Review: Contradictions, angst but so much left unanswered.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 21, 2014
I liked the blurb and was looking forward to experiencing the story of, for me, a new author. There are contradictions galore and a bucket load of angst but there is no engagement or investment in any character from my perspective.Kerry is a foster kid that has no family, except he does. Malcolm is a Dom, except he isn't. Charlie is a photographer, but isn't anymore (we aren't given a reason). Kerry has no home, but he does. Malcolm hated his foster monster, except he finishes that man's dream after he dies. And Charlie is a sub, who isn't or...There are so many contradictions I got frustrated. Kerry's boyfriend (who isn't) is straight to the world and doesn't acknowledge him he just has sex with him and is mean. Did I mention he was Kerry's friend then his bully now his lover? Kerry has had enough when Andrew doesn't acknowledge him at his birthday party - but why would he because Andrew doesn't like Kerry (except he does) and only wants him for sex. Kerry walks down to the beach, drunk, and he falls asleep. He wakes to find two hot guys, he has been robbed, and he is soaking wet. Malcolm and Charlie take him home, clean him up and he leaves. He goes home to his roommate to find all his stuff is trashed, his books torn in half and that someone has it in for him. Then his roommate Matt gives him his marching orders - crappy time. His boss gives him her couch but he is so disconnected to everything and everyone that even when people are friendly he doesn't perceive friendship. His roommate thinks they are friends, but Kerry doesn't. Mal and Charlie have been together for fifteen years and are seeking something that is missing, they have tried with others but it never worked and so now they are looking at Kerry. There is a lot of angst and a relationship that isn't forms (I know, more contradictions). Not only does the non-relationship, non-Dom/sub thing not work but the relationship between Mal and Charlie starts to disintegrate. And who is targeting Kerry?There are questions left after you finish the book. There are pictures of Alistair and his mother is mentioned but then nothing - who is he, where is he? There is a foster brother mentioned, he is found and never mentioned again. There are story threads that twine and then there is just nothing. There is so much potential and you start to see prospects of the story improving and then it doesn't.There are bits I liked, bits that were a yawn and then there is the person targeting Kerry. Big let-down, no vengeance, no nothing really. And it was so easy to see who it would be, we were basically told at the beginning. I have never seen a Dom/sub relationship like Mal and Charlie, and then there is the same(ish) with Charlie and Kerry. But it is in the ether. And I still don't know what there is between Mal and Kerry really.Can I suggest you get a sample and see if it grabs you. It tried to grab me then missed completely. If it was food I would still be hungry.