Review: Counsellor by Celia Aaron

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Acquisition #1
Release: September 28, 2015
Length: 209 pages

In the heart of Louisiana, the most powerful people in the South live behind elegant gates, mossy trees, and pleasant masks. Once every ten years, the pretense falls away and a tournament is held to determine who will rule them. The Acquisition is a crucible for the Southern nobility, a love letter written to a time when barbarism was enshrined as law.

Now, Sinclair Vinemont is in the running to claim the prize. There is only one way to win, and he has the key to do it — Stella Rousseau, his Acquisition. To save her father, Stella has agreed to become Sinclair's slave for one year. Though she is at the mercy of the cold, treacherous Vinemont, Stella will not go willingly into darkness.

As Sinclair and Stella battle against each other and the clock, only one thing is certain: The Acquisition always ends in blood.

Full disclosure: This book is a dark romance with elements of slavery, violence, BDSM, and super-hot sex. It is the first of a series and ends on a cliffhanger. If you're good with these caveats, enjoy.

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My Review

I've got many of Celia Aaron's books on my tbr list and figured it was about time I gave one of them a try.

So...

I didn't love it. But I also didn't hate it. I was intrigued by its blurb and the fact that many readers had shelved it as 'Dark', but it was just okay for me.

I'm simpy not emotionally invested in this series. Yet.

I feel like I got a lot of information but not enough. Does that make sense? The Acquisition trials were reminiscent of other stories I've read (ex. Indebted series), but because this is the first book, I'm holding out hope that more of the author's originality will appear further on. The story was well written. The intimate scenes were hot. I'm just not committed to the characters.

Speaking of the characters, it was hard to connect with them. I really liked Sinclair Vinemont and I especially liked how the author has shown his many layers through his POV. But I'm still unaware of his motives and it bothers me. As for Stella...

I couldn't stand Stella. She made me want to roll my eyes, kiss my teeth, go on a rampage, and throat punch her. It bothers me when I can't sympathize with the 'victim'. Isn't that the whole purpose of putting her in this type of captive situation??? I want to feel for her but this character has made it impossible. She does not scream strength. She is not inspiring. She was irritating, insipid, and irrational. She got on my nerves from the get go and she doesn't seem to want to get off.

I'm off to read book 2: Magnate. Hopefully the author pulls Stella's head out of her ass.

XO