Dark Lessons

By: Julia Sykes

Narrated by: Fred Blogs, Lauren Sweet

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

One hot night with a devastatingly handsome stranger. That's all it was supposed to be. So when my darkly domineering one-night stand turns out to be one of my instructors at Quantico, my life becomes far too complicated. I'm training as an FBI agent, but Jason has other forms of training in mind. Like bending me over his desk for a spanking.

I try to resist him, but soon we're stealing forbidden hours of lust when no one's watching. It could cost us both our careers, but I can't help myself. He's broken, and I want to be his salvation.

In return, he says he wants to protect me, to love me. But can he save me when my new job puts me directly in the path of danger?

©2017 Ellis Bridgers (P)2017 Ellis Bridgers

FBI Endorsed Rape and Torture

While the author is free to concoct a misogynistic tale of rape and torture, she should know that most law enforcement professionals arrest sexual predators, not endorse their violent and degrading attitude toward women.

Unfortunately FBI trainer Jason was a sadistic sociopath without morals, compassion or human kindness, who preyed on stupid, naïve women like Natalie. Jason's rationale for emotionally and physically abusing women was irrational and evil, making the story sad and depressing, rather than romantic or entertaining.

Since the author has considerable talent, she could create strong, caring male characters who actually like and respect women as well as female characters who expect to be adored and loved.

Sexy and Exciting

I had no idea what to expect with Dark Needs by Julia Sykes . I was just going through the list of Wicked Book Weekend authors and seeing which ones had audiobooks available. Since she was the sponsor of our BDSM demonstration, I knew her books were BDSM romance, but that was all I knew.

When I started Dark Lessons, honestly, I was very “meh” about it. It seemed too traditional and almost old fashioned, if that makes sense, for a contemporary. It seemed like everything a traditionally published BDSM book was 6 years ago. It felt predictable; an amazing one night of sex and the handsome stranger turns out to be her instructor for Natalie’s first day at Quantico for FBI training. It also seemed like a beginner BDSM book, explaining the reasoning behind the submission a bit.
"Natalie’s submission was as addictive as the drugs I’d abused. Just as addictive and equally as dangerous."

Jason was an agent who had a bad case that left him with some major PTSD causing him to become an addict. Add to that his abusive father was a high ranking official, and Jason was sent to Quantico to be a trainer until he cleaned up. Meeting Natalie was a complication he didn’t need, but one that brought out all of his dominant and protective instincts.
"She might not need rescuing, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to protect her."

Still, it was a pretty tame book. The sex scenes were very beginner BDSM, and again, I was just feeling meh.

And then HOLY MOLY. Is this the same book?

DANGER. ACTION. SUSPENSE. Holy cow, this book totally turned around! It was almost like two completely different books! It had a dark turn to it, and a lot of twists and turns that were a little tough to follow on audio, but still kept me riveted.

Likes:

•Well written.
•A completely surprising turn.
•The second half kept me riveted and my heart pounding.
•Good sexy times.
•Sometimes there was a well placed funny line that perfectly lightened an intense scene.
•I love a kickbutt heroine.
•The Jason Bourne type turn.

Dislikes:

•The whole 1-night stand ends up being your teacher trope is so freaking overdone.
•The BDSM and romantic relationship felt very BDSM 101. Like this should be your first foray into this genre.
•He was a very gentle dominant and everything and the emotions behind it were explained a little too much.
•The writing and terminology felt like a safe, traditionally published BDSM book from 2011 at first.
•The second half where the suspense began was a little tough to follow.

The Narration:
I enjoyed both narrators. While neither are my hands-down favorite, I really have no complaints either. The voices fit the characters, and I think this story is just as good in audible as it would be if I read it.

The Down & Dirty:
Dark Lessons by Julia Sykes started as a 3 star read for me. There was nothing wrong, it just felt safe and traditional. Then it totally changed on me and I’m so glad I stuck it out through all the crazy twists, turns and excitement. It was like 2 books in one: a traditional beginning BDSM romance and an exciting, suspenseful, military romance. Julia is in the lifestyle in real life, so I liked that the BDSM elements were realistic and informative, but if you have read other well-known authors in the genre, this will feel like BDSM 101. All in all it turned out to be a unique and exciting read.

Rating: 4 Stars, 4.5 Heat, 4 Narration

disappointing

The summary sounded like it would be a bdsm book but you also have torture used as programming the two sides just didn't make a seamless book for me I won't be trying another book from this author

Is it worth a credit? 👍🏻

Yes, but be forewarned...

Dark Lessons is an intense dramatic romance set within the world of an FBI recruit. The story includes some BDSM activity and torture scenes. There are twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting and I was left sitting on the edge of my seat a time or two. Halfway through the story, I wasn’t sure which direction it would take. The main characters are well developed, but some of the minor characters were not. It seems like the ending was rushed and the reader is left on a cliffhanger. I believe the sequel is called Sweet Captivity, but Dark Lessons is not listed as part of the series.

A relief when it was over

I am an avid audiobook consumer. Once i had invested some time into this book, I felt I needed at least just see it to the end.... begrudgingly. When it was finally over, I literally said “Oh, thank God!”........

Not So Bad

This book was not bad. I liked the story but the narrator woman was so annoying. She was much better as a man. The male narrator was eh...whiny at best. Loved the characters Jason and Natalie. The story saved this.

Wow

This was an awesome story. I would recommend this
Great characters, performance and plot. Look forward to more of Julia Sykes.

Spell binding thriller with dynamite M/s Love

I was on the edge of my seat reading this book, so well written. The characters absolutely draw you in. I loved the Dominant Jason, former Army Ranger with PTSD, turned FBI Agent, damaged from childhood by an abusive father which leaves his self-worth at -10. After he spends a single night with Natalie, he finds his inner strength revived, and he will need it to get through the trials to come. Jason's chemistry with Natalie is off the charts as they seem to be made for each other. They need every bit of that to get them through the volatile story line that has them separated for 5 five years, each suffering their own version of hell.
But the HEA is well worth the trip and they will be together forever. I wish there was a scene in which Natalie (who had psych classes/training) could face off with Jason's father and tell him exactly what she thought of his behavior towards his son. I would have made it a Bonus Epilogue segment. Oh well, you can't have everything.

hot

this is one tantalizing ceiling fuck you definitely don't want to miss for adults only

Dark lessons

This was an enjoyable and interesting book! I want to read the next book as soon as possible. There are still some questions that need answering.