Wrestling for Control

Jocks Are Jerks #2

by Thomas Carver

Logan's learning a lot in his sophomore year: philosophy, chess, and how to please the aloof quarterback of the football team, Caleb. And not just Caleb, but all of Caleb's cocky and arrogant alpha male friends. And a few of his enemies, too.

When Logan excoriates the wrestling team on the radio for being stupid meatheads, he sets a spark to the tinder that Caleb has been carefully laying under the bonfire of his lust. Now it's Jimmy with his cauliflower ear and bully's sneer that Caleb has to deal with, in addition to Nick, the dangerously unbalanced second-string quarterback. Tossed around, threatened, and terrified by these muscular jocks, Logan has to figure out a way to enjoy his newfound sensual desires while protecting himself from the possibility of violence.

There has to be a way, he figures, to submit to alpha males without getting hurt. Fortunately, Caleb is firmly in control in his own cold and emotionless way, and he won't let anyone harm Logan. Or at least, so Logan hopes, even as Nick and Jimmy and the other jocks gather round, ready to have some fun with the loud mouth little sophomore.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Erotica, Romance, Sports

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2020

About the author

Thomas Carver lives the dream, with one foot in the midwest and one on the west coast. He's been seen at the opera and at the biker bar, a cocktail party and the alley behind the dumpsters. He's worked in the hot sun and the air-conditioned office, and knows all the gradations of pleasure between caviar on his tongue and sand between his teeth.

Reviews

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book of the Jocks are Jerks series, author Carver exposes a few of the dark elements foreshadowed in the first book. Things like what made Logan rat Nick out for alcohol, the relationship between consent, violence, lust, and gratification, how self-loathing heteroflexible college boys hide their shame through molestation of others. Carver allows these issues to throw a wrench into the relationship between Caleb and Logan, and the reader is waiting to see if and how the Dom and his sub patch things back up.

Then Carver starts pulling this sweetness that is always on the periphery of the story front and center. It saves the book from just being about sex and domination and submission and turns it into a tale of two men weaving their way through a new set of circumstances neither saw coming.

Through it all, we have Carver's usual brisk writing that pulls the reader along into a slippery slide through all of these things. I often feel weighed down by thoughts of impending doom only to be brought through to the other side, gasping for air and trying to get my heartrate to settle down. YMMV, but through it all Carver proves to me that while he's the master of kink erotica, there's more going on here than kink or sex or whatever. It's ultimately about self-exploration and the journey to self-awareness, and although that sounds pretty damn New Age-y there's nothing wrong with either of those things.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️

"I have good manners. I never talk with my mouth full."

I’m still on the fence about the Jocks are Jerks series. It gets pretty uncomfortable at times, the kinks are still not my thing, but I’m still hooked and want to know how Logan’s story ends.

But it was easier to ask for sex than what I really wanted: someone to notice me, to acknowledge that I existed.

Like in the first book, there’s an unexpected deepness to the story. Among the lines about sweat and cum, there are philosophical moments, reflections on self-identity, a representation of depression.
Don’t get me wrong, it was 90% sweat-cum-alphamale-slut-dick, but I love the nuances in Thomas Carver’s writing.

"A lot more chaos inside of my head." "Not if you let me rearrange the space." "You can rearrange some of the space in my head right now by sticking a dick in it."

So, again, even though I really don’t like the level of degradation that Logan seems to be into, I can’t stop reading. Hopefully, he stops getting into dangerous situations ‘cause I’m not here for the anxiety, LOGAN.

This wasn't, for him, what it was for me. He just wanted a warm body to lie against, and this wasn't a sign of any real affection for me. But still–I could pretend for one night.

Tropes and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Jock vs nerd
- Orgasm control
- Toys
- Sharing/multiple sexual situations w/ different people
- Use of f slur
- D/s dynamic
- Sweat kink
- Free use kink
- Degradation/humiliation kink
- Assault & bullying
- Depression
- CNC fantasies
- Face-fucking
- Dub-con

[rhys · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay x2

[Walford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This for me is an uncomfortable blend of erotica and psychological realism.
Don't get me wrong, I'm probably going to read a bunch more Carver, at least all the 'Jerks' books, because I can't resist. And I expect to go on skimming the more violent/scary scenes, 'cause I'm a lightweight.
I squirm a little at being 'forced' to confront the way I have fetishized straight, macho, 'alpha', 'real' men. I'm know I'm not the only gay man who does this, but we're not really supposed to talk about it because it implies self-rejection, self-hatred, and internalized homophobia. Heavy stuff.
I enjoy porn that plays with taboos, but here I'm also dealing with A LOT of ambiguity and ambivalence, just like in real life. Sometimes it gets more real than I'm comfortable with, that's all.

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author showcases incredibly well that just because something is erotica and more porn than plot does not mean it has to be badly written!
Intelligent and such a key understanding of psychology and philosophy really make these characters who are shades of black still enjoyable to read!

[koa jameson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay.

[LaTasha Streets · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this down

Okay the first book really hooked me. So before anything else you need to read that first or you'll regret it. Yes, there are reminders that reference the first book, but really you'll miss out and you'll definitely enjoy the story better. No judgements but there are no lack of characters with mental issues. Logan especially has issues and he definitely needs to learn to trust Caleb better. I love their dynamic and I think they can have a lovely future together. Their personalities and sexual proclivities match perfectly. But Logan doesn't think he really likes him or wants him outside of something to play with. Which okay may have been true at the beginning, but things changed and his insecurities won't allow him to see it. I just know that he definitely doesn't need to go off on his own. Every time he does he end up in precarious situations, dangerous situations. I can't wait to read the next volume of this series and see what happens next to Logan, as well as with him and Caleb. I also am curious about what is going to happen to Peter and Nick. Both are psychotic and petty. Well, you'll see when you read this book. It's a fun book and not just written porn. It's so much more though there is a lot of sex. Having sex, wanting sex, fantasizing about sex, sex shaming and deep rooted sexual repression. But there is also the lovely storyline that I previously mentioned. Enjoy your book.

[M's ☆~HEA~☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan is lucky he's so unlikable most of the time or I wouldn't be able to handle the things that get done to him. This one left me wondering how much of what he does is actually what he wants vs. what he wants because of Caleb's influence.

The relationship progression between Logan and Caleb jumped significantly. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder.

The wrestlers are definitely jerks but the locker room scene was pretty hot.

[Ry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I waivered between 2 and 3 stars, but the last half of the book dropped my rating down. I think this book (like the first) needs a bit more developmental editing. I do, however, still feel intrigued enough to keep reading the series.

[Michele Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a train wreck I can’t stop watching

Logan is so messed up but yet in ways I’m sure many can relate. I love this author! If it’s not your genre, what are you doing reading the reviews? Lol.. But if it is, it’s a must read.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

For what this book is it is written rather well. The characters while entirely not mentally well are fleshed out well and interesting. The story kept me reading and the spice is spicy.

[Karine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my… I don’t know what to say… I should say it’s too perverted but gosh… that was hot and I can’t stop reading it

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I need therapy and a shower.