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Scientific Method Universe #1
Catalysts
Sometimes you can't find the right man till you find the wrong one.
Will Derrie likes girls but he isn’t honest with them; he wants kinky sex and lots of it. When Hugh offers to dominate him, no sex required, Will realizes it might not be so easy to separate the two.
Hugh Reynolds holds the world at arm's length. He lives alone, works alone, and he thinks he's as happy as he'll ever be. But Will gets under his skin and once he's gone, Hugh realizes he doesn’t want to go it alone forever.
Truman Jennings hits on a cute guy at a conference and he’s smitten by the end of their first date. Hugh's not the kindest or the easiest boyfriend Truman's ever had, but he brings one thing to their relationship that no one else kinky, adventurous, sweetly submissive Will.
Three men. Three sides to love, and intimacy, and laughter. Three people who don't know what they're looking for...until they find it in each other.
Will Derrie likes girls but he isn’t honest with them; he wants kinky sex and lots of it. When Hugh offers to dominate him, no sex required, Will realizes it might not be so easy to separate the two.
Hugh Reynolds holds the world at arm's length. He lives alone, works alone, and he thinks he's as happy as he'll ever be. But Will gets under his skin and once he's gone, Hugh realizes he doesn’t want to go it alone forever.
Truman Jennings hits on a cute guy at a conference and he’s smitten by the end of their first date. Hugh's not the kindest or the easiest boyfriend Truman's ever had, but he brings one thing to their relationship that no one else kinky, adventurous, sweetly submissive Will.
Three men. Three sides to love, and intimacy, and laughter. Three people who don't know what they're looking for...until they find it in each other.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
139 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
About the author
Kris Ripper
89 books403 followersKris Ripper lives in the great state of California and zir pronouns are ze/zir. Kris shares a converted garage with a kid, can do two pull-ups in a row, and can write backwards. (No, really.) Ze has been writing fiction since ze learned how to write, and boring zir stuffed animals with stories long before that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
July 4, 2019
Holy shit this is SO incredible! Not to mention, the best gay sex with a straight boy I've ever read...
Watching everything Will goes through, as he starts to process what's happening to him, well it's incredibly well done. Hugh is magic, a force to be reckoned with, and I'll admit I was bitter when Truman arrived on the scene. Good thing we get some of the story from Truman's POV or he'd never have grown on me.
Like all of zir's stories, this one just has to be experienced and nothing I say can really do it justice. The characters, the relationships, the growth/angst/comfort - The Scientific Method is too good to be true.
Watching everything Will goes through, as he starts to process what's happening to him, well it's incredibly well done. Hugh is magic, a force to be reckoned with, and I'll admit I was bitter when Truman arrived on the scene. Good thing we get some of the story from Truman's POV or he'd never have grown on me.
Like all of zir's stories, this one just has to be experienced and nothing I say can really do it justice. The characters, the relationships, the growth/angst/comfort - The Scientific Method is too good to be true.
dnf
May 7, 2021This was the October pick for my book-of-the-month group, and I jumped right in without checking the blurb first. Sometimes that's a winning approach -- other times, not so much. This turned into one of those other times, when it become apparent early on that it was going to be about D/s kink. I managed to hang in there all the way to 10%, but the first "Yes, sir" drove me off, never to return.
Reading about other people's kinks is about as exciting as reading in excruciating detail about other people's hobbies. Like, I know some folks are absolutely passionate about stamp collecting -- and probably a great author could make *me* give a shit about stamp collecting for the duration of a story. But if stories about stamp collectors were a major subgenre within m/m romance, hugely popular, it wouldn't take long before I was wincing and backing away every time a potentially appealing book turned out to be YET ANOTHER story about the glories of, you guessed it, stamp collecting.
*sigh*
Of course it's not the book's fault it wasn't right for me, avoider-of-blurbs that I am. And I liked the author's writing so much that I'm eager to give them another chance. I have their Hold Fast on my Kindle right now, and since it looks like it's not about D/s (or stamp collecting), I'm looking forward to reading it.
Reading about other people's kinks is about as exciting as reading in excruciating detail about other people's hobbies. Like, I know some folks are absolutely passionate about stamp collecting -- and probably a great author could make *me* give a shit about stamp collecting for the duration of a story. But if stories about stamp collectors were a major subgenre within m/m romance, hugely popular, it wouldn't take long before I was wincing and backing away every time a potentially appealing book turned out to be YET ANOTHER story about the glories of, you guessed it, stamp collecting.
*sigh*
Of course it's not the book's fault it wasn't right for me, avoider-of-blurbs that I am. And I liked the author's writing so much that I'm eager to give them another chance. I have their Hold Fast on my Kindle right now, and since it looks like it's not about D/s (or stamp collecting), I'm looking forward to reading it.
May 8, 2023
Re-read May 2022
SMU is one of my all-time favorite series. But as I wrote in my series review, book 1 is the book I’ve read the least. In fact, I realized that I hadn’t done a proper first-page to last-page re-read on Catalysts since my very first read. Oh, I’ve dipped in to refresh my memory about various scenes and conversations. But I’ve re-read part or all of the rest of the series – especially book 4 on – many times, so it’s strange that Catalysts, the one that started it all, is the one that I’ve never really gone back to. And that’s because my memory of reading Catalysts was basically: yikes, this is so freaking good, but also so freaking painful. So a proper re-read was in order, and wow, it was illuminating.
The set-up is unusual, but simple: gay dom meets straight dude. Will, our straight college dude (and it’s amusing how long Will self-defines as straight –we’re talking books into the series – not out of a sense of shame, but because he doesn’t want to claim an identity he doesn’t feel he’s “earned,” which is the most Will thing ever), is struggling. He needs, but has never explored, kink, so he ends up having unsatisfying relationships with women whom he feels he’s lying to and betraying, thus adding a heavy dose of guilt to his already robust sense of shame and wrongness. His twin, Adam, twigs to Will’s secret obsession and orchestrates a (fully-clothed) coffee meeting with a dominatrix and a dom, Lucy and Hugh. Lucy comes on super-strong and scares the shit out of Will; Hugh, a 29-year-old on the brink of getting his therapy license, an orphan and quasi-loner, takes a more subtle, supportive approach, offering his help but leaving it up to Will if he wants to take it. After much hemming and hawing (and deterioration and spiraling), Will finally reaches out to Hugh. And thus begins an incredibly intense, moving, self-enclosed relationship that starts out non-sexual – exploring kink as discipline – but quickly turns sexual, entirely at Will’s initiative: Hugh is willing but, aware of the power dynamics, would never have made the first move on the young straight dude if Will didn’t enthusiastically consent and, indeed, goad him into it.
And timeout, let’s talk power dynamics. Because this is something that I didn’t fully appreciate the first time around, but really stood out for me on the re-read. Will is, obviously, intensely vulnerable (CW for suicidal ideation) when we meet him: he is young, not a sex-virgin but a kink-virgin, touch-starved, scared of and unable to articulate his desires, and convinced that he is undeserving of love, affection, understanding, and intimacy. At some point, Hugh observes to himself that Will “internalized inferiority like it was blood and bone,” and yeah. But at the same time (and this is what I failed to fully grasp the first time around): for all the lopsidedness of their relationship – and it is lopsided, no doubt about it – Will is also a match for Hugh on a fundamental level. They get each other. Will, submissive to his core, is not a pushover. He challenges Hugh. He learns to articulate what he wants and is persistent about it. He is open and brave. He is insightful and intuitive, with exceptional emotional intelligence for others, if not always in relation to himself. He teases and provokes and pushes Hugh’s buttons and can read Hugh like a book – as Hugh can him. They laugh together, they call each other out, and they have a physical and emotional bond that goes straight to the core. For all that dom/sub, older/younger, experienced/baby kinkster, assured/vulnerable indicates a relationship where one party has all the power, this is not how Will and Hugh work. And from almost the very beginning they become integral to each other’s lives. Not so much co-dependent as almost mutually constitutive. The connection is that deep.
And then Will graduates and moves with Adam to Santa Barbara. They miss each other dreadfully, but they are also in a kind of limbo: their relationship, never really defined, is even more unclear now that they don’t share the regular physical proximity (kink and sex and cuddles) that is the cornerstone of their relationship, the stage on which they play and learn each other.
And then: enter Truman.
OK. My reaction to “enter Truman” was not as visceral this time around. To be honest, I was surprised at how strong it was given how much I love Truman and the way these relationships develop and grow over the series. But even on this second read, knowing what I know, I still reacted to Truman’s arrival and Hugh’s instant connection to and love for him. (Normally I hate instalove, but it works here – probably because we already know Hugh so well by the time Truman arrives on the scene that it seems like a natural extension of his character, not to mention that we are privy to his own disbelief and skepticism of his immediate magnetic attraction to Truman, which makes it go down easier.) Because the Will-Hugh relationship is so intense, their connection so profound, and Will – adrift in Santa Barbara, still hugely vulnerable, still utterly unconvinced of his worth – now seems so alone, and damn, at some level it just feels like a kick in the teeth. And this is my toned-down reaction! My reaction on my first read was *dramatic pause* BETRAYAL!!!
So this is where I admit that my heteronormative monogamy conditioning really kicked in the first time around. Because BETRAYAL!!! is not what’s on the page; it’s an emotional response driven by my inexperience, both personal and reading-wise, with polyamory. For that matter, LOVE TRIANGLE!!! is not on-page either, but that’s also where my tropey romance brain immediately went, because in monogamous romance, 3 romantic interests/ potential partners = love triangle = Kathleen bangs her head against the wall and cries on the inside. All this to say: my immediate emotional response to Truman was HOW DARE YOU???, and it is a testimony to Kris Ripper that I was already so invested in the story that I couldn’t stop reading despite my Very Dramatic Feelings about what I perceived was happening versus what is actually on-page.
Because what’s on-page is Hugh and Will’s mutual recognition that their relationship – while deep, intense, and intrinsically connected to sex and kink – is not, first and foremost, a romantic one, and not just because Will is in Santa Barbara. What’s also on-page is Hugh’s immediate recognition that his relationship with Truman is both romantic and serious (feelings Truman returns, even if neither of them admit it to each other), in a completely different way from the dynamics of his relationship with Will. And finally, what’s on-page is Hugh’s honesty with Truman about Will’s importance in his life; Truman’s openness, curiosity, and generosity about that relationship (and about exploring his own heretofore unexamined kinkiness); and Will’s immediate devotion to Truman, rooted at least initially in his understanding of Truman’s importance to Hugh – which is to say that Will never perceives Truman as a rival because he would never presume to consider himself Truman’s equal.
Will, then, is the one who needs convincing, and this dynamic holds true over most of the series. His core belief is that he is undeserving, unimportant, the tag along lay, the dispensable one, the one whose presence will get in the way and ruin everything, the one who, deep down, doesn’t merit affection or love or intimacy – not in a woe-is-me, big drama, looking-for-reassurance way, but in an assumed, internalized way that causes him always to detach, distance, and doubt himself and his role. And while Hugh knows this intimately, it’s Truman who explicitly calls him out on it – in a momentous scene where both Hugh and Truman separately twig to the fact that the boundaries of their relationship, and Will’s role in it, are shifting and expanding: that they are creating space for him in a way that is entirely new, and that he is filling that space in his own unique way.
Later in the series, it is referenced many times by both Hugh and Truman that Will is integral to their relationship from the start, that there would be no “them” without him, that he was the missing piece that bridged whatever physical and emotional gap was initially between them. And re-reading Catalysts now makes it so clear that this is not just talk or rewriting history (not that anything with Hugh is ever “just talk”), but that it really was there, on-page, from the start – not just in that scene referenced above, but almost from the moment Truman enters the stage.
Damn, Kris Ripper is a clever bastard.
So what I’m left with is the memory that I liked Catalysts enough on the first go-round to devour the rest of the series, despite my own Very Dramatic Feelings and Fears about betrayals and love triangles and feeling bad for Will; and the knowledge that I loved and admired Catalysts all the more on the second go-round, because I was better able to separate between what my conditioned self was reading into the text versus what was actually on-page, and also to appreciate how Ripper seeds so many themes and dynamics and moments into book 1 that recur and are referenced and (in some cases) explode many books down the line.
Those of you SMU first-timers: clear your calendar and kiss the next two weeks of your life goodbye. It is absolutely worth it!!
To get the full Catalysts experience, be sure to read the stories on Kris Ripper’s website, especially Deep Emotions, which fills us in to what happens during Will’s first visit to Hugh after moving to Santa Barbara. Really, all the stories are a treat.
CWs for book 1: cancer (Hugh's entire immediate family died of cancer within a short timespan in his adolescence/ early 20s); suicidal ideation and mental health struggles
SMU is one of my all-time favorite series. But as I wrote in my series review, book 1 is the book I’ve read the least. In fact, I realized that I hadn’t done a proper first-page to last-page re-read on Catalysts since my very first read. Oh, I’ve dipped in to refresh my memory about various scenes and conversations. But I’ve re-read part or all of the rest of the series – especially book 4 on – many times, so it’s strange that Catalysts, the one that started it all, is the one that I’ve never really gone back to. And that’s because my memory of reading Catalysts was basically: yikes, this is so freaking good, but also so freaking painful. So a proper re-read was in order, and wow, it was illuminating.
The set-up is unusual, but simple: gay dom meets straight dude. Will, our straight college dude (and it’s amusing how long Will self-defines as straight –we’re talking books into the series – not out of a sense of shame, but because he doesn’t want to claim an identity he doesn’t feel he’s “earned,” which is the most Will thing ever), is struggling. He needs, but has never explored, kink, so he ends up having unsatisfying relationships with women whom he feels he’s lying to and betraying, thus adding a heavy dose of guilt to his already robust sense of shame and wrongness. His twin, Adam, twigs to Will’s secret obsession and orchestrates a (fully-clothed) coffee meeting with a dominatrix and a dom, Lucy and Hugh. Lucy comes on super-strong and scares the shit out of Will; Hugh, a 29-year-old on the brink of getting his therapy license, an orphan and quasi-loner, takes a more subtle, supportive approach, offering his help but leaving it up to Will if he wants to take it. After much hemming and hawing (and deterioration and spiraling), Will finally reaches out to Hugh. And thus begins an incredibly intense, moving, self-enclosed relationship that starts out non-sexual – exploring kink as discipline – but quickly turns sexual, entirely at Will’s initiative: Hugh is willing but, aware of the power dynamics, would never have made the first move on the young straight dude if Will didn’t enthusiastically consent and, indeed, goad him into it.
And timeout, let’s talk power dynamics. Because this is something that I didn’t fully appreciate the first time around, but really stood out for me on the re-read. Will is, obviously, intensely vulnerable (CW for suicidal ideation) when we meet him: he is young, not a sex-virgin but a kink-virgin, touch-starved, scared of and unable to articulate his desires, and convinced that he is undeserving of love, affection, understanding, and intimacy. At some point, Hugh observes to himself that Will “internalized inferiority like it was blood and bone,” and yeah. But at the same time (and this is what I failed to fully grasp the first time around): for all the lopsidedness of their relationship – and it is lopsided, no doubt about it – Will is also a match for Hugh on a fundamental level. They get each other. Will, submissive to his core, is not a pushover. He challenges Hugh. He learns to articulate what he wants and is persistent about it. He is open and brave. He is insightful and intuitive, with exceptional emotional intelligence for others, if not always in relation to himself. He teases and provokes and pushes Hugh’s buttons and can read Hugh like a book – as Hugh can him. They laugh together, they call each other out, and they have a physical and emotional bond that goes straight to the core. For all that dom/sub, older/younger, experienced/baby kinkster, assured/vulnerable indicates a relationship where one party has all the power, this is not how Will and Hugh work. And from almost the very beginning they become integral to each other’s lives. Not so much co-dependent as almost mutually constitutive. The connection is that deep.
And then Will graduates and moves with Adam to Santa Barbara. They miss each other dreadfully, but they are also in a kind of limbo: their relationship, never really defined, is even more unclear now that they don’t share the regular physical proximity (kink and sex and cuddles) that is the cornerstone of their relationship, the stage on which they play and learn each other.
And then: enter Truman.
OK. My reaction to “enter Truman” was not as visceral this time around. To be honest, I was surprised at how strong it was given how much I love Truman and the way these relationships develop and grow over the series. But even on this second read, knowing what I know, I still reacted to Truman’s arrival and Hugh’s instant connection to and love for him. (Normally I hate instalove, but it works here – probably because we already know Hugh so well by the time Truman arrives on the scene that it seems like a natural extension of his character, not to mention that we are privy to his own disbelief and skepticism of his immediate magnetic attraction to Truman, which makes it go down easier.) Because the Will-Hugh relationship is so intense, their connection so profound, and Will – adrift in Santa Barbara, still hugely vulnerable, still utterly unconvinced of his worth – now seems so alone, and damn, at some level it just feels like a kick in the teeth. And this is my toned-down reaction! My reaction on my first read was *dramatic pause* BETRAYAL!!!
So this is where I admit that my heteronormative monogamy conditioning really kicked in the first time around. Because BETRAYAL!!! is not what’s on the page; it’s an emotional response driven by my inexperience, both personal and reading-wise, with polyamory. For that matter, LOVE TRIANGLE!!! is not on-page either, but that’s also where my tropey romance brain immediately went, because in monogamous romance, 3 romantic interests/ potential partners = love triangle = Kathleen bangs her head against the wall and cries on the inside. All this to say: my immediate emotional response to Truman was HOW DARE YOU???, and it is a testimony to Kris Ripper that I was already so invested in the story that I couldn’t stop reading despite my Very Dramatic Feelings about what I perceived was happening versus what is actually on-page.
Because what’s on-page is Hugh and Will’s mutual recognition that their relationship – while deep, intense, and intrinsically connected to sex and kink – is not, first and foremost, a romantic one, and not just because Will is in Santa Barbara. What’s also on-page is Hugh’s immediate recognition that his relationship with Truman is both romantic and serious (feelings Truman returns, even if neither of them admit it to each other), in a completely different way from the dynamics of his relationship with Will. And finally, what’s on-page is Hugh’s honesty with Truman about Will’s importance in his life; Truman’s openness, curiosity, and generosity about that relationship (and about exploring his own heretofore unexamined kinkiness); and Will’s immediate devotion to Truman, rooted at least initially in his understanding of Truman’s importance to Hugh – which is to say that Will never perceives Truman as a rival because he would never presume to consider himself Truman’s equal.
Will, then, is the one who needs convincing, and this dynamic holds true over most of the series. His core belief is that he is undeserving, unimportant, the tag along lay, the dispensable one, the one whose presence will get in the way and ruin everything, the one who, deep down, doesn’t merit affection or love or intimacy – not in a woe-is-me, big drama, looking-for-reassurance way, but in an assumed, internalized way that causes him always to detach, distance, and doubt himself and his role. And while Hugh knows this intimately, it’s Truman who explicitly calls him out on it – in a momentous scene where both Hugh and Truman separately twig to the fact that the boundaries of their relationship, and Will’s role in it, are shifting and expanding: that they are creating space for him in a way that is entirely new, and that he is filling that space in his own unique way.
Later in the series, it is referenced many times by both Hugh and Truman that Will is integral to their relationship from the start, that there would be no “them” without him, that he was the missing piece that bridged whatever physical and emotional gap was initially between them. And re-reading Catalysts now makes it so clear that this is not just talk or rewriting history (not that anything with Hugh is ever “just talk”), but that it really was there, on-page, from the start – not just in that scene referenced above, but almost from the moment Truman enters the stage.
Damn, Kris Ripper is a clever bastard.
So what I’m left with is the memory that I liked Catalysts enough on the first go-round to devour the rest of the series, despite my own Very Dramatic Feelings and Fears about betrayals and love triangles and feeling bad for Will; and the knowledge that I loved and admired Catalysts all the more on the second go-round, because I was better able to separate between what my conditioned self was reading into the text versus what was actually on-page, and also to appreciate how Ripper seeds so many themes and dynamics and moments into book 1 that recur and are referenced and (in some cases) explode many books down the line.
Those of you SMU first-timers: clear your calendar and kiss the next two weeks of your life goodbye. It is absolutely worth it!!
To get the full Catalysts experience, be sure to read the stories on Kris Ripper’s website, especially Deep Emotions, which fills us in to what happens during Will’s first visit to Hugh after moving to Santa Barbara. Really, all the stories are a treat.
CWs for book 1: cancer (Hugh's entire immediate family died of cancer within a short timespan in his adolescence/ early 20s); suicidal ideation and mental health struggles
Want to read
January 25, 2018Kindle freebie 1/25/18!
October 19, 2024
Re-reread. This book is genius. The writing is almost minimalist - basically no description of what people look like, where they are, anything else that’s happening in their lives… it’s just dialogue and physical logistics. And it doesn’t really need anything else. The structure, perfection - on a plot level and on a scene level (pun), because the flow of the characters’ conversations feels so naturalistic you keep forgetting somebody actually sat down and wrote it out.
Oh and also you’re on the edge of your seat the whole time because the stakes feel SO high.
What a book!
May 2022: Reread. This was great and really interesting! When I originally read this I was relatively early on in my journey across queer romance as a genre, and I wasn’t totally sure how I felt about it so I didn’t continue the series. Rereading, I really enjoyed it! I think the key is that I was no longer expecting/looking for a particular arc - I just followed the characters and the narrative as they developed. This author is really in a unique category - no one else is telling stories exactly like these with characters exactly like these. For such a tropey genre, I’ve found it really refreshing.
Oh and also you’re on the edge of your seat the whole time because the stakes feel SO high.
What a book!
May 2022: Reread. This was great and really interesting! When I originally read this I was relatively early on in my journey across queer romance as a genre, and I wasn’t totally sure how I felt about it so I didn’t continue the series. Rereading, I really enjoyed it! I think the key is that I was no longer expecting/looking for a particular arc - I just followed the characters and the narrative as they developed. This author is really in a unique category - no one else is telling stories exactly like these with characters exactly like these. For such a tropey genre, I’ve found it really refreshing.
December 6, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book, lots of BIG feelings, so this will be a little ranty, js.
The first few chapters of this book had a distinct rom-com feel to them, which I didn’t hate, exactly, but I didn’t find them especially exciting, either �� you see, I am not a rom-com gal, AT ALL. Will was pretty cute, though, and just the right mix of confused and hopeless to keep my attention. Then Hugh’s character was introduced and right away, my spidey senses started tingling. I knew this shit would be deep, and I was right.
From that first meeting, to 60% or so, this book was pretty much perfection, checking ALL of my boxes for BDSM fiction — which happens so rarely that I honestly wanted to CRY. The pacing; the scenes themselves; Will’s slow, hesitant exploration and eventual acceptance of his kinks; Hugh’s insight, his almost impersonal analysis and deconstruction of Will’s needs and wants; the building trust between them; all those conversations, and their effect on both men, and that perfect scene when something changed, when Will finally felt so safe that he told Hugh his darkest fantasy… Fuck. Perfection, I’m telling you. I could read about Hugh mindfucking Will for DAYS.
Then, Truman entered the picture and my perfect little bubble burst. The thing is, it’s not even about the way it complicated their dynamic — poly relationships, romantic or purely physical, are 100% OK in my book when all parties communicate properly. And I was PERFECTLY FINE with the lack of romantic feelings between Will and Hugh; their connection eclipsed that, imo, and Hugh didn’t strike me as a particularly romantic person, anyway. So then, WHAT THE FUCK prompted Kris Ripper to add Hugh and Truman’s insta-love story to this otherwise perfect book?
And yes, I know I keep saying ‘perfect,’ but bear with me here.
I don’t have anything against Truman himself, he was sweet and smart and nice in his own way, but for me, he stuck out like a sore thumb here. My biggest problem, though, was the way he just suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and bam, Hugh, the controlled, emotionally closed-off Hugh, was in love (and actually thought about it in those terms) a few weeks later? HUH??? And the way we didn’t even get to SEE their ‘romance’ develop, but were constantly told they were in love?? Juxtaposed with the slow, meticulous construction of Will and Hugh’s kinky, and later sexual, but entirely aromantic relationship, it felt SO WEAK, and it pretty much ruined the whole experience for me. The way Hugh acted with Truman, like a completely different person… I get that it might have been the point the author wanted to make here, but it fell flat.
I didn’t feel any chemistry between Hugh and Truman, in their scenes sans Will. Every time Hugh dominated Will, it was hot, deep, emotional — but the way these two kept psychoanalyzing each other (they were both therapists)? About as interesting as watching turtles fuck. 🤷♀️
It got better near the end — and I enjoyed their threesomes immensely; how hot was that scene when they acted out Will’s fantasy? 🔥🥵🔥 — but still, I can’t see myself continuing this series anytime soon, which is a damn shame because there’s a lot of potential here. But that bubble burst. That perfect fucking bubble… 😩
The first few chapters of this book had a distinct rom-com feel to them, which I didn’t hate, exactly, but I didn’t find them especially exciting, either �� you see, I am not a rom-com gal, AT ALL. Will was pretty cute, though, and just the right mix of confused and hopeless to keep my attention. Then Hugh’s character was introduced and right away, my spidey senses started tingling. I knew this shit would be deep, and I was right.
From that first meeting, to 60% or so, this book was pretty much perfection, checking ALL of my boxes for BDSM fiction — which happens so rarely that I honestly wanted to CRY. The pacing; the scenes themselves; Will’s slow, hesitant exploration and eventual acceptance of his kinks; Hugh’s insight, his almost impersonal analysis and deconstruction of Will’s needs and wants; the building trust between them; all those conversations, and their effect on both men, and that perfect scene when something changed, when Will finally felt so safe that he told Hugh his darkest fantasy… Fuck. Perfection, I’m telling you. I could read about Hugh mindfucking Will for DAYS.
Then, Truman entered the picture and my perfect little bubble burst. The thing is, it’s not even about the way it complicated their dynamic — poly relationships, romantic or purely physical, are 100% OK in my book when all parties communicate properly. And I was PERFECTLY FINE with the lack of romantic feelings between Will and Hugh; their connection eclipsed that, imo, and Hugh didn’t strike me as a particularly romantic person, anyway. So then, WHAT THE FUCK prompted Kris Ripper to add Hugh and Truman’s insta-love story to this otherwise perfect book?
And yes, I know I keep saying ‘perfect,’ but bear with me here.
I don’t have anything against Truman himself, he was sweet and smart and nice in his own way, but for me, he stuck out like a sore thumb here. My biggest problem, though, was the way he just suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and bam, Hugh, the controlled, emotionally closed-off Hugh, was in love (and actually thought about it in those terms) a few weeks later? HUH??? And the way we didn’t even get to SEE their ‘romance’ develop, but were constantly told they were in love?? Juxtaposed with the slow, meticulous construction of Will and Hugh’s kinky, and later sexual, but entirely aromantic relationship, it felt SO WEAK, and it pretty much ruined the whole experience for me. The way Hugh acted with Truman, like a completely different person… I get that it might have been the point the author wanted to make here, but it fell flat.
I didn’t feel any chemistry between Hugh and Truman, in their scenes sans Will. Every time Hugh dominated Will, it was hot, deep, emotional — but the way these two kept psychoanalyzing each other (they were both therapists)? About as interesting as watching turtles fuck. 🤷♀️
It got better near the end — and I enjoyed their threesomes immensely; how hot was that scene when they acted out Will’s fantasy? 🔥🥵🔥 — but still, I can’t see myself continuing this series anytime soon, which is a damn shame because there’s a lot of potential here. But that bubble burst. That perfect fucking bubble… 😩
August 3, 2020
So I just read the nine main books of this series in a period of a few days, wondering how it hasn't crossed my radar before.
It definitely helps to have a bit of a 'shrink kink' when reading, which basically means, there is a heavy focus on the psychological dynamics of the central relationship of Will, Hugh, and Truman, and poking around in the characters' psyches plays a big part in the BDSM scenes. It seems I, in fact, have a bit of a 'shrink kink' because I loved this aspect.
I also learned that I have a 'communication' kink. These people talk a lot and it's great. Before sex, during sex, after sex. (There's a lot of sex and flogging and debauchery, and when they're not engaging in scenes, they're talking about scenes or their feelings about the scenes or their feelings about each other, and really taking things apart, digging deep). Yay for dialogue (as opposed to long internal monologues).
So I learned a few things about myself reading the series, as well as coming to the realization that when it comes to reading mm romance, I have a huge thing for D/s threesomes. Somehow having three people configured in that dynamic is what makes the whole power exchange thing work for me. Wonder why that is? I'm gonna 'process' that one for a bit.
The first couple of books are a bit rough around the edges style-wise, but this improves with each book. The first few books have some issues with clarity (where it's unclear who is speaking) and descriptions of spatial relationship (i.e. it's unclear how people are positioned esp. in sex scenes, which leads to a bit of confusion on occasion.)
It definitely helps to have a bit of a 'shrink kink' when reading, which basically means, there is a heavy focus on the psychological dynamics of the central relationship of Will, Hugh, and Truman, and poking around in the characters' psyches plays a big part in the BDSM scenes. It seems I, in fact, have a bit of a 'shrink kink' because I loved this aspect.
I also learned that I have a 'communication' kink. These people talk a lot and it's great. Before sex, during sex, after sex. (There's a lot of sex and flogging and debauchery, and when they're not engaging in scenes, they're talking about scenes or their feelings about the scenes or their feelings about each other, and really taking things apart, digging deep). Yay for dialogue (as opposed to long internal monologues).
So I learned a few things about myself reading the series, as well as coming to the realization that when it comes to reading mm romance, I have a huge thing for D/s threesomes. Somehow having three people configured in that dynamic is what makes the whole power exchange thing work for me. Wonder why that is? I'm gonna 'process' that one for a bit.
The first couple of books are a bit rough around the edges style-wise, but this improves with each book. The first few books have some issues with clarity (where it's unclear who is speaking) and descriptions of spatial relationship (i.e. it's unclear how people are positioned esp. in sex scenes, which leads to a bit of confusion on occasion.)
September 15, 2020
3.75
This was wild y'all holy shit
This was wild y'all holy shit
November 18, 2017
This author keeps throwing me for a loop. This book starts with a straight (?) boy (Will) who is ashamed of his fantasies spending time with a male Dom (Hugh), who is helping him experiment with submission and other aspects of BDSM. It’s not sexual . . . until it is.
Now, in your average romance, you could pretty much call it from that point. Oh, yeah, Dom will fall in love, straight boy will realize he’s maybe not entirely straight, and they’ll ride off into the sunset. Only . . . that’s not quite what happens.
If you’re a blurb reader, you know that the Dom gets a boyfriend (Truman). I am a possessive, jealous person on behalf of fictional characters. I was prepared to HATE the boyfriend when he finally showed up, on behalf of poor Will, who I was sure would be feeling angst-ridden and left out. But it is written so beautifully, and makes it CRYSTAL clear that Will is happy for them, and actually has a girl he’s started seeing. Yet, even though Hugh and Truman are starting to build a future together, they’re still finding a place for Will that meets needs for all three of them.
The dynamics of these three guys is just fascinating. I am really glad there are many more books to read in this series, because I want to delve deeper into their minds and see how all of this goes. From the synopses I read of the other books, there will be many twists and turns along the way. Normally, that’s something I avoid, but in this case, I’m entranced and can’t wait to dive in.
Now, in your average romance, you could pretty much call it from that point. Oh, yeah, Dom will fall in love, straight boy will realize he’s maybe not entirely straight, and they’ll ride off into the sunset. Only . . . that’s not quite what happens.
If you’re a blurb reader, you know that the Dom gets a boyfriend (Truman). I am a possessive, jealous person on behalf of fictional characters. I was prepared to HATE the boyfriend when he finally showed up, on behalf of poor Will, who I was sure would be feeling angst-ridden and left out. But it is written so beautifully, and makes it CRYSTAL clear that Will is happy for them, and actually has a girl he’s started seeing. Yet, even though Hugh and Truman are starting to build a future together, they’re still finding a place for Will that meets needs for all three of them.
The dynamics of these three guys is just fascinating. I am really glad there are many more books to read in this series, because I want to delve deeper into their minds and see how all of this goes. From the synopses I read of the other books, there will be many twists and turns along the way. Normally, that’s something I avoid, but in this case, I’m entranced and can’t wait to dive in.
September 23, 2020
A permafree first book - Will is straight, but looking for submission and adventure and kink he's not getting from his usual relationships. Meeting Hugh, a gay Dom, opens up new possibilities for him, that at first aren't about sex. But keeping the BDSM and the sex separate aren't as easy as it sounds. Add in Truman, a gay man falling romantically for Hugh, and you have the makings of a complicated romance, that expands through 9 books.
It's been long enough that I can't remember if you could read this one alone and stop. And in book 2 Will has a girlfriend as well as Hugh and Truman. But if you like complexity, psychology, characters who actually talk, and who try to fix things when they make mistakes, consider this series.
It's been long enough that I can't remember if you could read this one alone and stop. And in book 2 Will has a girlfriend as well as Hugh and Truman. But if you like complexity, psychology, characters who actually talk, and who try to fix things when they make mistakes, consider this series.
June 3, 2022
This is one hell of an unconventional book. It’s almost like two different books spliced together. Once this hit the halfway point, everything changed and where it went completely took me by surprise.
First 50%: Um. This sure… went to some places. I don’t know what I expected from this book but whatever it was, it wasn’t THIS. Also? So. Much. Sex.
Second 50%: Again, went places I didn’t expect. All new places. Will & Hugh? The couple having sex all over the place in the first half? Apparently they’re not meant to be. Hugh meets Truman. They become a thing. And the biggest surprise? I wasn’t mad about it.
Okay. So. Will and Hugh… It’s a dom/sub relationship with a small age gap, bit of a teacher/student dynamic for a while. I enjoyed it even though Hugh was a bit of a cliché. They had some sweet moments and some funny moments. I liked Will and how Hugh helped him to be not so lost.
But then Will moves away to another city. Hugh & Will’s burgeoning relationship ends before either is fully ready for it to become something more. They miss one another but promise to continue to talk and visit when they can. Then Hugh meets Truman and… 🎆 fireworks 🎆 And eventually, well… I’m sure you can imagine what happens based on the cover. But you’d only be partly right.
I thought what happens between the three of them was written so well. Things get really interesting when Hugh’s two relationships - with Will and with Truman - start to collide and merge. I was riveted watching these relationships develop and change. The dynamics are really fascinating and nuanced.
I found the dialogue to be a little odd at times, mostly because of Hugh’s weirdly rigid personality, but the characters are great. I love books that are character-driven and this definitely is. I found myself really caring about Will and Hugh and Truman. I really liked where their characters ended up and how they all managed to fit their pieces together to make a complete puzzle, so to speak. I definitely want to read more of this series.
4 stars
First 50%: Um. This sure… went to some places. I don’t know what I expected from this book but whatever it was, it wasn’t THIS. Also? So. Much. Sex.
Second 50%: Again, went places I didn’t expect. All new places. Will & Hugh? The couple having sex all over the place in the first half? Apparently they’re not meant to be. Hugh meets Truman. They become a thing. And the biggest surprise? I wasn’t mad about it.
Okay. So. Will and Hugh… It’s a dom/sub relationship with a small age gap, bit of a teacher/student dynamic for a while. I enjoyed it even though Hugh was a bit of a cliché. They had some sweet moments and some funny moments. I liked Will and how Hugh helped him to be not so lost.
But then Will moves away to another city. Hugh & Will’s burgeoning relationship ends before either is fully ready for it to become something more. They miss one another but promise to continue to talk and visit when they can. Then Hugh meets Truman and… 🎆 fireworks 🎆 And eventually, well… I’m sure you can imagine what happens based on the cover. But you’d only be partly right.
I thought what happens between the three of them was written so well. Things get really interesting when Hugh’s two relationships - with Will and with Truman - start to collide and merge. I was riveted watching these relationships develop and change. The dynamics are really fascinating and nuanced.
I found the dialogue to be a little odd at times, mostly because of Hugh’s weirdly rigid personality, but the characters are great. I love books that are character-driven and this definitely is. I found myself really caring about Will and Hugh and Truman. I really liked where their characters ended up and how they all managed to fit their pieces together to make a complete puzzle, so to speak. I definitely want to read more of this series.
4 stars
May 8, 2023
Reread May 2023
This series continues to blow me away with how good it is. Like, I would be happy to be left on a desert island for the rest of my life with just this series.
_____
OMG, this book was SO good! Like, I want to drop everything and read the next 8 books in this series right the fuck now.
I just loved everything about this book; the 3 MCs, Will, Hugh, and Truman, the relationship(s), the everything.
NGL, when Hugh first met Truman I wasn’t so sure about that, because I really liked Will and Hugh together. But I just love how it all worked out. I was kind of expecting it, but didn’t really know how that would work, but it 100% did and it was excellent.
I just loved how the relationship(s) evolved throughout the course of the book and I absolutely can not wait to get to the next one to see it continue.
Oh, also, no third act break up, which was so lovely to not have! Just an entire book of good stuff. Though this really isn’t a stand alone book, it’s obviously part of a series, so it didn’t really follow the normal formula (for lack of a better word). Unless the series is going to act like one book and everything is going to go to shit in book eight? Hopefully not.
This series continues to blow me away with how good it is. Like, I would be happy to be left on a desert island for the rest of my life with just this series.
_____
OMG, this book was SO good! Like, I want to drop everything and read the next 8 books in this series right the fuck now.
I just loved everything about this book; the 3 MCs, Will, Hugh, and Truman, the relationship(s), the everything.
NGL, when Hugh first met Truman I wasn’t so sure about that, because I really liked Will and Hugh together. But I just love how it all worked out. I was kind of expecting it, but didn’t really know how that would work, but it 100% did and it was excellent.
I just loved how the relationship(s) evolved throughout the course of the book and I absolutely can not wait to get to the next one to see it continue.
Oh, also, no third act break up, which was so lovely to not have! Just an entire book of good stuff. Though this really isn’t a stand alone book, it’s obviously part of a series, so it didn’t really follow the normal formula (for lack of a better word). Unless the series is going to act like one book and everything is going to go to shit in book eight? Hopefully not.
March 26, 2024
I can't remember how many times I've read this book. what is time anyway? I love this book.
August 2, 2020
I've had Kris Ripper on my TBR for a long while. I didn't feel like delving into the one that's been sitting there, so I tried this freebie out.
And I gotta say, it was really enjoyable. This definitely crosses a not for everyone boundary, it's based on an experienced Dom training a new submissive for about 50% this is actually the point my friend Gaufre stopped. As she noted, this book lacks a central conflict.
For me, right now, this worked. This book may be all of those who really enjoy communication between characters. I will say, in a very real sense the series title matched the mood. I was invested in the characters but they were all really fine with everything. So it was an interesting, but not incredibly emotional read. It was still romantic in a very real sense, but don't go in expecting traditional relationships, like at all. This book is different.
I will continue to read Kris Ripper. Ze is clearly a talented author with very nice writing and a good amount of humor. I'll be interested to experience zir range and will again be continuing with this series. It's perfect for when I have no idea what to read. 3.75 fluff stars.
And I gotta say, it was really enjoyable. This definitely crosses a not for everyone boundary, it's based on an experienced Dom training a new submissive for about 50% this is actually the point my friend Gaufre stopped. As she noted, this book lacks a central conflict.
For me, right now, this worked. This book may be all of those who really enjoy communication between characters. I will say, in a very real sense the series title matched the mood. I was invested in the characters but they were all really fine with everything. So it was an interesting, but not incredibly emotional read. It was still romantic in a very real sense, but don't go in expecting traditional relationships, like at all. This book is different.
I will continue to read Kris Ripper. Ze is clearly a talented author with very nice writing and a good amount of humor. I'll be interested to experience zir range and will again be continuing with this series. It's perfect for when I have no idea what to read. 3.75 fluff stars.
July 12, 2023
I totally get it now.
It has taken me a few tries through Kris Ripper books to hear zir voice. Very hot, sometimes almost unbearably intimate, I loved watching the tangle and untangle and intertwining of Hugh, Truman and Will.
This was a re-read, and I'm very glad I revisited.
It has taken me a few tries through Kris Ripper books to hear zir voice. Very hot, sometimes almost unbearably intimate, I loved watching the tangle and untangle and intertwining of Hugh, Truman and Will.
This was a re-read, and I'm very glad I revisited.
July 10, 2023
Reread 7/8/23 I still love this book. A character driven/ dialogue driven story...my favorite kind.
*********************************
4.5 stars
This was different and I loved it. Will and Hugh's relationship was so unusual. When Will first started seeing Hugh, he was insecure and ashamed of his desire to be dominated. Hugh was excellent at reading, understanding and giving Will what he needed and they became great friends. I loved that Will began to understand that the calm and controlled Hugh actually had insecurities of his own and Will would call him on them. They were both great guys and I loved the dynamic they had going. So, I was a little nervous when Hugh started seeing Truman; I didn't want anything to come between Will and Hugh. Well I worried needlessly. Truman was awesome from the start. I loved him! He wasn't jealous of Hugh and Will at all, in fact he encouraged them to continue their relationship. The love and respect the three of them had by the end was wonderful.
I am interested in seeing where things go from here, however I'm not thrilled about Will having a girlfriend.
*********************************
4.5 stars
This was different and I loved it. Will and Hugh's relationship was so unusual. When Will first started seeing Hugh, he was insecure and ashamed of his desire to be dominated. Hugh was excellent at reading, understanding and giving Will what he needed and they became great friends. I loved that Will began to understand that the calm and controlled Hugh actually had insecurities of his own and Will would call him on them. They were both great guys and I loved the dynamic they had going. So, I was a little nervous when Hugh started seeing Truman; I didn't want anything to come between Will and Hugh. Well I worried needlessly. Truman was awesome from the start. I loved him! He wasn't jealous of Hugh and Will at all, in fact he encouraged them to continue their relationship. The love and respect the three of them had by the end was wonderful.
I am interested in seeing where things go from here, however I'm not thrilled about Will having a girlfriend.
July 24, 2017
Fuck. This is so fucking hot. And kinky. But also intense and emotionally revelatory and unconventionally romantic and one of the most honest depictions of poly I've ever read.
Also, it has one of my favourite types of relationships progressions: non-sexual kink to sexual kink to relationship with kink.
Will and Hugh and Truman (who comes in halfway through the story) are all very different men, with different needs and desires and vulnerabilities. And their relationships with each other are very different. Not better or worse, not more or less real or important, but different.
I especially love that while Will is the one who is inexperienced and frightened of his own desires, in the end it's Hugh who's the most vulnerable of them all.
Also, it has one of my favourite types of relationships progressions: non-sexual kink to sexual kink to relationship with kink.
Will and Hugh and Truman (who comes in halfway through the story) are all very different men, with different needs and desires and vulnerabilities. And their relationships with each other are very different. Not better or worse, not more or less real or important, but different.
I especially love that while Will is the one who is inexperienced and frightened of his own desires, in the end it's Hugh who's the most vulnerable of them all.
February 3, 2018
It was okay...
I don’t know... it was a little too long for my liking and rather lopsided in storytelling. I mean, more than 50% was dedicated to Will and Hugh’s relationship building. Then it took way shorter time for Hugh and Truman to connect. That in and of itself confused me because I felt Will and Hugh had a more developed and stronger bond than Hugh and Truman. But it was like Will and Hugh weren’t really in a relationship and on the flip side, Hugh and Truman jumped into one so quickly and apparently so strong that I just didn’t see it.
Then there was Will and Truman in the last few chapters. I suppose I have to cut the author some slack because it has a sequel. But I guess I was just more invested in Will and Hugh than in Hugh and Truman. Oh wells....
I don’t know... it was a little too long for my liking and rather lopsided in storytelling. I mean, more than 50% was dedicated to Will and Hugh’s relationship building. Then it took way shorter time for Hugh and Truman to connect. That in and of itself confused me because I felt Will and Hugh had a more developed and stronger bond than Hugh and Truman. But it was like Will and Hugh weren’t really in a relationship and on the flip side, Hugh and Truman jumped into one so quickly and apparently so strong that I just didn’t see it.
Then there was Will and Truman in the last few chapters. I suppose I have to cut the author some slack because it has a sequel. But I guess I was just more invested in Will and Hugh than in Hugh and Truman. Oh wells....
Read
April 28, 2016This entire series is fraking awesome. That's all I've got at the moment.
August 13, 2023
Between falling hard for Fail Seven Times a couple of months ago and Kathleen consistently hyping this series, I decided it was time to take the plunge into the Scientific Methods Universe. And by Jove, I’m happy to be here!
I simultaneously want to squee and not say anything at all because the gift is in seeing how things evolve between Will, Hugh, and Truman. This is a master class in structure. It was all the more interesting to learn .
Will is a total golden retriever of a college student who has never explored kink but desperately wants to. His twin brother mortifyingly introduces him to a Domme who brings her Dom friend Hugh around and it’s Hugh who Will ultimately connects with. Even though he’s very, extremely sure he’s straight. No matter how devastatingly attractive he finds Hugh. Hugh offers to introduce Will to BDSM and initially it’s completely focused on the acts themselves. This is a book that understands it’s possible to experience and enjoy kink aside from sex. This gives Will a chance to figure out what he actually likes and then to figure out what else he wants to try with Hugh. And it goes beyond the physical acts themselves as both men talk about Will’s intimacy kink and Hugh’s shrink kink. (To be clear, nothing unethical is happening with the shrink kink. That would be a hard pass for me.)
And it’s not just about sex for them. They have a genuine friendship. Will pushes Hugh to open up and to let him in, which he sorely needs. Hugh tends toward isolation ever since the death of his mom and grandparents, sticking to his routines, outside of a couple of friends. Will’s presence opens up his life in some big ways. They work on clearing up Hugh’s deceased mother’s unruly garden in the backyard. They spend time in the home library. (I’ve never wanted to transport myself to a fictional library more badly.) Will drinks the tea Hugh makes him, even though he doesn’t really like tea. They have their own insecurities and things holding them back but there’s so much affection and care there.
There’s also an expiration date. Once Will graduates, he and his brother are moving to southern California. This isn’t the end of the road for them though. While they might not see each other as regularly, Hugh sees this as a new evolution of their non-monogamous relationship. And that’s where things take a really interesting turn.
Truman doesn’t come into the equation until about 60% in when he orchestrates a meeting with Hugh at a conference. They begin dating but Truman hasn’t ever really engaged in kink before and Hugh isn’t sure he can have a relationship that’s completely devoid of it. But no matter, since neither are interested in a monogamous relationship. Will fills an interesting role for the couple. This doesn’t hide from the consistent need for communication in polyamory or the ways a partner can complement a relationship. I cannot wait to see how things come together for these three as the series continues, particularly since Will still thinks of himself as straight and wanting a marriage and kids with a woman. Bless his heart. I should note I was really surprised by the bierasure but it ultimately made sense in that Will not having a label gives him the freedom and maybe even an excuse to explore his sexuality and kink. Additionally, Hugh doesn’t believe he can have Will long-term—or anyone, for that matter—so he’s just going to enjoy him for however long he can have him and respect that Will’s not ready to think hard about whatever is happening between them, at least initially.
While I have a much better sense of Will and Hugh due to spending more time with them, I really love all three characters and I’m so interested in what they’re going to come to mean to each other. I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
Note: this is a pretty white world, which is surprising given that it’s set in the Bay Area. It’s a small cast of characters, however. It’s possible I missed one person is a character of color, although that would suggest the need for better representation, if say, their skin color was mentioned just the one time.
Characters: Will is a 21 year old white college senior, chemistry major, and submissive. Hugh is a 29 year old gay white therapist-in-training, Dom, and former escort who wears glasses. Truman is a 33 year old gay white therapist. This is set in Berkeley and Oakland, CA.
Content notes: death of Will’s great-aunt/family matriarch (car accident; hit by person who was texting and driving), panic attack, anxiety, insomnia, internalized kink-shaming, bierasure, past emotionally abusive relationship (Hugh), past sexual coercion and abusive BDSM practices (Hugh), past death of Hugh’s mother and grandparents (cancer), homophobic slurs (used in role play), absentee father (Hugh never knew who his dad was), unsafe sex practices (Hugh tears a condom package open with his teeth one time), on page sex, D/s, consensual nonconsent, discussion of gang rape fantasy, degradation play (within role play), threesome, knife play, impact play, voyeurism, praise kink, biting, orgasm control, anal play, sex toys, masturbation, alcohol, past marijuana, anti-fat bias, STD stigma (“clean”), erectile dysfunction stigma, gendered insults (countered), gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, slave BDSM terminology (secondary character and role play), mention of history of sexual assault in Will’s family, mention of Will’s grandmother having Alzheimer’s, mention of past death of Will’s grandfather
I simultaneously want to squee and not say anything at all because the gift is in seeing how things evolve between Will, Hugh, and Truman. This is a master class in structure. It was all the more interesting to learn .
Will is a total golden retriever of a college student who has never explored kink but desperately wants to. His twin brother mortifyingly introduces him to a Domme who brings her Dom friend Hugh around and it’s Hugh who Will ultimately connects with. Even though he’s very, extremely sure he’s straight. No matter how devastatingly attractive he finds Hugh. Hugh offers to introduce Will to BDSM and initially it’s completely focused on the acts themselves. This is a book that understands it’s possible to experience and enjoy kink aside from sex. This gives Will a chance to figure out what he actually likes and then to figure out what else he wants to try with Hugh. And it goes beyond the physical acts themselves as both men talk about Will’s intimacy kink and Hugh’s shrink kink. (To be clear, nothing unethical is happening with the shrink kink. That would be a hard pass for me.)
And it’s not just about sex for them. They have a genuine friendship. Will pushes Hugh to open up and to let him in, which he sorely needs. Hugh tends toward isolation ever since the death of his mom and grandparents, sticking to his routines, outside of a couple of friends. Will’s presence opens up his life in some big ways. They work on clearing up Hugh’s deceased mother’s unruly garden in the backyard. They spend time in the home library. (I’ve never wanted to transport myself to a fictional library more badly.) Will drinks the tea Hugh makes him, even though he doesn’t really like tea. They have their own insecurities and things holding them back but there’s so much affection and care there.
There’s also an expiration date. Once Will graduates, he and his brother are moving to southern California. This isn’t the end of the road for them though. While they might not see each other as regularly, Hugh sees this as a new evolution of their non-monogamous relationship. And that’s where things take a really interesting turn.
Truman doesn’t come into the equation until about 60% in when he orchestrates a meeting with Hugh at a conference. They begin dating but Truman hasn’t ever really engaged in kink before and Hugh isn’t sure he can have a relationship that’s completely devoid of it. But no matter, since neither are interested in a monogamous relationship. Will fills an interesting role for the couple. This doesn’t hide from the consistent need for communication in polyamory or the ways a partner can complement a relationship. I cannot wait to see how things come together for these three as the series continues, particularly since Will still thinks of himself as straight and wanting a marriage and kids with a woman. Bless his heart. I should note I was really surprised by the bierasure but it ultimately made sense in that Will not having a label gives him the freedom and maybe even an excuse to explore his sexuality and kink. Additionally, Hugh doesn’t believe he can have Will long-term—or anyone, for that matter—so he’s just going to enjoy him for however long he can have him and respect that Will’s not ready to think hard about whatever is happening between them, at least initially.
While I have a much better sense of Will and Hugh due to spending more time with them, I really love all three characters and I’m so interested in what they’re going to come to mean to each other. I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
Note: this is a pretty white world, which is surprising given that it’s set in the Bay Area. It’s a small cast of characters, however. It’s possible I missed one person is a character of color, although that would suggest the need for better representation, if say, their skin color was mentioned just the one time.
Characters: Will is a 21 year old white college senior, chemistry major, and submissive. Hugh is a 29 year old gay white therapist-in-training, Dom, and former escort who wears glasses. Truman is a 33 year old gay white therapist. This is set in Berkeley and Oakland, CA.
Content notes: death of Will’s great-aunt/family matriarch (car accident; hit by person who was texting and driving), panic attack, anxiety, insomnia, internalized kink-shaming, bierasure, past emotionally abusive relationship (Hugh), past sexual coercion and abusive BDSM practices (Hugh), past death of Hugh’s mother and grandparents (cancer), homophobic slurs (used in role play), absentee father (Hugh never knew who his dad was), unsafe sex practices (Hugh tears a condom package open with his teeth one time), on page sex, D/s, consensual nonconsent, discussion of gang rape fantasy, degradation play (within role play), threesome, knife play, impact play, voyeurism, praise kink, biting, orgasm control, anal play, sex toys, masturbation, alcohol, past marijuana, anti-fat bias, STD stigma (“clean”), erectile dysfunction stigma, gendered insults (countered), gendered pejoratives, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide, slave BDSM terminology (secondary character and role play), mention of history of sexual assault in Will’s family, mention of Will’s grandmother having Alzheimer’s, mention of past death of Will’s grandfather
September 20, 2024
4.5 stars - This was a challenging read for me. Not in a “this book isn’t good” kind of way, but a boundary pushing book that made me uncomfortable in the way it tested those boundaries, pushed them, and sometimes shoved at them with some resistance.
I immediately fell in love with Hugh and Will. Them as characters and them with each other. I loved how they both tested, pushed, and balanced each other. Their dynamic, both kink-wise and friendship-wise, was amazing. I knew going in that it was a polyamorous relationship (which I usually avoid like the plague) and it made me anxious (an insane amount of anxiety, but that probably wouldn’t have been as bad if I wasn’t experiencing what is happening in my personal life right now).
I drank up the two of them together, then Will moved, and Hugh was sad. And it hurt and sucked.
Enter Truman. I struggled a bit at first. Not just with the fact that this guy showed up and I was still mourning the change for both Will and Hugh, but because the feelings and relationship between Hugh and Truman was immediate and intense. I had trouble really getting into their relationship because I didn’t feel the connection at first. Even after finishing, I don’t feel the connection between Hugh and Truman the way I felt the connection between Hugh and Will. I think because it was so fast with Truman and Hugh. They saw each other, end of second date (I think?) Hugh is already thinking about how Truman is who he wants long term and they just happen. There wasn’t any build up, no getting to know Truman as a character. It went from him not being there, to him BEING THERE. I do feel more for them together now than I did when Truman first arrived on scene. I think the slow build up and exploration between Hugh and Will lent itself to me being more invested in them, whereas I’m most told how strongly and quickly Hugh and Truman feel for each other. It felt like, to me, there was no Truman. And then there was all Truman. I don’t hate him as a character at all, I just have to get used to him.
On top of that, and this is probably my own internal struggles and biases, I wasn’t sure how Will fit. And I absolutely wanted Will to fit. I was afraid that the relationship between Will and Hugh would be cut off, they wouldn’t be able to even communicate because of heteronormativity and monogamy views and feelings of my own. The connection between Will and Hugh was strong, albeit very different than the connection Truman and Hugh had. I just couldn’t imagine their relationship completely ending while I wasn’t sure how Will would fit into the puzzle of Truman and Hugh.
It ended up working for me. Really well. I love that there was no jealousy. I love that there was open communication and dialogue about literally everything. I love that Hugh and Truman have a really good relationship while also bringing Will into the fold. I loved watching Truman absorb and observe the relationship between Hugh and Will while also being invited, and encouraged strongly, to join in. I kept waiting to feel jealousy or possessiveness or some negative emotion, but it didn’t happen.
The men all had to adjust and learn how it would all work. And it did work. Extremely well.
I’m not sure how to verbalize exactly what bothered me about Will’s place in this trio. I think a lot of it is the way Will himself views his place. He views himself as other, someone who will eventually ruin the relationship between Hugh and Truman. His unworthy in his own eyes was really difficult to grapple with.
The way the characters (even side characters) are written to be their own individuals with strong personalities and traits is probably my favorite thing. And it didn’t waver. The way the characters are is the way the characters are. Theres growth and development, but they are fundamentally the same. Luce and Nick are riots and I hope to see more of them. Adam isn’t as present, but I love his clear love toward his brother.
Overall, even as challenging as it was for me personally, this book was really good. I love the depiction of the polyamorous relationship, I love the characters, the story kept me riveted, and the writing was freaking flawless.
I immediately fell in love with Hugh and Will. Them as characters and them with each other. I loved how they both tested, pushed, and balanced each other. Their dynamic, both kink-wise and friendship-wise, was amazing. I knew going in that it was a polyamorous relationship (which I usually avoid like the plague) and it made me anxious (an insane amount of anxiety, but that probably wouldn’t have been as bad if I wasn’t experiencing what is happening in my personal life right now).
I drank up the two of them together, then Will moved, and Hugh was sad. And it hurt and sucked.
Enter Truman. I struggled a bit at first. Not just with the fact that this guy showed up and I was still mourning the change for both Will and Hugh, but because the feelings and relationship between Hugh and Truman was immediate and intense. I had trouble really getting into their relationship because I didn’t feel the connection at first. Even after finishing, I don’t feel the connection between Hugh and Truman the way I felt the connection between Hugh and Will. I think because it was so fast with Truman and Hugh. They saw each other, end of second date (I think?) Hugh is already thinking about how Truman is who he wants long term and they just happen. There wasn’t any build up, no getting to know Truman as a character. It went from him not being there, to him BEING THERE. I do feel more for them together now than I did when Truman first arrived on scene. I think the slow build up and exploration between Hugh and Will lent itself to me being more invested in them, whereas I’m most told how strongly and quickly Hugh and Truman feel for each other. It felt like, to me, there was no Truman. And then there was all Truman. I don’t hate him as a character at all, I just have to get used to him.
On top of that, and this is probably my own internal struggles and biases, I wasn’t sure how Will fit. And I absolutely wanted Will to fit. I was afraid that the relationship between Will and Hugh would be cut off, they wouldn’t be able to even communicate because of heteronormativity and monogamy views and feelings of my own. The connection between Will and Hugh was strong, albeit very different than the connection Truman and Hugh had. I just couldn’t imagine their relationship completely ending while I wasn’t sure how Will would fit into the puzzle of Truman and Hugh.
It ended up working for me. Really well. I love that there was no jealousy. I love that there was open communication and dialogue about literally everything. I love that Hugh and Truman have a really good relationship while also bringing Will into the fold. I loved watching Truman absorb and observe the relationship between Hugh and Will while also being invited, and encouraged strongly, to join in. I kept waiting to feel jealousy or possessiveness or some negative emotion, but it didn’t happen.
The men all had to adjust and learn how it would all work. And it did work. Extremely well.
I’m not sure how to verbalize exactly what bothered me about Will’s place in this trio. I think a lot of it is the way Will himself views his place. He views himself as other, someone who will eventually ruin the relationship between Hugh and Truman. His unworthy in his own eyes was really difficult to grapple with.
The way the characters (even side characters) are written to be their own individuals with strong personalities and traits is probably my favorite thing. And it didn’t waver. The way the characters are is the way the characters are. Theres growth and development, but they are fundamentally the same. Luce and Nick are riots and I hope to see more of them. Adam isn’t as present, but I love his clear love toward his brother.
Overall, even as challenging as it was for me personally, this book was really good. I love the depiction of the polyamorous relationship, I love the characters, the story kept me riveted, and the writing was freaking flawless.
November 4, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Oh, I really loved this one! I found these guys amazing and so fascinating and I was engrossed in their relationships from the very start. But before I go to far, a bit of background here. I was reading the Lead Me into Darkness anthology when I came across a short story featuring Hugh, Will, and Truman. I had never read anything by Ripper before but I loved the story, so much so that I immediately went looking for other works by the author. I was surprised to find that the short was part of the larger Scientific Method series, a series that looks to be about 7-8 books, plus a lot of extras. So I immediately went to pick up the first of the series to get more of these guys.
Catalysts is actually a revised version of the original first two books in the series. It combines Scientific Method (which itself is a combination of a bunch of shorts into one volume) and Hugh’s New Dude. My understanding from reading the notes from the author is that Catalysts has actually been revised and cleaned up with a new ending for the two stories in order to better set up the relationships over the rest of the series. This book definitely doesn’t read like a bunch of individual stories put together. It is very seamless and flows easily into one long novel.
Read Jay���s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Oh, I really loved this one! I found these guys amazing and so fascinating and I was engrossed in their relationships from the very start. But before I go to far, a bit of background here. I was reading the Lead Me into Darkness anthology when I came across a short story featuring Hugh, Will, and Truman. I had never read anything by Ripper before but I loved the story, so much so that I immediately went looking for other works by the author. I was surprised to find that the short was part of the larger Scientific Method series, a series that looks to be about 7-8 books, plus a lot of extras. So I immediately went to pick up the first of the series to get more of these guys.
Catalysts is actually a revised version of the original first two books in the series. It combines Scientific Method (which itself is a combination of a bunch of shorts into one volume) and Hugh’s New Dude. My understanding from reading the notes from the author is that Catalysts has actually been revised and cleaned up with a new ending for the two stories in order to better set up the relationships over the rest of the series. This book definitely doesn’t read like a bunch of individual stories put together. It is very seamless and flows easily into one long novel.
Read Jay���s review in its entirety here.
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June 29, 2024**Re-read June 2024**
This one vanished from my GR shelf, apparently? Obviously I’ve read it multiple times, and it’s still one that I tend to read in one sitting. I can’t put it down once I pick it up.
It was my first Kris Ripper and you know what they say about your firsts. 😂 💜
This one vanished from my GR shelf, apparently? Obviously I’ve read it multiple times, and it’s still one that I tend to read in one sitting. I can’t put it down once I pick it up.
It was my first Kris Ripper and you know what they say about your firsts. 😂 💜
December 16, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book- hence the four star review, but that's not to say this book wasn't without it's faults. First off, I'll start by saying this book was part of the free Stuff Your Kindle sale. And free books always make me happy. And if that happiness has spilled into my thoughts on the book overall- well. I can't help that.
The were a lot of things I enjoyed in Catalyst. I loved Will as a character. I loved seeing him come out of his shell as he got to know Hugh and the world that came with him. I loved Hugh as a character. He was interesting- not surface level. I even began to like Truman as a character towards the end. And I loved the kinky scenes in this. I thought the cross between youthful exploration and older experience was interesting. I use that word a lot. Interesting. But there's really no other word coming to mind right now.
More things I enjoyed reading- the nuance of relationships and the openness between guys here. This book explored a lot of interesting dynamics that you don't usually see. However- this nuance is where things went a little sideways for me. It was interesting, until it became... something else.
So, onto the things I disliked. First off, I loved Will and Hugh. And I get it. I get why they weren't together. I do. But I was rooting for them. And when Will moved away- I still foolishly held on hope to Will and Hugh. But then Truman comes in. And Truman is a mixed bag for me because I liked him. But I didn't like him with Hugh. I didn't like how Hugh loved Truman more/differently than he loved Will. As the book progressed- I came to like the idea of them as a triad. And I put the book down, super jacked to go search for another book in this series.
This is where I really started to dislike this author. (And I don't mean that I dislike the author truly. It's only that I'm frustrated). I went to this series and it seems like there are 10+ books before we really see the triad get together- if they ever do. Maybe it's the Gen Z in me, but I don't like waiting 10+ books of messy life for my happy ending.
So here's the thing. I loved this book. This authors writing style suits my taste well. And her sex scenes are written wonderfully. So are her characters. But life is too... messy for me. I don't want to torture myself through 10 books of will-they-won't-they. Maybe some people can do that to themselves, but not me. My plan is to check and see if Ripper has another series.
In the mean time, I'm going to treat this book as a standalone. Maybe I'll read the second one. This book was worth reading. It had a lot of flaws- I didn't get into them all, but they're there. And yet- the book still captured my attention and it pulled me out of a bit of reading slump I've been in lately.
So, thank you Kris Ripper.
For more book reviews/ bookish things:
https://instagram.com/archangelo_book...
The were a lot of things I enjoyed in Catalyst. I loved Will as a character. I loved seeing him come out of his shell as he got to know Hugh and the world that came with him. I loved Hugh as a character. He was interesting- not surface level. I even began to like Truman as a character towards the end. And I loved the kinky scenes in this. I thought the cross between youthful exploration and older experience was interesting. I use that word a lot. Interesting. But there's really no other word coming to mind right now.
More things I enjoyed reading- the nuance of relationships and the openness between guys here. This book explored a lot of interesting dynamics that you don't usually see. However- this nuance is where things went a little sideways for me. It was interesting, until it became... something else.
So, onto the things I disliked. First off, I loved Will and Hugh. And I get it. I get why they weren't together. I do. But I was rooting for them. And when Will moved away- I still foolishly held on hope to Will and Hugh. But then Truman comes in. And Truman is a mixed bag for me because I liked him. But I didn't like him with Hugh. I didn't like how Hugh loved Truman more/differently than he loved Will. As the book progressed- I came to like the idea of them as a triad. And I put the book down, super jacked to go search for another book in this series.
This is where I really started to dislike this author. (And I don't mean that I dislike the author truly. It's only that I'm frustrated). I went to this series and it seems like there are 10+ books before we really see the triad get together- if they ever do. Maybe it's the Gen Z in me, but I don't like waiting 10+ books of messy life for my happy ending.
So here's the thing. I loved this book. This authors writing style suits my taste well. And her sex scenes are written wonderfully. So are her characters. But life is too... messy for me. I don't want to torture myself through 10 books of will-they-won't-they. Maybe some people can do that to themselves, but not me. My plan is to check and see if Ripper has another series.
In the mean time, I'm going to treat this book as a standalone. Maybe I'll read the second one. This book was worth reading. It had a lot of flaws- I didn't get into them all, but they're there. And yet- the book still captured my attention and it pulled me out of a bit of reading slump I've been in lately.
So, thank you Kris Ripper.
For more book reviews/ bookish things:
https://instagram.com/archangelo_book...
July 31, 2016
I really enjoyed the first ~60% which was the story of Hugh and Will. Will, in particular, is so absolutely alive as a character. His dialogue rocks and he is utterly a product of his environment (he's not generic - he couldn't exist as he is if he hadn't grown up near Berkeley and SF.) He's also just silly and sweet.
At the moment when another M/M author would have tied up the story in a cute little HEA bow, the author takes a different direction. Which I super liked - it was more interesting and more true to life not to force a convenient HEA or even HFN. (And, I am so friggin tired of authors who end NA novels with an HEA, it's just too young!)
Buuut, then came Truman, the third man. Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of him conceptually. However he never came alive for me. From the start, it's a case of being told instead of shown, which is jarring after such detail for the relationship immediately prior. Given that this new relationship is even more important to Hugh, I would expect the opposite. Lots of introduction.
Aside from twinkling a lot, communicating awkwardly/carefully and liking to keep his clothes on, I don't feel like I really know Truman at all. Even when we are given a section from his perspective, he just feels empty. And, at the same time Will now becomes less of a real person and more of an icon. He is turning too cute and thoughtful and perfect to be true.
So, yeah, liked the plot all right. Needed work on characterization.
At the moment when another M/M author would have tied up the story in a cute little HEA bow, the author takes a different direction. Which I super liked - it was more interesting and more true to life not to force a convenient HEA or even HFN. (And, I am so friggin tired of authors who end NA novels with an HEA, it's just too young!)
Buuut, then came Truman, the third man. Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of him conceptually. However he never came alive for me. From the start, it's a case of being told instead of shown, which is jarring after such detail for the relationship immediately prior. Given that this new relationship is even more important to Hugh, I would expect the opposite. Lots of introduction.
Aside from twinkling a lot, communicating awkwardly/carefully and liking to keep his clothes on, I don't feel like I really know Truman at all. Even when we are given a section from his perspective, he just feels empty. And, at the same time Will now becomes less of a real person and more of an icon. He is turning too cute and thoughtful and perfect to be true.
So, yeah, liked the plot all right. Needed work on characterization.
May 13, 2020
Brilliant.
Hot. Sexy. Deep... so deep.
Hugh is sexy AF.
And Will, my darling Will... sweet, sweet Will.
The ONLY thing that spoiled this for me was Hugh's instalove of Truman. It's a side-swipe out of nowhere. We spend half the book learning about Will and Hugh, and how they learn to love each other, and it's so perfect that when Truman appears, Hugh's sudden infatuation feels unbalanced. In fact, I spent the rest of the book unbalanced by the odd-skew in dynamics. It's only saved right at the end when Will and Truman get some much needed loving time.
Honestly, I could do without Truman. I'm half tempted to rewrite the ending in my head so Will moves in with Hugh. Marriage isn't necessary. They'd just rake the yard and read in the library together, and Will would be f*cking happy instead of being on the outside all the time - or at least fearing he's on the outside.
I'm kinda scared to read the rest of the series and might peek at the reviews for the last book, because I can't handle it if Will and Hugh don't get their HEA.
So conflicted. And I kinda love that the book both captivated and frustrated me. Catalysts is Hugh, in novel form. Intriguing. Fascinating. Slightly... alarming, in places. Always surprising.
Sigh.
Don't mind me, I'll just be sulking over here while I figure out whether I can handle more of the series...
Hot. Sexy. Deep... so deep.
Hugh is sexy AF.
And Will, my darling Will... sweet, sweet Will.
The ONLY thing that spoiled this for me was Hugh's instalove of Truman. It's a side-swipe out of nowhere. We spend half the book learning about Will and Hugh, and how they learn to love each other, and it's so perfect that when Truman appears, Hugh's sudden infatuation feels unbalanced. In fact, I spent the rest of the book unbalanced by the odd-skew in dynamics. It's only saved right at the end when Will and Truman get some much needed loving time.
Honestly, I could do without Truman. I'm half tempted to rewrite the ending in my head so Will moves in with Hugh. Marriage isn't necessary. They'd just rake the yard and read in the library together, and Will would be f*cking happy instead of being on the outside all the time - or at least fearing he's on the outside.
I'm kinda scared to read the rest of the series and might peek at the reviews for the last book, because I can't handle it if Will and Hugh don't get their HEA.
So conflicted. And I kinda love that the book both captivated and frustrated me. Catalysts is Hugh, in novel form. Intriguing. Fascinating. Slightly... alarming, in places. Always surprising.
Sigh.
Don't mind me, I'll just be sulking over here while I figure out whether I can handle more of the series...
September 28, 2021
I was not expecting to like this as much as I did! It has a lot of things that I specifically try to avoid, I don't really like open/sharing, I like my HEA to happen between the original MCs, there's an MF relationship coming up later in the series, and I usually only read MMM if it's an author I already trust. But when a trusted friend recommended it to me (Thanks, Trio!), I decided to give it a shot and I'm so glad I did! Somehow, all those things I was worried about just worked with these (eventually) 3 characters. I really enjoyed Ripper's writing style, it was witty, raw, and real and I became completely enamored with these characters and their story. It was a great tale that explored relationship dynamics, sexual exploration, character growth, and just absolutely wonderful storytelling. Even if this book checks a bunch of boxes that you usually avoid, I implore you to give it a shot, I'm glad I did.
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August 2, 2024Catalysts is completely unlike any romance I've ever read before - structurally, thematically, and stylistically. I found it to be extremely compelling and wholly unrelatable. Relatability is normally the path to connection and understanding for me when I read. Not here. Relatability was replaced by curiosity. It was my inability to relate that made this so compelling. Reading this book felt like I was being asked to listen - really, truly listen - and interrogate my reactions. I honestly feel like I emerged from this reading experience having learned and grown a little bit.
May 19, 2019
This should have been a 5 star read, the only problem I had was that Will continues to identify as straight. If you do the things that Will does you are not straight. Will may be bisexual. I noticed in the next book he is going back to women. Too bad, I don't think I'll read anything else in this series. I like to keep my gay and straight books separate.
August 25, 2017
This is SO smokingly hot.
It hit ALL of my kinks. Including some I didn't know I had.
It hit ALL of my kinks. Including some I didn't know I had.
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