I think this was a very tastefully done BDSM novel that showed the trust between two people and how to be vulnerable when you don’t necessarily want to be. If you’re into darker romance, as well as BDSM, I would say check this book out.

I usually love dark romances, but couldn't get in to this one unfortunately. Pace was a bit slow for me too.

It took me a long time to read this book and I think that’s because the book itself is so in depth, and that aspect was definitely not something I expected of this read. Discovering Leigh was beautiful, contrasting between light and dark, and funnily enough, educational.

I wanted to take my time with this book because it was obvious to me that a lot of care and devotion was put into it and I think it deserved a captivated reader.

This is by far one of the best BDSM novels I’ve ever read. Gerry Pelser goes beyond your typical tie me up and spank my story that we so often see by delving into the intricacies of the BDSM lifestyle. The characters are captivating. I loved watching Leigh discover her true self and grow as a submissive. And Sir Michael was the perfect combination of gentle, loving, strict when needed, and fun Dominant. I also like how we were shown how the line between BDSM and abuse can be crossed by those who misuse it with Leigh’s boyfriend Wayne and how his horrible abuse is so much different than the caring relationship between Leigh and Michael. This is definitely going on my recommended reading list for anyone interested in the BDSM lifestyle.

Excellent book, took me a while to get to it but this story was great and it didn't go in the typical direction one would have though. Loved this book, fantastically written.

Leigh was a photographer. She had a weird bone structure or body structure or something like that. She had to wear headgear but she hated it and avoided wearing it often. She got herself a boyfriend, Wayne who was a druggie. Meanwhile, Mikey was an odd man until he stumbled upon the BDSM side of the club, Asylum. Got famous there after learning rope tactics. Anyway, Leigh and Mikey met and Leigh was fascinated by BDSM and wanted him to teach her. One thing led to another and Mikey became her dom. And nope, this was nothing like the BDSM we read often. Leigh still had her boyfriend and certainly seemed like leading two lives. Mikey fell in love with her. He never had a girlfriend and hell, he was a virgin. Hearing that, Leigh wanted him to experience how making love was like which he did with her. Then when Wayne learned about her fetishes he manhandled and raped her. Mikey came to rescue but he got nothing on him. Detective Johnny made sure he was punished. Wayne I mean. Also, Leigh wanted space from Mikey but came back after a few weeks. They became girlfriend-boyfriend.🙄
I wanted to love it. But there was nothing to love. There was nothing erotic or romantic substances in this book at all. Pages after pages. Nothing. I skimmed a lot and didn't even missed anything.

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine


I thoroughly enjoyed the story

Quite full on in places , I would say to anyone to stick with it as it gets better as you go along

A descriptive sort of guidance to rules book on bdsm, woven into a story sort of read. Makes some of it a bit long winded with examples.

How they meet, the introductions, the laying of rules, the expectations, the discipline. Found the story a bit slow paced.

I really enjoyed this story!

It was a story that completely kept my attention from a few chapters in through to the ending, it was a great read and a life changing read in more ways than one for Leigh.

There was a little too much detail for me at the beginning but the storyline soon took hold and it made for an additive read with some great characterisation!

It is 4 stars from me for this one - highly recommended!

Discovering Leigh follows the story of Leigh and Sir Michael’s budding friendship, mentorship and eventual relationship within the bounds of BDSM. Leigh, a talented photographer finds herself in The Asylum, where she witnesses a display of rope suspension and Shibari conducted by Micheal who then offers to teach her the ways of bondage, dominance and submission.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, it’s incredibly rare to find a kinky novel that is realistic without giving up any of the excitement of the nature of the topic. It was great to see a Dom portrayed as knowledgable and respectful as opposed to what is more commonly seen which is overbearing and demanding (not that there anything wrong with that at times!).

I did remove one star from my overall rating because the kindle formatting needs some revisiting. The chapters don’t show up in the contents which made it difficult to skip back if I wanted to reread a particular scene. It may not be a huge deal for some readers but it is something that made the reading experience a little less enjoyable for me.

4 out of 5 stars overall. Thank you Netgalley and Gerry Pelser for the chance to review this novel.

Leigh wants to escape her normal existence and when she goes to an underground club and meets Sir Michael. She is introduced to Dominance and submission. As she discovers more about herself her relationship with Sir Michael becomes stronger and she learns more about him and herself. What will happen when and old lover wants her back, who will she choose? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, emotion and steam. Great characters with lots of depth and steamy chemistry. I liked it

This book really surprised me. It takes you on a complete journey with the characters and at the same time gives you an intriging insight into psychology behind BDSM - things are not always what they seem.. A fascinating book.

Gritty but beautiful, Discovering Leigh is an atmospheric work filled with unusual descriptions and double-edged intimacy. It is both dark and light -- a rare double whammy. The images that accompany the text are artful and descriptive, priming readers for what sometimes feels like an out of body experience. The cultural references are clever, not kitsch, and the plot is quite textured.

(Full disclosure: I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

What a story! What an amazing, intriguing, thorough story. I was pushing myself out of my normal genres and decided to jump in and see what this book could offer me from the "erotica" sense and I was not disappointed.

Leigh is a successful photographer, she seems to have the life with a handsome boyfriend, thriving business, and not lacking for anything. But a part of her feels off, not just in the sense she's finally battling with braces to adjust her lifelong over-formed bite but she doesn't feel fulfilled as she would like. Then one day, she ends up with a client at the club of misfits called the Asylum and ends up meeting Mikey. Mikey or "Just Mikey" fits into the gang of misfits as the bondage expert. IT by day and BDSM expert by night he is intrigued by her and takes her on as a student. What one would think is that would mean that the student and teacher would be involved, but that is far from the case. Mikey takes on the title of "Sir Michael" and takes Leigh on a journey of learning how to respectfully and appropriately bring BDSM into your life.

I knew nothing about this community or lifestyle and reading it from this perspective is so intriguing. Gerry Pelser's character development is something very few authors I've read could hold a light to. Each character and each story line is built out with such detail even though it's a work of fiction you would swear that it happened in front of your eyes. Only reason I ticked my rating down a star is I felt like the middle of the book got a bit repetitive for me but once I got to the last quarter of the book, I FLEW through because the action is just addicting in it.

Thank you Gerry Pelser, Author Collective, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was so happy I got the opportunity to read this story.

Complementary copy from Netgalley given for honest review and opinion. I really couldn't get in to this book. From the beginning it felt more like a creepy back room freak show than a romance. I guess my personal tastes are a bit different but I did not care for this book.