by Jennifer Dawson
Series: Undone #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Fiction
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
One night in a moment of sheer madness I confessed my secrets to him. All my life I’ve been pretending. Pretending to be the woman I thought I should be instead of the woman I really am. I’ve been faking it and I am good. No one has ever guessed. Except him. He just looked at me and knew.
Chad Fellows is not the man I want, but he’s fast becoming the man I need.
One night in a moment of sheer madness I held her in my arms and let her cry. I did the right thing, letting her walk away, no matter how much she calls to the part of me that wants to rescue her. We are nothing alike, and she’s a mess of complications in a life I’m trying to keep simple. But then I touched her and made her tremble and now I can’t turn away.
Ruby Stiles is not the woman I want, but she’s fast becoming the woman I need
Debauched by Jennifer Dawson is the third book in the Undone series, a contemporary erotic fiction series with BDSM elements. While this is part of a series, Debauched will work as a standalone. Hot, sweet and filled with character growth Debauched offered a delicious romance. Dawson can make a brief kiss incredibly sexy.
Coffee Dates with Debauched:
- First Date: I was excited to begin this first date after the interaction between Ruby and Chad in Unraveled (Undone, #2.5). We first met Chad in Crave (Undone, #1). He was a blind date Layla met and things did not work out, but they became friends. I did not see Chad as dominant if fact he seemed like a straight-laced IT guy. I have always liked Ruby, Layla’s best friend. She is edgy, unique and very much the polar opposite of Layla. These two are attracted to each other and both are thinking about the last time they were together. Their first encounter in Debauched was humorous and incredibly hot as the banter, denial, and stolen kisses had me slipping into their story.
- Second Date: Ruby has been unsatisfied for a long time, and her idea of the perfect man is not really doing it for her. She thinks Chad is all wrong and while she finds herself jealous of Layla and Michael’s relationship, she really is not seeing herself in a Dom/Sub relationship. Chad wants Ruby and knows he can satisfy her but wonders if he is ready for a committed relationship. Once these two decide to explore a relationship Dawson begins a slow-building courtship filled with banter, tender moments, exploration, and delicious heat. One of the things that sets Dawson apart it her insight into the characters and they way in which she allows them to grow and explore.
- Third Date: Character growth, self-discovery and trust must be conquered as their relationship develops. The angst was low-key and I enjoyed seeing Ruby come into her own and find happiness from within. Ruby and Chad have a beautiful connection and I enjoyed their conversations, quiet moments, and discoveries. The sexual tension was incredibly hot from teasing to late night phone calls. When Chad and Ruby finally connect the air sizzles as Dawson turns up the heat. It was erotic, incredibly sexy and beautiful. Debauched wrapped up beautifully and I liked the updates on our previous couples and moments spent interacting with them. Chad and Ruby left me smiling as our date ended.
Debauched offered a sexy romance with delightful character development, friendship and swoony moments.
Read Chapter One
He’s the first person I look for as I walk into the crowded room.
I don’t want it to be true, but it is.
Chad Fellows. The cute, nice guy I’d deemed harmless and not my type when I
first met him has turned into my biggest nightmare. And he’s still not my type. At all.
I just can’t stop thinking about him.
Chad is a responsible, employed IT manager, a stark contrast to my normal guy. I like my men with an edge. Artistic rocker types, with songs running through their
heads, mattresses on their floor, and Peter Pan complexes.
Walking disasters are an acquired taste.
Since I was fifteen years old my preference has not deviated, much to my family’s and friends’ disgust, but that all changed eight weeks ago on Valentine’s Day at our friend Brandon Townsend III’s new club The Lair. Instinct had warned me not to go that night, but I hadn’t listened and now my perception of Chad had shifted around
me and I’m not happy about it.
Thankfully, I haven’t seen him since.
I don’t want to see him tonight.
Only, I can’t stop searching the crowded room for him.
While I’ve thought of him plenty, I’ve successfully avoided him since that night, when I’d made such a fool of myself. When I’d somehow ended up crying helplessly on his shoulder, distraught and emotional. When I’d let him see me as I never let anyone see me, vulnerable and lost. I cringe, remembering how I’d turned my face up to his, silently pleading to lose myself in him so I could avoid all that was wrong with me. I
hadn’t offered outright, but it had hung there in the air between us.
He’d sent me home in a cab. Untouched. Except for the imprint of his palm on
my back.
The next morning I’d woken up hung over, humiliated, and thankful.
If I could avoid the evening’s celebration I would, but I can’t. It’s my best friend Layla’s engagement party. I’m her maid of honor. I’m duty bound, and I love Layla so much I wouldn’t miss it for the world. She’s been through hell and back and I will do anything in my power to help her build a road to happiness. I’m also compelled to make up for the petty jealousy I experienced, and kept hidden from her, on Valentine’s
night that started this whole mess.
My hope is Chad won’t be here, but deep down I know that’s a long shot. He’ll
be here. And my avoidance will be over.
After that disastrous night, the next day, he’d contacted me to make sure I was okay. Because that’s the kind of man he is. There’d been something in the air, crackling over the line that hadn’t been there in all the times I’d talked to him before. Something I didn’t want to acknowledge. So I’d been polite, appreciative, but made it clear I didn’t
want him to contact me again.
He hadn’t.
Supposedly he’s a dominant. A trait that’s become familiar to me watching Layla and her husband-to-be over the last year, and was on full display at the club that night. A trait I don’t like but somehow can’t stop being fascinated by. But there’s not one thing
bossy about Chad. In fact, he’s exceedingly respectful of my wishes.
I can’t figure out if I’m happy or disappointed about that.
All I want is for him to stop occupying my thoughts.
So I’d done the only thing I could think of and brought a date to the party. I’m hoping it ends my strange connection to Chad. Which is probably one-sided anyway. Since guys like him are supposed to go after what they want, and he’s been radio silent.
I glance at my date standing next to me. Two months ago Tommy was my dream guy—wait—scratch that. He is my dream guy. A dark, scraggly haired man-child with moody chocolate eyes, a pouty mouth, and slim hips that move like the devil when he plays guitar. I was pining for him something fierce before but couldn’t snag his
attention.
In true bad-boy fashion, he’d asked me out once my infatuation moved
elsewhere. We’d gone out a couple of times, usually after one of his shows where I’ve had a few drinks to convince myself I want him. After all, he’s exactly my type. But I find I’m not able to get lost in the rocker boy angst of him like I normally would. I haven’t slept with him—in fact, I’ve kind of avoided physical contact with him—and I
have excuses for why that is.
Trying to believe it has nothing to do with my last conversation with Chad
where I’d confessed the dirty little secrets I’d never planned on sharing with anyone.
Which is why I had to bring Tommy with me.
I need the illusion that I’ve forgotten all about what happened between Chad
and me. That I’ve moved on. That I never told him anything important and private.
I’m good at illusion. It’s my specialty. I’m convinced if I can make it through this
night, my smile in place, my date by my side, it will be like Valentine’s never happened.
Once he’s out of my head, I can get back to the life where I belong. Singing in my bluesy club, hanging out with unemployed musicians, and making art for my favorite bands. Going to my day job to grind out a living before I can go slip into the night and
get lost in lyrics and melodies.
Eventually I’ll forget Chad knows things about me that nobody else does.
Tommy puts his hand on my hip, encased in a black pencil skirt that matches my black fitted top, with tiny white skulls where polka dots should be. I look very retroglam. My dark hair is shiny and sleek, curling over my shoulders like Lauren Bacall. My eye makeup is a smoky cat eye that plays up the bright blue of my eyes. I’ve also slicked
my lips with a crimson gloss that highlights my already naturally red lips.
I look good. Evidenced by the hungry appreciation in Tommy’s gaze, but all I care about is it provides me with much needed armor against the man I don’t want to
see.
My best friend, and bride-to-be, Layla comes running over to me, a huge smile
on her beautiful face. “You’re finally here.”
I hug her and lean back, giving her a long once over, before I whistle. “You look
stunning.”
She does. She’s beaming with happiness, her dark chestnut hair a tumble around her shoulders, her blue eyes brilliant. She’s wearing a white V-neck dress that ends demurely at her knees but hugs every one of her curves. She looks beautiful,
sophisticated, and sexy.
“Thank you,” she says, kissing me on the cheek. “So do you.”
After a terrible tragedy that almost killed her, she’s made her way back to life and has never been happier. I can’t begrudge her that. Even if I experience unwelcome stabs of envy over the love she shares with her fiancé. Those are my problems, not hers. It’s not her fault that, unlike me, she has excellent taste in men.
Her future husband, homicide detective Michael Banks slides up next to her, putting his big hand on her hip. Like Layla he’s dark haired, but with unusual hazel eyes that stare right into you and make you want to fidget. He’s also six-five and
stunningly masculine. The kind of guy you can’t help but look at on the street.
Together they make quite the pair.
Michael kisses me on the cheek and says, “Glad you could make it.”
I beam at him, so wide my cheeks ache. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’m the maid of
honor.”
“That you are,” he says before holding out his hand to my date.
I quickly make introductions. “This is Tommy.” Tommy shakes Michael’s hand. “Thanks for having me.”
At least he’s polite.
Michael nods. “Thanks for coming.”
“Congrats.” Tommy shakes Layla’s hand too and nods at her appreciatively.
“Nice job, man.”
Never mind. I cringe and immediately hate him.
Layla gives me a little grimace. She’s not a fan of my choice in men.
Michael’s palm slides possessively over Layla’s hip and he smiles. “I’m not sure I
can take credit for her genetics.”
Tommy laughs. “Killer place you’ve got here.”
“It’s my parents.” Michael juts his head toward where the crowd is already
growing. “Can we get you something to drink?”
“You got any Jack?” Tommy asks, rubbing his ridiculously flat stomach.
Why did I think this was a good idea? Tommy seems like a child in this crowd. Which, in fairness, he kind of is. Something that wouldn’t have bothered me before, but now grates across my nerves like sandpaper. Before I would have liked that about him. It would have made him special in some twisted way.
At thirty-one, I’ve always been a free spirit and have no desire to settle down. I lived that life growing up and I have no desire to go back. I’m a minister’s daughter, raised in a loving but traditional family, that has never walked the wild side a day in their lives. Unlike my brother and sister who seemed to thrive in that environment, I was stifled by all that propriety. Every time I was required to go to another church event, shaking hands and smiling in my perfect preacher’s daughter dress, I would
swear this would never become me.
I left the second I had a chance and have never looked back. I want to be free. Free of mortgages and responsibilities and five-year plans. I don’t want to change. But it
seems like I am, despite my best intentions.
Layla grabs my wrist. “You guys go on, we’ll be there soon.”
Michael squeezes her hip, kisses her lips and murmurs something in Layla’s ear
that has her sucking in a little breath.
Michael is also of the dominant persuasion, as is his best friend and future brother-in-law, Leo Santoro, and their other friend, Brandon Townsend III. A persuasion I knew very little about before Layla started dating Michael and now can’t
seem to get away from.
I’ve been watching them for months. The way they all prowl around their women, possessive and commanding. I know that’s what Layla and Jillian, Leo’s
fiancée, want, but I can’t see the appeal. Which is yet another reason to stay away from Chad.
The two men walk away. Tommy looks like a stiff wind will blow him over he’s
so slight. Like a boy next to Michael’s man.
Layla grins at me. “So that’s the guy, right? The one you’ve been after?”
Had it only been two months since I was desperate for Tommy’s attention?
A waiter passed with a tray of Champagne, and Layla stops him and grabs us
two glasses.
I take a sip. “That’s the one.”
“He’s cute.” She lies.
While he’s not her type, he is cute and girls go crazy for him. If you like
musicians, Tommy’s a catch. But I can’t quite get excited about him anymore.
Unable to help myself I glance around the room but don’t spot him.
I shrug. “He plays a mean bass.”
“As long as he treats you the way you deserve, I’m happy.” Layla waves at someone and takes a drink. “It’s going to get crazy in a few, and I’m going to have to socialize, but I wanted to see how you were. I feel like we haven’t talked since I got
engaged.”
We hadn’t. I blame myself. She’s been busy with her engagement but she’s still
made time to call me. I’ve been avoiding her.
I’m jealous, of what I’m not sure, because I don’t want to get married and settle down, but it’s been eating away at me. I hate myself for it and don’t want her ever to
guess while I’m desperately figuring out how to stop the feeling.
I bite my lip. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
Layla’s brow furrows. “You don’t have to be sorry, but you seem like something
is bothering you, and I don’t know why you won’t talk to me.”
I don’t want to bother her with my petty problems and hang-ups. Layla has been through so much and she’s finally happy, I’m not willing to ruin that. I put on a bright smile. “I’m fine. I promise. Don’t worry about me. You just concentrate on being happy,
okay?”
Layla’s blue eyes narrow on me and her suspicion is etched in the corners of her
mouth. “Can we do dinner next week? Just the two of us?”
“Yes, let’s do that.” I hug her, distracting her away from studying my expression.
“All we need is some girl time to cut through the crazy.”
She laughs. “Probably. And it is crazy. So dinner.”
“Dinner.”
She steps back and squeezes my hand, before winking at me. “And, girl, you
look hot as hell.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Thanks.”
“I have no idea how you pull off that look, but it’s envy worthy.”
I know she means it. I even know it’s true. I’m just having a hard time feeling it right now. Somewhere along the way I have lost my mojo, and I don’t know how to get
it back.
So I fake it, like I fake everything else.
Layla sighs. “Duty calls. My future mother-in-law is signaling.”
I give her a quick hug. “Go. We’ll catch up later.”
She takes off, leaving me alone.
And that’s when I see him.
He’s in the back corner of the room talking to Ashley, a friend we sometimes hang out with, who’s been after him since the second she laid eyes on him. Ashley is everything I’m not. Blonde, cute, sexy, and a huge flirt. She adores men. But more
important, she adores the chase.
She’d been chasing a guy named Trevor since college. Desperately in love with him, she’d let him use her for casual hook ups whenever he’d been in the mood for easy sex. This summer, a week after Ashley went home with Trevor and convinced herself this was going to be the time she snare him for good, he’d met a “dancer”, fallen
instantly in love, and kicked Ashley to the curb forever.
Devastated, Ashley has been on the prowl for a replacement ever since, and every time she sees Chad she becomes like a dog in heat. Throwing herself at him
mercilessly. Before Valentine’s Day it had amused me. Now it doesn’t.
Over her head, our eyes lock.
I can’t really tell you what it is about Chad Fellows that has captured my undivided attention when he’s everything I never wanted in a man. Yes, he’s a good guy. He’s stable, dependable, and compassionate. He’s also gorgeous, if you like the allAmerican type, with high cheekbones, messy brown hair and direct blue eyes. He’s tall
and has a great body that defies his computer-geek status.
Sounds like a dream guy, right? He is.
He’s just not my dream guy, including the fact that he’s into the whole
domination thing. A thing I definitely don’t want anything to do with.
Gaze still intent on mine, he takes a drink out of a rocks glass. He slowly lowers the beverage and even from across the room I can feel his slow once over as he takes me
in.
Goose bumps break out over my skin. The hair along my neck prickles and a
tingle races over my spine as the air crackles, connecting us from across the room.
As much as he’s not my type, I’m not his either. Girls like Ashley are his type.
But since Valentine’s night there’s something between us.
Something I need to break.
At that moment Tony slides up next to me. “Hey, babe.”
I want to kill him. Bash him over the head with his stupid guitar.
Chad cocks a brow then returns his attention to Ashley.
I’ve been dismissed. I grit my teeth. Well, good.
*disclosure: I work as a virtual assistant for this author and was gifted a copy. This did not influence my review and all opinions are my own
Beppe DM
Thank you so much for the giveaway! 😉
Bookworm Brandee
You know I love this series but Debauched may be my favorite! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Chad swoon and dang I loved Ruby!
Leona
Oh this looks interesting!
kimbacaffeinate
Love this series Leona 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Ooh I want to get my kink on Kim 🙂 and Debauched while I’m at it!
kimbacaffeinate
haha…enjoy Debbie 🙂
Trish
Loving that it’s low on angst and high on character development. I need to read on in this series, I loved book 1.
kimbacaffeinate
Crave and Debauched are my favorites of the series Trish 🙂
A Belle's Tales
This sounds like a delicious, sexy, just-for-me read! lol But I especially like that this offers up depth and character growth that a lot of eroticas fail to do. Love the dates and that first chapter 😀
~Michele
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, this has substance and I appreciate that.
Shari
IT guys are the hottest as I am married to one…and I used to be in IT when I worked outside of the house. We are the sexiest people using all those lines of code (joking and not joking)!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I married one too although he perfects flannels and blue jeans not oxfords and khaki pants 🙂
Daniela Ark
I love books with great characters arcs.Love to see them grow 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I do too, there is meat to this story/series and I appreciate that 🙂
Melliane
it may not be my kind of books but I’m glad to see you had such a great time with it!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane 🙂
Sandra Watts
Very sexy cover. Thanks for hosting.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, thanks Sandra 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
Okay, I need this. Especially with that cover!
kimbacaffeinate
I do love her covers ..nom!
AngelErin
Oh heyyyy, look at that sexy cover! No wonder your heat level is so high. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
And you know what the consummation wasn’t until later in the story but she really brings the heat and the chemistry build up is off the charts
Joanne B
This book sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to read it.
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you enjoy it!
Christy LoveOfBooks
I look forward to finally reading this series. Chad and Ruby sound like a great couple.
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I look forward to your thoughts on these!
kindlemom1
Glad this was such a hot read for you!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali.
Braine Talk Supe
I love the low angst and I am a fan of seeing previous couples. Makes their HEA more real when you “see” them still happy and very together.
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree Braine 🙂
Sophia Rose
It does sound good. It’s refreshing to find a BDSM story that is low angst.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed and not all between the covers too 🙂
Katherine
Yay to low key angst and too a witty banter and characters that sound complex and decently fleshed out. Adding to my TBR!
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoy that Dawson brings depth to these stories, thanks Katherine
Karen M.
Wow! This looks good!
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you get chance to try it 🙂
Lorna
Not a fan of erotica as a rule, but I am glad you enjoyed this one 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Lorna, despite having sexiness, the acutally act doesn’t happen till later in the book 🙂
Angela
Ooh, I need to read this series. I’m really glad to see this one has character growth.
kimbacaffeinate
All of her novels have character growth and self discovery Angela. I hope you try them!
Candace
It’s good the angst is low. That always drives me a bit nuts.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Candace!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I wasn’t sure if this series would be for me, as I am not into the whole dom-sub thing. But I like that the girl in this book isn’t into that either. It makes me want to read it more. So thanks for sharing this, I’m entering in the hopes to win the ebooks for sure! The gift card would be nice too, but I’ll be happy to just win the books and try at least this last one out.
kimbacaffeinate
Dawson adds such depth, and this is far from your typical dom-sub reads. Good luck!
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
Would you say that I’d need to read the others in the series first though?
kimbacaffeinate
Not really. Dawson updates you on beginning of this couple. You will see couples from previous book but works on its own.
Nick
It’s always the strait-laced guys that are the most unexpected no? 😉 I think this author does sexy nerds really well, so I’ll have to check out this installment even though I’m not into erotica.
Wonderful review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
One of the things I like about her is that even though this is erotica, they don’t acutally consummate their relationship until later in the book, but the build up and smexy moments before are just as hot.
Linda Romer
Debauched sounds fantastic ♡ Thank you
Happy Release Day!
kimbacaffeinate
Hope you enjoy it Linda!
Sandy S
Congratulations Jennifer on the new release, looks amazing.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Sandy!
Jenny
Must read this Kim! Yay for low-key angst. That’s what I look for in my romances now (along with plenty of heat of course, and this seems to have that in spades, so it’s clearly a winner). Probably should start with book one though!
kimbacaffeinate
I would this is a fun, smexy series Jenny!
Kristin
Fantastic review, girlie!!! *sigh* I love Chad…
kimbacaffeinate
He is swoony!
blodeuedd
*waves*
kimbacaffeinate
*waves back*