Bound: Forget Me Knot

by H.B. Pattskyn

Jason Kennly needs to get a closer look when he spots a gray leather collar from across the dealers’ room at a science fiction convention, even if there’s no way he can afford it on his college student budget. After all, looking is free. But then he spots something he wants even more than the leather booth owner Henry Durand, who insists Jason try it on. When Henry asks Jason to be his model at a bondage demo, Jason agrees despite his lack of experience as a sub and ends up spending a no-strings-attached weekend exploring his kinky side with a virtual stranger. Then the con is over, Jason and Henry go their separate ways, and it’s back to real life. Coming to terms with his identity as a submissive and masochist isn’t easy for Jason. Suddenly he has to face fear, doubt, and a best friend who’ll do anything to get him away from “that creep” and back together with the ex-boyfriend who ignored him. All Jason wants is to be with Henry, but what if that means becoming his slave?

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica, LGBT, Gay

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 23, 2012

About the author

Helen Barbara Pattskyn lives with her husband and children (both human and four footed) in a quiet suburb of Detroit, MI. She is working on becoming a full-time writer as well as doing volunteer work and still trying to find time to putter in her garden, watch the stars, and paint.

Helen describes herself as a storyteller, a science fiction geek, and a bookworm; as introverted, but not shy. Her favorite jobs (besides being a writer) have been hawking left-handed mugs at the Georgia and Michigan Renaissance Festivals and painting polyurethane corpses for Gag Studio. She’s also waited tables, cut fabric, and worked as a library assistant. If anyone ever asks, she describes her life as “quiet”—but even she’ll admit that when you condense it into two paragraphs, it suddenly looks a little more interesting.



Visit Helen’s website: http://helenpattskyn.com. You can also e-mail her at thylacine.yawn@gmail.com.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posted at Shelf Inflicted

I don’t read a lot of BDSM stories just because I associate them with pain and I really don’t get off on pain.

With the right partner, however, loving dominance and submission, bondage, spanking, and blindfolding can be extremely erotic.

Jason puts a lot of trust in Henry early on and though their sex was blisteringly hot, some of their encounters made me squirm a little. Boundaries were pushed, but I trusted that Henry would respect Jason’s hard and soft limits and at no time did he betray my trust.

Trust works both ways, according to Henry:

“I only just met you too, Jason. Trust is a two-way street. You have to trust that I’m not a psycho, and I have to trust that you’re not gonna go telling all your friends ‘bout how some creepy old dude raped you. I have to trust that you’re not gonna have second thoughts in the morning and call the cops.”

Henry may be an experienced Dom, but he also has a vulnerable and tender side that is not sufficiently explored in this story. Jason lacks confidence, has difficulty communicating his needs, and desperately needs acceptance. His on-off relationship with his boyfriend, Terry, is frustrating. Terry has been rather inconsiderate on numerous occasions and Jason is unable to let Terry know what he wants and needs. His best friend, Kendra, borders on being too meddlesome, but she genuinely cares for Jason and has a very good reason to be concerned about his relationship with Henry. Jason does not have a good relationship with his father, who was unexpectedly saddled with him after his mother’s death. Despite Jason’s flaws and his inability to effectively deal with the difficulties in his life, I found his character genuine and difficult to dislike. I enjoyed being a part of Jason’s thoughts while coming to terms with his submissive nature and enjoyed his conversations with Henry.

Though the time they spent together was rather short, Henry is eager to teach Jason while at the same time forming a gradual connection.

I hope in time they will fall in love and have a more balanced relationship. As things are now, Jason’s precarious situation has me very worried and he still has so much growing up to do.

I’m very much looking forward to the sequel.

Thanks to Logan for letting me borrow this.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance encounter over a grey leather collar, unleashes Jason's inner submissive... taking him to places he had only dared visit in a fantasy and the result... a beautifully narrated May/December BDSM Romance...4.5 stars - LOVED IT!!

This is my first book by Ms Pattskyn, a book I won't forget in a hurry and one I thoroughly enjoyed... It is told completely from Jason's point of view and how wonderful it was to be privy to the inner musings of this boy, confused by the sexual awakening of his subservient nature. Both Jason and Henry are such well developed characters with very clear voices and distinct personalities. All my motherly instincts engaged with Jason, I wanted nothing more than to delve into the pages, wrap him in my arms and smother him with hugs and kisses, whereas Henry our experienced Dom at 40 years old was all powerful, his voice and words alone seductive... Hell, I wanted to get down on my knees and kiss his feet!

When Jason admires the beauty of a handmade leather collar, with the feel of the leather and the thought of it against his skin arousing his baser instincts, little does he know that it will change his life forever. When not only does he want the collar but also the man responsible for it's making!

Henry Durand at 40 years old was drawn to this boy with no confidence... he saw Jason's desires hidden beneath the shy blushes, was aroused by the perfect submissive he saw deep down in the depths of his innocent eyes, as though pleading with him to take control, to show him the true euphoria he could experience.

This is Jason's first time in BDSM play and he is curious but has doubts... Is it just a kink? Is it something he really wants, or just a fantasy? questioning his own sanity at times for getting himself into this situation, but his body is in a state of "More Please Sir" and testing the limits of his desires!

I loved how his sensitive soul was displayed, how eager to please he was and his embarrassment at having to verbalise his desires. Something Henry was eager for him to do, to talk about his boundaries, to be more comfortable with his inner sub and to see that it is not abhorrent to be in the scene but that to some it was a normal way of life and to embrace it rather than be ashamed of what his heart and body is craving.

It was beautiful to see the connection between these two characters, how Jason was bursting with pride at Henry's complements, smiles and gestures of kindness... He was Henry's total focus, nothing else mattered in their time together, it was just the two of them and he was humbled that Henry would cherish him in such a way.

But this was a short term deal... the weekend only and now Jason is even more confused and lost than he was before and distraught at the thought of never seeing Henry again and with his insecurities playing out scenarios in his head, my heart was breaking for him!

They are separated by 8 hours, not conducive to a 24/7 master/slave relationship and with some misunderstanding and communication problems, Jason turns to his ex Terry, spurred on by his supposedly best friend Kendra! who as far as I am concerned needs a good slap and wake up call for her prejudices. What a bitch... she would be no friend of mine!

So, poor Jason... His best friend? chastises him on his choices, his Father is a mean uncaring bastard... his ex boyfriend has turned over a new leaf.. yeh right! and the only person who ever asks him what he wants, what he needs, the only person that really cares enough to ask in the first place is Henry. When he actually gives Jason the grey collar he so loved, that was it, I was crying again...

There are a couple of things that I feel I wanted more information on, firstly, what was Derrik doing in Henry's room at 4 in the morning? Business partners they may be, but that made me feel all wrong. Also they discuss the lifestyle and scene... Henry despite being committed to Jason still plays with other boys, yes... all be it they don't fuck but please, my blood was boiling... even I was jealous!

This is not hard core BDSM even though the play is pretty intense it is not humiliating or gross in any way, I felt Ms. Pattskyn was sympathetic to the lifestyle... but I am no expert!

Loved this book and I really do hope there will be a sequel as it is left as a HFN but I would like to see more, there is more to tell... I need it!

For more reviews please visit... Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews

[nark · Rating 1 out of 5]

SOS!! the dom has a creepy moustache, i can't read this

[Simsala · Rating 5 out of 5]

To get it out of the way...
The book contains some pretty harsh BDSM scenes - no edge play or humilation/public exposure but....Ouch! If this is not your cup of tea....

Did the story have flaws (for me)? Hmmmm...yes.
What rubbed me the wrong way was the first/initial scene:
Putting a rookie-sub through the wringer like that? Uh....the stuff Henry put out of his BDSM toy-box (and used!) would turn Conan into a sobbing mess - just saying.
(Ok, after that poor Jason knew what he was getting into...no doubt.)
AND - at the end of the story Henry didn`t say IT back.....why?

The story is 24/7 Master/slave romance only.
No sub-plot but I didn`t miss one. After the MCs met at a S/F convention and their first weekend together I resigned myself to reading one sex/BDSM scene after another but - to my surprise - it turned out to be a very well written and thought-out may/december (22/40) love story between an experienced Dom and a young going-to-be sub. I devoured it in one go and snarled at everyone who dared to interrupt me....

I loved the characters.
At first I pegged Henry as an all-knowing Dom (would have been a pet-peeve) who always knows what`s best for his sub but again I was wrong. He - like Jason - had his doubts and fears. He was able to apologize for mistakes and knew when to back up or to stop in the middle of a scene and take care of his boy. He put the needs of his sub first and saw his role as a Dom more like everyday guidance and support. But - oh man, what a sexy, deliciously evil, kinky son-of-a-prick (his words - not mine...) He could charm the pants off the saintest monk...

No such troubles with Jason. I just wanted to hug him, save him from
Henry`s clutches (at first), save him from his unloving father and family, his on/off boyfriend Terry and non-supporting soon-to-be-ex-best-friends. I usually don`t like when characters cry a lot but Jason was an exception. I felt with him, understood his fears and emotional turmoil (and "Conan"!). Not once did he come across as whiny.

Another forte of this story was the "not trying to explain" Jason`s need to submit. Aside from his mother`s death there were no traumatic events in his youth or abuse. He likes to submit, being whipped, likes to be disciplined and someone telling him what to do. In short - he wants Henry and HIS collar, damn it!

The icing on the cake was the music.
The String Quarted playing Metallica as background music in a BDSM scene. That did it!

The String Quartet Tribute to Metallica - Master Of Puppets
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5g5pWC...
"Say your prayers, little one".....how fitting....muhahahaha!
Later on I switched to Apocalyptica and I had a great book with a great soundtrack....made my day!!

NOTE:
I remembered a friend complaining in a review to H.B. Pattskyn`s first book about excessively using substitutes for first names like "smaller man/older man" and so on.
One of my favorite pet-peeves, too so I peeked at the expert to this book (oh, the cover!!!) at DSP through slightly spread fingers - ready to bolt but....they are gone. Vanished into thin air...thanks!

[Rosa, really · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

My review in a sentence. Or two.: Now this is BDSM done well. Not that I know jackshit, I'm just basing my opinion on other crappy books. I should also add that, after reading Gamble Everything (which I looove), it's not all that hardcore. But it probably is to anyone newish to the genre. (Ok, that's 4, now 5, sentences. Whatever.)


It is my pleasure to announce: The lack of shared bodily functions.

Thank god, there was no pissing on the sub. I live in fear of this particular event every time I pick up a BDSM book. Please no golden showers or Cleveland steamers or anything that involves the word "Sanchez." That is my HARD LIMIT.

Greatly relieved by: The lack of sounds.

I don't really mind reading about them. But every time I do the place where my pee pee would be burns in sympathy. I find myself clutching my va-jay-jay & thinking it's a good thing I don't have roommates 'cause that would be an odd position to be caught in. Actually, they'd probably just think I was masturbating so that would be ok.

It's not a Sean Michaels book: Thank ya, jeebus.

I used to read a LOT of books by her and I got so SICK of reading about Doms taking their subs out to dinner and then moaning over the deliciousness of loaded potato skins. I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT LOADED POTATO SKINS, GET TO THE FUCKING TORTUOUS FUCKING, PLEASE.

Okay, what I actually really liked: Henry, the Dom.

Even when Henry was being all big meany Dom, I felt he really cared about Jason. He stopped when he felt Jason had had enough (before Jason safeworded), he offered him water, stroked his hair, gave him kisses and called him "baby." (In a non annoying way, he didn't go to the "babies" too quickly.) Of course, he would then continue to beat Jason's ass with a leather paddle or a whip, but c'mon, that's why we're reading this, yes? Their relationship gave me a warm snuggly feeling - not quite on the level of Loving Jay - but I wouldn't expect that from a BDSM book anyway.

Jason, the BDSM Cinderella: He's a crier.

But I totally don't blame him! He's surrounded by assholes on all sides. From his father, who's just a shit, to his "BFF" Kendra, who needs to learn to shut the fuck up.

I'm also happy to find a BDSM book where the sub doesn't have some horrible event (like rape) that causes him to turn to a D/S relationship as a way to punish himself. This is the main reason I wasn't too enthused by Stripping the Pain. It read like the author just thought it would be awesome to add some hints of BDSM to represent the MCs inner pain. Which then disappears when met with a perfect, sparkly dick. A crappy childhood doesn't just disappear in the face of twuuuw wuuuv. And, damn, CAN'T A DUDE (OR DUDETTE) JUST ENJOY GETTING THEIR ASS BEAT?

Would've enjoyed more: A more complete ending.

There are several plot threads that still need to be addressed. For instance, Henry collars Jason, but doesn't return Jason's "I love you." Come the fuck on, Henry, you closed-mouthed bastard. Also, who the hell is Derrick, really, and what is he to Henry? It reminds me of the ending of Pressure Head. I really liked that book, I just would've enjoyed it more if I had known there was going to be a sequel at the time (there is one now). Thankfully, the author has the first 2 unedited chapters of the sequel on her website. It answers some questions that were left hanging at the end of this book. Also good news is that the author, as recently as a 5 months ago (March 2014) said she's going to start working on the sequel soonish.

Why I didn't read this book sooner. The mustache on the cover.

I know, I know! I'm shallow. But in my opinion, for whatever that's worth, men with mustaches either look like extras from Sooper Troopers or, you know, TOTAL DOUCHE BAGS. They're on a par with gentlemen who drive yellow Corvettes. (Ugh, can your dick get any smaller?) I don't mind light beardage, so I just ignored the mustache and pictured Viggo Mortensen:



Oh, yeeeeaaaah. *heavy breathing*

Lesson learned: Don't judge a book by it's mustache.

[Emma Sea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Simsala's review said it all.

I really, really enjoyed this story. Not hardcore BDSM but not sugar-kink: just highly satisfying restraint and flogging/paddling, with a very touching look inside the sub's headspace.

Please H.B. Pattskyn, will you write a sequel?

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big misunderstanding. I’m embarrassed to admit that I got this book for all the wrong reasons. With a recent Teen Wolf fanfic binge still fresh in mind, my brain short-circuited upon reading the word ‘knot’ as in werewolf shape-shifters ‘knotting’. Not as in knotting ropes for BDSM scenes. Huh? Yeah, that’s why I’m ashamed to disclose my inadequate thought-process.

So this is formalized BDSM with a capital ‘F’. The BDSM here is entirely safe, sane and consensual. As opposed to the more hardcore BDSM books out there, this one has a cozy feel to it. It manages to be kind of heartwarming without becoming too much of a cotton candy fest. There are cups of water in-between whipping sessions, evaluations and reassurances afterwards and moral messages aplenty. I suppose there’s always people who will find fault with any Dom (after all, Doms are people too), but this Dom right here strikes me as a pretty established fellow. He’s a little rough around the edges, but genuine and caring. Therefore he’s a perfect match to his new submissive; that typical insecure ‘puppy dog’ youngster who is only just discovering his kinks. What follows is a blossoming relationship between the MCs, while the obligatory meddling female friend and the uncomprehending ex-lover circle around on the periphery.

The main reason for my lackluster reaction to Forget me Knot is not that BDSM ‘manual style’ leaves me bored and cold. Although it does. No, it’s that this book doesn’t offers any surprises. If you’re not new to the genre, you won’t find many exciting and thought-provoking ideas, characters or plotlines here. Both characters were a bit on the stereotypical side for me, the sob-fest sub especially. Add to this that there was a mechanical and repetitive feel to the sex scenes, and that the author left less room for your own interpretation that I would have liked (the behavior of the characters was all very much spelled out), and I decided to let this book go gently, in the form of a ‘Me Not You’ case.

Me dubbing Forget Me Knot standard fare isn’t necessarily a bad thing though! If you love all the common tropes that come with this genre, I think this will be a perfectly safe bet for you. It’s written alright, it’s neither hardcore nor overly mushy and it’s well-loved among many M/M BDSM readers.

[Danny Tyran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this story fit the usual mould of BDSM novel (i.e. older Dom, younger sub, etc.), I really loved this novel. I loved the D/s dynamic and there was enough BDSM to please me too.

In some novels (bdsm and otherwise), it is hard to believe that the couple feels any affection for each other. It feels cold. That is not the case with this book. Jason and Henry feel so much affection and love for each other in such a clear and blatant manner that the reader can't help but feel affection for them. Jason was mischievous and lovable, keeping Henry on his toes. Henry was a strong character. He was affectionate while maintaining clear dominant control. He made the decisions. They were a good pair.

The author used good grammar. I just noted a couple of little mistakes (e.g. "quite" instead of "quiet"). The story flowed well and made sense. There was enough action and tension to make it interesting without there being so much it felt overly dramatic and fake.

I didn't give this book five stars because in my opinion the book ended too abruptly. While the couple is finally together there are questions left unanswered. I would have liked the last chapter to continue and show us the answer to those questions. If there was a sequel to this (I hope there will be), then the ending wouldn't be too bad. I guess I just wanted everything more set in stone and decided. I wanted to see how Jason adapted to the big changes in his life based on his father's decision. The ending let us imagine a lot of interesting possibilities for the future of the two main characters.

Overall, a great book if you want to feel a couple's affection for each other, rather than just lust (though there's that too), but be prepared to be left with some questions at the end.

[Awilk -never sleeps- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how I feel about this book. I liked parts, I loved parts and other parts made me wonder why I was reading it. The good was more then the bad, and I would like a sequel, as the ending was abrupt.
Parts of the domination in this book was a little too much for me, not that it disturbed me, but I didn't think it was responsible for a Dom to start out with a person who was only starting to feel his way with this lifestyle, with such an intense session. That made it too hard for me to engage my heart with these characters, so I had to drop back my rating a little.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense and fast-paced journey for Jason as he takes his first step into the waters he's been eyeing for years. Except that first step is an awfully big one and he gets deep--fast.

For a Master/slave story this is very loving. Often when you read these, they come across as My-Way-or-The-Highway, but though Henry is hardcore, his strength and dedication come through crystal clear. He pushes Jason faster than I'd think possible, but that's because he sees something in him that he's trying to allow to emerge--that's been buried for years. Jason's worries and fears and the actions of good-intentioned friends and less so family are in direct conflict of where he thinks he wants to go.

There are hurdles to be jumped and Jason has to make decisions. I really enjoyed the perspective on an emerging slave's mind and the obstacles and rewards he faces.

Favorite quote:

“I really don’t know. If you’re the one making all the decisions, he can’t just tell you no.”

“Like hell he can’t! If I completely ignore my boy’s limits and desires and try to force him into something that’s no good for him, then I don’t deserve his service. If he was smart, something I know you are, he would take my collar off his neck and throw it in my face. He’d tell me where to go and how to get there and in exactly what position I should fuck the horse I rode in on.”

[H.B. Pattskyn]

My second novel, Bound: Forget Me Knot, is a very, very different story from my first book, Heart's Home.

It isn't just that it's a contemporary and pretty hard-hitting BDSM novel (pun intended!) It's steamier, sexier, kinkier, and realistically, it's purely a romance (i.e., there isn't any kind of major subplot). It's also told exclusively from one character's POV, rather than alternating between MCs. It meant losing some great material (like Henry's conversations with other people regarding his new "boy"), but in the end, it felt like the best way to tell the story.

Bound starts out in a real place I know pretty well: a science fiction convention, specifically ConFusion, which I've been attending for the past 20 years (which is only partially true, I took a good chunk off in the middle of that 20 years, but the point is, I was around 20 years ago ;-) As for whether or not I ever picked anybody up at a con...well, a lady doesn't kiss and tell!

Seriously, as "hard hitting" as Bound is, it is at it's heart a romance. It's about two people finding love and acceptance and most of all a place to call home.

One last note...mild spoiler.... I know this presses some people's buttons the wrong way. There's some mild infidelity (before the relationship gets solidly cemented). I knew when I was writing it that it was something that I would take a few hits for, but it's the way the story played out. Basically, sometimes we humans do stupid things, especially when we're feeling lost, hurt, or confused. But sometimes out of those moments of stupidity wonderful things are born.....

[Mouse · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I had a difficult time getting through this book because I became angry repeatedly and had to put it down. The writing was pretty good. I think I would have enjoyed it if it didn't grate so much.

Reasons for irritation/hate:

-- within a span of ... an hour?... the Dom is pushing for the sub to "trust him" for VERY HEAVY PLAY. Without explanation. Without boundaries. Without discussion! In private!!!! fucking ridiculous.

-- They sign a contract which states: the sub can't play with anyone else, but the dom is free to as long as he doesn't penetrate the other guy. WTF? How fucking fair is that?! Yes, it's a power exchange, but it's also a fucking RELATIONSHIP.

-- The sub acts and is treated like a fucking doormat. I hate how everyone treats him poorly. I hate how he allows himself to be treated poorly. It's stupid. He has zero support from ANYWHERE. ugh. so it starts to feel like Stockholm syndrome.

-- the punishments came out of nowhere for ZERO reason. Yes, "reason" was given. But. It was fucked up. If you're going to have a d/s exchange that has discipline, then at least make it fair. STUPID.

[Pixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve come to recognize taking an overnight to come up with my review/rating is probably never a good thing. This book, man what a nice cover. I think I’m torn because while the sex stuff was sexy…there was something amiss. Henry, while I didn’t personally see the appeal, I liked that he was written as a regular 40 year old. He made some mistakes, primarily I think because the guy liked to get his sleep. He meets a kid at a conference he’s working and he just can’t help himself. Jason is walking around sending some hanky advertisement that he enjoys being bound and Henry is a rope guy…and a leather guy….and a flogging guy BUT we’ll get to that. Jason has been experimenting with his on again off again boyfriend, not safely, not in the right way, but enough to know he wants more so when Henry offers him the chance he is all in. One night turns into two and Jason cannot get Henry out of his mind, unfortunately Jason is 22 living at his dad’s house, 8 hours away from Henry. Things happen, they keep in touch, meet up once more, talk on the phone, drama & a HFN (?).

So my biggest issue was Jason…he is young, inexperienced, insecure and honestly a bit of a push over. To me Jason seemed to be a guy who swayed the way of either 1. Whoever had the strongest opinion or 2. Whoever was the one with his attention right now. Jason is a people pleaser and by the end of the book I started to worry for him. Jason kind of gets kicked out, he’s in the process of cutting off ties basically from not only his best friend but actually everyone he knows (which isn’t too many people) and who swoops in for the rescue…yup Henry the guy he’s known for a brief 5 months, who lives 8 hours away and is kinkier than Jason knows how to deal with. By the end of the book Jason is leaving abruptly (doesn’t even unregister from school or contact his job to give notice) and meeting Henry 4 hours away with all his worldly belongings to live with Henry. Henry of course comes in like a white knight complete with collar & lock (Henry will hold the key of course).

I don’t have a problem with the age gap but Jason seems a bit…desperate??? Weak??? Uncertain? Another reviewer noted how while I wouldn’t say Henry did anything non-consensual to Jason, he definitely pushed Jason beyond his comfort zone and I’m not 100% sure if Jason was willing or just so worried if he didn’t go along Henry would find someone else to play with. Jason, not the smartest, joins an unknown man in his hotel room (guys definitely bigger), doesn’t tell anyone where he is going, and allows that guys to tie him up (I swear this is how people murder you, seriously Craigslist killer). The guy then paddle, flogs, etc. him. I think at one point Jason is gagged, when he asks what about his safe word, Henry says just trust me I’ll know when you’ve reached your limit. Really??? After a day??? There did seem to be one time in particular where Jason did feel like he had found his limit, he told Henry he was hurting him, he didn’t seem to be enjoying what was being done, and Henry was all….your fine just work past it (um excuse me…). As someone else said when the book started Jason indicated he had a desire to be bound at no point did he say he wanted to explore everything else nor did he say he was particularly fond of pain.


So I guess with how the book ended I was left with a feeling of worry… This could be the start of a story about a 22 year old kid who finds the kinky love of his life OR most likely this is the story of a 22 year old kid who goes off with an older stranger who takes advantage of him or hurts him in ways he could never imagine.

[Reflection · Rating 4 out of 5]

'..."I'm not expecting cabaret boy, just take your clothes off and let me get a better look at you"...'

I wasn't entirely sure that I would like this book, the start felt like BDSM 101 and the story contains some pretty harsh scenes - between 22 year old student Jason and his lover turned master Henry.

I should not have worried, both these guys captured my heart.
There is a great deal of discipline and punishment. Indeed virtually every encounter resulted in punishment for Jason, but there was also humour and heart too, as Henry and Jason fight the chemistry and take their time to ponder not only their age difference but also the possibility of a long distance relationship. They originally meet at a convention and in the heat of passion, Henry becomes an ad hoc mentor whilst Jason explores his submissive and masochistic sides.

Henry is careful to ensure that Jason makes his own choices, however should Jason chose him, he is a demanding master.

'...he tugged Jason's collar around his neck so the clasp was in the front. "Being somebody's slave is about more than being able to do what your told,Jason. Anybody can follow orders, even me. Belonging to another man's about...it's about giving him every part of you. It's about trusting me, knowing I'd never intentionally do wrong by you..."'

I think I would have preferred if the book had continued the story of their relationship just a little bit longer, but it leaves the option for a sequel, and I for one, would be agog.

[Feliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read-through 10/21/12

A mixed-feelings book for me. The story in and of itself was good, and the romance was really sweet, despite the bondage, whips, floggers and sundry other toys.
Jason, though... So what if his dad didn't actually jump from joy at having a seventeen year old son he'd never even known existed sprung at him out of the blue? So what if Jason was barely on sufferance in his father's house, not lastly because of his nonconformist lifestyle? From what I read, Jason, for his part, didn't give a damn about his father's life either. Disrespect for disrespect, he reaped what he sowed. No need to whine about it.
Henry actually got it in one. Jason is a damsel in distress if there ever was one, completely with running from parental care right into spousal dependency. Though, apparently the latter was exactly what both of them needed, so the relationship made sense.
The book ended on a wholly satisfactory HFN for me and made me curious about where Henry and Jason are going to go from there. If there were to be a sequel, I'd certainly read it.

Update to add 4/20/15:

I liked this a whole lot better once I'd translated it. Sure, Jason is still a bit whiny, and Henry some kind of uber-Dom-father-figure no matter what both think. But the combination of rather rough play and sweet romance really got me this time around. So, four stars.

[Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm about to make a fishing analogy. NO! Stay with me. We'll start slowly. Take my hand.

When fishing the objective is to catch the fish. In order to accomplish this you have to set the hook AND reel it in. Sometimes you think you've done this but then all the sudden, the fish is gone! I thought I was hooked pretty early on in this one but Ms. Pattskyn failed to reel in the fish or in this case, me.

Don't get me wrong, there's good stuff here but there was no…

*nod to Thor: The Dark World (HELL TO THE YEAH!!!!)

I appreciated the focus on SSC. I liked their play; liked the boundary pushing. I liked how patient & communicative Henry was with Jason. I really, really liked the lack of melodrama. I enjoyed the relatable dialogue betwixt the two. I liked both of them although I wish I could read a D/s tale wherein the sub wasn't a stuttering, blushing, crying mess 80-90% of the time, but that seems to be de rigueur. I empathized with Jason & the shitty hand he's been dealt. I just never became invested in them.

They didn't WOW me.

It actually became a little dry. Teachy. This is the first book I can recall where I hated all of the secondary characters. All of them.

[Td · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intense and surprisingly sweet story with very likeable main characters...the same can't be said for some of the side characters. >:( What I liked the most after the initial dive-in-head-first of a weekend was how Henry and Jason got to know each other, how they explored what worked specifically for them and how they dealt with the questions, the doubts,the fears and the bumps along the way. Jason came across very believable to me and he wormed his way into my heart quick! I found the ending somewhat convenient and a little rushed but it wasn't anything major taking the story as a whole and I very much enjoyed it.

[El Ma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Und wieder habe ich ein Buch gelesen, das ich bereits kurz nach seinem Erscheinen gekauft und dann auf dem Reader habe schlummern lassen. Warum ich “Das graue Halsband” so stiefmütterlich behandelt habe, kann ich heute gar nicht mehr sagen, doch das ging mir in der Vergangenheit ja mit anderen Büchern – die mich dann umgehauen haben – auch schon so.
Da ich in letzter Zeit immer häufiger über das Thema BDSM gestolpert bin, habe ich mich in der Vergangenheit schon über diverse Bücher (z.B. von T.C. Jayden, A.C. Lelis und einigen mehr) her gemacht. All diese Bücher sind eine Leseempfehlung wert – keine Frage, ich hätte sie aber – mit dem Wissen von heute – lieber erst nach “Das graue Halsband” lesen wollen. Nicht weil irgendetwas an den genannten Büchern “falsch” ist, sondern weil einige davon doch relativ “kühle” Sessions beschreiben, bei denen der typische Romance-Leser eben genau diese “Romantik” vermisst. Mittlerweile habe ich gelernt, dass es Pairings gibt, die, wenn sie in einer Session sind, eben genau diese Emotionen außen vor lassen und “privates” von den “Sitzungen” trennen – eine Vorstellung, die mir vom persönlichen Verständnis bzgl. einer Partnerschaft sehr schwer fiel.
Das ich das Buch überhaupt gelesen habe, habe ich Jules zu verdanken. Er hat auf seinem Blog doch schon so einiges über BDSM inkl. diverser Rezensionen (die zu “Das graue Halsband” findet ihr hier) zu Büchern aus diesem Genre geschrieben und hat mir – nachdem er für mich, bei Rückfragen zu diesem Thema, immer ein offenes Ohr hatte – dieses Buch ans Herz gelegt, da mir bei vielen anderen Büchern einfach das “Gefühl” gefehlt hat. Mit eben dieser Empfehlung hat er mir den Glauben daran, dass BDSM eben nicht nur “mechanisch” ist und eine Technik “abarbeitet”, zurückgegeben. Es geht eben sehr wohl auch mit Gefühl und Zärtlichkeit :-)

“Das graue Halsband” ist bisher das meiner Meinung nach beste Buch, das ich zum Themenbereich BDSM lesen durfte. H.B. Pattskyn erzählt so ganz nebenbei, dass man als Neuling in diesem Bereich unsicher sein darf, dass Lesen von “Technik”-Büchern alleine nicht genügt und das blindes Vertrauen keine gute Startposition ist, um sich einem “Master” auszuliefern. Gleichzeitig beschreibt sie aber auch, dass ein “Master” eine Riesenverantwortung für seinen “Boy” (ich fand diesen Ausdruck so liebevoll ;-) ) hat, aber halt auch nicht davor gefeit ist, Fehler zu machen, die durchaus auch zu traumatischen Erfahrungen für den devoten Partner führen können.
Eben genau diese Kombination “Verlangen, Vertrauen, Gefühle und Emotionen” in diesem Buch haben mir “den Glauben” daran zurückgegeben, dass BDSM nicht nur “Handlung” ist. Für mich gehören – wenn man nicht in einen Club geht und nur einmal eine Session haben will – unbedingt zwischenmenschliche Gesten dazu. Dies hat die Autorin wunderbar rübergebracht :-)

Sie erzählt aber auch, welch Vorurteile dadurch geschürt werden, wenn gewaltbereite Menschen/Schläger, unter dem Deckmantel BDSM, einfach nur ihr Gewaltpotential ausleben.

Jason und Henry sind ein tolles Pairing, ich kann jetzt nicht sagen, wer mir lieber war, wobei ich beide zwischendurch gerne mal geschüttelt hätte *g*. Jason, ist der devote, unentschlossene und bequeme junge Mann, der sich seinem Schicksal ergeben hat und sich darin suhlt. Das er auch anders kann und er mit seinen Aufgaben wächst, ist eine Entwicklung in diesem Buch, die mir persönlich sehr gut gefallen hat. Von Henry erfährt man im Laufe des Buches ein bisschen mehr, aber eigentlich bleibt sein Hintergrund lange im Dunkeln und so richtig tief wird auf ihn auch nicht wirklich eingegangen. Da die Geschichte ja aus Jasons Sicht erzählt wird, passen die Informationen, die man über Henry erhält durchaus.

Zwischen den beiden Hauptprotagonisten gibt es Gefühle, dies spürt man beim Lesen, und genau dadurch wurde diese Geschichte für mich greifbar. Wie diese sich entwickeln und wie die beiden damit umgehen wird von der Autorin sehr gut und teils sehr intensiv erzählt.

Mit Jasons Freunden und Familie tat ich mich etwas schwer. Wie ich seine BF Kendra einordnen soll, weiß ich auch nach Beendigung des Buches nicht, aber hier hat Jason die meiner Meinung nach richtige Entscheidung getroffen. Sein On-/Off-Freund ist… ohne Worte.

Ob jemand in einer BDSM-Beziehung auch als Sklave leben will, muss er selbst entscheiden. H.B. Pattskyn hat einen Weg aufgezeigt, wie eine Entwicklung sein kann. Auch das ein vermeintlich schwacher Sub (denn das sind Subs mMn keinesfalls, genauso wenig wie Bottoms immer passiv sein müssen ;-) ) durchaus eine eigene Meinung haben kann/darf/soll und dass der handelnde “Master” eine Riesenverantwortung für seinen “Boy” hat, bringt sie sehr gut rüber.

"Das Weiche besiegt das Harte, das Schwache triumphiert über das Starke." (Laotse)

Ich ziehe meinen Hut vor dieser gelungenen Darstellung einer BDSM-Beziehung und würde jedem, der einen Einstieg in dieses Buchgenre sucht, dieses Buch wärmstens empfehlen, denn es zeigt – wie gesagt – auf, dass es nicht nur eine rein technische Abwicklung von Abläufen ist, sondern es sehr wohl mit Zärtlichkeit, Verständnis, Wärme und Zuneigung einhergehen kann.

Ein winzig kleines Manko hat dieses Buch dennoch: Es hört einfach auf…
Vielleicht gibt es ja doch noch irgendwann eine Sidestory, eine Parallelgeschichte aus der Sicht von Henry (seine Sicht hätte mich auch sehr interessiert & welche Rolle spielt Derrik?), in der man dann auch eine Art Epilog (… nach sechs Monaten, einem Jahr) ergänzen kann. Keine Frage, die Geschichte ist “fertig” und dennoch… man will mehr *g*.

[Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Henry smiled when he slid a Pat Benatar CD into the player; it was the one with "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" on it.' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzK6Gm...

Enjoyable erotic m/m novel which addresses the issue of a bdsm lifestyle. Seems like there should be a sequel. Jason finds everything he has been searching for when Dom Henry (18 years his senior) uses him as a model for a bondage demonstration at a sci-fi convention.

In my head, all twinks are Gerard Way, he even has exchangeable hair colour!

"If I completely ignore my boy's limits and desires and try to force him into something that's no good for him, then I don't deserve his service. If he was smart, something I know you are, he would take my collar off his neck and throw it in my face. He'd tell me where to go and how to get there and in exactly what position I should fuck the horse I rode in on."

[Dee Wy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4 - Jason and Henry meet at a convention where Henry (in his forties) is selling leather goods. Jason is a budget-challenged college student who has a great deal of interest in BDSM and is drawn to Henry's booth when he spots a grey leather collar that calls to him. This May/December pairing seemed to work pretty well for both of them and I did enjoy the story.

There were times though when I felt the story dragged a bit and I had trouble connecting and or understanding where Henry was coming from as we only get Jason's POV. Jason I really liked and understood, Henry not so much. He felt a bit cold to me, even though he always seemed to do the right thing for Jason. I think Henry just needed a bit more character depth with more apparent emotions. His POV occasionally would have really helped, or at least some more conversation to show us what he was thinking.

So overall, good read but just missing a little something for me to really love it.

[S.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've literally just finished this and have tears in my eyes. I wasn't sure how I felt about this book while I was reading it - Jason had shit friends, a shit boyfriend and a worse than shit dad, but he was such a lovely person. Insecure, real, human - his inner dialogue was so SPOT ON that i felt like I was eavesdropping.

I wanted to know more about Henry then I realised that I did. His favourite ice cream, pizza, how much he loved Jason, how scared he was about the May/December thing.

The sex scenes were hot, the BDSM pretty much blistered the page, but the biggest thing I took from this was how much the two of them cared. Jason wanting to learn to do massages is probably why I'm crying - it just sums up how much these two cared for each other.

I gotta check my reading budget to see if I can go buy everything Pattskyn has written.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Its a simple romance of two people who belong together. I need a sequel as I'm desperate to know how Henry and Jason adapt to their new arrangement!

[Valentina Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite brilliant really.

This review was originally written for MM Good Book Reviews and can also be found there.

From the first pages of this book I just knew it was perfect for me. I was somewhat skeptical getting into another story about the lifestyle, but H.B. Pattskyn put my fears to rest quickly and I was just thrilled to be able to add another brilliant author to my list of those I should keep an eye on.

I do sound somewhat ominous, don’t I? Well, I guess you just have to meet Jason and Henry first to understand what I mean.

Jason is a student working his way through school with a rough background and an exhausting home life. His only reprieve is the science fiction convention where he came to let loose, enjoy and forget about his trouble, even if only for a little while. He had no idea one stand and a collar would change his life in a heartbeat.

Henry sells custom leather products and looks the role. He oozes masculinity and dominance and Jason all but whimpers at the sight, touch and the first word. Yeah, he’s pretty much smitten, only for a moment he’s not quite sure if it’s the feel of the collar around his neck making him week at the knees or the man fastening it.

A May/December novel with almost twenty year age gap between the characters was rather refreshing for the author’s thoughtful way of putting an inexperienced Jason through his paces and giving Henry a vulnerable side that slips through his dominant personality just in the right places. The sex was phenomenal, super-hot and exciting without it overwhelming the book. Despite the subject, this story had a solid plot that revolved around the characters, their doubts, insecurities and the road they needed to take to be happy.

Of course, things are never easy in life and there had to be at least one insufferable best friend and an ex who doesn’t accept the fact that the relationship is over. There was nothing I didn’t like in this story and can recommend it to everyone who thinks the subject might interest them. The scenes between Jason and Henry are intense as well as explicit which I of course loved, but someone else might not. I would like to include a small cheating tag in there as well, because it does happen and while I didn’t even blink over it for how expected it was for me, others might appreciate knowing it is there.

This is spicy enough to appeal to a lot of readers, but combined with the beautiful writing and exceptional characterization, it’s a book for every fan’s shelf.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review (with some slight spoilers) can be found at On Top Down Under Book Reviews.


There are times when I end a book at a complete loss over how I will rate and review it. Bound: Forget Me Knot is one of them. I finished this book hours ago and have fought with my review ever since. I enjoyed the story, obviously, or I would not be rating it 4 stars. However, this book has two of my biggest pet peeves in it. One was resolved (in a way, though not completely) as I found out later that Henry and Jason's story continues on the author's website. The other is still there which is one of the reasons I am rating this 4 stars instead of 5.

The BDSM, I felt, was written well. I enjoyed all of the characters, even the bad ones... and believe me, this book is full of characters the reader will love to hate. With the exception of a few (not minor) things, I found the book to be entertaining. As I am not one to stalk author websites for updates it is up in the air at this point whether I will see Henry and Jason's story to completion.

Overall, a good book but one that left me a bit frustrated once I got to the end.


This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do I remove a spoiler alert?? Lol anyway...

4.5 stars definitely. I thoroughly like Henry and Jason and am dying to read more about them. One of the better BDSM books out there; even though I am not in the lifestyle I've read a lot of these M/M books related to the subject and thought this one was so good with the details. It's obvious this author either knows of what she writes or did a lot of research.

Jason did a lot of crying but not in a whiny annoying way. I'd cry too it I were him. Henry was strong, sexy and kinky, even if I abhor mustaches. :) I like how the author made him flawed and human, not your typical all knowing Dom.

This book is a must-read and a read-again. I saw that the author will be writing more Henry and Jason and I can't wait. I also hope she writes a novel about Derrick because he sounds like an asshole but he's a HOTTT asshole. Unf! HB Pattskyn is now on my auto buy list for sure.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best D/s book I've read in a while....God Jason's vulnerability, his need...the characterization of it all; his douche of a dad, asshole BF, bitch of a girlfriend, and the wonderfulness that was Henry made me bawl like a damn baby. I like this Helen-lady and I'm excited to read whatever she writes next.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was enjoying this story very much right up until the abrupt ending. I really wanted to see Jason settled and happy after what he went through with his deadbeat Dad and the HFN?? ending was (for me) unsatisfying. I really hope there'll be a sequel at some point.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequel please:)

[Isa K.]

This book was made for this shelf :D :D :D ~*~*~OMGZ~*~*~

[ML Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

May December with a bdsm twist. Not bad.