Review: Black Widow Trainer

Sorry this review is so very, very late. Better late than never, though, right? ^_^

Black Widow Trainer
by
Craig Odanovich

Genre: Erotic Adventure (from the book cover)
Source: The author sent me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 6.5/10
Buy the Book: Barnes & Noble ~ Books-A-Million ~ IndieBound ~ Book Depository
Content Warnings: cussing, explicit sex, extramarital sex, some violence

Bored with tedium of her passionless marriage, Misty's life explodes after a weekend of mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams. Exploring the physical limits of her newfound desire, she combines the lure of her honed, disciplined body with cunning business acumen and redefines herself as the Black Widow Trainer, a high-price personal trainer/escort. Negotiating an open relationship with her husband is the easiest part of her career move. Adjusting to the whims and demands of her well-heeled and imaginative clients, however, requires Misty to expand the limits of her sensual being.

The genre-busting novel features a cast of original, gritty characters, including an Alaskan sea captain, a pint-size satyr, and a genderbending woman, Misty's fantastic sexcapades in exotic locations around the world are hot enough to fire up anyone's sex life.

Book blurb from GoodReads.

Even though it's been a pretty good while since I read this book, I remember it pretty well. I had to skim parts of it to jog my memory of some facets. (Like the main character's name! Minor characters I can remember the names of, but not the main character. Why? I've no idea.)

I had mixed feelings about this book when I read it. I still do; I had to reread the ending to jog my memory before I could finish the review. o.O The concept is interesting; it intrigued me which was why I marked it as to-read on GoodReads. Which is what led to me getting the book.

What I Liked:

• Misty's growth. I didn't care much for her at first, but she experienced a lot of growth during the story. However, see below... (next section)


• Rob, Misty's husband. Other than being a pushover in the beginning, I enjoyed getting to know him in the scenes in which he played a part.


• The settings. She visited some exotic locales for her job. There were enough details about the various cities for me to get a feel for the culture, but not so many details that it bogged down the story.


• The secondary/minor characters. They were three dimensional and felt real. I can't tell you which ones were my favorites or that would spoil a lot.


• The ending. It made me smile.

What I Didn't Like:

• Misty. Though I ended up liking her (to some extent) for most of the book, she annoyed the heck out of me at first. Largely because of her treatment of her husband. Other things, too. Mostly her selfishness.


• That a married woman would seek out such a lifestyle. If you don't care for someone enough to stay faithful, don't marry them.


• "Passionless marriage". It takes two people to make a marriage work. It takes two people to allow one to fail too.


• That a husband wouldn't put up a fight over his beloved wife living this lifestyle. (Note: I have a first printing. The author has informed me that scene has been changed in later editions. Just not enough for my liking. The new version is better, but not enough better.)

Knowing What I Know Now, Would I Read This Book?

I'm not sure. I knew up front what I was getting into, but some parts still surprised me. The book was good, but it could have been better. Part of me wants to read the sequel. Part of me wanted to throw the book against a wall. I haven't done that since I was in elementary or middle school, if I ever have.

Should You Read This Book?

If you love both erotica and adventure novels, go for it. Otherwise, skip it.