Book Boyfriends and Booze

In Praise by Sara Cate, the emotionally wounded Charlotte finds solace in the unlikeliest of places – working as a secretary and entangled in an intense, forbidden relationship with Emerson Grant, the owner of the Salacious Players’ Club, a sex club which caters to people who want to shamelessly explore their wildest sex kinks.  Twice her age and the father of her ex-boyfriend, Emerson sees more in Charlotte than she does in herself, praising her and breaking down her walls with every command. 

As Charlotte and Emerson learn more about each other, their dynamic explores deep sexual themes, including dom-sub relationships and other kinks, which are handled with kindness, mutual care, and consent. Emerson’s praise fills the emotional void left by her absentee father and neglectful ex. Charlotte knows she’s breaking all the rules, but their connection makes her feel cherished in ways she never imagined.  Even if this relationship is doomed to last, Charlotte can’t help but fall for the man who treasures her like no one else has.

Why Do We Love Emerson Grant?

In Praise, the first book of the Salacious Players’ Club series, Sara Cate introduces us to the perfect mix of forbidden love, BDSM dynamics, and character growth. This contemporary romance explores the dynamics between Emerson, a dominant alpha male, and Charlotte, a young woman navigating her own self-worth who is learning to come into her own. The book presents a tantalizing mix of power dynamics, sensuality, and emotional depth.The meet-cute between Emerson and Charlotte is laugh-out-loud perfect, setting the tone for a love story that’s equal parts steamy and heartfelt. The age-gap romance (plus Charlotte’s ex-boyfriend’s dad, no less!) brings layers of tension as Emerson tries to balance his broody and dominant side with his deep, genuine care for Charlotte. Their tension continues to build page by page as the reader waits to see if they will or won’t. 

Emerson is a stand out main male character, who does make mistakes but ultimately wants the best for Charlotte. One of the highlights of this book is how Emerson makes Charlotte feel empowered through her submissive role, showing that submission doesn’t equate to weakness. Emerson’s protective, sweet nature combined with his sensual dominance makes him an irresistible book boyfriend. We can’t say enough about him calling Charlotte a  “good girl.”  He’s the perfect mix of dirty, thoughtful, and absolutely electric in every spicy scene.

The Perfect Blend of Spice and Story

The pacing is flawless—building the sexual tension while giving readers enough spice to keep them hooked. We never felt starved for spice. If you’re new to BDSM or age-gap romances or want to dip your toe into taboo romances, Praise is an excellent introduction without going too far into the deep end.  Also, if you’re looking for a romance that blends emotional connection with a lot of sizzling spicy scenes, Praise delivers on all fronts. Now we’re not saying that every scene or line was absolutely essential – like the end taco tuesday scene or Charlotte constantly reminding us of her supposed maturity – but you’ll have to listen to the podcast for the spoiler filled gossip. Just know, Praise is a page-turner that will leave you wanting more of Emerson, Charlotte, and the entire Salacious Players’ Club world.