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Spanking Dee-Dee
Simon Putney has never been in love and it suits him fine. He likes life and relationships to be simple and straightforward, no ties, no emotional complications. There's friendship and there's sex, what has love got to do with anything?
A move to a new apartment brings him into contact with the eccentric, but sweet Dee-Dee Walters with whom he strikes up a friendship.
Dee-Dee's unconventional upbringing has influenced his ideas about love and what constitutes the perfect relationship. What he wants is an old fashioned alpha male to rule his heart and his home.
Simon thinks Dee-Dee is hankering after something that doesn’t exist beyond the pages of fiction.
When Dee-Dee gets tired of waiting for love and decides to launch a quest to find his perfect mate, Simon warns him he's likely to find only disappointment.
A move to a new apartment brings him into contact with the eccentric, but sweet Dee-Dee Walters with whom he strikes up a friendship.
Dee-Dee's unconventional upbringing has influenced his ideas about love and what constitutes the perfect relationship. What he wants is an old fashioned alpha male to rule his heart and his home.
Simon thinks Dee-Dee is hankering after something that doesn’t exist beyond the pages of fiction.
When Dee-Dee gets tired of waiting for love and decides to launch a quest to find his perfect mate, Simon warns him he's likely to find only disappointment.
303 pages, ebook
First published April 9, 2013
4 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Fabian Black
40 books48 followersMy pseudonyms: Cat, Fabian Black, Tarn Swan, Gumbie Tales, Nowell Cowardice, Mystic Mog, Skoda.
Fabian Black writes D/s fiction, but with her own unique stamp. There are no dungeons and chains here or any of the usual leather and whip scenarios associated with power exchange fiction. She shows another aspect of the Dom/sub dynamic, weaving beautiful warm hearted, sensitive stories full of emotion, wit and romance all spiced with a little spanking. Stories that will engage, entertain and sometimes surprise you. Have tissues on stand by.
For the record she is a female author located in the UK. She is a keen advocate of GLBT rights and gay marriage.
Fabian Black writes D/s fiction, but with her own unique stamp. There are no dungeons and chains here or any of the usual leather and whip scenarios associated with power exchange fiction. She shows another aspect of the Dom/sub dynamic, weaving beautiful warm hearted, sensitive stories full of emotion, wit and romance all spiced with a little spanking. Stories that will engage, entertain and sometimes surprise you. Have tissues on stand by.
For the record she is a female author located in the UK. She is a keen advocate of GLBT rights and gay marriage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 30, 2016
I accidentally one-clicked this book a year or more ago. I kept it because it has so many enthusiastic reviews. And the guy on the cover is pretty and apparently a dude named Dee-Dee gets spanked but it's fluffy. So what's not to like?
But...yeah.
See...
It's like this.
I dunno.
I just couldn't get into it.
I can see why some people put it on a fanfic shelf. (Though perhaps it is fanfic with the serial number filed off? No idea.) But I say this as a HUGE FUCKING FANFIC READER, okay? It reads like enthusiastic, but ultimately blah fanfic.
The sentence structure alone was distracting as fuck...
So. To sum up:
April 23, 2014
"Head-spinning" kisses, cuddling, and adorable Britishisms
Many thanks to Sarah_loves_books, for insisting, repeatedly, that I would like this book. You were right! It was one of those "Can't put it down until I've finished: fuck getting up for work in the morning!" books.
That title! Ugh. Why would anyone pick that title? That single-handedly put me off reading this for a very long time. But it is a super-cute, slice-of-life, falling-in-love-slowly, feel-good, happy book. It was great! It's a travesty it has so few reviews (and therefore, I'm assuming, readers). To clarify: this is not a book about a couple in a Domestic Discipline or BDSM relationship.
I've got two parts of me warring a little over this review, because technically, craft-wise, it's not a great book. It's more like a second draft, with flashes of awesome.
" . . . a brushstroke of sexual graffiti."
" . . . proof of the existence of breakfast was ready and waiting on the altar of my kitchen table and he’d better hurry up and worship before it vanished."
But the heart of the story, and Simon's not-entirely-reliable narration, won me over swiftly. How much do I love ? Oh, so much!
I highly recommend this.
Many thanks to Sarah_loves_books, for insisting, repeatedly, that I would like this book. You were right! It was one of those "Can't put it down until I've finished: fuck getting up for work in the morning!" books.
That title! Ugh. Why would anyone pick that title? That single-handedly put me off reading this for a very long time. But it is a super-cute, slice-of-life, falling-in-love-slowly, feel-good, happy book. It was great! It's a travesty it has so few reviews (and therefore, I'm assuming, readers). To clarify: this is not a book about a couple in a Domestic Discipline or BDSM relationship.
I've got two parts of me warring a little over this review, because technically, craft-wise, it's not a great book. It's more like a second draft, with flashes of awesome.
" . . . a brushstroke of sexual graffiti."
" . . . proof of the existence of breakfast was ready and waiting on the altar of my kitchen table and he’d better hurry up and worship before it vanished."
But the heart of the story, and Simon's not-entirely-reliable narration, won me over swiftly. How much do I love ? Oh, so much!
I highly recommend this.
October 20, 2014
What a puzzling, but mostly tedious experience this book was! I tried pushing myself, but every single sentence was hardship. I quit at page 47, feeling like I’d run a marathon. This book was unreadable to me.
And thus I second everything Jenna mentioned in her review and would like to add the following, so that if you are considering this book there are now positive AND less positive reviews to take into account. I wish the latter had been available before I decided to give Spanking Dee-Dee a go.
The author loses herself in endless descriptions of mundanity, while there is nothing remotely intriguing to cling onto. The story progresses at a glacial, mind-dulling pace. Buildings and backgrounds of people are described in great and unnecessary detail (see examples below), but above all in a stiff and very stilted way. Every single sentence is a clunky mass of grammatically incorrect, overly formal sentence constructions bordering on pompous writing (see examples below) and failing elevated diction. There are plenty commas, just not very many dots. Chapters end in the middle of not particularly thrilling scenes, that simply continue in the new chapter. The narrator is supposed to be a 25 year old guy. I’m certainly not buying that, because everything about his narration screams ‘Queen Elizabeth recalling a memory from her youth’.
The 25 year old changes apartments:
He enters his new apartment:
A dude he noticed earlier isn’t on the lawn anymore when he leaves his apartment:
So he goes for a meal instead:
He buys bread and –- cheekily -- opts for another entrance into his apartment!:
He showers and shares his totally fascinating breakfast rituals:
Woo! He has neighbours too!
Odd details and constructions like these make me wonder if the narrator perhaps is supposed to suffer from an Autism spectrum disorder? I didn’t make it far enough to confirm this suspicion though.
PS a small note on the coloured contacts that Dee Dee popped out and slipped into the pocket of his shirt. You can’t fish them out with your fingers at a later time and then put them in a cup of water and expect them to be alright. Contacts don’t work that way. It’s only one of the seeming inconsistencies I came across, but one that annoyed me as I know all about contact lenses and their more aggravating aspects.
And thus I second everything Jenna mentioned in her review and would like to add the following, so that if you are considering this book there are now positive AND less positive reviews to take into account. I wish the latter had been available before I decided to give Spanking Dee-Dee a go.
The author loses herself in endless descriptions of mundanity, while there is nothing remotely intriguing to cling onto. The story progresses at a glacial, mind-dulling pace. Buildings and backgrounds of people are described in great and unnecessary detail (see examples below), but above all in a stiff and very stilted way. Every single sentence is a clunky mass of grammatically incorrect, overly formal sentence constructions bordering on pompous writing (see examples below) and failing elevated diction. There are plenty commas, just not very many dots. Chapters end in the middle of not particularly thrilling scenes, that simply continue in the new chapter. The narrator is supposed to be a 25 year old guy. I’m certainly not buying that, because everything about his narration screams ‘Queen Elizabeth recalling a memory from her youth’.
The 25 year old changes apartments:
“I set in motion the progress of acquiring what I desired and looked forward to starting a new chapter in my life as a homeowner.”
He enters his new apartment:
“Walking up the stairs to my apartment I paused outside the door for a moment and then ceremoniously inserted my key and pushed it open.”
A dude he noticed earlier isn’t on the lawn anymore when he leaves his apartment:
“There was no sign of the rain man as I exited the bakery. The grass where he’d been sitting was vacant.”
So he goes for a meal instead:
“Sticking my hands in the pockets of my jeans I whistled a tune and set off at a jaunty pace towards sustenance. After my meal of sirloin steak with all the trimmings I sat cradling a pint in my hands, my thoughts wandering idly around. I mentally arranged furniture and unpacked belongings in my new abode, when simultaneously (...)”
He buys bread and –- cheekily -- opts for another entrance into his apartment!:
“I fulfilled my quest to purchase bread and milk, choosing to re-enter the bakery via the front entrance just for the sheer pleasure of walking up the broad steps leading to the original grand double doors. They were made from maple and rosewood set with acid etched glass panels.”
He showers and shares his totally fascinating breakfast rituals:
“A cool shower refreshed me and after dressing in the loose tee and baggy shorts I’d been wearing the day before I set about making my favourite meal of the day, breakfast, at least my favourite one at the weekends and outside of term time. During the working week I don’t have time to do anything other than grab a bowl of cereal or a slice of toast and a mug of instant coffee. I opted for the full English repast, bacon, eggs, tomatoes and plenty of tea to wash it down. It would set me up for the day with no need to break my activity to partake of lunch. After breakfasting I washed up my pots. Seeing as I was in the kitchen it seemed sensible to make it the first room to put right.”
Woo! He has neighbours too!
“There was a young couple at the end of my floor with a new baby boy or at least I assumed it was a couple, and young. I hadn’t set eyes on them. I knew there was definitely a baby boy, and he was new, because I had witnessed a floral arrangement adorned with a huge blue balloon being delivered to their door by a local florist. The balloon made the announcement in sparkling silver letters. I could hear the baby crying sometimes in the middle of the night when I lay sleepless.”
Odd details and constructions like these make me wonder if the narrator perhaps is supposed to suffer from an Autism spectrum disorder? I didn’t make it far enough to confirm this suspicion though.
PS a small note on the coloured contacts that Dee Dee popped out and slipped into the pocket of his shirt. You can’t fish them out with your fingers at a later time and then put them in a cup of water and expect them to be alright. Contacts don’t work that way. It’s only one of the seeming inconsistencies I came across, but one that annoyed me as I know all about contact lenses and their more aggravating aspects.
October 10, 2014
4,5 stars!
That book was...amazing.....beautiful....emotional...and exactly what I needed.
It has so much HEART and SOUL and FEELINGS.
The right ones, always the right ones.
It is the moment when I'm soooo happy to have GR.
How the hell could I found this book in the world without?!
It is the moment when I'm soooooooooooo happy to have my GR friends!
How the hell could I found this book without them?!
Thank you, my dear Sarah !
You want to know what it is about?! About Simon and Dee-Dee.
A simple stuff with the most significant effect.
A broken relationship
-->Moving from the old apartment in a new one
--> A new neighbour
-->Friendship
-->One night stand
-->Embarrassment
-->Beginning of a wonderful friendship
-->Friendship
-->FRIENDSHIP without sex-sex can only spoil everything(that is not from me!)
-->Some unpleasant events-No details!
-->Some nice events-No details!
-->Lovers
-->HEA
GREAT. Because of the writing. Though it's it not always about the writing, is it?
No, of course not, it is about the plot, that is soooooo...
It's about the MCs that are sooooooo......
Significant..."so f*ing special" (that is a quote from my favourite song)
...
IT IS.
IT IS...........
I need to read more of this author.
And now ...
P.S Sorry, I'm helpless as always. But please.
READ THIS BOOK.
READ THIS BOOK.
READ THIS BOOK.
Yours sincerely...
October 30, 2014
“Age is irrelevant. It’s a state of mind not the numbers of years lived. It depends on what’s inside you. I’ve met old young people and young old people.”
And so we have a 25 year old mature teacher, Simon, who flat out refuses to believe in love and have a relationship. We also have a 27 year old eccentric artist, Dee-Dee, a man-child who's kind and sensitive but has some strange tendencies and craves to be controlled and dominated in a domestic kind of way by his fantasy Alpha-man. Which Simon is not.
Their story is heart-warming and endearing. I couldn't help but wince at Dee-Dee's acts at the beginning but he is such a sweetheart that it's impossible not to fall for a boy. The stubbornness of Simon gritted on my nerves at times too, but I knew he'd come around eventually.
What I thought was missing to make me one happy woman, was a bit of steam between these two. It was a great and entertaining read, sweet and quite emotional. I just wish the author hadn't kept the sex completely off the page. I'm not asking for porn, but a little 'action' would have gone a long way here, in my opinion. Also,
But despite those minor details, I still enjoyed it tremendously and gone through the book in a day. It was lovely and provided the distraction I needed.
***4 feeling-the-rain stars***
“Ignore those with closed minds. Love is love and a thing of beauty.”
October 18, 2014
DNF @ 9%
BR with Tinka and Lo-Lo. I don't think any of us made it through this one.
My status update will serve as my review:
This book is unreadable. Nearly every sentence begins with a present participle phrase (-ing word), doesn't have commas, and is grammatically incorrect because the actions aren't happening simultaneously even though that's what's implied by the sentence structure. This is beyond annoying.
For example:
Hurrying to the bathroom I lugged a couple of bath towels out of the airing cupboard. Taking them back to the living room I thrust one at him. "Here, dry off a bit."
"Thanks." Taking the towel he mopped his face and then rubbed it vigorously over his hair followed by his arms and legs.
I'm not exaggerating in saying that almost every sentence is structured this way. This is only part of the problem with the writing, but it's by far the most irritating.
I'll add that another issue with the writing was the inclusion of too many details, like the entire history of his apartment building and the process Simon went through to live there. Also, unless I read it wrong, which is entirely possible considering how bored I was by the details, the building used to be a bakery but was converted into luxury apartments. Why, then, was it constantly referred to as the bakery?? If it's no longer being used as a bakery, the equipment isn't even there anymore, and the building now serves an entirely different purpose, then it's not a fucking bakery.
Maybe this is a wonderful love story with a great slow burn, but I will never know because I cannot tolerate reading a book that's 90% grammatically incorrect. I gave it several chances and finally concluded that I will never be able to finish it.
BR with Tinka and Lo-Lo. I don't think any of us made it through this one.
My status update will serve as my review:
This book is unreadable. Nearly every sentence begins with a present participle phrase (-ing word), doesn't have commas, and is grammatically incorrect because the actions aren't happening simultaneously even though that's what's implied by the sentence structure. This is beyond annoying.
For example:
Hurrying to the bathroom I lugged a couple of bath towels out of the airing cupboard. Taking them back to the living room I thrust one at him. "Here, dry off a bit."
"Thanks." Taking the towel he mopped his face and then rubbed it vigorously over his hair followed by his arms and legs.
I'm not exaggerating in saying that almost every sentence is structured this way. This is only part of the problem with the writing, but it's by far the most irritating.
I'll add that another issue with the writing was the inclusion of too many details, like the entire history of his apartment building and the process Simon went through to live there. Also, unless I read it wrong, which is entirely possible considering how bored I was by the details, the building used to be a bakery but was converted into luxury apartments. Why, then, was it constantly referred to as the bakery?? If it's no longer being used as a bakery, the equipment isn't even there anymore, and the building now serves an entirely different purpose, then it's not a fucking bakery.
Maybe this is a wonderful love story with a great slow burn, but I will never know because I cannot tolerate reading a book that's 90% grammatically incorrect. I gave it several chances and finally concluded that I will never be able to finish it.
July 5, 2013
Friendship, Love and Discovery
This is such a brilliant story with characters that are vivid and real.
Simon has a friend with benefits relationship until the so called friend (James) meets the love of his life. Simon is then discarded but supposedly takes it all in his stride. After all they were only friends weren't they?
Simon is a hardy fellow who doesn't believe in romance and eventually he moves on in his life and also moves town, and there in his new and much liked apartment block he meets Dee-Dee.
Dee-Dee is the exact opposite to Simon. He believes in romance and love, he also believes in domestic discipline, romantic heroes of integrity and the fact that one day he will meet someone who will love him and be able to establish boundaries for him in a firm but loving way. He eventually sets out to meet this domestic discipline hero and has a number of experiences and a few near misses.
Simon and Dee-Dee are neighbours and become good friends. Dee-Dee is a lovely man, yet somewhat flaky and vulnerable. He is an artist with an unconventional upbringing and has a different perspective about life. He also has a peculiar approach to day to day activity. Simon in contrast is no nonsense and practical, and the two of them develop a firm friendship. Simon has a front seat to the drama of Dee-Dee's search for his domestic discipline hero. Eventually despite Simon's initial stance love and romance develop quietly and unseen. The story charts this journey to love with humour and an engaging and witty dialogue.
This is a brilliant story of two people: one earnestly searching for love and one denying it exists and how love finds both of them.
I really enjoyed this book. It is British and contemporary dealing with the subject of domestic discipline v. BDSM. It isn't a BDSM book though and the conversations between the two characters shows them each trying to understand the difference between the two. I am not sure I understand either of these but I really enjoyed the story and the journey Simon takes to understanding both his past and present relationships.
I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters: the neighbours and Simon's friends and family, all of whom recognise things about Simon that he is not ready to recognise himself, and all of them fall in love with Dee-Dee except one grouchy neighbour.
There is a humorous undertone to this story. Dee-Dee's behaviour and outlook on life provide steady moments of laughter and weirdness. Even the difficult times are resolved with camaraderie, strong friendship and ultimately love. This is also a long story and a relationship that develops realistically over time. No insta love here. The relationship evolves through the mundane activity of the everyday and through sharing and companionship.
I enjoyed the writing and the Britishness. The author has a way of making the story real. Simon and Dee-Dee could be the blokes next door. Simon could be a colleague and Dee-Dee the flaky neighbour who potters about in the garden barefoot. I also liked the residents association with the nosy, complaining neighbour. We have all had them or know someone who has.
A journey is taken which leads to Romance and the recognition of Love. It is a rich story. It doesn't have pages and pages of formulaic page-filling sex scenes. It does have dialogue, description and a good narrative. The sex when it comes is well placed and doesn't overshadow the story revealing emotions, friendship, camaraderie, comedy, tears, laughter and love, all with a British flavour and in my opinion is Just Right!
A thoroughly pleasurable story with great characters.
NB There is great recipe in the book for spicy oven chips. Just add rock salt, fresh peppers, chilli flakes and olive oil to the oven chips before you put them in the oven. There is nothing better than a character who knows how to jazz up oven chips!!
This is such a brilliant story with characters that are vivid and real.
Simon has a friend with benefits relationship until the so called friend (James) meets the love of his life. Simon is then discarded but supposedly takes it all in his stride. After all they were only friends weren't they?
Simon is a hardy fellow who doesn't believe in romance and eventually he moves on in his life and also moves town, and there in his new and much liked apartment block he meets Dee-Dee.
Dee-Dee is the exact opposite to Simon. He believes in romance and love, he also believes in domestic discipline, romantic heroes of integrity and the fact that one day he will meet someone who will love him and be able to establish boundaries for him in a firm but loving way. He eventually sets out to meet this domestic discipline hero and has a number of experiences and a few near misses.
Simon and Dee-Dee are neighbours and become good friends. Dee-Dee is a lovely man, yet somewhat flaky and vulnerable. He is an artist with an unconventional upbringing and has a different perspective about life. He also has a peculiar approach to day to day activity. Simon in contrast is no nonsense and practical, and the two of them develop a firm friendship. Simon has a front seat to the drama of Dee-Dee's search for his domestic discipline hero. Eventually despite Simon's initial stance love and romance develop quietly and unseen. The story charts this journey to love with humour and an engaging and witty dialogue.
This is a brilliant story of two people: one earnestly searching for love and one denying it exists and how love finds both of them.
I really enjoyed this book. It is British and contemporary dealing with the subject of domestic discipline v. BDSM. It isn't a BDSM book though and the conversations between the two characters shows them each trying to understand the difference between the two. I am not sure I understand either of these but I really enjoyed the story and the journey Simon takes to understanding both his past and present relationships.
I also enjoyed the supporting cast of characters: the neighbours and Simon's friends and family, all of whom recognise things about Simon that he is not ready to recognise himself, and all of them fall in love with Dee-Dee except one grouchy neighbour.
There is a humorous undertone to this story. Dee-Dee's behaviour and outlook on life provide steady moments of laughter and weirdness. Even the difficult times are resolved with camaraderie, strong friendship and ultimately love. This is also a long story and a relationship that develops realistically over time. No insta love here. The relationship evolves through the mundane activity of the everyday and through sharing and companionship.
I enjoyed the writing and the Britishness. The author has a way of making the story real. Simon and Dee-Dee could be the blokes next door. Simon could be a colleague and Dee-Dee the flaky neighbour who potters about in the garden barefoot. I also liked the residents association with the nosy, complaining neighbour. We have all had them or know someone who has.
A journey is taken which leads to Romance and the recognition of Love. It is a rich story. It doesn't have pages and pages of formulaic page-filling sex scenes. It does have dialogue, description and a good narrative. The sex when it comes is well placed and doesn't overshadow the story revealing emotions, friendship, camaraderie, comedy, tears, laughter and love, all with a British flavour and in my opinion is Just Right!
A thoroughly pleasurable story with great characters.
NB There is great recipe in the book for spicy oven chips. Just add rock salt, fresh peppers, chilli flakes and olive oil to the oven chips before you put them in the oven. There is nothing better than a character who knows how to jazz up oven chips!!
September 6, 2014
Beautiful story about two amazing men, who Think they know what they need, who think they know what they want...
But they don't!!
A sweet story about two wonderful men who think they know what the other need, who think they know what the other want...
But they don't!!
It's a great written story about two men who can't see that whats stand right in front of them, is that exact piece that is a perfect match to feel the hole in their existence.
I truly loved both MC's equally.
I loved Simons caring instincts towards Dee-Dee from the get going, and Dee-Dee's sweet and naive persona.
It's not a 5 star book, only because it took me a little time to get into it with my whole heart, it had some boring points in the first third of the story.
But they don't!!
A sweet story about two wonderful men who think they know what the other need, who think they know what the other want...
But they don't!!
It's a great written story about two men who can't see that whats stand right in front of them, is that exact piece that is a perfect match to feel the hole in their existence.
I truly loved both MC's equally.
I loved Simons caring instincts towards Dee-Dee from the get going, and Dee-Dee's sweet and naive persona.
It's not a 5 star book, only because it took me a little time to get into it with my whole heart, it had some boring points in the first third of the story.
April 15, 2013
3.5 stars. I rounded the rating up to 4 because I know I'll want to reread it. Sweet domestic discipline story about lost and needy Dee Dee and reserved teacher Simon. This is a slow paced story that concentrates on friendship and individual growth. There's hardly any sex and only one short spanking scene at the end. Some of the writing, mostly when explaining the DD dynamic, felt more like PC justifications than organic storytelling. But I had no trouble overlooking that because I liked the characters. Not as good as Destiny Calling IMO but I always enjoy this author's full length novels.
July 24, 2017
I wanted something different from the oversexed offering or the billionaire-saves-the-heroin-from-her-dull-life novels. This is a man-child looking for a mate-protector-disciplinarian story. There were unbelievable parts, which brought the rating down despite the originality.
A few random thoughts:
- I liked that there was very little sex and that the main characters got to know each other (not much spanking either despite the title). And the characters are not constantly undressing each other in their mind either.
- They do think about sex and I love the fact that it is shown in some of Dee-Dee's art.
- I liked that, for once, the narrator is the dominant one. I love Simon's voice. He is caring and unwilling to exert authority.
- Dee-Dee was a sweetheart.
- Dee-Dee's mother was a heinous character. Maybe too over the top. The book got a lot better for me after she is out of the picture.
The idea of relinquishing decisions about my life to someone else - no matter how well-intentioned or loving - is foreign to me so I did not really connect. But that's why I read. I want to see and try to understand different lives and different points of view. This book had me thinking for a while after I finished it.
A few random thoughts:
- I liked that there was very little sex and that the main characters got to know each other (not much spanking either despite the title). And the characters are not constantly undressing each other in their mind either.
- They do think about sex and I love the fact that it is shown in some of Dee-Dee's art.
- I liked that, for once, the narrator is the dominant one. I love Simon's voice. He is caring and unwilling to exert authority.
- Dee-Dee was a sweetheart.
- Dee-Dee's mother was a heinous character. Maybe too over the top. The book got a lot better for me after she is out of the picture.
The idea of relinquishing decisions about my life to someone else - no matter how well-intentioned or loving - is foreign to me so I did not really connect. But that's why I read. I want to see and try to understand different lives and different points of view. This book had me thinking for a while after I finished it.
April 25, 2014
Adorable. Funny and touching. Loved both MCs. Great writing. Simon as narrator was really interesting. He went through a big self- awakening throughout the course of the book. At first, he comes off as cold and unlikeable, but slowly his layers are peeled back, mostly because of his exposure to the eccentric Dee Dee.
April 13, 2013
3.5 stars. With this title, I thought I was going to be reading some steamy spanking scenes, but there's barely any sex in this book at all. (two sex scenes maybe? and definitely no bdsm between the MC's)
Alot of time is spent on the characters getting to know each other (the friends to lovers theme), so it felt a bit slow to me at times. Dee-Dee was an oddball sweatheart and I ended up falling in love with Simon. This was my first read by this author, so I'll have to check out their other works.
Alot of time is spent on the characters getting to know each other (the friends to lovers theme), so it felt a bit slow to me at times. Dee-Dee was an oddball sweatheart and I ended up falling in love with Simon. This was my first read by this author, so I'll have to check out their other works.
July 10, 2016
More like 4.5 stars
Wonderful read all along. I liked both MCs, I liked how they build up a friendship without realizing that it moved on to be more. Especially Simon's characterization was endearing. I felt with him when he realized what really happened with James and how he worked hard to keep his friendship with Dee-Dee, well, as a friend and nothing more. Until their well deserved happy ending.
Wonderful read all along. I liked both MCs, I liked how they build up a friendship without realizing that it moved on to be more. Especially Simon's characterization was endearing. I felt with him when he realized what really happened with James and how he worked hard to keep his friendship with Dee-Dee, well, as a friend and nothing more. Until their well deserved happy ending.
September 15, 2013
I loved this, truly.
It was a 5-star till 96% but still...loved.
It was a 5-star till 96% but still...loved.
September 10, 2017
Much much better than my expectations.
It's not kinky, well not in retrospect atleast. It's basically a transition of fantastical love to real love, where two people's perception of love meet, greet and finally come to a fine understanding. The understanding has less to do with fantasy and more to do with the realities of being with each other and having a sync in the connection.
I loved Dee-Dee. His 99.9% gay theory just killed me with cuteness. Damn, but he's one innocent candy. Waiting to be licked. And Si, is well typical Si. He's one for clear words and logical explanations even when it comes to love. I really liked some of his clear cut perspectives on everything.
This is one of those reads where you might start with "I'm getting me some Spank time!" and in the middle you'll be like "When is he going to get on with the Spanking?" and by the end you're like "Finally!". I enjoyed the transition and the logical way to it. The fetish becomes a more subjective line of thought in this novel with a story and heart and which kept me on a thinking edge. A Good Light Read.
It's not kinky, well not in retrospect atleast. It's basically a transition of fantastical love to real love, where two people's perception of love meet, greet and finally come to a fine understanding. The understanding has less to do with fantasy and more to do with the realities of being with each other and having a sync in the connection.
I loved Dee-Dee. His 99.9% gay theory just killed me with cuteness. Damn, but he's one innocent candy. Waiting to be licked. And Si, is well typical Si. He's one for clear words and logical explanations even when it comes to love. I really liked some of his clear cut perspectives on everything.
This is one of those reads where you might start with "I'm getting me some Spank time!" and in the middle you'll be like "When is he going to get on with the Spanking?" and by the end you're like "Finally!". I enjoyed the transition and the logical way to it. The fetish becomes a more subjective line of thought in this novel with a story and heart and which kept me on a thinking edge. A Good Light Read.
August 2, 2016
This was a pretty nice story, I thought D double e dash D double e, was FREAKING adorable and his hippy-drippy personality was just awesome.
I love a character that rambles and opens his mouth before his brain has caught up!
The reason I couldn't give more stars, was the lack of the smexy times.
I understand a lot of emphasis was put on the discussion in regards to domestic discipline as a psychological concept versus the sexual concept in this book.
And I understand that the main focus was not on the sex, but the development between Dee-Dee and Simon, and coming to terms with your utopia, being JUST that: utopia.
(The sometimes sad) reality, do not ALWAYS mix with your ideas of a perfect relationship, and reality can be way more cruel/boring/disappointing, than what is deserved.
BUT the title of the book, the sex-scene described in the book and Simon's (hidden but clear, if that makes sense) Dom-tendencies (or caretaker tendencies if you want to take Dee-Dee's POV) could have made for an EXPLOSIVE read, the attraction was CLEARLY there.
I loved the characters, the relationship development (no insta-lust/love for these two, no siree) and the book was really well-written, but more smexy times would have made this a solid 4-star read.
Will definitely read other books by Fabian Black.
I love a character that rambles and opens his mouth before his brain has caught up!
The reason I couldn't give more stars, was the lack of the smexy times.
I understand a lot of emphasis was put on the discussion in regards to domestic discipline as a psychological concept versus the sexual concept in this book.
And I understand that the main focus was not on the sex, but the development between Dee-Dee and Simon, and coming to terms with your utopia, being JUST that: utopia.
(The sometimes sad) reality, do not ALWAYS mix with your ideas of a perfect relationship, and reality can be way more cruel/boring/disappointing, than what is deserved.
BUT the title of the book, the sex-scene described in the book and Simon's (hidden but clear, if that makes sense) Dom-tendencies (or caretaker tendencies if you want to take Dee-Dee's POV) could have made for an EXPLOSIVE read, the attraction was CLEARLY there.
I loved the characters, the relationship development (no insta-lust/love for these two, no siree) and the book was really well-written, but more smexy times would have made this a solid 4-star read.
Will definitely read other books by Fabian Black.
July 8, 2014
Misleading title for a cute frothy read.
The emphasis is on the relationship not sex, so it's a story of growing friendship as they fall for each other almost without realising it. Makes for nice reading.
Dee-Dee is a quirky free-spirit whose both engaging and worrisomely naive
Simon gets a little self-realisation over an old relationship which is touching, I liked seeing his growth and how much he cared about Dee-Dee. It was nice to see how he opened up under Dee's influence.
There's only one spanking scene in the book and I think they decide it's not for them There is though a lot of talk about domestic discipline and justification for non-kinky spanking. To me it felt more as if the author had a point to make than the characters talking.
Overall a cute, easy to read distraction.
The emphasis is on the relationship not sex, so it's a story of growing friendship as they fall for each other almost without realising it. Makes for nice reading.
Dee-Dee is a quirky free-spirit whose both engaging and worrisomely naive
Simon gets a little self-realisation over an old relationship which is touching, I liked seeing his growth and how much he cared about Dee-Dee. It was nice to see how he opened up under Dee's influence.
There's only one spanking scene in the book and I think they decide it's not for them There is though a lot of talk about domestic discipline and justification for non-kinky spanking. To me it felt more as if the author had a point to make than the characters talking.
Overall a cute, easy to read distraction.
April 24, 2013
Probably a gnats above a four star read
This isn't the author's usual "brat fic" it's a gentle love story of two people with very fixed ideas about what they want in a relationship becoming friends, falling in love and realising that they need to be flexible. The characters are flawed and engaging, I have a particularly soft spot for Dee-Dee. There is a varied supporting cast of interesting characters. My own niggle would be the portrayal of Dee-Dee's mother which I didn't like.
This isn't the author's usual "brat fic" it's a gentle love story of two people with very fixed ideas about what they want in a relationship becoming friends, falling in love and realising that they need to be flexible. The characters are flawed and engaging, I have a particularly soft spot for Dee-Dee. There is a varied supporting cast of interesting characters. My own niggle would be the portrayal of Dee-Dee's mother which I didn't like.
July 8, 2013
What a sweet pure romance!
I have to say, this story develops partly to slow nad builds mainly around Simon getting to know and building a deeper friendship with eccentric neighbour Dee-Dee. I liked them both. Dee-Dee was naive, a bit weird, but pure well balanced warm character. I enjoyed how Simon and Dee-Dee became true friends and how their closeness turned into love Simon could accept into his heart.
Fabian Black wrote and excellent, well written true romance!
Highly RECOMMENDED!
I have to say, this story develops partly to slow nad builds mainly around Simon getting to know and building a deeper friendship with eccentric neighbour Dee-Dee. I liked them both. Dee-Dee was naive, a bit weird, but pure well balanced warm character. I enjoyed how Simon and Dee-Dee became true friends and how their closeness turned into love Simon could accept into his heart.
Fabian Black wrote and excellent, well written true romance!
Highly RECOMMENDED!
November 9, 2013
3.5 stars. This was an interesting character study about two men who have fixed ideas about what they want in life -- and how those fixed ideas can make you miss out on what's right in front of you. I enjoyed the usual character of Dee Dee and the world that was created in the apartment building. The ending was very nicely done. There isn't much sex on the page here, nor are the MCs together for most of the book. Not my usual romance fare, but an interesting little story.
to-read-yes-own
December 29, 2014Lena loved it (her 4.5 stars review) and recommended me to go for it with the words: “It is a very nice mm-romance. Forget the title.”
...soonish!!
...soonish!! 
October 15, 2014
This was surprisingly a lot more fun than I expected on picking it up - I really enjoyed the read. There were a couple of things I found slightly odd about what Dee-Dee was looking for in his perfect match, and I never really did get the "head of household" discipline thing but it was all explained and developed in a really good way, so we came to understand the characters and their motivations.
I loved Dee-Dee's eccentricity and Simon was a big sweetie too. This was strangely engrossing from the minute I started reading the sample. I liked Simon as the narrator and the writing style was good, drawing me into the story.
I felt quite sad for both the leading men initially - they have both had some hard times. I loved the development of the friendship and relationship between Dee-Dee and Simon over a long period of time, it made it more a friends-to-lovers story. I'm so glad they opened their eyes and saw what was right in front of them for their happy ending. I was a little disappointed with how they eventually got together, but then I enjoyed the very ending, I felt satisfied after finishing the book.
I loved Dee-Dee's eccentricity and Simon was a big sweetie too. This was strangely engrossing from the minute I started reading the sample. I liked Simon as the narrator and the writing style was good, drawing me into the story.
I felt quite sad for both the leading men initially - they have both had some hard times. I loved the development of the friendship and relationship between Dee-Dee and Simon over a long period of time, it made it more a friends-to-lovers story. I'm so glad they opened their eyes and saw what was right in front of them for their happy ending. I was a little disappointed with how they eventually got together, but then I enjoyed the very ending, I felt satisfied after finishing the book.
May 3, 2014
I really loved the way Dee Dee and Simon's friendship slowly developed into love. I felt sad for Simon, when he finally was able to acknowledge how he had been used in his previous relationship. Dee Dee was sweet, naive, yet determined in his quest for the kind of love he'd always read about. He kind of reminds me of myself, except he's more courageous:)
A really satisfying read; worthy of several more re-reads!
A really satisfying read; worthy of several more re-reads!
July 16, 2015
3.5 stars
Really enjoyed this but I feel like I would have liked more of the story featuring them as a couple and less of them both blindly ignoring the obvious. It just felt like it took forever for them to come together and then instant bam! We love each other, let's be together forever, end book in just a handful of pages. Still an enjoyable read!
Really enjoyed this but I feel like I would have liked more of the story featuring them as a couple and less of them both blindly ignoring the obvious. It just felt like it took forever for them to come together and then instant bam! We love each other, let's be together forever, end book in just a handful of pages. Still an enjoyable read!
September 5, 2014
Story plot was really something new or rather to say it was for me. Main character Simon is very emotion close up person. But all change for him when he meets Dee-Dee.
Both main character Simon and Dee-Dee have there own kinks and wishes and true the story we see how they getting closer and closer to each other.
My reading time was really enjoyable.
Both main character Simon and Dee-Dee have there own kinks and wishes and true the story we see how they getting closer and closer to each other.
My reading time was really enjoyable.
February 22, 2015
I really enjoyed this domestic disciple book. Dee-Dee really did need a keeper & as the partner of an artistic type person, I've had the urge to turn my partner over my knee more than once for being so scattered! :) Really good and enjoyed the whole story.
May 21, 2013
This one had a slow build, but I think the story was better for it. It's about two men, lost and lonely in their own ways, who find in each other a wonderful friend and confidant, and later on a soul-mate. This book was a bit different from Black's usual portrayal of a consensual discipline type relationship, where the couple is already established or gets established with this type of dominance already in mind. Here, we see the slow development of such a relationship, and a deeper understanding of it. The title isn't a prelude to a read full kinky or S&M sex. It's instead a title that symbolizes the epiphany that enlightens both men's worlds, bringing them immeasurable joy and finally love.
April 26, 2014
I picked this up for a challenge read for domestic discipline so I was expecting something a bit different from what the book really was. I found this was actually kind of interesting in the way Dee-Dee viewed DD relationships against other BDSM play. Where he absolutely didn't want to associate it with kink at all. This book acutally spent more time talking and debating the subject than putting it in to practice which was also fun to read. I also loved the dynamic between him and Simon, both of them unwilling to compromise on what they wanted or admit that they actually already were a couple in everything but name.
May 9, 2013
DNF for me...I got through about 30-something percent and gave up. I just couldn't handle the chit chat and didn't really care for the characters.
June 6, 2013
Charming story with nice characters, about how easy it is to not see what is right in front of you. A little put off by the wine that shows up in many a situation.
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