Review: Really well done mild fetish/erotica - With a good plot!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 24, 2014
Ryan meets Cassandra when he and a group of friends have dinner in the steak house where Cass is a waitress. Her seamed stockings catch his eye...Seems our Ryan has a penchant for dress up games of the sexy variety. Cassandra is all in. These two role play their way through Las Vegas, with very hawt results! Ryan, though, is very conflicted about his fetish. His former fiancee made him feel like a pervert because of his desires. When one of Cassandra and Ryan's role playing games is interrupted by members of Ryan's team, he has a big ole meltdown.What worked for me - So much! This is a very sexy read. Double Down explores the idea of role play, costumes, playing...call it what you will. Ryan has always been attracted to the fantasy, yet he is deeply ashamed of his desires. He tries, so hard, to put that part of himself in a box and shut it down permanently. Thing is, Cassandra has at least an inkling of what makes Ryan lose control, and she is completely on board with it. So you have Ryan trying to shut it down, and Cassandra revving him up...our boy is conflicted. Ryan grew up in bad circumstances, with an alcoholic mother, in a trashy area. He yearns to be respectable, to be normal...whatever that is. In Ryan's mind, his fetish is the opposite of what he wants for himself.Ryan is very disciplined. He is a Major in the Air Force, a fighter jet pilot. By his own admission, he isn't the best pilot on the team, but he works harder than anyone else. Ryan firmly believes he can force himself to ignore his sexual preferences. He thinks Cassandra, without the kink, should be enough. Other than his ostrich impression, Ryan is terrific. He's warm and caring, he's affectionate...he doesn't do too well with the sharing of the feelings, but that's pretty normal for a guy.Cassandra shows a lot of growth throughout Double Down. With Ryan's encouragement, she goes after the career that she really wants. Cass is open and sweet. She is as excited by the games she plays with Ryan as he is, and tries to get him to open up to her. When they have a blowout about the subject, she doesn't back down at all. She is honest and real. Great shero.Love the emphasis that sex really begins in the brain, and whatever occurs between consenting adults is okay, as long as it is safe and legal.Can't wait for Jon's, one of Ryan's fellow pilots, story. I purchased it as soon as I finished Double Down.The writing was rock solid. The story flowed well, and the conflict was realistic and well done. The smexy times were very hot! Beyond that, though, there is a definite plot. I love the mix of real life and erotica. Kind of like life should be, you know?What didn't work as well - Really, I can't think of anything.Bottom line - Time and money very well spent. Can't wait to read the rest of the series!