Anne Brooke (1) (1964–)

How the hell do I rate this book? If I go by the "traditional" ratings it would be a one star, because, no, I didn't like it. But the problem is it was brilliant. Very well written, with characters that grabbed hold of me and made me feel. And I usually give at least a four star rating for that. But I DIDN'T really like what the story was all about, but I'll admit it was amazing at the same time... See, this is what happens. In reality, if it wasn't for the fact that I had committed this show more book to several challenges, I honestly don't know if I would (or could) have finished it.

It is very dark, very edgy. And while I like dark and edgy, this was uncomfortable. It was psychological, disturbing. There were too many elements in there that truly showed how damaged one of the MC's really was. And there was no coming back from that all. It was bleak, tortured, brilliantly written, but in all honesty, too much for me.

So, I'm glad I've finished this book. I won't be able to ever even think about reading it again, yet the characters are still staying with me. So, as such, the book has done it's job. i now just need to decide how to rate it: technically or emotionally? show less

If there is such a thing as a ”funny gangster” book, this is it. While the setup is not funny at all, with Liam fearing the Delaney twins’ revenge with an intensity that makes him shake, the way Anne Brook sets it all up, completely over the top, makes for a hilarious tale. And since there is absolutely no violence, just a very credible threat, I was able to sit back and watch the goings-on with only slight nervousness. After all, with the Delaneys’ reputation you never do know what show more they’ll actually do.

Liam is in big trouble. He has been dating the Delaneys’ cousin for a while, and when the bast*rd dumps him in public, Liam loses it – also in public. He knows that the Delaneys will have to react; they are the heads of the local gangster scene, after all. They take their honor, reputation, and family connections very seriously. The description of Liam’s fears and panic all through the next day alone made it clear he expects nothing good. Then he gets followed on his way home, and things get worse.

Both Mark and Johnny make their intentions very clear, and the choice they give Liam isn’t any choice at all as far as Liam is concerned. He wants to live, so having sex with both of them is his only way out. As the masters of drama, the twins decide to take him out to dinner first, and it isn’t like any meal I have ever seen described before. Nor is what follows once they go to Liam’s apartment…

If you like the kind of humor that still has you half wondering whether the author may be serious after all, if a young man fearing for his life on the one hand while secretly enjoying his punishment on the other sounds intriguing, and if you’re looking for a read that is funny, hot, and uses a lot of preconceived notions about gangsters and what they get up to, then you will probably like this short story. show less

This story is short, emotionally intense and very powerful, just like the lesson the main character needs to learn. Jake comes from no understanding of emotions and the role they play in relationships, not even wanting them there. When his sub commits suicide, he blames himself and that sets in motion a path to self-discovery that is unexpected, heart wrenching but, ultimately, gives him hope for the future. Having been banned from his favorite BDSM club for six months, he returns with a show more fairly vague hope of some sort of redemption, only to learn that he cannot do it alone, and that he is only at the start of an entirely new phase of his life.

The man who helps him along this path is the club owner, Langley. Like everyone else he seems to blame Jake for what happened, but, unlike everyone else, he is willing to give the shaken Dom a chance. He is more than admirable, has a ton of courage and his willingness to support Jake was very touching.

This is a story about personal growth as much as power play. The underlying dynamics come through in the writing and the ‘feeling’ of the two key scenes is entirely different. Jake’s old view of life and his role (told in a flashback of the last encounter with his now dead sub) versus the dawning understanding he shows in the learning experience with Langley are very clear. If you like pondering the nature of D/s relationships, are interested to see the impact emotions can have on something many would call purely physical encounters, and if you enjoy well-written stories, don’t miss this one!


NOTE: This book was provided by Amber Allure for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less

This story is short, emotionally intense, and very powerful - just like the lesson the main character needs to learn. Jake comes from no understanding of emotions and the role they play in relationships, not even wanting them there. When his sub commits suicide, he blames himself and that sets in motion a path to self-discovery that is unexpected and heart-wrenching, but it ultimately gives him hope for the future. Having been banned from his favorite BDSM club for six months, he returns show more with a fairly vague hope of some sort of redemption, only to learn that he cannot do it alone, and that he is only at the start of an entirely new phase of his life.

The man who helps him along this path is the club owner, Langley. Like everyone else he seems to blame Jake for what happened, but, unlike everyone else, he is willing to give the shaken Dom a chance. He is more than admirable, has a ton of courage, and his willingness to support Jake was very touching.

This is a story about personal growth as much as power play. The underlying dynamics come through in the writing and the “feeling” of the two key scenes is entirely different. Jake’s old view of life and his role (told in a flashback of the last encounter with his now dead sub) versus the dawning understanding he shows in the learning experience with Langley are very clear. If you like pondering the nature of D/s relationships, are interested to see the impact emotions can have on something many would call purely physical encounters, and if you enjoy well-written stories, don’t miss this one!


NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less