Several missteps occur and cause a rift between then them. Kate's insecurities are fed by yet another attempt by her friend to make Drake a monster, his ex also plants seeds of doubt about his anger and finally, Kate runs into her old boyfriend at a fundraiser and is photographed. She neglects to inform Drake about any of these occurences. They do get past them but Drake knows that he needs to reinforce his Dominance in order for their relationship to really work and Kate has to be as open and honest as possible. They finally depart for their African adventure with a stopover in Italy where Drake springs a surprise on Kate.
Kate💘Morgan Story Continues! Great Audible Listen🎧
The Commitment The Unrestrained Series, Volume 2 By: S. E. Lund Narrated by: Emma Wilder
This is a great follow-up to “The Agreement” Kate and Morgan’s relationship continues to deepen as they learn more about each other. Their story is well written and well told with lots of drama, twists and bumps in the road that test them and their relationship. Some people of their past show up and cause trouble and Dawn continues to dig deeper to get dirt on Morgan. That girl really gets on my nerve. I enjoyed this story as much as the first, I love where their relationship is going and how hot & steamy it is for them. Thanks for another great story, I am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I listened to the Audible edition, Emma Wilder is a talented narrator, she continues to bring the characters and their story to life. She gives each character their own voice and does a wonderful job projecting their emotions in her performance. Thanks for another great listen🎧
And I am done with this series. This has to be the most vanilla BDSM romance I have encountered. And the constant jokes about 50 shades made it worse. I mean if you have to use someone else's work as a reminder of what genre you are reading then you have missed the mark.
This left me underwhelmed as a romance, the story had almost no progression from book 1, the surprise with Drakes ex-wife was as subtle as a rotting elephant and then Drake and Kate whisked themselves off to Africa, there was a weird HEA for them that also didn't really resolve any of their issues and then a cliffhanger as they arrive in Nairobi.
Just no. I assumed with the slow start of book 1 that the pace would be ramped up for the sequel unfortunately this just didn't deliver.
This is book 2 in a series. I would highly recommend reading in order. This book did have a lot of repeating and recaps, but I think you would still be missing some important things If you have not read book 1. Overview: Drake was ready for the next adventures in Africa with his girlfriend when he get a call from his Ex wife. Drakes life is now flipped upside down and he is highly stressed. He relationships are suffering, but also breaking down and finding a way back into his heart. Kate is learning D/S but also finding herself, but doubting her love since Drakes Ex and her best friend Dawn both pushing their thought into her relationship and scaring her. Drake and Kate have an epic fight, but they fight through it and make it to Africa.
I decided to read the second book in the series, hoping the story line would be more fleshed out and the characters gain more depth. Nope. There were times when it felt like reading a timeline in history class, instead of telling a story.
The challenges Kate and Drake faced where not really propelling the story forward in a meaningful way. They didn't really lead to a deeper understanding of each other or their interactions. Frankly, I became more DISengaged with them the longer I read. I would have liked Drake's POV instead of Kate's at times. The BDSM aspect was even less believable in this book.
I really enjoyed this book, written from the man's perspective (Drake's). I haven't read the unrestrained series so this was totally new to me. It was interesting to read the "Doms' perspective and how this man who needed control in all things reacted to meeting "the one." I thought it was fantastic that since he's a doctor he thought of parts of her anatomy in "medical" terms. Like a real doctor probably would. It is a bit long, with lots of details. But, for a guy who needs control, it's probably how his mind works.
It was boring and a bit too preachy for me. The BDSM was dialouge was too much. Trying to explain the role of the Dom and sub over and over again was boring. The explanation of their day to day events was also boring. Dawn and Maureen were morally superior and were depicted as rigid and uncompassionate. I skipped to the end because I couldt take the banter between the characters and wanted to know the end.
This series is quickly becoming a guilty pleasure read that I'm not ashamed liking. Yes it's a little dramatic, but that's half the fun. Kate and Drake are not super unique characters, yet I enjoy them. I still find Dawn and her whole thing obnoxious; however, it's such a minor storyline it's forgettable. It is still a bit repetitive in parts, but again it can be overlooked. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the seri series.
As Kate and Drake make plans for their trip to Kenya, they are faced with other dramatic life events. Even though this book seemed to drag a bit and there was a bit too much rehashing for my taste, I decided to "plow" on to the end. I'm glad to see that this book ended on an up note. Now, I'm ready for #3.
A lot is going on with Kate and Drake. They still have their ups and downs. Just when things start to go good someone comes back from the past to stir the pot. Drake's exwife Maureen calls to say that Drake is a father and his is dying. If you want to find out more must read the book.
Drake and Kate still have much to learn about how to be with each other. Kate is struggling to be a submissive in one part of their relationship and an equal in the other part. Drake has more thrown at him with Kate and his ex and he is having trouble finding his way through. Africa for six months together is a big commitment and they have to find a way to make it all work.