For Nate

by Jessamyn St. Claire

A college student searching for love must face his worst fear to save his new friends from a sadist.

College senior, Jacob Dawson, moved to California to rekindle a previous relationship from several years past. When he meets and befriends Nate, a beautiful man who hides all his pain and baggage behind a pair of oceanic blue eyes and exuberant smile, Jacob is dragged completely into his life. Just when things are going smoothly between them, a man from Nate’s past returns, a sadist who is hell-bent on mentally and emotionally breaking Nate once more. Jacob must do whatever it takes to save him, even if that means stepping out of his comfort zone and facing his ultimate fear to do so.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2023

About the author

Jessamyn St. Claire is an up-and-coming author of dark and thrilling gay fiction with plenty of action and steam in her novels. She lives with her family in the South and is aiming to live her best writing life.

Website: www.jessamynstclaire.com
Newsletter: https://jessamynstclaire.substack.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JessStClaire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessamynstc...

Reviews

[Kyrsau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was... a ride. Each of the main trio will twist up your heart and make you flow along the emotions with them. I affectionately want to call this a "whump" story from years in fandom spaces, but genuinely this is a Heavy Read, folks. But unlike the true whump this does, eventually, have a happy resolution.

The author manages very well to explicitly lay out that the way that kink is handled in several instances in the book are not the norm and should not be idealized or repeated. This is something that I feel like can come off preachy under some writers hands but it felt fluid here. A smart way to handle dark subject matter.

If I had one critique it would be that the ending felt a little under developed compared to the build of the story, but that's a minor concern. Overall this was a good experience. It's heavy, tugs at your heartstrings and as long as you're in the right headspace? A great time.

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I will check on more of her books. This is a dark story so be advised there are possible triggers that may not be for everyone.
Jacob is a student almost ready to graduate. He moved to California because of a relationship that he had as a teenager. He followed his crush hoping something would bring them back together and even though he has followed Oscar online he has not had the courage to contact him. Then he meets Nate. There is an attraction there but at the same time both have baggage so it is not easy for either to enter into something.
Nate has been bff’s with a couple guys growing up but things turned different than he hoped. One of those guys grew into being a sadist who did his best to break Nate. Nate had broken away from him when a twist of fate reunited them.
There is so much to this story. Many things occur that I really didn’t expect that kept the story moving while adding to the surprises. I enjoy dark stories so this one fit right into keeping me on the edge waiting to see the many different outcomes. I highly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys physical and emotional darkness.

[Readingundertherainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘For Nate’ was … I’m not even sure how to describe this book. Don’t get me wrong- the book was great, really great and very well written. But the story was twisted and hurt my heart. Jacob is a college senior and a TA. When he is waiting in line he spots this gorgeous man, who turns out to be Nate. They start dating and things are going good - but then a person from Nate’s past suddenly becomes a problem and Jacob has to strike a deal with the devil in a desperate attempt to keep Nate safe. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book with a character I loathed to this degree - that person from Nate’s past is just…. Sadistic and narcissistic and awful… I mean, he has no redeeming qualities. The book is an interesting blend of romance and darkness. I wouldn’t call it a dark romance, because the romance between the Jacob and Nate is very sweet. The circumstances around their relationship and the person from Nate’s past is however pitch black.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a dark romance that will have you running through a range of emotions? Then this needs to be your next read. St. Claire does an amazing job of bringing the characters to life, and drawing the reader into their world. There were moments that absolutely had my heart in my throat, and I just wanted to scream at the road blocks thrown in Nate and Jacob's way. (While I won't give spoilers, you'll love them both long before the end of the story). The plot itself moves along quickly, and there are enough twists and tension that you can't be totally sure where the story is taking you next, but you won't want to put it down for a moment once you start reading. An amazing mix of dark romance and thriller, this will take you to the dark depths of the human mind while also holding out a beacon of hope. Cannot recommend enough!

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, immersive story with lots of twists and turns. It combines elements of romance and elements of a psychological thriller, and it’s an easy narrative to be drawn into. The characters’ emotions and experiences are drawn with careful precision against a backdrop of ever deepening suspense and tension. I’m not going to spoil any plot elements here, as they drive the story and deserve to be experienced on their own terms, but I will say that I didn’t see a lot of what happened coming, and I mean that in the best possible way. Jacob and Nate are deeply interesting characters, for so many reasons, and there’s never a dull moment as their story unfolds. Heed the content warnings, and if dark and intense is what you’re looking for, give this one a try. 4.5 stars.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to know what to say about this book as I didn’t really like it that well but I couldn’t put it down. It is VERY dark, and the characters pull you in for an emotional ride from the beginning.. The antagonist is definitely evil and the motive revealed at the end in unexpected. The physical and emotional trauma suffered by Jacob and Nate’s best friend Kai is all in an effort to protect Nate from the sadist from his past. There are many elements of BDSM throughout as Jacob and Kai put themselves out there in an effort to keep Nathan from being drawn back into his past, but all three do learn things about themselves in the process. An intense read, and one definitely worth checking the triggers and the letter from the author at the beginning before starting the book.

I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary review.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new to me author and from what I can see it’s their Debut novel and wow what a story, this is a dark intense read that will take your emotions on a rollercoaster but what a great story it is, it’s definitely not your typical college romance so please pay attention to the trigger warnings. The author did a great job of making the characters seem so real and bringing the reader into their world. I Absolutely fell in love with both Nate and Jacob and if you like a dark read I would definitely recommend their story as it will keep you on the edge of your seat, well worth a read. I will definitely be looking out for more from this author in the future.

[Bkwrm24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars ⭐️

I honestly don't even know where to begin, as a matter of fact I'm not even going to try to go into details of this story. All I can say is that It was dark, twisty and more a less a psychological thriller type read and it was very very good. I'm still trying to wrap my
brain around this one. This was my first read from this author and it certainly will not be my last, this was so well written and truly a
fantastically crafted story. Give it a try, it won't disappoint.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always say I love a book with a good villain, but man, the one in this book made me wonder at times if I hadn't found the one I couldn't stomach reading about a time or two. I think it is the stunning contrast the author gives us between the sweetness and light of the relationship that develops between Jacob and Nate and the one Nate once had with the tormentor who comes for him again in this story. This is a battle between goodness and evil not in a fantasy setting but in the hearts and minds of contemporary characters. Don't start this just before bed.

[Thrilled Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 90% of this book was AMAZING!!! I have never read a psychological thriller like this before, and it had me shivering, intrigued, aroused, and disgusted all at once! The last 10% of the book was a terrible disappointment... it was like a scary movie where the police come, daylight breaks, and everyone is safe... but are they really??? The end deserves a rewrite. I don't care that the bad guy is getting counseling! How about 25- to- life??? Anyway, I considered a 3 star rating because of my disappointment, but I just couldn't do it to Nate, after all he had suffered so much!

[Mandee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be sure to read the content warning at the beginning of the book! There are many triggering elements, and therefore may be upsetting to some.

Dark and twisty, For Nate is the first book I’ve ever read by this author. Part romance, part thriller, and part sadistic lair, this book has very few light and fluffy moments.

It was easy to get sucked in, and I really liked the characters of Nate and Jacob. I guessed early on who the bad guy was, although that was explained fairly quickly anyway.

[Amanda Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and it definitely won't be the last. I loved every part of this book, I could not put it down once I started reading it. I would advise checking with the trigger warnings for this book as it is dark and there is a lot that happens in this book.

[Cristy Elizondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Very heartbreaking. It had a HEA but I didn't like a few things in the end. The villain goes to therapy but not Nate who went through so much? Also, some things Nate said about said villain in the end were just unbelievable. I gave it a 3.5 overall.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A search for love is not going to be easy especially when someone from the past is back to break them all over again. Can he overcome it again? Will he get some help this time? Will love come for him this time? Can it last for him? See just how it will all go

[Geboyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is....dark. Really dark. That being said, it was one heck of a ride to read. Great plot, lots of twists.