A review by eslismyjam
The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton
5.0
I don't even know what to say about this book. I was reluctant to read it, but I saw that Maryse's Book Blog loved it and I thought "what the heck" and read the sample. I was immediately sucked in. This isn't the book that I thought it would be-- at all. I was thinking it would be something 50 Shades-esque, which in regard to subject matter it is, but it's really a character novel. The of the relationship between three people-- in love and loss.
By writing from the perspective of Sean, who isn't in the lifestyle and has never even considered being a Dominant, the author is able to bring the reader into BDSM world that she creates.
Honestly, this book was heart-wrenching. I cried, a lot. It's a novel about the turns that life takes and the different ways that people experience love and relationships. I never in a million years would have thought a book about BDSM and menage could have such depth. Subsequently I've read a few other books that dabble in similar themes, but they in no way measure up to this book and I've since given up on the subject matter entirely.
I was hesitant to read it because of the title. I'm not sure what the author or the publisher was thinking with the title. It's appropriate to the subject, but it's a bit of a turn off for those of us who aren't used to reading "alternative" romances with this kind of subject matter. If I didn't have a kindle I wouldn't want to be carrying this book around with me. I think the title does the work a great disservice and it was enjoy wider popularity with a different name.
It's a great story and well-written. But I think what gives this book the edge over other books of its' kind (similar subject matter) is the way that it presents the BDSM lifestyle. The author fleshes it out with great detail and accuracy without just splashing about terminology designed to titillate the reader. It feels like there is a reason that the hardcore stuff is included.
A warning though, this isn't a fluff book. There's certainly a lot of sex in it if that's what your looking for, but it's pretty intense. It's definitely nothing like a fluff romance, or even a fluff erotica. The love in this book is intense and it grips you by the shoulders and doesn't let you go. I thought about this book long after I finished.
By writing from the perspective of Sean, who isn't in the lifestyle and has never even considered being a Dominant, the author is able to bring the reader into BDSM world that she creates.
Honestly, this book was heart-wrenching. I cried, a lot. It's a novel about the turns that life takes and the different ways that people experience love and relationships. I never in a million years would have thought a book about BDSM and menage could have such depth. Subsequently I've read a few other books that dabble in similar themes, but they in no way measure up to this book and I've since given up on the subject matter entirely.
I was hesitant to read it because of the title. I'm not sure what the author or the publisher was thinking with the title. It's appropriate to the subject, but it's a bit of a turn off for those of us who aren't used to reading "alternative" romances with this kind of subject matter. If I didn't have a kindle I wouldn't want to be carrying this book around with me. I think the title does the work a great disservice and it was enjoy wider popularity with a different name.
It's a great story and well-written. But I think what gives this book the edge over other books of its' kind (similar subject matter) is the way that it presents the BDSM lifestyle. The author fleshes it out with great detail and accuracy without just splashing about terminology designed to titillate the reader. It feels like there is a reason that the hardcore stuff is included.
A warning though, this isn't a fluff book. There's certainly a lot of sex in it if that's what your looking for, but it's pretty intense. It's definitely nothing like a fluff romance, or even a fluff erotica. The love in this book is intense and it grips you by the shoulders and doesn't let you go. I thought about this book long after I finished.