When Michael Nole propositions Dillon Spade outside a BDSM club one evening, all he is looking for is a potential client and a little kink. He gets much more than he bargained for. As a prostitute, Michael enjoys sex but keeps an emotional distance between himself and the men he sleeps with. His priority is to keep himself safe, but after a night in Dillon’s bed, he finds the line between … enjoyment and occupation blurring.
Dillon hasn’t taken another man home since his previous lover passed away six years ago, but there is something about Michael that calls to his inner Dominant in a way he cannot resist. His instincts want to claim the boy even as he reminds himself that he is only paying Michael for temporary company.
Their relationship may have started as a business transaction, but it’s difficult to remain professional when breaking all the rules.
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This novella was straight to the point M/M BDSM erotica skimmed and passed type of story, for me at least. Nothing was memorable, some scenes and most of the dialogue made me cringe, and I’m pretty sure the cover art was better than the story itself. It wasn’t for me but could honestly see how this could be engaging for most readers who are just in it for the bow chicka wow wow since it’s 80%+ of the book so eat your hearts out ladies (and gens) because you’re in for a wild ride.
I’ve no idea how I missed this wonderful author, and thank goodness NineStar press is republishing their stories! I’m anxiously awaiting the release of the final two episodes in the Suit of Harte’s series.
In only 66 pages Jacqueline Grey thoroughly grabbed me with this slightly dark, angsty, hurt/comfort tale. Wonderful characters, and scorching hot D/s scenes… I loved it!
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2020/03/19/review-tricks-and-bids-by-jacqueline-grey/
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I am not a fan of the BDSM genre. When is done properly, the book could be interesting, but more often than not authors twist the concept in such a way that makes me uneasy. I don’t like when actions are taken too far into that world and small details can ruin a whole book. That is what it has happened with this short story. There is good stuff in it, but the bad has pissed me off beyond rational measure. Let’s see what has rubbed me the wrong way!!
Michael is a young guy who sells his body in order to pay for college. At least that is what he says. One day he is fishing more customers outside a popular BDSM club and he soons catches the eye of Dillon, a dominant who has lost his former submissive and since then he is missing something in life. Dillon pays greatly for Michael’s services to scratch and itch, but he soons realize that one time won’t be enough. Is this the start of a beautiful relationship? Not at all. Trust me… don’t let them fool you.
One of the big issues I have had with this book, but not the biggest one, is the fact that this story is cold. Robotic. Stiff. So rigid and dispassionate that is like reading the manual for a new appliance that you have just bought. All technical terms and formal speech. That has no place in the Romance genre. Eveytime Michael and Dillon discuss the details of their relationship I wanted to scream and give them a piece of my mind. It has been truly unbearable to read the mechanical dynamics between those two. The only thing missing during those times was a lawyer or two to make sure all was done according to the best interestes of their clients…
It is a shame, because the story itself is not bad. It had good potential for something sweet. Yes, I believe it is possible to write a sweet BDSM story. But, for some reason, few authors try that concept. There are several details that, with a proper development, could have made this book much richer than it is: Michael’s struggles, Dillon’s past, the initiation in the BDSM world… Sadly, most pages are wasted in sealing the contracts before setting up the scene. Because it seems they didn’t have sex. They perfomed scenes… As I said: icy. Maybe this kind of book is just not my style, although I have read some books by Kele Moon that had much more feelings in it in half a paragraph than this whole story.
The point that has made me really hate this book are the characters. There is some love/hate relationship with them, but in the end the hate wins by far. Dillon is such a huge disappointment. I get that he is a dominant, but his concept of submissive is utterly wrong. He doesn’t want a partner for some role playing during naughty times. Nope. He wants a slave that does whatever Dillon wants whenever he pleases. He forbids the guy from having clothes inside the house. The submissive has to clean and cook. He also must behave like a puppy and be displayed naked for Dillon’s ejoyment… Such a healthy relationship. I have no idea about that kind of stuff, but I bet what Dillon wants has nothing to do with a true dynamic between dominant and submissive. And that made me very angry. The fact that Michael accepts everything without much of a fight is insulting for the character.
Also, what is the deal with the new cover? It looks too bright and oily. Not appealing at all. I have no intention of reading the rest books of this saga, but.. who knows?
“Hey. Wanna play?”
Now that’s an awesome opening line. Sold!
This story is big, even though it’s a short read. With this way of writing, clear sentences, steady pace, picturing the scenes smoldering hot, I can easily handle 500 pages of this awesomeness.
Leaving the BDSM club unfulfilled, Dillon is approached by a handsome guy.
After a short conversation, Dillon takes Michael to his home to play.
And oh my goodness can Dillon play. Originally Dillon is a 24/7 Dom.
He lost his sub six years ago and since that moment he didn’t have any other. Now here is one, in his home submitting. It costs him a fortune, but Michael is worth every penny.
What a great story. I love (almost) everything about BDSM but certainly the way this Dom plays. Dillon is strong, independent, fair, and thoughtful about every move.
Michael is everything for Dillon.
The way the author displays their scenes are intense and delicious.
It’s a novella and enough developed to get completely involved. BDSM is the right scenery for me to get enchanted.
Lovable and endearing characters, likewise for the secondary characters.
As I said, for me, this story could be much much longer.
For now, I’m content about how this story went and ended!
And hey, I saw it’s part #1 of a series, awesome!
Quick erotic read that ticked all my #MMRomance boxes. This is not a deep and involved romance journey, which is not what it was meant to be. It is meant to be a short erotic with BDSM elements, and it delivered beautifully! Well done!
3.5 rounded up
Novellas are sometimes less than easy to review, which is where I find myself with this one. In the “short story” mindset it’s difficult to know what world/character building details to expect from the author or what’s asking too much. While this was an enjoyable read, there were some areas where it lacked detail. I’ll lay it out honestly.
What was done well in Tricks and Bids:
– Mike’s realistic cautiousness. Even before he knew the kinky things Dillon wanted from him, he was believably anxious about going to this stranger’s house. As a woman, I related hard, but often in romance, and especially M/M romance, there’s a careless sense of self assuredness between characters, even when they’ve only just met. Many times, worries don’t even occur to them, and that’s never made sense to me. I liked seeing this reaction I could more readily relate to here!
– The smut. I’m gonna go right for the heart of it and say Wow! This novella plunges right in, isn’t shy of kink, and is hot!
– The BDSM etiquette. Yes, this deserves its own slot because I haven’t read such well-written BDSM etiquette outside of fanfiction. More stories with this kind of etiquette need to exist!! Mutual respect! Careful negotiation! Deep trust! Yes, yes, yes!!
– Dillon’s POSSESSIVENESS. (Yes, it’s meant to be in caps) Also, yes, this deserves its own slot as well because I’m me and nothing gets my blood burning faster than a character possessive of his man, okay!? Dillon is deliciously, FIERCELY protective and possessive, and I’m gonna say it right here right now that this was my absolute FAVORITE thing in this story *drools*.
I could go on about this for a while, but I’m going to stop here before I start rambling and my kink shows.
– Dillon’s character development. He’s instantly a powerful figure, 100% (1000%) Dom, but when he opens up to Mike about his history with Clover, how their relationship developed, how he felt about him, and what happened to him, I understood him so much more and FELT for him deeply.
– Speaking of Clover… This character’s story was so good! It was well told, emotional, and very compelling. I loved how he got his nickname too!
– The epilogue. Without giving away spoilers – it left me glowing.
What could have been done a better in Tricks and Bids:
– Sense narrative. This novella was very touch heavy. It dealt with emotions and physical sensations, but it didn’t delve too far into any of the other 4 senses. Aside from Dillon being big and “brown skinned” I had no idea what he looked like. Is he muscular? What is the color of his eyes? Does he wear suits? T-shirts?? I have no idea. Mike was described once as being a fit boy in his midtwenties with brown hair long enough to grip, but we don’t get any reiterations of these descriptions, so it’s difficult to picture the characters. The only other side character who features is Jesse, and for all I know, he’s a disembodied voice (I’m exaggerating a little, but near enough).
Surroundings aren’t described much either. The living room is, once, but oddly, the dungeon is not.
I don’t recall any scents being mentioned.
– The amount of time spent between Dillon and Mike. I realize Dillon couldn’t have maintained Mike’s rate for long, but I feel there should have been more than two actual nights together between them before the final chapters, even if they were mentioned briefly as in, “he’s seen Mike twice more since then, and . . .”.
– Their lives outside this relationship. This is getting into territory where I’m not sure I’m not asking too much from a novella; however, I really would have liked to see just a little of who they are and what they do outside of their time together. How does Mike spend his day when he leaves Dillon the next morning? Does he miss him? Think about him? Does his ankle feel weird that night sleeping without the cuff? Does he have family who care about him?
What about Dillon? How much does he think about Mike? Was he ever tempted to text him once he got his number? Without a sub does he cook himself or get all takeout?
Even a little extra information to see who these people are outside Dillon’s house would have added an extra layer of depth.
Conclusion:
Tricks and Bids is a tasty, easy, kinky, and enjoyable novella you can read in a day or even a sitting if you’ve got a bit of time. It has an intense dom/sub relationship that’s very respectful to BDSM and those who enjoy it.
While a few improvements could have been made, I enjoyed it a lot, and I will be following this author for more of her books!
I recommend Tricks and Bids to anyone not shy of BDSM looking for something quick, light, and kinky.
**I received this book courtesy of NetGalley/NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review which did not affect my opinion