Book Review: The Gilded Cuff by Lauren Smith

the gilded cuffA romantic mystery with a touch of BDSM, “The Gilded Cuff ” follows investigative reporter Sophie Ryder, originally from Manhattan, Kansas and New York scion Emery Lockwood, currently CEO of Lockwood Industries.

An unsophisticated farm girl meets Ivy League educated gentleman who happens to be part of the stratified New York social set in a private BDSM club. Though Sophie has an ulterior motive, the attraction between her and Emery was instantaneous to the point that Emery broke his rule of not bringing women to his home.

The premise of the story is really good. Emery and his twin brother Fenn were kidnapped when they were 8 years old. Though Emery survived, Fenn did not and Emery has been living with survivor’s guilt since then.

Enter Sophie who has an uncanny ability to sniff good stories and has a knack of solving crimes that the police cannot. She wants to solve the Emory twins kidnapping. What she did not expect was for Emory Lockwood to be devastatingly handsome.

It’s a great premise for a story that seemed to be loosely based on the Lindbergh kidnapping. And with a touch of BDSM, it really could have been very interesting, except that the reference to “Fifty Shades of Grey” was so obvious with the mention of Tess of the d’Urbervilles. There really was no need for that scene.

Now, if you can skip that part or “un-read” it if you can, then you will find the “The Gilded Cuff ” an enjoyable read.

The Gilded Cuff ” is Rated M for Mature due to sex and violence.

3.5
Description

Every passion has its price . . .

Journalist Sophie Ryder has been following Emery Lockwood’s story since she was a little girl. There has always been something in his haunted eyes that she couldn’t resist and now, when she’s certain he holds the key to solving a string of kidnappings, she’ll do anything to speak to him. Even if it means venturing deep into the seductive world of the Gilded Cuff, a luxurious BDSM club on Long Island’s Gold Coast and Emery’s personal playground.

From the moment Sophie enters his shadowy, sensual domain, Emery Lockwood knows this tantalizing new little sub was meant to belong to him. However, Sophie wants more from Emery than just pleasure . . . she wants his past. And that is something he isn’t willing to give-no matter who is asking. But every moment he spends with Sophie, Emery feels his control slipping and he knows it’s only a matter of time before he surrenders to her heart, body, and soul.