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Cursed #2.5
Smoke
Cursed: Smoke is a 20,000 word sexy side story related to the Cursed series. It is an alternate retelling of how Nick and Bane meet and is not part of the main Cursed timeline.
Nick Fairfax needs a sugar daddy to pay for his last year of art school. After being disinherited and kicked out of his house for pursuing his dream of becoming a photographer, Nick heads to the exclusive club, Smoke, where young men sell themselves to the highest bidder.
Nick gets in trouble with a man who won’t take “no” for an answer. Lord Bane Dunsaney comes to his rescue. But does the mysterious billionaire pose a greater danger to Nick than the one he saved him from?
Nick Fairfax needs a sugar daddy to pay for his last year of art school. After being disinherited and kicked out of his house for pursuing his dream of becoming a photographer, Nick heads to the exclusive club, Smoke, where young men sell themselves to the highest bidder.
Nick gets in trouble with a man who won’t take “no” for an answer. Lord Bane Dunsaney comes to his rescue. But does the mysterious billionaire pose a greater danger to Nick than the one he saved him from?
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2016
51 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
About the author
X. Aratare
90 books712 followersX. Aratare is the pseudonym for Raythe Reign's Gay(M/M) books.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 11, 2018
Beauty not beast
A twisted fairy tale with a modern twist. But again beauty is only skin deep and love means more than money
A twisted fairy tale with a modern twist. But again beauty is only skin deep and love means more than money
December 26, 2021
3.5 rounded down
A bit schmoopier at the end than I was wanting, but a fun AU of the series.
A bit schmoopier at the end than I was wanting, but a fun AU of the series.
August 16, 2018
The narration started off a bit robotic sounding with how the words were drawn out and with how there were breaks (2-3 second pauses) between words. This lasted for a few minutes in the audio book at the start but after that it felt more normal and the characters felt more alive.
The story itself was good. Nick is a aspiring photographer in his last year of college. He finds himself unable to pay for the last year of school because his father disowns him for not studying in the field he wants him to. He hears from an acquaintance that he can make really good money at a club called Smoke. Photography being Nick's life, Nick decided to try to get patronage from the rich clientele who visit Smoke. But his visit to Smoke turns out to be more dangerous then he thought when one of the client who attends tries to force him into an act he doesn't want to do. Fortunately, Nick is saved by another rich client.
Nick seemed like a good kid and I liked that Bane managed to save him. Bane's confession towards the end of the story had me smiling because I thought it was cute. I'll definitely give the other books a try.
The story itself was good. Nick is a aspiring photographer in his last year of college. He finds himself unable to pay for the last year of school because his father disowns him for not studying in the field he wants him to. He hears from an acquaintance that he can make really good money at a club called Smoke. Photography being Nick's life, Nick decided to try to get patronage from the rich clientele who visit Smoke. But his visit to Smoke turns out to be more dangerous then he thought when one of the client who attends tries to force him into an act he doesn't want to do. Fortunately, Nick is saved by another rich client.
Nick seemed like a good kid and I liked that Bane managed to save him. Bane's confession towards the end of the story had me smiling because I thought it was cute. I'll definitely give the other books a try.
April 11, 2020
A very interesting spinoff using the premise, what if? creating an amazing short story. Even if the plot is different from the original series, the essence of the characters is the same so this alternate reality showed us, how was the chemistry between Nick and Bane and how different everything would be if their first meeting had been another one. A small sample of the wonderful series in which is based. Totally loved it!
August 24, 2020
So hot!
I always loved the story of Bane and Nick. So enthralling, so sensual. I liked that Bane was flawed and Nick still found him attractive. It was short, intense and sweet. I enjoyed it.
I always loved the story of Bane and Nick. So enthralling, so sensual. I liked that Bane was flawed and Nick still found him attractive. It was short, intense and sweet. I enjoyed it.
June 4, 2023
A smoky read!
Does the mysterious billionaire pose a greater danger to him than the one he saved him from?
I really liked and immensely enjoyed this alternate retelling of this story.
The only negative of this book was that it was too short, would have devoured the book if it was longer.
Full of money, steam, attraction and love.
Perfect for readers of fairytale retellings.
Does the mysterious billionaire pose a greater danger to him than the one he saved him from?
I really liked and immensely enjoyed this alternate retelling of this story.
The only negative of this book was that it was too short, would have devoured the book if it was longer.
Full of money, steam, attraction and love.
Perfect for readers of fairytale retellings.
July 31, 2017
2.5 stars
Audiobook
Audiobook
March 7, 2020
I really do love Nick and Bane.
June 27, 2020
awww, so sweet!
July 24, 2020
This was a cute little alternate timeline first-meet for Bane and Nick. I obviously prefer the original version, but this one was sweet in its own way.
March 20, 2023
Ehhhh. I see the appeal, but with everything I know of Nick from the main trilogy, this AU doesn't land for me the way it might have otherwise.
August 28, 2023
Fun little nugget to read
August 8, 2025
Mind you this is my first introduction to these characters😛😛 love a good bit of angst
August 25, 2016
Oh, this made my heart all gooey and melty!
An alternate beginning for the Cursed series with Bane and Nick meeting under entirely different circumstances this can be read on its own but I find that the impact is much greater having read the original Cursed first. This idea of a different way for them to meet and connect was beautiful and mattered even more in the face of what they still have to overcome.
Nick is a sweet guy but he needs money (and a lot of it) to finish his last year of school. Going to Smoke he convinces himself that it's just dating with monetary benefits- until a harsh experience brings the reality of it to light, sex for money and nothing else. Saved by Bane he finds himself entranced by the handsome older man and is unable to say no when Bane offers the money he needs...as well as a night of passion.
It is amazing to see the two connect so deeply. There is no insta-love it is simply two people who seek out a night together and realize that they could have more than just that one night. It brings up many issues between them though. Bane is uncertain about how Nick must actually feel about him with his scar. After all, he paid for the beautiful man, so how interested can he really be. On the opposite end Nick is having the same issues. While he needs the money he sees something in Bane that he hasn't found in other relationships that makes him regret the business like background to their beautiful night together. It makes their time together bittersweet as they both feel a finality to it while yearning for the possibility of something more.
There is so much connection from this to the original book and I would love to know where series will end up going. This was a beautiful romance that solidifies by love for it and makes me all the more excited for the next book!
An alternate beginning for the Cursed series with Bane and Nick meeting under entirely different circumstances this can be read on its own but I find that the impact is much greater having read the original Cursed first. This idea of a different way for them to meet and connect was beautiful and mattered even more in the face of what they still have to overcome.
Nick is a sweet guy but he needs money (and a lot of it) to finish his last year of school. Going to Smoke he convinces himself that it's just dating with monetary benefits- until a harsh experience brings the reality of it to light, sex for money and nothing else. Saved by Bane he finds himself entranced by the handsome older man and is unable to say no when Bane offers the money he needs...as well as a night of passion.
It is amazing to see the two connect so deeply. There is no insta-love it is simply two people who seek out a night together and realize that they could have more than just that one night. It brings up many issues between them though. Bane is uncertain about how Nick must actually feel about him with his scar. After all, he paid for the beautiful man, so how interested can he really be. On the opposite end Nick is having the same issues. While he needs the money he sees something in Bane that he hasn't found in other relationships that makes him regret the business like background to their beautiful night together. It makes their time together bittersweet as they both feel a finality to it while yearning for the possibility of something more.
There is so much connection from this to the original book and I would love to know where series will end up going. This was a beautiful romance that solidifies by love for it and makes me all the more excited for the next book!
August 20, 2016
Loved it!
It was a cute short sexy read. I enjoyed a different perspective on how Nick and Bane could have met. I can't wait for book 2 because I loved Broken.
It was a cute short sexy read. I enjoyed a different perspective on how Nick and Bane could have met. I can't wait for book 2 because I loved Broken.
September 1, 2016
Excellent!
September 28, 2016
Totally cool
This is a great insert into another way they could've met. To a great story. Well worth the money spent. Get this and the other book you'll love
them to.
This is a great insert into another way they could've met. To a great story. Well worth the money spent. Get this and the other book you'll love
them to.
December 29, 2016
3.5 Stars Audible Edition
April 30, 2017
Note, this ends on a cliffhanger, and because it is apparently "an alternate retelling of how Nick and Bane meet and is not part of the main Cursed timeline" there is not a follow up to continue the story.
Not that I'm sure I would want to, personally.
There were a lot of my personal pet peeves in this (purple prose, and a lot of "older man", "bigger man", "younger man"), as well as very little character development.
I haven't read the Cursed series, so I didn't understand much of what was happening, and the author didn't seem to take any time to try to explain to new readers what was going on. (i.e.: Did Bane own Smoke? Why was he "cat-like"?) and the "romance" was far too insta-loveish without really benefiting from an explanation of why Nick or Bane fell for each other, other than one erotically sexual night together.
I got this under the Whispersync deal, and Michael Pauley was at least entertaining to listen to, but I wouldn't recommend the story.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews