Description:
A deliciously potent tale of one woman’s quest for self-discovery.
Rowan Cassidy likes to be in charge—especially in her personal life. As a mistress at Club Privé, the most exclusive bondage/S & M club on the West Coast, Rowan can live out her dominant fantasies safely, and with complete control—until the night Christian Thorne walks in. Self-confident and sophisticated, he’s a natural dominant if Rowan’s ever seen one. Yet she can’t stop thinking about him and imagining his touch.
Christian has returned home, hoping to break free from his dissatisfaction and malaise—and discovers the cure in Rowan. He’s dying to get his skilled hands on her and watch her surrender, to unlock the mystery of her that captivates him. Determined to be her master, he makes Rowan a daring proposition: give herself over to him for thirty days.
Rowan finds Christian’s offer terrifying—and impossible to resist. But abandoning herself to Christian’s power might be more than she can handle. . . . Or it might be the realization of her true nature and the dark garden within her. There will be only one way to find out. And once the game has begun, there’s no turning back.
In true Eden Bradley style, I was transported immediately into Rowan’s world. I felt her sadness – that something is missing part – from page one.
Discovering one’s true self is not always easy. It is often difficult and scary. Rowan had to confront 
her past in order to embrace her future. Christian pushed her to do this and was ready to catch her if she fell. Fully realizing that submissive does not mean weak is a huge undertaking. Rowan’s strength is apparent, but until she finds it within herself she will not be able to be her true submissive self.
Not only do we witness Rowan’s changes, Christian was searching himself as well. His growth not only completed him personally, but professionally as well. Christian is a great Dom to Rowan’s sub. They are a perfect match.
I loved watching their journey; their very intense journey. Every element from their conversations to their sensational sex scenes, fit so well together. We see their greatness and their flaws; which make The Dark Garden all the more real.
April and Decker’s side story was just as wonderful. I loved that it was included. My heart broke for them, but what a beautiful ending to their story.
Ms. Bradley’s writing speaks to me on many levels. The honesty, the emotion, the love. It is all so very real to me. I love picking up one of her books, as I know I will not be disappointed. All of Ms. Bradley’s characters are written so well, I feel like I personally know each and every one of them.
4.5 Stars
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Francesca @ Under The Covers
July 15, 2012 at 12:22 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Great review! I loved this one as well.
Slick
July 15, 2012 at 2:54 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for the review Angeline, I’ve added this one to my must read list!
Casey
July 15, 2012 at 4:12 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’m so adding this to my TBR!
Cec
July 15, 2012 at 4:23 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I like the sound of this book. I will definitely be adding it to my TBR pile!
Thanks for the great review, Angelina!
KcLu
July 15, 2012 at 4:30 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks for the great review!! Difinintely going on my long TBR!!
Kathleen O
July 15, 2012 at 5:45 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This is a new to me author and I will be putting her book on my tbr list.. Great review..
MaryC
July 15, 2012 at 6:19 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Have this on the TBR list – thanks for the review!
hotcha1
July 15, 2012 at 7:28 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
my so many new authors I must read!!
Landry
July 15, 2012 at 7:38 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This is an author who is new to me so I appreciate the introduction to her work. It looks like a great read! Thanks!! landrybreaux@yahoo.com
Timitra
July 15, 2012 at 10:02 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Great review Angeline!
Taryn
July 16, 2012 at 2:18 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Great review! I love Eden’s books. I agree, her books are full of emotion of love…she’s a favorite!
Eden Bradley Official Website
July 15, 2012 at 8:45 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[...] Review! Eden’s highly acclaimed BDSM novel THE DARK GARDEN was reviewed at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews and received ‘A True Gem’ award! They said: “In true Eden Bradley style, I was [...]