Just a Game

by Thomas Carver

Preston has no friend closer than Luke, the surfer bro with a hangdog attitude. And Luke has no better friend than Preston, his snarky genius roommate. They spend their summer surfing and playing innocent games, like Who's-the-Spy and Hide-and-Seek. But when Luke changes the rules, inventing games like Kidnapper and Interrogation, Preston feels something he's never felt before for his friend. He lies awake at night, waiting for Luke to "break in," eager for the ominous tearing sound of duct tape, the rattle of handcuffs. He doesn't understand: he's straight, and so is Luke. He's always loved his best friend. Of course he has; that's what friendship is. But now he's starting to wonder: does he love him, or is he in love with him? Or maybe he's just in love with the taste of tape on his lips and the chafing of belts against his wrists. The two friends trade sweet pain and agonizing pleasure, until Preston is bound and helpless -- in every sense. Is Luke feeling something similar when he puts on his leather gloves and mask, or is all just a game to him? This 44,000 word stand alone novella contains scenes of steamy BDSM.

Genres: BDSM, Friends To Lovers, M M Romance, Erotica, Contemporary, Gay For You, Romance

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2017

About the author

Thomas Carver lives the dream, with one foot in the midwest and one on the west coast. He's been seen at the opera and at the biker bar, a cocktail party and the alley behind the dumpsters. He's worked in the hot sun and the air-conditioned office, and knows all the gradations of pleasure between caviar on his tongue and sand between his teeth.

Reviews

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bumped to 4.5 stars

GAAAHH!!

Of course books like this are short!! I need 100 more pages of pretend kidnapper and his victim.

The writing is so good. The take on BDSM is so unique. I would love to read more books like this.

I welcome Recs pleeeaassseee.


**************************************
3.5 i need more stars

- Avery unique take on BDSM.

- Lovable characters

-The writing is really good

Give it a try and it is short too.

[Teal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this, although if I'd known it was going to be chock-full of kink I never would have picked it up. And that would have been my loss. It's just a brilliantly-written story about two college-age guys exploring their sexuality and discovering that there aren't any tidy definitions for who and what they are. As soon as I returned my KU loaner I bought a copy of my own.

(But... Who the hell wrote that blurb? Not only does it make the story sound stupid, it's flat-out wrong: there's nothing remotely "hangdog" about chill, self-confident Luke, and Preston has no pretensions of being a genius -- or of being particularly snarky, for that matter. Weird. So ignore the blurb, try a sample, make your decision based on that.)

[nark · Rating 3 out of 5]

HOT as a MF if you're into this type of thing. i wish this had at least a hundred more pages tbh!

[Moony Eliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me think hard and it challenged me to understand a different type of relationship progression than I had previously, and for that it deserves at least 4 full stars. ❤️ If you're interested, there's a long and profound conversation about that in the comments. (I'd recommend reading the book first because all the spoilers -- the conversation is largely about the very last chapter. 😁)

----------

Gaaah! I’m tempted to leave this one unrated. I can’t click on a star because I’ve been sitting here arguing with myself for 20 minutes about it. And the truth is, even the fact that it’s made me think this much and feel this riled up should be enough to throw all the stars at it. I have to sleep on it.

The writing was really good -- compelling and I could.not.stop turning pages. (It’s 1:46 am here and even after I finished reading, I had to sit down and write this because my brain was too fired up when it ended.) It could have benefitted from a bit more proofreading, but nothing that took me too far out of the story.

But other struggles, I have them. And I can’t talk about them because spoilers.

One of these days I’ll write a real review again on something. But whatever. I can comfortably recommend this one if you’re okay with a story that doesn’t fit comfortably under a typical Romance label, and I am inspired to explore more of Carver’s stuff.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

I wanted to win. I wanted to lose. I wasn't sure which I wanted more. Mostly, I just wanted to play.

Just A Game is the best CNC erotica I’ve read to date. This is how you do CNC right — the role playing, the uncertainty of whether it’s still a game or not, the fear mixed with the pleasure.
I loved the added layer of Preston and Luke being friends and both of them going through this crazy kinky awakening together.

Could you be horny for a situation? Could a--what, a game--turn you on?

I really wished it was dual pov though, ‘cause even though it was a trip going on this journey in Preston’s brain, I really wanted to know what was happening in Luke’s mind, too.
And I’m also sad this isn’t longer, because these two were fire.

Whenever I read CNC kink, I always compare them to this piece, and I’ve gotta say none come even close to being this good.

He wasn't nuts. Or, if he was, it was the same sort of crazy that I was.

Tropes and NSFW info (spoilers):
- CNC
- Kidnapper role play
- Friends to lovers
- Kink awakening
- Queer awakening
- Internalized homophobia (?)
- Use of homophobic slur
- Restraints and bondage
- Impact play
- Pain play
- Face-fucking
- Edging

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard of Thomas Carver before reading this book, but let me tell you something, this man knows what he's doing! There's a uniqueness in this erotic romance that makes you want to keep reading and reading, and then reading it some more. That's the only thing I would add to this book: More pages.

Preston and Luke start as two complete dorks who enjoy playing child games such as 'who's the spy' and 'hide and seek' when they're bored. Until they decide to start playing another kind of game, one that brings out something much darker, something that will change their relationship forever. And that's when the kidnapping role-play starts...

First, one thing I really liked in this book is how much respect they have for one another as friends.

We didn't talk about games, or about girls. He talked about surfing. I talked about french poetry. Neither of us really understand much of the other's interests, but that, too, was a kind of friendship: letting people talking about what you didn't understand, and caring anyway.

I've never read a book about this kind of role-play before, but the author did it so perfectly and in a very unique way that really got me into it. Believe me, it gets hot! Everything about it is thrilling and exhilarating.

I felt drunk, or high or -- almost like I was bobbing in the surf, in that liminal space between earth and sky, where all the rules were suspended.

The moment with both of them in the sea at the end of the book was one of the sweetest ones I've read. But nothing about this book and its dialogues are "annoyingly sweet". Everything feels real and believable. That's what makes this story so good.

Very underrated book. The writing is really good as well and it definitely deserves more attention. Can't believe it only has 50 ratings, and that's why I'm recommending to each of my friends here on Goodreads. Read it. I'm sure some of you will love it.

[ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three times is a charm for me with this one since I finally finished it.
Tie me up, tie me down
Kidnapper/victim roleplay
Best bros
Surfer boy/bookworm
3.5 ⭐️

[Mug · Rating 3 out of 5]

it’s sorta full of internalized homophobia and toxic masculinity ideals……like no, you aren’t more of a man bc u drink your coffee black and no, being gay doesn’t mean you’ll be shopping for antiques and arguing over fabric swatches🙄

and luke was very much fond of the word fag. every time he saw their openly gay “friend”, kevin, he’s calling him a fag. then, towards the end of the book he tells preston:

"It's Kevin. He's an asshole. You think I'm this big homophobic prick, but shit, can't I just dislike that little asshole without it being about what and who he shoves up his butt?"

um not when u call him fag constantly, no…

and i’m like okay, this is just a prelude to their sexual awakenings right, like they’re going to realize they’ve maybe been repressing shit and overcompensating and acting out or something right?? no, they’re “not gay”. luke “doesn’t want to be gay”, but he does want to keep doing all the gay stuff he and preston have been doing and preston is in love with luke but that doesn’t mean he’s gay😭😭😭💀💀💀 lmfao like ……. what ???? preston thinks:

“The idea of sucking his dick, even now, even with my cock throbbing at the thought, made me cringe a little. It wasn't that I wanted to suck dick for the sake of the dick itself. I wanted to suck his dick because it meant he was forcing me. I needed the force, the domination, the control, and the beauty of his muscles was in the struggle against their power, not in admiration. I was something much weirder than gay, I thought.”

yea, in denial💀

i don’t understand the point of being adamant they’re not gay to the very end ? seems like there’s much more of their story to tell. bc this would really benefit from being expanded into a full length novel where they actually come to terms with their sexualities and fall in love fr this time in a very gay way. bc let’s be clear, even tho preston admits to being in love with luke, there’s no romance, they don’t even kiss or have penetrative sex….just the build up of the game into one CNC blowjob and a sorta handjob? very much erotica only, not even that spicy, focused more on the BDSM aspect with restraining and pain kink and being “forced”. but the game scenes were soooo fucking good, i was fascinated, i loved the kidnapper/victim roles, i loved the tension…..i needed more fr bc the ending is kinda abrupt. it kinda feels like a rough draft, like if we clean it up around the edges and expand it a little, it could be soo good. as is tho, 3 stars.

[Sully (sulliedjedi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have finally found my No Bugs people!
I'd weep but I wouldn't want to trigger anyone's dacryphilia.

After that, he'd written, Other Limits, and a line.
He'd already included a couple things. No toilet stuff, whatever that was supposed to mean. No bugs.

I love natural feeling kink-exploration that starts small and just...careens out of control, in a good I love fear kind of way.

House burglary with a designated Kidnapper and Victim? Truth or Dare?

Don't we all need a little tender CNC in our lives?

It wasn't his body that was getting me off, because I wasn't gay. It was the duct tape. I was a duct-tape-sexual, if that could be a thing.

Oh, that can be a thing. Especially with all the newfangled colors and designs of duct tape.

"Guess I'm straight then," I said, sipping my shiraz.

Totally.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he asked.
"Winning," I said. And I let go of the ledge.


If all of that isn't enough to entice you, I have three more words for you.

Industrial.


Plastic.


Wrap.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I misjudged my mood when I chose to read this book and in the middle of it I realized that I needed a sweeter brand of BDSM at the moment. Or in general, because I don’t think Preston and Luke’s game was ever going to work 100% for me, at least not the way they play it.
Despite that, I’m rounding up because I loved Preston and Luke’s relationship, their matter-of-fact approach and their way of communicating. The way they threw themselves in the game, exploring and making the rules up as they went, rang true to their age, but at the same time they managed to make everything completely consensual without sounding like they had just finished taking notes from a BDSM-for-beginners website.

[Papie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was hot, kinky, and very uncomfortable. It made me squirm, it freaked me out. I kept waiting for them to implode.

But
The casual homophobia and the insistence on “I’m not gay” was a little weird and disappointing.

[Claudie ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The straight macho posturing and all the slurs almost ruined this for me... BUT the role-play was deliciously hot and really well-written, so I guess we’re back to 4.

[Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two books in and it's official: I'm a huge Thomas Carver fan. I don't know how he manages to reach so deep in the male psyche and come up with characters so uninhibited, so kinky and sadistic, while at the same time being caring and sweet.

He's nailed the bro/jock mentality, attitude and way of thinking, giving his characters, not just actual personalities and a high sex drive, but also humour. I'm talking about clever, witty, funny humour.

This is about two straight friends taking their kidnapper/victim game like a million steps too far into BDSM territory. There's not but one "sex" scene in the whole book. This is pure mind fuck that redefines pleasure, trust and male friendship.

[Xia and the Giant TBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preston and Luke are friends since childhood. They live together as roommates in the same apartment and go to the same college. They like to play rough games. One day they decide to play hide and seek, liking the adrenaline the game of being chased around the house gives them. Then they change the rules of the game into a house break in, playing alternatively Kidnapper and Victim. The game helps them realize their sadistic and masochistic tendencies, but also that they might be subconsciously having feelings for each other that are stronger than friendship.

This story is more than my mediocre summary. It's a story about understanding S/M sexual needs and finding your limits. It's not D/s, nor portraying a BDSM relationship. What these boys do is S/M roleplay and they can get pretty violent with each other, so kids, don't try this at home.

Really liked it. It reads so fast you can't put it down. Definitely worth a re-read.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Planning, pouncing, fighting, tying, taping, pinching, gasping, and crying out.

Wow…this story has teeth! I’m still processing it all. Power, adrenaline, and heat are still making my skin tingle. The action will have you waiting with baited breath for the next move.

“What else would he conceivably want to do to me?”

Best friends, Luke and Preston, met in summer camp as kids. Now in college, they share a condo on the coast of California. Luke is a surfer dude in every way. He rides the waves, smells like the beach, and lives the Zen life. Nothing gets to him. Or so it seems. Preston, on the other hand, appears to be Luke’s opposite. He’s a bit of a nerd, who would rather spend time at home with his books and a glass of wine. Together—as friends--they just click. They bring something out in each other. It’s summer, so these two turn to playing games like Hide & Seek and Spy for fun. But the games and their connection morph into something new soon enough. Duct tape, masks, gloves, and restraints come out to play. The guys create an intense Kidnapper/Victim game with a Truth & Dare game as a reward system. It’s a game within a game! A game that keeps changing and pushing boundaries each and every time they play.

“I could ask him to do anything, tell me anything, and he would. And he could do the same. I wanted to win. I wanted to lose. I wasn’t sure which I wanted more.
Mostly, I just wanted to play.”

This story had me immediately—right there in the food store. I couldn’t wait to see these two play. Couldn’t wait to see the next game, list of rules, scene, and winner. Even though we only hear Preston’s point of view, both guys take shape on the page so clearly with faults, humor, and swagger. I could see and feel them. Feel their confusion and humiliation and thrill. Feel the sand in their socks and the tape pull at their skin. Mr. Carver’s writing painted realistic young men and beautiful landscapes and scenes full of tension. And I mean tension! And more. I loved the ocean descriptions. Every warm and sandy line brought the water and sun and shadows alive. Like—“a sort of silence falling over the ocean, as if it was gathering its breath”. Or…”It was the sort of night that you could hear the waves, distantly hissing against the shore.”

The action goes from beautiful to fun to dirty in just an inhale of breath though. You never know when the kidnapper will pounce. My only complaint is that the game jumps a level or two too fast. Both Preston and Luke appear confused about what the game stirs in them. Are they gay? Or is it all just a game? These guys keep pushing each other by altering the rules and upping the ante though. So maybe labels aren’t for them--“I didn’t even have a name for what I was now. A Luke-when-he-was-tying-me-up-sexual.” I actually like that one. But this really isn’t your typical romance or hot for my BFF read. This story takes a path all its own. A dark path full of torture fantasies, dares, pain and pleasure. And maybe new feelings for each other. But again—I have to emphasize this isn’t a romance. Just a Game is something different. And I’m thrilled I stumbled across it.

It’s a hard read to recommend though. It won’t be for everyone. But I’ll be reading more of Thomas Carver for sure.

[ancientreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well! That was hot! Would have been even hotter if the enactment of the kink had overlapped a little more with my own perversions, but I sure do appreciate the concept. Also the Baudelaire and the Foucault, not so much the Derrida who honestly I could always do without.

Best single line:

... there was only one girl in the class I found attractive at all, and she had this annoying habit of making everything about Lacan.

Tell me you've been spending too much time in the French Studies dept without telling me ...

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Couldn't put this down. Well written and hot as hell, this kinky read is my first Thomas Carver but most certainly not the last.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t decide between 3.5 or 4 stars. Wanted more!

[Pablito · Rating 4 out of 5]

When is a romance not a romance? When is a game not a game?

It wasn't that I wanted to suck dick for the sake of the dick itself. I wanted to suck his dick because it meant he was forcing me. I needed the force, the domination. . . .

Just a Game is not as much Gay-for-You as it is Gay-for-the-Bondage-and Discipline Games-I-Can-Only-Play-with You.

These two "straight dudes" are clearly in each other's psyches. And as their Kidnap/Victim roleplaying grows riskier, their relationship, which has been primary since kindergarten, grows exclusive, transcending all labels.

Their sexual tormenting is countered with a deepening caring, however. And as trust-fund Luke and French-major Preston play Truth or Dare to tease out intimate facts, their shifting in and out of character creates one joyride of a read.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoilers in the review.







So, wow. Hmm. This was pretty great, actually, as far as the story goes. I felt very engaged with the characters and thought their interactions with each other rang true. There really isn't much sex here; it's a BDSM story. The only sex is a simulated oral rape. The real draw, however, is the slow realization of the narrator that his sexual identity is not what he thought it was. Not straight, but not really gay, either. By the end of the book, we don't really get an answer to it all, but something happens between the two MCs that brings them together, although Carver stops the book before giving the readers any insight into how things work out. We do find out, though, that they have a love for one another, regardless of what it's called.

And that seems to be a sticking point, that unresolved question of whether Preston and Luke make things work. I get the impression that they are more than fuck buddies, more than friends with benefits, maybe even boyfriends, but not in the common framework of those terms. I think that's an exciting possibility and would have loved to have seen this explored more. They're not just "bro-y" but then again they are. It's a bit maddening, trying to figure this out.

Carver writes rather well. Sometimes his characters aren't fully realized, but he does a wonderful job here sketching out these two characters. This should definitely be on your reading list if you like M/M erotica/romance. It doesn't fit neatly into any box, and that's the real beauty of it.

[Travis Beaudoin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the hottest thing I've ever read.

This book surprised me. I didn't expect the slow burn to be quite so slow, but Carver did an excellent job of showcasing Preston's growing needs and his slow realization of who he was. (He only hints at Luke's for most of the book, but again, the work is gorgeously done, keeping Preston and the reader in a wonderfully awful state of tension.)

To be clear, this story won't be for everyone. It's definitely erotic, but you're not going to find a ton of sex scenes. The games Luke and Preston play are competitive and sometimes rough, but grounded in friendship and trust. They take care of each other, even as they each fight to win. (In fact, some of the hottest--and a couple of the funniest--moments in the book are their silent negotiations of the rules.) The scenes they devise get increasingly intense, and I can absolutely understand how they might not be everyone's cup of tea. But their final game is long and detailed, meticulous and thrilling, and fantastically sexy.

As much as the story made my tail wag, though, I also need to acknowledge its literary value. Preston and Luke are complicated characters with histories and flaws and needs. They have a strong friendship and, eventually, amazing chemistry. The writing is good. I laughed a lot. Baudelaire gets translated and analyzed.

I will say that the Kevin subplot frustrated me in the moment, but even before I'd finished the book, I understood why it was there and saw its value. If you find yourself taking a step back in those moments, I'd recommend just riding it out. He's important, not for what he does but for what Luke and Preston learn about themselves through his presence.

And full disclosure. About two weeks ago, I read Carver's The Roommate Situation and loved it. (I'll be reviewing that soon.) I started Just a Game the very next night. Since then I've read five of his novellas. Some I liked more than others, but this author is the real deal: smart and kinky, raw and fun, and really good at eliciting an emotional response.

[Box of Bees · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is well written and I enjoyed the premise and the romantic slow burn. It was refreshing how much the relationship differed from what you normally find in M/M. But for me the kink went a touch too far to be enjoyable (just a personal preference, not a comment on the quality of the story or writing.)

[Jenvile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so this is a complicated friends-to-lovers kind of story, but I loved how different it was and how just not cringe it was. Excellent writing, with a very simple plot that focuses on the two characters.

This is definitely going into my favourites list!

[Mirjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a Game is the cat and mouse, slow burn story of Preston and Luke.
The boys are both in the last year of college, having met a million years ago, at a summer camp when we were both kids. they end up being roommates during their college years.
Tust fund baby Luke is nuts about surfing and spends a lot of time at the beach, while Preston is just a nerd, reading and taking summer classes.





They still play the games they did as kids like hide-and-seek and spy game but decide to amp it up a bit and play the Kidnapper & Victim game.

The book is getting more intense as the game progress with UST, at least for Preston, builds higher. Crushing on your best friend and roommate is inconvenient especially when said roommate is a homofoob.
But when Luke takes the Kidnap game to a much higher level, Preston wonders figure out what any of this meant for our friendship, if we even had a friendship anymore.

The story is told fom Preston's POV and I really would have like to know what Luke's thought were.

[Caia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
Quote:

But this whole scenario was making me horny. Could you be horny for a situation?
Could a -- what, a game -- turn you on?

—

another delicious kinky leftover
this was so much fun!
I was so into the Games
they were planning
the kinks were so hot, especially with
all the (kink)awakening
I would’ve loved to read more about the couple (it’s not a classic hea)
!!Both MCs have some internalized homophobia going on, they use also slurs

—

bff - kidnapping-kink - cnc - Roommates - awakening
bondage - restraints - cbt - taser - sensory deprivation - roleplay - homophobia - kinkexploration - humiliation
(…)
—

+t2s

[malia ݁⋆⭒˚.⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⋆.˚✰

actually enjoyed this🤭 just wished it was longer because I got invested in this way to much🥲

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was facinating. Kinky af, of course, because Thomas Carver. But more than just kinky af, it’s a facinating rumination on what ‘being in love’ can mean and how it can manifest, and the importance of absolute honesty in establishing and maintaining trust.

The honesty and love shown in how they treat each other is stunningly beautiful. Even if you’re not into kink, it’s worth reading just for this, given it still isn’t always socially acceptable for men to show this level of intimacy/care/love between men. The standout examples of this for me are the flashback to when they were 10 at camp, the way Luke is absolutely honest in the scene, and when he stops the scene, and the conversation they have in the water at the end of the book.

This book also has me contemplating labels, given that neither of the MCs here identifies as gay or appears to want to, although they clearly love and trust each other profoundly enough to lay themselves bare and explore their kinks. Further fuel for my thoughts that labels can sometimes be helpful, but also bewildering and frustrating when they don’t fit. Because how can a label possibly ever sum up the totality of thoughts, feelings and desires, indeed, the complexity of a human being?

[Andreja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm on a fence with this book. Best friends to sort of lovers. This is actually where my problem lies with this book. They were definitely attracted to each other but in this very narrow situation where they weren't actually themselves. At least one of them is in love, but it seems like the guy has some really conflicting feelings about it. I needed at least one kiss.

[Anomaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of Preston, the first person narrator who's intelligent yet not egotistical, and his best friend Luke, who is a very chill surfer guy... except the small issue of his casual homophobia. Luke's a trust fund kid and Preston lives with him, but is quite poor on his own while going through college. They're sort of an 'opposites attract' friendship, but nowhere near the "hangdog" and "snarky genius" which the book's description claims - and that's a good thing.

No, they're not archetypes at all: they're believable as actual people and real college guys - complete with casual homophobia and misogyny in speech patterns, which surprisingly didn't bother me like it normally would. For these two, it feels authentic and not extraneous. Yes, a bit hard to read sometimes, but not infuriating like it would be if it felt gratuitous or as if it were not a valid part of the overarching plot. In fact, one of the central conflicts is Preston's uncertainty about his own sexuality coupled with fear that he'd lose Luke as a friend if Luke believed he were gay. And considering some of the wild antics they get up to while their silly games grow increasingly closer to - and ultimately cross the line of - an outright BDSM arrangement? Yeah, it's a logical fear to have.

I can't say the BDSM aspects were entirely believable in terms of reality, but that can be said of basically every erotic BDSM story I've ever consumed. And this one? Is. Actually. Good. Yes, the exaggerated punctuation is required in this case. This book managed to take all the ingredients of something I'd return to Kindle Unlimited before finishing it and mixed them up with several things I love to make something I actually enjoyed from the first page to the last.

There's a slow burn from friends to kinky bondage game partners. There's a discovery of very complicated sexualities which have no easy labels. Though maybe not as deep as I'd prefer, there's character exploration. The erotic bits are steamy and a lot of the kinky bits fit my interests more than maybe I should admit.

On the flip side, there are a lot of slurs and misogynistic comments. There's a flamboyant gay guy who's used as a plot device villain. The kink veers slightly into squicky directions a few times. Preston holds back on the safeword a few times when he knows he should use it. Luke is a little too easy to flee and leave Preston in a state of subdrop. First person POV smut is often something I find awkward and uncomfortable to read.

Yet, here we are. Put all these things together and we apparently get a story I love to pieces and may very well purchase to read again someday. That's right: I enjoyed this book. Despite odds being out of favour for it, this book appealed to me and kept me entertained. Though quite littered with typos, the writing flows well enough I never felt the urge to complain. It's even so thoroughly engaging that the only breaks I took from reading were when life needed attention or I didn't have enough privacy to feel comfortable reading the erotica-heavy text around others who might peek.

I'm glad I gave this a chance, and I suspect I'll end up pondering the story again in the next few days. If you don't mind typical 'dudebro' casual homophobia and a relationship which defies all attempts at labeling - and you aren't bothered by heavily erotic BDSM stories - I highly recommend giving this book a chance. If you're like me, you may just find yourself having unexpected emotions and enjoying the wild ride.

[Clari · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Never have I been more blueballed than that ending lmao. Sometimes I can feel a story ending but this one took me by surprised. I wanted one more scene after they basically confessed :( it’s pretty open ended because both mcs don’t really identify as gay and don’t necessarily put the label of boyfriends on their relationship. They do establish that they want to play kinky games for a long time but I think we would be benefited with more.