FROM AWARD-WINNING GAY ROMANCE AUTHOR L.M. SOMERTONStorms pass and, in their wake, new beginnings can be found.Talented young artist Jonty Trelawn paints the sea as self-inflicted punishment. For almost a year he has hidden away from life, survivor’s guilt consuming him, but the time has come to move on. He conceives the idea of a charity art auction in support of the local lifeboat station and … the local lifeboat station and the men and women who saved his life. He hopes the tribute to his family will release him from the sea’s invisible chains.
Carpenter Jed Curnow is bound to the water in a different way. As deputy coxswain of the Govenek, the local lifeboat, his world revolves around the close-knit crew. He thinks nothing of risking his life to save others. Saving Jonty is less dangerous but just as important to him. He wants nothing more than to give Jonty the love and security he needs.
Jed’s dominant personality calls to Jonty’s more submissive nature but will he ever allow himself to be happy? It’s up to Jed and his best friend Marmite to help Jonty put his tragic past behind him and live for the future.
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Lovely low angst love story despite the back story at the beginning. Star of the show is definitely the dog Marmite. Take charge MC mild BDSM Daddy vibes.
I love this story of Jed and his dog Marmite bringing grief-stricken Jonty happiness, just when he decides he is ready to live again. Since the loss of his family in a horrific tragedy, Jonty has been hiding out and painting. Now, with Jed’s encouragement and support, he begins to find his place in their small town full of good-hearted people. They also very quickly fall into a sweet, teasing, loving, and fairly kinky romance. These men and their friends – and of course, Marmite – are wonderful characters, and I love them all. The story begins with a tragedy, but the majority of the book is full of more love than fear, more happiness than sadness, and more hope than despair. The writing is beautiful, and the story is going on my list of favorites. I highly recommend it!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A year ago, Jonty’s world imploded at the loss of his parents and his sister in a storm at sea. In an effort to get out more, and begin to try to get on with his life, Jonty decides a charity auction to raise funds for the lifeboat station that saved him would be a good idea. Jed was on that lifeboat, indeed, was that one to pull Jonty from the stormy sea and he knew, he KNEW that day, that one day, Jonty would be his. The charity auction is a great way to spend time with Jonty, to get Jonty into his life, and into his bed.
I liked this one, a lot, a LOT!
It focuses on Jonty coming out of himself, pushing his own boundaries. On Jed’s ‘no rush’ approach to getting Jonty into his bed. On the fact that neither of these two men see this…whatever it is…as a quick fling. And on Jonty’s art auction, that pulls the whole village together to raise money for the lifeboat station.
It’s well told, from both men’s point of view, so we get Jonty’s escape from the sea, and his effort to pull himself out of his painting funk. We get Jed and all the naughty thoughts he has about Jonty, and his infinite patience.
There is no break up/make up, no nutty ex to spoil anything between them and their growing love. It’s a really great easy read and I mean this in a very VERY good way!
Jed in a Dominant that calls to Jonty’s submissive side, but it’s only in the bedroom and nothing too heavy. I’ve NOT filed it on the BDSM shelf, because of that fact. I actually found it not overly explicit for a MM book, and I really liked that it wasn’t too heavy on the sexy time. It’s not needed for THIS book.
OH!!!
Be warned! There is a third in this relationship, a Newfoundland dog called Marmite. He really steals the show, that is, right up until Jed gives Jonty his gift right near the end. Some proper giggle out loud moments!
A great story, well written, that was the perfect way to spend a lazy, wet, holiday afternoon.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
I loved this book so much! One of those rare books I honestly couldn’t put down, it is the story of Jonty, a young artist who loses his whole family in a yachting accident. And it is the story of Jed, the RNLI coxswain who rescues him from the sea and slowly attempts to pull the isolated young artist into village life.
Talented, privileged, and completely alone, Jonty becomes a complete recluse after his family tragedy. His only focus is his painting. I loved the way Jed slowly coaxes Jonty into his life and encourages him to become part of the village.
For me, the highlight of this book is the way the author captures the quiet Cornish village. Characters and snippets of dialogue are captured perfectly. I loved the people and the place. Jed’s dog, Marmite, might actually be the main character in this book – and he is wonderful. As a carpenter, Jed understands Jonty’s art and as a survivor, Jonty understands Jed’s commitment to his lifeboat team.
This is marketed as a BDSM read. There are BDSM scenes in the story, but Jed uses the D/s relationship to help Jonty build confidence and take back control of his life. The D/s play allows Jonty to get out of his own head and it helps him work through his survivor’s guilt.
Considering the difficult subject matter and Jonty’s grief, this is actually a much lighter read than I expected. Beyond Jonty’s suffering is a thread of new hope and moments of joy. Jed’s care for Jonty is wonderful and the peaceful life they share is really beautiful.
Ruthie –
This is an exceptionally good book. I cannot emphasise enough what an excellent plot it has, what a super sexy read it is, and well, just go and read it!
We first live through Jonty’s nightmare tragedy at sea. This is so brilliantly written, that I was completely drawn up tight in fear and sadness for him. It is a no holds barred story which he finds difficult to forget. And then we meet him a number of months later, still living at the family’s Cornish house, where he’d once been happy painting and avoiding expectations. Now he hardly cares, nor leaves the house. But one day hungry he goes down to the local hostelry, Kelly’s, and his life changes as he meets Jed. Jed works as a carpenter but is part of the lifeboat crew who saved Jonty. This means Jonty again has to deal with the perils of the sea.
There are so many important elements which you need to read and experience directly, so I don’t want to say much more, but suffice it to say that these two men complement each other perfectly. There is no question as to whether they love each other, it is evident in their every act, whether in public, or when in private. The feeling of Jonty being safe with Jed comes off every page.
There are some wonderful side characters who may only appear for moments but help shape this lovely book. Angela and the puppy, Alice and her husband Shaw, Kelly and Steve to name but a few.
I will be reading this book again – probably annually. It is an amazing example of a truly beautiful story of danger, sadness, hope, love, and understanding – with some very hot and kinky undertones!
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Owned by the Sea by L.M. Somerton to read and review.