Publisher:
Samhain
Publishing
Published: September
23, 2014
ISBN: 978 1 61922 366 0
Genre: Romance, M/M, BDSM
Book
Format: E-book
Obtained
via: Publisher
Reviewed
by: Helena Stone, helenastone63@gmail.com
Rating:
4
Review:
For a very long time I
wasn’t sure what to make of this book. Initially I thought I might be reading a
comedy because it took me a while before I could see the characters in this
story, especially Jeff, as anything but caricatures.
Jeff appeared to be a stereotypical
working class man. His ideas about women seemed rather misogynistic and he
definitely came across as rather homophobic. When he decides he wants to find
himself a submissive woman to play with, it is hardly surprising they run away
before he even makes it to first base. His views about women in general and his
lack of knowledge and experience when it comes to BDSM were enough to scare
anyone off. What he needs is an experienced sub to train him.
Enter Eddie; as a submissive
plain slut he’d make the perfect trainer for Jeff except that he’s male and gay
and Jeff is most definitely not into men.
While Eddie is
attracted to Jeff the whole set-up is initially all about having some fun for
him. Jeff on the other hand is not interested in Eddie as a sexual partner at
all when their lessons start off; he just wants to know how to be a good Dom so
he can find himself a female submissive who will stay. Close proximity, sexual
games and two men who are not quite as in touch with their real feelings as they
might like to think, soon lead to complications neither could have predicted.
My initial reaction to
this book wasn’t entirely positive. Whereas Jeff initially came across as
rather glum, downtrodden and unsophisticated, Eddie seemed fun, light hearted and
very easy going. And, for a while, this stark contrast rubbed me up the wrong
way. As the story progressed both characters became less one dimensional and
far more interesting. Not only is Jeff nowhere near as straight as he’d like to
tell himself, he’s also far more caring and insecure than he appeared at first.
Eddie on the other hand goes through an opposite transition. He’s not quite as
easy going and happy go lucky as he would like the world to believe.
And that’s when the
book picked up for me and really captured my attention. Where I’d initially
disliked Jeff with a vengeance and had loved Eddie for putting a smile on my
face as soon as he made an appearance, I suddenly found myself rooting for Jeff
and thinking that Eddie might be a bit more understanding of the situation his
trainee Dom found himself in. And this transition in my feelings towards the
characters and the story is of course a clear sign this was a very well plotted
and written book. I appreciated the fact that there were no miraculous
revelations or conversions; small steps forward were followed by giant leaps
backwards, progress was at times painfully slow and I repeatedly wanted to take
the two men and smash their heads together.
This story and the way
it is written is as English as English can be. The setting, the language, the
foods eaten the drinks drank and the places visited are all quintessential
English; a bit of ‘arse’ anyone?
This was my first book
by Josephine Myles but it won’t be my last. If ‘How to Train Your Dom in 5 Easy
Steps’ is anything to go by, this lady has a wicked sense of humour as
well as a talent for telling a good story. I’m looking forward to enjoying more
of both.
This is an objective review
and not an endorsement of this book.
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