Another rating raised after 2nd read, something really unusual for me. ( )

This is a nice story about a lonely man, Jones, looking for security and certainty. Ideally forever. For him that can only come from a dominant being in charge of his life. When he runs into Grayson, recently divorced and commitment-shy, he impulsively invites the man to spend Christmas with him.

One thing leads to another and as the men get to know each other it becomes clear that for the first time in his life Jones wants everything right now. Grayson, in the other hand, is surprised by the intense attraction he feels and wants to take everything very slow to make sure the doesn't repeat past mistakes.

What I really liked about the story was that there was a real meeting of minds. Grayson didn't just do everything the way he wanted, he took Jones's concerns into account so they could find a way that both partners can live with. ( )

In this series of short novellas, Kim Dare is step by step telling you various stories about your ordinary gay man, with a little kinky touch since Kim Dare likes a bit of very light BDSM to spicy the whole.

Ordinary modern stories, and so, in a time when we are discussing about same-sex marriage we have also to consider that there is also the chance of a gay divorce, even if statistics say it’s less common: I think the simply reason is that, if something is obvious, you probably don’t consider it much, but instead if you have to fight for it, then probably you will fight also to save it. That is the common behaviour, but sometime people do big mistakes. Like Grayson.

Grayson is an handsome and good Dom; I think he is also a romantic at heart and so, when same-sex marriage (or better civil commitment) was legal in England, he immediately married his submissive Claude. It was not a good decision, above all since probably Claude was not the right man, and of course it ended in a divorce. Now Grayson is embittered and he is suffering, and of course he is claiming to no believe in love and marriage, but I think it’s only a way to protect himself.

On the other hand Jones is a very sweet and cute submissive; he is all for long-term relationship and forever love, and marriage. Jones comes from a loving family, but his parents were quite progressive, and that meant Jones didn’t have steady root while growing up, and he needs them. Jones, as a natural submissive, needs direction and a strong hand, and if he is let all alone, he feels loneliness and sadness. Jones, with his sweet behaviour and kind soul, is probably the right man to heal Grayson’s wounded heart.

This is a very sweet Christmas tale about the healing power of love. It has the right dose of kinkiness in the D/s relationship, but it’s a very light shade, that will not discourage the reader who usually doesn’t like the BDSM theme.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XRE8OQ/?tag=elimyrevandra-20