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Imago #1
Boundaries
Ben Dean is afraid and ashamed of his tendencies. But after the end of a disastrous relationship, he decides to explore his outer limits, the part of himself that he’s never dared to examine too closely. The part that’s interested in dominating a willing sub.
Jacob Peers is an accomplished sculptor and lifelong switch. Growing jaded with the incessant issues of macho pretend doms, he needs someone who knows when and where to treat him like a sub. In Ben, he sees the perfect raw material.
Jacob Peers is an accomplished sculptor and lifelong switch. Growing jaded with the incessant issues of macho pretend doms, he needs someone who knows when and where to treat him like a sub. In Ben, he sees the perfect raw material.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2015
1 person is currently reading
46 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 3, 2015
More like 1.5 stars
Finally done with it! This book got on my nerves majorly. But I managed to finish it. It's another case of - writing was good, what was written not so. And as this is #1 in a new series, I don't think that I'll read the following books.
Might be that after reading quite a number of BDSM books, my expectations were totally different to what I got. The blurb was interesting enough that I even pre-ordered this book although after several disappointments I'm trying not to do that anymore. So, I got it and started reading at once. The beginning was nice enough, but went downhill pretty fast. The first disturbing thing was the ex-boyfriend Toby being there all the time. Well, at least in Ben's thoughts. That was another issue for me - we only got Ben's POV and with that lots of thoughts!
After meeting Jacob a couple of times Ben agrees to move in with Jacob for a short period of time to learn being a dom. Only to then learn about Karl, Jacob's 'one of my subs living with me'. From then on Karl and the absent Toby dominated the story for quite some percentage of the whole thing.
At some point, we got back to Ben and Jacob working through their, well, what was it - not a relationship, their trying to be dom and sub? Teacher and pupil? No idea as finally I lost every interest and connection to any of the MCs.
So, I finished a rather unsatisfying read, another pre-order gone wrong. That should teach me something!
Finally done with it! This book got on my nerves majorly. But I managed to finish it. It's another case of - writing was good, what was written not so. And as this is #1 in a new series, I don't think that I'll read the following books.
Might be that after reading quite a number of BDSM books, my expectations were totally different to what I got. The blurb was interesting enough that I even pre-ordered this book although after several disappointments I'm trying not to do that anymore. So, I got it and started reading at once. The beginning was nice enough, but went downhill pretty fast. The first disturbing thing was the ex-boyfriend Toby being there all the time. Well, at least in Ben's thoughts. That was another issue for me - we only got Ben's POV and with that lots of thoughts!
After meeting Jacob a couple of times Ben agrees to move in with Jacob for a short period of time to learn being a dom. Only to then learn about Karl, Jacob's 'one of my subs living with me'. From then on Karl and the absent Toby dominated the story for quite some percentage of the whole thing.
At some point, we got back to Ben and Jacob working through their, well, what was it - not a relationship, their trying to be dom and sub? Teacher and pupil? No idea as finally I lost every interest and connection to any of the MCs.
So, I finished a rather unsatisfying read, another pre-order gone wrong. That should teach me something!
November 2, 2015
Boundaries (Imago #1) by Anna Hedley
3.5 stars
M/M, M/M/M BDSM
Triggers: Abuse
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book was a hard one for me to get through. There was so much going on. You have three main characters, who on their own, I really liked, but when you mixed them together, they made this muddy, murky scenario.
At first, I was inclined to really dislike Karl. He seemed abrupt and annoying. However, when you learned more about him, I was more easily won over by his attitude and demeanor. I even really enjoyed the fact that he became this go-between. I do hope that we get to learn more about him in upcoming stories.
As for Jacob - I found him the most annoying character of them all. He lacked good communication skills, but claims to be a switch. Also, he was patient, with the exception for when he wasn't. I found his attitude towards Karl to be almost mean at times and for someone who is supposed to be looking after their sub, I felt he did a very poor job. Then you come to his teaching ability - non-extent. He just let Ben fumble through and then was upset when things did not go how he wanted. Finally, you have his control issues, which just pushed me over the edge in to really disliking him.
Ben is learning to be a Dom and hoping to develop a relationship that does not make him feel so lost. You hear a lot about his previous relationship, Toby and even catch a glimpse of him in this story, but it's a mish-mash of scenarios and flashbacks - there is really no comprehensive story for Ben. He's learning to dominate, fulfill his desires and not be ashamed, but struggling to figure out what that type of relationship looks like, all while developing his business and taking verbal abuse from a co-worker...
All in all, this is probably a book you can skip. While the BDSM is light, it was very realistic in that you have to learn and take time to develop your skills.
3.5 stars
M/M, M/M/M BDSM
Triggers: Abuse
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This book was a hard one for me to get through. There was so much going on. You have three main characters, who on their own, I really liked, but when you mixed them together, they made this muddy, murky scenario.
At first, I was inclined to really dislike Karl. He seemed abrupt and annoying. However, when you learned more about him, I was more easily won over by his attitude and demeanor. I even really enjoyed the fact that he became this go-between. I do hope that we get to learn more about him in upcoming stories.
As for Jacob - I found him the most annoying character of them all. He lacked good communication skills, but claims to be a switch. Also, he was patient, with the exception for when he wasn't. I found his attitude towards Karl to be almost mean at times and for someone who is supposed to be looking after their sub, I felt he did a very poor job. Then you come to his teaching ability - non-extent. He just let Ben fumble through and then was upset when things did not go how he wanted. Finally, you have his control issues, which just pushed me over the edge in to really disliking him.
Ben is learning to be a Dom and hoping to develop a relationship that does not make him feel so lost. You hear a lot about his previous relationship, Toby and even catch a glimpse of him in this story, but it's a mish-mash of scenarios and flashbacks - there is really no comprehensive story for Ben. He's learning to dominate, fulfill his desires and not be ashamed, but struggling to figure out what that type of relationship looks like, all while developing his business and taking verbal abuse from a co-worker...
All in all, this is probably a book you can skip. While the BDSM is light, it was very realistic in that you have to learn and take time to develop your skills.
December 5, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.75 stars
Boundaries was an occasionally interesting, but often frustrating exploration of BDSM by two characters who could not have been more at odds with one another. The basic premise really grabbed my attention: an older experienced switch takes a young Dom under his wing for training. I enjoyed the age dynamic between Ben and Jacob and that as a switch Jacob had experienced both sides of the equation. The book moves fairly quickly and doesn’t have much drag time, though it occasionally gets bogged down in descriptions of art – be it Jacob’s sculpting, Ben’s photography, or other works.
Ben is earnest and eager and terrified all at once. He has had plenty of bad experiences thanks to an ex who had severe emotional triggers and left Ben uncomfortable with his need for domination. Ben read as realistic and his ineptness as he begins training is endearing. But I never really believed him as a Dom. His scenes with Jacob felt forced and awkward and, as a result, I struggled to remain invested in this part of the story. Even towards the end of the book when Ben is supposedly more at ease with his role, his character never reads as such. Instead his relationship with Jacob, both in and out of the bedroom, always feels uneven. A large part of this was Jacob, who is extremely difficult to like. He has a habit of running roughshod over all of the people in his life, making decisions for them and forcing them into situations for which they are unprepared. He tells Ben that he’s willing to go slow and train him correctly, but nearly the first time Ben stumbles, Jacob’s ready to toss him out the door. As a reader I couldn’t help feeling bad for Ben and more than once I would have been happy to see him walk away.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
2.75 stars
Boundaries was an occasionally interesting, but often frustrating exploration of BDSM by two characters who could not have been more at odds with one another. The basic premise really grabbed my attention: an older experienced switch takes a young Dom under his wing for training. I enjoyed the age dynamic between Ben and Jacob and that as a switch Jacob had experienced both sides of the equation. The book moves fairly quickly and doesn’t have much drag time, though it occasionally gets bogged down in descriptions of art – be it Jacob’s sculpting, Ben’s photography, or other works.
Ben is earnest and eager and terrified all at once. He has had plenty of bad experiences thanks to an ex who had severe emotional triggers and left Ben uncomfortable with his need for domination. Ben read as realistic and his ineptness as he begins training is endearing. But I never really believed him as a Dom. His scenes with Jacob felt forced and awkward and, as a result, I struggled to remain invested in this part of the story. Even towards the end of the book when Ben is supposedly more at ease with his role, his character never reads as such. Instead his relationship with Jacob, both in and out of the bedroom, always feels uneven. A large part of this was Jacob, who is extremely difficult to like. He has a habit of running roughshod over all of the people in his life, making decisions for them and forcing them into situations for which they are unprepared. He tells Ben that he’s willing to go slow and train him correctly, but nearly the first time Ben stumbles, Jacob’s ready to toss him out the door. As a reader I couldn’t help feeling bad for Ben and more than once I would have been happy to see him walk away.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
November 9, 2015
4 Heart Review by Amber
Sometimes I say in my reviews,”that this is a hard one to review.” But holy crap…this really is a hard one to review. There’s so much here but then there’s so much you can’t disclose because of the actual book. There were so many parts of the story that I had to stop and think about what I read. In some cases this is good but in others this could be bad. I grew to abhor Ben’s recollections of Toby. It was so obvious how that had messed him up and how it let him push people away.
Jacob is a multimillionaire who happens to be taken Ben. He wants him and he makes no apologies for it.
They embark on an experiment where Ben will be able to feel out his true inclinations while feeling out the other side of the spectrum.
The biggest difference from most BDSM romances is the fact that there is at least one character sure of where things are going.
I’ll be honest in saying from the very beginning I had no idea where this was going. It could go one way with Karl or another way with Jacob.
Although this writer is new to me I was challenged by her writing. It made me think and I loved that. Like I said there are a few secrets in this one so I can’t give away much. I would recommend it though…..for sure!!!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Sometimes I say in my reviews,”that this is a hard one to review.” But holy crap…this really is a hard one to review. There’s so much here but then there’s so much you can’t disclose because of the actual book. There were so many parts of the story that I had to stop and think about what I read. In some cases this is good but in others this could be bad. I grew to abhor Ben’s recollections of Toby. It was so obvious how that had messed him up and how it let him push people away.
Jacob is a multimillionaire who happens to be taken Ben. He wants him and he makes no apologies for it.
They embark on an experiment where Ben will be able to feel out his true inclinations while feeling out the other side of the spectrum.
The biggest difference from most BDSM romances is the fact that there is at least one character sure of where things are going.
I’ll be honest in saying from the very beginning I had no idea where this was going. It could go one way with Karl or another way with Jacob.
Although this writer is new to me I was challenged by her writing. It made me think and I loved that. Like I said there are a few secrets in this one so I can’t give away much. I would recommend it though…..for sure!!!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 3, 2020
Overall, a quick? fun read to pass the time. I didn’t get that “OMG I love this book feeling. It was ok but felt like it was missing something. Upon finishing the book, my first thought was “that’s it?” You get the traditional HEA ending; however, the love and chemistry seemed lackluster.
Personally, I love books where you can feel the heat and tension between the main characters. Where the pages sizzle with their passion. In this novel, their love/passion was more like a New England Fall compared to the heat of the dessert at high noon.
Pros: Accurate portrayal of BDSM and safe, sane, and consensual practices. The main characters are all artists, which I loved. Artists talking about art, it’s a big turn on.
Cons: The plot wasn’t really a plot. The author had an inciting incident (Jacob training Ben to be a Dom), yet it felt like there wasn’t really a plot. When one of the main characters says “I love you” for the first time, my reaction was “um, why?” I didn’t get a sense of growing love and passion between Jacob and Ben.
Personally, I love books where you can feel the heat and tension between the main characters. Where the pages sizzle with their passion. In this novel, their love/passion was more like a New England Fall compared to the heat of the dessert at high noon.
Pros: Accurate portrayal of BDSM and safe, sane, and consensual practices. The main characters are all artists, which I loved. Artists talking about art, it’s a big turn on.
Cons: The plot wasn’t really a plot. The author had an inciting incident (Jacob training Ben to be a Dom), yet it felt like there wasn’t really a plot. When one of the main characters says “I love you” for the first time, my reaction was “um, why?” I didn’t get a sense of growing love and passion between Jacob and Ben.
March 9, 2021
Awkward from the beginning because it's really unclear if Ben should be a dom. The ending wasn't super satisfying or fulfilling as Jacob couldn't even guarantee a good relationship. All of the characters have a taste for drama which gets old after a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2015
ARC provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.
After a much less than satisfactory relationship with his boyfriend Toby, in which Toby turned away in either shame or disgust every time Ben suggested something kinky, Ben is on his own as he attends a munch at a local BDSM club. Twenty-one-year-old Ben is determined to learn to be a Dom, something he’s sure is suited to his sexual needs.
Unfortunately, his low self-esteem pretty much drags the ground, and he can’t bring himself to mingle with people there. Jacob Peers, an older man, handsome and confident, rescues him from his isolation and convinces Ben to attend another get together with him the following week. This is the start of a relationship in which Ben is to be trained by Jason, a self-declared sub. When Ben shows up at Jason’s house, however, he finds out that Jason is a switch, and his own live-in sub, Karl, not only answers the door, but appears to be angry and resentful of Ben’s presence.
This long story can be summed up by saying that Ben never exerted any sort of dominant traits at all. He also constantly allowed his past boyfriend and his sexual hang-ups to interfere with any tiny bit of progress he makes in being dominant in a scene. Karl is also ever-present and sometimes participates in the sex with both Ben and Jacob and finally seems to be friendlier with Ben toward the end of the story. And Jacob? He never really trains Ben, and in fact, exhibited some rather bizarre behavior and easily lost his temper with Ben when they were supposed to be training. Of course, Ben falls in love with Jacob (this reader asks why!?) and Jacob reminds him that he doesn’t want a relationship and expects a future filled with sex with other partners. Despite all this, the story ends with a HEA.
I’m trying to be kind and impersonal with this review, and not itemize the very lengthy list of WTF moments I experienced, but I need to clearly state that I nearly DNF’ed it, and likely should have. I still can’t understand how any of Ben’s behavior can be remotely described as dominant, and I certainly can’t see Jacob as submissive. The whole subplot of Ben’s ex-boyfriend was boring, repetitive, and pointless after the first mention. Once would have been enough. The subplot with Karl was amazingly confusing. He was another character who had more dominant personality traits than submissive and virtually manipulated Ben in certain situations. I can’t begin to fathom why Ben still wanted Jacob at the end of the story, nor can I fathom Ben’s behavior after their “final” argument.
All in all, I obviously don’t recommend this book. I gave it 1.5 stars because I liked Jacob’s character. He didn’t fit my idea of a sub, but I still found enough about him to like to keep me reading to the end.
1.5 stars
After a much less than satisfactory relationship with his boyfriend Toby, in which Toby turned away in either shame or disgust every time Ben suggested something kinky, Ben is on his own as he attends a munch at a local BDSM club. Twenty-one-year-old Ben is determined to learn to be a Dom, something he’s sure is suited to his sexual needs.
Unfortunately, his low self-esteem pretty much drags the ground, and he can’t bring himself to mingle with people there. Jacob Peers, an older man, handsome and confident, rescues him from his isolation and convinces Ben to attend another get together with him the following week. This is the start of a relationship in which Ben is to be trained by Jason, a self-declared sub. When Ben shows up at Jason’s house, however, he finds out that Jason is a switch, and his own live-in sub, Karl, not only answers the door, but appears to be angry and resentful of Ben’s presence.
This long story can be summed up by saying that Ben never exerted any sort of dominant traits at all. He also constantly allowed his past boyfriend and his sexual hang-ups to interfere with any tiny bit of progress he makes in being dominant in a scene. Karl is also ever-present and sometimes participates in the sex with both Ben and Jacob and finally seems to be friendlier with Ben toward the end of the story. And Jacob? He never really trains Ben, and in fact, exhibited some rather bizarre behavior and easily lost his temper with Ben when they were supposed to be training. Of course, Ben falls in love with Jacob (this reader asks why!?) and Jacob reminds him that he doesn’t want a relationship and expects a future filled with sex with other partners. Despite all this, the story ends with a HEA.
I’m trying to be kind and impersonal with this review, and not itemize the very lengthy list of WTF moments I experienced, but I need to clearly state that I nearly DNF’ed it, and likely should have. I still can’t understand how any of Ben’s behavior can be remotely described as dominant, and I certainly can’t see Jacob as submissive. The whole subplot of Ben’s ex-boyfriend was boring, repetitive, and pointless after the first mention. Once would have been enough. The subplot with Karl was amazingly confusing. He was another character who had more dominant personality traits than submissive and virtually manipulated Ben in certain situations. I can’t begin to fathom why Ben still wanted Jacob at the end of the story, nor can I fathom Ben’s behavior after their “final” argument.
All in all, I obviously don’t recommend this book. I gave it 1.5 stars because I liked Jacob’s character. He didn’t fit my idea of a sub, but I still found enough about him to like to keep me reading to the end.
1.5 stars
January 9, 2016
3.5 Stars If you’ve read my previous reviews before, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of BDSM novels, and I’m always looking for something new to try. I got that in this book, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out it is the first in a series, because I look forward to what comes next. That’s not to say the book is without its faults, as there are numerous frustrating moments throughout the book, but I’m not sure if it was just really good writing or what.
When Jacob, a switch, meets Ben, a newly minted Dom, the two strike up a bargain. Ben will move in with Jacob, who will train him as the perfect Dom for him. Ben gets to live with not one gorgeous sub but two. Karl is living with Jacob as his sub and a friend. What follows is a boat load of misunderstandings, characters who refuse to talk to each other, heartache, and maybe second chances.
Overall, the writing of the story is fantastic. It’s written really well and I enjoyed it. The characters, however, were frustrating. Karl is gruff at first, but as you learn his back story, he really starts to grow on you, and I ended up liking him the most at the end. Ben is a new Dom and he falls for Jacob, and that’s a big no-no to the switch. He doesn’t want a relationship. He wants sex, and he wants it with whoever he wants, when he wants it. To be fair to him, he is open about that, but Ben is young and naïve, and, I don’t know, maybe thinks he can change the older man. It doesn’t help that he’s hung up on his ex, Toby, who had something terrible happen in his past that he refused to discuss. And Ben just can’t get beyond that.
I’d say the ending of this book is happy for now. Will they work out in the long run? I’m not sure they will. But does it seem like they’re at least happy with the arrangements they make? Yes. It was incredibly frustrating watching them dance around each other when I just wanted to shove them in a room and force them to talk. Not possible, though.
Will I read the next book in the series? Yes, because I did come to care for the characters and I would like to know what happens to them or even Karl. Heck, I actually wish things had turned out more towards the Karl spectrum, as he really grew on me and I wanted him to have his happy ending. I wish I could reveal more of the nuances in the book, but it would take a lot away from the reading. Just know if you want to give this book a chance, and you like BDSM, there are some hints of non-con and dub-con sprinkled throughout, even if they occur off the pages.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
When Jacob, a switch, meets Ben, a newly minted Dom, the two strike up a bargain. Ben will move in with Jacob, who will train him as the perfect Dom for him. Ben gets to live with not one gorgeous sub but two. Karl is living with Jacob as his sub and a friend. What follows is a boat load of misunderstandings, characters who refuse to talk to each other, heartache, and maybe second chances.
Overall, the writing of the story is fantastic. It’s written really well and I enjoyed it. The characters, however, were frustrating. Karl is gruff at first, but as you learn his back story, he really starts to grow on you, and I ended up liking him the most at the end. Ben is a new Dom and he falls for Jacob, and that’s a big no-no to the switch. He doesn’t want a relationship. He wants sex, and he wants it with whoever he wants, when he wants it. To be fair to him, he is open about that, but Ben is young and naïve, and, I don’t know, maybe thinks he can change the older man. It doesn’t help that he’s hung up on his ex, Toby, who had something terrible happen in his past that he refused to discuss. And Ben just can’t get beyond that.
I’d say the ending of this book is happy for now. Will they work out in the long run? I’m not sure they will. But does it seem like they’re at least happy with the arrangements they make? Yes. It was incredibly frustrating watching them dance around each other when I just wanted to shove them in a room and force them to talk. Not possible, though.
Will I read the next book in the series? Yes, because I did come to care for the characters and I would like to know what happens to them or even Karl. Heck, I actually wish things had turned out more towards the Karl spectrum, as he really grew on me and I wanted him to have his happy ending. I wish I could reveal more of the nuances in the book, but it would take a lot away from the reading. Just know if you want to give this book a chance, and you like BDSM, there are some hints of non-con and dub-con sprinkled throughout, even if they occur off the pages.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
November 6, 2015
While I did like the Dom/ Sub aspect this book and the way Jacob taught Ben how to be a dom.. I am trying to not give away any spoilers because I know everyone feels different about things in book that may be comfortable for one person and not for another. So this review may be very vague sorry I can not think of a way of explaining why I personally had a hard time with aspects of this book without giving away spoilers which is what I do not want to do.
So I liked the teaching part of this book which was Jacob teaching Ben how to be a Dom and some of the BDSM aspect of this also. I was not a fan of Jacob at all and without saying exactly why because that would be a spoiler he was so selfish. He only took in account his own feelings and was not welling to have it any other way. Now Ben was a good Dom to me at least until the end when he forgoes what he may be comfortable with in a relationship with Jacob so that he could keep him. That came across as Ben being weak to me for not standing up for himself so I stopped seeing him as a Dom after that. To each their own and what you are comfortable with in a relationship is up to you but when you come across as having misgivings on how you are going to feel after he does what he more than likely will be doing than it is time to rethink this relationship. I did get that Jacob cared for Ben in his own way but I did not feel like he loved him at all. I also got the Ben loved Jacob but at the same time I thought maybe Ben needed to love himself a little more and not just give in to keep someone. See it is really hard for me to explain why I had a hard time believing a relationship working between these two at all without saying why which is a spoiler so I wont say. So other then that I did like this book until the end which to be honest sadly ruined this book for me. I did like the authors writing style and the pretense of this story up to a certain point. So I am sad to say this book was just not for me...
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
So I liked the teaching part of this book which was Jacob teaching Ben how to be a Dom and some of the BDSM aspect of this also. I was not a fan of Jacob at all and without saying exactly why because that would be a spoiler he was so selfish. He only took in account his own feelings and was not welling to have it any other way. Now Ben was a good Dom to me at least until the end when he forgoes what he may be comfortable with in a relationship with Jacob so that he could keep him. That came across as Ben being weak to me for not standing up for himself so I stopped seeing him as a Dom after that. To each their own and what you are comfortable with in a relationship is up to you but when you come across as having misgivings on how you are going to feel after he does what he more than likely will be doing than it is time to rethink this relationship. I did get that Jacob cared for Ben in his own way but I did not feel like he loved him at all. I also got the Ben loved Jacob but at the same time I thought maybe Ben needed to love himself a little more and not just give in to keep someone. See it is really hard for me to explain why I had a hard time believing a relationship working between these two at all without saying why which is a spoiler so I wont say. So other then that I did like this book until the end which to be honest sadly ruined this book for me. I did like the authors writing style and the pretense of this story up to a certain point. So I am sad to say this book was just not for me...
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads.
November 24, 2015
Oh boy. I’m usually pretty easy to please when it comes to reading. It’s hard for me to not at least “like” a book, but this was a rare exception. The blurb totally grabbed my attention, but the actual story was not at all what I was expecting and I really had to work to even finish it.
It’s not that the writing is bad in any way. For me, the primary reason that this story was simply “okay” is mostly about the fact that I couldn’t grow to even really like any of the characters. The second reason I struggled with this book was the fact that it may as well have been a book about Ben and his ex. It’s not that Ben’s ex was physically present a lot (only a little bit), but I swear he lived in Ben’s mind all the time and felt like he came up on every other page (perhaps a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by much). I honestly didn’t feel any connection between Ben and Jacob, and I won’t even go into the whole hot mess that was Karl.
This book just ended up being a miss for me personally and I’m mourning the loss of what I had hoped would be a unique story that was right in my happy place.
Review posted at...
- 2 hearts
It’s not that the writing is bad in any way. For me, the primary reason that this story was simply “okay” is mostly about the fact that I couldn’t grow to even really like any of the characters. The second reason I struggled with this book was the fact that it may as well have been a book about Ben and his ex. It’s not that Ben’s ex was physically present a lot (only a little bit), but I swear he lived in Ben’s mind all the time and felt like he came up on every other page (perhaps a little bit of an exaggeration, but not by much). I honestly didn’t feel any connection between Ben and Jacob, and I won’t even go into the whole hot mess that was Karl.
This book just ended up being a miss for me personally and I’m mourning the loss of what I had hoped would be a unique story that was right in my happy place.
Review posted at...
- 2 hearts
October 29, 2015
When I read BDSM books, sometimes I struggle with them a little. Sure, they're hot, but they're never very realistic. The characters often feel like cheap props.
But in Boundaries, I was impressed by how real the characters feel. Ben and Jacob aren't the perfect dominant and submissive. They're human beings with their own feelings and their own lives. Ben hates his job at a call center... Jacob is a talented sculptor who sells cute little figurines to make money... oh, and they get together for some rough sex now and again.
Honestly, it reminded me a bit of my own relationship with my partner. Silly moments, mistakes, safewords, negotiations, and some VERY hot sex. Ben is a sweet Dom and a loving sadist. He's not a mind-reader; he needs to talk about things. He's new to BDSM, but Jacob slowly introduces him into it.
The conflict is mostly internal and focuses on their fledgling relationship. It was a treat to watch them.
Disclaimer: I read an early version of this book and am pals with the author, so I might be biased.
But in Boundaries, I was impressed by how real the characters feel. Ben and Jacob aren't the perfect dominant and submissive. They're human beings with their own feelings and their own lives. Ben hates his job at a call center... Jacob is a talented sculptor who sells cute little figurines to make money... oh, and they get together for some rough sex now and again.
Honestly, it reminded me a bit of my own relationship with my partner. Silly moments, mistakes, safewords, negotiations, and some VERY hot sex. Ben is a sweet Dom and a loving sadist. He's not a mind-reader; he needs to talk about things. He's new to BDSM, but Jacob slowly introduces him into it.
The conflict is mostly internal and focuses on their fledgling relationship. It was a treat to watch them.
Disclaimer: I read an early version of this book and am pals with the author, so I might be biased.
December 10, 2015
~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads Review Team~
2 stars for this M/M
Ugh, this book was soooo hard for me to finish. I probably should have just given up. I honestly couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Ben always thinking about his ex-Toby drove me insane. Jacob was just a jerk at times and didn’t really teach anything to Ben. Then you throw in Karl. When he opened the door and Jacob said he was his son (jokingly) and then come to find out he is really one of his subs living with him, I wanted to check out. Just how he handled that alone turned me off. I am sure some people will really enjoy this book. However, after reading several BDSM books this is not one I enjoyed and I don’t think I would read anymore in the coming series.
2 stars for this M/M
Ugh, this book was soooo hard for me to finish. I probably should have just given up. I honestly couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Ben always thinking about his ex-Toby drove me insane. Jacob was just a jerk at times and didn’t really teach anything to Ben. Then you throw in Karl. When he opened the door and Jacob said he was his son (jokingly) and then come to find out he is really one of his subs living with him, I wanted to check out. Just how he handled that alone turned me off. I am sure some people will really enjoy this book. However, after reading several BDSM books this is not one I enjoyed and I don’t think I would read anymore in the coming series.
July 16, 2016
This book both interested and irritated me.
I surprised myself with not really being irritated with Ben’s insecurity. After reading about his newness to the BDSM scene and his ex-boyfriend, it made sense. I liked the characters for the most part and really enjoyed the different arts that made up a big part of the storyline. I also loved Karl. He was one of my favorite characters.
Probably the thing I found the most irritating about the book was the way Jacob acted during a few scenes. I didn’t understand his reasoning and thought he could be quite a jerk at times.
This is definitely a book I would reread though. It also makes me want to check out other books written by the author.
I surprised myself with not really being irritated with Ben’s insecurity. After reading about his newness to the BDSM scene and his ex-boyfriend, it made sense. I liked the characters for the most part and really enjoyed the different arts that made up a big part of the storyline. I also loved Karl. He was one of my favorite characters.
Probably the thing I found the most irritating about the book was the way Jacob acted during a few scenes. I didn’t understand his reasoning and thought he could be quite a jerk at times.
This is definitely a book I would reread though. It also makes me want to check out other books written by the author.
November 30, 2015
Reviewed for The Novel Approach. Review to come soon.
Read
May 31, 2018DNF so I didn’t give a star rating. I picked up this book with such high hopes, the blurb sounded like one of my favorite tropes - new Dom. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get involved enough to care what happened to these two whiney MCs and their grouchy “housemate”.
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