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The Subs Club #4
24/7
We started the Subs Club to make the kink community safer for subs. Except now the others are so busy chasing their happy endings, it’s like they’ve forgotten what Bill did to Hal and the fact that he got away with it. They used to think I was betraying Hal’s memory by hooking up with the owners of the club where he died. Now they don’t seem to care about any of it anymore.
Maybe I am sometimes angry with GK and Kel for giving Bill a second chance, but they’ve been mentoring me for a year now, and whatever else they’ve done, they make me feel incredibly safe. So I want to try I want to offer them my complete submission, 24/7. To serve the people who forgave Bill. That’s the way I want to hurt.
Except I’m starting to care about them in a way I never meant to—and I think they feel the same way. But after Hal, I don’t know if I want to be in love again. Because what I really need, more than anything, is to see Bill brought to justice. Even if I have to do it myself. Even if it means losing GK and Kel.
— Gould
* * * * * * *
The Subs Club stories can be read in any order — jump in wherever you'd like!
Word 89,300; page 324
Maybe I am sometimes angry with GK and Kel for giving Bill a second chance, but they’ve been mentoring me for a year now, and whatever else they’ve done, they make me feel incredibly safe. So I want to try I want to offer them my complete submission, 24/7. To serve the people who forgave Bill. That’s the way I want to hurt.
Except I’m starting to care about them in a way I never meant to—and I think they feel the same way. But after Hal, I don’t know if I want to be in love again. Because what I really need, more than anything, is to see Bill brought to justice. Even if I have to do it myself. Even if it means losing GK and Kel.
— Gould
* * * * * * *
The Subs Club stories can be read in any order — jump in wherever you'd like!
Word 89,300; page 324
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2016
38 people are currently reading
450 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 27, 2016
24/7 is the fourth book in the Subs Club series, and it is by far my least favorite. This book was very different from the ones before it. It is extremely angsty and serious, without the humor from the previous books. While it fit Gould's character and where his story arc would take him, it was a difficult book for me to read and get through.
A few warnings before I start. This book is a M/F/M story, with the "F" in the middle as the operative word. If you are expecting a relationship where all three partners are equal in their feelings for one another, you would be wrong (more on that later). It also focuses a lot of the grief that Gould is still feeling from Hal's death, including thoughts of self-harm, obsessive thoughts and actions, and many unhealthy behaviors. There is also some pretty heavy humiliation kink, as well as a master-slave relationship.
I could probably talk about this book for a week and not get all my feelings about it on page. I'm a huge fan of J.A. Rock, and this book was another example of how well written and thoughtful her book are. She is a very smart writer, and I could tell that she really examined how she thought Gould's relationship would go with Greg and Kel. There are also tons of interesting themes in this story, including interracial relationships, religion, overweight MCs, and the definitions of sexuality. I admire J.A. Rock greatly for all of that.
I'll start with the discussion of the relationship between Gould and Kel and Greg. Gould is bisexual, a Kinsey five (as he describes himself). However, his primary interest in his relationship with Kel and Greg is with Kel. He wants to worship Kel and be with her, and Greg is more like a friend with benefits that just happens to be long for the ride. Similarly, Greg's interest is in pleasing Kel, and Gould is something like a deep friendship for him.
I found Greg's view of his sexuality to be endlessly interesting. Greg identifies as straight but hetero-flexible. Though he has sex with Gould and kisses him, he still views himself as straight because he isn't attracted to men, as a rule. There is a LARGE discussion on bisexuality and bi-erasure here, before you all jump in, so don't worry on that account. I just happened to find it interesting that Greg says that his self-identifying as straight is simply what he feels most comfortable with. On a personal level, I could really identify with Greg. I consider myself straight, but I could also see becoming intimate with a woman and enjoying it, especially in a charged, erotic BDSM setting. I got Greg's POV, on this topic, totally.
There were also some really interesting discussions on religion and race, as Greg is both Indian and Native American. I really liked when Greg and Gould started discussing all of these issues about BDSM that I've been curious about but never asked.
What I really struggled with in terms of Greg/Kel/Gould's relationship was the fact that all three characters weren't in love with each other, at least not in the romantic way. I have a difficult time with menage books because I find it so hard to believe that three people can make it work between them, even with the issues of inequality and jealousy. Here, it isn't even trying to be a typical menage relationship. It is a really different type of arrangement, one that I've never seen before in romance. Honestly, I didn't find Gould/Kel/Greg's relationship to be very... romantic. It was hard for me to see that these people were anything beyond fondness for one another. It was one of my biggest stumbling blocks with this story.
Although this series has been all M/M up until this point, I personally didn't mind the introduction of a woman. I'm also a M/F reader, so having lady parts be explicitly described didn't bother me in the slightest. Plus, I'll take a book with pegging any day of the week (another of my personal favorite kinks!!).
What I didn't mind, but other people might, is the kink aspect. Humiliation kink and degradation is honestly one of my favorite kinks in BDSM. A good, consensual, verbal humiliation scene is exactly the type of kink I seek out in erotica and romance. I just love it. There is almost nothing in humiliation that is too kinky for me, so I didn't think anything here was very extreme. However, I was worried about Gould because we have an insight to his mind and he is so thoroughly messed up about Hal's death that really none of those scenes should have happened.
My biggest issue with this story, however, was how dark it was. I've been LOVING the light, fun, kinky books in this series, and this book was like a slap in the face. It was really heavy stuff, and it was depressing to read about. I think if this book had an epic romance or an awesome plot line, I would have been okay with the deep level of pain that is in this book. However, while I thought that the kink was interesting, the romance just wasn't there for me. This book only had its skillful writing to pull it through, and I barely got above a like for this story.
If you are looking for a Subs Club book like the others, you will be disappointed. However, if you are willing to read a very interesting, thoughtful, angsty story with some edgy kink content and a M/F/M romance, then try this one.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
A few warnings before I start. This book is a M/F/M story, with the "F" in the middle as the operative word. If you are expecting a relationship where all three partners are equal in their feelings for one another, you would be wrong (more on that later). It also focuses a lot of the grief that Gould is still feeling from Hal's death, including thoughts of self-harm, obsessive thoughts and actions, and many unhealthy behaviors. There is also some pretty heavy humiliation kink, as well as a master-slave relationship.
I could probably talk about this book for a week and not get all my feelings about it on page. I'm a huge fan of J.A. Rock, and this book was another example of how well written and thoughtful her book are. She is a very smart writer, and I could tell that she really examined how she thought Gould's relationship would go with Greg and Kel. There are also tons of interesting themes in this story, including interracial relationships, religion, overweight MCs, and the definitions of sexuality. I admire J.A. Rock greatly for all of that.
I'll start with the discussion of the relationship between Gould and Kel and Greg. Gould is bisexual, a Kinsey five (as he describes himself). However, his primary interest in his relationship with Kel and Greg is with Kel. He wants to worship Kel and be with her, and Greg is more like a friend with benefits that just happens to be long for the ride. Similarly, Greg's interest is in pleasing Kel, and Gould is something like a deep friendship for him.
I found Greg's view of his sexuality to be endlessly interesting. Greg identifies as straight but hetero-flexible. Though he has sex with Gould and kisses him, he still views himself as straight because he isn't attracted to men, as a rule. There is a LARGE discussion on bisexuality and bi-erasure here, before you all jump in, so don't worry on that account. I just happened to find it interesting that Greg says that his self-identifying as straight is simply what he feels most comfortable with. On a personal level, I could really identify with Greg. I consider myself straight, but I could also see becoming intimate with a woman and enjoying it, especially in a charged, erotic BDSM setting. I got Greg's POV, on this topic, totally.
There were also some really interesting discussions on religion and race, as Greg is both Indian and Native American. I really liked when Greg and Gould started discussing all of these issues about BDSM that I've been curious about but never asked.
What I really struggled with in terms of Greg/Kel/Gould's relationship was the fact that all three characters weren't in love with each other, at least not in the romantic way. I have a difficult time with menage books because I find it so hard to believe that three people can make it work between them, even with the issues of inequality and jealousy. Here, it isn't even trying to be a typical menage relationship. It is a really different type of arrangement, one that I've never seen before in romance. Honestly, I didn't find Gould/Kel/Greg's relationship to be very... romantic. It was hard for me to see that these people were anything beyond fondness for one another. It was one of my biggest stumbling blocks with this story.
Although this series has been all M/M up until this point, I personally didn't mind the introduction of a woman. I'm also a M/F reader, so having lady parts be explicitly described didn't bother me in the slightest. Plus, I'll take a book with pegging any day of the week (another of my personal favorite kinks!!).
What I didn't mind, but other people might, is the kink aspect. Humiliation kink and degradation is honestly one of my favorite kinks in BDSM. A good, consensual, verbal humiliation scene is exactly the type of kink I seek out in erotica and romance. I just love it. There is almost nothing in humiliation that is too kinky for me, so I didn't think anything here was very extreme. However, I was worried about Gould because we have an insight to his mind and he is so thoroughly messed up about Hal's death that really none of those scenes should have happened.
My biggest issue with this story, however, was how dark it was. I've been LOVING the light, fun, kinky books in this series, and this book was like a slap in the face. It was really heavy stuff, and it was depressing to read about. I think if this book had an epic romance or an awesome plot line, I would have been okay with the deep level of pain that is in this book. However, while I thought that the kink was interesting, the romance just wasn't there for me. This book only had its skillful writing to pull it through, and I barely got above a like for this story.
If you are looking for a Subs Club book like the others, you will be disappointed. However, if you are willing to read a very interesting, thoughtful, angsty story with some edgy kink content and a M/F/M romance, then try this one.
*Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
November 26, 2016
tl;dr: Compelling book with a metric ton of feels. A book about grief and love and all its incarnations.
I don't really know what to say here, so I'm just going to wing it instead of... whatever the fuck it is I usually do and hope someone out there gets it.
I knew early on in this series that Gould's book would be grueling which is why I put it off; I knew it was going to hurt. J.A.'s done an exceptional job of matching the tone of each book to the character and Gould is an iceberg.
So much more is just beneath the surface. To most he looks placid, but it's all a façade. Inside he's begging for someone to see him, to really see him and maybe love him. But who would? Why would they? He's chubby, struggles with mental illness, is painfully shy... nothing. So he should be treated as such, right?
As Gould's character has evolved the more this niggling in the back of my head started to getting louder that he had somehow twisted Hal's death into being his fault and by choosing to play with Kel and GK he was self-immolating. Who better to make him suffer than the people ultimately responsible for Hal's death? I'm still not sure whether or not he's cognizant of it, though, nor if it was purposeful. Regardless of his motivations it's clear he's extremely attracted to Kel.
He wants to belong to her, to be owned, to serve, but he doesn't want to be in love again. The last time he was the fucker left him all alone and that hurt so much 3 yrs later it still feels like he'll show up any minute-at the drug store or the grocery store or the duplex. Hal's this constant shadow that Gould can't stop looking for the source. He's resentful of all his friends who have seemingly moved on and baffled that some have even forgiven Bill. But if he lets go and moves on then does that mean the love goes away too? If he lets go then won't he really be all alone?
Gould is such a layered and complex character that I couldn't stop myself from dissecting him. The way he clings to Hal's memory and the hallucinations of him prove just how pervasive his grief is. Gould has zero healthy coping skills. He externalizes nothing. He verbalizes less than nothing. And trying to cope with grief in solitude can fuck you up. And he is. He is still so fucked up over Hal's death that's it's crippling him.
Often in the series I've thought Hal was kind of a dick and I half wonder if maybe he didn't commit suicide on that bench which... *sigh* never mind. I briefly wondered why Gould continues to hang on to him. But since when do we fall in love with the "right" person? Love is messy and sometimes ugly. Sometimes we fall in love with the "wrong" person. How much Gould still loves him is palpable.
You win, GR. You win.
His form of coping is to retreat inside himself, creating elaborate scenarios so he can drop out, but it's a prison and he really REALLY needs someone to come in there and find him. Make it stop since he can't ask for help or flat out refuses it. So he keeps asking for more, more humiliation, more degradation, more dehumanization to find the quiet, and I have to tell you this was hard for me. It is so not my kink. I've read a couple dehumanization/objectification things and I always come back to why? Why would someone want that? There are too many psychological landmines to enter into that sort of scene without having a wealth of information.
I found myself frustrated with Kel for not asking why, for trusting Gould to be truthful and honest without him having set a precedent for that and I found myself frustrated with Gould for not saying anything and not safing out. Then the watershed moment happened.
People make mistakes.
Mistakes are made every single day and most of the time it really will be OK. Sure, it might suck for a time, but this too shall pass and all that. I know I've learned far more from my mistakes than I've ever learned from by successes. And I think that's the brilliance of this series-all of these people have been portrayed as human and fallible, even the dominants which is a rarity in a BDSM romance read.
With the love and support of his friends and lovers, persistence and bravery, encouragement to seek professional help for his grief and a couple of colossal missteps something really profound and significant forms in the aftermath which was very gratifying to read.
Would I recommend this to everyone? No. It's brutal at times and I can completely understand people not enjoying it because it is a 180º departure from the lightheartedness of the rest of the series. Gould's self image issues are severe and watching him denigrate himself repeatedly was difficult. There are bubbles of levity mostly provided by Kamen. *heart eyes* And Greg, who by the way, reminds both Gould and myself of Kamen. I am just saying! And, in all seriousness, if J.A. were to decide to write some short stories like "Rymen goes to Triple B" or "Kamen goes to Petco" or "Grillin' with Kamen" or really anything I would read it. True story.
I should also point out that while this is a ménage story both Gould and Greg love and worship Kel far more than each other. Greg and Gould do love each other, but Greg prefers to identify as heteroflexible. They actually have a wonderfully frank discussion about race, religion, gender identity, expectations and sexual politics that is authentic without being heavy or stilted. The romance aspect is not as strong in 24/7 as the others. I'd say it's far more about Gould's internal battle against his own psyche than anything else, but I still found myself believing that he'd found something worthwhile with Kel and Greg at the end.
Would I read this again? I honestly don't know. Not any time soon, I'll tell you that. If you haven't already figured it out I couldn't say that I "enjoyed" this book, but J.A.'s crafting of this story affected me in unexpected ways. It wasn't easy but it is a story that will stick with me for a long long time and for that I can't give it any less than 5 Hearts.
As always, your mileage may vary.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I don't really know what to say here, so I'm just going to wing it instead of... whatever the fuck it is I usually do and hope someone out there gets it.
"Gould is magical and gives everyone happiness and dangerous confidence, like cocaine made from unicorn dandruff."
I knew early on in this series that Gould's book would be grueling which is why I put it off; I knew it was going to hurt. J.A.'s done an exceptional job of matching the tone of each book to the character and Gould is an iceberg.
So much more is just beneath the surface. To most he looks placid, but it's all a façade. Inside he's begging for someone to see him, to really see him and maybe love him. But who would? Why would they? He's chubby, struggles with mental illness, is painfully shy... nothing. So he should be treated as such, right?
As Gould's character has evolved the more this niggling in the back of my head started to getting louder that he had somehow twisted Hal's death into being his fault and by choosing to play with Kel and GK he was self-immolating. Who better to make him suffer than the people ultimately responsible for Hal's death? I'm still not sure whether or not he's cognizant of it, though, nor if it was purposeful. Regardless of his motivations it's clear he's extremely attracted to Kel.
He wants to belong to her, to be owned, to serve, but he doesn't want to be in love again. The last time he was the fucker left him all alone and that hurt so much 3 yrs later it still feels like he'll show up any minute-at the drug store or the grocery store or the duplex. Hal's this constant shadow that Gould can't stop looking for the source. He's resentful of all his friends who have seemingly moved on and baffled that some have even forgiven Bill. But if he lets go and moves on then does that mean the love goes away too? If he lets go then won't he really be all alone?
I'd grown up shy. Hearing from my mom that the squeaky wheel got the oil, but knowing I'd rather fall off the fucking wagon than make a sound.
Gould is such a layered and complex character that I couldn't stop myself from dissecting him. The way he clings to Hal's memory and the hallucinations of him prove just how pervasive his grief is. Gould has zero healthy coping skills. He externalizes nothing. He verbalizes less than nothing. And trying to cope with grief in solitude can fuck you up. And he is. He is still so fucked up over Hal's death that's it's crippling him.
Often in the series I've thought Hal was kind of a dick and I half wonder if maybe he didn't commit suicide on that bench which... *sigh* never mind. I briefly wondered why Gould continues to hang on to him. But since when do we fall in love with the "right" person? Love is messy and sometimes ugly. Sometimes we fall in love with the "wrong" person. How much Gould still loves him is palpable.
You win, GR. You win.
His form of coping is to retreat inside himself, creating elaborate scenarios so he can drop out, but it's a prison and he really REALLY needs someone to come in there and find him. Make it stop since he can't ask for help or flat out refuses it. So he keeps asking for more, more humiliation, more degradation, more dehumanization to find the quiet, and I have to tell you this was hard for me. It is so not my kink. I've read a couple dehumanization/objectification things and I always come back to why? Why would someone want that? There are too many psychological landmines to enter into that sort of scene without having a wealth of information.
I found myself frustrated with Kel for not asking why, for trusting Gould to be truthful and honest without him having set a precedent for that and I found myself frustrated with Gould for not saying anything and not safing out. Then the watershed moment happened.
People make mistakes.
Mistakes are made every single day and most of the time it really will be OK. Sure, it might suck for a time, but this too shall pass and all that. I know I've learned far more from my mistakes than I've ever learned from by successes. And I think that's the brilliance of this series-all of these people have been portrayed as human and fallible, even the dominants which is a rarity in a BDSM romance read.
For me, submission wasn't a game, wasn't temporary, wasn't some bonus facet of my identity. It was the way I kept a promise alive, it was the way I let myself need. It was my voice.
With the love and support of his friends and lovers, persistence and bravery, encouragement to seek professional help for his grief and a couple of colossal missteps something really profound and significant forms in the aftermath which was very gratifying to read.
Would I recommend this to everyone? No. It's brutal at times and I can completely understand people not enjoying it because it is a 180º departure from the lightheartedness of the rest of the series. Gould's self image issues are severe and watching him denigrate himself repeatedly was difficult. There are bubbles of levity mostly provided by Kamen. *heart eyes* And Greg, who by the way, reminds both Gould and myself of Kamen. I am just saying! And, in all seriousness, if J.A. were to decide to write some short stories like "Rymen goes to Triple B" or "Kamen goes to Petco" or "Grillin' with Kamen" or really anything I would read it. True story.
I should also point out that while this is a ménage story both Gould and Greg love and worship Kel far more than each other. Greg and Gould do love each other, but Greg prefers to identify as heteroflexible. They actually have a wonderfully frank discussion about race, religion, gender identity, expectations and sexual politics that is authentic without being heavy or stilted. The romance aspect is not as strong in 24/7 as the others. I'd say it's far more about Gould's internal battle against his own psyche than anything else, but I still found myself believing that he'd found something worthwhile with Kel and Greg at the end.
Would I read this again? I honestly don't know. Not any time soon, I'll tell you that. If you haven't already figured it out I couldn't say that I "enjoyed" this book, but J.A.'s crafting of this story affected me in unexpected ways. It wasn't easy but it is a story that will stick with me for a long long time and for that I can't give it any less than 5 Hearts.
As always, your mileage may vary.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2016
Let me start by saying I would not recommend reading this story as a standalone. You need the other three stories in The Subs Club for background.
So, really long story short I came to M/M through M/M/F stories. As I still enjoy a good ménage story I don't get squicked out when girly parts take a front and center role in one of my stories.
Truthfully though, I was surprised by how little sex was actually in this book. Glad for it, but surprised. Why glad, you ask? Because frankly the palpable grief in this killed my libido. I so didn't want to read any sexy scenes when I was drowning in Gould's sorrow and anger.
Also, the BDSM in this was waaaayyyyy outside of my comfort zone. I was really uncomfortable with the M/s, humiliation, degradation, etc. in this. Like super duper uncomfortable.
It turns out Gould is some seriously deep still waters, and he really wants a deeper submission and feels a need for real humiliation. He has a desire to be found wanting, no matter how hard he tries to please. The scenes that play out in the story were just too much for me, to be frank.
I also really never got a good feeling for the relationship between Kel, Greg and Gould. They didn't work for me as a throuple...and maybe it's because this was all from Gould's POV and his headspace is all over the place.
However, eclipsing how uncomfortable I was with the BDSM side to the story is the fact that I kept getting sucked back into Gould's grief. I felt like a swimmer in high waves and every time I'd get my head above the waves, I get smashed again and rolled.
I felt like I was drowning in Gould's pain. So, kudos to J.A. Rock for that, but, at the same time, it didn't exactly make for a happy happy joy joy experience, you know what I'm saying?
I liked that the story comes around and Gould is able to work through his issues, his grief over Hal, his anger towards his friends, and finally work in his relationship with Kel and Greg toward his HEA. I loved the times when there was humor sprinkled into the story because it served a much-needed purpose when it came. But in the end, everything else was just all...it took a toll.
I've loved this series. I feel like each story has been totally right for Dave, Miles, Kamen, and Gould. I have nothing but respect for J.A. Rock and the world she's built here. While I can see myself re-reading the other books in the series, this one probably won't be on my re-read list. To be honest, I really need a nap.
Advanced Review Galley copy of 24/7 (The Subs Club, #4) provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
***********
Initial thoughts: The writing is just as good as the others in the series, but the whole thing sat like a stone of pain and sorrow on my chest. Grief is like another character in the story, always present and dragging everything down. I was really uncomfortable with the M/s, humiliation, degradation, etc. in this. Like super duper uncomfortable. Thankfully there is still some humor, but all the grief muted my enjoyment.
So, really long story short I came to M/M through M/M/F stories. As I still enjoy a good ménage story I don't get squicked out when girly parts take a front and center role in one of my stories.
Truthfully though, I was surprised by how little sex was actually in this book. Glad for it, but surprised. Why glad, you ask? Because frankly the palpable grief in this killed my libido. I so didn't want to read any sexy scenes when I was drowning in Gould's sorrow and anger.
I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt the loss: my friends, the community, Kel and Greg...lots of people had suffered. But sometimes I thought I was the only one who wasn’t healing with time. My friends struggled with their grief occasionally, but for the most part, they’d moved on. Found relationships. Started families or new careers. And I was still stuck on one night, one thought: Bill shouldn’t have gotten away with it. He shouldn’t have fucking gotten away with it.
Also, the BDSM in this was waaaayyyyy outside of my comfort zone. I was really uncomfortable with the M/s, humiliation, degradation, etc. in this. Like super duper uncomfortable.
It turns out Gould is some seriously deep still waters, and he really wants a deeper submission and feels a need for real humiliation. He has a desire to be found wanting, no matter how hard he tries to please. The scenes that play out in the story were just too much for me, to be frank.
I also really never got a good feeling for the relationship between Kel, Greg and Gould. They didn't work for me as a throuple...and maybe it's because this was all from Gould's POV and his headspace is all over the place.
However, eclipsing how uncomfortable I was with the BDSM side to the story is the fact that I kept getting sucked back into Gould's grief. I felt like a swimmer in high waves and every time I'd get my head above the waves, I get smashed again and rolled.
My memories of Hal worked like that sometimes—I’d feel, for a few minutes, like he was right beside me. Feel his warmth, the movements of his body. Then it would all fade suddenly, leaving the space around me so empty I almost couldn’t stand it.
Nothing will bring Hal back. Not hating Bill. Not burying yourself in memories. Not asking Kel to strip you down to something less than human.
Was there such a thing as grieving too much? For too long? At what point did it become...inappropriate, I guess? Right after Hal had died, everyone kept telling me my feelings were natural. What about now? What about nearly three years later, when I still thought about him every fucking day? Still missed him just as much?
I felt like I was drowning in Gould's pain. So, kudos to J.A. Rock for that, but, at the same time, it didn't exactly make for a happy happy joy joy experience, you know what I'm saying?
I liked that the story comes around and Gould is able to work through his issues, his grief over Hal, his anger towards his friends, and finally work in his relationship with Kel and Greg toward his HEA. I loved the times when there was humor sprinkled into the story because it served a much-needed purpose when it came. But in the end, everything else was just all...it took a toll.
Hal was gone. But I got him back in dreams. I got him back in memories. I batted the years away from my eyes like smoke and saw us as we had been—young and wild and clawing at each other to escape some imagined prison. Happy and reckless and seeking adventure in each other’s body. Protecting each other. I got him back a million times, and each time I was more thrilled than the last.
I've loved this series. I feel like each story has been totally right for Dave, Miles, Kamen, and Gould. I have nothing but respect for J.A. Rock and the world she's built here. While I can see myself re-reading the other books in the series, this one probably won't be on my re-read list. To be honest, I really need a nap.
Advanced Review Galley copy of 24/7 (The Subs Club, #4) provided by NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
***********
Initial thoughts: The writing is just as good as the others in the series, but the whole thing sat like a stone of pain and sorrow on my chest. Grief is like another character in the story, always present and dragging everything down. I was really uncomfortable with the M/s, humiliation, degradation, etc. in this. Like super duper uncomfortable. Thankfully there is still some humor, but all the grief muted my enjoyment.
June 20, 2016
Saying goodbye to a beloved series is a sad, sad occasion, so for the time being I'm going to pretend my wish of more future installments came true. I refuse to say goodbye to Dave, Miles, Kamen, and Gould. I can't, and I won't.
24/7 is the fourth book in The Subs Club series, and so far I've felt my reviews don't do these stories justice no matter how much love I express for them. Gould's story won't be an exception.
As expected Gould's book was a great one, just like the previous three were, and just like the previous books were perfect for the character they were about, 24/7 was perfect for Gould. As such it had quite a sad tone.
The effect Hal's death had on his friends had been present throughout the series. They created the Subs Club to help prevent what happened to Hal happen to anyone else, and in the previous stories the main characters shared their views on what happened and on Hal himself. From the get-go, it was apparent Gould, as Hal's ex-boyfriend, was the one most affected by Hal's passing. This book revealed just how much, and it was a lot. Hal was in Gould's thoughts more than not, and guilt over his death was a burden Gould carried with him all the time. Anger towards Bill, the dom Hal played with the night he died, was another burden. While Dave, Miles, and Kamen had found their significant others, and moved on, Gould was far from it.
Gould's relationship with Kel and GK, the owners of the BDSM club where Hal died and who had let Bill come back, may have appeared as a betrayal of Hal's memory, but to Gould by submitting to the people who forgave Bill, it was a way to make himself hurt.
The Subs Club, Pain Slut, and Manties in a Twist were all M/M romance novels. 24/7 is a M/F/M story that I wouldn't really label as a romance. Kel and GK had been Gould's mentors for awhile; Kel was his Mistress, and GK was second-in-command. The more they spent time together, it became obvious Gould had deeper feelings for Kel even if he didn't want to. GK and Gould were friends. Well, friends who had sex with each other. Things were going well among them, so Gould mustered up the courage to ask for what he wanted, and that was to try 24/7 Master/slave relationship with them. That was good for Gould, but it also brought to light his deeper issues, which could have ended badly, underlining once again the importance of communication in BDSM.
Gould's kinks, humiliation and dehumanization, were not ones I'm most comfortable with, but it fit with the story, so no complaints will be coming from me.
As always, reading scenes with Dave, Miles, Kamen, and Gould was something I enjoyed very much. Nothing better than when these friends come together. Another reason why I like those parts is because I get an update on the established couples, and see how their relationships are progressing. It was in that theme the book and the series were wrapped-up. Everyone, Gould included, settled down, and were heading for a bright future. I was left all tears-eyed and unable to start a new book.
In the end all I can is that this series was a wonderful read. It's something special. I hope someday some of the side characters get their own books. It would be a shame not to revisit this world. In the meantime, I'm going to read as many J.A. Rock books as I can.
***ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
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June 8, 2016DNF @ 52%
I cannot believe it. It's a combination of the book and me. I can't seem to figure out just what it is about Gould that's having a hard time resonating with me. Sad because it's the last in the series. Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish reading this. I've been grappling over with last few days on what to say. I decided against rating it, because it doesn't seem fair. The writing itself was fine. I loved it, but the story and Gould not so much. Everything felt wrong to me. The relationship between Gould, Kel and Greg felt forced. I'm having a hard time explaining why and that's frustrating in itself. A big part of the problem was reading the relationship from the middle. It wasn't new it was already established and it didn't seem sincere from Gould's side to me. The entire time I was reading it he just seemed to be floating by looking for someone to grasp him and anchor him. That is what's bothering me. Gould spent so much time in his head, I'm not certain who he really is. I know he's grieving over Hal, but between those thoughts and the thoughts of Bill I don't him. He seems so fade to black as a character. Easily forgotten. I'm going to be the one to say it, but I didn't like the m/f/m dynamics. Not because of the female parts, it's been they didn't seem connected at all. It seemed forced alot. Another part of my issue was the tone of the story. This was the darkest book out of the story. Very depressing, and with the depression, and me not connecting with the story I just decided to bow out. It sucks because I've enjoyed it up to here. Learned a ton of new things and I do enjoy J.A Rock's work but for me it wasn't working at all.
I cannot believe it. It's a combination of the book and me. I can't seem to figure out just what it is about Gould that's having a hard time resonating with me. Sad because it's the last in the series. Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish reading this. I've been grappling over with last few days on what to say. I decided against rating it, because it doesn't seem fair. The writing itself was fine. I loved it, but the story and Gould not so much. Everything felt wrong to me. The relationship between Gould, Kel and Greg felt forced. I'm having a hard time explaining why and that's frustrating in itself. A big part of the problem was reading the relationship from the middle. It wasn't new it was already established and it didn't seem sincere from Gould's side to me. The entire time I was reading it he just seemed to be floating by looking for someone to grasp him and anchor him. That is what's bothering me. Gould spent so much time in his head, I'm not certain who he really is. I know he's grieving over Hal, but between those thoughts and the thoughts of Bill I don't him. He seems so fade to black as a character. Easily forgotten. I'm going to be the one to say it, but I didn't like the m/f/m dynamics. Not because of the female parts, it's been they didn't seem connected at all. It seemed forced alot. Another part of my issue was the tone of the story. This was the darkest book out of the story. Very depressing, and with the depression, and me not connecting with the story I just decided to bow out. It sucks because I've enjoyed it up to here. Learned a ton of new things and I do enjoy J.A Rock's work but for me it wasn't working at all.
April 28, 2024
Unable to finish - :-(
I know I will be in the minority here but I just could not get into this book and I was really upset over it. So rather than continuing and scoring low I am going to DNF and try again at a later date. Sorry but throwing a female in the mix ruined it for me.
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
I know I will be in the minority here but I just could not get into this book and I was really upset over it. So rather than continuing and scoring low I am going to DNF and try again at a later date. Sorry but throwing a female in the mix ruined it for me.
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*Review Copy provided by Riptide Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
May 25, 2020
This one is definitely the darkest of the series, and it is M/F/M menage, and more about the BDSM than a romance. Most of the sex is M/F, and there is a lot of humiliation kink in here (one of my personal least favorite forms of BDSM.) My heart ached for Gould in this book.
Gould was the most affected by Hal's death - even though they had broken up by the time Hal died, it was Gould who left, and he's haunted by the thought that he potentially sent Hal into Bills arms. He was still in love with Hal, in some ways, even if he couldn't handle Hal's erratic and thoughtless carelessness as a partner. They had loved and fought, close in a way Gould never was with anyone else. And when Hal died, some of what kept Gould tethered to reality and other people went with him.
He's been searching, trying to find a way to make himself connect with someone, trying to get out of his own head and the way his thoughts keep circling back to Hal. Submission does some of that for him. Service helps. When he focuses on what someone else wants, there's less room for the mess in his head.
He hopes to find that with Kel, whom he is deeply attracted to physically (he considers himself a Kinsey 5 but Kel is that rare woman who totally floats his boat.) Her certainty and presence and dominance are the other part of that picture that works for him. Her husband Greg, who is also her sub, considers himself heteroflexible, and is interested enough to welcome Gould pretty warmly into their play. Gould is happy to take orders from Greg too, though Greg's teasing and resistant version of submission sometimes makes Gould uncertain.
Gould wants more, though. He wants humiliation. He wants service and lack of choices, potentially a 24/7 consensual slave contract. At the same time, there are a lot of strong emotions under the surface that he's trying to bury more than clarify, with his service. And Kel, though she was part of a Master/slave group for a while, isn't sure she's ready for this. But they agree to try it for a week.
Gould goes some pretty dark places though this book. And in some ways, it highlights the risk of trying to make BDSM a substitute for therapy. Someone like Gould, who is terrible at communicating his thoughts and needs, is a risky sub, even though he's trying hard for Kel.
The ending of the book is positive, although I wasn't convinced yet that these three people had a really loving relationship anywhere except Kel-Greg. Of course, in exploring the wide range of human relationships and how they work, love doesn't always have to be part of a working BDSM relationship. (Just as sex doesn't always have to be.) This was fascinating, painful, and ultimately it does feel like Gould is moving in a positive direction at last.
Gould was the most affected by Hal's death - even though they had broken up by the time Hal died, it was Gould who left, and he's haunted by the thought that he potentially sent Hal into Bills arms. He was still in love with Hal, in some ways, even if he couldn't handle Hal's erratic and thoughtless carelessness as a partner. They had loved and fought, close in a way Gould never was with anyone else. And when Hal died, some of what kept Gould tethered to reality and other people went with him.
He's been searching, trying to find a way to make himself connect with someone, trying to get out of his own head and the way his thoughts keep circling back to Hal. Submission does some of that for him. Service helps. When he focuses on what someone else wants, there's less room for the mess in his head.
He hopes to find that with Kel, whom he is deeply attracted to physically (he considers himself a Kinsey 5 but Kel is that rare woman who totally floats his boat.) Her certainty and presence and dominance are the other part of that picture that works for him. Her husband Greg, who is also her sub, considers himself heteroflexible, and is interested enough to welcome Gould pretty warmly into their play. Gould is happy to take orders from Greg too, though Greg's teasing and resistant version of submission sometimes makes Gould uncertain.
Gould wants more, though. He wants humiliation. He wants service and lack of choices, potentially a 24/7 consensual slave contract. At the same time, there are a lot of strong emotions under the surface that he's trying to bury more than clarify, with his service. And Kel, though she was part of a Master/slave group for a while, isn't sure she's ready for this. But they agree to try it for a week.
Gould goes some pretty dark places though this book. And in some ways, it highlights the risk of trying to make BDSM a substitute for therapy. Someone like Gould, who is terrible at communicating his thoughts and needs, is a risky sub, even though he's trying hard for Kel.
The ending of the book is positive, although I wasn't convinced yet that these three people had a really loving relationship anywhere except Kel-Greg. Of course, in exploring the wide range of human relationships and how they work, love doesn't always have to be part of a working BDSM relationship. (Just as sex doesn't always have to be.) This was fascinating, painful, and ultimately it does feel like Gould is moving in a positive direction at last.
April 25, 2016
4.5 stars
So, so good. I wasn't sure what to expect going in to this one. We haven't really gotten to know Gould well in the previous books and I had big reservations about Kel and GK. I was shocked at the level of emotion this book brought. Gould is drowning in his grief over Hal. I don't think I really understood how much he loved Hal. We've only seen the relationship through the other guy's eyes and I knew that Hal and Gould weren't together anymore when he died. I guess I assumed the relationship wasn't that serious. This book starts with Gould not being in a good place. His friends are all moving on and he's stuck in his grief and love of a dead man. He's angry at his friends for moving on and for letting the original purpose of The Subs Club get pushed aside. He hates Bill and although he plays with Kel & GK he still has a lot of anger towards them for their roles in Hal's death.
Gould has a strong desire for submission and humiliation but whatever he gets is not enough. He's insightful enough to realize that some of it's connected to his grief but he can't quite sort out what's his normal level of kink and what's an emotional issue for him. As the story goes on we watch as Gould slowly starts to unravel. It was a painful journey for both Gould and the reader. I generally have a heart of stone but my eyes watered more than once in the book. Gould's emotional pain jumps off the page at you. I wanted to cry with him for the loss of Hal. I loved the scenes we got of Hal in this one. We've had glimpses of him from the other guy's in the previous books and they were not all positive. In this we see some of his negative traits but we see reasons behind them and we also see the person that Gould loved. More than one of these broke my heart and made me love Hal. I felt like I knew him too by the time this book was done. This was the first book in the series where I actually understood the depth of their loss of Hal.
This book touched on some serious issues. It looked at the need for communication in kink play and the dangers of playing when not being emotionally stable. It also took a look at body image, misogyny within the kink/bdsm community and labels in regards to sexual identity. These issues were all done in a way that was not preachy but brought up some things for the reader to think about. I felt all of these topics were handled well.
Gould's kink of choice is extreme submission, humiliation and slavery. Honestly some of the scenes were hard for me to read. It's something I do not understand, even a little, and I was way out of my comfort zone. Actually much of this series has been outside of my comfort zone but I'm so glad I've read them.
The other guys all have roles in this book and we have a few of the laugh out loud scenes that have become a part of this series. Some of the most emotional scenes for me were some between Gould and his friends. There were a couple that again, made my eyes water. The thing that kept this book from being a perfect read for me were the emotions between Gould and Kel/GK. I grew to like them over the course of the story. GK in particular, but I never felt a strong emotional attachment between them all. I never felt the same level of emotion between them and Gould as I did between Gould and Hal or Gould and the guys. The book finished with me still wishing for something different for Gould.
I really can't fan girl enough about how great I think this book and this series as a whole are. It's been a great journey for me and I think this was a solid ending to their stories. This is one of those series where I'm going to miss the characters.
*ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review*
So, so good. I wasn't sure what to expect going in to this one. We haven't really gotten to know Gould well in the previous books and I had big reservations about Kel and GK. I was shocked at the level of emotion this book brought. Gould is drowning in his grief over Hal. I don't think I really understood how much he loved Hal. We've only seen the relationship through the other guy's eyes and I knew that Hal and Gould weren't together anymore when he died. I guess I assumed the relationship wasn't that serious. This book starts with Gould not being in a good place. His friends are all moving on and he's stuck in his grief and love of a dead man. He's angry at his friends for moving on and for letting the original purpose of The Subs Club get pushed aside. He hates Bill and although he plays with Kel & GK he still has a lot of anger towards them for their roles in Hal's death.
Gould has a strong desire for submission and humiliation but whatever he gets is not enough. He's insightful enough to realize that some of it's connected to his grief but he can't quite sort out what's his normal level of kink and what's an emotional issue for him. As the story goes on we watch as Gould slowly starts to unravel. It was a painful journey for both Gould and the reader. I generally have a heart of stone but my eyes watered more than once in the book. Gould's emotional pain jumps off the page at you. I wanted to cry with him for the loss of Hal. I loved the scenes we got of Hal in this one. We've had glimpses of him from the other guy's in the previous books and they were not all positive. In this we see some of his negative traits but we see reasons behind them and we also see the person that Gould loved. More than one of these broke my heart and made me love Hal. I felt like I knew him too by the time this book was done. This was the first book in the series where I actually understood the depth of their loss of Hal.
This book touched on some serious issues. It looked at the need for communication in kink play and the dangers of playing when not being emotionally stable. It also took a look at body image, misogyny within the kink/bdsm community and labels in regards to sexual identity. These issues were all done in a way that was not preachy but brought up some things for the reader to think about. I felt all of these topics were handled well.
Gould's kink of choice is extreme submission, humiliation and slavery. Honestly some of the scenes were hard for me to read. It's something I do not understand, even a little, and I was way out of my comfort zone. Actually much of this series has been outside of my comfort zone but I'm so glad I've read them.
The other guys all have roles in this book and we have a few of the laugh out loud scenes that have become a part of this series. Some of the most emotional scenes for me were some between Gould and his friends. There were a couple that again, made my eyes water. The thing that kept this book from being a perfect read for me were the emotions between Gould and Kel/GK. I grew to like them over the course of the story. GK in particular, but I never felt a strong emotional attachment between them all. I never felt the same level of emotion between them and Gould as I did between Gould and Hal or Gould and the guys. The book finished with me still wishing for something different for Gould.
I really can't fan girl enough about how great I think this book and this series as a whole are. It's been a great journey for me and I think this was a solid ending to their stories. This is one of those series where I'm going to miss the characters.
*ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review*
June 22, 2016
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and this entire series.
Gould has been in a relationship with GK (Greg) and Kel for about a year now, and he's looking for more. Gould approaches the subject of a Master/slave relationship where Kel is Master/Madam, Greg is 2nd in command, and he is the Slave in the relationship the dynamics work for all parties so they agree to try it for a one week trial. There was some HEAVY humiliation play throughout the book but it became really intense after the second half. Gould has guilt strapped to him like it's a concrete block on his back, he is agonizing over the way things ended with Hal right before the "accident" that killed him. It was very sad to learn some of the darker moments that Gould had gone through.
I have to say that I don't think Gould would have allowed anyone other than Kel into his psyche, somewhere deep down he knew that she would be the one to help him deal with every dark moment he had. There were times that I had to put the book down and step away for a while to regroup, it was very intense.
Gould is the fourth and last member of the Subs Club to get his HFN/HEA and I really hate to see this series end...maybe there is a chance that the secondary Subs Club members will get a book...fingers crossed!
***I have received this book from Riptide Publishing through netgalley in exchange for my honest review*** https://www.netgalley.com/
Gould has been in a relationship with GK (Greg) and Kel for about a year now, and he's looking for more. Gould approaches the subject of a Master/slave relationship where Kel is Master/Madam, Greg is 2nd in command, and he is the Slave in the relationship the dynamics work for all parties so they agree to try it for a one week trial. There was some HEAVY humiliation play throughout the book but it became really intense after the second half. Gould has guilt strapped to him like it's a concrete block on his back, he is agonizing over the way things ended with Hal right before the "accident" that killed him. It was very sad to learn some of the darker moments that Gould had gone through.
I have to say that I don't think Gould would have allowed anyone other than Kel into his psyche, somewhere deep down he knew that she would be the one to help him deal with every dark moment he had. There were times that I had to put the book down and step away for a while to regroup, it was very intense.
Gould is the fourth and last member of the Subs Club to get his HFN/HEA and I really hate to see this series end...maybe there is a chance that the secondary Subs Club members will get a book...fingers crossed!
***I have received this book from Riptide Publishing through netgalley in exchange for my honest review*** https://www.netgalley.com/
June 7, 2016
Full reviewage on Prism Book Alliance®
It’s safe to say that Gould is looking for something, for answers, for some greater focus and fulfillment, a deeper connection to some of the people in his life than he has now. Is he looking in the right place? With the right people, and for the right reasons?
The first quarter of this story feels very isolating. It’s mostly Gould and his inner thoughts and workings, dealing with his grief over Hal, the changes going on within his group of friends, and what he’s trying to figure out about what he wants and needs for the kink part of his life. We get a few scenes between Gould and the familiar group of friends we’ve gotten to know from the first three books in this series. Otherwise, it’s Gould, sometimes with Kel and Greg, the couple who owns Riddle that we encountered previously and with whom Gould has been playing for the last year or so.For me, this was a lot of set-up and a slow start. I’m not sure it could have been done differently considering the heavy things Gould is working through in his life. I think that, if I hadn’t already known something about Gould from the previous stories and been able to utilize that emotional base, I would have had trouble connecting to him. Even with, it was a challenge in some spots.
Things begin to pick up as the circle of characters widens, as well as the sharing going on between Gould, Kel, and Greg. All three have their past experiences and current needs that they bring to the table and it starts to get very interesting as more and more of those are revealed. Kel and Greg are huge parts of Gould’s journey through dealing with and healing amidst grief, and what he thinks he wants and needs from and with them to satisfy the submissive part of himself.
As usual in this series, we have an awesomely diverse set of characters and, except for when they mention their various backgrounds and cultures in conversation, we’d be hard pressed to suss them out.
~ starts singing Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” to herself ~
And then I came across this passage, bursting with truth and old beauty, and it rips away any notion that this man Gould doesn’t feel and think to the very depths of his soul:
Could forgiveness be both? A gift and reckless? Well-intentioned but dangerous? A ritual repeated so many millions of times that it had lost its significance, and yet there was meaning there. Under countless hollow echoes, there was meaning. There was power, and there was a desire as frantic as lust, as innocent as a wish made on a star.
Rock once again demonstrates how there can be not a teeny weeny ounce of doubt regarding her ability to strip away the tedious layers of muck foist upon us by society and its demands for wearing masks all day long and instead allow us to feel the real of it all.
To top it all off is this here what Kel says. This is one of the most powerful things I’ve read. I wanted to scream ‘YES!’ because holy hell, YES.
”I want men to think I’m strong enough to care for them.”
I know!!!!!!! S’ok, go ahead and scream. Do it. If I was, from this day forward, forbidden from reading anything ever again, I almost think I could do it because of this line. I had to stop reading, actually, for a little while, to gather myself. To revel.
We do get some more scenes that involve some of the other characters we’ve gotten to know and love and laugh with over this series. I think, though, they sometimes highlighted the difficulty I was having in totally connecting with Gould. This is unusual for me when it comes to Rock’s stories. She still gets to the heart of the matter here but it feels matter of fact in the way Gould thinks and talks about some of the things I mentioned above. Now, this isn’t the case throughout the whole story, and I definitely had my emotional experiences, as you can see, but I can’t qualify this one as a home run for me.
Like the other books in this series, you could maybe read this as a standalone since the characters who make up the focus are different, just as the other three were written. However, you will without a doubt miss some of those emotional experiences that help make up Gould’s story, his wading through grief, his demonstration of love to his friends - the family he’s helped make - and his desire to engage more deeply into his kink and therefore live a more fulfilled life. Rather universal a desire, I’d say, no matter the application. :)
It’s safe to say that Gould is looking for something, for answers, for some greater focus and fulfillment, a deeper connection to some of the people in his life than he has now. Is he looking in the right place? With the right people, and for the right reasons?
The first quarter of this story feels very isolating. It’s mostly Gould and his inner thoughts and workings, dealing with his grief over Hal, the changes going on within his group of friends, and what he’s trying to figure out about what he wants and needs for the kink part of his life. We get a few scenes between Gould and the familiar group of friends we’ve gotten to know from the first three books in this series. Otherwise, it’s Gould, sometimes with Kel and Greg, the couple who owns Riddle that we encountered previously and with whom Gould has been playing for the last year or so.For me, this was a lot of set-up and a slow start. I’m not sure it could have been done differently considering the heavy things Gould is working through in his life. I think that, if I hadn’t already known something about Gould from the previous stories and been able to utilize that emotional base, I would have had trouble connecting to him. Even with, it was a challenge in some spots.
Things begin to pick up as the circle of characters widens, as well as the sharing going on between Gould, Kel, and Greg. All three have their past experiences and current needs that they bring to the table and it starts to get very interesting as more and more of those are revealed. Kel and Greg are huge parts of Gould’s journey through dealing with and healing amidst grief, and what he thinks he wants and needs from and with them to satisfy the submissive part of himself.
As usual in this series, we have an awesomely diverse set of characters and, except for when they mention their various backgrounds and cultures in conversation, we’d be hard pressed to suss them out.
~ starts singing Depeche Mode’s “People Are People” to herself ~
And then I came across this passage, bursting with truth and old beauty, and it rips away any notion that this man Gould doesn’t feel and think to the very depths of his soul:
Could forgiveness be both? A gift and reckless? Well-intentioned but dangerous? A ritual repeated so many millions of times that it had lost its significance, and yet there was meaning there. Under countless hollow echoes, there was meaning. There was power, and there was a desire as frantic as lust, as innocent as a wish made on a star.
Rock once again demonstrates how there can be not a teeny weeny ounce of doubt regarding her ability to strip away the tedious layers of muck foist upon us by society and its demands for wearing masks all day long and instead allow us to feel the real of it all.
To top it all off is this here what Kel says. This is one of the most powerful things I’ve read. I wanted to scream ‘YES!’ because holy hell, YES.
”I want men to think I’m strong enough to care for them.”
I know!!!!!!! S’ok, go ahead and scream. Do it. If I was, from this day forward, forbidden from reading anything ever again, I almost think I could do it because of this line. I had to stop reading, actually, for a little while, to gather myself. To revel.
We do get some more scenes that involve some of the other characters we’ve gotten to know and love and laugh with over this series. I think, though, they sometimes highlighted the difficulty I was having in totally connecting with Gould. This is unusual for me when it comes to Rock’s stories. She still gets to the heart of the matter here but it feels matter of fact in the way Gould thinks and talks about some of the things I mentioned above. Now, this isn’t the case throughout the whole story, and I definitely had my emotional experiences, as you can see, but I can’t qualify this one as a home run for me.
Like the other books in this series, you could maybe read this as a standalone since the characters who make up the focus are different, just as the other three were written. However, you will without a doubt miss some of those emotional experiences that help make up Gould’s story, his wading through grief, his demonstration of love to his friends - the family he’s helped make - and his desire to engage more deeply into his kink and therefore live a more fulfilled life. Rather universal a desire, I’d say, no matter the application. :)
June 1, 2018
3.5 stars - this one was tough. Poor Gould - he really struggled with the death of his partner / friend Hal and this book was all about the emotions. While Gould was becoming part of Kel & GKs family as a slave / sub, he was also reconciling with his feelings about Hal and his accidental death. There were a mine field of triggers in this book and sadly Gould was not able to speak up until he really fell apart. This book could have been a sexy hot arrangement but the relationship was parallel to the angst. I missed the humor from previous books however I adore the unconditional love that these friends have for each other.
May 29, 2018
Gould's story is of course is the most complex. delicate and heartfelt. Rock has chosen to have six months to a year blocks between each installment which is refreshing. It gives the characters time to grow or develop and gives Rock something to really give us. Gould is in a relationship with Kel and Greg. ( I can't believe I read a book with a f/m/m thing going on! So not my thing. ) He wants this relationship but he has to learn how to give up and face certain issues from his past. Of course, as an every installment in this series Hal is this unfocused cloud hanging over everyone squeezing everyone's heart. Hal's memory is just a little bit too much for Gould. He hasn't figured out how to let Hal go. His breakthrough was written with immense compassion. The kink was present but it was all about Gould finding his way. Next...
June 6, 2016
This is the fourth book in a series, but I think it can still be enjoyed on its own. It is an adult book that features a M/F/M-ish type of relationship...it's honestly hard to classify for reasons below.
4.5 stars.
Gould is a 28 year old Jewish man who knows he's a submissive. He's been in the BDSM scene for years now, and is one of the founding members of the Subs Club, a collection of four childhood friends who all practice BDSM, and are all male and all subs. It formed three years ago when Gould's ex, Hal, also a sub, died by strangulation in a scene at a club owned by Kel and Greg--who are married. Kel is Greg's Dom, and she's a task master. Gould never forgave himself for breaking up with Hal, who was--admittedly--too into drugs and floundering. Hal and Gould had been tight; Hal was Gould's first ever Dom, and Gould felt responsible for Hal dying--to a degree. He's really still torqued off that the Dom who left Hal restrained in seclusion, Bill, got off on the second-degree murder charges while Gould pretty much struggles with his grief--almost daily.
At the beginning of the book Gould has been "playing with" Kel and Greg for several months. They are a heterosexual couple, but Kel enjoys having male playmates for Greg, and while Gred is her submissive, he is dominant to Gould. They have lots of kinky sexytimes, but the Gould really favors humiliation and loves being chastised. While roiling in his shamed subspace he's able to commune with Hal's spirit, and Hal's inner voice is always putting him down, so that adds more shame for Gould to immerse himself in. He's all about the shame.
I liked the way their relationship worked, in that Kel and Greg both embraced Gould, for the most part. Greg isn't gay, and he isn't bisexual, but he finds something very attractive in Gould, and is willing to share more and more of Kel with him. Gould's always kept his feelings buried, but he knows he needs more from Kel, as a Dom, and he finally works up the nerve to ask if they can explore a M/s (Master/slave) dynamic. Kel trained as a Master, but never stuck with it due to the negative backlash she faced as a female. Gould's request is a big temptation for her, and she and Greg decide to try this with Gould--for a week. Greg likes being submissive, but he doesn't feel compelled to a 24/7 power exchange, like Gould craves. There are upsides, but Gould's secrets regarding his depression over Hal and still-simmering rage at Bill complicate matters. Also, he knows that Kel and Greg have forgiven Bill--and have worked to rehabilitate him since Hal's death--and that's a big betrayal for Gould's trust.
I'm not going to delve much deeper into the plot, but I liked the dynamic here. I felt Gould's pain, his obsessive depression, and how sinking into sub-space really helped him to forget it for a time. Kel and Greg are fantastic partners to each other, and to Gould. Gould needs a lot of TLC, even if he won't admit it, and Kel's not a big fan of punishment. Plus, her brand of punishment is less about pain and more about humiliation, which works for Gould. Greg is staunchly het, but he's also clearly attracted to Gould, which is nice. I've read a good big of BDSM, and this book is really less erotic and more intellectual. It's all about the mind games, and tripping Gould out of his generally negative headspace. If you are looking for a gushing romance, this is not your book. (The only gushing that happens is rather gross, and completely humiliating to Gould, which satisfies his needs.) There is a quiet romance, of sorts, here; mainly it's Gould asking for the love and attention he needs and both Kel and Greg stepping up to the plate. That was completely satisfying, even if it didn't come with all heavy breathing and juicy moments. There is a lot of emotion to be had, which is why I even classify it as a "romance" of sorts...
As the series follows each of the four Subs Club members finding their forever Dom, I suppose this one marks the end. There is a significant sense of closure for the subs, as they all have mainly healed from the loss of Hal, and found happiness with their permanent partners, even Gould who gets the love, support and therapy he truly needs. This book was definitely darker than MANTIES WITH A TWIST, but it made sense that Hal's bereaved ex, Gould, would have more trouble moving on. I loved the interaction with all the boys: Gould, Dave, Miles and Kamen. They are so loving and sweet to each other, in a purely platonic way.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
4.5 stars.
Gould is a 28 year old Jewish man who knows he's a submissive. He's been in the BDSM scene for years now, and is one of the founding members of the Subs Club, a collection of four childhood friends who all practice BDSM, and are all male and all subs. It formed three years ago when Gould's ex, Hal, also a sub, died by strangulation in a scene at a club owned by Kel and Greg--who are married. Kel is Greg's Dom, and she's a task master. Gould never forgave himself for breaking up with Hal, who was--admittedly--too into drugs and floundering. Hal and Gould had been tight; Hal was Gould's first ever Dom, and Gould felt responsible for Hal dying--to a degree. He's really still torqued off that the Dom who left Hal restrained in seclusion, Bill, got off on the second-degree murder charges while Gould pretty much struggles with his grief--almost daily.
At the beginning of the book Gould has been "playing with" Kel and Greg for several months. They are a heterosexual couple, but Kel enjoys having male playmates for Greg, and while Gred is her submissive, he is dominant to Gould. They have lots of kinky sexytimes, but the Gould really favors humiliation and loves being chastised. While roiling in his shamed subspace he's able to commune with Hal's spirit, and Hal's inner voice is always putting him down, so that adds more shame for Gould to immerse himself in. He's all about the shame.
I liked the way their relationship worked, in that Kel and Greg both embraced Gould, for the most part. Greg isn't gay, and he isn't bisexual, but he finds something very attractive in Gould, and is willing to share more and more of Kel with him. Gould's always kept his feelings buried, but he knows he needs more from Kel, as a Dom, and he finally works up the nerve to ask if they can explore a M/s (Master/slave) dynamic. Kel trained as a Master, but never stuck with it due to the negative backlash she faced as a female. Gould's request is a big temptation for her, and she and Greg decide to try this with Gould--for a week. Greg likes being submissive, but he doesn't feel compelled to a 24/7 power exchange, like Gould craves. There are upsides, but Gould's secrets regarding his depression over Hal and still-simmering rage at Bill complicate matters. Also, he knows that Kel and Greg have forgiven Bill--and have worked to rehabilitate him since Hal's death--and that's a big betrayal for Gould's trust.
I'm not going to delve much deeper into the plot, but I liked the dynamic here. I felt Gould's pain, his obsessive depression, and how sinking into sub-space really helped him to forget it for a time. Kel and Greg are fantastic partners to each other, and to Gould. Gould needs a lot of TLC, even if he won't admit it, and Kel's not a big fan of punishment. Plus, her brand of punishment is less about pain and more about humiliation, which works for Gould. Greg is staunchly het, but he's also clearly attracted to Gould, which is nice. I've read a good big of BDSM, and this book is really less erotic and more intellectual. It's all about the mind games, and tripping Gould out of his generally negative headspace. If you are looking for a gushing romance, this is not your book. (The only gushing that happens is rather gross, and completely humiliating to Gould, which satisfies his needs.) There is a quiet romance, of sorts, here; mainly it's Gould asking for the love and attention he needs and both Kel and Greg stepping up to the plate. That was completely satisfying, even if it didn't come with all heavy breathing and juicy moments. There is a lot of emotion to be had, which is why I even classify it as a "romance" of sorts...
As the series follows each of the four Subs Club members finding their forever Dom, I suppose this one marks the end. There is a significant sense of closure for the subs, as they all have mainly healed from the loss of Hal, and found happiness with their permanent partners, even Gould who gets the love, support and therapy he truly needs. This book was definitely darker than MANTIES WITH A TWIST, but it made sense that Hal's bereaved ex, Gould, would have more trouble moving on. I loved the interaction with all the boys: Gould, Dave, Miles and Kamen. They are so loving and sweet to each other, in a purely platonic way.
I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley.
August 15, 2016
Gould is the final one in this foursome to share his experiences and perspective into Hal's death. This tragic defining moment in four people's lives have brought them closer together yet pushed them apart. How can this be? Ms. Rock rocks it by showing how Gould feels the need to be closer to his friends yet pushed away because he also wants something with GK and Kel. This story cannot be read as a standalone. To fully appreciate this series, it is best to read the books in order.
What I liked about this series is Ms. Rock's careful reveal on how negligence can cause severe impact upon the ones left behind. Gould loved Hal. But there were times that Hal drove him crazy. Hal's risk taking lifestyle ended abruptly and caused sides to be taken. Gould doesn't want to take sides and yet he still doesn't think it is fair that Bill isn't punished for killing Hal. It can be said that Gould is in a dark place by trying to make himself suffer through placing himself in the hands of those who forgave Bill. How is it conceivable that Gould who beat up Bill would want to have anything to do with those that not only forgive Bill but try to help him play again? Is Gould survivor's guilt causing him a self-loathing which may end him just the same as Hal? No. Instead, it is showing the complexities of relationships and how messy life can be.
The BDSM in this story is well done. Ms. Rock's research is evident in her excellent representation of a kinky ménage with femdom and switching. There are some scenes which may come across as humiliation but they are not. The power exchange may cause a bit of queasiness for some, as GK and Gould play off each other for Kel's attention. The way that these three come together shows how a ménage is not all rainbows and unicorns. Nor is it jealousy with competition and selfish needs. These three have complicated emotions exacerbated by conflicting priorities. When there are no right answers and only results where someone is hurt, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And perhaps this is why Gould wants a TPE relationship. This way, he doesn't have to think about the hard things anymore. He can let someone else shoulder the responsibilities and ease the burdens the carries. Ms. Rock cleverly shows how this does not work either. Instead, she proposes another way which blends this romance into a happy ménage with open communication. Impressive and heartwarming, this story ends with a happily for now through forgiveness and enlightenment. I enjoyed it. It is a fit end for these four friends' self-discovery and growth. Recommended for kinky readers who like their boundaries pushed.
*provided by NetGalley
What I liked about this series is Ms. Rock's careful reveal on how negligence can cause severe impact upon the ones left behind. Gould loved Hal. But there were times that Hal drove him crazy. Hal's risk taking lifestyle ended abruptly and caused sides to be taken. Gould doesn't want to take sides and yet he still doesn't think it is fair that Bill isn't punished for killing Hal. It can be said that Gould is in a dark place by trying to make himself suffer through placing himself in the hands of those who forgave Bill. How is it conceivable that Gould who beat up Bill would want to have anything to do with those that not only forgive Bill but try to help him play again? Is Gould survivor's guilt causing him a self-loathing which may end him just the same as Hal? No. Instead, it is showing the complexities of relationships and how messy life can be.
The BDSM in this story is well done. Ms. Rock's research is evident in her excellent representation of a kinky ménage with femdom and switching. There are some scenes which may come across as humiliation but they are not. The power exchange may cause a bit of queasiness for some, as GK and Gould play off each other for Kel's attention. The way that these three come together shows how a ménage is not all rainbows and unicorns. Nor is it jealousy with competition and selfish needs. These three have complicated emotions exacerbated by conflicting priorities. When there are no right answers and only results where someone is hurt, it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And perhaps this is why Gould wants a TPE relationship. This way, he doesn't have to think about the hard things anymore. He can let someone else shoulder the responsibilities and ease the burdens the carries. Ms. Rock cleverly shows how this does not work either. Instead, she proposes another way which blends this romance into a happy ménage with open communication. Impressive and heartwarming, this story ends with a happily for now through forgiveness and enlightenment. I enjoyed it. It is a fit end for these four friends' self-discovery and growth. Recommended for kinky readers who like their boundaries pushed.
*provided by NetGalley
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June 8, 2016Maybe I just have to resign myself to the fact that the star rating system doesn't work for this series.
Well, it doesn't.
So.
Gould is in many respects the deepest character in the series. Or is he? He thinks a lot, he has a tendency to get lost in his head, and he is the one who feels the loss of Hal the most. The Loss of Hal (which needs to be capitalised) is the underlying theme, the motor - if you will - of this series. And Gould's loss is devastating for him.
He has also a major humiliation kink going on that I'm in no way equipped to understand.
It's a book about loss, about grief, about healing (the other books in the series are too but this one takes the sense of grief to a whole different dimension) but once again I fail to see what the kink is for. It might totally my fault (and I tend to skip the "scenes" in this series because they unavoidably make me deeply uncomfortable) but, yep, no, I don't know.
I can't stress this enough - all the books in the series are well-written, well-edited and I kind of enjoyed reading them. I like a lot of the characters but it just so happens that there is a lot going on that I just don't get and - no offense - don't ever want to get.
[EDIT: Again to save my delicate ears from the howling and moaning - girl parts alarm! *WhoaWhoa* THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL M/M BOOK! It shouldn't matter - Kel is a bloody fantastic character but... yeah. Be kinda warned, or whatever.]
Well, it doesn't.
So.
Gould is in many respects the deepest character in the series. Or is he? He thinks a lot, he has a tendency to get lost in his head, and he is the one who feels the loss of Hal the most. The Loss of Hal (which needs to be capitalised) is the underlying theme, the motor - if you will - of this series. And Gould's loss is devastating for him.
He has also a major humiliation kink going on that I'm in no way equipped to understand.
It's a book about loss, about grief, about healing (the other books in the series are too but this one takes the sense of grief to a whole different dimension) but once again I fail to see what the kink is for. It might totally my fault (and I tend to skip the "scenes" in this series because they unavoidably make me deeply uncomfortable) but, yep, no, I don't know.
I can't stress this enough - all the books in the series are well-written, well-edited and I kind of enjoyed reading them. I like a lot of the characters but it just so happens that there is a lot going on that I just don't get and - no offense - don't ever want to get.
[EDIT: Again to save my delicate ears from the howling and moaning - girl parts alarm! *WhoaWhoa* THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL M/M BOOK! It shouldn't matter - Kel is a bloody fantastic character but... yeah. Be kinda warned, or whatever.]
May 19, 2016
El and I had a buddy read for this one. So much fun!
I really liked this a lot. It's darker and more somber than previous books in the series, and it also has less interaction with the group of friends that readers have all come to love. Still, it was a fantastic ride and I'm sad to see the end.
El and I had a great discussion over the course of a few days. Some of that conversation is up on the blog. Go take a look!
I really liked this a lot. It's darker and more somber than previous books in the series, and it also has less interaction with the group of friends that readers have all come to love. Still, it was a fantastic ride and I'm sad to see the end.
El and I had a great discussion over the course of a few days. Some of that conversation is up on the blog. Go take a look!
June 7, 2016
Such a great ending to this series. I just love J.A.Rock, she never disappoints.
May 26, 2017
This one was pretty hardcore but it did a good job of exploring the main characters grief and recovery from the death of his partner. I do think this was the best in the series because of the emotional depth it displayed.
August 29, 2016
Well this was surprisingly good!
It started off like the other books in this series, with a good pace, and lively dialogue between the characters but it also ended up being a real roller-coaster of emotion.
This isn't a traditional gay romance. It isn't a traditional BDSM story either. It kind of stands on its own and it comes into its own when read as book four in the Subs Club series. There are parts of the story that really pack a punch because of grief and emotion, and parts that I questioned, but all in all it was a good story, unusual but good.
And gripping in its own way.
Initially wasn't too sure about this story but I gradually warmed to it. Having said this I wasn't too sure about the series either when I first started reading it, but I have ended up really liking it. It is actually a really good series and a satisfying read.
I don't read many BDSM stories because I don't understand BDSM and I am sceptical about the way it is portrayed in many m/m and m/f stories but I have enjoyed this series because the characters are all so different and yet they come to life and come into their own on the page.
This series also explores the full lives of the characters, not just their sex lives. We get to see their work places, hobbies, families, hopes, desires, weaknesses and strengths, and the way they deal with the grief of losing their friend Hal.
In fact the series is dealing with real everyday people who happen to like different aspects of BDSM and that is what makes the series so enjoyable - the reality of everyday life and pain and love when it happens.
This is book four in the series and it breaks from the earlier books because it is m/f/m. Instead of having a male couple the story focuses on GK and Kel, and their relationship with Gould.
GK and Kel are married and they are also the owners of Riddles the BDSM club where the Subs Club members frequent. This is the club where their friend Hal lost his life. Gould is being mentored by GK and Kel. On the one hand he enjoys exploring his submission with GK and Kel because he is particularly drawn to them. He believes that Kel can meet all that he desires including some of the desires that he holds deep within himself but he is conflicted.
Gould is conflicted because GK and Kel supported Bill, the dom whose carelessness caused Hal's death. Gould is torn between his grief for Hal and his desire to submit to this couple, and to explore a more long term and deeper M/s relationship with Kel. He struggles to come to terms with Hal's death, and the need he has for justice and some kind of meaningful resolution, and when coupled with his sexual desire this becomes an explosive mix.
The story is incredibly well written. Gould's internal isolation and deepest unspoken desires really come to life and the reader struggles alongside him feeling the emotional push and pull in all directions! It is quite gripping to read and not at all light hearted although there is some humour and silliness along the way.
We also get to see Gould's relationship with the rest of the Subs club members and the way they depend on each other as friends, but also have all these other new relationships which bring a new dynamic to the group.
Each of these stories has been quite gripping and I do have my favourite couple. Despite not reading too many BDSM stories, I have really enjoyed this series because the characters are just so rich and alive, and realistic. I am now looking forward to the grand finale in book 5.
This is a great series for anyone who likes a more mature feel to their stories and who enjoys stories that break the traditional m/m and BDSM moulds. Well worth it!
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
June 10, 2016
3.5 star review by The Blogger Girls.
Up to this point, I have been pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed each book in this series. Pleasantly surprised because each contained an element I don’t normally enjoy but which Ms. Rock was able to write about in ways that changed that for me. Those stories were fun and playful, my fondness for this group of characters growing more with each one. So, I was ready to read Gould’s story, or so I thought. Unfortunately, his story is quite the opposite of the others. He has quite a few issues, which we knew, but I don’t think I ever really grasped how deep they were. Of course, they all center around Hal, the friend they lost to a BDSM accident a few years prior.
I understand that everyone deals with grief in their own way, and Gould is no exception. Except he hasn’t ever really dealt with it, has let it fester and haunt him and affect his actions almost daily. He still harbors deep anger and resentment over Bill’s (the dom Hal was playing with at the time of his death) role in Hal’s death, is now playing Kel and GK, the husband/wife owners of the club where it happened. He is drawn to them, yet is still angry with them about forgiving Bill, etc. He also has some major body dis-morphia issues.
I had a difficult time getting through this book. I honestly felt sick of hearing about Hal and how wonderful he was, etc. when I never really saw anything that warmed me up to him. That aside, we have Gould, who holds everything in. His relationship with GK and Kel never really felt that emotional, perhaps due to Gould’s withdrawal and not sharing any of his thoughts or feelings. I mean, how are they supposed to dom and help him if they don’t have any idea what they are trying to accomplish?
As for the three-way, GK and Kel are married, but Kel is the dommme in this relationship. Gould wants to serve Kel in any way, as does GK. GK acted as Kel’s second in command where Gould was concerned, and while Gould falls in love with Kel, he and GK also share a fondness for each other. GK identifies as straight but hetero-flexible, and this is discussed and dealt with very well. If you’ve enjoyed this series up to this point, don’t let the MFM scare you off. There are lady parts, but she is definitely the one in control, and most of their scenes involve pegging. In addition, there are some intense scenes which contain many elements Gould asked for, including degradation and humiliation, which, again, is not normally my thing, but were also well done.
I was really happy to see the other characters and how they’re making out. Dave, and especially Kamen, really light up the room when they enter. I was definitely happy to see Gould move finally take some steps forward, but this definitely was not my favorite of this series. This story is just as well written as the others, and I definitely recommend it, especially if you like your stories a bit darker and more serious.
February 23, 2017
This was so much different than what I expected. And so much darker in some places but I still really really liked it.
I loved the dynamic between Kel, Greg and Gould and how they build their relationship.
And even though it made me really uncomfortable at times, because I really don't like degradation or humiliation, I still enjoyed this one. I actually don't think I have a favourite book in this series because each of them is as different as the MC's are. There's stuff I don't like and stuff I love. But one thing is for sure, this series is fantastic!
I loved the dynamic between Kel, Greg and Gould and how they build their relationship.
And even though it made me really uncomfortable at times, because I really don't like degradation or humiliation, I still enjoyed this one. I actually don't think I have a favourite book in this series because each of them is as different as the MC's are. There's stuff I don't like and stuff I love. But one thing is for sure, this series is fantastic!
May 11, 2016
Title:24/7
Author:J.A. Rock
Series:The Subs Club, Book #4
Publisher:Riptide Publishing
Reviewer:Melissa
Release Date:June 4, 2016
Genre(s):M/M Erotica
Page Count:283
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Review:
“It was a simple order, and I wanted to obey it. But something stopped me. The box was supposed to stay at home. Wasn’t supposed to be used for a performance.”
4 dominate me stars!
This book is twisted and beyond kinky!! If you like your M/M books with a lot of debauchery and kink, then this book is for you!! It’s super sexy and will leave you panting for more!! I didn’t read the other books in the series, but I feel like you don’t really need to. I sort of figured out what was going on as I read.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author:J.A. Rock
Series:The Subs Club, Book #4
Publisher:Riptide Publishing
Reviewer:Melissa
Release Date:June 4, 2016
Genre(s):M/M Erotica
Page Count:283
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
We started the Subs Club to make the kink community safer for subs. Except now the others are so busy chasing their happy endings, it’s like they’ve forgotten what Bill did to Hal and the fact that he got away with it. They used to think I was betraying Hal’s memory by hooking up with the owners of the club where he died. Now they don’t seem to care about any of it anymore.
Maybe I am sometimes angry with GK and Kel for giving Bill a second chance, but they’ve been mentoring me for a year now, and whatever else they’ve done, they make me feel incredibly safe. So I want to try something: I want to offer them my complete submission, 24/7. To serve the people who forgave Bill. That’s the way I want to hurt.
Except I’m starting to care about them in a way I never meant to—and I think they feel the same way. But after Hal, I don’t know if I want to be in love again. Because what I really need, more than anything, is to see Bill brought to justice. Even if I have to do it myself. Even if it means losing GK and Kel.
Review:
“It was a simple order, and I wanted to obey it. But something stopped me. The box was supposed to stay at home. Wasn’t supposed to be used for a performance.”
4 dominate me stars!
This book is twisted and beyond kinky!! If you like your M/M books with a lot of debauchery and kink, then this book is for you!! It’s super sexy and will leave you panting for more!! I didn’t read the other books in the series, but I feel like you don’t really need to. I sort of figured out what was going on as I read.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
June 18, 2016
Heads up for vague spoilers.
A pretty disappointing finale for a fun series : / 24/7 is kind of a joyless slough and a huge tonal shift from the previous books in the series, which tempered their characters' anxieties and serious discussions with great humor. 24/7 only got a laugh out of me once or twice, and this book seriously needed some laughs, because ho boy.
Additionally, I feel it's pacing was off. Over the course of the series it's been heavily hinted that Gould hasn't dealt with Hal's death at all, and that what's going on in his head is darker than his friends realize. With that in mind, I feel the book spent too much time reestablishing this that would've been better served in realizing the dramatic climax and focusing on the healing that comes after. As it stands, the book ends with Gould more or less beginning his journey to emotional wellness in the final chapters. Chapters which, in turn, feel like hasty epilogues, complete with a time skip of a few months so it doesn't feel too soon when Gould resumes practicing BDSM.
24/7 is also lacking as a series-closer, to such a degree that I half expect a novella or something in the future. Because of Gould's wonky, imbalanced arc, the series ends on a much more somber note that I legitimately believe it wanted to. Some couples are briefly checked in on: Dave and D win the most screentime because of the moving out subplot; Kamen makes a few appearances, and his and Ryan's life is touched on (in a scene which I only remembered as I typed this sentence); Miles is pretty much an afterthought, with his business getting a mention, but no insight into his relationship or his little boy. This is especially obvious in the last scene of chapter 17, where Dave and D get some interaction, Kamen and Ryan hijack the scene with an oddly-focused conversation in what I can only assume is their send-off and Miles...might have been there?
Ultimately it feels like this book needed another draft. Obviously read if you've followed the series until now, because why wouldn't you if you've made it this far, but I wish 24/7 had spent less time setting up and more time on its conclusion.
A pretty disappointing finale for a fun series : / 24/7 is kind of a joyless slough and a huge tonal shift from the previous books in the series, which tempered their characters' anxieties and serious discussions with great humor. 24/7 only got a laugh out of me once or twice, and this book seriously needed some laughs, because ho boy.
Additionally, I feel it's pacing was off. Over the course of the series it's been heavily hinted that Gould hasn't dealt with Hal's death at all, and that what's going on in his head is darker than his friends realize. With that in mind, I feel the book spent too much time reestablishing this that would've been better served in realizing the dramatic climax and focusing on the healing that comes after. As it stands, the book ends with Gould more or less beginning his journey to emotional wellness in the final chapters. Chapters which, in turn, feel like hasty epilogues, complete with a time skip of a few months so it doesn't feel too soon when Gould resumes practicing BDSM.
24/7 is also lacking as a series-closer, to such a degree that I half expect a novella or something in the future. Because of Gould's wonky, imbalanced arc, the series ends on a much more somber note that I legitimately believe it wanted to. Some couples are briefly checked in on: Dave and D win the most screentime because of the moving out subplot; Kamen makes a few appearances, and his and Ryan's life is touched on (in a scene which I only remembered as I typed this sentence); Miles is pretty much an afterthought, with his business getting a mention, but no insight into his relationship or his little boy. This is especially obvious in the last scene of chapter 17, where Dave and D get some interaction, Kamen and Ryan hijack the scene with an oddly-focused conversation in what I can only assume is their send-off and Miles...might have been there?
Ultimately it feels like this book needed another draft. Obviously read if you've followed the series until now, because why wouldn't you if you've made it this far, but I wish 24/7 had spent less time setting up and more time on its conclusion.
June 20, 2016
This is a tough book for me to review. I have just adored J.A. Rock's Subs Club series from book one and have eaten each one up with glee. They were fun and despite the serious premise light with great romances at the heart of each new book. 24/7 is a departure from the lightness and romance of the past books in the series. It is filled with pain, angst and the heavy weight of grieving. I was expecting the tone of this story to be more serious, given Gould is so serious and still the most obviously grieving, but it was an especially heavy read. It also isn't what I would call a traditional romance, because while Gould, Kel and Greg are in an obviously sexual (and BDSM heavy) relationship, there isn't necessarily feelings of love among all three. I"m still not entirely sure how I feel about that particular aspect since I went in expecting an obviously romantic relationship with feelings of love. Also, it should probably be noted that this particular book has a woman in the mix, which doesn't bother me in the least (I'll read basically any type of pairing as long as the writing is good and the plot interests me), but may be an issue for readers who only enjoy m/m storylines. I'll also mention that there was a lot less sex in this than one might expect, though there is plenty of BDSM and the BDSM may not be everyone's cup of tea since it is heavy on the humiliation/degradation. Also, several scenes were rather uncomfortable for me to read, because we get inside Gould's head and I'm not sure the BDSM he was engaging in was the healthiest for him at certain times. At the end of the day, I did enjoy this book, J.A. Rock is a very talented writer and she tackled all kinds of complicated and heavy subjects in 24/7 including grief and a very interesting look at how one defines their sexuality in relation to men and women. I would recommend it and the entire series, but this was probably my least favorite of the bunch because I missed the lightness and fun of the previous volumes.
July 1, 2016
I lerved this so much.
There is something just so natural about the relationship between Gould and Kel. It took some work for 'mostly straight' Greg to be comfortable with Gould in a sexual way, but the way they worked together on that created this really interesting triad dynamic. I believed them and their relationship, and what they are working towards.
Gould is still so deep in grief, which comes through most of the book. He is spiraling, even as he throws everything he has into his servitude to Kel and Greg. This book is a lot more intense, emotionally, than the other three, and it should be. Gould is a serious guy, and he is the one who has been struggling the most with letting Hal go.
I liked that this was not neat. Nothing was wrapped up with a tidy bow. This was messy, and raw, sometimes emotionally dark, and Gould's depression really did seep through every page.
The play scenes and M/s was secondary to Gould and his internal struggle. His relationship with Kel and Greg is not the most important part of this story. This truly was about Gould, and his relationship with himself, his past, and his future. This story really went into the depth of grief, the internal conflict of being unwilling, or unable to let go. Sometimes there really are no answers, and no closure.
This truly was the perfect ending to this series. There are some parts that made me laugh, or snort, but mostly it held me suspended in that quiet space, where it was painful but necessary.
There is something just so natural about the relationship between Gould and Kel. It took some work for 'mostly straight' Greg to be comfortable with Gould in a sexual way, but the way they worked together on that created this really interesting triad dynamic. I believed them and their relationship, and what they are working towards.
Gould is still so deep in grief, which comes through most of the book. He is spiraling, even as he throws everything he has into his servitude to Kel and Greg. This book is a lot more intense, emotionally, than the other three, and it should be. Gould is a serious guy, and he is the one who has been struggling the most with letting Hal go.
I liked that this was not neat. Nothing was wrapped up with a tidy bow. This was messy, and raw, sometimes emotionally dark, and Gould's depression really did seep through every page.
The play scenes and M/s was secondary to Gould and his internal struggle. His relationship with Kel and Greg is not the most important part of this story. This truly was about Gould, and his relationship with himself, his past, and his future. This story really went into the depth of grief, the internal conflict of being unwilling, or unable to let go. Sometimes there really are no answers, and no closure.
This truly was the perfect ending to this series. There are some parts that made me laugh, or snort, but mostly it held me suspended in that quiet space, where it was painful but necessary.
"For me, submission wasn't a game, wasn't temporary, wasn't some bonus facet of my identity. It was the way I kept a promise alive, it was the way I let myself need.
It was my voice."
June 6, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
24/7 is the fourth book in J.A. Rock’s Subs Club series and one I have been really anticipating for a number of reasons. The series focuses on four best friends and so I have been curious to see the story turn toward Gould. We have learned in previous books that he has been playing with Kel and Greg, as well as that he is still in deep mourning for Hal. So the conflict here is really a strong one, and I was eager to see how it all resolved. Not to mention this is not your typical gay romance relationship (or really a gay romance at all) and so I was curious about the dynamic between these three.
So starting with the last first, the relationship dynamic is really interesting here. Kel and Greg are married and own the BDSM club where Hal died. They have been mentoring Gould for a year, doing scenes and playing off and on at their house, sometimes for as long as a weekend at at time. Kel is a Dom, as well as having trained as a Master. Greg is a switch, acting sometimes as her sub and sometimes as “second-in-command” over Gould. It is pretty clear that Gould has very strong feelings for Kel; I’m not quite sure if he is in love with her, but the connection is clearly intense. And as the story continues, we see that she shares those feelings in return. And obviously Kel loves Greg. But Greg and Gould are definitely not romantically involved, although they have sex during the book as part of their BDSM activities. The guys have more of a “really intense friends” relationship, and Greg considers himself straight, though quite heteroflexible.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
24/7 is the fourth book in J.A. Rock’s Subs Club series and one I have been really anticipating for a number of reasons. The series focuses on four best friends and so I have been curious to see the story turn toward Gould. We have learned in previous books that he has been playing with Kel and Greg, as well as that he is still in deep mourning for Hal. So the conflict here is really a strong one, and I was eager to see how it all resolved. Not to mention this is not your typical gay romance relationship (or really a gay romance at all) and so I was curious about the dynamic between these three.
So starting with the last first, the relationship dynamic is really interesting here. Kel and Greg are married and own the BDSM club where Hal died. They have been mentoring Gould for a year, doing scenes and playing off and on at their house, sometimes for as long as a weekend at at time. Kel is a Dom, as well as having trained as a Master. Greg is a switch, acting sometimes as her sub and sometimes as “second-in-command” over Gould. It is pretty clear that Gould has very strong feelings for Kel; I’m not quite sure if he is in love with her, but the connection is clearly intense. And as the story continues, we see that she shares those feelings in return. And obviously Kel loves Greg. But Greg and Gould are definitely not romantically involved, although they have sex during the book as part of their BDSM activities. The guys have more of a “really intense friends” relationship, and Greg considers himself straight, though quite heteroflexible.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
May 10, 2016
24/7 (The Subs Club #4) by J.A. Rock
3.5 stars
M/F/M BDSM
Triggers: Humiliation, revenge, slave and Master
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I have read all of the previous books in this series and for me, unfortunately, this one has been my very least favorite. I know that the previous book, Manties was not my favorite either, but this one especially, I just couldn't get in to this one at all.
For me, this story was good in theory, but the execution just didn't work. I really disliked the poly-relationship - it felt unnatural and forced. I didn't really like how there were so many different stories in this one - it seemed that we were playing with a poly-relationship, working on parenting, setting up for the fair and everything in between.
Finally, you have Gould and his "Hal" moments throughout the story. While I can appreciate what those added, I also found them somewhat distracting. If he was supposed to be working on his relationship with Kel and Greg, it seemed strange that Gould kept bringing Hal in to their relationship too. Not to mention the major dilemma that Gould has - the resolution seems too clean - there was conflict and then there wasn't. There was also a lot of miscommunication or no communication, their chemistry was somewhat off for me and I just didn't like their dynamic.
Unfortunately, I am in the minority and just didn't enjoy this story.
3.5 stars
M/F/M BDSM
Triggers: Humiliation, revenge, slave and Master
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
I have read all of the previous books in this series and for me, unfortunately, this one has been my very least favorite. I know that the previous book, Manties was not my favorite either, but this one especially, I just couldn't get in to this one at all.
For me, this story was good in theory, but the execution just didn't work. I really disliked the poly-relationship - it felt unnatural and forced. I didn't really like how there were so many different stories in this one - it seemed that we were playing with a poly-relationship, working on parenting, setting up for the fair and everything in between.
Finally, you have Gould and his "Hal" moments throughout the story. While I can appreciate what those added, I also found them somewhat distracting. If he was supposed to be working on his relationship with Kel and Greg, it seemed strange that Gould kept bringing Hal in to their relationship too. Not to mention the major dilemma that Gould has - the resolution seems too clean - there was conflict and then there wasn't. There was also a lot of miscommunication or no communication, their chemistry was somewhat off for me and I just didn't like their dynamic.
Unfortunately, I am in the minority and just didn't enjoy this story.
September 7, 2016
Tore me to shreds. Each book is from that person's POV and we never really got into Gould's head as he is so quite and doesn't open up to anyone. He has never moved forward from Hal's death. I hate to say it but I don't know if Hal really deserved as much heartache that he put them all through. He seemed like a depressed duchebag. I think that he was more the cause of his own death then Bill was. Even though Bill did everything wrong. Anyway back to Gould. I could have slapped the crap out of him. All Kel asked was for him to be honest and open with her. But all he wanted was her to take over without any input from him. He never told her his triggers. When she did break him down in that massive scene, he never realized how bad it tore her down and that is why she pulled back. I think if there would have been more communication in his side then things would have gone just a little more smoothly. I'm glad that finally, towards the end of the book, he agreed to therapy. He needed that all along. I'm not sure if their relationship is going to be a permanent one or not but I am hoping that it will be. This was a great series. I'm so excited that there is another one & hopefully we can see them all happy and healthy.
May 15, 2016
I do love this author, the creative characters, and great storylines, but I had a difficult time getting into this book. As the fourth in the series, I was excited to read about Gould and his relationship with the controversial GK and Kel. I loved the idea of adding a third into their marriage and was interested to read how it would work. What I didn't expect was the master/slave angle. While many readers do like kink such as this, I am just not one of them. Add in the fact that Gould was a fragile, wounded little bird throughout the entire book and it just turned me off. I am definitely more of an alpha male lover and have noticed I am more drawn to the significant others rather than the MCs.
What I did think was great about this book and the series as a whole was the fantastic character development and the length which J.A. Rock took to make the reader feel like a part of the story. That is not something easy to do, but this author does it every single time with ease. This one fact will definitely keep me coming back for more!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I did think was great about this book and the series as a whole was the fantastic character development and the length which J.A. Rock took to make the reader feel like a part of the story. That is not something easy to do, but this author does it every single time with ease. This one fact will definitely keep me coming back for more!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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