Review: Cutaway by Liz Borino
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 19, 2012
Steve is the director of the highly successful TV show, Ben's Life. He's been in a monogamous relationship with the show's lead star, Zack, for five years. Steve and Zack enjoy elements of a Dom/sub lifestyle, although neither is heavily into the scene. Steve identifies as a Dom, but draws the line at doing anything that would cause his lover pain or humiliation. Zack identifies as a sub, but has a big ego and a feisty attitude that often result in inappropriate behavior.Steve is so lax, and Zack so obstinate, I have a hard time thinking of this as a D/s relationship. It doesn't help that the other D/s couple in the story is heavily into the lifestyle and their personalities are extreme. Even so, it's sweet to see how devoted Steve and Zack are to one another and how deeply they love one another. I admit I know very little about BDSM, so I can't speak to the authenticity of the characters' actions.Their safe word made me laugh. :-DThere are several really interesting things happening in the plot, like Zack having to give his collar to a coworker on set, and the accident that causes Zack to have to care for Steve for a change. These could have been played up more, with more emotion, and perhaps in a full-length novel, they would have been.I was also intrigued by the character Josh. I was a bit shocked at how the story ended. I was hoping for resolution for Josh's storyline. I'm assuming there will be another book in this series that explores Josh's story further. At least, I hope so. We're left with a pretty major cliffhanger! From what I know of Steve and Zack, it's highly unlikely that they would take in Josh as a third, but I was secretly hoping for that. He needs some hugs and kisses and sweet loving, too. :-)*This review is based on an ARC provided by the author in exchange for a review.