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Power Exchange #2
Safeword
Everywhere Detective Gavin DeGrassi looks he’s reminded of his attack by the Breath Play Killer. It’s in the house he lives in with his partner and Dom, Ben Haverson. It’s in the sympathetic yet pitying looks he receives from his fellow detectives when he returns to the force after a year-long hiatus. It’s in the suffocating coddling of his entire family, and the relentless reporter demanding an exclusive of his ordeal.
Most of all, it’s in his lack of submission to Ben, who isn’t convinced Gavin’s recovered enough to trust the power exchange between them.
The miraculous recovery of two teen boys from a twisted kidnapper gives him heart, and Gavin's determined to prove he can handle anything despite increasing strain between him and Ben, painful nightmares, and panic when anyone touches him.
But his next case is too close for comfort: a friend and colleague found raped and murdered in a fate chillingly similar to what could have been his own, and this killer isn’t stopping with one cop. As the body count rises and taunting souvenirs are being hand-delivered to Gavin, he faces a frustrating lack of leads, a crushing need to prove himself, and a sinking suspicion the imprisoned kidnapper’s reach is further than originally thought. A miasma of uncertainty and fear threaten to suffocate him when he asks a question with which he’s overwhelmingly familiar: what happens when a victim is pushed too far?
110,000 words
Most of all, it’s in his lack of submission to Ben, who isn’t convinced Gavin’s recovered enough to trust the power exchange between them.
The miraculous recovery of two teen boys from a twisted kidnapper gives him heart, and Gavin's determined to prove he can handle anything despite increasing strain between him and Ben, painful nightmares, and panic when anyone touches him.
But his next case is too close for comfort: a friend and colleague found raped and murdered in a fate chillingly similar to what could have been his own, and this killer isn’t stopping with one cop. As the body count rises and taunting souvenirs are being hand-delivered to Gavin, he faces a frustrating lack of leads, a crushing need to prove himself, and a sinking suspicion the imprisoned kidnapper’s reach is further than originally thought. A miasma of uncertainty and fear threaten to suffocate him when he asks a question with which he’s overwhelmingly familiar: what happens when a victim is pushed too far?
110,000 words
333 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2013
81 people are currently reading
1836 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 349 reviews
November 17, 2014
5 blissfully hot stars! Where can I order a Ben of my own? Review completed August 15, 2013
I have no clue what being high feels but immersing yourself in a fabulous book must be the equivalent of flying. Safeword made me fly into oblivion and Ben was right there to catch me. I’m still kinda buzzed and I don’t drink either. As it is, I’m blissfully content right now, and you can believe me it’s a friggin’ good feeling.
Three months ago homicide detective Gavin DeGrassi returned to the job after an extended leave of absence. Gavin was not able to do his job anymore after he and his boyfriend and Dom, Ben Haverson, had been Gavin needed intensive counseling due to the severe trauma he sustained. Even now, after extensive therapy, he has to deal with panic and anxiety attacks. Plus, he cannot submit to Ben anymore. BDSM play is out of the question for the time being and Gavin is jumpy and frustrated. The lack of trust also hurts Ben but he is very understanding and is there for Gavin whenever he needs him. Although I wouldn't have expected anything less from him considering his background as a psychiatrist. Back on the force Gavin is confronted with another evil crime and his family, friends and co-workers are concerned how he is going to deal with the situation. Plus, Gavin is out now and as expected is confronted with prejudice and judgmental comments and glances. It's not easy being gay and a cop.
The author did a fine job portraying their relationship. It's like a new beginning where Ben handled Gavin with great care. They have to rebuild trust, redefining boundaries. That's not something that happens within a few days. It's a rather long and difficult process and to be as supportive as possible Ben had to use his creativity. Thus I really liked the meaning and connotations of the It was very thoughtful of Ben but at the same time Gavin was hot as all get out. Nice move, Ben!
I liked to see Gavin's vulnerable side. It was hard for him to bare his soul, to be open about his fears and expectations. Yet he was very adamant to claim back his identity and he wanted to relinquish his power to Ben. Ben was his safe haven after all. Their chemistry is great and their love palpable and deep. Ben and Gavin form a beautiful couple and they really talked about their issues in a very realistic way. Granted, sometimes they had to tickle the underlying problems out of each other but they really stuck it out; they did not run away only to avoid their inconvenient issues.
Due to the fact that I’m reading much more m-m stories written by female authors, I jumped the gun when I posted my first update and made a little faux-pas. I’m sorry, AJ. In any event, the more I read the more I was convinced that Safeword has been written by a man coz no woman would write this kind of sex scenes. It’s difficult to explain but you will know what I mean when you read the book. The sex is so…for want of a better word…male, intense and provides a hotness factor that will make your girlie bits tingle, yet at the same time it felt incredibly intimate and tender. I’m not familiar with BDSM in real life but the scenes felt very authentic and the author set them up perfectly. Safeword is a highly enticing combination of very hot smexy times, a really good and entertaining plot and well developed characters. Even though it's not all that of a mystery who murdered the victims, I found it absolutely enthralling to follow the investigations nonetheless, and the author was able to keep me glued to the pages. You might as well buckle up for the final 20 % coz the shit really hit the fan then and there.
Seriously, I wanna kiss and hug my Kindle, I wanna shout it from a rooftop…I LOVED Ben! First meeting and Baba was a goner. He is an amazing and very classy guy and therefore he’s getting a special place on my shelf of favorite heroes.
He combines so many fine attributes that I want to see in a hero. It goes without saying that he is a very attractive man with a gorgeous body and sexy men in suits have that certain something. However, what makes him even more appealing is his intelligence, perceptiveness, empathy, and his ease and calmness. As it is, he says and does the right things. Granted, he is not without flaws but that’s exactly what makes him perfect to me. He is perfect in his very imperfection. In fact, I worship the ground he walks on; too bad he plays for the other team though. *pouts*
Ben made me feel powerful even in utter submission, when my giving him everything made the greatest gift possible. For a moment, I was me again. Whole. Kissing my Dom. Totally his.
Aaaaand, wonders never cease coz I really loved Myah. I get the impression that male authors don’t tend to write women who grate on my very last nerve; thanks for small favors. They obviously understand what I want out of a female character. Myah is an extremely likable woman. She is witty, open-minded, sharp, protective and she gave as good as she got. She could hold her own, for sure. And while Ben marked a very solid presence in Gavin’s life and was the tower of strength, Myah backed him up anytime and anywhere. She truly rocked! This leads me to Gavin’s family and their dynamics in general which I really enjoyed a lot. It gives me a fluttery feeling in my tummy every time I think about Gavin’s loud, affectionate and cheerful family and their Sunday brunches. Good times.
Safeword is a fabulous read and among my favorite BDSM books. I guess that AJ Rose is in very good company with my absolute favorite BDSM author Joey W. Hill, author of Rough Canvas (M/M), Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul (M/F).
While the book worked for me as a standalone, I was so utterly drawn into Ben and Gavin's life that I want to read more about them. So, I'm excited to go back to book 1 Power Exchange, trusting that I will be reading another good story. Whispers…reading out of order is fun after all. :)
Kinky Reader’s heaven rarely feels this good. I hope to fly someday soon. Again.
P.S. Favorite scene: How hawt was that???
Recommended read.
I have no clue what being high feels but immersing yourself in a fabulous book must be the equivalent of flying. Safeword made me fly into oblivion and Ben was right there to catch me. I’m still kinda buzzed and I don’t drink either. As it is, I’m blissfully content right now, and you can believe me it’s a friggin’ good feeling.
Three months ago homicide detective Gavin DeGrassi returned to the job after an extended leave of absence. Gavin was not able to do his job anymore after he and his boyfriend and Dom, Ben Haverson, had been Gavin needed intensive counseling due to the severe trauma he sustained. Even now, after extensive therapy, he has to deal with panic and anxiety attacks. Plus, he cannot submit to Ben anymore. BDSM play is out of the question for the time being and Gavin is jumpy and frustrated. The lack of trust also hurts Ben but he is very understanding and is there for Gavin whenever he needs him. Although I wouldn't have expected anything less from him considering his background as a psychiatrist. Back on the force Gavin is confronted with another evil crime and his family, friends and co-workers are concerned how he is going to deal with the situation. Plus, Gavin is out now and as expected is confronted with prejudice and judgmental comments and glances. It's not easy being gay and a cop.
The author did a fine job portraying their relationship. It's like a new beginning where Ben handled Gavin with great care. They have to rebuild trust, redefining boundaries. That's not something that happens within a few days. It's a rather long and difficult process and to be as supportive as possible Ben had to use his creativity. Thus I really liked the meaning and connotations of the It was very thoughtful of Ben but at the same time Gavin was hot as all get out. Nice move, Ben!
"You still need someone to take control sometimes, but now giving that control unbalances you. Believe me, I understand. I may not feel exactly the same, but I do understand."
"Do you?" I pulled back to look at him. "Does it bother you that I can't seem to trust anyone, even you?"
I liked to see Gavin's vulnerable side. It was hard for him to bare his soul, to be open about his fears and expectations. Yet he was very adamant to claim back his identity and he wanted to relinquish his power to Ben. Ben was his safe haven after all. Their chemistry is great and their love palpable and deep. Ben and Gavin form a beautiful couple and they really talked about their issues in a very realistic way. Granted, sometimes they had to tickle the underlying problems out of each other but they really stuck it out; they did not run away only to avoid their inconvenient issues.
"You are the only one I want, sub or not, fucked in the head or whole. This last year, with you, I've woken up inside. I used to think it was the thrill of the whip, of seeing someone on his knees for me, or the heat of a freshly reddened ass that made me feel alive. Getting someone to fly with me, taking submission for the gift it is--that's a heady thing. It makes my nerves sing and my heart beat fast. Gets me hard and I feel like I can do anything. And that feeling is a pittance compared to being with you."
Speared, caressed, trapped, cradled, and claimed. I sighed and let myself drift in a sea of warmth and surrender and security.
Due to the fact that I’m reading much more m-m stories written by female authors, I jumped the gun when I posted my first update and made a little faux-pas. I’m sorry, AJ. In any event, the more I read the more I was convinced that Safeword has been written by a man coz no woman would write this kind of sex scenes. It’s difficult to explain but you will know what I mean when you read the book. The sex is so…for want of a better word…male, intense and provides a hotness factor that will make your girlie bits tingle, yet at the same time it felt incredibly intimate and tender. I’m not familiar with BDSM in real life but the scenes felt very authentic and the author set them up perfectly. Safeword is a highly enticing combination of very hot smexy times, a really good and entertaining plot and well developed characters. Even though it's not all that of a mystery who murdered the victims, I found it absolutely enthralling to follow the investigations nonetheless, and the author was able to keep me glued to the pages. You might as well buckle up for the final 20 % coz the shit really hit the fan then and there.
"What are you doing?"
"Trusting you," I answered hoarsely, squeezing his hips with the insides of my legs bent at the knee. "As much as I can right now, let me trust you again."
Seriously, I wanna kiss and hug my Kindle, I wanna shout it from a rooftop…I LOVED Ben! First meeting and Baba was a goner. He is an amazing and very classy guy and therefore he’s getting a special place on my shelf of favorite heroes.
He combines so many fine attributes that I want to see in a hero. It goes without saying that he is a very attractive man with a gorgeous body and sexy men in suits have that certain something. However, what makes him even more appealing is his intelligence, perceptiveness, empathy, and his ease and calmness. As it is, he says and does the right things. Granted, he is not without flaws but that’s exactly what makes him perfect to me. He is perfect in his very imperfection. In fact, I worship the ground he walks on; too bad he plays for the other team though. *pouts*
Ben made me feel powerful even in utter submission, when my giving him everything made the greatest gift possible. For a moment, I was me again. Whole. Kissing my Dom. Totally his.
Aaaaand, wonders never cease coz I really loved Myah. I get the impression that male authors don’t tend to write women who grate on my very last nerve; thanks for small favors. They obviously understand what I want out of a female character. Myah is an extremely likable woman. She is witty, open-minded, sharp, protective and she gave as good as she got. She could hold her own, for sure. And while Ben marked a very solid presence in Gavin’s life and was the tower of strength, Myah backed him up anytime and anywhere. She truly rocked! This leads me to Gavin’s family and their dynamics in general which I really enjoyed a lot. It gives me a fluttery feeling in my tummy every time I think about Gavin’s loud, affectionate and cheerful family and their Sunday brunches. Good times.
Safeword is a fabulous read and among my favorite BDSM books. I guess that AJ Rose is in very good company with my absolute favorite BDSM author Joey W. Hill, author of Rough Canvas (M/M), Ice Queen and Mirror of My Soul (M/F).
While the book worked for me as a standalone, I was so utterly drawn into Ben and Gavin's life that I want to read more about them. So, I'm excited to go back to book 1 Power Exchange, trusting that I will be reading another good story. Whispers…reading out of order is fun after all. :)
I looked forward to a whole lifetime of tomorrows.
P.S. Favorite scene: How hawt was that???
Recommended read.
July 17, 2014
Review to follow, let me catch my breath first!
Edit: And here it follows.
On a scale of 1-5 this had a clear 8 or 9 stars!
It starts with a few small things: as perfect an editing as I've read out of any of the big six (or is it five now?), which is such a huge relief to the reading experience. Good, solid and engaging prose, a nice crisp turn of phrase and a lot of characters to love, with dialogue to root for.
Next comes something which earns itself 5* on its own:
A realistic, well-written portrayal not just of BDSM and BDSMers, but also of how BDSMers really deal with trauma and PTSD. No attempts to...beat the crap...err...beat the trauma/PTSD out of the guy...errrr...abuse BDSM as therapy for once, which is a HUGE, a truly mindblowing relief (why? Because it is not ever done). No, instead you get proper therapy, and partners who slowly but surely work through their psychological problems with each other and the trauma. This book actually takes the time to do this and produces no miraculous cure, and certainly not the obnoxious "healing whip peener".
What is more, for once a Dom is not portrayed as the uber-alpha-know-it-all who himself is above any kind of personal problem. I love that here
That is something which shone for me in this sequel to Power Exchange, and made it something an entire class apart. I've not come across a lot of books getting this so right (Leather+Lace is another one).
Psychology Round 2: I loved that this book took up the cases of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby (and probably also of Steven Stayner and Timmy White) and showed us what may have been at the back of the behaviour of these pairs. It was well thought out, and very believable, without falling into the facile traps of attributing everything to Stockholm Syndrome, as so many authors do.
I loved learning more about Myah, I loved that Gavin's wife actually ended up becoming a woman getting his grudging respect, I loved that Trent was treated with respect at the end, and I adored Gavin's family all the way and back.
Yes, I also had a few quibbles with this book. I agree with some reviewers who point out the finale is a bit OTT , but then I've read my share of recent British thrillers and it's occasionally a fun respite to get more action.
I also agree with Ben's demands on Gavin being inappropriate--basically. At the same time I think a bit along the line of "the cause is enough". If anything, I believe it's pretty realistic, I doubt many partners would, after all that happened, just stand by, be cool and say "whatever".
All put together it was a fantastic ride, lively, refreshing, so unlike a lot else what I read recently, perfect with regard to everything BDSM, and there was enough angst and terror in it, to satisfy my needs there as well.
Edit: And here it follows.
On a scale of 1-5 this had a clear 8 or 9 stars!
It starts with a few small things: as perfect an editing as I've read out of any of the big six (or is it five now?), which is such a huge relief to the reading experience. Good, solid and engaging prose, a nice crisp turn of phrase and a lot of characters to love, with dialogue to root for.
Next comes something which earns itself 5* on its own:
A realistic, well-written portrayal not just of BDSM and BDSMers, but also of how BDSMers really deal with trauma and PTSD. No attempts to...
What is more, for once a Dom is not portrayed as the uber-alpha-know-it-all who himself is above any kind of personal problem. I love that here
That is something which shone for me in this sequel to Power Exchange, and made it something an entire class apart. I've not come across a lot of books getting this so right (Leather+Lace is another one).
Psychology Round 2: I loved that this book took up the cases of Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby (and probably also of Steven Stayner and Timmy White) and showed us what may have been at the back of the behaviour of these pairs. It was well thought out, and very believable, without falling into the facile traps of attributing everything to Stockholm Syndrome, as so many authors do.
I loved learning more about Myah, I loved that Gavin's wife actually ended up becoming a woman getting his grudging respect, I loved that Trent was treated with respect at the end, and I adored Gavin's family all the way and back.
Yes, I also had a few quibbles with this book. I agree with some reviewers who point out the finale is a bit OTT , but then I've read my share of recent British thrillers and it's occasionally a fun respite to get more action.
I also agree with Ben's demands on Gavin being inappropriate--basically. At the same time I think a bit along the line of "the cause is enough". If anything, I believe it's pretty realistic, I doubt many partners would, after all that happened, just stand by, be cool and say "whatever".
All put together it was a fantastic ride, lively, refreshing, so unlike a lot else what I read recently, perfect with regard to everything BDSM, and there was enough angst and terror in it, to satisfy my needs there as well.
September 30, 2014
Written March 16, 2014
4.6 Stars - a strong and tough story with tender warm love and a scary crime drama
Book #2
~ Read in October 2013... ~ A VERY late review!!
There was never any review written. It is meybe too late to really do this book real justice now, but I still want to say some words.
First of all, I liked this novel, and partly even more than the first book (Power Exchange), a lot.
~**~**~**~**~**~
Heartbreakingly beautiful about wanting to solve puzzles and knots, both in private with your loved one and those horrible as a homicide detective.
Partly includes this attempts to review, both of the books.
(4 stars for the first part - Power Exchange)
~**~**~**~**~**~
This two-books-series is about, the "straight" Detective Gavin DeGrassi and the gay Dom and Psychologist Dr. Ben Haverson. It is romances with a lot of police work and big crime parts in them. A good, and well written, mix in my opinion.
Safeword, the second installment, continues some time (maybe half a year or was it more?) after the first book left off (with big scary drama but happy).
These books were both very thrilling and quite tough to read in the crime part. It was some nasty "bloody" crime scenes and a cruel murderThis second book was maybe lesser predictable than this first one in the "who did it" part. It was harder to guess in this one. The daily murder investigative work of detectives and policemen were anyway very engaging to follow. The suspense was really speedy in the end. Help...I was really anxious and nervous there for a while.
The romantic part was just beautiful and quite realistic. I'm, as my friends knows, always a bit nervous when I'm reading a BDSM romance. (As I said many times; Those scary BDSM clubs always makes me shudder. I can not get really comfortable with them. Maybe I'll get used to them and will appreciate them some day. Who knows?)
....Luckely are these books more explanatory than hard on the exercise in the tougher D/s elements. I could breath and felt in the end comfortable with their playing. ...as the one in the Hotel room - just amazing and very strong to follow. It wasn't D/s playing - it was love making.
Even this second books was a lot about how to step out from the closet for a former straght living man. There is both Gavin's big, not always easy, "cop-family", the nasty cop-bullies at work and some natural anxiety in himself. ~ And of course, this novel is mainly about the, sometimes tough, topic to accept and get used to a D/s lifestile. [Read more about all the topics etc in my review for the first book (Power Exchange).]
In the end I really felt for these men and their love and even their D/s play. This author just described it in a way that got it all to just feels wonderful, sexy sweet and alluring sensitive.
The title is absolutely perfect this time too. The title tells you a lot about what this book is about. I think Gavin is both a brave man and he took some great personal steps in the, for him quite, new kink and submission role. Ben is, even this time, just a gorgeous and wonderful strong partner. He is such a very careful lover and a lovely man to stay with. Who would not want to submit to him? I understand fullhearthly that Gavin fall in love in him.
~ Yummy, yummy good to read about these struggling and loving men. Five stars for their intense, and also tough, love story. ~
Too sum up; I enjoyed and in the end loves this series. There was some tough parts and I was breathless and a bit scared quite often. This saga ended in a grand way. Kind of unforgetable.
A recommended series - I loved it. These books are on one of my favorite shelfs now. ~ Nice work A.J. Rose, you caught me in these two men's tough world.
~**~**~**~**~**~
Do you need to read the first book Power Exchange? - No, you don't, but you might like this one more if you do. You will get a good end already in the first part and it isn't a awful cliffhanger there (and here).
~**~**~**~**~**~
I LIKE - thrilling scary but so good ... very sweet romantic in the end
~~~~~~~~~
Elizabetta told me about this listopia list here on GR (M/M romances) BDSM for Newbies and the first book Power Exchange is #4 on that list.
The covers for this series are amazing. Right? But they are maybe more Bondage BDSM teasing than what the books actually are...
4.6 Stars - a strong and tough story with tender warm love and a scary crime drama
Book #2
~ Read in October 2013... ~ A VERY late review!!
There was never any review written. It is meybe too late to really do this book real justice now, but I still want to say some words.
First of all, I liked this novel, and partly even more than the first book (Power Exchange), a lot.
~**~**~**~**~**~
Heartbreakingly beautiful about wanting to solve puzzles and knots, both in private with your loved one and those horrible as a homicide detective.
Partly includes this attempts to review, both of the books.
(4 stars for the first part - Power Exchange)
~**~**~**~**~**~
This two-books-series is about, the "straight" Detective Gavin DeGrassi and the gay Dom and Psychologist Dr. Ben Haverson. It is romances with a lot of police work and big crime parts in them. A good, and well written, mix in my opinion.
Safeword, the second installment, continues some time (maybe half a year or was it more?) after the first book left off (with big scary drama but happy).
These books were both very thrilling and quite tough to read in the crime part. It was some nasty "bloody" crime scenes and a cruel murderThis second book was maybe lesser predictable than this first one in the "who did it" part. It was harder to guess in this one. The daily murder investigative work of detectives and policemen were anyway very engaging to follow. The suspense was really speedy in the end. Help...I was really anxious and nervous there for a while.
The romantic part was just beautiful and quite realistic. I'm, as my friends knows, always a bit nervous when I'm reading a BDSM romance. (As I said many times; Those scary BDSM clubs always makes me shudder. I can not get really comfortable with them. Maybe I'll get used to them and will appreciate them some day. Who knows?)
....Luckely are these books more explanatory than hard on the exercise in the tougher D/s elements. I could breath and felt in the end comfortable with their playing. ...as the one in the Hotel room - just amazing and very strong to follow. It wasn't D/s playing - it was love making.
“...There is no way in hell I'm going to let you go, to leave you free for sny other Dom. You're mine, Gavin. We need each other, now more than ever.”
Even this second books was a lot about how to step out from the closet for a former straght living man. There is both Gavin's big, not always easy, "cop-family", the nasty cop-bullies at work and some natural anxiety in himself. ~ And of course, this novel is mainly about the, sometimes tough, topic to accept and get used to a D/s lifestile. [Read more about all the topics etc in my review for the first book (Power Exchange).]
In the end I really felt for these men and their love and even their D/s play. This author just described it in a way that got it all to just feels wonderful, sexy sweet and alluring sensitive.
‘The last of my walls, once ironclad in the wake of our trauma, crumbled like the turrets and battlements of a sandcastle demolished by a smooth, powerful wawe.’
The title is absolutely perfect this time too. The title tells you a lot about what this book is about. I think Gavin is both a brave man and he took some great personal steps in the, for him quite, new kink and submission role. Ben is, even this time, just a gorgeous and wonderful strong partner. He is such a very careful lover and a lovely man to stay with. Who would not want to submit to him? I understand fullhearthly that Gavin fall in love in him.
~ Yummy, yummy good to read about these struggling and loving men. Five stars for their intense, and also tough, love story. ~
Too sum up; I enjoyed and in the end loves this series. There was some tough parts and I was breathless and a bit scared quite often. This saga ended in a grand way. Kind of unforgetable.
A recommended series - I loved it. These books are on one of my favorite shelfs now. ~ Nice work A.J. Rose, you caught me in these two men's tough world.
~**~**~**~**~**~
Do you need to read the first book Power Exchange? - No, you don't, but you might like this one more if you do. You will get a good end already in the first part and it isn't a awful cliffhanger there (and here).
~**~**~**~**~**~
I LIKE - thrilling scary but so good ... very sweet romantic in the end
~~~~~~~~~
Elizabetta told me about this listopia list here on GR (M/M romances) BDSM for Newbies and the first book Power Exchange is #4 on that list.
The covers for this series are amazing. Right? But they are maybe more Bondage BDSM teasing than what the books actually are...
October 21, 2014
WOW!!!
5 That's me in pure bliss Stars
I loved the first but this one… I ADORE, was like a warm burn beneath my skin that flowed, carrying me along, gathering in my pelvis like a bright pinpoint of light, a star about to go supernova. While reading it I was taken into awareness of the wonderful and powerful relationship of Gavin and Ben!
“I only want us to be together, to be safe. I only want you, Gavin. I love you too much to lose you.”
BEN this is for you!!
Some scenes … double WOW!!
AMAZING series… a “perfect package”,sexy men, BDSM,cops, suspense,rough and REAL tender and loving moments!
Highly recommended!
5 That's me in pure bliss Stars
I loved the first but this one… I ADORE, was like a warm burn beneath my skin that flowed, carrying me along, gathering in my pelvis like a bright pinpoint of light, a star about to go supernova. While reading it I was taken into awareness of the wonderful and powerful relationship of Gavin and Ben!
“I only want us to be together, to be safe. I only want you, Gavin. I love you too much to lose you.”
BEN this is for you!!
Some scenes … double WOW!!
AMAZING series… a “perfect package”,sexy men, BDSM,cops, suspense,rough and REAL tender and loving moments!
Highly recommended!
April 3, 2017
I tilted my head, baring my neck, my control to him, hoping he'd take it and make it his, make it safe to be vulnerable again. Make me feel his control over me so I could finally let go and just be.
Two questions are whirling around in my head since I finished this book last night.
What it is about this series that I love it so much? And what the hell took me so long to start with this sequel?
Honest to God, I don't have an answer, so maybe reviewing it might help me to find one.
First of all, I don't mind kinky sex. At. All. BDSM, though, is so not my thing. Okay, I might have mentioned it already, once or twice, and I'm sorry you just heard it a third time, but I have to explain it a bit. It is not even the dominance part or the giving-up of control, in fact, I can understand it to some extent.
It is rather the whole concept, the accomplishment, that bothers me. I just don't get why someone likes to get spanked (not me, when I was a child and got a smack on my backside for getting up to nonsense, that's for sure!) or likes to wear a collar like a watchdog. Somehow, in this series this concept works for me, though.
Maybe it is just the context, with the thrilling aspects of another murder case or the perfectness of Ben and Gavin being together, all wrapped up in a gripping writing that made me experience the full range of emotions and kept me completely engrossed in the story.
It's been almost four years since I've read Power Exchange and at first I was hesitant to start with Safeword without re-reading the first book. I should have known better! Power Exchange left such a deep impression, I even remembered the names of side characters and that is something that astonishes me the most. Normally, I write my reviews after finishing a book because after reading something in between, it is entirely possible that I can't seem to remember shit, so you get what I'm saying. A very deep impression.
Ben and Gavin have been through so much in the first book and now they have to deal with the aftereffects on their daily life, be it in their relationship with the relearning of trust, or in (mostly) Gavin's job as a detective dealing with another serial killer, or facing the incomprehension and sometimes even homophobia of the outerworld.
What I loved the most about this book was the fact that Ben and Gavin's love never wavered, not for one second. Both men are even willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the happiness of the other...
... and the two scenes when both men were safewording to each other almost broke my heart.
But I promised you the full range of emotions and this book not only made me cry, it also made me laugh because of Gavin's lovely douchebag of a brother, it made me feel overwhelmed because of the cohesion in Gavin's family, it made me bite my nails while searching for a killer, but it also made me feel compassion for him due to what he went through and it made me hate the man who sent him on a downward spiral and made him a killer.
So, scratch the "maybe" in the paragraph with the context. It is the whole package that made me love this story so much and I definitely won't wait another four years to read the next book. Highly recommended!
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
Two questions are whirling around in my head since I finished this book last night.
What it is about this series that I love it so much? And what the hell took me so long to start with this sequel?
Honest to God, I don't have an answer, so maybe reviewing it might help me to find one.
First of all, I don't mind kinky sex. At. All. BDSM, though, is so not my thing. Okay, I might have mentioned it already, once or twice, and I'm sorry you just heard it a third time, but I have to explain it a bit. It is not even the dominance part or the giving-up of control, in fact, I can understand it to some extent.
It is rather the whole concept, the accomplishment, that bothers me. I just don't get why someone likes to get spanked (not me, when I was a child and got a smack on my backside for getting up to nonsense, that's for sure!) or likes to wear a collar like a watchdog. Somehow, in this series this concept works for me, though.
Maybe it is just the context, with the thrilling aspects of another murder case or the perfectness of Ben and Gavin being together, all wrapped up in a gripping writing that made me experience the full range of emotions and kept me completely engrossed in the story.
It's been almost four years since I've read Power Exchange and at first I was hesitant to start with Safeword without re-reading the first book. I should have known better! Power Exchange left such a deep impression, I even remembered the names of side characters and that is something that astonishes me the most. Normally, I write my reviews after finishing a book because after reading something in between, it is entirely possible that I can't seem to remember shit, so you get what I'm saying. A very deep impression.
Ben and Gavin have been through so much in the first book and now they have to deal with the aftereffects on their daily life, be it in their relationship with the relearning of trust, or in (mostly) Gavin's job as a detective dealing with another serial killer, or facing the incomprehension and sometimes even homophobia of the outerworld.
What I loved the most about this book was the fact that Ben and Gavin's love never wavered, not for one second. Both men are even willing to make sacrifices for the sake of the happiness of the other...
... and the two scenes when both men were safewording to each other almost broke my heart.
But I promised you the full range of emotions and this book not only made me cry, it also made me laugh because of Gavin's lovely douchebag of a brother, it made me feel overwhelmed because of the cohesion in Gavin's family, it made me bite my nails while searching for a killer, but it also made me feel compassion for him due to what he went through and it made me hate the man who sent him on a downward spiral and made him a killer.
So, scratch the "maybe" in the paragraph with the context. It is the whole package that made me love this story so much and I definitely won't wait another four years to read the next book. Highly recommended!
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
September 13, 2014
♥♥♥ 5 Fantastic Stars ♥♥♥
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
'Just as it takes more strength to kneel before another than to stand beside them, it takes more self-awareness and humility to know what one can't control in order to avoid losing control altogether.'
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Aww...that ending, was so sweet. This whole book awesome. It was definitely a lot better than the first, as many had told me. I just loved it!
I could not wait to start on this book, especially when I fell hard for the two main characters in the last book. I was able to get into this one pretty quick. The mystery had me intrigued from the start, and was able to keep my interest all the way through. Something the first book did not do. So I was completely entertained by all the events that took place.
I really liked Gavin so much more in this book. He and Ben went through some very tough and terrible things in the last book. In this book, Gavin is trying to move on from those traumatic events. I loved his determination to get better. I also loved seeing another side of Gavin, where he was the one supporting Ben. I loved that so much. Gavin had his moments where is fears got the better of him, but he had Ben and Myah, who is the best partner anyone could have. I was really happy about that.
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'My Ben. My strength. My heart.'
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Ben, I still very much LOVED!! Ben seemed to be moving on with his life a lot easier than Ben was, but that was wrong. He was keeping it all inside himself, so I loved the fact that Gavin was there to challenge him and take care of him. With Ben, we were also shown a different side to him, a side that was more vulnerable. Those moments were the ones that tugged at my heart strings a bit. Ben is so selfless in the way he cares for Gavin that you can't help but fall in love with him. He is truly the best.
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'I looked forward to a whole lifetime of tomorrows. As long as I had Ben.'
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The suspense story line definitely did improve from the first book. The writing was stil really good, and I think there was a good balance going on between the romantic story line and the suspense one. I also liked that it had a good balance of serious, sad, and happy moments. I seriously love Myah so much. She is so awesome, tough, and supportive. And Gavin's brother Cole is pretty awesome as well. There were some HOT scenes in this one, just like in the first. There were also moments that melted my heart into goo. The ending was perfect. It left me with a warm feeling and the biggest smile ever. I can't wait to read the third book.
August 16, 2018
It just keeps getting better and better. I loved this book. First one was great, this one was spectacular. The mystery and subsequent investigation kept me on the edge of the seat, both MCs made my heart ache for them and the rest of the DeGrassi family made for a wonderful read!
Gavin struggles with many issues due to what happened to him at the hands of a madman. Every day is a fight to stay sane and get that elusive happiness back. But how to get it all back when your own sense of self is distorted? How to be if you no longer know who you are? Gavin is a survivor. He is strong enough to overcome it all with the help of friends and his therapist. He is winning. But at the same time he is always set back by... Ben. Yes, Ben. Because Ben is not healing, he is stubborn and it takes a lot for him to admit what he is afraid of, how powerless he felt when he couldn't protect Gavin from pain. It takes two of them to find their true selves, to find their way to each other. And the journey is painful and beautiful.
I have to give a tribute to Myah Hayes, Gavin's partner on the force. She is one of those people that once you get her loyalty she will always be there for you. Apart from being a dedicated detective, smart and sharp, she is also a wonderful friend. She is a staunch supporter and roots for Gavin and Ben. She is a friend that anyone would be lucky to have. She was one of the best features in this book hands down. I hope to know more about her.
The murders that rock the city this time are even worse than before because they strike a deep cord among all the policemen - their own are being slaughtered with rage and unnecessary cruelty. Every hand is on deck but what they find in the end is that when a mind is twisted so much there is no chance of redemption. Many ugly secrets come to light, people's lives are ruined, old grudges and bigoted attitudes show people's true faces but still there is beauty in life and new friends are made, old obstacles and challenges are overcome and life goes no.
A wonderful story delivered by a gifted author. A page turner! I highly recommend it!
Gavin struggles with many issues due to what happened to him at the hands of a madman. Every day is a fight to stay sane and get that elusive happiness back. But how to get it all back when your own sense of self is distorted? How to be if you no longer know who you are? Gavin is a survivor. He is strong enough to overcome it all with the help of friends and his therapist. He is winning. But at the same time he is always set back by... Ben. Yes, Ben. Because Ben is not healing, he is stubborn and it takes a lot for him to admit what he is afraid of, how powerless he felt when he couldn't protect Gavin from pain. It takes two of them to find their true selves, to find their way to each other. And the journey is painful and beautiful.
I have to give a tribute to Myah Hayes, Gavin's partner on the force. She is one of those people that once you get her loyalty she will always be there for you. Apart from being a dedicated detective, smart and sharp, she is also a wonderful friend. She is a staunch supporter and roots for Gavin and Ben. She is a friend that anyone would be lucky to have. She was one of the best features in this book hands down. I hope to know more about her.
The murders that rock the city this time are even worse than before because they strike a deep cord among all the policemen - their own are being slaughtered with rage and unnecessary cruelty. Every hand is on deck but what they find in the end is that when a mind is twisted so much there is no chance of redemption. Many ugly secrets come to light, people's lives are ruined, old grudges and bigoted attitudes show people's true faces but still there is beauty in life and new friends are made, old obstacles and challenges are overcome and life goes no.
A wonderful story delivered by a gifted author. A page turner! I highly recommend it!
April 28, 2018
~NOTHINGS SAFE IN LOVE & WAR~
Gavin Degrassi is back in the sequel to Power Exchange; he's healing up and trying to get his life back after being violated by a serial killer. There's also the reoccurring guilt he feels everytime, like he could have done more and saved all the boys who lost their lives to the Breath Play killer. After a year long hiatus, Gavin feels ready to head back to work, and with the support of his lover Ben Haverson, Gavin is feeling pretty confident he's ready to dive right back into work.
Thats until his first case feels too close for comfort, someone is killing cops and in a style that is all too familiar to Gavin. Bounded, beaten, and defiled cops are dropping like flies and suddenly Gavin isn't feeling as confident because it brings back bad memories of his own assault at the hands of a killer. To make a bad situation worse, it involves kids, a vile pedophile and Gavin and his partner Myah have their hands full and have to beat the clock before a killer strikes again. Suddenly, the killer is making everything personal by breaking into Gavin's home and leaving him little gifts. Just maybe his job is becoming too much, and its putting a strain on his relationship with the man he loves.
Alright, I have to say I enjoyed the first book a lot more which doesn't mean this book was bad, I just didn't fall in love. I still enjoyed it, but found Gavin to be the same as he was in Power Exchange his head wasn't in the game and once again most things could have been avoided. Hooray for a killer that wasn't obvious and the execution of the overall mystery were well done. Twisted and all kinds of sad, this killer really hit me in the feels; it was a sad out come to a very sad situation.
The relationship between Gavin and Ben took the backseat in Safeword but it doesn't mean that their relationship didn't play a role. With what happened to them both in the first book there was some hurdles that needed to be jumped for things to be overcome. The BDSM part of it all was very mild, and I sorta missed what their relationship used to be but it was understandable as to why they went easy with D/s thing. My peeve is that Gavin felt like he had to leave his job, and in the end I felt like it was forced on him but that’s just my feelings.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and it turned out to be a solid written crime novel. With lots of twists and turns along the way, the reader is guaranteed to be kept on his/her toes.
Should You Read It? Yes, if you enjoyed the first book and wanted to see how Gavin and Ben's relationship progressed. I enjoyed it and found it to be a solidly written sequel.
Gavin Degrassi is back in the sequel to Power Exchange; he's healing up and trying to get his life back after being violated by a serial killer. There's also the reoccurring guilt he feels everytime, like he could have done more and saved all the boys who lost their lives to the Breath Play killer. After a year long hiatus, Gavin feels ready to head back to work, and with the support of his lover Ben Haverson, Gavin is feeling pretty confident he's ready to dive right back into work.
Thats until his first case feels too close for comfort, someone is killing cops and in a style that is all too familiar to Gavin. Bounded, beaten, and defiled cops are dropping like flies and suddenly Gavin isn't feeling as confident because it brings back bad memories of his own assault at the hands of a killer. To make a bad situation worse, it involves kids, a vile pedophile and Gavin and his partner Myah have their hands full and have to beat the clock before a killer strikes again. Suddenly, the killer is making everything personal by breaking into Gavin's home and leaving him little gifts. Just maybe his job is becoming too much, and its putting a strain on his relationship with the man he loves.
Alright, I have to say I enjoyed the first book a lot more which doesn't mean this book was bad, I just didn't fall in love. I still enjoyed it, but found Gavin to be the same as he was in Power Exchange his head wasn't in the game and once again most things could have been avoided. Hooray for a killer that wasn't obvious and the execution of the overall mystery were well done. Twisted and all kinds of sad, this killer really hit me in the feels; it was a sad out come to a very sad situation.
The relationship between Gavin and Ben took the backseat in Safeword but it doesn't mean that their relationship didn't play a role. With what happened to them both in the first book there was some hurdles that needed to be jumped for things to be overcome. The BDSM part of it all was very mild, and I sorta missed what their relationship used to be but it was understandable as to why they went easy with D/s thing. My peeve is that Gavin felt like he had to leave his job, and in the end I felt like it was forced on him but that’s just my feelings.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and it turned out to be a solid written crime novel. With lots of twists and turns along the way, the reader is guaranteed to be kept on his/her toes.
Should You Read It? Yes, if you enjoyed the first book and wanted to see how Gavin and Ben's relationship progressed. I enjoyed it and found it to be a solidly written sequel.
August 9, 2016
A great follow-up to Power Exchange.
One year after being tortured by the Breath Play Killer, Ben and Gavin are struggling to get the dynamics of their D/s relationship back on track. Both men are blaming themselves for their perceived failures leading up to and following that ordeal, and while there is no doubt about their love, there is question as to whether Gavin will ever be able to submit to Ben and whether Ben will be able to push Gavin's limits to give him what he needs. Oh, and if all that was not enough, there is someone out there killing cops and, of course, Gavin is on their radar.
A.J. Rose has again written a gripping mystery/procedural that complements the relationship story and his secondary characters are all well written. Myah and Gavin's partnership is as solid as ever, even though there are still those on the force that will not accept Gavin.
While this book can certainly act as a satisfying end to Ben and Gavin's story, I am hoping to see more of them in the future.
One year after being tortured by the Breath Play Killer, Ben and Gavin are struggling to get the dynamics of their D/s relationship back on track. Both men are blaming themselves for their perceived failures leading up to and following that ordeal, and while there is no doubt about their love, there is question as to whether Gavin will ever be able to submit to Ben and whether Ben will be able to push Gavin's limits to give him what he needs. Oh, and if all that was not enough, there is someone out there killing cops and, of course, Gavin is on their radar.
A.J. Rose has again written a gripping mystery/procedural that complements the relationship story and his secondary characters are all well written. Myah and Gavin's partnership is as solid as ever, even though there are still those on the force that will not accept Gavin.
While this book can certainly act as a satisfying end to Ben and Gavin's story, I am hoping to see more of them in the future.
January 20, 2019
3.5 Stars
December 1, 2016
Ben and Gavin have to come to terms with their life after what happened in book 1.
There is a lot to process, but most of all how the horrific events of one night have changed their relationship in a way neither likes.
Ben is not the dom Gavin's desperate for and Gavin still seems too fragile to be the sub Ben needs. It is a catch 22 situation, and there are a lot of heart-rending moments for both MCs. I loved how the author twists and turns their relationship to see them evolve. I loved that despite whatever obstacles life throws at these two, they remain fully committed and deeply in love throughout.
What I wasn't so keen on in this book is that the action/crime plot took over large parts of the book. I could have done with more Ben and Gavin instead. Particularly towards the end where safewords are uttered, but not much detail is given what is going on in the men's hearts. Which is a shame.
However, this book has an awesome epilogue and as I have seen what's coming in book 3 I might call it a day with this series. I really liked Ben and Gavin, but I'm not sure that I can cope with the themes in the next book.
Recommended!
There is a lot to process, but most of all how the horrific events of one night have changed their relationship in a way neither likes.
Ben is not the dom Gavin's desperate for and Gavin still seems too fragile to be the sub Ben needs. It is a catch 22 situation, and there are a lot of heart-rending moments for both MCs. I loved how the author twists and turns their relationship to see them evolve. I loved that despite whatever obstacles life throws at these two, they remain fully committed and deeply in love throughout.
What I wasn't so keen on in this book is that the action/crime plot took over large parts of the book. I could have done with more Ben and Gavin instead. Particularly towards the end where safewords are uttered, but not much detail is given what is going on in the men's hearts. Which is a shame.
However, this book has an awesome epilogue and as I have seen what's coming in book 3 I might call it a day with this series. I really liked Ben and Gavin, but I'm not sure that I can cope with the themes in the next book.
Recommended!
September 15, 2014
This was a fantastic read! 4.5 stars.
Although the romance was exciting in the first book, Power Exchange, I thought the mystery was lacking—probably due to all the scenes where I wanted to smack police detective Gavin DeGrassi upside the head and say, “Hey! Jackass! Could you please get your head out of your junk for five minutes and take a closer look at that GIANT CLUE. Yeah, the one right there in front of you. That’s it. Thank you.” The mystery element in Safeword is much better.
DeGrassi spent most of Power Exchange distracted by personal biz . By the time I reached the end I was seriously annoyed that his constant distraction prevented him from catching the Breath Play Killer sooner—it was understandable but still irritating. I saw it as a serious flaw in an otherwise good book.
However, after reading Safeword I can see how AJ Rose created a series of events that would cause Gavin to feel a lot of guilt, as well as being genuinely traumatized, and that would lead to personal & professional growth in Gavin (and in many other characters, such as Ben) as well as growth in Gavin & Ben’s relationship. It was so well done and so much fun to read—even during the more dramatic/angsty moments. By the 5% mark in Safeword I fully trusted that AJ Rose knew what he was doing.
So often in sequels authors seem to think they have to create some sort of faux drama to keep the readers interested. So we get the sudden arrival of the ex who was never previously mentioned (*cough* But For You *cough*) or the ex-wife or girlfriend of the main love interest, who suddenly turns up, sometimes with a child in tow, but who, of course, has no interest in getting back together with said love interest (*whispers* yeah she does). I hate this kind of unnecessary angst.
In Safeword there is none of that—any drama or angst or problems between Gavin & Ben are the natural results of the events in Power Exchange and further events in this novel. Also, there’s not just one giant emotional confrontation between the two, followed by make-up sex & a bunch of baby-I-love-you’s. (Though given my recent reading habits, which are of the sticky sweet variety, I should say I don't always mind this.) Their problems are not magically solved in one moment of actual communication. Gavin & Ben’s relationship go through several ups & downs, but they never stop communicating with each other. AJ Rose never strikes a false note—all the ups flow naturally from the downs and the downs are a natural progression from the ups. (I guess that’s called propulsive plotting—which a reviewer (Julio) mentioned in his review of another book. I’ve never heard the term before, but it struck me as one of many reasons I may like a book or not.)
My recommendation? Read both Power Exchange & Safeword back to back, like they’re one long novel. You’ll have an excellent time.
P.S. Ok, one more reason to read these books; Myah, Gavin’s best friend & partner, is awesome. She’s tough, intelligent & vulnerable and never a caricature. I love her.
Although the romance was exciting in the first book, Power Exchange, I thought the mystery was lacking—probably due to all the scenes where I wanted to smack police detective Gavin DeGrassi upside the head and say, “Hey! Jackass! Could you please get your head out of your junk for five minutes and take a closer look at that GIANT CLUE. Yeah, the one right there in front of you. That’s it. Thank you.” The mystery element in Safeword is much better.
DeGrassi spent most of Power Exchange distracted by personal biz . By the time I reached the end I was seriously annoyed that his constant distraction prevented him from catching the Breath Play Killer sooner—it was understandable but still irritating. I saw it as a serious flaw in an otherwise good book.
However, after reading Safeword I can see how AJ Rose created a series of events that would cause Gavin to feel a lot of guilt, as well as being genuinely traumatized, and that would lead to personal & professional growth in Gavin (and in many other characters, such as Ben) as well as growth in Gavin & Ben’s relationship. It was so well done and so much fun to read—even during the more dramatic/angsty moments. By the 5% mark in Safeword I fully trusted that AJ Rose knew what he was doing.
So often in sequels authors seem to think they have to create some sort of faux drama to keep the readers interested. So we get the sudden arrival of the ex who was never previously mentioned (*cough* But For You *cough*) or the ex-wife or girlfriend of the main love interest, who suddenly turns up, sometimes with a child in tow, but who, of course, has no interest in getting back together with said love interest (*whispers* yeah she does). I hate this kind of unnecessary angst.
In Safeword there is none of that—any drama or angst or problems between Gavin & Ben are the natural results of the events in Power Exchange and further events in this novel. Also, there’s not just one giant emotional confrontation between the two, followed by make-up sex & a bunch of baby-I-love-you’s. (Though given my recent reading habits, which are of the sticky sweet variety, I should say I don't always mind this.) Their problems are not magically solved in one moment of actual communication. Gavin & Ben’s relationship go through several ups & downs, but they never stop communicating with each other. AJ Rose never strikes a false note—all the ups flow naturally from the downs and the downs are a natural progression from the ups. (I guess that’s called propulsive plotting—which a reviewer (Julio) mentioned in his review of another book. I’ve never heard the term before, but it struck me as one of many reasons I may like a book or not.)
My recommendation? Read both Power Exchange & Safeword back to back, like they’re one long novel. You’ll have an excellent time.
P.S. Ok, one more reason to read these books; Myah, Gavin’s best friend & partner, is awesome. She’s tough, intelligent & vulnerable and never a caricature. I love her.
July 12, 2017
Rating: 4.5* of five
Wow, what a ride. What an amazing adrenaline rush of an ending. What can Rose do to top this one? I'll be finding out soon.
So, after I found out about Consent, let me revisit this book and explain why it is my personal favorite of the three books in the series to date.
The end of Power Exchange was, to put it mildly, horrific. The awfulness of the events that Ben and Gavin endured can't be overstated. The impact of the extreme publicity surrounding the events can't be overstated. These two men were traumatized physically, psychologically, and publicly. In Consent, their violated beings are shown in the process of healing. Their family relationships are shown in all their realistic upheaval and flux. The source of their identity as a couple, Gavin's submission to Ben's Domination of his body and his spirit, is fractured and despite their mutual and deep desire to recover that connection, they aren't able to...but they are not either one vaguely in the mood to give up trying.
Ben loves Gavin, Gavin loves Ben. This is the given point from which this story operates. Nothing that has happened has changed them so much that the facts aren't true. But then there is the other stuff lying between them in huge mounds of rubble and vast slicks of toxic waste. The trust issues that follow in the wake of being raped. The fears of inadequacy in the face of your beloved partner's pain, which you can't fix. The awful moment when your own broken inner self seems to be too much for your partner to handle, so you feel you *should* release them from your further fulfilling your needs.
And then the sense of the thing reasserts itself: NO. NOT A DAMN CHANCE. Ben and Gavin each reach this awful precipice and look into the abyss of aloneness after each man finally discovers himself, his best self, in the other man's eyes. They say no, they grab hold of each other and they move together as far away as they can from that horrible annihilating aloneness.
And they do so while solving a horrible crime and rescuing innocent young men from vile servitude. They don't come out of this case unscathed but they come out changed for the better, is also a great deal sadder.
Far and away the best of the series to date.
Wow, what a ride. What an amazing adrenaline rush of an ending. What can Rose do to top this one? I'll be finding out soon.
So, after I found out about Consent, let me revisit this book and explain why it is my personal favorite of the three books in the series to date.
The end of Power Exchange was, to put it mildly, horrific. The awfulness of the events that Ben and Gavin endured can't be overstated. The impact of the extreme publicity surrounding the events can't be overstated. These two men were traumatized physically, psychologically, and publicly. In Consent, their violated beings are shown in the process of healing. Their family relationships are shown in all their realistic upheaval and flux. The source of their identity as a couple, Gavin's submission to Ben's Domination of his body and his spirit, is fractured and despite their mutual and deep desire to recover that connection, they aren't able to...but they are not either one vaguely in the mood to give up trying.
Ben loves Gavin, Gavin loves Ben. This is the given point from which this story operates. Nothing that has happened has changed them so much that the facts aren't true. But then there is the other stuff lying between them in huge mounds of rubble and vast slicks of toxic waste. The trust issues that follow in the wake of being raped. The fears of inadequacy in the face of your beloved partner's pain, which you can't fix. The awful moment when your own broken inner self seems to be too much for your partner to handle, so you feel you *should* release them from your further fulfilling your needs.
And then the sense of the thing reasserts itself: NO. NOT A DAMN CHANCE. Ben and Gavin each reach this awful precipice and look into the abyss of aloneness after each man finally discovers himself, his best self, in the other man's eyes. They say no, they grab hold of each other and they move together as far away as they can from that horrible annihilating aloneness.
And they do so while solving a horrible crime and rescuing innocent young men from vile servitude. They don't come out of this case unscathed but they come out changed for the better, is also a great deal sadder.
Far and away the best of the series to date.
July 25, 2014
Read July, 2014.
***** 5 amazing stars *****
What a great re-read!
I love everything about this book! It is amazing! Highly recommended!
BUDDY READ with Marco, Tessi4M and Marci!
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Read June, 2013. Rated 5 stars.
This is book #2, and I just copypasted my review of #1!! Yes! I mean exactly the same with this book as the first.
I absolutely loved this book! Loved everything about it, including the awesome cover. Oh..my..god.
Definitely one of my top five books I have read. Highly recommended. I will definitely read this again.
***** 5 amazing stars *****
What a great re-read!
I love everything about this book! It is amazing! Highly recommended!
BUDDY READ with Marco, Tessi4M and Marci!
--------------------------
Read June, 2013. Rated 5 stars.
This is book #2, and I just copypasted my review of #1!! Yes! I mean exactly the same with this book as the first.
I absolutely loved this book! Loved everything about it, including the awesome cover. Oh..my..god.
Definitely one of my top five books I have read. Highly recommended. I will definitely read this again.
March 17, 2016
So, so, so good! Review shortly. Off to the sequel! I hear it's brutal...
January 2, 2018
*** Re-read in anticipation of PE4 coming out in the next few months. It says something about how keen I was to read this first time around that I devoured the story when it came out without picking up the numerous typos including one of the most popular ones...naval, not navel. 😉***
Well, where do I start?? What a wonderful sequel to Power Exchange, and what a magnificent cover,
I simply adore Gavin, and really felt for him after his experience with the Breath Play Killer (BPK) and everything else that happened....so he takes a year long break from work. 5 stars and
I'm not going into a lot of detail. We have seemingly random murders in this book...but this time of police officers. Gavin feels guilty that people died in the previous book because he didn't believe that the killer could have been who he was, and the guilt that he feels is severely affecting his relationship with Ben and everyone around him.
There was a lot of edge-of-seat tension in this book, nail-biting, muttering to myself...and punching the air at one point. This story concerns police officers who 'allow' their friends to get away with all sorts of things in the name of friendship...including the solicitation and possible rape of young boys...by citing them for speeding offences instead of throwing them in jail. Oh, and let's not forget The Walking Mouth, an annoying and irritating loud-mouthed reporter who seemed to think that she didn't need to follow the same rules as everyone else....giving away information which was crucial to the investigation and which was fed to her by detectives jealous of and disgusted by Gavin. This tale was woven together extremely well, and in between we caught glimpses of the man Gavin was before his torture at the hands of the BPK, and the man he desperately wanted to be once again with Ben, who it has to be said, was also having problems of his own with PTSD in the aftermath of the BPK's torture.
We catch up with Myah and Cole, discover some rather nasty things about Trent Sawyer (Gavin's former partner)...and let me just say here and now I don't approve of what happens to Trent but ...yes, you deserved it you b*****d....and discover that not all of the St Louis Police Dept. is homophobic...just most of it!!
Well, where do I start?? What a wonderful sequel to Power Exchange, and what a magnificent cover,
I simply adore Gavin, and really felt for him after his experience with the Breath Play Killer (BPK) and everything else that happened....so he takes a year long break from work. 5 stars and
I'm not going into a lot of detail. We have seemingly random murders in this book...but this time of police officers. Gavin feels guilty that people died in the previous book because he didn't believe that the killer could have been who he was, and the guilt that he feels is severely affecting his relationship with Ben and everyone around him.
There was a lot of edge-of-seat tension in this book, nail-biting, muttering to myself...and punching the air at one point. This story concerns police officers who 'allow' their friends to get away with all sorts of things in the name of friendship...including the solicitation and possible rape of young boys...by citing them for speeding offences instead of throwing them in jail. Oh, and let's not forget The Walking Mouth, an annoying and irritating loud-mouthed reporter who seemed to think that she didn't need to follow the same rules as everyone else....giving away information which was crucial to the investigation and which was fed to her by detectives jealous of and disgusted by Gavin. This tale was woven together extremely well, and in between we caught glimpses of the man Gavin was before his torture at the hands of the BPK, and the man he desperately wanted to be once again with Ben, who it has to be said, was also having problems of his own with PTSD in the aftermath of the BPK's torture.
We catch up with Myah and Cole, discover some rather nasty things about Trent Sawyer (Gavin's former partner)...and let me just say here and now I don't approve of what happens to Trent but ...yes, you deserved it you b*****d....and discover that not all of the St Louis Police Dept. is homophobic...just most of it!!
January 3, 2015
6:00 a.m.
No, that is not the ungodly hour I had to get up this morning; it’s the time that I finally made it to bed, bleary eyed and exhausted after staying up all night to finish reading A.J. Rose’s Safeword (the second installment in his Power Exchange series).
And it was so, so worth it.
Safeword picks up in the aftermath of the trauma left by the Breath Play Killer in Power Exchange and to say that it’s an unsettling place to be would be a gross understatement. Ben and Gavin have been through hell together. They’ve had their sanctuary invaded, their bodies abused, and the foundation of their relationship ripped apart. Somehow they’ve come out the other side, but that trauma is like a permanent black mark on their lives – colouring their reactions to everything that comes after.
But, as A.J. Rose said every time I railed at him via Twitter for putting some of my favourite characters through hell:
“The bigger the catastrophe, the bigger the catharsis.”
And he was right.
Rose did a fucking fantastic job of showing the struggle that these characters went through during this novel. The anger, the pain, the guilt, the fear, the frustration, and the never-ending tension that stretched and stretched until you just knew something or someone was going to snap – it was all there on the page. And through all that – or, perhaps more accurately, above all that – was the love that Ben and Gavin felt for one another. I never doubted that the love was there, but the struggle was written so realistically that there were points in the novel when I worried that the characters may not recover enough to make it together. Those were the moments when my gut clenched uncomfortably and tears prickled behind my eyes.
I know I’m a giant sap, but this book moved me.
As strong as Rose’s characterizations of Ben and Gavin are, the novel’s secondary characters shouldn’t be overlooked. Cole’s great and Gavin’s partner, Myah, is one of the best supporting female characters that I have come across in a long while. She’s complex, intelligent, intimidating, intensely loyal and protective. She’s also witty and thoughtful and capable. I love that she’s a compassionate human being who hasn’t let what she’s seen on the job make her jaded, but she’s also tough as nails when she needs to put scum (and homophobic a-holes) in their place. In other words, she’s an admirable character regardless of her gender (though her gender is worth noting simply because so few female characters of her depth and ability exist in the romance genre). It probably says a lot that if Myah existed in real life, I both would never want to meet her in a dark alley AND I would want to be friends with her.
In terms of the mystery at the centre of Safeword, I thought that it was extremely well done (much more complicated, unique, and realistic than the one in Power Exchange). The pace of this case was slow and the results of Ben and Myah’s legwork often frustrating and coming to nothing, but the tension and urgency were palpably building under the surface the whole time. When the serial killer is revealed and then tracked across the city, I wasn’t left yelling “it’s about damn time!” at my Kindle the way I did with Power Exchange. No, this time I was swept along for the ride, wishing I had an “oh-shit” bar to hold onto.
My only real complaint about the mystery aspect of the novel was that while I thought Rose built a plausible case for why the serial killer did what they did (and their motive seems authentic given what we knew about them), I still felt like the sexual aspects of the crimes were never fully explained to my satisfaction. Regardless, it was interesting to see how another character responded to trauma in a completely different way than Ben and Gavin did. It was like a glimpse into how Gavin’s recovery could have gone had he not had such an incredible support network or been as strong as he was.
Bottom line: I loved this book (and the series as a whole). Power Exchange and Safeword combine cops, BDSM, sexy men who love other men, thrills and suspense, genuinely emotional moments, and a whole lot of other stuff that I love to read about all in one nearly perfect package.
So perfect that I wish that there were a third book in this series.
I know, I know – I’m being incredibly selfish. Ben and Gavin deserve to put all of the murder and mayhem behind them and enjoy their hard-won happily ever after, but my heart wants what it wants (and it wants more Ben and Gavin). They are one of my favourite couples in the MM genre, so even though I’m grateful that Rose gave these characters a satisfying end without making it into a sappy Hallmark event, I’m sad to see the last of these boys.
I guess I’ll just have to re-read it. :)
If you don’t pay attention to any of my other book recommendations, pay attention to this one:
Read the Power Exchange series. You won’t be sorry.
No, that is not the ungodly hour I had to get up this morning; it’s the time that I finally made it to bed, bleary eyed and exhausted after staying up all night to finish reading A.J. Rose’s Safeword (the second installment in his Power Exchange series).
And it was so, so worth it.
Safeword picks up in the aftermath of the trauma left by the Breath Play Killer in Power Exchange and to say that it’s an unsettling place to be would be a gross understatement. Ben and Gavin have been through hell together. They’ve had their sanctuary invaded, their bodies abused, and the foundation of their relationship ripped apart. Somehow they’ve come out the other side, but that trauma is like a permanent black mark on their lives – colouring their reactions to everything that comes after.
But, as A.J. Rose said every time I railed at him via Twitter for putting some of my favourite characters through hell:
“The bigger the catastrophe, the bigger the catharsis.”
And he was right.
Rose did a fucking fantastic job of showing the struggle that these characters went through during this novel. The anger, the pain, the guilt, the fear, the frustration, and the never-ending tension that stretched and stretched until you just knew something or someone was going to snap – it was all there on the page. And through all that – or, perhaps more accurately, above all that – was the love that Ben and Gavin felt for one another. I never doubted that the love was there, but the struggle was written so realistically that there were points in the novel when I worried that the characters may not recover enough to make it together. Those were the moments when my gut clenched uncomfortably and tears prickled behind my eyes.
I know I’m a giant sap, but this book moved me.
As strong as Rose’s characterizations of Ben and Gavin are, the novel’s secondary characters shouldn’t be overlooked. Cole’s great and Gavin’s partner, Myah, is one of the best supporting female characters that I have come across in a long while. She’s complex, intelligent, intimidating, intensely loyal and protective. She’s also witty and thoughtful and capable. I love that she’s a compassionate human being who hasn’t let what she’s seen on the job make her jaded, but she’s also tough as nails when she needs to put scum (and homophobic a-holes) in their place. In other words, she’s an admirable character regardless of her gender (though her gender is worth noting simply because so few female characters of her depth and ability exist in the romance genre). It probably says a lot that if Myah existed in real life, I both would never want to meet her in a dark alley AND I would want to be friends with her.
In terms of the mystery at the centre of Safeword, I thought that it was extremely well done (much more complicated, unique, and realistic than the one in Power Exchange). The pace of this case was slow and the results of Ben and Myah’s legwork often frustrating and coming to nothing, but the tension and urgency were palpably building under the surface the whole time. When the serial killer is revealed and then tracked across the city, I wasn’t left yelling “it’s about damn time!” at my Kindle the way I did with Power Exchange. No, this time I was swept along for the ride, wishing I had an “oh-shit” bar to hold onto.
My only real complaint about the mystery aspect of the novel was that while I thought Rose built a plausible case for why the serial killer did what they did (and their motive seems authentic given what we knew about them), I still felt like the sexual aspects of the crimes were never fully explained to my satisfaction. Regardless, it was interesting to see how another character responded to trauma in a completely different way than Ben and Gavin did. It was like a glimpse into how Gavin’s recovery could have gone had he not had such an incredible support network or been as strong as he was.
Bottom line: I loved this book (and the series as a whole). Power Exchange and Safeword combine cops, BDSM, sexy men who love other men, thrills and suspense, genuinely emotional moments, and a whole lot of other stuff that I love to read about all in one nearly perfect package.
So perfect that I wish that there were a third book in this series.
I know, I know – I’m being incredibly selfish. Ben and Gavin deserve to put all of the murder and mayhem behind them and enjoy their hard-won happily ever after, but my heart wants what it wants (and it wants more Ben and Gavin). They are one of my favourite couples in the MM genre, so even though I’m grateful that Rose gave these characters a satisfying end without making it into a sappy Hallmark event, I’m sad to see the last of these boys.
I guess I’ll just have to re-read it. :)
If you don’t pay attention to any of my other book recommendations, pay attention to this one:
Read the Power Exchange series. You won’t be sorry.
June 26, 2014
Spoilers to book one, no major spoilers for this book.
"The dark of the house swallowed us, and a strange, mocking competitiveness reared inside me. Is that the darkest you've got, house? Because I've got you beat. Look at my inky, black, unworthy heart."
This was a fantastic follow up novel to Power Exchange. Both Gavin and Ben are dealing with the fallout of their ordeal while under the thumb of their captor. It is, just as book one, somewhat dark at times, but nothing that I'd stay away from. It's real life stuff, not just for the shock factor.
The most standout part of this story was getting inside both of their heads and feeling their turmoil of emotions with regard to their tenuous relationship now that their status as Dom/sub has been threatened. It seems on the surface as if Gavin is the one who should have the most issues to handle internally, but it's really not that way at all.
I don't know who I felt more compassion for in this situation. Ben, as a Dominant, must be dealing with some heavily conflicting thoughts. Not only was he tied up and made powerless, but he also had to watch Gavin, the man he's supposed to protect, the man he Dominates, stripped bare, tied, gagged, brutally raped and beaten...I can't even imagine the cesspool of emotions that go through his head. And now, he has to see firsthand the aftermath, Gavin's tormented dreams, his inability to submit...it's a lot to handle.
"What happens if you decide you've set aside who you are for me long enough and want out?" I whispered.
"what?" He didn't turn toward me, just continued staring ahead.
"You're a Dom, Ben. And I'm a sub who can't give up control. That's not exactly long-term relationship compatibility, is it?"
"On the surface of things, no.(...) You don't get it, you daft idiot."
"What don't I get?"
"You are the only one I want, sub or not, fucked in the head or whole. This last year, with you, I've woken up inside. I used to think it was the thrill of the whip, of seeing someone on his knees for me, or the heat of a freshly reddened ass that made me feel alive. Getting someone to fly with me, taking submission for the gift it is - that's a heady thing. It makes my nerves sing and my heart beat fast. Gets me hard and I feel like I can do anything. And hat feeling is a pittance compared to being with you."
Gavin, on the other hand, seems to not be handling things very well at all at first, but to me it seemed as if he was the mentally healthier one of the two, if only because he's able to vocalize his fears. On the other hand, it's also sad to see his thoughts of worthlessness to Ben. Instead of dealing with his own lack of letting go, he's more focused on worrying about whether or not Ben can handle a lack of true D/s relationship.
So to me, this book was much more romance than book one was. These guys learn what it is to actually love each other outside of their playroom. And boy, what a "sink or swim" situation they have going on. Gavin's in the middle of yet another psycho killer case, and it's brutal as ever. It gets personal once again, and very, very intense at times.
We never get much more of Ben's life, and I think that's one reason I felt a little disconnect with him. We get what we get with regards to his past, and it's not much. However, we do get a lot more of Gavin's family and his partner. And we get a little more of a peepshow into some fantastically fun toys for the boys. If you've read the book, this pic might give you a giggle...or a boner, or a ladyboner.
Makes me jealous that his waist is probably smaller than mine ;D
Great book, fantastic duo. If you read and liked book one, I'd definitely recommend this one. It completes the love story, and definitely delves into the psyche of these two much more.
"The dark of the house swallowed us, and a strange, mocking competitiveness reared inside me. Is that the darkest you've got, house? Because I've got you beat. Look at my inky, black, unworthy heart."
This was a fantastic follow up novel to Power Exchange. Both Gavin and Ben are dealing with the fallout of their ordeal while under the thumb of their captor. It is, just as book one, somewhat dark at times, but nothing that I'd stay away from. It's real life stuff, not just for the shock factor.
The most standout part of this story was getting inside both of their heads and feeling their turmoil of emotions with regard to their tenuous relationship now that their status as Dom/sub has been threatened. It seems on the surface as if Gavin is the one who should have the most issues to handle internally, but it's really not that way at all.
I don't know who I felt more compassion for in this situation. Ben, as a Dominant, must be dealing with some heavily conflicting thoughts. Not only was he tied up and made powerless, but he also had to watch Gavin, the man he's supposed to protect, the man he Dominates, stripped bare, tied, gagged, brutally raped and beaten...I can't even imagine the cesspool of emotions that go through his head. And now, he has to see firsthand the aftermath, Gavin's tormented dreams, his inability to submit...it's a lot to handle.
"What happens if you decide you've set aside who you are for me long enough and want out?" I whispered.
"what?" He didn't turn toward me, just continued staring ahead.
"You're a Dom, Ben. And I'm a sub who can't give up control. That's not exactly long-term relationship compatibility, is it?"
"On the surface of things, no.(...) You don't get it, you daft idiot."
"What don't I get?"
"You are the only one I want, sub or not, fucked in the head or whole. This last year, with you, I've woken up inside. I used to think it was the thrill of the whip, of seeing someone on his knees for me, or the heat of a freshly reddened ass that made me feel alive. Getting someone to fly with me, taking submission for the gift it is - that's a heady thing. It makes my nerves sing and my heart beat fast. Gets me hard and I feel like I can do anything. And hat feeling is a pittance compared to being with you."
Gavin, on the other hand, seems to not be handling things very well at all at first, but to me it seemed as if he was the mentally healthier one of the two, if only because he's able to vocalize his fears. On the other hand, it's also sad to see his thoughts of worthlessness to Ben. Instead of dealing with his own lack of letting go, he's more focused on worrying about whether or not Ben can handle a lack of true D/s relationship.
So to me, this book was much more romance than book one was. These guys learn what it is to actually love each other outside of their playroom. And boy, what a "sink or swim" situation they have going on. Gavin's in the middle of yet another psycho killer case, and it's brutal as ever. It gets personal once again, and very, very intense at times.
We never get much more of Ben's life, and I think that's one reason I felt a little disconnect with him. We get what we get with regards to his past, and it's not much. However, we do get a lot more of Gavin's family and his partner. And we get a little more of a peepshow into some fantastically fun toys for the boys. If you've read the book, this pic might give you a giggle...or a boner, or a ladyboner.
Makes me jealous that his waist is probably smaller than mine ;D
Great book, fantastic duo. If you read and liked book one, I'd definitely recommend this one. It completes the love story, and definitely delves into the psyche of these two much more.
May 29, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“We’d said enough. Instead, I leaned down and kissed him, pouring everything I felt for him into it. Forgiveness. Hope. Love. He broke the kiss, nuzzling into my neck, his breath hot on my skin.
I wanted to be closer to him, without anything between us: clothes, problems, long silences.”
Set a year after the horrific incident in which Gavin and Ben found themselves at the mercy of a vengeful killer, a new murderer is on the loose - one that is targeting police officers, brutally murdering them to the point that it almost looks personal - with everyone Gavin is associated with having a target on their backs. As tensions escalate and other clues unfold that are connected to a sinister past that may play a part in the murderer's motives, Gavin finds himself torn between the brink of doing whatever it takes to find the killer, while also making sure that by having Ben by his side is still for the right reasons and if his job is worth risking his life for every day. 😟
“Mortality loved to follow me around, and this time, instead of ignoring it and pretending it didn’t exist, I chose to thumb my nose at it, defying it, taunting it, whispering, You didn’t get me today, reaper-man.
It would whisper back, You’re right, I didn’t, but there’s always tomorrow.”
As a mystery lover, I did like the mystery aspect of the story. 👍🏻 Even if it is one that is kinda solved directly for them and it is more about tracking down the killer, I did feel more connected to it - that the reason behind it was more fleshed out and believably compelling enough to draw me in. Gavin doesn't really have to piece much together, but I did like seeing how determined he was to protect those on his force - his willingness to confront the press head-on, despite the shadow of his own haunted experience weighing heavily on him. 🥺 The suspense heightened at a fast-pace that allowed me to completely feel the tension escalate. I liked how the action scenes were portrayed and I enjoyed Myah and Gavin's partnership and banter as they fought off nosy reporters and misogynistic officers, proving that they are friends who have each other's backs always. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Despite the uncomfortable and graphic overtures, it was very easy to read and there was a well-maintained balance between Gavin's personal life and police work that shifts easily as both more often than not intertwine. 👍🏻 And it's odd that it's probably the few books where I don't mark much as notable quotes - it just flows so easily that I get completely wrapped into the story. And it feels strange to admit this, but when I'm reading an MM romance, I don't really want so much attention on other couples, especially if it is M/F! 🥲 I know, it feels so wrong, but I can't help it! 😩 I mean, I like Cole and Myah - I do! And I like that family is such an integral part of Gavin's life - how he feels like he still has to earn his place and prove himself more, especially once they learn about his slight prolivications. But, I just don't know - the whole supportive, cheer-y dynamic does not quite work well with me, sadly. 🤷🏻♀️
“He leaned forward, cradling my head with his arms as he looked deep into my eyes. “Only you, I will do this for. Only you deserve me this way.”
Ben made me feel powerful even in utter submission, when my giving him everything made the greatest gift possible. For a moment, I was me again. Whole. Kissing my Dom. Totally his.”
Ben and Gavin's dynamic is perhaps where I'm struggling with the most. I know this is a really stressful if not difficult time for them. They've both endured something insurmountable - torture beyond reason - pain without sense - to come back from that takes time and patience. It's about healing and learning to forgive one another to not hold each other accountable for how they ended up in that position. The guilt that Gavin did not know Ben was carrying for what had happened to them. 😥 'But every day we woke up together—wrapped in each other’s arms, not only out of love but self-preservation to keep from falling out of bed—was a day to be cherished.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 The fear that haunts Gavin and gives him nightmares that somehow, he is letting Ben down as a Sub - that by not being the Dom he can be, he is missing out on what he can have and be. So, to see that level of trust be re-earned, to be reaffirmed by talking about it - by expressing that desire - that need to make that same stance develop between them - to know their place with each other - I thought that was portrayed well. I liked when they talked - it felt real and raw and honest. Even though we don't get Ben's perspectives, I never doubted that he is in it for the long haul - the compassion and affection he feels for Gavin - he respects him too much to ever abuse his power and I really admired that part of him and how Gavin was able to finally see and believe how much he meant to him. 🥹🩶🥹
HOWEVER...
“But the rest you want as a surprise?”
I shuddered, though in pleasure or fear, it wasn’t clear. Probably both. He looked at me as if he understood.
“Yes,” I said softly, kissing him, fire reigniting the air between us. “I can’t hold on so tight anymore. It’s either bend or break. I’m broken enough.”
I know I did not sign up for this to read about BDSM in detail - I didn't! But, even during the BDSM scenes - it still feels - so clinical. It's not about Ben treating Gavin with safety gloves, because he's afraid of crossing the line with him or anything - it's not even about forcing him to submit, to reassert his claim over him that will help Gavin, in turn, reclaim power over his own body - his loss -his fear and the pain he endured. 😢 There's just this certain detachment to it that doesn't allow me to really feel the connection - this desensitized feeling that is attached to it that makes me feel like it's not being felt - it's just being told. And that doesn't help, especially when so much of the plot is centered on it. I'm not asking for kinks or fetishes or anything - because this was still very much a healing stage for them - one where the balance of power has to be reaffirmed for both of them, but I just thought something was lacking in its depiction. 'Safe, sane, and consensual, Gav. I won’t play any other way. I do want your submission, babe.' I don't deny that they love and care for each other very much. That moment when Ben fell to his knees - iykyk - it was heart-wrenching. 💔💔 But, I just feel that it is still too safe for it to reach that level of what Gavin wants from Ben - what Ben is trained to give him. I know they are at that stage that requires them to take that next step - in the right fashion, but I just wanted a little bit more feely in their physical intimacy. There is heat and passion and Ben does cater to Gavin's desires and vice versa, but ... hmmmm, maybe it's just me. 😔
The ending sounded off well enough to draw closure to the characters; which sounds more ominous and foreboding that perhaps, not all will be as well as they could hope. Still, I am looking forward to the next stage of their journey, curious to see what lies ahead of their dynamic and how Gavin and Ben will continue to test their boundaries and limitations in the healthiest, but still desirable ways possible. ✨✨
“We’d said enough. Instead, I leaned down and kissed him, pouring everything I felt for him into it. Forgiveness. Hope. Love. He broke the kiss, nuzzling into my neck, his breath hot on my skin.
I wanted to be closer to him, without anything between us: clothes, problems, long silences.”
Set a year after the horrific incident in which Gavin and Ben found themselves at the mercy of a vengeful killer, a new murderer is on the loose - one that is targeting police officers, brutally murdering them to the point that it almost looks personal - with everyone Gavin is associated with having a target on their backs. As tensions escalate and other clues unfold that are connected to a sinister past that may play a part in the murderer's motives, Gavin finds himself torn between the brink of doing whatever it takes to find the killer, while also making sure that by having Ben by his side is still for the right reasons and if his job is worth risking his life for every day. 😟
“Mortality loved to follow me around, and this time, instead of ignoring it and pretending it didn’t exist, I chose to thumb my nose at it, defying it, taunting it, whispering, You didn’t get me today, reaper-man.
It would whisper back, You’re right, I didn’t, but there’s always tomorrow.”
As a mystery lover, I did like the mystery aspect of the story. 👍🏻 Even if it is one that is kinda solved directly for them and it is more about tracking down the killer, I did feel more connected to it - that the reason behind it was more fleshed out and believably compelling enough to draw me in. Gavin doesn't really have to piece much together, but I did like seeing how determined he was to protect those on his force - his willingness to confront the press head-on, despite the shadow of his own haunted experience weighing heavily on him. 🥺 The suspense heightened at a fast-pace that allowed me to completely feel the tension escalate. I liked how the action scenes were portrayed and I enjoyed Myah and Gavin's partnership and banter as they fought off nosy reporters and misogynistic officers, proving that they are friends who have each other's backs always. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Despite the uncomfortable and graphic overtures, it was very easy to read and there was a well-maintained balance between Gavin's personal life and police work that shifts easily as both more often than not intertwine. 👍🏻 And it's odd that it's probably the few books where I don't mark much as notable quotes - it just flows so easily that I get completely wrapped into the story. And it feels strange to admit this, but when I'm reading an MM romance, I don't really want so much attention on other couples, especially if it is M/F! 🥲 I know, it feels so wrong, but I can't help it! 😩 I mean, I like Cole and Myah - I do! And I like that family is such an integral part of Gavin's life - how he feels like he still has to earn his place and prove himself more, especially once they learn about his slight prolivications. But, I just don't know - the whole supportive, cheer-y dynamic does not quite work well with me, sadly. 🤷🏻♀️
“He leaned forward, cradling my head with his arms as he looked deep into my eyes. “Only you, I will do this for. Only you deserve me this way.”
Ben made me feel powerful even in utter submission, when my giving him everything made the greatest gift possible. For a moment, I was me again. Whole. Kissing my Dom. Totally his.”
Ben and Gavin's dynamic is perhaps where I'm struggling with the most. I know this is a really stressful if not difficult time for them. They've both endured something insurmountable - torture beyond reason - pain without sense - to come back from that takes time and patience. It's about healing and learning to forgive one another to not hold each other accountable for how they ended up in that position. The guilt that Gavin did not know Ben was carrying for what had happened to them. 😥 'But every day we woke up together—wrapped in each other’s arms, not only out of love but self-preservation to keep from falling out of bed—was a day to be cherished.' ❤️🩹❤️🩹 The fear that haunts Gavin and gives him nightmares that somehow, he is letting Ben down as a Sub - that by not being the Dom he can be, he is missing out on what he can have and be. So, to see that level of trust be re-earned, to be reaffirmed by talking about it - by expressing that desire - that need to make that same stance develop between them - to know their place with each other - I thought that was portrayed well. I liked when they talked - it felt real and raw and honest. Even though we don't get Ben's perspectives, I never doubted that he is in it for the long haul - the compassion and affection he feels for Gavin - he respects him too much to ever abuse his power and I really admired that part of him and how Gavin was able to finally see and believe how much he meant to him. 🥹🩶🥹
HOWEVER...
“But the rest you want as a surprise?”
I shuddered, though in pleasure or fear, it wasn’t clear. Probably both. He looked at me as if he understood.
“Yes,” I said softly, kissing him, fire reigniting the air between us. “I can’t hold on so tight anymore. It’s either bend or break. I’m broken enough.”
I know I did not sign up for this to read about BDSM in detail - I didn't! But, even during the BDSM scenes - it still feels - so clinical. It's not about Ben treating Gavin with safety gloves, because he's afraid of crossing the line with him or anything - it's not even about forcing him to submit, to reassert his claim over him that will help Gavin, in turn, reclaim power over his own body - his loss -his fear and the pain he endured. 😢 There's just this certain detachment to it that doesn't allow me to really feel the connection - this desensitized feeling that is attached to it that makes me feel like it's not being felt - it's just being told. And that doesn't help, especially when so much of the plot is centered on it. I'm not asking for kinks or fetishes or anything - because this was still very much a healing stage for them - one where the balance of power has to be reaffirmed for both of them, but I just thought something was lacking in its depiction. 'Safe, sane, and consensual, Gav. I won’t play any other way. I do want your submission, babe.' I don't deny that they love and care for each other very much. That moment when Ben fell to his knees - iykyk - it was heart-wrenching. 💔💔 But, I just feel that it is still too safe for it to reach that level of what Gavin wants from Ben - what Ben is trained to give him. I know they are at that stage that requires them to take that next step - in the right fashion, but I just wanted a little bit more feely in their physical intimacy. There is heat and passion and Ben does cater to Gavin's desires and vice versa, but ... hmmmm, maybe it's just me. 😔
The ending sounded off well enough to draw closure to the characters; which sounds more ominous and foreboding that perhaps, not all will be as well as they could hope. Still, I am looking forward to the next stage of their journey, curious to see what lies ahead of their dynamic and how Gavin and Ben will continue to test their boundaries and limitations in the healthiest, but still desirable ways possible. ✨✨
June 28, 2017
5 stars!
This has been an amazing read! I can't wait to read more about Gavin and Ben! One of my favorite m/m couples!
The aftermath of the last case left Gavin and Ben in a difficult place - still together, but having to overcome a lot of difficulties. I have been looking forward to this second installment in order to find out how Gavin and Ben would manage to carry on with their relationship. And I have not been disappointed - this story has been focussing a lot on the dynamics between these two main characters and I loved the way they were fighting for their well-deserved happiness. The criminal case in this installment has once again been very interesting and I also got to understand Gaving better as a detective.
I am really looking forward to the final installment in this series and I am quite sure that Gavin and Ben will remain one of my favorite m/m couples of all times!
This has been an amazing read! I can't wait to read more about Gavin and Ben! One of my favorite m/m couples!
The aftermath of the last case left Gavin and Ben in a difficult place - still together, but having to overcome a lot of difficulties. I have been looking forward to this second installment in order to find out how Gavin and Ben would manage to carry on with their relationship. And I have not been disappointed - this story has been focussing a lot on the dynamics between these two main characters and I loved the way they were fighting for their well-deserved happiness. The criminal case in this installment has once again been very interesting and I also got to understand Gaving better as a detective.
I am really looking forward to the final installment in this series and I am quite sure that Gavin and Ben will remain one of my favorite m/m couples of all times!
March 22, 2014
If I was in an amazed state when I finished Power Exchange, now I'm speechless!
I couldn't stop reading this book and it is more captivating, if that's even possible! The plot, the mystery and the MCs relationship are absolutely fabulous!
After what they endure on the first book, Ben and Gavin have to re-learn how to live as a couple. They have to rebuild their D/s relationship, and they have face the world that surrounds them! The trauma is not easy to overcome, and the crimes that Gavin has to resolve, don't help him at all!
Gavin feels lost... and he is not the only one! Ben, always so confident and strong, has to deal with his fears and insecurities! They need each other more than ever! Once again, I'm completely surrendered to their relationship!
I don't want this book to be the end! I want more Ben and Gavin... Please, someone tell me that there will be more...
I couldn't stop reading this book and it is more captivating, if that's even possible! The plot, the mystery and the MCs relationship are absolutely fabulous!
After what they endure on the first book, Ben and Gavin have to re-learn how to live as a couple. They have to rebuild their D/s relationship, and they have face the world that surrounds them! The trauma is not easy to overcome, and the crimes that Gavin has to resolve, don't help him at all!
Gavin feels lost... and he is not the only one! Ben, always so confident and strong, has to deal with his fears and insecurities! They need each other more than ever! Once again, I'm completely surrendered to their relationship!
I don't want this book to be the end! I want more Ben and Gavin... Please, someone tell me that there will be more...
October 16, 2014
If anything, I like this story better than the first book. There was a lot going on both with the plot and with the guys, and the police part felt somewhat more realistic. There were moments of emotion intense enough to make my chest tight. After the events of the first book, I really liked that it took time for both Gavin and Ben to find their balance again. They are permanently changed by what they went through, and that's appropriate and felt real. The BDSM was mainly emotionally focused, which is how I prefer it.
There's a nice mix of secondary characters in this book. Gavin's partner continues to be one of the most positive female characters in M/M, strong in her own right, supportive of Gavin, and yet not too entangled in the details of his personal life. Gavin's family shows that they care about him, and the range of attitudes among his police colleagues spans the spectrum.
The plot was a bit sensationalist. But I was caught up in the rush of events. I enjoyed the ending. I thought it fit the tenor of the the story and the guys' relationship.
There's a nice mix of secondary characters in this book. Gavin's partner continues to be one of the most positive female characters in M/M, strong in her own right, supportive of Gavin, and yet not too entangled in the details of his personal life. Gavin's family shows that they care about him, and the range of attitudes among his police colleagues spans the spectrum.
The plot was a bit sensationalist. But I was caught up in the rush of events. I enjoyed the ending. I thought it fit the tenor of the the story and the guys' relationship.
February 25, 2023
A.J. Rose has managed to find the perfect balance between a good and heart-stopping mystery, a gripping love story and some very hot scenes. I loved the first book in the series, Power Exchange. The characters from that book are continued into this one. After the ending of the first book where Gavin and Ben had nearly been killed by the character known as "The Breath Killer", it was hard to not get immersed in Gavin’s continuing pain, and Ben’s total helplessness when he tries to lighten that load for the man he loves and the strain that it is putting on their relationship. “How could I give my whole self to him if I no longer recognized who I was?” When Gavin and his partner Myah are put in charge of the investigation of the brutal murder of a fellow police officer, I saw so many ways in which this could be devastating to Gavin’s recovery. The love and connection between these two men only grows more intense in the face of all that might destroy them and slowly Gavin is able to let go of his demons one by one. This story is as much a mystery as it is a love story. I can't stress enough that the mystery in this book is good, well plotted, thrilling, but also heartbreaking. I solved the mystery about the same time as Gavin and Myah did.
March 26, 2019
4.5 stars! Even though the detective work was still frustrating (not as much as in book one), I still loved it because of each character development.
April 1, 2017
Oh when Gavin safewords, I cried, sooo sad.
Really great follow up to the first book, very well done.
Really great follow up to the first book, very well done.
March 23, 2014
Now that, was what I was looking for!
**spoilers if you haven’t read Power Exchange #1 **
Like a lot of readers, I felt let down by the murder mystery element in Power Exchange which – let’s be honest here – would have better solved by the bumbling half-wit Inspector Clouseau. But thankfully, Detective Gavin is given the chance to redeem himself when a new kind of serial killer runs amok among his brethren. And it helps that the author reminds us why he was so unfocused trying to catch the ‘Breath Play killer’ in the first place. A cheating wife, a divorce, admitting to himself that he’s gay, discovering a submissive kink and falling for a hot Doc, plus the consequences of coming out ALL in the same week …. Gah, it is a lot, and I guess … he could be forgiven, maybe.
Now there is a lot going on here too: the investigation – which is not straightforward – has significant, dramatic consequences for Gavin and Ben. Both men are struggling, but slowly coping with the aftermath of their assault but their personal issues could still breach some hard limits. The one we’d all love to castrate is back on the scene playing the uber arsehole again. Then there’s Gavin’s family and Myah (who I adore) and her relationship with Cole.
Ben, poor Ben is doing the best he can; making safe choices for Gavin and himself by taking things slow and building trust. But it’s not easy; they both want that perfect power exchange again but fear is an intimidated sonofabitch. And this my friends, is where A.J Rose delivers the BEST that this story has to offer; the healing path and Ben. Oh my, how I could worship Ben, as a Dom and a man in love. His character oozes compassion and control and he is so selfless and …right in almost every way. He always knows the limits and most importantly, he knows his own, and that is a rare quality in a Dom. Using BDSM and its principals can be a hard sell for vanilla readers but here I think it is done perfectly, with respect and sincerity, and it makes sense! So huge kudos to the author for an authentic and realistic portrayal.
Ben was exceptional but there wasn’t enough of him, and I wanted more because, well …he’s unique, matchless and I am greedy. Another quibble was one too many fade to black sex scenes, and the ending was a bit too over the top for my liking. BUT it delivered the angst and the suspense I crave, plus I was extremely satisfied with the eye-for-an-eye karma attack on %&^%^$. Booyah! In ya face!
I’m totally recommending this one, especially if you had doubts after the first book. It’s rare that a sequel outclasses the first in its series, but here it really does. A.J Rose killed it with this one.
**spoilers if you haven’t read Power Exchange #1 **
Like a lot of readers, I felt let down by the murder mystery element in Power Exchange which – let’s be honest here – would have better solved by the bumbling half-wit Inspector Clouseau. But thankfully, Detective Gavin is given the chance to redeem himself when a new kind of serial killer runs amok among his brethren. And it helps that the author reminds us why he was so unfocused trying to catch the ‘Breath Play killer’ in the first place. A cheating wife, a divorce, admitting to himself that he’s gay, discovering a submissive kink and falling for a hot Doc, plus the consequences of coming out ALL in the same week …. Gah, it is a lot, and I guess … he could be forgiven, maybe.
Now there is a lot going on here too: the investigation – which is not straightforward – has significant, dramatic consequences for Gavin and Ben. Both men are struggling, but slowly coping with the aftermath of their assault but their personal issues could still breach some hard limits. The one we’d all love to castrate is back on the scene playing the uber arsehole again. Then there’s Gavin’s family and Myah (who I adore) and her relationship with Cole.
Ben, poor Ben is doing the best he can; making safe choices for Gavin and himself by taking things slow and building trust. But it’s not easy; they both want that perfect power exchange again but fear is an intimidated sonofabitch. And this my friends, is where A.J Rose delivers the BEST that this story has to offer; the healing path and Ben. Oh my, how I could worship Ben, as a Dom and a man in love. His character oozes compassion and control and he is so selfless and …right in almost every way. He always knows the limits and most importantly, he knows his own, and that is a rare quality in a Dom. Using BDSM and its principals can be a hard sell for vanilla readers but here I think it is done perfectly, with respect and sincerity, and it makes sense! So huge kudos to the author for an authentic and realistic portrayal.
Ben was exceptional but there wasn’t enough of him, and I wanted more because, well …he’s unique, matchless and I am greedy. Another quibble was one too many fade to black sex scenes, and the ending was a bit too over the top for my liking. BUT it delivered the angst and the suspense I crave, plus I was extremely satisfied with the eye-for-an-eye karma attack on %&^%^$. Booyah! In ya face!
I’m totally recommending this one, especially if you had doubts after the first book. It’s rare that a sequel outclasses the first in its series, but here it really does. A.J Rose killed it with this one.
September 25, 2015
So . . . I don't know really know what to say right now because, well, I have been destroyed. My feels. My heart. My head. My freaking nervous system. I . . . I just:
I fell in love with Ben and Gavin in Power Exchange, and so as I read this, I ached for them because they had just been through so much and it just seemed for a while there that they weren't getting any breaks. And then when they were, shit went down. Like, serious, certifiably insane shit.
As this certifiably insane shit rained down upon them all I could think was:
I didn't want them to go through all that pain and suffering. I wanted them to be healed and to live happily ever after in the BDSM world, as they should. Of course, as it usually happens, I realized that of course they had to work through this themselves or they would never be healed and they wouldn't be able to live happily ever after in their BDSM world, so I sucked it up, and had several mini heart attacks along the road to Ben and Gavin's recovery.
There were several times when I just wanted to:
I didn't, I persevered, but in the very least, my mental health and nervous system [i.e. feels] has suffered greatly, and I don't know yet if I will ever be the same again or not.
But let me tell you, once it hit that 85% mark, and Ben said what he said [though of course he didn't mean it, he was just so scared and worried and hurt], I died. And those last thirty pages, oh God, my heart was beating so hard, my pulse was dancing against my neck, and I could hear the blood pounding my ears. I have never been that caught up before. I was on pins and needles worrying about how everything was going to come out in the end.
So, as one could imagine, I heaved a great sigh of relief when, in the end, my babies were okay. I'll live to see another day, and hopefully, maybe, I'll get to revisit Ben and Gavin, even if it's just for a moment, to find them living happily ever after, leather and all.
I fell in love with Ben and Gavin in Power Exchange, and so as I read this, I ached for them because they had just been through so much and it just seemed for a while there that they weren't getting any breaks. And then when they were, shit went down. Like, serious, certifiably insane shit.
As this certifiably insane shit rained down upon them all I could think was:
I didn't want them to go through all that pain and suffering. I wanted them to be healed and to live happily ever after in the BDSM world, as they should. Of course, as it usually happens, I realized that of course they had to work through this themselves or they would never be healed and they wouldn't be able to live happily ever after in their BDSM world, so I sucked it up, and had several mini heart attacks along the road to Ben and Gavin's recovery.
There were several times when I just wanted to:
I didn't, I persevered, but in the very least, my mental health and nervous system [i.e. feels] has suffered greatly, and I don't know yet if I will ever be the same again or not.
But let me tell you, once it hit that 85% mark, and Ben said what he said [though of course he didn't mean it, he was just so scared and worried and hurt], I died. And those last thirty pages, oh God, my heart was beating so hard, my pulse was dancing against my neck, and I could hear the blood pounding my ears. I have never been that caught up before. I was on pins and needles worrying about how everything was going to come out in the end.
So, as one could imagine, I heaved a great sigh of relief when, in the end, my babies were okay. I'll live to see another day, and hopefully, maybe, I'll get to revisit Ben and Gavin, even if it's just for a moment, to find them living happily ever after, leather and all.
June 19, 2013
The romance part of the novel was flawless. The development of Ben's and Gavin's relationship, the obstacles they had to overcome, the way they dealt with them--everything was firmly rooted in their characterizations, their backstories, theiy very personalities. The crime plot on the other hand was a little bit less than perfect; some too-obvious things that the protagonists should've seen but almost deliberately ignored. One instant that I had to reread a scene and still didn't see the connection. Still, the case was even better crafted than in the first book.
The crime scenes, the scene backgrounds, the surroundings were vivid and well-drawn without exception (a warning: some of those scenes are really gruesome and even though not drawn-out in every gory detail stil not for the faint at heart)
Gavin and Ben were so well-drawn and so consistent in anything they said, did, and (in Gavin's case since he's the first person POV narrator) thought--I could hear them, almost see them and as tacky as this sounds, feel them in my heart. Also admirable: the villain, how he was so hopeless and broken beyond repair. Same goes for the other supportive characters. Not one of them was shallow, and only one scratched at cliche from afar. Wonderfully done.
The writing was smooth, seemingly effortless and interspersed with bist of prose so beautiful I deliberately stopped to reread it. Gripping, compelling action scenes (including Sex scenes--(as far as I'm concerned this book has the single most erotic masturbation scene I've ever read!) and the abovemetioned great characterizations made this book a wonderful reading experience and a joy to read.
The crime scenes, the scene backgrounds, the surroundings were vivid and well-drawn without exception (a warning: some of those scenes are really gruesome and even though not drawn-out in every gory detail stil not for the faint at heart)
Gavin and Ben were so well-drawn and so consistent in anything they said, did, and (in Gavin's case since he's the first person POV narrator) thought--I could hear them, almost see them and as tacky as this sounds, feel them in my heart. Also admirable: the villain, how he was so hopeless and broken beyond repair. Same goes for the other supportive characters. Not one of them was shallow, and only one scratched at cliche from afar. Wonderfully done.
The writing was smooth, seemingly effortless and interspersed with bist of prose so beautiful I deliberately stopped to reread it. Gripping, compelling action scenes (including Sex scenes--(as far as I'm concerned this book has the single most erotic masturbation scene I've ever read!) and the abovemetioned great characterizations made this book a wonderful reading experience and a joy to read.
March 14, 2016
So this is why I read books and don't write them. Sometimes in life I am lucky and I find the words to express what I feel and think. This is not one of those times. 'Power Exchange' was an amazing beginning for Gavin & Ben, it blew me away. Then came 'Safeword' and words fail me as to how I can explain the depth of this book. I cried, I raged, I laughed, I rode the worlds largest emotional roller coaster and in the end my heart ached for all who had suffered in this story and for the amazingly wonderful way that A.J. Rose showed us the strength and depth of the human spirit.
I have read some incredible books that have touched my heart and made me so appreciative of the fact that I was blessed with a love of reading, 'Safeword' sits on a shelf with one other book in terms of the emotional impact that it has had on me, that book is 'Blood Memories' by Greg Iles. Unfortunately only a very small group of people who truly know me, would every understand that in my world, with my words this is the highest praise I can offer to this author for what she has written.
I have read some incredible books that have touched my heart and made me so appreciative of the fact that I was blessed with a love of reading, 'Safeword' sits on a shelf with one other book in terms of the emotional impact that it has had on me, that book is 'Blood Memories' by Greg Iles. Unfortunately only a very small group of people who truly know me, would every understand that in my world, with my words this is the highest praise I can offer to this author for what she has written.
March 2, 2015
5 Stars! SWOOSH...Blew right through this one!
Review to follow...
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