Book 1), Beyond Shame (Beyond

In a dystopian future, City of Eden residents are sheltered from the sectors and their rough ways. This book is a perfect psychological look at an Eden resident who finds herself - literally and figuratively- in Sector 4 where everyone is free. But freedom also means giving it up. The characters have depth. They learn and change. Reminiscent of The Hunger Games in a way, Noelle fights for her freedom only to find it when she gives it up.

You are just sort of dropped in this post apocalyptic dystopian world but without much background. I wasn't sure what was going on at first but caught on pretty quickly. Some of the language I found little humorous... let's face it by now we've all read 50 shades of gray so referring to any deviant act doesn't have to always be classified as dirty or bad. I understand that was the world she came from but considering how she whole heartedly embraced her new life she could have left some of the self judgement behind. That being said I found all the other characters very compelling, enough for me to buy the next book even.

Beyond Shame is beyond HOT! With sexy tattooed men and tough women in bada$$ clothes who are upfront and honest with their family. They live in Sector 4 where life and love is hard and sex is a way not to just find release from the stress the day brings but an accepted way to have fun with your friends or earn money and a place. For Noelle it is about stepping out of the boundaries society places on her and who she really is or want to be. And being that person does not mean she is bad or shameful, it means it is her. And when she realizes it she will find her place where she really belongs..

This book started off good, but seemed to go downhill quickly.
For a virginal girl who got kicked out for almost fornicating, she could amazingly handle orgies and 3+ fingers within a few short weeks...
Sex scenes didn't have that gripping feeling that you get from some other books.
Wasn't terrible, but I'm not sure it's worth pursuing the rest of the series.

Tattoos, gangs and BDSM oh my! Im giving this book the one handed read salute! Not only is this book super hot but its got a really good story to back it up. I absolutely LOVE this book. I love sacrificing virgins and Noelle is the perfect naughty virgin. She pretty much knows what she wants but it too ashamed to ask for it. Jasper is the holy grail (for me) of holy hunkness with his sexy beard, tattoos and commanding but chivalrous presence.

I had a very hard time putting this book down. If you like sexy bada$$es with tattoos, BDSM, ménage, F/F with a hot virgin, then this is it for you!

The title is scarily appropriate. BEYOND SHAME is one dirty book and has absolutely zero shame about it.

Society has been thrown into upheaval by solar flares that destroyed some of our most integral technology, forcing us to rebuild. As with Hunger Games, this area has carved itself up into various "sectors" with Eden doubling as the Capitol.

Noelle Cunningham has been kicked out of Eden because of her - gasp! - debauchery. She was caught drinking and having sex. How dare she. Members of the biggest, baddest gang, the O'Kanes, see her wandering around like a lost, sexy, sad-eyed lamb and take pity on her - they bring her in to their boss, Dallas.

Dallas is passingly attracted to her, but it's Jasper who wants to save her. He and Noelle eventually end up in a sexual relationship where they sometimes pair up with Dallas and Lex. In the meantime, there's tons of drama. Lex doesn't like that Dallas acts like he's already collared her, and pushes him away with passive-aggressive pettiness. Noelle feels guilty about wanting sex, but is instantly amazing at everything she tries in spite of her inexperience (curse you, Sex Fairies!).

I liked the idea of scavenging renegades fighting against an oppressive, yet oddly materialistic regime in the remains of our tattered world. I would have liked to see this explored in greater depth, because it could have made the story great instead of so-so. Sadly, its only purpose is to serve as a doomy and gloomy backdrop to lots and lots of sex, which tends to fall in the same old stereotypes despite some innovative prop use.

I was looking through the reviews for this book to see what my friends thought, because I can see BEYOND SHAME being controversial. It was. Some of my friends really enjoyed it - and I can see why. The sex, for what it's worth, is well-written and the quality of the writing itself is very good. If you're looking for something purely pornographic that won't make you feel like your IQ points are ticking away by the second, BEYOND SHAME fulfills that purpose like a dream.

However, I think I feel more similarly to Heather. I thought there was too much sex, and would have liked to have seen more focus on the story itself because after a while Noelle's needy sex-addiction and constant desire for validation really began to wore on my nerves. Like Navessa, I also wasn't really a fan of the woman-on-woman sex for the purpose of male titillation or the group sex.

Despite some very edgy content (BDSM + kink), there is a high premium placed on consent in this book, and nobody is raped or forced into sex by the good guys. That was refreshing. I also liked several of the female characters who weren't Lex or Noelle. Rachel and Six were especially awesome. I'm sure they'll be in future books in the series, and hopefully they won't be turned into needy whiners like Noelle.

2 to 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Suffers from first-in-series problems. I didn't think the characters were developed (really, I have no idea why the H/h got together) because the authors were busy developing the setting and some secondary characters. A lot of focus on consent, which is important in a BDSM environment, but still... no idea why the two main characters got together.

I realize these are big words to say: Beyond Shame has THE hottest sex scene I've ever read. That alone is reason enough to read this book. Though I'm not a huge fan of dystopian society books (aside from Hunger Games--LOVED), the setting of this book doesn't really make a difference to the innocent-girl-finds-tough-man-of-her-dreams story. I highly recommend Beyond Shame if you're looking for something a little different from the norm with a load of hot scenes.

Starts out really good. I do enjoy erotica books but I don't get into group sex, sorry. That was a huge turn off for me. The story itself is pretty good but I could not continue. I don't feel the love between the two main characters when there is so much group sex going on.

The whole "marking" and owning a woman seems so degrading. Tried to focus on the "love" story but this was such a dark book. No interest in reading any subsequent books. Wish I were the kind of reader who could just ditch a book midway but I pushed on and am glad it's over.

This was definitely a huge Erotic otherworldly romance. All caps lock on the EROTIC! But wow, I was hooked! Couldn't put it down and was intrigued and impatient to find out more about Noelle and what would happen with her. This does have a lot of m/w/m, and w/m/w, action along with some other things, so if you don't think you would like to read that kind of thing this is not the book for you! But I wasn't bothered, I loved the book, can't wait to start the second!

I did not necessarily like what was going on with the characters in this book. I'm not a fan of sharing, or cheating or games. May work for some, but not for me. It also took a god-awful amount of time to tell the story. We get it already!

I loved this book! The characters are interesting and I enjoyed the descriptions of their world with Eden and the different sectors. The O'Kane women are intelligent, strong, sexy and more than a match to the men. It was great to have some chapters written in the perspectives of other characters besides Noelle, like Lex, Dallas, and Ace. Noelle and Jas are a fantastic couple. I loved all of the other characters in the story, especially Lex and Dallas. I can't wait to read the next book!!

As Erotica goes, this was surprisingly strong in plot, and fascinating in the relationships. An interesting world built on a dichotomy, those who have and those who have not, those who fear feelings and those who do not. It had some repetitive themes along the way which is probably the only real weak point I see. Male characters were excessively believable and worth meeting.

It went like this...
The blurb caught my attention so I had to read it. I liked it, hated it, liked it again, seriously what the heck am I reading??, can this book just get to the end, aww a kitten, Yay! they are ending up together.
So in the end I'm giving it 3 stars.

This was an excellent start to a fantastic series. I'm not usually one for dystopian romances but this world sucked me in. The author did an amazing job setting the scene for what this world and it's people are like. Warning - there is a LOT of hot, steamy sex in this book. Definitely not for the weak minded. If that doesn't bother you then you will find an amazing book, with colorful characters that suck you in and make you love their brokenness.

There are almost not words to describe how much I LOVE this book. Reading it felt like a dirty little secret. The characters are well thought out and the storyline makes you have to know what happens next. It's not for the regular romance reader but if you like you romance with a little grit and a whole lot of sex this is a must. This is the first book I have read by Kit Rocha but you can bet it will not be the last!

The premise of this story was terrific-- good girl from the fancy part of this post apocalypse future world gets exiled to the nasty chaotic sector and literally bumps into a band of bad boys from the local top gang. Noelle's excited about this because she's been trying to shed her super conservative hollow life for years and this is her big opportunity especially when she falls immediately for hunky Jasper. Then as a reader I got lost. I kept checking to make sure that this was Book 1 in the series because I never got much of an explanation/grounding in the interesting environment or the cast of characters. I felt I was reading book 3 by mistake. But no. I also kept waiting for a plot. But no. What we get are a series of intense sexual scenes-- 3 some's, 4 some's, interesting accessories, bondage, etc etc, all in the name of Noelle being introduced to the lifestyle of the O'Kane gang and for her to let go of any traces of shame and insecurity. Ok great, but frankly there was no character growth with all this. Noelle just kept whining about wanting to come and then she'd have a twinge of shame which I frankly didn't buy after a while, because the girl was really letting go in a big way. And it got repetitive and tedious. Not hot.

The funny part is that Noelle keeps asking her new gang girl friends about the lifestyle and keeps saying "I don't get it yet" over and over. That's good Noelle, because neither do I and I would like to know more too!! It was all set up and build up and I didn't get much out of it. And in no way is this book a futuristic "50 Shades" as many reviewers like to point out. "50" had lots of sex but each scene was fraught with emotion and taking the characters somewhere new in their relationship. That's what made it compelling. Here there is none of that unfortunately. THe writing is good but it rambles on over the same territory. We are given bombs to detonate, assassination attempts but these are superficial and rambling and not suspenseful or thrilling. Nothing comes of them. And then FINALLY there is the arrival of Noelle's conservative political leader father in the 'hood from the fancy sector. But all of this still goes nowhere! Maybe the father should have been introduced earlier and there would have been fantastic tension between our hero and heroine, Noelle having to decide about taking a stand in the gang or going home, and the political conflict with the gang and the Eden power brokers. But no. Nada. Very disappointing. So much potential down the tubes.

And the fundamental relationship between hero and heroine I just couldn't get! There's all this drama about getting too close, to have sex or no, Why?? A lot of hype for not much payoff. I couldn't comprehend the excuses and explanations....where was the emotional/sexual conflct on a real level? Noelle and her gal-pal Lexi do a steamy stripper dance together...great...but there is no aftermath, and Noelle decides to stay with the gang and work as a stripper, still no aftermath. And suddenly Jasper is running to her with hearts and flowers saying "be mine". Hollow!!!! I felt cheated of all the sizzle we could have had between these two making a stand for themselves and each other!! And yeah, what's the point of being marked by a mate or "collared" as they say here, when extra partners are always ok. Dallas sure got jealous with Lexi, but Jasper? I guess it's up to the couple! But all of this O'Kane sector lifestyle needed to be explained or shown more. Instead we got a few hits here and there, lots of orgies in the background, etc, without any real punch.

And too many narrative pov's. This was Jasper and Noelle's story, but too much Dallas and Lexi was going on. It was interesting, but it took away from our alleged main characters.

I feel more time should have been spent on character development. Not a gripping read, sorry. But points for the creation of the sector world....!

Honestly, if I had read the description of the book before I started reading it, I probably wouldn't have read it. I do not typically read futuristic or historic books. I also don't read books based in a different realm. I started this one and once I kinda figured out what was going on, I was pulled into the story. There was definitely hot steamy scenes. At times, I thought maybe it was a little too much. I did like the book but don't know if I liked it enough to buy the next one.

Beyond Shame has everything I want in an erotic read. There is a good plot with great story telling. The characters are likable, intelligent people. The sex was really hot covering many fetishes, mostly BDSM, but there was some tender loving in there too. And I do enjoy a good group sex scene which this book offers plenty. I will be downloading Beyond Control the moment it is available for purchase. If you like hot, kinky sex and dystopian fantasy, you will enjoy this book.

The debut of the series, convincing me to read more. More than the sex, the author manages to focus on characters, their struggles, their motivations, their drives. Love above all is a nice message is a twisted world.

Initially I was worried about the futuristic elements but they were underscored by the relationship between Jasper and Noelle. Enough of a resolution occurred but you're still left with the threat of Eden so there is bit of a cliffhanger. Huge supporting cast so lots of stories left to tell, especially Dallas and Lex, which should be awesome!

I liked how the book started out. The division of people and the main city being named Eden while other were out cast into sectors or worse, but what I was not expecting was the amount of sex that was put in the book. The main girl finds herself and who she is by sex, but this was just a little overwhelming with its content. I would have liked to know what was happening with the society and why it was that way, then all the sex.

If you like heavily tattooed, muscled, sexy as hell men, this book is for you. The ladies behind Kit Rocha's name have created an increadibly realistic looking post-apocalyptic world. I never had read dystopia as a genre before but... Well... If life will be like that after solar storms, everything can blow up right today, I don't mind at all. The blurb shortly: Noelle, the big-eyed clueless beauty finds herself exiled from Eden (it's the city for righteous upper class people) because she was "bad". Thrown to Sectors behind the city walls she discovers the whole new world full of danger, crime, lust and ... And Jasper, the O'Kane's gang leader right-hand man. In Sector Four the powerful O'Kanes rule with the iron fist and no one says no to the king - the ruthless but fair Dallas O'Kane.

I love the way Kit Rocha creates powerful BDSM love stories in a raw, post-apocalyptic setting. Intense, explicit eroticism with strong characters who are explicitly choosing to love fiercely and where loyalty and the right to be vulnerable are worth fighting for -- in a world where basic survival is by no means a given.

I'm not really into tattoos, so was surprised at how much I liked the way Kit used that imagery to build pictures of the world of the O'Kanes. I liked the book so much I just bought another in the series.

I got this free but bought the narration was well worth it. It's about these different wards but the ward that female character was from Eden was wealth and lots of rules so parents kicked her out and she fell into another ward that had sex,fights etc very good book .going to get the rest with narration too.

An erotic romance, very erotic, one with sex sex and more sex, and fighting, and hurting and killing...all of those things are crafted beautifully, but the best part is that it's not just mindless sex, there's a definite and well thought out plot, that remains true throughout. A real pleasure.

Enjoyed the complicated relationships and characters. Noelle' s struggle to shift from the theocratic society that threw her away to this new hedonistic one leaves her struggling with the shame she was taught as a child. I was very interested to find out that this book was written in collaboration between 2 real life friends. I applaud how seamless the story was in light of this knowledge. Off to read Beyond Control.

Good reading before bed. Loved the story line. Kept me reading until the end. Sometimes I was mad at Jason for being an ass!
Did like The other men and Lex too.
I'm Glad there wasn't a cliff hanger!

The story, what there was of one, was lame. This was just poorly written porn. The characters were shallow and not very well written. I’m used to a higher standard from the authors. I usually give a series a 2nd chance with the 2nd book, if the initial book falls flat, but I don’t know if I can do it.

This was a very sexually explicit read, just a heads up for those that may want to avoid it. BUT Kit Rocha is a phenomenal writer! She did an excellent job making me fall in love with some of the characters. Even if I couldn't personally identify with one character or another, Kit provides little insights into all of the characters' lives such that I just wanted to keep learning more and more about each one! She left this book as somewhat of a cliffhanger for the next book, where I'm certain she'll continue to work on story and character development. There are several books in this series, and I can't wait to read them all!

how amazingly different this book was, for me, in terms of storyline, characters, erotic writing, etc... I love smut in books, what can I say? But it was interesting, I loved the gritty characters and everything! I do not usually get subsequent books in a series unless I ABSOLUTELY love the first one and I cannot wait to jump in the rest.

The inevitably repetitive porn get in the way of what would otherwise be a pretty good story, with interesting characters in an interesting universe. If you like porn, I guess this will be a good read for you, but others will just find the sex bits tedious -- and there is a LOT to skip through.

I enjoyed what I could but several pages were missing from the store download. I tried twice.
Anyway, I loved the story but it seemed to jump around some, but again, it could've been the missing pieces. Would love to read more!

Fair! Written well and was a quick entertaining read, classic suppressed girl gone over to the BAD side with those"bad boys" who are actually better inside than the guys back home (they are rotten)! This girl is into a little s&m though and that was not expected but that didn't stop me from finishing the book.

I really enjoyed this book, so much so, I continued on into the series. I am on book 3, and have 4 on cue!

I like the fact that it is post-apocalyptic as it adds a layer of grunge.
I appreciate that the characters are well developed and we learn about them more and more throughout the rest of the books.

My only drawback is some things are rushed. In this one, Noelle goes a little too quickly for me. I'd have liked to see her struggle more, internally. I can't deny that I LOVE the sex scenes...

I tend to like post-apocalyptic type books. This one did have that aspect but then went all out sex book galore. There were many hot scenes which is normally okay for me as long as there is a story that can keep me interested to go along with it. For me that is what was lacking for me. There was a story but for me it was developed enough. Don't think I will be reading the next in the series.

The book started off well. It definitely has very graphic scenes, and it seemed to have an actual plot line that had potential to go somewhere. Ultimately the book was a letdown, though, and I'm glad I didn't pay for it. The main character only grows/develops on a very superficial level. There just isn't much character growth at all throughout the story, and the plot falls flat.