So I just finished the book like 2 minutes ago an I'm stunned. This was a really well written story. But I have to say, there was TO MUCH inspiration from other books, specifically Fifty Shades. I was seeing a lot of these similarities from the beginning towards the 60% point, but after that I saw some originality. Oh. My. Goodness. I didn't like that ending one bit! (I loved it though!) I know. I'm contradicting myself but it was just that good. I loved everything about this book!! The characters were amazing! Alexander is such an ass, but oh my gosh, he is a God!! Krys puts him in his place more than once and it drives him nuts and it's part of what makes this book so electrically charged!! Alexander Stone, is enigmatic, passionate, and fierce, and sexy as all hell. He is Billionaire real estate tychoon and has a masters degree in psychology!! He's smoking hot and bossy smartypants. Just the way I love it ;).

I LOVED but hated the ending of this book! I say I loved it because it was unexpected. I say I hated it because I wanted the characters to have a different ending than this one, but I'll take it! Honestly this last part of the story added a couple stars onto my rating. Not many authors can write a good, well written cliffhanger and the author did that. Krystina is a recent graduate who, now needing to secure employment, is currently working in a store. It's in that store that she first comes face to face with Alexander Stone. A businessman and entrepreneur, he is a property investor stepping in to save the family business where Krys works. After an embarrassing first introduction, for Krys, Stone sees something in her innocence and beauty that makes him question his beliefs about relationships.I give this book five stars of awesomeness. Wow! Talk about a powerful erotic drama, this book is it. I like the smooth pace. The writer maintained an easy storyline of unrequited love. Romance. Hot and steamy sex scenes. Intense conversations and heart wrenching decisions. The writer was able to hold my attention from beginning to end. I like that she kept elevating the drama higher in each chapter of the book. If I had one wish this Christmas, it would be to give Krystina what she desperately wanted more than anything—a baby. As time went on, she would further her brand as an author, finding what it was that she wanted to say in the field of romance. She would also become outspoken on a number of different subjects, from feminism to politics, always making her voice heard. Currently living in New York, she spends her summers with her family on the Great Lakes, always looking for her next big idea.

I didn’t realize this would end in a cliffhanger and I kept thinking, better wrap this up guys! But alas, I was disappointed to learn there was no wrapping it up but a huge cliffy that is driving me freaking crazy right now! And while I have an abhorrence to cliffhangers, I’m secretly thrilled that Alex and Krys’ story isn’t over yet. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. Authors, if you are a member of the Goodreads Author Program, you can edit information about your own books. Find out how in this guide. In 2015, Dakota Willink published her first full novel, with it being a romance titled ‘Heart of Stone.’ The book would also become the first in her series ‘Stone,’ with the second, ‘Stepping Stone,’ being released the following year in 2016. She would later go on to write other series too, such as ‘Cadence Duet,’ along with a stand-alone in 2020 titled ‘The Sound of Silence.’ For the lovers of FSOG this is your new fix and addiction. Mr. Stone is introduced to us as our new Dom and our submissive is Krystinna. Though worlds apart they have a undying connection to one another and while leading a different lifestyle they manage to fulfil each one as their own addiction. And addicted you will become. As we all fell in love with FSOG we were introduced to the world BDSM and this is no stranger in that world.

About this book

I do not want to give too much, hence, I would get into Spoiler territory. I cannot wait to read the second and third installment of this novel. Dakota Willink I feel has a promising career in writing. First impression is lasting impression and the novel and her writing did just that. Congrats Dakota Willink. Awesome read!!! Can't wait for the next book. Despite this being a long book, it maintained its momentum throughout and the story built to its conclusion which sets the scene for the next instalment. I'm not a huge fan of BDSM themed books but this is subtly explored and despite a visit to a sex club, the author didn't over emphasise the experience and, despite Krys’s innocence, the scene did not make me feel uncomfortable. Yes, this book ended on the inevitable Cliffe which came after an intriguing night out and an unexpected confrontation. The next instalment is already calling to me and I can't wait to see what's in store next for Alex and Krys. The plot was ok. If I had to rate the plot alone I would rate the plot a 3.5. Again, originality is key when writing a book. But what really got me was the outcome of the characters. If you want to know what outcome I'm talking about, your just gonna have to read the book! Krystina Cole was a girl on a mission. She had big dreams and aspirations, none of which included a man by her side. She knew better than that – at least until she met Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon. She saw the way that he looked at her, and the dark promises in his eyes. She was curious about his world and all that it entailed. But the shadows of her past haunted her, making her afraid to explore possibilities that she could never before have imagined… Dakota Willink is an Award-Winning USA Today Bestselling Author. She loves writing about damaged heroes who fall in love with sassy and independent females. Her books are character-driven, emotional, and sexy, yet written with a flare that keeps them real. With a wide range of published books, a magazine publication, and the Leave Me Breathless World under her belt, Dakota's imagination is constantly spinning new ideas.

The summary actually does a good job of nailing down the premise of the book. It’s to the point, capturing the essence of Krystina and Alexander’s story. If only the book had been the same. Every once in awhile you take a chance on a new author and that author goes on to show why we should never dismiss people stepping into the world of writing. For me, Dakota Willink is such an author. Her debut novel, Heart of Stone, is a book that showed me that new authors can be as equally talented writers and informative narrators as the more experienced authors we know and trust. Welcome to Shh... [Smut, Heroes & HEAs], a reader group dedicated to contemporary Romance & Erotica. He wasn’t supposed to be there when I fell. I wasn’t supposed to get lost in a sea of sapphire blue when he helped me up. And he wasn’t supposed to be Alexander Stone, the New York billionaire real estate tycoon.

Publication Order of Leave Me Breathless Books

This is a brilliant debut novel by Dakota Willink. While reading this book, I was put through a multitude of different emotions from good to bad. I was truly captivated by this story & how the two characters were trying to find their way. As I'm writing this I feel stunned by what I read. It isn't that it's another dark romance dealing with BDSM but how Ms. Willink wrote the book. I would definitely recommend this book. The book is meant for mature readers. These narrators did an exceptional job! Both were able to switch smoothly from male pov to female pov without a disruption in my enjoyment of the story. Jeffrey’s voice was exactly as I would imagine Alexander’s to be and he brought the character to full dominate life. Lacy’s voice was sweet, innocent and perfect for the uncertain and confused Krystina. When emotion was called for both of these narrators allowed their voices to flow with the full depth of characterization. I could not have asked for better rendering than this duo.