A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Daisiemae
I am quickly becoming a fan of Jane Davitt and Alexa Snow. Bound and Determined was a refreshingly unique BDSM themed erotic romance. It captivated me from the first chapter and kept me enthralled with its character driven storyline. Both heroes were so well written and likeable that I rallied behind them and rejoiced at how far both characters had developed throughout their journey together. I loved this book, and I hated for it to end.
College student Sterling Baker was just starting to experiment a little with the BDSM lifestyle with his best friend Alex. When Alex takes Sterling to a local BDSM club, Sterling has a feeling that this lifestyle has been what’s missing in his life. Sterling is shocked to find Professor Owen Sawyer as part of the D/s scene. As he watches the dominant Owen put a submissive through a scene, Sterling immediately recognizes that Owen is the man he’s been looking for to guide him into the submissive lifestyle. Now he just has to convince Owen of that too.
Owen was intrigued and more than a little irritated when Sterling approaches him to train him as a submissive. Sterling was a challenging student his freshman year, and it appears that his stubbornness and determination to get his way hasn’t changed since they butted heads in lit class. Even though he’s more than a little attracted to Sterling, he’s not interested in showing Sterling the ropes…or so he tells himself. Even when Owen tells Sterling “no” Sterling is nothing but persistent. Eventually Owen decides to take the young man under his wing and a tentative relationship starts to develop.
Both men have to work through some issues before they can come to truly trust and love one another. Sterling has a father that doesn’t accept him and frequently does what he can to make his life miserable, while Owen must learn to stop guarding his heart from past hurts and disappointments. As they talk and learn from one another a pretty amazing relationship develops, but will they be able to work through their past issues and put their trust in each other?
Here’s one reason why this is a top pick for me. I LOVED the open communication that develops between Sterling and Owen. The friendship, love and trust they find with one another slowly develops throughout the book. They don’t immediately jump into a heavy scene and they don’t immediately fall in love at first sight. Both things grow gradually as the book progresses, and it’s a very beautiful thing to watch as their feelings grow between them. Sterling and Owen actually have some wonderful conversations together and it’s not always a bed of roses for either of them. They’re both stubborn, they argue, make-up, make mistakes, have fun together, discover new things about each other and most importantly learn to love and a trust each other. This was very refreshing for this type of romance, and I not only loved the relationship that they formed with one another; I appreciated it as well.
Also, I admit that I enjoy a BDSM themed romance and I thought that this one was very well written and not over the top. I thought the D/s relationship that Sterling and Owen have is a very realistic one and it’s one that I can definitely envision becoming stronger and flourishing even more as they spend many happy years together.
I’m really looking forward to reading more from this writing team. I recommend this book for those who are looking for something unique, and if you like a strong character driven romance. I know that the BDSM theme will turn some readers off and that’s a shame, because at the heart of the book it’s about Sterling and Owen and the once in a lifetime love that they find with one another.
Unfortunately, I was not able to find a website for author Alexa Snow, but I did find one for Jane Davitt that is both informative and interesting. Here is the link if you are interested: http://www.janedavitt.comJun 29, 2010 | 978-1-60737-450-3
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for Bound and Determined
Genre: BDSM LGBT Erotic Contemporary
Length: Novel Plus
When Sterling Baker discovers the wonderful world of BDSM, he's ready to literally throw himself at the feet of the spectacular Owen Sawyer, but Owen is unwilling to take on someone so new to the scene—or so he says. Determined to get what he wants, Sterling sets out to convince the doubting Owen that he can be the best sub in the world, the fastest learning, the most obedient.
It's not as easy as he thinks it will be, and things get even more complicated when Sterling realizes that he's fallen in love with Owen. With the stakes that much higher, Sterling's more determined than ever to win Owen over. But now he'll have to convince Owen they can have more than a teacher/student relationship, more than just good kink.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and content (including/not limited to bondage, gag, flogging, spanking, wax play), exhibitionism.
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