Review: Lovely premise, but woefully underdeveloped
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 08 25, 2013
When Seth first sees James he's instantly attracted to the man who, although suffering from a physical disability, refuses to let it define him. Seth wants James and is determined to get him. At their second business meeting on site of the first hotel, James runs into his ex, who's a part of the construction crew and has a panic attack as memories of his abusive past come flooding back. Seth calms him and reschedules James' presentation for later that afternoon. After the presentation, Seth makes his move, informing James that they are going to dinner, where he proceeds to order for James. A week later and Seth arrives at James' studio attached to the house. After the tour, Seth orders take-out for them (as he feels like Indian and doubts that James can make that) and the night ends in sex.This is not so much an insta-love as it is an insta-relationship. There's no build up, no getting to know the characters, no discussion before Bam! They're suddenly dating. As we learn later when he states that James is submissive, Seth is apparently kind of a Dom but his behaviour mostly comes across as overbearing, controlling and manipulative. There's no discussion about a relationship, never mind any form of a BDSM one, yet Baby and Pet abound pretty much right from the start. It's like the author is forcing a fast connection between the MCs instead of letting it happen organically. So much of the information is either only hinted at or doled out later on with people from the MCs pasts suddenly cropping up out of the blue and other things glossed over, so it's really hard to understand the why of something. The narrative jumps all over the place, essentially answering the question before it's even asked thus putting the answer out of context.The premise sounded lovely and I was hoping I would love this book. In the end, it just felt like the author was trying to cram too many different things into the book. BDSM elements, insta-love/relationship, tragic past, childhood abuse, a kid, evil grandparents suing for custody of said kid, abusive ex's (3 of them!), mystery, threats, a homophobic family and psychotic brother and mother. The result of which is all of those elements feeling underdeveloped.I really liked Danni. She was definitely my favourite character. In fact, the extra half star is just for her. The cover is gorgeous.Read the full review at Live Your Life, Buy The Book