I only finished this book so that I could say I finished it. Too similar to the first book. I mean it was a different story line and characters but I swear there was several of the same lines as the first book. If not the same they were very similar. Just wasn't for me. ( )

2.5 stars

On the edge between sweet and sappy. ( )

Nice addition to the FIT Guys series. I didn't connect to Tony and Donovan as much as I did to Colby and Noah in the first book, but I was pleased with the story and characters in this book. It was definitely slow in the relationship solidification, but it was written well to take Donovan's PTSD/past experiences into account. I thought the timing worked well. ( )

Just like the first book in the series, this second volume is an excellent D/s story with many of the aspects of the BDSM lifestyle examined and tested by two men who may seem like an unlikely match but are actually uniquely suited to each other. Imagine a Dom who used to be a total player and has a reputation that precedes him, and a sub who has been mentally and physically abused and desperately wants to find his way back to trusting a man with his body, mind, and heart. Add the fact that the sub is painfully shy, and you can imagine the uphill battle they both face.

Tony is a playboy, extremely experienced, and he is a sprinter at the Falconer Institute of Training. He is Colby's older brother from book one, and I have to admit that what I saw of him there did not make me like him. On the contrary, I thought he was a bit of an airhead (which is, I am sure, exactly what Kim Dare wanted me to think!). Imagine my surprise and delight, when I find out that not all is as it seems, and Tony is actually a nice guy and desperately wants to get Donovan to agree to a date. The lengths he goes to while courting Donovan are admirable, and his patience is amazing. He is not just the best kind of Dom imaginable, but also very much in love – not that he would admit it at the beginning. Love is the only force able to give someone a strong enough motivation to hang in there.

Donovan is an archer at the same institute as Tony (and Colby). He is painfully shy, and sadly, much of that has been caused by an abusive ex who kept accusing him of "being slutty" for talking to other men. This isn't the only misconception the ex has planted in Donovan's mind, but it is one that makes the initial hurdle for Tony to get through to Donovan almost impossible to overcome. Once he does, because Donovan feels safe due to a promise Tony has made to his coach, he is ready to explore everything kinky he has ever dreamed of. Every step is painful, but he perseveres with admirable determination.

If you like stories about relationships that start out with several hurdles of the emotional and behavioral kind – for both partners, if you enjoy reading about the lighter version of BDSM and the psychological forces it brings into play, and if you're looking for a read that is sweet and deliciously hot, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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3.5 ( )