Something about this author's style bothered me, and I can't figure it out. I'm still trying, and if I do I'll update. But it didn't suck, and the main characters were interesting. ( )

With a combination of intelligent writing and realistic portrayal of varying levels of desire for, and acceptance of that desire, for a power exchange relationship, Cecilia Tan's "Taking the Lead" provides a welcome boost to the quality of erotica available to the BDSM community. Ricki and Axel are relatable protagonists, and if you think "billionaire heiress and dangerous rock star" seems like thin ground for character development, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the care Tan takes to make this more than a series of kinky romps (though those are definitely present, and hot). People who are more familiar with BDSM erotica than with actual BDSM lifestyles will probably find flaws with the narrative, but I found the complexities of Ricki's feelings to be completely believable given her family history and her public persona.
Definitely recommend, especially for folks in the kink world who are looking for something with a bit more tooth than short stories on online forums, and more dimension than vanilla erotica.