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Rough Love #1
Bound by Him
Benjamin Ballard always assumed he was straight - in every way possible. They invented the term 'vanilla' to describe him. But if Ben's so straight, why can't he get his inscrutable coffee-shop co-worker Xander Romano out of his head? And how come Xander's rough-housing on the basketball court gets Ben so flustered?
Xander Romano keeps his private life private, and lives by a strict set of rules. No fooling around with straight guys, and definitely no fooling around with vanilla guys. Been there, done that, got his heart broken. All Xander wants now is to focus on his acting career, and keep his darker desires under wraps.
So what is it about Benjamin Ballard that makes Xander want to break all the rules? When Ben begs for a chance to experiment, Xander can't resist taking him in hand. It's just one quick session, after all.
But Ben has other ideas...
Bound for Him is the first part of the Rough Love series. Join Ben and Xander in their continuing odyssey of self-discovery, experimentation, and steamy fun as they work out the kinks together. This is just the beginning of their wild - and sometimes dark - ride, but never fear: these two will get their HEA. It'll just take them some time to figure out what that happy ending looks like for them...
Rough Love reading order:
Learn the Rules (serial)
1. Bound by Him
2. Taken by Him
3. Dared by Him
4. Marked by Him
5. Loved by Him
6. Obey the Rules (novel)
7. Break the Rules (novel)
Xander Romano keeps his private life private, and lives by a strict set of rules. No fooling around with straight guys, and definitely no fooling around with vanilla guys. Been there, done that, got his heart broken. All Xander wants now is to focus on his acting career, and keep his darker desires under wraps.
So what is it about Benjamin Ballard that makes Xander want to break all the rules? When Ben begs for a chance to experiment, Xander can't resist taking him in hand. It's just one quick session, after all.
But Ben has other ideas...
Bound for Him is the first part of the Rough Love series. Join Ben and Xander in their continuing odyssey of self-discovery, experimentation, and steamy fun as they work out the kinks together. This is just the beginning of their wild - and sometimes dark - ride, but never fear: these two will get their HEA. It'll just take them some time to figure out what that happy ending looks like for them...
Rough Love reading order:
Learn the Rules (serial)
1. Bound by Him
2. Taken by Him
3. Dared by Him
4. Marked by Him
5. Loved by Him
6. Obey the Rules (novel)
7. Break the Rules (novel)
53 pages, ebook
First published August 7, 2019
61 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Leighton Greene
39 books402 followersLeighton Greene has been writing stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Her first book was a choose-your-own-adventure style book about deciding what to eat for breakfast. It didn't shake the New York Times bestseller list, but she still has a copy of it.
After spending some time writing in academia, fanfiction and corporate reporting, Leighton decided she should probably do what she actually wanted to do, which was to write commercial fiction. So she did. She writes gay romance and, when the mood strikes, erotica as L.J. Greene.
Leighton lives with her partner and her cockatiel on the east coast of Australia.
(Source: Amazon.com)
After spending some time writing in academia, fanfiction and corporate reporting, Leighton decided she should probably do what she actually wanted to do, which was to write commercial fiction. So she did. She writes gay romance and, when the mood strikes, erotica as L.J. Greene.
Leighton lives with her partner and her cockatiel on the east coast of Australia.
(Source: Amazon.com)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 28, 2020
This story came to my attention thanks to LL.
I decided to give it a go because it is a very short read (55 pages) and sometimes it's just what I need to get out of a slump.
It was OKish, but I have to say, I thought about giving up quite a few times. 😰
The writing sounded odd to me and for some reason, I had a hard time meshing/integrating the characters' profile with the way they acted and lived.
I might consider getting back to this series in a non-COVID Era.
I decided to give it a go because it is a very short read (55 pages) and sometimes it's just what I need to get out of a slump.
It was OKish, but I have to say, I thought about giving up quite a few times. 😰
The writing sounded odd to me and for some reason, I had a hard time meshing/integrating the characters' profile with the way they acted and lived.
I might consider getting back to this series in a non-COVID Era.
June 29, 2020
I liked the premise and I would’ve liked the execution if the writing had been more to my taste. I’m not sure if it’s just my natural aversion for third-person present tense narrative that made the writing feel so robotic and unemotional, but I couldn’t become invested in the characters at all.
I’m tempted to try the following books because I love the idea of this series, but since it took me two days to read what would usually require an hour or two, maybe it’s best if I quit now.
I’m tempted to try the following books because I love the idea of this series, but since it took me two days to read what would usually require an hour or two, maybe it’s best if I quit now.
March 16, 2024
Bit of a slow start, but once the experimenting began it picked up.
These are short little serials.
So far there was a little spanking, kissing, and a blowjob.
Ready for the crop or cane!
These are short little serials.
So far there was a little spanking, kissing, and a blowjob.
Ready for the crop or cane!
June 28, 2020
Short fiction: 53 pages/45 min read
~3.75 Rating ~
hmm too short for me to have a full idea whether or not I'm going to enjoy this series.
For now, I'll say this Ben and Xander both work in a cafe and are friends. Some sports camaraderie and public display of sportsmanship aka spankings ignite something in Ben who identifies as straight.
Coming from a long line of mental health professionals he explores this new found desire rather than shying away from it.
Xander is a Dom/Sadist but he doesn't play with straight men as a rule. But Ben can't let it go, it festers and after much self-analyzing he convinces Xander to help him experiment.
I like the pace of the exploration and curiosity. I like Xander's reluctance and resistance. I like Ben's openness to question his sexuality and exploration his new found kink. I like that despite the length of this story the actual timeline takes a few months, adding to the believability aspect.
Onwards, I'm definitely curious to see how this will play out.
Recommending to BDSM lovers
~3.75 Rating ~
hmm too short for me to have a full idea whether or not I'm going to enjoy this series.
For now, I'll say this Ben and Xander both work in a cafe and are friends. Some sports camaraderie and public display of sportsmanship aka spankings ignite something in Ben who identifies as straight.
Coming from a long line of mental health professionals he explores this new found desire rather than shying away from it.
Xander is a Dom/Sadist but he doesn't play with straight men as a rule. But Ben can't let it go, it festers and after much self-analyzing he convinces Xander to help him experiment.
I like the pace of the exploration and curiosity. I like Xander's reluctance and resistance. I like Ben's openness to question his sexuality and exploration his new found kink. I like that despite the length of this story the actual timeline takes a few months, adding to the believability aspect.
Onwards, I'm definitely curious to see how this will play out.
Recommending to BDSM lovers
August 23, 2023
4.5★
so hot and yummy, olalaaaaaa
so hot and yummy, olalaaaaaa
March 19, 2020
3.75
Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the writing but by the end I was used to it. This was short, simple and sexy with interesting characters. I’m on to the next one. Fingers crossed.
Initially, I wasn’t a fan of the writing but by the end I was used to it. This was short, simple and sexy with interesting characters. I’m on to the next one. Fingers crossed.
March 16, 2020
GFY/OFY short novel that did pack a lot into it. Two friends become something else with a heavy dose of kink. Nice beginning!
January 1, 2020
I loved the story. However, the writing style is choppy and got in my way of enjoying the book. Otherwise it would have been 4 stars.
November 22, 2019
What's this, I thought to myself, another one of those straight to gay novella's with a bit of kink thrown in, yeah, I fancy distracting myself with that.
BAM
Three days later and I feel a bit dazed having just read all 8 of them in a row, which is no mean feat as the first one may be short(ish) but they get longer and better and more invovled and they have actual characters in them not just cardboard cut outs.
So if you like m/m and kink then I would definitely recommend that you read this whole series. And if, like me, you like characters that actually seem to live in the real world (admittedly, a quite privilaged corner of it but hey) then jump this series to the top of your list.
If you like lots of "Yes Sir" and kneeling and protocol and descriptions of grandiose clubs and the decor in peoples bedrooms in excrutiating detail, well, then read it anyway, you might enjoy the change ;)
Oh, plot? Well, you can read the synopsis, but if you insist: straight guy falls for his friend from work, finds out he's a masochist, relationships are a bit hard work at times but ultimately worth it.
BAM
Three days later and I feel a bit dazed having just read all 8 of them in a row, which is no mean feat as the first one may be short(ish) but they get longer and better and more invovled and they have actual characters in them not just cardboard cut outs.
So if you like m/m and kink then I would definitely recommend that you read this whole series. And if, like me, you like characters that actually seem to live in the real world (admittedly, a quite privilaged corner of it but hey) then jump this series to the top of your list.
If you like lots of "Yes Sir" and kneeling and protocol and descriptions of grandiose clubs and the decor in peoples bedrooms in excrutiating detail, well, then read it anyway, you might enjoy the change ;)
Oh, plot? Well, you can read the synopsis, but if you insist: straight guy falls for his friend from work, finds out he's a masochist, relationships are a bit hard work at times but ultimately worth it.
April 11, 2024
Really enjoyed this one. Just enough drama, just enough hesitancy and just enough smut for the number of pages.
Both characters are flawed and I can already see the issues that may cause conflicts and I cannot wait. From what Xander revealed we are in for a ride!
Both characters are flawed and I can already see the issues that may cause conflicts and I cannot wait. From what Xander revealed we are in for a ride!
March 21, 2020
Real damn enjoyable!
Note: rating is for the entire series (including the newsletter freebie) rather than the individual books.
Note: rating is for the entire series (including the newsletter freebie) rather than the individual books.
October 5, 2019
I almost put this book down after reading the first page but I persevered; I was curious to see if the stilted, distant writing style continued throughout the book. The answer is that it does continue through most of the book with a few scattered bits where the writing style was a little more engaging.
I really am not trying to be mean but I truely thought that the first couple of pages was an extended blurb for the book.
I have never read a book written in a style like this. I skimmed through parts of the book where the distant manner of relating the story was just too much for me.
I might have read more in the series but I just cannot stand the way it is written. If reading an entire book written like a book blurb doesn't bother you, then give it a try. I could have enjoyed the relationship between the MC's but I hate the way it is written.
I really am not trying to be mean but I truely thought that the first couple of pages was an extended blurb for the book.
I have never read a book written in a style like this. I skimmed through parts of the book where the distant manner of relating the story was just too much for me.
I might have read more in the series but I just cannot stand the way it is written. If reading an entire book written like a book blurb doesn't bother you, then give it a try. I could have enjoyed the relationship between the MC's but I hate the way it is written.
March 11, 2026
Bound by Him introduces Ben, a self-identified “vanilla” guy, and Xander, a more experienced and mysterious figure. As Ben explores his growing desire for Xander, their chemistry heats up. This first book in the Rough Love series is a blend of self-discovery and steamy kink, but the emotional depth could be stronger. The characters are compelling enough to keep the reader hooked, though the story can feel a bit formulaic in its approach to kink exploration.
August 23, 2019
2.5-3/5
October 4, 2021
I forgot I’d read this maybe a year or two ago and after a stagnant period of not finding anything palatable lately, went back to some authors I loved to see if they had anything I hadn’t read/reread recently.
**I read the first five parts in one collected novel so this review is for all five as they were one story for me**
Now having read quite a few more kink related books since this one, I definitely appreciate it more. Greene goes quite a bit deeper and darker, the kink is a lot harder than other books I’ve read. It’s refreshing and thrilling even as it’s slightly horrifying in its intensity.
Xander and Ben are very intriguing characters. They’re almost come off a little one dimensional at first (to be fleshed out further in the series) - with Ben’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and Xander’s dogged resistance. As their relationship unfurls though, so do their personalities.
The knife scene is confronting - and as a reader who reads for thrill and excitement, it had my pulse throbbing and my heart pounding. Greene does an excellent job of conveying Ben’s fear, it’s so thick in the words you can almost taste it as you read.
I’ve been reading the series back to back and I’ve just finished the third book and can confirm, the emotions remain so married to the words - I’m going to have to take a break to let my blood pressure calm down.
An absolutely brilliant read for those who like their kink a bit grittier.
**I read the first five parts in one collected novel so this review is for all five as they were one story for me**
Now having read quite a few more kink related books since this one, I definitely appreciate it more. Greene goes quite a bit deeper and darker, the kink is a lot harder than other books I’ve read. It’s refreshing and thrilling even as it’s slightly horrifying in its intensity.
Xander and Ben are very intriguing characters. They’re almost come off a little one dimensional at first (to be fleshed out further in the series) - with Ben’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and Xander’s dogged resistance. As their relationship unfurls though, so do their personalities.
The knife scene is confronting - and as a reader who reads for thrill and excitement, it had my pulse throbbing and my heart pounding. Greene does an excellent job of conveying Ben’s fear, it’s so thick in the words you can almost taste it as you read.
I’ve been reading the series back to back and I’ve just finished the third book and can confirm, the emotions remain so married to the words - I’m going to have to take a break to let my blood pressure calm down.
An absolutely brilliant read for those who like their kink a bit grittier.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2020
2.5 largely due to basic lack of any editing, I'm not entirely sure a re-read for mistakes was even done. For example, it's "taut" not "taught" and maybe decide who is saying what because I shouldn't be confused about who is speaking.
Having said that I did keep reading and I like the characters. If it wasn't available in KU however I wouldn't continue with the series. I have hope that perhaps better care will be taken going forward.
Having said that I did keep reading and I like the characters. If it wasn't available in KU however I wouldn't continue with the series. I have hope that perhaps better care will be taken going forward.
August 21, 2024
2 friends, one gay one straight living in LA trying to break into the business work at coffee shop together. They are really close, they play in a basketball league and one day, Xander slaps Ben's ass and Ben likes it. At first he's embarrassed since he's has always been straight and he starts questioning everything and asks Xander about it, but says he doesn't hook up with straight guys. But Ben won't let it go, so they take on a hands on approach to discover Ben's identity.
February 6, 2022
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Xander's infuriating insistence that you need actual experience with someone to know you're attracted to that gender. The f*ck is up with that?
May 12, 2022
I just couldn't put it down and read all four books in a week!!
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 15, 2024
Did I finish the entire series and immediately flip back to the beginning? Yes.
Is this something I usually do? Very rarely.
I just love it that much.
Is this something I usually do? Very rarely.
I just love it that much.
January 13, 2020
Loved it!!
Great Story, anxious to start the next book. Can't wait to get reading as usual.Hope you all enjoy This book as much S I did
Great Story, anxious to start the next book. Can't wait to get reading as usual.Hope you all enjoy This book as much S I did
January 4, 2020
Bound to Him, Rough Love book one by Leighton Greene. Short hot m/m story. This story is about two friends. One who knows exactly who he is and the other trying to figure it out. Great characters and a great storyline!
December 30, 2019
Well Done
I really liked reading this story. I liked the aspect of having the courage to question, and having a friend to ask, to be honest, and all that it entails. A well written story about learning about oneself.
I really liked reading this story. I liked the aspect of having the courage to question, and having a friend to ask, to be honest, and all that it entails. A well written story about learning about oneself.
Want to Read
December 29, 2019🎁 Books 1-3 in the Series are FREE on Amazon today (12/29/2019)! 🎁
December 17, 2019
Odd read I couldn’t connect
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews