College was supposed to be about figuring out careers and goals, not what turned you on in the bedroom.When a class project pushes a confused Adrian in an interesting new direction, he’s not sure what to do. His focus in college has always been on grades, but he doesn’t know if he’s ready to do what it takes to get an A in his Human Sexuality course.Watching Adrian stumble into the world of puppy … the world of puppy play and kink shouldn’t interest Owen as much as it does. The fact that they don’t really know each other doesn’t matter, not when they’re technically too close to even think about one another that way. But something won’t let Owen walk away from a floundering Adrian.
When an embarrassing situation meets a sarcastic remark, sparks fly in the most unusual way.
62k Words
Story Contains: Puppy play, and M/M sexual content of a taboo nature that some readers may find objectionable. Please read the sample or check out the authors’ websites for a larger excerpt.
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I’m not really into “puppy play,” but I still really enjoyed this book. I read it strictly for the taboo aspect but it surprised me how much I enjoyed the kink in here too. All of the other books I’ve read with puppy play haven’t really been as sweet as this one was. It was more focused on love and affection rather than any kind of real punishment or harsh treatment.
I also loved how it brought Adrian and Owen together and they ended up both getting something great out of it. Adrian was always worrying, always focused on what needs to be done and all of his responsibilities. Being a pup gave him the ability to relax and forget anything other than just being in the moment and he got the praise that he desperately wanted.
Owen was the opposite – he always jumped into things quickly without thinking and felt he was a fuck-up and somewhat irresponsible. Being a master gave him control and the act of taking care of someone and taking charge of things.
It was a really sweet story and I loved how Owen and Adrian were together at the end. Ughhhh I just loved them so much.
While the setup for this book may not be 100% realistic, in the skilled hands of these two authors it works and kept me engaged as well as entertained.
Definitely taboo and hot af, it’s still a solid romance. Enemies to lovers with a virgin pup. Definitely recommend if you are okay with taboo relationships.
This was a quick enjoyable read. This author is all about taboo relationships so this may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I enjoy shaking things up in my reading every now and then. It also involves the kink, puppy play, pretty heavily. It’s definitely steamy, not a lot of angst and a happily ever after. It does end rather abruptly but I suppose that their story was told (I guess I just wanted more ).
loved the puppy play. This book is so well written, that I could envision it all. The fact that it was a taboo relationship, doesn’t alter the chemistry or the heat from the book.
Wow!!
This was e everything I wanted and more. I look forward to each book release and am always rewarded with a fantastic read. I can’t wait to see what comes next. What I love even more is that this is two powerful authors coming together to make an even more powerful story. Please tell me they will do more together.
I’m always interested to see how authors lay the groundwork for an incest story, especially when the characters are brothers by birth. In Almost Strangers M.A. Innes and R. Phoenix do an outstanding job breaking down the barriers between two estranged siblings, and then igniting the spark which starts their connection. What grows out of the intimacy they share, and how it changes everything for these men, is a beautiful and powerful journey.
Strapped financially after their parents’ death, Adrian and Owen are forced to live together in their childhood home. After years of animosity, these two really are almost strangers and are slow to open up to each other. Closed off emotionally and not trusting the other, their shared grief isn’t enough to bring them together.
Their dynamic starts to change when Owen helps Adrian research puppy play for a school project. As they get deeper into their roles as Master and pup, the intimacy they share forges a new bond between them and opens up a world of self-discovery. For Owen, whose humble job and promiscuous behavior contribute to his low sense of self-worth, he loves the confidence he feels when he’s Master. And Adrian can be himself and let the pressures of life go when he’s a pup.
Other than a few well-placed memories, which shed some light on the antagonism between the brothers, Almost Strangers doesn’t dwell on the past. Instead it focuses on the men’s relationship going forward and exploring what attracts them to each other and how that makes them feel. This story works! It’s not just a marvelous incest tale, but a beautifully done puppy play book as well.