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Tales from the Edge #5
Rough Around the Edges
Can a new beginning be found in leather and chains?
Kai Smithson’s life changes dramatically with his first glimpse into the world of BDSM. Completely innocent, Kai can hardly believe his eyes, but he knows what he likes and apparently that’s hot, dominant men in leather. He isn’t sure if he’s a submissive because he doesn’t really know what that means, but the feelings he is experiencing are exciting and new.
Harry Croft, bar manager at The Underground BDSM Club, believes in insta-lust rather than love at first sight. And when he agrees to train Kai, the contract between them has one condition—no sex. But Kai has some very definite plans about losing his virginity and a piece of paper is not going to stand in his way. In his new friends at the club and at The Edge, Kai has a ready-made support group of subs that show him that the only rules in a D/s relationship are those he wants to make for himself.
The old saying that you can choose your friends but not your family is proved horribly true for Kai, as the mysteries of his past are revealed. As he and Harry start out on their journey together, they must contend with bullets as well as bondage, danger alongside domination, and it’s not easy to establish trust when the whole world is going to hell.
Reader Advisory: This book contains characters who have extremely prejudiced views and scenes referencing physical abuse.
Publisher's Note: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series.
Kai Smithson’s life changes dramatically with his first glimpse into the world of BDSM. Completely innocent, Kai can hardly believe his eyes, but he knows what he likes and apparently that’s hot, dominant men in leather. He isn’t sure if he’s a submissive because he doesn’t really know what that means, but the feelings he is experiencing are exciting and new.
Harry Croft, bar manager at The Underground BDSM Club, believes in insta-lust rather than love at first sight. And when he agrees to train Kai, the contract between them has one condition—no sex. But Kai has some very definite plans about losing his virginity and a piece of paper is not going to stand in his way. In his new friends at the club and at The Edge, Kai has a ready-made support group of subs that show him that the only rules in a D/s relationship are those he wants to make for himself.
The old saying that you can choose your friends but not your family is proved horribly true for Kai, as the mysteries of his past are revealed. As he and Harry start out on their journey together, they must contend with bullets as well as bondage, danger alongside domination, and it’s not easy to establish trust when the whole world is going to hell.
Reader Advisory: This book contains characters who have extremely prejudiced views and scenes referencing physical abuse.
Publisher's Note: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2015
9 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
L.M. Somerton
75 books178 followersLucinda lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 2, 2023
This is another enjoyable book in this series with all of the excitement, danger, and passion. We first met Kai in the previous book. His uncle had enrolled him in a homophobic conversion therapy program from where Kai made his escape with a sub from the local BDSM club. At the club, Kai met the bar manager and Dom, Harry. Both men are immediately drawn together, but Harry is reluctant to get too involved, as Kai is an innocent, inexperienced 20 years old. Kai knows his own mind and, although he's new to the scene, he feels that he's a natural submissive. Harry agrees to a week-by-week, no sex contract with Kai just to show him the ropes in a safe environment. What will happen when danger lurks, Kai needs legal assistance, and feelings begin to emerge? This book has a supportive community, close friends, loads of passion, and a forever type of love.
January 23, 2015
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
We first met Kai in book 3 when he was rescued alongside Alistair from the conversion therapy clinic. He had been sent there by his Uncle who wanted him cured of his ‘deviant’ ways but who had also been a controlling influence on his life since he was a young child and his parents died. As we learn more about Kai in this book we find out just how devious his Uncle is and that he had far more sinister plans for Kai.
After being rescued Kai is taken to The Underground, a high class BDSM club, where initially Carey and Alistair offer to take him in but when he meets Harry who is the bar manager there he is smitten and being too tired to even think properly he goes to his home to rest and recuperate.
Kai has had every choice in his life made for him since he was six years old and became so conditioned to do what he was told he never fought his Uncle for his independence as an adult. He is shy, naive and innocent but has a good heart and makes friends easily. He makes friends with the rest of the subs at the club very quickly and watches wistfully as they interact with their Doms.
Harry is an integral part of The Underground and is well respected by the Doms and subs who hold membership there. He has never had a full time sub of his own but when he sees Kai being brought into the club looking tired and bedraggled a strange sense of possessiveness takes hold of him. Once he has taken the younger man home he finds himself stuck in a dilemma, he desperately wants the man for himself but he also recognises that Kai needs to recover and be allowed to finely explore life for himself for the first time.
When Harry agrees to train Kai it is with the understanding that there will be no sex involved. This proves difficult for both men who even after only a few days are feeling a lot more than just attraction to each other. Kai is left full of wonder for the way he is left feeling when he submits to Harry and Harry quickly comes to cherish everything Kai offers.
As Kai takes steps to leave his past behind there are some unsavoury details that come to light showing just how far his Uncle was prepared to go to attain everything he wanted. Kai has been manipulated in the worst possible way and it seems it isn’t quite over meaning plans for the future have to put on hold until it is safe to move forward.
We first met Kai in book 3 when he was rescued alongside Alistair from the conversion therapy clinic. He had been sent there by his Uncle who wanted him cured of his ‘deviant’ ways but who had also been a controlling influence on his life since he was a young child and his parents died. As we learn more about Kai in this book we find out just how devious his Uncle is and that he had far more sinister plans for Kai.
After being rescued Kai is taken to The Underground, a high class BDSM club, where initially Carey and Alistair offer to take him in but when he meets Harry who is the bar manager there he is smitten and being too tired to even think properly he goes to his home to rest and recuperate.
Kai has had every choice in his life made for him since he was six years old and became so conditioned to do what he was told he never fought his Uncle for his independence as an adult. He is shy, naive and innocent but has a good heart and makes friends easily. He makes friends with the rest of the subs at the club very quickly and watches wistfully as they interact with their Doms.
Harry is an integral part of The Underground and is well respected by the Doms and subs who hold membership there. He has never had a full time sub of his own but when he sees Kai being brought into the club looking tired and bedraggled a strange sense of possessiveness takes hold of him. Once he has taken the younger man home he finds himself stuck in a dilemma, he desperately wants the man for himself but he also recognises that Kai needs to recover and be allowed to finely explore life for himself for the first time.
When Harry agrees to train Kai it is with the understanding that there will be no sex involved. This proves difficult for both men who even after only a few days are feeling a lot more than just attraction to each other. Kai is left full of wonder for the way he is left feeling when he submits to Harry and Harry quickly comes to cherish everything Kai offers.
As Kai takes steps to leave his past behind there are some unsavoury details that come to light showing just how far his Uncle was prepared to go to attain everything he wanted. Kai has been manipulated in the worst possible way and it seems it isn’t quite over meaning plans for the future have to put on hold until it is safe to move forward.
March 8, 2015
FiveStars
This book contains BDSM scenes and an abusive home life. If either of those bother you, do not read.
I really enjoyed the innocence that Kai exuded. While I didn’t read any of the other books in this series, I didn’t feel that I was lacking in knowing what was going on at all.
Harry and Kai make such an incredible Dom/Sub pair. I love how Harry is so patient with Kai and how Kai is so eager to learn. The sexual chemistry between the two is off the charts. Their journey was fairly realistic, which I appreciated. It wasn’t that Kai was just dumped into the scene because he was curious. Harry took his time to teach, guide and eventually, the relationship progressed.
The sex…HOLY COW! I love how Harry takes charge – his Dom juju made my heart beat faster.
I hope there are more books in this series, because I would definitely read them.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
AvidReader
This book contains BDSM scenes and an abusive home life. If either of those bother you, do not read.
I really enjoyed the innocence that Kai exuded. While I didn’t read any of the other books in this series, I didn’t feel that I was lacking in knowing what was going on at all.
Harry and Kai make such an incredible Dom/Sub pair. I love how Harry is so patient with Kai and how Kai is so eager to learn. The sexual chemistry between the two is off the charts. Their journey was fairly realistic, which I appreciated. It wasn’t that Kai was just dumped into the scene because he was curious. Harry took his time to teach, guide and eventually, the relationship progressed.
The sex…HOLY COW! I love how Harry takes charge – his Dom juju made my heart beat faster.
I hope there are more books in this series, because I would definitely read them.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
AvidReader
February 23, 2015
Kai and Harry are the latest couple in Edge series. Kai is shy and sweet and Harry is very patient. Kai is on his way to having Harry wrapped around his little finger.
This book's greatest sin is being too short. While the characters are well developed, the plot with the uncle is too rushed. Toss in 40 more pages and a little more development of the suspense angle and the book would have been perfect.
This book's greatest sin is being too short. While the characters are well developed, the plot with the uncle is too rushed. Toss in 40 more pages and a little more development of the suspense angle and the book would have been perfect.
October 9, 2017
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
I was eager to get Kai and Harry’s story back in Alistair’s story. You could tell there was more to Kai’s background from the hints you get. But the suspense in this story as the pieces unfold were so well written. I enjoyed how Ms. Somerton gave the hints and had you wanting to know what happens next.
Kai was a sweetie. He was scared when he first meets Harry because of the circumstances that brought him to The Underground. He is unsure of himself and hesitant to express his desires. The way he comes out of his shell and is comfortable being his usual spunky self the more time he spends with Harry is wonderful. He benefits from his friendship with Alistair, Christian, Olly and Aiden as well. Seeing some of the things he goes through are hard to watch. But he gained so much from his ordeal. He’s so happy and content by the end of the book. You can’t help but be happy for him.
Harry is relatively happy at the start of the book. But he also wants the contentment his friends have in their relationship. He grows over the course of the book by taking care of and being responsible for Kai. Harry falls for Kai and his boundless zeal for life quickly. You can tell he has new appreciation for BDSM because of Kai’s inexperience and exploring everything together.
On the surface Harry and Kai are an unlikely pair. But they work so well together you realize they are meant to be. Kai submits beautifully. He craves the control Harry gives. Harry and Kai overcome some large obstacles but manage to build a lasting relationship over the course of those trying times. They’re clearly going to last long term and are so in love. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book in the series.
Four and a half stars!
I was eager to get Kai and Harry’s story back in Alistair’s story. You could tell there was more to Kai’s background from the hints you get. But the suspense in this story as the pieces unfold were so well written. I enjoyed how Ms. Somerton gave the hints and had you wanting to know what happens next.
Kai was a sweetie. He was scared when he first meets Harry because of the circumstances that brought him to The Underground. He is unsure of himself and hesitant to express his desires. The way he comes out of his shell and is comfortable being his usual spunky self the more time he spends with Harry is wonderful. He benefits from his friendship with Alistair, Christian, Olly and Aiden as well. Seeing some of the things he goes through are hard to watch. But he gained so much from his ordeal. He’s so happy and content by the end of the book. You can’t help but be happy for him.
Harry is relatively happy at the start of the book. But he also wants the contentment his friends have in their relationship. He grows over the course of the book by taking care of and being responsible for Kai. Harry falls for Kai and his boundless zeal for life quickly. You can tell he has new appreciation for BDSM because of Kai’s inexperience and exploring everything together.
On the surface Harry and Kai are an unlikely pair. But they work so well together you realize they are meant to be. Kai submits beautifully. He craves the control Harry gives. Harry and Kai overcome some large obstacles but manage to build a lasting relationship over the course of those trying times. They’re clearly going to last long term and are so in love. I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book in the series.
May 18, 2017
4,75 stars
perhaps i liked this even best
I dont know exactly why but this combination just works for me
they are so sweet and caring together ,so confident and trusty
Yes i really really love the dynamics between Kai and Harry
perhaps i liked this even best
I dont know exactly why but this combination just works for me
they are so sweet and caring together ,so confident and trusty
Yes i really really love the dynamics between Kai and Harry
September 13, 2021
Enjoyable!
I enjoyed Kai and Harry’s story! It’s sweet, low angst, and kinky. The secondary story with Kai’s uncle provides a bit of tension, but not so much that it overshadows the romance.
I enjoyed Kai and Harry’s story! It’s sweet, low angst, and kinky. The secondary story with Kai’s uncle provides a bit of tension, but not so much that it overshadows the romance.
August 27, 2017
I love that each Dom and sub are getting their stories but what keeps me coming back is Olly! His antics and everything about him keep me coming back for more! Love this series
December 20, 2018
Enjoyable Entertaining. BDSM elements. Recommend.
January 11, 2023
You can read a full review of “Rough Around the Edges” at my website.
July 3, 2016
We first met Kai in a previous book of the Tales from the Edge series when he was rescued along with Alastair from a sketchy clinic where they were undergoing torture disguised as gay conversion therapy. Kai had been placed there by his uncle, who was supposedly raising Kai after Kai’s parents died while working as doctors in an African ebola outbreak.
Kai is gay and he knows that much. What he doesn’t know is that he is submissive by nature or even exactly what that means. Other aspects of BDSM and a D/s relationship are also unknowns for Kai. When he is brought back to The Underground after his rescue he bonds with the other subs and they fill him in a little bit on the BDSM lifestyle.
Harry is the barman at The Underground. He is a well known Dom and well liked by Doms and subs who frequent the club. While Harry has played with a number of subs he has never had one of his own. So, it surprises him when he is very attracted to the innocent young man who has just entered the club. Harry offers to take Kai home with him to let Kai recover, but this puts Harry in a dilemma. On the one hand he lusts for Kai, but on the other hand he is ethically bound to give Kai space and time to recover.
This is the fifth book in the series and it is particularly fascinating. The innocence of Kai and the experience of Harry gives the author the opportunity to turn the book into a primer of what a D/s relationship is, how it can be developed, and some of the techniques taught at The Edge training center. We get to see all of the MCs from the previous books in their current contexts, which is always great fun in an ongoing series.
As I said, this book is an introduction to the D/s lifestyle, but there is an addition that keeps it from being just a textbook, which would be boring. Oh, no, Ms. Somerton is too good an author to do that to her readers. There are bad guys, some of whom may or may not be working together, bullets, knives, fistfights, peril and rescues. In other words, plenty of excitement in addition to the hot as hell sex scenes. This series is best read in order but if you want to jump in with this book I don’t think there would be harm in that. You would just miss some of the backstories, which you will then feel compelled to read the previous books anyway. So, if you are new to the series, go ahead and start at the beginning. If you know this series and haven’t read #5 yet, you are going to love it.
Kai is gay and he knows that much. What he doesn’t know is that he is submissive by nature or even exactly what that means. Other aspects of BDSM and a D/s relationship are also unknowns for Kai. When he is brought back to The Underground after his rescue he bonds with the other subs and they fill him in a little bit on the BDSM lifestyle.
Harry is the barman at The Underground. He is a well known Dom and well liked by Doms and subs who frequent the club. While Harry has played with a number of subs he has never had one of his own. So, it surprises him when he is very attracted to the innocent young man who has just entered the club. Harry offers to take Kai home with him to let Kai recover, but this puts Harry in a dilemma. On the one hand he lusts for Kai, but on the other hand he is ethically bound to give Kai space and time to recover.
This is the fifth book in the series and it is particularly fascinating. The innocence of Kai and the experience of Harry gives the author the opportunity to turn the book into a primer of what a D/s relationship is, how it can be developed, and some of the techniques taught at The Edge training center. We get to see all of the MCs from the previous books in their current contexts, which is always great fun in an ongoing series.
As I said, this book is an introduction to the D/s lifestyle, but there is an addition that keeps it from being just a textbook, which would be boring. Oh, no, Ms. Somerton is too good an author to do that to her readers. There are bad guys, some of whom may or may not be working together, bullets, knives, fistfights, peril and rescues. In other words, plenty of excitement in addition to the hot as hell sex scenes. This series is best read in order but if you want to jump in with this book I don’t think there would be harm in that. You would just miss some of the backstories, which you will then feel compelled to read the previous books anyway. So, if you are new to the series, go ahead and start at the beginning. If you know this series and haven’t read #5 yet, you are going to love it.
January 5, 2017
I’m running out of (new) ways to say how much I’m loving this series of books. I’ve had a soft spot for BDSM stories ever since I first discovered them (much longer ago than I care to admit), but some books/series are more memorable than others and Tales from the Edge most definitely falls on the very memorable side of those scales.
Kai and Harry’s story in Rough Around the Edges is more cute than anything else. Experienced and tough looking Dom Harry falls hard and fast for Kai as soon as he sets eyes on the young man. Harry may not be inclined to admit to himself or anyone else that he’s fallen victim to love at first sight, his thoughts and actions make it perfectly clear that’s exactly what has happened.
Kai is cuteness personified. He may be completely inexperienced when it comes to sex, intimacy and relationships as well as clueless as far as BDSM is concerned, there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that he was born to submit and that Harry is the Dominant for him.
These two men coming together and discovering how well they complement each other was a pure pleasure to read. Their scenes were a perfectly balanced mixture of steaming hot and heart-warmingly sweet.
Of course it’s never plain sailing for these couples. Kai may have been rescued from the conversion clinic, that doesn’t mean that the uncle who put him there is done with him. As it slowly becomes clear exactly what is going on with Kai’s life, the danger becomes more pressing and violent, leading to one or two heart-stopping moments.
As always, it was a pure joy to spend more time with Olly, Aiden, Christian and Alastair and their Masters. I always get a special kick out of running into the earlier couples for a quick catch-up. Olly always manages to make me laugh out loud at least once while Aiden and his relationship with Heath continue to intrigue me.
I’ve passed the half-way mark in this series now and I’m torn between rushing forward and reading the remaining titles or pacing myself and stretching the pleasure out. With the final title in this series, Binding the Edges, being released in five days time I guess I’ll keep on reading so that I can be part of the celebrations on February 10th.
Kai and Harry’s story in Rough Around the Edges is more cute than anything else. Experienced and tough looking Dom Harry falls hard and fast for Kai as soon as he sets eyes on the young man. Harry may not be inclined to admit to himself or anyone else that he’s fallen victim to love at first sight, his thoughts and actions make it perfectly clear that’s exactly what has happened.
Kai is cuteness personified. He may be completely inexperienced when it comes to sex, intimacy and relationships as well as clueless as far as BDSM is concerned, there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that he was born to submit and that Harry is the Dominant for him.
These two men coming together and discovering how well they complement each other was a pure pleasure to read. Their scenes were a perfectly balanced mixture of steaming hot and heart-warmingly sweet.
Of course it’s never plain sailing for these couples. Kai may have been rescued from the conversion clinic, that doesn’t mean that the uncle who put him there is done with him. As it slowly becomes clear exactly what is going on with Kai’s life, the danger becomes more pressing and violent, leading to one or two heart-stopping moments.
As always, it was a pure joy to spend more time with Olly, Aiden, Christian and Alastair and their Masters. I always get a special kick out of running into the earlier couples for a quick catch-up. Olly always manages to make me laugh out loud at least once while Aiden and his relationship with Heath continue to intrigue me.
I’ve passed the half-way mark in this series now and I’m torn between rushing forward and reading the remaining titles or pacing myself and stretching the pleasure out. With the final title in this series, Binding the Edges, being released in five days time I guess I’ll keep on reading so that I can be part of the celebrations on February 10th.
October 8, 2015
Okay. so this one surprised me. Not so much the context of the book itself. But the charaters. I really expected Kai to be written as another Olly but was pleasantly surprised when he wasn’t.
Kai was rescued from the ‘hospital’ and Harry took one look at him and said mine! I just love those, that insta love-lust-knowledge. And even though Kai knows nothing about a true D/s relationship, he knows that he wants someone to look after him, to help and guide him. And when the other sub’s explain what it means and the power he will have he knows this is what he wants.
Harry, was able to retire early and only works at the club to stop the boredom. He hasn’t found the life long commitment with a sub but does want one. He see and wants Harry but is very nervous about the age gape.
Harry and Kai and very interesting together. It’s like who will last the longest, they both know its new and rules and bounders have to be set and made. But needs must be met and someone will crack.
I love the courtship and training we get to see with this pair. Maybe because there jobs are centered around the club, that it felt like we got to know them better? But when the danger started, which of course it did. It happened inside the already developing story, and not a second one. So you felt more involved in the lives and who – done – it.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviews
Kai was rescued from the ‘hospital’ and Harry took one look at him and said mine! I just love those, that insta love-lust-knowledge. And even though Kai knows nothing about a true D/s relationship, he knows that he wants someone to look after him, to help and guide him. And when the other sub’s explain what it means and the power he will have he knows this is what he wants.
Harry, was able to retire early and only works at the club to stop the boredom. He hasn’t found the life long commitment with a sub but does want one. He see and wants Harry but is very nervous about the age gape.
Harry and Kai and very interesting together. It’s like who will last the longest, they both know its new and rules and bounders have to be set and made. But needs must be met and someone will crack.
I love the courtship and training we get to see with this pair. Maybe because there jobs are centered around the club, that it felt like we got to know them better? But when the danger started, which of course it did. It happened inside the already developing story, and not a second one. So you felt more involved in the lives and who – done – it.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Crystals Many reviews
September 17, 2015
Another fairly easy, quick paced straight forward read.
Some nice scenes between Harry and Kai once they got together and Harry started training Kai in submission.
The menace of Uncle Phillip kind of didn't work for me, especially when it morphed to debt collectors.
It was good to see the others all again, especially Joe and Olly teaching a class at The Edge.
Kai as a character wasn't my favourite but he did grow on me a little bit by the end - moved away from being the Mills & Boon TSTL swooning character to be a cheeky sub.
Some nice scenes between Harry and Kai once they got together and Harry started training Kai in submission.
The menace of Uncle Phillip kind of didn't work for me, especially when it morphed to debt collectors.
It was good to see the others all again, especially Joe and Olly teaching a class at The Edge.
Kai as a character wasn't my favourite but he did grow on me a little bit by the end - moved away from being the Mills & Boon TSTL swooning character to be a cheeky sub.
June 8, 2015
I liked this, I would give this more of a 3.5 star rating if I could give 1/2 stars. I liked Kai from the previous stories, so I'm glad he got his story and got his man. I think my problem is that I didn't really connect with the BDSM element of this story, as I have with kink written by other authors…I was just mostly skimming through until the next scene. I think these are fun stories, and I do like the sense of family that all of the couples have between themselves, so I definitely enjoy reading this series for that.
February 26, 2015
Good story
I really like this series and this story is one of the reasons why. Well written, great characters, thoughtful and engaging. Kai has just been freed from the clinic and is brought to the underground. There he meets Harry, bar manager and Dom. There is chemistry and Harry takes Kai home to care for him and protect him. Their relationship unfolds sweetly and with a little angst thrown in, they come out together stronger on the other side. Great to see the other characters mixed in, to see how well they are doing.
I really like this series and this story is one of the reasons why. Well written, great characters, thoughtful and engaging. Kai has just been freed from the clinic and is brought to the underground. There he meets Harry, bar manager and Dom. There is chemistry and Harry takes Kai home to care for him and protect him. Their relationship unfolds sweetly and with a little angst thrown in, they come out together stronger on the other side. Great to see the other characters mixed in, to see how well they are doing.
October 22, 2015
The Edge
Tales From The Edge always leave me on edge wanting more! I have really enjoyed this series, and if you are a fan of BDSM or LM Somerton you have got to get these books! Awesome!
Tales From The Edge always leave me on edge wanting more! I have really enjoyed this series, and if you are a fan of BDSM or LM Somerton you have got to get these books! Awesome!
January 21, 2021
reread 9/16
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews