Engaging, but I couldn't sufficiently suspend my disbelief. ( )

This was a delightful and very fast read. I wasn't entirely satisfied with this book, there are a few criticisms, but I still give it 5*.

Why? Well, this has been one of a very few BDSM-containing novels I've read during the past 12 months which was absolutely "right" on every level of BDSM. That last, so bloody rare acknowledgment at the end, that it is the submissive who controls the game, while ensuring the sensuality of this also makes itself known to the reader is reason for those 5 stars alone because it is so, so rare. The very first scene with "Jake" had me drooling quite successfully and I found Marsden's desperate ploy to cadge one night with the man of his dreams quite enchanting. I loved the author's voice, which was nicely descriptive, often very sensual, appreciative of male beauty and I loved that these were two relatively normal blokes with shortcomings and a lot of needs and wants.

On the negative side is that I consider this story as too short and the plot not created to fit its potential. It's a short novella length, a full novel would have been more the thing for me. As a result the action was quite compressed and the resolution brought on too fast. There were some 4-5 editing errors, which could have been avoided.

Still, this stays at 5* for being a delightful, uncomplicated, feel-good read. ( )

3.5 stars. ( )

3.5 stars. ( )

3.5 stars. ( )