Review of Unraveled (Mastered #3) by Lorelei James

Unraveled is the third book in the Mastered series.

Shiori Black, Ronin's sister, is helping Knox Lofgren manage Black Arts dojo for Ronin while he's on a sabbatical in Japan.

Ever since their first meeting, Shiori and Knox have been at odds. They argue, dispute, and knock each other on the mat. Knox is second in command at the dojo because his belt level is the closest to Ronin's, but after Shiori joins Black Arts as an instructor and office manager, she outranks him. While she doesn't necessarily want to replace Knox, she is frustrated that he takes the title in the dojo of having the second highest belt when she actually does.

The sex club Ronin belongs to where he demonstrates his bondage skills is also where Knox gets his kicks. To pay for his membership, he works there part time. While there one night, he meets a new member, the elusive, masked Domme called Mistress B. But her eyes are distinctive, and despite the mask, Knox recognizes Shiori.

Shiori sees Knox's suppressed and unrecognized submissive tendencies and wants to show him his true nature. He fights it for a while, but decides to explore the possibilities. The depth of connection and the struggles they face as both learn more about their dominant and submissive roles teaches them both more about themselves and the lives they lead.

However, they must keep their involvement a secret at Black Arts. Knox is in charge and can't express his submission to Shiori at work, and she cannot demand he does without compromising his authority. And they know Ronin wouldn't understand.

Warning: this novel contains a Dominant/submissive relationship that may upset some readers.

I was surprised to discover this book was not about Ronin and Amery. I was also surprised at the roles taken on by those closest to Ronin and how the book played out. I also very much enjoyed it.

Knox and Shiori were well-developed characters. I felt their chemistry as well as the struggles they both faced as Knox alternately fought with and explored his submissive desires and Shiori learned what being a Domme in a relationship meant rather than just at a club. This tension within themselves was expressed as tension between them as they settled into their roles and created boundaries.

The dojo as a setting expanded more, and Knox's role as leader while Ronin was gone strengthened the setting and the atmosphere within the business. The decisions he made expressed his leadership skills in a positive manner, and I kept rooting for the dojo as a business and Knox as a leader. Shiori's role in assisting him with the business side strengthened their bond romantically as well as benefiting the dojo. I did begin to worry about how Ronin would react to the decisions they made in his absence. All of this made the dojo a more solid setting.

The club, Twisted, also became a more solid setting, though it was introduced in both Bound and Unwound. It was a frequent setting for action within the novel, and the descriptions as the setting expanded were solid for me to picture the space.

I felt the dialog flowed naturally and expressed the characters' thoughts well, including those other than Knox and Shiori. It strengthened the novel and helped it to come to life.

The big twist in the novel was unexpected, the result of a Chekov's gun placed so mildly, I didn't pick up on it other than a brief thought when it happened. Then it wasn't mentioned again for a long time. Some may not like the way that was done, but I very much did. While it was a Chekov's gun, I really liked the way it was pulled off. 

Overall, I enjoyed this novel almost more than the first two. I am disappointed the final novel will not center around either Knox and Shiori or Ronin and Amery. Knox and Shiori's tale was wrapped up neatly in this novel, and while the next book is about a new couple who have had romantic tension over the entire series, I will be looking forward to seeing how the HEAs work out for the other two couples.

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