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Forbidden #3
Break
Everything about Fiona Drazen is forbidden. She’s a party girl with dark desires. She’s beautiful, irresponsible, irresistible. She’s my patient. I’m her therapist. I’m past past wanting her. Past possessing her. Past bedding her or protecting her. I’m willing to be self-destructive, negligent, brave, audacious, and stronger than I ever believed possible. She’s blunt force trauma to the heart. And she calls another man Master.
296 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2015
87 people are currently reading
824 people want to read
About the author
C.D. Reiss
112 books9,643 followersCD Reiss is a New York Times bestselling author. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn't pick up she's at the well hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping a single cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
***NONE OF MY BOOKS ARE SAFE***
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master's degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She's frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn't ever gotten her out of chopping a single cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
***NONE OF MY BOOKS ARE SAFE***
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December 4, 2015
THANKS FOR MY ARC C.D.!
Part 3 in serial.
I’m reading box set. Amazon: http://goo.gl/7Th0q9
ARC provided to me by author C.D. Reiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2017
Break 4
Good lord this author can put my emotions all over the place. Just when I think this was going to be a smooth read, watching Fiona get her happily ever after, I was so very wrong. I was so up and down with this book. With this entire series. I liked it, I just couldn't love it. It was so very messy for me.
Fiona, you messed up ball of energy. I am happy with how you ended this book. I wish we could have gotten more to how you became who you did in the long run. I am however happy it worked out for her.
Deacon, I feel you are more lost than Fiona was, yet you didn't have the drug problems, you however prayed on the ones suffering with drug usage. I feel you got the shit deal in the end, but I do believe it worked out in the right way. If it makes you feel any better this book made you hot enough to control me too =))
Elliot, you were so very complex to me. I don't feel I got to know you the way I should have. Yet you were my favorite. You deserved more, you however got what you deserved in the end. Bless you, you wicked man for staying true to your heart.
Good lord this author can put my emotions all over the place. Just when I think this was going to be a smooth read, watching Fiona get her happily ever after, I was so very wrong. I was so up and down with this book. With this entire series. I liked it, I just couldn't love it. It was so very messy for me.
Fiona, you messed up ball of energy. I am happy with how you ended this book. I wish we could have gotten more to how you became who you did in the long run. I am however happy it worked out for her.
Deacon, I feel you are more lost than Fiona was, yet you didn't have the drug problems, you however prayed on the ones suffering with drug usage. I feel you got the shit deal in the end, but I do believe it worked out in the right way. If it makes you feel any better this book made you hot enough to control me too =))
Elliot, you were so very complex to me. I don't feel I got to know you the way I should have. Yet you were my favorite. You deserved more, you however got what you deserved in the end. Bless you, you wicked man for staying true to your heart.
December 7, 2015
Opening pledge now…
Break begins right where Use ended with Fiona Drazen leaving Westonwood after the incident. The commanding and devastatingly handsome Deacon Bruce arrives at Westonwood to claim Fiona and take her home but Fiona is on hanging on a precipice and her next step will impact many in her life. As Fiona leaves, Dr. Elliot Chapman watches as Deacon possessively wraps his arm around her. (Ok, and that is moment that my nerves shuttered because how in the world is Fiona going to choose between these two men?) But Elliot is so smart and sexy just in a different way. Maybe I’m as crazy as Fiona because a ménage was a possible solution in my book. Lol.
With Deacon as Fiona’s master, her life with him is fairly straightforward – Fiona can do whatever she wants but then she is always Deacon’s property and under his protection. When she submits to him, Fiona doesn’t have to make any decisions. In contrast, with Elliot, he encourages her to take responsibility for her actions and recognize how it affects others in her life. This transition in Fiona is key to making the right decisions that affect her humanity. It seems as though Fiona’s journey may be an obvious one but Fiona is not known for choosing the path of least resistance.
“I want to be normal.” “Jesus Christ. You might as well want to be taller. Normal wasn’t the hand you were dealt.”
Adding to the tension is the looming repercussions of the incident at Westonwood. When these details are revealed by Fiona, certain forces are set in motion and I could not wait for a certain someone to gets his due. I was so hoping Fiona would stab him in the eye but I am very satisfied with the karmic retribution that bastard received.
In reading this final book of the series, my emotions ran the gamut of excitement, lust, disappointment, hurt, sadness, hope and love. As always, C.D.’s writing is engaging, concise and poignant. C.D. has such a connection with her characters that it shows in their development. On the surface, Fiona is a character that I would normally hate because her life is quite elitist and her actions are mostly selfish but from the beginning I liked her and I contribute that to C.D.’s grasp of her characters. With Fiona’s flaws, the reader is able to feel her vulnerability and you never stop rooting for her, as you want her to break through that façade.
"By our willingness to sacrifice for one another, we were joined by the ropes of our love and held fast by the knots of our hearts.”
The Drazen family as an entity is a character all by itself! This family is full of snobbery and old Hollywood money, but each of the siblings are so uniquely crafted and have their own strengths and weaknesses. I loved reading more about young Jonathan, especially knowing his sexy dominant future. As always, I love the moments when the Drazens “open pledge” because you know you’re going to get pure honesty no matter how f*ckd it may be. Of course, Margie remains to be the ultimate Dominatrix of her siblings and I would absolutely love to read more about how she evolved in her own book or series.
With the end the Songs of Perdition series, Fiona has come full circle and I am so satisfied with the ending. I highly recommend this series.
Songs of Perdition Series:
On Amazon, books 1-3 available as:
December 27, 2015
** 2,5-3 “he’ll see her and he’ll know” STARS **
An idea was fixing in my brain, slowly with every fantasy, that it could happen. That he'd allow it. That I'd accept it. That I could be the adult Elliot had faith existed and not the f*ck-up Deacon accepted.
~ FIONA
Fi, baby, you know I've never judged you for ANYTHING you've done, but frankly...
OVERALL: I feel extremely disappointed. I haven't expected the author to push a character out of the circle at the end, all alone and left behind. Shame.
November 12, 2017
This is so NOT for me.. I don't like triangles, I didn't like Fiona..
She ended up with I must say Deacon got to me! Even though I didn't get him most of the time.
I'm so glad I finished it! Bravo for me!
She ended up with I must say Deacon got to me! Even though I didn't get him most of the time.
I'm so glad I finished it! Bravo for me!
March 24, 2017
Fiona Drazen returns in Break, the final book in her three part series. Just as she was prepared to start fresh, one event rocked her world. Now out, and trying to find a semblance of who she is. The broken girl that Deacon covets? The strong woman that Elliot believes her to be? Maybe both. Maybe neither. But what we do know is that Fiona does not do anything in half measures. So expect to be taken on the ride of your life. Expect the absolute unexpected.
When I started this story I wasn’t sure of where I wanted it to go. I joked (yeah, okay – I was sort of serious) that both men would be perfect for her (at the same time would be an added bonus) but what I really wanted, always wanted – was for Fiona to be okay. To be loved. To feel worthy. So I put all of my trust into Christine’s vision for this story and was not disappointed.
With each new book I think, ‘this is it. She can’t get any better than this.’ Same is true with Break. I think this is hands down her best written work. There was this moment about a quarter into the story that I paused and realized my heart was racing. I felt it furiously thumping in my chest, my breath shallow, pushing out in small gasps. I felt this book. I felt the chemistry, the pain, the current between these three characters. There was not one single part of this book that failed to evoke a reaction. Single sentences brought me to my knees in both pleasure and pain.
I have loved all the Drazen’s but Fiona is just, well fucking Fiona. She is chaos. She is the force causing her world to spin. And she is the woman that two men love for two completely different reasons.
Deacon. His chapters were profound. They showed him, the real him. The man behind the kink and control. The man who still suffered for all that he lost. I think Deacon pulled more emotion out of me than any other character that Christine has created. His character carried so much depth that I felt like I could spend years swimming in his head and still not uncover every part of him.
Elliot. We started to see is resolve break and we finally get to watch how beautiful it is when it shatters. A man of faith, of structure, of ethics. Pushed so far past his own boundaries. Lusting after a woman he should not want, but can’t help but desire. A woman that he sees. One with faults. Which he accepts fully. Elliot’s character has been slowly shoved into the open through each book. I loved watching his shift, his need for discipline in his own professional life being shelved for the personal needs. Watching him give in was everything.
Fiona. God, I love this girl. No character has ever been more beautiful when she breaks. I wanted her to have everything she desired because she deserved it. She broke through. She fought. She fucking deserved it. She earned it. She may have been a little rich girl, but she paid for it. She paid for it in spades.
There were a few scenes in this story that involved Jonathan that had me running every bit of information revealed in his story to calm my nerves. Moments with Margie that makes me want her book (now). And it wouldn’t be a Drazen story without Daddy Drazen. I know I should hate him. But I really don’t. I don’t like him, but I just can’t hate him. He is wrong in all the ways it should matter but you can’t argue that he does not put up one helluva fight when it comes to his family.
This story is not just erotica or a story with a character that has a kink. It’s not a box it deserves to be placed in. It is beauty and pain. It is what this genre should be filled with. Break dug in under my skin and left me squirming. I was so captivated by the words and the story that I had to remind myself to take a breath. This author is in a league of her own and needs to be discovered by every reader out there. All of the things that are missing in this genre can be found in her books. Discover it. Read it. Fall in love with it. I know I did. Hopelessly.
When I started this story I wasn’t sure of where I wanted it to go. I joked (yeah, okay – I was sort of serious) that both men would be perfect for her (at the same time would be an added bonus) but what I really wanted, always wanted – was for Fiona to be okay. To be loved. To feel worthy. So I put all of my trust into Christine’s vision for this story and was not disappointed.
With each new book I think, ‘this is it. She can’t get any better than this.’ Same is true with Break. I think this is hands down her best written work. There was this moment about a quarter into the story that I paused and realized my heart was racing. I felt it furiously thumping in my chest, my breath shallow, pushing out in small gasps. I felt this book. I felt the chemistry, the pain, the current between these three characters. There was not one single part of this book that failed to evoke a reaction. Single sentences brought me to my knees in both pleasure and pain.
I have loved all the Drazen’s but Fiona is just, well fucking Fiona. She is chaos. She is the force causing her world to spin. And she is the woman that two men love for two completely different reasons.
Deacon. His chapters were profound. They showed him, the real him. The man behind the kink and control. The man who still suffered for all that he lost. I think Deacon pulled more emotion out of me than any other character that Christine has created. His character carried so much depth that I felt like I could spend years swimming in his head and still not uncover every part of him.
Elliot. We started to see is resolve break and we finally get to watch how beautiful it is when it shatters. A man of faith, of structure, of ethics. Pushed so far past his own boundaries. Lusting after a woman he should not want, but can’t help but desire. A woman that he sees. One with faults. Which he accepts fully. Elliot’s character has been slowly shoved into the open through each book. I loved watching his shift, his need for discipline in his own professional life being shelved for the personal needs. Watching him give in was everything.
Fiona. God, I love this girl. No character has ever been more beautiful when she breaks. I wanted her to have everything she desired because she deserved it. She broke through. She fought. She fucking deserved it. She earned it. She may have been a little rich girl, but she paid for it. She paid for it in spades.
There were a few scenes in this story that involved Jonathan that had me running every bit of information revealed in his story to calm my nerves. Moments with Margie that makes me want her book (now). And it wouldn’t be a Drazen story without Daddy Drazen. I know I should hate him. But I really don’t. I don’t like him, but I just can’t hate him. He is wrong in all the ways it should matter but you can’t argue that he does not put up one helluva fight when it comes to his family.
This story is not just erotica or a story with a character that has a kink. It’s not a box it deserves to be placed in. It is beauty and pain. It is what this genre should be filled with. Break dug in under my skin and left me squirming. I was so captivated by the words and the story that I had to remind myself to take a breath. This author is in a league of her own and needs to be discovered by every reader out there. All of the things that are missing in this genre can be found in her books. Discover it. Read it. Fall in love with it. I know I did. Hopelessly.
December 8, 2015
"We were connected. All of us. By the gestures of our hands and the tones of our voices. By our intentions, our actions, our loyalties, By our willingness to sacrifice for one another, we were joined by the ropes of our love and held fast by the knots of our hearts."
Summary
Break is the final installment in the serial Songs of Perdition. After the traumatic ending of book 2, Fiona is finally free from Westonwood. But Westonwood changed her. Can she continue to be controlled or does she need to control? Will she end up with Elliot or Deacon or solo? Will she ever let herself feel loved? Will she be avenged? This is the heart squeezing, erotic conclusion to Fiona's search for self worth.
What did I think?
The conclusion to Fiona's story is perfect. The book picks up where Use left off. Although she leaves with Deacon, she quickly realizes the time she spent at the psych ward changed her too much. She's finds herself questioning everything and she's unable to jump back into her submissive life with Deacon. She's still traumatized by the events from the end of book 2 and she's quickly becoming lost in what to do with her life. She's met with temptation, desire, love, family. The way CD Reiss unfolded the actions and consequences of Fiona's decision making process was phenomenal. As I said in my review for book 2, the less said about this story, the more you can experience it for yourself.
I'm a huge CD Reiss fan, so I hope this doesn't sound like I'm fangirling (eh, never mind I am totally fangirling..), but the serial for Fiona Drazen was perfection. The story, the writing, the integration of the Drazen family, the dark topics, the erotic aspects - it's truly brilliant. Well done Ms Reiss, so very well done..
Seeing how a young Jonathan shaped who he ends up developing into in the Submission series was quite the treat. It speaks to the incredible writer Ms Reiss is. And will we get a book for Margie? Please?! Finally, the epilogue is everything. It's all that and then some..
PS: Having gone through the angst of waiting for the release of the final book in this series, if you are reading this serial for the first time, I am absurdly jealous. I feel like you owe me a bottle of wine or something.. That is all.
Rating Legend:
5 star-loved it
4 star-liked it
3 star-it was okay
2 star-didn't like it
1 star-hated it
Summary
Break is the final installment in the serial Songs of Perdition. After the traumatic ending of book 2, Fiona is finally free from Westonwood. But Westonwood changed her. Can she continue to be controlled or does she need to control? Will she end up with Elliot or Deacon or solo? Will she ever let herself feel loved? Will she be avenged? This is the heart squeezing, erotic conclusion to Fiona's search for self worth.
What did I think?
The conclusion to Fiona's story is perfect. The book picks up where Use left off. Although she leaves with Deacon, she quickly realizes the time she spent at the psych ward changed her too much. She's finds herself questioning everything and she's unable to jump back into her submissive life with Deacon. She's still traumatized by the events from the end of book 2 and she's quickly becoming lost in what to do with her life. She's met with temptation, desire, love, family. The way CD Reiss unfolded the actions and consequences of Fiona's decision making process was phenomenal. As I said in my review for book 2, the less said about this story, the more you can experience it for yourself.
I'm a huge CD Reiss fan, so I hope this doesn't sound like I'm fangirling (eh, never mind I am totally fangirling..), but the serial for Fiona Drazen was perfection. The story, the writing, the integration of the Drazen family, the dark topics, the erotic aspects - it's truly brilliant. Well done Ms Reiss, so very well done..
Seeing how a young Jonathan shaped who he ends up developing into in the Submission series was quite the treat. It speaks to the incredible writer Ms Reiss is. And will we get a book for Margie? Please?! Finally, the epilogue is everything. It's all that and then some..
PS: Having gone through the angst of waiting for the release of the final book in this series, if you are reading this serial for the first time, I am absurdly jealous. I feel like you owe me a bottle of wine or something.. That is all.
Rating Legend:
5 star-loved it
4 star-liked it
3 star-it was okay
2 star-didn't like it
1 star-hated it
April 29, 2024
I think this was my favourite and I'm keeping this brief. Here we get to see Fiona process and take stock she's a work in progress but is determined to take the reins and bring some control on her own terms, back into her life. First, she has to decide what and who she wants and the Elliot threads finally come to frustration threatening his career when the truth is finally revealed.
This brings us full circle before placing Fiona back onto the path of recovery. I absolutely loved that beautiful epilogue set in the future, witnessing first-hand and realising all of that potential had come to pass it was so heartwarming and also knowing that a certain someone got exactly what they deserved well that was the icing.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
December 18, 2015
Raw, powerful, dark and all consuming. Addictive reading at its best. What an ending. Worth the wait and heart wrenching subject matter to finally see the ending she deserves.
January 7, 2016
Fiona Drazen is a though cookie that surprised me because she grew up. I loved Elliot and, eventhough he despised Deacon he knew when he needed him. I did felt sorry for Deacon who, I believed, really loves Fiona, but I was rooting for Elliot. Oh, and yeah for Warren's situation! He deserved it.
Great ending to a great story.
Great ending to a great story.
February 3, 2016
4 "Team Fiona" Stars
December 8, 2015
I am consumed with The Drazen's!
July 2, 2017
Pledge open.
I have no words to describe how heartbreakingly brilliant and completely unexpected the conclusion to Fiona's journey was for me. All that hard living in only 23 years. I didn’t think she could change. Or live. But she can finally, truthfully call herself brave....and loved.
Pledge closed.
I have no words to describe how heartbreakingly brilliant and completely unexpected the conclusion to Fiona's journey was for me. All that hard living in only 23 years. I didn’t think she could change. Or live. But she can finally, truthfully call herself brave....and loved.
Pledge closed.
December 3, 2015
Third and final part in the Songs of Perdition series, and my favourite of the Drazen sagas.
I feel like I have waited forever, to have so many questions answered about Fiona, and what becomes of the Celebutante with a lot of issues and addictions.
Fiona Drazen, 23 and troubled. Finds herself in an institute for the most rich and misunderstood. Mostly trustfund babies, but definitely some scary kids in there. Somehow she wakes up in this place, and has no idea why. Fast forward through the why and how she was in there, which we find out in part 1 & 2 Use and Kick and we are at Break. The conclusion of Fiona's story, and all the questions that have bugged the hell out of me for ages, are finally answered.
We finally get to see what happens to all the key people in the series, besides Fiona. Will Warren get his comeuppance, what will happen to poor Karen, and will Fiona decide if she wants Dominant protector Deacon, or the gorgeous therapist who has awakened new feelings in her, Elliot.
I literally went back and forwards repeatedly over who I wanted Fiona to end up with. One minute it was Deacon because he was so perfect for Fiona and knew her, but then I decided he was actually inhibiting her moving on, and Elliot was by far the best choice for her if she wanted a fresh start. Plus all the new desires that she seemed to have awoken in Elliot was making him so much more hotter, in my eyes.
So besides all the romantic ups and downs, there was actually more important issues in this part. Fiona trying to find herself and what she wanted in life, although slipping up along the way. I actually felt really sorry for Fiona in this part. She had it programmed into her mind what she was, and nobody could tell her different. It seemed to take forever, and a lot of breaking before she started to see herself differently. And I loved who she was becoming, when she realised she wanted to change. What I did love about Fiona was, that she seemed to have some balls of steel. She would be knocked back so many times, but still get up and have another go, even if she did come up with the craziest of ideas, she couldn't be accused of not trying. I had to love her for that.
I absolutely loved seeing more of Jonathan in Break. You could already see the man he is, in the SOS series coming through at 16. He seems to be the most grown up 16 year old I've read about. But I absolutely loved him all over again, at the end of Break. When you read it, you will know why. He definitely shines in his moment. It made me want to start his story all over again.
The one thing I couldn't stop myself from doing, was trying to piece together the time line. Fiona's story is about 14 or 15 ish years before Jonathan's story, and it's hard to remember that. It seems quite timeless, unless they are talking about pagers etc. But I did find myself thinking if I had seen Fiona in the Song of Submission series, and did her details match up with the epilogue of Break (which was present time) it made my brain go crazy, so I stopped. I guess that's the trouble with lots of characters overlapping each other.
As always, and why I love anything CD Reiss has written, is the perfect writing style in Break. I couldn't fault it, if I tried. She just sucks you in to her characters and makes you see all the shades of them. There is no fluff or prettying up, they are real, even if what we are seeing isn't pleasant. Even in it's darkest moments, I found this story addictive, because I couldn't turn away. The detail in even the most nastiest stuff was incredible, and you are still left wanting more, even though you know you shouldn't really. ;)
So on the whole, well worth the wait. And by far my favourite from CD Reiss. This series has been perfection, and I would most definitely recommend it to absolutely everyone.
I feel like I have waited forever, to have so many questions answered about Fiona, and what becomes of the Celebutante with a lot of issues and addictions.
Fiona Drazen, 23 and troubled. Finds herself in an institute for the most rich and misunderstood. Mostly trustfund babies, but definitely some scary kids in there. Somehow she wakes up in this place, and has no idea why. Fast forward through the why and how she was in there, which we find out in part 1 & 2 Use and Kick and we are at Break. The conclusion of Fiona's story, and all the questions that have bugged the hell out of me for ages, are finally answered.
We finally get to see what happens to all the key people in the series, besides Fiona. Will Warren get his comeuppance, what will happen to poor Karen, and will Fiona decide if she wants Dominant protector Deacon, or the gorgeous therapist who has awakened new feelings in her, Elliot.
I literally went back and forwards repeatedly over who I wanted Fiona to end up with. One minute it was Deacon because he was so perfect for Fiona and knew her, but then I decided he was actually inhibiting her moving on, and Elliot was by far the best choice for her if she wanted a fresh start. Plus all the new desires that she seemed to have awoken in Elliot was making him so much more hotter, in my eyes.
So besides all the romantic ups and downs, there was actually more important issues in this part. Fiona trying to find herself and what she wanted in life, although slipping up along the way. I actually felt really sorry for Fiona in this part. She had it programmed into her mind what she was, and nobody could tell her different. It seemed to take forever, and a lot of breaking before she started to see herself differently. And I loved who she was becoming, when she realised she wanted to change. What I did love about Fiona was, that she seemed to have some balls of steel. She would be knocked back so many times, but still get up and have another go, even if she did come up with the craziest of ideas, she couldn't be accused of not trying. I had to love her for that.
I absolutely loved seeing more of Jonathan in Break. You could already see the man he is, in the SOS series coming through at 16. He seems to be the most grown up 16 year old I've read about. But I absolutely loved him all over again, at the end of Break. When you read it, you will know why. He definitely shines in his moment. It made me want to start his story all over again.
The one thing I couldn't stop myself from doing, was trying to piece together the time line. Fiona's story is about 14 or 15 ish years before Jonathan's story, and it's hard to remember that. It seems quite timeless, unless they are talking about pagers etc. But I did find myself thinking if I had seen Fiona in the Song of Submission series, and did her details match up with the epilogue of Break (which was present time) it made my brain go crazy, so I stopped. I guess that's the trouble with lots of characters overlapping each other.
As always, and why I love anything CD Reiss has written, is the perfect writing style in Break. I couldn't fault it, if I tried. She just sucks you in to her characters and makes you see all the shades of them. There is no fluff or prettying up, they are real, even if what we are seeing isn't pleasant. Even in it's darkest moments, I found this story addictive, because I couldn't turn away. The detail in even the most nastiest stuff was incredible, and you are still left wanting more, even though you know you shouldn't really. ;)
So on the whole, well worth the wait. And by far my favourite from CD Reiss. This series has been perfection, and I would most definitely recommend it to absolutely everyone.
July 30, 2017
5 stars!
I'm so glad I finished these series.
My feelings were all over the place reading these and I was like, ok, I don't have to read it anymore if I can't handle it.
But I was on 75%, and after a few days I picked it up again and finished it.
This is a hell of a story! Please read it till the end.
I'm so glad I finished these series.
My feelings were all over the place reading these and I was like, ok, I don't have to read it anymore if I can't handle it.
But I was on 75%, and after a few days I picked it up again and finished it.
This is a hell of a story! Please read it till the end.
December 3, 2015
Absolutely the best I have read of CD's. There is something about Fiona that drawls u in. With what happened to her in Westonwood changed her and I think Elliot did as well. With not being her normal self after leaving she is torn of who she is. Deacon wants her and refuses to let her go and Elliot wants her too. What will Fiona decide? Must read to see what happens. Perfect ending to an amazing series.
March 19, 2017
This series was easy to sail through because it was well-written, entertaining, and gritty--from start to finish. Fiona's actions and thoughts made me cringe a lot, but I loved the way her character was written: she was wonderfully flawed, emotionally twisted, and childish until she had a huge reason to grow up. The love triangle between Deacon, Elliot, and Fiona was fun to read about in the former books, but I hated the conclusion between them in this story.
December 10, 2015
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I’ve been anxiously awaiting the release of this book for a very long time. (not rubbing it in Christine.) Fiona Drazen has been my absolutely FAVORITE Drazen since she popped on in CD Reiss’s Songs of Submission Series with her foul mouth and insane antics. She’s the sister who knows and proudly admits she’s the fuck up of the family – the junkie, the party girl, the whore. She is brutally – painfully honest about herself and the things she does, wearing them like a badge of honor. And this may scare away some, but for me? It’s the very reason I adore her.
In Break we pick up right where we left off in Use. Fiona is out of the hospital, back with Deacon and trying to cope with everything that happened while she was in the institution. Between Elliot and Warren Chilton – our girl is seriously scattered and if possible, a little more broken than she was when she went in – which is saying a lot.
Fucking Warren Chilton – the entire time I read his name, it made me think of Hannibal Lector’s nemesis when he was locked up in an institution. Hannibal ate him for dinner later on and I hoped for the same outcome of this Chilton too.
Then of course is Elliot and Master Deacon… Jesus. The things Fiona gets into. These two men couldn’t be more opposite from one another. Elliot, psychiatrist in residence at the institution Fiona just left – wanting to help her, wanting to get her through everything she’s suffering from; mostly herself…. and Deacon, wanting the same things, just in his own ways through control and dominance. Deacon knows deep down that Fiona isn’t a true submissive – but she submits for him, he controls her, he owns her. But now, after everything, Fiona isn’t sure she needs or wants it anymore.
This story was a kick to the gut – it hurt me, I broke more than once reading it. Fiona is an open wound, festering un-apologetically for everyone to see – and Elliot definitely sees.
“Isn’t there some kind of rule about not talking about your patients?”
“I break rules with you. I’d break more. I’d break them all.”
And just when you think things can’t get anymore complicated for Fiona – BAM! You get kicked right in the feels all over again, adding a whole other chapter to this story. One, I’ll admit I wasn’t sure about at first, but ended up being beautiful for so many different reasons.
This was the end for Fiona – her life a culmination of disastrous choices – a life definitely lived, but perhaps not always for the better? She finally stops to question that – only to discover that her life is worth living and maybe…. just maybe she’ll get her happily ever after…. ?
“You make people think of you for a living. You remind them you exist.”
There couldn’t be a more poetic way to describe Fiona – than in those very words.
I was both happy and sad when I finished this story – it’s bittersweet saying goodbye to one of your favorite characters, and I must have read the last chapter a dozen times afterwards. The perfection is indescribable.
I would have waited another year for this book –
December 1, 2015
Oh Fiona...my darling...
I've been waiting for the conclusion to Fiona's story, and it was worth the wait.
We pick up after Fiona has been released and after the ordeal with Warren. She is struggling with this as well as her feelings for Deacon. Her feelings for Elliot. Her feelings about not wanting to be fucked up mess she is.
The writing, as always with C.D. Reiss, is hands down perfection. She has a way of expressing the emotions Fiona is feeling so well; and honestly, if you consider yourself a "fuck up" - whether you are similar to Fiona, or because of other things in your life? Her emotions and feelings are spot on for what one who feels like they have got to get a handle on their life feel.
I knew going into the story that Fiona would have to make a choice between the two men in her life, but I wasn't feeling strongly about who she should pick - because both of these men are so appealing, each in their own separate ways. What was important was that who she picked would help Fiona be who she wants to be.
And Fiona's love for her brother, Jonathan? Yea. So sweet, so true.
This was the perfect, PERFECT ending to Fiona's story. I finished the story feeling content and happy - just like Fiona.
Love, love, love this series. I don't know which Drazen I love best: Jonathan, or Fiona.
I've been waiting for the conclusion to Fiona's story, and it was worth the wait.
We pick up after Fiona has been released and after the ordeal with Warren. She is struggling with this as well as her feelings for Deacon. Her feelings for Elliot. Her feelings about not wanting to be fucked up mess she is.
The writing, as always with C.D. Reiss, is hands down perfection. She has a way of expressing the emotions Fiona is feeling so well; and honestly, if you consider yourself a "fuck up" - whether you are similar to Fiona, or because of other things in your life? Her emotions and feelings are spot on for what one who feels like they have got to get a handle on their life feel.
I knew going into the story that Fiona would have to make a choice between the two men in her life, but I wasn't feeling strongly about who she should pick - because both of these men are so appealing, each in their own separate ways. What was important was that who she picked would help Fiona be who she wants to be.
And Fiona's love for her brother, Jonathan? Yea. So sweet, so true.
This was the perfect, PERFECT ending to Fiona's story. I finished the story feeling content and happy - just like Fiona.
Love, love, love this series. I don't know which Drazen I love best: Jonathan, or Fiona.
December 1, 2015
I didn’t have any expectation and as always I just savoured the story.
We find Fiona just out of rehab..She has more choices to make than she thought possible but one thing sure is that she want to find out who she is and she needs to do that herself..She might make mistakes but at least she is trying right?
Two men wants her and how is she supposed to decide?hard choice..Both give her something she needs..or do they? She has a lot of thinking to do..And in the middle of all this she has a couple of situations going on that truly needs her attention.
That's where I stop cause you need to read the book!
Let me say I was ecstatic to see Jonathan and Margie and other members of the Drazen family..I was even more happy of how the story turned out because Fiona deserved everything..And I might have squealed at something in particular.
I loved reading Fiona, Deacon and Elliot povs because it gives us an in in what's going on in their mind instead of only trying to understand from what they say or how they behave in a certain moment.
A great story! Both Deacon and Elliott showed sides we never saw before and Fiona had a vulnerability and a the sane time a strength, a determination, I wasn’t sure she had.
At the end of the story I was sure it was the perfect path for Fiona!
We find Fiona just out of rehab..She has more choices to make than she thought possible but one thing sure is that she want to find out who she is and she needs to do that herself..She might make mistakes but at least she is trying right?
Two men wants her and how is she supposed to decide?hard choice..Both give her something she needs..or do they? She has a lot of thinking to do..And in the middle of all this she has a couple of situations going on that truly needs her attention.
That's where I stop cause you need to read the book!
Let me say I was ecstatic to see Jonathan and Margie and other members of the Drazen family..I was even more happy of how the story turned out because Fiona deserved everything..And I might have squealed at something in particular.
I loved reading Fiona, Deacon and Elliot povs because it gives us an in in what's going on in their mind instead of only trying to understand from what they say or how they behave in a certain moment.
A great story! Both Deacon and Elliott showed sides we never saw before and Fiona had a vulnerability and a the sane time a strength, a determination, I wasn’t sure she had.
At the end of the story I was sure it was the perfect path for Fiona!
December 19, 2015
Own in Forbidden: A Standalone (Songs of Perdition #1-3)
Kick - 5 stars
Use - 4 stars
Break - 3 stars
Kick - 5 stars
Use - 4 stars
Break - 3 stars
April 1, 2020
The conclusion to Fiona's life.
She takes back her life. She makes her own decisions. Is she a switch? Maybe, doubtful.
The last book focuses more on a deep subject... it's like it took a turn somewhere and only focused on that. She HAD to get back in that mental hospital.
First two books, AWESOME. Last book fell short for me. Everything happeneded to fast. She's out, shes in, whammy-p, she's out, HEA, epilogue revealed where a certain someone was "uncle".
I liked who she ended up with. But i didnt in the same sense. I got it. It just almost doesnt feel right..???
She takes back her life. She makes her own decisions. Is she a switch? Maybe, doubtful.
The last book focuses more on a deep subject... it's like it took a turn somewhere and only focused on that. She HAD to get back in that mental hospital.
First two books, AWESOME. Last book fell short for me. Everything happeneded to fast. She's out, shes in, whammy-p, she's out, HEA, epilogue revealed where a certain someone was "uncle".
I liked who she ended up with. But i didnt in the same sense. I got it. It just almost doesnt feel right..???
August 8, 2019
If I could describe this series in 1 word..
I'd use whiplash.
I'm surprised my head is still on my shoulders.
Even with that, I still really enjoyed it. It ended exactly how I wanted it to.
I'd use whiplash.
I'm surprised my head is still on my shoulders.
Even with that, I still really enjoyed it. It ended exactly how I wanted it to.
December 29, 2015
I read Kick and Use, the first two books in The Songs of Perdition series, way back in May of 2014. I sat here and gobbled them down like I was starving for words and the only thing that could fill my hunger were these books. When I finished, all I could think about was this character. Fiona Drazen.
So like anyone would, I waited (at times not so patiently) for the third and final book Break to come out. I stalked the author online, joined her Facebook groups, and in general just prayed I would be thrown just the tiniest crumb of hope regarding this book. Then, what I'm calling the December miracle happened. More Fiona.
Let's discuss Fiona. She's a spoiled rich girl who after years of being the "It" party girl finds herself on the fall down to rock bottom. This fall finds her locked up in a looney bin for the wealthy. Quite frankly this isn't a book you can describe but a book that needs to be experienced.
This character is so flawed at times it hurts to read. She's raw and emotional and acts without thinking. It's freeing yet debilitating at the same time. These are the characters I LOVE though. The ones that are so flawed their cracks show with every breath they take. They make me think and feel and worm their way into my body and soul in a way that I crave for when I'm reading.
What I also loved was that while there was the relationship storyline (this time our lead was drawn to two very different men for very different reasons) it wasn't the driving plot. Reiss kept this about Fiona and her healing and metamorphosis. The men played a part, but they didn't define her as a person.
This most certainly is not a book for the faint of heart. There are dark times through most of the entire series. But in my opinion those dark moments only make the light ones shine that much brighter. I'm not naive enough to think that everyone will want this when they crack a book open, but implore you to try it none the less.
Bless you C.D. Reiss for one, having the balls to write this crazy woman and two, having the heart to break her completely only to put her back together again as something far more amazing and beautiful than what she had started out as.
Break was worth waiting every moment for. It's also worth the 5 huge stars I give it.
So like anyone would, I waited (at times not so patiently) for the third and final book Break to come out. I stalked the author online, joined her Facebook groups, and in general just prayed I would be thrown just the tiniest crumb of hope regarding this book. Then, what I'm calling the December miracle happened. More Fiona.
Let's discuss Fiona. She's a spoiled rich girl who after years of being the "It" party girl finds herself on the fall down to rock bottom. This fall finds her locked up in a looney bin for the wealthy. Quite frankly this isn't a book you can describe but a book that needs to be experienced.
This character is so flawed at times it hurts to read. She's raw and emotional and acts without thinking. It's freeing yet debilitating at the same time. These are the characters I LOVE though. The ones that are so flawed their cracks show with every breath they take. They make me think and feel and worm their way into my body and soul in a way that I crave for when I'm reading.
What I also loved was that while there was the relationship storyline (this time our lead was drawn to two very different men for very different reasons) it wasn't the driving plot. Reiss kept this about Fiona and her healing and metamorphosis. The men played a part, but they didn't define her as a person.
This most certainly is not a book for the faint of heart. There are dark times through most of the entire series. But in my opinion those dark moments only make the light ones shine that much brighter. I'm not naive enough to think that everyone will want this when they crack a book open, but implore you to try it none the less.
Bless you C.D. Reiss for one, having the balls to write this crazy woman and two, having the heart to break her completely only to put her back together again as something far more amazing and beautiful than what she had started out as.
Break was worth waiting every moment for. It's also worth the 5 huge stars I give it.
February 10, 2017
The exciting conclusion to this over the top sexual encounter had me from the first word in the first book to the very last one in this exciting conclusion. I absolutely loved it and the writing style was fluid, no stone unturned for sure. Fiona Drazen was a force to be reckoned with but when she ended up in the care of Elliot at Westonwood on charges of attempted murder everything changed for the better as she came to terms of putting her wild child downward spiral of life as she knew it behind her and began to see things in a new way with a real man who saw her for who she was and what it meant to have her.
This story is a story of overcoming the past and looking forward to living life in the real world.
This story is a story of overcoming the past and looking forward to living life in the real world.
December 7, 2015
This is the third and final story in the Songs of Perdition series. It's included within the book entitled Forbidden which contains all three stories: Kick, Use and Break. With this book, we get the perfect ending to Fiona's emotional journey.
Both of the men in Fiona's life, Elliot and Deacon, are great characters and both have deep love and affection for her. But both men love her differently and both want different things for her. Yeah, I'm guilty of switching teams a couple of times, but ultimately Fiona received the happy ending that worked best for her and I was thrilled.
Bonus - Warren got what he deserved!
Both of the men in Fiona's life, Elliot and Deacon, are great characters and both have deep love and affection for her. But both men love her differently and both want different things for her. Yeah, I'm guilty of switching teams a couple of times, but ultimately Fiona received the happy ending that worked best for her and I was thrilled.
Bonus - Warren got what he deserved!
July 4, 2017
Fucking hated it. Too much drug use and a wishy-washy heroine. I need loyalty to my hero please. She just kept going back to drugs. Back to Deacon. Grow a pair of lady balls chick. Their love story was not at all the focus. :( And why did Elliot (and Deacon?) hurt that fucker and how did SHE not realize it????????? I mean Elliot TOLD her....
And why did we touch on her shitty dad only for him to not be so shitty in the end? He can't be a child molester and a rape avenger at the same time. No one want to read that.
And why did we touch on her shitty dad only for him to not be so shitty in the end? He can't be a child molester and a rape avenger at the same time. No one want to read that.
July 16, 2016
Triumphant!
#teamfiona. This book was for me different than the other books written by the author; however I loved it because the story focuses mostly on the main character and her desire to be a better person. Through all the struggles and crazy drug induced parties, not feeling worthy of real human emotion, connection...Fiona found herself and came to terms that she was worthy of real love!
#teamfiona. This book was for me different than the other books written by the author; however I loved it because the story focuses mostly on the main character and her desire to be a better person. Through all the struggles and crazy drug induced parties, not feeling worthy of real human emotion, connection...Fiona found herself and came to terms that she was worthy of real love!
March 9, 2016
As usual with C.D. Reiss this is a very unorthodox book with an unorthodox ending. Fiona is an extremely complex character, and in the end it's not Deacon or Elliot who save her. It's her on her own who has to heal herself. I loved that ending, I loved how peaceful it made me feel in the end. Also there are some quotes to die for in here, just beautiful!
October 1, 2016
I loved this series, from the bottom of my heart.
CD Reiss is a brilliant storyteller. Her writing skills will take you far, far away, and out of your confort zone, but only for your own good as a book-lover.
« I felt her shudder in my arms. Warm and pliable, sharp and twisted, fuck her was the least of it. I was going to love her brutally and unconditionally. Forever and ever, amen. »
CD Reiss is a brilliant storyteller. Her writing skills will take you far, far away, and out of your confort zone, but only for your own good as a book-lover.
« I felt her shudder in my arms. Warm and pliable, sharp and twisted, fuck her was the least of it. I was going to love her brutally and unconditionally. Forever and ever, amen. »
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