Smart as a Whip: A Madcap Journey of Laughter, Love, Disasters and Triumphs

Any book which begins with a certain member of parliament being cream gateau’ed is bound to be x-rated, and Smart as a Whip is certainly that. Within its pages are lesbian sex, oral sex, dominatrix sex and kinky sex. If like me you have previously read Jacky Donovan’s delightful animal memoirs, I can guarantee this is absolutely, and indisputably, nothing like those.However, it would be a shame if this fascinating memoir were read just on one level. It is also a story of empowerment and of discovery. Jacky makes a very personal journey from ugly duckling to beautiful, PVC clad swan as she leaves behind the trappings of her old, frumpy self behind.I felt there was also a third layer to this book, hiding the real Jacky Donovan. Because let’s face it, Miss Whiplash is a disguise as much as the original Miss Frumpy was. I felt throughout the book that Jacky was searching for something; acceptance and love – from the mysterious Max, from her unconcerned mother, and from life.Smart as a whip is certainly an eye-opener but it also proves that anyone can reinvent themselves and become something they never believed possible if they just set their minds to it.Well done Kim!

I thought I was quite broad minded for a Catholic girl. An enlightening conversation at a wedding didn’t shock me too much, “I’m trisexual,” said the chap seated next to me. When I looked confused, he grinned and explained, “I’ll try anything…”My fault for asking what was under his kilt. He told me it was a ball weight, then talked me through alternative uses for everyday items like a TENS machine, cling film and chillies. The revelation fascinated me, although I think even he might find a few things he hasn’t tried in Jacky’s book!Tired of life as a business executive, stuck in a colourless marriage filled with ferry sex (roll-on-roll-off), a chance meeting opens Jacky’s mind to all kinds of alternative possibilities in life and love.The book is X-rated from the outset, yet far from being just another raunchy romp, it is a wonderful story of a woman learning to love and value herself, gaining in confidence, and undergoing a transformation from chintz to chutzpah as she discovers her sensuality.Jacky’s subsequent career move to become an S&M Manager has nothing to do with Sales and Marketing.As you might expect from a dominatrix, Jacky doesn’t pull her punches. The book works so well because it told with total, sometimes uncomfortable honesty, lashings of humour – and plenty of puns!It was an extraordinary journey. I’d say come on into the dungeon, explore, and keep an open mind!I received a copy of this book as a prize in a competition. I am leaving an honest review voluntarily because I enjoyed this book.

I have named this Review 'THRILLER' for more than one reason and one of them is because thats the chapter i'm up to in the book, about halfway, and i'm compelled here to stop and write something.This is the first time I have ever read a book and I know the author & its absolutely Fun & Fascinating when your reading a book about someone you know (or thought you did, lol!) We both met here on Gran Canaria about 3 years ago through a mutual Spanish teacher & seemed to hit it off straight away, and now i think i understand why! No it's not that i've been on the receiving end of her Whip! I will explain later.For me this book is incredible, so well written with explicpt descriptions, and during every chapter at some point i'm liturally 'Laughing Out Loud' what you will discover is that although the books true names of characters have been changed, references to well published news events being aired publically help you reference certain times and places, very clever. Another plus for me is that each chapter is not long and tiresome but Short and almost a story / event in it's self...Perfect for readers who don't pick up a book and read from front cover to end within a couple of days.....(Like Me!)Above all else the Main thing that shines through about this book is that it has a 'True life Story' within it itself, something that everyone can learn from, no matter where you are or whatever you are doing in your life.Here is someone who decided and recognised that she was being pulled along by the madness of Conforming, the Craziness of mind identification of doing the 'Right thing' to please everyone else, this is a story of someone who 'Woke Up' from that Nightmare and changed her whole life around, believing in herself, her true self and her basic instincts far away from the Unhappy Frumpy housewife conforming to the norm.In the Book Jacky refers to this as Swapping her 'M & S' Shoe's for her 'S & M' boots, Fantastic..!But as i've mentioned above there's a much deeper message written here for all of us, one that we can all learn from, one that has nothing to do with, Whips, Chains, & S & M Boots, this is just Jacky's Fantastic true life story.A true 'LIFE THRILLER'