Mini Reviews: The Dom Project and Double Exposure

The Dom Project

By: Heloise Belleau and Solace Ames

Pub. Date: December 23, 2013

Publisher: Carina Press

Source: Netgalley

By day, Robin Lessing has a successful career as a university archivist. By night, she blogs about her less-than-successful search for Mr. Tall, Dark and Dominant. Living up to her handle "The Picky Submissive," she's on the verge of giving up and settling for vanilla with a side of fuzzy handcuffs when she discovers her best friend and colleague has a kinky side, too.

Sexy, tattooed techie John Sun is an experienced Dom who never lacks for playmates, male or female. If he can't satisfy Robin's cravings, maybe no one can—after all, he knows her better than anyone. So he offers to help her master the art of submission for one month.

Robin eagerly agrees to John's terms, even the pesky little rule forbidding any friendship-ruining sex. But rules are made to be broken, and once they begin their stimulating sessions, it's not long before she's ready to beg him for more—much more.

I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Carina Press. 

The Dom Project is a story about best friends, Robin and John who decide to partake in a Dom/sub relationship. What made this plot different from the many others out there was the fact that Robin has a website, The Picky Submissive, where she (sometimes hilariously) blogs about her sub experiences. While I enjoyed that aspect of the story, I wish that instead of blogging about specific things that happened between her and John, we were able to actually read about it as it was happening. Whenever anything exciting was about to happen, the authors would cut off and insert a blog post instead. Eventually, I started to get really annoyed with it.

I enjoyed that the story was told with both Robin's and John's POV. Usually we never get to see any other side of the Dom character, except what we see in the bedroom, but I loved seeing John as a real person. They way he took care of his subs was really sweet. He was a great guy and perfect for Robin, who I also enjoyed.

I thought the cover was perfect for the story. The pearls play a big part, and I love that it was incorporated into the cover. 

Double Exposure

(Director's Cut # 2)

By: Liz Borino and Michelle Stevens

Pub. Date: August 6, 2013

Publisher: Lazy Day Publishing

Pages: 227

Source: Netgalley

Family is what you make it. Keeping it together is often more complicated than we realize.With the man who stabbed Zack still on the loose, in reaction to his fear Zack becomes even more dependent on his submissive role in his marriage. This leaves the whole family, especially his husband, Steve, reeling.

Darren, Drew’s abusive ex, won’t let them heal in peace. Darren goes from soiling Drew’s name in the media to harassing his current partner, Alex, until he finally takes the one thing the family can’t afford to lose.

Double Exposure tells a story of a family who have every reason to run, but come through all their trials with hope and love. And a little help from the kink that brought them together.

What intrigued me about this story was the synopsis. I knew it was book two of a series, but after reading some reviews on goodreads about book 1, I thought I would be able to just go head first into this one. For the most part, I pretty much understood everything that was going on. But after further research, it seemed to me that it could be book five in a series, which confused me. Eventually, I will go back and read the previous books.

I really enjoyed the characters and all the loved they had for each other. From the cover you might think it is just a BDSM erotica, but I wouldn't call it that at all. Sure, there were sex scenes, but I think this story is more about being in love and what makes a family. I thought Drew and Alex was so sweet and perfect for each other. I enjoyed learning about them and watching their relationship grow. Zack and Steve, the main characters from the previous books, I found to be really annoying. They were too needy of each other and I am not a fan of those kinds of characters. I do like how all four of these guys were there for each other, especially when they were needed the most.

I think Double Exposure is an easy read and perfect for romance lovers.