Reporting In

by Vanessa North

[llamareads]

Wow, I haven't read anything by Vanessa North before, but I definitely need to change that!  In my mind, this novella perfectly fulfills what I look to the Dirty Bits line for - steamy read that introduces me to a new author.  It's also the first m/m one I've read in this line, and I'm definitely hoping for more LGBT reads.  Here's hoping for an f/f one next!

While I like reading workplace romances, I'm also very sensitive to power differentials between the two main characters.  It reads like an easy way to introduce conflict into their relationship, and sometimes it's used in lieu of providing more substance to the characters.  While that trope is used in this book, both characters were very aware of it, so I think it was well done.

Jake is into some pretty kinky stuff, including chastity play, which I was previously pretty unfamiliar with.  I like that it showed Steven's initial ambivalence about some of it as well as how he comes to trust Jake.  While there's a lot of kinky sex, there's also some correspondingly sweet and emotionally intense parts that I felt were equally well done.

Overall, I think this was a fun and steamy novella, perfect for someone who's looking for some kinky - but quick - BDSM m/m.

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.