Bondage

When I started this book I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book as much as the first three. There were a lot of changes and I wasn't sure I was happy with them but I'm so glad I stuck with the book. i don't blame people for stopping if they are really hating the book but I'm to stubborn to give up most of the time. If you read it to the end all those changes come together and make perfect sense to the overall story that has been building through the three previous books.

As I read through the reviews I noticed that several people had problems with some of the same things that made me feel unsure and a bit shaky about reading the rest of the book. I wanted to address some of the issues either I had or I saw come up in other people's posts.

#1 Phan joining the household. At first I really thought no this is wrong its about Tobias and Noah Phan needed his own master but as you continued on through the story it came together and worked so well. Phan really needed a master who got him and had seen the good, the bad, and the angry. Noah was the one to initiate the idea. If Noah had been a weaker man it would have felt more like Tobias failing him or Phan pushing himself into the situation. But Noah and Phan had become friends. Noah loved his Master and settled into a secure relationship so the timing was right. If it had happened sooner it might not have worked but to the timing was good. They started out all together in a new space and it turned out to be such a beautiful thing. Also, I think the Phan of the first book would never had worked as a third in their household. He would have been too needy and would have stolen time that was Noah's. But Phan has grown so much between self retaliation, intervention, therapy, friendship with Noah, and seeing Tobias in a different frame of mind in his love for Noah. I think Phan is a much better man than he was and can see him being a good fit.

#2 Noah leaving his job. Some people felt this was like Noah selling out but I think there were hints that this might be coming because he enjoyed the aspects of helping and his volunteer counseling so much more. When he talked about his work day it was always things that showed the gentler/nurturing aspects of police work instead of the hard hitting crime stoppers stuff. Also if he had been perfectly happy and content in his job he wouldn't need the help to grounded and switch out of work mode in my humble opinion. I think working with Carol was a big part of what made the job work for him and without her all the joy of the job got sucked out of him. I still think he'll need to be useful and contribute to the whole but I think a good solid plan is in place and I can easily see him either taking over security at the club or going back to school and actually getting a degree to counsel full time.

#3 Someone commented on Tobias being topped by Noah as so out of character for them both. This one I disagree with. One it was clear from book one that sometimes Tobias needed to be pushed and dominated thus the scene with Bradford. There were hints and incidents all through the first three books. Noah was less comfortable at first with the idea but when he could put it in the context of serving his master by taking control he settled into the role quick nicely. Also, Noah being just a bit switching is probably part of the reason that adding a third especially someone somewhat needy worked out. It gave you an insight into why things didn't work out as well with Phan the first time completely aside from Phan growing need for pain at the time. And finally, this dynamic being so different gives Noah and Tobias something special to share that is just for them. ( )

Such an odd book, extraordinarily detailed and hot BDSM scenes, and then endless and quite boring conversations about therapy and how they all feel about everything and mundane details. (for such thin and fit men they eat a lot pizza! and for such BDSM sluts, there is an awful lot of cuddling going on.) The sex is hot, hot, hot. And the BDSM lifestyle is meticulously described, and though I don't know firsthand, it feels true. But the book bogs down in the non sex scenes, and it's too smooth, they are all too nice and kind to each other, and face no real jealousy or issues (Tobias, the Dom is actually the only one to feel a bit left out of the threesome) But Phantom is so childlike and attention needing, it actually makes sense that he has to be part of a threesome to give him some balance, one person just couldn't take all his neediness.

Chris Owen is a good writer, and the scenes are intriguing, so it's worth buying this book, but there are characterization flaws and the book feels overwritten at times. I rate it a B+, a probable reread. It may not be one of my true favorites, but it's a full length dense book and worth the time and the money. ( )

I truly enjoyed the first three books in the Deviations series, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. And, it was well worth the wait. The first two novels concentrated heavily on Tobias and Noah’s budding romance while exploring the BDSM world they have chosen. Though the BDSM element is represented just as strongly as in the first three installments, there is more plot development here to build the romance to a crescendo. In particular, Tobias and Noah’s jobs start to wear on them and affect their relationship. Noah questions why he became a cop after getting involved in a dangerous situation; Tobias begins to see that he can’t be a full-time vet, a full-time Dom and manage his farm. One part that was especially good - readers get to see how complex Tobias’ relationship with Bradford is, which subsequently fleshes that character out to be more three-dimensional. And then there is Phantom.

Phantom Shaw, Tobias’ former submissive, was a minor character in the first two books. In volume three, his character was expanded upon and impacted the story more. So much so, that I expected him to have his own novel after Tobias and Noah’s story was wrapped up. Instead, the authors created an unexpected plot twist for him in this final book. Though I never imagined the story going in the direction it went, it made for a very satisfying conclusion. His issues of self-esteem and addiction to pain take a major role in the story. Noah must examine his own feelings about Phan as well – can he accept that Tobias needs to help Phan? What role can or should Phan have in their relationship? And, does he love Phan too?

Though I am sad to see the series conclude, it was a very good ending. The sex was inventive, steamy and playful. Oh, and did I mention plentiful?! The characters were fully realized and the plot well done. These books have always been more than just “kinky” stories. These could be real people; they have real problems; and, they have real love. Overall, I highly recommend the entire Deviations series. ( )