Status Updates From Golden

Sorry to say this will be a DNF. Started out promising, with Justin dealing rather believable with depression and a loss of enjoyment in life and quickly devolved into a BDSM relationship with his old coach. You know, because sex fixes everything, especially when it's with a drunk person and not discussed beforehand.

I am mere pages into this, and I'm DNFing. This is beyond disturbing. I've read some reviews saying this contained dubious consent, but there isn't anything dubious about it. The consent is nonexistent. This is sickening.

The BDSM was not really my thing, but the characters more than made up for it, and I had to finish it, wanting to know what happened to them.

The story picked up quite a bit and is a fun intro to BDSM, but without it getting too strange, too fast. The romantic interaction between the coach and his former swimmer is hot and sexy, more so because the kid is emotionally damaged, and needs help.

I liked how the story just got going immediately. Swimming is very important in my own life and I instantly related to both the swimmer and the coach. The writing is brisk and airy without being too brief or too bubbly. It has punch and instant access to the minds, hearts and lives of the characters.