It started out OK, but after the first few chapters it really dragged and the second half of the book was dull because it was a almost a mirror image of the first half of the book with the caretaker roles reversed.The author did a good job of showing a credible dominate/submissive relationship without going overboard, although it was not something I expected at all from the blurb. I also did not really get why two main characters had not gotten together in the past. Hollister basically slept with anyone - man or woman - who fogged glass and apparently had being practically throwing himself at Nick since forever. Through most of the book I thought this was GFY and that Nick was fighting his attraction to Hollister because he was a dude. But then when they finely got together, Nick had no qualms about being with a man and there were a few haphazard references to it having been a long time since he'd done various activities, so basically I have no clue why Nick hadn't slept with him when they were in college.There were several underdeveloped plot points that were dangled, but went no where, like Hollister's relationship to him family. I think the would have been a lot better read if it were half the length, as there really wasn't enough story to justify the length. Messed up characters! Pining away for 10 years! While cavorting with whores and snorting cocaine! Seems like a premise for a good tale. But this story reads like some saccharine sweet fanfiction. Some all human, all rich crybabies universe of Vampire Diaries* or Supernatural**.Secondary characters absolutely steal the show, though even they seem not to know how they got there. Or why. Sometimes they're clinically insane and still make much more sense than main couple. Who are whiny babiez that whine. The narrator was as bored as was I. * didn't read the books, watched only pilot of series, never even browsed any VD fanfiction. ** watched a first season, somehow read Labyrinth/Supernatural crossover. I blame Jareth, of course. And Girls Next Door comics by Pika-la-Cynique.
What do You think about One Real Thing (2011)?
Good friends-to-lovers, and it was nice to read a book that was D/s without pain play.
—mollyb
Hmm codependency anyone? In a good way. Maybe.
—Matthew
