What do you think?
Rate this book
A Lesson in Beginning
A Journey From Darkness to Desire
They took everything.
My husband. My dreams. My innocence.
After escaping a sinister cult's grip, I faced a stark new reality.
I was left with only one thing.
My treasure. My son.
Desperate, I sought refuge with my estranged family.
It was a struggle, but I was beginning to find my footing in this strange, modern world.
Enter Joel Whitlock.
All my life I’d been controlled by evil men, but Joel was different.
His kindness replaced cruelty.
He calls me his good girl .
His control sparks a fiery passion in me unlike anything I’ve believed possible.
How can I surrender to this stranger when everything I’ve been taught tells me it's wrong?
But if it’s wrong – why does it feel so right ?
Can I truly have it all?
One question still plagues me as I journey through passion and self-discovery.
Can I find the strength to stand, and be the mother my son deserves?
Or will I succumb to the way I’ve been raised my entire life?
They took everything.
My husband. My dreams. My innocence.
After escaping a sinister cult's grip, I faced a stark new reality.
I was left with only one thing.
My treasure. My son.
Desperate, I sought refuge with my estranged family.
It was a struggle, but I was beginning to find my footing in this strange, modern world.
Enter Joel Whitlock.
All my life I’d been controlled by evil men, but Joel was different.
His kindness replaced cruelty.
He calls me his good girl .
His control sparks a fiery passion in me unlike anything I’ve believed possible.
How can I surrender to this stranger when everything I’ve been taught tells me it's wrong?
But if it’s wrong – why does it feel so right ?
Can I truly have it all?
One question still plagues me as I journey through passion and self-discovery.
Can I find the strength to stand, and be the mother my son deserves?
Or will I succumb to the way I’ve been raised my entire life?
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2023
71 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Elle Sparrow
17 books249 followersElle Sparrow has had stories roaming in her mind for years. When the COVID-19 Pandemic caused states and counties to issue stay-at-home orders, resulting in her being laid off from work as a paralegal, she seized the opportunity to tell you the story that is The Omega Trilogy. Her books take a look into a world and a community that she has been a part of for over a decade, bringing personal experiences, along with research, into her craft.
When she isn't writing, Elle spends her time with her loving family, as well as working full-time as a paralegal, once the stay-at-home orders were lifted and she could return to the office, that is.
With the love and support from her family and friends, and many more stories in her mind that are begging to be told, she has no plans to stop writing, now that the creative goddess inside of her has been awakened!
When she isn't writing, Elle spends her time with her loving family, as well as working full-time as a paralegal, once the stay-at-home orders were lifted and she could return to the office, that is.
With the love and support from her family and friends, and many more stories in her mind that are begging to be told, she has no plans to stop writing, now that the creative goddess inside of her has been awakened!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 23, 2023
This book was great on so many different levels. Adah, who came from a cult like environment was introduced to another type of world: BDSM. I love how they introduced BDSM to Adah and how she finally begins to find herself. This book definitely had me wanting to read more & I absolutely *almost* cried at the epilogue.
September 27, 2023
Holy.. YES. This storyline and character building?! Wrong but so right trope? DEVOURED, this has all the dark aspects that I absolutely love to read.
I have received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are my own.
I have received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are my own.
July 4, 2024
Elle really knows how to make you feel, A Lesson in Beginning is beautifully raw and full of growth. With a storyline and characters you can't help but relate to this one will make you question so many things, as any good romance novel does.
The introduction of BD$M to Adah is beautiful, thorough, and is written in an authentic and passionate way! If you've been trying to find yourself and life has had you on a rollercoaster, take an escape and heal with Elle and Adah! 🖤
The introduction of BD$M to Adah is beautiful, thorough, and is written in an authentic and passionate way! If you've been trying to find yourself and life has had you on a rollercoaster, take an escape and heal with Elle and Adah! 🖤
October 9, 2023
Having read the previous installment in this series and finally getting to read the last book in the series. Made me very happy getting to see all the characters in the previous book be in this last book with one final character tying everything together in one satisfying ending with the last character from the temple and seeing if she gets her happy that she long for and hopefully putting her painful past behind her once and fall all. If your looking for a book that dive deeper into a different world that you never experienced before than this book is for you and the spicy level is perfect.
March 4, 2024
I loved the concept of this book but it felt so unrealistic. There's no one who has so many unbelievably helpful and caring people around them.. the story felt predictable and surface level.
October 2, 2023
Adah lost everything and now she is trying to start over with her son. When she meets Joel, she isn’t sure if she can trust him after all that she had suffered through previously. Joel however, shows her that all men are not the same. Fast-paced read with loads of drama, steam and emotion. Great characters with lots of depth. I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it.
October 18, 2023
#arcreview ✨️ A Lesson in Beginning by @authorellesparrow
To start, thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review. I am always honored to read someone's work in advance of release!
Meet the MCs:
🐘 Adah (FMC): Mother, recently disconnected from her insular community.
🐘 Joel (MMC): Doctor by day, cook at The Temple by night.
General Thoughts:
This is a story of strength, of finding yourself, and of learning to live in the grey when you have been raised with black and white thinking. 🫶
What I loved:
🍞This book made me feel things---all the things. A full range of emotions was elicited from me, and that was a very good thing.
🍞The emotional processing was very well conveyed through body language, internal dialogue, and through character growth.
🍞Joel is a cinnamon roll with a surprise filling. So, so delicious.
🍞I appreciated that while the adults in the book had experienced abuse, the children had not, which allowed me to more fully enjoy the romance and sexyness. It was also always clear that the children were in the care of trusted adults, so I wasn't distracted by that when Adah was with Joel.
🍞Well developed and purposeful side characters.
🍞The main character's journey to finding herself was very relatable, and as it was my first BDSM read, I walked away from it with an understanding of how empowering those dynamics could be.
My not faves: (and this could have been an issue of how my device presented text.)
🥨Frequently, actions of a different character followed the dialogue of another character on the same line, so it took me a beat to figure out who was doing what.
Spice: 🌶🌶 🌶🌶 HOT, explicit, with BDSM pleasure dom dynamics. YUM!
⚠️Trigger warnings are well laid out for this book, and I felt that the way they were handled in the story made them much less triggering than they could have been. So, well done, and thank you, Elle!
Thanks again for the opportunity to offer my honest review in exchange for an advance copy. All the best with your series! I'll be reading more!🫶
Link to order: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CJ...
To start, thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review. I am always honored to read someone's work in advance of release!
Meet the MCs:
🐘 Adah (FMC): Mother, recently disconnected from her insular community.
🐘 Joel (MMC): Doctor by day, cook at The Temple by night.
General Thoughts:
This is a story of strength, of finding yourself, and of learning to live in the grey when you have been raised with black and white thinking. 🫶
What I loved:
🍞This book made me feel things---all the things. A full range of emotions was elicited from me, and that was a very good thing.
🍞The emotional processing was very well conveyed through body language, internal dialogue, and through character growth.
🍞Joel is a cinnamon roll with a surprise filling. So, so delicious.
🍞I appreciated that while the adults in the book had experienced abuse, the children had not, which allowed me to more fully enjoy the romance and sexyness. It was also always clear that the children were in the care of trusted adults, so I wasn't distracted by that when Adah was with Joel.
🍞Well developed and purposeful side characters.
🍞The main character's journey to finding herself was very relatable, and as it was my first BDSM read, I walked away from it with an understanding of how empowering those dynamics could be.
My not faves: (and this could have been an issue of how my device presented text.)
🥨Frequently, actions of a different character followed the dialogue of another character on the same line, so it took me a beat to figure out who was doing what.
Spice: 🌶🌶 🌶🌶 HOT, explicit, with BDSM pleasure dom dynamics. YUM!
⚠️Trigger warnings are well laid out for this book, and I felt that the way they were handled in the story made them much less triggering than they could have been. So, well done, and thank you, Elle!
Thanks again for the opportunity to offer my honest review in exchange for an advance copy. All the best with your series! I'll be reading more!🫶
Link to order: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0CJ...
October 2, 2023
What a phenomenal read - the storyline was great, and the characterisation was brilliant. This book ties in with the Temple Brother series, but you don't have to have read that series (I haven't), although I now want to.
A Lesson In Beginning is the story of Adah. Adah was brought up in a cult and now, as that world crumbles around her, she has to learn to live in the real world and re-evaluate everything she thought she knew. How the author wrote her character was perfect - from the beginning where we saw a slightly robotic language used as though she was repeating everything she'd ever been told rather than having her own thoughts to an eventually more fluid and relaxed language style even including a few cuss words showed the journey she had been through to become her real self.
As she reconnects with her family, she is also introduced to their lifestyle, which includes BDSM. The world Adah has originally come from is very much male-dominated, in the sense that women have no choices or opinions about anything, they can't even open a bank account themselves. So when she witnesses people in a D/s dynamic at first, she makes assumptions that it is very much like the world she left behind - abusive, degrading, and painful with men holding all the power. However, through her family and the main male character Joel, she learns that her assumptions were indeed wrong. She's introduced to the lifestyle in a very gentle way. I loved the softness and sensuality that the author placed upon each scene as she opened up and explored this new world, some books might jump into a heavy scene but this one didn't with one scene focus being on kissing, which I appreciated as Adah was a very special character who despite having a child had missed out on a lot. Despite the softness, the book wasn't tame, it was passionate and spicy and Joel was the perfect person for Adah.
Whilst there was lots of emotion, education, and adjustment in this book, there was also a lot of humour with cuss words, brats, and even fart noises. It was a well-rounded, and wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
A Lesson In Beginning is the story of Adah. Adah was brought up in a cult and now, as that world crumbles around her, she has to learn to live in the real world and re-evaluate everything she thought she knew. How the author wrote her character was perfect - from the beginning where we saw a slightly robotic language used as though she was repeating everything she'd ever been told rather than having her own thoughts to an eventually more fluid and relaxed language style even including a few cuss words showed the journey she had been through to become her real self.
As she reconnects with her family, she is also introduced to their lifestyle, which includes BDSM. The world Adah has originally come from is very much male-dominated, in the sense that women have no choices or opinions about anything, they can't even open a bank account themselves. So when she witnesses people in a D/s dynamic at first, she makes assumptions that it is very much like the world she left behind - abusive, degrading, and painful with men holding all the power. However, through her family and the main male character Joel, she learns that her assumptions were indeed wrong. She's introduced to the lifestyle in a very gentle way. I loved the softness and sensuality that the author placed upon each scene as she opened up and explored this new world, some books might jump into a heavy scene but this one didn't with one scene focus being on kissing, which I appreciated as Adah was a very special character who despite having a child had missed out on a lot. Despite the softness, the book wasn't tame, it was passionate and spicy and Joel was the perfect person for Adah.
Whilst there was lots of emotion, education, and adjustment in this book, there was also a lot of humour with cuss words, brats, and even fart noises. It was a well-rounded, and wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
October 13, 2023
Elle Sparrow has done it again! 5 stars! I love that she continued the story of Zion with extended family of the Temple brothers. I love that family so much and was very happy for their appearance in this book.
After reading the Temple brothers, I was very interested in knowing what happened after the FBI got involved. Luckily I got some answers! Elle Sparrow has a way to suck me in. I just had a baby and found myself staying up late after feedings to read a little more.
This book centers on Adah, whom we first met shortly in Leviticus, as she is Ruth’s sister. (Although you do not have to read the Temple Brothers Series, I recommend that you do to understand more about Zion and see what Adah was like in Zion) Adah grew up in Zion and believed in what she practiced. Adah also married a higher up that was part of the corruption while Zion was still intact. Even though her life was solely focused in Zion beliefs, this book takes us on a journey of what happens after your life gets ripped away from you and you need to start over in every single way possible.
Adah starts her journey on her own with a toddler. She uses all her money to travel to Ruth for help. Adah is very stubborn and ends up finding herself working in an atmosphere she never knew about…. a sex club.
While Adah adjusts and finds new passions in her life, she meets a man that works at the club with her. With his help, Adah discovers a whole new world and falls in love. For a person who has never felt love, she had many battles within her heart and mind. She had to learn acceptance and believe in herself.
As much as I didn’t want to like Adah, I found her story endearing. Her journey wasn’t all about sex. Although there were perfect scenes! There were new life experiences, personal discovery, adapting and acceptance of reality and oneself.
I can’t wait to see what Elle Sparrow does with Zion next! Read this book now!
After reading the Temple brothers, I was very interested in knowing what happened after the FBI got involved. Luckily I got some answers! Elle Sparrow has a way to suck me in. I just had a baby and found myself staying up late after feedings to read a little more.
This book centers on Adah, whom we first met shortly in Leviticus, as she is Ruth’s sister. (Although you do not have to read the Temple Brothers Series, I recommend that you do to understand more about Zion and see what Adah was like in Zion) Adah grew up in Zion and believed in what she practiced. Adah also married a higher up that was part of the corruption while Zion was still intact. Even though her life was solely focused in Zion beliefs, this book takes us on a journey of what happens after your life gets ripped away from you and you need to start over in every single way possible.
Adah starts her journey on her own with a toddler. She uses all her money to travel to Ruth for help. Adah is very stubborn and ends up finding herself working in an atmosphere she never knew about…. a sex club.
While Adah adjusts and finds new passions in her life, she meets a man that works at the club with her. With his help, Adah discovers a whole new world and falls in love. For a person who has never felt love, she had many battles within her heart and mind. She had to learn acceptance and believe in herself.
As much as I didn’t want to like Adah, I found her story endearing. Her journey wasn’t all about sex. Although there were perfect scenes! There were new life experiences, personal discovery, adapting and acceptance of reality and oneself.
I can’t wait to see what Elle Sparrow does with Zion next! Read this book now!
October 3, 2023
Okay let me start out saying if you haven’t read the Temple brother’s series you might want to although it isn’t a must but it will help you understand this a whole lot better and there are triggers just a heads up. This is about Adah Price the sister of Ruth who we know is married to Levi Temple a part of the brothers who single handed took down Zion and all the corruption sending several members to prions, righting kidnappings, and leaving broken families who truly believed in the BS the were preaching no matter how wrong or what wrongs were committed or who they hurt in the name of their belief. Adah was one of the ones left trying to stand on her own for two years her parents, her in-laws, her husband were sent to prison for a long time, her infant daughter was taken given back to her real family and it left her broken tired yet willing to learn how to care for her young son by making her way to her sister in hopes of getting help. However, she is about to get a shock especially when she learns what her brothers-in-laws do for a living alongside her sister, but she wants to face life with the new experience head own. Accepting the new is a challenge from everything she has been taught how can a man be so loving, kind, want her to make the decision, and even asks her permission what world is this is one of many questions she keeps asking herself. But this world for the first time makes her feel free a world her son can grow up being an honest man, a man who loves completely, a man with choices, but can she let go of all she has been conditioned to believe, been conditioned to feel, been conditioned to not have an identity of her own, can she find out who she really is as a person, as a women, and can she allow the one man willing to give her choices, to teach her what it is to be a women with power and can she finally have true happiness like her sister?
October 2, 2023
Gut-wrenching at times! Emotional all the time!
WOW! What a roller coaster of the read this was. It was gut wrenching read for sure. When I saw that the author had written a spin-off from the original series "The Temple Brothers" I was quite excited. This first book in her spin-off series just blew me away. I cried in heart-break for what Adah experienced in her life in the cult. I cried in sorrow for Adah as she tried to build a new life in a world she knew nothing about. And I cried in joy for how it all ended! I was a sobbing mess in parts of this book. But don't let it discourage you from reading it. It is an amazing book of strength and determination as Adah moves forward from a life in a cult to a life with endless possibilities. Her inner-strength is powerful. And it is endless as she navigates her new world (even when she does not believe she has the strength). I was so happy to read how the Temple brothers and their wives were doing after they brought down the cult. And to see them open their arms to another with patience, caring and love was so good. They helped Adah move forward with her life - a life that now included Joe. Between her sister Ruth, the Temple brothers and their wives and Joel, they supported Adah on her journey to break down what the cult did to her so she could accept the woman she was. Like I said, this was a gut-wrenching and very emotional story for me. So well done.
PS - I needed my box of tissues close by as I read this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
WOW! What a roller coaster of the read this was. It was gut wrenching read for sure. When I saw that the author had written a spin-off from the original series "The Temple Brothers" I was quite excited. This first book in her spin-off series just blew me away. I cried in heart-break for what Adah experienced in her life in the cult. I cried in sorrow for Adah as she tried to build a new life in a world she knew nothing about. And I cried in joy for how it all ended! I was a sobbing mess in parts of this book. But don't let it discourage you from reading it. It is an amazing book of strength and determination as Adah moves forward from a life in a cult to a life with endless possibilities. Her inner-strength is powerful. And it is endless as she navigates her new world (even when she does not believe she has the strength). I was so happy to read how the Temple brothers and their wives were doing after they brought down the cult. And to see them open their arms to another with patience, caring and love was so good. They helped Adah move forward with her life - a life that now included Joe. Between her sister Ruth, the Temple brothers and their wives and Joel, they supported Adah on her journey to break down what the cult did to her so she could accept the woman she was. Like I said, this was a gut-wrenching and very emotional story for me. So well done.
PS - I needed my box of tissues close by as I read this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2023
In a continuation of the Temple brothers' story, this new series starts out with the saga of Adah Price. Adah is Ruth's sister. Ruth, you may remember, is Levi's wife. Adah has had a rough two years since Zion fell. Her parents, her in-laws, and her husband were all convicted of the atrocities perpetuated at Zion and are in prison. Her adopted daughter was snatched from her arms and returned to her family and she is now the sole provider for her young son. She has little money and no skills, what she does have is determination. Her divorce is final and she needs a roof over their heads and a job. She considers the Temple brothers to be the cause of her situation and her sister is married to one of them. Getting herself and Samuel to Portland, she arrives on her sister's doorstep ready to do whatever it takes to live in this new world she finds herself in. But is she ready to discover what the Temple family business is?
Adah is a strong woman who finally has the chance to find out who she really is. Her whole life was scripted slavery and she is finally free. Now, she just has to figure out how to let the past go and embrace her future. Fortunately, the Temple family is there to help and support her. It is not going to be easy to overcome the trauma of her previous life, but there is a man who is willing to cherish and teach her if she will let him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adah is a strong woman who finally has the chance to find out who she really is. Her whole life was scripted slavery and she is finally free. Now, she just has to figure out how to let the past go and embrace her future. Fortunately, the Temple family is there to help and support her. It is not going to be easy to overcome the trauma of her previous life, but there is a man who is willing to cherish and teach her if she will let him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2023
Adah (h), a resilient single mother escapes the traumatic past of a sinister cult, facing the daunting task of rebuilding her life with her son, Samuel, after she's lost everything – her husband, dreams, and innocence. Her quest for a fresh start leads her to her estranged family and a surprising job at a BDSM club where she meets Joel (H), who brings kindness and understanding into her life. Her transformation from a broken, sheltered woman to a strong, determined mother is beautifully depicted as Adah deals with her past emotional trauma, single motherhood, and a relationship with Joel. Their unique connection sparks a fiery passion with plenty of BDSM heat, challenging Adah's preconceived notions and allowing her to embark on a path of self-discovery, healing, and newfound love. Adah's development is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Joel is so kind and patient, introducing a fresh perspective into her life, as they share an intense and passionate connection that challenges Adah's deeply ingrained beliefs. The story doesn't shy away from addressing dark topics, including trauma, abuse, and cults, but it handles them with sensitivity. Family and friends provide Adah with the support and love she desperately needs, and it's great to have past characters back again. An amazing story of resilience, healing, and the power of love with complex characters and lots of emotions.
October 4, 2023
Holy cow this book was exciting and enticing!!! I loved the Temple Brothers series and read them a few times. This is a spin off and man was it captivating and spicy. I loved this book from the very first chapter. I love the word Ella Sparrow created. It was dark and delicious, heartbreaking and heartwarming. I couldn’t put this book down until it was done!!! The characters were complex and had amazing chemistry. I loved the characters cross over from the other series. This is a stand alone but I’d recommend going back and reading The Temple Brothers Series. You will not be disappointed. I felt like this was a reverse grumpy/sunshine BDSM romance. I love it when the h is grumpy and the H is the sunshine!!!
Adah was such a strong and determined woman. Joel was loyal, caring and determined. Their chemistry was beautiful I loved the push and pull they had for each other. More Adah but you understand why throughout this book. I loved her growth most through this book. Both characters were written beautifully together. They were like magnets being pulled together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adah was such a strong and determined woman. Joel was loyal, caring and determined. Their chemistry was beautiful I loved the push and pull they had for each other. More Adah but you understand why throughout this book. I loved her growth most through this book. Both characters were written beautifully together. They were like magnets being pulled together.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2023
I loved loved loved this book so much. I love the dark books and this definitely delivered! It had a little bit of everything (humor, spice, raw emotions, etc.) and all rolled together made for a perfect book that will most certainly become a shelf favorite that you'll want to read again and again. This can be read as a stand-alone but I would recommend reading The Temple Brothers series if nothing else because it is such a good series that builds their world up and gives you more background. This book deals with very real issues and triggers and I would highly encourage you to check the content warnings and if you are okay with them... then this is 100% a book to add to your TBR. Elle Sparrow writes hit after hit and this one falls into that category. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationship develop and blossom between Joel and Adah and it was heart breaking watching Adah learn and heal from being freed from Zion and learning how to become her own person. It is single POV with a HEA.
February 15, 2025
Reasons why I loved this book:
1) Talk about a strong female character. Ahda escapes from an awful life. The portrayal of her breaking out of the grip of the abuse is handled so well. But yes there may be some triggers for some people.
2) Along with breaking out of an abusive situation, she is also facing an awakening from a cult/extreme religious group. While not all of us have escaped a cult, I bet more than a few came from some kind of hyper-religious background and can relate to having to relearn some things.
3) This book delves into BDSM and more specifically kink. And it’s not kink for spice sake. It’s kink for the safety, security, consent, respect and empowerment a sake. It’s kink that’s not (only) about sex but the broader aspects. So bravo.
4) Joel Whitlock. Joel Whitlock. Joel freaking Whitlock.
And just as an aside, usually I’m not a fan of a single parent/pregnancy trope… however when it actually adds to the story and isn’t there to check a trope box, I’m good. And this book is one where without that aspect it wouldn’t have been as good.
1) Talk about a strong female character. Ahda escapes from an awful life. The portrayal of her breaking out of the grip of the abuse is handled so well. But yes there may be some triggers for some people.
2) Along with breaking out of an abusive situation, she is also facing an awakening from a cult/extreme religious group. While not all of us have escaped a cult, I bet more than a few came from some kind of hyper-religious background and can relate to having to relearn some things.
3) This book delves into BDSM and more specifically kink. And it’s not kink for spice sake. It’s kink for the safety, security, consent, respect and empowerment a sake. It’s kink that’s not (only) about sex but the broader aspects. So bravo.
4) Joel Whitlock. Joel Whitlock. Joel freaking Whitlock.
And just as an aside, usually I’m not a fan of a single parent/pregnancy trope… however when it actually adds to the story and isn’t there to check a trope box, I’m good. And this book is one where without that aspect it wouldn’t have been as good.
September 30, 2023
This book tore my heart out and then put it back together again. A Lesson In Beginning is a spin-off of The Temple Brothers series and can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading it to get a better understanding of the cult background.
Adah has lost everything, her home, her family and everything she’s ever known. Now she has to try to make it one her own and take care of her young son. This poor woman has had a rough life and her story broke my heart. When she meets Joel she isn’t sure what to think of his gentleness and kindness. He is absolutely perfect for Adah! He is loving and patient and understanding and everything she needs. The relationship between these two characters was beautiful and heartwarming. Adan’s journey to find and love herself was beautiful and learning she was strong and could do what she needed to to be able to take care of herself and her son. Highly recommend but please check triggers!
Adah has lost everything, her home, her family and everything she’s ever known. Now she has to try to make it one her own and take care of her young son. This poor woman has had a rough life and her story broke my heart. When she meets Joel she isn’t sure what to think of his gentleness and kindness. He is absolutely perfect for Adah! He is loving and patient and understanding and everything she needs. The relationship between these two characters was beautiful and heartwarming. Adan’s journey to find and love herself was beautiful and learning she was strong and could do what she needed to to be able to take care of herself and her son. Highly recommend but please check triggers!
September 26, 2023
A Lesson in Beginning is the 1st book in the Temple Dungeon, the series I've been waiting for every since the Temple Brothers ended. All of the characters play important roles in Joel and Adah's story, so I highly recommend reading those books first, not least for the background of Adah's situation and trauma. The book is not an easy read, but a very rewarding one. Told exclusively from Adah's POV, it's a story of surviving, beginning a new life and finally thriving. There are tears, laughter, head-shaking moments, steamy hot sexy times, deep conversations, lots of heartache and heartbreak but in the end, a HEA that had me smiling through my tears. I'm looking forward to meeting all these wonderful characters again in the stories to come!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2023
To start this book hit all of the emotional buttons!
Full transparency starting this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it very much, but like all of Elle's work I full in LOVE with this story.
Not only do we follow Adah as she leaves her life at the cult behind to start over within the real world, but the BDSM world as well. Adah has been brainwashed since she was little to follow the rules of those that control the cult until their evil crimes have been brought to the light. Yet, as an innocent her life has been completely turned upside down. So she moves her and her son across the country to start over... and doe she ever!!!
This story has become one of my favorites this year due to the growth we see within Adah. Not only do we get to lean into the BDSM world with her we get to watch her grow as a person, mother, and sister along the way.
Full transparency starting this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it very much, but like all of Elle's work I full in LOVE with this story.
Not only do we follow Adah as she leaves her life at the cult behind to start over within the real world, but the BDSM world as well. Adah has been brainwashed since she was little to follow the rules of those that control the cult until their evil crimes have been brought to the light. Yet, as an innocent her life has been completely turned upside down. So she moves her and her son across the country to start over... and doe she ever!!!
This story has become one of my favorites this year due to the growth we see within Adah. Not only do we get to lean into the BDSM world with her we get to watch her grow as a person, mother, and sister along the way.
October 2, 2023
I absolutely loved reading this book! The attention to detail and character development was beautiful. In the beginning I was frustrated with Adah at times. The growth she had as a person deconstructing her beliefs and coping skills was incredibly heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Joel was wonderful and understanding of her journey and never forced her into anything only giving her acceptance and compassion. Their relationship was very sweet, supportive and spicy. This story is a standalone and can be read as such. For a better understanding of their history I definitely recommend reading the Temple brothers series first. I cannot wait to see what Elle does next in this series! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 2, 2023
Adah’s life in Zion has been all she’s ever known, so when her world was turned upside down and she was forced to leave the cult life she’s only known her world is completely rocked.
This is the story of the eldest sister of Ruth (the first wife from the Temple brothers series). Single mom, struggling with dealing with life outside of the walls of Zion and lies she was led to believe were truths.
Single POV, well written, and engaging. Adah’s story will have you in a mixture of emotions as she tries to discover who she is now that she has learned everything she once knew to be false. I started out with a real dislike for Adah but her story grew on me and I really started to feel for her.
Also where do I find me a Dr/head kitchen staff? Asking for a friend.
This is the story of the eldest sister of Ruth (the first wife from the Temple brothers series). Single mom, struggling with dealing with life outside of the walls of Zion and lies she was led to believe were truths.
Single POV, well written, and engaging. Adah’s story will have you in a mixture of emotions as she tries to discover who she is now that she has learned everything she once knew to be false. I started out with a real dislike for Adah but her story grew on me and I really started to feel for her.
Also where do I find me a Dr/head kitchen staff? Asking for a friend.
October 11, 2023
I don't know what I expected from this book but it was not a slow burn where the female main character is taking back her life and falling in love with her new, herself, and an understanding man.
Adah is at the lowest point in her life. She has just finished her ex-husband's trial and is living in a world she knows nothing about. The only person who could help her is her sister Ruth who lives in Portland with her Husband and the rest of her in-laws. Adah finds herself working in the kitchen of The Temple, a BDSM her family owns, where she meets Joel. This book is in the same universe as the Temple Brothers series. You do not have to read that series first before reading this one but there are ties to that story.
What this book has:
~Single POV
~Escaping your previous life
~Self Discovery
~Taking back your life
~Working through trauma
~Doctor MMC
~Praise Kink
~Slow Burn
~Amazing support system
Trigger warning:
~domestic abuse (past)
~kidnapping (someone else in the past)
~forced marriage
~abusive Cult
Thank you Elle Sparrow for the opportunity to arc read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Adah is at the lowest point in her life. She has just finished her ex-husband's trial and is living in a world she knows nothing about. The only person who could help her is her sister Ruth who lives in Portland with her Husband and the rest of her in-laws. Adah finds herself working in the kitchen of The Temple, a BDSM her family owns, where she meets Joel. This book is in the same universe as the Temple Brothers series. You do not have to read that series first before reading this one but there are ties to that story.
What this book has:
~Single POV
~Escaping your previous life
~Self Discovery
~Taking back your life
~Working through trauma
~Doctor MMC
~Praise Kink
~Slow Burn
~Amazing support system
Trigger warning:
~domestic abuse (past)
~kidnapping (someone else in the past)
~forced marriage
~abusive Cult
Thank you Elle Sparrow for the opportunity to arc read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2023
3.5 of 5🌶️
First off I would say that if you aren’t into or curious of BDSM I would reconsider this book as it is a heavy theme throughout the novel. However it is so very much worth the read to me as the story showcases BDSM wonderfully as well as the story of Adah is a heavy one. We get to witness her story of being a single mother finding her place in this world, relearning everything she thought was true, and embracing her sexuality. The epilogue nearly had me bawling in the car and I wish it could’ve been longer. Joel also gives us hope that the perfect one for you can find you when you least expect it and I was definitely here for their story!
First off I would say that if you aren’t into or curious of BDSM I would reconsider this book as it is a heavy theme throughout the novel. However it is so very much worth the read to me as the story showcases BDSM wonderfully as well as the story of Adah is a heavy one. We get to witness her story of being a single mother finding her place in this world, relearning everything she thought was true, and embracing her sexuality. The epilogue nearly had me bawling in the car and I wish it could’ve been longer. Joel also gives us hope that the perfect one for you can find you when you least expect it and I was definitely here for their story!
October 1, 2023
This book had me forgetting to eat while I devoured this story. Adah’s story is captivating and she is such a strong force of a woman! Despite everything she has been through, she is determined to give her son the life he deserves and she will break every mold to do so! The sheer amount of growth Adah has in this book is breathtaking. Seeing her struggles and her internal battles after the trial makes this story even more moving. This book had me bawling my eyes out because of the ending. Whether they were tears of joy or tears of sorrow, you will have to read to find out!
October 2, 2023
What a beautifully written book honestly I cried, I laughed and I blushed. Ada’s journey to self love after a horrible background, finding her family both blood and chosen and finding herself, the book is just amazing.
A slow start (I blame that on myself for not reading the adjoining series before this one) however the story line picked up very fast and it all began to make sense. The spicy scenes are soo thoroughly written you feel like they’re happening to yourself.
There isn’t a part of this book I would change or hated honestly.
A slow start (I blame that on myself for not reading the adjoining series before this one) however the story line picked up very fast and it all began to make sense. The spicy scenes are soo thoroughly written you feel like they’re happening to yourself.
There isn’t a part of this book I would change or hated honestly.
October 2, 2023
Adah Price has an incredible story in this book. She came from a religious cult that was torn down by the FBI. She has no family left except her sister Ruth, who lives in Portland with her husband Levi. She goes to Portland with her son Samuel to ask her sister for help. From there Adah learns how to deal with her trauma and to heal from it. In the process, she meets Joel who is a godsend of a man, who is just so perfect for Adah. From the moment they met, you could just feel the sexual tension. Overall the story was beautifully written and I loved every second of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2023
Okay okay. So I haven’t read the Temple brothers series. This was my first book. I was skeptical at first. Thought I wouldn’t understand what was happening. But i quickly found out they didn’t need to be read to understand. So that being said. I absolutely loved this story. The characters were great. I live how Adah evolved and got to understand the right way to be loved by someone and how she came out of her shell. 10/10 for my vote. Please read or add to your list!! I promise you won’t be sorry.
October 17, 2023
I may have already been a huge Elle Sparrow fan, but if I hadn’t been, there would be no question in my love after this one. Adah’s story here is one that will grip you tight and not let up until the very end. There is so much passion and emotion packed into one book with the perfect amount of spice to round it out.
While this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the Temple Brothers series for full appreciation of callbacks and some of the characters you’ll encounter.
I received an ARC of this book for review, but all statements are 100% my own honest, opinion.
While this can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the Temple Brothers series for full appreciation of callbacks and some of the characters you’ll encounter.
I received an ARC of this book for review, but all statements are 100% my own honest, opinion.
September 28, 2023
A lesson in beginning is a slow burn and gives you a peak in a live i know so little about, the cult aspect and the total opposite Bdsm community. But that just made it more interesting.
I know its a fiction story but it felt real.
And a story about a single mom that finds her way to happiness is something i definitely am al for! Even with a few mishaps on her way to it.
I really liked the book and how it was written.
And i definitely want to read about al the temple brothers !
I know its a fiction story but it felt real.
And a story about a single mom that finds her way to happiness is something i definitely am al for! Even with a few mishaps on her way to it.
I really liked the book and how it was written.
And i definitely want to read about al the temple brothers !
October 2, 2023
OMG! I loved this book so much! It's a beautiful story! Adah has lost everything & goes to her sister for help. She's introduced to a world she's not familiar with, but the group is all close knit. I absolutely loved this book! She has had a rough road; her story arc is incredible & Joel was the best thing that happened to her! I can't recommend this book enough! Elle has created a beautiful series & I loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews