So roughly we start out with what sounds like proper BDSM being portrayed.

"“I’m not selfish,” Asher muttered defensively, more to himself than to Oliver, but the women who had been dancing between them had moved on to other customers, so his friend heard him.

“Oh, yeah? What do you call a guy who gets his rocks off by hurting other guys?”

“They get off on it too, Oliver,” Asher growled. “That’s the whole point. Just because I’m not into vanilla sex doesn’t mean I’m selfish.”

Oliver rolled his eyes. “You whip ’em, beat ’em, fuck ’em, and leave ’em. It’s the last one that makes you selfish.”"

This isn't too terrible, it's accurate banter and okay, but as the book continues we realize Asher is absolutely a mess. He's way too flawless even though his flaws are screaming at the reader to drop the book. He's flawless to everyone in the book!

He's jealous, controlling, he's bossy, Daniel is so talented in over five different near impossible to master skills, and Daniel is controlled and bullied often. It's not exactly clear if Asher cares about him so much as having him.

The end is basically Asher throwing Daniel at two men and telling them to fuck him as Daniel screams and cries so there's. . . a lot of fucking no to this book. Ew, no. ( )

This book is an interesting look at what happens when a "total Dom" meets a "man who likes to be manhandled" outside the dungeon (so to speak) and notices, even likes the man before they can get physical. The situation results in one of the more unusual D/s stories I have read, because much of the character development is actually about putting the need to dominate (and the need to submit) into perspective. Rather than being the centerpiece of attraction and the main theme, it becomes part of the picture, a piece of the whole of these guys' relationship. Paradoxically, this redefinition of its role doesn’t make it less important, it just gives it a more defined part to play. One that goes beyond physical need/satisfaction and into the psychological and emotional realm.

Asher is a man who has so far been a total Dom; he doesn’t do relationships, and he isn’t really interested in any of the men he plays with once they leave the proverbial (or real) dungeon. He never even let anyone close enough to attempt more than a quick hook-up. Then he runs into Daniel, and likes him before he really knows anything about him. He is interested, wants to find out more about what Daniel likes, and this floors, even derails him. Asher's world is pretty much turned upside down by this experience and I loved watching his brain try to catch up with what was happening. Let me tell you, it takes him a while!

Daniel is the complete opposite to Asher. And not just because he wants to submit where Asher wants to dominate. Daniel has never gotten what he needs, what he is looking for, I'm not sure he even knows how to go about it. He does know one thing though: there will be no sex unless there is a relationship. While he makes that clear from the beginning, and it should make Asher run, to everyone's surprise it doesn't. Yes, Asher's definition of a relationship is quite interesting, following Daniel's "demand", and not exactly what Daniel had expected, but by that time Daniel knows one thing: he wants Asher.

As the two get to know each other, the passion grows as quickly as the realization they belong together. The big twist certainly took me by surprise, and it added some tension to the story that certainly kept me turning the pages! If you like stories about men who try to redefine their places in life when they meet, if you enjoy a nice twist or two, and if you're looking for a read with characters who are as passionate as they are loving, then you will probably like this book.




NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

FGMAMTC Blog Review
I really had trouble finding any sense of connection with these characters. More than anything I felt aggravation or apathy with their relationship. My recommendation is not to start with this book if you haven't read Cardeno C. before. Then again, plenty of people love this one so it may be your type of read.


***Copy given in exchange for an honest review***

Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents

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( )

When the story started with best friends Asher and Oliver discussing Asher's passion for BDSM, to an almost hard core level, I thought, uhmm, not sure this is my cup of tea (not really a fan of BDSM stories...); but I'm used to Cardeno C.'s stories, and I know this author is very romantic, sometime to a level of being sweet, just bordering on too sweet... so how was it possible to concile these two side of the story? that kept me reading, and I was glad I did, cause, and yes, this is maybe a spoiler, the story is far from being BDSM, the most kinky these two men arrive to be is a good spanking session.

Daniel is at the opposite of the twinks Asher is used to trick with, and that is the reason why he stands out; while he looks barely legal, Daniel is 33 years old, he has a past, and his own secrets; he may be easily distracted, to a level someone can consider him light-headed, but that is far from being true. Daniel has hidden talents, some of them so hidden even him isn't able to see. He isn't a "plain" character, and while I caught there was something behind the looks of a drifter, the sudden revelation at the end of the story left me sort of disoriented, maybe I would have liked some more story span between the two of them, to be able to adapt to the new evolution.

But one thing was confirmed, this author knows how to write a full romance; someone might consider it unrealistic, but that is, indeed, the basis of romance, giving people the bread, a basic reality, BUT also the butter, the plush romance dreams.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/162380535X/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

3.75 stars ( )