
The Principle of Desire
The Science of Temptation
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $4.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Emily Cauldwell
-
By:
-
Delphine Dryden
About this listen
One sexy switch + one nerdy newbie = a master class in seduction.
After several years as a submissive, psychology lecturer Beth is eager to experience being on the other end of the whip for a change. When she meets sweet but socially awkward Ed at a party, it's obvious the aerospace engineer is interested - and obvious he's way too vanilla.
When tracking down a friend lands him in a BDSM club, Ed's eyes are opened to a whole other world - and a whole other side of Beth. Then Beth's former Master shows up, and Ed agrees to play along as her sub in exchange for a real date. The biggest surprise of the evening? How much he enjoys letting her take control…
Beth's ex makes it clear he wants her back, but she needs more from a relationship than he can offer - and not just the freedom to explore her switch side. At first, Ed is just an enthusiastic student. But the more she gets to know him, in and out of the bedroom, the more Beth wonders if he's everything she desires…
©2013 Delphine Dryden (P)2013 Audible, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny
- Loose Ends Series, Book 1
- By: Rebekah Weatherspoon
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a divorce and a thousand-mile move, Dr. Sloan Copeland and her twin daughters are finally getting the hang of their life in Los Angeles. When their live-in nanny bails with no warning, Sloan is left scrambling to find a competent caretaker to wrangle her smart, sensitive girls. Nothing less will do. Enter Rafe Whitcomb. He's all of those things, not to mention good-natured and one heck of a whiz in the kitchen. It doesn't take long for the Copelands to invite Rafe into their home, and just as quickly, both Sloan and Rafe find themselves succumbing to a heady mutual attraction.
-
-
Terrible Narrator
- By ivy t joyner on 12-15-19
-
Homecoming King
- Three Kings, Book 1
- By: Penny Reid
- Narrated by: Joy Nash
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rex “TW” McMurtry’s perpetual singlehood wouldn’t bother him so much if all his ex-girlfriends didn’t keep marrying the very next person they dated, especially when so many of those grooms are his closest friends. He may be a pro-football defensive end for the Chicago Squalls, but the press only wants to talk about how he’s always a groomsman and never a groom. Bartender Abigail McNerny is the gal-pal, the wing-woman, the she-BFF. Abby is convinced no one on earth could ever entice her into a romantic relationship...except that one guy she’s loved since preschool.
-
-
Penny Reid + Joy Nash = magic
- By V. Szupiany on 05-11-22
By: Penny Reid
-
Praise
- By: Sara Cate
- Narrated by: Jack Calihan, Vivienne LaRue
- Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Broken down, and wounded by my emotionally neglectful ex, I wanted someone to tell me I was good enough. Then, I stumbled into a new job with a boss who brought me to my knees - literally. He has me do things a real secretary would never do. Emerson Grant tells me I’m more than just good enough. I’m worthy of his praise. There are a million reasons why I should stay away. The owner of the Salacious Players’ Club is not just my new boss - he’s twice my age. And my ex-boyfriend’s father....I’m a good girl, but I’m falling for the wrong man.
-
-
Kinky, Spicy & Romantic
- By Amanda Lisenko on 04-24-22
By: Sara Cate
-
His Contract
- Legally Bound, Book 1
- By: Rebecca Grace Allen
- Narrated by: Angelica Lee, Burke Stevens
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harvard law professor Jack Archer once balanced his professional life with the private world of dominance, surrender, and trust he shared with his wife. Since cancer stole her a year ago, finding love again - her final wish for him - is the furthest thing from his mind. From his empty house to the classroom, grief follows his every move. Until he meets a young woman with shadows in her eyes even darker than his own.
-
-
Great Book Under $10
- By Lia on 01-20-16
-
A Girl Like Her
- By: Talia Hibbert
- Narrated by: Rupert Channing
- Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of military service, Evan Miller wants a quiet life. The small town of Ravenswood seems perfect - until he stumbles upon a vicious web of lies with his new neighbor at its center. Ruth Kabbah is rude, awkward, and - according to everyone in town - bad news. Thing is, no one will tell Evan why. Does she perform ritual sacrifices? Howl at the moon? Pour the milk before the tea? He has no clue. But he desperately wants to find out. The more Evan’s isolated, eccentric neighbor pushes him away, the more he wants her.
-
-
A Love Story - plain and simple
- By LexiLikesLiterature on 02-16-19
By: Talia Hibbert
-
Bonded by Thorns
- Beasts of the Briar, Book 1
- By: Elizabeth Helen
- Narrated by: Stefanie Kay, Robert Hatchet
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae, I know I have to go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I'll do anything to save him, even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I'd end up imprisoned by four sexy fae who turn into beasts at night.
-
-
Great Audio Book- May not be for everyone
- By kt on 04-02-23
By: Elizabeth Helen
-
Rafe: A Buff Male Nanny
- Loose Ends Series, Book 1
- By: Rebekah Weatherspoon
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a divorce and a thousand-mile move, Dr. Sloan Copeland and her twin daughters are finally getting the hang of their life in Los Angeles. When their live-in nanny bails with no warning, Sloan is left scrambling to find a competent caretaker to wrangle her smart, sensitive girls. Nothing less will do. Enter Rafe Whitcomb. He's all of those things, not to mention good-natured and one heck of a whiz in the kitchen. It doesn't take long for the Copelands to invite Rafe into their home, and just as quickly, both Sloan and Rafe find themselves succumbing to a heady mutual attraction.
-
-
Terrible Narrator
- By ivy t joyner on 12-15-19
-
Homecoming King
- Three Kings, Book 1
- By: Penny Reid
- Narrated by: Joy Nash
- Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rex “TW” McMurtry’s perpetual singlehood wouldn’t bother him so much if all his ex-girlfriends didn’t keep marrying the very next person they dated, especially when so many of those grooms are his closest friends. He may be a pro-football defensive end for the Chicago Squalls, but the press only wants to talk about how he’s always a groomsman and never a groom. Bartender Abigail McNerny is the gal-pal, the wing-woman, the she-BFF. Abby is convinced no one on earth could ever entice her into a romantic relationship...except that one guy she’s loved since preschool.
-
-
Penny Reid + Joy Nash = magic
- By V. Szupiany on 05-11-22
By: Penny Reid
-
Praise
- By: Sara Cate
- Narrated by: Jack Calihan, Vivienne LaRue
- Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Broken down, and wounded by my emotionally neglectful ex, I wanted someone to tell me I was good enough. Then, I stumbled into a new job with a boss who brought me to my knees - literally. He has me do things a real secretary would never do. Emerson Grant tells me I’m more than just good enough. I’m worthy of his praise. There are a million reasons why I should stay away. The owner of the Salacious Players’ Club is not just my new boss - he’s twice my age. And my ex-boyfriend’s father....I’m a good girl, but I’m falling for the wrong man.
-
-
Kinky, Spicy & Romantic
- By Amanda Lisenko on 04-24-22
By: Sara Cate
-
His Contract
- Legally Bound, Book 1
- By: Rebecca Grace Allen
- Narrated by: Angelica Lee, Burke Stevens
- Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Harvard law professor Jack Archer once balanced his professional life with the private world of dominance, surrender, and trust he shared with his wife. Since cancer stole her a year ago, finding love again - her final wish for him - is the furthest thing from his mind. From his empty house to the classroom, grief follows his every move. Until he meets a young woman with shadows in her eyes even darker than his own.
-
-
Great Book Under $10
- By Lia on 01-20-16
-
A Girl Like Her
- By: Talia Hibbert
- Narrated by: Rupert Channing
- Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After years of military service, Evan Miller wants a quiet life. The small town of Ravenswood seems perfect - until he stumbles upon a vicious web of lies with his new neighbor at its center. Ruth Kabbah is rude, awkward, and - according to everyone in town - bad news. Thing is, no one will tell Evan why. Does she perform ritual sacrifices? Howl at the moon? Pour the milk before the tea? He has no clue. But he desperately wants to find out. The more Evan’s isolated, eccentric neighbor pushes him away, the more he wants her.
-
-
A Love Story - plain and simple
- By LexiLikesLiterature on 02-16-19
By: Talia Hibbert
-
Bonded by Thorns
- Beasts of the Briar, Book 1
- By: Elizabeth Helen
- Narrated by: Stefanie Kay, Robert Hatchet
- Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When my father wanders into the enchanted realm of the fae, I know I have to go after him. And when he gets imprisoned, I'll do anything to save him, even trade my freedom for his. I had no idea I'd end up imprisoned by four sexy fae who turn into beasts at night.
-
-
Great Audio Book- May not be for everyone
- By kt on 04-02-23
By: Elizabeth Helen
-
Wolf Gone Wild
- Stay a Spell, Book 1
- By: Juliette Cross
- Narrated by: Johanna Fairview, Aiden Snow
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he's cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane. Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rule of her coven: no werewolves. They're known for being volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls into the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she's ready to bounce him through the door. But she sees the desperation in his eyes....
-
-
Oh Alpha!!!!
- By MomOf2As on 05-19-21
By: Juliette Cross
-
Knight
- By: Kristen Ashley
- Narrated by: Savannah Richards
- Length: 11 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Knight Sebring knows who he is, what he wants, and what he likes. And he gets it. But he never expected something as sweet as Anya Gage to wander into his bedroom during a party he did not expect to be having to borrow his phone. Knight tries to leave Anya to the life she deserves, with white picket fences and a man who watches football on Sundays - good, normal, and clean.
-
-
OH KNIGHT KNIGHT KNIGHT YR SUCH A YUMMY BAD BOY
- By CAROLYN 🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹 on 04-16-15
By: Kristen Ashley
-
Just Folking Around
- Good Folk: Modern Folktales
- By: Penny Reid
- Narrated by: Cielo Camargo
- Length: 2 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Raquel Ezra loves to fish. With so many fish in the sea, she’s never had a problem baiting the hook or reeling them in. Raquel is a good actress, she can be anyone’s fantasy for a single night as long as they agree to be hers. Which is why she doesn’t think twice about spending an evening in nowhere Tennessee with a smokin’ hot, well-mannered, and intriguing sheriff’s deputy by the name of Jackson James.
-
-
The narration is spot on
- By Tonya Fitz on 11-10-21
By: Penny Reid
-
The Dragon's Bride
- A Deal with a Demon, Book 1
- By: Katee Robert
- Narrated by: Lessa Lamb, Jack Calihan
- Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Briar Rose might have a name out of a storybook, but she learned at a very young age that no prince was coming to save her. She’ll have to save herself. Unfortunately, even that is an impossible task in her current situation—trapped in a terrifying marriage to a dangerous man. Desperate times call for desperate measures, which is how she finds herself making a deal with a demon. Freedom from her husband…in return for seven years of service. She expects the service to be backbreaking and harsh.
-
-
Quick read.
- By Layla on 08-06-22
By: Katee Robert
-
Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend
- By: Penny Reid
- Narrated by: Cielo Camargo, Patrick Boylan
- Length: 15 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Winnifred Gobaldi and Byron Visser are not best friends. Yes, they’ve known each other for years, but they’re not even friendly. Winnie considers them more like casual, distant acquaintances who find each other barely tolerable, especially when he's being condescending (which is all the time).
-
-
So. Many. Words.
- By Priscilla Bawor on 08-17-22
By: Penny Reid
-
Baby Daddy
- By: Kendall Ryan
- Narrated by: Sebastian York, Virginia Rose
- Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We met in a trapped elevator. Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie. I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right? At 35, my life hadn't taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting - I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen. After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner - he also insisted on something else - that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy.
-
-
A pregnancy romance with a You've Got Mail feel
- By Jen Valencia on 03-23-18
By: Kendall Ryan
-
Bait & Switch
- Alphas Undone, Book 1
- By: Kendall Ryan
- Narrated by: Tyler Donne, Alexandria Wilde
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I'm a rescuer. It's in my DNA. Stray dogs. Stray women... But this one doesn't need rescuing. She needs something real, but I never keep the ones I rescue. I could let her go...but I can't watch her walk away. I'm an ex-Navy SEAL, and I never give up on a mission.
-
-
Middle of the book
- By Davis on 07-05-16
By: Kendall Ryan
-
Dirty Trick
- By: Christine Bell
- Narrated by: Meghann Dreyfuss
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Grace Love is lousy with men. She can spot a match for someone else a mile away, and her balls-on instincts are why her matchmaking business is thriving, but finding her own Prince Charming? The only guy who makes her sixth sense tingle is her playboy best friend Trick, and no way is she risking their friendship, no matter how hot she knows the sex will be.
-
-
Trick Matthews can be my prince charming anyday!
- By Laura McMillin on 11-14-15
By: Christine Bell
-
Shameless
- Playboys in Love Series, Book 1
- By: Gina L. Maxwell
- Narrated by: Avery Reid, Aiden Snow
- Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I like my sex dirty. It takes a hell of a lot to tilt my moral compass, and I always follow when it's pointing at something I want. That goes double when it points straight at the one girl in all of Chicago who's not dying for a piece of me.
-
-
all SMUT with little tiny bit of story
- By Dorothy on 12-24-24
By: Gina L. Maxwell
-
Lock and Key
- By: Z. Allora
- Narrated by: Jonathan Waters
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zack Davis wanted to serve only one man, Andrew Nikeman. He was denied because Andrew thought he was too young and because their brothers were together. So Zack crushed his submissive tendencies and focused on being the perfect Dom, giving every sub he played with something he couldn't have. After years of denying his submissive side, Entwined's charity auction gives Zack an excuse to get a little of what he's always craved.
-
-
So....this is awkward.
- By Ulyana on 05-08-17
By: Z. Allora
-
Star Struck
- By: Laurelin Paige
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt
- Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seth Rafferty knows Heather Wainwright's type. Demanding. Check. Self-important. Check. Leggy and blonde. Yeah, he knows the drill. He's been a Hollywood production designer far too long to have patience for A-listers with a superior attitude. Beautiful women with a chip on their shoulder are a dime a dozen. Which is why his obsession with Heather makes no sense. Nothing about her is attractive. Except the vulnerability under the sass. The honesty under the attitude.
-
-
The Paige Style Comes Through Clear
- By Lynnz on 01-09-18
By: Laurelin Paige
-
Hotline
- Murmur Inc.
- By: Quinn Anderson
- Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
- Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Zack never intended to become a phone sex operator, but with half a college degree and a smart mouth, his options were limited. It helps that he has a knack for thinking on his feet and a willingness to roll with whatever his clients throw at him. Sure, he gets his fair share of creeps and unconventional requests, but it pays the bills, and he's in no danger of breaking his one rule: never fall for a client. Until a man named "John" starts calling, and Zack finds himself interested in more than a paycheck.
-
-
Cute & funny love story
- By Jessica on 02-22-18
By: Quinn Anderson
What listeners say about The Principle of Desire
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Malinda
- 11-13-14
Pretty good addition to the series :D
3.5-4 stars
This was a pretty good story. I liked Ed and Beth and their story was interesting with both hot and sweet elements thrown in. There is a bit of a love triangle things going on here but there's no sleeping around between anyone but the MCs.
Beth is a professor in Psychology at the same university as Ivan (the hero of book #1 in the series, The Theory of Attraction). She's made friends with Ivan, Cami, Lindsey and Ben (the 2 couples from the first 2 books) and since she's in to the BDSM scene they see each other at the local BDSM club frequently. Beth used to be a sub but felt the need to expand her horizons, feeling she was more of a switch. Her Dom at the time couldn't accept her needs and she broke up with him before he left for a 6 months sabbatical.
Ed is a rocket scientist (and I do mean literally). He works at the university and is friends with Ivan, Cami, Lindsey and Ben. Ed hasn't ever been involved in the BDSM lifestyle of his friends and doesn't know anything about it.
When Ed is invited over for a cookout at Ivan's, he meets Beth for the first time but doesn't make the best first impression. They do get past the initial bad impression but Beth isn't looking to take things any further, especially since Ed doesn't seem to be in the BDSM scene. Ed is attracted to Beth and wants to see her and makes sneaky plans to contact her later. This ends up happening sooner than expected when later that night, Ed realizes he lost his phone in Ivan's car. Through a GPS app Ed finds them at the BDSM club and ends up getting an eye full. Beth ends up offering to show him around but hadn't planned anything else. Beth's ex shows up though and he's unwilling to let her go and seems determined to push her back into the spot he'd had her in before she told him it was over.
To protect herself from her Ex, Beth asks Ed to play her sub and he agrees. Things go a bit further than they expected and both Beth and Ed are surprised to find that Ed actually likes BDSM. Ed does find an interest in the sub side but also has images of controlling Beth and soon wonders if they could be both to each other. Beth also realizes that they have a very good connection that's more fulfilling than what she had before with her ex. Beth and Ed start to explore their connection and find they're very sexually compatible but more than that, they're very compatible in a friendly way as well. Beth's ex isn't ready to give up though and uses an injury to get more time with Beth. TBH, I don't know why she gave him the time of day but Beth lets him get under her skin and consider taking him back. Beth is fighting her instinct to take her Ex back (I guess because they were together so long and he used to be so much of what she wanted) and he's pushing things hard. Ed wants to be with Beth but tries to give her the space she needs. There's some drama while everything's being worked out but it does end with Beth and Ed together and starting their HEA.
I enjoyed this story very much. I liked both Beth and Ed and liked them together. I was rooting for them from the start and my main complaint with this story was the fact that Beth actually almost let her Ex convince her to give him another chance because it was kind of stupid considering their background. Outside of that part I liked the story very much. I hope there will be more from this series. I'd recommend this story. :D
* note - The narrator did an alright job but I wasn't very thrilled with Ed's voice.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- NEW NAME
- 02-11-14
I freaking love these books!
This is book three but it could be a stand alone too! If you are a fan of the show The Big Bang Theory...and you aren't too hard core about how exactly a BDSM relationship "should" work then you will love this series! Imagine Shelton as a Dom, that's book 1, this book is more like Leonard accidentally meets a dominatrix. The books aren't really long but I have adored each one! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended!!!!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bonnie
- 04-22-15
Nice surprise for the genre
Would you listen to The Principle of Desire again? Why?
Most likely, it was well written and the story line was interesting. About a woman who's into the BDSM seen as a submissive, but wants to try topping. Her "Top" is not happy with this and they separate. In the interim she meets a vanilla rocket scientist (He really is) and they start something that ends up shaking both their worlds up more than they thought.
What did you like best about this story?
This is something that just might happen, where things in a persons life bring them to a point for them to make decisions about who they are and what they want to do with the rest of their lives. The woman in the story had a strong personality and she was willing to try new things.
Which scene was your favorite?
There were several, one was when Ed tried topping Beth. Had some interesting moments.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
When a person makes a choice to change their circumstance after 7 years its not easy, but it takes strength and faith in yourself to move on. I think that is something that touched me about this book.
Any additional comments?
I never listened to any other stories by this author but I know the narrator and the book was on sale so I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 07-15-19
Narration leaves the story flat
The narrator has one voice for every character which left me guessing most of the time as to who was ‘talking’ or having a thought until the end of the sentence. I like to have a mental escape when listening and this one had me working too much mentally to be an escape.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!