Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha

Beyond Shame (Beyond, #1)

by Kit Rocha

All Noelle Cunningham has ever wanted was a life beyond--beyond her stifling role as a prim and proper councilman’s daughter, and beyond the walls of the patriarchal city of Eden, the only remnants of safety in a world destroyed by solar storms decades earlier. But when she’s banished for violating the prohibition against immorality, she’s unprepared for the lawless world outside the city’s walls.

The sectors surrounding Eden house those abandoned to fend for themselves--men like Jasper McCray, bootlegger and cage fighter. Jas clawed his way up from nothing to stand at the right hand of Sector Four’s ruthless leader, and he’ll defend the O’Kane gang with his life. But fighting hasn’t prepared him for dealing with a sheltered City princess who falls at his feet.

Her innocence is undeniable, but so is her intense sexual curiosity. Soon they’re exploring every dark fantasy she’s ever been ashamed to have. But if Noelle wants to claim her place with the O’Kanes and at Jas’s side, she’ll have to find the courage to embrace something even more terrifying than her own desires.

Her own power.

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Beyond Shame is an erotic dystopian romance set in a dark and decadent world. While the characters explore kink and sex with multiple partners, all sex between characters is 100% consensual.

Reviewed by Melanie on

5 of 5 stars

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My review and an extended sample of the audiobook are posted at Hotlistens.com.

Beyond Shame is the first book in the Beyond series by Kit Rocha (a.k.a. Moria Rogers, a.k.a. Donna Herren and Bree Bridges). This series takes place in a dystopian world after solar flares took all technology on the planet. Electricity is not stable either. Eden is supposed to be a utopia, but with all its rules and restrictions, it is far from it. That is where is find Noelle Cunningham, the councilman’s daughter, who was living outside of those regulations. She is kicked out of the city and dumped into Sector Four to fend for herself.

The sectors surrounding Eden are known for their corruption and crime. They are run by gangs and street rules apply. Each sector is known for different “specialties”. Sector Four is run by the infamous bootlegger Dallas O’Kane. He makes the best liquor in the area and makes tons of money at it. Sector Four is also known for its explicit extracurricular activities. Nothing is off limits as long as it is consensual.

When Noelle falls at the feet of Jasper McCray, right hand to the head of Sector Four. Jasper takes in Noelle who is on something and nurses her back to health. Jasper, even though he is a cage fighter and a thug, he has quite the soft spot and Noelle fits there perfect. They are perfect together. He is a natural dominant. Noelle is a natural submissive who wants nothing more than to experience life.

The characters in this book couldn’t be better. They are hot, tattooed and share well, for the most part. There are some pretty elaborate sex parties in the sector. The people in the gang are loyal, sarcastic and cocky. Once you are part of the O’Kanes, you are one for life. You are even tattooed with cuffs around your wrists to prove you are part of the gang for life. It also offers you extra protection in the sector. Everyone knows that if you mess with one O’Kane, you will mess with them all.

Narration
The narration is good. Lucy Malone does a good job with each of the different characters. I don’t think she does a bad job with the men. She makes Noelle’s innocence sound believable. Each character has a distinct voice. The tone and pace is done well.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 17 March, 2013: Finished reading
  • 6 January, 2017: Reviewed
  • Started reading
  • 6 January, 2017: Finished reading
  • 6 January, 2017: Reviewed