Review: The Inner Room

The Inner Room by Claire Thompson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Doctors and nurses exemplify sexy power exchange in erotic novels. Usually it's the doctor giving the orders and the nurse agreeably obeying. In a switch up, Inner Room features a dominant nurse and a submissive doctor. Staying along the lines of a male dominant and a female submissive, it still changes up the traditional roles of who is the doctor and who is the nurse. Dr. Marissa Roberts works a stressful job. She is literally responsible for saving lives. Her decisions can possibly end a life. With this kind of responsibility, she fantasizes about giving away her control. With a kinky interest, she finally accepts a friend's introduction to the wild side. Marissa becomes a submissive in training at a local BDSM club. Apprehensive of the stigma associated with being both a submissive and in an alternative lifestyle, Marissa is relieved when she doesn't seen anyone she knows at the club. When she is assessed, her fears materialize; the experienced dominant is none other than Cam Wilder, a nurse at her hospital.

Ms. Thompson does a lovely job with the BDSM. The scenes are erotic. The training is believable. The power exchange between Cam and Marissa is delightful to witness. The ups and downs of a newbie to the lifestyle is accurately captured in this story. The tentativeness of a new submissive wondering if perhaps she's not normal are all good to see. There is one particular passage which is of concern. Some may agree with this philosophy, this reviewer does not. Specifically, using BDSM as a cure for a past trauma can be possible, just usually not advisable. In the way it's presented in the book, it is makes sense.

If a client came in to see you, and told you she was new to the scene, but had found her soul mate, and D/s had become a central focus of her life, but a recent traumatic event had made her unsure about continuing, what would you say to that client?”

Cam didn’t even have to think about the reply. “I’d say BDSM would be the very best cure for whatever ails her. I’d explain to her that what happened has less than zero to do with BDSM, with the intensity, the exchange of power, the passion.”

“And you’d be right,” Jack replied. (pg. 135)

Ms. Thompson's conflict is seemingly mild at the beginning of the story. Marissa's wariness in exploring her sexuality is understandable. When the main conflict occurs, it is biting and a bit shocking. It's not a huge surprise because Ms. Thompson does a good job of setting it up. How quickly the situation escalated is the shocking part. The traumatic event in this story is all too real. The misconceptions of BDSM are laid out in black in white. The way a kinky person can be persecuted and violated is all too chillingly plausible. The resolution while a bit unrealistic is definitely satisfying. When the men come to the rescue of a damsel in distress, it is heartwarming. Because sometimes, it is nice not to have to solve big problems by oneself. Support through friends, particularly intimidating male friends generates a warm fuzzy feeling. It's the kind where a submissive feels loved, cared for and protected. It is a heady sensation which Marissa definitely appreciates. Recommended for kinky readers who enjoy a protective dominant.

*provided by BDSM Book Reviews



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