Manties in a Twist

Starred review from February 8, 2016
The third in Rock’s BDSM-themed Subs Club series (after Pain Slut) is the author’s best yet. Combining love, lust, and insecurity, the story of Kamen—a generally happy-go-lucky gay man—and his new lover, Ryan, is both touching and endearing. Two years after Kamen’s close friend Hal died during a BDSM scene, Kamen still hasn’t gotten over the loss. After he moves in with his new boyfriend, Kamen’s friends keep pointing out that Ryan’s not a part of their close-knit group, threatening the relationships they all share. Will Kamen’s relationship with Ryan endure, or will it cleave him away from all that he holds dear? Rock’s deep affection for the characters lends itself to readers loving Kamen, Ryan, and all in their orbit, encouraging them to invite this group of complicated, loving men into their lives.

April 1, 2016
Still mourning the loss of a friend due to an accident during sadomasochistic sex, Kamen moves in with his boyfriend, Ryan, and has to navigate a spectrum of mixed feelings as he and his close-knit set of friends move into their own lives, loves, and levels of kink.Kamen is in love, and for some reason he can't comprehend, his very close friends aren't happy about it. In his mind, Ryan is perfect for him. They share a goofy sense of humor, an explosive chemistry, and a "we'll try anything once, but stop if either of us doesn't like it" sensibility that is a "totes" turn-on for Kamen, whose happy-go-lucky personality is sometimes mistaken for a dim wit or a lack of maturity--possibly also somewhat due to his use of words like "totes," "amazerbeam," and "amazigasmitastic." But at heart, Kamen is a kind, open-hearted young man who doesn't brood, can be depended on to keep a secret, and is deeply loyal to people he cares about. Which is why he feels disheartened and a little betrayed when his friends subtly reject Ryan. For Kamen, Ryan's adventurous nature brings out a curiosity he never knew he had, which leads them into all kinds of audacious experiences Kamen discovers he really likes--and a few he doesn't. These include experimenting with female clothes and lingerie, water sports, and, thanks to some scornful taunting from a mean-spirited fellow client at a local dungeon, an unexpected romp into competitive pony play. Kamen's first-person perspective is funny and very present, while Rock does a terrific job of creating authentic, realistic characters who are exploring many layers of romance and kink while delving into emotionally deep territory: the preventable death of a friend, the reactions of friends when one begins to explore new aspects of self, and the inevitable tension of grief, guilt, and moving on. Still, not for the faint of heart, since it includes graphic sex scenes and realistic portrayals of a variety of kinky lifestyles. Kinky, touching, emotional, and sexually intense.

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Starred review from April 1, 2016

This third book in the "Subs Club" series features goofy, gorgeous submissive Kamen navigating love, new kinks, and the many minor terrors known cumulatively as "adulting." Though he's not considered the brightest bulb among his friends, Kamen knows he's found something good in his relationship with dominant partner Ryan. Subs Club buddies and confidants Miles, Gould, and Dave, however, don't love Ryan's brash nature or his perceived ambivalence toward their friend. Hal's death and accuse the couple of isolating themselves in their "honeymoon" stage of domestic bliss. Add to that a newfound interest in pony play, and Kamen finds himself growing up rapidly, but he isn't quite sure what, or whom, he might end up leaving behind. Rock has a knack for infusing even the naughtiest of sex scenes with humor and sweetness. Each episode sparkles with warmth and wit, whether it's friendly banter during Subs Club meetings, poignant discussions of grief, or Ryan and Kamen discovering a shared panty kink. VERDICT Recommended for M/M erotica fans looking for edgier fetish depictions, with vibrant writing and plenty of laughs.

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