After loving Asking for It, I’d been eagerly awaiting to read Begging for It, but I never got the chance to until now. Sadly, Begging for It didn’t live up to its incredible predecessor. I was blown away by Vivienne and Jonah in the first book, but there was just something missing when I read about them in this sequel. I grew bored most of the time while reading, mainly because I was waiting for something to happen, some development to show, but nothing ever did. I’m sad to say I’m pretty disappointed with Begging for It, and even the stunning writing wasn’t enough to make me love it.

I’m ashamed of what I want.
I want it anyway.

Begging for It picks up right where Asking for It leaves off, with Vivienne and Jonah separated and unhappy. Vivienne tries to make Jonah see that what they have together is special, even if it is messed up. The rape fantasies they have and play out are a dark, essential part of them, but Jonah can’t reconcile playing their ‘games’ with an actual rape victim, understandably. But Vivienne leaves him with an ultimatum – either they’re together and they have to play their fantasies, or it’s completely over between them.

Our problem isn’t a lack of attraction. Merely being in the same room together sets us each on fire.
Our problem is that this fire could burn us both down.

Vivienne comes off as selfish and manipulative, and it’s not just because of the ultimatum. I didn’t like her AT ALL in this book, which was disappointing because I adored her in Asking for It. She’s continually selfish and only wants things her way throughout the novel, completely disregarding Jonah’s feelings most of the time. I didn’t like that she couldn’t see Jonah’s side of things, that she couldn’t accept him not wanting to act out their fantasies anymore because she has it so into her head that they NEED their ‘games.’ I also found myself skimming a lot of the introspective parts of the book that were repetitive – while I understand Vivienne’s shame and guilt over needing the fantasies, it got tiring to read about that over and over.

Vivienne and Jonah are messed up people. But the thing is, they never really try to resolve their problems. Jonah gives it a go, since he’s not the one who can’t orgasm without acting out the fantasy, but he gives in easily to Vivienne. I liked Jonah more than Vivienne in Begging for It, but I can’t say that I liked him as much as I did in Asking for It. He just wasn’t as appealing or compelling in this sequel, sadly. But I did enjoy the way his and Vivienne’s love and romance progressed – it was everything else I had problems with.

“You and I, what we have together, it’s more than this. And yet this is a part of us. It always will be.”

There are a ton of things going on in this novel, but the things that I wanted the story to focus on never really get a concise ending. Vivienne doesn’t receive closure with her family or her rapist. The plot involving Jonah and his sadistic, evil stepfather felt incomplete. The stalker/rapist terrorizing the school campus plot was predictable. With the way things ended, this book could’ve been so much shorter – there was just too much filler and secondary character plots that felt unnecessary.

I probably would’ve given this 2-2.5 hearts, if not for the gorgeous writing. I didn’t hate this book, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. That being said, I still did love the first book and all its brilliant intensity and grittiness. And because I adore the writing, I’ll more than likely read more of Lilah Pace’s upcoming books. Hopefully if you loved Asking for It, you’ll enjoy Begging for It more than I did.

Reading Order: Asking for It series

#1 ~ Asking for It: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Begging for It: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2.5 ~ Asking for More: My Review • Ebook • Goodreads

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