I fell down the rabbit hole of the Black Light series about a month and a half ago. I was charmed by the MMF ménage book, Infamous Love by Livia Grant, and I couldn’t stop reading. As of today, there are two series. Black Light Fearless is the second book (theoretically) in the second series. Even more interesting is that each book is written by a different author, writers who are connected under Black Collar Press. Overall, this series is grounded in the BDSM club founded by the three characters from the first book, Jaxson, Chase, and Emma. Each book centers around different characters and their stories as they connect through the trio’s club, Black Light. I think what draws me to this series is this connection. In most of the books, you read characters from the other books in the series. I’ve always loved to follow characters through other books, as it offers me more of their stories. I’ve always struggled with saying “good-bye” to characters, so this series continues to allay my book-hangovers.
Black Light Fearless centers around Noah and Kitty. We encounter them in Black Light: Roulette Redux, an anthology/compilation of stories by the various authors for this series. Noah and Kitty figure into the story of Hadlee and Garreth as tertiary characters. Hadlee and Kitty are “pets” of Ethen, an abusive dominant. Neither of them recognize that Ethen’s form of dominance and submission is not centered on full consent; it’s abuse.
This story begins right after Hadlee’s story. Kitty realizes that Hadlee’s rejection of Ethen will fall upon Kitty. Unfortunately, this truth is real, and Ethen abuses Kitty horribly. Kitty realizes quickly that she cannot handle Ethen’s form of this lifestyle, and she calls Kitty and Garreth to rescue her. In the aftermath of this rescue, Ethen continues to threaten her life, and Garreth sends her away to his friend, Noah, who lives in Australia. From there, Noah must find a way to help Kitty heal from her relationship with Ethen. In doing so, will they find love? Will Noah show her the loving parts of the BDSM lifestyle? These are the questions of this book.
Since being sucked into these books, I’ve loved the characters and the way the BDSM lifestyle is shown. For the most part, these relationships are consensual and erotic. However, this book plays with the idea of consent and the line of abuse or dominance. It’s the only one that shows this line in such a dramatic fashion, and it makes for a compelling story.
Noah is one of my favorite characters in this series. In the former story with Hadlee, his perception of her former abuse makes him empathic and thoughtful in a way meant to help her heal and accept Garreth. He has this same sense of understanding with Kitty in this book, which causes you to fall in love with him. He is an empath, while also being a dominant. And he shows his empathy through his kindness and care of Kitty. He is swoon worthy for sure.
Kitty is a bit more difficult. There were times when I wanted to reach into my book and smack her. Trust me, my heart hurt for her as she struggles to come to terms with her abusive relationship with Ethen. However, when she readily reaches out to him to bring her back to the U.S., I was frustrated. Not just because Ethen is a horrible person, but more that she was leaving Noah, someone worthy of her love.
Together, this couple is beautifully bound, and Smith creates characters with an emotional connection first and a sexual connection second. For Kitty, this is necessary. I loved them together, and I couldn’t put the story down until the end.
If you want to see the emotional depths of a BDSM relationship, then read Black Light Fearless. Out of all of the books of the two series, this is one of my top 5 easily.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 