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After Everything #1
No Flag
Captain Mike Kelley does not ignore his intuition, so when sexy bartender Will Hayes captures his heart, Mike embarks on a mission to win him over to a Domestic Discipline relationship. Will accepts with one caveat: Mike must promise not to renew his army contract.
Mike agrees, until the army invokes the stop-loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas, rendering him powerless and threatening everything he and Will have built. Will, left alone to cope with a new café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy.
A horrific terrorist attack on Mike’s outpost changes everything, leaving them both at a loss.
Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no recollection of the attack. As the only survivor, his memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles with his new role in Mike’s life.
For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive.” Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before?
Mike agrees, until the army invokes the stop-loss military policy to involuntarily extend his commission and send him back overseas, rendering him powerless and threatening everything he and Will have built. Will, left alone to cope with a new café, must rely on the support of old friends who may no longer be trustworthy.
A horrific terrorist attack on Mike’s outpost changes everything, leaving them both at a loss.
Mike awakens in a hospital with a devastating injury and no recollection of the attack. As the only survivor, his memory may be the key to national security. Mike struggles to cope with his injury and Will struggles with his new role in Mike’s life.
For Mike and Will, “No Flag” meant “come home alive.” Will has Mike back rather than a folded flag, but in the aftermath of war, can they rebuild the life they had before?
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First published October 22, 2013
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About the author
Liz Borino
22 books77 followersLiz Borino transcribes the world inside her head onto the page, and share it with the people who are stuck in the “real world” to makes their lives a little more interesting. Because in her world, heroes fall and stand up again with the help of their partners and friends. Liz’s world is littered with formidable obstacles, which her heroes overcome with a fire of courage and passion. The beauty of love between two men is celebrated. Who wouldn’t want to live there?
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
When not with her heroes, Liz enjoys exploring cities, working toward social justice, and editing for other authors. Liz is less than three months from obtaining her Masters’ degree in English and published nine books since 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 18, 2013
Review written for Hearts on Fire Reviews.
For starters, I love the title and meaning of this story. It is the promise Mike makes to Will when he is deployed that he will not come back to Will in the form of a folded flag, as is customary military procedure for deceased soldiers.
Next, I need to say that the core of their relationship is the Domestic Discipline, which I honestly have trouble understanding the desire for. When Mike and Will meet, Mike forces them to take things really slow, as in no sex etc. until they know they each other better. Once it becomes clear that Will is interested in more of a long-term relationship, Mike lays his cards on the table describing to Will what type of relationship he requires. They both negotiate and come to an agreement on the terms.
Mike has some serious OCD issues which lead him to the DD lifestyle. Most of the terms were pretty simple, but some of the chores would have had me running for the hills. Needless to say, Will was a willing participant, and the relationship seemed to just work for each of them. Some of Mike’s issues made me question the level of his feelings for Will at times, but his love eventually shines through. He is able to laugh a little about his own issues, which I think helped me feel a little more toward him.
The DD relationship aside, I really enjoyed the rest of this story. When Mike is deployed, they Skype chat frequently, always (almost) end the calls with the No Flag salutation. Will is left to handle everything at home, including their new business, and though he is very lonely for Mike. He gets a little frazzled at times, but he doesn’t get much help from his friends/coworkers/ex-roommates. Casey is a total bitch who has been trying to undermine his relationship with Mike from the get go. Seth isn’t much better, though he does pull through in the end. Will is a little naïve about the whole Casey thing for the most part, until he is forced to see otherwise.
Then, Mike returns home, disabled and worried about his ability to uphold his responsibilities regarding the DD aspect of their relationship while, at the same time, having to learn how to live with his disability. Will is wonderful, as he is throughout this entire story, staying by Mike’s side, giving whatever support is needed. By the end of this story, I had no doubts about the love Mike and Will had for each other.
If you enjoy or can set aside the way their relationship works, and just accept that it does work for them, this is quite an enjoyable story. Things did seem to drag a little bit towards the end, but I was so focused on seeing things through that it didn’t bother me too much. Mike (and Will) has to deal with quite a bit of crap from the military due mostly to his being gay, but they make the best of it, both realizing how lucky they were that they were able to keep the promise of No Flag.
October 27, 2013
3.5 stars
When Mike and Will begin dating, Will cannot figure out why, after two months, the sexual part of their relationship is not progressing. Mike has wanted to take things slow citing honor, respect and a desire to get to know Will better so that the relationship will mean something. Mike has OCD and after growing up in foster homes found that he structure of the Army suited him. He needs to be in control and have everything in order at all times. As far as relationships he tells Will “The only thing that should be equal is the respect they show each other. One partner leads while the other follows.” When Will finally confronts Mike, he tells Will what he wants and the two agree to enter into a domestic discipline relationship. Mike is the leader and Will follows the rules and takes care of the household, while going to classes at Mike’s urging and trying to set up his own business. If rules are not followed, Will agrees to be punished by spanking. Will’s only requirement of Mike was that he not return to the Army after his current term ends.
After about a year together, Mike and Will are married and are about to open their own business. With just weeks left on Mike’s US Army commitment however, he is forced to return to active duty in Afghanistan for one year. This was the one thing Will most feared when entering into the relationship, but in this instance Mike has no choice. While in Afghanistan, the men keep in touch through Skype and Mike continues to do what he can to help Will with the business and household decisions. Will’s friends Seth and Casey are working with him and Seth has moved in as Will’s roommate while Mike is away. Casey, however, has ramped up her inappropriate affections toward Will, and Will is unsure how to handle things. When Casey breaks into Will’s computer and discovers the DD contract, the two friends confront Will about it and tensions between the three worsen. About five months after being sent to Afghanistan, Mike is seriously injured in an attack on his base, in which he was the only survivor. Mike returns home both physically and emotionally wounded, worrying he will not be able to take care of Will as he has promised.
I enjoyed Mike and Will as a couple and for the most part liked the direction the story took. I also think the author did a good job portraying Will’s anguish at Mike’s redeployment. The DD relationship was a necessity for Mike and Will was aware of his submissive side before the two got together. It worked for both of them and while it sometimes seemed on the face of it to be imbalanced, the love between the two men is obvious.
Casey is possibly one of the worst “friends” ever. Mike quickly sees her true nature but for both Will and Seth, who have been friends with her for years, it is not as easy.
What stopped me from giving this book a higher rating is that I felt that Mike’s recovery was rushed through and as a result I did not really feel that it was a large hurdle they had to overcome. It almost seemed too effortless. Another big issue was the extremely poor editing, especially in the beginning of the book. Frankly I almost didn’t get past the first 20 percent because of the numerous errors, including words left out of sentences, that kept taking me out of the narrative. Somewhere around a quarter of the way through the book it got better, but it did continue throughout. Whether this was just a result of my reading an ARC of the book remains to be seen. Update 10/27/13 - I am told by others that the editing issues seem to be a problem with the ARC I had so it is not part of my star rating.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Mike and Will begin dating, Will cannot figure out why, after two months, the sexual part of their relationship is not progressing. Mike has wanted to take things slow citing honor, respect and a desire to get to know Will better so that the relationship will mean something. Mike has OCD and after growing up in foster homes found that he structure of the Army suited him. He needs to be in control and have everything in order at all times. As far as relationships he tells Will “The only thing that should be equal is the respect they show each other. One partner leads while the other follows.” When Will finally confronts Mike, he tells Will what he wants and the two agree to enter into a domestic discipline relationship. Mike is the leader and Will follows the rules and takes care of the household, while going to classes at Mike’s urging and trying to set up his own business. If rules are not followed, Will agrees to be punished by spanking. Will’s only requirement of Mike was that he not return to the Army after his current term ends.
After about a year together, Mike and Will are married and are about to open their own business. With just weeks left on Mike’s US Army commitment however, he is forced to return to active duty in Afghanistan for one year. This was the one thing Will most feared when entering into the relationship, but in this instance Mike has no choice. While in Afghanistan, the men keep in touch through Skype and Mike continues to do what he can to help Will with the business and household decisions. Will’s friends Seth and Casey are working with him and Seth has moved in as Will’s roommate while Mike is away. Casey, however, has ramped up her inappropriate affections toward Will, and Will is unsure how to handle things. When Casey breaks into Will’s computer and discovers the DD contract, the two friends confront Will about it and tensions between the three worsen. About five months after being sent to Afghanistan, Mike is seriously injured in an attack on his base, in which he was the only survivor. Mike returns home both physically and emotionally wounded, worrying he will not be able to take care of Will as he has promised.
I enjoyed Mike and Will as a couple and for the most part liked the direction the story took. I also think the author did a good job portraying Will’s anguish at Mike’s redeployment. The DD relationship was a necessity for Mike and Will was aware of his submissive side before the two got together. It worked for both of them and while it sometimes seemed on the face of it to be imbalanced, the love between the two men is obvious.
Casey is possibly one of the worst “friends” ever. Mike quickly sees her true nature but for both Will and Seth, who have been friends with her for years, it is not as easy.
What stopped me from giving this book a higher rating is that I felt that Mike’s recovery was rushed through and as a result I did not really feel that it was a large hurdle they had to overcome. It almost seemed too effortless. Another big issue was the extremely poor editing, especially in the beginning of the book. Frankly I almost didn’t get past the first 20 percent because of the numerous errors, including words left out of sentences, that kept taking me out of the narrative. Somewhere around a quarter of the way through the book it got better, but it did continue throughout. Whether this was just a result of my reading an ARC of the book remains to be seen. Update 10/27/13 - I am told by others that the editing issues seem to be a problem with the ARC I had so it is not part of my star rating.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2015
**3.5 stars**
I have a lot to say about this book and it is all fighting to spew out of my fingers at once (that sounds kind of gross....) so I'll try to remain coherent for everyone.
First of all, I know what I'm getting into when I'm reading a book from this publisher. They produce a ton of domestic discipline books, which I read a good amount of (I should make a shelf!). I like DD book. It is a subset of BDSM which I find fascinating and erotic, so I tend to gravitate towards those books for one reason or another. You should probably stay away from this one if DD is not for you.
Now, though I ended up enjoying this book a lot, it had some major issues that I want to air out for everyone. The editing needs a lot of work: Clumsy transitions, some awkward phrasings, and a lack of heat in the sex-scenes to start. I also didn't like how the DD topic was introduced. It felt very didactic and dry, just inorganic for the readers.
Though I probably should have had been really bothered by all of those problems that I just mentioned, I sort of... wasn't. The two MCs had a really strong connection that jumped off the page, and that caused me to enjoy this book a great deal. I got so into the characters and the story. I'm a sucker for an injured man and I felt emotionally connected to these guys at a level that I didn't expect.
I think that with a few more rounds of editing, this book could have been great. I'll certainly be looking for more from this author in the future.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I have a lot to say about this book and it is all fighting to spew out of my fingers at once (that sounds kind of gross....) so I'll try to remain coherent for everyone.
First of all, I know what I'm getting into when I'm reading a book from this publisher. They produce a ton of domestic discipline books, which I read a good amount of (I should make a shelf!). I like DD book. It is a subset of BDSM which I find fascinating and erotic, so I tend to gravitate towards those books for one reason or another. You should probably stay away from this one if DD is not for you.
Now, though I ended up enjoying this book a lot, it had some major issues that I want to air out for everyone. The editing needs a lot of work: Clumsy transitions, some awkward phrasings, and a lack of heat in the sex-scenes to start. I also didn't like how the DD topic was introduced. It felt very didactic and dry, just inorganic for the readers.
Though I probably should have had been really bothered by all of those problems that I just mentioned, I sort of... wasn't. The two MCs had a really strong connection that jumped off the page, and that caused me to enjoy this book a great deal. I got so into the characters and the story. I'm a sucker for an injured man and I felt emotionally connected to these guys at a level that I didn't expect.
I think that with a few more rounds of editing, this book could have been great. I'll certainly be looking for more from this author in the future.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
March 27, 2015
I read gay porn, errr...erotica, ummm...romance, and I like that an inherent equality exists in so many of the relationships. It's something that's missing in MF stories. And, yes, I do mean physically, but it extends to the emotional connection as well. This book is the story of Will and Mike's Domestic Discipline marriage - while the two men have an incredible connection, I couldn't get on board with the fact that the very foundation of the relationship is that equality is a myth.
gave-up
December 1, 2015It was an interesting read, even if it was about as sexy as a business contract.
It grates after a while, though. It's like there's implied emotion and possibly emotion behind a ten foot wall, but we can't really get to it.
It actually gets to the point where I can't handle it anymore. The entire thing is so dispassionate I have a hard time believing the characters together. The whole DD thing they've got going on seems so hokey and dubious, for some reason. I don't really like that one of the punishments was time-based and not number-of-strokes-based (10 minutes with hand and 20 with paddle). It seems oddly imprecise for someone we're told and shown has quite defined OCD. We're told ___ (I have no idea which one is which) breaks down, but then the other safewords out of aftercare, and the HOH lets him?
Doesn't seem like the disciplining really affected him, then.
I may sound elitist now, but I really don't like the terms they use. They seem...well, hokey. Head of Household and Taken in Hand? I mean, I think this is an actual thing, but it just sounds so unbelievably melodramatic and pretentious to me that I still can't get over it.
I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. We don't really get to know the characters. The author tells us about them, but it's like hearing someone talk about a FOAF (friend of a friend). We may find some of the stories interesting/amusing/whatever, but ultimately, they don't really mean much to use.
Actually, that's it. The sub guy's just playing along, humoring the military guy (Mike?). That's honestly what it seems like. Mike prolly gets something out of the DD thing they have going on, but Will's just going with the flow because he enjoys Mike's company.
There we go. I've figured out the book.
*whispers* Sometimes, it feels like Mike's just playing, too, since it's the only way he knows how to relate to other people in terms of relationship. You know, like military discipline but in civilian life.
*normal voice*
I'm sorry. I can't handle this anymore. I'm aborting the mission. I might come back one day, if I ever feel I have the fortitude to sit through reading a debriefing of a story.
DNF @ 44/133
On the bright side, I finally know what the "no flag" thing means?
edit: I no longer remember what the "no flag" thing means.
Gah. I'm sad. I wish they'd just started with the third paragraph of the blurb. Although given how dispassionate the writing is, even starting then might not have helped...
edit:
I agree with the second paragraph of Nana's review. I have yet to get to the second half. Perhaps one day, I'll get there and see if it makes sitting through the first part worth it.
It grates after a while, though. It's like there's implied emotion and possibly emotion behind a ten foot wall, but we can't really get to it.
It actually gets to the point where I can't handle it anymore. The entire thing is so dispassionate I have a hard time believing the characters together. The whole DD thing they've got going on seems so hokey and dubious, for some reason. I don't really like that one of the punishments was time-based and not number-of-strokes-based (10 minutes with hand and 20 with paddle). It seems oddly imprecise for someone we're told and shown has quite defined OCD. We're told ___ (I have no idea which one is which) breaks down, but then the other safewords out of aftercare, and the HOH lets him?
Doesn't seem like the disciplining really affected him, then.
I may sound elitist now, but I really don't like the terms they use. They seem...well, hokey. Head of Household and Taken in Hand? I mean, I think this is an actual thing, but it just sounds so unbelievably melodramatic and pretentious to me that I still can't get over it.
I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. We don't really get to know the characters. The author tells us about them, but it's like hearing someone talk about a FOAF (friend of a friend). We may find some of the stories interesting/amusing/whatever, but ultimately, they don't really mean much to use.
Actually, that's it. The sub guy's just playing along, humoring the military guy (Mike?). That's honestly what it seems like. Mike prolly gets something out of the DD thing they have going on, but Will's just going with the flow because he enjoys Mike's company.
There we go. I've figured out the book.
*whispers* Sometimes, it feels like Mike's just playing, too, since it's the only way he knows how to relate to other people in terms of relationship. You know, like military discipline but in civilian life.
*normal voice*
I'm sorry. I can't handle this anymore. I'm aborting the mission. I might come back one day, if I ever feel I have the fortitude to sit through reading a debriefing of a story.
DNF @ 44/133
On the bright side, I finally know what the "no flag" thing means?
edit: I no longer remember what the "no flag" thing means.
Gah. I'm sad. I wish they'd just started with the third paragraph of the blurb. Although given how dispassionate the writing is, even starting then might not have helped...
edit:
I agree with the second paragraph of Nana's review. I have yet to get to the second half. Perhaps one day, I'll get there and see if it makes sitting through the first part worth it.
October 30, 2013
No flag is a story about two men in a committed relationship. It is a story about how they overcome obstacles to their relationship and stay true to each other.
One aspect of their relationship is Domestic Discipline, where one partner sets the rules and enforces them. Now, I am a big fan of D/s stories and I actually wanted to read this story because of the DD aspect of their relationship. However, in the beginning, I couldn’t see what Will, the submissive partner, got out of their arrangement. Mike’s OCD condition presented it as a kind of necessity that Will had to accept in order to keep their relationship going rather than something that Will genuinely wanted. Apart from Will’s confession that he liked being dominated, I just couldn’t feel the joy of submission or the thrill of dominance, which, for me, make or break D/s stories. All I could see was Will merely putting up with the chore demanded of him. Mike being sexy despite all his crazy demands didn’t come across as a reliable indication that Will liked or took the DD aspect seriously (He came across apathetic and bored!). This, combined with the submissive partner topping and being in charge during their first sex, just didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t feeling the D/s vibe.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the DD aspect of their relationship in the second half of the book, and liked seeing Mike dominating and spanking Will. Even though I wasn’t really convinced of their attraction towards each other in the beginning, once they are separated after their marriage, their love for each other and their efforts to make their relationship work began to come through. I found touching Will’s devotion and support of Mike after his disability. The way Mike coped with the aftermath of the insurgent attack endeared me to his character. Both characters grew on me, and their dedication to each other became real, tangible. I had no problem finishing the book because I wanted to find out how they resolved all the difficulties they faced individually and as a couple.
Provided by the Author through BDSM group TPE BAR Read2Review
One aspect of their relationship is Domestic Discipline, where one partner sets the rules and enforces them. Now, I am a big fan of D/s stories and I actually wanted to read this story because of the DD aspect of their relationship. However, in the beginning, I couldn’t see what Will, the submissive partner, got out of their arrangement. Mike’s OCD condition presented it as a kind of necessity that Will had to accept in order to keep their relationship going rather than something that Will genuinely wanted. Apart from Will’s confession that he liked being dominated, I just couldn’t feel the joy of submission or the thrill of dominance, which, for me, make or break D/s stories. All I could see was Will merely putting up with the chore demanded of him. Mike being sexy despite all his crazy demands didn’t come across as a reliable indication that Will liked or took the DD aspect seriously (He came across apathetic and bored!). This, combined with the submissive partner topping and being in charge during their first sex, just didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t feeling the D/s vibe.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the DD aspect of their relationship in the second half of the book, and liked seeing Mike dominating and spanking Will. Even though I wasn’t really convinced of their attraction towards each other in the beginning, once they are separated after their marriage, their love for each other and their efforts to make their relationship work began to come through. I found touching Will’s devotion and support of Mike after his disability. The way Mike coped with the aftermath of the insurgent attack endeared me to his character. Both characters grew on me, and their dedication to each other became real, tangible. I had no problem finishing the book because I wanted to find out how they resolved all the difficulties they faced individually and as a couple.
Provided by the Author through BDSM group TPE BAR Read2Review
November 3, 2013
Let me start by saying that I enjoyed this book and the overall story of Mike and Will. It follows a really interesting journey as the two men embark on a relationship that is littered with hurdles. There was an emotional element to the story in which lots happens, and kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next.
The blurb (surprisingly?) gives away a lot of the plot - Mike and Will start a relationship in which Will accepts the rules of their partnership so long as Mike promises not to be redeployed. Things don't go according to plan, Mike is sent back to the war zone, friends undermine Will's relationship by questioning the terms of this relationship with Mike and doubting Mike's fidelity and finally Mike suffers a terrible injury which threatens the very nature of their relationship. There is definitely heaps going on!
On the positive side I liked both characters. Mike is so honest and caring and Will shows the depth of his love when he cares for Mike on his return from hospital. I struggled at the beginning to imagine the men together, finding Mike's OCD a bit over the top and Will's acceptance of it just a bit too easy, but by the end of the book they were wonderful together. I loved the concept of 'no flag' and the inscription Will arranged for Mike's wedding ring. Ending their calls with 'no flag' was such a lovely romantic symbol of love and promise.
I liked the fast pace. I liked the tension and the drama. The bombing and the government involvement made for an interesting story (but you've got to be concerned that the military couldn't solve the mystery of the bombers without Mike's help!)
So what were the short comings in my opinion? Firstly, I actually missed how Mike and Will got to the place where they were negotiating a domestic discipline relationship. I understood Mike with his OCD and need for order and control but didn't feel as sold on Will's submissive tendencies. It all just seemed a bit rushed. And when they finally had sex, I couldn't understand the reasoning for Mike's bottoming on their first encounter. I just found it a bit too confusing. Secondly, I didn't really get the story line involving the psycho friend and why they behaved that way. From the sounds of both comments I just made, I think I need to read the book again to see if it gets clearer second time around! :) Finally I disliked some of the terminology and didn't find the sex all that sexy. But I wasn't really reading for the sex, more the other interactions between the men.
There were minor editing issues in my copy but nothing that really stood out too much.
This is a "liked it and enjoyed it" book. 3.5 stars.
By the way, do any other readers have the same problem I do with chapter headings that are dates? By the time I get to the next chapter with the new date I have no idea what the previous date was so have no idea how long has passed. And since the dates are there I feel knowing this is significant so feel like I'm missing something important (but not so much that I feel the need to flick back and forth in the Kindle).
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
The blurb (surprisingly?) gives away a lot of the plot - Mike and Will start a relationship in which Will accepts the rules of their partnership so long as Mike promises not to be redeployed. Things don't go according to plan, Mike is sent back to the war zone, friends undermine Will's relationship by questioning the terms of this relationship with Mike and doubting Mike's fidelity and finally Mike suffers a terrible injury which threatens the very nature of their relationship. There is definitely heaps going on!
On the positive side I liked both characters. Mike is so honest and caring and Will shows the depth of his love when he cares for Mike on his return from hospital. I struggled at the beginning to imagine the men together, finding Mike's OCD a bit over the top and Will's acceptance of it just a bit too easy, but by the end of the book they were wonderful together. I loved the concept of 'no flag' and the inscription Will arranged for Mike's wedding ring. Ending their calls with 'no flag' was such a lovely romantic symbol of love and promise.
I liked the fast pace. I liked the tension and the drama. The bombing and the government involvement made for an interesting story (but you've got to be concerned that the military couldn't solve the mystery of the bombers without Mike's help!)
So what were the short comings in my opinion? Firstly, I actually missed how Mike and Will got to the place where they were negotiating a domestic discipline relationship. I understood Mike with his OCD and need for order and control but didn't feel as sold on Will's submissive tendencies. It all just seemed a bit rushed. And when they finally had sex, I couldn't understand the reasoning for Mike's bottoming on their first encounter. I just found it a bit too confusing. Secondly, I didn't really get the story line involving the psycho friend and why they behaved that way. From the sounds of both comments I just made, I think I need to read the book again to see if it gets clearer second time around! :) Finally I disliked some of the terminology and didn't find the sex all that sexy. But I wasn't really reading for the sex, more the other interactions between the men.
There were minor editing issues in my copy but nothing that really stood out too much.
This is a "liked it and enjoyed it" book. 3.5 stars.
By the way, do any other readers have the same problem I do with chapter headings that are dates? By the time I get to the next chapter with the new date I have no idea what the previous date was so have no idea how long has passed. And since the dates are there I feel knowing this is significant so feel like I'm missing something important (but not so much that I feel the need to flick back and forth in the Kindle).
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
I publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
November 25, 2013
I like Liz Borino's writing style. It is easy to read, but definitely would not be for everyone. In No flag, there is a bit of jumping in the time line, but at no time was I left confused because of it.
I liked both characters very much, and enjoyed going on their journey with them. This journey was not always an easy one, but with great communication and understanding on both their parts, they had a very mature relationship that was a joy to read about.
Domestic discipline is a part of BDSM, but there is no heavy play scenes etc that sometimes annoy me. This is simply one partner making and enforcing the rules that both partners have agreed to.
The secondary characters fulfilled the purpose they were given, but they were not people that I would want as friends.
The ending was the main let down for me. It did seem very abrupt, but with having read other books by this author, I was not terribly surprised.
I liked both characters very much, and enjoyed going on their journey with them. This journey was not always an easy one, but with great communication and understanding on both their parts, they had a very mature relationship that was a joy to read about.
Domestic discipline is a part of BDSM, but there is no heavy play scenes etc that sometimes annoy me. This is simply one partner making and enforcing the rules that both partners have agreed to.
The secondary characters fulfilled the purpose they were given, but they were not people that I would want as friends.
The ending was the main let down for me. It did seem very abrupt, but with having read other books by this author, I was not terribly surprised.
October 18, 2013
No flag means "Come back home safe and sound. I refuse to receive the folded flag on your funeral". It means "I will take care of myself, I will be careful, I won't be reckless".
One of the main characters is a soldier. Military and gay - is there a better mix of guilty pleasure for a sinful reader?
The book of Liz Borino surprised me on many levels. Enough to say that I forgot to check my percentage progress of reading and there was so many moments I was quite sure that the book was at its end. But no. The plot was maybe a little bit predictable, but good.
I was not very fond of Domestic Discipline relationship of the main characters - it's not my cup of tea after all, and I had a moments when I was like "I would strangle him" or "Fold your goddamned clothes yourself" (the dominant had an OCD). But it was a good story, I've read it with pleasure. I didn't love it, but I liked it enough to give it 3.5 stars rounded down.
One of the main characters is a soldier. Military and gay - is there a better mix of guilty pleasure for a sinful reader?
The book of Liz Borino surprised me on many levels. Enough to say that I forgot to check my percentage progress of reading and there was so many moments I was quite sure that the book was at its end. But no. The plot was maybe a little bit predictable, but good.
I was not very fond of Domestic Discipline relationship of the main characters - it's not my cup of tea after all, and I had a moments when I was like "I would strangle him" or "Fold your goddamned clothes yourself" (the dominant had an OCD). But it was a good story, I've read it with pleasure. I didn't love it, but I liked it enough to give it 3.5 stars rounded down.
June 1, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review
This was a book I was really excited to jump into. I love M/M stories, I love BDSM stories, so this should have been a story I loved. But it fell flat for me in a lot of ways. It wasn't what I was expecting it to be.
I was expecting the sexy times to be sexier than they were. I guess a Domestic Discipline Relationship is just too tame for what I like to read in a book tagged BDSM because I found the moments of intimacy to be disappointing. I know that's something that just comes down to my own personal preference, so I was trying really hard not to let that cloud my judgement when it came to the rating
I also didn't like the formatting of the story. There was a time jump between each chapter. Regardless of it being a few days or weeks, it made the story a bit disjointed for me. There were moments in those time jumps that we missed that helped propel the relationship along. Without those moments, it was hard to connect to the relationship I was reading about. Imagine you're reading a fanfiction of a couple with characters that have already been established, with each chapter being a fluffy domestic one shot, and that's what this book feel like. Only I don't know these characters
There was so much time spent in the beginning with these fluffy domestic chapters, that the important stuff was often rushed through, but honestly, I didn't really care much
This was a book I was really excited to jump into. I love M/M stories, I love BDSM stories, so this should have been a story I loved. But it fell flat for me in a lot of ways. It wasn't what I was expecting it to be.
I was expecting the sexy times to be sexier than they were. I guess a Domestic Discipline Relationship is just too tame for what I like to read in a book tagged BDSM because I found the moments of intimacy to be disappointing. I know that's something that just comes down to my own personal preference, so I was trying really hard not to let that cloud my judgement when it came to the rating
I also didn't like the formatting of the story. There was a time jump between each chapter. Regardless of it being a few days or weeks, it made the story a bit disjointed for me. There were moments in those time jumps that we missed that helped propel the relationship along. Without those moments, it was hard to connect to the relationship I was reading about. Imagine you're reading a fanfiction of a couple with characters that have already been established, with each chapter being a fluffy domestic one shot, and that's what this book feel like. Only I don't know these characters
There was so much time spent in the beginning with these fluffy domestic chapters, that the important stuff was often rushed through, but honestly, I didn't really care much
May 4, 2016
Mike Kelley and Will Hayes don’t have the most conventionally normal relationship. State secrets, army business, and a rather strict case of OCD means that Mike was never bringing a whole lotta normal to the table. Add in a desire to be in a Domestic Discipline relationship with Will, and normal practically rolls off the table and out the door. But Will doesn’t mind, much, and while learning the perfect way to fold a towel wasn’t exactly on his bucket list, he’s come to find that what he has with Mike is worth breaking away from the boring normal. Will loves Mike, is happy in his relationship-–no matter how odd his friends think it is–-and is counting down the days till he can stop sharing Mike with Uncle Sam.
Then Mike is Stop-Lossed and re-upped for another year, only weeks from his decommissioning. To say Will is unhappy would be like calling Mike a little bit neat. But you can’t really say a polite No thanks to the military, especially when your commanding officer is a bit of a homophobic dick. So Mike ships out to Afghanistan, and Will tries to keep his life from crumbling around him. All Will has to do is keep his new business afloat, keep his grades from plummeting, deal with two highly unhelpful friends, and figure out how the hell he is going to keep his cute little ass nice and pink when his husband is on the other side of the world. Thank god for skype. And rather inventive husbands.
But love and loyalty won’t stop bullets. Honor can’t stop bombs. And no matter what they engrave their promises on, No Flag won’t keep a soldier safe, not when there are so many who want to see him fall.
It may have taken me a bit to get there, but I really did love Mike and Will together. Mike’s OCD was a really nice touch, if a bit anal–-in a good way, of course. It seemed to work so nicely into the Domestic Discipline relationship that they worked out for themselves. Granted there were times I really wished Mike would chill, not freak out about the folding of a single towel, but stones and glass houses, and all that–-though I am not nearly as bad as Mike, thank god. I never really got a good idea, though, what Will was getting out of the whole DD relationship. He loves Mike, and sure he adores a right good spanking, but sometimes it felt like he was part of the DD because that was what Mike needed, not him.
There were a lot of times in this book that I didn’t get enough of the meat of the relationship. Too many times it felt we were only getting surface emotions and that really hindered the connection between me and the two MCs. This is one of the reasons I am not a big fan of books that span long stretches of time. Some scenes happen months apart, and while the two characters may have been building their relationship during that time, I didn’t get to see it, so I have to take it as read, and I have a hard time doing that. I need to see the relationship grow for me to feel a better connection. I didn’t get a lot of that here, and it made what the two MCs share feel a little hollow at times. When the passions flared, when they were angry or almost swallowed in lust it felt more real, but the downtimes felt like the just stepped back into their little boxes and became forgettable.
I did like how there didn’t seem to be one overreaching problem, but instead they kept getting bashed about on all sides, at the most random times. I like how it kept them, and consequently me, off kilter, not knowing what was going to happen next. It did cause problems because there didn’t seem to be one overreaching climax to end the story, but for a majority of the time it was enjoyable. And personally, I would have slapped Casey into next year for what she did. I didn’t quite get why she did it–-Will is like gay, and married, and not likely to hook up with a psychotic bitch-–but it was a nice twist.
Do wish there had been more tension with the whole arm thing, though. Will accepted it way too easily, for my taste. Wasn’t looking for Will to be a douche and dump Mike, but when traumatic things happen to those you love you tend to freak the fuck out–-for more than just a few days. And because what happened, because of the amount of changes having to be made to their relationship and their lives, I think Will should have been having a bit more trouble adjusting to this new world view.
This book was really a mix of good and bad for me. There were some things I would definitely change, but it was also a nice story to read. I liked how the separation between them played out, how stressful it can be to try and split your life into parts and still keep it vaguely whole. I also am a big fan of spanking, so that was fun. I do wish the sex scenes didn’t feel so bloody rushed. It really started to feel like a wham-bam-thank-you-man kind of sexual relationship. I don’t necessarily need the down-and-dirty details–-though far be it for me to turn them down–-but a little more tension and build up would have been nice. Overall, though, this story was good and it is always nice to see a little more kink on my Kindle.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
October 28, 2013
Mike and Will have settled into a routine after coming together on their Domestic Discipline relationship. Mike can't imagine his life without Will in it and likewise, Will couldn't be without his OCD-inclined lover who has made his world ordered and complete. Their arrangement satisfies both of their needs and now they are ready for more of a commitment.
Briefly before Mike's time in the Army comes to an end they get married and start getting their business ready for opening. If Will and Mike thought that they had surpassed the worst when Mike was forced to deploy for a year they were in for a rude awakening.
I had the honor to beta read this story and I am happy to say that although it changed since last I read it, the author still brought forward a great romantic story.
Liz Borino did a great job of drawing me into the story by allowing to see how deeply Will and Mike's connection ran before Mike was deployed. I got to see Will struggling with pleasing Mike as their relationship progressed. Mike was not an easy man to please, but he was loving and caring of Will needs. He always looked out for him and only wanted what was best for him. His heart broke when he found out that he had to break the news to Will that he was being sent abroad. Liz Borino did such an amazing job of bringing their emotions to the page, that my heart broke along with theirs.
I'll be honest and say that I wasn't sold on the whole 'Domestic Discipline' concept when it first came up. But as the story moved along, I could see how it suited both men. They both had needs that needed to be fulfilled in order to be happy and their arrangement did that for them, so I didn't put much thought into it.
I liked the way the author dealt with the issues that arose when Mike returned. The added emotions, angst and further development of their connection made it possible for me to understand what each of them was struggling with thus improving my connection to them. During their time apart, they grew as individuals. But when they came together once again, with every obstacle they overcame, they grew as a couple. It was a beautiful journey and a treat to read.
Of course, Mike and Will had chemistry abound, but their emotions always came into play which was nice to see. However, and I hate to say this because I've come to love Liz Borino's writing, they came across as too...vanilla? I don't know. Not that's is a bad thing, I just expected them to be a bit more passionate.
As a whole, No Flag worked. The concept was original and well executed, the characters complex and interesting with shared chemistry and the emotions were well represented. All in all, a sweet, romantic read about second chances in life and making the most out of what life throws at you.
I received this title from the publisher in exchange of my honest opinion.
Briefly before Mike's time in the Army comes to an end they get married and start getting their business ready for opening. If Will and Mike thought that they had surpassed the worst when Mike was forced to deploy for a year they were in for a rude awakening.
I had the honor to beta read this story and I am happy to say that although it changed since last I read it, the author still brought forward a great romantic story.
Liz Borino did a great job of drawing me into the story by allowing to see how deeply Will and Mike's connection ran before Mike was deployed. I got to see Will struggling with pleasing Mike as their relationship progressed. Mike was not an easy man to please, but he was loving and caring of Will needs. He always looked out for him and only wanted what was best for him. His heart broke when he found out that he had to break the news to Will that he was being sent abroad. Liz Borino did such an amazing job of bringing their emotions to the page, that my heart broke along with theirs.
I'll be honest and say that I wasn't sold on the whole 'Domestic Discipline' concept when it first came up. But as the story moved along, I could see how it suited both men. They both had needs that needed to be fulfilled in order to be happy and their arrangement did that for them, so I didn't put much thought into it.
I liked the way the author dealt with the issues that arose when Mike returned. The added emotions, angst and further development of their connection made it possible for me to understand what each of them was struggling with thus improving my connection to them. During their time apart, they grew as individuals. But when they came together once again, with every obstacle they overcame, they grew as a couple. It was a beautiful journey and a treat to read.
Of course, Mike and Will had chemistry abound, but their emotions always came into play which was nice to see. However, and I hate to say this because I've come to love Liz Borino's writing, they came across as too...vanilla? I don't know. Not that's is a bad thing, I just expected them to be a bit more passionate.
As a whole, No Flag worked. The concept was original and well executed, the characters complex and interesting with shared chemistry and the emotions were well represented. All in all, a sweet, romantic read about second chances in life and making the most out of what life throws at you.
I received this title from the publisher in exchange of my honest opinion.
October 27, 2013
I wish I could give this book MORE than 5 stars.
I wasn't sure I'd like it, given the Domestic Discipline contract and Mike's OCD. BUT...it was obvious that Will needed the kind of relationship Mike was offering!
Will Hayes is a bartender at a gay nightclub, T&J, in Philadelphia. Mike Kelly is an Army officer. They meet when Mike visits T&J and it doesn't take long before they're dating.
After a couple months, Will is confused that their relationship hasn't gone further than kissing. Will admits that he wants something more...something lasting. Then, he introduces Will to a Domestic Discipline relationship. That, combined with his OCD, means that Will has to think long and hard about entering into a relationship with Mike.
Mike likes order; dishes done immediately, clothing folded a certain way, house orderly and clean. He is also adamant that Will return to school and maintain a specific GPA....or, he (Will) will be disciplined.
Having fallen in love with Mike, Will decides he wants the relationship...with the guarantee that Mike will not return to the Middle East on deployment. Mike assures him that it (more than likely) won't happen and they move forward.
When Mike is suddenly, and unexpectedly, deployed, Will nearly falls apart. The deployment, a conniving, jealous female friend, and Will's efforts to maintain the contract while Mike is away only add to poor Will's feelings of confusion and abandonment.
Then, while watching the news, Will finds out that Mike's platoon is bombed and several officers are killed. Panicked, Will tries to find out if his husband is alive or dead.
The emotional and physical ramifications of the bombing are heart wrenching and I found myself needing to find a box of Kleenex. The way Will shows his love, support, and acceptance of his injured husband is amazing; the love literally shines through the pages of this book!!
They still have to deal with Casey and her more-than-ambitious endeavors to get Will all to herself (never mind the fact that Will is 100% gay and 150% in love with his husband). Added into the mix is the mystery behind the bombings and how the terrorists even got onto the base.
The author wrote this as a standalone (darnit....I asked if there was going to be a sequel)...maybe Will and Mike will speak to her and the next chapter will show up one day!
This book is on my "to be read again" list! It's beautifully written, wonderfully detailed, and heart-wrenching. Yet, through it all, Will shows that he is as strong as his Army husband...even when Mike feels weak and useless.
I definitely recommend "No Flag" and hope everyone loves it as much as I did.
Thank you, Liz!!!
October 27, 2013
Source: eARC for Honest Review from Lazy Day Publishing via NetGalley
I was looking forward to this for a variety of reasons. For one I liked the idea of this book and I was curious about the Domestic Discipline relationship as I have not read too much about this before.
First off I can't imagine what it would be like to have your partner out at war and to live in limbo waiting upon their return. Now add the complication of being a same sex partner and having the army not acknowledge the relationship would be twice as hard.
For Will he would not have committed to Mike if he knew he was going to be deployed again but it did happen and he was going to do whatever he could to make sure their love was still strong upon Mike's return.
Most people don't understand the dynamics behind any Dominate/Submissive type relationship but this structure worked for Mike and Will. It is what kept them strong while he was away.
Devastation while Mike is away causes him to return sooner than planned and not as a whole man. Mike has new demons and has to learn how to cope and except Will's unconditional love.
Also with Mike's return Will's friend Seth finally accepts Will's choices and lifestyle while their friend Casey turns a bit diabolical. Holy shit! I just wanted to seriously beat the crap out of that crazy ass bitch.
The aftermath of what war can do to a soldier and their family is so overwhelming and my heart goes out to any men or women who have to live with this reality. For Mike and Will after many hiccups and acceptance they can finally return to their new normal with no flags.
It was a heart wrenching story about love, loss, and strength.
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I was looking forward to this for a variety of reasons. For one I liked the idea of this book and I was curious about the Domestic Discipline relationship as I have not read too much about this before.
First off I can't imagine what it would be like to have your partner out at war and to live in limbo waiting upon their return. Now add the complication of being a same sex partner and having the army not acknowledge the relationship would be twice as hard.
For Will he would not have committed to Mike if he knew he was going to be deployed again but it did happen and he was going to do whatever he could to make sure their love was still strong upon Mike's return.
Most people don't understand the dynamics behind any Dominate/Submissive type relationship but this structure worked for Mike and Will. It is what kept them strong while he was away.
Devastation while Mike is away causes him to return sooner than planned and not as a whole man. Mike has new demons and has to learn how to cope and except Will's unconditional love.
Also with Mike's return Will's friend Seth finally accepts Will's choices and lifestyle while their friend Casey turns a bit diabolical. Holy shit! I just wanted to seriously beat the crap out of that crazy ass bitch.
The aftermath of what war can do to a soldier and their family is so overwhelming and my heart goes out to any men or women who have to live with this reality. For Mike and Will after many hiccups and acceptance they can finally return to their new normal with no flags.
It was a heart wrenching story about love, loss, and strength.
For more reviews, visit Live Read and Breathe
Like us on Facebook Live Read and Breathe Facebook
Follow along with Twitter Live Read and Breathe Twitter
November 3, 2013
Ehh... I really liked the idea of the story, but I just could not connect with the characters. Usually, first person writing is my favorite - it just hooks in my emotions which did not happen. The beginning felt so rushed.
- First date to D/s contract? My head spinner a bit, but went with it.
- Will was clear that he could not move in until some of Mike's quirks were addressed. Nothing changed. One day there was a pillow on the floor and a unfolded blanket which Mike had Will fix before they could do anything. A few minutes of pillow chaos was a compromise?
- The wedding. How do you gloss over such an important moment for a couple? Especially a gay couple where one is so exited about DADT being repealed. I got pages on a thrown pillow, but the binding of two souls? Nothing.
I really liked so many aspects of the story. The D/s was strong and loving. Some authors can really screw that up so kudos to Borino for having the sub defend himself and his life style. I can understand the Casey side story in relation to the D/s relationship. We got to see that Mike did not take over Will's life and let Will make his own decisions about how to best handle Casey.
The marriage. Although the beginning started out at warp speed, I did feel as though this was a true married couple. I felt the connection in the middle, but...
- The arm injury was rushed again. I don't think I read the dates wrong, it took Mike about a month to get back to his routines. My husband had major rotator cuff surgery and was in a depression for a month leading up to the surgery and a month after. The doctor has been amazed with his recovery while I'm there going "Then you take him home with you." The big baby, have a few kids without an epidural and then we''ll talk. I digress... Will was never frustrated. Go Saint Will!
The arm injury was another defining moment for the couple. This is a make or break moment in a couple's history together and it just felt so rushed and disconnected. Also, could have done without the military drama. I get it, but the story did not need it. The time could have been spent on how these characters reconnect after being separated and now dealing with real drama.
Overall, great idea that was just rushed.
- First date to D/s contract? My head spinner a bit, but went with it.
- Will was clear that he could not move in until some of Mike's quirks were addressed. Nothing changed. One day there was a pillow on the floor and a unfolded blanket which Mike had Will fix before they could do anything. A few minutes of pillow chaos was a compromise?
- The wedding. How do you gloss over such an important moment for a couple? Especially a gay couple where one is so exited about DADT being repealed. I got pages on a thrown pillow, but the binding of two souls? Nothing.
I really liked so many aspects of the story. The D/s was strong and loving. Some authors can really screw that up so kudos to Borino for having the sub defend himself and his life style. I can understand the Casey side story in relation to the D/s relationship. We got to see that Mike did not take over Will's life and let Will make his own decisions about how to best handle Casey.
The marriage. Although the beginning started out at warp speed, I did feel as though this was a true married couple. I felt the connection in the middle, but...
- The arm injury was rushed again. I don't think I read the dates wrong, it took Mike about a month to get back to his routines. My husband had major rotator cuff surgery and was in a depression for a month leading up to the surgery and a month after. The doctor has been amazed with his recovery while I'm there going "Then you take him home with you." The big baby, have a few kids without an epidural and then we''ll talk. I digress... Will was never frustrated. Go Saint Will!
The arm injury was another defining moment for the couple. This is a make or break moment in a couple's history together and it just felt so rushed and disconnected. Also, could have done without the military drama. I get it, but the story did not need it. The time could have been spent on how these characters reconnect after being separated and now dealing with real drama.
Overall, great idea that was just rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2013
***3.5 stars***
(It would have been 4 stars but I deducted a 1/2 star for grammatical errors. It is my personal pet peeve)
Let me start by saying I really enjoyed this story. From the book blurb and the introductory chapter, I thought I knew how this book would end. Instead, that became a median point and how the book progressed from there was a nice surprise. For those who are nervous about the domestic discipline aspect of the book, I have read many DD books and I would definitely say this book is on the lighter side. Although the DD is an integral part of their relationship structure, for the better part of the book it is quietly humming along in the background and the story does not focus on the discipline. If you choose not to read this book because of the DD then you are missing out on a good romance.
The main characters are Mike and Will. Mike is on active duty in Army Intelligence and has the most extreme case of OCD. I could not relate to his character in the beginning as he was overbearing and not very likable. He does grow on you though. Will was a bartender and that is how they met. From there a slowly evolving romance grew until they were married. Shortly after marrying, Mike was deployed to Afghanistan. After every Skype, they would end the call with “no flag” because no matter what Mike was to come home alive. Unfortunately, Mike was hurt in a bombing and he returns home alive but seriously injured. How they go on from here is what matters. They find their strength in each other. Sometimes love is enough.
I do not know if the author has any plans to continue their story, but I would enjoy reading about Mike and Will again.
***Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
(It would have been 4 stars but I deducted a 1/2 star for grammatical errors. It is my personal pet peeve)
Let me start by saying I really enjoyed this story. From the book blurb and the introductory chapter, I thought I knew how this book would end. Instead, that became a median point and how the book progressed from there was a nice surprise. For those who are nervous about the domestic discipline aspect of the book, I have read many DD books and I would definitely say this book is on the lighter side. Although the DD is an integral part of their relationship structure, for the better part of the book it is quietly humming along in the background and the story does not focus on the discipline. If you choose not to read this book because of the DD then you are missing out on a good romance.
The main characters are Mike and Will. Mike is on active duty in Army Intelligence and has the most extreme case of OCD. I could not relate to his character in the beginning as he was overbearing and not very likable. He does grow on you though. Will was a bartender and that is how they met. From there a slowly evolving romance grew until they were married. Shortly after marrying, Mike was deployed to Afghanistan. After every Skype, they would end the call with “no flag” because no matter what Mike was to come home alive. Unfortunately, Mike was hurt in a bombing and he returns home alive but seriously injured. How they go on from here is what matters. They find their strength in each other. Sometimes love is enough.
I do not know if the author has any plans to continue their story, but I would enjoy reading about Mike and Will again.
***Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review***
November 11, 2013
My Thoughts:
This book was nothing like I first thought it was going to be. I expected a super sweet and hot romance with some military components thrown in. I thought it would be a fun read, but not much more then that. I was so wrong. This book went places I never expected, had me thinking about things in a deeper way, and kept me glued to my kindle. That is not to say it did not have the romance component. It just was so much more than that.
Generally speaking, if I like a book with romance it is because I either really relate to one of the characters or one or more of them is someone I wish were a real person so I could know them. In this case, neither Mike nor Will were that person, yet I could not stop reading about them. I do not know if it was because they were so different from the people I normally interact with or what, but I was completely sucked into their world. I found myself getting mad when one of them would do something I did not agree with or cheering one of them on when they finally listened to one of my silent pleas. It says a lot about an author when she can have me so engaged in a story thatI am reprimanding a character in my head and hoping they listen.
The author clearly did her research when it came to military policies as well as the recovery steps/process someone who was injured the way Mike was would endure. I will be the first to say it was not easy to read in parts. I cried. I got angry. I cried again. That being said, I am glad I read every single page. The issues she brings up are real and relevant and were never preachy. They just were. I usually avoid such heavy topics, but am so glad I read this book and I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author.
This book was nothing like I first thought it was going to be. I expected a super sweet and hot romance with some military components thrown in. I thought it would be a fun read, but not much more then that. I was so wrong. This book went places I never expected, had me thinking about things in a deeper way, and kept me glued to my kindle. That is not to say it did not have the romance component. It just was so much more than that.
Generally speaking, if I like a book with romance it is because I either really relate to one of the characters or one or more of them is someone I wish were a real person so I could know them. In this case, neither Mike nor Will were that person, yet I could not stop reading about them. I do not know if it was because they were so different from the people I normally interact with or what, but I was completely sucked into their world. I found myself getting mad when one of them would do something I did not agree with or cheering one of them on when they finally listened to one of my silent pleas. It says a lot about an author when she can have me so engaged in a story thatI am reprimanding a character in my head and hoping they listen.
The author clearly did her research when it came to military policies as well as the recovery steps/process someone who was injured the way Mike was would endure. I will be the first to say it was not easy to read in parts. I cried. I got angry. I cried again. That being said, I am glad I read every single page. The issues she brings up are real and relevant and were never preachy. They just were. I usually avoid such heavy topics, but am so glad I read this book and I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author.
September 8, 2016
I was given this book in return for my honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, my review is freely given. Thank you Liz.
There were some typos & words dropped, but not enough to pull me too far out of the story.
My brother came back in February physically unharmed from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan, so this book touched some tender places & made me cry during a couple of passages.
The blurb is pretty in-depth so I won't re-cap it in this review. I liked the main characters, I thought they were fairly easy to relate to. After some reflection, I did think that in addition to therapy for his PTSD Mike could/should also seek some therapy for the OCD. While it wasn't debilitating, I found it extremely annoying how many times he fussed about the laundry folding. I could understand about military uniforms (been there, done that - inspections suck) but being that precise about underwear folding is just too over-the-top.
I also wondered about Casey. The intervention scene where she mentioned her abnormal psychology class. I haven't taken abnormal psych myself, but I can't imagine where BDSM would be brought up as abnormal. Maybe it is. I dunno. Just struck me as something odd. Nothing I'm critiquing about the book, just the character. She was unhinged.
I was happy that they guys were able to work through the difficulties of Mike coming home so injured & the problems with Casey on top of all that.
There were some typos & words dropped, but not enough to pull me too far out of the story.
My brother came back in February physically unharmed from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan, so this book touched some tender places & made me cry during a couple of passages.
The blurb is pretty in-depth so I won't re-cap it in this review. I liked the main characters, I thought they were fairly easy to relate to. After some reflection, I did think that in addition to therapy for his PTSD Mike could/should also seek some therapy for the OCD. While it wasn't debilitating, I found it extremely annoying how many times he fussed about the laundry folding. I could understand about military uniforms (been there, done that - inspections suck) but being that precise about underwear folding is just too over-the-top.
I also wondered about Casey. The intervention scene where she mentioned her abnormal psychology class. I haven't taken abnormal psych myself, but I can't imagine where BDSM would be brought up as abnormal. Maybe it is. I dunno. Just struck me as something odd. Nothing I'm critiquing about the book, just the character. She was unhinged.
I was happy that they guys were able to work through the difficulties of Mike coming home so injured & the problems with Casey on top of all that.
October 19, 2013
I found this interesting and unusual. I enjoyed reading about these two committed individuals and found their love for each other endearing and satisfying. I did have issues warming to Mike's character, initially. It took me a while to figure out why, but I worked out that it was the way he talked and thought. He hardly ever used contractions. This resulted in him sounding formal and stand offish. When he did relax or laugh, I could see what Will was attracted to, but for the most part, I struggled with this part of him.
I also found the lifestyle confusing. I am unfamiliar with DD and so wasn't sure what Will was getting out of it.
The military plotline was realistic, sometimes gruelling but also inspirational. The other sub-plot involving Casey was less successful. And that dragged on right till the end, meaning wrapping up the military story was a bit rushed and convenient.
So, although I wanted to see these two find happiness, I wasn't totally invested in how they got there.
Provided by the publisher via Netgalley with thanks. Out October 23rd.
I also found the lifestyle confusing. I am unfamiliar with DD and so wasn't sure what Will was getting out of it.
The military plotline was realistic, sometimes gruelling but also inspirational. The other sub-plot involving Casey was less successful. And that dragged on right till the end, meaning wrapping up the military story was a bit rushed and convenient.
So, although I wanted to see these two find happiness, I wasn't totally invested in how they got there.
Provided by the publisher via Netgalley with thanks. Out October 23rd.
to-not-read
March 6, 2018This wasn't really what I wanted to read. I bought it on a whim when it was 99 cents. Set up as a series of time jumping segments which put me in mind of those fanfics titled 'five times Will told Mike he loved him, and one time he showed him,' or similar.
But what I wasn't expecting was the introduction of Domestic Discipline, a subset of BDSM which deals with submission and dominance applied to the domestic environment, as it says on the tin. It's really just a lifestyle built on a contract and... It wasn't nearly as romantic a book as I expected. I closed it at 25% and don’t expect to pick it up again.
Personal note: I was about to return this for a refund, because you can with kindle books, but I feel that Liz Borino deserves the money she gets for this. It wasn't bad, I just didn't like it.
But what I wasn't expecting was the introduction of Domestic Discipline, a subset of BDSM which deals with submission and dominance applied to the domestic environment, as it says on the tin. It's really just a lifestyle built on a contract and... It wasn't nearly as romantic a book as I expected. I closed it at 25% and don’t expect to pick it up again.
Personal note: I was about to return this for a refund, because you can with kindle books, but I feel that Liz Borino deserves the money she gets for this. It wasn't bad, I just didn't like it.
October 24, 2013
Liz Borino does it again. She brought us a new set of boys to fall in love with. Will is sweet and funny while Mike is serious and precise. How they work together is something I don't understand, but I'm glad they do. I love Mike's OCD, though I'm sure he would rather it be put in alphabetical order. It makes him quirky and I found humor in it the same way Will did. I found their relationship, while reserved at first, was really sweet. I felt like I was right along with them all the way through the book and that's what I look for in a story. I can't wait to find out what Liz comes up with next.
April 2, 2019
This was a very emotional and touching story. It was well written and I thought the characters were very well developed. It was a great love story with sadness and character growth. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
I received this book from the author for an honest review.
October 27, 2013
Good story but questionable word choices for the sex scenes. Full review on booklikes.
November 17, 2013
I'm working on my review and will post it here soon :)
October 29, 2013
Please leave comments for my 5 sweet pea, recommended book review at http://mrsconditreadsbooks.com/index....
“You going could end it. I have no interest in a folded flag.”
No Flag is much too complex to try to review it by retelling the story. There are many plots and sub-plots intermingled in the most exquisitely written book I’ve read in a while. The characters are remarkable and developed to the point I can’t stop thinking of them as real people. There was one minor character who I thought was so over the top malevolent I had trouble connecting with her, even as a villain, but other than that this book is populated with startlingly real characters, good and evil.
I can’t imagine the amount of research Ms Borino did to complete this book. She covers the foster care system, gay relationships, military hierarchy, politics, the war in Afghanistan, OCD, the domestic discipline lifestyle, business development, personal and business financial planning, technology, disabilities, including recovery and treatment, pain management, terroristic threats and responses, heroic patriotism, PTSD, date rape pharmaceuticals, and I’m probably forgetting a whole lot more. Did I say this was a complex story? Try weaving all of that and a romantic love story plus erotic elements together to create a coherent, beautiful book. I don’t know how she does it but Liz Borino accomplished just that.
I have cried during emotional stories many times, and did again in this one. However, I’ve not felt the anger that welled up from this story. More than once something happened that was so unfair, so excruciatingly thoughtless I was beyond angry, knowing such things do happen outside of fiction and do hurt real human beings and the people who love them.
And the title, No Flag? It comes from Will telling Mike not to do anything heroic that would result in the presentation of a coffin flag to Will at Mike’s funeral. I have one of those flags and received it from an Air Force officer on bended knee, with the words, “From the President of the United States and a grateful nation.” The wording at presentation has changed since then but the demonstration of shared grief is the same. So I get the reference and the plea from one lover to another. It is just about the most perfect title I can imagine for this book.
All that love, sadness, anger, and emotion builds up to a wonderfully satisfying HEA. It wouldn’t be a Liz Borino romance without that. I adored this book.
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“You going could end it. I have no interest in a folded flag.”
No Flag is much too complex to try to review it by retelling the story. There are many plots and sub-plots intermingled in the most exquisitely written book I’ve read in a while. The characters are remarkable and developed to the point I can’t stop thinking of them as real people. There was one minor character who I thought was so over the top malevolent I had trouble connecting with her, even as a villain, but other than that this book is populated with startlingly real characters, good and evil.
I can’t imagine the amount of research Ms Borino did to complete this book. She covers the foster care system, gay relationships, military hierarchy, politics, the war in Afghanistan, OCD, the domestic discipline lifestyle, business development, personal and business financial planning, technology, disabilities, including recovery and treatment, pain management, terroristic threats and responses, heroic patriotism, PTSD, date rape pharmaceuticals, and I’m probably forgetting a whole lot more. Did I say this was a complex story? Try weaving all of that and a romantic love story plus erotic elements together to create a coherent, beautiful book. I don’t know how she does it but Liz Borino accomplished just that.
I have cried during emotional stories many times, and did again in this one. However, I’ve not felt the anger that welled up from this story. More than once something happened that was so unfair, so excruciatingly thoughtless I was beyond angry, knowing such things do happen outside of fiction and do hurt real human beings and the people who love them.
And the title, No Flag? It comes from Will telling Mike not to do anything heroic that would result in the presentation of a coffin flag to Will at Mike’s funeral. I have one of those flags and received it from an Air Force officer on bended knee, with the words, “From the President of the United States and a grateful nation.” The wording at presentation has changed since then but the demonstration of shared grief is the same. So I get the reference and the plea from one lover to another. It is just about the most perfect title I can imagine for this book.
All that love, sadness, anger, and emotion builds up to a wonderfully satisfying HEA. It wouldn’t be a Liz Borino romance without that. I adored this book.
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November 25, 2013
I’m not sure if many of you know this, but I am prior military so when it comes to military books I just gobble them up! With this book, it combined two of my favorite genres; M/M books and Military men. When I started this book, I had a completely open mind on what to expect from it and I have to say that I was very pleased with this book.
I even recommended it to a friend of mine while I was still in the process of reading the story. Right off the bat one thing that I did enjoy was that this book was more about the emotional aspect between the characters than anything else. Now granted, Mike and Will do have a domestic discipline relationship but I enjoyed the fact that it didn’t over-take the whole story. There were some things about the book that will drive you crazy!! Oh my gosh, Mike’s OCD is just off the wall crazy! I don’t think I have ever met (or read) about anyone who is as bad as he is.
The characters in the book; Mike, Will and all the other characters, were all written very well in my opinion. There was enough information given about them that made the story progress very well. I liked how the author thought to include about Will’s friends and their concerns about the relationship that was taking place with Will and Mike. That was a really good thing to add because not everyone understands those types of relationships.
The twists that happen during the ending of the book were just amazing!!! I was on the edge of my seat while reading because the story was just that well written.
Overall, this is a complete MUST READ from me!!
I even recommended it to a friend of mine while I was still in the process of reading the story. Right off the bat one thing that I did enjoy was that this book was more about the emotional aspect between the characters than anything else. Now granted, Mike and Will do have a domestic discipline relationship but I enjoyed the fact that it didn’t over-take the whole story. There were some things about the book that will drive you crazy!! Oh my gosh, Mike’s OCD is just off the wall crazy! I don’t think I have ever met (or read) about anyone who is as bad as he is.
The characters in the book; Mike, Will and all the other characters, were all written very well in my opinion. There was enough information given about them that made the story progress very well. I liked how the author thought to include about Will’s friends and their concerns about the relationship that was taking place with Will and Mike. That was a really good thing to add because not everyone understands those types of relationships.
The twists that happen during the ending of the book were just amazing!!! I was on the edge of my seat while reading because the story was just that well written.
Overall, this is a complete MUST READ from me!!
December 6, 2013
I tried to read this, stopped in a few pages, tried to read this, stopped in a few pages... The early hook with the dramatic scene into the past plot line drives me bonkers. It colored the story for me and let some of the initial romance down.
That being said, I'm so glad I read the story. Once I got to a certain point the character's bond and the pain/drama they went through reached me and kept me reading. I've had a bit of a thing for military fiction lately, and this fit the bill, but by and far the story focused on Will and Mike.
Domestic discipline stories aren't my usual fare when I read bdsm, but when in context with a loving relationship, it can work. The power dynamic always feels a bit... childish to me, though. But, it works for Mike and Will.
It doesn't work for the supporting characters. Wow. I really felt for Will. He had no true support network, and the very beginning when we hear him say that no one will call him from the military because he isn't Mike's family was very telling. The fact that his friend didn't see through his ruse was telling. I am a big sick of the shrewish/evil/conniving chick character trope, but Casey was a character I'd love to bitch slap, again and again, so her behavior did get a reaction from me.
Overall... smooth reading with a good story pull once you get into it. If you like DD style BDSM, military, hurt/comfort stories or any combo of the above, check out No Flag. I think you'll quite like it!
That being said, I'm so glad I read the story. Once I got to a certain point the character's bond and the pain/drama they went through reached me and kept me reading. I've had a bit of a thing for military fiction lately, and this fit the bill, but by and far the story focused on Will and Mike.
Domestic discipline stories aren't my usual fare when I read bdsm, but when in context with a loving relationship, it can work. The power dynamic always feels a bit... childish to me, though. But, it works for Mike and Will.
It doesn't work for the supporting characters. Wow. I really felt for Will. He had no true support network, and the very beginning when we hear him say that no one will call him from the military because he isn't Mike's family was very telling. The fact that his friend didn't see through his ruse was telling. I am a big sick of the shrewish/evil/conniving chick character trope, but Casey was a character I'd love to bitch slap, again and again, so her behavior did get a reaction from me.
Overall... smooth reading with a good story pull once you get into it. If you like DD style BDSM, military, hurt/comfort stories or any combo of the above, check out No Flag. I think you'll quite like it!
November 4, 2013
Liz Borino's No Flag is a touching story of love and dedication. If you love a story that is full of emotional highs and lows, filled with love and passion, trials and tribulations, this story is for you!
The title No Flag speaks volumes to me and is an integral component of the story itself. No Flag is more than just a phrase in this book, it speaks to passion, love, commitment and a promise.
Mike is an Army captain who is finally able to express his preferences due to the Army's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy and meets Will, a bartender. As the two grow closer, they decide to get married knowing that Mike's days in the Army are winding down. With only 2 weeks to go, Mike's boss evokes the Stop Loss military policy to force him to go to Afghanistan.
The story continues with Will adjusting to Mike being deployed and more. (I don't want to spoil the story, so I will stop there.)The trials and tribulations surrounding their relationship, building a new business and more ... as well as the No Flag promises, kept me turning the pages eager to find out what happens next.
The promise of No Flag is one that resonates with me, as it will for many more. This book is compelling and enticing, a must read.
The title No Flag speaks volumes to me and is an integral component of the story itself. No Flag is more than just a phrase in this book, it speaks to passion, love, commitment and a promise.
Mike is an Army captain who is finally able to express his preferences due to the Army's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy and meets Will, a bartender. As the two grow closer, they decide to get married knowing that Mike's days in the Army are winding down. With only 2 weeks to go, Mike's boss evokes the Stop Loss military policy to force him to go to Afghanistan.
The story continues with Will adjusting to Mike being deployed and more. (I don't want to spoil the story, so I will stop there.)The trials and tribulations surrounding their relationship, building a new business and more ... as well as the No Flag promises, kept me turning the pages eager to find out what happens next.
The promise of No Flag is one that resonates with me, as it will for many more. This book is compelling and enticing, a must read.
July 18, 2021
M/M with DD
The title of the book says so much about this story. Mike must return to Will and no flag will be accepted as his replacement. This is an amazing story filled strong emotions, passion and so much love. Liz has a powerful way of writing that draws you in from the very beginning and you forget where you are or what you are doing until you finish it. The love scenes were so HOT. I was just lost in their attraction and feelings for each other. Her characters are so real, it makes you feel as though you know them or you could walk into their lives and feel completely at home. I loved Mike and Will's relationship as they grew stronger together. Will's acceptance of Mike's DD proposal was interesting as we watched him make mistakes and how they both worked through everything. Will's love and strength was put to the test when he was left alone as Mike is sent back into active duty.
If you love emotional love stories with amazing characters, this story is for you! Liz has moved up into my list of favorite authors that I would buy anything that they write because she is just that amazing. Thanks so much Liz for sharing your talent with me!
The title of the book says so much about this story. Mike must return to Will and no flag will be accepted as his replacement. This is an amazing story filled strong emotions, passion and so much love. Liz has a powerful way of writing that draws you in from the very beginning and you forget where you are or what you are doing until you finish it. The love scenes were so HOT. I was just lost in their attraction and feelings for each other. Her characters are so real, it makes you feel as though you know them or you could walk into their lives and feel completely at home. I loved Mike and Will's relationship as they grew stronger together. Will's acceptance of Mike's DD proposal was interesting as we watched him make mistakes and how they both worked through everything. Will's love and strength was put to the test when he was left alone as Mike is sent back into active duty.
If you love emotional love stories with amazing characters, this story is for you! Liz has moved up into my list of favorite authors that I would buy anything that they write because she is just that amazing. Thanks so much Liz for sharing your talent with me!
April 3, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book from an author I've come to like.
I've read a couple of Liz Borino's books in the past. This was different as it gave you an insight into the relationship between a civilian and an Army Captain. Homosexual is a taboo subject in the army/navy and Liz Borino writes about it in a way that explains things. What happens if you get caught in a situation where the serving officer is a homosexual. Yes, there is BDSM in the book, but nothing that would make you turn away and go "I can't read this as I can't see a storyline". But this story tells you what happens when a gay officer falls in love with a civilian and then gets told a month before he's discharged that he HAS to go back. What happens when you lose a limb and have to go home? What happens to your relationship? Can Mike save the US with the intelligence or will he lose his husband over the secrets he can't say.
I liked the storyline and the way it was told. I look forward to reading more by Liz Borino in the future.
I've read a couple of Liz Borino's books in the past. This was different as it gave you an insight into the relationship between a civilian and an Army Captain. Homosexual is a taboo subject in the army/navy and Liz Borino writes about it in a way that explains things. What happens if you get caught in a situation where the serving officer is a homosexual. Yes, there is BDSM in the book, but nothing that would make you turn away and go "I can't read this as I can't see a storyline". But this story tells you what happens when a gay officer falls in love with a civilian and then gets told a month before he's discharged that he HAS to go back. What happens when you lose a limb and have to go home? What happens to your relationship? Can Mike save the US with the intelligence or will he lose his husband over the secrets he can't say.
I liked the storyline and the way it was told. I look forward to reading more by Liz Borino in the future.
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