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The Subs Club #2
Pain Slut
Honestly, I’m ready to take a step back from the Subs Club. Making the kink world a safer place for subs is the sort of bandwagon I’d have boarded as an idealist in my early twenties, but now I’m a pragmatist in my late twenties. I prefer to focus on adopting and raising a child.
But unexpected factors inevitably derail my plans. Like Drix Seger—attractive and the first genuine sadist I’ve encountered. If I were not in the process of renouncing my masochistic ways and becoming the normal, responsible potential father the adoption agency wants to see, Drix and I might do well together.
But he has a foolish name and belongs to a cult of vampyres, and I am quitting kink. So why does Drix’s infatuation with blood and biting make me so hot I can’t think straight? And why, when he looks at me, does he seem to see something beyond a basket case with a stick up my ass?
Can I start a new phase in my life without leaving part of myself behind? Please send help.
—Miles
* * * * * * *
This book can be read on its own, or enjoyed as part of The Subs Club series.
Word 81,400; page 320
But unexpected factors inevitably derail my plans. Like Drix Seger—attractive and the first genuine sadist I’ve encountered. If I were not in the process of renouncing my masochistic ways and becoming the normal, responsible potential father the adoption agency wants to see, Drix and I might do well together.
But he has a foolish name and belongs to a cult of vampyres, and I am quitting kink. So why does Drix’s infatuation with blood and biting make me so hot I can’t think straight? And why, when he looks at me, does he seem to see something beyond a basket case with a stick up my ass?
Can I start a new phase in my life without leaving part of myself behind? Please send help.
—Miles
* * * * * * *
This book can be read on its own, or enjoyed as part of The Subs Club series.
Word 81,400; page 320
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2016
73 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Rock
52 books561 followersJ.A. Rock is the author or coauthor of over twenty LGBTQ romance, suspense, and horror novels, as well as an occasional contributor to HuffPo Queer Voices. J.A. has received Lambda Literary and INDIEFAB Award nominations for MINOTAUR, and THE SUBS CLUB received the 2016 National Leather Association-International Pauline Reage Novel Award. J.A. lives in Chicago with an extremely judgmental dog, Professor Anne Studebaker.
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June 16, 2020*Reflecting back on some of my earlier reviews, I'm removing my rating because I missed some stuff that people pointed out as problematic and I'm trying to do better <3*
~~~~~~~~
Original review
*4.5 stars*
Okay, it's official...
I'm obsessed with The Subs Club series!
I mean, obsseeeessseeeeddd.
I adored the first book in the series, The Subs Club. Still, I was nervous about Pain Slut. Really nervous. The first book was a perfect fit for me because it had so many of my personal favorite kinks (discipline, domestic discipline, some humiliation), and it had SO much humor! Dave, the MC of book one, was an awesome narrator, and I adored his POV. I was worried that book two would be really... difficult.
For one, I'm NOT a fan of pain play. I've read pain slut books before (Rough Road), but the idea of pain play isn't something that turns me on. I was also worried that this book would be really serious. Miles was presented as a much more focused and serious character in book one, and I was worried that all of the humor that I loved would be missing from Pain Slut. I shouldn't have worried.
Let's start off talking about the kink. Well, if this book is your first exposure to some of the more hard core and serious pain-y aspects of BDSM, expect to be, um, a little... shocked. I'm proud (slash ashamed???) to say that I've seen videos of most of the kink in this book before, so I wasn't as shaken as some may be. But there is stuff that most would consider extreme, like knife play, saline infusions, urethral play, and lots and lots of impact play that is so hard that it draws blood.
What really surprised me is that this book is more about the relationship between Miles and his friends and Miles and Drix than the kink.
Miles and Drix developed a really beautiful relationship through the course of the story. I had expected Miles's partner to be really stern and hardcore, for some reason. I wasn't expecting a very sweet, vampyre (you'll see...), who is in touch with his emotions and brings out Miles's softer side. It was unexpected for a sadist to be so... nice. Drix really stole my heart, and I loved him with Miles.
This book also retains SO much of the humor of the previous book. For one, the other Sub Club members play prominent rolls in the story, so we get to see their hilarious and adorable interactions. Also, Miles is less stiff once you are in his head. Sure, he is formal and likes to be in control, but he is also more interesting than I initially thought he would be.
I can't say enough good things about this story and this series. Though this wasn't as much of a connection with me as the first book, due mainly to the type of kink here, I think, I still adored this story. Take a chance with this one.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
~~~~~~~~
Original review
*4.5 stars*
Okay, it's official...
I'm obsessed with The Subs Club series!
I mean, obsseeeessseeeeddd.
I adored the first book in the series, The Subs Club. Still, I was nervous about Pain Slut. Really nervous. The first book was a perfect fit for me because it had so many of my personal favorite kinks (discipline, domestic discipline, some humiliation), and it had SO much humor! Dave, the MC of book one, was an awesome narrator, and I adored his POV. I was worried that book two would be really... difficult.
For one, I'm NOT a fan of pain play. I've read pain slut books before (Rough Road), but the idea of pain play isn't something that turns me on. I was also worried that this book would be really serious. Miles was presented as a much more focused and serious character in book one, and I was worried that all of the humor that I loved would be missing from Pain Slut. I shouldn't have worried.
Let's start off talking about the kink. Well, if this book is your first exposure to some of the more hard core and serious pain-y aspects of BDSM, expect to be, um, a little... shocked. I'm proud (slash ashamed???) to say that I've seen videos of most of the kink in this book before, so I wasn't as shaken as some may be. But there is stuff that most would consider extreme, like knife play, saline infusions, urethral play, and lots and lots of impact play that is so hard that it draws blood.
What really surprised me is that this book is more about the relationship between Miles and his friends and Miles and Drix than the kink.
Miles and Drix developed a really beautiful relationship through the course of the story. I had expected Miles's partner to be really stern and hardcore, for some reason. I wasn't expecting a very sweet, vampyre (you'll see...), who is in touch with his emotions and brings out Miles's softer side. It was unexpected for a sadist to be so... nice. Drix really stole my heart, and I loved him with Miles.
This book also retains SO much of the humor of the previous book. For one, the other Sub Club members play prominent rolls in the story, so we get to see their hilarious and adorable interactions. Also, Miles is less stiff once you are in his head. Sure, he is formal and likes to be in control, but he is also more interesting than I initially thought he would be.
I can't say enough good things about this story and this series. Though this wasn't as much of a connection with me as the first book, due mainly to the type of kink here, I think, I still adored this story. Take a chance with this one.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
June 22, 2016
2. 5 stars
June 22nd, 2016
Edit to include some reviews that I feel everyone should read about this book. They mention many things I missed. Many others that I felt but wasn't able to properly express. And they are an overall view of the underlying racism in this book.
- Review by Camille
- Review by Zina
March 1st, 2016
I loved it in so many levels that I am astounded. Go to other people's reviews for the glowing praises. This book does deserve them. Miles' story was glorious.
But. But.
But I hate México and Honduras and Latinos being the fucking butt of so many fucking jokes. I specially hate it in an otherwise 5 star deserving book.
Thank you for that not-needed characterisation.
Thank you for that abhorrent stereotyping of us. We so fucking need that kind of furthering in those beliefs.
1) While yes, of course, imbeciles playing doctors do exist (and fake doctors, and underground doctors and doctors for narcos, etc.), like anywhere else in the world, actual dentists and doctors in México require the same extensive training and licences as any other of their profession in the world do.
2) Tourists rambling around in say the club and restaurant filled boulevards of Cabo San Lucas, would never ever in the fucking endless of evers come across such fake doctors. They are not even a thing that's easily found for us regular mortals living down here. Doctor's/dentist's offices are just like the fucking ones you (you author) have. With magazine-filled waiting rooms and sterile looking things. And possibly a fishbowl in the corner. And an assistant. And funny looking scrubs or just plain blue ones. And interns wearing Crocs. And endlessly intrusive patient paperwork. And would you imagine it? Appointments can be made to see them. I know, who the fuck would have figured we are such an advanced civilization?
3) I would fucking give an arm for health care to be an affordable thing in México. I mean, I am economically well placed in the (upper) middle class of México and dentists are not just expensive, but HORRIFICALLY SO. They are also not covered in most of health care insurances. And that's to the extremely small percentage of us that have access to the absolute basics of medical services. According to our last census, up to 41% of the population are not affiliated to any kind of insurance and could never afford to have access to private services. The two kind of health care providers that are for the non-rich of my country, are not only already difficult to obtain but are also severely understaffed, under resourced, lacking in space, investment, personnel, time, etc. that a lot of the population is basically not ever seen by a medical professional until it is an absolute emergency.
And you find it easy to make a fucking joke of it.
When someone, like me that can afford it, goes to a (private) doctor's office we do expect certain minimal things of them. Like, you know, a consulting room with professionals and to know what our cavities are being filled with.
To think that, even in the most outlandish way, a tourist could just walk up the street and find a dentist office that's cheaper than in the States, is not only laughable and more than a little annoying. It's fucking hurtful in its inaccuracy.
I'm not even gonna bother beyond the old WHAT THE FUCK? Do you mean: merengue, bachata, banda, danzón, norteña, mariachi, sones jarochos, jarabe, vallenato, reggaeton, or what? Or are you (author) just another person with so much stereotype filled-shit in your head that you don't even notice it?
Sensitive much? Hell, yeah.
Unapologetically so? Hell, yeah.
June 22nd, 2016
Edit to include some reviews that I feel everyone should read about this book. They mention many things I missed. Many others that I felt but wasn't able to properly express. And they are an overall view of the underlying racism in this book.
- Review by Camille
- Review by Zina
March 1st, 2016
I loved it in so many levels that I am astounded. Go to other people's reviews for the glowing praises. This book does deserve them. Miles' story was glorious.
But. But.
But I hate México and Honduras and Latinos being the fucking butt of so many fucking jokes. I specially hate it in an otherwise 5 star deserving book.
My parents had adopted Malina from Honduras when she was a baby. And though she’d grown up not speaking a lick of Spanish, she had, over the past four years or so, developed a random, quasi-Spanish accent. Last fall, she’d decided she needed to get in touch with her culture, so she’d started hanging out with a group of Honduran women she’d met at Hymland College—aka Hymen College, to the local youth.
As far as I could tell these women did nothing but compete to see who could wear the croppedest crop top, have the highest ponytail, and look the most nonchalant while she stared at her nails and chomped gum. Every now and then they’d break out in snarling fits of rapid-fire Spanish. But when they spoke in English they had the lowest, most languid voices.
Malina still didn’t speak Spanish, except for a few random words she’d picked up from the group,
but the accent fascinated me. It was like she was a non-Hispanic actor studying to play a Hispanic role and presenting the most botched, ridiculous stereotype imaginable.
Thank you for that not-needed characterisation.
“Bobby’s Discount Dentist doesn’t even make any sense. It sounds like Bobby owns a dentist who is available for a reduced price. When in fact, he’s offering discounted dental services.”
“Aw, lay off Bobby.” Kamen finished the last of his sucker, then started on the cherries. “If you went to him once, you’d see how cool he is. I’m getting Mexico prices there.”
Kamen had once gotten three cavities filled for ninety dollars when he’d stopped at a dentist’s office during a trip to Mexico. God only knew what they’d been filled with.
He helped me to the waiting room, where Bobby charged me Mexico prices.
Thank you for that abhorrent stereotyping of us. We so fucking need that kind of furthering in those beliefs.
1) While yes, of course, imbeciles playing doctors do exist (and fake doctors, and underground doctors and doctors for narcos, etc.), like anywhere else in the world, actual dentists and doctors in México require the same extensive training and licences as any other of their profession in the world do.
2) Tourists rambling around in say the club and restaurant filled boulevards of Cabo San Lucas, would never ever in the fucking endless of evers come across such fake doctors. They are not even a thing that's easily found for us regular mortals living down here. Doctor's/dentist's offices are just like the fucking ones you (you author) have. With magazine-filled waiting rooms and sterile looking things. And possibly a fishbowl in the corner. And an assistant. And funny looking scrubs or just plain blue ones. And interns wearing Crocs. And endlessly intrusive patient paperwork. And would you imagine it? Appointments can be made to see them. I know, who the fuck would have figured we are such an advanced civilization?
3) I would fucking give an arm for health care to be an affordable thing in México. I mean, I am economically well placed in the (upper) middle class of México and dentists are not just expensive, but HORRIFICALLY SO. They are also not covered in most of health care insurances. And that's to the extremely small percentage of us that have access to the absolute basics of medical services. According to our last census, up to 41% of the population are not affiliated to any kind of insurance and could never afford to have access to private services. The two kind of health care providers that are for the non-rich of my country, are not only already difficult to obtain but are also severely understaffed, under resourced, lacking in space, investment, personnel, time, etc. that a lot of the population is basically not ever seen by a medical professional until it is an absolute emergency.
And you find it easy to make a fucking joke of it.
When someone, like me that can afford it, goes to a (private) doctor's office we do expect certain minimal things of them. Like, you know, a consulting room with professionals and to know what our cavities are being filled with.
To think that, even in the most outlandish way, a tourist could just walk up the street and find a dentist office that's cheaper than in the States, is not only laughable and more than a little annoying. It's fucking hurtful in its inaccuracy.
Latin music blared.
I'm not even gonna bother beyond the old WHAT THE FUCK? Do you mean: merengue, bachata, banda, danzón, norteña, mariachi, sones jarochos, jarabe, vallenato, reggaeton, or what? Or are you (author) just another person with so much stereotype filled-shit in your head that you don't even notice it?
Sensitive much? Hell, yeah.
Unapologetically so? Hell, yeah.
January 26, 2016
BR with The Adam!
I consider myself a #TeamPain enthusiast so I was STOOOOOKED to read this one. I lean toward impact play pain rather than chemical or edgeplay pain which is Miles' preference. What I'm loving so much about this series is the humanizing of kink J.A. is doing. I think many people tend to think of BDSM as something that weird or damaged people engage in and all of these guys are sympathetic characters with every day problems and worries.
Miles is Mos Def in a Mr. Rogers cardigan for Pete's sake! There's nothing freakish about him, though he does struggle with reconciling being a masochist with being a father. Miles has made the decision to adopt and believes his kinky time has to come to an end because he can't be a masochist AND a father. Can he? Miles is exceedingly intelligent; he a business owner at 27 and to quote the great Ferris Bueller...
Replace 'Cameron' with Miles and you get the idea.
Miles is a spinner. He takes something and flips it over so many times until he becomes paralyzed with fear of making the wrong decision. So, yeah, insecure control freak perfectionist. *shrugs* We all have our crosses to bear, eh? Along comes all 6'7" of Drix into Miles' store and sparks fly. He turns out to be the yin to Miles' yang; he has the ability to throw a wrench in those spin outs. They work.
Ironically, Drix reminds me quite a lot of Kamen only he's a sadist. Kamen, the one Miles shuts down and discounts on the regular! This amused me to no end. Drix is a vampyre and a PI which sends Miles into a judgmental tailspin or maybe a boomerang since he realizes he's being a supercilious asshat and apologizes.
Drix does have sadistic tendencies and enjoys blood. Because VAMPYRE! But he has no practical BDSM experience, so a long time play partner named Bowser (ginger lumbersexual & Dr. Sadist *growls*) agrees to mentor him. There are a couple of ménage scenes just so you know. And, p.s., I found Bowser intriguing and it occurred to me during the reading of this that I would like to begin a campaign for a spin off series called The Doms Strike Back. Who's with me?
As I was saying...
When Drix agrees to learn how to be the kind of sadist that can give Miles what he needs that spoke volumes about his character to me and center punched me right in the feels. They both mold to fit the other because they are so enamored of the other, but their road does have a couple potholes. Miles has never been in a relationship with or loved his play partners until Drix and he finds that what he thought he needed no longer holds as much appeal as being in the moment and sharing the experience with someone he cares about. It's kind of freeing for him and enlightening.
Can we just gather round the camp fire and talk about the face melting sex? JAYSUS!!!!!!! My BRer, Adam, and I were PMing about our feels and my response to one scene in the back of an SUV was simply: *honk honk*. Rendered me speechless.
The kinky sex gets progressively more intense as their relationship develops and Drix puts his education to practice which begs the question of how in the sweet name of Baby Jeebuz Miles thinks he's going to give up kink in just a few short months when his adoption hopefully comes through? The kid is pretty adorbs though so maybe.
Miles' family, the other subs in the club, the evolution of The Subs Club and the process of adoption by a single parent rounded out the story nicely. I feel like I know Miles now; he's not just a tight ass. He's an insecure tight ass with a big heart and some poor communication skills who loves his friends more than he can say and needs a hug. A lot of them. Speaking of hugs...
Kamen,
I'm coming for you, honey bunches a'oats.
Soon.
Giddyup,
CC
Still loving the stuffing out of this series.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I consider myself a #TeamPain enthusiast so I was STOOOOOKED to read this one. I lean toward impact play pain rather than chemical or edgeplay pain which is Miles' preference. What I'm loving so much about this series is the humanizing of kink J.A. is doing. I think many people tend to think of BDSM as something that weird or damaged people engage in and all of these guys are sympathetic characters with every day problems and worries.
Miles is Mos Def in a Mr. Rogers cardigan for Pete's sake! There's nothing freakish about him, though he does struggle with reconciling being a masochist with being a father. Miles has made the decision to adopt and believes his kinky time has to come to an end because he can't be a masochist AND a father. Can he? Miles is exceedingly intelligent; he a business owner at 27 and to quote the great Ferris Bueller...
Replace 'Cameron' with Miles and you get the idea.
Miles is a spinner. He takes something and flips it over so many times until he becomes paralyzed with fear of making the wrong decision. So, yeah, insecure control freak perfectionist. *shrugs* We all have our crosses to bear, eh? Along comes all 6'7" of Drix into Miles' store and sparks fly. He turns out to be the yin to Miles' yang; he has the ability to throw a wrench in those spin outs. They work.
Ironically, Drix reminds me quite a lot of Kamen only he's a sadist. Kamen, the one Miles shuts down and discounts on the regular! This amused me to no end. Drix is a vampyre and a PI which sends Miles into a judgmental tailspin or maybe a boomerang since he realizes he's being a supercilious asshat and apologizes.
Drix does have sadistic tendencies and enjoys blood. Because VAMPYRE! But he has no practical BDSM experience, so a long time play partner named Bowser (ginger lumbersexual & Dr. Sadist *growls*) agrees to mentor him. There are a couple of ménage scenes just so you know. And, p.s., I found Bowser intriguing and it occurred to me during the reading of this that I would like to begin a campaign for a spin off series called The Doms Strike Back. Who's with me?
As I was saying...
When Drix agrees to learn how to be the kind of sadist that can give Miles what he needs that spoke volumes about his character to me and center punched me right in the feels. They both mold to fit the other because they are so enamored of the other, but their road does have a couple potholes. Miles has never been in a relationship with or loved his play partners until Drix and he finds that what he thought he needed no longer holds as much appeal as being in the moment and sharing the experience with someone he cares about. It's kind of freeing for him and enlightening.
Can we just gather round the camp fire and talk about the face melting sex? JAYSUS!!!!!!! My BRer, Adam, and I were PMing about our feels and my response to one scene in the back of an SUV was simply: *honk honk*. Rendered me speechless.
He made me want to fuck loudly and messily, while I was crying or scared or delirious with joy.
The kinky sex gets progressively more intense as their relationship develops and Drix puts his education to practice which begs the question of how in the sweet name of Baby Jeebuz Miles thinks he's going to give up kink in just a few short months when his adoption hopefully comes through? The kid is pretty adorbs though so maybe.
Miles' family, the other subs in the club, the evolution of The Subs Club and the process of adoption by a single parent rounded out the story nicely. I feel like I know Miles now; he's not just a tight ass. He's an insecure tight ass with a big heart and some poor communication skills who loves his friends more than he can say and needs a hug. A lot of them. Speaking of hugs...
Kamen,
I'm coming for you, honey bunches a'oats.
Soon.
Giddyup,
CC
Still loving the stuffing out of this series.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2016
What a pleasure of a reading experience. This book is so damn slick. Well-written, well-edited, perfect pacing, the main plot and sub plots intersect seamlessly... it's a hell of a read. And by slick I don't in any way mean that it wasn't emotionally captivating. On the contrary, after the introductions in the first book I felt like I was hanging out with a group of friends. They made me laugh, they made me cry, I didn't want to leave them! And wow, even Hal felt like as much a character as any of the others, and he's dead! Rock's got some amazing writing skills on display here: how the hell does she make a Vampyre sadist seem like a perfectly believable guy, the kind you'd like to have as a neighbor?
The BDSM scenes are flabbergastingly good. They're BDSM, but there's no aura of fantasy. They're human, and touching, and vividly drawn. It's as unlike "A BDSM novel" as it's possible to get, and yet the whole book revolves around Miles as a masochist. I mean, really, I'm just kind of fangirling my ass off here, because Rock did this so skilfully it's left me with my jaw agape and full of envy. There's goddamn screeds of character development in, like, ten words within each scene.
I rec this for all the M/M readers I know who can handle descriptions of some quite serious pain play, but which are never gratuitous or inconsequential. While this doesn't hit me with the impact of Take the Long Way Home, I can't rate it anything other than a 5 for being just a totally satisfying book, displaying a hell of a lot of craft.
***
oh, this came out while my head was turned!
I have to read ASAP.
where is my one-click button?
The BDSM scenes are flabbergastingly good. They're BDSM, but there's no aura of fantasy. They're human, and touching, and vividly drawn. It's as unlike "A BDSM novel" as it's possible to get, and yet the whole book revolves around Miles as a masochist. I mean, really, I'm just kind of fangirling my ass off here, because Rock did this so skilfully it's left me with my jaw agape and full of envy. There's goddamn screeds of character development in, like, ten words within each scene.
I rec this for all the M/M readers I know who can handle descriptions of some quite serious pain play, but which are never gratuitous or inconsequential. While this doesn't hit me with the impact of Take the Long Way Home, I can't rate it anything other than a 5 for being just a totally satisfying book, displaying a hell of a lot of craft.
***
oh, this came out while my head was turned!
I have to read ASAP.
where is my one-click button?
August 24, 2016
RACIST!!!!!
ETA: now this racist bitch has come out with book 5 in this series, "The Slave Hunt". The premise entails hunting slaves in the woods and stringing them up to be beaten upon capture. Fully donning her KKK hood and robes. Sickening, as are all her racist fans."
So, pain is not in the least bit my kink but I was prepared to read this anyway in order to continue with the series...in spite of the relatively high kindle cost.
I've just returned the book to Amazon after DNF-ing at 41%.
Problem 1: So Miles is a Black man who only has white friends and white play partners.
Problem 2: While everyone else is described meticulously, particularly Drix (the pale, tall, golden-haired, violet-eyed love interest) there is zero description of Miles. All the reader is allowed to gather is that he's Black. Why are Black features so hard to describe? Oh sorry, there was that bit about the "fuzz on his head"...which is a bloody problem in and of itself.
Problem 3: Miles' family is stereotypically portrayed. The mother is extra religious, as Black matriarchs are wont to be, obviously. She is also critical, cold, and abuses substances. Then there is the father's absenteeism. Daddy, a trucker, is mostly on the road, which leaves the mother to more or less single-handedly raise the children. Then there is the Latina adopted sister who is brash, has a record for theft, speaks with a put-on accent although she does not speak Spanish, and hangs out with the most awfully characterised Latina women who've immigrated from Honduras. Then, it is this sister who goes on to tell Miles that the way to get in touch with his culture is to try saying the N-word. (WTF?!) Miles refutes this by saying his culture is mini-vans and Starbucks. (Seriously? See how well I've assimilated).
Which brings us to Problem 4: Miles doesn't just have no perceived sense of consciousness as a Black man, but he goes out of his way to assimilate and deny Blackness. When Drix makes an assumption about people avoiding Miles on the street because he's Black, Miles rushes to laugh and to comfort the white boy who just made an offensive comment and proceeds to reassure him that it's fine. Hereafter, Miles invokes respectability politics to say that he's hardly ever presumed criminally dangerous because he wears cardigans and suits. And if this benign little announcement wasn't enough, Miles then proceeds to say that he doesn't see Black people as a community, nor feels any particular urge to represent Blackness. This denouncement comes after explaining his father's equally problematic stance concerning the need for Black people to portray themselves well and respectably so we won't be perceived negatively by whites...so they don't cross the street when they see a Black man and become immediately afraid.
This is where I stopped reading and called Kindle support. I didn't particularly feel like hanging around and being further offended. I wasn't inclined to see Miles through the adoption process either considering one of the books mentioned that he was reading for research was transracial parenting.
So, again, a white author decides to throw in some token POC (people of colour) characters and goes to town with the racist stereotypes and the causes of offense. How about you'll just don't write POC characters at all....but then how would you get to be racist while saying there was the attempt to be inclusive? Except, we don't need the inclusion, thanks.
I won't be reading this author again and quite likely won't read books featuring POC character written by white authors hereafter. My money will not support your prejudice.
ETA: now this racist bitch has come out with book 5 in this series, "The Slave Hunt". The premise entails hunting slaves in the woods and stringing them up to be beaten upon capture. Fully donning her KKK hood and robes. Sickening, as are all her racist fans."
So, pain is not in the least bit my kink but I was prepared to read this anyway in order to continue with the series...in spite of the relatively high kindle cost.
I've just returned the book to Amazon after DNF-ing at 41%.
Problem 1: So Miles is a Black man who only has white friends and white play partners.
Problem 2: While everyone else is described meticulously, particularly Drix (the pale, tall, golden-haired, violet-eyed love interest) there is zero description of Miles. All the reader is allowed to gather is that he's Black. Why are Black features so hard to describe? Oh sorry, there was that bit about the "fuzz on his head"...which is a bloody problem in and of itself.
Problem 3: Miles' family is stereotypically portrayed. The mother is extra religious, as Black matriarchs are wont to be, obviously. She is also critical, cold, and abuses substances. Then there is the father's absenteeism. Daddy, a trucker, is mostly on the road, which leaves the mother to more or less single-handedly raise the children. Then there is the Latina adopted sister who is brash, has a record for theft, speaks with a put-on accent although she does not speak Spanish, and hangs out with the most awfully characterised Latina women who've immigrated from Honduras. Then, it is this sister who goes on to tell Miles that the way to get in touch with his culture is to try saying the N-word. (WTF?!) Miles refutes this by saying his culture is mini-vans and Starbucks. (Seriously? See how well I've assimilated).
Which brings us to Problem 4: Miles doesn't just have no perceived sense of consciousness as a Black man, but he goes out of his way to assimilate and deny Blackness. When Drix makes an assumption about people avoiding Miles on the street because he's Black, Miles rushes to laugh and to comfort the white boy who just made an offensive comment and proceeds to reassure him that it's fine. Hereafter, Miles invokes respectability politics to say that he's hardly ever presumed criminally dangerous because he wears cardigans and suits. And if this benign little announcement wasn't enough, Miles then proceeds to say that he doesn't see Black people as a community, nor feels any particular urge to represent Blackness. This denouncement comes after explaining his father's equally problematic stance concerning the need for Black people to portray themselves well and respectably so we won't be perceived negatively by whites...so they don't cross the street when they see a Black man and become immediately afraid.
This is where I stopped reading and called Kindle support. I didn't particularly feel like hanging around and being further offended. I wasn't inclined to see Miles through the adoption process either considering one of the books mentioned that he was reading for research was transracial parenting.
So, again, a white author decides to throw in some token POC (people of colour) characters and goes to town with the racist stereotypes and the causes of offense. How about you'll just don't write POC characters at all....but then how would you get to be racist while saying there was the attempt to be inclusive? Except, we don't need the inclusion, thanks.
I won't be reading this author again and quite likely won't read books featuring POC character written by white authors hereafter. My money will not support your prejudice.
June 8, 2016
I picked up Pain Slut on a lark when I saw that the fourth and final book in J. A. Rock's Sub Club series was coming out so I'm a bit behind on the series since this book came out in February.
The series seemed interesting enough (it's about four friends who band together to change their local BDSM community after one of their friends and a fellow sub is killed at the hands of a neglectful Dom) but I decided to get the second book since I felt that the stress might be a little lessened as we're one book past their friend's death.
Here's the thing about Pain Slut: despite its cute moments and some kink that I really found sexy, it had some incredibly problematic attitudes about race/racism, respectability politics, and how it portrayed the Black main character.
Look, I get that when you're diving into a series on the second book out of four the way I am, some things aren't made apparent there because they were made clear the first book.
The protagonist's race shouldn't be one of them. I probably wouldn't have known that he was Black that early on not for the fact that 12% into Pain Slut, the protagonist (Miles) has a conversation with his adoptive sister Malina about how he can use the N-word (but doesn't want to) where she essentially intimates that that word is a part of his culture:
When I use the search function on my Kindle, the word "brown" is not used at any point. Miles' skin isn't worth describing unless the author is describing how well it bruises. I still can't tell if Miles is biracial or if he has two black parents because Rock doesn't describe them.
I spoke a bit about this on twitter yesterday after I was finished reading Pain Slut: I'm not expecting to see stereotypes about Blackness when I crack open one of the rare M/M books with a Black main character. When it happens, it's hurtful. What also is hurtful is when you read a book like this and the main character's blackness is completely divorced from his identity.
There are so many different ways to be Black and few ways to be "bad" at your own identity, but Miles on some level is this perfect liberal fantasy of Black maleness. When he brings up his blackness, it's neatly depoliticized and he kind of distances himself from Blackness.
Miles actively and entirely rejects the idea of the Black community as community while he's all gung-ho about the kink community as community.
If you can hear screaming coming from South Florida, that's me. It's me screaming because this is not how that works.
Yeah, not every Black person feels the same way and we're not a monolithic entity of Blackness, but there's a difference between communities built up on centuries of oppression and trying to keep culture alive and communities built because the participants like to have oh so freaky sex every once in a while.
The kink community can't be compared to the "black community". Straight up. For Rock to do so – no, for her to use a Black character to hold Blackness and Black people to one standard while giving (largely white) kinksters all the leeway – is disgusting.
Later, when Miles' friend Dave mentions a Black Domme participating in a Ferguson-themed scene at a BDSM club called Cobalt, not only does Miles brush it off as "just role –play" but then he says the same thing about other kinksters dressed as Nazis at the same club earlier in the year.
(Because apparently, erotic fantasy and desire is somehow above critique. I kept waiting for Miles to be all about that race play because this book just kept rubbing me the wrong way throughout…)
Look, this is peak whiteness.
There is no way that doing a freaking FERGUSON-THEMED BDSM SCENE is appropriate. It's fucked up that this author (who is probably not black, let's be real here) There's no way that any Black person wouldn't have a visceral reaction to someone (even another Black person) participating in a scene that sexualizes one of the most intense times of recent Black history where a bright spotlight was shined on the realities of being Black in America. There is nothing sexy about protesting because a cop murdered an unarmed Black young man and got rewarded for it.
Seriously, J A Rock: what the actual fuck were you smoking when you wrote this?
Let's also talk about how Rock follows that lovely tidbit up by having Miles then say, "If kink had to look PC, there'd be no female subs with male doms, ever."
Cut to me screaming inside of my head because are you fucking kidding me with this shit? Really? Politically correct? Not wanting people to dress up as the gleeful participants in genocide or to sexualize events that only occurred due to a Black boy being murdered and then left in the streets for HOURS is somehow politically correct?
REALLY?
This shit here is why I don't deal with kinksters or the kink community anymore despite how much I wish I could. I don't feel safe in kinky spaces as a Black person because I don't know when someone's going to assume I'm interested in raceplay because I'm Black and whip out a racist comment at me. (Mind you, I had to deactivate my FetLife account because almost all of the messages I was getting were from white couples who wanted a "jungle bunny" slave to be the third in their relationships.)
If being politically correct in kink means that people who get off on jacking off to memories of racism, genocide, and violence against marginalized people can't do that without getting shouted down, I'm all the fuck for it.
And of course, his non-black friends are the voices of reasons pointing out how problematic he's being… Because again, this book is peak whiteness.
I also hate how this book is full of racist micro and macro aggressions.
First, despite how much Miles hates how his sister Malina tries to police his racial identity, he keeps doing it to her. (The narrative of adoption in this book by the way is extremely worrisome and I don't enjoy how adoptees of color or birth parents are framed at several points.)
Then, there's a scene where Miles' friends show up with a cake with a mustachioed Black man printed on it and they're like "he sort of looks like you". These are his friends and they're making a "haha black people all look alike" joke at him.
How about how when Miles and his new love Drix (a white guy named after Jimmy Hendrix, by the way) sit down and are talking in chapter nine, there's this incredibly awkward moment where Drix compares people walking away from him because he's so freaking tall to people walking away from Miles because he's black.
They have such a cute moment but it's like… still a microagression. More so, it's a moment framed around a racist microaggression that's then played for laughs.
Geez.
Miles is the epitome of a brown paper doll. He's a character who's supposed to be Black but whose experiences, identity, and politics are so removed from actual portrayals of Blackness that you're kind of viewing him as a puppet parroting Rock's own politics.
Yes, there were things I liked about this book. I liked Miles' trials and worries about being a parent. I liked that he did have a realistic worry about how "normal" his kinks were and how they'd affect his parenting. I liked Drix, vampyrisim and all.
However, none of that makes up for the fact that this book was a hot ass racist mess in many ways. I got Pain Slut because the kink content seemed to dovetail neatly with my kinks. I finished it because I needed to know how the ending would go.
I won't be reading the rest of the books in the series.
The series seemed interesting enough (it's about four friends who band together to change their local BDSM community after one of their friends and a fellow sub is killed at the hands of a neglectful Dom) but I decided to get the second book since I felt that the stress might be a little lessened as we're one book past their friend's death.
Here's the thing about Pain Slut: despite its cute moments and some kink that I really found sexy, it had some incredibly problematic attitudes about race/racism, respectability politics, and how it portrayed the Black main character.
Look, I get that when you're diving into a series on the second book out of four the way I am, some things aren't made apparent there because they were made clear the first book.
The protagonist's race shouldn't be one of them. I probably wouldn't have known that he was Black that early on not for the fact that 12% into Pain Slut, the protagonist (Miles) has a conversation with his adoptive sister Malina about how he can use the N-word (but doesn't want to) where she essentially intimates that that word is a part of his culture:
"I am a bitch. I can say 'bitch'." She got up and went to the silverware drawer to get another spoon. "Just like you can use the N-word."
"I don't want to use the N-word."
She shrugged and took a bite of yogurt, slurping it into her mouth. "Babi. It wouldn't kill you to learn your culture, you know?"
[…]
"My culture is minivans and caramel macchiatos." The last thing I needed today was a lecture from my sister on not being black enough.
When I use the search function on my Kindle, the word "brown" is not used at any point. Miles' skin isn't worth describing unless the author is describing how well it bruises. I still can't tell if Miles is biracial or if he has two black parents because Rock doesn't describe them.
I spoke a bit about this on twitter yesterday after I was finished reading Pain Slut: I'm not expecting to see stereotypes about Blackness when I crack open one of the rare M/M books with a Black main character. When it happens, it's hurtful. What also is hurtful is when you read a book like this and the main character's blackness is completely divorced from his identity.
There are so many different ways to be Black and few ways to be "bad" at your own identity, but Miles on some level is this perfect liberal fantasy of Black maleness. When he brings up his blackness, it's neatly depoliticized and he kind of distances himself from Blackness.
Miles actively and entirely rejects the idea of the Black community as community while he's all gung-ho about the kink community as community.
"My dad actually has a big thing about how it's important for black men to be good role models and represent the community positively. I've never felt that way. Like, I don't see black people as a 'community'. Just a diverse group of humans who are under no obligation to like or support one another. However, my friend Dave thinks this is funny because technically the kink community is the same way. Yet I talk about that community like it's a homogenous group in need of better representation and better leaders. So…" I shrugged.
If you can hear screaming coming from South Florida, that's me. It's me screaming because this is not how that works.
Yeah, not every Black person feels the same way and we're not a monolithic entity of Blackness, but there's a difference between communities built up on centuries of oppression and trying to keep culture alive and communities built because the participants like to have oh so freaky sex every once in a while.
The kink community can't be compared to the "black community". Straight up. For Rock to do so – no, for her to use a Black character to hold Blackness and Black people to one standard while giving (largely white) kinksters all the leeway – is disgusting.
Later, when Miles' friend Dave mentions a Black Domme participating in a Ferguson-themed scene at a BDSM club called Cobalt, not only does Miles brush it off as "just role –play" but then he says the same thing about other kinksters dressed as Nazis at the same club earlier in the year.
(Because apparently, erotic fantasy and desire is somehow above critique. I kept waiting for Miles to be all about that race play because this book just kept rubbing me the wrong way throughout…)
Look, this is peak whiteness.
There is no way that doing a freaking FERGUSON-THEMED BDSM SCENE is appropriate. It's fucked up that this author (who is probably not black, let's be real here) There's no way that any Black person wouldn't have a visceral reaction to someone (even another Black person) participating in a scene that sexualizes one of the most intense times of recent Black history where a bright spotlight was shined on the realities of being Black in America. There is nothing sexy about protesting because a cop murdered an unarmed Black young man and got rewarded for it.
Seriously, J A Rock: what the actual fuck were you smoking when you wrote this?
Let's also talk about how Rock follows that lovely tidbit up by having Miles then say, "If kink had to look PC, there'd be no female subs with male doms, ever."
Cut to me screaming inside of my head because are you fucking kidding me with this shit? Really? Politically correct? Not wanting people to dress up as the gleeful participants in genocide or to sexualize events that only occurred due to a Black boy being murdered and then left in the streets for HOURS is somehow politically correct?
REALLY?
This shit here is why I don't deal with kinksters or the kink community anymore despite how much I wish I could. I don't feel safe in kinky spaces as a Black person because I don't know when someone's going to assume I'm interested in raceplay because I'm Black and whip out a racist comment at me. (Mind you, I had to deactivate my FetLife account because almost all of the messages I was getting were from white couples who wanted a "jungle bunny" slave to be the third in their relationships.)
If being politically correct in kink means that people who get off on jacking off to memories of racism, genocide, and violence against marginalized people can't do that without getting shouted down, I'm all the fuck for it.
And of course, his non-black friends are the voices of reasons pointing out how problematic he's being… Because again, this book is peak whiteness.
I also hate how this book is full of racist micro and macro aggressions.
First, despite how much Miles hates how his sister Malina tries to police his racial identity, he keeps doing it to her. (The narrative of adoption in this book by the way is extremely worrisome and I don't enjoy how adoptees of color or birth parents are framed at several points.)
Then, there's a scene where Miles' friends show up with a cake with a mustachioed Black man printed on it and they're like "he sort of looks like you". These are his friends and they're making a "haha black people all look alike" joke at him.
How about how when Miles and his new love Drix (a white guy named after Jimmy Hendrix, by the way) sit down and are talking in chapter nine, there's this incredibly awkward moment where Drix compares people walking away from him because he's so freaking tall to people walking away from Miles because he's black.
They have such a cute moment but it's like… still a microagression. More so, it's a moment framed around a racist microaggression that's then played for laughs.
Geez.
Miles is the epitome of a brown paper doll. He's a character who's supposed to be Black but whose experiences, identity, and politics are so removed from actual portrayals of Blackness that you're kind of viewing him as a puppet parroting Rock's own politics.
Yes, there were things I liked about this book. I liked Miles' trials and worries about being a parent. I liked that he did have a realistic worry about how "normal" his kinks were and how they'd affect his parenting. I liked Drix, vampyrisim and all.
However, none of that makes up for the fact that this book was a hot ass racist mess in many ways. I got Pain Slut because the kink content seemed to dovetail neatly with my kinks. I finished it because I needed to know how the ending would go.
I won't be reading the rest of the books in the series.
June 25, 2016
Totally wasn't expecting to like it, much less love it, but I did. Review to come.
January 12, 2016
A kinky BR with Cupcake
Possible spoilers below.
Book 2 of the the Subs Club series took me beyond my comfort zone, but it was worth it. 'Pain Slut' may have been intense on the S&M side of things, but it also had the humour, romance, and friendship that I loved in book 1.
Miles is planning his exit from the BDSM community, so that he can focus on the child he hopes to adopt. He believes that being kinky, especially a pain slut, would make him a bad father. Miles has come to terms with his decision, until he meets Drix Seger, a sadistic vampyre who would love to make Miles bleed.
The vampyre angle was completely unexpected, and at first my reaction mirrored Miles' - I thought the whole thing was childish. But Drix won me over slowly. His commitment to being a better sadist for Miles was oddly sweet. Their relationship grows slowly, and it was fun to see it happen. Both of them came out of their shells around one another - Miles becomes less serious, and Drix becomes the kinky dom he didn't know he wanted to be. The romance has the same light easiness that we saw in book 1, with the lovebirds just sort of fitting together.
The kink in 'Pain Slut' was very different from what I usually read. I'm more of a D/s kind of guy. Yet the S&M scenes were written so sensually that I could see the appeal it had for Miles and Drix. The sex in this book is intense and visceral, but there was also an underlying sense of vulnerability. I found myself re-reading paragraphs that I would usually skim over as quickly as possible.
And then there was the plot line of Miles wanting to be a father. I thought the author handled the complications of being active in BDSM while raising a child very well. There's an acknowledgement of how parents would have to change some parts of their lifestyle, while also calling out the unfair social stigma. I loved that Drix was the one who showed Miles that he didn't need to abandon one part of his life so that he could start a new one. It added another layer to their relationship. I'm really hoping that J.A. Rock gives us an update on how things turn out with the new family.
It was also great to see the other members of the Subs Club again. Their antics, and their bond with one another, add to the story rather than becoming distractions. I enjoyed every scene where the four were together. Their interactions are just hilarious.
This series, and the group of friends that it's about, have completely won me over. I'm stoked for Kamen's story in Manties in a Twist!
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
Possible spoilers below.
Book 2 of the the Subs Club series took me beyond my comfort zone, but it was worth it. 'Pain Slut' may have been intense on the S&M side of things, but it also had the humour, romance, and friendship that I loved in book 1.
Miles is planning his exit from the BDSM community, so that he can focus on the child he hopes to adopt. He believes that being kinky, especially a pain slut, would make him a bad father. Miles has come to terms with his decision, until he meets Drix Seger, a sadistic vampyre who would love to make Miles bleed.
The vampyre angle was completely unexpected, and at first my reaction mirrored Miles' - I thought the whole thing was childish. But Drix won me over slowly. His commitment to being a better sadist for Miles was oddly sweet. Their relationship grows slowly, and it was fun to see it happen. Both of them came out of their shells around one another - Miles becomes less serious, and Drix becomes the kinky dom he didn't know he wanted to be. The romance has the same light easiness that we saw in book 1, with the lovebirds just sort of fitting together.
The kink in 'Pain Slut' was very different from what I usually read. I'm more of a D/s kind of guy. Yet the S&M scenes were written so sensually that I could see the appeal it had for Miles and Drix. The sex in this book is intense and visceral, but there was also an underlying sense of vulnerability. I found myself re-reading paragraphs that I would usually skim over as quickly as possible.
And then there was the plot line of Miles wanting to be a father. I thought the author handled the complications of being active in BDSM while raising a child very well. There's an acknowledgement of how parents would have to change some parts of their lifestyle, while also calling out the unfair social stigma. I loved that Drix was the one who showed Miles that he didn't need to abandon one part of his life so that he could start a new one. It added another layer to their relationship. I'm really hoping that J.A. Rock gives us an update on how things turn out with the new family.
It was also great to see the other members of the Subs Club again. Their antics, and their bond with one another, add to the story rather than becoming distractions. I enjoyed every scene where the four were together. Their interactions are just hilarious.
This series, and the group of friends that it's about, have completely won me over. I'm stoked for Kamen's story in Manties in a Twist!
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
January 20, 2016
Pain slut is for those who want to take a walk on the edgier side of BDSM. For those who are interested in SM and wonder what can be done to a person, Ms. Rock totally rocks it. I am beyond impressed with her portray of those who enjoy pain and enjoy cbt. In this amazing story, it is all about Miles. Miles sounds like a mild manner man especially since he owns his t-shirt printing business. What is surprise is his addiction to intense pain. He bottoms hard and requires absolutely no warm up. In fact, the first scene in this book hooked me in and I'm completely blown away.
This story is more than just being a masochist. There are multiple layers here as Miles tries to balance his kink life with his desire to have a family. What does it mean to have a family? Is it his dream to have a son to raise or can it expand to have a lover and raise a child together? There are several different threads going on in this thread and they are all well developed and blended together into a rich and vibrant story.
Miles is at a crossroad in his life. He wants to start a family. He is close to adopting a child. In order to be a good father, he believes he needs to stop all this kinky shenanigans. He feels he needs to be responsible and deny that part of himself. Just reading this line of thought kills me. When Miles meets a man who is a sadist and not into BDSM, now he is even more torn. Drix is a thirty year old man who enjoys giving pain and he happens to be in a vampyre coven. Yes, the story just became a whole lot stranger. Yet Ms. Rock makes it all work. Both Miles and Drix are complex characters with depth. I may not enjoy what either does and not really understand some of their kinks, but I can totally relate to the two of them. I like Miles and Drix; I admire them, even when Miles is being hurtful and a jerk.
From a romance perspective this story is fabulous. I love how the Miles and Drix's relationship grows. Drix learning how to be a sexual sadist is a great look into how a new top can interact and learn with a very experienced bottom. The scenes Miles and Drix have are phenomenal. The accuracy with emotions, safety and skill are impressive. Either Ms. Rock has been moonlighting as a switch or she has been spending a lot of time researching. This is not a simple watch one scene and get it. The kind of understanding Ms. Rock exhibits and then relays to the reader requires quite the immersive environment. The graduation scene Drix creates for Miles is a masochist's fantasy come true. I am left speechless, aroused and wanting to experience it.
The BDSM in this story is out of the world. This is the kind of kink I like. This is the kind I am familiar with because of the lifestylers around me. Whilst I am not into the saline solution, it is popular. The knife play, predicament bondage and staples really pushed me over the edge into kinky bliss. Every scene depicted in this book is plausible. In addition, I have seen more bloodplay than in this book. There are a couple of items I do want to warn those who want to use this book as a manual. First of all, DON'T. None of these should be done without someone with experience to help. Well, unless the person is in the medical field, then that would probably be okay. Second, sounding with non-sterile items is not recommended. In the scene where plastic beads on a flogger are pushed into Mile's penis, do not do this. Can it be done? Yes. Is it recommended, no. If you really want to do this, slip a lubricated condom over the item. Because urinary tract infections are possible for men and it isn't pleasant for them either. Third, if you are going to share whips, vinegar and antiseptic mouthwash is not exactly enough. There should also be a length of time for the whip to be aired out to dry. Leaving a whip in the sun will help disinfect it better. There are other cleaning agents too, but I digress. I did learn a new tool which I had to look up. Healthvana is a real app and it really does what it says in the book. Wow. I need to share this with my local community and ask my doctor about it.
Kink, romance and character development aside, I really enjoyed the tone of this book. This story is more serious because Miles is more serious than David. The anal retentiveness of Miles is nicely balanced out by Drix's soothing calmness and spontaneity. The secondary characters, all part of "The Sub's club" are still there for their comic relief. There is one little teasing scene which just amuses me to no end. Switchy Monty Python lovers will get the joke.
Gould seemed genuinely pleased on my behalf. “And Miles isn’t really a sub!” Kamen informed Gould. “He’s a bottom who likes to dom his tops!”
Gould mock-gasped as he put the lid back on the guac.
“Kick him out of the Subs Club.”
“He’s a witch!” David cried.
“Burn the witch!”
“You guys. I really do like being submissive. Sometimes.”
“He’s a switch!” David cried without missing a beat. “Burn the switch!”
Le sigh. They all descended on me, chanting “Burn the switch!” and pretending to gnaw on me. (Kindle loc. 3216-3223)
This is my favourite book to date from the talented Ms. Rock. This new series she is writing is a breath of fresh air. Her exploration of different types of kink is a journey I am happily joining in for the ride. This kinky book is highly recommended to BDSM readers who want to see what it is like to be on the cutting edge.
*provided by NetGalley
This story is more than just being a masochist. There are multiple layers here as Miles tries to balance his kink life with his desire to have a family. What does it mean to have a family? Is it his dream to have a son to raise or can it expand to have a lover and raise a child together? There are several different threads going on in this thread and they are all well developed and blended together into a rich and vibrant story.
Miles is at a crossroad in his life. He wants to start a family. He is close to adopting a child. In order to be a good father, he believes he needs to stop all this kinky shenanigans. He feels he needs to be responsible and deny that part of himself. Just reading this line of thought kills me. When Miles meets a man who is a sadist and not into BDSM, now he is even more torn. Drix is a thirty year old man who enjoys giving pain and he happens to be in a vampyre coven. Yes, the story just became a whole lot stranger. Yet Ms. Rock makes it all work. Both Miles and Drix are complex characters with depth. I may not enjoy what either does and not really understand some of their kinks, but I can totally relate to the two of them. I like Miles and Drix; I admire them, even when Miles is being hurtful and a jerk.
From a romance perspective this story is fabulous. I love how the Miles and Drix's relationship grows. Drix learning how to be a sexual sadist is a great look into how a new top can interact and learn with a very experienced bottom. The scenes Miles and Drix have are phenomenal. The accuracy with emotions, safety and skill are impressive. Either Ms. Rock has been moonlighting as a switch or she has been spending a lot of time researching. This is not a simple watch one scene and get it. The kind of understanding Ms. Rock exhibits and then relays to the reader requires quite the immersive environment. The graduation scene Drix creates for Miles is a masochist's fantasy come true. I am left speechless, aroused and wanting to experience it.
The BDSM in this story is out of the world. This is the kind of kink I like. This is the kind I am familiar with because of the lifestylers around me. Whilst I am not into the saline solution, it is popular. The knife play, predicament bondage and staples really pushed me over the edge into kinky bliss. Every scene depicted in this book is plausible. In addition, I have seen more bloodplay than in this book. There are a couple of items I do want to warn those who want to use this book as a manual. First of all, DON'T. None of these should be done without someone with experience to help. Well, unless the person is in the medical field, then that would probably be okay. Second, sounding with non-sterile items is not recommended. In the scene where plastic beads on a flogger are pushed into Mile's penis, do not do this. Can it be done? Yes. Is it recommended, no. If you really want to do this, slip a lubricated condom over the item. Because urinary tract infections are possible for men and it isn't pleasant for them either. Third, if you are going to share whips, vinegar and antiseptic mouthwash is not exactly enough. There should also be a length of time for the whip to be aired out to dry. Leaving a whip in the sun will help disinfect it better. There are other cleaning agents too, but I digress. I did learn a new tool which I had to look up. Healthvana is a real app and it really does what it says in the book. Wow. I need to share this with my local community and ask my doctor about it.
Kink, romance and character development aside, I really enjoyed the tone of this book. This story is more serious because Miles is more serious than David. The anal retentiveness of Miles is nicely balanced out by Drix's soothing calmness and spontaneity. The secondary characters, all part of "The Sub's club" are still there for their comic relief. There is one little teasing scene which just amuses me to no end. Switchy Monty Python lovers will get the joke.
Gould seemed genuinely pleased on my behalf. “And Miles isn’t really a sub!” Kamen informed Gould. “He’s a bottom who likes to dom his tops!”
Gould mock-gasped as he put the lid back on the guac.
“Kick him out of the Subs Club.”
“He’s a witch!” David cried.
“Burn the witch!”
“You guys. I really do like being submissive. Sometimes.”
“He’s a switch!” David cried without missing a beat. “Burn the switch!”
Le sigh. They all descended on me, chanting “Burn the switch!” and pretending to gnaw on me. (Kindle loc. 3216-3223)
This is my favourite book to date from the talented Ms. Rock. This new series she is writing is a breath of fresh air. Her exploration of different types of kink is a journey I am happily joining in for the ride. This kinky book is highly recommended to BDSM readers who want to see what it is like to be on the cutting edge.
*provided by NetGalley
January 2, 2016
ALL ABOARD THE KINK TRAIN!
Pain Slut took me outside of my comfort zone in many ways, and in others showed just how all relationships, even the kinky ones, are all the same at the core. We all just want someone to love us for who we are, to please each other, and to have our needs met, whatever they may be.
This is well written and I was not surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I was surprised that I didn't spend my time peeking at the pages through my fingers...all the kink was well handled and really interesting to me throughout.
Told entirely from twenty-eight year old Miles Loucks' perspective, Miles is a button cardigan wearing pain pig, or masochist, who really enjoys being hurt. But Miles has decided in the last year that it's time for him to step away from the BDSM scene and become a father. He's completed all of the necessary applications and is readying for the final home inspections. It's only then that he tells his three best friends, Dave, Kamen, and Gould, about his plans.
The guys are surprised to say the least and, at first, not totally supportive. Besides not knowing how a masochist would do as a single parent, Miles is the know-it-all of their Subs Club, and they were counting on him to be one of their outreach speakers. But Miles is sure that putting this part of his life behind him is what he needs to do in order to be a good father.
Then he meets twenty-nine year old Drix Seger at work and agrees to a date. After an explosively passionate first time together, Miles confesses his kink; that he's a masochist. Drix confesses he's a sadist and a Vampyre. The first sets Miles' heart aflutter, because a real, honest-to-goodness sadist is like manna from heaven, but the whole "vampyre" thing freaks him out and he runs, because come on...vampyre?
Miles tells part of the story to the guys, about his fantastic night and the disappointing end (though not why he ran) and the guys actually end up convincing Miles to give Drix another chance, and while he's at it (and before his pending fatherhood forces him to put up his kinky boots) to write up a Pain Slut Bucket List and see if he can't get Drix to help him tick some of those items off.
I love that Drix is more than willing to learn all the ways to give Miles pain and Miles learns that going at it alone isn't really necessary. I also loved that, once again, the friendship of the four Subs Club members is the cornerstone of the story upon which all else is built.
I feel like Rock does a good job balancing the kink and erotica with the story in this installment of the series. Even though it was outside of my comfort zone I enjoyed the story. The humor throughout helped a lot to ease some of my discomfort. I really liked Drix, and would have loved to have gotten more time with him. Hopefully he'll play a bigger role in the coming books.
If I have one complaint it's that the ending felt a bit rushed; I would have preferred a little more build-up and resolution.
On the whole, I enjoyed this, even more than the first book, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series!
RECOMMENDED!
Advanced Review Copy generously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
Pain Slut took me outside of my comfort zone in many ways, and in others showed just how all relationships, even the kinky ones, are all the same at the core. We all just want someone to love us for who we are, to please each other, and to have our needs met, whatever they may be.
This is well written and I was not surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. I was surprised that I didn't spend my time peeking at the pages through my fingers...all the kink was well handled and really interesting to me throughout.
Told entirely from twenty-eight year old Miles Loucks' perspective, Miles is a button cardigan wearing pain pig, or masochist, who really enjoys being hurt. But Miles has decided in the last year that it's time for him to step away from the BDSM scene and become a father. He's completed all of the necessary applications and is readying for the final home inspections. It's only then that he tells his three best friends, Dave, Kamen, and Gould, about his plans.
The guys are surprised to say the least and, at first, not totally supportive. Besides not knowing how a masochist would do as a single parent, Miles is the know-it-all of their Subs Club, and they were counting on him to be one of their outreach speakers. But Miles is sure that putting this part of his life behind him is what he needs to do in order to be a good father.
Then he meets twenty-nine year old Drix Seger at work and agrees to a date. After an explosively passionate first time together, Miles confesses his kink; that he's a masochist. Drix confesses he's a sadist and a Vampyre. The first sets Miles' heart aflutter, because a real, honest-to-goodness sadist is like manna from heaven, but the whole "vampyre" thing freaks him out and he runs, because come on...vampyre?
Miles tells part of the story to the guys, about his fantastic night and the disappointing end (though not why he ran) and the guys actually end up convincing Miles to give Drix another chance, and while he's at it (and before his pending fatherhood forces him to put up his kinky boots) to write up a Pain Slut Bucket List and see if he can't get Drix to help him tick some of those items off.
I love that Drix is more than willing to learn all the ways to give Miles pain and Miles learns that going at it alone isn't really necessary. I also loved that, once again, the friendship of the four Subs Club members is the cornerstone of the story upon which all else is built.
I feel like Rock does a good job balancing the kink and erotica with the story in this installment of the series. Even though it was outside of my comfort zone I enjoyed the story. The humor throughout helped a lot to ease some of my discomfort. I really liked Drix, and would have loved to have gotten more time with him. Hopefully he'll play a bigger role in the coming books.
If I have one complaint it's that the ending felt a bit rushed; I would have preferred a little more build-up and resolution.
On the whole, I enjoyed this, even more than the first book, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series!
RECOMMENDED!
Advanced Review Copy generously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
April 2, 2016
This definitely pushed some boundaries when it comes to S+M but I'm proud to say I pushed through and really enjoyed it! This book is full of juxtapositions (I think that's the right word), Miles' character, Drix's character and the general storyline.
I loved how Miles is this uptight 'put-together' man who was in the process of adopting a baby but was also this massive and I mean MASSIVE hard-core pain slut. This is how hard-core, in one of the scenes he does in the middle of the book (not an opening to the book or the intense closing scene) he gets his cock stapled.... stapled shut!! don't believe me? look!
Click. A sharp, startling bite as the first staple went in, half under the ridge and half buried in the head.
Click. Click. Bowser made a circle around the ridge. I jerked and sucked in air. He wiped up the blood droplets with an alcohol pad, and the alcohol stung my slit so badly my legs spasmed. Then he put the stapler right over my slit. I flinched.
Drix was so sweet and such a relaxing presence that he really was perfect for Miles. I did not understand the whole vampyre thing at all, but I loved it!
“I know it sounds strange. But I promise I’m not, you know, crazy. I love getting to play a role that feels so real to me. But I understand that it is a role. It’s entwined with who I am, but it doesn’t define me.”
This book was definitely heavier than the previous one but we were dealing with alot more serious issues. I really really enjoyed it though! The ending had me so incredibly happy.
psst, also the sex was really passionate , which I loved because it was new for Miles and you could tell it was different for him, that it really meant something.
I loved how Miles is this uptight 'put-together' man who was in the process of adopting a baby but was also this massive and I mean MASSIVE hard-core pain slut. This is how hard-core, in one of the scenes he does in the middle of the book (not an opening to the book or the intense closing scene) he gets his cock stapled.... stapled shut!! don't believe me? look!
Click. A sharp, startling bite as the first staple went in, half under the ridge and half buried in the head.
Click. Click. Bowser made a circle around the ridge. I jerked and sucked in air. He wiped up the blood droplets with an alcohol pad, and the alcohol stung my slit so badly my legs spasmed. Then he put the stapler right over my slit. I flinched.
Drix was so sweet and such a relaxing presence that he really was perfect for Miles. I did not understand the whole vampyre thing at all, but I loved it!
“I know it sounds strange. But I promise I’m not, you know, crazy. I love getting to play a role that feels so real to me. But I understand that it is a role. It’s entwined with who I am, but it doesn’t define me.”
This book was definitely heavier than the previous one but we were dealing with alot more serious issues. I really really enjoyed it though! The ending had me so incredibly happy.
psst, also the sex was really passionate , which I loved because it was new for Miles and you could tell it was different for him, that it really meant something.
October 29, 2017
This was my face the entire I was reading this --> O.O
When I read the first book in this series The Subs Club I went into it with some trepidation thinking it might be too much for me. It wasn't though and I was shocked at how funny it was. So I let my guard down and went into this with visions of more of the same. Silly, silly me. This was way outside my comfort zone. I had to stop multiple times and google what I was reading because there were so many things I had never heard of before. Despite this kink not being my kink I still really enjoyed this book. The author did such a great job developing these two MC's that you can't help but love them and their relationship. Miles is not the funny, outgoing narrator that David was. He's pretty serious and he lives inside his head a lot. I wasn't sure about him in the last book but I understood him in this one and I really identified with him in a lot of ways. I felt like his struggle to adopt a child and the feelings surrounding that were really well done. Drix was a fascinating character to me. Much like Pornstache in book one, Drix was a very atypical love interest. He's a grown man in a trench coat who is a vamprye. Yeah I know it sounds crazy. But trust me. You'll not only accept it. You'll love him. The two of them together were really good and I loved the way their relationship develops in steps. Not only with the emotion but as they develop their sexual relationship as well.
This was a really good read for me and I'm loving this series. I love that the author is giving us very non-traditional MC's in non-traditional relationships. They all seem so human and so real. I can't wait for the next books in this series.
*ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
When I read the first book in this series The Subs Club I went into it with some trepidation thinking it might be too much for me. It wasn't though and I was shocked at how funny it was. So I let my guard down and went into this with visions of more of the same. Silly, silly me. This was way outside my comfort zone. I had to stop multiple times and google what I was reading because there were so many things I had never heard of before. Despite this kink not being my kink I still really enjoyed this book. The author did such a great job developing these two MC's that you can't help but love them and their relationship. Miles is not the funny, outgoing narrator that David was. He's pretty serious and he lives inside his head a lot. I wasn't sure about him in the last book but I understood him in this one and I really identified with him in a lot of ways. I felt like his struggle to adopt a child and the feelings surrounding that were really well done. Drix was a fascinating character to me. Much like Pornstache in book one, Drix was a very atypical love interest. He's a grown man in a trench coat who is a vamprye. Yeah I know it sounds crazy. But trust me. You'll not only accept it. You'll love him. The two of them together were really good and I loved the way their relationship develops in steps. Not only with the emotion but as they develop their sexual relationship as well.
This was a really good read for me and I'm loving this series. I love that the author is giving us very non-traditional MC's in non-traditional relationships. They all seem so human and so real. I can't wait for the next books in this series.
*ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
December 22, 2015
Holy Hell!! 4 Painful stars - Not for the faint of heart
So this is Miles' story and oh what a story it is!
Our two main characters in this episode of "The Subs Club" are Miles and Drix. When we first met Miles in The Subs Club he was portrayed as the "Mr. Rogers" of the club of submissives.
With his cardigans and higher than average knowledge of all things BDSM he didn't appear like he would be much fun. Well the author really shocks you when she lets you inside the world and head of Miles. Miles is a Grade A+ pain slut who gives new meaning to the term masochist.
Drix Seger, he is something of an enigma himself. Tall and blonde with these pointy teeth. Oh did I forget to mention he is a Vampyre?
No not your traditional blood sucking Vampire but a Vampyre, one who feeds off the energy of others. Oh and he is a Sadist. A True Sadist - like he has this innate desire to inflict pain on others and see how they handle it and react to what he does to them.
When Miles and Drix meet -
The Premise of this story is Miles wants to give up his Kinky ways because he wants to become a Dad. He is in the process of adoption. So with the help of his "sub Club" friends he decides to make a kinky bucket list of all the things he wants to experience before he gets his child. And so it begins.. While Drix is a Sadist he is not a Dominant. He is willing to learn and he is an A+ student. This works out because as we find out Miles isn't a traditional submissive he can take or leave the yes, sir as long as his play partner brings the pain.
Let me tell you this book - wow, just I don't even know what to say!
It pushed my boundaries and I wasn't even the submissive! I had to google so many things and there are pictures I have seen now that I will never unsee! But I FLoved IT!!
If you cannot handle aggressive sexual situations or impact play, medieval torture, hooking of certain orifices, intense pain, medical play, body modifications, and more.. or if you don't have the time to look up half these things then you might not want to read this book.
If you are curious then, by all means..Come and see the kinkiest book in a while!
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Beyond all the kink, this is still a series and we do get to see the other members of the "Sub Club" and catch up with what they are doing. I was happy to see a sorta resolution from book one for "Big D and Little d" as I admit I was angry the way The Subs Club ended.
There is also a great story of learning to love and trust that Miles and Drix travel on throughout this book. I totally appreciate how everything in this book was well researched (trust me I checked) and how the author was able to weave a kinky tale with a romantic undertone. It was great watching Drix come into his "Dom-hood" (yes I made that word up) and there was some definite humor in this story.
I have to say again I am a little let down by the ending. It was rushed and I hate not having a concrete happily ever after or even an unhappy ending - just give me a complete resolution to the conflict and I will be happy. Was it enough to turn me off the next book in the series? No. I will be eagerly awaiting Manties in a Twist and 24/7. Cannot wait to see the guys again!
Full Review Posted at
Gay Book Reviews
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
So this is Miles' story and oh what a story it is!
Our two main characters in this episode of "The Subs Club" are Miles and Drix. When we first met Miles in The Subs Club he was portrayed as the "Mr. Rogers" of the club of submissives.
With his cardigans and higher than average knowledge of all things BDSM he didn't appear like he would be much fun. Well the author really shocks you when she lets you inside the world and head of Miles. Miles is a Grade A+ pain slut who gives new meaning to the term masochist.
Drix Seger, he is something of an enigma himself. Tall and blonde with these pointy teeth. Oh did I forget to mention he is a Vampyre?
No not your traditional blood sucking Vampire but a Vampyre, one who feeds off the energy of others. Oh and he is a Sadist. A True Sadist - like he has this innate desire to inflict pain on others and see how they handle it and react to what he does to them.
When Miles and Drix meet -
The Premise of this story is Miles wants to give up his Kinky ways because he wants to become a Dad. He is in the process of adoption. So with the help of his "sub Club" friends he decides to make a kinky bucket list of all the things he wants to experience before he gets his child. And so it begins.. While Drix is a Sadist he is not a Dominant. He is willing to learn and he is an A+ student. This works out because as we find out Miles isn't a traditional submissive he can take or leave the yes, sir as long as his play partner brings the pain.
Let me tell you this book - wow, just I don't even know what to say!
It pushed my boundaries and I wasn't even the submissive! I had to google so many things and there are pictures I have seen now that I will never unsee! But I FLoved IT!!
If you cannot handle aggressive sexual situations or impact play, medieval torture, hooking of certain orifices, intense pain, medical play, body modifications, and more.. or if you don't have the time to look up half these things then you might not want to read this book.
If you are curious then, by all means..Come and see the kinkiest book in a while!
Beyond all the kink, this is still a series and we do get to see the other members of the "Sub Club" and catch up with what they are doing. I was happy to see a sorta resolution from book one for "Big D and Little d" as I admit I was angry the way The Subs Club ended.
There is also a great story of learning to love and trust that Miles and Drix travel on throughout this book. I totally appreciate how everything in this book was well researched (trust me I checked) and how the author was able to weave a kinky tale with a romantic undertone. It was great watching Drix come into his "Dom-hood" (yes I made that word up) and there was some definite humor in this story.
I have to say again I am a little let down by the ending. It was rushed and I hate not having a concrete happily ever after or even an unhappy ending - just give me a complete resolution to the conflict and I will be happy. Was it enough to turn me off the next book in the series? No. I will be eagerly awaiting Manties in a Twist and 24/7. Cannot wait to see the guys again!
Full Review Posted at
Gay Book Reviews
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
November 2, 2018
Review to come when I am less ragey.
March 1, 2016
Whatever you are reading now, I suggest you put it down and pick up the The Subs Club. Be prepared for a truly extraordinary reading experience. I came to this series with an open mind, The Subs Club is funny, and poignant and hot, and Pain Slut repeats the experience all over again, with even more intensity and verve.
This book is amazing on so many levels, it is clever, and thought-provoking and pulls the curtain back on hidden prejudice and social stigma with humour, compassion, insight and bucket loads of fun too.
In honesty, pain is not a kink that I am drawn to. I started this book with some trepidation, but I need not have worried. The depiction of Miles' masochism, had me agape and my eyes watering, but here's the thing, it is so effectively captured that you can understand what drives Miles without sharing his proclivities (or thankfully his social awkwardness).
Miles is a perfectionist and sets himself high ideals. He is keen to become an adoptive parent and believes that as a perspective father and role model he cannot indulge his masochism and must therefore give up kink for impending parenthood.
Miles' best laid plans are thrown off course by the arrival of Drix, hot and sexy, Vampyre sadist. Again, this book unwraps prejudice, unravels and re-examines stereotyping and conformity with wit and charm.
Drix's revelation is a surprise to Miles, who like me has a tendency to over think things however, Drix's easy going nature and preference to live in the moment is exactly what Miles needs.
The interaction between these guys is touching, humorous and passionate. The writing moves beyond their kinks and foibles to shine on their humanity.
Obviously the BDSM dynamic is scorching too as Drix discovers his latent kinky dom abilities under the mentorship of Miles' long-term play partner Bowser. I may have been out of my comfort zone but I was captivated by the sensuality of Drix and Miles and their attraction and care for one and other.
This brings me to the diversity in the book, it is crammed full of difference, different thought patterns, different dress styles, different backgrounds and experience, different hopes and expectations for the future, but the diversity brings lightness, and variety and acceptance.
Rock depicts vibrancy and captures the humanity of the experience in the mundane. The story explores friendship and love and acceptance that makes this a really uplifting cocktail of a read.
Everyday life is depicted, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the extraordinary, ordinary it is a clever lens and illustrates the vagaries of life with humour and compassion.
The pacing of Pain Slut is perfect and the dialogue superb. The interaction between Miles and his friends is hilarious. I cannot recommend this book or the series highly enough for insight and charm and a celebration of friendship.
* A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
This book is amazing on so many levels, it is clever, and thought-provoking and pulls the curtain back on hidden prejudice and social stigma with humour, compassion, insight and bucket loads of fun too.
In honesty, pain is not a kink that I am drawn to. I started this book with some trepidation, but I need not have worried. The depiction of Miles' masochism, had me agape and my eyes watering, but here's the thing, it is so effectively captured that you can understand what drives Miles without sharing his proclivities (or thankfully his social awkwardness).
Miles is a perfectionist and sets himself high ideals. He is keen to become an adoptive parent and believes that as a perspective father and role model he cannot indulge his masochism and must therefore give up kink for impending parenthood.
Miles' best laid plans are thrown off course by the arrival of Drix, hot and sexy, Vampyre sadist. Again, this book unwraps prejudice, unravels and re-examines stereotyping and conformity with wit and charm.
Drix's revelation is a surprise to Miles, who like me has a tendency to over think things however, Drix's easy going nature and preference to live in the moment is exactly what Miles needs.
The interaction between these guys is touching, humorous and passionate. The writing moves beyond their kinks and foibles to shine on their humanity.
Obviously the BDSM dynamic is scorching too as Drix discovers his latent kinky dom abilities under the mentorship of Miles' long-term play partner Bowser. I may have been out of my comfort zone but I was captivated by the sensuality of Drix and Miles and their attraction and care for one and other.
This brings me to the diversity in the book, it is crammed full of difference, different thought patterns, different dress styles, different backgrounds and experience, different hopes and expectations for the future, but the diversity brings lightness, and variety and acceptance.
Rock depicts vibrancy and captures the humanity of the experience in the mundane. The story explores friendship and love and acceptance that makes this a really uplifting cocktail of a read.
Everyday life is depicted, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the extraordinary, ordinary it is a clever lens and illustrates the vagaries of life with humour and compassion.
The pacing of Pain Slut is perfect and the dialogue superb. The interaction between Miles and his friends is hilarious. I cannot recommend this book or the series highly enough for insight and charm and a celebration of friendship.
* A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
February 3, 2016
4.5 stars
Review @ Oh My Shelves Blog
Mind Blown!!! Where do I start? How about I freaking love this. Miles and Drix are adorable. Everything about this is completely out of my comfort zone and realm. That didn't turn me off from the relationship between Miles and Drix. Sadomasochism and Vampyres with a Y is not in my realm, but I Love these two.
Miles from book one The Subs Club was uptight and a know it all. He's not really that different, but we get an understanding of why he is the way he is. That opening scene left me cringing. Yikes, my lady parts were trying to go back into my body. LOL, the introduction between Miles and Drix were hilarious. I liked Drix's energy the entire book. I mean, if he would have told me what he told Miles I would have skipped away from him. He was so calm, peaceful, and serene. I just think he is a stand up guy. He is definitely needed for Miles character. I think they counterbalanced each other out so well.
Miles is super complex to me. I can picture him in my mind, and I just want to hug him. He dealt with a ton of personal issues, and the whole adopting a kid pulled at my heartstrings. You have to be a confident person to adopt a baby by yourself, that's how I see it. I applaud him for not waiting on society's norm on what a family should be. I think J.A. did a phenomenal job at the writing. I thought him being in panic mode was hilarious, but realistic as well. I really wanted a Zach chapter, I kinda was rooting for him since he was mentioned. I need an update pronto on that end.
I ended up googling so many things in this story. That Iron Maiden sound so scary, but then they had this bridle contraption that had me cringing. That entire scene was hard for me to get through, but Miles acceptance at the end of it was worth it. Got side tracked by a pig hole video. **Shudders** That's not for me, YouTube Bowser's laugh and it creeped me out. Eww that laugh was scary, I don't know how Miles was able to keep it up. Literally. Bowser was a sweet guy. I think my stomach was in knots every time they played with the pain aspect. I didn't expect it to be this severe, but it was authentic. Loved seeing the The Sub Club again. Poor sweet stupid Kamen! He had a really funny scene with Ryan. I died. It was hilarious, plus the guys reactions. Dave is still funny. I can't with him, and I love that Dave wanted to stick up for everyone. I can't wait for the next installment. This was such a good story. This series rocks so far.
**Special thanks to Netgalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review @ Oh My Shelves Blog
Mind Blown!!! Where do I start? How about I freaking love this. Miles and Drix are adorable. Everything about this is completely out of my comfort zone and realm. That didn't turn me off from the relationship between Miles and Drix. Sadomasochism and Vampyres with a Y is not in my realm, but I Love these two.
Miles from book one The Subs Club was uptight and a know it all. He's not really that different, but we get an understanding of why he is the way he is. That opening scene left me cringing. Yikes, my lady parts were trying to go back into my body. LOL, the introduction between Miles and Drix were hilarious. I liked Drix's energy the entire book. I mean, if he would have told me what he told Miles I would have skipped away from him. He was so calm, peaceful, and serene. I just think he is a stand up guy. He is definitely needed for Miles character. I think they counterbalanced each other out so well.
Miles is super complex to me. I can picture him in my mind, and I just want to hug him. He dealt with a ton of personal issues, and the whole adopting a kid pulled at my heartstrings. You have to be a confident person to adopt a baby by yourself, that's how I see it. I applaud him for not waiting on society's norm on what a family should be. I think J.A. did a phenomenal job at the writing. I thought him being in panic mode was hilarious, but realistic as well. I really wanted a Zach chapter, I kinda was rooting for him since he was mentioned. I need an update pronto on that end.
I ended up googling so many things in this story. That Iron Maiden sound so scary, but then they had this bridle contraption that had me cringing. That entire scene was hard for me to get through, but Miles acceptance at the end of it was worth it. Got side tracked by a pig hole video. **Shudders** That's not for me, YouTube Bowser's laugh and it creeped me out. Eww that laugh was scary, I don't know how Miles was able to keep it up. Literally. Bowser was a sweet guy. I think my stomach was in knots every time they played with the pain aspect. I didn't expect it to be this severe, but it was authentic. Loved seeing the The Sub Club again. Poor sweet stupid Kamen! He had a really funny scene with Ryan. I died. It was hilarious, plus the guys reactions. Dave is still funny. I can't with him, and I love that Dave wanted to stick up for everyone. I can't wait for the next installment. This was such a good story. This series rocks so far.
**Special thanks to Netgalley for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2016
Now that this is out, finally, let me tell you some things about his book. This book? To me, this is practically perfect. The story is so good, the kink is so crazy good... even the stuff that I'm not all that jazzed about, and the characters are really amazing and real.
Expanding on this a bit, the kink... The respect Miles has for his kink, his knowledge, and everything he takes into a scene, it's amazing. There are things that Miles likes to do that I was personally not comfortable with, but it didn't matter because the way he feels about his kink bled into me. I have such a respect for him and what he needs, what he was looking for in a partner, and how he and Drix go about everything together. Through the evolution of their relationship, the way they communicate is fantastic and it made me enjoy the kink that Miles needs/loves, even more.
The underlying serious issues of the story that are continuing to flow in the series are all there, making the story more robust and important. You can read this as a stand alone, but it's not totally necessary. Still, I would suggest starting with The Subs Club, because it makes Pain Slut all the more awesome. I think I even liked this one more. J.A. Rock just knows how to tell a story that traps me.
I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys some heavy kink in their books, and even to those who only like a little, and can stand to have themselves tested. You'll find that this is not all about just the kink, but so much more. Bring on Manties in a Twist!
*************************************************************
December 29, 15
So, I finished this really late last night, basically not getting any sleep because of it. It's so hard to put down. Similar to the first book, the comedic parts of this book are so good, I laughed out loud in so many places where I should not have been laughing... or reading. I will write a real review once I can get my head clear, and a pot of coffee in me. But I have to say now, I loved this. Really, really, really, REALLY loved it.
Expanding on this a bit, the kink... The respect Miles has for his kink, his knowledge, and everything he takes into a scene, it's amazing. There are things that Miles likes to do that I was personally not comfortable with, but it didn't matter because the way he feels about his kink bled into me. I have such a respect for him and what he needs, what he was looking for in a partner, and how he and Drix go about everything together. Through the evolution of their relationship, the way they communicate is fantastic and it made me enjoy the kink that Miles needs/loves, even more.
The underlying serious issues of the story that are continuing to flow in the series are all there, making the story more robust and important. You can read this as a stand alone, but it's not totally necessary. Still, I would suggest starting with The Subs Club, because it makes Pain Slut all the more awesome. I think I even liked this one more. J.A. Rock just knows how to tell a story that traps me.
I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys some heavy kink in their books, and even to those who only like a little, and can stand to have themselves tested. You'll find that this is not all about just the kink, but so much more. Bring on Manties in a Twist!
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December 29, 15
So, I finished this really late last night, basically not getting any sleep because of it. It's so hard to put down. Similar to the first book, the comedic parts of this book are so good, I laughed out loud in so many places where I should not have been laughing... or reading. I will write a real review once I can get my head clear, and a pot of coffee in me. But I have to say now, I loved this. Really, really, really, REALLY loved it.
September 6, 2018
3.75 stars. I got really sucked into this book. For me, Pain Slut was better than the first Subs Club (although I did like that one too). This one felt deeper, more developed. Not just because Miles is more mature than David in many ways, but because I felt like I was really let into his mind and understood him… as uncomfortable as that was!
The author did a really good job of portraying a character who had it pretty much together, but also struggled with anxiety and insecurities, with a heaping dose of shame on the side. The plot was mostly great, and I felt emotionally invested in Miles’ journey to adopt as well as in his budding relationship. (And the conflict between these two.)
I had a few plot quibbles in the last 10% or so. A couple of all-too-convenient wrap ups, other characters stepping in to fix the MC's problems. Nothing that eliminated my enjoyment of the story overall.
I read kink books a lot, and I almost always find the kink element interesting, regardless of whether I also find it hot. I personally didn’t find this one very hot, but I can easily see how it would push buttons; the sex was written well. And I definitely felt Miles and Drix's chemistry together, both in and out of bed.
I do plan to read the others at some point, but I'll admit that I'm less interested in the other characters. So I’ll take a break for now... Too many books, too little time. :)
The author did a really good job of portraying a character who had it pretty much together, but also struggled with anxiety and insecurities, with a heaping dose of shame on the side. The plot was mostly great, and I felt emotionally invested in Miles’ journey to adopt as well as in his budding relationship. (And the conflict between these two.)
I had a few plot quibbles in the last 10% or so. A couple of all-too-convenient wrap ups, other characters stepping in to fix the MC's problems. Nothing that eliminated my enjoyment of the story overall.
I read kink books a lot, and I almost always find the kink element interesting, regardless of whether I also find it hot. I personally didn’t find this one very hot, but I can easily see how it would push buttons; the sex was written well. And I definitely felt Miles and Drix's chemistry together, both in and out of bed.
I do plan to read the others at some point, but I'll admit that I'm less interested in the other characters. So I’ll take a break for now... Too many books, too little time. :)
January 8, 2016
4+ painful, yet romantic stars!
Pain Slut - this is a book that definitely threw me for a loop! I thought The Subs Club scandalized me, but wow was I wrong after reading this second book in the series. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot more to this book than the pain and it isn't what you would normally think of when reading a book about severe punishment fetishes. This wasn't a dark book in the slightest, but quite the opposite. Just like the first book, we get some hilarious banter and scenes throughout and a deeper look into the friendships between Miles, Kamen, Dave, and Gould. Better yet, we are rewarded with some crazy scenes with Bowser (seems like a great alpha I would love to read more about) and then the mysterious, but complete sweetheart 'vampyre,' Drix. The second Miles meets Drix I knew he was it for him, not only because Drix is the sadist to Miles' masochist, but also because of the energy that seemed to spark through them both. I love how different Drix is and what he brings to the relationship. Miles is so buttoned-up in his cardigans and khakis that the spontaneity of Drix brings a refreshing air.
Not only are the sex scenes hot (doctor’s office, need I say more?), but the reason behind the punishments and rough sex (beyond rough actually) really bring the story full circle. J.A. Rock did an amazing job setting up the plot in The Subs Club and bringing it around in Pain Slut. Of course we deal with Miles trying to adopt a child and we see his struggles with that, but we also see an amazing transformation in him when he allows others in and to help him achieve what he truly wants in life – happiness and a family of his own. And while we do receive a fabulous HEA, it turned out to be so much more than I ever expected! I loved it!!!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pain Slut - this is a book that definitely threw me for a loop! I thought The Subs Club scandalized me, but wow was I wrong after reading this second book in the series. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot more to this book than the pain and it isn't what you would normally think of when reading a book about severe punishment fetishes. This wasn't a dark book in the slightest, but quite the opposite. Just like the first book, we get some hilarious banter and scenes throughout and a deeper look into the friendships between Miles, Kamen, Dave, and Gould. Better yet, we are rewarded with some crazy scenes with Bowser (seems like a great alpha I would love to read more about) and then the mysterious, but complete sweetheart 'vampyre,' Drix. The second Miles meets Drix I knew he was it for him, not only because Drix is the sadist to Miles' masochist, but also because of the energy that seemed to spark through them both. I love how different Drix is and what he brings to the relationship. Miles is so buttoned-up in his cardigans and khakis that the spontaneity of Drix brings a refreshing air.
Not only are the sex scenes hot (doctor’s office, need I say more?), but the reason behind the punishments and rough sex (beyond rough actually) really bring the story full circle. J.A. Rock did an amazing job setting up the plot in The Subs Club and bringing it around in Pain Slut. Of course we deal with Miles trying to adopt a child and we see his struggles with that, but we also see an amazing transformation in him when he allows others in and to help him achieve what he truly wants in life – happiness and a family of his own. And while we do receive a fabulous HEA, it turned out to be so much more than I ever expected! I loved it!!!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2016
*** 3.75 Stars ***
As I said at the end of my review for The Subs Club, pain and medical kink are so not my kinks, but I couldn't wait to read Miles' story. Why? Because for this series, J.A. Rock has crafted a unique group of flawed characters that I look forward to reading about. At times endearing, zany, vulnerable, annoying, pushy, sweet, supportive, funny, frustrating, and yes, kinky AF, Dave, Kamen, Miles, and Gould provide a breath of fresh air among your typical genre characters. And when you read hundreds of books a year, that's important.
As I said at the end of my review for The Subs Club, pain and medical kink are so not my kinks, but I couldn't wait to read Miles' story. Why? Because for this series, J.A. Rock has crafted a unique group of flawed characters that I look forward to reading about. At times endearing, zany, vulnerable, annoying, pushy, sweet, supportive, funny, frustrating, and yes, kinky AF, Dave, Kamen, Miles, and Gould provide a breath of fresh air among your typical genre characters. And when you read hundreds of books a year, that's important.
Read
August 10, 2016DNF at 41%
It was a big mistake to pick up the second book of the series when I didn't really enjoy the first book.
I couldn't get into the story until now and I doubt it could be changed during the second part of the book. I don't care about the characters, I don't feel what I am supposed to feel, and the description of their love play is pretty sterile and annoying for my liking.
I hate to start my reading challenge for 2016 with a DNF, but I simply can't.
This book is not bad, and it will make probably many readers happy, but it is no my kind of book. Sorry.
**Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
November 30, 2017
So hardcore and yet so tender. Can't wait to start the next one.
Drix was just the sweetest vampyre ever, while Miles a fabulously neurotic mess. Both so so human (even though one has fangs ;) )
Drix was just the sweetest vampyre ever, while Miles a fabulously neurotic mess. Both so so human (even though one has fangs ;) )
June 19, 2022
Miles se considera el mas estable, sano y sabio de su grupo de amigos, el siempre ha intentado planificar todo en su vida, lo incierto le da terror. Asi que cuando decide que quiere ser padre, pasa por lo menos un año verificando todos las posibles opciones, escogiendo la mejor agencia e intentando que su vida se vea lo mas perfecta posible, sin embargo su parte masoquista puede ser un inconveniente en el proceso de adopcion, asi que decide abandonar la escena BDSM antes de que le sea entregado su "hijo". Pero por mas que haya sido cuidadoso con sus planes, no toda sale como deberia, y comienza a sentir una atraccion por un hombre que se identifica como Vampyre (Vampiros que absorven energia), y ese tiene una propension a ser sadico que se alinea perfectamente con el masoquista de Miles.
Ahora solo tendra que ver como puede equilibrar su vida con un niño y una pareja sin que ninguno de los dos salga perjudicado, ademas de ver si puede ser feliz asi.
No es que el libro sea malo, es que no me identifique con ninguno de los personajes, me parece que muchas de las escenas son exageradas, hasta el punto de que lo erotico se pierde totalmente. Ademas las personalidades de los protas son tan opuestas que no entiendo como el autor quiere "complementarlas", porque yo no senti en ningun momento que funcionaran bien juntos, al menos no hasta que Miles se debaja querer.
Lo del niño tampoco me parecio muy apropiado para esta serie, quizas si el libro fuera en 4to o el 5to (uno de los ultimos de la serie), lo hubiera entendido, pero tan cerca del comienzo se siente como mas obligado.
Y si incluimos que pareciera que con los otros del grupo no hubieran crecido en absoluto, despues de 2 año de la muerte del amigo, es como si no hubieran avanzado, los mismos rencores, la misma actitud, senti como si los personajes no se transformaran despues de haber encontrado a su Dom ideal, entonces para que son las experiencias que nos relatan en los libros?
En fin, no se perfila como una mala serie, pero no es para mi. No hay realmente finales felices, ni personajes que han crecido, ni siquiera un avance en las carreras de niguno de ellos. Quizas el autor queria darle un aire de "realidad" al tema, pero estamos hablando de un genero de romance-gay-erotico, lo menos que uno espera es un final feliz completo para los protas.
Asi que no, no voy a continuar con esta serie, quizas mas adelante le de otra oportunidad al autor, pero por ahor lo voy a dejar hasta aqui.
Ahora solo tendra que ver como puede equilibrar su vida con un niño y una pareja sin que ninguno de los dos salga perjudicado, ademas de ver si puede ser feliz asi.
No es que el libro sea malo, es que no me identifique con ninguno de los personajes, me parece que muchas de las escenas son exageradas, hasta el punto de que lo erotico se pierde totalmente. Ademas las personalidades de los protas son tan opuestas que no entiendo como el autor quiere "complementarlas", porque yo no senti en ningun momento que funcionaran bien juntos, al menos no hasta que Miles se debaja querer.
Lo del niño tampoco me parecio muy apropiado para esta serie, quizas si el libro fuera en 4to o el 5to (uno de los ultimos de la serie), lo hubiera entendido, pero tan cerca del comienzo se siente como mas obligado.
Y si incluimos que pareciera que con los otros del grupo no hubieran crecido en absoluto, despues de 2 año de la muerte del amigo, es como si no hubieran avanzado, los mismos rencores, la misma actitud, senti como si los personajes no se transformaran despues de haber encontrado a su Dom ideal, entonces para que son las experiencias que nos relatan en los libros?
En fin, no se perfila como una mala serie, pero no es para mi. No hay realmente finales felices, ni personajes que han crecido, ni siquiera un avance en las carreras de niguno de ellos. Quizas el autor queria darle un aire de "realidad" al tema, pero estamos hablando de un genero de romance-gay-erotico, lo menos que uno espera es un final feliz completo para los protas.
Asi que no, no voy a continuar con esta serie, quizas mas adelante le de otra oportunidad al autor, pero por ahor lo voy a dejar hasta aqui.
February 21, 2016
4.5 stars.
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Four books will not be enough! I was all happy and content The Subs Club would be a four-book series after I finished the first installment, but that was then and this is now. Now I am older and wiser, and now, having loved The Subs Club, and Pain Slut, and because I am currently having a lot of fun reading about Kamen in Manties in a Twist, I don't want to say goodbye to these characters. I would like for each main character to get another book. They all have more to tell us. Even Gould, who doesn't talk much, I bet he'd have enough to say for two books. Anyways, that's what I'm wishing for right now. Book genie, you know what to do. Make it happen.
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Moving onto Miles, the main man in Pain Slut. Before I started this novel, all I knew about him were a few things I remembered from The Subs Club: he was smart, he wore cardigans a lot, he was the only pain slut in their group, and seemed to be the most serious one there. Therefore, I knew his story wouldn't be as fun to read as Dave's was, and it wasn't. It may be strange to say this, but that was one of the reasons I liked this book. Miles and Dave are so different, it was only to be expected their stories would be too, and I was impressed by how different Miles's and Dave's perspectives were. So, Miles didn't make me laugh out loud, but he did win me over in all his perfectionist, overthinking nature.
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Miles was ready to be a father, and was working with an adoption agency. Of course, Miles being Miles, he was stressed out about the whole adoption process, and with making sure he looked as the best future father possible, and then being one when he finally adopted a child. His plan of being a superior father included saying goodbye to his masochistic side, and all kinky games. Then he met Drix Seger, and went all Twilight.
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Drix was a vampyre, meaning he was one of the people who believed they shared traits with vampires; he thought time was a meaningless construct; he lived in the now; he made decisions about his life without planing every single little thing... He was very unlike Miles. But he was something which held a lot of appeal to Miles: a sadist. Be still Miles's beating heart! That's why Miles decided to postpone quitting kink, and indulge in it for a while longer with Drix. When he got a baby, he'd let go of both the vampyre and kink, but over time letting go of either became more and more unappealing, and it became clear some change in plans was in order.
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When I finished The Subs Club, I was already a huge fan of all the main characters: Dave, Miles, Kamen, and Gould, and Dave's dom D. After Pain Slut my feelings are the same. I'm just adding two persons on the list: Drix, and the kid. Drix, the vampyre PI was adorable, lovely to read about, and he made Miles happy, more relaxed, and dress in normal people clothes. I can't think of one thing that I didn't like about him. As Kamen would say, he was awesome possum, and bit of a miracle worker seeing how he managed to reduce Miles's stress level repeatedly, and that did involve some good old SM. The kink content was at times a little scary for me, and most of it was my first time reading about it, but Miles enjoyed it, therefore I was happy for him. He & Drix were simply adorable. Since I'm in the middle of book three right now, I can say with certainty they become even more cute after the end of Pain Slut.
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The ending was my favorite part. I wish I could say why without it being spoilery, but I don't see how. Suffice it to say, it was so incredible I get all teary-eyed thinking about it. I loved everything about it. Well, except that the book was over. I did not like that I was finished with it.
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As with the previous book, I enjoyed the scenes with all the main characters together, because they have a special kind of friendship. Plus, I always enjoy their discussions about BDSM and the Subs club. It was one of such scenes that would be the one I found the funniest. It wasn't a discussions on kink or their club, but Miles and his new relationship, and who made it so funny was Dave, of course. The things that guy says is pure gold.
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This was also the book where Kamen met his dom. Lovely meeting, that was. I'd say I can't wait to read about them more, but I already am reading Manties in a Twist, sooo...
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So, all in all, amazeballs book in an amezeballs series. I don't want it to end any time soon, so four more books would be much appreciated. I don't ask for much, right? Right?
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
January 16, 2016
Ouch!!
Don't try this at home!!
I don't know why I like this series because I am really not into stories with extreme kink and this is as kinky as it gets.
But there is something very real and human about the characters in this series and this humanity really comes across in this particular story because the main character Miles, loves pain. Pain is his kink but he is also just your average guy. Miles wants to adopt a child and be a dad. He runs a business, has friends and family and has moments of vulnerability and moments of strength.
But Miles feels that his desire for pain and his desire to adopt are definitely opposed to each other and he intends to give up the kink for fatherhood.
Into this dilemma comes Drix Seger who is Miles's walking dream because Drix likes to inflict pain. He is into sadism. So Miles and Drix are a kind of match but Drix is into other things as well and has a whole way of life that perplexes Miles.
Add to this the desire to adopt.
So Miles decides that the adoption is the cut off for him and that once he becomes a father he will give up all his desire for pain and focus on being a father. He decides that Drix is a 'for now' guy.
But will that really work? Can he really give up this desire that is very much part of him? Can he really turn his back on a potentially good relationship? Does he have to?
And so this story focuses on desire and emerging love, family, friends and finding a way to balance who we truly are with who we think we should be.
And even though the slicy, dicey, prodding and pinching bits had me cringing I enjoyed this story. I liked the emotional aspects and way the characters developed and the way the story portrays their emotions, their desires and just their everyday lives.
I think the story has a very unique feel to it even though BDSM stories abound. The author pushed the boat out on this one. It feels different because of the realistic way it explores Mile's doubts and the tensions within his family and the different personalities of his friends.
It was also interesting to read. The characters came across as real and the circumstances about reconciling everyday life and our desires is something that everyone may encounter at some point in their lives.
Best of all is the continuity with the subs club and the group of friends.
And beyond all the sex and relationship stuff is real communication and people figuring things out by groping through life together. Making mistakes, seeking to make amends, reaching for harmony, groping their way through life as we all do.
I think at the end this is what made this a five star story for me. It isn't just about a kink and sex but about a whole person in all his different dimensions. The story is about a person growing, changing, loving, taking risks and living. One person but also his family, his friends, his work, his opinions, his fears, hopes and dreams as well as the kinky sex. That is what really made this story for me.
So despite me not being into BDSM, kink etc etc I really liked this story even more than book 1. These characters have grown on me in a nice way.
I am looking forward to the next two in the series and I hope they are just as good as this one.
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
Don't try this at home!!
I don't know why I like this series because I am really not into stories with extreme kink and this is as kinky as it gets.
But there is something very real and human about the characters in this series and this humanity really comes across in this particular story because the main character Miles, loves pain. Pain is his kink but he is also just your average guy. Miles wants to adopt a child and be a dad. He runs a business, has friends and family and has moments of vulnerability and moments of strength.
But Miles feels that his desire for pain and his desire to adopt are definitely opposed to each other and he intends to give up the kink for fatherhood.
Into this dilemma comes Drix Seger who is Miles's walking dream because Drix likes to inflict pain. He is into sadism. So Miles and Drix are a kind of match but Drix is into other things as well and has a whole way of life that perplexes Miles.
Add to this the desire to adopt.
So Miles decides that the adoption is the cut off for him and that once he becomes a father he will give up all his desire for pain and focus on being a father. He decides that Drix is a 'for now' guy.
But will that really work? Can he really give up this desire that is very much part of him? Can he really turn his back on a potentially good relationship? Does he have to?
And so this story focuses on desire and emerging love, family, friends and finding a way to balance who we truly are with who we think we should be.
And even though the slicy, dicey, prodding and pinching bits had me cringing I enjoyed this story. I liked the emotional aspects and way the characters developed and the way the story portrays their emotions, their desires and just their everyday lives.
I think the story has a very unique feel to it even though BDSM stories abound. The author pushed the boat out on this one. It feels different because of the realistic way it explores Mile's doubts and the tensions within his family and the different personalities of his friends.
It was also interesting to read. The characters came across as real and the circumstances about reconciling everyday life and our desires is something that everyone may encounter at some point in their lives.
Best of all is the continuity with the subs club and the group of friends.
And beyond all the sex and relationship stuff is real communication and people figuring things out by groping through life together. Making mistakes, seeking to make amends, reaching for harmony, groping their way through life as we all do.
I think at the end this is what made this a five star story for me. It isn't just about a kink and sex but about a whole person in all his different dimensions. The story is about a person growing, changing, loving, taking risks and living. One person but also his family, his friends, his work, his opinions, his fears, hopes and dreams as well as the kinky sex. That is what really made this story for me.
So despite me not being into BDSM, kink etc etc I really liked this story even more than book 1. These characters have grown on me in a nice way.
I am looking forward to the next two in the series and I hope they are just as good as this one.
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
May 25, 2020
I appreciate an author who brings me into the head of a character whose needs and tastes are very different from my own. Miles is well out of my comfort zone, in the amount and type of pain he likes and needs. But I really liked watching him still working to figure himself out - balancing his desire for family and a child, his deep need to be in control even when taking significant pain, his feeling that needing aftercare is weak and yet finding how much he wants it from the right person.
Drix - a vampyre - was another wonderful surprise, both a look at an unfamiliar kink subculture, and a man who was at once a sadist and sweet. Drix tries to give people what they need, for body harmony, and part of that is a dark satisfaction in giving pain to someone who wants it. And yet, he also loves giving massage and healing. He's a warm and interesting character, who lets Miles step out of the well-worn ruts he's in and, in a way, integrate his life more broadly.
There is a lot of low-key humor in these stories, which works very well to balance some of the BDSM scenes and psychological intensity.
Drix - a vampyre - was another wonderful surprise, both a look at an unfamiliar kink subculture, and a man who was at once a sadist and sweet. Drix tries to give people what they need, for body harmony, and part of that is a dark satisfaction in giving pain to someone who wants it. And yet, he also loves giving massage and healing. He's a warm and interesting character, who lets Miles step out of the well-worn ruts he's in and, in a way, integrate his life more broadly.
There is a lot of low-key humor in these stories, which works very well to balance some of the BDSM scenes and psychological intensity.
August 6, 2024
BUY THE BOOK or borrow it from Amazon KU
It started out great and I was all in. Then... I just got bored. I wanted to love it. I think it was a lot too BDSM encyclopedia for me.
It was all the torture and pain kink I could take.
Honestly, it lost me at about 75%ish. I just got bored. Maybe it was the mood I was in, I dont know. But this one just didnt work for me. I will for sure continue on with the series because I love the authors imagination, writing style and Im invested in the Subs Club.
It started out great and I was all in. Then... I just got bored. I wanted to love it. I think it was a lot too BDSM encyclopedia for me.
It was all the torture and pain kink I could take.
Honestly, it lost me at about 75%ish. I just got bored. Maybe it was the mood I was in, I dont know. But this one just didnt work for me. I will for sure continue on with the series because I love the authors imagination, writing style and Im invested in the Subs Club.
February 1, 2016
I teetered between 3 and 4 stars the entire time I read this. It had some of the humor of the 1st book but more muted. I liked Miles initial reactions to Drix. I think, while I cannot comment on the accuracy of the type of play Miles is into, it caused me to not be as into the book as the previous one. Miles was a hardcore masochist into medical & blood play. The end scene…I had to put the book down and go to Pilates. Miles also internally was so angsty it started to exhaust me.
Ultimately my decision to give it a three star was Drix. I came for the sadist….and I just wasn’t sure that’s what I got.
Ultimately my decision to give it a three star was Drix. I came for the sadist….and I just wasn’t sure that’s what I got.
December 30, 2015
Another great addition to "The Sub Club" series.
I'm really starting to love this author. The stories are so creative and the characters are so interesting that I can't put the books down once I start them.
In "Pain Slut", Miles the sweater wearing Masochist meets Drix the Sadistic Vampyre and high jinx ensue.
As the four main characters appear in all of the books, you really need to read them in order to get the full affect.
ENJOY!
I'm really starting to love this author. The stories are so creative and the characters are so interesting that I can't put the books down once I start them.
In "Pain Slut", Miles the sweater wearing Masochist meets Drix the Sadistic Vampyre and high jinx ensue.
As the four main characters appear in all of the books, you really need to read them in order to get the full affect.
ENJOY!
March 10, 2016
Ouch.
Wait.
That doesn't quite cut it.
HOLYMOTHERFUCKINGOHMYGODOWWWWCH
That's better.
Book Two of the Subs Club is ummmm pretty graphic. And, ahhh, the title says it. This was intense.
Miles, the toppy bottomish masochist, is, by far, the most hard-core masochist I believe I've ever read.
He's also geeky in his Mr. Rogers cardigans and French quips.
There was a lot about Miles that resonated. I'm kinda the same with careful planning, feeling like I need to follow some arbitrary order of operations before going after things I want. Also, sometimes having to check my judgment at the door when others don't want to follow my grand plan or behave outside of social constructs. It's hard sometimes broaden focus or live in the moment or just go for gold and let chips fall. In those ways...I got him.
Miles' love interest, Drix, is, well, kind of a weirdo--a lovely weirdo--immersed in the subculture of vampyrism. Before I started the book, and only had a blurb, I was side-eyeing the fuck out of him. But, he's adorable. His weirdness is endearing and really not so weird. He comes across as shy-ish, very kind, and a perfect counterpoint to Miles, who is reserved and a very focused planner.
I read a goodly amount of kink--and about kink in non-fiction--because it fascinates me. I have a little more than a clue, but I'm not an expert--by far. Personally, I don't give two shits about what willing folks do--I just hope they're using a safeword and are knowledgeable about what they're doing. And have a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher nearby.
Pain play and masochism...I don't even know. I kind of get it. Kind of. I have a super-high pain threshold...there have been a lot of times I've done something incredibly stupid and seriously hurt myself (accidently) at times where I could not scream, cry, or raise a ruckus whatsoever and had to just breathe through the pain, absorb it, deal with it. Also, because I'm suuuper stubborn and would laugh at my parents when I got spanked as a child--those rubber spatulas stung like the devil. I guess I've just taught myself to manage. I know that's entirely different from wanting or needing to submit to someone who's going to cause hurt on purpose. And knowing it's going to happen is a different headspace altogether.
And geez-oh-god there were parts of the kink that were ass-clenching, wincing, reading-between-fingers-covering-my-eyes uncomfortable. WOWZA. I added to my list (I didn't know I had) of things one can do with saline solution. And cinnamon oil. And staples. Don't say I didn't warn you.
But at the same time, I think it was beautifully written.
The kink part.
And we dive right on into it with the kink like a shot out of a cannon.
Now the rest...because there's definitely more to this than scene after scene of kink and pain.
The rest I felt was a little disjointed, a lot scattered, and it all ended far too abruptly.
The first book had me rolling in its hiariousity and trying not to crack a rib while laughing out loud.
This one didn't have the same level of humor. I don't think it was meant to as it's told in first-person with Miles as our narrator. He's way more serious than Dave. But he's still cute and had a few moments of being mildly humorous--especially when he's hanging out with his best friends.
I think my problems with the disjointedness was that I felt a lot was left unresolved with Drix--it reads as more of a Happy-For-Now. And with his mother (who's kind of a shrew). And with the adoption stuff. And with Miles fully accepting that he's not mentally ill for what he needs regarding pain.
There was a lot going on that needed to be resolved that I think an epilogue would have been a welcome closure leading us into the next book.
The first book of the Subs Club eeked itself in as an eleventh-hour addition to my top books of 2015. This one isn't getting such high praise.
But, overall, I really liked it and can't wait for the next books.
Also posted on BackPorchReader.com.
Wait.
That doesn't quite cut it.
HOLYMOTHERFUCKINGOHMYGODOWWWWCH
That's better.
Book Two of the Subs Club is ummmm pretty graphic. And, ahhh, the title says it. This was intense.
Miles, the toppy bottomish masochist, is, by far, the most hard-core masochist I believe I've ever read.
He's also geeky in his Mr. Rogers cardigans and French quips.
There was a lot about Miles that resonated. I'm kinda the same with careful planning, feeling like I need to follow some arbitrary order of operations before going after things I want. Also, sometimes having to check my judgment at the door when others don't want to follow my grand plan or behave outside of social constructs. It's hard sometimes broaden focus or live in the moment or just go for gold and let chips fall. In those ways...I got him.
Miles' love interest, Drix, is, well, kind of a weirdo--a lovely weirdo--immersed in the subculture of vampyrism. Before I started the book, and only had a blurb, I was side-eyeing the fuck out of him. But, he's adorable. His weirdness is endearing and really not so weird. He comes across as shy-ish, very kind, and a perfect counterpoint to Miles, who is reserved and a very focused planner.
I read a goodly amount of kink--and about kink in non-fiction--because it fascinates me. I have a little more than a clue, but I'm not an expert--by far. Personally, I don't give two shits about what willing folks do--I just hope they're using a safeword and are knowledgeable about what they're doing. And have a first-aid kit and fire extinguisher nearby.
Pain play and masochism...I don't even know. I kind of get it. Kind of. I have a super-high pain threshold...there have been a lot of times I've done something incredibly stupid and seriously hurt myself (accidently) at times where I could not scream, cry, or raise a ruckus whatsoever and had to just breathe through the pain, absorb it, deal with it. Also, because I'm suuuper stubborn and would laugh at my parents when I got spanked as a child--those rubber spatulas stung like the devil. I guess I've just taught myself to manage. I know that's entirely different from wanting or needing to submit to someone who's going to cause hurt on purpose. And knowing it's going to happen is a different headspace altogether.
And geez-oh-god there were parts of the kink that were ass-clenching, wincing, reading-between-fingers-covering-my-eyes uncomfortable. WOWZA. I added to my list (I didn't know I had) of things one can do with saline solution. And cinnamon oil. And staples. Don't say I didn't warn you.
But at the same time, I think it was beautifully written.
The kink part.
And we dive right on into it with the kink like a shot out of a cannon.
Now the rest...because there's definitely more to this than scene after scene of kink and pain.
The rest I felt was a little disjointed, a lot scattered, and it all ended far too abruptly.
The first book had me rolling in its hiariousity and trying not to crack a rib while laughing out loud.
This one didn't have the same level of humor. I don't think it was meant to as it's told in first-person with Miles as our narrator. He's way more serious than Dave. But he's still cute and had a few moments of being mildly humorous--especially when he's hanging out with his best friends.
I think my problems with the disjointedness was that I felt a lot was left unresolved with Drix--it reads as more of a Happy-For-Now. And with his mother (who's kind of a shrew). And with the adoption stuff. And with Miles fully accepting that he's not mentally ill for what he needs regarding pain.
There was a lot going on that needed to be resolved that I think an epilogue would have been a welcome closure leading us into the next book.
The first book of the Subs Club eeked itself in as an eleventh-hour addition to my top books of 2015. This one isn't getting such high praise.
But, overall, I really liked it and can't wait for the next books.
Also posted on BackPorchReader.com.
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