What do you think?
Rate this book
Contrary Instincts
Dear Author,
He needs a keeper. Look at him! His hair buzzed to his skull so short I couldn’t run my fingers through his curls anymore. I’d ignored his threat to cut them off after the last time I’d held him still with those soft tendrils. The bones of his face were stark without his hair to hide behind. His hips jutted like knives and his long arms were stick thin. They were surprisingly strong as he curled into my warmth, though.
Somehow he’d gotten away from the family, attempting to live a life different from the one he was born to. He had to know I’d come for him eventually. I found him shivering in the driving rain, too lost in a haze to fight me when I scooped him up.
He always fought me.
See, I knew he loved me, and damn did that piss him off. Because if he loved me, then he’d given in to his instincts… and that was the last thing he’d ever do. But I needed him too much to ever let him go again. Now I just had to convince him to come back home.
Photo Description:
A thin, frail young man with short, dark hair curls into the embrace of another man whose chest he is being cradled against. The unconscious man has his left hand placed against his protector’s neck, like he needs an anchor. The man holding him is awake, staring at a point in the distance. His thick curls aren’t long enough to hide the protective expression he wears, emphasized by his hand on the other’s shoulder.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
He needs a keeper. Look at him! His hair buzzed to his skull so short I couldn’t run my fingers through his curls anymore. I’d ignored his threat to cut them off after the last time I’d held him still with those soft tendrils. The bones of his face were stark without his hair to hide behind. His hips jutted like knives and his long arms were stick thin. They were surprisingly strong as he curled into my warmth, though.
Somehow he’d gotten away from the family, attempting to live a life different from the one he was born to. He had to know I’d come for him eventually. I found him shivering in the driving rain, too lost in a haze to fight me when I scooped him up.
He always fought me.
See, I knew he loved me, and damn did that piss him off. Because if he loved me, then he’d given in to his instincts… and that was the last thing he’d ever do. But I needed him too much to ever let him go again. Now I just had to convince him to come back home.
Photo Description:
A thin, frail young man with short, dark hair curls into the embrace of another man whose chest he is being cradled against. The unconscious man has his left hand placed against his protector’s neck, like he needs an anchor. The man holding him is awake, staring at a point in the distance. His thick curls aren’t long enough to hide the protective expression he wears, emphasized by his hand on the other’s shoulder.
This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.
This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.
28 pages, ebook
First published June 16, 2014
72 people want to read
About the author
Ava Penn
10 books32 followersI write, I read, I cook. I work. I live and love. A wisher, a hope-er, a dreamer. A human. I've no illusions of grandeur, nor fame, nor fortune. I write simply for the joy of writing; and if others find joy in my writing, then all's the better.
Currently I'm working on my second novel - Snowboards & Tuxes and another short in the Graffiti Grind series. The short will be published by Beaten Track Publishing in a holiday anthology. Keep an eye on my blog for updates.
Currently I'm working on my second novel - Snowboards & Tuxes and another short in the Graffiti Grind series. The short will be published by Beaten Track Publishing in a holiday anthology. Keep an eye on my blog for updates.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 16, 2014
Fantasy setting brocest.
I liked the world building and would be interested to see it developed further and get the full backstory on Dustyn and Lyle. Good symbiosis between the characters make this strong. One quibble, why is this relationship forbidden? In fact, the one character interaction regarding this matter makes no judgment at all. Inference, but no definitive statement. I story doesn't give a reason, merely relies on our present morays which is odd for a fantasy based story. I like fantasy and scifi because it can break the rules. Tell me why. Entertaining, but leaves one hungry.
I liked the world building and would be interested to see it developed further and get the full backstory on Dustyn and Lyle. Good symbiosis between the characters make this strong. One quibble, why is this relationship forbidden? In fact, the one character interaction regarding this matter makes no judgment at all. Inference, but no definitive statement. I story doesn't give a reason, merely relies on our present morays which is odd for a fantasy based story. I like fantasy and scifi because it can break the rules. Tell me why. Entertaining, but leaves one hungry.
June 19, 2014
This is an "it is okay" rating, ranging between 2 and 2.5*.
Somewhere this failed to fully engage me, which meant I quickly got bored with it. I couldn't come to care for the characters, or see their connection. Maybe the story was too short for that. Also, for that it was supposed to be a taboo-breaker (incest/brocest), it somehow didn't put me on the edge enough. Good on SPaG and worldbuilding, though the prose was a bit too generic m/m-speak.
Somewhere this failed to fully engage me, which meant I quickly got bored with it. I couldn't come to care for the characters, or see their connection. Maybe the story was too short for that. Also, for that it was supposed to be a taboo-breaker (incest/brocest), it somehow didn't put me on the edge enough. Good on SPaG and worldbuilding, though the prose was a bit too generic m/m-speak.
July 5, 2014
1.4
Zero world-building! Insufficient characterisations. No plot arc, pacing, or development.
And I get that it's contrary instincts but this relationship was confusing. The author failed to show suppressed desire. It all came across as resentment, advantageous exploitation, snd convenience.
The brocest also didn't work for me here and the lubeless sex was discomforting.
Zero world-building! Insufficient characterisations. No plot arc, pacing, or development.
And I get that it's contrary instincts but this relationship was confusing. The author failed to show suppressed desire. It all came across as resentment, advantageous exploitation, snd convenience.
The brocest also didn't work for me here and the lubeless sex was discomforting.
July 2, 2014
There were some rough edges here, but I loved the prompt and really enjoyed what Penn did with it, which is to say that the dynamic between our possessive, bossy, relentless older brother and his day-dreaming, naive, vulnerable younger brother was potent--and hot. I'd love to see this in a longer novel.
June 18, 2014
This story was way too short to support its high-fantasy pretensions. Need someone to suck the encroaching evil from your soul? Bonk your hapless little brother. Yeah, that's a plot I've been waiting for.
August 9, 2016
I agree with other reviewers that I would have liked it to be clearer why these two couldn't bond. It was clear that they both had strong feelings about it, and both had been beating themselves up over wanting to for years, but not why they couldn't.
These things weren't insurmountable, however, and I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building I did get to see. The idea of individuals being magically chosen and enhanced to help defend their people is a favorite of mine. And having them being slowly taken over by the shadows that they use to help them fight is fantastically intriguing.
I have to add my hope that there is more to come in this world!
These things weren't insurmountable, however, and I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building I did get to see. The idea of individuals being magically chosen and enhanced to help defend their people is a favorite of mine. And having them being slowly taken over by the shadows that they use to help them fight is fantastically intriguing.
I have to add my hope that there is more to come in this world!
Read
June 16, 2014Ok, I have a thing for brocest (among other things) and was happy to see one among the LL stories.
This one had a lot of potential and I *think* I got the setting and backstory, but I'm sure I would have loved it with a little more detail and world building.
Nevertheless an interesting addition to the wonderful LL event.
This one had a lot of potential and I *think* I got the setting and backstory, but I'm sure I would have loved it with a little more detail and world building.
Nevertheless an interesting addition to the wonderful LL event.
June 20, 2014
In some aspects the world building was good. However, at times it is confusing. I kept feeling like I was missing something, or jumping into the middle of an established series. Other than that, I wouldn't say the story is particularly romantic...but it is interesting.
2 Stars
2 Stars
August 14, 2016
I would love to see this as a longer story, loved the whole concept. Lovely job, Ms. Penn
June 16, 2014
I'm not one for this genre (brocest) but in this instance I got it, I understood where it was coming from and it worked. Really worked. I think those who like this genre will really enjoy this short story.
The world building was interesting, though I would have loved to read more of it so I could understand it better, and the characters were intriguing. They were so stubborn and I love it when a stubborn man finally gives in.
A good addition to the loves landscapes event.
The world building was interesting, though I would have loved to read more of it so I could understand it better, and the characters were intriguing. They were so stubborn and I love it when a stubborn man finally gives in.
A good addition to the loves landscapes event.
Read
December 31, 2015Very short fantasy story of two brothers, unfortunately I couldn't quite get to grips with the style of narration which shifted between the two MC's after a couple of paragraphs each time and as a result I became frustrated trying to follow the story. I think this possibly should also have been tagged as incest as whilst it doesn't bother me I know some people would prefer not to read it.
June 16, 2014
Nice story but the length impacted the world building. However what is given is nice.
March 30, 2017
Contrary Instincts is quite interesting, but sadly so - too short to work fully. It centers around two brothers, Lyle and Dustyn. Lyle is a magical slayer of sorts, who's about to be succumbed by darkness unless he finds a partner to suck the darkness out of him. His younger brother has been doing it until now, but really bonding would mean a lot more - like sex. The setting is quite delicious, but Penn doesn't give us enough info on the world and how everything functions. Basically the world building that is essential to fantasy isn't there. Otherwise the text is quite fluent and overall the plot even works out well, but I surely wish the brothers' relationship had been deeper in a sense.
Somehow the names Lyle and Dustyn just don't fit the world. Lyle as a character is workable and it's easier to see things from his point of view, not to forget that of the two, he has more persona. Dustyn is your girlish boy that is basically annoying and crying all the time. It would've been great to know Dustyn's age though. The power balance between these characters isn't well-formed, which ate both credibility and the dark tones making this somewhat pointless. More pages, richer analyzing and inner battles would've been the thing - all the pieces are there, but now just scattered and mostly, unused.
Somehow the names Lyle and Dustyn just don't fit the world. Lyle as a character is workable and it's easier to see things from his point of view, not to forget that of the two, he has more persona. Dustyn is your girlish boy that is basically annoying and crying all the time. It would've been great to know Dustyn's age though. The power balance between these characters isn't well-formed, which ate both credibility and the dark tones making this somewhat pointless. More pages, richer analyzing and inner battles would've been the thing - all the pieces are there, but now just scattered and mostly, unused.
July 10, 2014
A solid 3 stars.
I liked it - I had no problem following the gist of the fantasy set-up, the brocest was well written and touching enough. Initially I wasn't sure Dustyn reciprocated but it was soon clarified. Only quibble? Too bloody short! These MM romance group stories https://www.goodreads.com/series/1296... are kicking my ass! They are annoyingly moreish! I nibble and decide I want more story but there's none left! This is exactly why I normally avoid stuff under 50 pages, but the freebie goodness of Love's Landscapes coerces me!
I liked it - I had no problem following the gist of the fantasy set-up, the brocest was well written and touching enough. Initially I wasn't sure Dustyn reciprocated but it was soon clarified. Only quibble? Too bloody short! These MM romance group stories https://www.goodreads.com/series/1296... are kicking my ass! They are annoyingly moreish! I nibble and decide I want more story but there's none left! This is exactly why I normally avoid stuff under 50 pages, but the freebie goodness of Love's Landscapes coerces me!
July 30, 2014
This was an ok read for me.
I think it had lot of potential. I could see myself pulled into this world with a couple hundred pages.
Unfortunately the writing style was not for me.
The POV shifts were chunky, and picked up like of like a conversation.
Many thanks to the author for her time on thus project!
I think it had lot of potential. I could see myself pulled into this world with a couple hundred pages.
Unfortunately the writing style was not for me.
The POV shifts were chunky, and picked up like of like a conversation.
Many thanks to the author for her time on thus project!
July 11, 2014
You get sucked into the authors world immediately and despite the briefness of the story there's no doubt these brothers are meant to be together. Incest is a tough thing to pull off and I believe the fantasy world this is set in makes it easier. So, excellent writing and enjoyable characters, it's only fault of course, being too short.
ETC: spelling
ETC: spelling
February 27, 2015
I liked this very much. I liked the world it was set in. The story gave the impression of being a part of something bigger, perhaps two minor characters being given their own chance at the limelight. I'd like to read more of this world it is very interesting.
June 17, 2014
Yum brocest! (I blame Supernatural for making me ok with reading things like this haha) I really enjoyed the world building in this, especially for it being a shorter story. Thank you!
May 6, 2019
People rate this one low but honestly it's golden. It's two brothers who love each other, there IS world building, there is protective instincts and love between them, soulmate bonding, and lite angst. One brother is a warrior and the other is a soul healer and for how short it is I DID find it was great world building, all things considered, because you get a good sense of how things work and aren't left confused. And because it ends sadly right after they bond (I never wanted it to end) we don't have to deal with what the fallout is going to be with the family. We also get a sense that at least the mother does not love her youngest son, just like we get a clear message that the two brothers have always loved each other and felt a close bond. Honesty I love it and want more. I'm happy for this HEA.
April 23, 2018
It was ok. I'm not a big fan of the incest trope though.
August 31, 2023
Brocest buried under boring magical stuff that was full of anguish. There was anguish at no lube, too.
August 4, 2014
I rather enjoyed this story. We have love and some angst.
Lyle is Dustyn's older brother. They have always been close and had a special connection. Lyle is the only Cathach in his family. The 'warrior', the one who fights evil. Cathach's usually are bonded quickly to an Anamlia. But there is only one Anamlia he wants to be claimed by, his brother Dustyn. He knows it is wrong, that his family wouldn't understand or approve. But he would rather be consumed by the darkness and die, then choose another.
Dustyn, who also has special feelings for his brother, does his best to run away from them. Unlike his brother, he doesn't need a Cathach to survive. Anamliaes can live by themselves. They are the ones who 'heal' the Cathach's after their battle. Anamliaes are allowed to accept or reject Cathach's. To be bonded means life.
Both of the brothers are doing what they think is best. When Dustyn runs away from home, Lyle is the only one that runs after him. They are pulled together, strong as fate. Dustyn has to decide in the end if he is willing to bond with Lyle or let him die. He didn't truly understand how far Lyle is willing to protect and love his brother.
Lyle is Dustyn's older brother. They have always been close and had a special connection. Lyle is the only Cathach in his family. The 'warrior', the one who fights evil. Cathach's usually are bonded quickly to an Anamlia. But there is only one Anamlia he wants to be claimed by, his brother Dustyn. He knows it is wrong, that his family wouldn't understand or approve. But he would rather be consumed by the darkness and die, then choose another.
Dustyn, who also has special feelings for his brother, does his best to run away from them. Unlike his brother, he doesn't need a Cathach to survive. Anamliaes can live by themselves. They are the ones who 'heal' the Cathach's after their battle. Anamliaes are allowed to accept or reject Cathach's. To be bonded means life.
Both of the brothers are doing what they think is best. When Dustyn runs away from home, Lyle is the only one that runs after him. They are pulled together, strong as fate. Dustyn has to decide in the end if he is willing to bond with Lyle or let him die. He didn't truly understand how far Lyle is willing to protect and love his brother.
July 20, 2017
I absolutely adored this book, really hit all my buttons! Great world building, it whetted my appetite for more and raised some intriguing questions for me about what each of them were-(I wanted to know more!), the nature of the bond and so on. Plus I love defined characters, an absolute top and bottom-and the two are so sweet with one another- I love the idea of them being bound to each other for life!
What held this back from a higher rating for me was the hopping back and forth of POVs, it was irritating, only because it was such a short time in each ones view before we jump back out. I know the reason is likely because the story is very short but I found it to be distracting. Other than that, I think with a proper length novel with more time to flesh out our characters and develop more of this world this could be the start of something really great!
What held this back from a higher rating for me was the hopping back and forth of POVs, it was irritating, only because it was such a short time in each ones view before we jump back out. I know the reason is likely because the story is very short but I found it to be distracting. Other than that, I think with a proper length novel with more time to flesh out our characters and develop more of this world this could be the start of something really great!
Want to read
June 29, 2014I don't think this pic is so risque, just a lot of man thigh, but it's listed as NSFW so here ya go
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group's Love's Landscapes event. Thank you too all the amazing authors who participated!
July 11, 2014
This wasn't a bad book by any means, just incest is really not my thing as it turns out.
The narration style was a little awkward - it shifted too quickly between the two points of view making things a bit confusing, but it wasn't too bad, I could follow what was going on as the POVs where helpfully labelled.
I'd consider reading more by this author, as long as it wasn't incest.
The narration style was a little awkward - it shifted too quickly between the two points of view making things a bit confusing, but it wasn't too bad, I could follow what was going on as the POVs where helpfully labelled.
I'd consider reading more by this author, as long as it wasn't incest.
September 5, 2014
Intense and powerful story, I was totally absorbed from the very start and couldn't put it down.
I was expecting to find the incest part of the story uncomfortable to read, but because of the fantasy setting and the dilemma the MCs find themselves in, it absolutely works.
The world this book is set in sounds like an extremely interesting place and I would love to read more about it.
I was expecting to find the incest part of the story uncomfortable to read, but because of the fantasy setting and the dilemma the MCs find themselves in, it absolutely works.
The world this book is set in sounds like an extremely interesting place and I would love to read more about it.
April 2, 2016
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
September 1, 2015
I can't help but feel a bit disappointed by this one. The prompt was amazing and the author could have done anything they wanted with it, but the choice they settled on is not very exciting. Too short and a little boring really.
Want to read
September 8, 2014STORY INFO:
Genre: fantasy, other world
Tags: mage/sorcerer, Viking/Celt/Barbarian, first time, hurt/comfort, soulmates/bonded
Content Warnings: incest
Word Count: 8,223
Genre: fantasy, other world
Tags: mage/sorcerer, Viking/Celt/Barbarian, first time, hurt/comfort, soulmates/bonded
Content Warnings: incest
Word Count: 8,223
September 13, 2016
Wonderful story :) Enjoyed it. Thank you Ava.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews