Todd Young is a a very talented writer whose work shows incredible potential. What distinguishes his style is his economy of narrative where far more is implicated or suggested than stated. In fact what may seem understated to other reviewers (e.g. characters, motives, events, places) to me seemed all the more real; just enough triggers to let ones imagination empathise with the heroes descent into the sex trade. It is also a very touching love story that less perceptive readers might not notice until the end. The sex too is briefly but sufficiently described, enough to quite disturb ones equilibrium.
There are elements of the plot that are somewhat unlikely, and the heroes tendency to blow his load whenever exposed might seem silly (e.g. if in a work of say, Jane Austen!) but here it is a very endearing trait, almost symbolising innocence.
I believe the compulsive nature of the text is in playing with the concepts of "what is innocence?" and "what is corruption?". Despite the heroes descent from innocence to corruption, he remains the books only innocent throughout.
Todd has the potential to rule the mm genre, no other writer in this field has quite got under my skin or moved me as much, infact (daft as it sounds)it disturbs me in the same way as good literature. I would also recommend Todd Young's earlier book "boyfriends" and hope too that I will soon be recommending his new book "dressing Up" which I just received this morning and cannot wait to read.