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Innocent
First Impressions can be deceptive.
Aidan Blake needs a plumber. Fast. His boiler is dead, his creaky old house crumbling around him. When his elderly neighbour recommends a local trader, George Mahon, Aidan jumps at the prospect of hot water and warm radiators.
But George, short for Georgina, is not exactly what he had in mind. He was expecting something else entirely. A man for one thing, not the gorgeous single mother he finds in his house at the end of a long day.
Aidan turns out to be full of surprises too. Who would have imagined the smartly dressed businessman would have a BDSM playroom in his attic and a collection of whips and canes that makes George’s head spin. And her bottom clench, though that’s another matter entirely. Maybe she is not quite as innocent as she thought.
What does a girl have to do to get to play with those toys?
Just ask, it would seem. As they enter into a professional and personal agreement which soon blossoms into a sultry, kinky relationship, George continues to be surprised by Aidan's kindness and generosity, not to mention his skill with a spanking paddle.
First impressions aside, the two begin to build something together. And while they peel back the layers to discover their hidden depths, the old house yields up the mysteries of its own secret past. They soon realise that at first glance, nothing and no one is as innocent as they seem.
This book was previously published under the title First Impressions, with different cover art
Aidan Blake needs a plumber. Fast. His boiler is dead, his creaky old house crumbling around him. When his elderly neighbour recommends a local trader, George Mahon, Aidan jumps at the prospect of hot water and warm radiators.
But George, short for Georgina, is not exactly what he had in mind. He was expecting something else entirely. A man for one thing, not the gorgeous single mother he finds in his house at the end of a long day.
Aidan turns out to be full of surprises too. Who would have imagined the smartly dressed businessman would have a BDSM playroom in his attic and a collection of whips and canes that makes George’s head spin. And her bottom clench, though that’s another matter entirely. Maybe she is not quite as innocent as she thought.
What does a girl have to do to get to play with those toys?
Just ask, it would seem. As they enter into a professional and personal agreement which soon blossoms into a sultry, kinky relationship, George continues to be surprised by Aidan's kindness and generosity, not to mention his skill with a spanking paddle.
First impressions aside, the two begin to build something together. And while they peel back the layers to discover their hidden depths, the old house yields up the mysteries of its own secret past. They soon realise that at first glance, nothing and no one is as innocent as they seem.
This book was previously published under the title First Impressions, with different cover art
- GenresRomance
169 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2020
26 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Ashe Barker
142 books806 followersUntil 2010, Ashe was a director of a regeneration company before deciding there had to be more to life and leaving to pursue a lifetime goal of self-employment.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
Ashe has been an avid reader of erotic romance for many years—historical, contemporary, fantasy—you name it. Now, at last in control of her own time and working from her home in rural West Yorkshire, she has been able to realise her dream of writing sexy and compelling stories herself.
She draws on settings and anecdotes from her previous and current experience to lend colour, detail and realism to her plots and characters, but her stories of love, challenge, resilience and compassion are the conjurings of her own imagination. She loves to craft strong, enigmatic men and bright, sassy women to give them a hard time—in every sense of the word.
When she’s not writing, Ashe’s time is monopolised by her role as grandma to a lively toddler. She shares her writing space with a tortoise called Teefer.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 30, 2021
La lectura se me hizo ágil, rápida y entretenida. La relación de Amo y Sumisa me pareció buena, aunque ella creo que confía demasiado rápido en un tipo que apenas a visto.
Por otro lado, su relación es plana, no tiene dramas, ni nada wow. Cuándo se dicen <>>te amo parece que estuvieran discutiendo el clima jajaj🤣
El misterio de fondo 👀 no fue tan misterioso, con el puro prólogo lo adivinas.
En fin, es un libro para pasar el rato, nada más allá de eso.
Por otro lado, su relación es plana, no tiene dramas, ni nada wow. Cuándo se dicen <>>te amo parece que estuvieran discutiendo el clima jajaj🤣
El misterio de fondo 👀 no fue tan misterioso, con el puro prólogo lo adivinas.
En fin, es un libro para pasar el rato, nada más allá de eso.
August 3, 2020
Aidan and George meet when he hires her to fix up the house he recently inherited; soon the experienced dom is training the very enthusiastic newbie sub.
I had mixed feelings about this book, so let me just say in general that if you're looking for a well-described, consensual BDSM romance with low angst featuring two mature, likeable characters, you may enjoy this. I particularly liked that George, the "Jill-of-all-trades," was not as stereotypically feminine as many h's are in this genre.
I prefer Ms. Barker's contemporary books to her historicals because they're consensual, and her dialogue is much more natural and less stiff. Generally, this book was adequately written, though there were typos, such as missing commas and wrong word choice, and some info-dump surrounding the mc's respective jobs.
My problem with the book was its negligible plot: Aidan and George come to a meeting of the minds very quickly so there's absolutely no conflict or tension in their relationship; perhaps realizing this, Ms. Barker throws a dark secret into the mix. The problems with this strategy are: 1) this secret only tangentially affects the mc so I'm not sure what its point is; 2) it's glaringly obvious and very predicable; and 3) the narrative takes a "let's hide this under the rug" approach that is exactly what has enabled this "secret" for eons.
3 stars. It did pass the time; it was consensual; and I liked the characters.
I had mixed feelings about this book, so let me just say in general that if you're looking for a well-described, consensual BDSM romance with low angst featuring two mature, likeable characters, you may enjoy this. I particularly liked that George, the "Jill-of-all-trades," was not as stereotypically feminine as many h's are in this genre.
I prefer Ms. Barker's contemporary books to her historicals because they're consensual, and her dialogue is much more natural and less stiff. Generally, this book was adequately written, though there were typos, such as missing commas and wrong word choice, and some info-dump surrounding the mc's respective jobs.
My problem with the book was its negligible plot: Aidan and George come to a meeting of the minds very quickly so there's absolutely no conflict or tension in their relationship; perhaps realizing this, Ms. Barker throws a dark secret into the mix. The problems with this strategy are: 1) this secret only tangentially affects the mc so I'm not sure what its point is; 2) it's glaringly obvious and very predicable; and 3) the narrative takes a "let's hide this under the rug" approach that is exactly what has enabled this "secret" for eons.
3 stars. It did pass the time; it was consensual; and I liked the characters.
August 23, 2020
🖤🖤ONE THRILLING JOURNEY🖤🖤
Game on! Ashe brings it with this hot little treat, laying the base and stoking the flames, running onward and bringing this baby to heel, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, blasting this jewel to life flawlessly. Sparks fly as captivating drama, unveiling revelations, escalating intrigue and spiraling suspense ensues in epic proportions, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. Tempting, tangled and tightly entwined, baring the kinky quirks and defying bents, laying out the fervent facts, fiery feels and fierce fiascos, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. The attraction and chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back exposing thrilling emotions and a growing bond, binding them to one another perfectly. You feel everything the characters feel as if you're part of the adventure instead of on the sidelines. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuine formidable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Great job Ashe, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Game on! Ashe brings it with this hot little treat, laying the base and stoking the flames, running onward and bringing this baby to heel, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, blasting this jewel to life flawlessly. Sparks fly as captivating drama, unveiling revelations, escalating intrigue and spiraling suspense ensues in epic proportions, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never imagined. Tempting, tangled and tightly entwined, baring the kinky quirks and defying bents, laying out the fervent facts, fiery feels and fierce fiascos, testing our characters in ways they could have never envisioned. The attraction and chemistry builds as each layer is peeled back exposing thrilling emotions and a growing bond, binding them to one another perfectly. You feel everything the characters feel as if you're part of the adventure instead of on the sidelines. The characters, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits adding depth and diversity, transforming into genuine formidable personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Great job Ashe, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
August 23, 2020
This was a wonderful read, held my attention from start to finish
This story will have you on the end of your seat it is such a fast paced and full of action read that you will love every single moment of this book which was a spell binding read that completely held my attention from start to finish.
Tempting read with plenty of action and adventure with plenty of quirks and death defying acts that will hold your attention from start to finish, as you read the book you will see as the attraction between the two main characters begin to develop and their emotions begin growing and you are most assuredly drawn in by this wonderful writer.
Highly recommend this read, I know that you will be totally blown away with these wonderfully written characters and a simply marvellous plot.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
This story will have you on the end of your seat it is such a fast paced and full of action read that you will love every single moment of this book which was a spell binding read that completely held my attention from start to finish.
Tempting read with plenty of action and adventure with plenty of quirks and death defying acts that will hold your attention from start to finish, as you read the book you will see as the attraction between the two main characters begin to develop and their emotions begin growing and you are most assuredly drawn in by this wonderful writer.
Highly recommend this read, I know that you will be totally blown away with these wonderfully written characters and a simply marvellous plot.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.
August 28, 2020
I understood this was previously published under the title "First Impressions" but since I hadn't read that one either, this was a whole new storyline for me. Ashe Barker has an uncanny way of putting her words together so they paint a picture which turns into a movie within my mind. The morning Aiden wakes to find out his boiler has gone out and he trots over to his elderly next-door neighbor to see if she knew the name of a reputable plumber that wouldn't charge him an arm and a leg, that started it for me. There are pieces and parts within the book that just REALLY made me chuckle because it was funny. Then there are parts where the chemistry between Aiden and George starts building and you can physically feel the tension within the words. This was a great story that produced all the feels that come with a BDSM Romance. I would gladly recommend this book.
August 19, 2020
This was an unusual story but a really lovely one as well. The mystery surrounding the young girl in the prologue is solved until the last chapter and even if you think you know who she was you will still be surprised. Aiden has to be one of the most considerate Dom’s I have read about and George the most innocent but willing submissive and together they are a perfect match and let’s not forget Lilly who Aiden seems to love as much as George. A real feel good story that will make you smile and also a little sad, but it has a happy ending.
August 20, 2020
Please note this is a re-release so you may have previously read it. Aidan is in need of a plumber and George is recommend to him. Little did he know that it was short for Georgina. When she discovers his playroom, they discover they have kink in common and enter into a contract. Will it become more? Fast-paced read with great characters, lots of depth and great twists and turns. I liked it.
September 4, 2020
Sweet and Spicy Story
A thoroughly enjoyable read - likeable characters, a believable story progression, and just the sweetest baby ever. The spicy scenes with George and Aidan were so hot, I needed to grab a glass of water to cool down. I was surprised by the way it started, but it comes full circle (no spoilers here!). I would highly recommend this book.
August 3, 2020
A sweet book.
The story between the H and h is sweet and no angst at all, which is nice, I like the trope of girls mistaken for boys because of their name and line of work
The only difficult thing is all about the other characters, which was bittersweet
The story between the H and h is sweet and no angst at all, which is nice, I like the trope of girls mistaken for boys because of their name and line of work
The only difficult thing is all about the other characters, which was bittersweet
August 22, 2020
Interesting twist
I really liked the progression of the main story and the sub-plot twisted within was interesting. The main story was a gentle intro to BDSM for a new sub. Pretty hot!
I really liked the progression of the main story and the sub-plot twisted within was interesting. The main story was a gentle intro to BDSM for a new sub. Pretty hot!
September 7, 2020
An excellent story
What a great story! Sudan and George meet when he hires her to do some repairs in his new home and he introduces her to submission. The secondary story made me cry at the end. It was lovely.
What a great story! Sudan and George meet when he hires her to do some repairs in his new home and he introduces her to submission. The secondary story made me cry at the end. It was lovely.
August 11, 2020
Wonderful story
Totally enjoyed this book. My first review and well worth the read. Story brought out all my feelings and I was captivated by the characters and their feelings.
Totally enjoyed this book. My first review and well worth the read. Story brought out all my feelings and I was captivated by the characters and their feelings.
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August 3, 2023
Lovely
Lovely story with very nice characters. Has an HEA and a wonderful secret ending. There is some sexual heat, just enough to be interesting. Thank you Ms. Barker!
Lovely story with very nice characters. Has an HEA and a wonderful secret ending. There is some sexual heat, just enough to be interesting. Thank you Ms. Barker!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews