Review: Slave by Sherri Hayes

Slave (Finding Anna #1) 
By Sherri Hayes
Paperback, 276 pages
Published July 28th 2011
by The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death. As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave. Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how. Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing. Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?

Every once and awhile you come across a book that touches you in a way you will never forget that book. This for me is such a book. I found once I started, I could not put it down. I was so drawn into the story of what Brianna went through and how she tries to cope yet still is in the mindset of being a slave and worth nothing. This is not your everyday love story but rather more a story of the journey Brianna takes to heal and how Stephan is there by her side to guide her and help her to become a normal your woman again.

Brianna was sold into sexual slavery at 17 years old. Given to a man so horrible he sees her as nothing but property, the abuse she suffer in the ten months she is with him, has scared her so much physically and emotionally. It is sad to think that there really are girls like this out there that suffer as Brianna did. I truly ached for her and all she feels. She simply has no way to function with old being told what to do or when, she has completely lost herself and any sanity in her mind.

Stephan is like an angel to Brianna and is her saving grace. While so attracted to Brianna he knows he can't have her the way he wants. She is so scared and timid, he uses her knowledge as a Dom to help her heal. It is evident early on that he cares deeply for Brianna, yet knows it can never work between them, as he says:
          "Why did the first time I fell in love have to be with a woman who 
            may never be capable of loving me back."
He knows they have a long road ahead, but can Brianna every be normal again. Stephan knows the day will come he may have to let Brianna go but until then he will do whatever it takes to keep her with him and keep her safe. Even when it causes problems in his own family.

I loved the way the story was written from both points of view. I liked seeing inside both their minds. I was so drawn into this story and this series that I bought book two Need immediately upon finishing Slave. I had to know what happened next. Now it is killing me to have to wait for book three since Need ended with a major cliffhanger.

I can't recommend this book enough, an emotional journey of a young woman and her need to claim back her life with a man willing to do anything to help her get there.

5 out of 5 stars