Meet New Books
Meet New Books
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For Real

Book 3 in the series:Spires Universe

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Toby, a baby dom, and Laurie meet one night at a kink club and have an encounter that neither of them can forget. In fact, both feel ruined by the experience. They both have demons to overcome to their HEA but, oh, is it written so masterfully. Just gorgeous. There is so much feeling, and surprisingly not a ton of angst. Toby is a 'lost' 19-year-old man, who knows one thing for sure, that he's a Dom. Laurie is the emotionally bruised and slightly detached older man, who takes a leap of faith, and kneels for Toby, not quite ever believing what happens between them is for real. The story follows the pair as they embark on a startling and life-affirming BDSM relationship, ultimately dealing in pride, inquisitiveness, fear, and trust.

Characters:

The characters, Laurie and Toby, are multi-dimensional individuals who confront their insecurities and grow through their unconventional relationship.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is marked by its elegance and emotional depth, effectively capturing the characters' voices and the nuances of their relationship.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around the emotional and sexual relationship between Laurie, a 37-year-old submissive, and Toby, a 19-year-old dominant, as they navigate the complexities of their age difference and personal insecurities.

Setting:

The contemporary London setting enriches the narrative, providing a realistic backdrop for the characters' relationship and explorations.

Pacing:

The book maintains a measured pace, providing sufficient development time for the characters and their evolving relationship.
“Look, I’ve come straight from work, and I’ve had a really long day, and I simply haven’t had time to slip into a spiky collar or a mesh shirt or whatever else you deem necessary to get into your have...

Notes:

The book features a significant age gap of 18 years between the two main characters, Laurie and Toby.
Laurie is 37 years old and has experienced an emotional fallout from a previous BDSM relationship.
Toby is 19, young and inexperienced, yet is portrayed as a confident dominant in their BDSM dynamic.
The story is told from two alternating first-person perspectives, allowing insights into both characters' thoughts and emotions.
The relationship is characterized as both a romance and an exploration of BDSM, focusing more on emotional connection than sexual acts alone.
Alexis Hall intentionally subverts typical BDSM stereotypes, showing a more psychological approach to the dynamic between the characters.
There is a notable scene involving lemon meringue pie, which has become a memorable part of the book's legacy.
The writing style is praised for being both beautiful and modern, with moments of humor amidst the serious themes.
Both Laurie and Toby are depicted as complex characters, dealing with their personal struggles and insecurities throughout the story.
The book challenges traditional views on BDSM relationships by emphasizing communication and consensual power dynamics.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of BDSM without a safeword, past trauma related to injury and loss, and complexities surrounding the age difference.

Has Romance?

The romance is a central focus of the narrative, exploring deep emotional and physical connections between the characters.

From The Publisher:

Laurence Dalziel is worn down and washed up, and for him, the BDSM scene is all played out. Six years on from his last relationship, he's pushing forty and tired of going through the motions of submission.

Then he meets Toby Finch. Nineteen years old. Fearless, fierce, and vulnerable. Everything Laurie can't remember being.

Toby doesn't know who he wants to be or what he wants to do. But he knows, with all the certainty of youth, that he wants Laurie. He wants him on his knees. He wants to make him hurt, he wants to make him beg, he wants to make him fall in love.

The problem is, while Laurie will surrender his body, he won't surrender his heart. Because Toby is too young, too intense, too easy to hurt. And what they have-no matter how right it feels-can't last. It can't mean anything.

It can't be real.

Ratings (10)

Incredible (5)
Loved It (2)
It Was OK (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (33):

Read It (13)
Want To Read (13)
Not Interested (7)
 
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