Review: Gage....not safe to read at work!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 20, 2013
I've really enjoyed the series and this book included but it is exceptional in that for the first time the hero really does behave as a true Dom. Gage Hollister doesn't blur the lines inside and outside the bedroom because there is no line. He wants a submissive slave 24/7.The setupZoe manipulates a stay in New York with Gage while her brother Brice, Gage's best friend, is out of town. Gage hasn't seen her in three years and his memory is of a young teen. Who shows up at the airport is a very grown-up and sultry 20-year old who is out to finally get her man. He knows he's in trouble but thinks he can handle it.The issuesZoe is pretty young to Gage's 31 years. Plus, his Dom behavior is on the extreme side and she's sexually inexperienced...period. He's made it clear of his desire for a slave sub and is known for his habit of "sharing". It's even more lethal that Zoe's the baby of the family and Gage's relationship with her brother, Brice, could be permanently broken.What works about this storyIt's an erotic romp into the world of a true Dom with BDSM tendencies.  There's no steam here, just pure volcanic heat. Gage doesn't lack for imagination and Zoe's education is pretty exciting to "audit." The sex was erotic and pretty amazing. Underlying it all is the growing tension of when, not if, Brice will discover that his best friend has compromised his sweet, kid sister. You knew it was going to be explosive and ugly and it didn't disappoint. Gage was also true to his nature throughout, not making excuses nor seeing a need to. His evolving relationship with Zoe from a brotherly to carnal love was skillfully done as it could have easily crossed over to "ick" but didn't.My issuesZoe's age was right on the edge of being too young as she turned 20 a week after coming to New York. It wasn't so much that Gage was old (31 isn't that bad) but she led a completely sheltered life. Her nickname, Oops, was pretty ridiculous and annoyed me every time she was called it and it was used interchangeably throughout the story. It just reinforced how young she was emotionally and was a constant reminder.[The bottom lineThis is an erotic romance and never strays from being anything other than that and it delivers. The story is interesting and really does give you a view of a Dom/sub relationship and how emotional bonding can influence both roles. It wraps up a little too quickly, a little too neatly but what came before it certainly does compensate. And, it was nice to have the HEA. I was looking forward to learning more about the smokin' Gage and I'm still fanning, even if I was concerned at the outset about Zoe being his focus. He's completely worth it and got the story he deserved.(I received an ARC from the author)