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Wireless
Skin to skin contact is illegal. Sex? A felony. Insulated suits and gloves keep people from even the most platonic touches. Citizens line up in droves at simhouses for their rationed, prescribed orgasms in virtual reality machines.
Keith Borden has worked in a simhouse for years, and he's never been tempted to break the strict no-contact laws… until Aiden Maxwell comes along. The attractive and dangerously flirtatious patient invites him into the seedy underground where people engage in real, wireless sex. Though Keith stands to lose his career and his freedom, he's curious and Aiden is irresistible.
From the moment he sets foot in the wireless lounge, Keith is in a world of flesh and fantasy. He's hooked. On the sex, on the atmosphere, and most of all, on Aiden. Years of keeping everyone in his world at arm's length have left Keith craving a human touch, and Aiden offers all the contact—scorching sex, gentle affection, and everything in between—Keith can handle.
That is, until an unexpected act of betrayal throws Keith's world into chaos, and he finds himself more alone than he ever imagined possible…
This 55,000-word novel was previously published, and has been extensively revised and rewritten from its first edition.
Keith Borden has worked in a simhouse for years, and he's never been tempted to break the strict no-contact laws… until Aiden Maxwell comes along. The attractive and dangerously flirtatious patient invites him into the seedy underground where people engage in real, wireless sex. Though Keith stands to lose his career and his freedom, he's curious and Aiden is irresistible.
From the moment he sets foot in the wireless lounge, Keith is in a world of flesh and fantasy. He's hooked. On the sex, on the atmosphere, and most of all, on Aiden. Years of keeping everyone in his world at arm's length have left Keith craving a human touch, and Aiden offers all the contact—scorching sex, gentle affection, and everything in between—Keith can handle.
That is, until an unexpected act of betrayal throws Keith's world into chaos, and he finds himself more alone than he ever imagined possible…
This 55,000-word novel was previously published, and has been extensively revised and rewritten from its first edition.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2013
67 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Witt
218 books2,724 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
October 18, 2013
3.5 Stars - an interesting future dystopian drama with a very strong start
Keith and Aidan live in a future Los Angeles, San Angeles, where physical contact or any contact between human beings is prohibited. All residents (thirty millions just in this city...) are dressed in the same way. They all wear skintight black-and-silver suits and formfitting gloves on their hands. At work and at home. Marriages are arranged by the authorities and married women are fertilized by a artificial insemination. In special installations, so called "Simhouses", get people through a special machine with electrodes and a device their possible sexual needs satisfied a few times every month.
Keith is working in such a simhouse and one of his patients is the flirtatious and so very tempting and good looking Aidan who biweekly have an appointment for a sim. Keith has for a long time been looking forward to all these Thursdays and one ot these days ask Aidan if Keith wants to accompany him to a forbidden lounge. A underground club for wireless meetings and maybe also for some real old-fashioned sex....
Keith is craving a human touch and the overpowering feeling when he first has skin against skin contact is indescribable. The desire for more is immediately and instinctively so strong.
This rather short novel started very strong, steamy and erotic. I wanted to know more about this future world-building and I wanted to get to know these two guys. It was interesting and realistic political discussions on the prohibition of physical contact in the break room at Keith's job. It was steaming hot encounters with Aidan and after a while both Keith and I became more and more nervous. How would Keith handle law violations, the very forbidden and taboo, he will soon be trapped and caught by the police and authorities, etc?
But sadly, in the middle of all of this, I missed something. Maybe it was too unrealistic, too cold, too dystopian...? I never really got to know this two characters. I probably would have liked a little more about them personally. I don't know ...but a little lacking for the highest grade. I was not really like that "romance reading concerned" in the second half of the book.
It was so much physical desire, fear of the forbidden and new emotional needs. Possibly I hesitated a little, because in my opinion they talked far too little with each other. I simply wanted more explanations. I just want to have all the facts on the table. Maybe it's just me, because I really liked this sensual tale, which is far too impatient and want "everything" now at once.
Either way, I really look forward to a new part of this adventure and I hope it will be written now and immediately. We got a HFN ending but I want much more from these guys.
I LIKE - ...need and want some more!
Keith and Aidan live in a future Los Angeles, San Angeles, where physical contact or any contact between human beings is prohibited. All residents (thirty millions just in this city...) are dressed in the same way. They all wear skintight black-and-silver suits and formfitting gloves on their hands. At work and at home. Marriages are arranged by the authorities and married women are fertilized by a artificial insemination. In special installations, so called "Simhouses", get people through a special machine with electrodes and a device their possible sexual needs satisfied a few times every month.
“You don't want to get castrated? Don't get caught going wireless. You don't want your dick to turn green and rot off? You don't fuck. Period.”
Keith is working in such a simhouse and one of his patients is the flirtatious and so very tempting and good looking Aidan who biweekly have an appointment for a sim. Keith has for a long time been looking forward to all these Thursdays and one ot these days ask Aidan if Keith wants to accompany him to a forbidden lounge. A underground club for wireless meetings and maybe also for some real old-fashioned sex....
Keith is craving a human touch and the overpowering feeling when he first has skin against skin contact is indescribable. The desire for more is immediately and instinctively so strong.
‘I lowered my hand, and as soon as our palms met, all the breath escaped my lungs. I closed my eyes as I closed my fingers, and the soft, warm contact sent electricity crackling up the length of my forearm.’
This rather short novel started very strong, steamy and erotic. I wanted to know more about this future world-building and I wanted to get to know these two guys. It was interesting and realistic political discussions on the prohibition of physical contact in the break room at Keith's job. It was steaming hot encounters with Aidan and after a while both Keith and I became more and more nervous. How would Keith handle law violations, the very forbidden and taboo, he will soon be trapped and caught by the police and authorities, etc?
But sadly, in the middle of all of this, I missed something. Maybe it was too unrealistic, too cold, too dystopian...? I never really got to know this two characters. I probably would have liked a little more about them personally. I don't know ...but a little lacking for the highest grade. I was not really like that "romance reading concerned" in the second half of the book.
‘After a while, I whispered, “I can hear toy heartbeat.”
Stroking my hair, he said, “I can feel yours.”
We didn't move. We didn't speak. Our hearts beat, and we breathed, and the universe spun around us, but we were completely still and silent and warm against each other.’
It was so much physical desire, fear of the forbidden and new emotional needs. Possibly I hesitated a little, because in my opinion they talked far too little with each other. I simply wanted more explanations. I just want to have all the facts on the table. Maybe it's just me, because I really liked this sensual tale, which is far too impatient and want "everything" now at once.
Either way, I really look forward to a new part of this adventure and I hope it will be written now and immediately. We got a HFN ending but I want much more from these guys.
I LIKE - ...need and want some more!
September 15, 2020
4.5 stars from me for this one. Could it get any better...LA Witt, m/m dystopian sci-fi AND extremely sensual...all touchy-feely, totally loved it!! ♥♥♥♥♥
Sometime in the pretty bleak future of our world, the powers that be in San Angeles have declared that skin to skin contact is unlawful....touching encourages the spread of disease so everyone is clothed from head to foot, even gloved, and sex as we know it nowadays takes place in this cold, clinical and sanitized future world in a 'Simhouse', a government run institution which simulates orgasm for both men and women alike (God, what a unpleasant thought that is, shudders!!). It's quick, hygienic, can be booked in advance (every few weeks is quite sufficient normally) and most importantly does not spread disease and keeps the population stress free but reliant on their sessions. In this futuristic 1984, Big Brother does indeed watch every little thing you do, even down to the number of sessions you have at the Simhouse...not enough or too many, it doesn't matter, someone will have taken note of it.
One of the techs at this particular Simhouse, Keith Borden, goes along with the government blurb like a good little minion, sees his clients regularly but has a particular 'thing' for one customer in particular Aiden Maxwell. He always has to have a personal session himself when Aiden has finished. ..an Aiden lookalike is his masturbatory 'sim' of choice, and of course, as time goes by, he discovers that Aiden is flirting with him and eventually Aiden asks him out. Where do they go...an underground 'sex den' where everything is allowed, but most importantly of all as far as Aiden is concerned, people touch bare skin and connect with each other...sex if it happens, fine, but lots of needy people go there and are willing to risk the consequences of breaking the law..just because they desparately need skin to skin contact. Keith is completely gobsmacked by what goes on in the 'sex den', the noise, the people, the sights, sounds and smells, he's totally overwhelmed and has a mini breakdown of sorts, yes, he wants to experience what being touched is like...after all, he's never been touched at all by another person's hand ungloved, but Aiden takes pity on him and kisses are all they exchange.
Soon however, kisses are not enough and Keith becomes 'addicted' to the skin of another person, specifically Aiden's, he is literally starving for affection...he goes through withdrawal symptoms just like an addict, and finds that Aiden is suffering too, although Aiden has frequently been to these underground sex dens and knows that what they are doing is extremely risky...not from a disease point of view of course, everyone is tested to oblivion and chipped to the eyeballs, so if anyone steps out of line, they quietly disappear. Keith's work is suffering, he can't stand not seeing and being with Aiden, but Big Brother is all seeing, all knowing and unknown to Keith, people have noticed that he's been visiting the illegal sex dens with Aiden. Where does that leave our two MC's....that's for you to discover. Some great lines in this one...
"I mean you'll realise now just how much distance there is between people. How cold life is without physical affection". He touched my face. "On one hand, I guess it's cruel to introduce someone to this. Break them out of their ignorance and show them what it's like to truly"...he ran the backs of his fingers down the center of my chest..."FEEL someone."
"But you do it anyway?"
He nodded slowly. "Because I think everyone deserves to taste this at least once. Even if you never get it again, you shouldn't have to live your entire life without feeling someone else just once".
'Everything about this absolutely mesmerized me. The way his lips parted and his brow furrowed. The way his body felt ---tight, slick, hot--- with every stroke. The ache in my muscles that told me this wasn't a simulation. This was real. He was real. His body against mine, around mine, nothing but skin against skin.'
'The world was silent except for this room. Nothing else existed. His body didn't even feel separate from mine anymore, not when we were as close as two human beings could be, one moving deep inside the other.'
Sincerely hope LA is doing a sequel....pretty please??
Sometime in the pretty bleak future of our world, the powers that be in San Angeles have declared that skin to skin contact is unlawful....touching encourages the spread of disease so everyone is clothed from head to foot, even gloved, and sex as we know it nowadays takes place in this cold, clinical and sanitized future world in a 'Simhouse', a government run institution which simulates orgasm for both men and women alike (God, what a unpleasant thought that is, shudders!!). It's quick, hygienic, can be booked in advance (every few weeks is quite sufficient normally) and most importantly does not spread disease and keeps the population stress free but reliant on their sessions. In this futuristic 1984, Big Brother does indeed watch every little thing you do, even down to the number of sessions you have at the Simhouse...not enough or too many, it doesn't matter, someone will have taken note of it.
One of the techs at this particular Simhouse, Keith Borden, goes along with the government blurb like a good little minion, sees his clients regularly but has a particular 'thing' for one customer in particular Aiden Maxwell. He always has to have a personal session himself when Aiden has finished. ..an Aiden lookalike is his masturbatory 'sim' of choice, and of course, as time goes by, he discovers that Aiden is flirting with him and eventually Aiden asks him out. Where do they go...an underground 'sex den' where everything is allowed, but most importantly of all as far as Aiden is concerned, people touch bare skin and connect with each other...sex if it happens, fine, but lots of needy people go there and are willing to risk the consequences of breaking the law..just because they desparately need skin to skin contact. Keith is completely gobsmacked by what goes on in the 'sex den', the noise, the people, the sights, sounds and smells, he's totally overwhelmed and has a mini breakdown of sorts, yes, he wants to experience what being touched is like...after all, he's never been touched at all by another person's hand ungloved, but Aiden takes pity on him and kisses are all they exchange.
Soon however, kisses are not enough and Keith becomes 'addicted' to the skin of another person, specifically Aiden's, he is literally starving for affection...he goes through withdrawal symptoms just like an addict, and finds that Aiden is suffering too, although Aiden has frequently been to these underground sex dens and knows that what they are doing is extremely risky...not from a disease point of view of course, everyone is tested to oblivion and chipped to the eyeballs, so if anyone steps out of line, they quietly disappear. Keith's work is suffering, he can't stand not seeing and being with Aiden, but Big Brother is all seeing, all knowing and unknown to Keith, people have noticed that he's been visiting the illegal sex dens with Aiden. Where does that leave our two MC's....that's for you to discover. Some great lines in this one...
"I mean you'll realise now just how much distance there is between people. How cold life is without physical affection". He touched my face. "On one hand, I guess it's cruel to introduce someone to this. Break them out of their ignorance and show them what it's like to truly"...he ran the backs of his fingers down the center of my chest..."FEEL someone."
"But you do it anyway?"
He nodded slowly. "Because I think everyone deserves to taste this at least once. Even if you never get it again, you shouldn't have to live your entire life without feeling someone else just once".
'Everything about this absolutely mesmerized me. The way his lips parted and his brow furrowed. The way his body felt ---tight, slick, hot--- with every stroke. The ache in my muscles that told me this wasn't a simulation. This was real. He was real. His body against mine, around mine, nothing but skin against skin.'
'The world was silent except for this room. Nothing else existed. His body didn't even feel separate from mine anymore, not when we were as close as two human beings could be, one moving deep inside the other.'
Sincerely hope LA is doing a sequel....pretty please??
March 6, 2017
4.5 stars
This was a Kindle freebie that I bought the Audible version for. I love doing that. It seems like such a deal.
This one is dystopian and mm, two of my favorite genres, so I was itching to get to it. I gotta tell you Ron Herczig has one of the sexiest narrator voices ever. His bass was rocking the subwoofer in my car.
(GR lost half of my review - ugh - it's doing that more and more often) ok, so it went something like this:
It’s a dystopian world where skin to skin contact is outlawed. Sex allowed only in Sim machines with VR. Of course, there’s an underground. If the flapper generation created an underground for illigal liquor, you can imagine a society with illegal sex is going to do the same. It's a wonderful, out of the box story. Sad in some ways, hot and steamy in every way. We don't deal with family drama nor any type of angst related to the two men's sexual preferences. The angst comes from the society being opposed to all physical contact. It's suspenseful and thrilling with a nice HFN.
My only complaint is that it wasn't longer.
This was a Kindle freebie that I bought the Audible version for. I love doing that. It seems like such a deal.
This one is dystopian and mm, two of my favorite genres, so I was itching to get to it. I gotta tell you Ron Herczig has one of the sexiest narrator voices ever. His bass was rocking the subwoofer in my car.
(GR lost half of my review - ugh - it's doing that more and more often) ok, so it went something like this:
It’s a dystopian world where skin to skin contact is outlawed. Sex allowed only in Sim machines with VR. Of course, there’s an underground. If the flapper generation created an underground for illigal liquor, you can imagine a society with illegal sex is going to do the same. It's a wonderful, out of the box story. Sad in some ways, hot and steamy in every way. We don't deal with family drama nor any type of angst related to the two men's sexual preferences. The angst comes from the society being opposed to all physical contact. It's suspenseful and thrilling with a nice HFN.
My only complaint is that it wasn't longer.
July 20, 2018
A powerful tale about the importance of touch
This was a little bit different than my usual read from this author but no less enjoyable.
Thought provoking and somewhat disturbing, as this kind of reality isn't too hard to imagine in a dystopian future where the Government controls everything, including reproduction.
Keith and Aiden were a fascinating pair and their relationship followed the same path as any pair of lovers, even with all the added complications which came with a world where touch is considered a crime.
The plot was tight and carried its hint of danger well and I was terrified half the time they were able to be together that they'd either get caught or the building would collapse on them!
Loved the ending too, a HFN given the circumstances but one which carried such hope and love.
This was a little bit different than my usual read from this author but no less enjoyable.
Thought provoking and somewhat disturbing, as this kind of reality isn't too hard to imagine in a dystopian future where the Government controls everything, including reproduction.
Keith and Aiden were a fascinating pair and their relationship followed the same path as any pair of lovers, even with all the added complications which came with a world where touch is considered a crime.
The plot was tight and carried its hint of danger well and I was terrified half the time they were able to be together that they'd either get caught or the building would collapse on them!
Loved the ending too, a HFN given the circumstances but one which carried such hope and love.
August 19, 2013
The Future: Sanitized for your protection
Life in the megapolis of San Angeles after environmental and biological disasters have fallen and humanity has recovered--to a better, cleaner place. Sanctioned behaviors rule life under Big Brother's eye.
Keith is a medical technician, a simtech, responsible for programming and overseeing patients prescribed orgasms. He never questions the clinical nature of his existence until one patient makes him want--more.
Aiden flirts and lures Keith, before long he drags him into the underbelly of San Angeles, the wireless lounges. The place where people go to find more than the prescribed. Surprise! There's many things that simulation never could quite replicate.
While I enjoy futuristic dystopia reads, Wireless had few slow moving spots as the repeated visits slowly replay just a little differently. They lend credibility to Keith's conflicted nature, but do drag. There's a lot of introspection revolving around Keith's feelings about himself and society laws and structure. The repetitive story elements are suppose to seem like a slow descent, but for a dystopian storyline it moves SLOW.
Recommended to ponderers and dystopia diehards.
Favorite quote:
~~ A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews
Life in the megapolis of San Angeles after environmental and biological disasters have fallen and humanity has recovered--to a better, cleaner place. Sanctioned behaviors rule life under Big Brother's eye.
Keith is a medical technician, a simtech, responsible for programming and overseeing patients prescribed orgasms. He never questions the clinical nature of his existence until one patient makes him want--more.
Aiden flirts and lures Keith, before long he drags him into the underbelly of San Angeles, the wireless lounges. The place where people go to find more than the prescribed. Surprise! There's many things that simulation never could quite replicate.
While I enjoy futuristic dystopia reads, Wireless had few slow moving spots as the repeated visits slowly replay just a little differently. They lend credibility to Keith's conflicted nature, but do drag. There's a lot of introspection revolving around Keith's feelings about himself and society laws and structure. The repetitive story elements are suppose to seem like a slow descent, but for a dystopian storyline it moves SLOW.
Recommended to ponderers and dystopia diehards.
Favorite quote:
If it was just an orgasm or two, no one would take these risks, but we need human contact.
~~ A copy was provided to me for a No Glitter Blown review~~
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews
September 15, 2017
Rainy day. Most people keep a stash of money saved for a rainy day but my RD treasures include a bottle of my favorite wine and a few L.A. Witt books. Sometimes I even enjoy them together. Wireless was one of those stashed books and what a treat it turned out to be!
Imagine a world where human contact is illegal. Skin to skin is completely forbidden. You’ve seen it in the movies; sci-fi realms where disease is prevented by machines that replace all body to body touch. Instead of any physical interaction, there are scans and suits and computer-generated virtual reality replacements. It’s really wild to think about. My profession includes a certain level of personal protection consisting of eyewear, masks, and gloves. I can’t imagine living with those barriers 24/7. To lose all of your tactile sensitivity and maintain a muted existence? Unimaginable. To never kiss my husband or hold my child’s hand? Inconceivable. To have sex with a machine? No thank you. I prefer my life with all it’s touchy feely…messiness, don’t you? However, slipping into Witt’s futuristic world of wires with two men desperate to become ‘wireless’ was exciting and extremely entertaining.
What's to like: I’ve read and marveled at Witt’s science fiction stories before but this was…an out of body experience. Keith and Aiden live in a time where confinement is the way of life. They are imprisoned by a government that dictates every move they make. They are resigned to live the life that is deemed “best for them”. Keith has…opportunities. He is a simtech and has been matched with a suitable mate and approved for the maximum amount of offspring. He should count his blessings and accept the fate chosen for him. And he might have except…there’s a man who sparks a fire within him. A client at the simhouse has snagged his attention and is slowly taking over every waking moment of every day. When his secret crush, Aiden, extends an invitation to break all the rules he lives by, he is helpless to deny him. He wants Aiden in every way. And that is beyond dangerous in their time.
What's to love: Witt masters erotic romance time and time again, but this was off the charts even by her standards. However, it’s not only the carnal sex that these two men have but the power of simple touches. Interlocking fingers becomes obscene. Lips meeting is tantalizing. And sex? Kinky taboo! What truly struck me was the absolute power of love. When Keith realized he loved Aiden he went all in. Nothing was too great a sacrifice. Ultimately, that is what wooed me. I adored the sexual awakening but reveled in their emotional connection.
Beware of: An underground sex lounge. It’s erotic, it’s naughty, it’s against the law. But sometimes it’s worth playing with fire, to feel the heat.
This book is for: If you like to imagine the surreal possibilities of what the future could hold, you need this Witt story…yesterday. But for all our sakes, let’s hope this continues to be…imaginary.
Book UNfunk
Imagine a world where human contact is illegal. Skin to skin is completely forbidden. You’ve seen it in the movies; sci-fi realms where disease is prevented by machines that replace all body to body touch. Instead of any physical interaction, there are scans and suits and computer-generated virtual reality replacements. It’s really wild to think about. My profession includes a certain level of personal protection consisting of eyewear, masks, and gloves. I can’t imagine living with those barriers 24/7. To lose all of your tactile sensitivity and maintain a muted existence? Unimaginable. To never kiss my husband or hold my child’s hand? Inconceivable. To have sex with a machine? No thank you. I prefer my life with all it’s touchy feely…messiness, don’t you? However, slipping into Witt’s futuristic world of wires with two men desperate to become ‘wireless’ was exciting and extremely entertaining.
What's to like: I’ve read and marveled at Witt’s science fiction stories before but this was…an out of body experience. Keith and Aiden live in a time where confinement is the way of life. They are imprisoned by a government that dictates every move they make. They are resigned to live the life that is deemed “best for them”. Keith has…opportunities. He is a simtech and has been matched with a suitable mate and approved for the maximum amount of offspring. He should count his blessings and accept the fate chosen for him. And he might have except…there’s a man who sparks a fire within him. A client at the simhouse has snagged his attention and is slowly taking over every waking moment of every day. When his secret crush, Aiden, extends an invitation to break all the rules he lives by, he is helpless to deny him. He wants Aiden in every way. And that is beyond dangerous in their time.
What's to love: Witt masters erotic romance time and time again, but this was off the charts even by her standards. However, it’s not only the carnal sex that these two men have but the power of simple touches. Interlocking fingers becomes obscene. Lips meeting is tantalizing. And sex? Kinky taboo! What truly struck me was the absolute power of love. When Keith realized he loved Aiden he went all in. Nothing was too great a sacrifice. Ultimately, that is what wooed me. I adored the sexual awakening but reveled in their emotional connection.
Beware of: An underground sex lounge. It’s erotic, it’s naughty, it’s against the law. But sometimes it’s worth playing with fire, to feel the heat.
This book is for: If you like to imagine the surreal possibilities of what the future could hold, you need this Witt story…yesterday. But for all our sakes, let’s hope this continues to be…imaginary.
Book UNfunk
July 7, 2016
Hot, sensual, dystopian M/M romance, Another unique story by L.A. Witt. In a world where skin-on-skin contact is illegal, everyone wears bodysuits and gloves to avoid human touch. Government-approved sexual contact involves electrodes and customized sims to help citizens experience "safe", non-contact sex. Despite the government's propaganda that "wireless sex" is dirty and dangerous, there is a thriving underground of wireless clubs where citizens engage in highly illegal and hot, hot wireless sex, described by Witt in all its sensual glory. Beyond the story of Aiden and Kevin, I thought the book had some excellent commentary on our society's various attitudes about sex (or maybe it's just me ....).
August 4, 2013
3.75 STARS
I was intrigued about this society that didn't allow skin on skin contact between two people. I just didn't connected with the two MCs and because of that, it just didn't touch me emotionally like you would think a story like this would. It was just an okay read for me.
I was intrigued about this society that didn't allow skin on skin contact between two people. I just didn't connected with the two MCs and because of that, it just didn't touch me emotionally like you would think a story like this would. It was just an okay read for me.
Want to read
April 1, 2016Free again at Amazon US, 3/31/16
May 9, 2016
Interesting concept and world building... It was missing something though... Can't place a finger on it. Oh well... *shrugs*
January 31, 2014
I fucking loved this book. I'm pretty sure I've loved almost all of her books so far, but his one? Fuck. L.A. Witt kicked my ass with feels.
In this world, where touching is illegal, I would go crazy. I was itching in my own skin, in my own clothes, dying to get naked and rub up against someone and lose myself in the freedom. I was there, wishing I could throttle the forces that rule this world and make them realize what they were doing to people. What they were depriving everyone from. It's not even the lack of real sex. It's contact. Something I think we all take for granted because, why should we worry about that? Why indeed...
Shit, I can't even process my feelings right now. I just loved this so much. I'm really hoping that Lori decides to write more books in this universe. I want to know how Keith and Aiden deal with the aftermath of what has happened. But most of all, I want to know if some resistance will come up and crush the stupid bastards that made the laws by which they live by. I just want more.
In this world, where touching is illegal, I would go crazy. I was itching in my own skin, in my own clothes, dying to get naked and rub up against someone and lose myself in the freedom. I was there, wishing I could throttle the forces that rule this world and make them realize what they were doing to people. What they were depriving everyone from. It's not even the lack of real sex. It's contact. Something I think we all take for granted because, why should we worry about that? Why indeed...
Shit, I can't even process my feelings right now. I just loved this so much. I'm really hoping that Lori decides to write more books in this universe. I want to know how Keith and Aiden deal with the aftermath of what has happened. But most of all, I want to know if some resistance will come up and crush the stupid bastards that made the laws by which they live by. I just want more.
August 3, 2016
DNF'd at 58%. I think it came down to I didn't see/feel enough of a connection between the two to justify the risk Keith took. He appeared to be someone who was raised & was comfortable drinking the Kool aid up until this point? I just couldn't buy into it. As others have said excellent concept & world building but the romantic connection wasn't enough for me to enjoy it.
September 18, 2013
Mine is the second one.
Speculative fiction is never so eerily plausible as in WIRELESS. In a mix of Big Brother and prude Victorian sexual repression, WIRELESS shows a scary future of isolation. Humans are prevented from any type of bonds. There are no connections because the government paints any type of physical contact as subversive. Those interested in even touching another person are one step away from the physical sexual act. In this future, sex is prescribed as a medication which can only be taken through a virtual machine simulating sexual relations. It's clinical and without feeling. Having relations outside of the simulation machines is even illegal since there are cameras in everyone's home to monitor.
Keith is an average citizen frightened by the perverted people going native with skin to skin loving. He operates the sex machines to get people off. It is as if he is living in a dream and suddenly wakes up. The catalyst is Aiden, a patient who creates a virtual sex partner resembling Keith. Aiden leads Keith down a path of forbidden lusts come to life. It's hot, sweaty and completely illegal. All of these encounters are hidden away from the cameras which seem to exist everywhere in this world.
While Ms. Witt creates a seemingly crazy world, is it really that far off? There are cameras all over most cities. Cabs have video cameras. All homes with computers or laptops have cameras. Even the video gaming systems like Xbox have cameras which can be controlled remotely. Anyone telling you otherwise is lying. With the NSA now piggy backing on internet connections and monitoring people's activity, what is the next step? Isn't that how it all starts? In the name of eradicating sexually transmitted diseases, the government in this story pushes for sex with machines. Has anyone seen the latest advances in sex toys? My closet is filled with them and I have noticed an uptick in erotic toy usages and decrease in physical relations with a human partner. There are some disturbing parallels which Ms. Witt highlights in an extreme way.
Ms. Witt does a great job of creating a "what if" scenario. Her characters are secondary to the concepts she brings to light. However, the scenarios are not well fleshed out. She needs to take it one step further with more ramifications of these government controls. The reader sees the result of the laws, but what else will happen due to these rules? How did it all start? Is there a beginning and is this just in the former state of California? What other conspiracies are there? What about the people in control? How are they living? I find it hard to believe those in control are following the same rules. Is this worldwide or just an isolated location? And why is it that Keith is being monitored more than others?
There are threads to this story which are left hanging. If there is a follow up story to expand the world and provide more background, it would help. As a standalone, it leaves the reader a bit dissatisfied with unanswered questions. The contrast between fake and real sex is well done and increases the sensual sensations. This m/m dystopia story is recommended for those who love conspiracy theories.
Currently reading
September 9, 2013Holy hotness...
February 7, 2019
3.5 stars
wasn't that one of the stories from Welcome to the Monkey House?
wasn't that one of the stories from Welcome to the Monkey House?
January 3, 2021
2,5 ⭐️
Mediocre. Tutto in questo libro è mediocre.
Inizialmente non riuscivo a collocare dove avessi già visto/sentito il trope che è alla base di questo libro, poi consorte mi è venuto in aiuto: Demolition Man.
L’autrice ha pescato a piene mani dal film DM, che ok, a me le citazioni piacciono, ma qui parliamo di una cosa presa di peso e trasposta.
In più manca completamente una cosa essenziale della fantascienza: il worldbuilding. Cosa ha portato *davvero* il governo a una scelta del genere? Perché la cosa delle malattie è un po’ tanto una vaccata. Non convinci 7 miliardi di persone da un giorno all’altro a smettere di scopare, per cui ci devono essere state guerre e possibilmente di stampo religioso, quindi tutta l’ambientazione risulta estremamente carente. Mi si potrebbe anche dire che potrei dare per scontate queste informazioni e la mia risposta sarebbe “bro, chiaramente non hai la minima idea di cosa sia la sci-fi”.
Il lettura poi ci sono errori di coerenza interna: quando Keith si masturba nella doccia, dice di avere un soppressore lì a portata di mano. Ma il capitolo dopo, in cui dice di non farcela più, lamenta la mancanza degli stessi andando a ravanare in un cassetto alla ricerca di un soppressore scaduto da anni, affermando di non averne altri in suo possesso. Allora, o li ha o non li ha.
Poi: Aiden è chiaramente bisessuale e ok. Ma Keith? Non si sa. Non pervenuto. Perché in un mondo in cui il contatto fisico non avviene e la riproduzione avviene in incubatrice, perché l’autrice ha scelto il canone eteronormativo in cui a ogni uomo viene assegnata una donna da sposare e viceversa? Se non esistono contatti, avrebbe senso che l’orientamento sessuale personale fosse rispettato, ma ho idea che all’autrice questa cosa non sia proprio passata per la mente, sigh.
Quando poi Keith è indagato dalla polizia, subito ho notato una cosa mancante: da quando si è masturbato la prima volta, il governo “guarda” Keith con sospetto. Monitora le sue attività costantemente grazie alle telecamere. Il detective gli mostra le registrazioni di lui alla sala wireless (e già qui, bella sicurezza interna amici), ma accetta senza battere ciglio la giustificazione che Keith non conosce Aiden al di fuori della Simhouse. Quando abbiamo appena passato 3/4 capitoli in cui escono insieme a cena, in cui si frequentano e vanno a vedere il tramonto sui binari. Un governo così efficiente che ti controlla in casa ed è in grado di filmare in una sala illegale, ma che non riesce a tracciare i tuoi movimenti giornalieri con l’indiziato numero uno? Ma siamo seri?
Poi infine: manca del tutto l’empatia con i protagonisti. Keith accetta l’offerta di Aiden all’inizio del libro senza passare dal via e ci sta, ma manca tutto intorno quel contesto di conoscenza tra i due a giustificarlo. Aiden poi è una macchia sullo sfondo di questo libro, complice probabilmente anche il pov unico, ma il momento in cui Keith gli dice di amarlo è abbastanza “meh” anche perché per tutto il tempo Keith stesso parla di attrazione fisica, di quella che è a tutti gli effetti una dipendenza da sesso, ma quasi mai di sentimenti, per cui rimane lì un po’ sospeso nel limbo.
E il limbo della mia memoria è esattamente dove finirà questo libro.
Mediocre. Tutto in questo libro è mediocre.
Inizialmente non riuscivo a collocare dove avessi già visto/sentito il trope che è alla base di questo libro, poi consorte mi è venuto in aiuto: Demolition Man.
L’autrice ha pescato a piene mani dal film DM, che ok, a me le citazioni piacciono, ma qui parliamo di una cosa presa di peso e trasposta.
In più manca completamente una cosa essenziale della fantascienza: il worldbuilding. Cosa ha portato *davvero* il governo a una scelta del genere? Perché la cosa delle malattie è un po’ tanto una vaccata. Non convinci 7 miliardi di persone da un giorno all’altro a smettere di scopare, per cui ci devono essere state guerre e possibilmente di stampo religioso, quindi tutta l’ambientazione risulta estremamente carente. Mi si potrebbe anche dire che potrei dare per scontate queste informazioni e la mia risposta sarebbe “bro, chiaramente non hai la minima idea di cosa sia la sci-fi”.
Il lettura poi ci sono errori di coerenza interna: quando Keith si masturba nella doccia, dice di avere un soppressore lì a portata di mano. Ma il capitolo dopo, in cui dice di non farcela più, lamenta la mancanza degli stessi andando a ravanare in un cassetto alla ricerca di un soppressore scaduto da anni, affermando di non averne altri in suo possesso. Allora, o li ha o non li ha.
Poi: Aiden è chiaramente bisessuale e ok. Ma Keith? Non si sa. Non pervenuto. Perché in un mondo in cui il contatto fisico non avviene e la riproduzione avviene in incubatrice, perché l’autrice ha scelto il canone eteronormativo in cui a ogni uomo viene assegnata una donna da sposare e viceversa? Se non esistono contatti, avrebbe senso che l’orientamento sessuale personale fosse rispettato, ma ho idea che all’autrice questa cosa non sia proprio passata per la mente, sigh.
Quando poi Keith è indagato dalla polizia, subito ho notato una cosa mancante: da quando si è masturbato la prima volta, il governo “guarda” Keith con sospetto. Monitora le sue attività costantemente grazie alle telecamere. Il detective gli mostra le registrazioni di lui alla sala wireless (e già qui, bella sicurezza interna amici), ma accetta senza battere ciglio la giustificazione che Keith non conosce Aiden al di fuori della Simhouse. Quando abbiamo appena passato 3/4 capitoli in cui escono insieme a cena, in cui si frequentano e vanno a vedere il tramonto sui binari. Un governo così efficiente che ti controlla in casa ed è in grado di filmare in una sala illegale, ma che non riesce a tracciare i tuoi movimenti giornalieri con l’indiziato numero uno? Ma siamo seri?
Poi infine: manca del tutto l’empatia con i protagonisti. Keith accetta l’offerta di Aiden all’inizio del libro senza passare dal via e ci sta, ma manca tutto intorno quel contesto di conoscenza tra i due a giustificarlo. Aiden poi è una macchia sullo sfondo di questo libro, complice probabilmente anche il pov unico, ma il momento in cui Keith gli dice di amarlo è abbastanza “meh” anche perché per tutto il tempo Keith stesso parla di attrazione fisica, di quella che è a tutti gli effetti una dipendenza da sesso, ma quasi mai di sentimenti, per cui rimane lì un po’ sospeso nel limbo.
E il limbo della mia memoria è esattamente dove finirà questo libro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
Sono una lettrice esperta di distopici e un’avida consumatrice di yaoi, ergo l’idea di leggere un MM distopico mi ha affascinata subito, tanto che ho letteralmente divorato questo libro.
Ma c’è un enorme ma.
Il libro mi è piaciuto, non posso negarlo, ma non mi ha entusiasmato. Ho decisamente apprezzato l’idea, ma non la sua messa in pratica.
Andiamo per ordine.
Il mondo in cui vivono i due protagonisti del libro, Keith e Aiden, è fondato su una società in cui è vietato toccarsi. I neonati, addirittura, possono essere stretti al seno dalla madre solo fino ai sei mesi. I partner vengono scelti dal governo in base a valutazioni genetiche e caratteriali, i cittadini vivono protetti da tute nere che ricoprono i loro corpi per intero, lasciando scoperte solo le mani che però sono rivestite da guanti. E’ vietato il sesso ed esistono strutture governative in cui i cittadini possono espletare i loro bisogni sessuali su prescrizione medica, monitorati comunque dal governo. E’ vietato masturbarsi, anche nel chiuso della propria camera da letto, perché anche in casa ci sono telecamere, ovunque, anche in bagno.
Ecco, questa è la parte della storia che più mi è piaciuta, assieme alle scene piuttosto hot tra i due protagonisti.
Ma parliamo proprio di loro, Keith e Aiden.
Keith è un tecnico di simroom, un posto in cui una vasca sensoriale ospita un cliente per il trattamento sessuale, un orgasmo simulato attraverso elettrodi e un amante virtuale. Ogni due giovedì alle 14.30 in punto, la serenità sessuale di Keith è scossa da un uomo che lo rende nervoso tanto da costringerlo a fare la propria seduta nella vasca proprio dopo quella dell’avvenente cliente che porta il nome di Aiden.
L’atteggiamento ammiccante di Aiden, certi sguardi e certe mezze parole dette nel corso di queste sedute, mettono in allarme Keith ma nello stesso tempo lo gettano nella curiosità di saperne di più.
Esistono dei posti fuori legge, nella parte vecchia di San Angeles, dove ci sono palazzi in disuso e dove si raccoglie la popolazione reietta, dove si dice che la gente faccia sesso fisico.
Aiden sembra decisamente saperne qualcosa e Keith non solo non riesce a resistere al fascino di Aiden, ma anche alla curiosità di quello che potrebbe significare sentire davvero il contatto con qualcuno.
Inutile dire che la curiosità di Keith sarà soddisfatta.
Come dicevo, l’idea su cui si fonda la trama del libro è parecchio intrigante: vivere in un mondo in cui il contatto fisico è bandito, dove ogni mossa è controllata dal potere centrale, dove i rapporti umani sono distanti, asettici e privi di empatia, dove in pratica l’amore è fuori legge.
Vedere, invece, un posto dove gli individui si riappropriano della loro umanità, toccandosi, baciandosi, senza limiti e senza riserve, affamati di quel bisogno negato, porta Keith alla follia, al volerne sempre di più, fino a trovarsi nei guai con la società.
E’ da questo momento in poi che il libro mostra parecchie ingenuità strutturali.
Qualche esempio?
I cittadini, come detto, sono costantemente controllati dalle autorità, hanno telecamere che li osservano 24h su 24, anche in bagno, e microchip identificativi impiantati dietro l'orecchio. In questa società, pare logico che uno possa andare in un negozio di elettronica qualunque e, pagando, ottenere tranquillamente la disattivazione illegale del chip, senza che il tipo del negozio sospetti nulla, non pensi che possa finire nei guai con la polizia, e pagare tutto con la carta di credito che è pure monitorata?
Ecco, a quanto pare sì.
Non cito tutte le altre situazioni che mi hanno fatto storcere non poco il naso e che, alla fine, mi hanno tendenzialmente portato a trovare l'idea di base del romanzo allettante ma non gestita al meglio.
Nel complesso la storia scorre e si legge velocemente, la scrittura è fluida e lo stile immediato. Le scene di sesso molto ben raccontate e i sentimenti ben descritti.
Lo consiglio sicuramente a chi non è pignolo come me.
Recensione nel Blog http://newadultitalia.blogspot.it/201...
Ma c’è un enorme ma.
Il libro mi è piaciuto, non posso negarlo, ma non mi ha entusiasmato. Ho decisamente apprezzato l’idea, ma non la sua messa in pratica.
Andiamo per ordine.
Il mondo in cui vivono i due protagonisti del libro, Keith e Aiden, è fondato su una società in cui è vietato toccarsi. I neonati, addirittura, possono essere stretti al seno dalla madre solo fino ai sei mesi. I partner vengono scelti dal governo in base a valutazioni genetiche e caratteriali, i cittadini vivono protetti da tute nere che ricoprono i loro corpi per intero, lasciando scoperte solo le mani che però sono rivestite da guanti. E’ vietato il sesso ed esistono strutture governative in cui i cittadini possono espletare i loro bisogni sessuali su prescrizione medica, monitorati comunque dal governo. E’ vietato masturbarsi, anche nel chiuso della propria camera da letto, perché anche in casa ci sono telecamere, ovunque, anche in bagno.
Ecco, questa è la parte della storia che più mi è piaciuta, assieme alle scene piuttosto hot tra i due protagonisti.
Ma parliamo proprio di loro, Keith e Aiden.
Keith è un tecnico di simroom, un posto in cui una vasca sensoriale ospita un cliente per il trattamento sessuale, un orgasmo simulato attraverso elettrodi e un amante virtuale. Ogni due giovedì alle 14.30 in punto, la serenità sessuale di Keith è scossa da un uomo che lo rende nervoso tanto da costringerlo a fare la propria seduta nella vasca proprio dopo quella dell’avvenente cliente che porta il nome di Aiden.
L’atteggiamento ammiccante di Aiden, certi sguardi e certe mezze parole dette nel corso di queste sedute, mettono in allarme Keith ma nello stesso tempo lo gettano nella curiosità di saperne di più.
Esistono dei posti fuori legge, nella parte vecchia di San Angeles, dove ci sono palazzi in disuso e dove si raccoglie la popolazione reietta, dove si dice che la gente faccia sesso fisico.
Aiden sembra decisamente saperne qualcosa e Keith non solo non riesce a resistere al fascino di Aiden, ma anche alla curiosità di quello che potrebbe significare sentire davvero il contatto con qualcuno.
Inutile dire che la curiosità di Keith sarà soddisfatta.
Come dicevo, l’idea su cui si fonda la trama del libro è parecchio intrigante: vivere in un mondo in cui il contatto fisico è bandito, dove ogni mossa è controllata dal potere centrale, dove i rapporti umani sono distanti, asettici e privi di empatia, dove in pratica l’amore è fuori legge.
Vedere, invece, un posto dove gli individui si riappropriano della loro umanità, toccandosi, baciandosi, senza limiti e senza riserve, affamati di quel bisogno negato, porta Keith alla follia, al volerne sempre di più, fino a trovarsi nei guai con la società.
E’ da questo momento in poi che il libro mostra parecchie ingenuità strutturali.
Qualche esempio?
I cittadini, come detto, sono costantemente controllati dalle autorità, hanno telecamere che li osservano 24h su 24, anche in bagno, e microchip identificativi impiantati dietro l'orecchio. In questa società, pare logico che uno possa andare in un negozio di elettronica qualunque e, pagando, ottenere tranquillamente la disattivazione illegale del chip, senza che il tipo del negozio sospetti nulla, non pensi che possa finire nei guai con la polizia, e pagare tutto con la carta di credito che è pure monitorata?
Ecco, a quanto pare sì.
Non cito tutte le altre situazioni che mi hanno fatto storcere non poco il naso e che, alla fine, mi hanno tendenzialmente portato a trovare l'idea di base del romanzo allettante ma non gestita al meglio.
Nel complesso la storia scorre e si legge velocemente, la scrittura è fluida e lo stile immediato. Le scene di sesso molto ben raccontate e i sentimenti ben descritti.
Lo consiglio sicuramente a chi non è pignolo come me.
Recensione nel Blog http://newadultitalia.blogspot.it/201...
July 5, 2019
I really like L.A.'s books, but this one wasn't one of my favorites. It's good, don't get me wrong. It's a good little sci-fi that makes me think of books like A Brave New World and stuff. Or is it 1984? Oh hell. One of those that does the whole utopian society stuff. No touching, everyone is the same and etc.
I feel like Aiden in this book and eventually Keith. I'm not an overly touchy feely person but to not be able to have ANY skin on skin contact would make me crazy. Keith is a simtech that helps operate a place where people can satisfy their sexual urges. Seeing as they aren't supposed to touch. It runs a simulation to help the patient get what they need. But some people want the real thing. And have set up wireless, underground clubs where reach touch, real sex and all that can happen. The more Aiden come in for his biweekly sessions, the more he wants to ask Keith to join him, but he's not sure how Keith will act, seeing as these clubs are highly illegal. He finally does and Keith goes, but it's overwhelming. Aiden helps Keith to understand with a little skin on skin action but Keith flees. But little by little he's craving it more and more. And more and more is he toeing the line, until he's busted. Now he's fighting to save himself and to find Aiden and finally maybe live free. On the run and hidden, but free.
Like I said, I couldn't imagine. I know for people who deal with not being able to touch someone for fears or health reasons, it would be an ideal thing, but for the rest of us, good heavens. I was to be able to touch someone if and when I want to. But if you were born in a time where you don't know the difference, it would feel different too. And knowing the diseases and viruses in this day and age. Yeah, I get it still.
When Keith was introduced to the wireless underground, not having ever come in contact with all that skin and touching, except clinically, it blew his mind. Sensory overdrive. He didn't know whether to be turned on or run. And for Aiden, he wanted to show Keith the world. But having to be so careful, it makes things harder. But he gets into the act quick and it's nothing like anything he's ever imagined. He's in paradise.
It's not a bad book. I think a lot of you will like it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/.
I feel like Aiden in this book and eventually Keith. I'm not an overly touchy feely person but to not be able to have ANY skin on skin contact would make me crazy. Keith is a simtech that helps operate a place where people can satisfy their sexual urges. Seeing as they aren't supposed to touch. It runs a simulation to help the patient get what they need. But some people want the real thing. And have set up wireless, underground clubs where reach touch, real sex and all that can happen. The more Aiden come in for his biweekly sessions, the more he wants to ask Keith to join him, but he's not sure how Keith will act, seeing as these clubs are highly illegal. He finally does and Keith goes, but it's overwhelming. Aiden helps Keith to understand with a little skin on skin action but Keith flees. But little by little he's craving it more and more. And more and more is he toeing the line, until he's busted. Now he's fighting to save himself and to find Aiden and finally maybe live free. On the run and hidden, but free.
Like I said, I couldn't imagine. I know for people who deal with not being able to touch someone for fears or health reasons, it would be an ideal thing, but for the rest of us, good heavens. I was to be able to touch someone if and when I want to. But if you were born in a time where you don't know the difference, it would feel different too. And knowing the diseases and viruses in this day and age. Yeah, I get it still.
When Keith was introduced to the wireless underground, not having ever come in contact with all that skin and touching, except clinically, it blew his mind. Sensory overdrive. He didn't know whether to be turned on or run. And for Aiden, he wanted to show Keith the world. But having to be so careful, it makes things harder. But he gets into the act quick and it's nothing like anything he's ever imagined. He's in paradise.
It's not a bad book. I think a lot of you will like it.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/.
September 15, 2020
Wireless
~3.5~
"Human curiousity. I give it twenty years before they ban that too. Dangerous you know, causes things like...innovation."
I'm not a touchy person, but this dystopian world of San Angeles, where ANY physical touch, even between a mother and child past the age of 6 months, is illegal, made me so uncomfortable...it's cruel and unsual punishment. The government constantly monitors their citizens, require citizens to wear suits and gloves to prevent skin on skin contact, justify the ban as a method to eradicate sexual diseases and utilize propoganda to demonize individuals who go rogue.
And go rogue, our main charcter does. Keith is attracted to Aiden, a client at the Simhouse who asks specifically for Keith everytime he has a session and flirts blatantly with him. Keith decides to give into his curiousity and is tempted to visit a wireless sex lounge to see what he's being denied. And after one visit, he can't get enough. He builds a connection that nothing in his life before going wireless compares to.
"It wasn't pain, but it was so intense it might as well have hurt, and I rocked back against him in search of more."
No surprise, it was an erotic novel. The sex scenes were integral to the story line. But the book is more than just Keith's sexual awakening. It's about intimacy and connection. And freedom as well. The hedonism, the risk and danger were all compelling and drove the novel, along with the internal dilemna Keith experienced.
Every moment at the wireless lounge was visceral and intense due to the Keith experiencing it all for the first time, and always wanting more. I particularly enjoyed the conflict in emotions for Keith because on one hand, even stepping into to a lounge is a federal offense. And some people just go to touch and cuddle, not have sex. Keith attempts multiple times to resist and use the simhouse and suppressors to dampen his sexual appetite, but tolerance for supressors is a thing and the simhouse machines begin to feel sterile and cold. Keith is so starved for more contact it almost seems like an addiction.
I enjoyed this story solely for the world building. I didn't really connect with any of the main characters, particularly Aiden, and I never truly connected to the "romance" between these two, which was fine. Keith asked Aiden "why me?" a few times in the story and Aiden always gave him some bullshit answer, but I honestly felt Aiden may have gotten off on the fact that he was turning a virgin, in every sense of the word, out and taking a risk introducing him to this taboo atmosphere. It never mentions another incident of Aiden doing this, but it was just the impression I got. It was the only way I could understand why Aiden would out himself for doing illegal activity to someone who is essentially a stranger to him just because he found Keith attractive and had a "feeling." But they did have some sweet, tender moments and Aiden was a good person for Keith to experience all this with.
The ending...
I'd be interested if this turned into a series to see more of this world. How prisoners without simhouses are in prison? Get more into the politics and see the stories and backgrounds of these government officials...are they hypocritical or are they brainwashed, etc? Hopefully, there's more. It's worth the read. Short, interesting concept, and lots of sex. Why not? :)
~3.5~
"Human curiousity. I give it twenty years before they ban that too. Dangerous you know, causes things like...innovation."
I'm not a touchy person, but this dystopian world of San Angeles, where ANY physical touch, even between a mother and child past the age of 6 months, is illegal, made me so uncomfortable...it's cruel and unsual punishment. The government constantly monitors their citizens, require citizens to wear suits and gloves to prevent skin on skin contact, justify the ban as a method to eradicate sexual diseases and utilize propoganda to demonize individuals who go rogue.
And go rogue, our main charcter does. Keith is attracted to Aiden, a client at the Simhouse who asks specifically for Keith everytime he has a session and flirts blatantly with him. Keith decides to give into his curiousity and is tempted to visit a wireless sex lounge to see what he's being denied. And after one visit, he can't get enough. He builds a connection that nothing in his life before going wireless compares to.
"It wasn't pain, but it was so intense it might as well have hurt, and I rocked back against him in search of more."
No surprise, it was an erotic novel. The sex scenes were integral to the story line. But the book is more than just Keith's sexual awakening. It's about intimacy and connection. And freedom as well. The hedonism, the risk and danger were all compelling and drove the novel, along with the internal dilemna Keith experienced.
Every moment at the wireless lounge was visceral and intense due to the Keith experiencing it all for the first time, and always wanting more. I particularly enjoyed the conflict in emotions for Keith because on one hand, even stepping into to a lounge is a federal offense. And some people just go to touch and cuddle, not have sex. Keith attempts multiple times to resist and use the simhouse and suppressors to dampen his sexual appetite, but tolerance for supressors is a thing and the simhouse machines begin to feel sterile and cold. Keith is so starved for more contact it almost seems like an addiction.
I enjoyed this story solely for the world building. I didn't really connect with any of the main characters, particularly Aiden, and I never truly connected to the "romance" between these two, which was fine. Keith asked Aiden "why me?" a few times in the story and Aiden always gave him some bullshit answer, but I honestly felt Aiden may have gotten off on the fact that he was turning a virgin, in every sense of the word, out and taking a risk introducing him to this taboo atmosphere. It never mentions another incident of Aiden doing this, but it was just the impression I got. It was the only way I could understand why Aiden would out himself for doing illegal activity to someone who is essentially a stranger to him just because he found Keith attractive and had a "feeling." But they did have some sweet, tender moments and Aiden was a good person for Keith to experience all this with.
The ending...
I'd be interested if this turned into a series to see more of this world. How prisoners without simhouses are in prison? Get more into the politics and see the stories and backgrounds of these government officials...are they hypocritical or are they brainwashed, etc? Hopefully, there's more. It's worth the read. Short, interesting concept, and lots of sex. Why not? :)
September 14, 2013
5+ stars
I have to begin by saying that this novel, Wireless, simply staggered me with its overwhelming sensuality. I am not sure how author L.A. Witt managed to do it, but she takes us inside the thought processes of a man who has not felt the touch of another human being since he was six months old. Wearing a heavy latex-like body suit and gloves, even a casual touch does not resonate--it simply cannot pass beyond the clothing barrier this dystopian society has created after effectively outlawing sex. So, you see, the moment Keith Borden actually feels another person's flesh outside the confines of the simhouse, he is faced with something beyond his wildest imagination.
The affect that has on him is akin to a full body rush so intense he must leave the wireless lounge or completely breakdown both physically and mentally. However, the man who brought him there is not ready to say goodbye to Keith. There is something that draws Aiden Maxwell to his simtech's side and it has much more to do with the strange and raw emotion that is akin to love than simple curiosity. Pursuing what now feels like an addiction, Keith and Aiden defy the law and its dangerous web in order to meet one another and touch...feel...love.
I cannot begin to tell you how greatly this book affected me. It was the most visceral experience I have ever had reading a novel. My senses were on overload and I swear to you that I could almost close my eyes and, through the power of L.A. Witt's words, be transported to this futuristic society. The depth to which this author plumbed the passions and fears of her characters was stunning. The beat and pulse of this story resonated off the page straight into your central nervous system. The descriptive passages where the author relates Keith's first experience with sensual touch--oh lordy--that was incredibly well written and just plain steaming hot.
It wasn't the sex in this novel that made the story so intense, rather it was the anticipation, the first touch, the slow glide of a tongue over a pair of lips...this is what made the novel so compelling to read. You felt as though the author literally placed you inside the mind of her characters and you were able to walk around in their skin, feeling what they felt, hearing, tasting, experiencing it all just at the same moment they did. I am truly at a loss as to how to explain to you how remarkable this story was.
Was there sex? Yes, some of it incredibly erotic. Did the sex steer the plot? No, but it was integral to the story and yet never allowed the main theme to be driven by it. Instead, it was the raw emotions of both Keith and Aiden that was the driving force behind this story's progression. As a result, Wireless was one of the most powerful novels I have read in this genre.
Wireless goes well beyond its science fiction label. Don't be fooled. This is a romance, wrapped in an action packed novel that is set in a distant futuristic world. L.A. Witt does the impossible in this book. She melds a sensual romance with a cunning sci-fi twist and gives us, Wireless, a five star read!
I have to begin by saying that this novel, Wireless, simply staggered me with its overwhelming sensuality. I am not sure how author L.A. Witt managed to do it, but she takes us inside the thought processes of a man who has not felt the touch of another human being since he was six months old. Wearing a heavy latex-like body suit and gloves, even a casual touch does not resonate--it simply cannot pass beyond the clothing barrier this dystopian society has created after effectively outlawing sex. So, you see, the moment Keith Borden actually feels another person's flesh outside the confines of the simhouse, he is faced with something beyond his wildest imagination.
The affect that has on him is akin to a full body rush so intense he must leave the wireless lounge or completely breakdown both physically and mentally. However, the man who brought him there is not ready to say goodbye to Keith. There is something that draws Aiden Maxwell to his simtech's side and it has much more to do with the strange and raw emotion that is akin to love than simple curiosity. Pursuing what now feels like an addiction, Keith and Aiden defy the law and its dangerous web in order to meet one another and touch...feel...love.
I cannot begin to tell you how greatly this book affected me. It was the most visceral experience I have ever had reading a novel. My senses were on overload and I swear to you that I could almost close my eyes and, through the power of L.A. Witt's words, be transported to this futuristic society. The depth to which this author plumbed the passions and fears of her characters was stunning. The beat and pulse of this story resonated off the page straight into your central nervous system. The descriptive passages where the author relates Keith's first experience with sensual touch--oh lordy--that was incredibly well written and just plain steaming hot.
It wasn't the sex in this novel that made the story so intense, rather it was the anticipation, the first touch, the slow glide of a tongue over a pair of lips...this is what made the novel so compelling to read. You felt as though the author literally placed you inside the mind of her characters and you were able to walk around in their skin, feeling what they felt, hearing, tasting, experiencing it all just at the same moment they did. I am truly at a loss as to how to explain to you how remarkable this story was.
Was there sex? Yes, some of it incredibly erotic. Did the sex steer the plot? No, but it was integral to the story and yet never allowed the main theme to be driven by it. Instead, it was the raw emotions of both Keith and Aiden that was the driving force behind this story's progression. As a result, Wireless was one of the most powerful novels I have read in this genre.
Wireless goes well beyond its science fiction label. Don't be fooled. This is a romance, wrapped in an action packed novel that is set in a distant futuristic world. L.A. Witt does the impossible in this book. She melds a sensual romance with a cunning sci-fi twist and gives us, Wireless, a five star read!
January 17, 2025
L.A. Witt’s Wireless has a really interesting premise and terrific worldbuilding, although the romance didn't quite work for me. The story takes place in a future in which skin-to-skin contact is not only forbidden but illegal, sex is a felony and orgasms are administered ‘by appointment’ at simhouses.
Keith Borden has worked as a simtech for years, and over the last couple has developed a crush on one of his regular ‘patients’, Aiden Maxwell. Keith has never been tempted to break the strict no-contact rules at one of the underground Wireless Lounges (where people gather to have sex or just experience skin-to-skin contact with another person) – until Aiden invites him to join him at one. Keith is nervous – if he’s caught it could cost him his career – but his attraction to Aiden and his curiosity about what it would be like to actually touch another person are so strong that he agrees to go.
Keith’s first experience of touch is mind-blowing and overwhelming – and he quickly realises that one visit won’t be enough. He starts to realise that it’s not just the amazing sex he and Keith are having that he craves, but just simple human contact, the touch, the feeling of being connected to another person – but going to the Lounges is so dangerous and he knows it’s just a matter of time until everything comes crashing down.
I really enjoyed the story, although I wish it had been a bit longer. (If it had been a movie we’d have watched the good guys break out of the restrictive society they lived in and maybe start a more open and free community somewhere else). The worldbuilding is excellent, and author describes Keith’s feelings very well, his cravings and his withdrawal when he tries to quit going, and she does a great job of amping up the tension in the later part of the story. The only thing that didn’t work all that well was the romance between Keith and Aiden, which wasn’t helped by the lack of depth to the characterisation - we know little about Keith outside of his job and as the whole story is told from his PoV, we know next to nothing about Aiden. There’s no question about the strength of their physical connection, but the emotional one was somewhat lacking.
Nick J. Russo is a very skilled narrator, and has become a firm favourite of mine. He delivers an expressive performance here, with clearly defined character voices for the two leads and a clearly differentiated secondary cast. His delivery is well-paced and well-nuanced and I really like the way he conveys the emotional content of the text.
Wireless wasn’t an unqualified success, but I did enjoy the story and would recommend it - especially in audio - to anyone looking for something a bit different.
Keith Borden has worked as a simtech for years, and over the last couple has developed a crush on one of his regular ‘patients’, Aiden Maxwell. Keith has never been tempted to break the strict no-contact rules at one of the underground Wireless Lounges (where people gather to have sex or just experience skin-to-skin contact with another person) – until Aiden invites him to join him at one. Keith is nervous – if he’s caught it could cost him his career – but his attraction to Aiden and his curiosity about what it would be like to actually touch another person are so strong that he agrees to go.
Keith’s first experience of touch is mind-blowing and overwhelming – and he quickly realises that one visit won’t be enough. He starts to realise that it’s not just the amazing sex he and Keith are having that he craves, but just simple human contact, the touch, the feeling of being connected to another person – but going to the Lounges is so dangerous and he knows it’s just a matter of time until everything comes crashing down.
I really enjoyed the story, although I wish it had been a bit longer. (If it had been a movie we’d have watched the good guys break out of the restrictive society they lived in and maybe start a more open and free community somewhere else). The worldbuilding is excellent, and author describes Keith’s feelings very well, his cravings and his withdrawal when he tries to quit going, and she does a great job of amping up the tension in the later part of the story. The only thing that didn’t work all that well was the romance between Keith and Aiden, which wasn’t helped by the lack of depth to the characterisation - we know little about Keith outside of his job and as the whole story is told from his PoV, we know next to nothing about Aiden. There’s no question about the strength of their physical connection, but the emotional one was somewhat lacking.
Nick J. Russo is a very skilled narrator, and has become a firm favourite of mine. He delivers an expressive performance here, with clearly defined character voices for the two leads and a clearly differentiated secondary cast. His delivery is well-paced and well-nuanced and I really like the way he conveys the emotional content of the text.
Wireless wasn’t an unqualified success, but I did enjoy the story and would recommend it - especially in audio - to anyone looking for something a bit different.
August 10, 2013
4 Stars
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
This was a pretty sexy read. I’m all about the tension and this book had it. I couldn’t help but question how much one little touch would affect me if I’d never known something as simple as holding hands, a hug or a kiss. I think that heightened the response for me personally.
The government has made sex illegal in the future. Teaching the new generation that it’s necessary to keep from falling back into the disease crazed era they’ve survived once. So there is no skin to skin contact as that will lead to wanting more. People live their lives so detached from each other, but have no idea they do, since they’ve been raised that way. However, humans still have urges. The government has come up with simhouses to meet the very human response of sexual need. Simhouses give a mind virtual stimulation while simultaneously giving physical pleasure. Keith is a tech in one of these houses. He believes in the sex ban until a customer makes him feel lust like he’s never felt before. The customer, Aiden , always asks for him as his tech. One day things change. Aiden requests his specs for his sessions be changed. The new man in his fantasy looks a lot like Keith. Stirring up Keith’s confusion over his desire for Aiden. When the session ends Aiden starts talking about going wireless. A term designated to those who still have sex. Even though Keith knows it’s illegal he can’t resist the invitation to join Aiden to a wireless party. What he doesn’t know is that once you feel that pleasure, there’s no going back.
This was a pretty good read. I liked the newness of Keith’s feelings and sexual awakening. The danger they were in made for some pretty intense sex. Both the guys felt a strong pull towards each other but I think they knew very early on that what they had beginning between them was special but forbidden. I liked the government conspiracy angle and would love to read more stories based in this world. I can’t imagine this author is done with the story. Things need to be changed damn it! Sex must be restored! Anyway, the only thing that bugged me and it was that they had to go to the clubs to get together knowing it was such a huge risk. All the raids going on meant they were putting themselves in unnecessary danger when Aiden had a place for them to be together. It was explained to a degree that I was fine with it. Maybe the danger was part of them getting off but that wasn’t ever fully developed. So, if you’re in the mood for something original and tantalizing pick this one up.
A "Live Your Life, Buy The Book" Review
This was a pretty sexy read. I’m all about the tension and this book had it. I couldn’t help but question how much one little touch would affect me if I’d never known something as simple as holding hands, a hug or a kiss. I think that heightened the response for me personally.
The government has made sex illegal in the future. Teaching the new generation that it’s necessary to keep from falling back into the disease crazed era they’ve survived once. So there is no skin to skin contact as that will lead to wanting more. People live their lives so detached from each other, but have no idea they do, since they’ve been raised that way. However, humans still have urges. The government has come up with simhouses to meet the very human response of sexual need. Simhouses give a mind virtual stimulation while simultaneously giving physical pleasure. Keith is a tech in one of these houses. He believes in the sex ban until a customer makes him feel lust like he’s never felt before. The customer, Aiden , always asks for him as his tech. One day things change. Aiden requests his specs for his sessions be changed. The new man in his fantasy looks a lot like Keith. Stirring up Keith’s confusion over his desire for Aiden. When the session ends Aiden starts talking about going wireless. A term designated to those who still have sex. Even though Keith knows it’s illegal he can’t resist the invitation to join Aiden to a wireless party. What he doesn’t know is that once you feel that pleasure, there’s no going back.
This was a pretty good read. I liked the newness of Keith’s feelings and sexual awakening. The danger they were in made for some pretty intense sex. Both the guys felt a strong pull towards each other but I think they knew very early on that what they had beginning between them was special but forbidden. I liked the government conspiracy angle and would love to read more stories based in this world. I can’t imagine this author is done with the story. Things need to be changed damn it! Sex must be restored! Anyway, the only thing that bugged me and it was that they had to go to the clubs to get together knowing it was such a huge risk. All the raids going on meant they were putting themselves in unnecessary danger when Aiden had a place for them to be together. It was explained to a degree that I was fine with it. Maybe the danger was part of them getting off but that wasn’t ever fully developed. So, if you’re in the mood for something original and tantalizing pick this one up.
January 8, 2017
Dear Ms Witt,
Please, write more dystopian books.
Sincerely,
me.
Just like she did in her Falling sky duology, L.A. Witt bought me again with dystopian society in Wireless. The main difference is that in FS I loved world building on global level- Sky vs. Gutter dynamic. Wireless is based on fairly simple concept that worked for me, because we get to see how these new totalitarian rules affect people on microlevel- through relationship and social interaction of one individual.
In speculative future sex is a crime and punishable by law. This is justified by the fact that sexually transmitted diseases mutated so severely that no-sex rule is the only way to save humanity. No-sex naturally don't repress urges, so that is dealt with the help of specialized government-issued simhouses where people go and with the help of artificial pheromones and technology have regular, scheduled orgasms. Let's just say that no-sex rule doesn't work for everybody, so there are offenders who go to underground houses and have forbidden, "wireless" sex. Keith works in one of the simhouses, but his attraction to one of his patient made him curious and he starts to question these laws...
The book is clearly titled by wireless sex, one of the biggest offences and temptations of this imaginary world, but I couldn't help thinking how it's also describes this society perfectly. Wireless literally means disconnected and that's what people are in this novel. What government made them. They don't touch, don't interact and are always monitored. In this world every man IS an island. This reminded me so much of one of my favorite movies ever, Equlibrium. :)
For a man who always wears gloves so he doesn't make contact with other humans,every touch is such a new and strong sensation...so, can you imagine sex scenes? Earth shuddering. My favorite quote (I love this so damn much!!!) is:
I didn’t know if I’d come apart or come back together.
Sigh.
Great, great read by L.A. Witt.
January 4, 2023
In a not too distant future where skin on skin contact has been outlawed, two men struggle to handle their increasing attraction to one another. Sim houses exist to provide the populace with their designated orgasms as wireless sex is illegal due to an unprecedented number of diseases that medical science couldn't cure and overpopulation resulting in mass poverty. I was fascinated by this concept because I couldn't imagine living in a world with no skin to skin touching. I always enjoy this author's works so I was excited to read this story.
Keith has been a sim house worker for fourteen years and sure, occasionally, he's thought about wireless sex but no one has ever tempted him enough to risk finding out. Until Aiden. Aiden has been seeing Keith every other week for months at the sim house. He always requests Keith as his tech and Keith is finding it hard to stop thinking about Aiden. They say curiosity killed the cat but I'm fairly certain humans have the upper hand when it comes to being curious. Keith is no different and he ventures underground with Aiden to a wireless lounge. What he sees there shocks and arouses him to no end. After going back to the lounge twice, Keith knows he can't do this anymore. He's jonesing for Aiden constantly and the sim orgasms just aren't cutting it any longer so he tells Aiden no more and walks away. Six weeks later Keith is going out of his mind and he rejoins Aiden at the lounge. This results in them escaping from a raid, with Aiden then disappearing for several weeks with no contact.
I liked this science fiction world created by the author. Inevitably there was quite some predictability to the overall storyline but it was still an entertaining read. I might have liked a slightly different ending but they got their happy ever after and that will have to satisfy.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Keith has been a sim house worker for fourteen years and sure, occasionally, he's thought about wireless sex but no one has ever tempted him enough to risk finding out. Until Aiden. Aiden has been seeing Keith every other week for months at the sim house. He always requests Keith as his tech and Keith is finding it hard to stop thinking about Aiden. They say curiosity killed the cat but I'm fairly certain humans have the upper hand when it comes to being curious. Keith is no different and he ventures underground with Aiden to a wireless lounge. What he sees there shocks and arouses him to no end. After going back to the lounge twice, Keith knows he can't do this anymore. He's jonesing for Aiden constantly and the sim orgasms just aren't cutting it any longer so he tells Aiden no more and walks away. Six weeks later Keith is going out of his mind and he rejoins Aiden at the lounge. This results in them escaping from a raid, with Aiden then disappearing for several weeks with no contact.
I liked this science fiction world created by the author. Inevitably there was quite some predictability to the overall storyline but it was still an entertaining read. I might have liked a slightly different ending but they got their happy ever after and that will have to satisfy.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
September 7, 2013
Imagine a world where touch is forbidden. Sex is a felony and people must line up at simhouses to get their orgasms. This is the world that Keith Borden lives in. He works at a simhouse, delivering personal pleasure to the citizens through virtual reality machines. He meets Aiden Maxwell, a bad boy who knows what it feels like to have wireless sex.
He invites Keith to come with him to one of these secret and highly dangerous underground to have wireless sex. For Keith, it’s a great gamble. Just talking about it can make him lose his job and land himself in jail. But Aiden is determined to show Keith that there was once a time where sex and touch were necessary. It’s not unhygienic or infectious as the government now claims it to be, but tempting and passionate.
The science fiction dystopian world that Witt had created in this story is highly imaginative and well-done. I was never confused about any of the new rules or felt that the details or explanations were too sparse. Witt has always had a good mind with creating alternate worlds. I absolutely believe that she can take this standalone and expand it further into a series.
Aiden was delicious. He was a bit of a bad boy, tempting Keith like that. A lot of the allure of this book stems from the taste of the forbidden and the anxiety that comes with getting caught. It made everything they did seem more tempting. Keith essentially found a drug with wireless sex and couldn’t find himself stopping after that first exposure. At the same time, he is having an internal battle within himself as he contemplates what is good and what is bad.
I would definitely recommend this to readers who are found of dystopian M/M. Witt’s stellar worldbuilding and scorching hot sex scenes make WIRELESS a book that should not be missed!
*Review Copy provided by publisher
July 9, 2015
This was a really interesting world the author created. It is set in the future and it is now illegal for people to touch each other skin to skin. Everyone wears full body suits and gloves. Procreation is done in labs and people are allotted orgasms by the government. Keith works as a technician at one of the government labs. He is attracted to one of his clients, Adien, but he is unwilling to admit it to himself.
Adien comes to the center to keep the goverment from being suspicious of his behavior but he is also very involved in the illegal, undergroup sex clubs. In this clubs people touch each other the old fashioned way. Skin to skin sex. Aiden is attracted to Keith and eventually asks him to join him in a club. Once Keith experiences what this is like he can not go back. The two men are now trying to maintain an illegal relationship that they have to hide from the government. Keith is both terrified and exhilirated.
I thought the plot of the story was really unique and the steamy scenes were really hot. The story moved at a fast pace and was entertaining. My only complaint was that due to the world they lived in the guys were not together often and I had a hard time feeling the emotions between these guys. They had to sacrifice a lot to be with each other but I never felt how they were feeling. I was just told they cared deeply for each other. I didn't see it develope. Overall though I enjoyed the story and if you like are looking for something outside the box this book is a good option.
Adien comes to the center to keep the goverment from being suspicious of his behavior but he is also very involved in the illegal, undergroup sex clubs. In this clubs people touch each other the old fashioned way. Skin to skin sex. Aiden is attracted to Keith and eventually asks him to join him in a club. Once Keith experiences what this is like he can not go back. The two men are now trying to maintain an illegal relationship that they have to hide from the government. Keith is both terrified and exhilirated.
I thought the plot of the story was really unique and the steamy scenes were really hot. The story moved at a fast pace and was entertaining. My only complaint was that due to the world they lived in the guys were not together often and I had a hard time feeling the emotions between these guys. They had to sacrifice a lot to be with each other but I never felt how they were feeling. I was just told they cared deeply for each other. I didn't see it develope. Overall though I enjoyed the story and if you like are looking for something outside the box this book is a good option.
August 4, 2013
A believable verse, a desperate situation and MC's I warmed to. Can't wait for more.
March 15, 2018
I liked this. Maybe 3-3.5 stars. There was some definite hotness, but even though we got a few "dates", I didn't feel the connection as deeply as I wanted . I hated this world. Not that it was badly done, but it was awful. The lack of human touch, everything cold and sterile and impersonal. It was pretty heartbreaking. Overall, I enjoyed the story, wish it had gotten a little deeper, but definitely worth the read.
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