Fun with Dick and Shane

Memoirs of a Houseboy #1

by Gillibran Brown

‘Fun with Dick and Shane’ introduces Gillibran Brown, a houseboy with the gift of the gab. Gilli shares a unique relationship with his partners, Dick and Shane, and the book deals with everyday life, love, sex and consensual discipline in a gay ménage à trois. Gilli’s observations and anecdotes are entertaining, sometimes hilarious and often moving. If you think this houseboy’s life might interest you, then welcome to his house. Step over the threshold, but wipe your feet first, as he’s just polished the parquet.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Menage, Contemporary, M M M, Romance, Humor

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 stars**

Oh Gilli, Gilli, Gilli... you lovable brat!! I'm not even into fem-dom and I wanted to spank you so hard some of the time! Cheeky cheeky boy!

"Fun with Dick and Shane" was not exactly what I expected. For some reason, I expected more traditional BDSM (traditional BDSM... snickers.) and explicit sex on page. That isn't what this book is about at all. Gilli, Dick, and Shane are in a domestic discipline sort of relationship, which I found completely fascinating. For more on domestic discipline, see here: http://learningdd.blogspot.com/2011/1...

Also, most of the sex here is off page (boo! hiss!). There is certainly mention of sex (in every chapter) but we don't get the play by play. What we do see is Gilli being his irrational, emotional, bratty self... and I loved every second of it! I am not one for menage relationships usually, but in this setting, I didn't mind it at all. I loved the interplay between Dick (my fave!), Shane (sexy daddy), and Gilli. It was so interesting reading about the issues that came up in their relationship- the jealousy, the division of time and affection, and the sexual dynamics. Most importantly, this book cracked me up. Gilli is larger than life and so much fun to read about.

I have a hard time believing that this is truly a memoir. However, if there is a real Gilli out there, give your daddies a kiss from me!

**Moving on to the second in the series**

[SheReadsALot · Rating 5 out of 5]

June has been the month of the brat for me because most of my reads so far featured some mega brats...or so I thought. I was misinformed because I had not yet bathed in the brattiness that is Mr. Gillibran Brown.

Oh honey, your tantrums were quite amusing. Maybe not so much for your daddies but I'm so sure if asked, Gilli would say it's because he has not just one daddy but two to keep him ever-suffering.

The Misadventures of Gilli the Cheekiest Cheeks

No wait...

The Case of the Over-Slapped Bottom

No...

The Tales of the Under-Appreciated Houseboy

*shakes head*

The Curious Investigation of the Sassy, Naughty Cub

Hmm...

"Fun With Dick and Shane": The Memoirs of a Submissive Houseboy was an accurate portrayal (so says Gilli) of the daily life of the domestic houseboy himself, Gillibran Brown. He's given account for three months of driving his daddies, Dick and Shane, crazy being a very well behaved submissive and house boy.

Lie Detector Says: Are you kidding? That is UNTRUE!

Gillibran Brown is in a domestic disciplined triad relationship where he is forever bratty 24 years old going on 12!



He is in charge of keeping the home clean and tidy and his men well fed and satisfied. He just has a problem with the green-eyed monster named Jealousy. The two are long time friends and sometimes Gillibran just can't help but feel like the odd angle in his two Bear 1 cub triangle.



Sometimes (A lot of the time) Gillibran reacts before he thinks and it leads to having a very red bottom. Shane being the ultimate disciplinarian is more authoritarian in his approach with young, stubborn Gillibran which leads to many a smack on the behind. Not to say Dick doesn't discipline as well, he does but as the switch in the relationship, he's more apt to cuddle Gillibran before (mostly after) his punishment.

Lie Detector Says: FALSE! TRUE!!



Gillibran is the dramatic, naughty, fun, insecure part that somehow makes the Shane/Dick/Gilli relationship work. I am a fan of menage relationships. Do I think they can work in real life? Yes, when all parties put their mind and heart into it. And Gillibran's story was told from his POV but it showed what I imagine most triads might have to work through: spending enough time equally, communication (though Mr. Brown does suffer from not communicating appropriately with BOTH of his daddies) and jealousy. And Gillibran is not some oversexed house slut, he actually discusses more than domestic life. Gilli includes his family dysfunction, death and loneliness.



Don't worry, he's not 100% serious all the time. With winning thoughts such as:

"Stretching the waistband of my boxers I addressed the man downstairs, "make a note, Mr. Brown. Buy Dick and Shane a copy of The Penguin Anthology Of Orgasmic Utterances for Christmas: surprise and delight your partner, fuck buddies and the neighbours with your sparkling and witty climatic repartee, you'll have them cumming back for more."

AND

"Thank God for that, because," I divided a glare between them, "if you two die, they'll have to invent a new kind of coffin. One with a lid shaped like a fucking tent, otherwise they'll never be able to screw it down over your permanent erections, not unless they snap them off and bury them separately: here lies Dick's dick and Shane's dong, theirs be the ever-erection, may they rise again in the grace of God."

Can you see why a certain someone is just asking for lectures of the hand on his bottom? Smart-mouthed is Mr. Gillibran Brown.

And I love it. And his relationship. (Shane is quite stern but his heart is in a good place.)

Will I continue with more from Mr. Gillibran? YES!!

[MaDoReader]

22% No es para mi.
Aunque el tono es divertido y pretende ser algo gracioso, no me va nada nada el marco: paso del Daddy Kink, de las relaciones a 3 y del rollo D/s tipo "sirviente" (no sé en español cómo se diría)

Quería hacer un BR con esta serie, pero decidí probar un poco antes y me alegro, no hubiera disfrutado la experiencia.

[Macky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first approached this book in my ' I don't do, get or like D/s relationships' so when the first spanking occurred I was in two minds wether or not to put it to one side and DNF but at the same time I was captivated by Gilli and his witty, snarky ramblings, from more or less page 1 so as this was also a recommend from a friend, I decided to push on and see if I could get past my reservations and at least finish it. For quite a while into the book I couldn't take to Shane at all because he's very dominant, stern and controlling, and seemed to punish Gilli at the drop of a hat, Dick is a sweetie so I liked him straight away but about halfway through I realised that if I was to really enjoy the story, I had to drop my prejudices and accept the dynamics and once I did I began to see their relationship in a different light and I began to understand and even grow to like Shane even if he didn't always recognise that Gilli pushed his buttons because he wanted Shane to show his love for him the same way he showed love for his longer term partner Dick.!

Boy am I glad I carried on! I've been very lucky with my reads just lately most of them have been 5 star ratings and Fun With Dick And Shane has joined them up there loud and proud. I am now officially in love with Gillibran Brown and his two daddies Shane and Dick. To be honest I was expecting this to be a bit of a Benny Hill/ farcical sex romp with Dom sub sex and lots of witty asides and ooh matron humour. What I actually got was a very funny but also extremely sensitive portrayal of a young man who uses snark and witty banter to hide a multitude of insecurities and contradictions. He has to be one of the most endearing, yet exasperating characters ever! He can be infantile, stubborn, childish, bratty and a total PIA but he is also hilarious, loveable, sweet, thoughtful, playful and throughout the book touched me on a deeply emotional level. He battles with his daddies constantly yet craves their love and affection , he constantly pushes his luck with Shane in particular and again the outcomes are both hilarious and yet poignant at the same time. I've laughed, cried, cringed, winced ( at the many spankings ) rolled my eyes and mentally cried out " Noooooooo don't say it or do it" as Gilli has taken me on his journey with him, and now I desperately want to carry that journey on - thank god there's more books to come!! So bring on your lie detector says NO , fuck jokes and your inimitable sass Gilli and please let me be a fly on the wall again in further adventures of your life with Dick and Shane! I'm keeping you forever!

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

* 4.5 stars

This is something different - the slightly-erratic memoir-style account of a young sub with two doms. This is about daily life and getting along through the ups and downs, many of which are the result of the narrator, Gilli, being emotional, dramatic and very young at 24. The sex is frequent but almost completely off-page, and the discipline is named but not described in detail. It's funny and engaging, and the characters are distinct and interesting. I will definitely be reading the sequel. It loses a half point because Gilli's description of himself verges so far into the bratty that he's irritating - you sometimes wonder why his doms put up with him at all and don't just dump him in a shelter for obnoxious subs somewhere.

[Jenni Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Gillibran Brown. You are a most loveable brat. You have two Daddies. But you have no Mommy. You need a Mommy. I shall be your Mommy. Hush now, Mommy has spoken.

Gilli has been claimed so all you Gilligirls and Gilliboys out there - BACK OFF! HE'S MINE NOW!



*Actual review to follow at a later date. Maybe. Possibly. OK, probably not since I will most likely forget.*

[romanceandcoffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
OMG Gilli the narrator of this story is such a brat-seriously he trys the patience of a saint but he is soooo much fun when he is not over the top acting like a child ;). I enjoyed it immensely, the MCs were adorable even Shane his Dom or the Daddy who seems to be cold hearted and is not so easy to like.....ok I wanted to spank him from time to time but then he did something where you can see that he does care for Gilli. If you can keep up with Gilli´s way of telling his story, which is more often than not that he strays far away from his real point, runs in circles and jumping for and back in time then you are in for a treat about a houseboy and his daddies.

ETA 11/14: I just read Christmas at Leo´s and decided to start again with this series - I love Gilli and his stories :D

[Liam Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rating this for the whole shebang. I don't do 5 stars very often, but these memoirs have me. I've laughed. I've cried. These things run the gamut. Gilli's voice is unique and his observations are sometimes funny, sometimes beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking.

You'd think that for being a diary about living in a kinky poly group, it'd be sex, sex, sex, but it's really about life. The odd vagaries of domestic life. The little fun moments that make relationships so special. The hard bits where jealousy flares up. The difficulty inherent in power exchanges. The nature of why we're self-destructive and why we can take better care of others than we can of ourselves.

A little bit about growing up, learning about oneself, and dealing with shit that sometimes just isn't fucking fair. Coming to terms. Coping. Or you know... sometimes throwing a tantrum and breaking some dishes.

Shit, don't pretend like there aren't days where you just want to throw some dishes around and tantrum like a toddler. There's something almost therapeutic about reading about a grown-ass man doing precisely that when shit isn't going his direction.

[⚣Michaelle⚣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2 Stars

So, yeah. Where was the "Fun"? Fun was alluded to. Fun was referenced. Fun was minimally discussed. Fun, however, was not described. No, I take that back...I think the Fun was detailed precisely once. And the Fun wasn't even all that impressive.

I feel like I was sold a hot and steamy, filthy, raunchy houseboy porn orgy...and got someone's serial entry bitchfest LiveJournal account instead.

False. Advertisement.

It was an interesting read for completely non-sexual reasons (and not due to the ridiculous dearth of corporal punishment JFC); when Gilli wasn't being an utter fucking gobshite asshole immature wanktard he had some insightful & often hilarious observations on humanity, life, the NHS and relationships.

Still, not "fun" though. More appropriate title: "Life with Dick and Shane; or, getting my ass beat continually for acting like a brat & because I can't keep my mouth shut (wherein neither being a brat nor my open mouth has any kind of happy sexy funtime connotation)."

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why Dick and Shane put up with Gilli's antics - it must be love. ;)

Anyway, the boy has an engaging writing style and this was a very fun read. It brought tears to my eyes - happy and deranged tears - and I actually got stomach cramps laughing so hard at some of the things Gilli did. What an adorable brat! I don't know if I should feel happy or sorry for Dick and Shane, LOL.

[A.B. Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most about this book was the interspersed commentary about life in Britain, its politics, its customs all told in an amazingly common sense manner. This aspect is not often mentioned and attention is just centred on the hilarious antics. All these stem from the same source, Gilli's ability to analyse, over-analyse and pick the remaining bits to shreds before gathering them all up and starting again.

The interaction between the three men, the Dom/Sub-Dom/Sub all playing out their roles to perfection became just that, roleplay. Best summed up after Gilli's emotional trip home to see his mother

Dick and Shane arrived home to find me knee deep in snot and tears, sitting on the bottom stair, holding a soggy Christmas card and babbling incoherently about robins never sitting on the same branch. I didn’t even understand why I was crying. I only knew that the tears were an expression of some grief that I had yet to find words for, that I had yet to come to an understanding of. Maybe that’s just the way it is for most of us, and maybe most of us will never find the words, maybe we will never understand. Maybe the lucky, the successful people in life are the ones who accept that some things can never be fully explained and understood? Dick was all kind concern. He cuddled me, I was his honey, his sweetheart, his pretty baby and I wasn’t to cry because he was my Daddy and he’d make everything better. Shane was all sharp impatience. I was a tiresome boy, and what the hell had I been doing all day, not what I should have been doing, that much was abundantly clear. He did not appreciate coming home to find that dinner was going to be delayed because I’d neglected my duties in favour of having an impulsive, emotional away day. In future I was to consult with him before taking a workday off. He told me to sort myself out or he’d really give me something to cry about. The smack he applied to my backside was balanced by the kiss Dick applied to my lips. I got on with making dinner and felt better. Later, curled up on the couch between them, my head on Shane’s lap, my feet on Dick’s, I felt much more peaceful

Were Shane's words meant to be taken literally in this case? I don't think so, they were simply to give Gilli a constant, a certainty while he came to terms with his over-thinking.
Was it a healthy relationship? To answer that question, you have to go back to the section which describes what Gilli's life had been like after leaving home at 17. Yes, he was looking for a father figure, but in turn they were in Shane's case looking for a reminder of the youthfulness he'd lost* and in Dick's case an ability to top/care for/baby. If they wanted a mature acting adult, they could have easily turfed Gilli out. Leo would have taken him in like a shot.

* Good call there. I wrote this before I started the second book where I had my suspicions confirmed: His life would be bland without me around to put his watch through the washer, break the toilet, ruin the computer and forget to pick his stuff up from the cleaners. I keep him young.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't like menage relationships or BDSM in books but somehow this worked for me. This is the only way I can see a menage relationship working. The two daddies are the couple that have brought Gilly in. But they are the foundation of the relationship and that's clear. On top of that the hierarchy and everyone's roles are clear as well.

I almost cried in a couple of parts, laughed out loud a lot, and thought about the way I look at things quite a bit.

I love Gilly, and I think the man is brilliant. His wit is amazing. He's a wonderful young man, too, with his good friends the older women he meets with regularly, and how he treats people. Considering his background, he's amazingly polite and generous and kind. I just adored him.

I totally related to all Gilly's insecurities and can completely understand them. I think he took many of his reactions too far--he needed too much reassurance--but they completely made sense. For most of the book I agreed that maybe Shane didn't really love Gilly but tolerated him for Dick's sake. But then I realized that it was just how he was and that the three fell into some traditional roles in the family, although with a major twist, obviously. In fact, I think his love was shown in how he reacted when Gilly disobeyed him. My reaction would have been, "If you don't want to be part of this relationship, if you don't want to follow our rules, the door is right there." But he never said that no matter how angry he got.

I loved Dick, too, and Shane is growing on me. I didn't like him much throughout much of the book. He's the stereotypical overbearing father who only shows anger and little other emotion. But by the end I got who he was.

I heartily recommend this to anyone who likes BDSM (particularly D/s and domestic discipline) and/or menage relationships. But I also recommend it to those people like me who don't really understand them a whole lot. I've already bought the next book in the series.

Update: I think this relationship is fine for a young man but I think as Gilly gets older, what he needs is someone who puts him first. That's what all the attention-getting behavior is for. He's never had anyone in his life put him first.

Happy ending? Well, they're all together. There are sequels and they're true stories.

[Josephine Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Gillibran Brown is a self-confessed gobshite houseboy with a tendency to throw temper tantrums when he doesn't get his own way, but somehow he still remains one of the most engaging, endearing narrators I've ever read. Partly this is down to his naughty sense of humour, partly his talent with words, and partly his humility and genuine desire to make sense of his life.

And what a life it is: Gilli is the youngest and newest partner in a menage with two older men, Dick and Shane. Not only is he the houseboy, but he's also submissive to both Dick and Shane - sexually at any rate. Gilli certainly has his own special ways of rebelling against his daddies when he feels unfairly done by, and is duly punished. Be warned, there is an awful lot of spanking in this book, and it usually isn't the erotic kind. Gilli hates being punished but he seems to court it, unable to reign in his temper when his volatile emotions get away from him.

This autobiography is partly a write up of day to day life as a houseboy, but the longer passages focus on certain incidents that Gilli examines to try and make sense of. These are mainly caused by his insecurities about his place in the relationship - he's secure in Dick's love but finds Shane, the older man who is top of the hierarchy, to be an unknown quantity. He's also insanely jealous, to the point of hating Shane's ex boyfriend on principal, just because he's had the temerity to have slept with Shane before Dick did. To further complicate matters, Gilli is working class and feels out of place among Dick and Shane's middle class, professional friends, worrying that he isn't very interesting because all he does is stay at home and keep house.

If all this sounds rather depressing, rest assured it isn't. Gilli's journal is one of the most charming, hysterically funny and life-affirming books I've had the pleasure to read. Whatever issues he might struggle with, Gilli is sure that this relationship is what he needs and the genuine love the three men have for each other is never in doubt.

I can highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in unconventional relationships, or who has an affection for mouthy, lovable drama queens.

[Fangtasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book when I was down. I just wrote to thank her many, many times. This book had me crying, in laughter most of the time and sadness a couple times, for the whole ride. It is going into my 'favorites' shelf.

This collection of blog/journal entries is a surprsingly coherent presentation of a gay menage. Gilli, the houseboy/author, is the sub/bottom and he absolutely adores his Daddies, though he seems to be determined to have them prove their love for him almost daily. Anyone who's ever heard of the phrase "topping from the bottom" will want to get to know Gilli. He diligently tries, but will never be allowed, so he ends up with an almost permanently warm butt.

If you enjoy m/m/m and BDSM, this is absolutely required reading. I just bought the next book, More Fun With Dick And Shane and already started it. The first paragraph had me laughing so loud, my husband wandered over to see what was so funny.

The blog is still ongoing, so the books will most probably keep on coming. Good news to me!

ETA: A more detailed review of the whole "Dick and Shane" book series (so far) is available at http://arketipo187.com/2011/12/13/fun...

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that Gilli is a goofy bugger, and I really enjoyed the way this was written. I flew through it and wanted more at the end. I'm not really a huge fan of spanking/Daddy relationships, but it does seem to fit here.

Gilli has trouble with his temper and with egging Daddy Shane on which makes for the brunt of his disciplines. This is not to say Daddy Dick doesn't get a few of his own in, but he is more the cuddler and tends to be more understanding/lenient with Gilli.

Gilli is such an insecure soul and his jealousies often gets him into trouble as well. Shane is the most distant of the Daddies, but seems to be a real part of what Gilli needs to be kept in line. The three seem to make up pieces of a puzzle that all just fit together.

I'm hooked and ready to jump into the next one.

[M'rella · Rating 2 out of 5]

So.... .... ....
I have not idea how to rate this book.

Started funny enough, but attach "humor" tag to it and it will get 0.2 stars from me. That's "point two".
Attach "abuse" & "story of a psychopath" tag and I will gladly slap it with 5 shiny stars.

Now here is the funny part - I can't make those ratings meet in between. Hence no rating at all.

I am so upset with this book, I am not going to elaborate further. If you're curious, check out my comments.

Update:
Every time I come across this book all I feel is sadness. I am rating it accordingly - 2 stars.

[~ Lei ~ Reading Is An Adventure ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ ~ 5 Stars Still
[5/2016 ReRead with BDSM Group BoTM] This is the series start and this is probably the funniest book in the series, as the series progresses, serious issues are raised or continue and the humor is lessened but the story digs more into your heart and you want the best for Gilli, Dick and Shane. Awesome series and this is where it starts.

★★★★★ ~ 5 Stars
[12/2014 Review] I was expecting a smutfest and surprisingly while there is discussion of sex scenes, it's actually quite a small part of the book. (Darn!)

Told from Gilli's POV, he is the newest and youngest member of this relationship, Dick and Shane had already been together for ten years. Gilli worked for them and somehow finagled his way into the houseboy position - hasn't been fully explained in this book.

Shane is Alpha Daddy, Dick is a Switch and Gilli is our bratty bottom boy who gets in the oddest/most humorous situations due to his immaturity/jealousy/insecurity. And while there is lots of humor, Gilli has a condition that he tries to take lightly but his Daddies concern show just how much they care about their boy even when he's bratty.

As he's writing, he goes off on tangents (and since I'm very guilty of this), and tries to get himself back on track by apologizing to Miss. You wouldn't think the life of a houseboy was so interesting but Gilli's life is full of love (and spanking, lol). I guess we could call it a spankfest?!

Thank you Vivian for picking this off my SS wishlist. I really enjoyed this story.

[Danni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is going to go on my 'favourite books of all time' list. It is laugh out loud funny, sad and sweet. Gilli is a stroppy, insecure brat and I fell completely in love with him. And it wasn't just because I fancied him (I did), but I also really loved him.

Dick was the cuddles and kinky fun Daddy, while Shane was the arrogant and stern Daddy, but they all managed to give each other love in their own way.

Gilli's wry observations are both hilarious and also quite poignant at times. Sometimes about mundane everyday things - the bin men, snails and mangoes, but also sometimes about deeper subjects - jealousy, illness, mortality.

I know a few people compared this book to The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4 and it is very similar in style. It also reminded me of the classic Three Men in a Boat

And any book where the MC's end up on the Betterware sex offenders register is ok by me :)

[Pamela Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ridiculous fun.

I enjoyed reading this book. Gillibran is an amusing, utterly bratty houseboy who is prone to temper tantrums and sulking. Definitely not someone I could deal with on a regular basis and I have to give huge props to his daddies for keeping him in line, usually.

For readers who are used to more affectionate ways of expressing love, Shane comes off seeming like a real cold fish. I found myself wondering at times if he actually cared about Gillibran or not.

Dick's the kind of Dom we're more comfortable with as he's more likely to give affection after punishment.

Still, the three of them make a compelling read and it's a lot of fun to see the way Gillibran sees and processes his life with Dick and Shane. I found myself laughing out loud a lot while I was reading the book.

Very enjoyable.

[YullSanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Местами меня реально тошнило от этой книги. Согласна, что главный герой - Гилли - часто вел себя отвратительно, но поведение Шейна это совершенно не оправдывает. Это дом? Это?! Ну нет.

Автор опускает начало взаимоотношений героев, что на мой взгляд - ошибка. Где-то на последних пятидесяти страницах вскользь упоминается, что Гилли согласился на такое обращение, но непонятны условия/причины/следствия этого выбора. В итоге на страницах он предстает забитой и униженной домохозяйкой, которую постоянно тыкают носом в то, что у нее есть свое место и нет права открывать рот или отстаивать свое мнение, каким бы "неправильным" по мнению старших оно ни было. Он не имеет права выйти из дома, не имеет права не приготовить ужин, когда чувствовал себя плохо, не имеет права одеваться в то, во что хочет и так далее... Извините, но это какая-то реальная хуйня. Я не вижу в Шейне морального и эмоционального превосходства, его статус не поддерживается действиями, он главный только потому, что главный. Он невнимателен, эгоистичный, не считает нужным объяснять свои приказы, действует топорным образом и, СУКА, неужели кроме порки нет других дисциплинарных мер! Come on! Это же просто смешно. Героя нагибают раком и шлепают по заду бесчисленное количество раз!

Дик - невнятное нечто, которое тоже лишено всяких прав, но считает это нормальным. Он не несет никакой смысловой нагрузки, даже в пуританских сценах секса (а ля: а потом он имеет меня до изнеможения и мы засыпаем, или: вечером мы втроем занимаемся любовью, а утром я приступаю к обязанностям) он практически не участвует. Как-бы напрашивается вопрос: зачем он вообще нужен?

Единственное, ради чего чего я дочитала этот раздражающий и местами отвратительный эпос, - это сам Гилли. Мне искренне его жаль. Да, понятно, что он не подарок, но все же мальчик прекрасен.

Наверное, главная проблема тут во мне. Я склонна считать БДСМ нормальной практикой, основанной на уважении и согласии, это ВЫБОР роли, вступая в которую личность не перестает быть личность, просто баланс сил меняется от состояния равенства к преобладанию власти у одной из сторон. НО! Эта власть дается только вместе с ответственность!!!! Это не право на обладание человеком. Дом должен быть умным, проницательным, терпеливым (ДА!) и иногда может отступать от роли, дабы поговорить со своим подопечным, как с человеком.

Я неистовый романтик, наверное. Это не роман про любовь.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was incredibly funny. Written in the form of a diary this story follows the adventures of Gillibran Brown who is in a relationship with Richard and Shane his 'daddies'. This menage is also a domestic discipline relationship and as we follow Gilli's adventures we see how he often gets into all kinds of scrapes.

I enjoyed this. I am not sure what I think about DD or any other form of power exchange in real life that is because I come from a culture in which the only adults expected to give up their power are women and they are expected to give up this power to men. This didn't spoil my appreciation or enjoyment of this story.

I really liked the characters and the way in which their relationship worked but also the different needs and ups and downs that they all had and went through. I also liked the banter and Gilli's sharp mouth which often gets him into trouble. Although the book is funny there are also serious issues such as difficult childhoods, illnesses, loneliness and fear. The story shows how each man experiences these and yet find strength and comfort in their relationship.

Although the story is written as a memoir it doesn't drag or become repetitious. It also has a great pace and a way o drawing the reader in. I enjoyed it. It was realistic, funny and yet managed to portray vulnerable and sad moments without being too angsty.

And it is a series with more books in the pipline and an online blog with more Gilli goings on. I quite like the fact that there is still lots more Gilli for me to laugh about.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was unexpected in the best way. I'm not much into biographies. It's just not how I'm built. But I was in the midst of a book slump and a good friend recommended this little gem. I was a little hesitant because as a mom of two, I am seriously annoyed by tantrums and I knew from reviews Gilli is the young king of them. What I didn't expect was to be completely enamored by Gilli. By the 24% mark I had shed tears twice and I, too, became wrapped around Gilli's finger. As many have mentioned, his antics are absolutely hilarious. And I wanted to tape his mouth shut on so many occasions, but I think it was his honesty and insecurity that drew me in. There's something about someone else laying themselves bare that makes them irresistible to me. I know some people see books about ménage, domestic discipline, or D/b relationships and think they know exactly what it will be like. I think this book seriously breaks those stereotypes.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread - Feb 24 - first time I've re-read this series. I still read 'his' entries on his website and thought I'd see how I feel about the books almost 10 years later. It's still such an interesting and engaging read. Gilli is an absolute pain in the ass but I do love him. This had more sweet moments with Shane than I remembered.

Review
Great book. I couldn't put it down! The relationship dynamic is very interesting and all different between each individual. Some of the situations Gilli puts himself in you think 'ahh, why are you making this hard for yourself' and sometimes its seems like the daddies (mainly Shane) are being unfair, i guess thats just like any relationship really. I'm a bit nervous about where the story between Shane and Gilli will go because it does seem like a one-sided relationship, despite the affection Shane shows him periodically.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillibran Brown is the ultimate sassy Brat with a capital B. I wanted to whack Gil's butt too for some of the things he did or said. Ohhh the temper! I loved the diary and I'm looking forward to the next books Gillibran Brown wrote about his life.
There were parts of the story that made me cry and it was far more complex than how it appears in the beginning. 5 from 5 Stars for our adorable Drama-Queen.

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously adorable. Great laugh out loud moments, beautifully written and just charming as can be.

[The_Paperback_Peruser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shall review it as soon as I collect myself...

EDIT:

Apparently, it's taken a good night's sleep and a tummy full of breakfast for me to collect myself after reading this book. And oh, what a book it was.
After reading this, I could conclude one thing for certain- Gillibran "Gillyflower" Brown should be hugged. And hugged hard. Regularly.

I have to constantly remind myself that this is a real story. As real as it could get. I mean, this actually happened! It's not just a mere manifestation of a melancholic mind.

I got into this book with a very weary mind. Manda recommended it to me and also offered me a free book if I didn't like it. I have half the mind to lie my ass off and mooch off a free book(It's not cheating, it's economical!!).
Menage is not for me. It's really hard for me to accept that you can love two persons equally. Maybe, it's the selfish heart in me that can't accept it. I mean, I think, I will always end up loving one more than the other. And that's why I avoid reading menage books. Because, I wan't the author to convince me that yes, he does love both of them equally! and that never happens and I end up feeling bad for the other character.

But, not Gilli (and god, I have so many things to tell about my Gilliflower.) This is different. Because it's a real story. He just uninhibitedly tells you about his life.

I connected so well with Gilli in the book. Maybe, it's the same age we share that made me understand his insecurities. His jealousy. His relationship with Shane(that was cutting too close to home). Because, if I were in Gilli's shoes, I think I would love Dick more, but I know for certain that I would always always end up craving more of Shane and always looking up to him.

There were times I was so infuriated with Gilli. And Shane!!(Never Dick, I always loved Dick). And then there were times, I literally bawled my eyes out for Gilli. For myself. And then for Gilli some more. There is a darkness in Gilli that I can connect to.
There is nothing else I can say about this book that hasn't been said already. Gilli made me laugh- hysterically at times- and for that alone you must pick this book up.

I'm still weary of menage. But, I will never regret this book.
Thank you, Manda. Thank you Adara(from M/M group).

Thank you, Gilli for making me fall in love with Joni Mitchell again. I've been listening to "River" on loop.

I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad.
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I've ever had.
Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on."

Edit: Huh! I guess I have poured myself a lot in review. Guess, I should write a memoir of my own...

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part diary, part memoir, mostly a collection of blog posts detailing the day-to-day life of a 24-year-old guy in a menage with a couple of older guys. It doesn’t have much of a structure (as Gilli candidly admits, he fights against chronological order), but I didn’t have too much trouble following along, even though some episodes in Gilli’s life are mentioned briefly in the day’s entry and then they get a separate chapter all to themselves sometimes days or weeks down the timeline.
It was very fun to read. I like the relationship these three guys have and I like Gilli’s voice a lot, and that came as a bit of a surprise to me because he is (or he depicts himself as) the ultimate brat (but he can also be very sweet, even if it seems to be mostly just in his head) and I usually can’t stand brats. I don’t know where Shane and Dick (but especially Shane) find the patience, but it seems to work well for all of them, they’ve definitely got the right balance.
The moment I finished it, I went and bought everything that’s currently available. I guess I can’t give a better review than that.

[Sunne]

I honestly don't know what to say or even more, how to rate the book.

I like Gilli, I like his writing style and for me he is a guy who has big issues and needs reassurance. The daddy/boy relationship itself as a concept seems to fit him. So I really enjoyed being in his head, hearing him babble, reagard the world, work through his fits and quirks.

But...and it's a big but....I really dislike Shane. He is most of the time an arrogant and insensitive prick with no humor. He dissaproves Gilli's temper tantrums - not once seeing that they have reasons and could be avoided if he would not only command and expect but also give respect, condisderation and just some time to look behind them, talking and explaining instead of commanding. Something like the week-end when he goes sailing and tells Gilli to have dinner ready for guests without even asking...well, my hackles were rising for Gilli, too. Good that my hubby never acts like that.

What I'm trying to say is that despite I'm thinking a daddy is good for Gilli, the borders necessary for him to give him the feeling of being cared for, I think Shane is so lacking the in the daddy-departement. He isn't able to provide what his boy needs - reassurance that he is needed and wanted, reassurance that he is an important part in their threesome. Shane commands and expects obidience, sure, his commands are to make sure that Gilli is physically well but he seldom understands and cares about his mental state.

And dismissing disrespectful comments of his friend as humor just made me want to smack him - I wouldn't want a guy like him as my partner. I understand why Gilli feels betrayed and like a not important part in the household.

What striked me strange, too, was the missing of a safeword. I never felt that Gilli had any of the "submissive"-power. He is stuck in this relationship - knowing that he can't survive alone. He loves the love Dick gives him, the secure place and he gets off on Shane's power. Duh - it made me wonder....could he even leave if he wanted to?

Well...I'm not sure if I'm going to read the second book. On one hand I want to take Gilli and smother him with love - on the other I want to fetch the crop and let Shane feel some of his own medicine for being an insensitive arrogant prick.

[Tamkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gilli, the first person narrator of this delightful tale, conned, blackmailed and lied his way into the employ of Dick and Shane and has since joined them in a menage relationship with a twist - or as Gilli puts it himself " Shane is lord of all he surveys, he Tops Dick and they both Top me, in an authoritarian sense as well as in a sexual sense. In other words I’m a bottom, or submissive, who is subject to discipline. The truth is they use, abuse and mistreat me horribly, brutes to a man they are. Nah, I’m winding you up, they’re not brutes at all, not 24/7 anyway, "

Often in menage stories, everything is hunky-dory from day one. Not so much here: Although the three have already been together for two years when the story starts, Gilli is often insecure about his place in the relationship and acts out accordingly. And although Gilli is proud of his home-making skills, being what amounts to a stay-at-home-wife sometimes also results in his feeling of being overtaxed and under-appreciated (something I think most women can relate to).

But Gilli does not take any slights - real or imagined - lying down.

In often hilarious, sometimes daring madcap adventures, Gilli challenges his masters for attention in his quest to find his place as the youngest and newest member in this partnership. And Daddies Dick and - especially - Shane have their hands full, keeping their boy in line.

The story is told in the form of journal entries, interspersed with what the author calls "memoirs" of single events. "Fun with Dick and Shane" covers one year of their lives and is continued in "More fun with Dick and Shane". Some events are only alluded to, so here is hoping that the author, Gillibran Brown, will keep on telling us further adventures and maybe one day even tell us the story of how it all began.

You can read an excerpt here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, boy. This book was NOTHING like what I expected. I decided to give it a try because of the great reviews and I wanted to read something a little different.

Gilli described himself to the reader early in the story this way:

"In a nutshell, I'm 6'2" blonde and gorgeous (Lie detector says NO) Okay, I'm actually 5'7".....

The book is written in an engaging journal style in "houseboy" Gillian's POV. Gilli is hilarious, smart and bratty enough to keep himself in quite a bit of trouble with his two "daddies", Dick and Shane. And Gilli gets into trouble A LOT.

So many times I would put down my Nook and just laugh because I couldn't believe that he got into trouble AGAIN. That mouth of his! But in between the laughs were some amazingly insightful thoughts that went through this guy's head, and there were parts of the story that teared me up a little. This book, and the relationship it journaled, was far more complex than how it appeared on the surface.

I promise you - this book is not a smut filled spankfic. It is a very funny and clever story. I ADORED Gilli. He does enter TMIville once early in the book - (Gilli, you did NOT go there) but I'm so glad I finished the story.