This Sweet Surrender

Rating: 🔥 | What happens when an Italian firecracker who's spent her life running from love meets a dominant tech CEO who's been waiting three years for her to say yes?

This Sweet Surrender
Copyright © 2025 Linn Rhinehart - All rights reserved
Cover Art & Design © 2025 Linnea Lucifer/Äppelpaj
NSFW: Content warnings

GENRE: M/F Erotica. | POV: Multiple | RATING:🔥 | CONTENT: Light BDSM, Chronic Illness (ME)/Disability, Dom/Sub Dynamic | LANGUAGE: UK English, crude

READ THE PREQUEL, This Saccharine Sensation, on Amazon KU (aff.)

࿐ ࿔*˖𓇼 DESCRIPTION 𓇼˖*࿔࿐

Gianna Ranieri has spent twenty years treating love like a particularly vicious strain of flu. After fleeing her restrictive Italian family at seventeen, she’s built a fiercely independent life in London, carefully managing her chronic ME while letting no one see her struggles.

For three years, she’s been texting “Joe from tech support” daily through her college's learning management system. When she finally agrees to meet him in person, she discovers that Joe Lawrence is actually the CEO of the tech company. And that he's been falling for her from behind a chat window all this time.

When he proposes a two-week trial relationship - one week in her world, one week in his - Gianna must decide if she's brave enough to let this dominant, protective man see the full reality of her failing health and vulnerable heart.

This Sweet Surrender explores the delicate balance of power, trust, and vulnerability in a relationship where traditional dynamics are complicated by chronic illness and cultural differences.

࿐ ࿔*˖𓇼 EXCERPT 𓇼˖*࿔࿐

“What if you had someone else to be accountable to? Someone whose opinion mattered more than theirs?”

The question resonated with discussions they'd had over the past weeks about dominance and submission, about the potential freedom in surrender. “You mean you?”

“Yes.” He reached out to take her hand, his thumb tracing circles on her palm. “What if one of our rules was that your health comes first? That you’re accountable to me for maintaining it, even when that means disappointing others?”

The idea was simultaneously terrifying and deeply appealing. “I don't know if I can do that,” she admitted. “It goes against nearly forty years of conditioning.”

“I know.” His voice was gentle but firm. “That's why you need it. And why I want to give it to you.” He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “But we’ll start small. Baby steps.”

She felt herself melting at his touch and the care in his voice. “Like what?”

“Like right now. You said you’d need to rest this afternoon. I want you to go lie down for an hour. No arguments, no pushing through. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Part of her wanted to protest that she was fine, that they’d only just begun their time together. But the larger part recognised the wisdom in his request. And something in her responded to the gentle authority in his tone. There was a sense of relief in following his guidance rather than fighting her body’s signals.

“Okay,” she agreed. “Just one hour.”

“Good girl.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Do you need help getting settled?”

࿐ ࿔*˖𓇼 BOOK REVIEWS 𓇼˖*࿔࿐
Have you read this book? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

★★★★★ A sweet spoonie-ful of sugar! Loved this heartwarming romance about a hard-shelled mushy centred spoonie who finds love despite herself with the help of a supportive sisterhood and a creamy helping of fate. Can I get a refill? (This Saccharine Sensation)

★★★★★ I met Gee, some of her very supportive friends, and Joe. The further adventures of Gee and Joe are hinted at; I have to look for them. Right now.
Really hoping that I find them. 😉 (This Saccharine Sensation)

★★★★★ It's a great book to read and maybe you'll imagine another ending than mine. (This Saccharine Sensation)

★★★★★ A refreshingly honest portrayal of chronic illness in a romance that doesn't shy away from showing both the struggles and the possibilities. The dom/sub dynamic is handled with care and respect, making it accessible even to readers new to the concept. (This Sweet Surrender)

★★★★★ Why do you keep doing this to me, Linn? Joe and Gianna's journey had me crying, laughing, and fanning myself. IYKYK. (This Sweet Surrender)

★★★★☆ Another emotional rollercoaster with characters that feel like real people. The way Joe adapts his dominance to accommodate Gianna's health needs… (This Sweet Surrender)