Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Matthew Bryson spends his days working quietly and wishing for a chance to explore another side of himself. When he gathers the nerve to post on a BDSM message board, Matthew meets Evan Haynes, a Dom recently removed from the scene after a messy break-up with his boyfriend/sub.

Evan and Matthew enter into a tentative D/s relationship, but only Matthew receives gratification. Still shaken from his experience, Evan refuses sexual reciprocation from Matthew, afraid he’ll grow too close. While Evan is the perfect Dom to satisfy Matthew’s needs, he finds it harder than he anticipated to keep Matthew at a distance, and it eventually becomes more than he can bear.

 

Book Review

Several people, mostly family members, have asked me why I read BDSM. Well, actually, that's the nicest thing they say about what I read. *grins* Anyway, my answer is that I enjoy the duality between Dominant and submissive. I particularly like stories where a sub knows nothing and is getting taught from scratch and stories where a sub was abused or hurt by a former Dom and now is getting the chance to see how the D/s relationship should be. Jenni Michaels is a new author, to me, and when I read the blurb for 'Risk & Reward' I was instantly interested.

I had so much respect for Matthew right from the beginning. It takes a strong person to know what they want, but it takes an immensely strong person to reach for it even when scared to death. Matthew has always known he wants something, he's just not sure what, but it's an itch beneath his skin. Instead of being stupid about it, he posts a message on a local BDSM site, and then he waits. Of course, it took him a third of a bottle of rum to get up the courage to post it, so when he gets a response from Evan, Matthew just about freaks out! Evan and Matthew meet at a coffee shop and then decide to see if their interests lie in the same areas. If they do, then they'll set up a scene and play.

I adored Matthew from the beginning. He's so open, so beautiful in his willingness and sheer need to submit. But he's no pushover, not at all. When Evan makes it clear that they'll be no sex, that the pleasure is just for Matthew, he is skeptical and wants to understand, but he doesn't push Evan to explain. However, when Evan gets nervy after a scene and leaves without explaining, Matthew isn't going to be anyone's doormat. Evan realizes he needs to be honest with Matthew about his own past, his hurt, and why he's insisted on no sex between them. But will Matthew turn away from Evan when he hears about his past?

I enjoyed this story. It was more about Matthew and Evan finding their happiness, really, than it was about BDSM, and that was fine with me. There was a certain amount of predictability but it worked within the story so I expected it. The writing was strong and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

 

 

 

 

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

Additional Information

Format	ebook
Length	Novella, 126 words/29792 words
Heat Level
Publication Date	02-July-2014
Price	$3.99 ebook
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/risk-reward-by-jenni-michaels-1538-b