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Honey #2
The Farthest Edge
A man without a past. A woman who lost her future. Together they'll push each other to the farthest edge and ignite a passion that's harder and deeper than they ever imagined. But is it strong enough to turn into something real and lasting? In the second highly anticipated book in the Honey series, New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley once again delivers a smoldering hot story that is achingly romantic and populated with intensely raw characters that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Branch doesn’t exist. Living off the grid, he’s looking for a way to forget his past and the guilt that plagues him. But no woman has ever been able to bring him to the edge he craves.
After a traumatic experience of her own, Evangeline stepped away from the decadent world of the Honey Club. But when she gets Branch’s offer—to play without boundaries or commitments—it’s too tempting for her to refuse.
As their passion ignites, Evangeline and Branch push each other to their farthest limit, fulfilling their darkest desires while falling harder and deeper than they ever imagined.
Branch doesn’t exist. Living off the grid, he’s looking for a way to forget his past and the guilt that plagues him. But no woman has ever been able to bring him to the edge he craves.
After a traumatic experience of her own, Evangeline stepped away from the decadent world of the Honey Club. But when she gets Branch’s offer—to play without boundaries or commitments—it’s too tempting for her to refuse.
As their passion ignites, Evangeline and Branch push each other to their farthest limit, fulfilling their darkest desires while falling harder and deeper than they ever imagined.
497 pages, ebook
First published June 6, 2017
About the author
Kristen Ashley
123 books38.6k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews
December 18, 2018
The woman was genius.
And he was fucked.
5+ AlphaS stars
F*ck my life! This book!
Floved it, freaking f*cking loved it!
Fabulous. Exquisite.
One of the best books I read this year
It was a bit different from the 1st one in this series; much deeper, more beautiful.
TWO amazing STRONG leads.
TWO charismatic STRONG personalities.
Strong but vulnerable woman and strong but vulnerable man.
His Alpha to her Alpha.
His strength to her strength.
His claim to her claim.
His love to her love.
I don’t know how the author did it, but I loved almost every single line of the book.
I don’t usually read BDSM, but I love different books - cliché free.
I get off on strong female characters.
And in this case I got not only an amazing, beautiful woman with steel backbone but also an OTT hot Alpha.
Damaged man without identity; lost soul searching for love.
Hurt strong woman; broken heart searching for love.
I have a feeling I need to set it straight (because of his sexual preferences) - that this Hero was an Alpha, at least in my understanding of a strong male.
Read these lines, and if you tell me the man who said it (and did it) was not an Alpha, please feel free to troll the f*cking hell out of my review! No b*llshit!
You do not harm someone who doesn’t deserve to be harmed. You absolutely do not take your fists to a woman. And you categorically do not hurt someone who’s put their trust in you and has given you a place in their heart. I figure, if every motherfucker who took his fists to a woman or a child or anyone who loved them got his jaw broken and his life dismantled, that shit would stop. Since that doesn’t happen, it goes on. But I was in a position to make certain the man who harmed you learned a lesson. So I gave it to him. And I don’t regret it.”
It's not that I have a need to speak the hero well.
And I don’t encourage you to read this book. No way! It’s up to you!
It’s just that the main plot of this series may give readers the presumption of weak male characters… I wanted to rebut it.
I don’t judge people because of their sexuality.
I don’t reduce people to their sexuality.
And if a man likes to be f*cked anal and take it from his woman, but treat her right outside of a bedroom – I personally have NO problem with that.
To me the hero of this book was one of the strongest male leads I read.
I respected the sh*t out of him.
He was even a bit too much Alpha for my liking.
I floved how he claimed her, how he let her claim him. How he cared for his woman, how he respected her.
AMAZING HERO!!! He deserved to be called a MAN!
She was strong and soft, she was fire and light,
she was his anchor and he was her harbor.
Very feminine woman.
A woman with flaws, with doubts, with hopes.
A woman who yearned for love, a woman who gave herself and took her claim.
A woman who dominated, but also cared; a woman who hurt but also smoothed.
But if you need more, baby, I’m here to give you what you need,” she murmured. “I get the score. Don’t you worry. But don’t you underestimate me either. Because I get what I want and if I want you, in the end, you’re going to give yourself to me. And it’s not just that. It’s also that if you want me, and you’re right here, you’re back, you said it yourself, you couldn’t stay away, so I know you want me, and that means I’m going to give myself to you too.”
I don’t read romance to feed my carnal hunger for fictional “Alphas”. I live my books, I need a character(s) to relate.
I feel the Alphas different as a romance sells them to me. I don’t find it sexy when a man slept with half of earth population, I don’t accept when a man treats any woman with little to none respect.
Male strength in not an ability to push a woman to her knees, to jerk her around, to push her limits and to bark the orders.
Male strength is love and devotion, when a man stands by his woman, when he let her take the lead, but also shares a power with her; when a man loves his woman and opens to her – it’s breathtaking.
The strength is not only a physic; the strength is also an emotion.
This man would die for his woman, he would give his life for her without any hesitation. Damn, I loved this guy!
Yes, he was a sub. Yes, he loved to be dominated by her. And?
I’m, as not a fan of BDSM in general and anal in particular, didn’t find their scenes disturbing. I even enjoyed them.
Yes. And I’m NOT ashamed to admit it ;-)
All sex-scenes were written extremely tasteful and sensual.
They switched, they did Vanilla.
And it was beautiful. Every single time beautiful.
Because that was what they were.
Normal people.
With a delicious twist.
This book was not only about sex. Very well written suspense and action.
Intriguing side characters.
Many sweet and touching moments.
Many hot and sexy scenes.
The perfect mix.
Exquisite!
Detailed safety:
May 26, 2020
4.5 stars
HOLY HOTNESS!!!
OMG! This book was the BOMB!!
I already enjoyed The Deep End (book1, my review can be found here) but The Farthest Edge was even better!!!
In book 1 there was a slaughter of info about the club, how it’s done, descriptions, explanations, getting the reader comfortable in this new world of KA. In The Farthest Edge the main attraction was the relationship between Branch and Evangeline.
Whereas Olivier and Amèlie got their rocks off by showing off and were very much exhibitionist. Branch and Evangeline were the opposite. They were very private and they had reasons for that.
Branch was literally a dead man walking. The boogieman that visited people in their nightmares. He lived the life of a ghost, not thinking or planing a future, just living for revenge. Evangeline, on the other hand, survived a horrific event by the hands of her former partner which in turn made her step back from the scene and the lifestyle of a Domme. She distanced herself from most of her friends and her old life, denying herself the pleasure of being a Domme.
When club owner Aryas dared her to try out a new sub that he thought would be perfect for her, she was unsure but also excited. It turned out that her new sub couldn’t have been any better for her.
Branch was everything an alpha should be. Brooding, dangerous, domineering, assertive and self assured. He was almost cold, without any notable emotions. He went after what he needed to get off, but allowed himself nothing more. No relations outside of the scene. He got off and he was gone.
Until Evangeline decided to make him HERS. From there on, he slowly thawed towards her.
And can I just say how HOT this book was.
Not only the sex but also the way Branch went after what he needed. Unapologetic, demanding, bossy. He didn’t care who knew, or who saw. Just the end result counted. What a BADASS!!!!!! Whew!!! HOT! And he was such an alpha, and so sweet towards his woman that made my heart melt.
I loved that this book was more about the relationship between the couple than about the club. I’ve read enough BDSM books to have a basic understanding of how it works, I don’t need the descriptions, and explanations, it’s becoming repetitive. So, reading The Farthest Edge made me very happy.
I also thought that Kristen Ashley outdid herself with this book.
Her characters were incredibly likable. Evangeline was the very opposite to Branch. Warm and nurturing, to his coldness. And they worked! They completed each other.
I loved this book!!!! It was a true pleasure to read it.
Also kudos to Kristen Ashley for writing outside the box. For continuing a series that has her fans on opposite sites. It just cemented my believe that she actually can write whatever she wants and it will be a page turner. That’s an incredible feat. BRAVO!!!!
___________________________________
Find more reviews and book recommendations on my blog.
Find me on Bookstagram.
HOLY HOTNESS!!!
OMG! This book was the BOMB!!
I already enjoyed The Deep End (book1, my review can be found here) but The Farthest Edge was even better!!!
In book 1 there was a slaughter of info about the club, how it’s done, descriptions, explanations, getting the reader comfortable in this new world of KA. In The Farthest Edge the main attraction was the relationship between Branch and Evangeline.
Whereas Olivier and Amèlie got their rocks off by showing off and were very much exhibitionist. Branch and Evangeline were the opposite. They were very private and they had reasons for that.
Branch was literally a dead man walking. The boogieman that visited people in their nightmares. He lived the life of a ghost, not thinking or planing a future, just living for revenge. Evangeline, on the other hand, survived a horrific event by the hands of her former partner which in turn made her step back from the scene and the lifestyle of a Domme. She distanced herself from most of her friends and her old life, denying herself the pleasure of being a Domme.
When club owner Aryas dared her to try out a new sub that he thought would be perfect for her, she was unsure but also excited. It turned out that her new sub couldn’t have been any better for her.
Branch was everything an alpha should be. Brooding, dangerous, domineering, assertive and self assured. He was almost cold, without any notable emotions. He went after what he needed to get off, but allowed himself nothing more. No relations outside of the scene. He got off and he was gone.
Until Evangeline decided to make him HERS. From there on, he slowly thawed towards her.
And can I just say how HOT this book was.
Not only the sex but also the way Branch went after what he needed. Unapologetic, demanding, bossy. He didn’t care who knew, or who saw. Just the end result counted. What a BADASS!!!!!! Whew!!! HOT! And he was such an alpha, and so sweet towards his woman that made my heart melt.
I loved that this book was more about the relationship between the couple than about the club. I’ve read enough BDSM books to have a basic understanding of how it works, I don’t need the descriptions, and explanations, it’s becoming repetitive. So, reading The Farthest Edge made me very happy.
I also thought that Kristen Ashley outdid herself with this book.
Her characters were incredibly likable. Evangeline was the very opposite to Branch. Warm and nurturing, to his coldness. And they worked! They completed each other.
I loved this book!!!! It was a true pleasure to read it.
Also kudos to Kristen Ashley for writing outside the box. For continuing a series that has her fans on opposite sites. It just cemented my believe that she actually can write whatever she wants and it will be a page turner. That’s an incredible feat. BRAVO!!!!
___________________________________
Find more reviews and book recommendations on my blog.
Find me on Bookstagram.
June 10, 2017
Kristen Ashley gives her fans another aluring and passionate love story with a whole lot of blazing hot kink.
How can a man who doesn’t exist and a woman whose existence has been shaken find common ground and a possible future together?
Very few things are known about the man who sporadically works as security for The Bee’s Honey, and exclusive BDSM club. He lives for revenge, but only one person knows that. He leads a solitary life except for when it comes to his carnal needs to which he prefers to submit. Finding a skilled Domme though hadn’t been easy until the Honey’s owner refers him to Evangeline and now that he’s had the pleasure of being under her whip, he’s questioning everything.
After a scene gone wrong, Evangeline didn’t just step away from the Domme, lifestyle she distanced herself from everyone she cared about. But it’s time to get back on the saddle or behind the crop in her case. And nothing makes her more determined to get back to the scene than the seemingly cold and unbreakable Branch. It’ll take time, care and patience, but together, Branch and Evangeline will take each other to heights they’d never imagined and push one another to edge, creating a bond so deep and intense it’s impossible to ignore, but will it strong enough survive their pasts?
If you love sizzling hot romances and Kristen Ashley, this is definitely a must read especially if you like the Deep End. But where the previous book set up the Bee’s Honey world and its characters, and featured the very outwardly Olivier and Amèlie who delighted in putting on a show, the Farthest Edge centers on the relationship between two very reserved people. No matter what the plot, characters or setting though, you can always count on KA to feed our romantic addiction with deliciously sweet love stories linking a magnificent alpha male and a woman crafted just for him.
Branch is a hero you can easily fall for even though he’s closed off and reclusive, there are good reasons for this. He’s also self-assured, caring and definitely knows what he wants and under Evangeline’s persistence and attention they’re both likely to fall because the bond that forms between the two may start off as extraordinary sensual, but it slowly turns into so much more.
As an erotic romance, you should expect abundant amounts of kinky sex, but if you strip that away you get a satisfyingly sweet and tender romance.
The Farthest Edge is book #2 in the Honey series by Kristen Ashley. It is a DBSM erotic read. It’s told from both points of view with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/2qCj6xz
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
How can a man who doesn’t exist and a woman whose existence has been shaken find common ground and a possible future together?
Very few things are known about the man who sporadically works as security for The Bee’s Honey, and exclusive BDSM club. He lives for revenge, but only one person knows that. He leads a solitary life except for when it comes to his carnal needs to which he prefers to submit. Finding a skilled Domme though hadn’t been easy until the Honey’s owner refers him to Evangeline and now that he’s had the pleasure of being under her whip, he’s questioning everything.
After a scene gone wrong, Evangeline didn’t just step away from the Domme, lifestyle she distanced herself from everyone she cared about. But it’s time to get back on the saddle or behind the crop in her case. And nothing makes her more determined to get back to the scene than the seemingly cold and unbreakable Branch. It’ll take time, care and patience, but together, Branch and Evangeline will take each other to heights they’d never imagined and push one another to edge, creating a bond so deep and intense it’s impossible to ignore, but will it strong enough survive their pasts?
If you love sizzling hot romances and Kristen Ashley, this is definitely a must read especially if you like the Deep End. But where the previous book set up the Bee’s Honey world and its characters, and featured the very outwardly Olivier and Amèlie who delighted in putting on a show, the Farthest Edge centers on the relationship between two very reserved people. No matter what the plot, characters or setting though, you can always count on KA to feed our romantic addiction with deliciously sweet love stories linking a magnificent alpha male and a woman crafted just for him.
Branch is a hero you can easily fall for even though he’s closed off and reclusive, there are good reasons for this. He’s also self-assured, caring and definitely knows what he wants and under Evangeline’s persistence and attention they’re both likely to fall because the bond that forms between the two may start off as extraordinary sensual, but it slowly turns into so much more.
As an erotic romance, you should expect abundant amounts of kinky sex, but if you strip that away you get a satisfyingly sweet and tender romance.
The Farthest Edge is book #2 in the Honey series by Kristen Ashley. It is a DBSM erotic read. It’s told from both points of view with a happy ending.
4.5 stars
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/2qCj6xz
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via InkSlinger. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter * Pinterest Board for Book Teasers
June 6, 2017
The Farthest Edge is the perfect mix of the traditional and the new out of the box Kristen Ashley! She is totally rocking this new concept! The book is sexy AF, sweet as sin, and absolutely UN-PUT-DOWNABLE! I loved every single second. From the opening pages, which totally grab the reader’s attention, to the very end that pushes you right over the edge into all out bliss.
Here’s the breakdown: We met Branch in Book 1 during Amelie and Ollie’s story. He works as a Private Investigator for the owner of The Honey. Similarly, with Evangeline we’re introduced to her in book 1 after experiencing a traumatic event at the club. Both characters are dealing with issues. When they come together, each realizes there's an expiration date on the relationship, but what if they reach the farthest edge and decide to go over together?
"If she could take him over that edge, she needed to make sure she'd created a safe place for him to land.
What I loved: One word – Branch. Holy shit! He is hot as hell!! I must admit, the whole concept of an alpha-sub was a new for me, but Branch embodies the concept perfectly. He’s a sub, but one who is not afraid of taking what he wants. Also, I’m a bit of a sucker for the broody, complicated, dark alpha. Yep, that��s Branch. Gah, he is EVERYTHING!
I really should have listed main characters, because Evangeline was pretty spectacular as well. She’s a self-sufficient, independent, woman who knows herself. She takes charge and regardless of her size, she commands respect. Loved her!
The storyline is brilliant. It’s the perfect combination of old and new K.A. Hot, badass alpha who gets shit done with a sassy female heroine at his back.
The setup for future stories. This is probably a weird one to note, but it’s what I’ve enjoyed most about each of the books in the series. They each make you want to know more about the secondary characters. It’s rather brilliant. I was already hoping for more Stellan and we get lots of him this time around. I hope book 3 is his story. I’m on pins and needles!!
Overall, I loved it. I hope you can tell that by this gushing review. The only hiccup I had with the book is the syntax – the sentence structure tripped me up a couple times and I’m a seasoned K.A. vet. It was only a very minor issue, so all in all I enjoyed the book and give it my highest recommendation!! It’s a TJ Top Fave!
4.75 Stars
For more of my ramblings♥:
Follow me on Wordpress
https://tjlovesbooks.blog
Here’s the breakdown: We met Branch in Book 1 during Amelie and Ollie’s story. He works as a Private Investigator for the owner of The Honey. Similarly, with Evangeline we’re introduced to her in book 1 after experiencing a traumatic event at the club. Both characters are dealing with issues. When they come together, each realizes there's an expiration date on the relationship, but what if they reach the farthest edge and decide to go over together?
"If she could take him over that edge, she needed to make sure she'd created a safe place for him to land.
What I loved: One word – Branch. Holy shit! He is hot as hell!! I must admit, the whole concept of an alpha-sub was a new for me, but Branch embodies the concept perfectly. He’s a sub, but one who is not afraid of taking what he wants. Also, I’m a bit of a sucker for the broody, complicated, dark alpha. Yep, that��s Branch. Gah, he is EVERYTHING!
I really should have listed main characters, because Evangeline was pretty spectacular as well. She’s a self-sufficient, independent, woman who knows herself. She takes charge and regardless of her size, she commands respect. Loved her!
The storyline is brilliant. It’s the perfect combination of old and new K.A. Hot, badass alpha who gets shit done with a sassy female heroine at his back.
The setup for future stories. This is probably a weird one to note, but it’s what I’ve enjoyed most about each of the books in the series. They each make you want to know more about the secondary characters. It’s rather brilliant. I was already hoping for more Stellan and we get lots of him this time around. I hope book 3 is his story. I’m on pins and needles!!
Overall, I loved it. I hope you can tell that by this gushing review. The only hiccup I had with the book is the syntax – the sentence structure tripped me up a couple times and I’m a seasoned K.A. vet. It was only a very minor issue, so all in all I enjoyed the book and give it my highest recommendation!! It’s a TJ Top Fave!
4.75 Stars
For more of my ramblings♥:
Follow me on Wordpress
https://tjlovesbooks.blog
December 30, 2017
3.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was definitely a different type of KA book! I liked it, but I think it could've been better. It was hot for sure, but I also think that the scenes became a little too much of a focus in the book and I wanted more depth in them working through their issues instead. I know I might be a minority in that 😜 I also felt left hanging a little with the ending. We get them talking about their dreams of a future, but we don't get a glimpse of it -- which I found disappointing. Where is that solid ending that I have no issues in calling it a "HEA" that KA is usually so good at giving me?!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evangeline and Branch's story. They meet when a mutual friend sets up a meeting between them to see if Branch might be a good submissive for the Dominant Evangeline. They both are damaged and have a lot of baggage they bring into the potential relationship. It takes a while, but they eventually start a no-strings-attached D/s relationship. The more they spend time together the more Evangeline wants to break through Branch's walls and help both of them heal, and the more stronger feelings start to develop. There is some baggage they have to get through and some hot sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between focusing on Evangeline and Branch in 3rd person narrative. There are a few small sections that focus on side characters.
Overall Pace of Story: Good for the most part. The very beginning was kind of slow, and it had the typical KA over descriptions of the decor, style, etc. I skimmed a little to get past the first part of this, and then I didn't have an issue with it again.
Instalove: No, I felt like they take a while to develop stronger feelings and express them (but at the end in a discussion they do imply that it was love at first sight).
H rating: 4 Stars. Branch. I liked him. He was definitely a damaged hero. I appreciated that even though he was a sexual submissive, he had alpha tendencies outside the bedroom.
h rating: 4.5 stars. Evangeline. I really liked her. She was confident in who she was, but was also cautious with her heart.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes. BDSM style scenes (see below Trigger section for specifics). There is a good bit of it, so I would say that this borders the line between what I consider "erotica" vs. "romance". I still think the storyline was the main focus instead of the sex, so I would call it romance...but not by a lot.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No, once they're together they stay together. There are a few instances of the H being away physically, but I wouldn't call them "separations".
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure, but I wanted a more cemented future for the couple! The epilogue did give me closure, but it felt like it was focused on other characters a little too much for my liking. I am picky in what I call a "HEA", so others might be fine in calling this one -- but I am deeming it a HFN ending....
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: This was definitely a different type of KA book! I liked it, but I think it could've been better. It was hot for sure, but I also think that the scenes became a little too much of a focus in the book and I wanted more depth in them working through their issues instead. I know I might be a minority in that 😜 I also felt left hanging a little with the ending. We get them talking about their dreams of a future, but we don't get a glimpse of it -- which I found disappointing. Where is that solid ending that I have no issues in calling it a "HEA" that KA is usually so good at giving me?!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Evangeline and Branch's story. They meet when a mutual friend sets up a meeting between them to see if Branch might be a good submissive for the Dominant Evangeline. They both are damaged and have a lot of baggage they bring into the potential relationship. It takes a while, but they eventually start a no-strings-attached D/s relationship. The more they spend time together the more Evangeline wants to break through Branch's walls and help both of them heal, and the more stronger feelings start to develop. There is some baggage they have to get through and some hot sexy times...and they get a HFN ending.
POV: This alternated between focusing on Evangeline and Branch in 3rd person narrative. There are a few small sections that focus on side characters.
Overall Pace of Story: Good for the most part. The very beginning was kind of slow, and it had the typical KA over descriptions of the decor, style, etc. I skimmed a little to get past the first part of this, and then I didn't have an issue with it again.
Instalove: No, I felt like they take a while to develop stronger feelings and express them (but at the end in a discussion they do imply that it was love at first sight).
H rating: 4 Stars. Branch. I liked him. He was definitely a damaged hero. I appreciated that even though he was a sexual submissive, he had alpha tendencies outside the bedroom.
h rating: 4.5 stars. Evangeline. I really liked her. She was confident in who she was, but was also cautious with her heart.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes. BDSM style scenes (see below Trigger section for specifics). There is a good bit of it, so I would say that this borders the line between what I consider "erotica" vs. "romance". I still think the storyline was the main focus instead of the sex, so I would call it romance...but not by a lot.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No, once they're together they stay together. There are a few instances of the H being away physically, but I wouldn't call them "separations".
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had alright closure, but I wanted a more cemented future for the couple! The epilogue did give me closure, but it felt like it was focused on other characters a little too much for my liking. I am picky in what I call a "HEA", so others might be fine in calling this one -- but I am deeming it a HFN ending....
Safety: This one should be either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
June 5, 2017
Happy to be back at the Honey Club and even happier that Kristen Ashley went right into the two characters that intrigued me the most in The Deep End … Evangeline and Branch. The two people, besides Aryas, that had me wondering exactly what went on with the both of them. And, Ms. Ashley did not disappoint me in the least with the telling of their story, of explaining what got them to this place in their lives and how beautiful it would be when they healed each other.
Branch was mysterious, dangerous and sexually submissive. Evangeline was wary, afraid and a Domme through and through. Branch never encountered a woman who could totally master him. Evangeline finally met the man that could possibly shatter her in more ways than one. But, as their story progresses, as Evangeline gets her confidence back and Branch finally lets go, things get even more intriguing. Branch’s past is rearing its ugly head and that may be the one thing that pulls him away from the woman he is falling in love with.
Branch confuses Evangeline. First he is on guard, then he is sweet, then he is closed-off, then he is protective. He doesn’t want to be outed but then does things that make it hard for her to keep his secret. She’s falling in love with him but has no idea where it will lead. After no contact with him and a visit from a mysterious stranger, she knows that her heart will stop when he walks out of her life.
As the Honey Club progresses and we learn more and more about the characters, you can’t help but wonder where Kristen Ashley is taking this series. As she introduces new people into the mix, you have to hope that, in the end, they will all get their happily-ever-afters. She is showing us different sides to everyone involved and keeps us on our toes throughout the series.
Kristen Ashley is a very talented author. She knows how to write a story that is fluent, flowing and interesting. Her characters are very well thought out and she makes sure that you understand them and their actions. I know, sitting down to one of her stories, that I will be entertained, intrigued and satisfied.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
October 12, 2017
DNF at 45%
The only explanation I can have for why I even started this book, much less made it this far to even write a "review" for this pile of nonsense, is that my topnotch buddy and I decided it would be fun to attempt this series one more time. Why we thought this would be fun, considering we didn't even make it to fifty percent of THE DEEP END.. I'll never know. Well, I kinda do. We were punch drunk over the idea of the hilarity that would ensue if we recreated our bookclub style readathon from earlier in the year.
Spoiler. There was no hilarity.
Said topnotch buddy abandoned me after three chapters (for posterity I would like the record to show she's the [ex?] fangirl, pas moi). I made it to about halfway. Why? Hell if I know. Okay, fine, again, I do know. I wanted to move past the atrocious introduction of Branch's background (that's right, his name is Branch) that made the beginning of this book out to be some discarded first draft of The Losers. Y'know, the action movie full of dumbdumbs who are betrayed and left for dead by a corrupt government.. person.. something like that. Whatever, I forget the details; you don't watch that kind of movie for the plot anyway. That said I don't understand what that background did for this plot either.
While neither of these characters were as awful as those from book one, the few sex scenes I experienced in this less than complete readthrough were.. all the same. This is the least edgy erotica I think I've ever experienced. It's more like lather, rinse, repeat. Mindless. Rote. Zzzzz-boring. The only reason I suffered through endless verbal diarrhea in the form of exposition and dialogue, stupid run-on sentences, and the constant spoon-feeding of information that literally made me lose braincells because the author thought the reader couldn't make simple assertions even after given an overabundance of (too much..) information, was to see if KA could actually deliver some kind of titillation after the massive fail of book one. The answer? No.
I found this installment to be less stomach-churningly awful to experience but I'm pretty sure my eyes were glazed over as I pressed on through each additional chapter. I may even have blacked out briefly between pages. It was just, plainly, stupid. Suffice it to say we're not going to be trying this a third time.
There are many a KA-immitator out in the romance and fiction world but no one does it quite like her. This might sound like a compliment but honestly I just don't know people manage to trudge through the tripe. To each their own, of course, and I know I've crossed the line from criticism to just plain mean but I will just never get the appeal of this style of writing or these kinds of characters.
The only explanation I can have for why I even started this book, much less made it this far to even write a "review" for this pile of nonsense, is that my topnotch buddy and I decided it would be fun to attempt this series one more time. Why we thought this would be fun, considering we didn't even make it to fifty percent of THE DEEP END.. I'll never know. Well, I kinda do. We were punch drunk over the idea of the hilarity that would ensue if we recreated our bookclub style readathon from earlier in the year.
Spoiler. There was no hilarity.
Said topnotch buddy abandoned me after three chapters (for posterity I would like the record to show she's the [ex?] fangirl, pas moi). I made it to about halfway. Why? Hell if I know. Okay, fine, again, I do know. I wanted to move past the atrocious introduction of Branch's background (that's right, his name is Branch) that made the beginning of this book out to be some discarded first draft of The Losers. Y'know, the action movie full of dumbdumbs who are betrayed and left for dead by a corrupt government.. person.. something like that. Whatever, I forget the details; you don't watch that kind of movie for the plot anyway. That said I don't understand what that background did for this plot either.
While neither of these characters were as awful as those from book one, the few sex scenes I experienced in this less than complete readthrough were.. all the same. This is the least edgy erotica I think I've ever experienced. It's more like lather, rinse, repeat. Mindless. Rote. Zzzzz-boring. The only reason I suffered through endless verbal diarrhea in the form of exposition and dialogue, stupid run-on sentences, and the constant spoon-feeding of information that literally made me lose braincells because the author thought the reader couldn't make simple assertions even after given an overabundance of (too much..) information, was to see if KA could actually deliver some kind of titillation after the massive fail of book one. The answer? No.
I found this installment to be less stomach-churningly awful to experience but I'm pretty sure my eyes were glazed over as I pressed on through each additional chapter. I may even have blacked out briefly between pages. It was just, plainly, stupid. Suffice it to say we're not going to be trying this a third time.
There are many a KA-immitator out in the romance and fiction world but no one does it quite like her. This might sound like a compliment but honestly I just don't know people manage to trudge through the tripe. To each their own, of course, and I know I've crossed the line from criticism to just plain mean but I will just never get the appeal of this style of writing or these kinds of characters.
June 16, 2018
5 The Farthest Edge Stars
I enjoyed this book in a totally different way than I enjoyed book 1.
I can’t tell you how freaking HOT this book is. Now normally a male sub I am cool with, it’s the female Domme’s I am not a fan of.
Evangeline, she doesn’t come across as what a Domme is if that makes sense. She could be anyone in any place and I think that is why I liked her so much. She gets off on being a Domme but not in a way that is power hungry. It is just the way she was built and she learned the right way to go about it.
BUT let me tell you Branch is not your regular everyday sub no sir, he is also very Alpha. He just likes to have his women be in charge...MOST of the time.
These two both know something in there pasts is holding them back. They might both know the score but feelings don’t care and when that happens; well you kind of have to roll with the punches.
I loved how they were both willing to take a chance whether it was the scariest thing either of them had to do.
Amazing. Kristen Ashley does it again; she can jump genres and still make a story worth reading and re-reading.
The narration awesome though the voice and accent of Amèlie I don’t know it just wasn’t what I was expecting. Still Lizbeth Gwynn kills it with making each character jump from the page.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I enjoyed this book in a totally different way than I enjoyed book 1.
I can’t tell you how freaking HOT this book is. Now normally a male sub I am cool with, it’s the female Domme’s I am not a fan of.
Evangeline, she doesn’t come across as what a Domme is if that makes sense. She could be anyone in any place and I think that is why I liked her so much. She gets off on being a Domme but not in a way that is power hungry. It is just the way she was built and she learned the right way to go about it.
BUT let me tell you Branch is not your regular everyday sub no sir, he is also very Alpha. He just likes to have his women be in charge...MOST of the time.
These two both know something in there pasts is holding them back. They might both know the score but feelings don’t care and when that happens; well you kind of have to roll with the punches.
I loved how they were both willing to take a chance whether it was the scariest thing either of them had to do.
Amazing. Kristen Ashley does it again; she can jump genres and still make a story worth reading and re-reading.
The narration awesome though the voice and accent of Amèlie I don’t know it just wasn’t what I was expecting. Still Lizbeth Gwynn kills it with making each character jump from the page.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
June 7, 2017
Explosive best describes this second standalone in the Honey Series. Every facet of Branch and Evangeline’s journey in The Farthest Edge ignited, from their fiery sexual chemistry to their erotic playtime, and I felt as if my heart was going to explode all over the place. My emotions became so entwined within the pages of their love story it consumed me. All their joys, heartbreaking sorrows and passion had me reeling, tumbling over the edge right along side them.
“Ready to slip over the edge with me, baby?”
Hellz yeah, I was ready. Intrigued by these two characters when first introduced in The Deep End, I was more than willing to jump into this novel. It’s erotica at its very best; brimming with scene after salacious scene of heart thumping, body clenching kinkery. Loved every minute of their sexy time. However, there’s so much more substance to this read than the BDSM element and sizzling hot sex. It has all the old school vintage KA romance feels laced throughout its gripping plot, lifting this story to an entirely different level.
“He breathed, he did not exist.”
Branch Dillinger is a ghost of a man haunted by demons and focused on revenge. My heart ached seeing all of his pain. Buried under a tremendous amount of guilt, he’s stone cold and detached. No commitments. No emotional ties. Just looking for a quick release with a temporary club Domme and then moving on. Everything changes when Evangeline Brooks (Angie) falls into his life, turning his world upside down. This feisty woman is determined to break through his glacial demeanor in hopes of soothing his ravaged soul.
Evangeline is such a lovable heroine ~ a spirited, down to earth girly girl who’s sassy yet sweet. She’s also broken, barely surviving the horrors from her previous D/s relationship. It is her temporary ‘no strings attached’ arrangement with Branch that eventually brings her back to life. Under Branch’s care, she blossoms and finds herself again.
What I adored most about Angie was her persistent faith in their connection and her extraordinary strength. Despite the pains of her past, Angie trustingly gives all of herself to Branch. She understands his desires as her sub, as well as his needs as her man, and guides their relationship with care. She becomes strong enough to fight for their relationship. And the love she has for Branch is powerful enough to push him to the edge, giving him reason to stay and to finally exist.
I can’t begin to explain my love for this ex-military badass. I dislike comparing heroes since each is unique, but I saw hints of past loves within his personality namely Deacon, Raid and (strangely enough) Sam Cooper. It was so easy to fall for Branch as he embodied everything I love when it comes to a KA hero. The fact that he sexually submits to Angie does not, in any way, minimize his Alpha male tendencies. He’s dominating, gritty, has an outrageous carnal appetite and extremely protective as well possessive. I loved his gentle side, tending to Angie’s needs knowing her traumatic past, gaining her trust and heart. But what truly drew me in, aside from all his sexiness, was his agony.
Branch’s heartache affected me in an unforgettable way. There’s one particular scene towards the end where Branch unleashes all his sorrows that totally annihilated me. I was a total wreck and honestly, it’s one of the most achingly beautiful, tearful moments ever scripted. I love when characters, especially from this author, are so completely shattered their healing seems impossible. I want to feel their pain because I know for certain Ashley’s words and her couples will guide me through the gloominess to a place filled with love and beauty. KA has a magical way of bringing me joy through her writing. And when the road is paved with intense sorrow, as it is in this read, I appreciate the overwhelming feeling of bliss so much more. Both Angie and Branch suffered great betrayals in their past and it was beautiful seeing how their love healed. The way they comfort one another, establish trust and fall in love truly made this a touching story.
An enticing BDSM romance bursting with beauty, passion and raw emotions, The Farthest Edge is pure KA gold. If you’re hesitant because this book may seem vastly different from Ashley’s norm, don’t be. Everything I needed to lose myself within a great story was here, just with a heavy dose of kink. The familiar world building descriptive writing style, a captivating plot, dynamic characters, strong Alpha hero, powerful and breathtaking moments – I was in heaven, happily lost in Branch and Angie’s journey. Another stunning novel from The Queen. I’m not sure what other bees will be buzzing in the future at The Honey, but I do hope to see more from Aryas and Gerbil.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, St. Martin's Press.
May 23, 2017
Reading book one in this series, The Deep End, is a must before you begin, as the events that happen before play into the very first pages of The Farthest Edge.
A dom, Evangeline, has been recuperating and, in all honesty, hiding herself in work since she was victimized at the Honey Club. A strong self-assured woman still very much prevails. Her friends are worried that she is now shunning her old life and a very big part of what makes her tick. In order to “bring her back,” she’s been asked to dominate an alpha sub as a courtesy to the club’s owner.
Branch has a very special and specific set of skills. All the skills needed to bring anyone down. He’s a ghost, a shadow, and the boogie man if you need him to be. He’s dead man as far as the world knows. He’s also a sub with a very clear understanding of what he needs. I really feel the need to share with you that Kristen Ashley has written this character so well, that I had shivers up and down my spine while he was working. It’s that kind of attention to character building and development that keeps me coming back to this author time and time again. It’s raw, gritty, terrifying at times, and abundantly real.
For both Evangeline and Branch, their relationship will be a mutually beneficial arrangement… until it’s not.
“Who knew it felt that good to take a plunge, land and shatter?”
Now the game begins. Either they will both be winners or they’ll both lose it all.
It’s a salaciously indulgent read with enough rough and tumble to make hardcore fans blush!
5 Stars
Tanja
*ARC READ
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A dom, Evangeline, has been recuperating and, in all honesty, hiding herself in work since she was victimized at the Honey Club. A strong self-assured woman still very much prevails. Her friends are worried that she is now shunning her old life and a very big part of what makes her tick. In order to “bring her back,” she’s been asked to dominate an alpha sub as a courtesy to the club’s owner.
Branch has a very special and specific set of skills. All the skills needed to bring anyone down. He’s a ghost, a shadow, and the boogie man if you need him to be. He’s dead man as far as the world knows. He’s also a sub with a very clear understanding of what he needs. I really feel the need to share with you that Kristen Ashley has written this character so well, that I had shivers up and down my spine while he was working. It’s that kind of attention to character building and development that keeps me coming back to this author time and time again. It’s raw, gritty, terrifying at times, and abundantly real.
For both Evangeline and Branch, their relationship will be a mutually beneficial arrangement… until it’s not.
“Who knew it felt that good to take a plunge, land and shatter?”
Now the game begins. Either they will both be winners or they’ll both lose it all.
It’s a salaciously indulgent read with enough rough and tumble to make hardcore fans blush!
5 Stars
Tanja
*ARC READ
Follow us on
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May 28, 2017
I was so thrilled to dive back into the sensual and provocative world that Kristen Ashley has created with her Honey Series. I was also thrilled that THE FARTHEST EDGE was Evangeline's book! You will remember her from book one in the series, THE DEEP END, but this book can also be read as a complete standalone, but to get more richness out of the series, I would definitely start off with THE DEEP END, just so you get a feel of what you are about to get into, because this is not your typical Kristen Ashley romance. You will be shocked. You will be entertained. You will be entranced with what this author and these characters have to offer!
"I need you to sway my world right about now, Angie."
THE FARTHEST EDGE is a shiver-inducing romance that brings all of the feels with each turn of the page. It's laced with raw emotion and a heart wrenching storyline. It packs a punch with every word...every paragraph...ever chapter. I couldn't put it down, not even for a second.
Evangeline's spirit and her love of the lifestyle has been broken. Her trust was broken, along with her heart and soul. Branch is an elusive man. He is a broken man. He is an alpha-sub in need of a heavy hand. That's all he needs and nothing more. Will his NEED bring her SPIRIT back to life?
"If I could give it, one woman on this earth I'd give it to, it'd be you, Evangeline."
From the very start, I just didn't know how these two would get a happily ever after. But I should have known better. Kristen Ashley never disappoints. She just makes you work your ass off, makes you experience the rawness and grittiness of the emotions that fly off of every single page, before we get that HEA. Two broken people find solace in each other's arms. They find pleasure in the pain and there is A LOT of pain and pleasure to be had. Between the heated back and forth and the insane sizzling chemistry and the deep-rooted emotional upheaval of it all, there was just no putting this baby down once I started. That's what Ms. Ashley does best. She pulls you in. You become addicted. She feeds that addiction, and only makes it grow with each new story that is released. No matter the genre, I will ALWAYS be a fan of Kristen Ashley's work.
"I need you to sway my world right about now, Angie."
THE FARTHEST EDGE is a shiver-inducing romance that brings all of the feels with each turn of the page. It's laced with raw emotion and a heart wrenching storyline. It packs a punch with every word...every paragraph...ever chapter. I couldn't put it down, not even for a second.
Evangeline's spirit and her love of the lifestyle has been broken. Her trust was broken, along with her heart and soul. Branch is an elusive man. He is a broken man. He is an alpha-sub in need of a heavy hand. That's all he needs and nothing more. Will his NEED bring her SPIRIT back to life?
"If I could give it, one woman on this earth I'd give it to, it'd be you, Evangeline."
From the very start, I just didn't know how these two would get a happily ever after. But I should have known better. Kristen Ashley never disappoints. She just makes you work your ass off, makes you experience the rawness and grittiness of the emotions that fly off of every single page, before we get that HEA. Two broken people find solace in each other's arms. They find pleasure in the pain and there is A LOT of pain and pleasure to be had. Between the heated back and forth and the insane sizzling chemistry and the deep-rooted emotional upheaval of it all, there was just no putting this baby down once I started. That's what Ms. Ashley does best. She pulls you in. You become addicted. She feeds that addiction, and only makes it grow with each new story that is released. No matter the genre, I will ALWAYS be a fan of Kristen Ashley's work.
June 7, 2017
I debated about whether to buy this one as I didn't love the first entry in the series, but I'm in a bit of a book rut, it was only $3.99 and I thought why not? After getting through about 40% of the book, I skimmed the remainder until I got to the epilogue. I had two primary problems with the book - first, the sex was pretty much the same as it was in The Deep End. When authors embark on writing erotica/an erotic series, I need the sex to be different between the couples. Here, it was a lot of the same "scenes" between Branch and Evangeline as we saw between Olivier and Amelie. Second, I didn't feel connected to either the hero or heroine. I just didn't and wasn't remotely invested in their happy ending.
I still love KA, but this series is not for me. I'm looking forward to her return to the Chaos Motorcycle Club and Magdalene.
I still love KA, but this series is not for me. I'm looking forward to her return to the Chaos Motorcycle Club and Magdalene.
May 30, 2017
Review: Surj & Derna
Surj: We loved the first book in the "Honey" series by Kristen Ashley but this one ... this next instalment, sweet baby Jesus, this really was something else. Not only was the story exquisite but we think we are going to need to park our backsides in a deep freezer for the next few days and cool ourselves down, because "The Farthest Edge" was so darn HOT!!! Oh yes, we all know this author can write the most delectable sex scenes but this... this was a whole new level of heat that had our toes curling, our thighs clenching and our faces turning all kinds of shades of red, we got that flustered. Uh huh, alpha sub kinkiness... OH DEAR LORD.
Derna: Totally right Surj! There was so much more to this story than the kink and the heat. It was pure KA magic. The scenes between Branch and Evangeline were beautifully written. Two broken people who found comfort with each other, what started as Dom / sub relationship turns into so much more as they connected on a physical and emotional level.
You really get to know the characters especially Branch who I adore. This hot alpha sub who was everything I would expect sexy, intense, brooding, and confidant. I was completely captivated by him from start to finish. To say I was jealous of Angie would be an understatement. Haha
Surj: For those of you who are a little hesitant to read this book (or the series for that matter) because you feel that an alpha couldn't be a sub or you're not massively into reading the whole sub/ dom thing, trust us and trust KA. Firstly, she has written Branch so perfectly that even as a sub, he is seriously freakin' hot!!!! Also, in this second book in the series, KA continues to dispel the myths, stereotypes and pre conceived ideas of what a sub/ dom relationship looks like. Yup, there were no leather clad, whip yielding characters in this one. In fact, what you got was something that felt kinda normal and I think that was the intention. What Branch and Evangeline shared felt so personal, so private and even intimate at times, I felt like I was a bit of a peeping Tom, spying on moments that were not for sharing. Set behind closed doors and in Evangeline's home, it was a stark contrast to the relationship between Olivier and Amelie which had been very public and had predominantly developed within the walls of the Honey Club.
You touched on our heroine Evangeline, Derna, and wow what a heroine she was. I just loved her strength and resilience. She was one hell of a head strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted and had every intention of getting it. She may have a fight on her hands but this lady had every intention of winning!!!
Derna: Yes, She was going for gold she wanted the top prize and wouldn't settle for anything less. I did like her character, she was also compassionate and understanding. You could see that whenever she spoke to Branch in and out of their Dom/ sub relationship never pushing him to tell his story letting him tell her when he was ready.
Derna: I couldn't have said it better myself Surj. In true KA style It's at long read, but wow it was so worth it. I'm excited for the next book, even though at this point I'm not completely sure who it could be about. Surj and I have a few ideas but only time will tell.
"The Farthest Edge" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from us.
Surj: We loved the first book in the "Honey" series by Kristen Ashley but this one ... this next instalment, sweet baby Jesus, this really was something else. Not only was the story exquisite but we think we are going to need to park our backsides in a deep freezer for the next few days and cool ourselves down, because "The Farthest Edge" was so darn HOT!!! Oh yes, we all know this author can write the most delectable sex scenes but this... this was a whole new level of heat that had our toes curling, our thighs clenching and our faces turning all kinds of shades of red, we got that flustered. Uh huh, alpha sub kinkiness... OH DEAR LORD.
Who knew it felt that good to take the plunge, land and shatter?"The Farthest Edge" is one of those books that rubber stamps itself in your memory, not just for the kinkiness and heat (although that really was a huge bonus), but for the unconventional yet fantastic story that wove itself through the pages. This was so classic Kristen Ashley yet so unique in so many ways, wouldn't you agree Derna?
Derna: Totally right Surj! There was so much more to this story than the kink and the heat. It was pure KA magic. The scenes between Branch and Evangeline were beautifully written. Two broken people who found comfort with each other, what started as Dom / sub relationship turns into so much more as they connected on a physical and emotional level.
You really get to know the characters especially Branch who I adore. This hot alpha sub who was everything I would expect sexy, intense, brooding, and confidant. I was completely captivated by him from start to finish. To say I was jealous of Angie would be an understatement. Haha
God what kind of beauty was this that was Branch? She didn't know. She'd never had it. And lord help her, she couldn't lose herself in it.
Surj: For those of you who are a little hesitant to read this book (or the series for that matter) because you feel that an alpha couldn't be a sub or you're not massively into reading the whole sub/ dom thing, trust us and trust KA. Firstly, she has written Branch so perfectly that even as a sub, he is seriously freakin' hot!!!! Also, in this second book in the series, KA continues to dispel the myths, stereotypes and pre conceived ideas of what a sub/ dom relationship looks like. Yup, there were no leather clad, whip yielding characters in this one. In fact, what you got was something that felt kinda normal and I think that was the intention. What Branch and Evangeline shared felt so personal, so private and even intimate at times, I felt like I was a bit of a peeping Tom, spying on moments that were not for sharing. Set behind closed doors and in Evangeline's home, it was a stark contrast to the relationship between Olivier and Amelie which had been very public and had predominantly developed within the walls of the Honey Club.
He liked to be pushed to the edge? She was going to take him there. Shove him right over. And go over with him.
You touched on our heroine Evangeline, Derna, and wow what a heroine she was. I just loved her strength and resilience. She was one hell of a head strong woman who knew exactly what she wanted and had every intention of getting it. She may have a fight on her hands but this lady had every intention of winning!!!
Derna: Yes, She was going for gold she wanted the top prize and wouldn't settle for anything less. I did like her character, she was also compassionate and understanding. You could see that whenever she spoke to Branch in and out of their Dom/ sub relationship never pushing him to tell his story letting him tell her when he was ready.
But then she'd realise he was like a drug, and once you got your dose, you were good. You were brilliant. You were flying high. But when it was gone, you needed more.surj: "The Farthest Edge" was a story about guilt, revenge, healing and of course finding love when you least expect it. We absolutely adored this second addition to the Honey series and cannot wait for the final book. We love that she took a chance and penned this series and we truly hope that you take a chance and read it. Trust us, you won't be disappointed.
Derna: I couldn't have said it better myself Surj. In true KA style It's at long read, but wow it was so worth it. I'm excited for the next book, even though at this point I'm not completely sure who it could be about. Surj and I have a few ideas but only time will tell.
"The Farthest Edge" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from us.
All's fair in love. not war. nothing was fair in war. But all was fair in love.
June 12, 2017
LOVED this book! Branch was so much more than I was expecting. Only KA could write a vulnerable, badass, alpha sub. Branch and Evangeline had amazing chemistry! There was a lot of super sexy scenes and also a lot of really sweet romance. There was also a really good story - Branch had a lot of history to overcome and his Angie was the perfect person to help him through. Loved this book and I can't wait to read more in this series!
May 20, 2017
3.5-4 stars
If you didn't read my review of book one, I can tell you that this book, while still BDSM, felt more like a KA book. Let me explain.
There's A LOT of sex in book one.
The plot itself was minimal. The story itself was more about the couple's physical connection and then how that grew to something more. But before you go thinking I didn't like that story, it is worth noting I gave it 4 stars. KA stepped away from her formula and executed a very different and highly seductive story.
In comparison, this story also had a lot of sex, but the scenes themselves were more interspersed around the plot involving a man's quest for vengeance.
Evangeline "Angie" is supposed to just be temporary. An itch to scratch.
She's so petite (GO TEAM SHORTIE!!) and unassuming, she couldn't possibly meet Branch's needs, right?
Yet she exceeds them, and that alone makes things complicated.
All she had to do was smile at him. And it was match point. Every time.
Like the Unfinished Heroes series, Branch can be considered an anti-hero. (Side note: my #1 KA Alpha gets a mention in this book, can you guess who?) Branch does some things that aren't on the right side of the law, yet when you get the backstory, you likely won't have an issue with his actions. Or at least, I didn't. I was also surprised by his honesty. With time, Branch slowly opens up to Angie and I liked that a lot.
With his rough past, Branch doesn't want to get close to anyone. Everyone he's cared for before is gone. But Angie, without even trying, works her way beyond the walls that surround his heart. He begins to care. He begins to think about a future. A future that terrifies him.
Now, to the sexy parts.
Like book one, Branch is an Alpha submissive. Yes it seems contradictory, but KA makes it work. Branch has an obvious kink that he enjoys and while it may not be the norm, he doesn't have any shame in seeking that pleasure. BUT he also doesn't want to flaunt it like his friend Ollie. He is very open to anything Angie tries, and at the same time, pushes on occasion to take charge. This isn't a switch type situation, imo. He seemed to understand that taking over in scenes pushed things into uncertain territory and I liked how he addressed this with Angie.
But Branch bossed her around even when she was working him and she hadn't even noticed it, likely because it was such an integral part of him.
While Branch never expected anything long term with Angie, I think the minute she cracked that whip, it became evident he wouldn't be going anywhere. So then, as the reader, you just let KA take you on that ride.
*An ARC was received for an honest review.
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If you didn't read my review of book one, I can tell you that this book, while still BDSM, felt more like a KA book. Let me explain.
There's A LOT of sex in book one.
The plot itself was minimal. The story itself was more about the couple's physical connection and then how that grew to something more. But before you go thinking I didn't like that story, it is worth noting I gave it 4 stars. KA stepped away from her formula and executed a very different and highly seductive story.
In comparison, this story also had a lot of sex, but the scenes themselves were more interspersed around the plot involving a man's quest for vengeance.
Evangeline "Angie" is supposed to just be temporary. An itch to scratch.
She's so petite (GO TEAM SHORTIE!!) and unassuming, she couldn't possibly meet Branch's needs, right?
Yet she exceeds them, and that alone makes things complicated.
All she had to do was smile at him. And it was match point. Every time.
Like the Unfinished Heroes series, Branch can be considered an anti-hero. (Side note: my #1 KA Alpha gets a mention in this book, can you guess who?) Branch does some things that aren't on the right side of the law, yet when you get the backstory, you likely won't have an issue with his actions. Or at least, I didn't. I was also surprised by his honesty. With time, Branch slowly opens up to Angie and I liked that a lot.
With his rough past, Branch doesn't want to get close to anyone. Everyone he's cared for before is gone. But Angie, without even trying, works her way beyond the walls that surround his heart. He begins to care. He begins to think about a future. A future that terrifies him.
Now, to the sexy parts.
Like book one, Branch is an Alpha submissive. Yes it seems contradictory, but KA makes it work. Branch has an obvious kink that he enjoys and while it may not be the norm, he doesn't have any shame in seeking that pleasure. BUT he also doesn't want to flaunt it like his friend Ollie. He is very open to anything Angie tries, and at the same time, pushes on occasion to take charge. This isn't a switch type situation, imo. He seemed to understand that taking over in scenes pushed things into uncertain territory and I liked how he addressed this with Angie.
But Branch bossed her around even when she was working him and she hadn't even noticed it, likely because it was such an integral part of him.
While Branch never expected anything long term with Angie, I think the minute she cracked that whip, it became evident he wouldn't be going anywhere. So then, as the reader, you just let KA take you on that ride.
*An ARC was received for an honest review.
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June 17, 2017
The Farthest Edge by Kristen Ashley
Erotic BDSM (female Domme) romance. Interconnected Standalone.
The Farthest Edge is the second standalone in the erotic BDSM series, The Honey Series by Kristen Ashley. Though it is a new couple and can stand on it's own, I think it is a MUCH richer story if you read The Deep End first. The thing is though, I had some difficulties connecting withThe Deep End, and I did not have that problem AT ALL in The Farthest Edge. And though I thought it was the third person that gave me problems, The Farthest Edge was third person and I never even noticed.
We met Evangeline and Branch in The Deep End after a very traumatic experience for her, and it caused her to step away from the club and her nature for a while. But Aryas, owner of The Honey wants to bring her back to life.
“Got a sub for you.”
She blinked and her stomach pitched.
“Sorry?” she queried
“Perfect for you. No strings. No boundaries. This guy is not looking to connect. He’s not looking for a relationship. Hell, sheer number of Dommes he goes through, you might get one crack at him before he vanishes from your life. But at least you’ll get off the way you like it that one time. And if you can keep him around a while, you might have some fun, break yourself back in, give yourself what you need, without any baggage.”
Um.
Whoa.
That all sounded way too good to be true.
But still.
“I’m not… I don’t think…” She swallowed. “I’m not ready for that, and to be honest, Ary, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back there.”
Branch doesn't exist. He lives completely off the grid and before even meeting Evangeline she has to sign an NDA. After a rough start, Evangeline decides she wants Branch, even for just one night, after all, Branch has NO LIMITS.
“No reflection on you and your skills, which are sublime, my beautiful baby.” He grinned a wicked grin. “Just that this guy is unbreakable. There’s no edge for him any Domme can get anywhere near to push him off and that’s what he’s looking for. Being taken to the farthest edge and shoved right the fuck over.”
Taken to the farthest edge.
Once they had each other once, they both realized that they wanted more, but Branch makes it perfectly clear that it will end. Evangeline though, is in it to win it. She will accept it if he has to go, but she will do anything possible to make him stay.
"I know what it’s going to be, Branch, but you need to know I’m not going to stop trying to break through.”
He nodded. “I get that. I’ll take it. Because I’m not the motherfucker I could be, but I am the one I am. But just to say, baby, you fight that battle, you’ll lose.”
“I’m stubborn.”
It almost looked like he was going to smile.
“Think I got that.”
She continued staring into his eyes and promised, “I’m going to make you happy.”
“I know.” ...
“I’m still going to walk away,” he told her gently, confirming her thoughts.
There is a lot of dirty, kinky sex in The Farthest Edge, but it never outweighed the story. I realized that I don't really get turned on by female dominant sex, but when this badass takes over, all bets are off! Can you say hot and sexy alpha?
“He’s the badass motherfucker the baddest badass motherfucker wished he was,” G whispered.
Likes:
•Pure KA Alpha deliciousness despite that he's a sub in bed (usually).
•I loved Evangeline, I never had trouble connecting with her, and wanted her to win!
•Branch was still a super-hot KA alpha despite his bedroom proclivities.
•Though Female Dominant sex doesn't really turn me on, there were some super hot scenes, and they weren't animal themed as they were in the first book.
•I really enjoyed visiting with Amelie and Olly, as well as a few other side characters.
•It was a great mix of sex and story, but remember, this is an erotic novel, so there is still a LOT of sex.
•Oh how I loved Cam! I am hoping we get a book about him!
Dislikes:
•I prefer 1st person but honestly, I barely noticed that this was 3rd person.
•As hot as the scenes were, I am just not really into male sub sex.
The Down & Dirty:
After not totally connecting to The Deep End (though I still liked it a lot), I was a little concerned about The Farthest Edge, but I didn't need to be, it was classic KA with some kinky sex thrown in. I totally loved Evangeline and Branch and how they treated each other. I really enjoyed the secondary characters in this one, including visiting with Olly and Amelie. I totally recommend The Farthest Edge, even if you weren't in love with The Deep End.
Rating: 4.5-4.75 Stars, 5+ Heat
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May 29, 2017
REVIEWED BY JENN
If I had to use one word to sum up how I felt about The Farthest Edge, words like enthralling, gorgeous, moving, eye-opening, stunning, consuming, phenomenal, remarkable, and magnificent all come to my mind in an instant, but if forced to chose one, I'm going with consuming, because that is what happened to me while reading this book. This book consumed me for the three days I spent reading it, and then for days after when I was left thinking about it. A week later, I'm still struggling to put into words just how spectacular it is.
It's not a big secret that I wasn't exactly a fan of The Deep End, the standalone book that precedes this one, and introduces us to the Honey, and also, to an entirely different side to Kristen Ashley. It felt like Ashley struggled to find her voice, and I never connected to the book and its characters. Now, I know that many people felt the same way, and are maybe considering not giving this book a chance. I am telling you, do not hold on to those feelings when choosing to read The Farthest Edge. Ashley's voice pours off the pages in this book. You felt it in every sentence, every chapter, every moment.
Branch is your quintessential Ashley alpha. He is a bossy, hardcore badass. He also doesn't exist. He's a ghost, and as far as the government is concerned, he's a dead man. He is also a sub who doesn't make any apologies for what, or who he is. But he does require complete anonymity when choosing a Domme. He expects to get in, get off, and get out. What he doesn't expect is for Evangeline to rock his world outside of the bedroom.
If you've read The Deep End, you know the horror the surrounded Evangeline, and if you haven't, I'll let you uncover it, because it is a major part of the story. It helps to connect the two characters in ways you might not expect. Evangeline will go down as one of my favorite KA heroines. For lack of a more eloquent term, she was kick ass. She might have been hesitant at first, but she knew what she had in Branch, and her refusal to give up on him was my favorite part of the story. She was determined to keep him, knowing that he started this "relationship" with a plan to end it. Evangeline had a vision for their future, together, and she was unwavering in her attempts to get him there.
Do I even need to mention this hotness level of this book? I had to walk away a few times because if I thought human combustion was possible, it was going to happen. Read with a fan, a cool drink, and anything else you might have handy.
The Farthest Edge is a gorgeous love story about two people finding each other in the most impossible of circumstances. It's a story about putting your past scars behind you, and moving forward towards the future you never dared to dream you could have, but always wanted. This book is full of feels. You are going to run through a gamut of emotions, and probably feel like you've run a marathon when you are finished. But every heart breaking moment is worth it. It's all worth it.
If I had to use one word to sum up how I felt about The Farthest Edge, words like enthralling, gorgeous, moving, eye-opening, stunning, consuming, phenomenal, remarkable, and magnificent all come to my mind in an instant, but if forced to chose one, I'm going with consuming, because that is what happened to me while reading this book. This book consumed me for the three days I spent reading it, and then for days after when I was left thinking about it. A week later, I'm still struggling to put into words just how spectacular it is.
It's not a big secret that I wasn't exactly a fan of The Deep End, the standalone book that precedes this one, and introduces us to the Honey, and also, to an entirely different side to Kristen Ashley. It felt like Ashley struggled to find her voice, and I never connected to the book and its characters. Now, I know that many people felt the same way, and are maybe considering not giving this book a chance. I am telling you, do not hold on to those feelings when choosing to read The Farthest Edge. Ashley's voice pours off the pages in this book. You felt it in every sentence, every chapter, every moment.
Branch is your quintessential Ashley alpha. He is a bossy, hardcore badass. He also doesn't exist. He's a ghost, and as far as the government is concerned, he's a dead man. He is also a sub who doesn't make any apologies for what, or who he is. But he does require complete anonymity when choosing a Domme. He expects to get in, get off, and get out. What he doesn't expect is for Evangeline to rock his world outside of the bedroom.
If you've read The Deep End, you know the horror the surrounded Evangeline, and if you haven't, I'll let you uncover it, because it is a major part of the story. It helps to connect the two characters in ways you might not expect. Evangeline will go down as one of my favorite KA heroines. For lack of a more eloquent term, she was kick ass. She might have been hesitant at first, but she knew what she had in Branch, and her refusal to give up on him was my favorite part of the story. She was determined to keep him, knowing that he started this "relationship" with a plan to end it. Evangeline had a vision for their future, together, and she was unwavering in her attempts to get him there.
Do I even need to mention this hotness level of this book? I had to walk away a few times because if I thought human combustion was possible, it was going to happen. Read with a fan, a cool drink, and anything else you might have handy.
The Farthest Edge is a gorgeous love story about two people finding each other in the most impossible of circumstances. It's a story about putting your past scars behind you, and moving forward towards the future you never dared to dream you could have, but always wanted. This book is full of feels. You are going to run through a gamut of emotions, and probably feel like you've run a marathon when you are finished. But every heart breaking moment is worth it. It's all worth it.
June 1, 2017
In this second standalone erotic romance in The Honey Series, Kristen Ashley delivers a sweet but shattering love story edged in pain, both the exquisite torture found in a Domme's playroom, and the brutal heartbreak of knowing that something so good can only end badly. Straight out of the gate, I knew Branch and Evangeline were going to gut me. Branch is your quintessential KA alpha badass, a delicious mix of Deacon, Raid and Olivier but with an unbreakable yet tender quality making him unlike anyone else. He's ex military with a vendetta. He's strong and physically intimidating. He wants no attachments, no emotional connections, no questions. He just wants someone to fulfill his kink until he decides to move on. He's a man broken, closed off, impenetrable. Given that, of course, I couldn't wait to see how Evangeline would try to break through.
This story seemed to move more quickly than KA novels typically do. It never dragged but it wasn't hurried, the timing and pace were just perfect. And where the ratio of sex to storyline may have felt a bit unbalanced in The Deep End, with a lot more sex than romance in that book, things felt much more fluid in The Farthest Edge. The sex scenes are spread out in such a way that a decadent but difficult romance establishes a solid foundation of, not just sexual chemistry, but raw emotion. With all that goes on in this meaty, provocative story, the sex never felt gratuitous. It's so well done, this book, the steamy scenes only adding depth to these characters and their journey rather than detracting from them.
I said it after reading The Deep End and I'll say it again. The BDSM component in this story is so outside the box from anything I typically read. A brooding alpha male taking the submissive role in the relationship is still sometimes difficult for me to wrap my head around. But Kristen Ashley beautifully illustrates this refreshing concept making for a thought provoking, captivating storyline I was completely immersed in. It's mind boggling to me, still, that a man like Branch, a man so alpha in every aspect of his life, prefers to be ordered and owned, made to serve the way he does. But it's also really freaking hot. I love a book that makes you think, makes you step outside your own comfort zone and look at things in a new light, and this entire series, so far, has been an exercise in exactly that.
The Furthest Edge is pure eroticism at first glance, but it's ultimately a devastatingly brilliant story that made my heart ache as much as it swelled with joy. Passion, romance and titillating kink are layered seamlessly with drama and heartache to make for a story that truly felt like NOTHING this author has written before. The Farthest Edge surprised me from cover to cover. There are moments in this book that were too heavy for words. There were bits of banter that had me smiling from ear to ear. There are scenes in this book that are explosively erotic and there are moments so raw, they completely stole my breath away. Every Kristen Ashley book has THAT moment you instantly visualize when you think back on each book. Well, The Farthest Edge has more than one wholly UNFORGETTABLE scene that'll be engrained in my heart for always. I really, truly enjoyed this story and I hope there's more to come for the Bee's Honey clientele. There's so much more to be gleaned from so many other characters and my appetite for more is far from satisfied.
This story seemed to move more quickly than KA novels typically do. It never dragged but it wasn't hurried, the timing and pace were just perfect. And where the ratio of sex to storyline may have felt a bit unbalanced in The Deep End, with a lot more sex than romance in that book, things felt much more fluid in The Farthest Edge. The sex scenes are spread out in such a way that a decadent but difficult romance establishes a solid foundation of, not just sexual chemistry, but raw emotion. With all that goes on in this meaty, provocative story, the sex never felt gratuitous. It's so well done, this book, the steamy scenes only adding depth to these characters and their journey rather than detracting from them.
I said it after reading The Deep End and I'll say it again. The BDSM component in this story is so outside the box from anything I typically read. A brooding alpha male taking the submissive role in the relationship is still sometimes difficult for me to wrap my head around. But Kristen Ashley beautifully illustrates this refreshing concept making for a thought provoking, captivating storyline I was completely immersed in. It's mind boggling to me, still, that a man like Branch, a man so alpha in every aspect of his life, prefers to be ordered and owned, made to serve the way he does. But it's also really freaking hot. I love a book that makes you think, makes you step outside your own comfort zone and look at things in a new light, and this entire series, so far, has been an exercise in exactly that.
The Furthest Edge is pure eroticism at first glance, but it's ultimately a devastatingly brilliant story that made my heart ache as much as it swelled with joy. Passion, romance and titillating kink are layered seamlessly with drama and heartache to make for a story that truly felt like NOTHING this author has written before. The Farthest Edge surprised me from cover to cover. There are moments in this book that were too heavy for words. There were bits of banter that had me smiling from ear to ear. There are scenes in this book that are explosively erotic and there are moments so raw, they completely stole my breath away. Every Kristen Ashley book has THAT moment you instantly visualize when you think back on each book. Well, The Farthest Edge has more than one wholly UNFORGETTABLE scene that'll be engrained in my heart for always. I really, truly enjoyed this story and I hope there's more to come for the Bee's Honey clientele. There's so much more to be gleaned from so many other characters and my appetite for more is far from satisfied.
July 9, 2017
“She’s the world I always wanted the world to be.”
After falling head over heels in love with Amèlie and Olivier’s story in The Deep End, I could not wait to return to the tantalizing world of the Honey, but this book blew my ever-loving mind to smithereens. In what can only be described as another stroke of creative genius by an author who never seizes to amaze with her ability to weave some of the most engrossing and unforgettable love stories to be found, Kristen Ashley delivers an extraordinary tale that overflows with intense erotic imagery, yet remains full of the kind of depth and emotion that we’ve come to expect from her. With the author’s unique tone of storytelling ever-present on every single page and in keeping with the series’ main premise of building romantic relationships through hot, kinky sex, this story titillated my senses from the get-go, while filling my heart to the brim little by little. And once more, Kristen Ashley proves that when she chooses to stretch her wings in a genre, she doesn’t tinker around. She slays.
Continue reading this review...
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May 24, 2017
**Copy received in advance for voluntary review.**
*2.5 stars*
Well I think I'm going to be the opposite of most people on this series. I liked book one but this one not so much. Like most KA books I was super into the first thirty percent. And then I was bored to death.
Which is disappointing because I found Evangeline's story so interesting in book one. But I really wanted her story to be the focal point. And it wasn't. It was all about Branch and, to be honest, I didn't really care.
And because Evangeline's issues were resolved so quickly there wasn't much left for me to be excited about. Sad to say but I might have to start sampling KA's books from now on when she used to be an autobuy author.
*2.5 stars*
Well I think I'm going to be the opposite of most people on this series. I liked book one but this one not so much. Like most KA books I was super into the first thirty percent. And then I was bored to death.
Which is disappointing because I found Evangeline's story so interesting in book one. But I really wanted her story to be the focal point. And it wasn't. It was all about Branch and, to be honest, I didn't really care.
And because Evangeline's issues were resolved so quickly there wasn't much left for me to be excited about. Sad to say but I might have to start sampling KA's books from now on when she used to be an autobuy author.
June 6, 2017
Talk about a HOT read! Holy Cow the chemistry between Branch and Evangeline was amazing. This book had a much different feel than The Deep End had, it could be because of the dynamic between the couples, but, I have a feeling it's because the majority of this book was held outside of The Bees Honey.
I am really enjoying this series and I cannot wait for the next book. There are quite a few people that I look forward to seeing get their HEA's, and even a few that I can see together, but only time will tell what Ms. Ashley has in store for us, but no matter what it is I am sure that it will be a great read because Kristen Ashley is a story weaver like no other.
You can see my full review here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo... and while you're there be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Mastercard or Visa Gift Card
I am really enjoying this series and I cannot wait for the next book. There are quite a few people that I look forward to seeing get their HEA's, and even a few that I can see together, but only time will tell what Ms. Ashley has in store for us, but no matter what it is I am sure that it will be a great read because Kristen Ashley is a story weaver like no other.
You can see my full review here: https://nadineisobsessedwithbooks.blo... and while you're there be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $100 Mastercard or Visa Gift Card
July 14, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
The Farthest Edge is the second book in the Honey series and whew this impressed me even more than the first book and I am so happy that I took a chance on this series. I was so dang NERVOUS before reading them because heroines like this are not even close to what I relate to on ANY level so I really was in a debate but I can say its Kristen Ashley and as long as you are open minded ---you will find that these books work for you. Because they have worked for me and she makes the alpha sub element HOT!! And I never thought that was possible to be honest, but yep it is. But another important factor to remember is Ashley really showcases this lifestyle so well, and that just because someone is submissive in the bedroom doesn't make them weak...makes them strong.
The Farthest Edge takes us to our heroine, Evangeline. Evangeline is a Dominatrix and is dang good at what she does at Honey, but she is sweet and kind and driven. But when her partner and sub attacks her in a scene, all of her hopes and dreams are crashed to the ground and she has a long road of healing to do for herself. So she takes some time away from the club and those she calls "family" to heal and to focus on work and building herself up financially. Branch is a man who has a dark past, and is tormented and is a man living a dangerous secret. But he knows what he needs is Evangeline and would do anything for her. Their connection is powerful and what they accomplish in the bedroom is powerful but as their relationship deepens, Branch has a history that could tear them apart but it will take Evangeline to fight for him and what they have together...
The Farthest Edge is such a powerful book here and I fell so deeply for Branch and Angie. They were such a powerhouse together. We see such heartbreak for what both of these have suffered in their past but this is part of what makes them work so well. They understand the betrayal and the pain. I love how even in scenes Branch is still strong and alpha in many ways, and this is what Evangeline is actually drawn to in many respects. And these scenes are super sexy and hot but there is a level of tenderness and emotion within them. This is just evidence of what Kristen Ashley is able to accomplish in her stories.
Overall I found The Farthest Edge to be a stimulating and deeply entrenched story of emotion, sensuality and strength of character within its pages!
The Farthest Edge is the second book in the Honey series and whew this impressed me even more than the first book and I am so happy that I took a chance on this series. I was so dang NERVOUS before reading them because heroines like this are not even close to what I relate to on ANY level so I really was in a debate but I can say its Kristen Ashley and as long as you are open minded ---you will find that these books work for you. Because they have worked for me and she makes the alpha sub element HOT!! And I never thought that was possible to be honest, but yep it is. But another important factor to remember is Ashley really showcases this lifestyle so well, and that just because someone is submissive in the bedroom doesn't make them weak...makes them strong.
It’s absolutely right, Branch. And I’ll take what I can get of absolutely right for as long as I have it, fighting to earn more along the way, rather than not ever having it and never knowing how beautiful it feels.
The Farthest Edge takes us to our heroine, Evangeline. Evangeline is a Dominatrix and is dang good at what she does at Honey, but she is sweet and kind and driven. But when her partner and sub attacks her in a scene, all of her hopes and dreams are crashed to the ground and she has a long road of healing to do for herself. So she takes some time away from the club and those she calls "family" to heal and to focus on work and building herself up financially. Branch is a man who has a dark past, and is tormented and is a man living a dangerous secret. But he knows what he needs is Evangeline and would do anything for her. Their connection is powerful and what they accomplish in the bedroom is powerful but as their relationship deepens, Branch has a history that could tear them apart but it will take Evangeline to fight for him and what they have together...
So, my advice, Branch, just let her have a chance at the promise of a lifetime of showing it to you
The Farthest Edge is such a powerful book here and I fell so deeply for Branch and Angie. They were such a powerhouse together. We see such heartbreak for what both of these have suffered in their past but this is part of what makes them work so well. They understand the betrayal and the pain. I love how even in scenes Branch is still strong and alpha in many ways, and this is what Evangeline is actually drawn to in many respects. And these scenes are super sexy and hot but there is a level of tenderness and emotion within them. This is just evidence of what Kristen Ashley is able to accomplish in her stories.
I know that love allows you to go places you never thought you’d go and like being there a heck of a lot
Overall I found The Farthest Edge to be a stimulating and deeply entrenched story of emotion, sensuality and strength of character within its pages!
July 5, 2017
*3.5 Stars*
I definitely liked this one a lot more then the first book. I loved Evangeline and Branch, they were great together. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who read the first book in the series and wasn't sure about it because I liked this one 10x more. The reason my rating isn't higher is simply because the story still just wasn't there for me, not really what I've come to expect from a KA book, the sex just takes over the book instead of adding to it. I will read the next in the series though, with hope that as KA finds her groove in this genre that the storylines get stronger.
I definitely liked this one a lot more then the first book. I loved Evangeline and Branch, they were great together. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who read the first book in the series and wasn't sure about it because I liked this one 10x more. The reason my rating isn't higher is simply because the story still just wasn't there for me, not really what I've come to expect from a KA book, the sex just takes over the book instead of adding to it. I will read the next in the series though, with hope that as KA finds her groove in this genre that the storylines get stronger.
May 31, 2017
I was one of the first to say that I wasn't sure about this new path for the Queen, Kristen Ashley. I didn't know how alpha subs would work, and femdomme is just not my kink. But, as a faithful fan, I was determined to give it a shot, and not just stop after the first book. Man - I am SO glad that I continued with the Honey series! With this second installment of the series, Kristen has found her groove and I felt like her voice was back after getting a bit lost in the first installment, The Deep End.
Evangeline Brooks was the mysterious domme that we read about in The Deep End, the one who had something terrible happen to her while she was in The Honey. While Evangeline's situation was somewhat mysterious in the last book, we meet her and quickly learn all the sad details in The Farthest Edge. I will leave those details to the reader to learn, and go on to say that the event has had an extended effect on Evangeline, making her believe that she can no longer partake in the intimate lifestyle to which she was accustomed. She has buried herself in work and estranged herself from the friends who care for her in an effort to cope with what happened. Outside of her domme personality, I found Evangeline to be a typical KA heroine. She was likable and down-to-earth, a little girly, and totally independent and capable. True to her domme persona, she was also able to take charge and be assertive when needed, particularly when that was what her man needed. But she was more of a warm and fuzzy domme than some of the others we have met, and I liked that about her. I also liked that she wasn't married to the persona and found it just as hot for Branch to be bossy and break character.
Branch Dillinger is a super badass soldier and tortured hero. Betrayed and thought dead by his government, he is now somewhat off the grid and moving through society as a ghost. While he has his own plans for vengeance, he also works for Aryas and with others (whom you may recognize from other KA books), when situations need to be taken care of. Branch is our alpha sub, leaning more toward alpha than submissive. He knows what he likes/needs, and he knows how to get it. Unfortunately that sometimes leads him to unsavory places and I wasn't quite sure what he got out of those sessions besides punishment. Branch's character was more in line with other KA alphas that we have met... seemingly more so than Ollie from The Deep End. Branch was in charge everywhere but the bedroom, and sometimes he even flipped and took over there as well. He was a dirty talkin' bossy sub, telling Evangeline what he wanted and how he wanted in almost every scene.
Where it seemed that The Deep End was straight erotica, The Farthest Edge took us more into the realm of romantica. I felt like we had more relationship building and emotion in this installment, and that is where the "feel" of KA came back for me. Quotes and sentiments like below gave the story that classic KA feel, while providing the new experience of this femdomme trope:
I'll take what I can get of absolutely right for as long as I have it, fighting to earn more along the way, rather than not ever having it and never knowing how beautiful it feels.So I wasn't really expecting to meet any more secondary characters in this series... but man, we got a doozy in this story. I am already half in love with Cam (a/k/a Gerbil), who was Branch's closest friend and ally. I am curious to see whether he will be a hero in the Honey series, or whether he will be a crossover into one of KA's other stories. I think it would be fun to see one of the male doms crossing into one of the other series instead of having them become switches in this series. But however KA gives them to us, you can believe that I will continue reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, St. Martin's Press.
June 6, 2017
Sometimes you need to travel outside of your comfort zone with a bold book. An adrenaline rush of a read, The Farthest Edge by Kristen Ashley hurls you over the edge. You'll dangle off the cliff of desire, dabbling in a thrilling and tantalizing world. Evocative and erotic yet tender and touching, The Farthest Edge burns the body and hijacks the heart.
The Farthest Edge starts with a slow burn but then SMOLDERS with sizzle and suspense! The INTRIGUE and INTENSITY made my heart beat out of my chest. The fusion of heat and heart MELTED me everywhere. Smooth and sinfully sweet like honey, this story stuck to me where I became UNGLUED.
Kristen Ashley takes readers on another tantalizing trip to The Honey Club in The Farthest Edge where deepest desires come true, including MINE and YOURS. The Queen Bees rule at The Honey Club where women take control as beautiful dominants with male submissives. This book focuses on one fire-hot couple: Evangeline and Branch. In the outside world, Branch is all alpha. Inside The Honey Club, he bows to the beautiful Mistress Evangeline.
He liked to be pushed to the edge? She was going to take him there. Shove him right over. And go over with him. And when they landed, they were going to explode. All over the place. And love every bit of it.
The push and pull of this story made me HOT and HEEDY, my head and heart thoroughly SEDUCED. Branch and Evangelines' push for power and pull of passion FLAMED with FEELS. I felt their angst bleed through me along with their desire.
Fire meets ice when Evangeline and Branch collide, a fusion of power and passion that ignite to a BEAUTIFUL BURN. Branch is a brooding and beautiful alpha who needs to be tamed. Evangeline is a stunning beauty who needs to control. Branch needs to be deliciously dominated to forget. Evangeline needs to dominate to remember.
"I need you to sway my world right about now."
"Okay, baby," she whispered, "I'll sway your world."
I was a voyeur in Kristen Ashley's delicious dominant and submissive world, one where I wanted to be a player too. This series is the best mix of DECADENCE and DESIRE. A delicious drug, The Farthest Edge is the ULTIMATE ADDICTION. The Farthest Edge pulls you out of your comfort zone, hurling you over the edge straight to ECTASY! You just can't help but SUBMIT to this story.
"Ready to slip over the edge with me, baby?"
💋💋💋💋💋 4.5 Edgy and Enticing Kisses
ONE-CLICK ---> http://amzn.to/2sLBwgL
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October 11, 2017
DNF @chapter 3. I was unable to read this writing beyond a few short chapters. There was male POV description of decor, housing in a very female way, women who spoke like the typical KA alpha male and over explanation of everything in extended brackets and dialogue that made my stomach churn with literacy anxiety. My buddy in this game says it all so well here Hollis.
We won’t be continuing with the series.
We won’t be continuing with the series.
March 18, 2018
4 stars!
This one was a surprise! Kinky, yes, but also heartfelt, emotional and beautifully romantic. I loved it a lot more than I thought I would, it’s such a gorgeous romance!
After being rocked by the concept of an alpha sub in the first book of this series, The Deep End, I was wary going into this book. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I was intrigued by Evangeline’s story – a Domme who was brutally attacked by her sub during a session at exclusive club, The Honey. Evangeline has completely withdrawn from her friends and from the lifestyle, but with this book we see her friends continuing to reach out to her, and her reawakening after laying eyes on broody but gorgeous Branch Dillinger.
Branch is an ex-military badass who has been through hell in his life. He’s still struggling under the weight of his grief, loss, guilt and trauma, and he has no desire to put down roots or form any lasting connections. But he knows Evangeline, he’s seen her in action, he knows what happened to her, and hewants needs to experience just one night under her dominant hands.
So, with the promise of one night only, the two of them embrace their kink and share an experience which leaves them both changed forever. They know that it will never be enough, and though Branch is still adamant that he’s leaving, Evangeline puts herself out there, not willing to lose their connection so quickly and knowing that they are exactly what each other need.
Yes, their relationship is initially based on kink. Evangeline is a Domme, Branch is a sub, and there’s lots of BDSM behaviour, but it’s strictly kept in the bedroom, and Branch’s alphaness is too strong to contain fully. While he gets off on having Evangeline do certain things to him, he also reciprocates, and together they are on absolute fire!
And as they get to know each other and begin opening up, all of that chemistry easily shifts into an intense emotional connection, and they can’t keep their hands off each other in any way. And with Branch in full-on alpha mode there is just as much vanilla sex as there is kink, and it’s all seriously hot!
But Branch’s demons are dark. He is a tormented man, and his backstory is tragic. It’s going to take all that Evangeline has to offer, and then some, to drag him back into the light, to a place where he can finally find his peace.
OMG, this is such a beautiful love story! I could feel the emotion between Branch and Evangeline, and the intensity of it all just drips off the page. Their attraction to each other is insane, but the love story is actually a slow burn that takes time to develop, and I loved every moment of it! Branch is just the right amount of broody alpha badass, and Evangeline’s strength in standing by her man and not allowing him to push her away is just fantastic! She fights for him, for what she feels and what she knows they can have together and I freaking loved it!
For me, this book has more heart than the previous book in the series, which was a bit more BDSM-heavy. It’s seriously steamy, but for me the BDSM aspect is a bit better balanced with the romance than it was in the first book. This one is more emotional and intimate, and I think that allowed me to connect with the characters and their romance more than I was expecting, and I really appreciated that.
I loved catching up with the characters that we met in the last book, as well as some newbies. And that hint we are given into Stellan and Sixx’s book up next has me intrigued once again, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their story all plays out.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s another long one and I felt that it lagged a tiny bit at the end, but otherwise I thought it was a gorgeous love story, and I loved it.
4 stars.
This one was a surprise! Kinky, yes, but also heartfelt, emotional and beautifully romantic. I loved it a lot more than I thought I would, it’s such a gorgeous romance!
After being rocked by the concept of an alpha sub in the first book of this series, The Deep End, I was wary going into this book. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I was intrigued by Evangeline’s story – a Domme who was brutally attacked by her sub during a session at exclusive club, The Honey. Evangeline has completely withdrawn from her friends and from the lifestyle, but with this book we see her friends continuing to reach out to her, and her reawakening after laying eyes on broody but gorgeous Branch Dillinger.
Branch is an ex-military badass who has been through hell in his life. He’s still struggling under the weight of his grief, loss, guilt and trauma, and he has no desire to put down roots or form any lasting connections. But he knows Evangeline, he’s seen her in action, he knows what happened to her, and he
So, with the promise of one night only, the two of them embrace their kink and share an experience which leaves them both changed forever. They know that it will never be enough, and though Branch is still adamant that he’s leaving, Evangeline puts herself out there, not willing to lose their connection so quickly and knowing that they are exactly what each other need.
No way he was going to walk out of that playroom without looking back and vanish from her life.
No way.
She was going to hunt that big boy down and she was going to tear him open.
And then she was going to shatter him.
He liked to be pushed to the edge? She was going to take him there. Shove him right over. And go over with him.
And when they landed, they both were going to explode.
All over the place.
And love every bit of it.
Yes, their relationship is initially based on kink. Evangeline is a Domme, Branch is a sub, and there’s lots of BDSM behaviour, but it’s strictly kept in the bedroom, and Branch’s alphaness is too strong to contain fully. While he gets off on having Evangeline do certain things to him, he also reciprocates, and together they are on absolute fire!
And as they get to know each other and begin opening up, all of that chemistry easily shifts into an intense emotional connection, and they can’t keep their hands off each other in any way. And with Branch in full-on alpha mode there is just as much vanilla sex as there is kink, and it’s all seriously hot!
He's the badass motherfucker the baddest badass motherfucker wished he was.
But Branch’s demons are dark. He is a tormented man, and his backstory is tragic. It’s going to take all that Evangeline has to offer, and then some, to drag him back into the light, to a place where he can finally find his peace.
OMG, this is such a beautiful love story! I could feel the emotion between Branch and Evangeline, and the intensity of it all just drips off the page. Their attraction to each other is insane, but the love story is actually a slow burn that takes time to develop, and I loved every moment of it! Branch is just the right amount of broody alpha badass, and Evangeline’s strength in standing by her man and not allowing him to push her away is just fantastic! She fights for him, for what she feels and what she knows they can have together and I freaking loved it!
For me, this book has more heart than the previous book in the series, which was a bit more BDSM-heavy. It’s seriously steamy, but for me the BDSM aspect is a bit better balanced with the romance than it was in the first book. This one is more emotional and intimate, and I think that allowed me to connect with the characters and their romance more than I was expecting, and I really appreciated that.
I loved catching up with the characters that we met in the last book, as well as some newbies. And that hint we are given into Stellan and Sixx’s book up next has me intrigued once again, and I’m looking forward to seeing how their story all plays out.
I really enjoyed this one. It’s another long one and I felt that it lagged a tiny bit at the end, but otherwise I thought it was a gorgeous love story, and I loved it.
4 stars.
June 3, 2017
I would never forget the time I was warned by Kristen Ashley (aside from the fact that she actually talked to me) that this book would be far more intense than The Deep End in all aspects... And hot damn she couldn't have nailed that statement more. I was truly and utterly bewitched by the entire book. There was never a moment, a page, a single second where I felt bored or detached from what I was reading. The whole time, it was like I was with Branch and Evangeline—seeing, feeling, experiencing everything. It was pure bliss and heat and holy freaking feels all over!
There's just something about these alpha subs that have such an extraordinary hold and appeal to me. I guess that perfect balance of the commanding presence and vulnerability they exude get to me more than I actually anticipate. And Branch Dillinger is exactly the perfect embodiment of an alpha sub. Seriously. Branch in action, no matter the position, will either burn your vaj to ashes or blow your heart to smithereens. I just got drawn to this man the more his story unraveled.
I freaking loved Branch the moment we got glimpses of him in the first book. He has this quiet, brooding and mysterious persona down pat and you won't be able to help but just want to peel all his layers off and get to know every single thing about him. Branch Dillinger completely OWNED this book and my soul. It was all about him. I got hooked on his perplexing ways and intriguing thoughts. The way he submits to Angie in the playroom or once they go into a scene. And then the way he takes control of a situation outside of it. Everything about this man just screams addictive and well, mouth watering. He was also overly possessive, yet so nurturing in his own special, silent, broken way. A true giant, badass motherfucker with a huge, kind heart and I LOVE IT.
As complicated and heartbreaking as Branch's story was, Evangeline Brooks has her own fragile memories to deal and come to terms with too. She took a break from her normal life at the Honey for about a year after experiencing such a trauma from her previous sub and boyfriend when he just snapped out in the middle of a scene and decided to slam her up the wall and beat her up to a pulp. Since then, she retreated to herself and thought she'd been such a fool to open herself up like that to someone she thought she could trust and love. Until Branch.
I adored Angie because she's not your typical icy, stone-hearted Mistress. She's fierce and sweet and soft, especially outside of the playroom. And when she sees something, or better yet someone, she wants, nothing would stop her from getting it. The determination and fighting spirit of this woman is just unbelievable and I loved her so much more for it. Angie didn't let Branch slip through her fingers, no matter how much she knew she was setting herself up for major heartbreak, nor did she ever give up on him. She fought for what she wanted and never stopped. There couldn't have been a more perfect match for Branch than this woman right here. I really think she's the only one who could've handled and stuck it with him.
When you read The Farthest Edge, you'll realize how there's so much more that comes into play, more than just the playrooms and Domme/sub scenes than you think. Branch and Evangeline's story goes deeper than you'd ever ask for and each revelation is truly worth it. This book actually packs a whole lot of an emotional punch. And it's erotic romance at its finest. It's the kind of book that you'd want to take your time reading and devouring because that's just how good it is.
This is, without an ounce of doubt, yet another epic, downright smoldering read from the Honey series by Kristen Ashley that will captivate your heart, soul and nether regions (in Evangeline's terms, not mine) from the very first page.
There's just something about these alpha subs that have such an extraordinary hold and appeal to me. I guess that perfect balance of the commanding presence and vulnerability they exude get to me more than I actually anticipate. And Branch Dillinger is exactly the perfect embodiment of an alpha sub. Seriously. Branch in action, no matter the position, will either burn your vaj to ashes or blow your heart to smithereens. I just got drawn to this man the more his story unraveled.
I freaking loved Branch the moment we got glimpses of him in the first book. He has this quiet, brooding and mysterious persona down pat and you won't be able to help but just want to peel all his layers off and get to know every single thing about him. Branch Dillinger completely OWNED this book and my soul. It was all about him. I got hooked on his perplexing ways and intriguing thoughts. The way he submits to Angie in the playroom or once they go into a scene. And then the way he takes control of a situation outside of it. Everything about this man just screams addictive and well, mouth watering. He was also overly possessive, yet so nurturing in his own special, silent, broken way. A true giant, badass motherfucker with a huge, kind heart and I LOVE IT.
As complicated and heartbreaking as Branch's story was, Evangeline Brooks has her own fragile memories to deal and come to terms with too. She took a break from her normal life at the Honey for about a year after experiencing such a trauma from her previous sub and boyfriend when he just snapped out in the middle of a scene and decided to slam her up the wall and beat her up to a pulp. Since then, she retreated to herself and thought she'd been such a fool to open herself up like that to someone she thought she could trust and love. Until Branch.
I adored Angie because she's not your typical icy, stone-hearted Mistress. She's fierce and sweet and soft, especially outside of the playroom. And when she sees something, or better yet someone, she wants, nothing would stop her from getting it. The determination and fighting spirit of this woman is just unbelievable and I loved her so much more for it. Angie didn't let Branch slip through her fingers, no matter how much she knew she was setting herself up for major heartbreak, nor did she ever give up on him. She fought for what she wanted and never stopped. There couldn't have been a more perfect match for Branch than this woman right here. I really think she's the only one who could've handled and stuck it with him.
When you read The Farthest Edge, you'll realize how there's so much more that comes into play, more than just the playrooms and Domme/sub scenes than you think. Branch and Evangeline's story goes deeper than you'd ever ask for and each revelation is truly worth it. This book actually packs a whole lot of an emotional punch. And it's erotic romance at its finest. It's the kind of book that you'd want to take your time reading and devouring because that's just how good it is.
This is, without an ounce of doubt, yet another epic, downright smoldering read from the Honey series by Kristen Ashley that will captivate your heart, soul and nether regions (in Evangeline's terms, not mine) from the very first page.
Shelved as 'avoid'
January 23, 2019As much as I like the idea of a male sub, I’m apparently very fair in my dislike of any trope bondage, male or female sub.
It just doesn’t work for me 😔
It just doesn’t work for me 😔
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