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A review by kaje_harper
The Gladiator's Master by Marguerite Labbe, Fae Sutherland
4.0
This was an engrossing story of Caelius, a Roman politician who inherits his uncle's slaves and finds among them a gorgeous gladiator,Gaidres, whom he brings to his bed (and floor, and walls.) Gaidres was not born a slave but was captured by Caelius' uncle, losing home, lover and freedom. He hates Caelius as a relative of the man who destroyed his past, and while willing to have sex with Caelius, is biding his time with the intent to kill him. The initial heated sex scenes show how these men's physical needs are definitely are a good fit, even while they are strangers to each other. But gradually, over the course of some conversation and (a lot of very hot) sex, they come to see each other as individuals, and forge a very different relationship.
This story is full of details of Roman life, and they are very well placed, giving an authentic feel without appearing to show off the research, as in some historicals. Rehabilitating a slave-owning character to modern readers as a romantic lead is tough, and Caelius almost bends over backwards (and often bends over forwards) to show his egalitarian attitude. I enjoyed this story, became fond of the MC's and wished them well in their HEA.
This story is full of details of Roman life, and they are very well placed, giving an authentic feel without appearing to show off the research, as in some historicals. Rehabilitating a slave-owning character to modern readers as a romantic lead is tough, and Caelius almost bends over backwards (and often bends over forwards) to show his egalitarian attitude.