In the first few chapters, I wasn't sure that I would like this. But, I decided to keep pushing on, and I'm glad I did. By the time I got to the end, I really did like it.

One reason that I wasn't sure that I would like it was I didn't originally connect with the guys. Charlie was OK when we first met him, but when he and Shay escaped and they got to town, he was kind of a jerk. He was really judgemental about his sister and her chosen lifestyle. She was happy with her five husbands, so why he's being all p1ssy about it, I don't know. Then when he found out that Shay was going to have to marry 5 guys too, well, 4 guys plus him, he just was kind of a jerk about it. Eventually, we find out more behind his reasoning and as we learn more about Charlie, he really grew on me. He's very young, not necessarily agewise, but world wise. He doesn't have a lot of experience outside of his family, so of course he's going to have some issues.

Henry was just... slimy and smarmy from the very beginning. From what we saw in his head vs. what we saw in the other guys' heads, I think that he saw Shay much more as an accessory or statue piece than he did as a real life person and wife, even as he thinks that he loves her. I just didn't like him at all.

Jonas was confusing to me from the beginning. It was like he was 2 people sharing one mind and body. It was really interesting to learn more about him.

Gabriel is nearly non-existent in a lot of the book, but of the things we do learn about him, we know that he loves his sons more than life himself, and that he's truly a good man with a loving heart who is very conflicted about what's going on.

I wish we had been able to learn more about Rafe, we just never spent enough time in his head to really learn a whole lot about him, but he seems like a real BAMF, who was there to kick butt and chew gum and he was all out of bubblegum.

I can't imagine being a woman in these books. There's some horrific things that happen that make the world kind of hellish. But, she's a lot stronger than people thought that she was, including her.

I'm looking forward to the next book and can't wait to see where it's going to go and what's going to happen with Eric and Drea, and the storyline with Travis. ( )

4.8 stars

This book. It seems outlandish. It seems like it has the makings of a book that is just fluff without any depth. Let me tell you though, THAT is not this series and in particular this book. This book was so good. Yes, it built off of the first one and we saw a few of those characters but this world just really took off. The author should be commended for her world-building skills.

Each character is given depth which afforded me the chance to get even more invested in the story. Shay. As if it wouldn't be hard enough just living in this futuristic world which seems primitive after living in the comforts of today but to be a woman on top of it makes it even harder. A woman with a purpose. Henry. A proper gentleman. Charlie. The sweet man who just wants to honor a promise to his sister (who we met in the first book in this series). Jonas. The pot smoking Dominant former Preacher. Don't let that description fool you. He was my favorite and I love that the author played on the idea of the irony of having a religious man be into BDSM. Rafe. Former Air Force who was a naughty damaged man. Gabriel. Devoted father to three boys whose sole purpose was to ensure that his boys had a good life and future.

The steam in this book was off the charts, yet, that wasn't what made the story so good. Rather, it was the depth of the story and creating a world that isn't entirely unplausible in the future. There were twists and unexpected surprises. There was a great segway into where this series is going in the future. The author could continue this series indefinitely as there is plenty of ways it can still go and an endless amount of characters that could still add to this story.

I wish all Reverse Harem type books were like this. If they were it would be my new favorite genre. Until then, this author will hold the honor of being the best at it and have me fangirling anytime she adds to the collection. I did not want it to end at all. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series. ( )

This review and book is written for 18+. If you are scared or easily offended...kindly exit stage left.
Theirs to Pleasure follows the intensely action and schmexy packed dystopian reverse harem romance book Theirs to Protect in the Marriage Lottery series. Theirs to Protect was my first foray into RH so I was over the moon to be picked to read and review the next book in the series. I was given a copy of the ARC.

I. Honestly. Love. This. Series!

So the series takes place in what we currently call the Central and Western United States. There are few women left after a virus wiped almost all of them from the face of the planet. Bombing destroyed a good portion of everything and everyone else. So the ratio is about 1 woman to every 12 men. This is book 2 in the series.

There are lots of twists and turns. This story will keep you guessing, hoping, cheering, getting pissed off and really heated.

Shay is a captive and tasked with bringing Charlie sparse meals. They develop a bit of a tentative relationship leading to them working together to get out of the deplorable conditions known as Travisville. Charlie and Shay escape from Travisville and head out to Jacob's Well in hopes of finding Charlie's sister Audrey and freedom. In addition, hopefully a chance for Charlie to explore his feelings with Shay. They finally make it to Jacobs Well and bam! Shay is immediately put in the marriage lottery. Her one condition? Charlie is one of her five husbands.

Shay is a survivor.
There is so much more to this character, but I want you to experience the genuine waves of emotion for yourself as she reveals her true self throughout the story.

I liked that author Stasia Black gave us a damaged heroine with a stubborn streak and a long game survival instinct who took her pleasure seriously. Sometimes the virgin thing is just ridiculously played out. The guys were equally tarnished. All of the characters were well thought out, very well developed and believable.

Shay's guys are quite different from Audrey's men and the introduction of soft BDSM is refreshing.

Read my full review on Who She Reads ( )