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Thorne and Dash #1

Professional Distance

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Thornwell Shipton is wealthy, uptight, closeted, and an incurable workaholic. A tragic love affair left him terrified of relationships, so he tells himself sex is better scheduled and paid for.


Riley Dashwood is young, easy-going, and comfortable in his own skin. He’s a passionate baker and an aspiring chef, working as an escort to save up for culinary school.


They’re clearly made for each other.


When Thorne hires Dash, it’s lust at first sight. After a few scorching nights together, both men start to wonder if what’s between them is more than physical, but their age gap and resistance to romance make them afraid to change their professional relationship to a personal one. Dash pushes Thorne to admit he wants things he’s denied himself for years. Kinky things. Soft, caring things. Things that force him to open his heart, not just his body. To move forward, one or the other must take a risk and ask for what he really wants.

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First published November 28, 2015

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1142 people want to read

About the author

Silvia Violet

182 books1,176 followers
Silvia Violet writes fun, sexy stories that will leave you smiling and satisfied. She has a thing for characters who are in need of comfort and enjoys helping them surrender to love even when they doubt it exists. Silvia's stories include sizzling contemporaries, paranormals, and historicals. When she needs a break from listening to the voices in her head, she spends time baking, taking long walks, and curling up with her favorite books. Keep up with her latest ventures by signing up for her newsletter.

For insider information, early looks at works-in-progress, and other rewards, join Silvia on Patreon.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
Profile Image for Shin Mon Thway.
663 reviews1,704 followers
July 15, 2018
I saw a lot of people complaining this book has too much sex. 😏 Well, hello! This is a book about a rent boy and a wealthy businessman falling in love while meeting for their *ahem ahem* weekly appointments so what do you expect? 😂 They literally meet to have sex every week so of course, this book is going to be full of sex. 😁 And can I say how much I loved them? Silvia Violet is officially the queen of dirty talk! 👏 Hot! 🔥 Damn! 🔥 Sizzling! 🔥 Countless eargasms while listening to this delicious little audio! 😉
 


Thorn is a wealthy businessman who believes paying for sex is much better than actual dating. He once fell in love with a man who can’t love him back openly and when he died, he left Thorn broken-hearted and jaded to emotions. Now, he simply has no time to date anyone and no one knows he’s gay. So as a rich closeted man, he resorted to hiring companions once a week to scratch his body’s urges. And then he met Dash.
 
Dash is an aspiring chef who’s working part-time as an escort to pay for his culinary school tuition. When his best friend who’s also an escort moved to another city to be with his boyfriend, Dash had to go to his regular customer as a substitute. And when that door opened and the customer answered, he laid his eyes on the most gorgeous man he’s ever seen. But despite his physical perfection, Thorn is arrogant and used to getting what he wants and people doing his bidding. Dash would have none of it. 😁 He might be an escort and he could be hired for having sex, but that doesn’t mean he’d behave like a good, little puppy to his customers. He wants Thorn more than as a customer and he’s determined to have his way. Poor Thorn never knew what train he had coming his way. 😁
 

Despite being 20 years older than Dash and is a successful businessman, Thorn is a power bottom. 😏 He loves being fucked rough, raw and strong. 🔥 And Dash can deliver just that and more. And this escort is unlike anyone he’s ever met in his life. Stubborn, determined and unrelenting. And of course, that intrigued Thorn into finding out more about this young, talented man who can cook amazing dishes. And slowly but surely, Thorn found himself falling in love with this caring, kind man. 😌 But he’s a customer who’s paying Dash to have sex with him. Plus, he’s 20 years older than the guy and is closeted. There’s no future for them. This is not “Pretty woman” movie and he’s not Richard Gere. Or is he? 😁
 
I’ll be honest, I got a bit annoyed by how Dash acted haughty and know-it-all in the beginning but I quickly got over that. It was really difficult for Thorn to open up to his feelings and accept them but Silvia Violet did a beautiful job of the metamorphosis of Thorn. And my, the smut was sizzling! 🔥 So hot, so filthy and oh-so-delicious that I can’t get enough! 😁 And I absolutely love that they switch their positions too. Despite being really heavy on the smut, this story has a beautiful and endearing depth to it and how these two fell in love with each other was really heart-warming. 😌 And Greg Boudreaux did one hell of a job narrating this amazing story. 👏 The story itself was good but his narration elevated this book into a whole new level. 👍 Loved it so much. 💙 Can’t wait to listen more of these two and see the beautiful relationship journey of them. Really well done, Silvia And Greg! 👏😌



5 It was joy, it was love stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
 
 


Rating for the audio

4.5 stars for the story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
5 stars for the narration ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 stars for the performance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for *J* Too Many Books Too Little Time.
1,921 reviews3,720 followers
September 16, 2016
PWP for the win!



I always enjoy a good rent boy read, what can I say?

This one was fairly predictable and I can't say I loooooooved the conflict, but it also didn't really bother me. I man hello, PWP.

A satisfying HFN ending. I may go back and read book 2 at some point when I'm in the mood for some smut. However, I noticed at the end of this one there would be a book 2 and 3 and that just screams unnecessary drama to me so we'll have to see.

But as far as this one goes. definitely recommend.
Profile Image for Ele.
1,319 reviews40 followers
November 23, 2015

This was a nice story overall, it just didn't manage to grab me. The trope is common, "closeted businessman ends up falling for his rent boy".

Thorn Shipton is one of these guys that live to work. He 's filthy rich, doesn't do relationships and ...he's an asshole. His only outlet is Friday nights, thanks to his favorite rent boy. When said rent boy quits, Dash, the new guy, takes his place.

At first I thought that Thorn would be annoying at best and bring the story crashing down at worse, but I actually ended up liking him. He may start off as an uptight and rude prick, but when he let his guard down and started falling for Dash, he was quite lovely. And this transition was well handled and felt very natural and believable.

Now, Dash...I had some problems with him, mostly because I felt that his character was kind of inconsistent. At first he was very laid back and easy going. Maybe too much for a first meeting with a client. He makes it his mission to make Thorne relax and eventually submit to him, but he comes across as too pushy for a first session. In the long run, this is what Thorne needs, yes. But their first encounter felt too much because of that.

Then, when he realises Thorne is developing feelings for him, he's more closed off, while he was the one that encouraged these feelings.

And towards the end, he handled things in such a childish way and threw an imature hissy fit, that was over the top.

There is a lot of steam and I mean A LOT. Many sex scenes with a nice dose of BDSM.

The ending was Pretty-womanish and made me smile.

Bottom line, this was ok and I really liked Thorne's character development, but it just didn't manage to hold my attention.

P.S The guy on the cover really, really reminds me of this Greek singer.



* Also posted on Gay Book Reviews.*
Profile Image for * A Reader Obsessed *.
2,674 reviews576 followers
September 21, 2024

Suffice it to say, this book doesn’t waste any time. At all. *ahem*

Classic, age old story of guy falling for his rent boy and rent boy falling for his client, while neither thinks the other would ever want more.

Thorne won’t readily admit it but he just really wants to let go of himself for a few short hours and be dominated. He never intended to fall for the guy he hired to help him unwind. However Dash takes control like no one ever has, and his disarming charm is too hard to resist. In turn, Dash can’t help but feel a bit protective and sees so much life and living potentital in Thorne who hides behind his job. Can there be more than just an arrangement for these two?? Of course there can.

Mostly smex, peppered also with quite a bit of food porn, this was kinky, dirty, with a little D/s . Definitely insta-lust and basically insta-love, but it was thoroughly enjoyable for what it was!
Profile Image for Jan.
1,250 reviews984 followers
March 12, 2017
****3.75****

I kind of started this story on the wrong foot. I was annoyed by Dash’s presumption that he knew what was best for Thorne already on their first *ahem* date.
It was pretentious and not acceptable his audacity of speaking up his mind at Thorne’s life style when he was being paid for only one thing. Let's be real, that wouldn't happen in RL.
However, as their Fridays meetings came along, my niggle with Dash quickly disappeared.



Dash was charming, confident and sweet. I fell for his sweet talk as much as Thorne, who was 20 years older and a workaholic who didn’t do relationships. Great chemistry. They were super hot together.

Profile Image for Susan.
2,348 reviews456 followers
May 3, 2016
Excellent story about a 22 year old rentboy and a 42 year old millionaire (I’m totally guessing Thorne is a millionaire because he kept throwing money around like it was water).
description

Thorne is a true workaholic. He even works weekends and has no life besides his work. That’s why he hires an escort every Friday night to come and give him a good time. But when the agency tells him his regular guy is no longer available, Thorne is not happy. He doesn’t want anyone different. But when he opens the door and meets Dash, he knows he is in trouble.

Dash is 22 years old, gorgeous and it seems his smile never wavers. He is cheerful and immediately tries to get Thorne to relax. And to talk. But Thorne just wants to have sex. Well, Dash can give him that too.

description

I loved how Dash immediately felt that Thorne wanted to give up control, no matter that he said he wanted to be in control himself. And oh boy, did Dash deliver. Dash was awesome!! I really loved the sex scenes. They were so sexy, so intense, with so much feeling.

description

I thought it was great that Dash was not your typical tortured rentboy. He was happy, he wanted to get to know Thorne, and he wanted both of them to enjoy themselves.

They go through some hard times near the end when Thorne is being stupid, but I really felt that was necessary for both of them to grow. Don’t worry, no other people were involved since they began seeing each other (it could be Dash has some other clients at first, but it is not really mentioned).
Profile Image for Ula'ndi Hart.
986 reviews15 followers
February 21, 2017
SECOND READ - 20 FEB 2017
Overall book review: 4.5
Audio book: N/A
Book cover: 4.25


I'll maybe not give it a full 5 stars this time around, but I still love it. I still love Thorn and Dash and I have to say this time around I did the audio and it wasn't half that bad. ;-)
Love their story. On to the next one.


FIRST REVIEW 25 APRIL 2016
Overall book review: 5
Audio book: N/A
Book cover: 4.25


I admit it openly. For some unexplainable reason I have a soft spot for this genre. Again, like anything I read, IF DONE RIGHT. And this was done right.



How could you meet Dash, and not fall in love at first sight? I don’t know because I fell hook line and sinker. He’s so young. So full of life and I just loved his personality. His way with Thorne, the way he read him from the start and made him pay attention made me giddy. Yes, I am the kind of reader who occasionally bounces on her chair if confronted with pages of “Oh this is just soooooo good!”. And this story made me do that....occasionally...a little more than occasionally...a whole lot okay?

Thorne is..well he is Thorne. And in the same way that Dash stole my heart right from under my nose, Thorne did exactly the same in his own way. Is he a arrogant ass? Why yes, yes he is. But what works with this arrogant ass is how fast, and how hard he comes to terms with his feelings for Riley and exactly what he allowed from there on out. Thorne is emotionally more lost at 42 than Riley is at his young age and it broke my heart to feel his longing for something he doesn’t ever allow himself to want. I LOVED how he defended Riley whenever the occasion called for it! WOW. Just wow! And if possible I think that made me love him even more.

Whatever this first instalment may have lacked, I’m certain will be revealed and lived through in the second and third instalment. Dare I say that I have a warm, cosy feeling about this series that excites me beyond belief? These boys have stolen my heart and I can’t wait to face the future with them has their story unwraps.

Yeah, bouncing on my chair again. But what the hell. I LOVED THIS.
Profile Image for Viv.
299 reviews26 followers
October 24, 2016
*RE-READ OCT 2016-AUDIOBOOK VERSION*
This was an awesome audiobook! Greg Boudreaux ( aka Greg Tremblay) was perfect as Dash and Thorne. The sex in this one was sizzling. It was also so sweet and I was in tears near the end. I highly recommend this one if you are in the mood for some steamy, sexy audio goodness!
*******
ORIGINAL REVIEW NOV 2015
I loved this book! So hot and sweet. I can't wait for books 2 and 3 next year.
66 reviews
February 8, 2017
4.5

My favorite things done to perfection in this book:
*beautiful boys (18-25ish smaller, stunning, youthful/innocent boys) Dash is so god damn loavable and commanding at the same time. Are you kidding me?? Yes please.
*Alpha male bottoms (verse in this book, but still) - I just... I can't.... it's so good.

It didn't hit all the way home because of the constant "I want him but I can have him. Woe is me." On both sides. Thankfully (for me, this is personal preference for sure) any and all drama was kept relatively shallow and optimistic.

I am debating reading the second one but who am I kidding I'm totally going to read it. That was so sexy and I want more!
Profile Image for Alona.
676 reviews11 followers
December 22, 2015
It was basically an m/m Pretty Woman, with a great start, lovely ending but somewhat long and repeatetive middle.
Oh, and a lot of sex with a not-too-hardcore BDSM.

It had MCs with 20 years age gap, which is a bonus in my case! I love BIG FAT age gaps!
Profile Image for Eugenia.
1,893 reviews320 followers
March 3, 2018
So Sexy!

4.2 Stars....this book was fantastic! The sex was smoking hot. The characters were intriguing. There wasn’t much of a plot other than an escort and client falling for each other, but the chemistry between the two made me forget about the need for pesky plots.

Seriously fun and hot to read....I can’t believe it took me this long to start in on this series!
Profile Image for haletostilinski.
1,515 reviews644 followers
April 26, 2017
4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. Thorne and Dash just drew me in from the start, at first because they were so fucking hot together (seriously, the sex in this book is A++, sooo steamy and hot) but then because of how cute they were together romantically. These two are twenty years apart, but that didn't matter, because they just fit together, and they bring out the best in each other. I just love how they were able to make each other laugh, and how they could talk about things for hours, even when that wasn't what they were supposed to do as a prostitute/client duo.

I took off .5 of a star because I wasn't completely convinced by the conflict, in that it felt a tad manufactured. It was completely understandable the way Dash reacts to what Thorne "proposes" but I felt it a little typical that he ran out without letting Thorne explain, and then the separation they go through. I mean, I guess ultimately it was needed for Thorne and Dash to get their heads on straight and their lives in order, but it still felt a little....predictable? It wasn't too bad, or too obvious, but it still felt that way to me.

But overall this was a good read, and i can't wait to read the next one. Such a fun book <3 (also, I was super glad the author didn't go into Dash's encounters with other clients that he had the first few weeks of his and Thorne's arrangement. I feel it easily could have written out a scene with Dash with another client, and I was prepared for it. But pleasantly surprised when none of it was shown. Thank you!)
Profile Image for Paul.
314 reviews17 followers
February 20, 2019
DNF! Got to about 30% in...

What is this drivel? The bastard love child of 'Pretty Woman' and '50 Shades of Grey' but with a ‘gay’ twist. If this sounds like the sort of book which you feel would be a good read; please seek professional help immediately.

Once again please remember, I've read this so you don't have too!
Profile Image for Ariana  (mostly offline).
1,674 reviews94 followers
March 29, 2016
Okay, the plot is rather predictable, but that doesn't mean that Professional Distance isn't enjoyable. In fact I had great fun reading it.
Thorne and Riley/Dash are likeable characters, and I cared what happened to them on their journey of finding each other. And they are both hot, in bed and out. The drama towards the end was short-lived - I could have done with a little bit more suffering for both of them, but that's me - I kind of like a good dose of angst and tension.
I particularly enjoyed all the food talk (and what else food was used for) because I love cooking, baking ... you name it. I liked how this gave the book a slightly different note, and I would not mind at all reading more about these two characters.
Profile Image for Trio.
3,595 reviews204 followers
August 23, 2018
I can't remember the last time I gave a book that had this much sex 5 stars but this one totally earned it. The author incorporates the sexual relationship between the MCs into the story so well, and it is pivotal to the plot... just incredibly well done. These are two beautifully written characters with an unusual relationship which works perfectly. Can't wait to start the second one.

Greg Boudreaux (Tremblay) narrates it and he does a jaw-droppingly gorgeous job with it!
Profile Image for Jaime.
1,801 reviews309 followers
April 20, 2016
4.5 Stars ~ Rounded up to 5 for this Rent Boy Love Story

“I’m going to wreck your world, then put it back together. You’re never going to forget this night.”


Sylvia Violet has written a hot as hell first book in her "Thorne & Dash Series" where Thorne a posh businessman who finds his satisfaction in a weekly date with a rent boy meets Dash who may be the last rent boy Thorne uses. When I say this book is hot..I mean this book is scorchin' hot! The chemistry between these two is off the charts, and the scenes that Ms, Violet wrote are without a doubt some of the hottest I have read in a while! This is not a book for someone who is afraid of reading about good ol' pounding into the mattress scenes - for those of us who love that type of stuff, Heaven!!

So Dash / Riley is working as a rent boy to save money for schooling he aspires to be a baker and in order to get his education he needs money. Well since he loves sex and doesn't want to wait tables, his friend got him started as a rent boy. Dash isn't ashamed of what he does - he owns it and he does his job well.

Thorne, he is a workaholic who had never gotten over losing a lover in the past; Thorne is not out and he doesn't have time for a relationship. He gets his satisfaction from working hard and his once a week hook ups with a rent boy. Life changes when his normal rent boy "retires" and the agency sends him Dash. Thorne isn't sure Dash can meet his needs but he agrees to give him a try and he is blown away by Dash who not only meets every single need he has but draws out some secret desires Thorne isn't always willing to let others know about.

“For someone who doesn’t cuddle, you’re doing a damn fine job.” “This isn’t—” Dash raised a brow and looked up, his expression clearly telling Thorne to stop bullshitting. “Fine, but you told me to stop rushing everything.” “That’s right. Orgasms should be savored just like cupcakes. In fact, you just might be as tasty as a cupcake.” Thorne scoffed. “I’m no cupcake.”


As these two get to know each other, Friday nights turn into entire weekends and dates for work functions and they both find themselves falling into "more" with out letting the other know. Thorne knows he doesn't want Dash seeing other people but he doesn't know how to get him to stop and still have a way for Dash to make the money he needs for schooling. That's when Thorne gets a brilliant idea to offer to hire Dash full time as his live in chef + more... Needless to say Dash who is all out in love with Thorne doesn't take to being owned by Thorne very well and walks out..

Is that it for these two?

“I wanted you any way I could have you, but the best case scenario was that you would be my partner, that you would be with me because it was what you wanted rather than a job.”


4.5 Stars ~> 5 Stars for this recommended amazing book ~

❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
description description
Profile Image for CrabbyPatty.
1,712 reviews194 followers
July 12, 2021
Finished this book the other day, and had a massive fan girl moment - basically squealing in delight whilst fanning myself on account of the heat pouring, heck, pulsing and down right throbbing off this book.

At this point, I'm not sure if the book was as bloody wonderful as I think, but it hit (and hit and hit) every last happy button I got. Older / younger - check. Rich, unhappy workaholic finds love - oh, yeah. Rent boy finds love - yup. Dirty talk - sing it, boys! The slightest dash of misunderstanding and miscommunication, but not enough to make you ponder if perhaps English is the second language of one or more of the MCs - sure. Dual POV - you got it.

Looking forward to the next book in the series!

Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,264 reviews668 followers
May 20, 2022
3.5**** stars
(rounding up bc of the narration and they really were cute)


So! This was a sex fest. Of course it was. It’s a story about a rent-boy and his wealthy client. Of course there was plenty of sex. That’s what they were doing when they met up. But, of course, as this is a romance there was also more.

Until they fell in love, weren’t unable to communicate like adults anymore, kept misunderstanding each other and sure there was the drama we needed *lol

Okay, but seriously. It was a nice enough story that continues further. I have no idea what more there is to happen for Thorne & Dash to fill two more books but I will probably find out as the audiobooks, narrated by Greg Boudreaux, are easy to listen to while doing my thing home alone all day in my home office 👩🏻‍💻



*********
One more thing:
People, what is about workaholics? I mean I can understand dedication to one’s job and even love doing it all the time. But working around the clock 24/7 and your employees totally freaking out when you take two whole weeks off because you’ve NEVER done that before? In years?? I can never wrap my head around stories like that and I wonder if there are truly people out there who work and live like that. Earn a fuck load of money and never spend it on a vacation on some tropical island (or something)? Really? Please tell me people like this don’t exist in real life. They have choices and the means ffs!
Profile Image for MishyJo.
160 reviews60 followers
December 21, 2018
3.5 stars. I liked it a lot but it was missing just a little bit of something. I wanted to fall in love with the MCs so bad but I never quite got there. Also the dynamic between them didn’t quite gel for me.
Profile Image for Lisazj1.
2,072 reviews193 followers
Want to read
December 13, 2020
Thank you so much to Little Bit Wacke Elf for the sweet and generous gift! I'll be reading it soon, can't wait! 😘💖
Profile Image for ~Kristin~.
1,371 reviews141 followers
September 19, 2016
3.5 Stars
This book has a high steam factor, but I can't say I loved the conflict, I did enjoy the resolution. I felt like both MCs held blame for what happened, neither was upfront about their feelings and what they wanted, yet Thorne was the only one who took ownership of that. Anywho, overall it was an enjoyable read. I quite liked the age gap, which isn't always the case, but it was done really well here. I absolutely loved how Thorne looked at Dash and how he rationalized him being a rent boy, I rather liked his opened mindedness. I'm not sure this couple needs more, I know there is a book 2 and 3, but I think an epilogue would have been enough. J said it well, two more books seems like a lot of unnecessary drama.
Profile Image for Santy.
1,258 reviews76 followers
November 17, 2020
This was erotica with some relationship building thrown in.

The writing was okay and the characters built quite well. The growth in the relationship didn't seem real to me and could've been executed better but all in all, this was a decent book.
Profile Image for Love Bytes Reviews.
2,529 reviews38 followers
December 15, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Vicki

Wow! I loved this book…. In some ways it was so predictable, Wealthy older man, younger rent boy, starting off with a professional relationship, but falling in love. We’ve read it before, seen it in movies, and we all know how it ends. But the characters were so damn good! That’s what makes this book fantastic. It’s not all about the story. It’s a simple plot, but with really good characters and some very hot sex, and enough drama to keep it interesting.

Thorne is the older rich half of this pair, he’s a work-a-holic, has no life outside his job, had a relationship go bad, so now he just buys a man to have sex with every Friday. One Friday afternoon he gets a call from the service he uses for his Friday evening gentlemen, and is told his usual man isn’t with the service anymore. But there is a new man that will be coming to him, a switch like Marc was, that should be able to meet his needs. Thorne reluctantly agrees.

In to the picture comes Dash…. Hot young thing, rent boy by night, aspiring chef by day, hoping to earn enough money to pay for school and open his own business. It turns out he is exactly what Thorne needs, he takes control, pushes Thorne in a way he hasn’t been pushed before, and Dash leaves behind a very satisfied client. Thorne agrees to keep seeing Dash on Friday nights. This goes on for some time, but underneath all of the really hot sex the two have, feelings are growing.

I’ll stop there, you can probably guess how this story goes. But what you can’t guess is how amazing these two characters are.

Thorne is so… cold isn’t the right word, because he’s not cold. He’s not hard, or firm. Spoiled maybe, set in his ways, stubborn, but passionate when he finally opens up. He’s had a bad experience in his past love life, and he’s just happy paying for sex. But he needs to be loved so badly.

Dash I just loved. He’s two people really, Dash to his clients, and Riley to his friends. Silvia goes back and forth with his name, Dash when he’s with Thorne, Riley the rest of the time. Literally one paragraph he’s Dash, the next he’s Riley. I loved that. It clearly showed which part of his personality was forefront. Even Thorne at the end of the book goes back and forth between Dash and Riley. It worked very well for me. So Riley is a young man, a baker, hopefully a student soon, just a sweetheart. But Dash is aggressive, determined, a sexual being, happy fucking or being fucked. But focused. As Dash gets more comfortable with Thorne, more Riley starts to sneak in there. Dash comes to fuck, but Riley brings cupcakes, and makes omelets. I loved watching that change.

From page one you know how this book is going to end, and what is going to happen, but it was so much fun watching these two get there! Of course there is drama, there has to be to make it a good story, and I liked how Silvia did it. How can I say this…. the catalyst that causes the drama worked with in this story and with these characters very well. It didn’t feel fake to me, as sometimes happens with roadblocks thrown in the story to cause drama.

There is a lot of sex in this book. Almost too much, I could have done with a couple less sex scenes, and a few more “date” scenes, but that is really my only issue with the book. I hate to say there is too much sex, because the sex scenes are sooooo good, but it started to take away my interest from the story a bit. But damn, the sex scenes are great. I loved the little bit of BDSM we see, a little bondage, a little spanking, and a little dominance. I liked the switching aspect, it showed the changing needs of the two men very well. The story is set in Atlanta, I was there a couple of years ago, and I liked seeing the places (the aquarium and the Coca Cola museum) mentioned that I had visited.

I highly recommend this book, It may be light on plot, but the fantastic characters make up for that, plus the sex is just so hot! I see it’s the beginning of a series, I’ve very curious to see what comes next for Thorne and Dash!

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.
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Profile Image for Veronica of V's Reads.
1,528 reviews44 followers
January 2, 2016
This review was originally written for Joyfully Jay Reviews and can be accessed here: http://joyfullyjay.com/2015/12/review...

4.25 Stars.
Thornwell “Thorne” Shipton is a workaholic business consultant millionaire who is also a closeted gay man. His only relationship was with his closeted married boss, who died suddenly more than ten years ago. Since then, Thorne has either suppressed his sexuality or hired rent boys to serve his needs and promptly leave. He’s unhappy that his recent favorite, Marc, has moved on and even further unsettled when Marc’s replacement, Dash, is even more beguiling than any man Thorne has even known.

Riley “Dash” Dashwood is a 22-year-old man with a plan. Do a bit of well-paid sex work and go to pastry school. He already works with Susan, mother of a good friend, at her catering business, but picking up his buddy Marc’s high roller client, Thorne, is his ticket into school. The thing is, Dash isn’t the fuck-and-run type. He’s much much more, and it’s fun for him to push Thorne deep into his discomfort zone.

This book’s is an erotic romance, with a believable romance that develops over the course of months of sexytime appointments. At first, Thorne keeps all his trysts relegated to Friday nights, but he’s soon hungering for more of the care and attention that Dash lavishes on him—be it a tender massage or a delicious nosh—and tentatively starts to extend their time into sleepovers and weekends. As Thorne realizes his desire for Dash extends far beyond that of a john and prostitute, he begins to change a whole lot of his habits, including his weekend workfests and keeping their entire experience behind his penthouse doors.

Dash is failing spectacularly in his struggle to not fall for Thorne. These guys have some issues, for sure, but it’s not chemistry, and it’s not compatibility. Thorne thinks Dash wouldn’t want to date a man as old as himself (he’s 42) and Dash thinks that it would be really hard for Thorne to see him as anything more than an employee. Plus, a man as cultured as Thorne surely wouldn’t want a boytoy like Dash for a partner…would he?

Expect some epic missteps and a big “find yourself” period followed by some grand gestures. Those desperate times truly called for fun and charming romantic measures! I also loved how, after their separation, they didn’t just fall back for each other immediately. They took it slow, and tried to rebuild their rapport on more than just the memories of great sex. Most of the book is told from Thorne’s POV, and I liked that mature viewpoint. This is a guy with much to lose and only Dash to gain. Or, so he thinks. Changing his attitude allowed for him to gain some new friends and build stronger bonds with important people in his life he’d shut out due to apprehension over how they would take his sexuality.

I had a couple niggles over details in the plot. I’d thought that Thorne’s dad had died based on some of his internal monologue, but that didn’t seem the case later. Also, we have NO details about Dash’s private life. I suspect there’s been some issue with his folks, and he never even thinks of this. It seemed natural to have some reflection on his own history when Thorne’s confessing his coming out nightmare, but no. And that seemed a lack, for me. I wanted to know Dash better. I recognize that this is the beginning of a three-book Dash and Thorne series, so I expect to get more information on Dash later, but he was a bit flat for me as a character. It was as if he only existed to love Thorne, and while I enjoyed him, I didn’t grow to love him. Also, I would have loved to see more of Thorne’s coming out pains on the page—particularly with his parents.

That said, the book is smoking hot, the guys are likable and clearly settling in for long haul. This series is one I’ll be following.
Profile Image for Tammy.
1,244 reviews34 followers
January 14, 2017
Unfortunately I was one of the few that didn't give this book/series a raving review. What I didn't like about it was it didn't keep my full attention, it just seemed like the same thing chapter per chapter. The most exciting thing besides the steamy sex scenes was the incident at the art museum were Thorne stood up for Dash/Riley. Both Thorne and Riley were so wishy-washy regarding their true feelings towards each other and no one wanted to man up and admit them. I did feel for Thorne because he was truly trying and because of a misunderstanding Riley shuts him out!! Usually I love Silvia Violets books but this wasn't one of them. Looking into the next 2 books in this series it sounds like its just going to be long and drawn out with Thorne walking on egg shells around Riley and just the whole power struggle thing. No more, thanks.
Profile Image for Amarilli 73 .
2,716 reviews89 followers
November 13, 2017
E finalmente, un libro erotico con i fiocchi!
Ma non erotico di facciata, come quei libri che prendi pensando di goderti una lettura svagante e poi ti imbatti in personaggi con dentro mille tormenti interiori da sono-solo-al-mondo o faccio-le-cosacce-perchè-ho-problemi.

Ecco, con questo non voglio dire che Thorne e Dash siano superficiali divinità del sesso, ma quanto meno sono due adulti sani e consenzienti che sanno apprezzare certe gioie senza scadere troppo nel melodramma (magari un pochino sul finale, ma dopo una buona lettura ho perdonato tutto più che volentieri...).
Thorne ha avuto qualche delusione e ha deciso di consacrarsi in tutto e per tutto al lavoro, magari pure inacidendosi nel frattempo (chi non ha un collega o una collega che fa sempre il primo della classe e ha in pratica una dimensione extra-lavorativa inesistente?). Se hai soltanto il lavoro, è pure logico che non hai neppure il tempo per concederti relazioni che richiedono investimento di sentimenti ed energie. Quindi pure un servizio di escort può andare bene.
Al contempo, Dash desidera studiare e ha bisogno di soldi veloci per realizzare i propri sogni.
So che magari vent'anni fa avremmo tutti storto il naso di fronte a storie d'amore che nascono così, ma da Pretty Woman in poi si è sdoganato un po' tutto, e e se il cliente e un miliardario sexy pure quarantenne, la prostituzione appare pure un particolare secondario.
Semplicemente un contesto sullo sfondo, insomma, e avulso da qualsiasi prurito morale.

Fatta questa premessa, posso chiarire perchè ho trovato questa lettura molto hot ma anche tenera, e assai godibile dall'inizio alla fine.
C'è tanto sesso, e ancora sesso, ma non di quello che stanca o imbarazza. La Violet è davvero abile in questo tipo di scene, che risultano intriganti e coccolose al contempo.
Se dunque anche voi avete la cartellina libri elegantemente hot, questo sarà uno di quei libri da andare a rileggere ogni tanto.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,237 reviews270 followers
May 13, 2019
***** Thorne, 42, is an ass most of the time. He's a workaholic and pays for sex with a rent boy regularly to satisfy himself. This particular Friday, his usual guy, Marc, is no longer available, so he says yes to try someone new.
Dash is different; a challenge for Thorne. Dash, 22, with dirty blonde curly hair and hazel eyes, is working to save money for school, and turns out to be perfect for prickly Thorne.


Their sex is off-the-charts spectacular, with BDSM, roughness, degrading language, and it's everything Thorne wants. They switch roles, each man being satisfied, and enjoying their sexy times.
Dash adds to their time together by being forceful and teaches Thorne more ways to accomplish real relaxation; like talking, eating and watching movies, too. Thorne is learning just how much he's been missing out on. As their scorching sex continues, so does the togetherness. Each man is falling for the other, but how could it possibly work?

What about the age gap? Unfortunately, just as each man realizes they are "in love," Thorne opens his mouth and screws it all up. Both are miserable until Thorne comes up with a way to open up their standoff.


I like Thorne, even if he was an asshat, and Dash/Riley is so in need of Thorne.
They could really be perfect together, and we've seen the glimpses of how wonderful it could be for them.
I love Sylvia Violet's lively story, deep characters, and satisfying outcomes.

Highly recommended. ENJOY !


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