This review first appeared on A Weebish Book Blog.

THE DOM WITH A SAFEWORD isn’t my favorite of the Badass Brats, but it does hold a special place in my heart. Before reading this novel I was intimidated by M/F/F. I have no idea why because I’ve always been more attracted to women, but it’s true. The book introduced me to a love of all things M/F/F and served to remind me that kink has all flavors and while your kink might not be my kink and that’s okay.

“Don’t fall!”

Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Yes, thank you. Whatever would I do without your genius advi—” The foot holding most of her weight slipped and she tumbled to the ground.
On a ghost hunting excursion turned breaking and entering, besties Q and Sabrina run into Jude while they’re breaking into his creepy haunted mansion. After their awkward yet highly entertaining meet cute, it’s not before long when the trio agree to spend Jude’s last summer of freedom exploring a kinky relationship. As their summer comes to an end and the trio become close, they soon discover saying goodbye might be the hardest thing they’ve ever done.

There was nothing quite as powerful as using your mouth to make a Dom your bitch.
Q is the bratty gender queer switch of my dreams. She’s weird, overprotective, sexy as hell, and more vulnerable than her appearance would have one believe. She’s also wildly in love with her mischievous, voluptuous, straight best friend. Since the death of her parents, she’s had a difficult time losing people, so when the opportunity to share her tempting BFF with her new friend and potential Dom, she’s both reserved and DTF.

“Q is pretty and smart and funny, and if you hurt her, this Italian New Jersey catholic schoolgirl will go all heels-off-drunken-chick-fight-in-a-bar on your ass.”
While Q was my favorite of the trio—I crush on sexy Dommes—I strongly identified with Sabrina. I was also raised in an overbearing religious family and I certainly understand how hard it is to shake off the ideals drilled into your head from birth, even if you wholeheartedly disagree with them. Though Sabrina spends a good portion of the book angsty and in denial, it’s hard not to love the girl. She’s an adorable smartass and mischievous as hell. You just can’t help but laugh at her antics. She gives her Doms a run for their money and they enjoy every minute of her trouble-making.

“I have no tolerance for over-the-top bratting tonight. Do it and I’ll put you in the corner for an hour with a vibe strapped to your clit and a dildo inside you. Got that?”
Though Jude wasn’t the star of THE DOM WITH A SAFEWORD imo, he was just as stunning. Like Sabrina, his desire to live up to family traditions clashed vehement with his wants and desires, but for different reasons. He’s a confident Dom but he’s always done what his duty to make his dad proud. Jude’s given himself one more summer before he leaves his carefree kinky life behind for medical school.

Before discovering THE DOM WITH A SAFEWORD, I always associated “bratty subs” as something negative. As with all lifestyles, BDSM has rules and a path that is mainstream/expected and if you don’t fit into that cookie cutter persona, you’re likely judged as something bad or wrong. The Badass Brats showed me as long as you and your partners are happy, sane, safe, and consensual, you do you and fuck what other people think.

THE DOM WITH A SAFEWORD is a spectacularly kinky menage with a beautiful romance, heated sex, and a silly ghost adventure. If BDSM romance is your cup of tea, the Badass Brats are worth taking the plunge. ( )

I loved this story.. the characters were so real. My only complaint was I would have like them to do a few more things together (besides having sex) - more day to day activities, even though they were not officially living together. I also wanted to know more about Nico's & Q's relationship and why Q needed so much "pain" to be happy.
I was so happy with the ending Jude quitting med school and coming back to the girls & Jude's Mother being so cool with the idea that he could love 2 women I was proud that Sabrina was not going to let her family / upbringing spoil a chance at this opportunity / happiness.

Great read - would give it 4.5 starts if i could ( )

Dawn's staff pick for 5/12/13.

Dawn says: This is a book that will break you down and make you surrender all your time to it. But be warned once it has you in its grasp it will not let you go, it will leave you begging for more. ( )