Marly's Choice

This is one of those (relatively rare) cases where I feel like I read a totally different book than the one described in all the reviews. I expected to find the sex scorching hot (almost all the reviews agreed on this point), but I was worried that I'd be turned off or offended by the hero's misogyny (reviewers seem pretty split on this count).

Well...first of all, I did not find the sex scorching hot. I thought the writing in MARLY'S CHOICE was awful. Atrocious. I couldn't enjoy the sex scenes because I was so distracted by how clunky and REPETITIVE everything was. To be a little more precise, the scenes aren't particularly descriptive -- they don't give a ton of detail about Tab A or Slot B. Instead, we get these internal monologues show more that don't change much from scene to scene...something about them reminded me of a chant or a litany.

Second of all...I'm not sure how any kind of conflict developed about Cade's treatment of Marly. From the beginning, we know that Cade really, sincerely loves Marly. It's never a question. There's a creepy factor because he has been like a brother (and almost a father) to her, and the tenor of their relationship doesn't change once sex has been added to the mix. Cade does treat Marly like a child - but then, Marly acts like a child so I could never blame him for this. In any case, he appreciates her as a person and he's emotionally engaged in their relationship.

As for Marly...she's done her research. She hunted down some of Cade's former lovers to find out what sort of things he likes sexually, and boy, did she get an earful. She knows exactly what she is signing up for when she seduces Cade. For example: she independently went out and bought a butt plug that she wears nearly full time because she heard that Cade is into anal sex.

So then, when Cade does "overpower" her or...I don't know, I have a hard time calling it dominating or forcing or whatever, his big bad horrible sexual behavior is that he gives her too many orgasms. I am not kidding! That's Marly's big "challenge" - she has to get used to having so very many, unbelievably powerful orgasms without begging Cade to stop. This is not what I would call an example of disturbing, disrespectful, objectifying behavior. They have multiple conversations that could be reduced to, "That sex was much too pleasurable, you're a monster!" I couldn't take this seriously, let alone get offended.

I was expecting something dark, with a hero who takes the idea of "alpha" too far, and a relationship where Marly occasionally feels real fear or has to fight for status in the relationship. I didn't get ANY of those things. Clearly other readers felt differently, so your mileage may vary. show less

What a hot story! Great way to begin a series. I won't spoil anything but it's an intense read. The only thing I may have an issue with is the fact that although you know what Marly's age is, it doesn't even hint at what Cade's age is. It tells how he pretty much raised her from her early teens as his niece, even though her mom was only his step-sister. So you can only guess at the age difference.

But a recommended read!

Happy reading

Hot from page one, will sometimes make you uncomfortable. Troubled men find a unique way of showing and sharing their love. Was disappointed that this fresh reprint still contained typo and grammatical errors. Favorite quote 'you can't always hit someone whenever Marly gets hurt.'

This book always stirs up controversy. I like it in an overwrought, over the top, Mills and Boon in the 70's kind of way. He doesn't want her, because she was raised by him (since she was 12) but she longs for him to see her as a woman... and then there is the added dark notion that b/c of an incident in his past, he has to share her with his brothers in order to truly be fulfilled. I know, I know. It's incredibly silly. But also hot. I think it's my 4th reread of it? Anyways, its on my keeper shelf.

read: 2007-02-13 and 2009-12-05

I read this book when it first came out so many years ago. I have been on a kick to re-read some of the books that I loved sort of as a comfort and security thing I guess. Anyway this story was just as enjoyable as the first time that I read. While there are times that I would like to shake Marly for thinking that she can have Cade her way and then getting upset when he wouldn't cooperate I still like the character over all. Now Cade I wanted from the first words Ms. Leigh wrote about him. I think it would be fun to tell him no once in awhile just to experience all that hot male dominance. I also like Same and Brock and I look forward to their stories. These books need to be read in order since there is a underlying plot through all show more three. This is something Ms. Leigh is very good at developing. I am looking forward to reading the other stories one after the other. show less

Marly’s Choice

The Characters:

Marly McCall
Cade August

The Story:

Marly is left with Cade’s family after her stepfather abuses her as a preteen/young teen. She falls in love with Cade as a child but now as a young woman she’s sure he loves her too and is ready to act on it. Cade of course fights her all the way not wanting to introduce her to his dirty, dark desires. Chaos ensues when it is discovered that Marly has a stalker.

I don’t have any passionate feelings about this book. The characters were okay. The story was okay. I have mixed feelings about the 3 page climax. I feel it could have been drawn out more but at the same time I can see why it wasn’t.

The Random Thoughts:

3 Stars

my first of this type - not sure I can cope with the whole brother thing now though...