What do you think?
Rate this book
Bad Case of Loving You
Matthew Blake is a medical student who's trying to ignore his various roommates' wild parties and get through his classes. He definitely needs training in the classroom, but not the bedroom, and he's looking for someone who suits his very specific tastes.
Andrew Maynard is his instructor, a doctor at a prestigious British hospital. He's bored, tired of the students who don't seem to care what they're doing, and ready for a change. He and Matthew are not supposed to be attracted to each other, but they can't deny their undeniable chemistry. They come together with a heat that surprises them both. They face all of the difficulties that come with the teacher student dynamic, as well as unexpected doctor's strikes, dealing with Andrew's teenaged son, and hospital red tape. They also learn something about themselves in more intimate ways, as Andrew gives in happily to Matthew's needs, offering up submission that leaves Matthew stunned and thrilled.
Andrew and Matthew learn to live, and love together, giving and taking in a relationship that leaves them both surprised at what they're willing to do for love. Are they just what the doctor ordered?
Andrew Maynard is his instructor, a doctor at a prestigious British hospital. He's bored, tired of the students who don't seem to care what they're doing, and ready for a change. He and Matthew are not supposed to be attracted to each other, but they can't deny their undeniable chemistry. They come together with a heat that surprises them both. They face all of the difficulties that come with the teacher student dynamic, as well as unexpected doctor's strikes, dealing with Andrew's teenaged son, and hospital red tape. They also learn something about themselves in more intimate ways, as Andrew gives in happily to Matthew's needs, offering up submission that leaves Matthew stunned and thrilled.
Andrew and Matthew learn to live, and love together, giving and taking in a relationship that leaves them both surprised at what they're willing to do for love. Are they just what the doctor ordered?
232 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2006
9 people are currently reading
666 people want to read
About the author
Laney Cairo
25 books45 followersLaney lives in a queer commune with three of her favourite people and two of her favourite dogs. When not writing, she teaches university students about apostrophes, scientific methodology and visual culture. In her spare time she photographs fjords and works on being kinder.
In her previous professional incarnations she has been a masseuse, owned a genre bookshop and dipped her toes in the civil service. In her long distant past Laney has undertaken nude modelling, been a fairy-for-hire, run murder mystery nights and been a breastfeeding educator; but not all at the same time.
Laney likes to tell stories about people who could be real, imagined into the future or an alternate reality.
Laney would rather curl up with a pot of tea and her laptop than speak to a group of people. Laney’s favourite word is ‘utterly’ and her long-suffering editor often has the task of restricting her to one per story. If you find an extra one she’d be utterly, utterly delighted to hear from you at laney [at] laneycairo [dot] com.
In her previous professional incarnations she has been a masseuse, owned a genre bookshop and dipped her toes in the civil service. In her long distant past Laney has undertaken nude modelling, been a fairy-for-hire, run murder mystery nights and been a breastfeeding educator; but not all at the same time.
Laney likes to tell stories about people who could be real, imagined into the future or an alternate reality.
Laney would rather curl up with a pot of tea and her laptop than speak to a group of people. Laney’s favourite word is ‘utterly’ and her long-suffering editor often has the task of restricting her to one per story. If you find an extra one she’d be utterly, utterly delighted to hear from you at laney [at] laneycairo [dot] com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
February 9, 2017
Third read June 2016
Update after second read in April 2015: I added this book to my Fuck yeah, 5+ stars shelf because it just does it for me. Absolutely wonderful comfort read. I can't wait to forget enough of it to read it again.
This was an absolutely delightful, low angst love story for those that just want to be carried away and get lost in the story. MC Matthew Blake is a diligent, serious, hard working medical student. MC Andrew Maynard is his fair, honest, attractive instructor. After weighing the pros and cons of an intimate relationship, the two decide to take the plunge and sleep together, consequences be damned, and we are treated to some SERIOUSLY hot D/s lite sex that will surely boil your blood.
The best part of this M/M romance was watching these two men fall in love. It was a romance lover's dream. So sweet and perfect, calm and quiet. I enjoyed every moment and know I will be coming back to this book when I need something soft and soothing for my soul.
Highly recommended for all M/M romance readers!
Update after second read in April 2015: I added this book to my Fuck yeah, 5+ stars shelf because it just does it for me. Absolutely wonderful comfort read. I can't wait to forget enough of it to read it again.
This was an absolutely delightful, low angst love story for those that just want to be carried away and get lost in the story. MC Matthew Blake is a diligent, serious, hard working medical student. MC Andrew Maynard is his fair, honest, attractive instructor. After weighing the pros and cons of an intimate relationship, the two decide to take the plunge and sleep together, consequences be damned, and we are treated to some SERIOUSLY hot D/s lite sex that will surely boil your blood.
The best part of this M/M romance was watching these two men fall in love. It was a romance lover's dream. So sweet and perfect, calm and quiet. I enjoyed every moment and know I will be coming back to this book when I need something soft and soothing for my soul.
Highly recommended for all M/M romance readers!
January 2, 2015
1.5 STARS
This was one of the worst m/m I’ve read. EVER. I rarely give 1 star, but this book was something else. It was so bad that I can't believe I actually finished. Almost everything in this book was poorly done.
First and foremost, I’m not even sure I can label this book as a romance, mainly because I didn’t felt the romance between the two main characters. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the connection between them. And it’s mentioned more than once what strong connection the two MC have. Where? This story is very forgettable, because this book wasn’t really about anything.
The plot? Where’s the plot? This story doesn’t actually have a plot. Maybe it’s hard to believe, but this is the ugly truth. I think this is my first book with this kind of problem.
The book is written is dual POV which most of the time I enjoy, but in this case was annoying. Why? Because the POV changes with every chapter. So in 272 pages we have 44 chapters. This was really necessary? It was annoying and frustrating as hell. Both MC work in the medical field, so are many medical terms etc. At first it was interesting and refreshing to read about some new things, since I don’t read very often this kind of books. But here it was way too much. There’s a scene, a sex scene, where one of the characters describe in medicals terms where he kissed the other MC.
WTF was that??? Unfortunately this is not the only time. So yeah, not even the sex scenes were satisfying. What was supposed to be an intense and hot sex scene became something that I really didn’t enjoy reading it. Another thing that annoyed me was the fact that the two men use a lot of latex. And not only condoms, but gloves too. This was my first time reading about this. I understand the need to stay safe, but here both men were paranoiac. Really! The good part is the BDSM is very light here.
The two MC were not developed enough to feel connected in some way with them. I didn’t feel that I was knowing them. I know how they look and that’s all. Their backgrounds as a men and Dom/Sub is missing. Andrew, one of the MC is divorce and has a son. It’s not mentioned why he divorced, is he is gay or bi etc. To say I didn’t cared much about them will be a big understatement.
They fell for each other after two weeks or less, I can't even remember. Maybe this is OK, but when both get to know each other. Here they fucked and that's it.
My 0.5 STAR is for the effort and for some medical terms. Too bad the author exaggerated using them!
Overall, I can’t say I recommend this one!
This was one of the worst m/m I’ve read. EVER. I rarely give 1 star, but this book was something else. It was so bad that I can't believe I actually finished. Almost everything in this book was poorly done.
First and foremost, I’m not even sure I can label this book as a romance, mainly because I didn’t felt the romance between the two main characters. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the connection between them. And it’s mentioned more than once what strong connection the two MC have. Where? This story is very forgettable, because this book wasn’t really about anything.
The plot? Where’s the plot? This story doesn’t actually have a plot. Maybe it’s hard to believe, but this is the ugly truth. I think this is my first book with this kind of problem.
The book is written is dual POV which most of the time I enjoy, but in this case was annoying. Why? Because the POV changes with every chapter. So in 272 pages we have 44 chapters. This was really necessary? It was annoying and frustrating as hell. Both MC work in the medical field, so are many medical terms etc. At first it was interesting and refreshing to read about some new things, since I don’t read very often this kind of books. But here it was way too much. There’s a scene, a sex scene, where one of the characters describe in medicals terms where he kissed the other MC.
“Helix, triangular fossa, concha, lobule, tragus.”
WTF was that??? Unfortunately this is not the only time. So yeah, not even the sex scenes were satisfying. What was supposed to be an intense and hot sex scene became something that I really didn’t enjoy reading it. Another thing that annoyed me was the fact that the two men use a lot of latex. And not only condoms, but gloves too. This was my first time reading about this. I understand the need to stay safe, but here both men were paranoiac. Really! The good part is the BDSM is very light here.
The two MC were not developed enough to feel connected in some way with them. I didn’t feel that I was knowing them. I know how they look and that’s all. Their backgrounds as a men and Dom/Sub is missing. Andrew, one of the MC is divorce and has a son. It’s not mentioned why he divorced, is he is gay or bi etc. To say I didn’t cared much about them will be a big understatement.
They fell for each other after two weeks or less, I can't even remember. Maybe this is OK, but when both get to know each other. Here they fucked and that's it.
My 0.5 STAR is for the effort and for some medical terms. Too bad the author exaggerated using them!
Overall, I can’t say I recommend this one!
September 26, 2024
Re-read April 5-8, 2012:
Still as good as the previous times I read it :)
Re-read July 12-13, 2016:
Yes, a wonderful story, well-rounded, well written, and I'm sure, this wasn't the last time I read it.
Re-read August 30- , 2020:
I'm in the mood for some favorite re-reads, so here I am again:)
Still as good as the previous times I read it :)
Re-read July 12-13, 2016:
Yes, a wonderful story, well-rounded, well written, and I'm sure, this wasn't the last time I read it.
Re-read August 30- , 2020:
I'm in the mood for some favorite re-reads, so here I am again:)
March 26, 2013
**3.5 stars**
There was nothing wrong with this book, per say, I just didn't buy into their romance. I don't know why but I felt detached from the characters and didn't ever fully engage with the story. I liked the fact that it was a well researched medical fiction story but it became a little clinical for even me at times. I also wasn't into the constant use of latex gloves during sex... super odd. I didn't mind the light BDSM here, I think it worked. I don't know, it was cute but not memorable for me.
There was nothing wrong with this book, per say, I just didn't buy into their romance. I don't know why but I felt detached from the characters and didn't ever fully engage with the story. I liked the fact that it was a well researched medical fiction story but it became a little clinical for even me at times. I also wasn't into the constant use of latex gloves during sex... super odd. I didn't mind the light BDSM here, I think it worked. I don't know, it was cute but not memorable for me.
July 22, 2016
Hey, ¡¡¡¡que me ha gustado!!!! Honestamente le veo un par de cosas importantes que pueden hacer rechinar dientes, cosas que no sé por qué milagro del cielo, me la han repampimflado esta vez xDDDDDD
Una cosa está clara, el libro tiene mal el título, debería llamarse más bien "Bad Case of InstaTodo", porque querid@s, éste el el caso de instaeverything más fuerte que he visto en mucho tiempo, en 2 semanas
Ya sabemos que el corazón atiende motivos que la razón no entiende... y yo he disfrutado: con ellos, con la jerga médica, con el rollo hospitalario, con su relación, con sus kinks No, yo tampoco me entiendo, jajajajajajaja, pero Andrew y Matthew son tan adorables, que me ha dado igual. Este spoiler se lo dedico a mi querida Elsa Bravante
Para terminar diré que si no os gusta el rollo médico, quizás este libro no es para vosotros, hay muchos tecnicismos, mucha descripción de temas hospitalarios, eutanasia, y mucho, pero mucho, mucha, látex , que se note en algo que son médicos ¿no????
Una cosa está clara, el libro tiene mal el título, debería llamarse más bien "Bad Case of InstaTodo", porque querid@s, éste el el caso de instaeverything más fuerte que he visto en mucho tiempo, en 2 semanas
Ya sabemos que el corazón atiende motivos que la razón no entiende... y yo he disfrutado: con ellos, con la jerga médica, con el rollo hospitalario, con su relación, con sus kinks No, yo tampoco me entiendo, jajajajajajaja, pero Andrew y Matthew son tan adorables, que me ha dado igual. Este spoiler se lo dedico a mi querida Elsa Bravante
Para terminar diré que si no os gusta el rollo médico, quizás este libro no es para vosotros, hay muchos tecnicismos, mucha descripción de temas hospitalarios, eutanasia, y mucho, pero mucho, mucha, látex , que se note en algo que son médicos ¿no????
May 9, 2012
I thought Andrew and Matthew were great. The narration going back and forth was a little confusing at first, but once I got used to it was nice to get both their points of view on the relationship. This was a nice, sweet read.
May 16, 2012
This book wasn't what I expected at all. With the fisting, piercings, D/s-theme, drugs, and the moral dilemma of the relationship, mentioned in other reviews, I was sure I'd be in for a kinky ride.
Instead I got a book about two men falling in love. And above anything else it's a simple, but warm, love story.
Not to say that all of the mentioned "kinks" wasn't a part of the story, because it certainly was, it just wasn't the focus of the book.
There's a list a mile long of things I liked about this book, starting with how much I ended up adoring Andrew and Matthew, including the political views, or should I call it professional integrity, of Andrew, adding a Hello Kitty t-shirt, and an imaginary beer-tower made of empty wine-bottles. Ending with the absolute clever writing and subtle humor. It made me smile. And a big kudos to the writer for managing to include pretty detailed descriptions of muscle groups and illnesses, and hospital policies, without making it boring for someone like me that struggle with medical words more complicated than "bandaid and painkillers".
There's also a short list of things I didn't like that much, which is keeping me from giving this a shining 5 star.
My main niggle is the overuse of latex, in all forms and shapes, but mostly the hundred pairs of latex gloves that gets used during these sexual encounters. There's safe sex, then there's clean sex. And clean sex is taking something that should be passionate and messy, into the land of sterile and cold.
The POV-jumping was also a bit too much, and I found myself rereading the first page of a chapter more than once, to figure out in which head I was currently residing. It made the story a little choppy for me, but not enough to get annoying.
And then there's the 11 year old son with the vocabulary of a 20 year old. But maybe he was just really smart ^.^
I just have one more little thing to say: hot damn piercings!! Ngggghhhh....:D
Instead I got a book about two men falling in love. And above anything else it's a simple, but warm, love story.
Not to say that all of the mentioned "kinks" wasn't a part of the story, because it certainly was, it just wasn't the focus of the book.
There's a list a mile long of things I liked about this book, starting with how much I ended up adoring Andrew and Matthew, including the political views, or should I call it professional integrity, of Andrew, adding a Hello Kitty t-shirt, and an imaginary beer-tower made of empty wine-bottles. Ending with the absolute clever writing and subtle humor. It made me smile. And a big kudos to the writer for managing to include pretty detailed descriptions of muscle groups and illnesses, and hospital policies, without making it boring for someone like me that struggle with medical words more complicated than "bandaid and painkillers".
There's also a short list of things I didn't like that much, which is keeping me from giving this a shining 5 star.
My main niggle is the overuse of latex, in all forms and shapes, but mostly the hundred pairs of latex gloves that gets used during these sexual encounters. There's safe sex, then there's clean sex. And clean sex is taking something that should be passionate and messy, into the land of sterile and cold.
The POV-jumping was also a bit too much, and I found myself rereading the first page of a chapter more than once, to figure out in which head I was currently residing. It made the story a little choppy for me, but not enough to get annoying.
And then there's the 11 year old son with the vocabulary of a 20 year old. But maybe he was just really smart ^.^
I just have one more little thing to say: hot damn piercings!! Ngggghhhh....:D
June 28, 2010
A wonderful book! I'd give it more than five stars if there were to give. The author manages to balance that difficult relationship between a medical student and his supervising doctor in a most tasteful way. There's no hint of dependency abuse and not the slightest hint that the two men aren't equals in every possible way except for their professional relationship. Although Andrew might be the leader in "real life". Matthew is the dominant in bed. The subject of D/s is approached at a new angle here, without all the formalisms of safe words and spankings and mind games, just something both men can provide for each other. The childlike inferiority of the sumissive that so bothered me in other books of the genre isn't present here, not once, and still there is no doubt that not only Matthew fulfills Andrew's needs, it is true the other way round, too.
Set in the British NHS background at a hospital in London, this book is thoroughly researched, realistic in his setting to the detail.
Since the story is so gripping, the few conveniently made-up solutions to major problems like losing one's job or dealing with drug abuse are easily forgiveable.
A book with two heroes who won my heart immediately, so brilliantly written it fills me with awe and envy. A read and read again book, a comfort read, and a wonderful, encouraging story about love and trust.
Set in the British NHS background at a hospital in London, this book is thoroughly researched, realistic in his setting to the detail.
Since the story is so gripping, the few conveniently made-up solutions to major problems like losing one's job or dealing with drug abuse are easily forgiveable.
A book with two heroes who won my heart immediately, so brilliantly written it fills me with awe and envy. A read and read again book, a comfort read, and a wonderful, encouraging story about love and trust.
November 11, 2010
Please, do not trust me, because I am a sucker for medical series (ER, House MD, name them), so this book had an incredible appeal on me. Plus, it's not angsty at all, it's sweet and hot and the two protagonists are hot and sweet.
It was a light book, because there's a lot of irony. The book alternates the point of view of Matthew (the English student) and Andrew (the American instructor), but what's priceless in my opinion is that you can always hear the inner voice of the doctor in the character, it really made me snicker a lot of times. The two are obsessed with safe sex, and it can't be any safer with them: condoms, gloves, showers, etc. It may feel too cold and clinical for a lot of people, because it detracts from spontaneity, but I like to think it was because they were really considerate of themselves and each other.
There is a dom/sub theme, but it regards their sexual relationship, not really their lifestyle (if this doesn't make sense to you, I could try to make it clearer). Since Andrew has a (cute and smart) pre-adolescent son from a previous marriage, I liked reading about the son's acceptance of his dad's lover. Andrew's best friend, F, is a funny character. Matthew's life with his set of roommates is hilarious.
As I said before, there is no angst - the two guys meet, are attracted to each other, have sex, fall in love - but what won my 5 stars was the depiction of the medical environment and of the difficulties of providing the best health care when the system has a set of unbreakable rules which are against the ideal medical practice (please note that the book is set in the UK, where there is National Health Service).
It was a light book, because there's a lot of irony. The book alternates the point of view of Matthew (the English student) and Andrew (the American instructor), but what's priceless in my opinion is that you can always hear the inner voice of the doctor in the character, it really made me snicker a lot of times. The two are obsessed with safe sex, and it can't be any safer with them: condoms, gloves, showers, etc. It may feel too cold and clinical for a lot of people, because it detracts from spontaneity, but I like to think it was because they were really considerate of themselves and each other.
There is a dom/sub theme, but it regards their sexual relationship, not really their lifestyle (if this doesn't make sense to you, I could try to make it clearer). Since Andrew has a (cute and smart) pre-adolescent son from a previous marriage, I liked reading about the son's acceptance of his dad's lover. Andrew's best friend, F, is a funny character. Matthew's life with his set of roommates is hilarious.
As I said before, there is no angst - the two guys meet, are attracted to each other, have sex, fall in love - but what won my 5 stars was the depiction of the medical environment and of the difficulties of providing the best health care when the system has a set of unbreakable rules which are against the ideal medical practice (please note that the book is set in the UK, where there is National Health Service).
September 13, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. Medical student Matthew and his supervisor Andrew begin a torrid love affair. Fabulous chemistry here and smoking hot sex scenes. There's a bit of employment angst but not a lot of relationship angst which was rather lovely.
This was probably one of the most medical stories that I've read, lots of terminology and procedures. It didn't feel clinical though and I enjoyed the warmth of the characters and their stories.
It has more than a bit of kink in it so if you like your MM a bit more vanilla this may not be the story for you but I found it a fabulous read with very charming characters.
This was probably one of the most medical stories that I've read, lots of terminology and procedures. It didn't feel clinical though and I enjoyed the warmth of the characters and their stories.
It has more than a bit of kink in it so if you like your MM a bit more vanilla this may not be the story for you but I found it a fabulous read with very charming characters.
November 26, 2011
This is a great book, angst free, no big misunderstandings, no phony problems, and even Andrew being in a supervising position didn't cause any real issue in the book.
I was a bit reluctant to read this because of the BDSM, since I am not a big fan, but it is done so well and naturally in this book it wasn't an issue for me at all!
So, thanks to Anke for finally getting this one off my TBR pile and into my favorites! :)
I was a bit reluctant to read this because of the BDSM, since I am not a big fan, but it is done so well and naturally in this book it wasn't an issue for me at all!
So, thanks to Anke for finally getting this one off my TBR pile and into my favorites! :)
Read
March 24, 2009I have this book by weeks but only two days ago I finally start it (cause his release in print version), and I have to say I should have read it first.
Matthew is a young and good med student: he likes sex but he knows he has to study hard and so he decides to spend his time on books. But at the beginning of the academic year he meets Andrew, his "on site" doctor teacher.
Andrew is gorgeous and gentle. He is divorced and spends all his time in hospital or with his son Henry. But when he meets Matthew he finds the dom he needs. Even if Matthew is younger of Andrew, the dom's role is his. Andrew is willing and quite. The relationship dom/sub between this two is one I have never read before: it inspires me tenderness and caring.
The love between Matthew and Andrew grows slowly but stronger. In this book I feel the emotions, but they are all peaceful, even if there are topic moments. I close this book with a feeling of quite inside me.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934166685/?...
Matthew is a young and good med student: he likes sex but he knows he has to study hard and so he decides to spend his time on books. But at the beginning of the academic year he meets Andrew, his "on site" doctor teacher.
Andrew is gorgeous and gentle. He is divorced and spends all his time in hospital or with his son Henry. But when he meets Matthew he finds the dom he needs. Even if Matthew is younger of Andrew, the dom's role is his. Andrew is willing and quite. The relationship dom/sub between this two is one I have never read before: it inspires me tenderness and caring.
The love between Matthew and Andrew grows slowly but stronger. In this book I feel the emotions, but they are all peaceful, even if there are topic moments. I close this book with a feeling of quite inside me.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934166685/?...
August 25, 2014
I sort of felt like this book wasn't really about anything. I also felt like the author spent a lot of time letting us all know how much she knew about the medical profession and the inner workings of hospitals and not nearly enough time on who these two men were. I just finished a book and I know nothing about the main characters. Why did Andrew and his wife get divorced? Is he gay or bi? What was Matthew's life like before med school? Has he always been a dom? It was very unsatisfying.
And the whole middle of the book was more about the strike at the hospital than about a relationship. This wasn't a romance novel, this was a medical drama with a side of romance. Meh...
And the whole middle of the book was more about the strike at the hospital than about a relationship. This wasn't a romance novel, this was a medical drama with a side of romance. Meh...
September 3, 2011
I love medical series and this was exceptional. I really enjoyed how the narration alternated between Matthew and Andrew although I don't usually enjoy first person. But since I knew what they were both thinking I really liked it. I loved the D/S elements of it- it was done just right. This was a nice sweet read that made me smile- no unnecessary angst. Just hot hospital loving :)
May 10, 2011
4.5 stars. Very good kinky m/m romance about a resident and the doctor supervising him at the hospital. They just can’t seem to keep their hands off each other...
December 25, 2014
Bad Case of Loving You
By Laney Cairo
The abridged review…
OhMyGod, OhMyGod, OHMYGOD … How frickin' hot is this book?! … ungh … this was kinky fuckery without the bells and whistles … no dark, brooding clubs or leather daddies here … just raw, vibrant, smut … awesome stuff … by the way … if you have a glove fetish, this is your kind of porn … just sayin' … these boys like their dirty-sex, clean!
Thorough review…
There is a lot of things that make me love this book … I love the Britishisms and quirky language … I adore the realism of the medical back story … and the pièce de résistance is the relationship between Matthew and Andrew.
BDSM is often written with overt protocol and behaviour that I can’t empathise with … in this story, Laney has shown a couple who satisfy their partners’ sexual needs without the elaborate drama of most books with kink … she makes the innocuous latex glove into an exotic sex toy and her descriptions of the sex are subtle enough that one can use one’s imagination to fill in the gaps … I like to be able to use my own inner eye to complete the picture painted in words by an author and Laney managed this masterfully.
In addition to the kinky fuckery and wonderful characters, there is a back story of the gritty reality of a public hospital system … I learned my trade in a hospital just like this … I left home and moved into a world of blood, gore, bodily fluids and medical practices that skirt the legal line at the tender age of seventeen … rarely do I read a book that captures the atmosphere of that life so eloquently … people who work in that environment tend to work hard and party harder and Laney portrayed this expertly … the stories I could tell about those years would make your hair curl and I love the way reading this book transports me back to those times.
In conclusion, although not a new book; although not appealingly packaged; although needing a bit of polishing with an editor; this book is a wonderful, smexy read, and highly recommended.
Review expanded for Also on the Shelf Book Reviews
By Laney Cairo
The abridged review…
OhMyGod, OhMyGod, OHMYGOD … How frickin' hot is this book?! … ungh … this was kinky fuckery without the bells and whistles … no dark, brooding clubs or leather daddies here … just raw, vibrant, smut … awesome stuff … by the way … if you have a glove fetish, this is your kind of porn … just sayin' … these boys like their dirty-sex, clean!
Thorough review…
There is a lot of things that make me love this book … I love the Britishisms and quirky language … I adore the realism of the medical back story … and the pièce de résistance is the relationship between Matthew and Andrew.
BDSM is often written with overt protocol and behaviour that I can’t empathise with … in this story, Laney has shown a couple who satisfy their partners’ sexual needs without the elaborate drama of most books with kink … she makes the innocuous latex glove into an exotic sex toy and her descriptions of the sex are subtle enough that one can use one’s imagination to fill in the gaps … I like to be able to use my own inner eye to complete the picture painted in words by an author and Laney managed this masterfully.
In addition to the kinky fuckery and wonderful characters, there is a back story of the gritty reality of a public hospital system … I learned my trade in a hospital just like this … I left home and moved into a world of blood, gore, bodily fluids and medical practices that skirt the legal line at the tender age of seventeen … rarely do I read a book that captures the atmosphere of that life so eloquently … people who work in that environment tend to work hard and party harder and Laney portrayed this expertly … the stories I could tell about those years would make your hair curl and I love the way reading this book transports me back to those times.
In conclusion, although not a new book; although not appealingly packaged; although needing a bit of polishing with an editor; this book is a wonderful, smexy read, and highly recommended.
Review expanded for Also on the Shelf Book Reviews
March 9, 2015
★★★★☆
I had to use my Voyage dictionary a few times for the medical terminology but it made the whole scenario of the book more realistic.
It was a sweet book, not overly angsty or drama-filled and Matthew and Andrew's kinks meshed well. They certainly like the 'white glove' treatment ;)
I know this was a romance book - but what I found really enlightening was the socialized medicine view. We've had our own issues with universal health care in the U.S. and I've heard of England's vaunted health care model used as an example but there are just as many issues around it as there with our own country's healthcare business. Is there a right way to have universal healthcare for all?
In the Fun With Dick and Shane
Gilli also has medical issues with his epilepsy and trying to get healthcare is an issue however, he has wealthy lovers who will pay to send him to the consultants bypassing the NHS. BCoLY is the story about trying work within the NHS structure and the issues and problems inherent.
Well, enough with the political babble - this was a fun book I read for the 2015 BDSM Group Taboo Twister challenge - spin was m/m medical play.
I had to use my Voyage dictionary a few times for the medical terminology but it made the whole scenario of the book more realistic.
It was a sweet book, not overly angsty or drama-filled and Matthew and Andrew's kinks meshed well. They certainly like the 'white glove' treatment ;)
I know this was a romance book - but what I found really enlightening was the socialized medicine view. We've had our own issues with universal health care in the U.S. and I've heard of England's vaunted health care model used as an example but there are just as many issues around it as there with our own country's healthcare business. Is there a right way to have universal healthcare for all?
In the Fun With Dick and Shane
Gilli also has medical issues with his epilepsy and trying to get healthcare is an issue however, he has wealthy lovers who will pay to send him to the consultants bypassing the NHS. BCoLY is the story about trying work within the NHS structure and the issues and problems inherent.Well, enough with the political babble - this was a fun book I read for the 2015 BDSM Group Taboo Twister challenge - spin was m/m medical play.
January 7, 2008
I am not very fond of books about doctors and hospitals. The hospital is not the place I want to be and reading or watching something concerned hospital makes my skin crawl. I stepped over House TV series and my attitude towards the hospital themed things changed.I got ebook Bad Case of loving you with recommendation from one of my friends. You will like it it is full of hot guys and piercing in very interesting areas with hint of D/S. I was not warned that it was about the medical student and his tutor (yes handsome doctor alert here). They met in the hospital during the lectures and they fucked whenever and wherever they could. But...author skilfully leads us the the background of the British health care system and education. It is obvious that background was well studied and author knew the stuff. It is very warm story about two men in love, but there are serious tones in the story. The doctor and his/her dilemma to heal patient or work for the system.
I hope that I will got that book as paperback...Santa? Birthday?
I hope that I will got that book as paperback...Santa? Birthday?
March 29, 2017
Wish I'd found this sooner.
Wonderful balance of serious and kinky! I actually enjoyed the medical student, doctor and hospital detail in this story. Even though 10 years have passed since it was written, nothing felt dated. The medical terminology didn't throw me at all and just added to the sense of place the author created. I also felt the use of latex gloves were natural. Doctors know more about obscure disease and transmission than average people do. It was pretty fast to fall in love but they did seem to fit together well.
I can't say I entirely felt a D/s dynamic. Andrew was more submissive and Matthew thought of himself as a Dom but it was rather sporadic. The sex was delightfully kinky at times. There was some fisting but it was far from explicit. There was much that had to be extrapolated about the characters and their backgrounds. It was a nice drama-free romance and even though it was only a couple of weeks, it felt longer and not rushed. I liked the secondary characters and the socially-conscious elements as well. Glad I finally read it.
Wonderful balance of serious and kinky! I actually enjoyed the medical student, doctor and hospital detail in this story. Even though 10 years have passed since it was written, nothing felt dated. The medical terminology didn't throw me at all and just added to the sense of place the author created. I also felt the use of latex gloves were natural. Doctors know more about obscure disease and transmission than average people do. It was pretty fast to fall in love but they did seem to fit together well.
I can't say I entirely felt a D/s dynamic. Andrew was more submissive and Matthew thought of himself as a Dom but it was rather sporadic. The sex was delightfully kinky at times. There was some fisting but it was far from explicit. There was much that had to be extrapolated about the characters and their backgrounds. It was a nice drama-free romance and even though it was only a couple of weeks, it felt longer and not rushed. I liked the secondary characters and the socially-conscious elements as well. Glad I finally read it.
September 24, 2012
A gratifying story with two readable MC's finding good sex and pleasing love.
There isn't much history or background, though I think ths would have definitely strengthened the book. And it could have also benefitted from featuring a bit less sex, since it nearly borders on too much. Additionally, the D/s thing seemed a little latched on but it was okay here because it wasn't over the top...I can't handle the hardcore stuff.
All in all it was a good, pleasant read. Not life-changing, but entertaining.
There isn't much history or background, though I think ths would have definitely strengthened the book. And it could have also benefitted from featuring a bit less sex, since it nearly borders on too much. Additionally, the D/s thing seemed a little latched on but it was okay here because it wasn't over the top...I can't handle the hardcore stuff.
All in all it was a good, pleasant read. Not life-changing, but entertaining.
February 2, 2018
*DNF at 45%, skimming to the last two pages*
I have a medical degree, and this book even to clinical for me. You're not saying scapula, deltoid and so on and so on when your lover licked your back.
This easily bored me to tears. Not to mention brought back memories of medical school debauchery. Ugh. No.
Guess this one's not for me.
I have a medical degree, and this book even to clinical for me. You're not saying scapula, deltoid and so on and so on when your lover licked your back.
This easily bored me to tears. Not to mention brought back memories of medical school debauchery. Ugh. No.
Guess this one's not for me.
September 23, 2015
I loved it! Great romance with minimal angst and some kinky hijinks thrown in for good measure.
Thanks again to Gigi for a another great recommendation!
Thanks again to Gigi for a another great recommendation!
November 3, 2012
Romantic story written with wit and humor
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- The writing is intelligent. Most of the characters are well-educated and intellectual, so their conversations are high-sounding: lots of medical jargon, yes (which does get a BIT dense at times), but also just efficient use of a wide variety of vocabulary words.
- There are a lot of amusing comments thrown in, especially in the first part of the book. Some of them are in dialogue, but most of them occur just in the thoughts of the two main guys. One of my favorites is in the first chapter: “Dr. Maynard nodded approvingly and I knew what a pet dog felt like when he dropped a soggy stick at someone’s feet.”
- I really liked both of the main characters: they’re smart, compassionate, practical men, and each of them has a devil-take-it attitude when faced with the decision of being “good” and not fraternizing with his student/supervisor or saying to heck with it and going for it. The romance is also really sweet when they start falling for each other; they’re both very giving sexually and emotionally.
- The sex is hot. And frequent. But since there’s not a whole lot of plot, I didn’t find the sex to be too much. This is a story about a romance, pretty plain and simple. The sex does lean slightly toward D/s, but I doubt it’s heavy or graphic enough to wig many people out.
- All of the secondary characters are super cool and laidback when they learn about Matthew and Andrew’s relationship, which is a little unbelievable but pleasant to read.
CONS:
- The POV of the chapters alternates between Matthew and Andrew, but the entire book is in first person (in Chapter 1, “I” is Matthew; in Chapter 2, “I” is Andrew; and so on). So at the beginning of every chapter, I had to remind myself which of the protagonists was speaking, and on more than one occasion I got a little disoriented because I sailed through the end of one chapter and was subconsciously expecting the next one to be from the same character’s POV.
- As is stated in a few other reviews, there is copious use of latex in the bedroom scenes. The characters put on examination gloves just about every time, which I can certainly understand some readers would view as sterile. But Matthew and Andrew are both into it, so it didn’t bother me much--and I had to laugh when Matthew thinks before his first bare rim job, “I carefully switched off the part of my brain that had done micro[biology].”
Overall comments: There’s not a super involved plot here, and the relationship develops really quickly. I found the characters compatible, though, so I believed that they were in love after just over a week, and the writing is among the most intelligent I’ve encountered in this genre.
Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.
Rating: 9/10
PROS:
- The writing is intelligent. Most of the characters are well-educated and intellectual, so their conversations are high-sounding: lots of medical jargon, yes (which does get a BIT dense at times), but also just efficient use of a wide variety of vocabulary words.
- There are a lot of amusing comments thrown in, especially in the first part of the book. Some of them are in dialogue, but most of them occur just in the thoughts of the two main guys. One of my favorites is in the first chapter: “Dr. Maynard nodded approvingly and I knew what a pet dog felt like when he dropped a soggy stick at someone’s feet.”
- I really liked both of the main characters: they’re smart, compassionate, practical men, and each of them has a devil-take-it attitude when faced with the decision of being “good” and not fraternizing with his student/supervisor or saying to heck with it and going for it. The romance is also really sweet when they start falling for each other; they’re both very giving sexually and emotionally.
- The sex is hot. And frequent. But since there’s not a whole lot of plot, I didn’t find the sex to be too much. This is a story about a romance, pretty plain and simple. The sex does lean slightly toward D/s, but I doubt it’s heavy or graphic enough to wig many people out.
- All of the secondary characters are super cool and laidback when they learn about Matthew and Andrew’s relationship, which is a little unbelievable but pleasant to read.
CONS:
- The POV of the chapters alternates between Matthew and Andrew, but the entire book is in first person (in Chapter 1, “I” is Matthew; in Chapter 2, “I” is Andrew; and so on). So at the beginning of every chapter, I had to remind myself which of the protagonists was speaking, and on more than one occasion I got a little disoriented because I sailed through the end of one chapter and was subconsciously expecting the next one to be from the same character’s POV.
- As is stated in a few other reviews, there is copious use of latex in the bedroom scenes. The characters put on examination gloves just about every time, which I can certainly understand some readers would view as sterile. But Matthew and Andrew are both into it, so it didn’t bother me much--and I had to laugh when Matthew thinks before his first bare rim job, “I carefully switched off the part of my brain that had done micro[biology].”
Overall comments: There’s not a super involved plot here, and the relationship develops really quickly. I found the characters compatible, though, so I believed that they were in love after just over a week, and the writing is among the most intelligent I’ve encountered in this genre.
November 6, 2010
I liked this book when it came to the medical aspect of it, as well as the nicely paced relationship between the two characters. What I had a problem with, was the simple fact that nothing happened. It was a longish story about two men that meet and fall in love. There was no conflict and I found it a bit boring at times. The only thing that really lifted it for me was the great writing and like I already mentioned the extensive involvement of their occupations.
The sexual kinks were a very nice touch, but I couldn't help it but wonder if the author decided to change that part at the very ending of the book. Kinks are good, BDSM even better, but when I start reading something I expect it to be implemented in the story from the very start, or at least explained. Here we have the usual sexual relationship (except the kink) almost to the very ending, when suddenly there is a mention of Matthew being a Dom which was not mentioned before nor does he leave that impression in the previous chapters. I just felt it came too sudden and was completely unnecessary.
The ending was also a bit dull for me and I should have expected it as I really wanted to stop reading after about 2/3 of the book.
Still, I rated it with a 4 for some reason. It is a three star read, but I guess the characters are likable enough for it to get four stars.
The sexual kinks were a very nice touch, but I couldn't help it but wonder if the author decided to change that part at the very ending of the book. Kinks are good, BDSM even better, but when I start reading something I expect it to be implemented in the story from the very start, or at least explained. Here we have the usual sexual relationship (except the kink) almost to the very ending, when suddenly there is a mention of Matthew being a Dom which was not mentioned before nor does he leave that impression in the previous chapters. I just felt it came too sudden and was completely unnecessary.
The ending was also a bit dull for me and I should have expected it as I really wanted to stop reading after about 2/3 of the book.
Still, I rated it with a 4 for some reason. It is a three star read, but I guess the characters are likable enough for it to get four stars.
June 14, 2010
1st Read 6/2010
2nd Read 3/2011
Hmm. This is my first Lainey Cairo book. I really liked the way her writing skirted between rich detail and space for the reader's imagination. Andrew and Matthew's love story was passionate, fevered by their status differences (student & mentor...which as a professor freaks me out while also turning me on). On my second read I was intrigued by these doctors having the kinks they did. I'm a D/s erotica fanatic who also lives the lifestyle as a Switch. That being said, I felt as though Cairo at different points in the book made fun of D/s relationships that are more rigid than Andrew and Matthew's. You tell me; maybe I'm wrong:
"I'd never had a submissive like him before, not one who was so honest with himself about what he wanted. He didn't want leather and studs and
theatrics, there was no 'Yes, master,' from him. This was unscripted, a simple transaction between two humans in which he gave himself to me (pg 179)."
I'm a rock out with your cock/clit out kinda gal. I don't think there's one way to be Dominant or submissive. And much as there are books that purport to be BDSM manuals the reality is that people find what works for them, and there's no shame in that. Twas a Great Read nonetheless.
2nd Read 3/2011
Hmm. This is my first Lainey Cairo book. I really liked the way her writing skirted between rich detail and space for the reader's imagination. Andrew and Matthew's love story was passionate, fevered by their status differences (student & mentor...which as a professor freaks me out while also turning me on). On my second read I was intrigued by these doctors having the kinks they did. I'm a D/s erotica fanatic who also lives the lifestyle as a Switch. That being said, I felt as though Cairo at different points in the book made fun of D/s relationships that are more rigid than Andrew and Matthew's. You tell me; maybe I'm wrong:
"I'd never had a submissive like him before, not one who was so honest with himself about what he wanted. He didn't want leather and studs and
theatrics, there was no 'Yes, master,' from him. This was unscripted, a simple transaction between two humans in which he gave himself to me (pg 179)."
I'm a rock out with your cock/clit out kinda gal. I don't think there's one way to be Dominant or submissive. And much as there are books that purport to be BDSM manuals the reality is that people find what works for them, and there's no shame in that. Twas a Great Read nonetheless.
January 2, 2011
I don't recall how much older than Matthew Andrew is but I wouldn't have categorised this as a May-December (which I, somehow, have) because Andrew, despite being a divorced father as well as Matt's lecturer, doesn't sound more than 5 years older. I've read May-December books where the age gap is brought up, sometimes the reason for the older protag rebuffing the younger. In this book, there's no mention of age except that of Henry, Andrew's son, who is ten or eleven, based on Matt's guess - not a teenager, as stated in the book's blurb.
BCoLY is a straightforward, angst-free romance set in the UK. Andrew is an American transplant and Matt's lecturer. The medical aspect was well-done and despite the abundance of medical terms, they didn't overwhelm what is, essentially, a student-teacher romance. Andrew's and Matt's romance begins and continues without a hitch. No tears, no heartaches, no Big Mis. It's a smooth ride for these two all the way from page one to the end. Even Andrew's ex is nice. His son is nice. Everyone's nice here and the only ogres - the hospital administration - don't even put a dent in Andrew's life despite their retaliation against the doctors' strike.
I enjoyed this book, my first by Ms Cairo, and I'm glad I finally got down to reading it.
BCoLY is a straightforward, angst-free romance set in the UK. Andrew is an American transplant and Matt's lecturer. The medical aspect was well-done and despite the abundance of medical terms, they didn't overwhelm what is, essentially, a student-teacher romance. Andrew's and Matt's romance begins and continues without a hitch. No tears, no heartaches, no Big Mis. It's a smooth ride for these two all the way from page one to the end. Even Andrew's ex is nice. His son is nice. Everyone's nice here and the only ogres - the hospital administration - don't even put a dent in Andrew's life despite their retaliation against the doctors' strike.
I enjoyed this book, my first by Ms Cairo, and I'm glad I finally got down to reading it.
December 3, 2012
It was an ok read. A sexy doctor falling for his hot student. But it evolved too much around the sex. There was no plausible falling in love, because their only activity was sex. I am not sure if that counts as insta-love - it was too instantaneous for me anyway.
And regarding the sex: Too many surgical gloves - it somehow detracts from the overall kinkyness, although it could be a kink on itself...it also had some other kinky techniques, including exotic piercings and some BDSM...
All in all, it was not really great, but nice (if you can say that about such a sex-heavy read...)
And regarding the sex: Too many surgical gloves - it somehow detracts from the overall kinkyness, although it could be a kink on itself...it also had some other kinky techniques, including exotic piercings and some BDSM...
All in all, it was not really great, but nice (if you can say that about such a sex-heavy read...)
Read
March 20, 2022I liked this even more after a reread. Andrew is a doctor and older, Matthew is a medical student, younger and more dominant, he also has piercings and apparently a tattoo, that's mentioned once but with no description. I need a description! There's some kink and the sex is pretty hot.
But what I love the most is the connection between Andrew and Matthew, they are so tender and sweet with each other. I was surprised that the timeline spans only 2 weeks, because their falling for each other did not feel rushed at all, it felt right.
Highly recommend.
But what I love the most is the connection between Andrew and Matthew, they are so tender and sweet with each other. I was surprised that the timeline spans only 2 weeks, because their falling for each other did not feel rushed at all, it felt right.
Highly recommend.
March 22, 2011
I LOVED Andrew and Matthew! Great couple, didn't want their story to end.
January 14, 2017
It's rare that I stop reading a book just to marvel at good it is. Truly, every few pages, I re-read a passage and then just savored it and ruminated over it. God, this was awesome. New to me author! Engaging MCs in Matthew and Andrew, dual POV, large cast of well drawn secondary characters. But the absolute best was the realization that their respective kinks meshed so well. Now I had to sort of wonder about Matthew. How old was he???? Slow pace to falling in love. Their kisses - you could just feel that click when they fell for each other. Well crafted description of Andrew's life as a physician, his relationships with his colleagues, his patients, the excellent way that the medical information was folded into the plot. Well written. Excellent portrayal of an older man/younger man romance. No focus on age difference and even better, no focus on the dynamic between a medical student and his tutor. Some mention but it doesn't belabor the point. So now I am desperately looking for more books from this author. Seems that some are out of print for now, but may be re-released. My only minor quibble - I would have liked to have gotten some background on Matthew. He was this mysterious guy with some serious kinks. But loved this book. Definite book hangover!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews