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Perfect Timing #8
While Under the Influence
A natural follower meets a natural leader. The only question now is who will have the biggest influence over the other?
Elijah is a natural follower, but he’s never thought too much about the way he lets his cousin talk him into all kinds of crazy schemes. What he has thought about, a lot, is the fact that he’s pretty sure he’s not entirely straight. When a drunken game of truth and dare sees Elijah’s cousin, Louisa, find out he might be gay, her influence leads him straight into his favourite sexual fantasy.
Aaron has always believed that he’s a much harder man to manipulate, but that doesn’t mean he’s never been hurt, or that past pain doesn’t influence his actions in the present. Aaron might be dominant to the core, but that doesn’t mean it’s all easy for him.
As meddling family members, former submissives and large amounts of alcohol all come to bear on them, Elijah and Aaron are about to find out just what sort of influence they are destined to have on each other.
Elijah is a natural follower, but he’s never thought too much about the way he lets his cousin talk him into all kinds of crazy schemes. What he has thought about, a lot, is the fact that he’s pretty sure he’s not entirely straight. When a drunken game of truth and dare sees Elijah’s cousin, Louisa, find out he might be gay, her influence leads him straight into his favourite sexual fantasy.
Aaron has always believed that he’s a much harder man to manipulate, but that doesn’t mean he’s never been hurt, or that past pain doesn’t influence his actions in the present. Aaron might be dominant to the core, but that doesn’t mean it’s all easy for him.
As meddling family members, former submissives and large amounts of alcohol all come to bear on them, Elijah and Aaron are about to find out just what sort of influence they are destined to have on each other.
106 pages, ebook
First published December 5, 2011
2 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Kim Dare
160 books1,518 followersKim is a thirty-three year old bisexual submissive from Wales (UK). First published in 2008, she has since released almost 100 BDSM erotic romance titles ranging from short stories to full length novels. Having worked with a host of fantastic e-publishers, she has just moved into self publishing.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
While she has occasionally ventured towards other pairings, Kim's first love is still, and probably always will be, Male/Male stories. But, no matter what the pairing, from paranormal to contemporary, and from the sweet to the intense, everything she writes will always feature three things - Kink, Love and a Happy Ending.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 1, 2012
Ah...here's the deal--this story--such a lovely story--but...the end...or lack of end...or a WTF you are stopping there??? kind of end. I must put my reviewer foot right down and throw just a bit of a tantrum on this one. Ms. Dare delivers to us a sweet coming out story coupled with a wounded character in need of healing in her novel While Under the Influence. Elijah, a young closeted submissive who is in deep denial is set up by his best friend so that he can act out his favorite fantasy--rent boy in the men's room. Not only is Elijah in denial that he is gay, but he is also running and hiding from the fact that he is a true submissive at heart. When he reveals to his bestie that he has had a secret crush on a coworker,(Aaron) AND that Aaron figures prominently in his men's room fantasy--well she is off and running to make fantasy reality. However, Aaron is hiding a fragile psyche beneath his confident Dominant exterior, and herein lies the crux of the problem with the ending to this story. We never really hear what it was that happened between Aaron and his last sub that left him wounded and insecure. We DO know by the end of the story that there is a future relationship for these two men...but what ghosts lie in wake to disrupt that relationship is unclear. We are left with an ending that is abrupt and a less than satisfying HFN.
I truly love this author so it pains me to give this little diamond in the rough a 3 star rating. Unfortunately, the abrupt feel to the ending, the murky past of the MC Aaron and the potential impact that could have on his burgeoning relationship with Elijah left just a few too many loose ends for me.
However, this author has a proven track record for satisfying and well written stories so never fear, I would advise us all to keep her on auto-buy--I know I will!
I truly love this author so it pains me to give this little diamond in the rough a 3 star rating. Unfortunately, the abrupt feel to the ending, the murky past of the MC Aaron and the potential impact that could have on his burgeoning relationship with Elijah left just a few too many loose ends for me.
However, this author has a proven track record for satisfying and well written stories so never fear, I would advise us all to keep her on auto-buy--I know I will!
October 10, 2016
2.5
I preferred this second book in the volume I read which goodreads dosent have an edition of so putting it as two seperate ones. It focused more on the dominant which is more up my street. It was cute and Elijah had a little bit of spunk to his submission that made it easier to swallow. Dont think ill be reading many D/s books though because submission is so foreign to me.
I preferred this second book in the volume I read which goodreads dosent have an edition of so putting it as two seperate ones. It focused more on the dominant which is more up my street. It was cute and Elijah had a little bit of spunk to his submission that made it easier to swallow. Dont think ill be reading many D/s books though because submission is so foreign to me.
May 23, 2017
Hmm, I think I was expecting too much out of the book. It didn't quite meet what my expectations were, but it was an interesting set up.
December 21, 2017
I liked the premise more than the execution and maybe it was me, not the book. Kim Dare did everything right here, but I just didn't connect with the MCs.
Still, an enjoyable short story.
Still, an enjoyable short story.
December 20, 2011
This newest volume in the Perfect Timing series explores what happens when a novice submissive, who doesn’t even acknowledge he is gay, falls under the influence of an experience, somewhat jaded and disappointed Dom.
Elijah is so innocent and determined to be ‘normal’ that he’s been unhappy for years. He just doesn’t know it. This story may start as a ‘dare’ for him to establish whether or not he can admit that he is gay, but the stakes quickly increase. He discovers he wants more from his first-time lover, even if Aaron gives all the signs of not being interested. In a very un-submissive like way Elijah goes after what he wants.
Aaron has been hurt badly by a past lover. He is a Dom who feels every ounce of responsibility for his sub intensely, and nothing could have hurt him more than the accusation of being callous. Of not caring. As determined as he is to leave it at one encounter with Elijah, he simply cannot resist the younger man’s allure. The discussion they have about where to take their relationship is very much one between equals, and I loved that.
If you like stories about men falling in love despite themselves, if a D/d relationship with a curious and totally inexperienced submissive partner fascinate you, and if very hot sex scenes that are tender at the same time are your thing, I am pretty sure you will like this story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
Elijah is so innocent and determined to be ‘normal’ that he’s been unhappy for years. He just doesn’t know it. This story may start as a ‘dare’ for him to establish whether or not he can admit that he is gay, but the stakes quickly increase. He discovers he wants more from his first-time lover, even if Aaron gives all the signs of not being interested. In a very un-submissive like way Elijah goes after what he wants.
Aaron has been hurt badly by a past lover. He is a Dom who feels every ounce of responsibility for his sub intensely, and nothing could have hurt him more than the accusation of being callous. Of not caring. As determined as he is to leave it at one encounter with Elijah, he simply cannot resist the younger man’s allure. The discussion they have about where to take their relationship is very much one between equals, and I loved that.
If you like stories about men falling in love despite themselves, if a D/d relationship with a curious and totally inexperienced submissive partner fascinate you, and if very hot sex scenes that are tender at the same time are your thing, I am pretty sure you will like this story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Total-E-Bound for the purpose of a review on Queer Magazine Online
December 6, 2011
Kim Dare does it again! The "Perfect Timing" series of stories explores many types of D/s relationships; this one (No. 8) is now a favorite. Elijah and Aaron are wonderful characters, each dealing with their own set of fears and insecurities and finding they can conquer them together. Soooo "sweet".
December 6, 2011
Very good kinky m/m romance about a guy who's in denial about being gay. He foolishly mentions it to his cousin when he's drunk, thus setting in motion her plan for him to find out definitively whether he is or isn't.
November 17, 2016
i really enjoyed this book was so disappointed when it ended..it could have gone on for at least a couple more chapters..but still very enjoyable to read x
April 4, 2018
3.5 stars
I'm a huge fan of Kim Dare's and I know I won't be disappointed when I read one of her books. This was no exception. It was a little difficult figuring out who's POV it was, but it didn't take away the enjoyment of the story. The only thing I was only disappointed with was it wasn't longer! I read the end, turned the page, and then I had to turn back because I couldn't believe that was the end!!! Uggh...I needed an epilogue. Overall, I enjoyed this short story!
I'm a huge fan of Kim Dare's and I know I won't be disappointed when I read one of her books. This was no exception. It was a little difficult figuring out who's POV it was, but it didn't take away the enjoyment of the story. The only thing I was only disappointed with was it wasn't longer! I read the end, turned the page, and then I had to turn back because I couldn't believe that was the end!!! Uggh...I needed an epilogue. Overall, I enjoyed this short story!
May 6, 2019
A cute short story with a few BDSM elements
I really enjoyed this short story about Elijah and Aaron. Set up by Elijah's cousin, Louisa, it takes a while for Aaron to trust after a bad break up, but seeing Elijah restore in him some joy as their relationship developed was lovely.
I really enjoyed this short story about Elijah and Aaron. Set up by Elijah's cousin, Louisa, it takes a while for Aaron to trust after a bad break up, but seeing Elijah restore in him some joy as their relationship developed was lovely.
December 14, 2019
3.5 stars
February 2, 2021
2.7 stars
May 14, 2012
This was a sweet story about Elijah who confesses a gay fantasy to his cousin in the midst of a session of drunken "Truth or Dare". Latching onto his confession, his cousin is determined to make his fantasy come to life.
I liked the characters in this book. Elijah was very sweet and innocent and his fantasy was one that he would never have voiced out loud under normal circumstances. I thought that while his cousin, Louisa, was brash and loud, she really did love him and wanted the best for him. I also liked Aaron and thought that he treated Elijah really well.
I only gave the story 3 stars because I felt it was a little short and may have benefited from a little more plot development.
I liked the characters in this book. Elijah was very sweet and innocent and his fantasy was one that he would never have voiced out loud under normal circumstances. I thought that while his cousin, Louisa, was brash and loud, she really did love him and wanted the best for him. I also liked Aaron and thought that he treated Elijah really well.
I only gave the story 3 stars because I felt it was a little short and may have benefited from a little more plot development.
February 6, 2017
Elijah's cousin kind of throws him under the bus. But for once it might turn out okay. There is sweet and gentle leading. Aaron wants all of Elijah's experiences to be perfect. And we seem him sort of pull back because of his fear that he might not be perfect. But Elijah is strong enough to begin to let Aaron know what he needs and the difference between special and perfect.
July 4, 2013
This was so good. I love Kim Dare. I was a little confused about the POV shifts which sometimes happened in the middle of a paragraph but the story, the characters, all made up for it. I loved the perceived slow falling in love, the way each MC struggled with their own demons. I am so glad I bought this book because I can read it again and again. Definitely a favorite.
February 6, 2012
30% in and loving it. It's funny, interesting and mysterious (about Aaron)
June 2, 2013
A 2-3 star read.
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January 12, 2016lovely dynamic between the sheets
April 25, 2012
Rating 3.5
August 19, 2012
3.5 review to follow
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews