Review: 4.5 Stars
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 19, 2009
I enjoy BDSM-themed erotic romance, but I don't need entire chapters of rules and psychology. Thank goodness for authors like Katrina Strauss.SOME KIND OF STRANGER is all about the relationship and the dynamics between the two main characters, and the "rules" are woven into the story without ever coming off as stiff or preachy. Protective and dominant Derek rescues and falls in love with the sassy and submissive Blue. BDSM play prevails throughout the book, but it's never extreme or cruel. There's spanking, bondage, blindfolding, light humiliation, denied pleasure, and even a hot scene in a piercing parlor. Derek does have a fetish for inflicting pain during sex, but it's never severe, it's never unwelcome, and Derek always mixes the pain with a double dose of pleasure. I love that Derek is protective and nurturing and always wants the best for Blue.I love the structure of this book. This is a yaoi-inspired romance, and the author nails the format perfectly. She begins and ends this book with action and suspense, but the bulk of the book is simply about Derek and Blue's interaction together, with little interference from outside characters or secondary plot threads. Yaoi isn't about big action, scary bad guys, or dramatic resolutions. There are several other elements in this story that pay tribute to the subgenre's Japanese manga roots: Blue's cartoon-colored hair, the exaggerated age gap and physical differences between the two men, and Derek's Asian ancestry. The yaoi nods are like fun little easter eggs scattered through the story.Derek is protective but sensitive. He's much more complex than the typical Dom of romance stereotype. He loves Blue's submission, but he also loves Blue's rebellious side, and he never tries to break Blue's spirit. Derek tends to be a pushover when it comes to Blue's rule breaking. Even the punishment scenes are sexy and fun, with both men often laughing and joking throughout. Though Derek is 11 years older than Blue (Derek is 29, Blue is 18), this doesn't read like a typical May-December romance.Blue is full of attitude, and his snarky comments are great for a few giggles. He's sexy and sassy without ever coming off as silly or prissy. He's all male, and he's got a mind of his own. Blue keeps Derek on his toes.I can't really think of anything negative to say about the book. The bad guy was a real sicko, but he wasn't cartoonishly evil. The conflict between Blue and his dad was realistic. The relationship between Blue and Derek was sweet and sexy and believable. A little more interaction outside their D/s bedroom roles might've helped make long-term relationship a bit more believable, but that's just a matter of preference. This book starts a series, and I know the LTR is addressed over the course of an ongoing story arc.Overall, BLUE RUIN: SOME KIND OF STRANGER is a fun and sexy read that I highly recommend to fans of yaoi and m/m romance. ~Read in June 2008