Reviews by sadhbh.martin

Leo is finally divorcing Eva because he’s gay and not poly, but Eva is resisting the divorce as she still wants and needs a protector and she still loves Leo. Leo is adamant that any new partner will have to accept that his daughter Laurel comes first. Then he discovers BDSM and Jesse, a submissive gay looking for a life partner. Jesse and Laurel get on very well, but will Eva be able to let Leo go? And what will happen to Laurel when Leo falls foul of a texting driver crashing a red light? What I loved most: how accepting Jesse was of the whole situation, how the usual suspects rallied round when needed, Laurel’s attitude. I loved the community spirit and the help they knew they could depend on. It’s the leitmotif through the Suncoast Society series that keeps fans coming back for more, that makes each book even better than if it were a standalone. There is a sequel to this with Eva’s story, Strength of the Pack, that is an equally fascinating and enjoyable read.

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Simon and Victor have recently broken up with their exes when they meet through Suncoast Society friends (Victor is a colleague of Lara’s while Simon works at the same hospital as Rachel’s brother Justin). Victor’s apartment is giving him weird vibes and Simon has a spare room so when things get really creepy, Simon offers to share his apartment with no foul if they end up not going anywhere permanent with the growing attraction between them. They both have tender spots to be avoided, but things between them just keep getting better, if it weren’t for all the food going missing and making Simon feel something weird is still happening. Victor initially fears Simon won’t be able to accept his Dominant side, but little by little, Simon convinces himself to go farther down the rabbit hole of BDSM and the Frightful Five have successfully paired yet another Suncoast Society couple. What I loved most: the natural way they grew closer and decided to accept rather than doubt, the welcome from the usual suspects and the way they helped Victor move immediately without mocking him, the way Simon stood firm against Greg and his machinations. I’m looking forward to seeing more of these two in the party books. Another excellent book in the series

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Wylie, an abused gay submissive, and Everett, a divorcing gay Dom, get off to a bad start but quickly agree with Tilly’s assessment that they are made for each other; But will Wylie’s ex leave them to live in peace? This starts relatively slowly with alternating chapters showing the background to the two men’s situations. What I loved most: Wylie’s revenge on his ex, how comfortable Wylie and Everett were together, Lara’s break-up with Steve, the dinner party for Mark, Wylie’s sheer determination to do things himself even though he had an “easier” option, the glimpses of other couples in the making, the homesteading details, the chicken tractor, and how Everett’s parents got involved. However if in real life parents gave their children names like that, it should be forbidden by law! This book highlighted the differences between self-perception and how other people see us, both positively and negatively. (It also generated a very interesting dream about Tilly and a Dom-school/club.) I was particularly interested in the homesteading because although we have a large garden and wood, it’s wasted on me because I want to read about it rather than do it - quite apart from the fact that I actually have a day-job and homesteading is a full time job in itself! I also like the idea that Lara will soon have her own book. I loved the humour throughout the book and will reread this one often. Another excellent book in the outstanding Suncoast Society series.

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Lara’s engaged to Steve but beginning to have doubts when he insists on going with her to court when she gets her divorce from Everett. The final straw is their meal together when Steve proves how big a douchecanoe he can be, so she gives him back his ring and has to find a place to stay because her lease is up. Luckily she meet’s Ev’s neighbour Brad and his son Mark. Can it be that easy to find the perfect man? Well first she has to find out how Brad will react to the news that Mark is gay, then will Steve actually take her No as a final answer, and then how are they going to work their kink around living in a house with a teenager. What I loved most: Mark’s reactions to perceived threats, how Lara got around to giving Brad what he needed, their ease with Everett and Wylie, the way they make Jacob feel at home, the “Ma’am” discussions, the humour throughout the book, the way Brad and Lara are immediately accepted into the Suncoast community. Excellent book, I have a feeling I’ll be rereading this one a lot when I need a laugh.

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What I loved most: the flashbacks to Kaden and Leah’s life with Seth as their best friend, Leah’s devotion to both of them and making sure Kaden’s wishes are respected, Kaden’s premonitions. What I liked least: the way people mistrusted their impressions just because it wasn’t rational or logical. Another feel-good kinky party story with lots of friend reminiscing scenes

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Melanie falls for two completely different brothers, Kirby and Davis, and then realises why they are so completely different, but how will they react when they’re finally told the truth and how will Davis’ ex react to being told he’s no longer interested? What I loved most: Davis’ reactions to Melanie, his patience with his brother, how Melanie ensured Felicity got her comeuppance. A very enjoyable poly romance

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Doyle, sober companion for Mevi, rock star preparing for a gruelling tour, knows it’s a bad idea to fall for his client, but that doesn’t stop him. Mevi, recovering alcoholic, doesn’t know how to come out to his bandmates, especially Bonnie, who thinks she’s in love with him, because she thinks he’s straight. What I loved most: Mevi setting Tilly loose on Erique, all the music-writing scenes, how Tilly witnessed their wedding and collaring, the self-acceptance Mevi had after his “click”, how right they felt together. I had a little trouble getting my head around Doyle just walking away at the BBM, but finally came to an understanding of it. This will be high on the reread pile (but then all Tymber’s books are). Highly enjoyable and entertaining book.

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Pinch Me is Rob and Laura’s story. Laura has been attacked and has lost her memory. She doesn’t remember anybody, not even Rob, and particularly not that they have a D/s relationship. She’s instinctively afraid of men, and Rob finds having to stifle his domly protective instincts very difficult. So the book is a falling in love again story as she wonders if she’s ever going to recover her memory mixed with a whodunnit as we try to identify her assailant. What I loved most: Rob and his patience and how he never lost faith. The womens’ friendship came a close second. Losing my memory is one of my greatest nightmares, I can only hope it never happens to me.

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I was hesitant to read this at first because it was going to be more BDSM than I felt comfortable with, but it was written by Tymber and my TBR was empty so I convinced myself. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it even though I wasn’t really into BDSM. This was an introduction to BDSM as Shayla the journalist investigates a BDSM club for a series of articles and falls in love with Tony the Dom who shows her the way. There’s more BDSM than in Safe Harbour or The Reluctant Dom but the romance is fore-front. Tymber Dalton is writing about something she knows, and it shows. The respect for safe words, the safe, sane and consensual credo is so firmly embedded in everything she writes that even if I could tell it’s not for me, I was drawn into the love story and knowing that the characters could call red meant the actual BDSM details didn’t bother me much at all. What I loved most: the insight into Tony’s feelings – we’d already met Tony in The Reluctant Dom, and I loved the domly cluelessness he showed at times. By this book, I was beginning to get more into the idea of it being a series. I love series books because of the comfort zone, even when one or two characters do something that shocks you, you have the tried and trusted ones to pull you into the story. Tony is not one of my favourite characters in the series, and he got on my nerves at some points, but I’m not Shayla, I don’t have to put up with him, I can call Red (aka put the book down) any time it suits me. I loved the friendships between all the women, it’s one of the main reasons I kept reading the series.

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