Rune Tooby is a smartass rebel and closeted gay biker with The Born Soldiers motorcycle gang. Rune’s life centered on casual sex and less-than-legal employment, until a pickup truck full of homophobic white supremacists rammed into his bike, destroying his hearing and shattering his life. Learning to live deaf and silent overwhelmed Rune, sending him to humbly beg help from the last people he … trusts completely: the rich and powerful Dominants of the Manse, who trained Rune in the arts of BDSM.
Oliver Hughes, cocky day trader and sexual Dominant, lives a life of indulgent luxury. Despite this, he feels adrift and unneeded since his beloved submissive, Jackson Whitney, became absorbed into life as a family man and cardiologist, leaving him little time for his Master. When a meeting between Rune and Oliver is carefully arranged by the leaders of Manse, it starts a wild ride, sweeping up everyone who gets too close to the explosive pair. Rune and Oliver find themselves on a path filled with frustrating miscommunications, rage-filled vengeance, and painfully unearthed secrets. (M/M/M)
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
This is intelligent erotica full of scorching hot scenes that are sensual, emotive, and very kinky. I enjoyed both the complicated characters and their relaxed polyamorous relationships.
I love that the BDSM in this book actually makes sense. Oliver takes charge of Rune, pushing him towards independence and self-awareness – giving him the space he needs to rebuild his confidence.
Beyond the bedroom, I loved the clash of cultures between Oliver’s sophisticated urban world and Rune’s biker gang. This is very sexy erotica but there’s also an engaging plot that pulls the story together. The story tracks Rune’s journey from disabled victim to empowered vigilante. It is also the story of Oliver and his need for a partner who can put him first and need him most.
There are a few scenes in this story that I feel slightly blur the line between BDSM and domestic abuse. There are also a few s/m scenes that are more brutal than I’m comfortable with – but that’s a personal preference. Ultimately, I really enjoyed the emotional intimacy and sexual chemistry between Oliver, Rune, Jackson, and Adam. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
Ruthie –
This is the first of this series that I have read – and I did not feel that I had missed out on background. I may well go back and read the others though, as this was an exceptional read.
I gave this story five stars because it is amazingly intense. It does an incredible job of bringing a number of men into an incredibly complex but deeply meaningful and passionate relationship. Yet it carves out a space for the two main leads in a really clever and believable way. It moves the BDSM agenda forward into a beautiful, loving romance, quite separate from the group dynamic, yet intrinsic to the whole. I loved it.
There are so many facets to this story, that I almost don’t know what else to say after trying to explain the complexity of the relationships. It gives one a strong sense of what it could be like to lose one’s hearing suddenly, and how much effort everyone needs to put into learning a new language, even though technology has developed many ways to help. It gives some strong context to the need to be able to lose control and release all the stress to one’s dominant.
I have no doubt I will be rereading this book, because in my worry about outcomes of certain scenes, I know that I was too focused on the fear, that I missed some of the nuance. It will stick with me for a long time as a really interesting and intense view of a multiple D/s relationship. Thank you, Ms. Kelling.
Avid Reader –
M/M/M BDSM Romance
Triggers: Bigotry, murder, stalking
This is a story about redemption, love, and healing.
Rune is faltering after a horrible accident that has left him deaf. He was once on top of his game and knew what he wanted in life. But after his accident, he’s floating without living. There is a pent-up rage inside of him that won’t release its hold on him and Rune is coming to the end of his rope in trying to figure out how to get rid of the ache.
The realization that Oliver is happy but still looking for something in his life is a smack to the face for Oliver. While he has his sub, Jackson, Oliver knows that he is second in Jackson’s life to his wife and kids. It’s a relationship that has worked for years, but Oliver is also in need of being first.
When Rusn is brought to Oliver, the intensity of this book increased tenfold. Rune is a masochist and Oliver is just the sadist to deliver. There are some scenes that boarder on almost abuse, but given the nature of their relationship, it all makes sense. When you throw Jackson into the mix, it’s a M/M/M delicious sandwich.
Overall, this is an intense story about believing in yourself, love and loving yourself, finding a relationship that is true to heart, and overcoming fears. This story is full of complexity that you can’t truly understand unless you read the book.
I would definitely recommend reading this book if you can handle the intensity.
Angie –
I have not read any of the previous books in this series but I can tell you that they will be added to my to-be-read list. I freaking loved this book. I hate books with no dialogue between characters and even though Rune is deaf there was always some form of communication. The author did a fantastic job making me understand and feel how Rune was feeling. When you add in Oliver, Jackson, and Adam you have a hot group of men that you just can’t decide where to start first. This book was more than just the hot sex, it had real issues that still happen every day in society that Rune wanted to help others. I loved the dynamics of Oliver’s relationships and how everyone got along and loved each other.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hush (The Manse #4) by Lynn Kelling to read and review for this tour.