Awakening

Sallinger’s debut follows a novice’s exploration of BDSM, coming across more as a handbook for nervous explorers than as an erotic story. Recently single, Claire Ryan seeks a new social life through a romance book club, where she befriends confidante Bridget and eyes the store’s owner, emotionally congested widower Evan Lane. Claire lingers after meetings to read erotica about submission and kink, which Evan secretly curates for her education. Sallinger’s earnest, didactic tone (“Her underlying need was one many people had”) contrasts oddly with the emotional melodrama related to Evan’s excessive self-denial, possessiveness, and clichéd misunderstanding of Claire’s relationship with her brother, all of which undercut the scenes of sex and play. Dominant Evan’s dramatic emotional journey both helps and occasionally hinders Claire’s increasing acceptance of her desires, until she confronts him and brings about a happy conclusion. Sallinger’s research is too much in evidence for simple sexy entertainment, but neophytes will learn a lot. (Nov.)