ARC Review: Slave (Finding Anna, Book 1)

Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Romance/Erotica
Author: Sherri Hayes
Release Date: July 28, 2012
Format: eBook
Blurb: Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.

As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave.

Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.

Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.

Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?

Slave was so different than what I expected which made it even more wonderful. Although I assume this series will become more erotic, the first installment of Finding Anna was demure and about the healing of a broken young girl. I really enjoyed this book - even through the editing mistakes (typical of an ARC) and frustrating repetitiveness - I simply couldn't put down.

Brianna is a slave. Broken and beautiful. I can't imagine a character I've cared for more but was still left with so many unanswered questions. I expected this book to be a bit about healing, but more sexual in nature, giving Brianna control of her life sexually first thereby growing confident in her normal life. Instead, Sherri Hayes shows just how gentle a Dom can be in caring for and healing his sub - without the sex but with all the tension.

This book spanned about a month in time with Brianna growing closer to Stephan every page turn. Although your first thought is why not get this girl some professional help, you come to respect and understand Stephan's choice.

Unfortunately, I can't say too much without giving everything away. But I can say that Stephan is friggin sexy! Even without showing much of his Dominant side, I was drawn to his inner (and outer) alpha and wanted to much to learn more about him. What made him even more attractive was his ability to control without instilling fear, showing us how to gently encourage a woman sold and broken by the cruelest of Masters to finally trust again.

At the end of this book I was SO frustrated it was over and we had only just began to uncover pieces of Brianna. I can't wait to read Need (Finding Anna, Book 2) and really delve into Brianna and Stephan's past.

This is definitely a must-read! :)


*Received via NetGalley*