Gordon's a retired Drill Sergeant who's enjoying his life. He has his garden, his friends and access to the subs at the Hammer Club whenever he wants to indulge his Toppy side. When Billy and Marcus insist on introducing him to Frank, he has to admit, he's intrigued.
Frank is a cop turned private investigator who often helps out the men of the Hammer Club. He thinks they're all just a little bit off, but they're good guys for the most part, and he's happy to take their business. When he's introduced to Gordon at a party at the Hammer to welcome Oliver home after the events in Owned, his world is turned on its head.
Very much a loner, and self-contained, Frank must deal with having a partner who cares about him as more than just a good fuck. Frank also doesn't believe he's like all those little subs at the club, so he's not sure that a man like Gordon, a 'Top', is going to want him for more than the occasional make-out session. Can Gordon convince him he's wrong?
Push is the latest in the popular Hammer Club series that includes Found, Snared, Owned, Baked, and Bent.
Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and persuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."
A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.
Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.
Okay, the extended length of this story surely allows for more development and it shows here. There's more hesitation on Frank's part, the capitulation takes longer and he has more unresolved issues that need addressing which Gordon does. Gordon's the patient, super-Dom daddy to a boy who is a boy whether he acknowledges it or not. More time means less steamrolling and a more realistic pace. Plus no teasing about the sounds in this one--Yippee!
Still cockfull and filled with needs, wants, and mine
Like the other Hammer novels, Push looks at a slightly unusual D/s relationship. One that doesn't start out as D/s, at least not from Frank's point of view.
Frank is proudly independent, an ex-cop who works as a PI, but he's very closed off and doesn't deal well with stress. He also clearly has some baggage from the past that he hasn't gotten over, but he's too headstrong to accept help from anyone. He's so afraid to appear weak that he's shut himself off from any and all support that might be available for him.
I loved how certain Gordon was about Frank being a sub, and how patiently he waited for Frank to recognize and admit his own needs. In typical 'good Dom' fashion he gives the other man all the time in the world - until Frank puts his own life in danger. That's when Gordon starts pushing.
The book's title is very apt: Gordon wants to push Frank into a better place for himself, Frank pushes back because he is too proud to accept help. There are many confrontations and arguments, and initially many of them are 'resolved' with sex. It's only when both men recognize that more is needed that their relationship can develop to the next level. Which includes more kinky sex than before, and Franks admitting that he likes it - even though he insists he isn't a sub until the very last page of the book. He definitely isn't a typical 'boy', that much is certain! It was a large part of why I enjoyed reading this book so much.
Retired soldier and dom Gordon is at the club when he sees retired cop/now PI Frank visiting with Oliver and Jack. Everyone tells him Frank's not into the lifestyle but Gordon is intrigued and asks him out. They start dating and eventually Gordon pushes Frank closer and closer to the D/s BDSM life. This was interesting in that Frank gets meningitis and loses most of his hearing and a lot of heavy issues are dealt with. Frank nearly died on the job before he retired and his partner was killed by a serial killer, he doesn't take care of himself, dealing with a handicap, plus his feeling that everyone at the club are freaks. I did enjoy watching the slow progression of the relationship and it didn't go from "I don't do that" to "Whip me" in a week. Not sure it would ever get there. The only think I find with these novels is head hopping. Sometimes it would take me a few lines/paragraphs to figure out who was talking and thinking what. Of course there is tons of sex but because it doesn't get kinkier till closer to the end, I didn't find myself skimming in this case.
This series for me is hit or miss, some of the books just seemed so melodramatic that I did not even try it. But this book interested me, the former cop who is friends with the Doms and subs but feels that he's not part of that world.
Enter our hot Dom who begins to show him the world of BDSM. Hot sex, interesting story, but here are two things that bothered me:
1). This author seems to have that, we need conflict, so I am going to invent some mid book horrific accident that makes one of heroes dependent on the other.
2). I know that they said he was a "pushy sub", but I really did not see that he was a sub. It felt like to me that the author made a situation where he became dependent on him and THAT was what made him submissive, his illness not his will. I have read many BDSM books and there is usually a moment where they release their own need of control to that of their partner. But I never got that impression from Frank.
I enjoyed the book, it just was not my favorite novel of Sean Michael's.
3.5 Stars I've always wondered about Frank so I liked reading his story. I didn't rate this with four stars because while I'm well aware there are many common phrases and D/s scenes across the Hammer series, Push was just too much like Burn....almost word for word. I look forward to and Jack and Oliver book.
One of the better Hammer stories: Gordon is a good, patient Dom, with a quirky humour; Frank is a strong, likeable character, who doesn't realise what he is (ie a sub).
The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, not too much sex and heavy breathing, and not as 'hard' as some previous Hammer novels have been. It was great to read about Frank's gradual 'submission' into realising how submissive he is, and I was really impressed with how Gordon handled everything. A lovely story.
I really enjoyed this one. The stubborn bottom and gruff, down-to-earth, strong characters pleased me. Still had a confused, broken sub, like all the rest of Michael's books I've read, but not a very "subby" one.
This is, for me one of the best Hammer stories. Frank is not a sub and he's very suspicious of the club and the scenes etc, but when he meets Gordon, he is pushed more than he could ever imagine. This book unlike many of the others takes place over quite a time allowing both the plot and characters to develop. A good story with one heartbreaking piece.
While not as good as some of the previous books, I feel like Gordon and Frank's story needed to be told. There was just something about it that didn't appeal to me as much. I didn't really warm up to either character even though the story itself was quite good.
This book follows on after Oliver has been found by the ex cop who feels he’s too much of a mans man to be a sub - or boy as he puts it and the top who proves otherwise
Lighter on the BDSM than other Hammer titles, but it’s one of my favorites
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS: - Although there are noticeable similarities in the actions of Michael’s Dom characters, not all of the Hammer characters and relationships are exactly the same. They present a varied view of the BDSM lifestyle, from light to hardcore, casual to lifestyle, intensely private to public. - I liked reading about a Dom who falls for another macho, masculine guy and not an adorable little twink who’s an obvious bottom. Don’t get me wrong: I love the strong man/twink pairings, but this was something different I haven’t often seen from this author. There’s a lot of jockeying for the upper hand in this relationship. Frank doesn’t just sit back and give up control easily. - Like many of Michael’s books, this one shows a lot of brief encounters between the two main characters which combine to create a pretty complete picture of their time together. It’s not just the important moments we get to see. It’s the seemingly insignificant ones, too: shopping, simple conversations, quiet nights in, etc. This format makes the relationships seem less dramatic to me and more real. - There’s a note at the beginning of the book that places the story “immediately after Owned and many years before Bent.” This won’t be important unless you’re a dedicated fan of the Hammer series like I am. But I rejoiced at this little bit of context pertaining to the Hammer universe’s timeline; I’ve puzzled before about how all of the stories fit together.
CON: - As is common in Michael’s books, there’s a lot of repetition here. The Hammer books tend to be 50 to 80% sex, which becomes monotonous after a while, and in this particular book I noticed that the 2 main guys wink at each other and “chuckle” a LOT. Frank also has an affinity for the phrase “you know it,” which is repetitive in itself but which also reminds me of Rock from Michael’s Jarheads series.
Overall comments: The BDSM here is limited (some toys, light restraint, and a couple scenes of spanking) because Frank isn’t “into” the scene at the beginning of the story and remains very private about it throughout. There are some sweet moments, though, especially after Frank gets over a serious illness and the men have to learn to cope with the long-term effects. The book does jump rather abruptly into the Hammer universe and assume that you know who everyone is without offering much in the way of explanation, but I don’t know that understanding all the characters’ relationships and history is strictly necessary.
This is a nice addition to the Hammer series! One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is that it feels like the relationship actually develops over time between Gordon and Frank (both older and basically retired), and they really get to know and trust each other before the D/s starts to get introduced.
Frank is by no means a typical “sub” and pushes back at every turn before admitting he doesn’t have to be quite so independent and may actually enjoy the things Gordon eventually tries out with him. Gordon, on the other hand, is the poster boy for the patient Dom. He’s pushy to the extent that he cares what happens to Frank and won’t let him ignore or run away from a litany of things (health issues, nightmares, his subby needs;), but patient in keeping at it and trying to find the angle that will make most sense to Frank.
I’d say the book is very appropriately titled! One of the kinks explored in this installment is the use of sounds, and those scenes were pretty hot!! I definitely enjoyed Frank and Gordon’s story. The Hammer series continues to be a favorite whenever I need a little kinky fix!!!
This addition to the Hammer story is a bit different than the others I've read so far. There seems to be much more development of the relationship first with a very gentle pushing into a more D/s relationship between Gordon and his Frankie after the relationship is well establish. I think that the fact both men were retired and had similar backgrounds probably helped the relationship growth earlier than in most of the stories I've read in this series so far. Also, while Frank had problems and was needed he was not nearly as needed as the other subs I've met in the series thus far.
I also appreciated the fact that Gordon was a confident enough in his dominance that he could give Frank the privacy that the he needed. Even when he began to think about collars it was something that would be done in the privacy of their own home.
Overall a great book and would be good for someone looking for something a bit more edgy but maybe not completely comfortable with a more fast paced "push" into the lifestyle.
I have not read all the books in the Hammer Club series but based on this one, I may have to. "Push" is a favourite because of the way the relationship between the MCs unfolds. Frank: "Sub? Who me? Dream on!" Gordon: "I didn't say you were." As BDSM plots go, not unusual, right? But then the author throws in that one extra detail which sets this book apart...
My problem with some BDSM authors is that the books seem repetitive; kneel, whip, yawn. So not an issue with this author. There is more to "Push" than leather and toys :)
I love the characters at the Hammer, and Frank and Gordon are a great pair. Good friends, good lovers and good for each other.
The interplay between the characters was great, Frank is SUCH a hard case, always saying he's "fine" even when he isn't. And Gordon is Not going to let him get away with that anymore... not after their first vacation together.
Sorry to say, too many sex scenes or they are too long, whatever, but found myself skimming again because I was more interested in the people than the sex.
I liked this one with Gordon and Frank. They had a very sweet relationship and I loved how stubborn Frank was without it being overdone. His unwillingness to admit, even to himself, how much he loved getting spanked and the other "freaky" things Gordon was doing was great.
They were mature and fun, sexy and sweet. I loved them as a couple and loved the side story of Frank's illness and past trauma. It added to the story a lot.
This book had a lot of things I like - push and pull relationship - a romance between adults - men with weaknesses - disability - caring and loving, but the execution needed a lot of smoothing over, this book should have had half of the word count it had. Despite the weak editing, it was a nice addition to the Hammer- series. 2.5 stars
Frank and Gordon are my favorite Hammer couple and this is my favorite of the Hammer books. It has more story than a lot of the others, and I like that the D/s stuff is there, but more discreet and private between the two of them, rather than the more overt master/sub stuff which I find kind of alien.
I love this author. When reading Sean Michael I always know that things will turn out good. You always have a strong character that know just what he wants and gets it. A wonderful book that leaves you feeling warm inside.
I loved the characters in this one. Could have done without some of the gruesome tidbits...but thats just a matter of taste. A typical Michael read....got a little long in places but a solid, enjoyable read.
Another great story in the Hammer series. I've loved Frank since his first appearance and it was great to read his and Gordon's story. I loved the emphasis more on their relationship and especially resolving Frank's issues rather than constantly focusing on the BDSM aspects of their relationship
one of the best story of the Hammer I read along with the first book. I liked a lot the main characters and the dynamic of the couple. the size queen and the sounds play was a big bonus for me !!!
Too much like the others, not deep enough of a story. The top most layer of story is all you get, and it just stays boring. Some parts were good, so it was okay. Still, I skimmed too much.