Sandra @ My Fiction Nook

This was my 2nd book by this author, and I'm sad to say I didn't love it as much. Don't get me wrong, the characters were wonderful, and I cried hot tears for Joe's ordeal, but the writing in this was jumpier than I like, and that stopped me from fully connecting with the characters.

And that's all on me, folks, so don't let that deter you from giving this a try. 

I did like the story overall. I could feel Joe's despair and low self-worth, I could feel that he was scared to lose the only home he'd known since his parents' deaths, that he felt he'd disappoint his aunt and uncles if they only knew the choices he has made. I could see that Joe was a natural submissive, but that part of him felt it was wrong to be that way, to need someone to dominate him. And I felt his fear, that real fear of Andre, his ex, finding him again.

I liked Cam. He was a caring, sweet man, who was a bit at a loss as to how to deal with this frightened rabbit his old friend has become, and tried without prying to find out the truth. 

I loved the intimate scenes. I loved them, not because they were a true depiction of BDSM themes, but because they were more than sexual. They were emotional, showing the real intimacy required of a real D/s relationship. The author did a fabulous job showing the difference between consensual BDSM and abusive beatings that aren't. 

This book is high on angst, which I knew going in, but some of it seemed either superfluous or only existed in Joe's mind. Which, I suppose, after what he experienced at the hands of Andre, does make sense. 

And while this isn't my favorite book by this author, I am looking forward to the next one just the same. My issues with this book are mine and mine alone, so please consider putting this on your TBR. 

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