Club Indulgence Duet by Maggie Cole
In the first part of the “Club Indulgence” duet, we meet Riggs, who has a history with Blakely since her teenage years due to his partnership with her father. Their backgrounds differ greatly, with Riggs growing up in Compton with a troubled past, while Blakely enjoyed a privileged upbringing. Despite Riggs showing moments of being hot and cold, I was drawn to his character.
Blakely’s life takes a dramatic turn when her father tries to control her by arranging a marriage, prompting her to run away. Unexpectedly, she finds herself kidnapped and thrown into a BDSM club auction. Simultaneously, Riggs seeks revenge after facing betrayal from his partner and clients and crosses paths with Blakely.
While I liked Riggs, I did struggle to warm up to Blakely due to her immaturity and lack of listening skills. She appears driven by her desires and makes decisions without asking enough questions, including agreeing to the auction for the wrong reasons. I believe Riggs could have done a better job guiding her through the complexities of their situation.
Despite the flaws, I appreciates Riggs for fulfilling Blakely’s dreams and making them a reality. The book has thrilling moments, but some scenes are somewhat annoying. However, the intimate encounters in the story are well-crafted and enjoyable.
I found myself wishing this story wasn’t split into a duet. The constant back and forth between the characters created excessive angst without serving a clear purpose, making it challenging to connect with Blakely’s character. Her portrayal came across as immature and annoying, making it difficult to fully invest in her journey.
Moreover, I felt that the exploration of kink in the book fell short of expectations. It could have been done in a more skillful and engaging manner, leaving me somewhat dissatisfied with the overall execution.