Book Reviews

Book Blurb

For actor Liam, anxiety and panic attacks are old friends, but they only get worse the more famous he gets. Nothing has ever worked to help him control the anxiety until his costar, Aaron, introduces him to bondage. Too bad Liam develops feelings for Aaron and ruins the only solution he's ever found for his neuroses.

Aaron only wants to keep history from repeating itself. He's already had one costar spin out of control, resulting in her tragic death, he can't just sit idly by and watch another friend and colleague destroy himself from the inside out. He'll do anything to keep that from happening--even enter into a non-sexual BDSM arrangement with him.

What starts out as a way to control Liam's anxiety becomes so much more. At least for Liam. So, tired of pretending he doesn't want Aaron in his life for good, Liam decides to give him the perfect Christmas gift. The kind that will show Aaron exactly what Liam wants from their relationship: the collar he's been dreaming of Aaron putting on him for months.

 

Book Review

BDSM without sex is not something I have come across often, but the beginning of this book is just that: actor Aaron uses scenes, pure bondage initially, to take costar Liam out of his head when he has a panic attack. Liam needs to feel safe and being tied up and guarded in Aaron's arms does just that for him. Both men insist there is only friendship between them, and both believe this to be the truth initially. But things change, at least for Liam, and his need to let Aaron know that he wants more is what sets the real story into motion. It is a journey of growth and discovery for both of them, and I found myself enthralled by the twists and turns, the growing heat, and the changes both of them went through as they explored the real depth of their feelings. Christmas, by the way, does not really play a major role in the story, but it provides a nice setting and an "excuse" for the catalyst (i.e., the collar) to be presented.

Liam has finally found a way to deal with his panic attacks – not something that is easy to live with as an actor – when the feelings of friendship he has for Aaron change into more. Liam fights it with everything in him because he doesn't want to risk what they have built between them, but there comes a point where he can no longer hold back. And while the whole situation looks like a disaster for a while and angst abounds, I am grateful he did crack. Without his finally speaking up, these two men would have never found out what more they are capable of.

Aaron has his own issues and is afraid he'll repeat the mistakes he made with another costar, years ago. It takes him realizing how different the situation with Liam is before he can start dealing with the novelty of having emotions and romantic feeling added to their strictly non-sexual BDSM scenes. Once he does? Hold on to your hats, these guys are super-hot together!

If you like stories with lots of angst,, if reading about a changing relationship where two men struggle with their new roles as they learn new things about themselves and each other, and if you think you can stand the heat once Aaron and Liam figure out how much more fun a Dom and his collared sub can have once they admit they love each other and give in to the need to have a physical relationship, then you will probably like this novel. It's a fascinating psychological and physical journey that is likely not to let you go before you've read the whole thing.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Loose Id for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novel, 162 pages/54168 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	24-December-2013
Price	$6.99 ebook
Buy Link	http://www.loose-id.com/a-collar-for-christmas.html