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Black Sheets #3
Used
Book 3 in the Black Sheets Series
Michael may be a best-selling, highly acclaimed novelist, but he leads a normal, boring life of anonymity. Well...with the exception of being a Dom. But since the dissolution of his last relationship, even that area of his life hasn't held a great deal of excitement. While he has an unending supply of confidence once he steps into his playroom, he finds it difficult to show that same sexy self-assurance in his daily life. Instead, he often comes off as cold and judgmental or shy and awkward, none of which are particularly alluring. So without a sub, he spends most of his day holed up in his office writing about a fantastical world that doesn't exist and characters who probably wouldn't notice him if they passed him on the street. It's safer there. No one can break his heart again.
Aiden is a prostitute. After running away from home just shy of turning 16, he's had a hard life on the streets. He never pictured his future this way. This wasn't ever his plan. At 18, he thought he would be starting college, dating, and discovering his identity. Instead, he's spent the last few years desperately trying to hold onto who he is while the world slowly sucks him dry.
When Michael spots Aiden on the street, he sets aside his judgmental attitude to help a young man in need, and Aiden battles his mistrust to cling to the chance for a new life. Aiden is sick of being used, and when Michael offers him the chance to be useful instead, he takes it.
**This novel contains explicit MM sex with BDSM elements and addresses abuse and trauma history. It is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**
Note: This is the third installment in a series; however, it can be read as a standalone novel and does not end in a cliffhanger. To enjoy Jack and Eli's story, check out the first two books in the Black Sheets Series, "Damaged Soul" (Damaged Book 1) and "Damaged Trust" (Damaged Book 2).
Michael may be a best-selling, highly acclaimed novelist, but he leads a normal, boring life of anonymity. Well...with the exception of being a Dom. But since the dissolution of his last relationship, even that area of his life hasn't held a great deal of excitement. While he has an unending supply of confidence once he steps into his playroom, he finds it difficult to show that same sexy self-assurance in his daily life. Instead, he often comes off as cold and judgmental or shy and awkward, none of which are particularly alluring. So without a sub, he spends most of his day holed up in his office writing about a fantastical world that doesn't exist and characters who probably wouldn't notice him if they passed him on the street. It's safer there. No one can break his heart again.
Aiden is a prostitute. After running away from home just shy of turning 16, he's had a hard life on the streets. He never pictured his future this way. This wasn't ever his plan. At 18, he thought he would be starting college, dating, and discovering his identity. Instead, he's spent the last few years desperately trying to hold onto who he is while the world slowly sucks him dry.
When Michael spots Aiden on the street, he sets aside his judgmental attitude to help a young man in need, and Aiden battles his mistrust to cling to the chance for a new life. Aiden is sick of being used, and when Michael offers him the chance to be useful instead, he takes it.
**This novel contains explicit MM sex with BDSM elements and addresses abuse and trauma history. It is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**
Note: This is the third installment in a series; however, it can be read as a standalone novel and does not end in a cliffhanger. To enjoy Jack and Eli's story, check out the first two books in the Black Sheets Series, "Damaged Soul" (Damaged Book 1) and "Damaged Trust" (Damaged Book 2).
- GenresBDSMRomanceM M Romance
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2018
7 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Anne Pine
7 books23 followersI am a true Southerner, born and raised in the southeast where I plan to stay until the end of my days. I live with a crazy coonhound who's actually an evil genius intent on taking over the world, a sweetheart of a pibble who loves to cuddle, and my ginger Mr. P who is always ready with a cheesy joke.
My storylines primarily focus on May-December relationships because I enjoy the dynamic that an age gap adds to a romance. I would consider my writing to be MM erotic romance. I grew up reading Harlequin novels with all of their gloriously gratuitous and overly dramatic sex scenes, so my books do have a lot of sex, but I also think they have a lot of love. I don't believe that romance has to be sweet and sugary and cute. It can be raw and dirty and sweaty as long as there's true passion, an authentic connection, and naked emotion...with an emphasis on the naked.
I want y'all to enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoy creating them, so I always welcome any questions or comments.
My storylines primarily focus on May-December relationships because I enjoy the dynamic that an age gap adds to a romance. I would consider my writing to be MM erotic romance. I grew up reading Harlequin novels with all of their gloriously gratuitous and overly dramatic sex scenes, so my books do have a lot of sex, but I also think they have a lot of love. I don't believe that romance has to be sweet and sugary and cute. It can be raw and dirty and sweaty as long as there's true passion, an authentic connection, and naked emotion...with an emphasis on the naked.
I want y'all to enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoy creating them, so I always welcome any questions or comments.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 17, 2019
Superb
The characters are fully developed. Anne Pine brings them the life. The tension that exists between the two main characters is palpable and at times painful. The one not knowing how the other feels about him. The scenes, from first moment Michael sees Aiden to the very end, are so lushly described. I have had these same feeings for some of the men in my life. It's easy to relate to both characters and the ancillary characters are easy to recognize and relate to. I'm much like Michael in my needs. I wish I could find an Aiden.
I really like this book. I like it enough to buy it so I can re-read it whenever no want to. It's just so well written. One thing I really like is the grammar. That might seem silly, but it's important to me. So many other gay novels swing at it, but miss and it detracts from the story.
The characters are fully developed. Anne Pine brings them the life. The tension that exists between the two main characters is palpable and at times painful. The one not knowing how the other feels about him. The scenes, from first moment Michael sees Aiden to the very end, are so lushly described. I have had these same feeings for some of the men in my life. It's easy to relate to both characters and the ancillary characters are easy to recognize and relate to. I'm much like Michael in my needs. I wish I could find an Aiden.
I really like this book. I like it enough to buy it so I can re-read it whenever no want to. It's just so well written. One thing I really like is the grammar. That might seem silly, but it's important to me. So many other gay novels swing at it, but miss and it detracts from the story.
April 8, 2019
From the first page, I was roped into the gritty, desperate world and became intrigued by Michael. He sees Aiden and immediately sympathizes with him and wants to save him. He doesn't, and this leads him to wonder if he has ever made a positive impact on someone's life. Too afraid to be hurt again, he reserves the heroism for the characters he writes. In the name of research for his next novel, he finds a way to help Aiden, but as the two form a bond, Michael finds that Aiden helps him.
If you like hurt/comfort Cinderella stories with an age gap and a touch of BDSM, this is a read for you!
If you like hurt/comfort Cinderella stories with an age gap and a touch of BDSM, this is a read for you!
did-not-finish
May 31, 2019DNF @ 68%
I just couldn't do it. This book started out so well, had a whole lot of potential for hurt/comfort and one of my favorite aspects of BDSM. And don't get me wrong, I really liked both main characters and in the beginning, everything was fine and dandy (except maybe for the fact that both of them instantly were attracted to each other, like not even a day after knowing each other). But then... the denial of feelings started. So, I do really enjoy the occasional fake dating trope in my books, but this was just ridiculous. First they only want to make some ex-boyfriend jealous, which, okay, i can deal with. But then it just got ridiculous, they reason that they'll have to pretend in front of their friends and family too. And of course they have to try BDSM together, because what if one of Michael's friends asks about it? And I really tried to just go with the flow of the story, but I just got SO annoyed every time one of the two MCs mentioned that "Oh, this is just pretending and this won't last!" and it wouldn't have been so bad if it didn't happen literally every other page :') I just don't understand why so many M/M romance books do this where the two MCs jump into bed first and then deny their feelings for each other. It's just there to add stupid drama, in my opinion. So, yeah, this one is not for me!
I just couldn't do it. This book started out so well, had a whole lot of potential for hurt/comfort and one of my favorite aspects of BDSM. And don't get me wrong, I really liked both main characters and in the beginning, everything was fine and dandy (except maybe for the fact that both of them instantly were attracted to each other, like not even a day after knowing each other). But then... the denial of feelings started. So, I do really enjoy the occasional fake dating trope in my books, but this was just ridiculous. First they only want to make some ex-boyfriend jealous, which, okay, i can deal with. But then it just got ridiculous, they reason that they'll have to pretend in front of their friends and family too. And of course they have to try BDSM together, because what if one of Michael's friends asks about it? And I really tried to just go with the flow of the story, but I just got SO annoyed every time one of the two MCs mentioned that "Oh, this is just pretending and this won't last!" and it wouldn't have been so bad if it didn't happen literally every other page :') I just don't understand why so many M/M romance books do this where the two MCs jump into bed first and then deny their feelings for each other. It's just there to add stupid drama, in my opinion. So, yeah, this one is not for me!
January 1, 2019
A great way to spend a few hours!
Used is, in it's most basic form, a M/M Cinderella story. Despite very different places in life, Michael and Aiden fall in love. All is almost lost due to a misunderstanding stemming from Michael 's reluctance to let go of societal expectations and admit the truth. He then frantically searches for Aiden in order to save him from his past, which includes a truly evil step-father.
But Used is also so much more. I will admit to being a fan of Anne Pine's ability to write truly great characters for a few years now. Here, Aiden makes us stop as think and rea!ize that there is so much more to him than his occupation and circumstances. He is a person who, in reality, most of us would pass by without a second glance. But once you get to know him, he tugs at your heart strings (like most of Pine's boys do) and you want to see him happy.
The happily ever after ending here does not disappoint! There's just enough sex and a touch of BDSM, to keep things steamy, but it's not so much that it overshadows the growing love between Michael and Aiden.
Used is, in it's most basic form, a M/M Cinderella story. Despite very different places in life, Michael and Aiden fall in love. All is almost lost due to a misunderstanding stemming from Michael 's reluctance to let go of societal expectations and admit the truth. He then frantically searches for Aiden in order to save him from his past, which includes a truly evil step-father.
But Used is also so much more. I will admit to being a fan of Anne Pine's ability to write truly great characters for a few years now. Here, Aiden makes us stop as think and rea!ize that there is so much more to him than his occupation and circumstances. He is a person who, in reality, most of us would pass by without a second glance. But once you get to know him, he tugs at your heart strings (like most of Pine's boys do) and you want to see him happy.
The happily ever after ending here does not disappoint! There's just enough sex and a touch of BDSM, to keep things steamy, but it's not so much that it overshadows the growing love between Michael and Aiden.
October 20, 2022
The premise is good, but the book slowly becomes ridiculous. The main plot, the only interesting part, is dropped and switched to a BDSM angle. There's a club and sub friends and super rich doms. Boring! I'm not here for the side characters! I'm hear for heavy drama and angst given the topic. I should have bailed as soon as I found out Michael was one of those anime boys. Lazy writing. Shame.
February 25, 2019
Aiden is an amazing character
Such inner strength to survive his horrible childhood and still find the courage to love and to let down his walls to trust... I loved the complexity of Michael who has his own inner demons to slay, these two are absolutely amazing together.
Such inner strength to survive his horrible childhood and still find the courage to love and to let down his walls to trust... I loved the complexity of Michael who has his own inner demons to slay, these two are absolutely amazing together.
January 21, 2020
Great
I love hurt/comfort books and this one was exceptional. Fantastic find with some lite BDSM and broken characters. Hoping there's another in the series.
I love hurt/comfort books and this one was exceptional. Fantastic find with some lite BDSM and broken characters. Hoping there's another in the series.
February 18, 2022
4,5 stars.
January 23, 2019
Where has this author been?
I have just been reading EVERYTHING this author has written and I am shocked that she is not front and center on everyone's kindle. What a talented writer! This story was so emotional. If this is your first book from Anne Pine I would recommend you read all her books....just wonderful.
I have just been reading EVERYTHING this author has written and I am shocked that she is not front and center on everyone's kindle. What a talented writer! This story was so emotional. If this is your first book from Anne Pine I would recommend you read all her books....just wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews