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Stained Glass
The violent implosion of Lawrence McKenna's last relationship left him floundering at the bottom of a bottle. Recently unemployed and struggling with his newly discovered submissive tendencies, Laurie needs his best friend, Jeff, more than ever. One sleepless night of detox and a desperate kiss convince him that the attraction they've battled all their lives has become too hard to ignore, but Jeff has other responsibilities that take him far away from Laurie and his self-destructive behavior.
When Jeff leaves, all Laurie wants is to be left alone to wallow. Instead, he finds himself riding herd on his friends who have quit their jobs to achieve their dream of starting their own manga publisher. Those same friends return the favor by riding him: about the booze, talking about what happened, seeing a doctor-and about Jeff, whose abandonment left Laurie bitter and resentful. Laurie knows they can't have a relationship without forgiveness, but when Jeff returns, can he be what Laurie needs?
When Jeff leaves, all Laurie wants is to be left alone to wallow. Instead, he finds himself riding herd on his friends who have quit their jobs to achieve their dream of starting their own manga publisher. Those same friends return the favor by riding him: about the booze, talking about what happened, seeing a doctor-and about Jeff, whose abandonment left Laurie bitter and resentful. Laurie knows they can't have a relationship without forgiveness, but when Jeff returns, can he be what Laurie needs?
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2012
2 people are currently reading
347 people want to read
About the author
Jaime Samms
106 books276 followersJaime Samms is a plaid-hearted Canadian who spends the too-long winters writing stories about love between men and the too-short summers digging in the garden. There are dust bunnies in the corners of her house—which she blames on a husky named Kai. There are dishes on the counter—which is clearly because teenagers! There is hot coffee in the pot and the occasional meal to keep her from starving—because her husband is remarkable and patient.
A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.
And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.
A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.
And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 6, 2018
writing this as I read because this is complex.
okay, this book pushed so many buttons with me. I have to say that is the work of an amazing author. There were times that I wanted to punch Laurie, and then others when I wanted to punch his friends, and still others when I wanted to punch Nash, or all of them at once. It was an emotional read for me, a wild roller coaster ride and I want to thank Jaime Samms for writing it. To evoke that strong of emotions from someone, good or bad, with your writing is a rare gift.
okay, this book pushed so many buttons with me. I have to say that is the work of an amazing author. There were times that I wanted to punch Laurie, and then others when I wanted to punch his friends, and still others when I wanted to punch Nash, or all of them at once. It was an emotional read for me, a wild roller coaster ride and I want to thank Jaime Samms for writing it. To evoke that strong of emotions from someone, good or bad, with your writing is a rare gift.
August 12, 2014
I haven’t been this conflicted on how to rate a book in… well, maybe ever.
Here’s what I know. I got sucked into this thing like a vortex- a soap operaesque vortex. Despite the soap operaishness I feel like the emotions and behaviors of all the characters were genuine. They’re fucked up, don’t get me wrong. Totally FUBAR, but plausible.
I’ll tell you what Ms. Samms (my first rodeo with her) has a flair for is dialogue. This is some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read. Period. It felt organic and not at all contrived. I know. It sounds like an oxymoron. See. Conflicted!
I had a lot of trouble believing all of his friends would uproot their own lives in an effort to put Lawrence/Laurie back together. They call themselves family. They all quit their jobs after Laurie’s mentally ill boyfriend/dom has taken a header out of the window wall in Laurie’s apartment. I have a close knit family and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t uproot their lives as much as his friends have. But, y’know, it’s a nice sentiment and this is fiction, so I rolled with it, though at times I questioned their reasoning.
Laurie acts like an ass about 80% of the time. He’s an alcoholic and they’re all babysitting him, so he doesn’t drink himself into an early grave. He’s actually a complex character and I think Ms. Samms did a fantastic job of fleshing him out. I didn’t like him always, but I understood him, and more than that, I don’t think he did anything that was completely out in left field. Impulsive and reckless, yes, but out of the realm of comprehension, no.
The soap operaishness came in with the friends. I know people tend to form friendships with those they have something in common with, but virtually all of his friends have some sort of fucked up childhood and/or current crisis. It was like the blind leading the blind, but maybe that's how they forged such a strong bond.
Stained Glass revolves around Laurie. In addition to being an alcoholic, having his dom commit suicide in front of him after breaking their trust and a truckload of other shit, he’s struggling with his need for submission and whether or not he can get that from Jeff, his best friend since childhood. To say this had lots of feels would be an understatement. What I found dissatisfying about it was the conclusion. 93% of the book is leading up to this looming question of whether or not he and Jeff can make a go of it which means 6-lousy-% of resolution. 6! (It ends at 99%. My math’s not quite that bad.) You put me through the emotional wringer there damn well better be a pot of gold at the end. That there wasn't just made me fussy.
I’m not sure I’d recommend this book, but I will say if you’re hesitating because of the BDSM tag, don’t. It’s a backdrop and what does occur on the page is hardly worth mentioning. I’m swimming in the 3-3.5 Star range. I’ll not soon forget it, but I’m fairly certain I won’t read it again for whatever that’s worth.
Here’s what I know. I got sucked into this thing like a vortex- a soap operaesque vortex. Despite the soap operaishness I feel like the emotions and behaviors of all the characters were genuine. They’re fucked up, don’t get me wrong. Totally FUBAR, but plausible.
I’ll tell you what Ms. Samms (my first rodeo with her) has a flair for is dialogue. This is some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read. Period. It felt organic and not at all contrived. I know. It sounds like an oxymoron. See. Conflicted!
I had a lot of trouble believing all of his friends would uproot their own lives in an effort to put Lawrence/Laurie back together. They call themselves family. They all quit their jobs after Laurie’s mentally ill boyfriend/dom has taken a header out of the window wall in Laurie’s apartment. I have a close knit family and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t uproot their lives as much as his friends have. But, y’know, it’s a nice sentiment and this is fiction, so I rolled with it, though at times I questioned their reasoning.
Laurie acts like an ass about 80% of the time. He’s an alcoholic and they’re all babysitting him, so he doesn’t drink himself into an early grave. He’s actually a complex character and I think Ms. Samms did a fantastic job of fleshing him out. I didn’t like him always, but I understood him, and more than that, I don’t think he did anything that was completely out in left field. Impulsive and reckless, yes, but out of the realm of comprehension, no.
The soap operaishness came in with the friends. I know people tend to form friendships with those they have something in common with, but virtually all of his friends have some sort of fucked up childhood and/or current crisis. It was like the blind leading the blind, but maybe that's how they forged such a strong bond.
Stained Glass revolves around Laurie. In addition to being an alcoholic, having his dom commit suicide in front of him after breaking their trust and a truckload of other shit, he’s struggling with his need for submission and whether or not he can get that from Jeff, his best friend since childhood. To say this had lots of feels would be an understatement. What I found dissatisfying about it was the conclusion. 93% of the book is leading up to this looming question of whether or not he and Jeff can make a go of it which means 6-lousy-% of resolution. 6! (It ends at 99%. My math’s not quite that bad.) You put me through the emotional wringer there damn well better be a pot of gold at the end. That there wasn't just made me fussy.
I’m not sure I’d recommend this book, but I will say if you’re hesitating because of the BDSM tag, don’t. It’s a backdrop and what does occur on the page is hardly worth mentioning. I’m swimming in the 3-3.5 Star range. I’ll not soon forget it, but I’m fairly certain I won’t read it again for whatever that’s worth.
September 3, 2016
While I would consider this book a love story, I wouldn't necessarily consider it a romance novel. It's an interesting, angsty story with complex, organic feeling characters that demanded that I be present while reading about them. There was no zoning out of this one or curling up with it to relax - it was far too intense emotionally for that. While I understand their seperation and what it accomplished it int he end, I won't apologize for wishing that the MCs spent more of the book together than they did apart.
March 5, 2013
Overall
A very different kind of romance that focuses less on the main relationship and more on one man's struggles to recover from alcoholism and his past.
Review
Readers looking for a kinky romance should go elsewhere. While kink is involved, this story centers more around psychology and overcoming life obstacles than it does kink. And while romance plays the guiding light, it's also secondary to character development and maturation. In many ways, this isn't a romance at all.
That said, I still think this was a good, if not great, book.
It’s confusing, and some readers may not like the storytelling style where the truth is slowly discovered as the author peels back the layers. Like an onion, not a parfait. In the beginning everything seems fairly clear, but as Laurie is more honest with his friends and himself, the reader gets to see more of the story and gain a greater understanding of Laurie’s last relationship and his own faults. While I found the slow discovery somewhat difficult, it also felt very real. Friends judged what happened without all the facts.
By the end I felt I was left with a fairly clear picture of what happened and how everything was resolved. I was pleased with the conflicts between Jeff and Laurie and how they were handled. People weren’t perfect, but they weren’t just jerks for the sake of being jerks either. The depth and variety in all the characters meant that no matter who Laurie was talking with, the reader was going to see a different part of him and a different part of the other character.
I don’t think this story will be for everyone, but readers who do venture forth will find an internal and external struggle worth working through for the satisfying resolution.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
A very different kind of romance that focuses less on the main relationship and more on one man's struggles to recover from alcoholism and his past.
Review
Readers looking for a kinky romance should go elsewhere. While kink is involved, this story centers more around psychology and overcoming life obstacles than it does kink. And while romance plays the guiding light, it's also secondary to character development and maturation. In many ways, this isn't a romance at all.
That said, I still think this was a good, if not great, book.
It’s confusing, and some readers may not like the storytelling style where the truth is slowly discovered as the author peels back the layers. Like an onion, not a parfait. In the beginning everything seems fairly clear, but as Laurie is more honest with his friends and himself, the reader gets to see more of the story and gain a greater understanding of Laurie’s last relationship and his own faults. While I found the slow discovery somewhat difficult, it also felt very real. Friends judged what happened without all the facts.
By the end I felt I was left with a fairly clear picture of what happened and how everything was resolved. I was pleased with the conflicts between Jeff and Laurie and how they were handled. People weren’t perfect, but they weren’t just jerks for the sake of being jerks either. The depth and variety in all the characters meant that no matter who Laurie was talking with, the reader was going to see a different part of him and a different part of the other character.
I don’t think this story will be for everyone, but readers who do venture forth will find an internal and external struggle worth working through for the satisfying resolution.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
August 8, 2014
Wow, what a whirlwind of emotions! Like a hurricane blew over. Could also be that I am reading this on the heels of the very stiff and unimpressive writing of Strength of the Pack series.
Sorta kinda spoiler:
"Stained Glass" is a very complicated story. There are two sides to the abuser and there are two sides to the abused. The picture is pretty clear in the beginning, but the focus shifts as Laurie shares his memories, and in the end Nash is not an evil, selfish and abusive dom, but something entirely different. Too bad we never get to know the true Nash or to hear what he has to say. But then, of course, the twist would be gone, if it were the case...
In the end, I feel very sad for Nash and glad that Laurie made it in one piece.
Loved it.
5 stars.
Sorta kinda spoiler:
"Stained Glass" is a very complicated story. There are two sides to the abuser and there are two sides to the abused. The picture is pretty clear in the beginning, but the focus shifts as Laurie shares his memories, and in the end Nash is not an evil, selfish and abusive dom, but something entirely different. Too bad we never get to know the true Nash or to hear what he has to say. But then, of course, the twist would be gone, if it were the case...
In the end, I feel very sad for Nash and glad that Laurie made it in one piece.
Loved it.
5 stars.
September 3, 2012
Very good kinky m/m romance about a guy who's only recently realized he's a sub, but who's been almost destroyed by his dom imploding. He retreats into a bottle, but his friends are not ready to lose him.
August 29, 2012
2.5 stars
After having time to stew about it more, it definitely wasn't for me, I'm not in the mood to review because I don`t know why but it rubbed me the wrong way.
After having time to stew about it more, it definitely wasn't for me, I'm not in the mood to review because I don`t know why but it rubbed me the wrong way.
March 17, 2013
I think - judging by the reviews - I approached this a little differently than other people did.
It was an interesting character study, I think, one that didn't seem to have a lot of unnecessary/contrived melodrama.
I wasn't necessarily annoyed by any of the characters, per se, at least, not until Sofia started coming on really strong on the "psychologist knows best" schtick.
I was also annoyed at everyone else's insistence on blaming pm everything on Nash. There was definitely blame all around and I rather agree with Laurie on that. I mean, I feel like maybe he comes off as codependent still just because he's had to overcompensate to get his argument heard by his friends.
At the same time, I feel there's a lot of hypocrisy amongst them. It wasn't okay with Nash, but it's okay with Jeff.
...okay...
I mean, I can see why the characters reacted as such, but it was still highly exasperating.
And it sure as hell did nothing to help Laurie, especially with his confusion regarding his role in the world and even in his own life at times.
That's not to say Laurie doesn't have his problems. He sure as hell do. I just feel like he's a lot more aware of them than his friends give credit for and the stress of both trying to face that down and live up to what he perceives to be their standards (which I feel may not be that far from the actuality) is what ultimately and generally leads him to self-destruct.
For that reason, it was a highly annoying read.
Damn fucking "friends." Argh. They got so set in their fucking schema they couldn't see anything past that. They treat Laurie the way parents typically treat their teenage kids. They're adults when it suits the parents to "delegate" responsibilities but children when the parents feel the need to reassert their dominance.
And it all boils down to hubris. Goddamn hubris.
In fact, his friends are probably the largest bunch of patronizing bastards who aren't antagonists I've ever encountered in literature.
I think they qualify for Bitch in Sheep's Clothing.
Actually, they're all over the Jerk Index, but I find that generally tends to be the case since classifications aren't quite so simple.
Note:
See also (in no particular order) Took a Level in Jerkass, Epiphany Therapy, Heroic BSOD, My Greatest Failure, Pet the Dog, The Love Slap of Epiphany, Badass Decay for a further sampling of the tropes featured in this...this.
And Blake. Damn Blake. He was going so well until he just bought into all the fucking crap that Laurie's gaolers were spewing. I mean, I get it. It's not like he was getting much information from elsewhere.
No, Blake's not actually that bad. I was just taking it out on him because the way he initially presented his case made it seem like he bought into the whole Jeff-worship business.
Because that's what they're doing, you know. They've set up Jeff as their deity and Laurie as the virgin sacrifice.
...
...well... Ceremonial sacrifice, then.
It's like they're trying to force Laurie to be/become codependent on Jeff.
And then they brought in yaoi tropes and didn't even have the courtesy to manga in general of labelling that swill as yaoi...
I mean it so much. Indeed. I'm bursting with sincerity. Can't you tell?
I couldn't even get upset by the neat series of little deus ex machinas (and various other tropes listed above that I can't be bothered to reiterate here) because by then, I was
But then I still had an excruciating 15% to get through. With some more deus ex machinas and Epiphany Therapy.
Aaaand here is a sampling of the psych tropes:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
a bit of this http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
some of this http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
supposed this that I suppose you can say they lampshade http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
seems like they tried for this, but it wasn't because Laurie really is a whole lot more self-aware than his castellans gave credit for http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
because I can't be bothered to format the html of all of these
I think this warrants the gif again.
but looking at all these tropes has cheered me up a bit.
On the matter of safewords...
I don't pretend to know a whole much cuz I've never been active/a part of any BDSM scene, but a book I read once brought up what I thought to be a very good point.
Isn't "piccadilly" kind of a shitty safeword? I mean, it's got 4 fucking syllables so it's not something you can just, you know, spit out then in a hurry. Samesies with
And oh my Korean Jesus if Lil' Jeffy ain't trah'yin' too haahd.
I find that when I get especially sarcastic/condescending, I start thinking in a Southern accent. It's an interesting phenomenon. Must more interesting than this scene going on right now between Jeff and Laurie.
And All Subs Are Referred to by Full Name. Always. It's the first rule of Domming.
Thou Shall Refer to Thy Sub by xer Full Name.
because Hollywood logic.
I was unamused.
That being said, this is where I qualify the second star with this:
"No book was so bad, but some good might be got out of it."
-Pliny the Elder
Actually, the ending so annoyed me I almost eschewed the second star, but the cover's kind of okay (not as tacky as some. but then, my standards may have been artificially lowered...) and I rather liked-ish the beginning sometimes...
The kill-it-with-fire refers more to my regards toward the Jeff-cult than the book. The writing itself is rather good, I think, although there were a couple of convoluted-comma incidents...
Argh. Look what you did. You made me create a new shelf. Now I'm going to feel the need to sift through all my books so I can shelf accordingly...
It was an interesting character study, I think, one that didn't seem to have a lot of unnecessary/contrived melodrama.
I wasn't necessarily annoyed by any of the characters, per se, at least, not until Sofia started coming on really strong on the "psychologist knows best" schtick.
I was also annoyed at everyone else's insistence on blaming pm everything on Nash. There was definitely blame all around and I rather agree with Laurie on that. I mean, I feel like maybe he comes off as codependent still just because he's had to overcompensate to get his argument heard by his friends.
At the same time, I feel there's a lot of hypocrisy amongst them. It wasn't okay with Nash, but it's okay with Jeff.
...okay...
I mean, I can see why the characters reacted as such, but it was still highly exasperating.
And it sure as hell did nothing to help Laurie, especially with his confusion regarding his role in the world and even in his own life at times.
That's not to say Laurie doesn't have his problems. He sure as hell do. I just feel like he's a lot more aware of them than his friends give credit for and the stress of both trying to face that down and live up to what he perceives to be their standards (which I feel may not be that far from the actuality) is what ultimately and generally leads him to self-destruct.
For that reason, it was a highly annoying read.
Damn fucking "friends." Argh. They got so set in their fucking schema they couldn't see anything past that. They treat Laurie the way parents typically treat their teenage kids. They're adults when it suits the parents to "delegate" responsibilities but children when the parents feel the need to reassert their dominance.
And it all boils down to hubris. Goddamn hubris.
In fact, his friends are probably the largest bunch of patronizing bastards who aren't antagonists I've ever encountered in literature.
I think they qualify for Bitch in Sheep's Clothing.
Actually, they're all over the Jerk Index, but I find that generally tends to be the case since classifications aren't quite so simple.
Note:
See also (in no particular order) Took a Level in Jerkass, Epiphany Therapy, Heroic BSOD, My Greatest Failure, Pet the Dog, The Love Slap of Epiphany, Badass Decay for a further sampling of the tropes featured in this...this.
And Blake. Damn Blake. He was going so well until he just bought into all the fucking crap that Laurie's gaolers were spewing. I mean, I get it. It's not like he was getting much information from elsewhere.
No, Blake's not actually that bad. I was just taking it out on him because the way he initially presented his case made it seem like he bought into the whole Jeff-worship business.
Because that's what they're doing, you know. They've set up Jeff as their deity and Laurie as the virgin sacrifice.
...
...well... Ceremonial sacrifice, then.
It's like they're trying to force Laurie to be/become codependent on Jeff.
And then they brought in yaoi tropes and didn't even have the courtesy to manga in general of labelling that swill as yaoi...
I mean it so much. Indeed. I'm bursting with sincerity. Can't you tell?
I couldn't even get upset by the neat series of little deus ex machinas (and various other tropes listed above that I can't be bothered to reiterate here) because by then, I was
But then I still had an excruciating 15% to get through. With some more deus ex machinas and Epiphany Therapy.
Aaaand here is a sampling of the psych tropes:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
a bit of this http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
some of this http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
supposed this that I suppose you can say they lampshade http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
seems like they tried for this, but it wasn't because Laurie really is a whole lot more self-aware than his castellans gave credit for http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...
because I can't be bothered to format the html of all of these
I think this warrants the gif again.
but looking at all these tropes has cheered me up a bit.
On the matter of safewords...
I don't pretend to know a whole much cuz I've never been active/a part of any BDSM scene, but a book I read once brought up what I thought to be a very good point.
Isn't "piccadilly" kind of a shitty safeword? I mean, it's got 4 fucking syllables so it's not something you can just, you know, spit out then in a hurry. Samesies with
And oh my Korean Jesus if Lil' Jeffy ain't trah'yin' too haahd.
I find that when I get especially sarcastic/condescending, I start thinking in a Southern accent. It's an interesting phenomenon. Must more interesting than this scene going on right now between Jeff and Laurie.
And All Subs Are Referred to by Full Name. Always. It's the first rule of Domming.
Thou Shall Refer to Thy Sub by xer Full Name.
because Hollywood logic.
I was unamused.
That being said, this is where I qualify the second star with this:
"No book was so bad, but some good might be got out of it."
-Pliny the Elder
Actually, the ending so annoyed me I almost eschewed the second star, but the cover's kind of okay (not as tacky as some. but then, my standards may have been artificially lowered...) and I rather liked-ish the beginning sometimes...
The kill-it-with-fire refers more to my regards toward the Jeff-cult than the book. The writing itself is rather good, I think, although there were a couple of convoluted-comma incidents...
Argh. Look what you did. You made me create a new shelf. Now I'm going to feel the need to sift through all my books so I can shelf accordingly...
December 9, 2017
This is not a book for everyone. The author's playing with (my) emotion, on-off, up and down.
One time I hate a certain people, one time I felt sorry for him. And then I was kind of 'understand' for what's going on in Laurie's head.
He's definitely 'need' Nash in his life, but Nash can't fulfill all he need, and I called Laurie a selfish sick person.
I know some certain person whose like Laurie in my life. And I'm telling you, they never really happy in their life, because of those needs they seemed can't manage. Otherwise, people around them needs to cope with their need. That's what's going on with Laurie. Actually, I think he's a spoiled one.
With all the people around him, always looking after him, tend him, like he's a six year old boy instead of an adult. Things with Blake though, I didn't see it coming. Surprisingly, I didn't mind at all. Jeff wasn't there when Laurie was in 'need'. So...
This book is not a romance, or even a love story. If you're looking for that, this one is definitely not for you.
This is pretty much Laurie's story. But,I was enjoying this, even I had some violent feelings to smack some people (except that poor Nash) in the journey. I hated Nash at first, but alas, he's actually the victim of his relationship with Laurie.
I wonder if Laurie and Jeff's relationship would be last, a broken Dom and a broken Sub? Not a good match though.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. This is dark, thoughtful and a nice distraction from my romance books.
Give it a try, like Mikky said, don't look for flaws, just enjoy the journey. I did,
One time I hate a certain people, one time I felt sorry for him. And then I was kind of 'understand' for what's going on in Laurie's head.
He's definitely 'need' Nash in his life, but Nash can't fulfill all he need, and I called Laurie a selfish sick person.
I know some certain person whose like Laurie in my life. And I'm telling you, they never really happy in their life, because of those needs they seemed can't manage. Otherwise, people around them needs to cope with their need. That's what's going on with Laurie. Actually, I think he's a spoiled one.
With all the people around him, always looking after him, tend him, like he's a six year old boy instead of an adult. Things with Blake though, I didn't see it coming. Surprisingly, I didn't mind at all. Jeff wasn't there when Laurie was in 'need'. So...
This book is not a romance, or even a love story. If you're looking for that, this one is definitely not for you.
This is pretty much Laurie's story. But,I was enjoying this, even I had some violent feelings to smack some people (except that poor Nash) in the journey. I hated Nash at first, but alas, he's actually the victim of his relationship with Laurie.
I wonder if Laurie and Jeff's relationship would be last, a broken Dom and a broken Sub? Not a good match though.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. This is dark, thoughtful and a nice distraction from my romance books.
Give it a try, like Mikky said, don't look for flaws, just enjoy the journey. I did,
February 21, 2014
Complex angst filled book that I almost love to hate. This really isn't a love story as much a Laurie's recovery from alcohol and a relationship that went bad. Blake is the only character in this book that I didn't at one point or another get disgusted with. Laurie's well meaning friends are pushy and at time know it all that have very little sympathy. I get that hard love is what Laurie need but they take it to extremes. I hated Jeff completely no redeeming worth for me there at all. He was at least suppose to be Laurie's friend then at the absolute worst time takes it further than just ups and vanished. Sorry the I did it once can't do it again is a pretty shitty excuse for a friend let alone something more. Then he comes in the ninth inning and I also didn't like the fact that everyone in this book seems to be kinky yet Laurie has no clue nor did they know about Nash and Laurie's relationship dynamics. I also don't like that Nash is portrayed as a bad guy yet we don't know what was really going on with him.
December 7, 2012
3 stars with 1 star given to that cover! Guh, I love it!
Story was good, very well written and believable. Though I never warmed up to Jeff, maybe because he wasn't in most of the story. And I was left without the feeling of the two main characters having their HEA (which might just be me, but that's how I felt).
Story was good, very well written and believable. Though I never warmed up to Jeff, maybe because he wasn't in most of the story. And I was left without the feeling of the two main characters having their HEA (which might just be me, but that's how I felt).
May 4, 2022
This was recommended to me by my elibrary! It addresses the very fascinating question of psychological abuse in a BDSM relationship. Whose responsibility is it. Is it the dom or the sub. What responsibility does each of them have. The sub spends a lot of the book trying to differentiate between his legitimate desires and what was abusive. This is a fascinating topic for exploration. I give it A for bringing it up and 2 or 3 stars for execution. This writer is excellent at "show don't tell" and also excellent at slowly slowly giving new information to slowly build a picture for the reader. Good stuff.
However, the actual exploration of the question of what is abusive and where responsibility lies and how someone new to BDSM is supposed to differentiate between consent and the excitement of consensual nonconsent and when is it being consensual and when isn't it...I don't think this was satisfactorily handled. I also felt
The handling of alcohol addiction seemed pretty well done to me.
However, the actual exploration of the question of what is abusive and where responsibility lies and how someone new to BDSM is supposed to differentiate between consent and the excitement of consensual nonconsent and when is it being consensual and when isn't it...I don't think this was satisfactorily handled. I also felt
The handling of alcohol addiction seemed pretty well done to me.
November 7, 2012
The phrase 'tough love' may sound like an oxymoron, but sometimes, it's exactly what people need. Loving someone enough to stand by and let them hurt while solving their own problems is one of the greatest gifts anyone can bestow upon someone else. In 'Stained Glass' by Jaime Samms, Lawrence McKenna is in trouble, but being rescued will not solve his problems; in fact, it will make them worse. Laurie needs to learn to be strong on his own before he's ready to share his life with someone else. Fortunately, Laurie has an amazing group of friends who are willing to try and keep him safe, as he wallows through his issues, without trying to 'fix' them for him. The rest is up to Laurie.
Laurie is falling apart because his now deceased ex-boyfriend betrayed his trust. Nash manipulated Laurie in to a position where he was uncomfortable and instead of protecting him, left him hanging which created all kinds of emotional havoc. Worse yet, after extorting Laurie's weaknesses, he went so far as to turn the weaknesses against him, which left Laurie feeling like a whore rather than his lover. When Laurie tries to leave him, Nash made a violent effort to destroy them both. Laurie is trapped in a vicious cycle of self hatred, anger, despair, and guilt. He loses all sense of direction; he tries to drown his pain by drinking too much, but that's clearly not the answer. Fortunately, his friends intervene. Laurie's struggle to find balance again is excruciating; especially the flashbacks of Nash's voice whispering his obscene, hateful messages repeatedly. When he and his best friend, Jeff, cross the line between friends and lovers, Jeff leaves, unable and unwilling to watch Laurie destroy himself. Laurie, once again, feels the pain of rejection and loss; he's furious at Jeff for leaving when he needed him most. He lashes out at Jeff by trying to shut him out of his life while he explores who he really is and if his desire to be submissive is valid. He goes back and forth with his feelings about Jeff and even tries to convince himself that even if Jeff did come back, he wouldn't be the person Laurie needed.
One of the awesome things about this story is Laurie's eccentric, talented, and loyal-to-a-fault friends. They take turns standing by Laurie while he's wallowing in his angst and self-pity, offering support and keeping him safe, but realize this is something he must work through himself or it won't work. He's a very lucky man and should be grateful for their concern. After a while, Laurie can't help but see that they have his best interests at heart. They add perspective by reminding him of his role in their lives and he begins to realize that their view of him may be closer to who he is than what he thinks at the present. Laurie eventually sees that the parts of his personality that he deems so unacceptable, are not.
This is a story full of angst and stark realism and the often painful road to redemption. It faces the issues of not using alcohol as an anesthetic against pain and a Dom/sub relationship gone wrong, in a realistic and matter-of-fact way. Pulling no punches, Jaime explores the importance of believing in yourself and never letting anyone intimidate you. On a more positive note, the story reminds us how precious real friendship and love can be. I recommend this book to readers who like stories containing struggles, ups and downs, and introspection in a graphic package. Thanks, Jaime, for the outstanding emotional roller coaster ride.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Laurie is falling apart because his now deceased ex-boyfriend betrayed his trust. Nash manipulated Laurie in to a position where he was uncomfortable and instead of protecting him, left him hanging which created all kinds of emotional havoc. Worse yet, after extorting Laurie's weaknesses, he went so far as to turn the weaknesses against him, which left Laurie feeling like a whore rather than his lover. When Laurie tries to leave him, Nash made a violent effort to destroy them both. Laurie is trapped in a vicious cycle of self hatred, anger, despair, and guilt. He loses all sense of direction; he tries to drown his pain by drinking too much, but that's clearly not the answer. Fortunately, his friends intervene. Laurie's struggle to find balance again is excruciating; especially the flashbacks of Nash's voice whispering his obscene, hateful messages repeatedly. When he and his best friend, Jeff, cross the line between friends and lovers, Jeff leaves, unable and unwilling to watch Laurie destroy himself. Laurie, once again, feels the pain of rejection and loss; he's furious at Jeff for leaving when he needed him most. He lashes out at Jeff by trying to shut him out of his life while he explores who he really is and if his desire to be submissive is valid. He goes back and forth with his feelings about Jeff and even tries to convince himself that even if Jeff did come back, he wouldn't be the person Laurie needed.
One of the awesome things about this story is Laurie's eccentric, talented, and loyal-to-a-fault friends. They take turns standing by Laurie while he's wallowing in his angst and self-pity, offering support and keeping him safe, but realize this is something he must work through himself or it won't work. He's a very lucky man and should be grateful for their concern. After a while, Laurie can't help but see that they have his best interests at heart. They add perspective by reminding him of his role in their lives and he begins to realize that their view of him may be closer to who he is than what he thinks at the present. Laurie eventually sees that the parts of his personality that he deems so unacceptable, are not.
This is a story full of angst and stark realism and the often painful road to redemption. It faces the issues of not using alcohol as an anesthetic against pain and a Dom/sub relationship gone wrong, in a realistic and matter-of-fact way. Pulling no punches, Jaime explores the importance of believing in yourself and never letting anyone intimidate you. On a more positive note, the story reminds us how precious real friendship and love can be. I recommend this book to readers who like stories containing struggles, ups and downs, and introspection in a graphic package. Thanks, Jaime, for the outstanding emotional roller coaster ride.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
May 17, 2014
Ok, I really don`t know how to begin with this review.
But if I have to describe "Stained Glass" in some way it would be "wow".
Just wow. Really amazing job. The cover is gorgeous and have a link to the story.
This book was a mix of very strong emotions and feelings."Stained Glass" is not one of those fluffy romantic stories that make you feel the sweet taste of love and definitely not from those in which you can find the sex scenes everywhere.
And even that the book has a certain dose BDSM the center is not directed to the connection master-submissive. Actually this story is not some erotic kinky m/m romance where the action takes place around the main couple and everything related to it. Well,there is a little bdsm, but no very much and nothing extreme.
No.
Stained Glass is different kind novel that revolves around very broken sub. For me it was a story about self-discovery, and attempts of Lawrence to overcome the past and the mistakes.He didn`t fight only with the memories of the past, but with alcoholism and frustration.
Laurie is on the bottom and the only thing that held him afloat are his friends.True his friends are irritating, too grumbling and interfering in things that do not concern them. They treat Laurie the like parents and probably don`t know that he is aware of his problems and mistakes. But they loves him and abandon everything to help him talk much.They are next to him when he needs them. Maybe each one of them was a bastard, but they helped Lawrence at some point.
Black was breath of fresh air in the darkness.
And Jeff was ok. I'm not sure I liked him more or Black.
---
But if I have to describe "Stained Glass" in some way it would be "wow".
Just wow. Really amazing job. The cover is gorgeous and have a link to the story.
This book was a mix of very strong emotions and feelings."Stained Glass" is not one of those fluffy romantic stories that make you feel the sweet taste of love and definitely not from those in which you can find the sex scenes everywhere.
And even that the book has a certain dose BDSM the center is not directed to the connection master-submissive. Actually this story is not some erotic kinky m/m romance where the action takes place around the main couple and everything related to it. Well,there is a little bdsm, but no very much and nothing extreme.
No.
Stained Glass is different kind novel that revolves around very broken sub. For me it was a story about self-discovery, and attempts of Lawrence to overcome the past and the mistakes.He didn`t fight only with the memories of the past, but with alcoholism and frustration.
Laurie is on the bottom and the only thing that held him afloat are his friends.True his friends are irritating, too grumbling and interfering in things that do not concern them. They treat Laurie the like parents and probably don`t know that he is aware of his problems and mistakes. But they loves him and abandon everything to help him talk much.They are next to him when he needs them. Maybe each one of them was a bastard, but they helped Lawrence at some point.
Black was breath of fresh air in the darkness.
And Jeff was ok. I'm not sure I liked him more or Black.
---
September 13, 2012
Hot cover - it's the reason why I picked up this book.
It started nicely. But all the friends around the MC were too annoying - yes, I know they all wanted to help.
I thought it's a story of Lawrence's journey to heal. Well, he did quit the drinking. But emotionally, he was only less damaged as the beginning of the story. He should seek professional help but not just a fuck from his best childhood friend (Love) against the window. Strangely, his supposed to be straight friend came back home to be with him and suddenly became his *Dom*??? I was a little bit lost.
It started nicely. But all the friends around the MC were too annoying - yes, I know they all wanted to help.
I thought it's a story of Lawrence's journey to heal. Well, he did quit the drinking. But emotionally, he was only less damaged as the beginning of the story. He should seek professional help but not just a fuck from his best childhood friend (Love) against the window. Strangely, his supposed to be straight friend came back home to be with him and suddenly became his *Dom*??? I was a little bit lost.
October 30, 2012
I did enjoy the story, but at times it felt a bit like a therapy session. I was okay with the intirum relationship that it took to get Lawrence and Jeff together, but wish there was more about their relationship after they actually got together.
******
If you liked this book you may enjoy the following groups:
Erotic Enchants Group
Menage Readers Group
******
If you liked this book you may enjoy the following groups:
Erotic Enchants Group
Menage Readers Group
January 3, 2018
While I expected this to be good, I was truly blown away. While BDSM is present, it's a backdrop to the more pressing matter of addiction and how far one can fall, but also the struggle to regain one's loss of control. To regain your life, retain your friends and family, and reach for your star.
September 10, 2012
A jagged little pill: It’s a great story, a complicated story, one I felt privileged to read. I’ve got no objectivity whatsoever concerning this book.
August 29, 2012
Good, but at times a bit tedious.
November 18, 2012
Without any characters I could empathize with (they're all jerks), I found it a trudge to get through. I'm one or two chapters from the end, but I don't even care to finish it.
May 17, 2013
There was not one character in this book that didn't annoy the fuck out of me.
May 22, 2013
Sadly I liked the cover and the MCs' friends more than the MCs themselves.
March 14, 2017
Different. Good different.
This book starts where many might end, after something momentous has happened, something that has sent Laurie into a downward spiral. What exactly has happened isn't obvious at first, there is no first person lengthy monologue that gives you all the details, rather it's spills out in dribs and drabs throughout the book, the author deliciously treating the reader like a grown up, letting you wonder, guess, piece things together as you go. (You may, quite correctly, guess from this that I am not a fan of the use of endless main character monologues to explain backstories and plot and find they are used a little too often for my liking in the m/m genre).
This isn't a book about easy solutions either, there are false starts, backward steps, friends treading the line between supportive and suffocating.
And, there is a casual relationship of a sexual nature that doesn't end in Happily Ever After. I am sooo pleased about this, not because I am a slut myself (well, not any more ;) ) but because I am fed up with the assumed moral high ground that means characters in books only ever seem to get to have sex with their One True Love. Ok, so they are usally allowed to have Past History, but once the book stars and their Intended is on the next page they are invariable not allowed to do anything untowards. Enough already, I am grown up and I like to read about characters that are too!
This book is at it's very essence about BDSM relationships, but there isn't much sex in the books and what there is is, to my mind, quite mild. That's not a complaint, the story is more about the emotional fall out from a relationship gone wrong and how Laurie can move passed that to a new relationship, and the sex scenes are proportionate to the story. So don't let the BDSM tag put you off reading this if you think the sex scenes will make you feel squemish, and don't be disappointed if you're after a hot steamy read.
My only quibble with the plot is I didn't get how Laurie and Jeff suddenly go from friends to a suspended relationship (for want of a better way of putting it), it was a bit of a jump for me, that suddenly all their friends and relations know that they should be together when in actual fact .
So, a great, tense, intelligent, gritty, interesting read.
This book starts where many might end, after something momentous has happened, something that has sent Laurie into a downward spiral. What exactly has happened isn't obvious at first, there is no first person lengthy monologue that gives you all the details, rather it's spills out in dribs and drabs throughout the book, the author deliciously treating the reader like a grown up, letting you wonder, guess, piece things together as you go. (You may, quite correctly, guess from this that I am not a fan of the use of endless main character monologues to explain backstories and plot and find they are used a little too often for my liking in the m/m genre).
This isn't a book about easy solutions either, there are false starts, backward steps, friends treading the line between supportive and suffocating.
And, there is a casual relationship of a sexual nature that doesn't end in Happily Ever After. I am sooo pleased about this, not because I am a slut myself (well, not any more ;) ) but because I am fed up with the assumed moral high ground that means characters in books only ever seem to get to have sex with their One True Love. Ok, so they are usally allowed to have Past History, but once the book stars and their Intended is on the next page they are invariable not allowed to do anything untowards. Enough already, I am grown up and I like to read about characters that are too!
This book is at it's very essence about BDSM relationships, but there isn't much sex in the books and what there is is, to my mind, quite mild. That's not a complaint, the story is more about the emotional fall out from a relationship gone wrong and how Laurie can move passed that to a new relationship, and the sex scenes are proportionate to the story. So don't let the BDSM tag put you off reading this if you think the sex scenes will make you feel squemish, and don't be disappointed if you're after a hot steamy read.
My only quibble with the plot is I didn't get how Laurie and Jeff suddenly go from friends to a suspended relationship (for want of a better way of putting it), it was a bit of a jump for me, that suddenly all their friends and relations know that they should be together when in actual fact .
So, a great, tense, intelligent, gritty, interesting read.
December 3, 2018
Wow a hurricane of angst, between the alcohol abuse, mental health break down, codependency, and feeling of abandonment from Jeff and feelings of guilt about Nash for Lawrence. I wasn’t thrilled he didn’t receive more professional assistance. Arm chair counselling from Sophia was inappropriate due to her close relationship with Lawrence and being Jeff’s ex. Lawrence’s fathers should have had Lawrence come to them instead of Jeff despite the drama with Johnny. From what I understand Nash wasn’t quite the villain all of the friends felt he was, he was in some ways a good influence on Lawrence. Unfortunately Nash’s mental health dive bombed but he still cared enough of Lawrence to try to find a replacement Dom for him, which had Lawrence had accepted him would probably have been an excellent choice seeing how they were able to carry on a relationship even though it couldn’t go to the depth Blake would have liked to. Jeff confused Lawrence by not being clear he would be able to have a dominant submissive relationship otherwise I think Lawrence would not have cut off contact as much as he did, though the feelings of abandonment would have been tempered with Johnny’s drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2018
3.5 kind of strange for me but stuck with it. Liked it.
March 21, 2019
3.5 it had some turns I didn't expect.
October 18, 2022
You know how much I love the broken characters and their struggles for life. Well, here I find sth new and loved it.
Ofcourse not the ending, anything except the ending!
Ofcourse not the ending, anything except the ending!
February 10, 2017
2.5/5
Potential Spoiler
I hate to give this book such low rating, but there were just too many things that I just can't let it slide through.
The story was more of a reflection of Lawrence's recovery from his alcoholism and trauma after his previous dom/lover's death - mostly with the help of his friend. It's great that he had these friends who were all dedicated to him, but I couldn't help but felt that their supported were overbearing. They practically dictating Laurie's life, molding him, both physically and mentally, to whatever they find fitting. I found myself disagree with some of their thinking. I hate how they seemed to treat Law like a child sometime, while forcefully invading his life. There are moments when Laurie acknowledged it and tried to stand up for himself, but for the most case he just caved to their way.
Then, there was Jeff, Laurie's destined love, who was missing for 80% of the book.
It's hard to conjure up any likability for him when we barely see him, and those rare moments when he's finally there it was pale and did little to improve his image. The only excuse they had for him was with the similar situation he had with his brother, and how it impacted his mentality as a dom. It would have been a legit excuse had he been a stranger dom whom Laurie meet up at a club or, someone he had only known for a few months. However, in this case, Jeff was supposed to be Laurie best friend since childhood. It's strange that he would run from his best friend/ the love of his life when Laurie's was at his worst, just because he and his friend thought he couldn't handle the situation. I just find it hard for them to mend such rift, much less sustain a relationship. Quite a friend he turned out to be.
What happened the next time Laurie's relapse then? Jeffy-boy would run off, and let his "friends" to put back the pieces the pieces for him like a second-hand jigsaw puzzles? Laurie deserved someone who can pull through his worst, after all any form of addiction was a cycle, and relapse is a given; Also because it said a lot about Jeff just from the fact that he had flee and pull a cold shoulder on Laurie when the poor guy obviously need the support.
Then back the Laurie's groupie friends who all seemed to made it a mission to preserved the poor guy for the asshole that left him in the first place. Especially when Blake entered the picture. This book brings back a point I had made before on these type of plot, where I just wish the secondary love interest was stronger, someone that would made asshole like Jeffy-boy work to earn his place rather than another half-heart character that open a highway of opportunity for Jeff to run back to Laurie.
It's even stranger that Andy forced Laurie to consult with Jeff's ex (Sef? can't remember her name anymore lol) about his sex-life and potential kink. Idk about you, but that just screamed awkward from every corner.
It was all because they wanted Laurie to accept her into the groupie. *smh* Oh and let's not forget the self-imposed therapy from Sef-the-ex.
This book had a promising premise. However, the author vision for the story contradicted with mine. It's a pity too, since the writing was decent and Laurie has been a carefully crafted character.
Potential Spoiler
I hate to give this book such low rating, but there were just too many things that I just can't let it slide through.
The story was more of a reflection of Lawrence's recovery from his alcoholism and trauma after his previous dom/lover's death - mostly with the help of his friend. It's great that he had these friends who were all dedicated to him, but I couldn't help but felt that their supported were overbearing. They practically dictating Laurie's life, molding him, both physically and mentally, to whatever they find fitting. I found myself disagree with some of their thinking. I hate how they seemed to treat Law like a child sometime, while forcefully invading his life. There are moments when Laurie acknowledged it and tried to stand up for himself, but for the most case he just caved to their way.
Then, there was Jeff, Laurie's destined love, who was missing for 80% of the book.
It's hard to conjure up any likability for him when we barely see him, and those rare moments when he's finally there it was pale and did little to improve his image. The only excuse they had for him was with the similar situation he had with his brother, and how it impacted his mentality as a dom. It would have been a legit excuse had he been a stranger dom whom Laurie meet up at a club or, someone he had only known for a few months. However, in this case, Jeff was supposed to be Laurie best friend since childhood. It's strange that he would run from his best friend/ the love of his life when Laurie's was at his worst, just because he and his friend thought he couldn't handle the situation. I just find it hard for them to mend such rift, much less sustain a relationship. Quite a friend he turned out to be.
What happened the next time Laurie's relapse then? Jeffy-boy would run off, and let his "friends" to put back the pieces the pieces for him like a second-hand jigsaw puzzles? Laurie deserved someone who can pull through his worst, after all any form of addiction was a cycle, and relapse is a given; Also because it said a lot about Jeff just from the fact that he had flee and pull a cold shoulder on Laurie when the poor guy obviously need the support.
Then back the Laurie's groupie friends who all seemed to made it a mission to preserved the poor guy for the asshole that left him in the first place. Especially when Blake entered the picture. This book brings back a point I had made before on these type of plot, where I just wish the secondary love interest was stronger, someone that would made asshole like Jeffy-boy work to earn his place rather than another half-heart character that open a highway of opportunity for Jeff to run back to Laurie.
It's even stranger that Andy forced Laurie to consult with Jeff's ex (Sef? can't remember her name anymore lol) about his sex-life and potential kink. Idk about you, but that just screamed awkward from every corner.
It was all because they wanted Laurie to accept her into the groupie. *smh* Oh and let's not forget the self-imposed therapy from Sef-the-ex.
This book had a promising premise. However, the author vision for the story contradicted with mine. It's a pity too, since the writing was decent and Laurie has been a carefully crafted character.
October 7, 2012
Right off, I’m going to let you know that I struggle with BDSM books. I don’t understand the need for dominance or submission, I just don’t get it. Why do I read them? I’m totally down with the S&M parts, that’s a need I understand and enjoy reading about. It’s always a toss up for me when I pick up a BDSM book because I’m never sure which way it’s going to go. If a main character is submissive, I will have trouble connecting with him. Take that into consideration when you read this review.
The most important person in this book is Laurie. He just got out of a bad relationship, a really bad relationship. He is devastated by the way the relationship ended and confused about things he learned about himself during the relationship. It gave him his first taste for bondage and submission. He learned to crave the safety he felt in them. Once it’s all gone, Laurie has no idea how to cope and turns to alcohol to escape.
Laurie’s friends see him struggling and jump in to help. Leading the cause is his best friend Jeff. They’ve always had a mild attraction but the close quarters prove too much for Jeff. He takes off once he realizes he can’t control his desire for Laurie. Another friend steps in to take over in Jeff’s absence. Laurie’s friends help him get his life together and stop drinking. One major aspect of that recovery is to determine his role in a D/s relationship. Jeff tells Laurie he has to figure that out for himself before Jeff will come back into his life. They know they love each other, but won’t know if they’re compatible in that way until Laurie figures out what he needs in a relationship.
Laurie’s struggle with submission was a big issue for me. I read the words, I understood their meaning, but his emotions didn’t resonate with me. It’s a fairly big issue in this book and that part was lost on me. Even though I didn’t connect with Laurie on that level, I still liked him. He was a bit whiny for my taste, but I wanted him to be happy. Jeff deserted Laurie pretty early on. He was too distant for me to get a read on him. He seemed like a decent guy but I only got to know him through a few interactions and a couple phone calls. Laurie’s other friends were much more prominent. They were an eclectic group and I liked them.
A couple things bugged me.
1. I thought Laurie healed too easily. He was just out of an abusive relationship, his best friend deserted him in his time of need, and he was a dysfunctional alcoholic. I have a hard time believing a few months and the support of friends were enough to turn his life around. It
was too easy.
2. After Laurie’s miraculous turn around, every other aspect of his life worked out perfectly. Jeff was the perfect partner and every other loose end was tied up nice and neat. It was too convenient for me.
I was in the mood for messy and painful. I didn’t get it. Laurie was certainly dealing with enough emotional pain, but my lack of connection kept me from feeling it. I think it would be a lot more meaningful to readers who can identify with a character like him. While it was an enjoyable read, I feel like I missed out on a big portion of it.
The most important person in this book is Laurie. He just got out of a bad relationship, a really bad relationship. He is devastated by the way the relationship ended and confused about things he learned about himself during the relationship. It gave him his first taste for bondage and submission. He learned to crave the safety he felt in them. Once it’s all gone, Laurie has no idea how to cope and turns to alcohol to escape.
Laurie’s friends see him struggling and jump in to help. Leading the cause is his best friend Jeff. They’ve always had a mild attraction but the close quarters prove too much for Jeff. He takes off once he realizes he can’t control his desire for Laurie. Another friend steps in to take over in Jeff’s absence. Laurie’s friends help him get his life together and stop drinking. One major aspect of that recovery is to determine his role in a D/s relationship. Jeff tells Laurie he has to figure that out for himself before Jeff will come back into his life. They know they love each other, but won’t know if they’re compatible in that way until Laurie figures out what he needs in a relationship.
Laurie’s struggle with submission was a big issue for me. I read the words, I understood their meaning, but his emotions didn’t resonate with me. It’s a fairly big issue in this book and that part was lost on me. Even though I didn’t connect with Laurie on that level, I still liked him. He was a bit whiny for my taste, but I wanted him to be happy. Jeff deserted Laurie pretty early on. He was too distant for me to get a read on him. He seemed like a decent guy but I only got to know him through a few interactions and a couple phone calls. Laurie’s other friends were much more prominent. They were an eclectic group and I liked them.
A couple things bugged me.
1. I thought Laurie healed too easily. He was just out of an abusive relationship, his best friend deserted him in his time of need, and he was a dysfunctional alcoholic. I have a hard time believing a few months and the support of friends were enough to turn his life around. It
was too easy.
2. After Laurie’s miraculous turn around, every other aspect of his life worked out perfectly. Jeff was the perfect partner and every other loose end was tied up nice and neat. It was too convenient for me.
I was in the mood for messy and painful. I didn’t get it. Laurie was certainly dealing with enough emotional pain, but my lack of connection kept me from feeling it. I think it would be a lot more meaningful to readers who can identify with a character like him. While it was an enjoyable read, I feel like I missed out on a big portion of it.
February 4, 2014
Very possibly spoilers in this review, am not going to attempt to try to pussy foot around my thoughts on this book since its really for my own edification anyways.
Well this was an interesting book but a lot different than what I am used to reading. Reading this book felt like putting a puzzle together, and the author was handing me a piece or two at a time. I got just enough of the whole picture to both entice and frustrate me. We’re introduced to ‘Laurie’ Lawrence McKenna at a very low point in his life. His best friend Jeff is trying to dry him out after a particularly bad drinking binge. We start getting a little glimpse of why Laurie is struggling but not very far into the story Jeff kisses Laurie, then immediately starts pulling back saying the timing wasn’t right and he shouldn’t have done it. He then disappears and doesn’t return until 80 PERCENT INTO THE STORY!! Ugh! There are texts and phone calls but not many of them as Laurie is frustrated and unforgiving. The story really seems to be about a broken sub trying to forgive his Dom who committed suicide but also hurt Laurie before he died. All Laurie’s friends want to hate and blame his deceased Dom/Boss Nash, but Laurie won’t let them because he knew Nash was sick (mentally) and wasn’t in his right mind all the time. Where there was a romance in the book, and when Jeff comes back, I loved his reappearance scene; this was more of a journey type of story. Laurie is trying to deal with being an alcoholic, that he only just discovered his submissive tendencies with his Dom right before Nash’s death and the absence of his best friend just when he needs him most. Everyone keeps telling Laurie that Jeff loves him, but Laurie is afraid Jeff won’t be able to give him what he needs sexually (domination). Laurie also meets someone mid story who was very good for him; I actually liked this character and thought they were very sexy together. I honestly think he was better for Laurie than Jeff was. Jeff came back at the end of the book, declared he was a Dom, though a loving one, and he and Laurie just hooked up. Despite the fact that Laurie hadn’t known that Jeff was IN love with him before the kiss, and then Jeff disappeared right after that. So, it felt incomplete and I’m not sure Jeff and Laurie were the best match. I also had rather silly hopes that Laurie’s long lost brother, thought to be dead in the war, would resurface and maybe even be a good match for Jeff’s twin brother. I hope for a second book, because despite my protestations above, I actually did enjoy the book very much.
Well this was an interesting book but a lot different than what I am used to reading. Reading this book felt like putting a puzzle together, and the author was handing me a piece or two at a time. I got just enough of the whole picture to both entice and frustrate me. We’re introduced to ‘Laurie’ Lawrence McKenna at a very low point in his life. His best friend Jeff is trying to dry him out after a particularly bad drinking binge. We start getting a little glimpse of why Laurie is struggling but not very far into the story Jeff kisses Laurie, then immediately starts pulling back saying the timing wasn’t right and he shouldn’t have done it. He then disappears and doesn’t return until 80 PERCENT INTO THE STORY!! Ugh! There are texts and phone calls but not many of them as Laurie is frustrated and unforgiving. The story really seems to be about a broken sub trying to forgive his Dom who committed suicide but also hurt Laurie before he died. All Laurie’s friends want to hate and blame his deceased Dom/Boss Nash, but Laurie won’t let them because he knew Nash was sick (mentally) and wasn’t in his right mind all the time. Where there was a romance in the book, and when Jeff comes back, I loved his reappearance scene; this was more of a journey type of story. Laurie is trying to deal with being an alcoholic, that he only just discovered his submissive tendencies with his Dom right before Nash’s death and the absence of his best friend just when he needs him most. Everyone keeps telling Laurie that Jeff loves him, but Laurie is afraid Jeff won’t be able to give him what he needs sexually (domination). Laurie also meets someone mid story who was very good for him; I actually liked this character and thought they were very sexy together. I honestly think he was better for Laurie than Jeff was. Jeff came back at the end of the book, declared he was a Dom, though a loving one, and he and Laurie just hooked up. Despite the fact that Laurie hadn’t known that Jeff was IN love with him before the kiss, and then Jeff disappeared right after that. So, it felt incomplete and I’m not sure Jeff and Laurie were the best match. I also had rather silly hopes that Laurie’s long lost brother, thought to be dead in the war, would resurface and maybe even be a good match for Jeff’s twin brother. I hope for a second book, because despite my protestations above, I actually did enjoy the book very much.
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