This was a really enjoyable read. A good blend of fun and angst with some nice romance and sex scenes added throughout. Had some of my favorite tropes including fake dating. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I look forward to reading more by this author.

This is just not my sort of book. It describes the women's bodies in both positive and negative ways that make me uncomfortable; there's a total focus on the sexiness of the love interest and no mention of personality, intelligence, etc; and people are made fun of for being "prudes" and "deviants". To be fair, the latter might be intended as light-hearted jokes among friends that just didn't land for me.

I would read a book with this sort of plot (apparently it has fake dating, which is a trope I often enjoy) if I was interested in the characters, but it was a struggle to get through the first couple of chapters and I just didn't care enough to go on. I don't think it's a bad book, it's just very much not for me. ( )

I have not read the first two books in the series, so I came into this book without expectations. Truthfully, I am glad! I identified and liked both lead characters. They faced some tough situations, but they faced them. And they were realistic obstacles, not contrived to make drama. The pacing was good, the "intimate moments" not too heavily done but done well, and the story had a plot that made sense for the whole book. I'll look for more by this author.

Restrained Desires is the third novel in the Rehoboth Pact series by Katherine McIntyre.

Content Note: (critical treatment of) homomisia, fatmisia

Plot:
After years of her mother chipping away at her self-esteem, Kyle is convinced that she will never find the woman who is right for her, who will find her attractive. Even despite her best friend Aubrey’s attempt to be her wing-person. The only person Aubrey would never try to set her up with? Her little sister Chelsea, straight, freshly divorced and out to have a good time, now that she’s free again. But that doesn’t keep Kyle from finding her gorgeous. When Kyle confides in Chelsea that she has announced to her family that she will bring home a girlfriend, Chelsea offers to accompany her. And when Chelsea mentions that she would like to explore her kinky side, Kyle is there to go to the BDSM club with her. As the two start to spend more and more time together, they become closer. But could they actually work as a couple?

Restrained Desires is a sweet romance that reads quickly. I expected it to be a bit more sex-driven and kinky than it is, but I can’t say I minded that it concentrated on the fake dating trope, definitely a personal favorite. In short, I really enjoyed it.

Read more on my blog: https://kalafudra.com/2022/04/21/restrained-desires-katherine-mcintyre/ ( )

I really loved this book. I don't read a lot of romance but this really drew me in. I loved the characters of Kyle and Chelsea and felt that they were realistic (and relatable!). They also complemented each other well. The other characters, naturally, didn't have as much development, but after reading this, I'm curious about the first two books in the series!

The book also deals with the effects of body shaming and emotional abuse on a person in a realistic way that does not diminish the damages caused by such abuses. ( )