By His Rules [Kindle Edition]

I like sexy, sexy, sexy as much as the next reader, but I also like to have to think a little bit while I'm getting it. J.A. Rock's freshman romance By His Rules definitely made me think. I've read my share of LGBT lit, but Rules was my first time exploring the D/s world. I liked it. A lot. And liked being pushed to contemplate precisely what rape is, and is not. To contemplate the "morality," if you will, of inflicting pain/humiliation. I got a clue, and you will, too--consensual activity is the buzzphrase. Readers will find that discovering the difference between abuse vs. erotic violence is as simple as self-monitoring to check which chapters of Rules make you a little sick to your stomach, and which ones rock you like a hurricane and make you check the clock to see how soon your SO is going to be home so you can try out some brand new ideas together...

If we are honest with ourselves, most if not all relationships operate somewhere along the spectrum of the dominant/submissive dynamic, so this is a work for readers of all sexual orientations and proclivities. There is nothing hotter than two people who want to give each other everything--sexually and emotionally. Two people who are separate individuals, each in his or her own right, yet both looking in the same direction toward a shared future. That, I think, is where we as romance readers want to wind up at the end of a good read. We want to see two characters grow together and enter into a relationship of mutual trust and respect. This will be your experience when you read By His Rules, which goes beyond the simplistic boss/bossed dynamic, and rethinks the D/s equation in terms of carer/cared for...In other words, some folks need, others need to be needed.

Aiden is emotionally immature and financially unstable when we first encounter him. His lover Keaton is older and on a much steadier trajectory, yet finds that he, too, still has some growing to do. It is a pleasure to accompany these two as they journey toward emotional and sexual health (Aiden--due to past abuse--consistently taking two steps forward and one step back as he learns, with Keaton's help, to turn away from corrupt BDSM ideals and overcome self-destructive tendencies in all aspects of his life).

Keaton is perceptive in knowing just what Aiden needs (discipline) in order to move forward with his life, but sometimes the form that Aiden wants that discipline to take confuses even Keaton. The reader mulls, along with Keaton, why Aiden likes pain with his sex, and likely arrives at Keaton's conclusion: that you can ask yourself why a certain activity stimulates your partner to roaring arousal, but that's missing the point. The fact is, it doesn't matter why. It only matters that activity X, Y, or Z does float his/her boat--and matters that it is your heart's dearest wish to provide X, Y, or, yes, even Z. That's love.

People's needs are as different as their facial features, and it is so satisfying when characters in books (or even, sometimes, people in real life!) find "the one" who will generously supply precisely the type of love they crave. The give-and-take of partners learning to accept and provide for each others'needs is a beautiful process, and readers of Rules are lucky to witness Aiden and Keaton's process.

A note about Scott, as well. Scott is the third point of the human triangle in this story, and it is refreshing to have him undergo a minor change of his own--it gives him more depth than your run-of-the-mill villain. I also appreciated the vividly drawn supporting characters. They are warm and human, and Rock writes their dialogue so well. This author has a bright future. I can't wait for Rock's next book.

-Henry Lyssa

P.S. Just bookmarked J.A. Rock's blog (jarockauthor.blogspot.com). Very engaging/funny.

I am usually a fan of Yaoi, though I am willing to try most anything in the M/M arena. I took a chance with this book as I have been very unhappy with recent offerings in the BDSM, D/s genre.

This story was pretty good. It started harsh and I was worried where the author was going to take this character. That's a warning for those of you who have a high squick factor. The introduction to this tale is rough. It is necessary though, for you to see where Aiden's character is coming from so that you understand his emotions later on.

There was a slight psychological bent which is very true of D/s relationships and fit comfortably in the story, but I did not feel the story was overly angsty. A big plus IMHO.

The author did a very nice job of letting me feel the journey that Aiden went on, discovering what he actually needed instead of the pain he was used to. I liked that Keaton was strong and made a few mistakes as we all do. I loved that they were both strong enough to see it through.

I've gone through a big kick of reading bdsm lately and this one was different and interesting. It's hard to talk about this book without spoilers as it's rather internal and angsty.

The first 1/3 of the book is Aiden with Scott, that is what makes it a bit hard to read. Poor Aiden being abused and the toll it takes on him physically and mentally. Is it too long? I don't think so, only b/c i understood where he was coming from for the rest of the book. we know Aiden and why he needs what he needs and how Keaton perfect will be for him.

Aiden does make mistake after mistake and Keaton is fairly one note in his desire to fix Aiden and help him. He is a bit Mary Sueish and his 'mistakes' seem to be an occasional inability to read Aidens mind.

For me the issue that didn't get explored and which would have been fascinating was how Keaton would adapt to really give Aiden what he needed. Aiden seemed to require a certain amount of pain, not only to get off but for maintaining his own emotional balance.

Keaton was not comfortable with that and I felt like that was the reason their relationship exploded towards the end and Aiden ran back to Scott. The issue was not resolved and presumably would happen again. Could Keaton change? Will he? Won't he need to? I was disappointed that wasn't explored but otherwise enjoyed this intelligent bdsm novel.