Owning Regina: Diary of My Unexpected Passion for Another Woman

I liked the characters in the book. At first it was hard to get into, the sneak peak has short diary entries but they do get longer and therefore reads more smoothly. I was fine with the sexual content mostly such as the S/M play and there was a good amount of sex scenes. The plot is a Happily Ever After so of course some of the side conflicts are dealt with quickly and efficiently (and optimistically in a slightly unrealistic way). A couple typos, but nothing major. Overall, I thought it was worth reading and will leave it on my device rather than archiving it.The reasons I liked it and did not love it:--Spoiler Alert--(sort of)1.) The main character is the sadist, but the scenes weren't as fulfilling since they read more like a switch than a top. Note, while some do it this way, it is something you should be aware of going in. I'd say that while she is the Domme in the relationship, she is not the top in sex.2.) The unsafe logistics of their relationship! I loved that they had rules. Yes, a contract is very realistic and a good model... But, when you are that type of relationship, I found it unrealistic that they jumped so fast into play that does not allow the ability to safe word. It honestly made me cringe!

It is amazing to see this lifestyle happen in such atypical fashion. I was goner from the opening. I fell in love with both MC’s and I was truly invested in them having a HEA. I’m so glad that the author didn’t manufacture silly ways to break them apart. I was worried. This played out fast, quick, and chock full of emotions. I actually liked each character.There was something missing though. I kept looking for true whole body contact. I craved it, but didn’t really get it.I would love to read more from this author. This was a remarkable break out book.

I completed this book over the course of one morning, and I could not be more impressed with it. Ms. Elstrom takes us under the wing of Meg Curtis to depict a stunningly honest and organic relationship between two women, two uncertain people coming to terms with kink as something more nuanced and intricate than a simple set of actions. Over the course of this book, we are privy to the thoughts and feelings of Meg as she grows and changes as a woman--we see her feelings change from muddled to exuberant, and her actions change from hesitant to purposeful as she and Regina discover each other's lives, bodies, and identities.Owning Regina is not a book about fantasy kink. There is no magic telepathy between people, no porno-levels of endurance, no "perfect" interactions or scenes. Rather, this book displays kink as it is in real life: consensual, communicative, and imperfect, a dance between people.To be honest, I'm impressed at the realism portrayed in this book. The conflict feels real and pressing; the characters are deep, well-developed, and likeable, and most importantly, the writing touches me on an emotional level. I found myself feeling what the characters felt, and (though maybe this is just from too much time in the scene myself) feeling every sensation described in vivid detail. This is a diary--it's not hardcore erotica, but it's not a documentary either. It's gritty, dirty, raw, and satisfying in a way that neither of the two are on their own.The inevitable comparison will come to Fifty Shades of Grey--this is nothing like it. The portrayal of kink shown in Fifty Shades is like buying a bucket of sand and a plastic palm tree and calling it Hawaii. It's fake, fantastical, and indicative not of kink but of all the popular misconceptions surrounding it that are embedded in our mass media. The author even clarified (quite proudly, even) that she had never done any of the things she wrote about. Owning Regina, in those respects, is completely different--and that's why it's so good.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants more than a cheap thrill out of their reading, to anyone who enjoys seeing positive, realistic, and consensual depictions of kink in writing, and to anyone who wants to understand what kink is--what kink really is.Five stars for an amazing read, and hats off to Ms. Elstrom for writing such an exquisite book!

I still am reflecting on the book to finalize my opinion but taking a stab. the book reads like a cross between a standalone diary and an exercise in virtual voyeurism because the reader witnesses the exchanged dialogue between the budding lovers. the book retains its grammatical errors to give the feel of raw confession one might make to a diary. the BDSM sex chronicled and explored by the characters was different and tantalizing at times. one must approach the book without judgment to appreciate it... if done in that manner, it is enjoyable to observe two people who in any other setting might not have connected romantically... but the inexplicable desire to be true to themselves and explore their "secret" (taboo) desires willingly together emerged an unlikely but true love.

I bought this book because it was recommended by a friend...I wasn't really interested but a promise is a promise.Then my friend asked what I thought about the book and I had to tell her I really haven't gotten into it yet (I hadn't even started reading it yet). So feeling guilty and knowing she would ask me again I reluctantly began reading...thinking that I could read a few chapters and tell her I really didn't get into it so she wouldn't ask me again.WELL, I started reading and couldn't put it down! This is one of those books that engages you immediately and won't let you go...I kept saying "just one more chapter".The relationship between Meg and Regina is so enticing, warm and compelling that it feels more like a documentary then a novel. The writing technique by Ms Elstrom allows the reader an open door to view the passions of these two ladies unlike anything I have seen in recent literature.After reading the book, all I could think of is where is Ms Elstrom next one?

A compelling book about what happens when two people can be honest enough in a relationship to explore some of their more taboo sexual desires that would otherwise feel shameful. From fetish to all out S&M, these women are open to anything with each other. The best part is, everything seems very natural and believable, almost as if the reader is watching from the perspective of a fly on the wall. Regina is a lovely and open woman who wears her heart on her sleeve. Meg, very careful to respect and honor her friendship with Regina, has moments of being a cruel little sadist. They both have a fetish for high boots and even share them with each other! Some of the erotic bondage can get a little intense, but it certainly isn’t gratuitous and has a weight about it that is really appealing. The diary format of the novel is a first for me. But it works great. The San Francisco setting gave a fun glimpse of the California culture. The book is a quick read that is well worth every page. In my next life, I want to be Regina!

This is a story that I quickly bought after having read the short sample. I will say that the small errors in editing were a bit distracting because some words were left out or incorrectly added to sentences so I found myself trying to figure out what was meant and trying to fill in the blanks throughout the story. But the premise was really nice. Both of the protagonists were just straight women who happened to have found a soulmate in the someone of the same sex. Regina wants to be owned, and Meg wants to punish and hurt somebody. What initially got me intrigued was when Regina comes to Megs house just to do her dishes and becomes so turned on, which turns on Meg enough to bring her into her bedroom. I just couldn't stop reading after that. I had to see what happened. In any case, It was a relatively quick read with a lovely relationship describe via diary. It's worth it.

If I could give this No Stars, I would.Neither character, nor the story was compelling.To me, Meg is not likeable in the slightest and towards the end, neither is Regina.And there was a particular scene around Regina's son that made me physically sick.

A fun, fast, and pleasurable read. The diary-style writing felt authentic, and the BDSM scenes were arousing. But it’s not just sexual/erotic. The author skilfully weaves in insightful details re: intimacy, the fear and hope at the beginning of relationships, and the characters’ desires for honesty and acceptance. I felt like I was given a window into Meg's and Regina's - particularly Meg’s – sexual and spiritual exploration. I would recommend the book to anyone wanting a peek at the same while also getting a good dose of arousing passion.

This book was recommended by a friend with similar 'interests' and I was pleasantly surprised. This little book conveys a lot of emotion, a lot of spiciness and all round naughtiness ;)