I am enjoying this series and the way the story progresses for the MCs. ( )

4.5 stars
This book gave a totally different vibe than the first book in the series. Book #1 was dark and fucked up, and made me uncomfortable for the most part - and I still loved it, or maybe because of it.
This one was very different read.

Phil and River were interesting characters, and seeing them grow, and grow together was captivating. I felt frustrated by them a lot (Phil's inability to bend even a little and River's obvious blindness to the emotional abuse his ex husband submitted him to, among other things), but in the end every one of my misgivings about them was satisfyingly resolved, and I got an ending I could really appreciate. I even didn't mind the amount of sex scenes in the book because most of them had a point besides being erotic.

John Solo did a good job with the narration, and I especially loved how he managed to insert just the right amount of slimy into Terrence's voice. ( )

I sure as hell can't say there was no character development. :D Aww, Phil!
I don't want to spoil much, but just know that Phil came a long way from the rule-bound, seemingly emotionless guy he was at the beginning of the book. His character arc - if you'll allow me to throw such words around - is just awesome.

River was still in love with his estranged husband, when he met Phil, so their "relationship" was only an escape from loneliness for him at first. There wasn't insta-love, thank God. It was a convenient arrangement, at best.

I like reading about different types of BDSM-lifestyles, that are out of the norm. Psychologically it's always interesting. Domestic servitude is something that sounds very appealing even to me, on an everyday basis, not in my sex life though. ;D

"The good news is, if you do what I say, we can derail that crazy thought train. That’s the wonderful thing about obedience. All the pressure’s gone, and you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. Doesn’t that sound good?”

"Phil had been right— it felt good to let go. No more thinking. No more doubts. No more decisions. Just obey this order, then the next, then the next. There was something so freeing about giving up control."

" And that was the biggest surprise—he loved feeling base and dirty. It gave his arousal a new edge. He never felt degraded or humiliated. He only felt sexy and appreciated."

"No more arguing. No more apologizing. No more worrying about what you think I want. What is your duty?”
“To obey."

If you read the first book, Dear Reader, you probably remember that it was... intense, and morally questionable (for some people). This book however is on a more calm and collected level, because this couple is no Warren & Taylor. And that's okay. Of course there are chapters, where we get to see the boys again, along with Charlie and Gray.
But even then, I was waiting for something emotionally grand at least, and I was waiting and waiting and waiting, aaand I was way past the halfway point when I felt it was worth it. But in the end it did.

There are some books, where I question if certain events wouldn't have been better from a different POV. There was only one like that in this book. That particular scene (it involved the whole gang) felt a bit awkward to me. Phil is generally a quiet guy, he's a spectator. But in that chapter, it was like he wasn't even there. I didn't mind that he wasn't participating much, but it would've been better in my opinion if we were allowed to know his thoughts.

Overall I enjoyed it. I can't wait for Gray's book, given his personality, it will be the BOMB. lolz :) ( )

This book is exactly what I always hope for in a sequel. It didn't feel like an afterthought, or an ambiguous spin-off. It was a wonderfully crafted, emotionally realistic story that stood on it's own, yet didn't completely leave out or contradict the characters/plot line (I fucking hate that.) of the first book.

I also liked the way that the sub was older than the Dom, but it wasn't a big deal. That shit happens in real life, and it was cool reading it in a book. Thank you! ( )