Cover Image: Soft Limits

Soft Limits

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Member Reviews

Brianna Hale is an immediate purchase for me. Anything she writes is incredible & each character is brilliantly created and unique. I recommend her to ALL my followers & have created many a Hale fan from my reviews.

As is becoming a habit with my reviews, this is the first novel I’ve read by Brianna Hale and one of the first romance novel I’ve read of its kind. Period. I didn’t read the blurb before scooping up this book, so I wrongly thought that this would be your average, every day romance. I was horribly, wonderfully wrong on that front.

Soft Limits is a Daddy BDSM romance with an eighteen year difference in age between Evie and Frederic. Two new experiences in my reading repertoire. I want to let you readers know right off the bat what you’re getting into because if you go into this expecting a light romantic read you’re going to be really surprised when Frederic comes out dressed like a neurotic priest (slight spoiler here, ladies). I don’t want any of you being blind-sided by the erotic nature.

Soft Limits is a contemporary novel, but the way Brianna Hale writes had me wondering if I’d fallen straight into a dirty version of Pride and Prejudice. The whole thing screamed 1800s England, so I was incredibly confused when they referenced things like Instagram and electric cars. The writing style was to die for though and I truly enjoyed the way Ms. Hale weaves her stories and draws in the reader through her character’s dialogue.

Evie is a wonderful character who really resonated with me in some ways, but in other ways she was a total foreign concept to me. She was quirky and odd, but also strong and empowering. A walking contradiction, to say the least. I’m sure every woman can commiserate with the internal battle we face between wanting to be strong feminists, but also longing to be cared for and trying to come to terms with the battle within us.

Frederic is… well, he’s Frederic. He’s dangerous, intriguing, warm, and welcoming. He understands boundaries, but knows when to push them. He’s the ultimate male protagonist. The one you’ve been searching for. Sexy, domineering, loving, and tortured by a secret that will ruin him.

The whole novel was honestly amazing. I started off thinking that the Daddy Dom thing would be awful strange, given that it’s not exactly something I’ve sought out before… or even thought of before, but as I read it my opinion began changing. By the end I found myself slack-jawed and totally wrecked for other novels. Quite a delightful read in the dirtiest, dirtiest way.

The book comes out October 30th and if you’re a fan of some darker BDSM then I suggest you check it out. Only 2.99!

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Evie is a ghost writer working on her best biography ever on her teen crush Frederic d'Estang a world renowned theatre singer. Despite him being 18 years her senior there is something about him that draws her in. Deciding on a love affair that will only last 5 months sounds like the perfect plan for both of them. Frederic is teaching Evie the pleasure of her kiny that they both enjoy while writing his story. Neither planned on falling in love, but will his secret be too much for them to overcome.

I like it. Loved that is took place in London and Paris two of my favorite cities.

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I can honestly say that this is one author whose porch I would wait on just to get her next book. Nobody writes Daddy Dom/Little Girl romances like Brianna Hale does. She put so much feeling into this story, I felt like I was right there with the characters and I could totally go for a Daddy like Frederic. Soft Limits was beautiful and sexy and makes you melt. I can't wait for the next story from Brianna Hale.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia 5 Stars

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4.5 Stars

Evangeline (Evie) Bell loved all things literature. As a graduate student she spent her time writing and admiring her favorite performer. When an opportunity came knocking, she was determined to use it to her advantage.

Frederic d’Estang had commanded stages all his adult life. As a performer, he could play any role but his most favorite one was the one played out in the bedroom. When he saw Evie, he knew he wanted to play a part in her secret fantasy while keeping his own in the dark.

I think his name alone made Fredric sexy. Try saying that with French accent lol! I like how he had a lot of vulnerabilities while never really showing it. And like a good Daddy, he was nurturing.

As a little, Evie was mostly subtle. She had a good balance between being a matured adult and wanting to be a coddled little girl. I like how she had a different side when it came to her needs.

I have not read many of DDlg books, but enough to say this book offered something different. It had a darker side which made me very happy. Typical DDlg books can be too "pink", too bubblegummy and not enough dirtiness. This one had right amount of balance to keep everyone from either spectrum happy. I also have to say I'm very happy with how it ended - HEA without the need to visit the dentist.

Soft Limits follows the story of two people finding love while learning to overcome their personal fears. It would appeal to readers looking for DDlg dynamic with both sweet and dirty elements.

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Cinq étoiles doux! Brutalement torride et l'un des livres les plus sexy de l'année. Frederic d’Estang left me begging for more.


Oh mon Dieu ! Mon cœur bat comme les ailes d'un colibri en même temps que j'écris cette critique. Ce livre est magnifique, une œuvre d'art qui mérite plus que cinq étoiles.


Soft Limits by Brianna Hale is a bookish pleasure for those who like the BDSM and romance. This book blow my mind far away. It is beautifully written, the perfect mix of angst and panty-melting heat. This book is so damm hot.


“What turns me on. Well, I like to be in control. I like to be obeyed. I like sweet and clever women who submit to me and let me take care of them. That turns me on.”


This is the first book I read from Brianna and I am not disappointed. She delivered a phenomenal and brilliant must read. Sinful and seductive, Soft Limits, captivated me and didn't let me go. Brutalement torride et l'un des livres les plus sexy de l'année.


The plot is pure perfection. It is well written and the pace is fast. This book is set in two of the most beautiful countries in the world: France and England. It is dual told. Every French prharse was a super sexy plus. Who does not love foreign accents? Frederic is a wet dream.


“I like sweet and clever women who let me take care of them. That turns me on.”


Frederick is the kind of man who is dark, mysterious, moody, arrogant and sexually intense. Let him be your next book boyfriend.


“Meld to me, obey me, cling to me. I like it. It makes me feel good, having you soft and happy in my arms.”


Evie and Frederic’s story is like Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester's. The fragile girl who fall for the dark man. A re-tale in the modern literature world. It is perfection, a masterpiece, a unique jewel.


“Tears on your face and a pussy full of my come. That’s how you’d be all the time if I had my way.”


Brianna gifted us a sadistic, possessive and “sweet” dominant. Frederic d’Estang left me begging for more. He is the opposite of any dominant I dream of. He does not hide his deep desires. He is rough lover and Evie just made it easy for him to seduce her and turn her his little minette.


I HIGHLY recommend you this book. Evie and Frederic's story is not the classical Dom-Sub relationship. It is something more deeper and so damm sensual.

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4.5 STARS! Soft Limits (stand-alone). Daddy-play, kink,& secrets as Evie is swept into affair with older man!

Soft Limits (stand-alone) follows the sexual awaking of graduate student and aspiring writer Evangeline Bell, Evie while she is hired as the ghostwriter for the memoirs of world-renowned stage actor, singer and composer Frederic d'Estang, her childhood crush and an imposing man eighteen years her senior.

Evie is in over her head unable to read the hot-cold signals from Frederic. That is until he picks up on her submissive tendencies making her the perfect subject for his kinky and devious urges. And so they embark on a Dom-Sub relationship with Daddy-play, which at times brings out the Sadist in Frederic.

Frederic d'Estang: 41 years/French-Canadian/Stage actor/Singer/Black hair/Green eyes/Dom/Sadist.
Eight words to describe Frederic d'Estang: Commanding, analytical, aloof, secretive, brooding, intense, non-committal and conflicted.

Evangeline Bell, Evie: 24 years/British/Grad student/Writer/Blond hair/Blue eyes/Sub.
Eight words to describe Evangeline Bell, Evie: Naïve, trusting, akward, smart, meek, innocent, loner and forgiving.

Soft Limits, told from dual POVs, is a forbidden romance with age gap and kinky sex play as Frederic and Evie explores their sexualities and test limits. But is also a journey of self-reflection and growth complicated by secrets and devastating set-backs. It ends with truth and healing.

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

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Soft Limits is Brianna Hale’s latest erotic romance that explores the kinky relationship between the established and famous stage actor Frederic d’Estang and the young graduate student Evie Bell. Frederic is a harsh and sadistic task master who takes Evie on an arduous sexual journey that fulfill her hidden and burgeoning desires. This journey is an intense one, and despite the book’s title, there is nothing soft about the kink embraced within it. It is also important to note that the dynamic between these two is a daddy/little girl one which won’t be for all readers. However, those that dare to read this one will find an unforgettable romance that is driven by a dark erotic journey with Gothic undertones.

Evie is a graduate student who also ghost writes memoirs when she has time. When Frederic, who is a friend of her father’s, needs someone to write his own memoirs, it seems perfect for Evie to tackle the task. The two travel to Paris to work together. Frederic is rehearsing for a new production and trying to record some his his best work. He is under a tight deadline because he is dealing with some serious voice issues (issues which he keeps to himself). Meanwhile, Evie works to interview people from Frederic’s past to pull together his story.

There is a stark sexual tension between these two right from the start. Frederic has very kinky and sadistic sexual desires that he tries to protect Evie from initially. However, he knows that she has some similar desires after mistakenly reading some of her kink-laden fan fiction. It doesn’t take long for the tension to explode, despite Frederic’s reservations. Evie isn’t entirely sure where her dark fantasies will take her, but Frederic does. The two begin a daddy/little girl relationship which is one that is both fulfilling and scary for Evie.

There is a Gothic feel to Soft Limits as Frederic has a brooding-Mr. Rochester way about him. Is he a villain come to despoil the innocent young girl? Or is there more to their relationship? It is this questionable dynamic that makes the story so compelling, however. Frederic is only human - a man who is drowning under the weight of his secret even as he is falling in love. Evie is a bit of a blank slate, but one that reacts strongly to Frederic’s darkness.

Evie does have some trouble coming to terms with everything that her daddy/little girl relationship with Frederic means, but the major source of conflict is the secret that Frederic keeps and how he reacts when the secret becomes public knowledge. He absolutely sabotages his relationship with Evie and then has a big hole out of which he must climb.

All of Brianna Hale’s books feature daddy kink, and they are all excellently executed. Soft Limits has a harder and darker edge to it than her others, but it fits its main couple so very well. The kinky sex is plentiful and blistering and might steam up your ereader. This is a book that fans of BDSM and daddy kink in romance must not miss. It also might interest those who enjoy a harder level of sadism and/or masochism. At this point, I think Brianna Hale owns daddy kink in the erotic romance arena.

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So this is my first Brianna Hale book and if you like anyone like Isabella Starling, Jade West, Linnea May and many others that write darker sometimes bdsm books then this is a story for you. When you first start reading this book you have no idea where you are going to go with these two characters. Brianna takes you on a journey with Frederic and Evie that will blow you away. I loved this book and will reread it many times. #Mustread #Oneclick
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy for my honest review. There is daddy play and some hard BDSM play sometimes in this book. If that is not for you, don't read this book

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Kris – ☆☆☆☆
It's been ages since a book shocked me, but Soft Limits had me slack jawed a few times! The age play warning had me wondering if this book was for me, but it was done well enough that while I was shocked, I wasn't appalled, and even got a bit hot under the collar!

Evie is the daughter of Frederic's friend and agent, she's a grad student and a writer.

Frederic's life as a Broadway playwright, singer, and actor has been illustrious and rewarding. Toying with the idea of a biography, Frederic hires the young Evie to write it and invites her to Paris to live with him and interview his friends and coworkers. Evie has crushed on Frederic since she was 13, loving the villains he plays on the stage from her favorite novels.

Evie is a young woman who's naive and childlike, but her needs are dark. Past lovers were unable to fulfill her. She spills her dark desires into her written short stories, but she's never tried them for real. Frederic is a sadist and a dominant. He's drawn to everything about submissive Evie and brings out her innermost longings. He lets her be exactly who she longs to be, no matter how violent or kinky her fantasies. These two really turn a page with sensuality and bring some of the darkest desires to life in each of their encounters. Play acting and also just being themselves, Frederic dresses the part, literally, and Evie plays hers to the extremes. Including thumb sucking and calling Frederic daddy.

Not for the faint of heart, especially if that type of consensual age play bothers you. But I found it written well and intriguingly twisted.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of kink and naughtiness!

I really enjoyed this book – I am not usually into age play, but actually it was really well introduced and was limited to... well you read it and find out!

The underlying plot was really good, and as soon as I reached the end, I could have read it all over again – except it was 3am and really I needed some sleep before the alarm went off! Definitely a page turner, and one to read when not in public! Super hot and definitely touching on the dark and sadistic, but somehow also a softly romantic story.

I will be looking out for more books by Ms. Hale, as this was a really good read.

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Soft Limits” is Dark and Dirty and oh so good!! This book was really good. Brianna knows how to write her Daddy romances. This BDSM story was really dark a little darker than I prefer but it is really sexy. I didn’t want to put it down.(I read it in one sitting!) It was written so well. I really enjoyed this one. This book is way more than just sex. The romance was so great. I love Fredric and Evie. They need each other. Fredric helps Evie find herself and makes her feel happy with who she is. Evie is everything Fredric wants and needs. She is sweet and caring and lets him care for her. To him she is prefect. They are so great. This relationship works so well. They are so sexy!! I really enjoyed this one. (smiling as I think about it!) Brianna writes such amazing books that are hard to put down. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!! If you want a Dark and Sexy read then look no further.

P.S. the setting is (for the majority) Paris!!! My favorite place!! (I want to go there so BAD) It was so AMAZING reading about it!!

P.P.S. I freaking love that he call her kitten in french minette! It’s so SEXY!!

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4.5 Darkly Delicious Stars!!!

Adult, sexy and daring. Brianna Hale gets better and better.

“His singing voice can rattle windows with fury or caress with love.”

Ahhhhh....Frederic. Each hero of Brianna Hale strikes all the right notes with me. Having devoured her first two books, I could not wait to read 'Soft Limits.' A little darker than her previous books, this story has a little more depth and seriousness and I absolutely could not put it down! There are certain authors I just "click" with and Ms. Hale is one of them. You can count on tons of kink, flawless writing and a superb storyline. And a happy ending! Always.

If you have been wanting to try a little daddy/little girl kink, then by all means get your feet wet with Brianna Hale. I adored Evie and loved her exploration of her darker side. A brilliant writer in her won right, she has always searched for something more....and she finds it with Frederic D'Estang.

"It’s not just that I like make-believe. I crave it. And lately, I crave make-believe about villains most of all."

Evie is tasked with writing Frederic's biography. He is a famous performer and is hiding a dark secret of his own, Slowly they begin to get to know each other and realize that they have an almost unbreakable bond. They share the same unusual desires and fit each other perfectly. One thing i love about Brianna Hale's books is that there is no shame involved with her characters - everything is explored in a heathy and safe way. And I loved the age difference between Evie and Frederic!

"There are a few reasons someone might be a hero, but there are infinite reasons to be a villain."

There is a slight gothic feel to this book which sets it apart from the earlier books. All set in London, the city plays a vital role in Ms. Hale's books. I loved the lush descriptions of the city and of the countryside. I promise that once you pick this book up, you won't be bale to put it down! And there's plenty of lightness to balance out the darker elements. All in all, a wonderfully sexy, very adult love story. Highly recommend!

"Frederic isn’t afraid of my vulnerability, he craves it."

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Soft Limits by Brianna Hale is the story of Evie Bell and Frederic d’Estang.
Their story was a hot read that made you not want to put this book down . Evie has longed for a sexual experience that other may not choose and may judge her for. But at night she writes her fantasy out it seems until Frederic comes into her world. Frederic knows she needs more in her life and has similar sexual desires as he does. They start to open up to their feelings but Frederic still has something he isn't coming forward with. This is my first book by Ms. Hale but I hope to find more of her stories after reading this hot story.
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This is not my usual fare, that said it was a well written and interesting book from many perspectives.
Not too heavy on the drama, low angst, and no characters who've gone off the rails. The affection was apparent. The plot line is solid.
The BDSM was light compared to some I have read, I think the notion of Evie calling Fredric Daddy probably threw most. There was a couple things that made me stop and think about. It's not that far fetched.
I liked the plot and thought it was well thought out, written and brought full circle. The rougher parts weren't overdone or drawn out and it's obvious that there's more than just sex here. There were times when I wanted to yell at her sisters to shut it, only to have Nora come through when Evie needed that kick in the pants! Brianna writes a great story, no doubt about it. It's a fantastic read.

4.5 stars


**arc from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for a fair review**

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It's rare to find a novel with such spot-on BDSM, let alone a Daddy Dom/Little Girl relationship. Kudos!

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I liked this book! It's romance with an erotic edge. A little on the naughty side with the Big/little dynamic. Overall a great story with a young heroine and an older man.

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Soft Limits was a 4 Star for me. Brianna Hale is an author that I've has on my to-read list for a while, and i'm glad I got round to reading this as I really enjoyed it.

For me this book is the perfect combination of vulnerability and dark fantasy. I will mention that the sexual aspect of the book may put a few people off as it is quite intense, but for me I really enjoyed it. It includes Daddy/Little play that shows a softer side of the MC's, but you also have sexual fantasies played out such as scenes that could be seen as rape. However these scenes are completely consensual between adults. I like to read things that push boundaries so it didn't put me off in the slightest, in fact it drew me to the story.

Frederic is a singer and he does shows and musicals based on famous literature. He has a rare condition meaning that his voice will degenerate and become useless eventually which he keeps a secret so he can complete one last show and record all his favorite songs. His English agent has a daughter names Evangeline (Evie) who is a student studying Victorian literature and writes biographies. Evie agrees to write Frederic's biography and goes with him to Paris in order to write it. Evie has been never been able to connect with sex before and together they learn that their sexual chemistry is matched to each other.

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were well written and I came to love them both. I liked the plot of the story and I found that it was paced very well and that it was easy to follow through out. I liked that one of the characters was French and the book did include some French phrases however it managed to not become too much and just add a more authentic edge to Frederic's character. I also enjoyed all the references to classic literature and the theme that it plays throughout the book.

Recommend this book and I looked forward to reading other work by this author.

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I loved this book I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put my kindle down while reading this book. This was the first page that I have read from Brianna Halle and I will be reading more of her work in the future

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4 Stars 

Evie spends her days writing memoirs, and at night, she gets to take pleasure writing her ultimate fantasies with fan-fiction. Life is pretty much perfect for Evie, but something is missing . . . 

She needs a man. . . 
A man to  fulfill her upmost desires. 
Her ultimate fantasies. 

And when a famous stage actor waltz's into her life, she knew that fate is on her side. 

Frederic and Evie's chemistry is explosive, filled with nail biting passion, and steam. It's sweet, emotional, and a hint of darkness. 

Brianna Hale knows how to write a damn good love story. I feel that her book's keep getting better and better. Can't wait to see what she writes next.

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The little dynamic is not my thing. I just don't get it. However I did enjoy this book and the characters .

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i've got to be honest, while i liked the characters and the overall plot in soft limits i was really creeped out by frederic and evie's particular brand of kink. i don't mind bdsm stories, and i know that there are all kinds of kink in the world.

i guess it's good to know your limits. infantilizing creeps the bejesus out of me. that what this comes down to. the story of a singer facing the end of his career due to a throat condition and falling for his very young biographer, that part of the story i liked.

i even liked the parts of the story where she realizes that his dominance over her is what she craves. that it's what gets her off and makes her feel whole and safe and precious. i just would have preferred all of that happen without pacifiers being involved.

oh well.

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