Title: Soft Focus
Authors: Reno MacLeod & Jaye Valentine
Publisher: M&V Tailz
Buy Link: Buy Link Soft Focus
Genre: BDSM, M/M/M
Length: Novella (35000 words)
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
A Guest Review by Cole
Review Summary: The first BDSM book that I have ever read that really helped me understand why and how someone’s needs are met through this particular way of life.
BLURB
Ethan Bouwer has always been the adventurous sort. A freelance nature photographer, he travels the globe and writes erotica on the side whenever things get a bit slow. Hunting for a topic for his next writing project, he stumbles upon a man named David Turner and the taboo world of BDSM. His curiosity piqued, Ethan discovers that David Turner and his beautiful partner Kiyoshi are coming to town for a convention.
Ethan makes arrangements for them to meet, but little does Ethan know that he is about to embark on a safari into a world more wild and untamed than anything he has ever encountered before.
REVIEW
I first read Soft Focus about a month ago when Simsala recommended it to me. I have enjoyed reading through Reno MacLeod and Jaye Valentine’s backlists, but I hadn’t had the courage to read Soft Focus. Why? I suppose I need to give you just a bit of information before I tell you why this book helped me in the way that it did. Last year, I read a book where the BDSM relationship was full-time, and at the end of the book the Dom took severe advantage of the sub in a public setting. Their trust was destroyed (probably as ground to write another book), but my trust in the author, and sadly in the sub-genre was completely shattered as well. I realized then, that I was reading about a sub-genre that I didn’t really know a lot about. Yes, I understood Safe, Sane, Consensual. It is pretty straightforward, but the application of it isn’t. I was afraid to read BDSM again, but I decided that I’d give Soft Focus a try.
This book is about the journey of a man into BDSM with the right teachers. Ethan is an m/m erotica writer. He does everything he can to find a subject that totally enthralls him. Then, he digs deep into research and come out on the other side with a story, hopefully about real men in that situation. On the flight home from his day-job as a freelance photographer on a safari in Africa, Ethan sees a BDSM magazine in the hands of the passenger next ot him, and after striking a conversation with the man about the publication he is reading, Ethan decides that the BDSM community is going to be part of his next project. He records the name of the Dom in the magazine that has caught his eye, and after finding out that he and his sub will be attending a conference near him, he arranges to meet them both at the conference to start his research.
David and Kiyoshi are quite a famous couple in the BDSM circuit. David is a skilled Dom who teaches classes, theory and practical, at different conferences during the year. Kiyoshi, his sub, is also equally famous, both for being David’s long-time sub, and for his own grace, beauty, and submission. They love each other very much, but they have a somewhat tenuous connection. Ethan is completely taken by them, and within only a few hours, decides that if he really wants to learn from them, he will enter into the community for the weekend. He soon learns that almost all of his thoughts about BDSM are completely wrong, though there are many within the community as well who are unable to grasp the finer points. David does not rule with an iron fist, just as Kiyoshi does not relinquish power when he submits to David. The power dynamic is fluid and constantly changing, just as a relationship does. Soon, however, David starts to love the place he has come to settle within the couple’s dynamic. Will they feel the same? Or will they let him go at the end of the weekend as he originally wanted?
The beauty of this particular story is the lens through which the story is told. We are told the story from Ethan’s POV as he learns about the community himself. He is an objective audience to David and Kiyoshi’s relationship (though he soon becomes part of it). Yet, with the possibility of their weekend menage lasting no longer than the convention, Ethan is able to retain the mask of partiality. Therefore, while we are able to see the BDSM community from the inside out at the same time as Ethan is able to understand the true meaning of the community — of power, and the dynamics of giving and receiving it, in a fresh and new way. The dynamic between David and Kiyoshi, and later as Ethan seems to take pleasure in pushing the boundaries of their relationship, helped me to understand the benefits that David and Kiyoshi, and Ethan as well, receive from a relationship in the context of BDSM. Likewise, the way that they viewed the community helped. Though they may seem the perfect Dom and sub in public, it is only that — a display. In private, the one who ultimately holds the power is Kiyoshi. It was fascinating to watch Ethan learn this, and then see the community through their eyes.
The characters in this story are wonderful. David is sometimes an enigma, because he rarely lets his mask of dominance slip. Ethan is an open book to us, not only because he tells the story, but also because the nature of submitting and alternately dominating for the weekend leaves him naked. His emotions are raw. Kiyoshi, though, is by far my favorite character. He is dynamic — coy, beautiful, and a powerhouse of strength while later becoming almost frail when faced with certain circumstances. I think the characterizations are more important in a menage story than in a traditional two-person romance, and this story is possibly one of the most romantic I’ve read.
I have already re-read this book, and I know that I will do so many times in the future. The reason that I didn’t rate this book a five star read, no matter how much it has affected me, is because I feel it is only the start to their relationship. Luckily, Reno and Jaye mentioned in their interview with Wave earlier this week (seen here) that they will be writing a sequel to this story soon. I can’t wait. This story is a great one for those that like to read about BDSM, however I would also encourage those who don’t normally read in this sub-genre, but are curious, to try it out. I wish I had read this book earlier. A word of caution, however: there is one scene that is difficult to read, though I found it necessary to the plot, as it highlights the lessons that Ethan has learned from David and Kiyoshi and what true BDSM is all about. Plus, the sex is HOT HOT HOT!
Highly Recommended.
Retraction: I misspoke previously about Ethan’s feelings towards the other writers in his genre — I stated in an earlier version of this review that the protagonist (Ethan) felt the majority of romance written by women weren’t representative of real men, and the characters didn’t feel like real men. I realized on re-reading the book that this statement was incorrect and I have no clue where that idea came into my head! Thanks to Wave for helping me with the retraction 🙂
Great review, Cole. I’ve enjoyed other books by these authors and this one sounds fantastic. I’m not usually a fan of menage but you’ve convinced me to give it a try (oops, reading it, I mean!!)
Hey Leslie 🙂
Aren’t Jaye and Reno great? I have a huge crush on them :blush:
I really like menage (well, only m/m/m), but like I said, I have a difficult time believing it. I think it is probably because I had a friend in RL menage for four years and that did NOT go well. Too many issues to work through, which is why I really love it when a menage does address those things…
I hope you like the book 🙂 It is classic Jaye and Reno: HOT, edgy at times, but compassionate as well.
I love your reviews, Cole.
I have this book and I can’t believe I didn’t read it until now.
I’m going to fix this mistake right away.
Thank you.
Thank you alina!
If you have the book you should definitely read it 🙂 Like I said before, I debated reading it for a long time, then, once I was in the thick of the story, I couldn’t believe I had put it off!
Enjoy 🙂
I read this book about 6 months ago and fell in love with it. It managed to touch all my emotions. I immeditately put it into my favorite collection to reread when the mood strikes. I too am anxious for a sequel. Thanks for the review.
Hi Linda!
Isn’t this one the best? I think it might be my favorite of these authors, which is saying a lot since I’ve loved pretty much everything they’ve written. I just can’t read enough of their books, they’re so refreshing to read after being saturated with so many angsty and gooey romances.
Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for the sequel!
Hey Cole, fab review. I too loved this book. After I finished it, I was like “What! That can’t be it!” Sooo glad there’s going to be a sequel. Between you, me and the fencepost, I too am crushing on Jaye and Reno. :blove2:
Hey girl!
Thanks to you we now know there’s going to be a sequel. I can’t thank you enough!
I know your penchant for gay boys with bangs (and long hair) so I totally understand the crushing :pant:
What can I say? I like what I like. Hell, their avatars make me smile. :hot: Yeah I forgot to submit the question initially and inquiring minds (me) did want to know.
😆 Fun post!
I find this couple to have a fresh voice!
Is it just me or are their more stories where the narration just goes :blah: overboard? Like watching a sporting event and wishing the talking heads would just shut up!
These guys bring the story to life in a fresh way. I don’t speak writer speak, I just know it works!
I trust them enough I may lift my vampire embargo :thinker:
Maybe this summer when the re-release comes out…
Great review!
PS 💡 :my2cents: You might read or re-read the first book in the Deviation Series. I found it a good primer for BDSM-Fiction.
Hey Reggie 🙂
Yes, you’re right. Plus, I’m getting tired of reading so many books that just seem watered down and stale. I suppose the problem is voice. Great books are books that have characters with really distinct voices.
Thanks for recommending the Deviations books. I haven’t read any of them, but I will be sure to look at them now 🙂
Me again.
Just finished it. It seems to me that Jaye and Reno are two of the few writers who never disappoint.
Now, I wonder, they write this stuff from experience or based on research? :thinker:
Hi alina,
I suppose it depends on what you like, but I know I feel that way. I haven’t read their entire collection, but I hope to remedy that soon. I’ve read about half so far, and I’ve loved every one.
Lol. I’m not sure they’d answer that 🙂 Though, I will say that I thought that same question when I read this book the first time, because the story is written that way, from a writer’s perspective doing research.
I’m glad you liked the book 🙂
Looking forward to reading this.
The Deviations books are terrific Cole. You should definitely check them out.
Hi Laura,
I really hope you like the book. It is one of my favorites 🙂
I will definitely check out the Deviations books. I realize that there are quite a few books about BDSM that handle the subject well, so I’m happy to have found some of them now.
Enjoy the book!
I really liked Soft Focus.
Deviatiions is one of the best BDSM series I have read (so far there are 5 books, I think). I reviewed the first one and the second has been on my to do list for ages. 🙂
I’m glad you liked it Wave 🙂 I’ve been recommending the book to everyone I talk to. It might not end up being their favorite, like it is mine, but so far everyone has seemed to really like it.
Wow, I’m really going to have to get those books now. I originally bypassed them in my BDSM hiatus, so I’ll make sure to read them now. Thanks!
Great review, Cole; thank you!
I’ve been wanting to read something by Valentine/ McLeod since their interview on the site, but the topics in their backlist didn’t appeal to me. Now, with this, I feel like I can start safely.
PS: I can only second Reggie and Laura in regard to the Deviations books. They – and Uneven by Anah Crow – were how I came to understand how BDSM can actually work as a lifestyle.
Hi Feliz,
You should definitely read this book, it is wonderful!
I am going to check out the Deviations books. I have considered buying Uneven. I really like Anah Crow’s books, both on her own and partnered. So, I will be sure to look into it. Thanks!
Cole
Uneven might be too tough for you to read, given your past experience with BDSM books (I found it difficult to read because of the extreme violence). Maybe you should keep it for later.
Okay, thanks for the warning, Wave 🙂
I´m adding this (and the sequel) to my list :evilgrin:
Thank you for your review 😎
I hope you enjoy it Helena! Thank you 🙂
I`m looking forward to the sequel.
Great review,Cole! :2thumbs:
Thanks Sims! Also, thanks for recommending this book to me — if you hadn’t, I might not have read it. Or, at the least, I would have taken a lot longer to decide to read it.
I can’t wait for the sequel 🙂
Now my curiosity is piqued! I’m definitely interested!
Loved the review, Cole!
Thank Larissa! I loved Kiyoshi so much, I wish there were more characters like him 🙂