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Scientific Method Universe
Surrender the Past
Sometimes the only way to move forward is to surrender the past.Nick Coates is happy. He should be happy, right? He loves managing a gym, has good friends, and he's never had a problem picking up men. This must be what happiness feels like, since he has no complaints. Maybe a few regrets, but everyone's got regrets.When his friend Lucy asks him to stage a "slave training" for one of her boys, he laughs it off. Nick can't train a slave. His only attempt at playing that role ended with a dive into self-destruction so filthy and dark it probably should have killed him. Then again, Lucy's never asked him a favor like this before. Maybe he'll give it a shot, just for a few days. Maybe a week. And as long as he's decided to do it, he may as well call the only person he knows who can help.It's been nine years. Surely after nine years they've grown up enough to have a conversation on the phone. In person. Naked. No, wait. Bernie LaCroix never stopped thinking about Nick, gorgeous Nick, on his knees, surrendering everything to the moment. He's also never forgiven himself for screwing it up so badly Nick refused to talk to him for the better part of a decade. The second he hears Nick's voice, everything in his brain vows not to do it all over again and everything in his heart vows to do whatever it takes to get Nick back.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2015
4 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Kris Ripper
89 books405 followersKris Ripper lives in the great state of California and zir pronouns are ze/zir. Kris shares a converted garage with a kid, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.
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November 19, 2023Possibly the kinkiest book I’ve ever read? That’s neither here nor there in terms of how I felt about the book, but I did have to consult Google a couple of times. 😂
Regardless, it was great in the way Kris Ripper is always great, and I do wish I’d read it before reading the New Year’s books. Second chance romances don’t always land for me, but this one did.
Regardless, it was great in the way Kris Ripper is always great, and I do wish I’d read it before reading the New Year’s books. Second chance romances don’t always land for me, but this one did.
June 12, 2016
W O W
I'm stunned. Kris's books are such a fresh breeze for me. Everything just keeps me on the edge of my seat. I think what fascinates me most is the psychological aspect to the people and their relationships. I might have a shrink and intimacy kink that I hadn't known of ;-)
I mean... Okay, first, I loved the intertwining plots of Nick/Bern and Eddie/Leo, and seriously, I haven't had nearly enough of Eddie and Leo. Not that I had enough of the other two, but this was Nick's and Bern's book, so it leaves us at a more 'solved' place than the relationship between Eddie, Leo, and Luce. I need their story. Period. And the funny thing is that what I had seen of all of them so far more or less only weirded me out. But now... Having spent some time with Eddie and Leo, I am so into them. I think what was lacking for me before was some basic understanding of, well, everything concerning Eddie. I mean, how can one possible want to be a slave? But this book made me deeply care for and respect Eddie.
And I think that is what stands at the core of this book and the other ones in the series: Acceptance. Of oneself and of each other. No matter what you're into, how open or closed, how temporarily or permanently your relationship is, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Nothing. Total, hundred percent acceptance.
Nick's and Bern's background could have called for some angsty shit. The whole second chance theme is a hurtful one. I can't tell you how much I respect and adore Kris for not making this into some drama-angst-fest. No, it was real and beautiful, and it felt safe. I feel secure and I know ze will never fuck with me. Thank you, Kris, that is something very precious to me.
I loved this book very, very much. I'm giving all 5 stars, although I sometimes have problems keeping up with who is speaking, which has mainly been the reason for my 4 stars ratings of the other books in the series.
I can't wait to read more :D
I'm stunned. Kris's books are such a fresh breeze for me. Everything just keeps me on the edge of my seat. I think what fascinates me most is the psychological aspect to the people and their relationships. I might have a shrink and intimacy kink that I hadn't known of ;-)
I mean... Okay, first, I loved the intertwining plots of Nick/Bern and Eddie/Leo, and seriously, I haven't had nearly enough of Eddie and Leo. Not that I had enough of the other two, but this was Nick's and Bern's book, so it leaves us at a more 'solved' place than the relationship between Eddie, Leo, and Luce. I need their story. Period. And the funny thing is that what I had seen of all of them so far more or less only weirded me out. But now... Having spent some time with Eddie and Leo, I am so into them. I think what was lacking for me before was some basic understanding of, well, everything concerning Eddie. I mean, how can one possible want to be a slave? But this book made me deeply care for and respect Eddie.
And I think that is what stands at the core of this book and the other ones in the series: Acceptance. Of oneself and of each other. No matter what you're into, how open or closed, how temporarily or permanently your relationship is, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Nothing. Total, hundred percent acceptance.
Nick's and Bern's background could have called for some angsty shit. The whole second chance theme is a hurtful one. I can't tell you how much I respect and adore Kris for not making this into some drama-angst-fest. No, it was real and beautiful, and it felt safe. I feel secure and I know ze will never fuck with me. Thank you, Kris, that is something very precious to me.
I loved this book very, very much. I'm giving all 5 stars, although I sometimes have problems keeping up with who is speaking, which has mainly been the reason for my 4 stars ratings of the other books in the series.
I can't wait to read more :D
August 3, 2023
OMG. I had been saving this one, because I am absolutely fascinated by Nick and Bernie’s relationship. I had no idea that this also includes so much Leo and Eddie and I loved that.
This whole book was great!
This whole book was great!
May 4, 2020
3.75 stars
I loved jumping back into this awesome universe. Kris Ripper has become a go-to author for me, and this did not disappoint. I don't think you would want this to be your entry into the SMU, though. I read all of the original series not that long ago, and there were still several times in the first 30% or so that I caught myself wondering if I was missing (forgetting) details on certain dynamics. All was cleared up eventually, but I think I would have felt completely lost in parts if I weren't already familiar with these characters. It ended up being almost as much about Leo and Eddie as Nick and Bernie, and I loved getting long-awaited insight into those two. Plus it was fun to view the Truman/Hugh/Will dynamic from Nick's perspective. This was also the perfect launching point into the New Year's Eve novellas that I hadn't read yet since there's a lot of Nick/Bernie and Leo/Eddie/Lucy in those. (Also, check out the author's website for links to the online shorts for all these guys, listed in chronological order.)
I loved jumping back into this awesome universe. Kris Ripper has become a go-to author for me, and this did not disappoint. I don't think you would want this to be your entry into the SMU, though. I read all of the original series not that long ago, and there were still several times in the first 30% or so that I caught myself wondering if I was missing (forgetting) details on certain dynamics. All was cleared up eventually, but I think I would have felt completely lost in parts if I weren't already familiar with these characters. It ended up being almost as much about Leo and Eddie as Nick and Bernie, and I loved getting long-awaited insight into those two. Plus it was fun to view the Truman/Hugh/Will dynamic from Nick's perspective. This was also the perfect launching point into the New Year's Eve novellas that I hadn't read yet since there's a lot of Nick/Bernie and Leo/Eddie/Lucy in those. (Also, check out the author's website for links to the online shorts for all these guys, listed in chronological order.)
June 11, 2023
Nick and Bernie's story. I hold out on these SMU stories forever and am never disappointed. Very complicated secondi-est (this IS a word) of chances at love - and the complexities and sheer bloody terror of raw vulnerability in relationships.
And I am forever obsessed with different POVs and perspectives for Hugh and Truman, but especially Hugh. SO GOOD.
And I am forever obsessed with different POVs and perspectives for Hugh and Truman, but especially Hugh. SO GOOD.
December 27, 2023
I’ve been dying to know more about Bernie and Nick ever since they got together in the background of SMU. Happily, this is a second chance romance that doesn’t rely on flashbacks. Instead, we follow Bernie and Nick reconnecting when they agree to train Eddie and Leo for a Master/slave BDSM relationship, seeking to prevent them from making the mistakes they made when they were together. Bernie and Nick’s emotional arc mirrors Leo and Eddie’s experiences, with the added benefit of helping them figure out whether they can move forward and try again. Bernie is all in but Nick is tripped up by his fears of repeating the past. But he also can’t deny that he doesn’t want what Bernie is offering. The way they slowly and thoughtfully move back to each other was breathtaking. It’s not without missteps (they’re human!) but it was beautiful to see how that love and care was still there, particularly with the way Bernie saw what Nick needed, no matter how he resisted it.
There’s a lot happening. The first half is focused on figuring out how to help Eddie and Leo. I loved how Hugh, Lucy, Bernie, and Nick discuss what to do with them and how they can help. BDSM should not be practiced in a vacuum and the kind of relationship Eddie wants should not be entered without serious thought and negotiation.
This leads me to my main concern: Bernie’s representation. Who does Bernie consult with? Does he have kinky friends? The lack thereof could explain what went wrong with Nick the first time. It’s also an indication of representation issues. Bernie is Black, the author is white. There’s a vast conversation about writing marginalized characters when you don’t share that same background and there are authors who do the work to do them justice. In many ways, I think that happened here for the most part, although I’ll defer to Black reviewers. But I was concerned that Bernie doesn’t seem to have any community, much less any Black community in the East Bay. His only outside contact is his out-of-state sister. Don’t get me wrong: she was great. However, the lack of local Black friends is a red flag—I had the same critique for the books where Molly appeared. The bigger concern was a white author including Eddie’s internalized racism and delving into discussions about race play. It would be impossible to completely avoid discussions of racism when a Black person and white person want to try a Master/slave relationship. But this is a huge authorial challenge and risk for Ripper. On the one hand, I’m glad those conversations happened since they needed to. On the other hand, I’d be curious to know why they decided to make these choices for these characters, particularly Eddie’s internalized racism. I remain far from convinced that's something a white author should tackle.
This is minor but I had some concerns about Nick’s relationship to food and exercise and possible overexercising. It’s not really delved into deeply and maybe it’s just general diet culture/anti-fat bias I was picking up on or a byproduct of his job as a gym owner but I did wonder whether he needed to reexamine his relationship to those things.
This does not stand alone particularly well; I would recommend reading the Scientific Method Universe series first so you’ll have necessary context for the dynamics between Lucy, Leo, and Eddie, as well as Nick’s friendship with Hugh and Lucy.
Characters: Nick is a gay white gym owner and submissive. Bernie is a gay Black audiobook narrator, Dom, and sadist. He has three pit bulls and one rat terrier: Trix, Dos, Pato, and Doogie. They still email and text but it’s been nine years since they actually talked. This is set in Richmond and East Bay, CA.
Content notes: mostly past concern about secondary character being suicidal, future suicidal ideation (Nick planned to die by suicide whenever Bernie died), past bad BDSM scene (Nick felt dehumanized), past family rejection for being gay (Nick’s parents wouldn’t even allow him to play with his sisters), past child neglect, past religious homophobia (secondary character), internalized homophobia (secondary character), homophobic slurs (in-group use), discussion of systemic racism, internalized racism (secondary character), discussion of race play, kink-shaming (countered), Bernie’s father was an abusive alcoholic, body insecurity, possible overexercising, past adoption of rescue dogs who were abused, scar from dog bite, on page sex, D/s, BDSM training, menage, TPE (for set periods), figging, age play, breath play, impact play, restraints, voyeurism, Master/slave BDSM relationship (secondary characters), medical kink (enema, secondary character), degradation play (secondary character), sensory deprivation (secondary character), domestic discipline, cock cage, sex toys, alcohol, diet culture, STD stigma, ageist jokes, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism (one instance), ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, non-Native use of “powwow”
There’s a lot happening. The first half is focused on figuring out how to help Eddie and Leo. I loved how Hugh, Lucy, Bernie, and Nick discuss what to do with them and how they can help. BDSM should not be practiced in a vacuum and the kind of relationship Eddie wants should not be entered without serious thought and negotiation.
This leads me to my main concern: Bernie’s representation. Who does Bernie consult with? Does he have kinky friends? The lack thereof could explain what went wrong with Nick the first time. It’s also an indication of representation issues. Bernie is Black, the author is white. There’s a vast conversation about writing marginalized characters when you don’t share that same background and there are authors who do the work to do them justice. In many ways, I think that happened here for the most part, although I’ll defer to Black reviewers. But I was concerned that Bernie doesn’t seem to have any community, much less any Black community in the East Bay. His only outside contact is his out-of-state sister. Don’t get me wrong: she was great. However, the lack of local Black friends is a red flag—I had the same critique for the books where Molly appeared. The bigger concern was a white author including Eddie’s internalized racism and delving into discussions about race play. It would be impossible to completely avoid discussions of racism when a Black person and white person want to try a Master/slave relationship. But this is a huge authorial challenge and risk for Ripper. On the one hand, I’m glad those conversations happened since they needed to. On the other hand, I’d be curious to know why they decided to make these choices for these characters, particularly Eddie’s internalized racism. I remain far from convinced that's something a white author should tackle.
This is minor but I had some concerns about Nick’s relationship to food and exercise and possible overexercising. It’s not really delved into deeply and maybe it’s just general diet culture/anti-fat bias I was picking up on or a byproduct of his job as a gym owner but I did wonder whether he needed to reexamine his relationship to those things.
This does not stand alone particularly well; I would recommend reading the Scientific Method Universe series first so you’ll have necessary context for the dynamics between Lucy, Leo, and Eddie, as well as Nick’s friendship with Hugh and Lucy.
Characters: Nick is a gay white gym owner and submissive. Bernie is a gay Black audiobook narrator, Dom, and sadist. He has three pit bulls and one rat terrier: Trix, Dos, Pato, and Doogie. They still email and text but it’s been nine years since they actually talked. This is set in Richmond and East Bay, CA.
Content notes: mostly past concern about secondary character being suicidal, future suicidal ideation (Nick planned to die by suicide whenever Bernie died), past bad BDSM scene (Nick felt dehumanized), past family rejection for being gay (Nick’s parents wouldn’t even allow him to play with his sisters), past child neglect, past religious homophobia (secondary character), internalized homophobia (secondary character), homophobic slurs (in-group use), discussion of systemic racism, internalized racism (secondary character), discussion of race play, kink-shaming (countered), Bernie’s father was an abusive alcoholic, body insecurity, possible overexercising, past adoption of rescue dogs who were abused, scar from dog bite, on page sex, D/s, BDSM training, menage, TPE (for set periods), figging, age play, breath play, impact play, restraints, voyeurism, Master/slave BDSM relationship (secondary characters), medical kink (enema, secondary character), degradation play (secondary character), sensory deprivation (secondary character), domestic discipline, cock cage, sex toys, alcohol, diet culture, STD stigma, ageist jokes, gendered pejoratives, gender essentialism (one instance), ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, non-Native use of “powwow”
February 27, 2019
See, this is interesting (or at least I think so): most of the kinks in here aren’t mine *at all*, but I still loved this. Nick and Bernie figuring out how to be good together while also showing Leo and Eddie to do the same was amazing. God, Kris Ripper‘s book are a revelation for me.
June 20, 2023
Hands down the best book I've read this year!! (2023) I don't give star reviews anymore but like this deserves all the stars??? The galaxy????
Kris Ripper is so insanely skilled at writing deeply intricate and layered characters and relationships. Nick and Bernie were together for a disasterous attempt at a relationship nine years before the beginning of this book. This is a companion story to the Scientific Method Universe series and I really think it stands alone but some nuance might get lost without that background. We meet Nick just as he's accepting to help his friend Lucie and her partners Eddie and Leo with their relationship. Eddie and Leo love one another but Leo can't accept the role Eddie wants him to take on for him - to be a master to him. As this is so similar to why Nick and Bernie's relationship ended in disaster before, Nick is reluctant to agree to help. So what makes him reach out to Bernie again after nearly a decade for help? And why does he agree to train Leo and Eddie for a week together with Bernie?
Spoilers:
BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL DESPERATELY IN LOVE AND IT IS SO HEARTBREAKING AND BEAUTIFUL I AM DYING
Even though this is a kinky book, what really wrecked me is the way Ripper crafts this painfully fragile and yet utterly devastatingly epic love between Nick and Bernie. Ze slowly rebuilds their lost understanding of one another and takes the reader on the same journey the characters are taking. The happy ending didn't seem inevitable (of course it's romance so I knew it was coming) because the concerns Nick had about the relationship were incredibly valid and honest. The unique hang ups all of the characters have due to their individual backgrounds, upbringing, and interaction with the world are woven into the narrative in a way that it clicks for the reader roughly exactly when it does for the character. It is so real even though it is a raunchy sex fest type of a book. LIKE KRIS RIPPER YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID
Honestly, I'm not sure what to do with myself now. I'll just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling I think.
Kris Ripper is so insanely skilled at writing deeply intricate and layered characters and relationships. Nick and Bernie were together for a disasterous attempt at a relationship nine years before the beginning of this book. This is a companion story to the Scientific Method Universe series and I really think it stands alone but some nuance might get lost without that background. We meet Nick just as he's accepting to help his friend Lucie and her partners Eddie and Leo with their relationship. Eddie and Leo love one another but Leo can't accept the role Eddie wants him to take on for him - to be a master to him. As this is so similar to why Nick and Bernie's relationship ended in disaster before, Nick is reluctant to agree to help. So what makes him reach out to Bernie again after nearly a decade for help? And why does he agree to train Leo and Eddie for a week together with Bernie?
Spoilers:
BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL DESPERATELY IN LOVE AND IT IS SO HEARTBREAKING AND BEAUTIFUL I AM DYING
Even though this is a kinky book, what really wrecked me is the way Ripper crafts this painfully fragile and yet utterly devastatingly epic love between Nick and Bernie. Ze slowly rebuilds their lost understanding of one another and takes the reader on the same journey the characters are taking. The happy ending didn't seem inevitable (of course it's romance so I knew it was coming) because the concerns Nick had about the relationship were incredibly valid and honest. The unique hang ups all of the characters have due to their individual backgrounds, upbringing, and interaction with the world are woven into the narrative in a way that it clicks for the reader roughly exactly when it does for the character. It is so real even though it is a raunchy sex fest type of a book. LIKE KRIS RIPPER YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID
Honestly, I'm not sure what to do with myself now. I'll just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling I think.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2018
So this was great and complicated and chewy and wonderful. SMU universe wins again.
The thing I keep tripping on, though, is how Lucy and Hugh et al tried to explain dominance and submission to poor newbie Leo.
That being said if that's the only trip I have, knowing that within the context of the characters such thinking wouldn't be accessible, Ripper did a lot of right. Which of course Ripper always does, hence my crazy devotion to the SMU.
The thing I keep tripping on, though, is how Lucy and Hugh et al tried to explain dominance and submission to poor newbie Leo.
That being said if that's the only trip I have, knowing that within the context of the characters such thinking wouldn't be accessible, Ripper did a lot of right. Which of course Ripper always does, hence my crazy devotion to the SMU.
November 24, 2019
So, this book was a bit of a challenge for me, and in any other hands than Ripper's, I might not have made it. As it was, I couldn't put it down, and it definitely gave me a perspective I hadn't previously been able to wrap my head around.
One thing I love about this book is that it revolves around events taking place almost a decade earlier, and yet there are no flashbacks. NO FLASHBACKS. (I kind of dislike flashbacks.) Past events are referred to obliquely, in drips and crumbs and between and behind the lines, and occasionally straight on, and it works brilliantly.
Chronologically, this comes between Roller Coasters and The Boyfriends Tie the Knot, and I really wish I could find a recommended reading order for the SMU series somewhere, because I kind of had to stop in the middle of one book further on and go back to read this in between.
One thing I love about this book is that it revolves around events taking place almost a decade earlier, and yet there are no flashbacks. NO FLASHBACKS. (I kind of dislike flashbacks.) Past events are referred to obliquely, in drips and crumbs and between and behind the lines, and occasionally straight on, and it works brilliantly.
Chronologically, this comes between Roller Coasters and The Boyfriends Tie the Knot, and I really wish I could find a recommended reading order for the SMU series somewhere, because I kind of had to stop in the middle of one book further on and go back to read this in between.
July 23, 2019
OMG! Most intense conversations I have ever read. Exploring the depths of the need for communication in any relationship. This one (these two, this is two relationships in communication stasis interwoven beautifully) does it so well, and so, so kinky! I felt like I was getting to look into a real relationship not just reading a kinky book. If you enjoy the psychology of kink as much (or more maybe) as the actual, on page stuff, this is great! And, if you’re not turned off by the fact that one of the MCs is a lapsed priest and another regards God as “Santa Claus for grownups” I highly recommend it. I am so happy this author had an extensive body of work, I plan to read all of them!
January 6, 2019
This was the last book I had left in the SMU and I was very hesitant to read it. Nick and Bernie weren’t characters I thought I was interested in but turns out I was completely wrong! I loved getting to know Nick and Lucy better and seeing all of the characters and relationships develop further. It’s definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the subsequent books.
May 2, 2020
Nicks happy ending
Man Nicky deserved this. He’s been so self destructive through the main Scientific Method books. It was so nice to see him get what he needs. And it was awesome to watch how Bernie broke through his defenses. While also giving us more insight into Lucy & her men. This was a wonderful engaging additional the universe.
Man Nicky deserved this. He’s been so self destructive through the main Scientific Method books. It was so nice to see him get what he needs. And it was awesome to watch how Bernie broke through his defenses. While also giving us more insight into Lucy & her men. This was a wonderful engaging additional the universe.
June 14, 2024
3.5 Nick and Bernie run to hard-core D/s with touches of sadism, so that’s not my favorite thing. But their hard-won work to get their second-chance HEA is very much my jam. With a major subplot of Eddie and Leo set on the right track, and generous helpings of Hugh, and glimpses of Truman and Lucy too.
December 3, 2017
Read it straight through.
Potential subtitle: The power exchange couple finally deal with their shit. As with every other character in this series, neither of these guys is simple or perfect or easy. Kink level's well past what I'd ever need, but fits this pair.
Potential subtitle: The power exchange couple finally deal with their shit. As with every other character in this series, neither of these guys is simple or perfect or easy. Kink level's well past what I'd ever need, but fits this pair.
April 10, 2018
Fantastic to get Nick and Bernard's story, to see their struggle (and see it mediated through their friends/family members). Hugely appreciated the explicit discussion of race within different relationship dynamics - rarely see this from white authors.
May 18, 2022
To each their own I guess haha. That said, something I do really appreciate about all of the SMU books is how much time the characters spend discussing what they want and need out of their relationships, both with the other person and with other people in their lives.
June 20, 2019
Very enjoyable!
September 15, 2020
No Will Derrie in this one, so it's not my favourite but I like Bernie and Nick.
April 4, 2022
Spin-off book 2. This one was intense! Second chance romance but dial the stakes up to eleven. I'm glad I finally understand the complex dynamic between these two characters.
June 17, 2015
A review by The Blogger Girls.
If you’ve read the Scientific Method series, this story falls in between Roller Coasters and The Boyfriends Tie the Knot. It can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend you read that series to really have an understanding about Nick and the other players.
I loved Nick from the previous books. He is one complicated character. He knows what he truly needs to surrender, but is so caught up with things in his head that he is unable to accept it from all but one – Bernie. Nick has merely allowed all the men before to believe they mastered him, including Hugh, though Hugh knows this as well. So yeah, Bernie is the only guy who has been able to get him there. Unfortunately, the time they tried, Nick had a bit of a freak out and bolted. That was nine years ago.
Now, Lucy is having trouble with her boys, Leo and Eddie, and turns to Nick for help. Hugh is busy with Will and Truman, so Nick is the best choice. Doing Lucy a favor, he agrees to help train Eddie (and Leo) in the hopes of helping their relationship. Much of the story is about that, with Bernie agreeing to help with Leo and offering his home as their training ground, but Nick learns quite a bit about himself in the process.
Through it all, Bernie never stops trying to get Nick to give him another chance, believing that they are both much different now that they are older and wiser, etc. Nick fights it every step of the way (as Nick usually does), even when he feels the pull. When they finally do get on the same page, it is pretty explosive. They play rather hard, which Nick needs, but they walk a fine line trying to gain Nick’s acceptance of it all.
While this was not my favorite of the series, I am such a huge fan of Kris’ writing style and truly loved reading about these characters again with more focus. The characters are believable and feel very real. The writing quality is on par with everything else I’ve read by Kris, and I was left eager to jump into another.
November 16, 2024
Sometimes the theme of a book is difficult to parse; not so with this installment of the extended Scientific Method Universe collection of stories. After meeting him as a bit character in the main series, I was excited to get to know Nick better in his own romance. Because it takes place earlier in the main series, some of the tension was lost because I knew he and Bernie would end up happily ever after. But that’s not a spoiler, because this is a romance novel.
That romance story can its own long road, though, and Nick and Bernie have been on theirs for almost a decade. Even as they push the concept of self-acceptance on Eddie and Leo, the secondary non-traditional romance of this tale, it’s evident that our heroes have a bit of that to learn themselves.
This book also touches on some interesting themes of the role of race in power dynamics. I would have loved to see the characters develop and explore that further, but I do understand that Ripper may have shied away from that discussion because ze is not a Black man.
Hopefully, I’ll get to see further progression of Eddie and Leo’s romance in additional books in this series. If you loved the Scientific Method books, this is an excellent start to the continuation. Hugh and Truman make plenty of appearances, and viewing Hugh from an external perspective outside his relationships is worth the price of admission alone.
That romance story can its own long road, though, and Nick and Bernie have been on theirs for almost a decade. Even as they push the concept of self-acceptance on Eddie and Leo, the secondary non-traditional romance of this tale, it’s evident that our heroes have a bit of that to learn themselves.
This book also touches on some interesting themes of the role of race in power dynamics. I would have loved to see the characters develop and explore that further, but I do understand that Ripper may have shied away from that discussion because ze is not a Black man.
Hopefully, I’ll get to see further progression of Eddie and Leo’s romance in additional books in this series. If you loved the Scientific Method books, this is an excellent start to the continuation. Hugh and Truman make plenty of appearances, and viewing Hugh from an external perspective outside his relationships is worth the price of admission alone.
May 24, 2015
Oh boy, what a love story. The struggle both Nick and Bernie go through to be together was captivating. A lot of other D/s stories show the struggle the Sub goes through leading up to their need to Submit but
Kris has captured the insecurity on both sides. This relationship is too precious to Bernie to risk pushing Nick too far again (in his view) and lead to another nine years of separation or the risk of ruining it for good. Nick is too scared to let anyone, let alone Bernie in. After reading the story to me the candle on the cover is a symbol of a passionate fire that's Nick is trying to keep under control but has been smouldering for Bernie over the last nine years. Will it be an eternal flame or burn bright and die out?
These characters are part of Kris's Scientific Method Universe and they popped up in The New Born Year, so hopefully it will be an eternal flame that smoulders and flares for along time to come.
Thank you Kris. I love your writing but this one, in my view, is the best so far.
Kris has captured the insecurity on both sides. This relationship is too precious to Bernie to risk pushing Nick too far again (in his view) and lead to another nine years of separation or the risk of ruining it for good. Nick is too scared to let anyone, let alone Bernie in. After reading the story to me the candle on the cover is a symbol of a passionate fire that's Nick is trying to keep under control but has been smouldering for Bernie over the last nine years. Will it be an eternal flame or burn bright and die out?
These characters are part of Kris's Scientific Method Universe and they popped up in The New Born Year, so hopefully it will be an eternal flame that smoulders and flares for along time to come.
Thank you Kris. I love your writing but this one, in my view, is the best so far.
January 23, 2024
I devoured Nick and Bernie's story. Absolutely loved it.
So happy and yet so sad at the same time.
So happy and yet so sad at the same time.
March 28, 2017
Reading this book for the second time moved it from a four to a five for me. The feelings hit me harder, perhaps also because I've read more stories with Nick and Bernie and feel like I know them better? And it has lots of Eddie and some Leo. I really like Eddie.
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