Review: Okay, no.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 10 25, 2010
First off, though the initial blurb sounded interesting, the premise is actually totally implausible and the author does nothing to make it easier to swallow.  In just three years, Ethan starts up a tech company that revolutionizes the industry and makes billions?  Not only that, he finds time to buy an island and lay this intricate trap for David that involves earning frequent flyer miles, locks on every kitchen cabinet and door, and printed resort brochures?  In three years?  Maybe in eight or ten years, but three??The premise could have really benefited by having these guys be more than three years out of college, with some life and love experience behind them.All of that aside, most of the conflict is a plot device.  Sure, David ran off on Ethan when he was caught masturbating while watching his best friend shower.  And David's cowardice is the grounds for a great deal of hurt.  But at no time - either in the past or present - does Ethan speak up about his feelings for David, instead letting David assume this now is all a petty revenge scheme.  If either Ethan or David had the least bit of emotional depth, I could have bought the conflict.  But we never see a reason for David to fear being hurt or rejected by Ethan, nor do we get anything that would make us think Ethan wouldn't confess his love for David.  Instead, Ethan acts like a smug jerk, and David is so busy running away from everything that he just seems weak and whiney.  Beyond that, these characters have the emotional depth of a teaspoon between them; the author gives us very little reason to care about them or their relationship.And then later in the story, there comes a point when David lies to get them off the island, and his lies are more convoluted and cruel than if he had just admitted the truth and promised to work on a future with Ethan (if he was able to convince Ethan of the lie, making him believe the truth would have been WAY easier).  Instead, this leads to more separation and hurt feelings and contrived plot devices.  It was all very frustrating and I found myself skipping ahead to the end.And worst of all, the sex wasn't very hot, even with the titillating inclusion of bits of bondage.  I'm still not sure how Ethan ever thought that David was a submissive when it came to sex; I guess it's just lucky he was right.Save your money and skip this one, no matter how interesting the plot sounds.