Title: Free Me
Author: Brita Addams
Cover Art: Trace Edward Zaber
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Buy Link: Buy Link Free Me
Genre: Contemporary M/M BDSM
Length: Novella 24k
Rating: 3 out of 5 rating stars
A Guest Review by Raine
Summary Review: Lots of holiday BDSM without much emotional originality.
Blurb: Dr. Bryan Newcastle needs a respite from his grueling medical practice. He’s looking for someone to free his mind and his body, to take him to unexplored sexual heights. So on impulse, he plunks down his credit card and commits himself to a Gay BDSM cruise he hopes will answer his prayers.
Dom Phil Sanderson is looking for a vacation sub. With a keycard slid across the lunch table, Bryan is plunged into Phil’s decadent world, where sexual submission is only the beginning. Phil brings his willing sub to new heights, but soon realizes seven days just isn’t enough for either of them.
Will Bryan and Phil be able to return to their former lives, or has the journey to Bryan’s sexual freedom only begun?
Review:
I have not read a huge amount of BDSM. Indeed, when I first came across it was within the M/M genre and my initial reaction was that of prurient curiosity crossed with a “wow that is hot.” I have settled to enjoying BDSM elements within stories without seeking out more specialist sections of the BDSM genre. For me BDSM works best when it provides insight and adds a deep intimacy into character’s personality… that sounds pompous…ok so kinky heat for kinky heat’s sake is really good too! I have no other knowledge aside from reading Jame’s Buchanan’s beyond excellent posts on this site, ” I’m sorry but the safe word is not ‘ I forgot the safe word.'” — A bit about BDSM in books. and also Ins and Outs of M/M Romance: Writing BDSM.
In my own long winded way what I am saying is actually some of my favourite books have BDSM in them, but that is not necessarily why they are my favourite books. This week I’m actually reviewing two BDSM works.
One of my most important criteria for a work involving BDSM is that it is believable. Free Me is set on a hedonistic gay BDSM cruise, and the time restriction of having everything happen within a week did seriously affect the believability of the story for me. Perhaps this was a constraint dictated by being part of the Postcards From Paradise series. However aside from the completely instant rapport between Bryan and Phil, I kept thinking that Bryan would be too sore to progress so quickly through his intensive introduction to BDSM. In other books I’ve read there is a lot more use of carefully and enjoyably applied healing ointments and time delays for healing. The safe word issue was dealt with but a little later on than felt right as there had already been a pseudo formality to their very first scene which involved Bryan being hit with a belt.
I didn’t find that the character of Phil was expanded much beyond that of arrogant Dom who became attached to his holiday newbie sub. This while Bryan played the role of vulnerable sub, exploring the BDSM lifestyle with overheated enthusiasm. I just didn’t find either character particularly likeable. While opinionated Phil with his didactic explanations and needy Bryan were not the extremities of BDSM bluntly stated, likewise there wasn’t an awful lot of nuance.
Brita Addam’s has written other romances in the historical het. genre involving The Sapphire Club, a sex club in Georgian England. Consequently this story references a Boston BDSM club of the same name, which Bryan visits before and after the cruise.
This novella wasn’t for me. I am sure everything was researched, but I never felt the characters had much more than that. I read the story but didn’t feel the story. The relationship felt rushed and too busy; there was a lot of hot BDSM sex involving bits of kit and the post holiday explorations didn’t add anything extra. However if you do think you’ll enjoy this one there is a sequel out now.
The BDSM involves spanking, whipping and exhibitionism.
Thanks Raine, the book which you felt did not offer much in terms of emotional satisfaction for the reader is probably something I will pass. Too many books and not enough time as is 🙂
Hey Sirius
I wouldn’t have thought this was one for you, but you know just how fallible I am! 😮
Nice review Raine, esp. the Summary Review “Lots of holiday BDSM without much emotional originality.”
BDSM doesn’t float my boat, so it would have to be an outstanding writing effort for me to make room on Mt. TBR. As a reader, my criteria is long on relationship and emotion…hence your summary caught my eye 😯
Thank you!
Thanks very much Denni
daft though it may sound I think the summary review is the hardest thing to write, it’s usually the thing I leave until last and seem to agonize over most!
There is so much wrong with this book as you highlighted. In James’ post which you referenced, one of the primary responsibilities of a Dom is the safety of his sub. BDSM is not a game, even if this story is fiction.
I read a lot of BDSM and have reviewed quite a few lately and my main requirement for enjoying a book with BDSM elements is that the authors should treat this seriously. They should research their topics so that people who read their books don’t go out and practice what they read and get hurt.
Did you say in the review that Brita Addams used the same name as that of a BDSM club in a het historical as the one in present day Boston? I guess she couldn’t be bothered changing it.
Hi Wave
the author does through the Dom character Phil talk a lot about safe practise- he was concerned about how his new sub would get on after the cruise. I did feel that the book was researched.
It just felt a very light weight take on the subject. There was a miss match for me between the formality of serious BDSM and holiday fun and games on a cruise.
I believe she writes a het series featuring a historical sex club so the fictional BDSM club of the same name in Free Me is, I guess, a way of linking to her other books.