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cinnamon's review
1.0
I have read widely about BDSM for years, both fiction and nonfiction, from erotica to romance to histories to guides. Never before have I read something this abusive.
At one point during this story, Brendan receives oral sex because his emotionally abused, traumatized partner feels guilty--"After cleaning Raf up, showering together--which had resulted in a blow job for him because apparently, Raf had still felt guilty and had wanted to please his Daddy[...]"--for attempting to "manipulate" Brendan. Brendan's direct dialogue to Raf is, "Games are all fine and well, Raphael, but don't you dare manipulate me. I know what you were angling for, and that's not okay."
The outrageously grievous offense that immediately moves Raf (a character with ADHD, C-PTSD, and depression, who has been emotionally abused by his father, who is in therapy, and who left his job to deal with the emotional fallout of that therapy) to assuming he's ruined Christmas because he "always push[es] for more"?
Asking to use the bathroom before they have sex: "I need to use the bathroom first."
It is an insane overreaction by Brendan that undermines his characterization throughout the entirety of Gentle Hand. Further, him using the term "manipulate" rather than something with fewer abusive connotations is disgusting when Raf, the person doing the "manipulating," is in therapy for C-PTSD and on antidepressants. Frankly, it reads like Brendan is attempting to trigger Raf (and, regardless of his intent, it's what happens; Raf reacts to the accusation of him manipulating Brendan with panic, depressive thoughts, self-hatred, and just about every classic symptom of somebody who has been emotionally abused, and then further goes on to offer sex to Brendan to try and "make it up" to him).
If you have any triggers related to emotional abuse, please take extreme caution in reading this book. The author provides no content warnings, and as of 4/23/2020, the only content warning present in this book is "This book contains sexually explicit material which is suitable only for mature readers."
At one point during this story, Brendan receives oral sex because his emotionally abused, traumatized partner feels guilty--"After cleaning Raf up, showering together--which had resulted in a blow job for him because apparently, Raf had still felt guilty and had wanted to please his Daddy[...]"--for attempting to "manipulate" Brendan. Brendan's direct dialogue to Raf is, "Games are all fine and well, Raphael, but don't you dare manipulate me. I know what you were angling for, and that's not okay."
The outrageously grievous offense that immediately moves Raf (a character with ADHD, C-PTSD, and depression, who has been emotionally abused by his father, who is in therapy, and who left his job to deal with the emotional fallout of that therapy) to assuming he's ruined Christmas because he "always push[es] for more"?
Asking to use the bathroom before they have sex: "I need to use the bathroom first."
It is an insane overreaction by Brendan that undermines his characterization throughout the entirety of Gentle Hand. Further, him using the term "manipulate" rather than something with fewer abusive connotations is disgusting when Raf, the person doing the "manipulating," is in therapy for C-PTSD and on antidepressants. Frankly, it reads like Brendan is attempting to trigger Raf (and, regardless of his intent, it's what happens; Raf reacts to the accusation of him manipulating Brendan with panic, depressive thoughts, self-hatred, and just about every classic symptom of somebody who has been emotionally abused, and then further goes on to offer sex to Brendan to try and "make it up" to him).
If you have any triggers related to emotional abuse, please take extreme caution in reading this book. The author provides no content warnings, and as of 4/23/2020, the only content warning present in this book is "This book contains sexually explicit material which is suitable only for mature readers."
ankysbookbubble's review
5.0
This book was basically a packet of cuteness consisting my favourite characters and some fun holiday situations. I absolutely loved the novella.
laura_theaudiowasbetter's review
3.0
Quick review: This was a great check in on two couples we already knew. Very low angst, mostly just a catch up/check in on everyone's emotional state and peek into some kinky sex scenes.
luli2112's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nasaje's review
3.0
My rating reflects how I felt about the two pairings in their own books.
I never really took a liking to Rhys and Cornell but liked Brendan and Raf, so I liked some parts better than others.
I never really took a liking to Rhys and Cornell but liked Brendan and Raf, so I liked some parts better than others.
annas_sweets_and_stories's review against another edition
4.0
This was good! I liked seeing both couples from the first two books have a Christmas story.
knrt_17's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read this author before. This is a mm contemporary novella with 2 couples from previous books in this series. Daddies and littles, snowed in for Christmas. A great read.
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