Taking Dylan Down

by L.L. Brooks, Shannon West

Wealthy businessman, Jared Corbin always gets what he wants, both in his personal and business life. When his stepbrother, Timothy, takes his own life, Jared feels guilty for not taking his problems more seriously. His brother was in love with a gorgeous male prostitute, who broke things off, devastating him. Friends tell Jared the young man, Dylan Sinclair, is a heartless gold-digger, who dumped Timothy when his money ran out. Vowing revenge, Jared decides to hire Dylan and make him totally dependent on him for everything. The handsome Dom plans to dump him then and leave him as devastated as his brother had been, but when Jared falls in love with Dylan, all bets are off. Somehow he must keep this beautiful man as his own, stay loyal to his brother’s memory, and not ruin the real love building between them.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM

139 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2012

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot story of a Dom taking revenge for his brother's death by completely taking over the life of a emotionally scarred prostitute. Lots of angst!

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

This was a strong 3.5 stars for me. Honestly, I spent most of the book feeling horrible, knowing that Jared was stringing Dylan along for Timothy's revenge, all while we learned about Dylan's horrible childhood full of beatings and rapes. I was right there with Dylan waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing things were too good to be true.

As much as Dylan was bratty and childish at times, Jared was pushy and over the top ordering Dylan to do this or do that "for his own safety." Dylan has a drinking problem, but Jared never bothers to understand why, only ordering him to cease and desist. Around 40% I noticed the terms of endearment becoming more frequent. I don't mind one here or there, but too much "baby, darling, honey, sweetheart" tends to get on my nerves and pulls me from the story.

When Dylan accidentally sees the picture of Timothy, Jared decides to lay his cards on the table and tell Dylan the truth. As you can imagine, it doesn't go over very well. Tables are turned, and Dylan, feeling utterly devastated and betrayed, decides to make Jared pay. This was rather interesting though, and Dylan was rather creative, choosing to prove Jared wrong by accomplishing the opposite of what Jared initially intended for him.

All in all, there were things I enjoyed, and things I didn't. But I was interested enough to see things through to the end, if only to see Dylan finally find some peace and love. Both characters learned a lot throughout this story, and I was happy to see that all was not forgiven but that they were going to move forward taking things slowly.

[Ayanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Approximate progression: Hmn... interesting... weird... oooh, this is good... OH, MY GOD o: (of awesomeness) ...oh, my god...(of intensity) ...*blinks. What?

Forgive my incoherence. I blame sleep-deprivation and a small baggy of white powder. *Nods. Yes, someone was stupid enough to let me near the powdered sugar. AND I ATE IT ALL *cackles gleefully. (except now I'm sad cuz I have none left...)

Ahem.

So, this story's good. The premise is interesting. The way it developed is a little predictable, but then, it IS a romance and what else could have happened?
It got interesting, and then it got really intense.
The writing's a little awk. It's a little too...obvious. A lot of it is recounted instead of woven into a story, but that wasn't that big a deal overall.

The cover still baffles me a bit because the cover models don't really make that much sense to me, but w/e.

The ending, however...
The first thing that really bothered me was the imploding at the psychiatrist/psychologist's office. Okay, first off, I thought it was weird that he was just...let in. Just like that.
It also bothered me a bit that Dylan just had a sudden verbal diarrhea spewing session, but I guess I can rationalize that one way or another, so I'll let that lie, albeit uneasily.

The rest of it was so rushed. He just...sat down, spilled his guts, then magically came to an enlightened epiphany? Okay, perhaps the illogic makes it more "life-like" or whatever, but it just seemed weird to me that he came to accept all that so easily. I'd have liked for him to retreat somewhere and think about it a little first so it makes sense as a conscious decision instead of one of those impulsive reactions he's been prone to in the past. I mean, the only way I can justify what happened (as in, how I can see the author justifying it) is with the lines the doc said about giving himself a chance and the man he loves, and then "that gave him a lot to think about." HOWEVER. Trust, once broken, isn't something so easily mended. And Dylan has clearly got a lot on his mind that may be (read: most certainly likely to be) impairing his soundness of judgment.

Anyways, more development into that part, even if the author did a little time gap with glimpses into what happened.
Something like this:
Picking up after Dylan leaves the doc's office, have him go through with the move-out, but before he does, he and Jared cross paths. He's still a little distant, preoccupied, but not overtly hostile. He doesn't say much to Jared, but tells him he needs some time to think things through and get his head straight. Maybe he mentions that he's been to the psychologist and was told some things and has a lot to think on. He might tells him he'll check in with Morgan now and then so he can get updates, or maybe he just says vaguely he'll stay in touch.
He goes off, does his thing. (I'd say let no more than a couple of weeks pass overall. This part would be told in snatches, more like glimpses into that time, but told through Jared's POV. Jared's hopeful, but has come to accept that Dylan needs some space and time. He is, however, worried. You get glimpses of maybe his busy schedule, but him thinking of some of the things Morgan has told him about Dylan.) After a while (no more than a few weeks), Dylan gives him a call and asks if they can meet up. He sounds a bit off still. Better certainly, but is a bit terse on the phone. They agree to meet up (for dinner? Something like that.)
They meet. It's a little stilted at first, maybe a few awkward silences, especially on the car ride there. They're sitting at the table, and Jared's not really sure how to broach any subject when Dylan speaks up. He starts talking about stuff (not sure how he'd preface and lead into everything; I'd have to think on it some more and I really don't want to put that effort into it right now.) He starts telling Jared about his past a bit, speaks of the past couple of weeks, the things he's started facing/dealing with/reconciling. He talks about how he felt when he found out about Jared's motives, how betrayed he felt. (I see him inserting a couple of "Dr. Monitor suggested" or something. I say this because I've composed a partial dialogue in my head; however, it is nowhere near complete or coherent enough for me to write out/post.) Maybe insert a little bitter laughter and have him say "Can you imagine? I wanted to settle into our relationship, but I couldn't make myself stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something was bound to happen. Something would happen to mess this up, or I would follow my usual pattern and somehow screw things up..." (Yeah, this is from the narration itself. If I felt like investing more energy into this, I probably could have come up with some other way to phrase this, but *shrugs.)
Jared's horrified (or grows more and more horrified) cuz of all Dylan's been through. Insert some narration about something tightening in his chest as his pride swelled because of how strong Dylan was, to be able to endure all of that and still have the courage to start healing.
They have their little heart-to-heart, they start reconciling. They finish dinner, go home in silence. Jared's mulling over everything Dylan's told him; Dylan's preoccupied for whatever other reason (this part is 3rd-person limited from Jared's POV).
They go home, it's a little tense, but then...idk, maybe Dylan sees an old memento or something (watch, collar, w/e). There's a little wry laughter on both their parts, they start relaxing. Dylan takes a deep breath and tells Jared how scared he is, of failing, of opening up again and trusting him, but he really wants to try again because he believes that Jared really does care. They have another little tender moment.
...Sex really ain't a priority of mine, but they can have a little sex thrown in there. Actually, that would work. That would work best. They have sex, and it's the achingly sweet and tender and beautiful kind and then in the morning, they can have that little scene that ended the book, with modifications, of course. They wake up, Dylan says his "I was sleeping. Having the nicest dream" line. Obviously, no briefcase is dropped and Jared's not begging for it to be real, for Dylan not to pretend with him.
Little modifications to the dialogue and narration and that would be that.

Ah, I feel so much better now that I have this fantasy image of how the book ended instead of how it actually did. Too bad it didn't. That's probably the only reason I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4. Also the reason it's not in my favorites shelf because if the ending weren't so deplorable, it would be there...
*sigh of disappointment* It's almost like the authors gave up towards the end...

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This book reads a lot like the old Harlequin romances from the 80s, with the tycoon brother out to get revenge on the slutty woman (except in this case, man) for breaking his brother's heart. However, it's well written, and surprisingly deep for what it is. The D/s play is nicely drawn to show both characters' flaws and strengths, and the portrayal of both the development and loss of trust is very thought-provoking. I stayed up half the night finishing this and may reread to see if it deserves that 5th star for the great ending paragraph where after the happy cathartic reunion Dylan still confesses that he nonetheless might never trust Jared enough to submit to him again. For me that bittersweet note saved this book.

[Emma Sea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh, I thought that was terrible. I kept expecting the corny plot and awful dialogue to be hiding some sweet double-cross mindfuckery that was just about to be revealed. It wasn't; it's just a far-fetched rent-boy story featuring two people as interesting as dryer lint.

But listen, Eve really liked it, and she picks great books: this is very likely to be a YMMV situation.

"baby" count = 78

1.5 stars rounded up.

[Wicked Witch of the Words · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. But then it wasn't.

It started out good, I was really enjoying it.
But then it got childish.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really, REALLY liked this book.Just to follow Jared down the lane, watching him step further and further into his own trap, was a journey unlike any other. And then the unbelievable anger that follows when he explains the truth to Dylan. The anger and astonishment that filled me was unrecognizable to me. Can a person actually be this stupid? Rage doesn't even start to explain the anger I felt for Jared. And then Dylan goes all drama queen to get his payback. (Though I think his reaction would be quite like my own, had this happened to me)
And poor Morgan, caught in between with eyes open to what our MC couldn't see for themselves.

The story ended way too abruptly, but it was a "kind of a" sweet dreamy ending still. (Believing Jared was dreaming, I was in a dreamy mode reading the last pages. It was a nice twist that way. I'd really recommend it to others)

But all in all, this was a top 6/6 for me. The story was so sweet though the characters reasons and backgrounds was sad. The way Jared loved Dylan made my heart all warm and the thought of "I'd like my man to be that way" crossed my mind more than a hundred timed thought the book.

A MUST READ for those of you that like a troublesome romance. The sex is hotter than hot, the cuddling so sweet it'll hurt your teeth, and the ending was indeed a bit dreamy ;-)

[Lee Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jared and Dylan had intense chemistry from the time they meet. Jared became lost in his vengeance by falling for Dylan and wanting to protect him yet still wants to control him for his revenge. Dylan is tormented from a past that he had told no one of, he puts himself at risk and indulges in some fun while he prostitutes himself; he is no saint but he has never taken advantage of anyone. Their connection is intense neither can stay away no matter how much the other causes them pain, they have fallen in love but have trouble being together. When the truth comes out from both sides, they end up hurting each other even more. And then it ends up on Dylan's hands to find the strength to forgive even when the trust is lost. The ending was ok, I just wish there had been another chapter to see them at a time late in the future.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully tragic

This book left me feeling sad and resigned to the idea that the couple in the story more than likely would not find happiness together. It's ends on a happy for now basis and let's see what the future holds. But as the reader I tended to think too much headache between the MCs had happened for them to reach a HEA. It is sad because the characters are really good and I wanted them to be happy but the trust was gone and realistically I don't think relationships can move on from that. Still the book is well written and the story is worth the read. I recommend it to anyone that likes km romance with a bit of link thrown in. But don't hold your breath for hearts and flowers at the end, just a can't live without you moment and a we will see.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off interesting, Jared wants to take revenge on Dylan for the suicide of his brother Timothy. Then it kinda floundered around for me with the plot seeming to almost fall apart that by the time I got to the end I was confused. I think the biggest problem was that it was to short to contain the story the author was trying to tell. More time was needed to develop the relationship between Jared and Dylan before getting to the issue of Timothy and throwing a wrench into their relationship. Everything felt very rushed which is kinda sad since this plot line had potential.

[~SexyBookWorm~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally loved this book. It was so REAL. Like it was a real relationship! No fluff piece here. Not at all. I really liked the protrayal of the D/s relationship. Dylan and Jared are the perfect couple. They need eachother and even when they are fighting they are meshing. Jared is a totally hot rich Dom and Dylan is his mouthy bratty sub. Their relatio ship isnt built on trust and comes crashing down around them. They have to use their love to build it back up.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is full of some dark and twisted mind games on everyone's parts. All the players seem to have a hidden agenda. Every time it seemed they were getting it together and headed in the right direction an other blow would fall. I really like the side character of Morgan. He sees it all and isn't afraid to speak his mind to both men.

[Mickelange · Rating 1 out of 5]

superficial. characters have no dimension.
It could be a complex story with lots of possibilities...but in the end, the story is flat and tasteless.
The end of the story comes as a fly in the soup.
Out of the mountain came a mouse, as we say in French...

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought it was great but the ending was rather abrupt.

[Adina Nicc · Rating 3 out of 5]

such a sudden ending... one short talk with a shrink and problems are getting resolved (unrealistic)... it left me thinking that maybe some pages are missing

[Grandmat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable, but the very end resolved the serious issues too fast for my taste.

[*Nan* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars