Sandra @ My Fiction Nook

I've read almost every book in this series, except #5, and Dorian was a side figure in all the ones I've read, his reputation as the club's resident pain slut preceding him. He's the one who tried to break up Leo and Alex in book 1, and the same sub who featured in a rather tame Shibari scene with Andrew Barrett in book 4.

I didn't think much of Dorian until that scene, to be honest. I didn't like him because of what he tried to do in book 1, and then basically adopted the same kind of attitude that is displayed by most people in the club - a well-known member, but really not important.

Then this book came out, and I realized that I had maybe misjudged Dorian. Or perhaps the author had me exactly where she wanted me - unprepared to see beyond what Dorian shows the world, and the people in the club.

But K.C. Wells took me beyond my preconceived notions and changed my mind about Dorian.

At the root of everything, Dorian is looking for the one thing that has eluded him all his life - love. Growing up with parents who gave him everything he asked for, except that what he needed most, namely affection, hugs, physical closeness, Dorian doesn't realize that his search for 'more' is based on what he missed during his formative years.

And his search for that elusive high, that 'more', leads him to a club in Berlin, and to something beyond what he signed up for, something that breaks a piece in him completely.

The details of this experience don't make for an easy read, and it took me a few tissues to get past those, some deep breaths, and the hope that the author would lead Dorian on a journey to find what he's been looking for.

She didn't let me down.

Alan Marchant, a Dom who is also a member at the club, rescues Dorian with Leo's help and takes him home.

I was immensely moved by the tenderness that Alan displays toward Dorian, how he calms the sub who's retreated mostly into himself, how he finds ways to show Dorian that the egregious mistake made in Berlin doesn't have to define him, how he can grow beyond it.

Of course, it's not all smooth sailing, and there are setbacks, but I could see Dorian grow into the man he was meant to be, under Alan's kind and strong hands and deeds. They talk a lot, haltingly at first, but their communication grows with each day and week they spend together, and both men learn about the other. Dorian reveals some of his closely held secrets, and eventually allows Alan to see all of him. Alan is more open from the beginning, but it's very clear from the start that he is utterly focused on Dorian's well-being, on healing him, and showing him that he understands what the sub really needs.

A lot of the book takes place outside of the club, necessary to let Dorian heal and bond with Alan, but there was one scene, when Dorian first returns to the club with Alan by his side, that made me cry - it was so gorgeously done.

The ending was perfect for them. I loved how Alan found a way to turn the brand into something new, something meaningful and how Dorian was finally able to fly.

With emotional writing, and with excellent and accurate descriptions of true BDSM, this author took these characters (and this reader) on an amazing journey. I love how the author explores various aspects of the lifestyle in her books, and showcases the variety that it offers, without ever getting preachy about it, without ever making the uninitiated feel dumb, but clarifying what the letters mean, what it is about. Because Dorian's experience in Berlin prohibits any further exploration of pain, Alan has to be creative to come up with ways to draw the sub out of his shell, to take him beyond what happened to new heights, and that was wonderfully done. The men are so very suitable to each other, not only as far as the lifestyle is concerned, but also from a personality and intellectual perspective.

I loved that Dorian was able to not only learn to soar, as the title indicates, but also found a fulfilling occupation outside of it. His character was thoroughly explored, and there were nuances to him that I didn't expect. K.C. Wells took him from this insecure and unfulfilled sub to someone to be proud of himself, someone who had gone through hell and come out stronger on the other side.

Some of the scenes in this book made me choke up because they were simply beautifully emotional.

I think this may be my favorite C&C book to date. I hope there'll be more.

** I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **