3.75 rounded up. This was a solid read. Both main characters are like-able and we get some backstory for each of them. I probably have a bit of a crush on Cassandra. The secondary characters are also enjoyable. I wasn't totally invested in the beginning but as the story progressed I went all in. There was a lot of good info shared regarding the domme/sub lifestyle. There were a few times that I was a little bored by some of the internal thoughts/descriptions, but not enough to really affect my overall feelings about the book. The book ended with a satisfying conclusion.

(The cover on netgalley of the most recent edition in my opinion is much nicer than the one goodreads uses as the thumbnail. The original cover has two women who don't resemble either of the mains.)

-An ARC was given to me from the publisher through Netgalley for my honest review-

If you're a fan of the 50 Shades series, you'll want to add this to your list of evening books to curl up with. Not often do I encounter a good LGBTQ novel in which the characters are a mix of poor construction mumbling the author's personal views on society or just written as if it was a smut book, and in this case Hyde has kept her mind where any author should; on the story.

With complex and dynamic characters uncertain about their place in the world or who they perceive themselves to be, Story of L is something that whispers softly to its readers that it's okay to be scared of new things, but do decide if you're willing to take the next step.

4.5/5

This book is a true love story set in an unconventional relationship. I read a lot of BDSM erotica and erotic romance. This is one of the best. The entirety of the subject matter was written with honor and respect. The characters were believable. When they hurt, I hurt. When they experienced love, lust, joy — I felt like I experienced it as well.

I will be honest, I’ve never read a f/f romance, and certainly not one set in the BDSM/ leather realm. I was nervous (I’m not sure why m/m and m/m/f romances don’t bother me), maybe intimidation? Possibly it was my lack of familiarity in the relationship dynamics. I’m use to male D and female s, once I straightened myself out the love story and friendships read beautifully.

If you’re looking for genuine BDSM, power shift, dungeon and private residence scenes, this is the book. Exceptionally steamy and graphic sexual scenes, I totally recommend this book. Transgender explicit sex, yes! Complex characters, and even more complexity within their storylines look no further.

I can’t wait to read more. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

I dont really have strong opinions. It was good for the genre. I would consider reading more from the author.

Wow! ‘Story of L’ was unlike any erotica book I’ve ever read.. I enjoyed every page, and couldn’t put it down. The writing was exquisite, the level of description the author went to, to describe scenarios and scenes was immense. You are taken on an amazing sensual journey, this isn’t the type of book I’d of wanted to read in a public space!
I also feel even if you have no experience or understanding of the sub/Dom world, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it and be dying to find out more.
The characters are very likeable and relatable, the storyline easy to follow.

I am not a fan of love stories, and am generally drawn thrillers, crime or erotica, but even I found myself rooting for the main characters to have a happy ever after!

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys erotica, sub/Dom stories and lgbtq+.

I have only good things to say about this book. This book is a work of art. Clearly, it has a specific taste, for lack of a better word, but underneath the truly erotic scenes is a beautiful love story. I definitely received an education with this book, so I apologize if my review doesn't use proper language to describe this genre? But this author is one I will read again, for sure. I would love to hear more from this pairing, even if only as secondary characters in another book. I'm so glad I read this story.

This is very much a BDSM erotica with a lot of slave/master scenes, which I quite enjoyed about it. This is a good story about complete submission and I liked how L transformed from a switch to dedicated submissive. I didn't care for the term 'the Void' but I did understand the idea she was getting at with it, I just wish the term didn't bother me every time I read it. There's not a lot of Liv and Cassandra conversing and bonding but I could see the strength of their connection. I really enjoyed the lesbian take, which is something I haven't found a lot of in BDSM books.

I don't know what I was expecting when I read this book, but whatever it was, it delivered. The story of Cassandra and L is quite fascinating and reinforces the fact that you never know what's going on behind closed doors. It's a great peek into this world without being over done silly or unrealistic.The description of each scene was visual in reading each detail that I could picture everything that was happening. It was a quick, fun, and engaging read.
I got an ARC in return for an honest review on NetGallery.

This is about lesbians, trans men, bisexuality/pansexuality and BDSM (with practices like fisting and electrical play). The whole story is centered around L's journey to submission, if you're not up for this than it isn't the right book for you.

This is actually my first full lenght lesbian erotic novel, I could only find fanfictions and novellas before, I'm not sure if it's an underexplored genre or I just failed to look well enough (or both).

It starts with Liv headed to her favourite club, The Hippolyte, where she meets Cassandra. Well known in the BDSM scene, Cassandra is older and more experienced, that first meeting leaves both seeking each other.
It's obsessive and needy, the scenes are described by how the characters (mostly L) feel about them. Not a classic romance and not strictly erotic either.

I didn't fully like the writing style, I wished it was simpler and maybe used less french. I had to reread often, then google some terms, my e-reader's built in dictionary helped but some words weren't in it. English isn't my first language but reading a book has never been so complicated. It got easier after about the first third of the story though.

I was pretty confused at Quinn's pronoun changes, it kept switching even in the same sentence, beside that I only noticed small mistakes (like 1 instead of I). The cover I saw is the one with the tied hands, I probably wouldn't have picked it up with the other one. I know it's erotica but I can't take it seriously with a cover that looks like a bad sexy shop ad.

I loved this, but I'm not sure I'm capable to explain why in any coherent way.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley, for the chance to read an ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

So even though I can't claim that I know much about the BDSM scene, or that it's something that I'm really interested in exploring, I loved being able to step into the world of BDSM for a few hours via the Story of L. What a well written escape!

I won't recap the novel, since it's done well in both the synopsis and by other reviewers here. What I first noticed and enjoyed immensely about this novel is the way that Hyde took a few moments to describe and set each scene as it played out. I could picture the play rooms as we entered them, picture what each character was wearing, etc. When an author takes the time to truly set a scene and draw the reader in, it makes all the difference in the world!

The other thing I truly loved was that Hyde didn't just write a sex scene for the sake of the characters having sex. I really enjoyed watching Liv (better known as L), and Reese connect at first, testing each other out, then watching Cassandra and L connect and form what seemed to be a true bond. Even though I would characterize this as a BDSM novel, it wasn't about punishment and pain as my naïve mind though it would be, it was more about a true and deep dom/sub connection between L and Cassandra. And better than that, it also showed the true love between Reese and Cassandra. I'll say it again, this isn't just sex for the sake of sex - there's an actual story here, with an well-developed plot that left me wanting to read more.

It may not be the love story that you're used to, but it's a love story that will leave you rooting for the MC's at every turn. If you're at all interested in the BDSM or dom/sub scene, if you enjoy the ride of MC's falling for each other, or even if you just enjoy a well written novel with a side of smut, do yourself a favor and go pick this one up! Solid 4 stars!

*An ARC was given to me by the publisher for a honest review.*

A fun read different than what I normally go for. Wish the relationship was built on more than just physical chemistry.

A f/f romance that's intense and emotional and wonderful!!!! I didn't expect it to be so intense, to be honest, but the plot is fast and the story is just the right length to make for a wonderful read! I recommend to anyone interested in f/f love stories + a rather psychological plot.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read a lot of M/F and M/M BDSM based novels, so to read a F/F was a nice change. The story is based on two main characters Liv and Cassandra as well a character, they are both mature characters which I also found refreshing to read since I don't often find that in the books I read.

This book is a story about nontraditional love, two characters finding a love that suits them both perfectly and provides them both with everything they need and desire.

Liv classes herself as a switch within the scene, both able to be dominant and submissive. Once she comes in contact with Cassandra who manages to go beyond all of Liv's expectations, she finds herself craving a more submissive role. Cassandra is known as a hard dom, she'll push boundaries and get what she wants but there is a side to Cassandra that people don't often see. She is looking for the perfect submissive, someone both willing to love and bend to command.

This book was good, I liked the characters, I found the story easy and pleasing to read. The scenes were hot. .

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this story. It took me by surprise. At times, it moved too fast without the backstory, but it was sweet and sexy at the same time
This story was all about Liv living the BDSM lifestyle thinking she is a top. She feels hunger without always knowing what it is she is searching for until one night she experiences Cassandra. Cassandra calls out to Liv's submissiveness and brings out the side of Liv that she hungered for.
The story has a sexy HEA and was beautifully written.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this. It was very unlike anything I’ve ever read before, and I’m still not sure how I fully feel. It was intriguing to read about such a topic, but some actions did make me feel uncomfortable. However, the author did do a great job writing and going very in depth to all scenes of this book.

Liv is at a club, Hippolyte’s every Saturday night . She is looking to fill the Void that pulls at her. A simple little scene at this female only BDSM club will not work for her. She is a switch, but not submissive or maybe she just doesn't know.. Liv has a friend, Quinn who will help her try to satisfy her cravings. One Saturday night, someone offers to help Quinn with Liv and she agrees. This new Domme is Cassandra, something of a legend in the BDSM community. For once the Void is quiet. After a few days, an invitation is sent to Liv. It is from Cassandra and she accepts. There's a chance for Liv to be one of Cassandra's Darlings. Will Cassandra be able to fill the Void, can Liv prove that she is willing to surrender everything? The Void Liv wants to fill is not all about sex, it is finding your home, a place where you are happy an there's no need to keep searching for a cure. I really liked this book. I found it full of real feelings and emotions. At the end Cassandra and Liv bare their souls and lay open their hearts for each other to see. There are really great characters in this book. I loved Quinn and Reese. I received this book from Net Galley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy . All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley.
This book took me by surprise complex and equal parts sweet and sexy it was hard to put down from start to finish! much like O this story was all about Liv living the BDSM lifestyle thinking she is a top while at the same time not completely satisfied until she experiences Cassandra and what an experience it is. Its changes Liv in so many ways not the least of which is finding the One. The one who finally calls to the inner submissive that Liv never knew was there. This story was equal parts sweet and sexy and all wonderful!

Hyde’s quality of writing in this book was quite unexpected and undoubtedly a large contributing factor on her winning the coveted Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Erotica. Hyde is able to weave a complex love story between Cassandra and Liv even as they begin dominant/slave relationship.

The sum total of my knowledge of BDSM came from the Fifty Shades trilogy. I thought this was really interesting and different from what I usually read. I liked it enough to read more of this author's work. I love age gap stories, and found this one hard to put down once I started. I also enjoyed the chemistry between the two main characters and found Reese to be fascinating as well.

This was hard for me to review. I liked the story of how L grew into her submission. And the writing was good. But the love between L and Cassandra seemed rushed. They barley had actual contact and when they did they realized they were in love. If you like BDSM, the scenes in this book are fabulous. They won’t disappoint. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy