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Persuasions #1
Various Persuasions
A non-binary Dom. An eager young sub. Service, orgasm control, bondage. An initial encounter leads to a synchronous exploration of identity and intimacy.
Nic Walker is not your typical Dom—physically female but identifying as male. And Vincent Blake is not your typical twenty-four-year-old straight guy—seductively submissive with a penchant for lacy underwear.
When Nic’s Dominatrix friend Daphne encourages them to get together, she can only hope they recognize the compatibility of their desires and personalities.
Nic has been holing up alone in their townhouse for too long, getting over a bad ‘relationship’, and it’s time for them to start living again. When Nic meets Vincent, neither expects the tentative relationship to take off like a runaway train. But each layer of the attractive and seemingly vulnerable young man Nic exposes ignites their own desires and leads both on a path to revealing the most interesting parts of themselves.
Who knew piano practice could be a form of sexual service? Or that a pair of overpriced panties could inspire such devotion?
Through bondage, service, objectification and the purchase of large quantities of lacy unmentionables, as well as a few specific sex toys and devices, Nic explores how far Vincent will go to please them and how much of themself they will risk to have him.
Nic Walker is not your typical Dom—physically female but identifying as male. And Vincent Blake is not your typical twenty-four-year-old straight guy—seductively submissive with a penchant for lacy underwear.
When Nic’s Dominatrix friend Daphne encourages them to get together, she can only hope they recognize the compatibility of their desires and personalities.
Nic has been holing up alone in their townhouse for too long, getting over a bad ‘relationship’, and it’s time for them to start living again. When Nic meets Vincent, neither expects the tentative relationship to take off like a runaway train. But each layer of the attractive and seemingly vulnerable young man Nic exposes ignites their own desires and leads both on a path to revealing the most interesting parts of themselves.
Who knew piano practice could be a form of sexual service? Or that a pair of overpriced panties could inspire such devotion?
Through bondage, service, objectification and the purchase of large quantities of lacy unmentionables, as well as a few specific sex toys and devices, Nic explores how far Vincent will go to please them and how much of themself they will risk to have him.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2021
About the author
A.E. Lister
53 books241 followersExquisite LGBTQ+ Romance. Incendiary encounters, stealthy romance, multiple genres. AE Lister is a Canadian non-binary/gender fluid author with a vivid imagination and a head full of unique and interesting characters. They have been writing for publication since 2011 and have published over 25 books.
Website: https://aelisterauthor.com/
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Website: https://aelisterauthor.com/
Blog: https://aelisterauthor.weebly.com/
Newsletter Sign-up: https://stats.sender.net/forms/dPOr6b...
Quick Links: https://aelisterauthor.com/quick-links
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
November 6, 2021
Unique and profoundly intimate, AE Lister’s novel Various Persuasions brings understanding of the quest for self-awareness to a new level. Both characters in the story are firmly committed to their journeys toward their true selves, and strive to be fully conscious of their motivations, desires, and emotions. It’s inspiring and incredibly beautiful.
Right from the dedication, “To those who know who they are,” AE Lister evokes images of strong, self-confident people, people who are devoted to exploring what brings them serenity and joy, folks who don’t settle for less than achieving all they deserve.
At age thirty-four, Nic has done an impressive amount of work to get where they are. While secure in their identity, and unquestionably sure of their sexual desires, Nic’s life has reached a plateau. Recovering from a devastating relationship, Nic has withdrawn and resists any form of intimacy.
As a favor to a close friend, Nic agrees to meet with Vincent, a twenty-four-year-old submissive who is looking to train with a Dominant. Vincent is sweet and shy, and completely adorable and Nic consents to meet for a session. Their chemistry is immediate, and over time, Vincent’s open and honest responses crack Nic’s shell.
A new side of Nic emerges as they work to discover and embrace the things which make Vincent unique. It’s very gradual, but as Nic’s heart opens to Vincent’s friendship, they begin to welcome sexual arousal as well.
Telling the story in the first person, from Nic’s point of view, contributes an intense intimacy that is powerful and very moving. AE Lister creates an atmosphere which conveys everything these lovers are experiencing, and I felt very much a part of it all.
This is just the first episode of the Persuasions series, and I hope we’ll continue to get more of Nic and Vincent’s stories. AE Lister has also introduced an intriguing supporting cast, who I’d love to know better as well. Either way, I know these characters will continue to deeply explore what makes them unique. And in the lifelong journey toward finding oneself, Various Persuasions is an inspiration.
Right from the dedication, “To those who know who they are,” AE Lister evokes images of strong, self-confident people, people who are devoted to exploring what brings them serenity and joy, folks who don’t settle for less than achieving all they deserve.
At age thirty-four, Nic has done an impressive amount of work to get where they are. While secure in their identity, and unquestionably sure of their sexual desires, Nic’s life has reached a plateau. Recovering from a devastating relationship, Nic has withdrawn and resists any form of intimacy.
As a favor to a close friend, Nic agrees to meet with Vincent, a twenty-four-year-old submissive who is looking to train with a Dominant. Vincent is sweet and shy, and completely adorable and Nic consents to meet for a session. Their chemistry is immediate, and over time, Vincent’s open and honest responses crack Nic’s shell.
A new side of Nic emerges as they work to discover and embrace the things which make Vincent unique. It’s very gradual, but as Nic’s heart opens to Vincent’s friendship, they begin to welcome sexual arousal as well.
Telling the story in the first person, from Nic’s point of view, contributes an intense intimacy that is powerful and very moving. AE Lister creates an atmosphere which conveys everything these lovers are experiencing, and I felt very much a part of it all.
This is just the first episode of the Persuasions series, and I hope we’ll continue to get more of Nic and Vincent’s stories. AE Lister has also introduced an intriguing supporting cast, who I’d love to know better as well. Either way, I know these characters will continue to deeply explore what makes them unique. And in the lifelong journey toward finding oneself, Various Persuasions is an inspiration.
February 5, 2021
4.5 stars
-Nic Walker is not your typical Dom—physically female but identifying as male. And Vincent Blake is not your typical twenty-four-year-old straight guy—seductively submissive with a penchant for lacy underwear.-
Read the blurb, it tells the content well.
After a bad relationship, Nic withdraws themself and is cautious and reluctant to start a new relationship.
At the insistence of Nic’s friend Daphne, who’s a Domme, Nic will meet a sub, the boy is shy, eager, polite, and submissive AF and loves to wear lingerie.
It didn’t work with Daphne and she is certain Nic is the one for Vincent. Nic is non-binary/trans, walks, talks, and dress’ like a guy and most of the time feels like a guy and has female parts. Vincent seems delighted with Nic. Their connection is instant and intense. Vincent is the most perfect sub Nic ever met.
“But I had my weaknesses, and spectacular asses were one of them.”
Nic was glorious, first a bit at distance with Vincent, not wanted to dive deep in the beginning, nothing sexual, not losing themselves in Vincent’s delicious responsive body, but after a few sessions oh my goodness, the walls came down and light and sparkle and happiness came out.
Every action had a promise of more to come, I was as impatient as Vincent.
There are a lot of wonderful scenes to experience.
At some point, there’s an incident from Nic’s past, that almost destroyed everything. Thank goodness for persistence and common sense, it was handled quite mature.
The author has a super intense and vivid way of writing, I saw, smell, and felt everything. It was more than pleasurable to watch everything through Nic’s eyes and mind, it was emotional, the doubts and flaws were stunningly portrayed and felt plausible. Gosh, I was a bit jealous of Vincent, lucky sub.
All the scenes had a sky high intensity, I was glued to the pages.
The two are unique characters, Nic, in everything the male and Dom, without the male parts, Vincent as the gender-fluid sub, he was sensual and sweet, his whimpers and moans were... delicious, even though they were a bit repetitive.
But it wasn’t all about the sexual part, it was about trust, acceptance, being your true self, letting walls down, closure the past, about opening up and moving forward.
Overall a wonderfully written narrative, with engaging characters, it was intense, sensual, emotional and at times breathtaking.
-Nic Walker is not your typical Dom—physically female but identifying as male. And Vincent Blake is not your typical twenty-four-year-old straight guy—seductively submissive with a penchant for lacy underwear.-
Read the blurb, it tells the content well.
After a bad relationship, Nic withdraws themself and is cautious and reluctant to start a new relationship.
At the insistence of Nic’s friend Daphne, who’s a Domme, Nic will meet a sub, the boy is shy, eager, polite, and submissive AF and loves to wear lingerie.
It didn’t work with Daphne and she is certain Nic is the one for Vincent. Nic is non-binary/trans, walks, talks, and dress’ like a guy and most of the time feels like a guy and has female parts. Vincent seems delighted with Nic. Their connection is instant and intense. Vincent is the most perfect sub Nic ever met.
“But I had my weaknesses, and spectacular asses were one of them.”
Nic was glorious, first a bit at distance with Vincent, not wanted to dive deep in the beginning, nothing sexual, not losing themselves in Vincent’s delicious responsive body, but after a few sessions oh my goodness, the walls came down and light and sparkle and happiness came out.
Every action had a promise of more to come, I was as impatient as Vincent.
There are a lot of wonderful scenes to experience.
At some point, there’s an incident from Nic’s past, that almost destroyed everything. Thank goodness for persistence and common sense, it was handled quite mature.
The author has a super intense and vivid way of writing, I saw, smell, and felt everything. It was more than pleasurable to watch everything through Nic’s eyes and mind, it was emotional, the doubts and flaws were stunningly portrayed and felt plausible. Gosh, I was a bit jealous of Vincent, lucky sub.
All the scenes had a sky high intensity, I was glued to the pages.
The two are unique characters, Nic, in everything the male and Dom, without the male parts, Vincent as the gender-fluid sub, he was sensual and sweet, his whimpers and moans were... delicious, even though they were a bit repetitive.
But it wasn’t all about the sexual part, it was about trust, acceptance, being your true self, letting walls down, closure the past, about opening up and moving forward.
Overall a wonderfully written narrative, with engaging characters, it was intense, sensual, emotional and at times breathtaking.
February 24, 2023
AE Lister is another new to me author and though I see this book has been available for a little while I grabbed the opportunity for an ARC read because transgender MC? Yes please!
Nic is a transgender man and a Dom. He is set up with Vincent by a Domme friend who thinks they will be well matched. Despite some reservations, Nic agrees and finds the somewhat younger Vincent pretty much everything he was looking for in a sub (and yes Nic uses he/him pronouns).
There was a lot I really loved about this book. The descriptions of Nic as a trans man and his gentle form of dominance. There was so much sharing, not just barking out of orders and it was easy to see the rapid development of a much deeper relationship between the two. This is not to say a D/s relationship is not deep, but this began as a transactional relationship that we could see growing into so much more.
Most of the way through this book I was loving it (maybe except for wishing for some more creative words used during sex). Loving it sooo much and then, inexplicably it got a bit messy. Nic's friend refers to Nic as "women like you" (in a good way but pretty sure Nic was clear that he is a transgender man even with the girly bits!) Then there is a subsequent reference to Vincent being gender fluid "like me" but this was never referenced earlier and I'm pretty certain liking lacy underwear is gender irrelevant. It doesn't make you gender fluid. Nor was Nic ever referred to as gender fluid. Nic was a trans man.
However, at its heart, this is a story of two people falling for each other and falling hard. Both have very complimentary kink and a joy in lacy lingerie (which is 🔥).
Nic is a transgender man and a Dom. He is set up with Vincent by a Domme friend who thinks they will be well matched. Despite some reservations, Nic agrees and finds the somewhat younger Vincent pretty much everything he was looking for in a sub (and yes Nic uses he/him pronouns).
There was a lot I really loved about this book. The descriptions of Nic as a trans man and his gentle form of dominance. There was so much sharing, not just barking out of orders and it was easy to see the rapid development of a much deeper relationship between the two. This is not to say a D/s relationship is not deep, but this began as a transactional relationship that we could see growing into so much more.
Most of the way through this book I was loving it (maybe except for wishing for some more creative words used during sex). Loving it sooo much and then, inexplicably it got a bit messy. Nic's friend refers to Nic as "women like you" (in a good way but pretty sure Nic was clear that he is a transgender man even with the girly bits!) Then there is a subsequent reference to Vincent being gender fluid "like me" but this was never referenced earlier and I'm pretty certain liking lacy underwear is gender irrelevant. It doesn't make you gender fluid. Nor was Nic ever referred to as gender fluid. Nic was a trans man.
However, at its heart, this is a story of two people falling for each other and falling hard. Both have very complimentary kink and a joy in lacy lingerie (which is 🔥).
September 20, 2021
This book was my first from the author, and after reading this book, all I can say is I am hooked! The writing style, the emotions and the character and world building is just phenomenal and so real. You feel like you're there with the characters, you are with them and feel their emotions and see what they're doing (mmm, yess please, give me a ticket to see all those hotness!!! hehe).
The book is about a nonbinary Dom and a needy gender fluid sub. These two were just perfectly made for each other and I loved reading their story. I think there isn't enough nonbinary characters out there, and it was so good to read about Nic and his personality.
I loved how Nic and Vincent clicked right for the first time and how great they were with each other. Vincent was a really great character and I'm a little sad that we only got to see the story from Nic's POV. Anyway, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
We got a little drama at the end, but the HEA is the sweetest ever and the best they deserve.
Loved everything about the BDSM scenes, loved how perfectly written the book was, and really, just loved everything in this book. From the cover to the last sentence, just perfect.
The book is about a nonbinary Dom and a needy gender fluid sub. These two were just perfectly made for each other and I loved reading their story. I think there isn't enough nonbinary characters out there, and it was so good to read about Nic and his personality.
I loved how Nic and Vincent clicked right for the first time and how great they were with each other. Vincent was a really great character and I'm a little sad that we only got to see the story from Nic's POV. Anyway, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
We got a little drama at the end, but the HEA is the sweetest ever and the best they deserve.
Loved everything about the BDSM scenes, loved how perfectly written the book was, and really, just loved everything in this book. From the cover to the last sentence, just perfect.
Read
March 4, 2022DNF 38%
October 15, 2023
your friend who only reads literary fiction is about to review this bdsm erotica with straightlaced sincerity.
i actually don't know where i want to begin, so let's start with characters. nic is an extremely grating protagonist in a way that's difficult for me to pinpoint, but i think it boils down to utter banality. nic's personality traits are "i'm a gruff dom" and "i had a bad breakup once." you just expect even a shred more depth than this especially in a first person narration. and while on paper i LIKE the idea of a non-binary protagonist confident in who he is--because "woe is me" misery transgender stories run into their own host of problems and annoyances--the execution, as we'll discuss later, is frankly perplexing.
since nic is the narrator, we stay strictly in his perspective and read his every thought and feeling, but i never felt like i was getting to know him as a character who liked anything except fucking his boytoy--especially because there was this ever-looming presence of the aforementioned "bad breakup" that, given how little we know, is apparently the only thing in his life that ever shaped him at all.
and vincent gets even less. vincent is laughably shallow: "polite" and "sweet" and not much else. we know what his tastes are as a submissive, but the glimpses into his inner world are few and far between, and they are all categorically instances of him just being a perfect honeybunny precious cinnamon roll uwu baby. gag.
so you've got two cardboard cutout characters fitting nicely in their yaoi fanfic roles that you can smash together for steamy sex over and over again. and you say, well, evy: isn't that the point! why are you reading erotica for the characters and development and story? it's about the kinky sex!
well i hate to break it to you. but now we have to talk about the writing on a technical and structural level.
this is the most uniquely sterile porn i've ever read, and it's not for lack of interest in the type of kink on display. it feels like it was written in two sittings, max, given the repetition of certain words, phrases, and scenarios. i'd be afraid to ctrl+f this manuscript and see just how many instances of "sir" and "moaned" there are. there is no care taken to describe how or why anything should be titillating--it is simply Just So. vincent is sexy because we are told so. the kink is sexy because we're told it is. and that's about all you're going to get. the majority of this book is sex scenes, and they all feel dialed in and paint-by-numbers. i edged. he moaned. i degraded. he begged. fuck he's hot. we came. over and over again.
"I'm going to turn you over so I can demonstrate the true effectiveness of each of these crops on your backside." i want you to read that out loud and think about if a human being would say that naturally. especially in a scenario where this is supposed to be a sexy threat. you are in dire, dire need of an editor.
so the porn doesn't have interesting characters or plot, and it doesn't have good sex to handwave those shortcomings away. what does it have then?
glad you asked. you'll notice that i've only talked about nic and vincent here even though there are a handful of other named characters. that's because these characters are NOTHING and at times actively detract from the already grave circumstances here.
"conflict" is introduced 80% through the book, in which zane, nic's Horrible Ex, resurfaces... because it turns out that vincent used to sub for him, too. the horror. but this conflict is exceptionally short-lived; nic immediately forgives vincent for lying about knowing zane and they get right back to it, and then they get to denounce zane together when he shows up again as a comically evil rapist-transphobe (things we only learn once he's on the page. like two chapters before the ending).
and you can see how quickly this book was written in this alone: vincent has a framed photograph of him and zane in his house, which is how nic finds out they knew each other. he texts nic that he doesn't know why he has that stupid picture with him in the first place. we are given the impression that vincent did not sub for zane for very long. at the very end, when he's denouncing zane, he shares that zane ignored his safeword and kept punishing him. which... REALLY begs the question... why did he have a framed photograph of him in the first place??
we don't know and we don't care because the bad guy is gone now and nic and vincent are in sickly sweet wuvy duvy love isn't it so sweet <3
i could keep going on and on in this vein, but that'd be fruitless. i've already given this far too much of my time. so let's talk about gender.
i guess at this point if someone is still reading this and aiming their sniper dot at my forehead i have to flash my non-binary transmasc something-or-other button. i chose to read this in part because i like gaytrans stuff because i am that. so you have to believe me when i say that i think there's some very weird notions about gender--and particularly as it relates to genitals--here. certainly not out of any active malice from the author, who is also non-binary, but still weird.
it goes without saying that the women here are either sexy yes-men friends or evil bitch rival harpies. the main female character, daphne, is the entire reason nic and vincent meet; she's the sexy dominatrix friend who doms men for money but doesn't consider it sex work. she also seemingly has no regard for nic's gender identity and constantly refers to him as a woman, which is something nic never corrects. in real life, it's honestly pretty normal in trans circles to go by different pronouns and gendered terms depending on who you're comfortable with. in this book, because nic is our only out trans character, it just reads as jarring and bizarre; if it was an attempt to explore the nuances of being non-binary, it flops spectacularly--and something tells me i ought not to give that much benefit of the doubt. like i just don't think the author was thinking anything at all when writing these scenes.
there is also a fascination in the narrative to constantly undermine the purported many, many women nic has dommed. everything about vincent is better than any girl he's ever been with, even the way his asshole tastes. at first, i wrote it off as an "awakening sexuality" thing--if you rarely experience men and it turns out you actually like them a lot, of course you're going to be over the moon! but it comes up so often and in tandem with a pervasive notion that vincent vaginally penetrating nic is somehow erasing nic's status as a dom (and maybe even as non-binary...?) that it reads as really, really weird. doms can bottom. next question.
and finally. vincent. oh vincent. vincent the straight guy who loves pussy (and has some misgendering hiccups along the way with nic) and being sexually dominated and wearing ladies garments. vincent never gets to speak for himself about his gender situation, other than he likes the way ladies clothes make him feel. yet at the very end nic suddenly refers to him as genderfluid, his androgynous prince...comparing him implicitly to DR. FRANK-N-FURTER?????????????? and it's really like stop the goddamn presses. wearing "gendered" clothing doesn't make you one thing or another, 100%, and it also doesn't exist in a vacuum--generally speaking, people like to dress in a way that is affirming to them. because vincent never actually gets to talk about this except in the context of kink, it's reasonable to assume it is just a kink for him. it's a throwaway line that calls much into question: did vincent assert off-screen that this is his identity? are we just supposed to assume and trust nic that this is his identity because of his penchant for feminine things? is it just poorly written?
yeah. it is. but you can open these goodreads reviews right now and read plenty of reviewers be like "nic is a female who identifies as male! woah! mind blown!" and it's like ok. i guess we can't take gender 102 yet. maybe someday. my ocs are better
i actually don't know where i want to begin, so let's start with characters. nic is an extremely grating protagonist in a way that's difficult for me to pinpoint, but i think it boils down to utter banality. nic's personality traits are "i'm a gruff dom" and "i had a bad breakup once." you just expect even a shred more depth than this especially in a first person narration. and while on paper i LIKE the idea of a non-binary protagonist confident in who he is--because "woe is me" misery transgender stories run into their own host of problems and annoyances--the execution, as we'll discuss later, is frankly perplexing.
since nic is the narrator, we stay strictly in his perspective and read his every thought and feeling, but i never felt like i was getting to know him as a character who liked anything except fucking his boytoy--especially because there was this ever-looming presence of the aforementioned "bad breakup" that, given how little we know, is apparently the only thing in his life that ever shaped him at all.
and vincent gets even less. vincent is laughably shallow: "polite" and "sweet" and not much else. we know what his tastes are as a submissive, but the glimpses into his inner world are few and far between, and they are all categorically instances of him just being a perfect honeybunny precious cinnamon roll uwu baby. gag.
so you've got two cardboard cutout characters fitting nicely in their yaoi fanfic roles that you can smash together for steamy sex over and over again. and you say, well, evy: isn't that the point! why are you reading erotica for the characters and development and story? it's about the kinky sex!
well i hate to break it to you. but now we have to talk about the writing on a technical and structural level.
this is the most uniquely sterile porn i've ever read, and it's not for lack of interest in the type of kink on display. it feels like it was written in two sittings, max, given the repetition of certain words, phrases, and scenarios. i'd be afraid to ctrl+f this manuscript and see just how many instances of "sir" and "moaned" there are. there is no care taken to describe how or why anything should be titillating--it is simply Just So. vincent is sexy because we are told so. the kink is sexy because we're told it is. and that's about all you're going to get. the majority of this book is sex scenes, and they all feel dialed in and paint-by-numbers. i edged. he moaned. i degraded. he begged. fuck he's hot. we came. over and over again.
"I'm going to turn you over so I can demonstrate the true effectiveness of each of these crops on your backside." i want you to read that out loud and think about if a human being would say that naturally. especially in a scenario where this is supposed to be a sexy threat. you are in dire, dire need of an editor.
so the porn doesn't have interesting characters or plot, and it doesn't have good sex to handwave those shortcomings away. what does it have then?
glad you asked. you'll notice that i've only talked about nic and vincent here even though there are a handful of other named characters. that's because these characters are NOTHING and at times actively detract from the already grave circumstances here.
"conflict" is introduced 80% through the book, in which zane, nic's Horrible Ex, resurfaces... because it turns out that vincent used to sub for him, too. the horror. but this conflict is exceptionally short-lived; nic immediately forgives vincent for lying about knowing zane and they get right back to it, and then they get to denounce zane together when he shows up again as a comically evil rapist-transphobe (things we only learn once he's on the page. like two chapters before the ending).
and you can see how quickly this book was written in this alone: vincent has a framed photograph of him and zane in his house, which is how nic finds out they knew each other. he texts nic that he doesn't know why he has that stupid picture with him in the first place. we are given the impression that vincent did not sub for zane for very long. at the very end, when he's denouncing zane, he shares that zane ignored his safeword and kept punishing him. which... REALLY begs the question... why did he have a framed photograph of him in the first place??
we don't know and we don't care because the bad guy is gone now and nic and vincent are in sickly sweet wuvy duvy love isn't it so sweet <3
i could keep going on and on in this vein, but that'd be fruitless. i've already given this far too much of my time. so let's talk about gender.
i guess at this point if someone is still reading this and aiming their sniper dot at my forehead i have to flash my non-binary transmasc something-or-other button. i chose to read this in part because i like gaytrans stuff because i am that. so you have to believe me when i say that i think there's some very weird notions about gender--and particularly as it relates to genitals--here. certainly not out of any active malice from the author, who is also non-binary, but still weird.
it goes without saying that the women here are either sexy yes-men friends or evil bitch rival harpies. the main female character, daphne, is the entire reason nic and vincent meet; she's the sexy dominatrix friend who doms men for money but doesn't consider it sex work. she also seemingly has no regard for nic's gender identity and constantly refers to him as a woman, which is something nic never corrects. in real life, it's honestly pretty normal in trans circles to go by different pronouns and gendered terms depending on who you're comfortable with. in this book, because nic is our only out trans character, it just reads as jarring and bizarre; if it was an attempt to explore the nuances of being non-binary, it flops spectacularly--and something tells me i ought not to give that much benefit of the doubt. like i just don't think the author was thinking anything at all when writing these scenes.
there is also a fascination in the narrative to constantly undermine the purported many, many women nic has dommed. everything about vincent is better than any girl he's ever been with, even the way his asshole tastes. at first, i wrote it off as an "awakening sexuality" thing--if you rarely experience men and it turns out you actually like them a lot, of course you're going to be over the moon! but it comes up so often and in tandem with a pervasive notion that vincent vaginally penetrating nic is somehow erasing nic's status as a dom (and maybe even as non-binary...?) that it reads as really, really weird. doms can bottom. next question.
and finally. vincent. oh vincent. vincent the straight guy who loves pussy (and has some misgendering hiccups along the way with nic) and being sexually dominated and wearing ladies garments. vincent never gets to speak for himself about his gender situation, other than he likes the way ladies clothes make him feel. yet at the very end nic suddenly refers to him as genderfluid, his androgynous prince...comparing him implicitly to DR. FRANK-N-FURTER?????????????? and it's really like stop the goddamn presses. wearing "gendered" clothing doesn't make you one thing or another, 100%, and it also doesn't exist in a vacuum--generally speaking, people like to dress in a way that is affirming to them. because vincent never actually gets to talk about this except in the context of kink, it's reasonable to assume it is just a kink for him. it's a throwaway line that calls much into question: did vincent assert off-screen that this is his identity? are we just supposed to assume and trust nic that this is his identity because of his penchant for feminine things? is it just poorly written?
yeah. it is. but you can open these goodreads reviews right now and read plenty of reviewers be like "nic is a female who identifies as male! woah! mind blown!" and it's like ok. i guess we can't take gender 102 yet. maybe someday. my ocs are better
Read
September 25, 2021A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25⭐️
Nic Walker is unique and proud of it. At 34, he’s an accomplished Dom whose participation in the BDSM community has helped him discover and embrace who he is and what he likes. However, after a relationship with fellow Dom, Zane, goes bad, Nic closes himself off to intimacy of any kind and the kink community as well. When his best friend, Daphne, asks him to meet a client she isn’t compatible with, he reluctantly agrees.
When Nic meets sweet, shy, 24-year-old Vincent Blake, his interest is snared by Vincent’s responsiveness and bright blue eyes. He can also sympathize with the young man’s inability to keep denying his enjoyment of pretty things (especially soft underwear), his submissive nature, and his shame of not being a “manly” man. Between Vincent’s adorable charm, hidden backbone, and need to explore this repressed part of himself, Nic can’t help but soften towards the young man and agrees to dominate him. Despite Nic’s intentions to go slow and start as sexlessly as possible, their chemistry is explosive and compatibility undeniable. As the pair lose themselves to their passions, they may find much more than they bargained for.
Nic identifies as a nonbinary person who feels male most of the time and uses he/him pronouns. I enjoy reading stories about queer characters that are not always full of angst, so I appreciated that Nic is just Nic and loves being unique, which I absolutely adore. This is also true for Vincent, as his embarrassment for his desires hasn’t been extremely internalized and he has no real issue with his or other people’s gender nonconformity, so being with someone as fluid and confident as Nic gives him a freedom he quickly becomes addicted to.
Personally, I’d classify "Various Persuasions" as erotica with a dash of romance, as the emotional core/connection between the MCs is forged within the specific kind of vulnerability inherent in BDSM, rather than through dating or personal conversations; additionally, while the BDSM scenes between Vincent and Nic are rooted in the narrative themes of self-discovery and freedom, they are pretty sexually charged from the jump and go full out by their 3rd-ish meeting (around 30%), and that’s basically the book—Nic giving Vincent a safe place to explore, acceptance, and the domination he craves to let himself feel pretty and submissive, while reaffirming his masculinity in a way that isn’t toxic and rigid.
For Nic, Vincent’s immediate trust and his appreciation, almost reverence, for Nic’s gender fluidity allow Nic to access a vulnerability within that terrifies him, even as he slowly embraces the intimate side of kink he has shied away from. Nic and Vincent are likable and just developed enough to keep them from being one-dimensional figurines moved about from one kinky set piece to another and to give their “I love yous” a kernel of emotionality that isn’t rooted in the dopaminergic extremes of euphoric sexual fulfillment, especially since Nic’s “late” mention of love still comes within a few weeks of meeting, before they know each other’s full names and, apparently, before they’re even “at the point of introducing each other to their friends. Beyond the buckets and buckets of various fluids spilled in the course of the story, it’s clear to me that the power, sense of self, and liberation Vincent finds in Nic’s hands and how this openness helps Nic appreciate intimacy rather than fear it, creates a bond as solid and impactful for them as the same amount of time holding intimate conversations does for others.
Since the plot is pretty straightforward, the story’s flow and dialogue work well overall; unfortunately, there is a poorly handled conflict towards the end that could have been completely left out and not affected the story one iota. It seems like it’s included to reveal the depth of Nic’s feelings and provide closure with the ex who caused Nic’s intimacy issues. Instead, it’s so awkwardly wedged in and quickly handled it feels cumbersome, not helped by the story’s most clunky dialogue scenes and the fact Nic has already professed his feelings. Moreover, Zane is such a shudder-inducing creep that it creates more questions than closure. The timeline for Nic’s establishment as a Dom is muddled, but ignorable until this point. However, early on, Daphne makes it quite clear that Nic is one of the best/has a great reputation and Nic mentions topping and dominating many women; yet, Nic also says Zane was mentoring him to be a great Dom. Also, they’ve only been “broken up” for about five months and it’s hard to imagine that they were together for years with how terrible a person Zane is, especially given that as proud of his uniqueness as Nic is, I can’t imagine him allowing Zane to “parade him around” and make him feel like a “circus freak” for years. This seems especially true since Zane refers to Nic as female and so casually dead names him that it feels like a regular occurrence.
Beyond the yuck factor of Zane’s addition, the conflict also calls into question Daphne’s friendship because Then, all this problematic behavior is swept away, Zane is once again relegated to obscurity (sans Daphne’s sympathetic attitude from the beginning), and all is as it was.
Despite this rocky detour, "Various Persuasions" is an interesting story that utilizes the inherent need for trust, vulnerability, and exchange found in the practice of BDSM to explore identity, discovery, and the happiness that can be found when one accepts themselves without judgement or rigid boundaries.
3.25⭐️
Nic Walker is unique and proud of it. At 34, he’s an accomplished Dom whose participation in the BDSM community has helped him discover and embrace who he is and what he likes. However, after a relationship with fellow Dom, Zane, goes bad, Nic closes himself off to intimacy of any kind and the kink community as well. When his best friend, Daphne, asks him to meet a client she isn’t compatible with, he reluctantly agrees.
When Nic meets sweet, shy, 24-year-old Vincent Blake, his interest is snared by Vincent’s responsiveness and bright blue eyes. He can also sympathize with the young man’s inability to keep denying his enjoyment of pretty things (especially soft underwear), his submissive nature, and his shame of not being a “manly” man. Between Vincent’s adorable charm, hidden backbone, and need to explore this repressed part of himself, Nic can’t help but soften towards the young man and agrees to dominate him. Despite Nic’s intentions to go slow and start as sexlessly as possible, their chemistry is explosive and compatibility undeniable. As the pair lose themselves to their passions, they may find much more than they bargained for.
Nic identifies as a nonbinary person who feels male most of the time and uses he/him pronouns. I enjoy reading stories about queer characters that are not always full of angst, so I appreciated that Nic is just Nic and loves being unique, which I absolutely adore. This is also true for Vincent, as his embarrassment for his desires hasn’t been extremely internalized and he has no real issue with his or other people’s gender nonconformity, so being with someone as fluid and confident as Nic gives him a freedom he quickly becomes addicted to.
Personally, I’d classify "Various Persuasions" as erotica with a dash of romance, as the emotional core/connection between the MCs is forged within the specific kind of vulnerability inherent in BDSM, rather than through dating or personal conversations; additionally, while the BDSM scenes between Vincent and Nic are rooted in the narrative themes of self-discovery and freedom, they are pretty sexually charged from the jump and go full out by their 3rd-ish meeting (around 30%), and that’s basically the book—Nic giving Vincent a safe place to explore, acceptance, and the domination he craves to let himself feel pretty and submissive, while reaffirming his masculinity in a way that isn’t toxic and rigid.
For Nic, Vincent’s immediate trust and his appreciation, almost reverence, for Nic’s gender fluidity allow Nic to access a vulnerability within that terrifies him, even as he slowly embraces the intimate side of kink he has shied away from. Nic and Vincent are likable and just developed enough to keep them from being one-dimensional figurines moved about from one kinky set piece to another and to give their “I love yous” a kernel of emotionality that isn’t rooted in the dopaminergic extremes of euphoric sexual fulfillment, especially since Nic’s “late” mention of love still comes within a few weeks of meeting, before they know each other’s full names and, apparently, before they’re even “at the point of introducing each other to their friends. Beyond the buckets and buckets of various fluids spilled in the course of the story, it’s clear to me that the power, sense of self, and liberation Vincent finds in Nic’s hands and how this openness helps Nic appreciate intimacy rather than fear it, creates a bond as solid and impactful for them as the same amount of time holding intimate conversations does for others.
Since the plot is pretty straightforward, the story’s flow and dialogue work well overall; unfortunately, there is a poorly handled conflict towards the end that could have been completely left out and not affected the story one iota. It seems like it’s included to reveal the depth of Nic’s feelings and provide closure with the ex who caused Nic’s intimacy issues. Instead, it’s so awkwardly wedged in and quickly handled it feels cumbersome, not helped by the story’s most clunky dialogue scenes and the fact Nic has already professed his feelings. Moreover, Zane is such a shudder-inducing creep that it creates more questions than closure. The timeline for Nic’s establishment as a Dom is muddled, but ignorable until this point. However, early on, Daphne makes it quite clear that Nic is one of the best/has a great reputation and Nic mentions topping and dominating many women; yet, Nic also says Zane was mentoring him to be a great Dom. Also, they’ve only been “broken up” for about five months and it’s hard to imagine that they were together for years with how terrible a person Zane is, especially given that as proud of his uniqueness as Nic is, I can’t imagine him allowing Zane to “parade him around” and make him feel like a “circus freak” for years. This seems especially true since Zane refers to Nic as female and so casually dead names him that it feels like a regular occurrence.
Beyond the yuck factor of Zane’s addition, the conflict also calls into question Daphne’s friendship because Then, all this problematic behavior is swept away, Zane is once again relegated to obscurity (sans Daphne’s sympathetic attitude from the beginning), and all is as it was.
Despite this rocky detour, "Various Persuasions" is an interesting story that utilizes the inherent need for trust, vulnerability, and exchange found in the practice of BDSM to explore identity, discovery, and the happiness that can be found when one accepts themselves without judgement or rigid boundaries.
August 25, 2021
I think this would have gone a lot better if it wasn't first person pov, if we actually got Vincent's pov and if it was in third person.
This felt incredibly clunky at times and I felt more removed from the various kinks which honestly were kind of a lot. Also the third act drama was absurdly contrived and made me roll my eyes.
Also not sure if Vincent is actually genderfluid. He only mentions not following gender norms with the underwear but then Nic says he is and it's all just very confusing.
Also the misgendering and dead naming from Nics friend Daphne was annoying. Like do no other nonbinary or Trans people exist in this bdsm group at all??? It's all handled a little clunky.
This felt incredibly clunky at times and I felt more removed from the various kinks which honestly were kind of a lot. Also the third act drama was absurdly contrived and made me roll my eyes.
Also not sure if Vincent is actually genderfluid. He only mentions not following gender norms with the underwear but then Nic says he is and it's all just very confusing.
Also the misgendering and dead naming from Nics friend Daphne was annoying. Like do no other nonbinary or Trans people exist in this bdsm group at all??? It's all handled a little clunky.
March 23, 2021
Get your kink-o-meters out, for Various Persuasions. AE Lister has penned pure sweet heat, as sensual as honey dripping off a dipper onto melted, buttered toast.
Don’t look for much plot. This is simply two unique people, made for no one else, except each other, who discover themselves through kink. For Nic and Vincent, their bodies are core to identity, and they have been adrift without visibility of their truest selves.
Nic is still smarting from their relationship with a fellow Dom, who they ditched because he was parading their gender fluidity as an oddity. Who is Nic? “Sometimes I forgot that I didn’t actually have a dick and balls, but the world had a way of reminding me. Not that I wanted a dick and balls…They were cumbersome at the very least, and so vulnerable.” Nic hasn’t recovered their interest in domination.
But Nic’s friend convinces them to meet cute, polite Vincent, a young man who hasn’t found the right Dom, who lets him feel pretty in lingerie, and accepts his sexually fluid submission. Even if Nic does choose to explore Vincent’s kink, it won’t include intimacy and absolutely not a relationship. Vincent, however, is just so tempting.
Lister demonstrates the appeal of fetishes, the intensity of sexual pain, the longing of denial and most especially, the courage involved in self-respect. Nic tells Vincent, “‘Look… I learned to dismiss other people’s expectations of me ages ago. They only limit you and stop you from being purely who you are,’” He looked relieved. “‘Yeah. Exactly.’”
Sure, there are erotic romances with more extreme acts and the descriptions are more drawn out to elevate the heat level. Yet Various Persuasions conveys both characters’ innocent delight most convincingly. Yes, they had each experienced plenty of erotic scenes, but consent is miles from affirmation. Thus, Nic and Vincent are novices in the sensations accompanying acceptance.
I fully experienced Vincent and Nic’s joy, watching their desires delivered and received with natural concurrence. Their complementary roles enhanced one another’s security, so even limit testing seemed synchronistic. Every single interaction was portrayed voluptuously. Various Persuasions is completely persuasive, and a sensory playground I can’t wait to explore as this new series continues.
Don’t look for much plot. This is simply two unique people, made for no one else, except each other, who discover themselves through kink. For Nic and Vincent, their bodies are core to identity, and they have been adrift without visibility of their truest selves.
Nic is still smarting from their relationship with a fellow Dom, who they ditched because he was parading their gender fluidity as an oddity. Who is Nic? “Sometimes I forgot that I didn’t actually have a dick and balls, but the world had a way of reminding me. Not that I wanted a dick and balls…They were cumbersome at the very least, and so vulnerable.” Nic hasn’t recovered their interest in domination.
But Nic’s friend convinces them to meet cute, polite Vincent, a young man who hasn’t found the right Dom, who lets him feel pretty in lingerie, and accepts his sexually fluid submission. Even if Nic does choose to explore Vincent’s kink, it won’t include intimacy and absolutely not a relationship. Vincent, however, is just so tempting.
Lister demonstrates the appeal of fetishes, the intensity of sexual pain, the longing of denial and most especially, the courage involved in self-respect. Nic tells Vincent, “‘Look… I learned to dismiss other people’s expectations of me ages ago. They only limit you and stop you from being purely who you are,’” He looked relieved. “‘Yeah. Exactly.’”
Sure, there are erotic romances with more extreme acts and the descriptions are more drawn out to elevate the heat level. Yet Various Persuasions conveys both characters’ innocent delight most convincingly. Yes, they had each experienced plenty of erotic scenes, but consent is miles from affirmation. Thus, Nic and Vincent are novices in the sensations accompanying acceptance.
I fully experienced Vincent and Nic’s joy, watching their desires delivered and received with natural concurrence. Their complementary roles enhanced one another’s security, so even limit testing seemed synchronistic. Every single interaction was portrayed voluptuously. Various Persuasions is completely persuasive, and a sensory playground I can’t wait to explore as this new series continues.
October 15, 2023
Going unrated because I feel a responsibility towards my transmasc mlm community to not look like a reviewbombing rightwing nut. I’m reading outside of my wheelhouse here and know that for teeny indie authors with <50 reviews My Voice Matters so take this as the ramblings of a madman. Or perhaps we can leave it at “0 stars for you my boy”
Well I finished it because I had to for class
The specter of “woman” fucking haunts this book. Women are sexless bodiless dominatrixes to call on the phone for encouragement. Women are my training wheels in relationships before I move on to real sexual intensity and real personal, intellectual connection at that. Women are vicious conniving possessive harpies. Lacy panties make me a pretty dehumanized object? This all will go strangely unchallenged and in fact reused in the mold of our revolutionary coupling. My god who am I to tell you how to write your gay experience but why are we stopping mid-erotica every five seconds to say that the male animal is more pure and raw and genuine in every way in a way that starts to not really sound like a character’s tastes being developed anymore. Because it is like every. other. paragraph. Why is femininity=weakness=I’m-not-a-real-dom. Why are we always letting out un-Dom-like high noises.
First example that comes to mind is a paragraph somewhere halfway through where dom fella is musing about how after all the cis women he has fucked, cis guy sub fella sure is ready for more sex faster! Then quickly corrects himself to narrate that, well, that isn’t actually true about cis women’s refractory periods. But only if they were “in the right environment”. So this guy is still the fastest boner getter he has ever dealt with. And it’s really like what do you mean. What does this add. Especially because the same paragraph starts out by saying that it’s probably because the sub is so young. So we wanted to do the unrealistic fun porn thing of gay sex all day. But we HAVE to detour to remind you that this is so much better than the women’s bodies he has dealt with??? But that doesn’t make any sense?? So we’re going to acknowledge that that makes no sense but STILL FORCE THIS IDEA IN????? Also his asshole is cleaner and tastes better than any woman’s I just what
There is like a very real line of thinking in this firmly new age most squeaky clean concept of consensual kink book that some sex acts are naturally submissive and the dom has to constantly prove himself in spite of wanting them, almost all having to do with giving oral (literally referred to as debasing in as many words multiple times) or receiving vaginal pleasure. There’s also this constant character beat of like, I am breaking out of the dominance role every time I show any sort of affection at all, and the character development is to embrace this instead of be ashamed of it but it is still presented as fact. Literally a quotation “Fuck being the Dom. Just be Nic :)” And to all this I say what the hell are you talking about
I’m not going to veer into authorial identity or intent here but I have noticed in a lot of published gay trans man stuff this like. Constant need to assure us that the trans man completely passes and is indistinguishable from a cis man in every way without any sort of effort into transitioning and how he doesn’t even think about it! And I will just say that it is interesting. I am sure that someone out there finds this a necessary story that represents their lived experience but it is an interesting little pattern isn’t it. Almost a hurdle to quickly clear over in order to get to the real stuff in much the same way we would hurriedly be told that the asshole is clean
THE SUB is NOT A CHARACTER but also the more we get into him on a surface level the more I worry for the state of the world. Something is happening to men. It’s all fun and games in the “Genderplay” until the women’s underwear makes you nothing but a pretty object riiiiiiight ? :) Truly saw red for a second when we need a Comedic Moment of saying that sub is such an innocent inexperienced person who got scammed for having paid $90 for nice lingerie THIS WAS WRITTEN IN 2021 and you are NOT winning The Price is Right
I hate books where everything happens over the phone I hate tons of text conversations this is a pure taste thing so can’t truly give a demerit. Or can I. I hate WRITTEN OUT DESCRIPTIONS OF EMOJIS Just one factor contributing to how deeply this protagonist does NOT read as mid-thirties like truly doesn’t feel any older than 20 years old but we’re still going to pay lip service to him being much older and that being sexy I guess, once, we are going to mention this once
You are truly setting yourself up by making it a plot point to have the characters like constantly referring to and performing the act of building IKEA furniture running parallel to these many sex scenes written like paint by numbers RIGAMAROLE
I just don’t know.
tldr This whole thing smacks of gender
I need to say that I had a lot of this written before the last 40 pages of classic romance novel misunderstanding third act breakup and now there is no tldr anymore. You can see that I meant to leave this unrated but I’m going back and putting one star. Wow
Pure unfiltered reader’s response here
I think that what I am meant to believe here is that
Well I just don’t know what to say
Small issue first why always in these things is it that the Evil Person often Evil Ex is into the HARDER bdsm. It is only hand spankings for our heroes make no mistake! All that other stuff is yucky grossssss yuckyyyyyyy
I think we are meant to believe that these outsider ne’er-do-wells assessment that dom guy will be perfect for sub guy because sub guy is emotionally sensitive and dom guy is nonbinary transmasc so he’s not a REAL guy is. True. Like it’s the best friend girl character we are meant to still like at this point after making up with her as a friend again saying this. Like I think we are meant to think that this is true. And you have to understand that this is so insidious from the particular identity sensibilities and marketing tactics being used on this book like this is meant to be one queer voice speaking to me as the queer audience
Yet of all my demographics I am at my core a fat fuck so it truly bothered me when they only ordered fries at the food court when thanks to the excruciating detail of these four days we know damn well the two blokes who do fuckall here hadn’t eaten anything else that day
Well I finished it because I had to for class
The specter of “woman” fucking haunts this book. Women are sexless bodiless dominatrixes to call on the phone for encouragement. Women are my training wheels in relationships before I move on to real sexual intensity and real personal, intellectual connection at that. Women are vicious conniving possessive harpies. Lacy panties make me a pretty dehumanized object? This all will go strangely unchallenged and in fact reused in the mold of our revolutionary coupling. My god who am I to tell you how to write your gay experience but why are we stopping mid-erotica every five seconds to say that the male animal is more pure and raw and genuine in every way in a way that starts to not really sound like a character’s tastes being developed anymore. Because it is like every. other. paragraph. Why is femininity=weakness=I’m-not-a-real-dom. Why are we always letting out un-Dom-like high noises.
First example that comes to mind is a paragraph somewhere halfway through where dom fella is musing about how after all the cis women he has fucked, cis guy sub fella sure is ready for more sex faster! Then quickly corrects himself to narrate that, well, that isn’t actually true about cis women’s refractory periods. But only if they were “in the right environment”. So this guy is still the fastest boner getter he has ever dealt with. And it’s really like what do you mean. What does this add. Especially because the same paragraph starts out by saying that it’s probably because the sub is so young. So we wanted to do the unrealistic fun porn thing of gay sex all day. But we HAVE to detour to remind you that this is so much better than the women’s bodies he has dealt with??? But that doesn’t make any sense?? So we’re going to acknowledge that that makes no sense but STILL FORCE THIS IDEA IN????? Also his asshole is cleaner and tastes better than any woman’s I just what
There is like a very real line of thinking in this firmly new age most squeaky clean concept of consensual kink book that some sex acts are naturally submissive and the dom has to constantly prove himself in spite of wanting them, almost all having to do with giving oral (literally referred to as debasing in as many words multiple times) or receiving vaginal pleasure. There’s also this constant character beat of like, I am breaking out of the dominance role every time I show any sort of affection at all, and the character development is to embrace this instead of be ashamed of it but it is still presented as fact. Literally a quotation “Fuck being the Dom. Just be Nic :)” And to all this I say what the hell are you talking about
I’m not going to veer into authorial identity or intent here but I have noticed in a lot of published gay trans man stuff this like. Constant need to assure us that the trans man completely passes and is indistinguishable from a cis man in every way without any sort of effort into transitioning and how he doesn’t even think about it! And I will just say that it is interesting. I am sure that someone out there finds this a necessary story that represents their lived experience but it is an interesting little pattern isn’t it. Almost a hurdle to quickly clear over in order to get to the real stuff in much the same way we would hurriedly be told that the asshole is clean
THE SUB is NOT A CHARACTER but also the more we get into him on a surface level the more I worry for the state of the world. Something is happening to men. It’s all fun and games in the “Genderplay” until the women’s underwear makes you nothing but a pretty object riiiiiiight ? :) Truly saw red for a second when we need a Comedic Moment of saying that sub is such an innocent inexperienced person who got scammed for having paid $90 for nice lingerie THIS WAS WRITTEN IN 2021 and you are NOT winning The Price is Right
I hate books where everything happens over the phone I hate tons of text conversations this is a pure taste thing so can’t truly give a demerit. Or can I. I hate WRITTEN OUT DESCRIPTIONS OF EMOJIS Just one factor contributing to how deeply this protagonist does NOT read as mid-thirties like truly doesn’t feel any older than 20 years old but we’re still going to pay lip service to him being much older and that being sexy I guess, once, we are going to mention this once
You are truly setting yourself up by making it a plot point to have the characters like constantly referring to and performing the act of building IKEA furniture running parallel to these many sex scenes written like paint by numbers RIGAMAROLE
I just don’t know.
tldr This whole thing smacks of gender
I need to say that I had a lot of this written before the last 40 pages of classic romance novel misunderstanding third act breakup and now there is no tldr anymore. You can see that I meant to leave this unrated but I’m going back and putting one star. Wow
Pure unfiltered reader’s response here
I think that what I am meant to believe here is that
Well I just don’t know what to say
Small issue first why always in these things is it that the Evil Person often Evil Ex is into the HARDER bdsm. It is only hand spankings for our heroes make no mistake! All that other stuff is yucky grossssss yuckyyyyyyy
I think we are meant to believe that these outsider ne’er-do-wells assessment that dom guy will be perfect for sub guy because sub guy is emotionally sensitive and dom guy is nonbinary transmasc so he’s not a REAL guy is. True. Like it’s the best friend girl character we are meant to still like at this point after making up with her as a friend again saying this. Like I think we are meant to think that this is true. And you have to understand that this is so insidious from the particular identity sensibilities and marketing tactics being used on this book like this is meant to be one queer voice speaking to me as the queer audience
Yet of all my demographics I am at my core a fat fuck so it truly bothered me when they only ordered fries at the food court when thanks to the excruciating detail of these four days we know damn well the two blokes who do fuckall here hadn’t eaten anything else that day
February 5, 2021
I think this is the first book I’ve read with a non-binary main character, and I really liked it. The story flows so naturally as we’re introduced to Nic and Vincent, and their relationship develops. Throughout the story as we learn about Nic’s past, we have to wonder if they will be able to embrace a future that includes the potential of love. Will they be able to get over the hurt dealt to them by Zane?
I really like Vincent’s development as he tries to find his way while being true to his own desires. Who says you can’t be a straight male and like to wear pretty underwear? His submissive nature allows him to give in to Nic, and immediately feel that connection. But will they allow him into their heart?
Good story, good characters, good plotline, HEA – an all-around good read and mind opener.
I really like Vincent’s development as he tries to find his way while being true to his own desires. Who says you can’t be a straight male and like to wear pretty underwear? His submissive nature allows him to give in to Nic, and immediately feel that connection. But will they allow him into their heart?
Good story, good characters, good plotline, HEA – an all-around good read and mind opener.
February 7, 2021
Beautifully written. Wonderful exploration of going beyond gender norms and societal stereotypes. I adore Nic and Vincent. They compliment each other beautifully. The exploration of kink and servitude was a delight to read.
December 5, 2021
The second I saw a non-binary dom as a lead, I was excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint! AE Lister does a phenomenal job with unfolding Nic and Vincent's exploration of their new D/s relationship as well as the feelings that begin to emerge between them throughout. It's a hot read and really represents the kink community well!
September 1, 2021
Hands down the hottest and most unique piece of kinky, BDSM fiction I have read!
I have always been a big fan of stories that highlight the stages wherein the Dom and Sub build the trust that in my opinion is the most beautiful aspect of any relationship. In addition to the out of the park sexual chemistry and intimate scenes (trust me when I say I had to shut my Kindle and fan them flames), I loved how Author Lister also focused on their emotional connect, how even simple actions and gestures hold the affection and potent touch of intimacy that promises more-both physically and emotionally.
Very beautiful to read !
Right from the scene of their first meet, there's no doubt on how perfect Nic and Vincent are for each other. Their attraction is off the charts (and the sexual chemistry screams off the page) and though the Dom in Nic demands to take it slow, Vincent works his way through the cracks in Nic's guarded emotional walls.
Be it spanking, bondage, rimming, pegging or simple piano lessons, Nic's tender dominance and Vincent's shy and sweet nature, write a mellifluous symphony in intimacy. So beautiful!
I also loved how we got a glimpse of Nic's emotional insecurities, his feelings towards Vincent and the complete Dom perspective to a kink based relationship.
The writing flows well and the intense, passionate nature of the duo's relationship, kept the reader in me hooked.
The intimacy that they shared was poetic, tender, beautiful and so so hot to read.
Though I did feel maybe Nic may have overreacted when the cause of angst hit, Dom or no Dom, matters of the heart stump us all.
I'll be looking forward to catching up on Author Lister's works.
Fellow Kink readers, this is the story we were waiting for.
I have always been a big fan of stories that highlight the stages wherein the Dom and Sub build the trust that in my opinion is the most beautiful aspect of any relationship. In addition to the out of the park sexual chemistry and intimate scenes (trust me when I say I had to shut my Kindle and fan them flames), I loved how Author Lister also focused on their emotional connect, how even simple actions and gestures hold the affection and potent touch of intimacy that promises more-both physically and emotionally.
Very beautiful to read !
Right from the scene of their first meet, there's no doubt on how perfect Nic and Vincent are for each other. Their attraction is off the charts (and the sexual chemistry screams off the page) and though the Dom in Nic demands to take it slow, Vincent works his way through the cracks in Nic's guarded emotional walls.
Be it spanking, bondage, rimming, pegging or simple piano lessons, Nic's tender dominance and Vincent's shy and sweet nature, write a mellifluous symphony in intimacy. So beautiful!
I also loved how we got a glimpse of Nic's emotional insecurities, his feelings towards Vincent and the complete Dom perspective to a kink based relationship.
The writing flows well and the intense, passionate nature of the duo's relationship, kept the reader in me hooked.
The intimacy that they shared was poetic, tender, beautiful and so so hot to read.
Though I did feel maybe Nic may have overreacted when the cause of angst hit, Dom or no Dom, matters of the heart stump us all.
I'll be looking forward to catching up on Author Lister's works.
Fellow Kink readers, this is the story we were waiting for.
March 20, 2023
This is really great story when it comes to kink exploration and okay story when it comes to everything. With such a botteneck setting, it does feel the romantic relationship delevoped a tad too quickly for me. But hell yeah for Dom povs that explore that side of the dynamic.
I am also still ??? as to why Nic suddenly decides Vincent must be gender-fluid when that's never something he expressed? I don't know where that logic jump came from.
there was just two (maybe three) instances where the conversation around Nic's gender made me very uncomfortable - not really the content cause humans are compley after all but how it's talked about.
I am also still ??? as to why Nic suddenly decides Vincent must be gender-fluid when that's never something he expressed? I don't know where that logic jump came from.
there was just two (maybe three) instances where the conversation around Nic's gender made me very uncomfortable - not really the content cause humans are compley after all but how it's talked about.
August 11, 2022
Wow, immediately after finishing this book, I wanted to go into the second book right away. Nic and Vincent are so good for each other and so hot. They mesh really well sexually and outside the bedroom too. I loved all their interactions and how Nic took it slow with Vincent to explore everything even when he had his own reservations and didn't want to get in too deep emotionally.
That obviously backfired because reading about their evolving emotions for each other, the pining and glances/adoring eyes, it really brought a lot of depth into this book full of sex.
I don't usually like heavy bdsm books since it does nothing for me, but wow this was very good. Not sure if it's because the focus was more in Vincent's pleasure and also Nic getting pleasure in seeing Vincent enjoy himself rather than focusing on the bdsm acts themselves that allowed me to enjoy this more. Seeing Vincent enjoy everything that Nic dished out and how Nic was able to read Vincent so well, it was such a pleasure to see their chemistry blossom and grow.
Cannot wait for book 2! Looks like it may be MMM and poly is my number one favorite trope so I can't wait to get into it.
That obviously backfired because reading about their evolving emotions for each other, the pining and glances/adoring eyes, it really brought a lot of depth into this book full of sex.
I don't usually like heavy bdsm books since it does nothing for me, but wow this was very good. Not sure if it's because the focus was more in Vincent's pleasure and also Nic getting pleasure in seeing Vincent enjoy himself rather than focusing on the bdsm acts themselves that allowed me to enjoy this more. Seeing Vincent enjoy everything that Nic dished out and how Nic was able to read Vincent so well, it was such a pleasure to see their chemistry blossom and grow.
Cannot wait for book 2! Looks like it may be MMM and poly is my number one favorite trope so I can't wait to get into it.
August 8, 2021
This story is definitely one of a kind and brilliantly done! If you're coming in with expectations of an MM romance, I'd be a bit careful. Both main characters are on the genderfluid spectrum and use he/him pronouns but Nic is very comfortable with his original parts. If you feel comfortable with that, then GET THIS BOOK!! I don't think you'll regret it as there's so much emotion packed into this one. Nic and Vincent both very well flushed out and align so perfectly with each other.
The story is from Nic's point of view, but he reads Vincent's state very well that I felt as connected to him as I did Nic. While Nic works on opening himself up to adding Vincent into his life on an emotional level, there is quite a bit of sex in this book. That 100% did not bother me and it was all super tasteful (and HOT) but it is something to note for those maybe looking for less heat between the sheets.
I honestly haven't read anything quite like this one and I don't think I ever will. It will stay with me for a while and I greatly enjoyed it!
The story is from Nic's point of view, but he reads Vincent's state very well that I felt as connected to him as I did Nic. While Nic works on opening himself up to adding Vincent into his life on an emotional level, there is quite a bit of sex in this book. That 100% did not bother me and it was all super tasteful (and HOT) but it is something to note for those maybe looking for less heat between the sheets.
I honestly haven't read anything quite like this one and I don't think I ever will. It will stay with me for a while and I greatly enjoyed it!
June 20, 2023
3.5 stars 😊
D/s
Enby MC
Lingerie
Single POV
The MCs have an instant connection and hold off on sexualising their relationship for a week. I imagine that’s pretty tough when you’re a Dom with a subby boy providing acts of service in pastel lace panties.
The connection seems fast, but in all honestly it didn’t feel wrong. Both MC’s knew what they wanted in a partner (even if one wasn’t actively looking), so finding someone who ticks their boxes makes catching feelings the natural next step.
Overall it was pretty heat heavy for my tastes, I would have liked more story intermingled in. But considering it’s part of a trilogy it kind of makes sense, the story here is focused on Nic and Vincent’s relationship building. As a note, this is part of a continuing series but absolutely can be read alone without cliffhanger.
It gives off vibes a little like the Dominant Doctor Series by Sammy D Adams (feel free to take this with a grain of salt…it been eons since I’ve read those books).
TW: Use of the word ”gangbusters”, ignoring a safeword
D/s
Enby MC
Lingerie
Single POV
The MCs have an instant connection and hold off on sexualising their relationship for a week. I imagine that’s pretty tough when you’re a Dom with a subby boy providing acts of service in pastel lace panties.
The connection seems fast, but in all honestly it didn’t feel wrong. Both MC’s knew what they wanted in a partner (even if one wasn’t actively looking), so finding someone who ticks their boxes makes catching feelings the natural next step.
Overall it was pretty heat heavy for my tastes, I would have liked more story intermingled in. But considering it’s part of a trilogy it kind of makes sense, the story here is focused on Nic and Vincent’s relationship building. As a note, this is part of a continuing series but absolutely can be read alone without cliffhanger.
It gives off vibes a little like the Dominant Doctor Series by Sammy D Adams (feel free to take this with a grain of salt…it been eons since I’ve read those books).
TW: Use of the word ”gangbusters”, ignoring a safeword
January 30, 2021
This is the first story I’ve read by this author. I’m new to the different personalities in this story. I found them fascinating. I don’t think either is stereotypical and that is what made them and the story so special. Nic is happy with who she/he is. He believes he is going to stay away from anyone after he is hurt by Zane. Vincent gets referred to Nic from a friend of Nic’s. When they get together the attraction drive them in a different direction than they expect to go. Nic, while mostly maintaining his Dom side also finds his attraction to Vincent and interaction with Vincent drives him to lose control. Vincent a guy who enjoys feminine clothes and more gets really attached to Nic. I enjoyed the way the author dealt with Zane. I also appreciated how the author takes personalities who are not the everyday personality and made me feel so emotional for them. I find this story enjoyable and grabbing.
September 22, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Personally, I’d classify Various Persuasions as erotica with a dash of romance, as the emotional core/connection between the MCs is forged within the specific kind of vulnerability inherent in BDSM, rather than through dating or personal conversations; additionally, while the BDSM scenes between Vincent and Nic are rooted in the narrative themes of self-discovery and freedom, they are pretty sexually charged from the jump and go full out by their 3rd-ish meeting (around 30%), and that’s basically the book—Nic giving Vincent a safe place to explore, acceptance, and the domination he craves to let himself feel pretty and submissive, while reaffirming his masculinity in a way that isn’t toxic and rigid.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Personally, I’d classify Various Persuasions as erotica with a dash of romance, as the emotional core/connection between the MCs is forged within the specific kind of vulnerability inherent in BDSM, rather than through dating or personal conversations; additionally, while the BDSM scenes between Vincent and Nic are rooted in the narrative themes of self-discovery and freedom, they are pretty sexually charged from the jump and go full out by their 3rd-ish meeting (around 30%), and that’s basically the book—Nic giving Vincent a safe place to explore, acceptance, and the domination he craves to let himself feel pretty and submissive, while reaffirming his masculinity in a way that isn’t toxic and rigid.
Read Jovan’s review in its entirety here.
September 5, 2022
As a big fan of A E Lister's 760 Miles Western/historical, I thought I'd check out some of their other books while I waited impatiently for book 2 in that series to come out (November by the way)
This is my first read of an intense BDSM story with an enby MC and lots and lots of gorgeous kink. Safe to say I'll be reading the whole series, because I couldn't put it down. Page turner alert. The relationship between Nic and Vincent is heart-breakingly beautiful. The acceptance, the openness and love was just *chef's kiss* ...and the hotness ....yeah a cold shower was needed by all after this one. For me this story put bdsm in a very different light to what I imagined it might be. It was an education, and a welcome one. Various Persuasions is intriguing, fascinating and very very steamy. Great read.
This is my first read of an intense BDSM story with an enby MC and lots and lots of gorgeous kink. Safe to say I'll be reading the whole series, because I couldn't put it down. Page turner alert. The relationship between Nic and Vincent is heart-breakingly beautiful. The acceptance, the openness and love was just *chef's kiss* ...and the hotness ....yeah a cold shower was needed by all after this one. For me this story put bdsm in a very different light to what I imagined it might be. It was an education, and a welcome one. Various Persuasions is intriguing, fascinating and very very steamy. Great read.
August 21, 2021
So well written.
This books was written beautifully. I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect going in, but I was definitely not disappointed. Lister wrote these characters in a believable way and made us invest in them. It was so refreshing to see gender fluid charters get some love.
The exploration of kink was varied and authentic. One of my favorites aspects of this author is the authenticity she brings to her books.
Nic and Vincent complimented each other so well and I couldn’t get over how much I enjoyed each character. Though we are getting Nic’s POV, Nic is able to read Vincent so well that we feel like we know him intimately.
I enjoyed this book so much and can’t wait to read more in the future.
This books was written beautifully. I wasn’t 100% sure what to expect going in, but I was definitely not disappointed. Lister wrote these characters in a believable way and made us invest in them. It was so refreshing to see gender fluid charters get some love.
The exploration of kink was varied and authentic. One of my favorites aspects of this author is the authenticity she brings to her books.
Nic and Vincent complimented each other so well and I couldn’t get over how much I enjoyed each character. Though we are getting Nic’s POV, Nic is able to read Vincent so well that we feel like we know him intimately.
I enjoyed this book so much and can’t wait to read more in the future.
November 13, 2021
Unique and Amazing
“You’re going to be my very pretty boy, aren’t you?” I whispered to him, leaning so close that my breath surely tickled his ear.
Nic is a non-binary dominant who has struggled to find a submissive that connects well with them, and when their friend Daphne recommends a submissive she recently played with, that's when Vincent enters Nic's life and they quickly grow wrapped up in one another. Nic never believed this shy, adorable submissive would capture him entirely, but he never wants to let him go.
This was definitely the most unique romance I feel I've ever read and I enjoyed every moment. I can say I've never read anything even the tiniest bit similar. I'm so happy I got around to finally meeting this on my TBR and can't wait to get to the sequel!
“You’re going to be my very pretty boy, aren’t you?” I whispered to him, leaning so close that my breath surely tickled his ear.
Nic is a non-binary dominant who has struggled to find a submissive that connects well with them, and when their friend Daphne recommends a submissive she recently played with, that's when Vincent enters Nic's life and they quickly grow wrapped up in one another. Nic never believed this shy, adorable submissive would capture him entirely, but he never wants to let him go.
This was definitely the most unique romance I feel I've ever read and I enjoyed every moment. I can say I've never read anything even the tiniest bit similar. I'm so happy I got around to finally meeting this on my TBR and can't wait to get to the sequel!
Read
April 3, 2022This is a low angst, kink heavy slice-of-life novel with an insta-lovelusty relationship which is actually pretty great if that's what you're looking for, but midway I realized this is not what I'm looking for.
There isn't really a plot in here. The characters are mostly just experimenting with each other and their kinks. The sex and BDSM scenes are extremely detailed and take up basically most of the book. I found myself disappointed because the first page got me hooked on this Zane guy issue, but he's only mentioned until the 80% mark and when he actually appears... I'm just gonna say, it would've been better if he didn't (LOL). He's an ass.
The style also wasn't exactly working for me. Overall I just think this book might have just been a bad match for me
There isn't really a plot in here. The characters are mostly just experimenting with each other and their kinks. The sex and BDSM scenes are extremely detailed and take up basically most of the book. I found myself disappointed because the first page got me hooked on this Zane guy issue, but he's only mentioned until the 80% mark and when he actually appears... I'm just gonna say, it would've been better if he didn't (LOL). He's an ass.
The style also wasn't exactly working for me. Overall I just think this book might have just been a bad match for me
August 19, 2021
This was a unique read for me. Nic is a dominant female that identifies as male. Vincent has needs that cannot be met by Daphne and mutual friend of both Nic and Vincent. Nic and Vincent react perfectly with each other. They have an intense and immediate chemistry and connection. This was a fantastic story of self-discovery, loved it! It was well written and a page turner. Definitely recommend! Overall I seriously loved their story and cannot wait for the next! I am voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
December 23, 2021
As a blogger, I am often privileged to get Advance Reader Copies of books I want to read and AE Lister has been great about sharing their new releases with me to blog about, but while I have an ARC copy of Various Distractions waiting to devour this weekend, I have loved everything of theirs I read this year and decided to purchase my own copy of Various Persuasions to support the author and also catch up on this series before I dive into the ARC. I was not disappointed in my purchase...
Read my full review here:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...
Read my full review here:
http://www.mmromancereviewed.com/2021...
August 15, 2022
Great read!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how both Nic and Vincent didn't fit into stereotypical gender stereotypes and it really worked fir them as a couple. I loved their dynamic as well. I'm always a fan of service in a kink book and it was done well.
My only issue was the Zane stuff towards the end. I don't want to give anything away but it seemed to come out of nowhere and not really in character. I know he was a jerk with the way he treated Nic, but I wasn't expecting the other part at all and didn't fit for me. Other than that, I loved it!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how both Nic and Vincent didn't fit into stereotypical gender stereotypes and it really worked fir them as a couple. I loved their dynamic as well. I'm always a fan of service in a kink book and it was done well.
My only issue was the Zane stuff towards the end. I don't want to give anything away but it seemed to come out of nowhere and not really in character. I know he was a jerk with the way he treated Nic, but I wasn't expecting the other part at all and didn't fit for me. Other than that, I loved it!
February 15, 2023
Whooooo boy! Hot stuff!
For me, the gender thing is sometimes a little disturbing. That is not because I think it is bad or wrong, but because I get confused. I generally read mm books, and am used to that. But a little bit of confusion never hurt anyone, and my occasional confusion did not stop me from tearing through this book. I just now discovered that there are two more books following this one, and I am getting them!
For me, the gender thing is sometimes a little disturbing. That is not because I think it is bad or wrong, but because I get confused. I generally read mm books, and am used to that. But a little bit of confusion never hurt anyone, and my occasional confusion did not stop me from tearing through this book. I just now discovered that there are two more books following this one, and I am getting them!
February 23, 2023
This was a wonderful read, a fascinating and sweet BDSM that took you beyond gender norms. Nic is a nonbinary Dom who is still recovering from a really bad relationship when he’s asked to take Vincent by a friend. Vincent is younger and eager to please and their journey together is sexy, beautiful, and still a little romantic. This definitely tended to be more of an erotica with romantic themes, but it was a good read.
March 18, 2023
I have to admit that I have never, ever considered reading a n/m romance before. I am strictly in the m/m camp with my erotica. However, I read AE's 760 Miles and knew I had to read everything they wrote! AE writes in a way that just speaks to my libido. The idea of objectification doesn't appeal to me either-- normally. But ever since reading about the nubby in 760 Miles, AE has unlocked something new inside me. Whatever it is, I want all the AE books I can devour!
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