4 out of 4 stars
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I hesitated before picking this book for review as I am not an erotica reader. What a pleasant surprise The Red Light held for me! I was hooked right from the start, and this book surpassed my expectations.
Short of 250 pages, and published in June 2018, The Red Light is L. H. Roberts' debut novel. It is written in British English, and it is set between London and Amsterdam. Eva Barber and Sabrina Taylor, both aged 33, are two friends who work in a publishing house in London. In an attempt to get in touch with their sensual sides and explore them further, they decide to embark on a set of daring sexual experiences, challenges, and fantasies. These challenges would take place during the ladies’ three-month temporary work placement in Amsterdam.
While in Amsterdam, they meet new people and try to throw their inhibitions out. Will they be able to go through with their sexual challenges? Will love cross their path again after being dumped by their boyfriends back in London?
To limit the genre of this book to erotic romance would do it an injustice. It possesses the soul of a romantic thriller with the bonus of a witty humor, sex appeal, and women’s fiction. The author also offers a beautiful and realistic portrayal of two women’s friendship, and the ups and downs of their journey together. Will Eva and Sabrina be able to maintain their friendship or will the difference in their perspective on people and relations cause them to drift apart?
The characters of Eva and Sabrina are well-rounded, relatable, and believable. They are so lively that I felt they were about to pop off the page. These are strong and independent women who are willing take the power in relationship initiation back into their own hands. I liked the sincerity in Sabrina’s character, and the ever-ready wit and sarcastic sense of humor Eva had. The rest of the characters are also well-drawn, realistic and utterly human. I appreciated that they were not too good to be true.
The story is told in the third-person narrative. The writing style is smooth, easy-to-read, and engaging, and the dialogue is entertaining and smart. This is Eva talking,” I was about to dump him when he did it first. I was livid. And my mouth was full of food, too.” "She looked at Sabrina for humorous sympathy, which she received. A lot of Eva’s stories involved her mouth being full of food.”
Here is another glimpse into these ladies’ world, “Eva commented that the meal last night had cost an arm and a f***ing leg too and that she hoped this wasn’t like Scandinavia where coffee costs a fiver and a meal costs you your monthly mortgage payment.”
What is there not to like about this book? I loved Roberts’ well-developed characters. Every time I had to put the book down for some chore, I raced back to see what the ladies were up to. I also enjoyed the dynamics of the friendship between Eva and Sabrina. The sense of humor engrained within the text added a lighthearted feel. How many times have I caught myself laughing out loud over the hysterical arguments between Eva and her quirky colleague Britte?!
You might be wondering about the fuss over the intimate details. The intense physical encounters were organic, served the context, and did not feel out-of-place. Without giving away any spoilers, the book had an ample description of Amsterdam’s sex underworld.
On a positive note, The Red Light also serves as a fantastic insider’s guide to Amsterdam. I enjoyed the vivid and the detailed description of the city, the canals, the charming scenery, the Autumn there, and the habits of the Dutch. I could also envision the plenty of bikes, of course!
My only complaint is that the emphasis was placed on the details of Sabrina’s encounters more than Eva’s.
This book appeals to those seeking female-empowering reads. People who enjoy romance and thrill peppered with sensual details will find it a page-turner. I also recommend it to readers who appreciate a good dose of humor. Those interested in the description of captivating cities will be satisfied with the rich guide set within the context of a novel. That being said, a warning is due to those younger than 18. The Red Light better suits a mature audience, due to its adult content and the graphic details. People offended by the explicit sexual material would better skip this one.
In light of all the aforementioned and having a clean editing, I unreservedly rate The Red Light 4 out of 4 stars. I noticed only one typo and an extra preposition which I wouldn’t have picked hadn’t I been looking for errors diligently.
Women have common denominators when it comes to the mode of thinking, the fears, and the insecurities. Ms. Roberts sheds the light on all these with grace, eloquence, and transparency. On a final note, I quote her on the tongue of one of her characters, “Your partner needs to be someone you both like and are attracted to. You can’t have a good relationship with just one of those aspects.”
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The Red Light
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I "promise" you won't have to skip a line reading this book. It has been such an enjoyable read.
