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These Violent Delights
Flunking English, short on cash and trying to keep up with the demands of dancing a principal role in Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet; Milos has a lot going on right now. The last thing he needs is his English teacher riding him about his poor class performance.
For teacher Tom, still raw from an ugly breakup, the last thing he needs is a new romance, especially one that drags him into the thorny ethical issues of dating a student.
When a chance encounter opens the door on unexpected lust, Tom and Milos plunge headlong into an erotic, all-consuming affair, but can the violent delights of new love survive secrets?
For teacher Tom, still raw from an ugly breakup, the last thing he needs is a new romance, especially one that drags him into the thorny ethical issues of dating a student.
When a chance encounter opens the door on unexpected lust, Tom and Milos plunge headlong into an erotic, all-consuming affair, but can the violent delights of new love survive secrets?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2017
51 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Jess Whitecroft
24 books129 followersJess Whitecroft was born and educated in the UK, where she was once voted 'Most Likely To Think That Writing A Romantic Comedy About Bigfoot Is A Good Idea'.
After serving an apprenticeship with the late, great Black Lace books, and after many genres and many pseudonyms, she returned to romance, with a fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers.
After serving an apprenticeship with the late, great Black Lace books, and after many genres and many pseudonyms, she returned to romance, with a fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 17, 2019
Ouch, I hate it when this happens. I'm an outlier and didn't care for this book, mostly because of the writing style.
I've read all the classics and have a PhD to show for it. I now read M/M romance because I want something accessible. Whitecroft's writing takes itself seriously. It's overly stylized and wordy.
We're privy to many unnecessary details and piles of angsty internal monologue. I felt like I should be clutching my pearls.
The fact that I didn't like a story about a dancer and an English professor is disappointing, but I just couldn't connect with these MCs. Milos read very young, and Tom was a hot mess.
Also, hello, bisexuality is a thing. Please don't erase it!
Even the ending kind of sucked. It was rather abrupt, definitely a HFN, no epilogue, and a major plot point was left unresolved.
Full disclosure: I skimmed parts of this story. I was too frustrated and bored to focus. This was my first and last book by this author.
I've read all the classics and have a PhD to show for it. I now read M/M romance because I want something accessible. Whitecroft's writing takes itself seriously. It's overly stylized and wordy.
We're privy to many unnecessary details and piles of angsty internal monologue. I felt like I should be clutching my pearls.
The fact that I didn't like a story about a dancer and an English professor is disappointing, but I just couldn't connect with these MCs. Milos read very young, and Tom was a hot mess.
Also, hello, bisexuality is a thing. Please don't erase it!
Even the ending kind of sucked. It was rather abrupt, definitely a HFN, no epilogue, and a major plot point was left unresolved.
Full disclosure: I skimmed parts of this story. I was too frustrated and bored to focus. This was my first and last book by this author.
January 4, 2019
❣3.5 Stars❣
Started off like gangbusters then fizzled out a bit.
What I liked:
∞ age difference
∞ dialogue is filled with witty rejoinders
∞ their comfort level with one another
∞ Milos reads like a 20 yr old
∞ comedic moments
∞ ballet
∞ literature references
What I didn't like:
∞ bierasure
∞ the crazy ex-boyfriend schtick
∞ the dramatics that ensued subsequent to the crazy ex-boyfriend incident
This story had potential to be great but I think it was too ambitious. Weighty topics were crammed into the narrative without much supporting evidence making them these floppy loose ends that, I imagine, were intended to flesh out the characters but instead left them more two-dimensional and served to keep me at arms length from them.
Things I'm on the fence about:
∞ things escalated quickly between them, some of which I thought was plausible, others less so
∞ the sex; generally didn't rock my world like I wanted it to but they are really into each other
Bottom line, I liked more than I didn't like and would read something else by this author. I just wish I had like it more.
Started off like gangbusters then fizzled out a bit.
What I liked:
∞ age difference
∞ dialogue is filled with witty rejoinders
∞ their comfort level with one another
∞ Milos reads like a 20 yr old
∞ comedic moments
∞ ballet
∞ literature references
What I didn't like:
∞ bierasure
∞ the crazy ex-boyfriend schtick
∞ the dramatics that ensued subsequent to the crazy ex-boyfriend incident
This story had potential to be great but I think it was too ambitious. Weighty topics were crammed into the narrative without much supporting evidence making them these floppy loose ends that, I imagine, were intended to flesh out the characters but instead left them more two-dimensional and served to keep me at arms length from them.
Things I'm on the fence about:
∞ things escalated quickly between them, some of which I thought was plausible, others less so
∞ the sex; generally didn't rock my world like I wanted it to but they are really into each other
Bottom line, I liked more than I didn't like and would read something else by this author. I just wish I had like it more.
August 1, 2024
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
“You came into my life at a time when a lot of things were ending for me. There’s no reason you can’t be a part of the things that are just beginning.”
This book was a really good mix of sweet, spicy and enough angst to keep me thoroughly invested. Student/teacher is a difficult trope to pull off (imo) because it can be really difficult to avoid making it creepy and uncomfortable. Although the MCs were quite different, they were surprisingly equal in many ways, so it wasn’t creepy. There’s still a power imbalance of course, but they find a way to deal with/solve it.
He thinks he knows what he’s doing, but I could do things to him that would keep his toes curled for a week.
It is also just so dang nice to read something with really good writing. It’s like the author can write with many voices, but it never feels out of character. Sometimes people say hurtful things. Sometimes they’re crass and childish. Other times they say or think really beautiful things. This book had all of it and more, especially a lot of witty writing and moments, and it felt genuine and realistic for the characters.
They didn’t have a smooth ride and a more than unconventional start to their relationship, but it somehow works.
“Just kiss me.” I want to so much, but I’m so afraid. How is anyone supposed to fall this far in love and even survive it?
It does lose points for no epilogue though, because with how their journey played out, the story really needed a solid update and ending for the MCs. They are together by the end and it’s a mild HFN with a hint at what their future might be like.
4.5 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Ballet dancer
Camboy
Student/professor
Size difference
Brit/American
Exhibitionism
Bisexual awakening
High spice
Secret relationship
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobic slurs
Details of illness and recovery from cancer (MC’s ex)
Details of past self harm (hair pulling, biting, cutting [mild on page])
Thoughts of and cravings for self harm
Drug use (marijuana, on page)
Alcohol consumption and intoxication
Details of past bullying
Details of past homophobic comments
Details of past fatshaming
Minor car accident
Mild stalking (not between MCs)
Power imbalance
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Some drama with problematic ex, but MC doesn’t want him back.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 20 and 32
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 332
Happy ending: Yes
“Fine,” I say. “Just…fuck off and do your reading, okay?” Milos winces at the obscenity. I’m a teacher, and an English teacher at that, but I don’t have the energy to keep up the persona all the time. Sometimes I need to be human.
Poor kid was just trying to sneak his schoolwork in on time and ends up with his teacher sobbing all over his shoes for no reason.
He’s a work of art; I might as well have just jizzed on a Michelangelo.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
“You came into my life at a time when a lot of things were ending for me. There’s no reason you can’t be a part of the things that are just beginning.”
This book was a really good mix of sweet, spicy and enough angst to keep me thoroughly invested. Student/teacher is a difficult trope to pull off (imo) because it can be really difficult to avoid making it creepy and uncomfortable. Although the MCs were quite different, they were surprisingly equal in many ways, so it wasn’t creepy. There’s still a power imbalance of course, but they find a way to deal with/solve it.
He thinks he knows what he’s doing, but I could do things to him that would keep his toes curled for a week.
It is also just so dang nice to read something with really good writing. It’s like the author can write with many voices, but it never feels out of character. Sometimes people say hurtful things. Sometimes they’re crass and childish. Other times they say or think really beautiful things. This book had all of it and more, especially a lot of witty writing and moments, and it felt genuine and realistic for the characters.
They didn’t have a smooth ride and a more than unconventional start to their relationship, but it somehow works.
“Just kiss me.” I want to so much, but I’m so afraid. How is anyone supposed to fall this far in love and even survive it?
It does lose points for no epilogue though, because with how their journey played out, the story really needed a solid update and ending for the MCs. They are together by the end and it’s a mild HFN with a hint at what their future might be like.
4.5 ⭐️
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Ballet dancer
Camboy
Student/professor
Size difference
Brit/American
Exhibitionism
Bisexual awakening
High spice
Secret relationship
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Explicit sexual content
Homophobic slurs
Details of illness and recovery from cancer (MC’s ex)
Details of past self harm (hair pulling, biting, cutting [mild on page])
Thoughts of and cravings for self harm
Drug use (marijuana, on page)
Alcohol consumption and intoxication
Details of past bullying
Details of past homophobic comments
Details of past fatshaming
Minor car accident
Mild stalking (not between MCs)
Power imbalance
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Some drama with problematic ex, but MC doesn’t want him back.
Breakup: Yes
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 20 and 32
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 332
Happy ending: Yes
“Fine,” I say. “Just…fuck off and do your reading, okay?” Milos winces at the obscenity. I’m a teacher, and an English teacher at that, but I don’t have the energy to keep up the persona all the time. Sometimes I need to be human.
Poor kid was just trying to sneak his schoolwork in on time and ends up with his teacher sobbing all over his shoes for no reason.
He’s a work of art; I might as well have just jizzed on a Michelangelo.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
March 31, 2018
“These violent delights have violent ends / And in their triumph die, like fire and powder / Which as they kiss consume. The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness / And in the taste confounds the appetite. Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so.”
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
This is my second book by Jess Whitecroft, and I am officially a fan. This author writes fantastic stories that span a variety of romantic tropes and categories. I loved Reckless, a historical pirate romance. Whitecroft has also written stories about politicians, drag queens, rock stars, and movie stars. It feels like Whitecroft is revisiting all the traditional romance tropes and giving them a fresh and dynamic new spin.
This story, about a college student (20 years old) and his English professor (32 years old), should not have worked for me. I am not usually a fan of student/teacher romance; the uneven power dynamic is just too unbalanced for me. However, Whitecroft has penned a story that goes beyond the familiar, adding unique and interesting facets to this familiar plot device.
Where Whitecroft’s writing truly shines is in the creation of flawed, funny, complex, and multifaceted characters. In this story, Milos is young, often self-centered, and driven to excel in ballet. Tom is older, carries some heavy baggage, and is looking to make changes in his life. Both men have growing and changing to do over the course of the story.
The two characters have a combustible chemistry that heats up the pages, and even though their “I love you” seems to come before they fully know each other; I have a feeling that their lives together will be filled with laughter, wild escapades, and plenty of romance.
I can’t wait for my next Whitecroft literary adventure. I hope that more readers check out this fantastic author. Highly recommend!
PS: Read a great post from the author at "On Top Down Under." In this excerpt from the post, Whitecroft writes:
"That book – These Violent Delights – kept me sane. In every spare moment I escaped the mess of packing tape and cardboard boxes and plunged into this crazy love story about a young ballet dancer and an English teacher who was probably old enough to know better but lonely enough not to care..."
Read the entire post here: http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
This is my second book by Jess Whitecroft, and I am officially a fan. This author writes fantastic stories that span a variety of romantic tropes and categories. I loved Reckless, a historical pirate romance. Whitecroft has also written stories about politicians, drag queens, rock stars, and movie stars. It feels like Whitecroft is revisiting all the traditional romance tropes and giving them a fresh and dynamic new spin.
This story, about a college student (20 years old) and his English professor (32 years old), should not have worked for me. I am not usually a fan of student/teacher romance; the uneven power dynamic is just too unbalanced for me. However, Whitecroft has penned a story that goes beyond the familiar, adding unique and interesting facets to this familiar plot device.
Where Whitecroft’s writing truly shines is in the creation of flawed, funny, complex, and multifaceted characters. In this story, Milos is young, often self-centered, and driven to excel in ballet. Tom is older, carries some heavy baggage, and is looking to make changes in his life. Both men have growing and changing to do over the course of the story.
The two characters have a combustible chemistry that heats up the pages, and even though their “I love you” seems to come before they fully know each other; I have a feeling that their lives together will be filled with laughter, wild escapades, and plenty of romance.
I can’t wait for my next Whitecroft literary adventure. I hope that more readers check out this fantastic author. Highly recommend!
PS: Read a great post from the author at "On Top Down Under." In this excerpt from the post, Whitecroft writes:
"That book – These Violent Delights – kept me sane. In every spare moment I escaped the mess of packing tape and cardboard boxes and plunged into this crazy love story about a young ballet dancer and an English teacher who was probably old enough to know better but lonely enough not to care..."
Read the entire post here: http://ontopdownunderbookreviews.com/...
June 14, 2017
That was fun. Milos was a delight. He threw himself into everything full steam ahead and with brio! (Normally I would never use a word like brio. It seems a bit pretentious when enthusiasm works just as well, but Milos is in the dance world and it definitely seems like a word that some snooty dance person would use.)
There were a few niggles but the buoyant tone of the book left me unable to care.
The one niggle (or slight creep out) is that this book was marked as read and with the dates when I came to review it. I did not do that and forget. No it was the creepy Amazon who has decided to link my kindle and GR activities whether I want it to or not. WTF! I definitely don't want some corporation deciding that for me!
There were a few niggles but the buoyant tone of the book left me unable to care.
The one niggle (or slight creep out) is that this book was marked as read and with the dates when I came to review it. I did not do that and forget. No it was the creepy Amazon who has decided to link my kindle and GR activities whether I want it to or not. WTF! I definitely don't want some corporation deciding that for me!
June 18, 2017
In depth review at -
A highly enjoyable contemporary romance. Humorous. Intelligent. Sweet. Sexy. Sharp, with MCs that are flawed but so, so likeable.
Milos is a breath of fresh air and Tom is incredulously dragged along by Hurricane Milos, complete with ballet body and good looks, who has a way of being noticed.
This is not how I planned this meeting going. I’ve rehearsed it a hundred times or more, about how I was going to quietly but firmly explain to him that I’m very flattered, but there is no way this can happen between us. But then he crashes through the door and announces he has a sex toy lost up his bum, which rather puts a cramp in my style.
I’ll say one thing for him; he’s not boring.
A highly enjoyable contemporary romance. Humorous. Intelligent. Sweet. Sexy. Sharp, with MCs that are flawed but so, so likeable.
Milos is a breath of fresh air and Tom is incredulously dragged along by Hurricane Milos, complete with ballet body and good looks, who has a way of being noticed.
This is not how I planned this meeting going. I’ve rehearsed it a hundred times or more, about how I was going to quietly but firmly explain to him that I’m very flattered, but there is no way this can happen between us. But then he crashes through the door and announces he has a sex toy lost up his bum, which rather puts a cramp in my style.
I’ll say one thing for him; he’s not boring.
May 3, 2018
Небольшой спойлер, в котором Милош рассказывает, как он начал встречаться со своим преподом по литературе: А над моментом, где Милош познавал радости простаты, я вообще ржала в голос. Оставлю книгу в читалке и буду периодически перечитывать для поднятия настроения.
May 15, 2018
Во-первых, как-то слишком уж стремительно герои перешли от пары случайных встреч и полугодовой тоски по бывшему к "я люблю тебя".
Во-вторых, честно сказать, масштаб драмы вокруг банальной мастурбации на камеру оставил меня в недоумении.
P.S. 4 упоминания Трампа с критикой это уже перебор. Автор, мы уяснили вашу позицию еще в первый раз.
Во-вторых, честно сказать, масштаб драмы вокруг банальной мастурбации на камеру оставил меня в недоумении.
P.S. 4 упоминания Трампа с критикой это уже перебор. Автор, мы уяснили вашу позицию еще в первый раз.
June 16, 2017
Still free on Amazon as of 6-16-17:
https://www.amazon.com/These-Violent-...
This was a surprisingly good story. Despite the fact that there are many typos and the plot is improbable, I really enjoyed it. The beginning started off slow and I actually almost stopped reading it but I decided to give it a little more time. And I am glad I did. This isn't the story to end all stories, but it was entertaining.
Milos (pronounced Milosh) is a dancer and student, and part time webcam porn star putting on a show for gay men, despite the fact that Milos is straight. Yep, we all know where this is going. Milos is also struggling in his English class, taught by, you guess it, Tom (I can't remember his full name). At 32, Tom is roughly 11 years older than Milos and he isn't oblivious to the fact that Milos is attractive or that anything between them would be a big NO-NO.
Okay, I do need to tell you this part. Tom's ex, Simon, survived cancer and found religion and dumped Tom after he went into remission and found Jesus. The church of course frowns upon gay love and so Simone feels that God spared him so he could repent his sins. Yeah, that didn't go over very well with Tom. When Simon tells Tom that he is engaged to a woman, Tom freaks and desperately searches for an escape, remembering that he put some marijuana in his desk after a student dropped it. Tom goes to his office to get it, Milos goes at the same time to drop off his paper (before midnight, so it's on time Teach). They do the "what are you doing here," dance and well, somehow Milos' dick ends up in Tom's mouth. Yep, BJ by accident, that shit totally happens, LOL. :-D
I can't say enough how much I surprisingly enjoyed this story. It totally needed another look by an editor, and it had some eyebrow raising moments plot wise, and I didn't care. I really liked Milos and Tom as a couple, they know what they are doing and are not shy about talking about it (the taboo of teacher and student). This all just flowed so well for me and I look forward to more by this author.
3.5 stars. I don't want to spoil the ending, but you should know that we don't get a full answer on whatever happens to Simon at the end.
https://www.amazon.com/These-Violent-...
This was a surprisingly good story. Despite the fact that there are many typos and the plot is improbable, I really enjoyed it. The beginning started off slow and I actually almost stopped reading it but I decided to give it a little more time. And I am glad I did. This isn't the story to end all stories, but it was entertaining.
Milos (pronounced Milosh) is a dancer and student, and part time webcam porn star putting on a show for gay men, despite the fact that Milos is straight. Yep, we all know where this is going. Milos is also struggling in his English class, taught by, you guess it, Tom (I can't remember his full name). At 32, Tom is roughly 11 years older than Milos and he isn't oblivious to the fact that Milos is attractive or that anything between them would be a big NO-NO.
Okay, I do need to tell you this part. Tom's ex, Simon, survived cancer and found religion and dumped Tom after he went into remission and found Jesus. The church of course frowns upon gay love and so Simone feels that God spared him so he could repent his sins. Yeah, that didn't go over very well with Tom. When Simon tells Tom that he is engaged to a woman, Tom freaks and desperately searches for an escape, remembering that he put some marijuana in his desk after a student dropped it. Tom goes to his office to get it, Milos goes at the same time to drop off his paper (before midnight, so it's on time Teach). They do the "what are you doing here," dance and well, somehow Milos' dick ends up in Tom's mouth. Yep, BJ by accident, that shit totally happens, LOL. :-D
I can't say enough how much I surprisingly enjoyed this story. It totally needed another look by an editor, and it had some eyebrow raising moments plot wise, and I didn't care. I really liked Milos and Tom as a couple, they know what they are doing and are not shy about talking about it (the taboo of teacher and student). This all just flowed so well for me and I look forward to more by this author.
3.5 stars. I don't want to spoil the ending, but you should know that we don't get a full answer on whatever happens to Simon at the end.
May 22, 2022
4 or 4. 5 stars.
One from the Unlikely Pairings Department: English prof/reluctant student who is a dancer. There's an age gap, obviously: normally not my jam, but that's likely a me problem.
Quite well written, quite hot, the ethics are addressed in a realistic and non-preachy way, and I could almost believe in the MCs' mutual appeal beyond sex -- I needed to see more about Miles's intelligence at work (he's not academically gifted but he's emotionally intelligent and insightful about dance and music) before I could quite accept that he wouldn't eventually bore Tom.
One from the Unlikely Pairings Department: English prof/reluctant student who is a dancer. There's an age gap, obviously: normally not my jam, but that's likely a me problem.
Quite well written, quite hot, the ethics are addressed in a realistic and non-preachy way, and I could almost believe in the MCs' mutual appeal beyond sex -- I needed to see more about Miles's intelligence at work (he's not academically gifted but he's emotionally intelligent and insightful about dance and music) before I could quite accept that he wouldn't eventually bore Tom.
December 18, 2017
“These violent delights have violent ends”.
What a delight! I loved this. Funny, warm, not perfect characters, small angst, HEA. Milos was just wonderful. Tom an excellent foil.
What a delight! I loved this. Funny, warm, not perfect characters, small angst, HEA. Milos was just wonderful. Tom an excellent foil.
January 25, 2020
**3.5 stars**
Loved the age gap and the taboo relationship. The author touched a bit on mental illness and I wished that was expanded upon. She missed a good opportunity there. I really liked Tom up until the last part of the story and then he seemed a bit shallow and robotic.
Needed some more editing and for God’s sake stop with the political jabs. It’s quite juvenile, having your characters verbalize your political views over and over. The story becomes more platform and less romance.
Loved the age gap and the taboo relationship. The author touched a bit on mental illness and I wished that was expanded upon. She missed a good opportunity there. I really liked Tom up until the last part of the story and then he seemed a bit shallow and robotic.
Needed some more editing and for God’s sake stop with the political jabs. It’s quite juvenile, having your characters verbalize your political views over and over. The story becomes more platform and less romance.
July 20, 2017
The writing was boring and I didn't buy into Milos - DNF @ 48%.
First person POV with internal rumination. Too much telling. Wordy writing. Slow reading. Inconsistent plot with dead spots. Tom was intelligent and snarky funny. Milos' GFY was rushed and just wasn't believable. Beautiful cover.
First person POV with internal rumination. Too much telling. Wordy writing. Slow reading. Inconsistent plot with dead spots. Tom was intelligent and snarky funny. Milos' GFY was rushed and just wasn't believable. Beautiful cover.
September 17, 2017
Started reading at lunchtime, was late to adulting this evening because I couldn't stop reading then raced home to finish. I'm so beyond happy about this book. 💜
July 2, 2023
Improbable love.
But the sex is crazy hot
and they're so swoony.
3.5 rounded down because it really did beggar belief, plus absolutely no research into academic careers.
But the sex is crazy hot
and they're so swoony.
3.5 rounded down because it really did beggar belief, plus absolutely no research into academic careers.
Want to read
February 12, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/12/2020)! 🎁
December 20, 2017
This is only our second book by Jess Whitecroft, but WOW…. that’s all we can say. We are bowled over by These Violent Delights and are eager to snatch up everything Jess Whitecroft has written.
The love?
- Writing Style: There is something about the writing style, it is short to the point, like every word Jess Whitecroft uses fit perfectly there and need to be there. The voice of the characters is strong and concise and easy to follow. We loved the voice of this book.
- The relationship: We loved the relationship between Milos and Tom, they are funny, have fantastic banter and really seem to connect. And we liked that even thought they are both a bit flawed they fit with each other.
- The Chemistry: WOWOWOWOWOW. This book is hot. The chemistry between Tom and Milos is palpable, it jumps off the page. There is this magnetic pull between them, that you can’t help feeling the sexual tension, and it is so realistic, so authentic.
- Ballet: We loved the references to Ballet, and Milos’s profession. There aren’t a lot of MM books with ballet and this one was so interesting. We also really loved how Jess Whitecroft put Milos’s feelings into his performance, and how that made him a better dancer.
-
The meh?
- GFY plot: I have no issues about a GFY plot, and this one is easy to accept, as it is Milos discovering he is sexually fluid. But, yes, there is a but, I wish there had been some thoughts from Milos about being actually Bi.
- The editing: There are a few little issues of editing and consistency in the 2nd half of the book. Nothing to really distract us, but they were there.
- The Simon plot: Hmmm, would have like to have that wrapped up a bit, it just kinda ended and wished there was some closure.
These Violent Delights is a fantastic read. It is an engaging read, we were totally engrossed in Milos and Tom, we laughed with them, cried with them and fell in love with them. Jess Whitecroft is a magical storyteller and we can’t wait to read all her other books.
The love?
- Writing Style: There is something about the writing style, it is short to the point, like every word Jess Whitecroft uses fit perfectly there and need to be there. The voice of the characters is strong and concise and easy to follow. We loved the voice of this book.
- The relationship: We loved the relationship between Milos and Tom, they are funny, have fantastic banter and really seem to connect. And we liked that even thought they are both a bit flawed they fit with each other.
- The Chemistry: WOWOWOWOWOW. This book is hot. The chemistry between Tom and Milos is palpable, it jumps off the page. There is this magnetic pull between them, that you can’t help feeling the sexual tension, and it is so realistic, so authentic.
- Ballet: We loved the references to Ballet, and Milos’s profession. There aren’t a lot of MM books with ballet and this one was so interesting. We also really loved how Jess Whitecroft put Milos’s feelings into his performance, and how that made him a better dancer.
-
The meh?
- GFY plot: I have no issues about a GFY plot, and this one is easy to accept, as it is Milos discovering he is sexually fluid. But, yes, there is a but, I wish there had been some thoughts from Milos about being actually Bi.
- The editing: There are a few little issues of editing and consistency in the 2nd half of the book. Nothing to really distract us, but they were there.
- The Simon plot: Hmmm, would have like to have that wrapped up a bit, it just kinda ended and wished there was some closure.
These Violent Delights is a fantastic read. It is an engaging read, we were totally engrossed in Milos and Tom, we laughed with them, cried with them and fell in love with them. Jess Whitecroft is a magical storyteller and we can’t wait to read all her other books.
July 14, 2021
I usually don't like the teacher/student trope because there is too much of a power imbalance, but I didn't mind this one at all. Milos was an interesting character. He was a driven dancer but made a little money on the side by having a naughty webcam show. Thomas was his English teacher who seemed to be in sort of a funk due to a really bad breakup. Obviously, they get together, but it's a surprise to both of them because Milos had always thought he was straight.
I loved this story. It was a little heartbreaking in places and a little funny in other places. I have read other Jess Whitecroft books and I really like her writing style. I will be reading more of her books for sure.
I loved this story. It was a little heartbreaking in places and a little funny in other places. I have read other Jess Whitecroft books and I really like her writing style. I will be reading more of her books for sure.
August 26, 2018
My second novel by Jess Whitecroft in less than two weeks. I'm an official fan! This one touched on several sensitive topics and I felt they were handled beautifully. Highly recommended!
July 3, 2022
This story of a college professor and one of his students works despite the power imbalance, because Tom, the college professor, is a hot mess. After almost obliterating himself caring for his boyfriend Simon, who had cancer, the triumph of survival turned into a slap in the face for Tom. Simon, once healthy, found religion, broke up with Tom, and decided that all of Tom's love and sacrifice were sinful abomination. And yet, Simon keeps hanging around Tom.
Tom's in the position of having his sacrifices degraded, and not wanting to let people know. His colleagues supported him as he cared for Simon. To reveal his hurt, and let people see the painful whimper of the relationship ending, is more than he can stand. So he throws himself into his teaching, and is aloof, and volatile, and reactive. Then a student comes to his attention. Milos is at once terrible at English and insightful, beautiful and unaware. Tom isn't sure if he wants to flunk him or fuck him.
And in one emotional moment of poor judgement, colliding late at night in his office, he goes for the sex.
This book is lush and passionate, sometimes improbable, and hinges too far on the unbalanced ex-boyfriend trope. The way Milos moves from straight to calling himself gay, without hesitation, is both eyebrow raising and a bit of bi-erasure. But the story-telling and characters sucked me in. The passion propelled the relationship, Milos's intense nature and Tom's emotional trauma collided like the perfect storm. There is some fun banter, and I liked that the age gap, while noted, wasn't the big obstacle.
Tom's in the position of having his sacrifices degraded, and not wanting to let people know. His colleagues supported him as he cared for Simon. To reveal his hurt, and let people see the painful whimper of the relationship ending, is more than he can stand. So he throws himself into his teaching, and is aloof, and volatile, and reactive. Then a student comes to his attention. Milos is at once terrible at English and insightful, beautiful and unaware. Tom isn't sure if he wants to flunk him or fuck him.
And in one emotional moment of poor judgement, colliding late at night in his office, he goes for the sex.
This book is lush and passionate, sometimes improbable, and hinges too far on the unbalanced ex-boyfriend trope. The way Milos moves from straight to calling himself gay, without hesitation, is both eyebrow raising and a bit of bi-erasure. But the story-telling and characters sucked me in. The passion propelled the relationship, Milos's intense nature and Tom's emotional trauma collided like the perfect storm. There is some fun banter, and I liked that the age gap, while noted, wasn't the big obstacle.
June 18, 2017
I cannot pinpoint one simple reason why I enjoyed this novel so much. One of the best m/m I have read so far this year.
Usually I avoid stories where professional boundaries are broken and, in this, Milos is a student in Tom's Eng. Lit. Class. However I never felt uncomfortable with the relationship despite the 11/12 year age difference.
Milos is at once naive and knowing, both simple and worldly wise. He is very focused on his ballet studies especially the current production of Romeo and Juliet.To earn money he has set up an online webcam "business" over which he feels in control.He is also quite decidedly straight.
Tom is originally from Dorchester, now teaching English in the USA .His long term relationship with Simon has broken up in circumstances involving Simon, a cancer survivor, joining an evangelical and anti-gay Church.This has left Tom bitter and wary.
Neither Milos nor Tom is looking for someone, much less, love. However, both fall for each other heavily and begin a very intense emotional and sexual relationship. Both keep secrets about themselves.
The situation becomes dangerously difficult when Simon finds out and becomes psychotically jealous, despite his "straight conversion".
However, many matters are resolved and there is the glimmer of a happy and successful future, perhaps in England.
The background here of ballet and English literature was nicely done and I enjoyed the literary jokes and the flashes of great humour.
Milos and Tom were fully-fleshed characters and others, for instance, Milos' mother and father, Tom's friends, Simon, and the people involved in the ballet, were well-drawn.
My usual quibble in m/m romance is about the sex scenes. Not here.They seemed natural and in context and were effective in explaining and furthering the relationship.
There could well be another book or a series about Tom and Milos as I feel Jess Whitecroft has a lot more here which could be developed.This reader certainly hopes so.The characters and their relationships have depth and there is a lot more to be explored.
Usually I avoid stories where professional boundaries are broken and, in this, Milos is a student in Tom's Eng. Lit. Class. However I never felt uncomfortable with the relationship despite the 11/12 year age difference.
Milos is at once naive and knowing, both simple and worldly wise. He is very focused on his ballet studies especially the current production of Romeo and Juliet.To earn money he has set up an online webcam "business" over which he feels in control.He is also quite decidedly straight.
Tom is originally from Dorchester, now teaching English in the USA .His long term relationship with Simon has broken up in circumstances involving Simon, a cancer survivor, joining an evangelical and anti-gay Church.This has left Tom bitter and wary.
Neither Milos nor Tom is looking for someone, much less, love. However, both fall for each other heavily and begin a very intense emotional and sexual relationship. Both keep secrets about themselves.
The situation becomes dangerously difficult when Simon finds out and becomes psychotically jealous, despite his "straight conversion".
However, many matters are resolved and there is the glimmer of a happy and successful future, perhaps in England.
The background here of ballet and English literature was nicely done and I enjoyed the literary jokes and the flashes of great humour.
Milos and Tom were fully-fleshed characters and others, for instance, Milos' mother and father, Tom's friends, Simon, and the people involved in the ballet, were well-drawn.
My usual quibble in m/m romance is about the sex scenes. Not here.They seemed natural and in context and were effective in explaining and furthering the relationship.
There could well be another book or a series about Tom and Milos as I feel Jess Whitecroft has a lot more here which could be developed.This reader certainly hopes so.The characters and their relationships have depth and there is a lot more to be explored.
May 29, 2022
This is my second attempt at Jess Whitecroft. On the plus side, I managed to finish this one; however, all that accomplished was in confirming this author is not a good fit for me.
I didn’t connect with the writing, I didn’t connect with the story and I certainly didn’t connect with the characters.
There is a lot of bi-erasure in this. Considering it’s a well established fact that Milos is attracted to women, he gets his dick sucked once and suddenly he is gay?
> “Taking it in the ass doesn’t make you gay, Ed. Being in love with a member of the same sex – that’s the part that makes you gay.”
A lot of typos. Really, it makes me question if this was edited at all when you get lines like: those eyes are always a shade or lighter than you expect them to be ; “Wanna watch me watch me play with myself?” ; let’s your production out of the way first ; “You should really check that checked out, dude”
I also found the ending incredibly rushed and kind of half-assed. I ended up skimming most of the last chapter.
I didn’t connect with the writing, I didn’t connect with the story and I certainly didn’t connect with the characters.
There is a lot of bi-erasure in this. Considering it’s a well established fact that Milos is attracted to women, he gets his dick sucked once and suddenly he is gay?
> “Taking it in the ass doesn’t make you gay, Ed. Being in love with a member of the same sex – that’s the part that makes you gay.”
A lot of typos. Really, it makes me question if this was edited at all when you get lines like: those eyes are always a shade or lighter than you expect them to be ; “Wanna watch me watch me play with myself?” ; let’s your production out of the way first ; “You should really check that checked out, dude”
I also found the ending incredibly rushed and kind of half-assed. I ended up skimming most of the last chapter.
June 19, 2018
I really enjoyed this and will search out more from this new-to-me author. Partially I loved that one of the MCs is a danseur because I always enjoy stories about ballet, but I enjoyed both the MCs. I liked that Milos's problems with his parents was more about a lack of communication (at that age isn't that often the case?) than about them being actively bad, I liked that Milos accepted being gay (although he really seems Bi to me) without a crisis of identity, and I liked that the age difference wasn't used as a reason to break up. The editing could have been better and there were some other relatively minor problems, but overall I appreciated the story. I got this from KU, but I may buy it for re-reads.
March 22, 2020
A Good Read
Starts out somewhat sweet and very hot. Then grabs my emotions and makes me feel. This book surprised me as it was much more than I thought it would be. A good surprise. This is the first book that I have read by this author but differently it will not be the last.
Starts out somewhat sweet and very hot. Then grabs my emotions and makes me feel. This book surprised me as it was much more than I thought it would be. A good surprise. This is the first book that I have read by this author but differently it will not be the last.
September 1, 2018
Complex characters, engaging story, hot scenes, not over the top angst: this has everything in the right amount.
March 2, 2020
Writing prose is somewhat similar to Alexis Hall, maybe because both are British. Story is engaging and funny at times.
January 28, 2022
I just couldn't connect with the writing style at all and starting skimming after the 20% mark.
March 20, 2022
Another amazing story from this author. A mm contemporary romance story set in the USA in a college. English Professor Tom and student of Ballet Milos are the main characters. Although this is a teacher/ student romance it is a lot more. Past history and future dreams. A great story.
February 20, 2020
4.25 stars 😊
December 28, 2020
Can a book be overwritten and underwritten at the same time?
The answer is yes. This book manages to.
Long and boring most times, cut short when necessary, i.e. character development, relationship development. The characters are so flat and undetailed that I didn't understand how old Milos was until clearly stated. I didn't understand we were in the US until clearly stated. No sense of setting whatsoever.
Plus, the author is clearly trying to write about a ballet dancer without knowing ANYTHING about ballet or ballet dancers themselves. I love ballet, and it was just painful. On the other hand, there is so much yapping about English dramatists I wanted to scream.
The sex was trying to be titillating, edgy, somehow bad-wrongy, but I swear to God it's the most un-sexy thing ever. No chemistry, no passion, not even that sense of "forbidden" that this kind of student/teacher stories can evocate. Nothing.
When Milos says "I love you" it was so abrupt I thought of dnf. Pretty ridiculous tbh.
And I don't like gfy but I mean that's just me.
Sob.
The answer is yes. This book manages to.
Long and boring most times, cut short when necessary, i.e. character development, relationship development. The characters are so flat and undetailed that I didn't understand how old Milos was until clearly stated. I didn't understand we were in the US until clearly stated. No sense of setting whatsoever.
Plus, the author is clearly trying to write about a ballet dancer without knowing ANYTHING about ballet or ballet dancers themselves. I love ballet, and it was just painful. On the other hand, there is so much yapping about English dramatists I wanted to scream.
The sex was trying to be titillating, edgy, somehow bad-wrongy, but I swear to God it's the most un-sexy thing ever. No chemistry, no passion, not even that sense of "forbidden" that this kind of student/teacher stories can evocate. Nothing.
When Milos says "I love you" it was so abrupt I thought of dnf. Pretty ridiculous tbh.
And I don't like gfy but I mean that's just me.
Sob.
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