TITLE: Not Until You Series 1 - 8
AUTHOR: Roni Loren
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHED: June 11, 2013 - July 30, 2013
RATING: ★★★★☆
PURCHASE LINKS: Part 1 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 2 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 3 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 4 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 5 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 6 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 7 Amazon Barnes & Noble
Part 8 Amazon Barnes & Noble
MOBILISM LINK: Part 1, 2, 7, 8 | Part 3 - 4 | Part 5 – 6
Description:
Cela knows how to be good. She's had a lifetime of practice. But on the night of her college graduation, she decides she's earned one wild night before she has to move back home to her overprotective family. So when the hot neighbor she's been quietly fantasizing about for a year suggests a game of Never Have I Ever, she's ready. But what starts out as a simple game takes an unexpected turn. Because Ian Foster doesn't play games he can't win.
Foster knows his desires aren't for the faint of heart, especially not for someone as sweet and innocent as his pretty neighbor. But when Cela shows up at his door with an invitation that surprises him, he can't resist indulging. Cela has no idea what she's in for. The secret dark side of this man's need will both intrigue and terrify her. But Cela has a secret of her own - and a new game to see just how far they're both willing to go, and how much they're willing to risk by crossing every boundary of desire.
Review:
I knew going in to this series that it would involve light to moderate BDSM, extreme sexual situations, and some violent language. What I did not expect was the emotional display from characters, plus a personal longing to finish the series. It really felt like Cela was experiencing a sexual coming-of-age. I have never read Fifty Shades of Grey and probably never will; I can only compare this book to some NOT ALLOWED novels I have read.
First I question how a woman can still be a virgin with hymen intact after pleasuring themselves with a vibrator. Below is a thought from Cela early in book one.
had used the soundtrack to fuel her own interlude with her battery-operated boyfriend.
Then this near the end of book two
“Be honest, Foster. If I had told you last night that I was a virgin, would you have slept with me?”
But then he went into the bathroom to toss the condom.
And saw red.
If a female pleasures herself with a vibrator then there is little chance for the hymen to be intact. The only way blood would be on the condom is from very rough sex. This did not happen in this scene. A one star reduction for this miff but this is only my opinion.
In Book four Cela is trying to trust Foster.
My fists curled but I forced myself to breathe through the panic. Trust. Trust. Trust. God, I’d never thought it would be this hard to put that faith in him. But my mind had me standing in front of a well-known restaurant. I’d only been semi-naked in front of four guys in my life, counting Foster and Pike. And now here I was, with God knows who looking on, being stripped down to my barely there bra and panties. My heart was making a valiant attempt to break through the prison of my rib cage and leave me behind.
I wonder how trusting, native and unworldly Cela actually was. To be a 24 year old college student, and around men but willing to give her neighbor so much trust, someone she has casually met in passing. For the brief glimpse readers are given about Cela’s past we learn that she was sheltered, not allowed much growing room. Throughout her high school only one guy made it pass the test by her father.
Cela kept thinking over and over that she was a good girl. Good girls do not do this / good girls do not do that. I can understand the good girl attitude. But sometimes good girls need to spread their wings and learn to fly solo. I feel this is what Cela was trying when she talked herself into going over to her neighbors, to learn to trust someone other than family. Cela learned that trust was more than just sharing about certain things; she learned that trust, sharing and even submitting is more important than being independent.
Throughout all the books readers see how Cela grows, expands her knowledge, and learns that everything is not black and white. She learns there is a gray area that blurs the right / wrong lines. As Cela grows she learns that her life is about pleasing herself and not her father.
But I’d spent so long trying to be who he wanted me to be
Sadly this is an age old argument between parents and children. Parents have a clear view on how a child should live their life. The views usually differ between parent and child. When the child spreads their wings and lives to please themselves the parent usually gets angry.
But I didn’t need to specialize in oncology. When I’d mentioned it to my father, he’d dismissed it with a sniff.
You don’t need to waste time specializing, Marcela, he’d said with that exasperated tone. I need a Jill-of-all-trades for the clinic. You’ll learn what you need to know down here.
Foster is battling lots of demons from his past. This is not show at the beginning but quickly takes readers notice when Cela is talking to a man Foster does not like. Cela has learned how to be independent. To not rely on anyone or allow anyone to determine who she should associate with. Foster is very over protective, and only trying to keep Cela safe but his past demons is hard to put aside.
When Cela as for a little time and space Foster saw red and took this as her pushing him and his lifestyle away. He did not understand or accept that everything was new to Cela and she just wanted to be 100% sure. Foster overreacted to this and pushed Cela away.
“I need some time, Foster,” I said, the bleak truth bleeding through me, making my limbs feel heavy. “To think about all this. We’ve moved fast. And it’s been intense and fun and wonderful, but I’m beginning to wonder if I’m capable of being what you want and need. Maybe I’m not cut out for this role.”
From the beginning I was drawn to this book. The main drawback I feel was its being published as episodes, one a week for eight weeks. I feel that Cela and the relationship with Foster seemed to move forward too quickly. Everything happens in a matter of weeks, not something that I feel would happen typically in real life. A few times the author jumped narrative voice from first person to third. Looking back I see this was needed. This helps to show so much more emotion with the characters. I enjoyed how sometimes readers encountered Foster’s point-of-view instead of Cela’s. This helped to enhance reader’s experience.
Readers do not feel overwhelmed by the secondary characters; they support not blare, not trying to capture the limelight. I felt this was very important throughout this series.
Here Cela has talked Andre into taking her to ‘The Ranch’
I hitched my purse higher on my shoulder. “All right, big brother, I’m ready. Time to get your baby sister into the den of iniquity.”
“Ay, dios mío.” He tilted his face to the heavens as he threw an arm over my shoulders. “I’m so going straight to hell.”
When the author switched to third person it provided so much more detail.
Her breasts sat high in her lacy black bra, and the warm glow of her golden skin could inspire prayers of worship, but Foster couldn’t bring himself to take advantage. He could play the jerk when needed, but he couldn’t use a sub while thinking of another woman.
However I would like to see some secondary characters have their own books. I personally feel Andre (brother to Cela) needs a book or series. At first his character seems to come off as shallow but in reading the series his character is very deep. Then we come to Pike. From the little past readers are provided he grew up in an abusive family. At first glance he portrays a 'playboy', cares for nothing, always out for the next thrill. However, deep down I feel Pike is longing for his one true love. Someone to banish his demons, to help him heal, to allow him to love fully and fully love him back.
I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys out of the normal relationships and does not have a problem with BDSM scenes, explicit sexual encounters, or strong language.