When I saw the title of Erika Ashby’s newest release, I knew I needed to read it. Just from reading the synopsis alone, my expectations were elevated, and now that I’ve read it, I can say whole heartedly that How I became Lotus Raine…the porn star is one of the most captivating and original stories I have read in a long time. I consumed this book in one sitting because I refused to put it down until I found out how Lucy becomes Lotus Raine! And, let me tell you – her journey is one to not be missed!
At face value, readers may see this as just another porn story with an abundance of sex and nakedness galore, but it’s not; in fact, the porn industry factors very little into the events that play out between Lucy Rogers and Brent Nichols. I see it as merely a stage setting for Lucy and Brent to meet and evolve based on their time spent together.
The Lucy Rogers readers first learn about is as far away from the stereotypical porn star that anyone could be. Because her mother was a stripper, at a young age, she learned more about sex than any child should, which drove her to be the complete opposite of what she saw. Lucy is conservative and sheltered, determined to not turn out like her mother. In a way, it forces her to suppress her true self – her inner wild – because she’s too afraid that enjoying sex and dressing provocatively ties her to what her mother represents. But all it takes is one person and one assignment to alter her mindset and show Lucy that holding herself back from being who she really is, is not living – it’s merely existing in a life that’s incomplete.
Lucy’s assignment is to live with a soon-to-be unretired porn star and document his daily activities for an author who is writing a book using the industry as its setting. For Lucy, this is one of the worst tasks she could have received, but it soon turns into an unforgettable experience once she meets the porn star. What follows is a weeklong exploration of both her mind and body, and when the week’s over, Lucy realizes that labels and stereotypes show nothing about who a person truly is and that anything is possible with the right frame of mind and the willingness to break out of her self imposed box.
How I became Lotus Raine…the porn star is about Lucy’s revolution and evolution into the person she is meant to be. Because the story is told in both present tense and flash backs, readers get to see and understand all of the changes that have occurred since Lucy went on her weeklong assignment and her years as Lotus Raine. I love that the book is set-up in an interview format because it allows the transition between past and present to flow without confusion or interruption. Lucy may have became Lotus Raine…the porn star, but deep down she’s still Lucy Rogers – just a more confident and evolved one. But of course don’t let on that you know that because she does have a stereotype to live up to;)
This book is a phenomenal read that all lovers of well written storylines with intriguing characters NEED to experience. The chemistry between Lucy and Brent is off the charts, and while the sex is hot, their time together is more about helping Lucy to let go and allow herself to take risks and experience everything Brent and life have to offer her. Lotus Raine and Lucy Rogers are no one without Brent Nichols, and she would be the first to acknowledge that fact, and Erika Ashby does one hell of a job capturing the essence of what this book is trying to teach readers through the use of humor, heartfelt talks, and a whole lot of sexy talk, which is not an easy feat, but it’s one she truly masters in this story.
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
5+ poison apples
Fairest Of All Book Reviews 