Coda (Songs of Submission, #9) by CD Reiss Series: Songs of Submission #9
Published by Flip City Media Inc. on March 17 2015
Pages: 216
Amazon
The stunning epilogue to the bestselling Submission Series.
Did you want a pat little ending about Jonathan and I riding off into the sunset? Did you want flowers and stars? Man, I wish it was all soft filters and violins. I wish we could fight about who cleaned the bathroom or who was cooking dinner. But I knew I was never destined for simple contentment.
I almost committed murder for him. I almost tore us apart to save him. How do you get back on the horse after that? Because, I promise you, nothing is the same. Nothing.
I’ve earned our happily ever after. Now I have to survive it.
NOTE: Coda is the last book in the Songs of Submission series. It is not a standalone and should be read after Sing. This review contains major spoilers that pertain to Sing.
If you managed to hang on for the angst-filled emotional roller coaster ride that was Sing, then you know that Jonathan receives his heart transplant just in time. The last chapter of Sing jumps ahead two years and concludes the series, giving Monica and Jonathan the HEA they deserve. A reader could easily stop there and the story would be complete. However, true fans of the Songs of Submission series are doing themselves a huge disservice if they don’t read Coda. It fills in that two year time gap in between Jonathan’s release from the hospital and Monica and Jonathan’s honeymoon.
Jonathan’s brush with death has left him a changed man. The once virile, always commanding man has become fearful of his mortality and unsure of his identity. At a time when Monica’s career is on the rise, she desperately needs the security she only feels when she’s able to fully submit to Jonathan. Instead, she spends every waking moment caring for Jonathan and fearing the day his heart will fail again. Their vanilla sex life is only a symptom of a larger problem and when Jonathan has a greater clarity in this book and when he realizes Monica isn’t happy, he knows he must take drastic measures or risk losing her.
When Jonathan finally gets his mojo back, watch out! He comes roaring back more dominant and kinkier than ever. I’m not gonna lie though. It’s not a quick and easy road to their HEA. There is one plot point that is particularly painful. View Spoiler » Having been through it myself, however, I can say that it is treated with incredible grace and sensitivity.
There’s a heightened reality to this book that drew me in. Jonathan’s moments of vulnerability make him more human. Monica’s doubts and pain are easily relatable. The chemistry between Monica and Jonathan seems almost tangible, despite their relationship problems. Their HEA is hard won and I appreciated it more having experienced all their struggles, passion, doubts, and heartache.
I’ve been a huge fan of the entire Songs of Submission series but this book mesmerized me. Thank you, CD Reiss, for such a wonderful farewell. This story and these characters will stay with me for a very long time.
About CD Reiss
CD Reiss is a New York Times bestseller. She still has to chop wood and carry water, which was buried in the fine print. Her lawyer is working it out with God but in the meantime, if you call and she doesn’t pick up she’s at the well hauling buckets.
Born in New York City, she moved to Hollywood, California to get her master’s degree in screenwriting from USC. In case you want to know, that went nowhere but it did give her a big enough ego to write novels.
She’s frequently referred to as the Shakespeare of Smut which is flattering but hasn’t ever gotten her out of chopping that cord of wood.
If you meet her in person, you should call her Christine.
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