Lilibet Bombshell's Reviews > Highest Bidder

I read and reviewed all four of the originally-planned SPC novels, and I adored every single one. I had that soft sadness that comes whenever a beloved book series comes to an end, but I was absolutely satisfied with where it ended and felt the series had wrapped up exactly where it should’ve wrapped up. Nothing more was needed or wanted, in my opinion. I was happy for Sara to move onto other projects and to create more beautiful books for us to read.

Then Highest Bidder and Madame were announced, and I felt…concerned. Two characters, one very peripheral and one we’d had a cameo from in almost every SPC novel (if not all of them). I was satisfied with letting those characters lie. I liked leaving them to be mysteries. I didn’t want more SPC novels. I wanted Sara to let sleeping dogs lie. Apparently, agents and managers and publishers come before one reader’s opinions, though, and these books were coming whether I liked it or not. And I told myself, “Well, if these books are coming then I’m coming along enthusiastically to support Sara and to support the SPC series”, because the Salacious Player’s Club series has done more to clear up erotica readers eyes concerning BDSM and sex clubs than I thought was possible, undoing a ton of damage that books like 50 Shades had done. Sara had truly taken the romance novel community to church when it came to subjects such as BDSM, polyamory, owning your sexuality and k!nks, letting yourself become emotionally vulnerable, teaching about safe spaces and aftercare, and deprogramming toxic masculinity. I was truly scared Highest Bidder was going to come in and throw off the chemistry of the original four books.

I’m going to be honest with you and say that yes, this book does throw off the direction and chemistry of the original four books. It doesn’t match up with the other books in vibe, emotional depth, or in the way BDSM is woven into the story and the characterizations.

Does the age gap squick me out? No. Honestly, this is a fiery, panty-melting, chemistry-fueled read filled with dirty talk and filthy thoughts. The sexual chemistry between Ronan and Daisy starts off as mere curiosity on her side, but soon balloons into something akin to napalm, brilliantly hot, insatiable, and just about impossible to put out. Ronan, for his part, wants to flip up her tiny uniform skirt as soon as he sees her, but that’s not exactly an unusual reaction for a mature male who regularly visits a sex club. It’s how much she needs someone to help her, take care of her, provide for her, pamper and pleasure her and give her everything she needs that sets Ronan on fire. If Daisy’s physical attractiveness is the flint, then her neediness is the spark.

The largest part of why I loved this book is Sara Cate’s impeccable characterizations and how the woman never takes any shortcuts when it comes to writing BDSM dynamics. She has a reverence for BDSM practices and the lifestyle that most authors wouldn’t bother with that bridge the gap between the sex scenes and the characters that give depth to their individual issues and motivations that would otherwise have to be explained in more mundane and roundabout ways. BDSM forces you to confront your emotions and feelings, to process them and feel them. Sara’s gift as an author is giving her characters safe space to do all this, while keeping their love intact.

The only large complaint I have about this book is that there seems to only be the barest shell of a plot to this book that only appears at convenient times. If you’re going to have a plot, then have a plot and don’t let it just go to the wayside for the sake of whimsy and spice. Keep some structure to the story’s plot at all times.

In the end, this is Sara Cate, this is the SPC, this is some of my favorite tropes, and it’s a dang good book that will melt your underthings off your body.

I was provided a copy of this title by the author. All views, thoughts, opinions, and ideas herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Age Gap/Age Gap Romance/Billionaire Romance/Contemporary Romance/Daddy K!nk/Forbidden Romance/Kindle Unlimited/KU/BDSM/LGBTQ Friendly/Romance Series/Sex Club/Spice Level 3