I've enjoyed other stories written by Finn Marlowe, but this one just didn't work for me. I found much of the sex scenes (which is basically all this is) awkward and uncomfortable and the dialogue even more so. The writing isn't bad, but this one was not at all my cup of tea. ( )

More, please! ( )

Warning: this is a very intense book that will most likely grab you and not let you go. Well, it did me, and the differences between both main character as well as the highly suspenseful games they get up to make me suspect it will fascinate more readers than just me. Interestingly, there weren't too many details about what they do, just enough; a lot of what happened focused on their thoughts, feelings , and needs as they interacted. Don't get me wrong, the underlying plot was also quite fascinating, but I felt it was almost overpowered by the psychology of what was going on and the slow unveiling of each man's motivations. Everything that seemed a little (or even a lot) weird in the beginning actually made sense, but Finn Marlowe took their sweet time in getting there, leaving me hanging on the edge of my seat in delicious torment.

Erik is a bit of an underdog, but a scrappy one. His main problem is that he has so many real and imagined hang-ups that he'd be able to keep three therapists in full employment. He is also competitive, likes a challenge, and thinks his secret desires are too embarrassing to think about. His issue? He loves to be humiliated, in various forms, and believes this is wrong, or at the very least forbidden. Having found his perfect match in the domineering Mr. Mysterious (he doesn’t even know the man's name), he happily follows all his instructions, as much as they make him blush and wriggle in embarrassment. But somehow he knows this cannot last, he is simply unworthy of such an amazing man's attentions. Erik's fear of being abandoned or rejected, of not being good enough, are so real, I really felt for him every step of the way.

Winter, at first, seems to be a cold, unfeeling, and sadistic a**hole. Yes, he gives Erik what he wants, but there isn't anything nice about the man. Now, I cannot say too much here for fear of spoiling the surprise, but let me say that the gradually emerging reasons for what he is doing was extremely well done, his growth is amazing, and I ended up almost liking him. Not quite, he still has a ways to go, but at least I understood him. He is a totally fascinating character, that much is certain!

If you like stories that make your spine tingle with the need to find out what the heck is going on, if you enjoy reading about men who are clearly multi-dimensional and not easy to understand, and if you're looking for a story that is insanely hot, yet deeply touching, then you will probably like this novella. I am still trying to catch my breath!
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Smutty and delicious. The dirty talk was outstanding. ( )

Loved this one too! Smoking hot and wish it was longer so we could see what else happens with these guys. ( )