With Nikki Sloane's books, I'm usually more than happy to just vibe and appreciate the smut for what it is.

The Pool Boy seemed lost as to what it was trying to achieve, leaving it stuck at an awkward, unfulfilling angle. It was partly insta-lust trying to be soft and romantic and partly insta-love trying to be sexy and wild. It was giving 'headstrong older woman wanting to take charge' but also 'emotionally vulnerable older woman wishing to be dominated'.

And the results of all these half-measures are the underutilized potential of the "yes, ma'am" kink and a handful of unsatisfying vanilla sex scenes.

Not recommended.