24/7

Starred review from April 11, 2016
The fourth in Rock’s Subs Club contemporary erotic series (after Manties in a Twist), set in an unnamed American town, continues the heart-wrenching journey of a group of submissive men trying to recover from the death of their close friend Hal during a BDSM scene with irresponsible dominant Bill Henson. Three years after Hal’s death, Gould, who once dated Hal, is in a submissive relationship with BDSM club owners Kel and Greg. He’s deeply unhappy that they forgave Bill and allowed him to come back to the club and feels personally guilty for being alive and starting to move on. But he also feels the need to try the next step on his own personal kink journey: being a slave, 24/7, to Kel and Greg. Rock ably portrays Gould’s mixed emotions as he longs to find a lasting relationship with Kel and Greg, remembers all the good times he had with Hal, and grapples with a shocking run-in with Bill. Gould’s pain, PTSD episodes, and extreme survivor’s guilt pack a devastating punch, and the empathetic responses by Kel and Greg ring true. This book defies stereotypes about straight and queer men, kink, and grief, drawing the reader into a moving tale of unconventional, undeniable love.

Starred review from May 15, 2016
As Gould uses kink to mourn his ex-boyfriend Hal's death at the hands of a negligent dom, he has to decide what he wants from his relationships with Kel and Greg, the married owners of Riddle, the club where Hal died. While Gould finds himself fulfilled deeply by his submissive play with Kel and Greg, he's holding a grudge over their part in Hal's death and their decision to let Bill, the dom who left him tied up unattended, back into their space. Kel is a plus-size mistress who values trust and communication above everything else, which is hard for Gould. He lives in his own head and uses submission as a way to try to stop his overly analytical mind from assigning meaning and blame. Author Rock (Manties In a Twist, 2016, etc.) is inspired in the way she positively represents a richly diverse community of nuanced characters. She's done her research about various fetishes and aspects of the kink community, and there's a sweet wholesomeness to the way the characters care for one another. Gould's friends are bound (no pun intended) by their histories and commitments to protecting their peers. The well-rounded characters and compelling plot don't require that the reader bring any knowledge of BDSM to the table or even that they share any fetishes. This is an unexpectedly great book. It would be easy to approach it only as kinky erotic fiction, but it's also an incredibly well-written story about friendship, unconventional love, grief, and finding a community. It's as funny as it is touching, and in the end, it's about finding the love that challenges and encourages you to be your best self. Rock's happily-ever-after is bittersweet, beautiful, and deeply satisfying.

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from July 1, 2016

The conclusion to Rock's "Subs Club" series (The Subs Club; Pain Slut; and Manties in a Twist) centers on Gould, the onetime boyfriend of the group's late friend Hal and a curious sub who is currently navigating new waters in a Masters/slave triad with married couple Kel and Greg. Gould finds himself desperately wanting a deeper bond than "weekend play partners" with the pair while struggling with their quick forgiveness and reacceptance of Bill Henson, the Dom whose irresponsible behavior led to Hal's death. The three enter a "test run" Masters/slave agreement that teaches Gould more about himself and his unresolved issues than therapy ever has. Meanwhile, other significant life changes, including the possible loss of the Subs Club headquarters and Dave moving in with his dominant boyfriend, leave Gould feeling paralyzed by the past. This M/M/F tale, with gentle, perceptive top Kel and her snarky submissive husband, Greg, provides a change of pace from the previous characters' M/M relationships. VERDICT Gould's keen introspection and desire for abasement means this novel has a darker tone than prior installments in the series. Scenes discussing past self-harm and graphic depictions of consensual humiliation, while expertly written, might prove intense for readers seeking lighter BDSM erotica.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.