Mark My Soul

by Grayson Bell

Born into a world where everyone has a soulmate, Scott doesn’t go out of his way to find his. He still attends soulmate parties, out of societal obligation and the opportunity to hook-up with a pretty lady. When his soulmark unexpectedly begins to react to the prescence of his soulmate, Scott reluctantly goes to search for her. When Scott wanders outside, a tall, handsome man with a matching soulmark approaches, introducing himself as Ross. In a blind panic, Scott flees.

Ross is ready to settle down, and begins frequenting more parties outside of his social circle in search of his soulmate. When he finds Scott, he’s surprised when he runs from him. Finding Scott again, Ross realizes the man is going to be a handful, but perhaps a little bit of discipline will get him under control. Will Ross be able to tame his skittish soulmate before Scott tries to disappear forever?

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance

194 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2019

About the author

Writing has been a part of Grayson’s life in one form or another since childhood. Everything from academic and technical writing to blogging, and even writing fanfiction. These days he splits his time between writing queer fiction stories and writing articles about LGBTQ issues.

As an autistic, gay, transgender man, Grayson adds his personal experience to his writing, because it colors how he sees the world and because it brings much-needed representation to the genres he enjoys exploring.

Sharing his home in Colorado with his dogs, Grayson also enjoys whipping up something creative in the kitchen or escaping into the world of video games.

Reviews

[D · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 20%

I had serious issues with this book. I would have been able to look past the awkward writing style and the stilted dialogue but there was one HUGE problem that ruined the fun for me:

This resembles more a horror story than a romance.

Here's why: Scott doesn't want to be in a relationship with his soulmate. So much so, that he takes dangerous medication, packs his bags and tries to escape abroad, but the drugs he took let him pass out. When he wakes up again, he is naked, spooned by his "soulmate" and chained to a bed. I don't normally have a problem with dub-con but this just took things way too far. This isn't your normal "they actually want this, but won't admit it, so they have to be forced into this relationship to be happy" trope. This is abuse. There is no chemistry between the "soulmates". When Scott's "soulmate" told him he will rape him if he doesn't consent, I was finished with this book.

[Zuli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pff, this is one of the worst books I’ve ever read. The writing was so simplistic it read like a to-do list. The only things that happened were spankings, the MCs eating, the MCs playing video games, more spankings, more eating, drama, more eating, more drama, did I already mention eating? (Seriously, I don’t wanna see another character eating ever again). And every challenge they had was solved literally in the same page. Oh, the MC was kidnapped? No problem, he’ll escape and go back to his soulmate because the kidnappers are conveniently useless and won’t chase him down anyway. Wait, there are explosives beneath the town? How fortunate that the MC found out in time and happened to have new apartments available for everyone!
I don’t know how (and why) I managed to finish this, but I’m glad it’s finally over.

[Roberta Blablanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting and unique concept: every person has a mark that "activates" when they come into contact with their soulmate. (I'm actually kinda envious. Takes all the stress out of finding a partner.) And the best part? Gay pairings are revered. Lucky for Scott, right?

Scott's fear and confusion are written very well. Ross' confidence and guidance are a great match for Scott.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship and some unexpected plot twists. The BDSM aspect fit perfectly with Scott's reluctance and need for reassurance.

Mark My Soul is nothing like I've ever read. I was riveted from page to page, and each chapter kept me on my toes. I recommend to anyone looking for a romance read that strays from the typical formula.

[Libra]

DNF @ 21%

O my god, why did I even try? Not only do the two main characters talk like robots, one of them is a total creeper! You know, there's straight up non-con/dub-con stories (and that's okay!) and then there's consensual stories. This story went straight for the middle and that's just not a thing that should happen. Sure, characters can be flawed and make mistakes, but when someone strips you and chains you to a bed against your will (because you're unconscious), and then excuses that behavior and the story itself excuses it too, that's just not okay? Ross was a straight up creeper right from the beginning when you get his pov for the first time, thinking how he's going to make someone his sub that he only just met. Just, big yikes. No, thank you.

[Juli · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting idea, very badly written, and too much outside drama for a story that could have done much more with character development. Also, Ross seems a too-good-too-be-true guy at first, but towards the end, he does something really assholey that made me dislike him intensely. 100/100 do not recommend

[Alex (HEABookNerd)]

DNF @ 7%

MARK MY SOUL was an interesting concept and I liked that part of it but I didn't like how things were progressing between the MCs and it was all feeling too forced.

[K.J. Lyons · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book. I really wanted to read it as it had a good premise, a unique idea to finding your soul mate. I found the characters bland and their relationship forced. It didn't seem natural to me. There were too many spots were the author tried to sound a bit more fancier than the scene called for. It seemed they were trying to hard to impress the reader. I was not impressed with the overall feeling of the book. I really wanted to like it. I just didn't. (It had nothing to do with the content of the book, just the writing itself and how forced the relationship was.)

[Fredicka · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, this was a no for me. It was probably my fault for reading beyond the second chapter. I read this book for a reading challenge which is the only reason I didn’t DNF it at 10%.
I went into this book thinking that the synopsis was setting me up for an interesting story. What I got was a hot mess.
First the positives. The writer is obviously very creative. The cover is eye-catching. That’s it, that’s all I’ve got.
I appreciate Bell’s ability to come up with a unique story line, but much of the story felt messy and chaotic. It was like the author wanted to create a lot of drama without reason. And some of the story line was left under-developed. Particularly the kidnaping and the blowing up of an entire town.

I will be the first to admit that I do not have a firm understanding of the BDSM world, and while normally I am not one to ick someone else umm, domestic submission sounds like an excuse for an abusive relationship to me. This book was the first time that I have ever seen a relationship dynamic like Scott and Ross’s be described as something that could be thought of as socially acceptable. There were so many 🚩🚩🚩🚩 that it was hard to just sit back and try and enjoy the book. But that was probably more of a problem for me then it would be for someone else.
Over all this book left me ready to slap someone. I most definitely NOT the intended audience.

[Kari Dale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got to about 25% before skimming to the end to see if it got better at all and ultimately decided to DNF. The dialogue was off and cringey, there was no chemistry between the characters, and many of the situations in the book gave me the ick. Not a fan.

[Jimmie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much different from his first book. His writing is so diverse and intriguing his books always draw me in and I can't stop untill the end.

[Stella Kupcaric · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 40%

Interesting idea, very badly written.

[LaShonda]

DNF at 59%.

I really tried on this one.

[Nova Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Mark My Soul is a different twist on the soulmates concept set in a world where society seems to revolve around mate bonds and the dynamic between mates in a way that's not sappy or far-fetched. The main character, Scott, is relatable, and the added turmoil from the intrusive society and the danger they run into keeps you turning the pages. The story itself makes this book worth the read. The spanking scenes make it more fun.
BDSM books are difficult to write and review because it's impossible to match everyone's preferences. For that reason, we don't review erotica books based on the type of kink included. While certain elements of an erotica book may not appeal to me personally, I appreciate that those are things that appeal to others, and vice versa. That said, there are a few things that will turn me away from a BDSM book (an ignored safe word for example) and none of those issues appeared in this book - well done to the author on that.
Most importantly, safe words were established and obeyed, so the sub was always in control and always had a choice, aftercare was administered, Ross checked in with his mate repeatedly, and his feelings for Scott were clear.
Overall it's a great book, good story, elements of danger, hot scenes and a happy ending.

[Airyn Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great futuristic story with a slight fantasy and “finding yourself” moral lesson.

Can I just say I wish there were more Ross types in the world? This man is unbelievably amazing. Kinky, successful, and immensely understanding for the man he gets partnered with as a soulmate.

In this story, humans have what’s called a “soul mark” that - when meeting your soulmate - immediately tells the bearers of the respective mark that this is the person for you. It’s considered very “uncouth” in this world to reject your soulmate and same-sex pairs are rare and regarded as special in this society. It starts by trailing Scott, who is a closet bisexual man, who’s soulmate ends up being a man. There’s some corporate espionage undercurrents threaded throughout the novel that give it an exciting thriller/action adventure background, but the real gem to the story is seeing Ross and Scott grow as a couple and Scott learning to accept who he is, faults and all.

Totally worth the read and some very kinky BDSM scenes.