Loving this series! (an audio review)
I listened to the first book in the series, ‘Garrett’, then moved right on to ‘Brent’, and I’m so glad I did. These books are stand-alones, but you do get more enjoyment from listening to them in order.
Brent is one of 4 brothers who are all gay and all into the BDSM lifestyle in one capacity or another. Brent’s problem is that he’s a submissive: he derives pleasure from serving a Master. That sounds fine until he actually gets up the courage to approach a Dom. Brent is big, tall, and could easily be mistaken for a Dominant. He’s managed to date every ‘dick’ Dom for 100 miles and has pretty much given up. Then, one night at the BDSM club he attends with his brothers, he has a life-altering experience. Yes, he was supposedly ‘pretending’ to be Calen’s submissive but it felt…perfect.
Problem? Calen works in the office of the insurance company Brent owns with his 3 brothers. Also, Brent’s happy that his brother Garrett has found a submissive and Brenda wants Wyatt, Garrett’s submissive, to feel like part of the family, but it just reinforces that Brent’s alone.
Until his brother sends him home for a week so he can have an attitude adjustment.
The timing is interesting because when Calan shows up hungover the same Monday morning, Garrett also orders him to take the week off to get himself together.
Once the men realize they are both banished from the office, they decide there are worse ways to spend the week than together.
It doesn’t take long for the two men to reconnect on a level beyond friendship. But in order to have a true Master/submissive relationship, they will have to risk their friendship and open themselves completely. Calen, for his part, has reasons to be insecure. His preferences, in the BDSM community, make some people question his legitimacy as a Dom.
I, of course, call BS. Calen should be able to express his preferences sexually in a way that is comfortable for him. Stereotypes and preconceptions have no place in life, let alone in BDSM.
In the end, and Brent are perfect for each other because Brent is as indignant as I am about Calen’s rejection by some previous men he was involved with.
I loved that the relationship was a slow burn with lots of eating and laughter. When things do get hot, it is perfect.
Kenneth Obi narrated the book and each time I listen to him, I enjoy him more and more. His portrayal of Brent is spot-on. Brent has a deep voice, and a calm demeanor. Calen is deliberative as well and that came across. Kenneth carries Wyatt’s southern accent as well as providing a good interpretation of Wyatt’s friend Carter. That’s good, because I suspect Carter is going to get involved with one of the two single brothers. Personally, I can’t wait.