Book Review: Awakening (The Chrysalis Series #1) by Elene Sallinger

Claire Ryan has recently gotten out of a 10 year abusive relationship. The twist is that she is the abuser. Her body and mind crave physical pain so she would push her former lover to the point that he would hurt her. Not out of passion but out of anger. Now that they have finally parted ways, she needs to delve into that side of her and find out what it is that she needs. When she joins a book club at the local book store owned by Evan Lang, she is drawn to the erotica section and more specifically BDSM themed books.

Evan is still mourning the death of his wife and submissive, even many years after the fact. He refuses to let her go and move on with his own life. When Claire walks into his store, her vulnerability wakes the dominant in him, which pisses him off. He doesn't want to be attracted to another woman and he certainly doesn't want another submissive. Or so he keeps telling himself but his body has a mind of its own.

When Evan overhears Claire discussing her past relationship with their mutual friend Bridget, he realizes she needs some guidance into the BDSM world. Still refusing to be the Dom to instruct her, he continues to ignore her and instead he leaves appropriate books out where she will see them in his store. But how long can he keep lying to himself? How long until he gives in and gives them what they both need.