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BDSM Universe
Ricochet
When the right dom is all wrong!
Even in a BDSM universe, where everyone is bisexual and identifies as dom or sub, finding the right partner isn’t always easy.
Matt is a big star on the hit TV show, Collar Crime, and he’s looking for a dom who ticks all the right boxes, including being as tidy and organized as himself.
That definitely isn’t his chaotic co-star, Rick, with his spanking fetish and habit of tying a different sub to his bed every night.
When Matt meets the perfect dom he’s swept off his feet, but he soon discovers that being pursued by a handsome, controlling billionaire isn’t the erotic fantasy he’d imagined.
Maybe the right dom for him is the one he thought was all wrong...
Content advisory: m/m BDSM, one or two glimpses of f/m
Even in a BDSM universe, where everyone is bisexual and identifies as dom or sub, finding the right partner isn’t always easy.
Matt is a big star on the hit TV show, Collar Crime, and he’s looking for a dom who ticks all the right boxes, including being as tidy and organized as himself.
That definitely isn’t his chaotic co-star, Rick, with his spanking fetish and habit of tying a different sub to his bed every night.
When Matt meets the perfect dom he’s swept off his feet, but he soon discovers that being pursued by a handsome, controlling billionaire isn’t the erotic fantasy he’d imagined.
Maybe the right dom for him is the one he thought was all wrong...
Content advisory: m/m BDSM, one or two glimpses of f/m
495 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2012
224 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
Xanthe Walter
35 books229 followersXanthe has been writing for most of her life, creating hundreds of short stories, novellas, and novels. Born in London, England, she puts her drama degree to good use by creating dramatic adventures about gorgeous men!
She had a day job for many moons, but when she discovered the wonderful world of MM fanfiction, she knew she'd found her tribe!
She wrote in fandom for over a decade, winning many awards, before transitioning to professional writing in 2012 with the BDSM romp, Ricochet.
Xanthe writes genre-defying MM romances, skilfully weaving murder mysteries, sci-fi, and fantasy into compelling love stories. Her books often contain plenty of spice, as well as the occasional sprinkling of BDSM.
If you enjoy MM romance and relish engaging novels with well-written characters, then jump on board her emotional rollercoaster!
Sometimes she goes to dark places, but you're guaranteed payoffs that hit the sweet spot and make the journey truly memorable.
When she's not writing, Xanthe is a musical theatre fan, geeks out on Tudor history, and never says no to a proper cream tea! She splits her time between London and Somerset with her two beautiful cats.
Come and join her on her friendly Facebook group Xanthology.
She had a day job for many moons, but when she discovered the wonderful world of MM fanfiction, she knew she'd found her tribe!
She wrote in fandom for over a decade, winning many awards, before transitioning to professional writing in 2012 with the BDSM romp, Ricochet.
Xanthe writes genre-defying MM romances, skilfully weaving murder mysteries, sci-fi, and fantasy into compelling love stories. Her books often contain plenty of spice, as well as the occasional sprinkling of BDSM.
If you enjoy MM romance and relish engaging novels with well-written characters, then jump on board her emotional rollercoaster!
Sometimes she goes to dark places, but you're guaranteed payoffs that hit the sweet spot and make the journey truly memorable.
When she's not writing, Xanthe is a musical theatre fan, geeks out on Tudor history, and never says no to a proper cream tea! She splits her time between London and Somerset with her two beautiful cats.
Come and join her on her friendly Facebook group Xanthology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
May 21, 2020
I love this book so hard. This is not your avarage BDSM book. It's unique and just so good.
This book sucked me in from the first page. The writing was just how I like it. The author knew just when to slow down and when to speed things up. While reading other books I often want more details or there are so much of them it feels like detail-overload. But not here. I never felt as if things were skipped or that things moves too slow. I really loved it. This book is long, but I never felt even slightly bored. It had just enough pages for this slow burning romance.
And what a wonderful world Xanthe Walter created! It was absolutely hilarious. We have naked gagged subs in restaurants, group marriages, public spankings, you name it. In this world you’re either a sub, a dom or a switch. All are equal and how you satisfy your inner dom or sub is up to you. If it is only in the bedroom or in everyday life, all is possible.
Matt and Rick are both actors in the very popular show Collars and Crime. Rick is a dom who plays a sub on the show and is always goofing around on the set. Matt is the shy newcomer and because of his OCD, he has to count everything, all the time. He likes everything to be in order and hates surprises.
These two shouldn’t be compatible, with Rick’s laidback attitude and Matt’s uptight routines, but they become very good friends. It is their differences that make it fun. When Rick is told by the show's director he has to be more responsible so he won't get into trouble anymore, he loses his spark. He can't bring any more bad publicity to the show. No more clubbing and bedding a different sub every night. He gets depressed.. Mainly because he misses handing out spankings! Yes, these people take their spankings very seriously.
The rest of the crew misses Rick’s jokes so they draw straws. The one with the shortest straw has to offer himself up as a daily spanking buddy to Rick. And of course…. Matt is the lucky ‘winner’. So their friendship evolves in to something more of the spankish kind. Luckily both of them enjoy their agreement, although there is no sex involved.
After several weeks of fun spanking sessions something changes.. When Matt reads in his script he has to do a very explicit sex scene, where he would be tied up, he is scared to death! So Rick, being the knight in shining armor he is, offers to help him with this specific scene. He suggests they play a scene where Matt will be tied up, just like in the script. Matt has to learn to surrender to a dom and Rick gets to have a chance to channel his inner dom.
So yes, there will be sex. And it was HOT HOT HOT!
After this mind-blowing experience Matt is shocked to find himself in love with Rick. But Rick is convinced he is not relationship material and Matt will only get hurt. But will he still be able to deny his feelings when Matt starts dating another dom?
Rick and Matt were such great characters! Finally not the standard overpowering arrogant dom and the shy sub. Rick was always pulling pranks on set and was not your typical dom.
Rick saved his pièce de résistance for Karl, who discovered in the middle of a scene that all his props had been replaced by various sex toys. Unfazed, he smoothly delivered his dialogue into a butt plug instead of a cell phone, not once breaking character.
Rick’s dom just came out to play whenever he and Matt were in the bedroom… or having one of their spanking sessions.
And Matt was sweet and a bit shy, but he was also very combustible and always ready to take on Rick. These two were equals in every way. They were just playing very hot power games in the bedroom.
This world was so much fun. I was constantly laughing my ass off, even though it was not all fun and games. There was some angst and I desperately wanted to kill that stupid dom, Sebastian Rule, trying to date Matt. But you just know everything will work out once Rick pulls his head out if his ass. And it did. Matt and Rick were amazing together. I loved how they were best friends in everyday life but became sub and dom in the bedroom.
And now I want the t-shirt: ’You want to spank me and you know it!’
This book sucked me in from the first page. The writing was just how I like it. The author knew just when to slow down and when to speed things up. While reading other books I often want more details or there are so much of them it feels like detail-overload. But not here. I never felt as if things were skipped or that things moves too slow. I really loved it. This book is long, but I never felt even slightly bored. It had just enough pages for this slow burning romance.
And what a wonderful world Xanthe Walter created! It was absolutely hilarious. We have naked gagged subs in restaurants, group marriages, public spankings, you name it. In this world you’re either a sub, a dom or a switch. All are equal and how you satisfy your inner dom or sub is up to you. If it is only in the bedroom or in everyday life, all is possible.
Matt and Rick are both actors in the very popular show Collars and Crime. Rick is a dom who plays a sub on the show and is always goofing around on the set. Matt is the shy newcomer and because of his OCD, he has to count everything, all the time. He likes everything to be in order and hates surprises.
These two shouldn’t be compatible, with Rick’s laidback attitude and Matt’s uptight routines, but they become very good friends. It is their differences that make it fun. When Rick is told by the show's director he has to be more responsible so he won't get into trouble anymore, he loses his spark. He can't bring any more bad publicity to the show. No more clubbing and bedding a different sub every night. He gets depressed.. Mainly because he misses handing out spankings! Yes, these people take their spankings very seriously.
The rest of the crew misses Rick’s jokes so they draw straws. The one with the shortest straw has to offer himself up as a daily spanking buddy to Rick. And of course…. Matt is the lucky ‘winner’. So their friendship evolves in to something more of the spankish kind. Luckily both of them enjoy their agreement, although there is no sex involved.
After several weeks of fun spanking sessions something changes.. When Matt reads in his script he has to do a very explicit sex scene, where he would be tied up, he is scared to death! So Rick, being the knight in shining armor he is, offers to help him with this specific scene. He suggests they play a scene where Matt will be tied up, just like in the script. Matt has to learn to surrender to a dom and Rick gets to have a chance to channel his inner dom.
So yes, there will be sex. And it was HOT HOT HOT!
After this mind-blowing experience Matt is shocked to find himself in love with Rick. But Rick is convinced he is not relationship material and Matt will only get hurt. But will he still be able to deny his feelings when Matt starts dating another dom?
Rick and Matt were such great characters! Finally not the standard overpowering arrogant dom and the shy sub. Rick was always pulling pranks on set and was not your typical dom.
Rick saved his pièce de résistance for Karl, who discovered in the middle of a scene that all his props had been replaced by various sex toys. Unfazed, he smoothly delivered his dialogue into a butt plug instead of a cell phone, not once breaking character.
Rick’s dom just came out to play whenever he and Matt were in the bedroom… or having one of their spanking sessions.
And Matt was sweet and a bit shy, but he was also very combustible and always ready to take on Rick. These two were equals in every way. They were just playing very hot power games in the bedroom.
This world was so much fun. I was constantly laughing my ass off, even though it was not all fun and games. There was some angst and I desperately wanted to kill that stupid dom, Sebastian Rule, trying to date Matt. But you just know everything will work out once Rick pulls his head out if his ass. And it did. Matt and Rick were amazing together. I loved how they were best friends in everyday life but became sub and dom in the bedroom.
And now I want the t-shirt: ’You want to spank me and you know it!’
March 14, 2014
Can't believe I waited to read this. Fantastic. Fifty Stars--a hundred. One of the best books on BDSM I've read. I'll try to come up with a fuller review later, but I wanted to get down my initial reaction. And now I'm on to the rest of Xanthe's BDSM Universe Fan-fics.
(added October 11, 2013)
So I’ve finally decided to finish this review, only a month late. What follows is a pretty in-depth look a single scene, which comes about half way through. I’m not going to mark it with spoilers, since I don’t think it gives anything away to mention that the two leads do in fact have sex in this book—don’t read further if you don’t want your reading clouded by other people’s interpretations.
So to take up my earlier point: why do I like this book’s portrayal of BDSM so much? And to answer, I would like to take a look at the crucial sequence where Rick arranges a “scene” to help Matt find his sub-space. It’s a long, gorgeously erotic piece of writing, that also demonstrates the depth of Xanthe’s connection with her characters. Like the best erotic scenes in fiction, the sex is transformative for the characters, obviously for Matt but for Rick as well, helping each of them get in touch with key and buried parts of their sexuality and personality.
I also liked the scene because Matt’s particular problems are ones that I have thought a lot about, especially in trying to understand my own and other people’s fasciation with BDSM fiction. The basic problem is that Matt can’t let himself go—he goes through the motions of his submission, choosing safe doms who won’t push him past his boundaries. He comes to realize how much his fear is holding him back, both from experiencing sexual pleasure and also from connecting deeply with his partner. But he also realizes that as long as he has a safeword, he will stop things before he can reach his sub-space.
In a fit of incredible rashness, he tries to arrange a scene with a stranger where he will have no control at all—no safeword. He’s desperate, and we understand why he acts this way, but his actions also chillingly demonstrate the risk of submitting: what happens when the other person is not trustworthy, when they don’t have your best interests at heart?
That’s where Rick steps in, rescuing Matt from a situation that would have been disastrous for him, and offering to help him: hence the scene. Rick refuses to go through the scene without a safeword, BUT he also effectively agrees, if not to ignore it altogether, at least to do everything he can to persuade/force/help Matt continue the scene if he does safeword.
As I said, I think Matt’s dilemma highlights some of the reasons BDSM, non-con, and dubious consent fictions are so popular. Most people have inhibitions, whether sexual or other--fears that hold them back and interfere with their full experience of what life has to offer. It’s not surprising that people would fantasize about finding someone strong and caring and trustworthy enough to force them to push past those inhibitions. Not coincidentally, that psychological process—of fighting yourself and being forced past a boundary in a way that leads to a feeling of catharsis—parallels/echoes orgasm itself. It’s also important to point out that you don’t need to have any real-life connection to the BDSM lifestyle to find depictions of this process personally relevant and satisfying. (That goes for orgasms too by the way.)
Of course, since this is a Xanthe book, this incredible scene of connection and catharsis comes at the half-way point, and the reader still has hundreds of pages of misunderstandings, banter, and idiot choices to get through before our heroes are allowed their final HEA. It’s an unusual way to structure a book to say the least, but there’s no point in complaining. Xanthe’s books are long, but they are also unique, scaldingly sexy, funny, touching, and most surprisingly, very wise.
Bottom line: Hopefully the mini Master's thesis I just wrote will be enough to make clear that I highly recommend this.
(added October 11, 2013)
So I’ve finally decided to finish this review, only a month late. What follows is a pretty in-depth look a single scene, which comes about half way through. I’m not going to mark it with spoilers, since I don’t think it gives anything away to mention that the two leads do in fact have sex in this book—don’t read further if you don’t want your reading clouded by other people’s interpretations.
So to take up my earlier point: why do I like this book’s portrayal of BDSM so much? And to answer, I would like to take a look at the crucial sequence where Rick arranges a “scene” to help Matt find his sub-space. It’s a long, gorgeously erotic piece of writing, that also demonstrates the depth of Xanthe’s connection with her characters. Like the best erotic scenes in fiction, the sex is transformative for the characters, obviously for Matt but for Rick as well, helping each of them get in touch with key and buried parts of their sexuality and personality.
I also liked the scene because Matt’s particular problems are ones that I have thought a lot about, especially in trying to understand my own and other people’s fasciation with BDSM fiction. The basic problem is that Matt can’t let himself go—he goes through the motions of his submission, choosing safe doms who won’t push him past his boundaries. He comes to realize how much his fear is holding him back, both from experiencing sexual pleasure and also from connecting deeply with his partner. But he also realizes that as long as he has a safeword, he will stop things before he can reach his sub-space.
In a fit of incredible rashness, he tries to arrange a scene with a stranger where he will have no control at all—no safeword. He’s desperate, and we understand why he acts this way, but his actions also chillingly demonstrate the risk of submitting: what happens when the other person is not trustworthy, when they don’t have your best interests at heart?
That’s where Rick steps in, rescuing Matt from a situation that would have been disastrous for him, and offering to help him: hence the scene. Rick refuses to go through the scene without a safeword, BUT he also effectively agrees, if not to ignore it altogether, at least to do everything he can to persuade/force/help Matt continue the scene if he does safeword.
As I said, I think Matt’s dilemma highlights some of the reasons BDSM, non-con, and dubious consent fictions are so popular. Most people have inhibitions, whether sexual or other--fears that hold them back and interfere with their full experience of what life has to offer. It’s not surprising that people would fantasize about finding someone strong and caring and trustworthy enough to force them to push past those inhibitions. Not coincidentally, that psychological process—of fighting yourself and being forced past a boundary in a way that leads to a feeling of catharsis—parallels/echoes orgasm itself. It’s also important to point out that you don’t need to have any real-life connection to the BDSM lifestyle to find depictions of this process personally relevant and satisfying. (That goes for orgasms too by the way.)
Of course, since this is a Xanthe book, this incredible scene of connection and catharsis comes at the half-way point, and the reader still has hundreds of pages of misunderstandings, banter, and idiot choices to get through before our heroes are allowed their final HEA. It’s an unusual way to structure a book to say the least, but there’s no point in complaining. Xanthe’s books are long, but they are also unique, scaldingly sexy, funny, touching, and most surprisingly, very wise.
Bottom line: Hopefully the mini Master's thesis I just wrote will be enough to make clear that I highly recommend this.
November 5, 2012
Entertaining mash-up of an Alternate BDSM Universe and a fairytale romance. The story is essentially a friends-to-lovers tale set in a world where Doms and Subs and BDSM relationships are the norm, and where gender attraction is fluid. It's a complete fantasy but it's one I enjoyed.
Rick is an actor. He's a Dom playing a sub on a popular TV crime series called Collar Crimes. He has a one sub/one night rule and hides a tragic childhood behind his hard partying ways. Matt is one of his co-stars, beautiful but inexperienced as a sub and an actor, repressed and obsessive. Do you see where this is all going? Yes of course you do! These two are a match made in Dom/sub heaven and their fraught and emotional journey to a HEA is a lot of fun.
The BDSM is definitely lite but it's an interesting take on the D/s dynamic. The other cast members of Collar Crimes are warm and engaging. They are like a big family really. There are a couple of villains and Sebastian Rule in particular is a bit too moustache-twirling to really be taken seriously. I could see the author's background in fanfiction in the length of the story (which I loved) and in the time she takes to set up her world and all its players.
It's funny too. And some clever moments where the author pokes fun at her own 'verse.
"Karl made a face. 'Before this, I was in a show that only made it to six episodes before it was cancelled - and rightly so.'
'Bad huh?'
'Worse - boring!' Karl grinned. 'It is a sort of scifi thing - a dystopian vision of a universe in which nobody identifies as Dom or sub. It was called Otherworld.' He traced his hand through the air like a title appearing across an imaginary screen.
Matt grinned. "ooh - sounds kind of kinky.'
Check out the foreword where the author talks about her move from fan fiction to self-publishing and how this book came about. I'll be checking out her ff works and look forward to Daniel and Karl's story. Definitely one for the romantics. Don't let the BDSM label turn you off. Hard core BDSM fans - look away now...
Rick is an actor. He's a Dom playing a sub on a popular TV crime series called Collar Crimes. He has a one sub/one night rule and hides a tragic childhood behind his hard partying ways. Matt is one of his co-stars, beautiful but inexperienced as a sub and an actor, repressed and obsessive. Do you see where this is all going? Yes of course you do! These two are a match made in Dom/sub heaven and their fraught and emotional journey to a HEA is a lot of fun.
The BDSM is definitely lite but it's an interesting take on the D/s dynamic. The other cast members of Collar Crimes are warm and engaging. They are like a big family really. There are a couple of villains and Sebastian Rule in particular is a bit too moustache-twirling to really be taken seriously. I could see the author's background in fanfiction in the length of the story (which I loved) and in the time she takes to set up her world and all its players.
It's funny too. And some clever moments where the author pokes fun at her own 'verse.
"Karl made a face. 'Before this, I was in a show that only made it to six episodes before it was cancelled - and rightly so.'
'Bad huh?'
'Worse - boring!' Karl grinned. 'It is a sort of scifi thing - a dystopian vision of a universe in which nobody identifies as Dom or sub. It was called Otherworld.' He traced his hand through the air like a title appearing across an imaginary screen.
Matt grinned. "ooh - sounds kind of kinky.'
Check out the foreword where the author talks about her move from fan fiction to self-publishing and how this book came about. I'll be checking out her ff works and look forward to Daniel and Karl's story. Definitely one for the romantics. Don't let the BDSM label turn you off. Hard core BDSM fans - look away now...
November 2, 2013
I read this long after reading excellent fanfic Coming Home, which is set in the same universe. Because the worldbuilding was not new for me all my attention was on the MCs, and they didn't quite measure up.
Some of the aspects of the story weren't as well developed as I would have liked. But you know what? I don't care. I'm so glad I got the chance to pay for one of Xanthe's stories, when she's given me so many wonderful free fanfics to read. I'll buy whatever she publishes.
Some of the aspects of the story weren't as well developed as I would have liked. But you know what? I don't care. I'm so glad I got the chance to pay for one of Xanthe's stories, when she's given me so many wonderful free fanfics to read. I'll buy whatever she publishes.
September 21, 2014
A well-written brilliant debut (published) novel. Xanthe Walter has created an ingenious alternative universe where bisexuality and bdsm are the norm. This book charts the relationship between fellow actors dom Rick and sub Matt on the hit TV series 'Collar Crime'. Xanthe does not use a capital 'D' for dom as doms and subs have equal rights in this world.
"I love tipping you over into your submission, even though you fight against it because a part of you is always going to be scared of letting go and losing control. I love that moment just before I've got you there, when you're just about to fall, and all it takes is one last push..."
"I love tipping you over into your submission, even though you fight against it because a part of you is always going to be scared of letting go and losing control. I love that moment just before I've got you there, when you're just about to fall, and all it takes is one last push..."
Read
November 25, 2012Ricochet is a delightful and deliciously enjoyable BDSM fantasy (although BDSM soap opera might be more appropriate). As the blurb indicates, the story is set in an alternate reality, where everyone is bisexual and self-identifies as either a Dom or a sub. One might think that finding love might be easier in such a well-defined society, but the author has built a world in beautiful shades of gray, with variations in subdom/domdom that make the journey to romance as challenging as it is within our own reality. The world is colored in manipulative doms, service subs, dramatic subs and those who are inept at their own craft. And while people may self-identify into one of those buckets, it doesn't mean that they make no mistakes along the way. The mistakes made are many and varied :)
While the world building is certainly essential to the story, it doesn't overwhelm it, but rather makes a soft cradle in which the story can settle. We get to meet Rick, the quintessential bad-boy Dom who is rapidly sleeping his way through all of the subs in the city. We also get to love Matty, the slight neurotic sub who isn't able to truly give up control. These two make an odd, but strangely endearing couple. Both are actors on a hit tv show (Collar Crime), trying to work through their pasts, hold onto their careers, and simply not be swallowed up by the miasma of life. Through circumstance (or trickery) they turn to each other for help with their careers and find themselves unexpectedly attracted to each other (and fighting it). Through a series of events that strangely mirror the plot of their tv series, Rick and Matt learn to overcome their hangups (mostly) and start to build on something new.
Reading the above, you probably think the story sounds a bit cliche. It absolutely, unapologetically is. Throughout the story, the author manages to maintain a tongue in cheeky humor that is (mostly) subtle and thoroughly enjoyable. And although the story mirrors that of a day-time drama, it solidly maintains one foot in reality (sometimes only tippy toes), which gives it a strangely realistically fake feel :). There are often surprising moments of depth interspersed amongst silliness. And I loved it.
This book is a great, sink-your-teeth into it relaxing story. It's origins in fanfic are obvious, particularly in its length. While perhaps the writing could be tightened up a little bit, I enjoyed the length as it gave me the opportunity to reside in the characters skins. Read it!
While the world building is certainly essential to the story, it doesn't overwhelm it, but rather makes a soft cradle in which the story can settle. We get to meet Rick, the quintessential bad-boy Dom who is rapidly sleeping his way through all of the subs in the city. We also get to love Matty, the slight neurotic sub who isn't able to truly give up control. These two make an odd, but strangely endearing couple. Both are actors on a hit tv show (Collar Crime), trying to work through their pasts, hold onto their careers, and simply not be swallowed up by the miasma of life. Through circumstance (or trickery) they turn to each other for help with their careers and find themselves unexpectedly attracted to each other (and fighting it). Through a series of events that strangely mirror the plot of their tv series, Rick and Matt learn to overcome their hangups (mostly) and start to build on something new.
Reading the above, you probably think the story sounds a bit cliche. It absolutely, unapologetically is. Throughout the story, the author manages to maintain a tongue in cheeky humor that is (mostly) subtle and thoroughly enjoyable. And although the story mirrors that of a day-time drama, it solidly maintains one foot in reality (sometimes only tippy toes), which gives it a strangely realistically fake feel :). There are often surprising moments of depth interspersed amongst silliness. And I loved it.
This book is a great, sink-your-teeth into it relaxing story. It's origins in fanfic are obvious, particularly in its length. While perhaps the writing could be tightened up a little bit, I enjoyed the length as it gave me the opportunity to reside in the characters skins. Read it!
November 8, 2012
3.5 stars – An enjoyable m/m romance that is set in an AU universe--contemporary, but everyone is bisexual and is either a dom, sub, or switch, and they live their lives with d/s relationships as the standard.
The parts that I liked: The MCs, Rick and Matt, had great developing chemistry and it’s a nice slow burn between them as their relationship moves from bickering on the set of the TV show they act on to Matt helping Rick by becoming his “spanking buddy” to Rick helping Matt cope with his OCD on the job. Their back-and-forth and the developing relationship, trust, and love between them was probably my favorite part of the book.
I also really liked both Rick and Matt and their individual characters. Rick is a dom, but plays a sub on his TV show, and overall takes on many different personalities in order to help people feel comfortable around him. Beyond that and his commitment issues, he’s a very nice guy, and I appreciated his aversion to hurting people and dislike of disciplinary measures. Those traits added neat layers to him. Matty is also very sweet, and I liked how his OCD counting ticks popped up consistently in the story. It wasn’t something that was fixed, but would pop up again and again whenever he was anxious.
What I wasn’t so crazy about: It’s a long book, which is fine, but at times I felt things could have been tightened up a lot--sometimes it felt like a scene ran too long, for instance. It’s this lack of tightness as well as a lot of different plot threads that made me feel the author’s routes in fanfiction the most.
There are also A LOT of exclamation points used in dialogue, which led me to keep picturing everyone shouting all the time. I wish a bunch of those were culled out. I’d also recommend another round of proofing since there are a few editing errors, at least in the kindle edition.
A third through the book, Matt hooks up with a rich businessman dom. (Don’t worry, cheater-haters. He wasn’t cheating.) This guy is a Grade A douchebag though. In some ways, it’s great that the author created a character that you hated SO MUCH, but I actually had to skim a lot of these parts because I hated reading about him and his jackass ways. I don’t know how I feel about him as a part of the book. I understand his purpose, but UGH, such a douche. It reminded me about how much I hated Lucy Steele in Sense & Sensibility.
For those wondering about the reference to m/f sex, there is one scene in the first 5%, but it’s short, and mostly frustrating, so no worries there.
Even with the issues mentioned above, I did feel compelled to push through to the end, and overall it was an enjoyable read. Your mileage will really vary on how cool you are in accepting this d/s universe though. At times, the dynamic, and people’s ruminations of “subspace” and “top-space” seemed really alien to me, but other parts were easy to follow along with.
In the end, it’s a pretty long book with a very sweet d/s romance, some crazy relationship obstacles, some angst, and one huge dickhead. If you like sweet d/s relationship stories, you may like this.
The parts that I liked: The MCs, Rick and Matt, had great developing chemistry and it’s a nice slow burn between them as their relationship moves from bickering on the set of the TV show they act on to Matt helping Rick by becoming his “spanking buddy” to Rick helping Matt cope with his OCD on the job. Their back-and-forth and the developing relationship, trust, and love between them was probably my favorite part of the book.
I also really liked both Rick and Matt and their individual characters. Rick is a dom, but plays a sub on his TV show, and overall takes on many different personalities in order to help people feel comfortable around him. Beyond that and his commitment issues, he’s a very nice guy, and I appreciated his aversion to hurting people and dislike of disciplinary measures. Those traits added neat layers to him. Matty is also very sweet, and I liked how his OCD counting ticks popped up consistently in the story. It wasn’t something that was fixed, but would pop up again and again whenever he was anxious.
What I wasn’t so crazy about: It’s a long book, which is fine, but at times I felt things could have been tightened up a lot--sometimes it felt like a scene ran too long, for instance. It’s this lack of tightness as well as a lot of different plot threads that made me feel the author’s routes in fanfiction the most.
There are also A LOT of exclamation points used in dialogue, which led me to keep picturing everyone shouting all the time. I wish a bunch of those were culled out. I’d also recommend another round of proofing since there are a few editing errors, at least in the kindle edition.
A third through the book, Matt hooks up with a rich businessman dom. (Don’t worry, cheater-haters. He wasn’t cheating.) This guy is a Grade A douchebag though. In some ways, it’s great that the author created a character that you hated SO MUCH, but I actually had to skim a lot of these parts because I hated reading about him and his jackass ways. I don’t know how I feel about him as a part of the book. I understand his purpose, but UGH, such a douche. It reminded me about how much I hated Lucy Steele in Sense & Sensibility.
For those wondering about the reference to m/f sex, there is one scene in the first 5%, but it’s short, and mostly frustrating, so no worries there.
Even with the issues mentioned above, I did feel compelled to push through to the end, and overall it was an enjoyable read. Your mileage will really vary on how cool you are in accepting this d/s universe though. At times, the dynamic, and people’s ruminations of “subspace” and “top-space” seemed really alien to me, but other parts were easy to follow along with.
In the end, it’s a pretty long book with a very sweet d/s romance, some crazy relationship obstacles, some angst, and one huge dickhead. If you like sweet d/s relationship stories, you may like this.
January 26, 2013
Phenomenal BDSM Universe story. I loved all the characters (or hated them as was appropriate) and found this one of the most fascinating worlds I've ever explored that has BDSM. I loved Matt and wanted to spank him all at the same time. Rick was such a lost soul - and the tension (sexual and otherwise) is very well done. The humor gives it a lighter flavor and who doesn't like an alternate universe making fun of this one? I do.
There were some surprising depth moments in this. Rick truly not seeing himself - not valuing himself. Matt about to walk headlong into the biggest mistake of his life and his real struggle. The whole punishment piece which was the way to discover whether the true D/s relationship could be for them. We absolutely MUST get a Daniel story. Stat.
There were some surprising depth moments in this. Rick truly not seeing himself - not valuing himself. Matt about to walk headlong into the biggest mistake of his life and his real struggle. The whole punishment piece which was the way to discover whether the true D/s relationship could be for them. We absolutely MUST get a Daniel story. Stat.
November 6, 2012
4.5 stars
Interesting world-building where social relationship is organized through D/s relations.
The premise of the story is quite simple. Rick, a dom, and Matt, a sub, loved each other but Rick had something that prevented him from openly claim his stake on Matt. Only when another dom suddenly and openly swept Matt off his feet that Rick realized what Matt meant to him. But, was he late already, seeing Matt had worn the other guy's bracelet, and to be collared soon?
I liked reading the background stories, the supporting characters, and the banters between the two characters.
Specifically interesting is the journeys that both Rick and Matt had to go through to completely understand and embrace their respective roles as dom and sub.
The writing flows nicely, but I had a feeling of reading those fanfic series that went on and on. The book covers so many things, and left no issue unresolved (except one with their co-stars).
Please note that while this is a BDSM world, the book is not for hardcore BDSM crowd. The most you can see is spanking (a lot of it) and canning. The book actually is sweet romance to the core.
Interesting world-building where social relationship is organized through D/s relations.
The premise of the story is quite simple. Rick, a dom, and Matt, a sub, loved each other but Rick had something that prevented him from openly claim his stake on Matt. Only when another dom suddenly and openly swept Matt off his feet that Rick realized what Matt meant to him. But, was he late already, seeing Matt had worn the other guy's bracelet, and to be collared soon?
I liked reading the background stories, the supporting characters, and the banters between the two characters.
Specifically interesting is the journeys that both Rick and Matt had to go through to completely understand and embrace their respective roles as dom and sub.
The writing flows nicely, but I had a feeling of reading those fanfic series that went on and on. The book covers so many things, and left no issue unresolved (except one with their co-stars).
Please note that while this is a BDSM world, the book is not for hardcore BDSM crowd. The most you can see is spanking (a lot of it) and canning. The book actually is sweet romance to the core.
January 28, 2013
In a world much like our own--except sexual fluidity and bed play are the norm--there is the awakening of two men. Both are hidden from themselves and failing miserably in their personal lives while starring in a popular TV series. After some on set matchmaking Matt and Rick are suddenly discovering the other's complexities and exploring their dynamics.
Watch out for speed bumps and wrong turns as these two are unwrapped.
I really enjoyed this one even though the world building was not complicated. If you accept the Twilight Zone-esque alternate universe this is a fun and just a bit surprising in the depth of emotion and sociology.
Favorite quote:
"Well, to be honest, I think there's a reason why nobody ever put licorice and salmon together before," Matt replied bluntly. Ricochet (p. 243)
"I'll touch you, kiss you, stroke you, spank you, bite you, and fuck you until you lose that skittishness and submit without question," he promised, his hands wandering freely over Matt's body. "None of them could ever make you truly surrender - but I will." Ricochet (p. 303)
Watch out for speed bumps and wrong turns as these two are unwrapped.
I really enjoyed this one even though the world building was not complicated. If you accept the Twilight Zone-esque alternate universe this is a fun and just a bit surprising in the depth of emotion and sociology.
Favorite quote:
"Well, to be honest, I think there's a reason why nobody ever put licorice and salmon together before," Matt replied bluntly. Ricochet (p. 243)
"I'll touch you, kiss you, stroke you, spank you, bite you, and fuck you until you lose that skittishness and submit without question," he promised, his hands wandering freely over Matt's body. "None of them could ever make you truly surrender - but I will." Ricochet (p. 303)
November 11, 2012
This story gets a 4 from me, but it gets a bonus point for what I think is the best part of the story. A truly unique idea as far as world building goes.
Everyone in this universe is bisexual and identifies as Dom or sub. It's not something unusual or some kinky fetish. EVERYONE is a Dom or sub and bdsm is a key part of the culture. The weirdos are the people who don't identify as Dom or sub or are monosexual(being attracted to only one sex).
While I've read other stories in this universe, xanthe was the original author and creator of this universe and as such deserves kudos for coming up with a fresh idea in the genre.
The story is also great. Very well fleshed out and complete. It's nice to see that the author didn't decide to draw this out over 4 books like she could have, because this is hella long! But released a complete story.
The characters are engrossing, and you become invested in their storyline. Great job overall.
So rare to read a book in the m/m genre with a truly fresh idea!!!!
Everyone in this universe is bisexual and identifies as Dom or sub. It's not something unusual or some kinky fetish. EVERYONE is a Dom or sub and bdsm is a key part of the culture. The weirdos are the people who don't identify as Dom or sub or are monosexual(being attracted to only one sex).
While I've read other stories in this universe, xanthe was the original author and creator of this universe and as such deserves kudos for coming up with a fresh idea in the genre.
The story is also great. Very well fleshed out and complete. It's nice to see that the author didn't decide to draw this out over 4 books like she could have, because this is hella long! But released a complete story.
The characters are engrossing, and you become invested in their storyline. Great job overall.
So rare to read a book in the m/m genre with a truly fresh idea!!!!
September 29, 2025
Loved the incredibly unquie concept. Rick and Matty have all the feels. Just so damn enjoyable.
Reread: 10/11/2022
Reread: 10/11/2022
permanent-dnr-authors
February 9, 2026And to absolutely no one's surprise, Xanthe Walter is now using Amazon's nifty AI translation service for the Spanish version of Ricochet, you can see here that right under the language section underneath the book, it says: ✨ Translated with Kindle Translate.
What is Kindle Translate?
What is Kindle Translate?
Kindle Translate is Amazon's AI-powered translation service for books. Publishers and authors can choose to use Kindle Translate to make their books available to more readers in more languages. Books translated this way go through a multi-step translation and quality check process before publishing.
September 23, 2013
Main Characters: Rick O'Shea & Matthew Lake
Key Themes: BDSM, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, UST, Soul Mates
Location: Hollywood
BDSM MM romance involving two successful actors.
The story takes place in an unusual but memorable world.
It is a world technologically similar to ours, but with a paranormal element, and one where people are tagged either as a Dom or a Sub, and sexual orientation is flexible. So the focus is on finding the right Dom or Sub, without the confines of being labeled a particular sexual orientation. You would imagine that such a world would be full of very happy people freely flowing from one partner to the next. Unfortunately, it seems there is no perfect situation, because there will always be those who look for love/satisfaction in all the wrong places, like the MCs in this story.
Matt is a sub. He suffers from OCD and finds relief in structure and always being prepared. Rick is a Dom and a commitment-phobe. His life is complete chaos. The two are successful actors on a popular TV crime series where they play "sub" law enforcement agents.
The MCs start off as friends, and through the urgings of fellow cast members, the couple very slowly progress to lovers. The love story that emerges is a nice but fairly predictable one.
Although both MCs change for the better during the course of the story, their progression to lovers was frustratingly slow - too much angst, coupled with numerous secondary characters (fellow cast members, family members, and ex-lovers), and their side stories.
It's a shame the MCs were not as compelling as the world they inhabited.
Key Themes: BDSM, Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, UST, Soul Mates
Location: Hollywood
BDSM MM romance involving two successful actors.
The story takes place in an unusual but memorable world.
It is a world technologically similar to ours, but with a paranormal element, and one where people are tagged either as a Dom or a Sub, and sexual orientation is flexible. So the focus is on finding the right Dom or Sub, without the confines of being labeled a particular sexual orientation. You would imagine that such a world would be full of very happy people freely flowing from one partner to the next. Unfortunately, it seems there is no perfect situation, because there will always be those who look for love/satisfaction in all the wrong places, like the MCs in this story.
Matt is a sub. He suffers from OCD and finds relief in structure and always being prepared. Rick is a Dom and a commitment-phobe. His life is complete chaos. The two are successful actors on a popular TV crime series where they play "sub" law enforcement agents.
The MCs start off as friends, and through the urgings of fellow cast members, the couple very slowly progress to lovers. The love story that emerges is a nice but fairly predictable one.
Although both MCs change for the better during the course of the story, their progression to lovers was frustratingly slow - too much angst, coupled with numerous secondary characters (fellow cast members, family members, and ex-lovers), and their side stories.
It's a shame the MCs were not as compelling as the world they inhabited.
March 27, 2016
Wow, what a fabulous book! My 1 star deduction is just for the length because it seems like the story could have been told just as effectively with quite a few less pages. I wouldn't call this a hardcore BDSM book but it's definitely a huge part of the story. I loved the alternate universe created here and laughed when they talked about a tv show that got canceled based on our real world because it was just too boring. Ha! Matt and Rick are best friends and since Rick keeps getting in trouble, he's been banned from all things he considers fun. In comes the spanking buddy. Yep, it's Matt. That's how it all starts and everything in between then and their HEA in pure entertainment. Villains we love to hate and a cast of characters that are just fun to read about. I'm really hoping we get a book about Karl and Daniel...PLEASE!!!
Read
July 6, 2025I DNF'd this at some point because something about the psychic (not as in PNR; as in the psyche) qualities of the d/s relationship and the sex between the MCs put me off in a way I didn't fully understand and wasn't engaged enough to want to explore.
But, that having been said: I've been alerted by Sully's review that XW uses AI-generated art for her covers and also sells that art, as one can see here and here.
I don't knowingly support generative AI or those who use it, for a couple of reasons: (1) the environmental costs are staggering and this planet is already on fire, FFS; (2) real human artists are put out of work by generative AI; (3) generative AI is trained on existing visual and verbal work that was made by humans, and this training is done without notice or permission.
But, that having been said: I've been alerted by Sully's review that XW uses AI-generated art for her covers and also sells that art, as one can see here and here.
I don't knowingly support generative AI or those who use it, for a couple of reasons: (1) the environmental costs are staggering and this planet is already on fire, FFS; (2) real human artists are put out of work by generative AI; (3) generative AI is trained on existing visual and verbal work that was made by humans, and this training is done without notice or permission.
January 11, 2025
Another book which has been lurking on my shelves.
I'm generous with those 4 stars. I liked the writing especially everything bdsm is brilliant.
The struggles both MC's had to endure were painful to read but so worth it.
I felt the whole doorstopper would have profited from a good editing. It's really lengthy and wordy and quite the reading commitment.
I'm generous with those 4 stars. I liked the writing especially everything bdsm is brilliant.
The struggles both MC's had to endure were painful to read but so worth it.
I felt the whole doorstopper would have profited from a good editing. It's really lengthy and wordy and quite the reading commitment.
January 19, 2014
Love, love, love it!!! This was a superb alternative universe to our own where BDSM is the norm and everyone identifies themselves as either a dom a sub or a switch. In all other ways it’s very similar to our own. The characters were wonderful and the writing fascinating. Will re-read this one I’m sure.
Rick O’Shea is one of the biggest up and coming actors in Hollywood. He’s on the biggest show on television and they’re just about to start their second season. Other than the main lead, Rick’s character Alex has the most attention and everyone seems to love his portrayal of a bratty sub. Of course in his real life he’s actually a dom, one who plays with a different sub every night. He’s light hearted and carefree making sure the set is a fun place for everyone involved with Collar Crime. No one really knows the man all that personality covers though.
Matthew Lake loves his role as Ben, the shy innocent cop trying to earn his collar as part of the team. His counting and OCD issues haven’t prevented him from doing a good job on the show and even with as obnoxious as Rick can be Matt still appreciates the energy he brings to the show. They’re friends even if they do argue all the time. Polar opposites and all, Matt is quite content with his current dom. Their wants match up nicely and everything is very simple and contained. Just because Matt’s not comfortable owning up to his own deepest desires to her doesn’t mean their relationship doesn’t work. The things he fantasizes about are scary. It’s not worth the risk.
I just plain LOVED these two together! The opposites attract premise works very well here. Matt’s need for order helps to balance out Rick’s chaos, and Rick’s fun loving energy works to drag Matt out of his staid routines and embrace a little excitement in his life. I liked how neither of them was expecting anything to ever come between them. This isn’t a case of one lusting after the other from a far, at least not knowingly. I adored how conniving the rest of the cast was to try and set the two of them up and get them to pull their heads out of their asses about their feelings for each other. The personal denial as each new stage of their relationship unfolded was just so adorably silly.
Frankly I loved the concept behind this world. As long as you just accept that the world we have today is essentially the same, but everyone is a dom or a sub, than it’s golden. I found the fluidity of sexuality really interesting too with most people not being strictly hetero or homosexual, but instead having the draw be about how their kinks matched up with yours. Plus I did get a bit of a giggle out of the twists on all the modern tv shows that made an appearance in the descriptions…twisting know plots of White Collar and Suits etc into dom/sub relationships amused me greatly.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book because everything built in a way that teased out information about both characters backgrounds as you needed it to understand their reactions. There was no “background dump” filling you in on everything all at once. I loved Rick’s reactions so much to all the things Matt attempted. I loved how caring he was a dom and all of his insecurities. Rick’s inability to trust himself and believe in himself was so fascinating with how good of a dom he was. Matt just makes me want to alternately cuddle him and smack his cute butt when he’s being silly. I melted over how patiently Rick was in his attempts to take Matt down to his subspace. Of course I had to grit my teeth each and every time Matt was with him…stupid asshole! Doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Matt.
The slight elements of the paranormal here with the life bonding abilities was interesting and something I would love to have seen explored more. I’m not sure I understand what it all means exactly, but I like the idea of it. I want to see the results if Matt and Rick ever complete their life bond.
Altogether I loved the developments of these two’s relationships as they learned to trust not only each other, but themselves. I really loved the final punishment scene as it really cemented what they meant to each other. Both men had to trust in their own natures and be ok with that and know that they could be exactly what each other needs. Such a fantastic book! And I desperately want Daniel’s book now! He absolutely deserves to be happy! That one will go on my immediate buy list if it ever gets completed. :D
Rick O’Shea is one of the biggest up and coming actors in Hollywood. He’s on the biggest show on television and they’re just about to start their second season. Other than the main lead, Rick’s character Alex has the most attention and everyone seems to love his portrayal of a bratty sub. Of course in his real life he’s actually a dom, one who plays with a different sub every night. He’s light hearted and carefree making sure the set is a fun place for everyone involved with Collar Crime. No one really knows the man all that personality covers though.
Matthew Lake loves his role as Ben, the shy innocent cop trying to earn his collar as part of the team. His counting and OCD issues haven’t prevented him from doing a good job on the show and even with as obnoxious as Rick can be Matt still appreciates the energy he brings to the show. They’re friends even if they do argue all the time. Polar opposites and all, Matt is quite content with his current dom. Their wants match up nicely and everything is very simple and contained. Just because Matt’s not comfortable owning up to his own deepest desires to her doesn’t mean their relationship doesn’t work. The things he fantasizes about are scary. It’s not worth the risk.
I just plain LOVED these two together! The opposites attract premise works very well here. Matt’s need for order helps to balance out Rick’s chaos, and Rick’s fun loving energy works to drag Matt out of his staid routines and embrace a little excitement in his life. I liked how neither of them was expecting anything to ever come between them. This isn’t a case of one lusting after the other from a far, at least not knowingly. I adored how conniving the rest of the cast was to try and set the two of them up and get them to pull their heads out of their asses about their feelings for each other. The personal denial as each new stage of their relationship unfolded was just so adorably silly.
Frankly I loved the concept behind this world. As long as you just accept that the world we have today is essentially the same, but everyone is a dom or a sub, than it’s golden. I found the fluidity of sexuality really interesting too with most people not being strictly hetero or homosexual, but instead having the draw be about how their kinks matched up with yours. Plus I did get a bit of a giggle out of the twists on all the modern tv shows that made an appearance in the descriptions…twisting know plots of White Collar and Suits etc into dom/sub relationships amused me greatly.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this book because everything built in a way that teased out information about both characters backgrounds as you needed it to understand their reactions. There was no “background dump” filling you in on everything all at once. I loved Rick’s reactions so much to all the things Matt attempted. I loved how caring he was a dom and all of his insecurities. Rick’s inability to trust himself and believe in himself was so fascinating with how good of a dom he was. Matt just makes me want to alternately cuddle him and smack his cute butt when he’s being silly. I melted over how patiently Rick was in his attempts to take Matt down to his subspace. Of course I had to grit my teeth each and every time Matt was with him…stupid asshole! Doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as Matt.
The slight elements of the paranormal here with the life bonding abilities was interesting and something I would love to have seen explored more. I’m not sure I understand what it all means exactly, but I like the idea of it. I want to see the results if Matt and Rick ever complete their life bond.
Altogether I loved the developments of these two’s relationships as they learned to trust not only each other, but themselves. I really loved the final punishment scene as it really cemented what they meant to each other. Both men had to trust in their own natures and be ok with that and know that they could be exactly what each other needs. Such a fantastic book! And I desperately want Daniel’s book now! He absolutely deserves to be happy! That one will go on my immediate buy list if it ever gets completed. :D
November 6, 2012
Rating:
4.25 stars
Some keywords:
Real fun to read, alternate reality (BDSM universe), not fan-fic, (mostly) rather vanilla-like BDSM, happy spanking, just a dash of angst, friends-to-lovers theme,
...more detailed review later...
P.S.
I really liked Rick :o)
4.25 stars
Some keywords:
Real fun to read, alternate reality (BDSM universe), not fan-fic, (mostly) rather vanilla-like BDSM, happy spanking, just a dash of angst, friends-to-lovers theme,
...more detailed review later...
P.S.
I really liked Rick :o)
December 29, 2012
Fun book. The writing craft is still in process, still very fanfic. I had fun in this 'verse. Apparently the author has other free fiction available in this 'verse and more original stuff to be published. I am looking forward to reading more.
March 4, 2016
3.5
Интересная идея.
Интересная идея.
Read
November 20, 2012Yes, I'm aware this novel is set in the BDSM universe that the author first created in the "General & Doctor Sheppard" fanfiction community. Yes, I bought this book, I don't mind to pay for a novel once the author decides to re-use the setting for a standalone novel.
Paraphrasing one of the supporting characters, describing an hypothetical alternative reality to their own (our reality), Ricochet is ""is a sort of sci-fi thing - an alternative universe in which everybody identifies as dom or sub. The author tried to do it as a sort of high-minded exploration of how such a society would work. People identify as dom, sub or switch. They have weddings, but they use wedding collars instead of rings. When couples in a romantic relationship became serious they often started sharing a plate, with the dom hand-feeding the sub."
Being a Dom or a sub is something you are born to be; the majority of people is bisexual, the few "monosexuals" are an exception. Same sex marriage is as common as heterosexual marriage; giving birth or using a surrogate mother is more or less the same, some same sex couples (or singles), have "temple born" children, meaning that they participated to a ceremony were priests are like "natural donors".
Once you enter in the "alternative reality" the characters are living in, the novel becomes an "ordinary" show business romance, pretty much comedy like. Rick and Matt play two FBI agents, and subs, in a very popular fiction; but in real life only Matt is a sub, Rick instead is a Dom. They are also friends, even if prim-and-proper Matt is sometime exasperated by Rick's laissez-faire attitude. Of course they are really in love with each other, and all their colleagues are aware of that other than them. When Rick proposes to help Matt to "train" for a very intense sex scene, the sparks between them become a full fire.
I think the most interesting side of this novel was how the author managed to turn a not ordinary scenario (D/s relationships) in something so natural that the reader was almost forgetting about it; there is no reluctance at all in the characters, on the contrary, they felt lost when their routine is mined.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A0WD2E4/?...
Paraphrasing one of the supporting characters, describing an hypothetical alternative reality to their own (our reality), Ricochet is ""is a sort of sci-fi thing - an alternative universe in which everybody identifies as dom or sub. The author tried to do it as a sort of high-minded exploration of how such a society would work. People identify as dom, sub or switch. They have weddings, but they use wedding collars instead of rings. When couples in a romantic relationship became serious they often started sharing a plate, with the dom hand-feeding the sub."
Being a Dom or a sub is something you are born to be; the majority of people is bisexual, the few "monosexuals" are an exception. Same sex marriage is as common as heterosexual marriage; giving birth or using a surrogate mother is more or less the same, some same sex couples (or singles), have "temple born" children, meaning that they participated to a ceremony were priests are like "natural donors".
Once you enter in the "alternative reality" the characters are living in, the novel becomes an "ordinary" show business romance, pretty much comedy like. Rick and Matt play two FBI agents, and subs, in a very popular fiction; but in real life only Matt is a sub, Rick instead is a Dom. They are also friends, even if prim-and-proper Matt is sometime exasperated by Rick's laissez-faire attitude. Of course they are really in love with each other, and all their colleagues are aware of that other than them. When Rick proposes to help Matt to "train" for a very intense sex scene, the sparks between them become a full fire.
I think the most interesting side of this novel was how the author managed to turn a not ordinary scenario (D/s relationships) in something so natural that the reader was almost forgetting about it; there is no reluctance at all in the characters, on the contrary, they felt lost when their routine is mined.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A0WD2E4/?...
January 24, 2013
I feel guilty for only giving this three stars, but I purchased this novel because it had received eighteen, five star reviews on Amazon and I think someone needs to address a balance here.
I am not a fan of pornography, I don't mind a little sex in a novel, but it needs pointing out to potential purchasers that this story is a vehicle for BDSM porno. Fine, not a problem if that what floats your boat and it's not just sex, there's a fair amount of corporal punishment for the reader's titilation also. I would have prefered a reviewer to point this out.
The writing was ok, in parts excellent (yeah I teared up once or twice). I enjoy a good m/m romance, but BDSM is not my thing and although it is also not the thing of other reviewers, they still gave this novel 5 stars. Personally I don't feel it deserves five stars. So the subject matter is not to my taste, I can forgive that and have given other novels five stars by other authors even though the subject matter in those instances were also not to my taste. This novel needs serious editing. The plot is weak and I found the characters, including the two protagonists, banal. Sorry folks, I just don't think it deserves such a high rating.
I am not a fan of pornography, I don't mind a little sex in a novel, but it needs pointing out to potential purchasers that this story is a vehicle for BDSM porno. Fine, not a problem if that what floats your boat and it's not just sex, there's a fair amount of corporal punishment for the reader's titilation also. I would have prefered a reviewer to point this out.
The writing was ok, in parts excellent (yeah I teared up once or twice). I enjoy a good m/m romance, but BDSM is not my thing and although it is also not the thing of other reviewers, they still gave this novel 5 stars. Personally I don't feel it deserves five stars. So the subject matter is not to my taste, I can forgive that and have given other novels five stars by other authors even though the subject matter in those instances were also not to my taste. This novel needs serious editing. The plot is weak and I found the characters, including the two protagonists, banal. Sorry folks, I just don't think it deserves such a high rating.
January 25, 2015
Many times we read books to be swept away, to go to a different world. Well, Ricochet does just that.The world these characters live in is a BDSM Universe. Even the shows they watch. At one point MC's Matt and Rick are deciding what to watch and they talk about Rizzoli and Isles One's a sub ones a dom and I giggled. Yeah I did. It was so very clever. Rick and Matt are actors and through MANY struggles they come together. Now, I've read my fair share of BDSM... It's one of the subjects I rather enjoy reading. So when I say Xanthe Walter got it right, I truly mean it. This book was very well researched, creative, unique, and above all extremely respectful. I was enthralled with this 400+ page book. Yes it was a very long book, and worth it! I hope there are more books to this series because I really look forward to seeing what happens to Daniel and Karl! If you like GREAT BDSM! This is the book for you.
November 11, 2012
Лайт версия ее БДСМной вселенной. Я большой фанат ее фанфикшена по NCIS, но я очень рада, что она начала писать ориджиналы.
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Единственно, что мне не понравилось - частые повторы одной и той же информации, вроде того, как значимо, что один из главных героев дитя храма. Спасибо, я в состоянии запомнить это с первого раза.
Есть еще небольшие раздражающие мелочи, сабы всегда радостно визжат, когда их шлепают, на десятый раз заколебывает, главгад к герою всегда обращается благосклонно - benignly - что, в общем, тоже достает после третьего раза. Но в остальном, написано отлично, текст ровный (чувствуется рука мастера :)), и опять же пятьсот страниц - это пятьсот страниц.
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Единственно, что мне не понравилось - частые повторы одной и той же информации, вроде того, как значимо, что один из главных героев дитя храма. Спасибо, я в состоянии запомнить это с первого раза.
Есть еще небольшие раздражающие мелочи, сабы всегда радостно визжат, когда их шлепают, на десятый раз заколебывает, главгад к герою всегда обращается благосклонно - benignly - что, в общем, тоже достает после третьего раза. Но в остальном, написано отлично, текст ровный (чувствуется рука мастера :)), и опять же пятьсот страниц - это пятьсот страниц.
July 23, 2014
This was an enjoyable read and a nice piece of sexy escapism. The story is at heart a romance, and even if BDSM is an ever present theme, it mostly come across as loving BDSM.
If you haven't read anything of Xanthe you will get to explore an interesting new world where BDSM is the norm and most people are bisexual. The book is well written and the characters are interesting.
If you've read any of Xanthes earlier stories in the BDSM-verse and is looking for another great story set in it you will not be disappointed.
If you haven't read anything of Xanthe you will get to explore an interesting new world where BDSM is the norm and most people are bisexual. The book is well written and the characters are interesting.
If you've read any of Xanthes earlier stories in the BDSM-verse and is looking for another great story set in it you will not be disappointed.
December 2, 2012
This is a BDSM fantasy of sorts, set in an alternate universe where everyone is either a dom or a sub and sexuality is gender fluid. Rick and Matt are actors on a popular TV show. They're completely wrong for each other--or are they? The author comes from a fanfiction background, and boy does it show. This book is far too long, and just when I thought it had been resolved in a satisfying way, there was more (and more and more). Overall I really liked the characters, though, and would have rated it higher if it weren't for all the plot bloat.
August 12, 2019
What an incredibly unique and creative alternate universe! I’ve always been intrigued by and drawn to the D/s dynamic, so wow, mind blown upon finding this book and seeing that as the norm for everyone. Matt and Rick need to work through a number of hurdles, most notably the fact that they are friends and have to get comfortable getting beyond that to become more. This was a fantastic and very memorable story and I would love to see a whole series dedicated to this universe (i.e. gimme more!)!
January 17, 2013
What a wonderful book. If you have never read a BDSM book you should read this one. If you have been afraid of reading a BDSM book you should read this one. You will fall in love with all the characters. The BDSM aspect is very important to the story but it is also a very stong love story. I can't say enough about this book. The author wrote a great book. I plan to look for more books from this author.
February 18, 2013
When I started reading it I couldn't connect to Rick, but through the story I started to love him more and more. First he appears such a goof but later I found more depth in him. I wanted to kick him a few times when he just didn't know what to do with Matt. In the end everything workout great and I'm such a sucker for happy ending.
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