“A love story is not the same as a romance novel. A romance novel is the story of two people falling in love against their will. This is a story of two people who leave each other against their will. It starts to end the minute they meet.”

This book couldn’t be further from what I was expecting. Yet, I was more pleasantly surprised than I could have ever imagined. Also, growing up in a very Catholic home, I think that also made me appreciate this book more than the average reader.

This has been on my TBR for quite some time, but I finally decided it was time for me to read it after seeing Chelsea’s video, last week. (Seriously, check her Booktube out. She’s amazing!)

This book is set in Manhattan, New York and follows an aspiring writer, Nora Sutherlin. Nora has written a few other books that would be considered more on the smutty side, but now she wants to be published through a more legit publishing house, therefore, she has to work with an editor that won’t put up with her excuses or antics. And what antics are those, might you ask? Well, Nora is also a very well know dominatrix, who has quite an extensive background in BDSM.

In my opinion, that is the best part of this book; how wonderfully, and healthy, this book treats the BDSM lifestyle. This isn’t some FSOG wannabe, where the girl gets a spanking and the guy says some hurtful things to her. This book really delves into the underground world that is BDSM and actually portrays it really well.

I can see how the sex, not even including the BDSM aspects, would make someone not as open minded uncomfortable. I mean, it’s sort of a weird love triangle square between a priest, a married (estranged) man, and someone a decade younger than the protagonist who also happens to be a virgin.

I’m, personally, team Zach, AKA: the estranged married man, but he honestly seems like not the best choice from the ending of this book. Alas, I can’t help it and my heart wants what it wants. Zach is also the most painful road out of the three for Nora, but who likes clean endings anyways? Maybe it’s the masochist in me, but I think that road would lead me more to Søren. Regardless, I’d pick Wes last, and looking through my friend’s reviews I am in the minority with that choice. I understand that he’s Nora’s conscious and all, but all his scenes literally felt like babysitting a whiny child to me. Well, maybe not the bath scene or the two bed scenes, but the rest of his scenes, God damn it!

Because this book is about a writer, it also has the cool aspect of a book inside of a book. You will be able to read many passages in this book about the book Nora is creating. I’m just a sucker for things like that, so I ate up all those passages!

“There are only two reasons why you leave someone you’re still in love with – either it’s the right thing to do, or it’s the only thing to do.”

This was expertly written, the story and concept were so unique, and I wish more books would push the envelope like The Siren did. Seriously, this book has such wonderfully written taboos. As long as you’re not too much of a prude, and would like to be enlightened a little on the S&M community, I would for sure recommend this book.

“If you come back to me,” he said, making a rare concession, “will you run or will you crawl?”
Nora had pressed her whole body into him at that moment. Resting her head on his strong shoulder, she watched as a tear forged a river down his long and muscled back.
“I’ll fly.”