This book surprised me. It's the first full fledged sci-fi book I've ever read, and I really enjoyed it.I like how the author made the characters have traits that perhaps most romance type stories wouldn't exhibit in their lead characters. It made them very relatable, and even though it was a shorter story, the world she created didn't seem ridiculous. Usually worlds that are a big extreme from our own has to be worked up to in a book, or risk seeming silly or over the top. But I never felt like that when reading this story.Loved the lead characters, and would absolutely LOVE a full story about them, that's how enjoyable it was.Definitely recommended, and I will be checking out more books by this author, thanks to this book. :-) In this Sci-Fi story, Detective Alex Kley goes under cover to expose an illegal prostitution ring. The Office of the Federation Security was unsure of who the key players were, the only thing everyone knew was that street prostitutes and homeless men were disappearing.The OFD is also trying to figure out what's up with an undercover agent, Neil Bradshaw, who hasn't checked in a while.So Alex poses as a sex worker and is picked up by someone working for an unknown group where he is shackled and eventually taken to a slave auction.Alex is sold to the Willow House, the most prestigious whore houses, which is modeled after the former Japanese Geisha culture. They are trained by the Illythe, who Alex quickly deduces isn't human. In fact, the owner of Willow House is General Scion and he is most definitely an alien.Illythe is tasked with training all the new recurits and getting contracts for patrons. But for Illythe, something about Alex is irresistible. Illythe is a slave himself to the Scion, so he is forbidden to engage with Alex but Illythe and Alex are fighting a very strong attraction. What will they do about their growing feelings? General Scion is a very general master and so their lives are at stake if they cannot quell their passion for each other.this story was pretty good novella. It contained things I am squeamish about (non-consensual sex, alien sex etc) but it was entertaining. I am proud of myself for stretching my wings on this one. I also thank the author for making this book an HEA because I don't think I could have handled anything else but a good ending.
What do You think about Where Willows Won't Grow (2014)?
4.5 stars! Really enjoyed this dark little dub-con, alien prostitute auction, undercover operation!
—adios16
Unfortunately, an overly sappy ending for something that promised to be dark and twisted *sighs*
—Louise
Loved the writing and the story - will reread.
—vandayar
This book was reviewed by Love Bytes Reviews!
—dave
