This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I love her writing style, she had me hooked from the first page.
I feel the front cover of the book and the style of the book has been compared to Fifty shades of Grey because of the dominant male character and BDSM!
This story is about 2 people with difficult heartbreaking pasts who are still getting over alot of issues and find themselves drawn to each other. Not many erotica books delve into feelings like this and the story actually moved me with the amount of detail given about their pasts; particularity Evan’s absolute grief at losing his partner and soulmate adding such a compassionate touch bringing the reader closer to him. His grief at her loss was preventing him moving on, until he meets Claire.
Claire’s story is also a fascinating read as she had plucked up the courage to join the book club to try and get her life back together after her abusive relationship and the guilt of her feeling turned on from the violence she received, till they eventually split after 10 years.

Claire becomes fascinated with the erotica section of the shop in particular the BDSM section; something which had not gone unnoticed by Evan and after some strategic books left out for her to read, she finds herself turned on and extremely attracted to Evan and begins to learn from these stories that she is sexually submissive. We watch as Evan begins to help guide and teach her the true meaning of BDSM, what it really means to submit completely to another person, the trust that is vital in sub/dom relationship; but things get complicated as emotions get in the way.
I loved the subtlety of them wanting each other, neither making the first move but both deliciously turned on by each other; the sexual tension growing with every meeting.

Opinion
To sum up this book it will keep you hooked till the last page wanting to know what they will do next, its a brilliantly written book which will make you fall in love with both Claire and Evan two really solid main characters. It will tug on those heart strings and some may even shed a tear at the depth of emotions within these pages which keeps you reading till the end. I loved the idea of the book club within the bookshop throwing this couple together and I found myself willing them to just go for it, they are perfect together, a wonderful sub/Dom relationship if they would let it, but can they both find life and love again?
Elene captures the true meaning of BDSM, the feelings, the emotion and of course the sex.
This is definitely not your typical BDSM style story and if your after lots of hardcore sex this isn’t for you, but if you are after a compelling compassionate, sensitive read to watch the lives of 2 people unfold you will love it.
There isn’t much sex within the pages, but when there is; its hot because of the sexual tension created! The odd thing is, there isn’t much spanking or restraint either that are found in most BDSM novels as the book is based more on the emotions involved on both sides. Dominance and submission are explained and dealt with in a wonderfully sensitive way something not often approached with writers of erotica and that’s what makes this book so different and a must have read.
If you love to get immersed completely into a novel you will love the Awakening; this novel is a wonderful deep emotional read.

– Gadget Girls Reviews
Xcite Books – New Reviews