Stockholm Syndrome (Stockholm Syndrome, #1)

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Stockholm Syndrome (Stockholm Syndrome #1)

by Richard Rider (Goodreads Author)

4.1 of 5 stars 4.10 · rating details · 380 ratings · 91 reviews

During a botched jewel robbery, a teenage Lottery heir unhappy with his home life becomes a willing hostage for the gang of thieves. Pip Valentine craves excitement, drama, anything that'll get him away from his family, especially because the ransom is going to hit them where it hurts - right in the bank account. The gang leader who grabs him round the waist as a human shi...more During a botched jewel robbery, a teenage Lottery heir unhappy with his home life becomes a willing hostage for the gang of thieves. Pip Valentine craves excitement, drama, anything that'll get him away from his family, especially because the ransom is going to hit them where it hurts - right in the bank account. The gang leader who grabs him round the waist as a human shield between himself and the police, holding a gun to his head and hissing threats and promises in his ear and telling him to hold still and behave, is all part of the crazy new Hollywood gangster-film thrill.

Lindsay Brown's secret life as a criminal is worlds away from his sensible day job and quiet seaside home. Things never usually go wrong, he's too careful about his plans. This kid wasn't part of any plan, but now he's here making things difficult and Lindsay can't make himself get rid of him - especially not when he realises what kind of reaction the kid has to his gun, his temper, and his issues with control. When love starts to creep up on him, it's unexpected and unwelcome and he fights it as much as he can stand, but it doesn't work. He's hooked. The alternative is domesticity, then - sharing his house with a kid fifteen years his junior who thinks it's okay to leave nailpaint bottles scattered around the bedroom and eat Haribo for a main meal. This is a thousand times harder than robbing banks.

Stockholm Syndrome is an unconventional love story where opposites attract like bullets, Russian Roulette is foreplay, and a hand closed tight round your wrist is as good as an "I love you". Sometimes you find your missing jigsaw piece in the weirdest circumstances. And sometimes you've got to really force it into place through sheer stubborn will...

Also available in paperback: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback...

(I got a message telling me off for not writing a sensible blurb, so hopefully this suits better! The book was uploaded to Lulu for my friends, I never considered other people might read it so I've been sort of flippant. Apologies, and thanks for reading!)(less)

ebook, 441 pages

Published June 8th 2009 by Richard Rider

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Community Reviews

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Jun 16, 2013 Shelley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-2013-favorite, cliffhanger, d-s-power-exchange, dark, drama-drama-drama, erotica, fab-freebie, favorite-author, first-in-series, hero-i-want-to-head-butt, less-sex-more-plot-please, m-m-romance, memorable, scared-the-crap-out-of-me, whoa-steamy

Brilliant, hilarious, heart breaking, original and absolutely nuts!

photo tumblr_mmr6ebrpGK1qghrf7o1_500_zpsef87e0c9.jpg

From the Blurb:

Stockholm Syndrome is an unconventional love story where opposites attract like bullets, Russian Roulette is foreplay, and a hand closed tight round your wrist is as good as an "I love you". Sometimes you find your missing jigsaw piece in the weirdest circumstances. And sometimes you've got to really force it into place through sheer stubborn will...

This story is so completely unexpected; a crazy, intense over...more

24 likes · like · see review

Mar 29, 2013 Julio-Alexi Genao rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: on-hold

Kinky. The core conceit was enthralling, the first 10-20 times it was illustrated.

It should have ended at page 60, but it didn't, and I spent the next 140 hoping something would happen besides the same stuff that happened in the beginning.

It's not a bad book, exactly; it's just... *waves inarticulate hand in the air*

I did spend two days masturbating with it, of course—it is rather excellent offbeat erotica, after all—it's just not... just too...

...well, that's all it is.

As Gertrude Stein once sa...more

20 likes · like · see review

Apr 05, 2012 Emanuela ~plastic duck~ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm-power-exchange-slave, rainbow-gay, glbt

There are attitudes and personalities and events and actions that I hate in real life but that make the stuff of my dreams in fiction.

Lindsay takes Valentine as a hostage during a robbery gone wrong, but Valentine - the son of a couple who has won millions of pounds in the lottery - begs to go with him and his gang. The plan changes from robbery to a voluntary kidnapping with ransom, but when the ransom is received, Valentine wants to stay with Lindsay, and Lindsay can't send him away.

There's a...more There are attitudes and personalities and events and actions that I hate in real life but that make the stuff of my dreams in fiction.

Lindsay takes Valentine as a hostage during a robbery gone wrong, but Valentine - the son of a couple who has won millions of pounds in the lottery - begs to go with him and his gang. The plan changes from robbery to a voluntary kidnapping with ransom, but when the ransom is received, Valentine wants to stay with Lindsay, and Lindsay can't send him away.

There's a way to look at Valentine that brings out his brattiness, despondency, immaturity. To me he was most of all fragile. I saw someone who has never been loved, who's been refused for being basically himself. For 90% of the book you see a child, his temper tantrums, an insisting shallowness, a dependent personality, a little guy clinging to a ratty monkey toy, but then you discover a chilling, lucid, maybe sick personality. Still I just couldn't bring myself to not like him.

Lindsay is ensnared by Valentine's seduction. Their relationship is twisted, with BDSM elements, but it's also very romantic at times. Lindsay is almost helpless in his falling in love with Valentine, but what I liked most was this darkness he holds on to. He acknowledges the disturbing aspects of their passion, but he gives Valentine what he needs, even if it's almost abusive, or it resembles the abuse Valentine was a victim of.

The writing is beautiful and the quality of the book is outstanding for a self-published book. I think from the 25% to 50% the story drags a bit. There is a lot of sex, but strangely I wouldn't define it as porn, because for me it was neither titillating nor meaningless, it was just another side of their relationship.

If you're looking for plausibility in a book, it's not here. Lindsay is a criminal with a legitimate business aside, but what we see of his criminal activity is disconnected and almost amateurish, it's more a thrill than a profession. The focus of the book is Lindsay and Valentine, the true/fake/reversed Stockholm Syndrome, the sought cage, the ward imprisoned with his captive. Even if the story is not finished yet, I'm a happy reader today.(less)

17 likes · like · see review

Mar 16, 2011 Moderatrix Lori rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone who likes to laugh and cry while reading

Shelves: mm, mm-bdsm, mm-contemporary, read-2011, 5-star-mm-books

I haven't finished this book yet but I feel compelled to write a review. The blub for this book does nothing to promote it and that's a shame because I think it's a bloody brilliant book. Despite it's title, it's not about a kidnap victim with Stockholm syndrome and unlike what the blurb says, it's really not 400+ pages of gay porn. Oh, don't get me wrong...there is plenty of hot sex but that's not all there is. There are compelling characters in this character driven story that you can't help b...more

13 likes · like · see review

Oct 14, 2012 Akansha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, crime, edge-play, humour, british-m-m, romance, may-december-romance, favourites, series

4.5

This book is one of the most bizarre and definitely the craziest book that I've read in the past few months. It has everything that would normally have me thinking twice. Conversely though, it has become one of my favourites. It is extremely gut-wrenching, disturbing and super intense. Tonally, it is very British. Read very, very British. The humour is exceedingly dry, warped and twisted. Also, as this reviewer notes, it's something akin to Guy Richie et al. crime dramadies.

The two MCs, Va...more

18 likes · like · see review

May 27, 2011 Crys Harris rated it 5 of 5 stars

Umm.. wow? This book is funny, intense, disturbing, ridiculous.. all of the adjectives frequently applied to Pip Valentine, the main character.

The author has created two incredible characters, using both definitions of the word. The meeting is completely implausible and the evolution of their relationship is disturbing and insane. This is supposed to be an urban romance, but it's really a strange, warped fairy tale. None of those things matter. The writing is superb; it either flows or it's chop...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jul 13, 2012 R.B. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, series, contemporary, domestic-discipline, twink, daddy-boy-kink, d-s-elements, humor, criminals-bank-robbers-thieves, age-difference, opposites-attract, in-the-closet, intense, i-can-dish-out-what-u-need-and-more, in-your-face-gay, childlike-behavior, violence, emotionally-unbalanced, angst-lot-of, large-time-span, child-abuse, favorites, crossdressing, in-between, insecurity, artists

I don't think I can describe what I feel... it was hilarious, sexy, violent, depressing and completely insane... they used each other, emotionally drained each other, hurt each other but they were also what the other one needed... they loved each other... I was, I am completely captivated...

8 likes · like · see review

Jul 09, 2012 TJ rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am floored, heartbroken, pissed, exhilarated, shredded, and hopeful. Hands down the best m/m book I've read. Period. No questions asked. This book is not for everyone (domestic discipline, some daddy/boy kink, violence). This book is apparently hard to get (it is not on amazon--follow the books link to get the PDF copy, and you'll need to download the version of Adobe required for this book). But I urge EVERYONE to read this book. I'm moving onto the sequel now because I don't think my heart c...more

14 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2012 Camille rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-rom-erotica, brat-and-top, natural-d-s, daddy

Good God!

This book was on a whole different level.

I LOVED it!

I loved the language/voice, I loved the relationship, I loved the humour, I loved my discomfort, I loved my arousal, I loved the setting, I loved the characters, I loved every goddamn thing about this book.

I am writing this review one minute after having finished and I am reeling...funnily enough not even from all the spanking, Russian roulette, homemade BDSM, D/s, daddy sex either, but from that last section from Pip's point of view...more

9 likes · like · see review

Aug 26, 2012 Triski rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bdsm, favorites, books-i-cant-get-off-my-mind, age-gap, dirty-talk, slutty-pushy-bottom, flamboyant-effeminate-guys, rich-mcs

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. You could write all the traits of a great book and it's still not gonna be enough to describe the awesomeness of this story. It's simply so extraordinary that words fail you. I guess it's not a novel that would most of readers classify as romance but for me it's the most romantic story I've ever read (well, maybe you have to be a little twisted:D). I love my romance a bit dark, raw and fateful and this one is all of that. In my opinion the love/relationship between Valentine and Lindsey is more...more You could write all the traits of a great book and it's still not gonna be enough to describe the awesomeness of this story. It's simply so extraordinary that words fail you. I guess it's not a novel that would most of readers classify as romance but for me it's the most romantic story I've ever read (well, maybe you have to be a little twisted:D). I love my romance a bit dark, raw and fateful and this one is all of that. In my opinion the love/relationship between Valentine and Lindsey is more truthful than in many other books with their hundred times of repeating "I love you," and "mine" and "yours" - you know what I mean. For love in this story talks acts not words, there're lots of inner monologues and thoughts that manage to capture it in its diversity (words are just so much easier and less effective way to show it.)
L: "Because he makes me laugh. Because, fuck knows why, he adores me. Because he needs somebody to look after him and nobody else knows how. Because everything about us is wrong and I never ever want to be right. Because I wake up in the morning and see him sleeping next to me with his stupid dyedhair and his stupid painted nails and his stupid toy monkey and I remember I love him so much I don't know what to do, I love him I love him I LOVE HIM."
This is what I'm talking about. Lindsey doesn't need to shout his love to world or talk about it with his friends - well, he's got a reputation to withhold so his reasoning for keeping Valentine around is following: "Lindsay sips his whiskey, and taps the glass against his breastbone."Because when he sucks, your cock ends up here.":D
What is another merit of this story (among many others)?
Unbelievably good, kinky, hot and wild sex (the plays with a gun -OMG!)BDSM elements feel natural not like it's based on a handbook for BDSM relationships, and well, Valentine is just insatiable...
"...he starts ramming himself back against Lindsay's thrusts,and his gag isn't tied tightly enough to properly muffle how he's saying yes, yes,yes, and harder and more and yes." Yeah, like THIS:D
But don't worry, he "ain't too needy twice a night's fine". I'm not even mentioning a great dirty talk and humor.

I'm sorry for such a long review, but I just love them, love them, LOVE THEM..."even in english":D(less)

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 29, 2011 Stacey Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mm-contemporary, slash, series-part-of, mm-i-own, mm-age-gap, mm-bdsm-kink-fetish, favorite-books, mm-i-ve-read, mm-dark

This wasn't what I expected. I'm not sure what I expected exactly, but this was way better than I thought it was going to be. And what's amazing is the sequel, as well as the third part too. The dialoge is very sharp. The plot is tight. The whole book just flows seemlessly. The MCs are often somewhat twisted, yet very endearing at the same time. The BDSM elements are intersting. Lindsay and Pip definitley have an interesting sex life, or way of treating each other, or whole dom/sub relationship....more

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 28, 2013 Evaporate rated it 1 of 5 stars

Unexpectedly Disappointing.

I was initially intrigued by the summary, because I had been looking for an intelligent, well-written, plotty novel with a romance/bdsm twist. This seemed like it would be a great fit. Unfortunately, despite the heavy emphasis on Lindsay's side career as a bank robber, 95% of the story focuses on the romance that develops between the two main characters. And not in a good way.

Here are the three major gripes I have with the story:

1) The characters are often unlikable. H...more Unexpectedly Disappointing.

I was initially intrigued by the summary, because I had been looking for an intelligent, well-written, plotty novel with a romance/bdsm twist. This seemed like it would be a great fit. Unfortunately, despite the heavy emphasis on Lindsay's side career as a bank robber, 95% of the story focuses on the romance that develops between the two main characters. And not in a good way.

Here are the three major gripes I have with the story:

1) The characters are often unlikable. Hell, I know Pip Valentine is supposed to be a brat, that's part of the charm, but it got to the point where he just became insanely aggravating unless they were playing the "game". I didn't like Lindsay much either, mostly because his lack of confidence in himself is incredibly off-putting. I tried to like the characters, but they just didn't seem real to me.

2) Part of the reason why the characters were "unlikable" was because they talk too fucking much. There were pages of pure dialogue, where Pip and Lindsay would just rattle on and on about nothing in particular, and there's a shitload of pretentious name-dropping of pop culture and film icons. It felt to me like the characters just talked their mouths off every chance they got, instead of doing any actual thinking. Perhaps it only bothered me because of my expectations for this story - it sounded like it would be intelligently written, not littered with useless dialogue that seemed like it was trying too hard to shed light on the characters' personalities.

3) There's no plot. The summary implied that there would be one. Again, this wouldn't be a problem if the characters were properly developed, but it's much easier to develop characters through a plot than just random episodic "slice-of-life" chapters.

4) This is the most important point: the characters are fucking stupid. Not stupid as in "oh they're idiots but I love them", stupid as in unintelligent. Neither of them understand the psychology behind their actions, and neither of them have any semblance of control. Control is what separates BDSM from straight-up abuse. Realistically, one of them should have gone too far and either ended the relationship (or one of their lives). The fact that they're still together, and maintain such a relationship where both of them behave "reactionarily", is just unrealistic. sorry, but I don't buy it.

That's not to say the novel is bad. Those were just my reasons for not enjoying it. The author is a good writer and has a certain style reminiscent of the slash fiction writers on Livejournal, so if that's your "thing", you may enjoy the story more than I did. But if you're with the intention of reading something with a lot of depth and subtlety (e.g. The Administration Series), my recommendation is - try something else.(less)

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 26, 2013 janine rated it 3 of 5 stars

I hate Pip!! Stupid sociopathe. I cant write a review because am feeling blank. How can you do this to the man you claim to love?
Poor Lindsay, i hope you feel better. I wish i could make you feel better....

5 minutes have past and am better now lol. When i first started this it really whas a difficult read. I thought the story was boring. Okay, Pip, is funny and he makes me laugh.

Also, it wasnt always clear whose pov we were reading. And the whole France experience, what was the purpose of that?...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 21, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: free-online-fiction, m-m-glbt, fetish-or-kink, weird-or-creepy, cheating-bastards, bdsm, angst, age-gap, abuse

I'm in a serious state of WTF's right now. Must review later.

6 likes · like · see review

May 12, 2013 Aimee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, favorite-couples, humor, guilty-pleasure

This is a love story like no other. There were moments when I had no idea what direction the story was going and had to refocus my attention, yes. Some might not be able to get past the slow pace in some portions and some might say there was too much sex, but I was forewarned of that and well, I'm definitely not complaining. xP But overall I remained completely fascinated and absorbed by the beautifully fucked up relationship between Pip and Lindsay, the entire crux of the story. Their relations...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 12, 2012 Deathbysexiness rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amourçe-dangeraux, analyze-this, cripples-bastards-and-broken-things, current-favorite, dysfunctional-romance, hero-is-obsessed, i-wanna-be-your-therapist, mm-erotiq, lol-galore, possessive-jealous-controlling-mc, sexy-contemporary, tie-me-up-pretty

"I love you. I don't know why. You're...completely stupid, you dress like a tranny prostitute. I hate your music, you're crazy, you make me crazy, but I'm crazy about you and I think about you all the time, and I love you, yes. Do you understand? I love you. Just...not in English. I can't.

Je t'aime. Je ne sais pas pourquoi. Tu es...complètement bête, tu t'habilles comme une pute travestie. Je hais ta musique. Tu es fou, tu me rends fou, mais je suis fou de toi et je pense à toi tout le temps et...more

2 likes · like · see review

Aug 05, 2012 MandyM rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m-romance

I feel almost shell-shocked at the end of this book. What an incredible, harrowing, addictive story. It's like American Psycho meets Bonnie & Clyde directed by Guy Ritchie.

This book is way more than just an m/m romance. It's a train wreck in progress. It's a psychological drama. It's creepy and sickening. There's way too much sex. The MC's are a nightmare. And that ending!!! OMFG I couldn't believe what Pip did. I feel completely shattered but I am also SO GRATEFUL there is no HEA at the en...more

10 likes · like · see review

Dec 25, 2011 Bee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse-hate-bullying, action, addiction-or-self-abuse, cross-dressing-or-drag-artists, hardcore-bdsm, heavy-angst, e-books, likes-it-rough, love-gone-wrong, m-m, passion-erotica, romance, self-hating-gays, not-my-kind-of-kink, stuck-in-the-closet, survival, total-mindfuck, wow-this-is-kinky, nb-extreme-violence, whips-floggers-paddles-canes, daddy-kink, derogation-and-humiliation

This is the first of three parts of one single story, so I’m not going into too much detail here. I am however going to say that this is by far the single most fucked up story I’ve ever read (except possibly the 10 chapters of the twilight fanfic “Buried Amongst the Begonias” that I once read, brilliant but seriously twisted that story!).

An armed robbery goes wrong and a hostage is taken. The question is just who actually kidnaps whom? A violent romance buds between victim and perpetrator…a rom...more This is the first of three parts of one single story, so I’m not going into too much detail here. I am however going to say that this is by far the single most fucked up story I’ve ever read (except possibly the 10 chapters of the twilight fanfic “Buried Amongst the Begonias” that I once read, brilliant but seriously twisted that story!).

An armed robbery goes wrong and a hostage is taken. The question is just who actually kidnaps whom? A violent romance buds between victim and perpetrator…a romance starting this way could never end well, or could it?

This story depicts a seriously disturbing relationship between two very twisted and wounded people. There’s manipulation and mind games and violence and perversion and god knows what else between them. The relationship is raw and volatile and constantly trips on the edge between violent D/s and a full on abusive situation. It all still somehow makes sense on some level, and you can feel the love between them. It’s freaky, but super addictive…and I can’t stop reading here.

The two main characters are equally twisted, even if you might not think so at first. Pip, or Valentine, is childish and a victim of a loveless and abusive upbringing. He is bratty, thrill seeking, and in constant need of affirmation from someone. He is rash and makes rash decisions without thinking about the consequences. Lindsay is aggressive, violent, a former addict with residual behavior of an addict. He’s also closeted and embarrassed to be associated with someone as “queer” as Pip. His feelings make him act out, and Pip is often in his way. Two barrels of explosives finding their way into each other’s arms…not a good start for a relationship, but somehow it works for them…mostly. However, sometimes a line is crossed, and something that can’t be undone happens…

This first part ends in a bit of a cliffhanger, and I’m almost scared to find out what the second book entails because this first one is enough of a wild ride, and you might end up with just a bit of motion sickness from it because you’re flinged from happiness to misery in a heartbeat…and you’ll like it! It’s really a trip reading this story; it will fuck with your mind!
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 08, 2013 Cipluk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, adult, crime, m-m

I didn't know that this book has BDSM story. I usually don't like and don't read that kind of story.
But I met this very interesting character, named Pip Valentine. Then I couldn't stop reading. He was a girly boy, very demanding yet appealing and loyal.

Location: London, Wales, Paris

Pip Valentine:

Pip Valentine - Stockholm Syndrome photo 6e87f7d9f74dc012b76d5573993ed198_zpsc966807a.jpg

Lindsay Robert:

1 like · like · see review

Aug 04, 2012 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, m-m

Whenever I'm curious about whether or not I want to read a book I go to the reviews and look for the negative ones. I don't care about the positive but I want to know why people did NOT like the book and then decide from there whether or not I might want to read it. So when I read a review talking about how this book was "too much" even for a non-con and suggesting the author should have an eye kept on them by the police I was curious.

I read a ton of yaoi. I love yaoi. But yaoi is, for the most...more Whenever I'm curious about whether or not I want to read a book I go to the reviews and look for the negative ones. I don't care about the positive but I want to know why people did NOT like the book and then decide from there whether or not I might want to read it. So when I read a review talking about how this book was "too much" even for a non-con and suggesting the author should have an eye kept on them by the police I was curious.

I read a ton of yaoi. I love yaoi. But yaoi is, for the most part, very unrealistic. The stories generally have a very feminine feel. I like to find MM stories written by men because they tend to be much more realistic (again for the most part). Why am I saying all of this? Because I feel that the negative reviews I read about this story missed the mark in a huge way. If a person is used to reading yaoi and MM written by women then I suppose I can understand, to a degree, why they reacted to this novel in this way. Not to say that there aren't women authors who write realistic male characters (realistic behaviour), there are absolutely. It's just hard to find. When I speak of feminine feel and realistic male characters I'm talking about socialized behaviour of men and women and male and female behaviour.

This really isn't a non-con story. And the title makes a lot of sense but not really in the way you might first think. I won't give any spoilers but I will say that this story explores a relationship. A relationship between two adult males (even though one of the adults is young he is still an adult). Neither character is stable emotionally and that struggle is what's interesting in the story.

I was very surprised, after reading the negative reviews, at how TAME this story is. It really isn't "too much" and I feel like perhaps the other reviewers are either very young or very inexperienced with alternative lifestyles. That's ok, there's no fault in either, but if you're looking for something "extreme" I don't believe you'll find it here.

The story is about the complex dynamic between two men, both of whom need something from the other that neither is quite capable of verbalizing. There is consensual violence in the story. I can see how it would be disturbing for some however if you're looking to read non-con stories then you probably shouldn't be shocked when you run into abuse. Emotional and physical.

This really wasn't what I was expecting, partly because of the reviews, but I ended up quite enjoying it. The author is British. The dialect is British and there is a lot of British slang and a lot of pop culture references and I'll freely admit I didn't understand them all because I'm not British but it didn't really take anything away from the story.

It was incredibly refreshing to read a MM story in this vein (not really non-con but certainly pushing a level of kink that skirts it) that wasn't about werewolves or set in a fantasy world. It's so hard to find realistic MM stories and particularly realistic non-con stories that it was a welcome find even if I don't really consider this non-con. And I'm hooked. I'll be reading the next stories in this series.

A review is merely an opinion with no right or wrong and even though I didn't agree with other reviewers it doesn't make their reviews wrong but I wanted to bring it up simply because I did not find this story over the top in any way, shape or form and was actually surprised by how tame it turned out to be. That's not to say it is TAME, it's not. But in the world of "non-con" it was pretty mild.

What can you expect in this book? There is bullying (though I don't believe it's one sided whatsoever), there is physical abuse, there is emotional abuse and emotionally unbalanced characters, there is KINK between two grown men (if you've explored alternative lifestyles in any way you won't be shocked or think any of it is criminal, it's not though I can appreciate why someone would be disturbed by this kind of behaviour, it's meant to be disturbing, our main character is disturbed by it too! But that doesn't change the fact that both characters are grown men). There is a very fine line between consensual acts and non-consensual ones in the book however if you're looking for stories that are "non-con" you really shouldn't be shocked and appalled when you find it isn't wrapped in a pretty package. If you like real stories (I mean ones that don't involve werewolves or aliens or fantasy creatures) and enjoy the psychological aspect (and not just the naughty bits though they are fun too) then you might want to give this one a read.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 22, 2012 John Fuller rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Lovers of beautiful writing and complicated m/m romance

I'm a fan of crime, thrillers and m/m romance in general, but this book really does take things to a whole new level.
The problem I often find with romance is the formulaic nature of characters (he's a big, buff brooding butch with a secret sensitive side; he's a cute twink who's just waiting for the right guy to sweep him off his feet: together they have big, buff manly sex) but with the Stockholm Syndrome series of books you can forget all about the cliches from the start.
The main thing you wi...more I'm a fan of crime, thrillers and m/m romance in general, but this book really does take things to a whole new level.
The problem I often find with romance is the formulaic nature of characters (he's a big, buff brooding butch with a secret sensitive side; he's a cute twink who's just waiting for the right guy to sweep him off his feet: together they have big, buff manly sex) but with the Stockholm Syndrome series of books you can forget all about the cliches from the start.
The main thing you will notice in these books is that despite a plot which is certainly melodramatic (Lindsay is a high class career criminal who hides his law-breaking past behind a front of businesslike respectability and Pip is the bratty son of a working class lottery millionaire), the characters are real people. The characterisation and dialogue is absolutely flawless and immediately engaging: I don't think I've ever cared so much about any literary characters as I care about the people in this book. Even though they are both technically qutie awful people from the things they do to one another and others, you can't help falling a little in love with them both.
The sex scenes (of which there are many, although they are actually all quite necessary in terms of character development and understanding) are frankly smoking. This isn't just your run of the mill smut; the scenes in this book are complex and disturbing as well as being very hot. It's one thing to write sex but it's another to write interesting sex that keeps a reader wanting more and Richard Rider has completely nailed that one (no pun intended!)
I also have to mention the sheer quality of the writing in this book: it's beautifully constructed prose that you don't see in many books full stop, never mind in romance. When any location or situation is described, you are right there with them.
This first volume of the series ends on a killer (literally) cliffhanger that completely turns on its head the relationship between the main characters. It's absolutely heart-wrenching. I defy anyone reading this not to go straight onto reading the second volume.(less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Tutu added it

Shelves: did-not-finish

155 pages and I’m out!

I feel so bad for giving up on this book because of all the mind blowing reviews it has.

But this is just not for me. I was expecting something dark , violent and twisted.....Bloodraven style but that’s not what I found. If this was only one book, I would have stuck in there, but to think there’s still 2 full books of the same thing.....?

My problem with it concerns the plot......or lack of? I’m kinda bored. I don’t see anything else happening except the sex and I’m really no...more

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Nov 28, 2011 Don rated it 5 of 5 stars

Richard Rider has shot to the top of my favorite author list with this series of books (Stockholm Syndrome being the first of three). I've incorporated all three books into this one review. Basically a BDSM story of the mildest sort, the characters are the most captivating I’ve ever encountered in a M/M novel. With one line of dialogue, Rider can instantly convey an entirely 3 dimensional character that you know in depth. There is no schmaltzy banter here either, each character is endowed with a...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Alexandra Middleton rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: EVERYONE

Shelves: favourites, 2012-reading-challenge, romance, ten-thousand-stars, adult, summer-reads

OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh.
I really don't have the words for this review. It's seriously one of the absolute best books I've read in my entire life and my emotions are seriously all over the place now. Sprayed all over the floor in tiny, shattered pieces.
I couldn't put this book down. It's difficult to explain just how good it is, so please, just go read it yourself. Please. Do yourselves a massive favour. This book is just utter perfection. Plus, I love that I understood all the little reference...more

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Jul 21, 2012 oceankitty rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a thrill! Not only is there a May-September relationship, which I must admit to be my weakness (makes me go all jelly in the knees) but it was also extremely kinky in a very good way. Pip and Lindsay hold each others hearts as hostages in an ever increasing power play. You would think that Pip, being the submissive in the relationship, would be the weak one. But it is Lindsay who gets his limits tested at every turn as Pip pushes him farther and farther towards the edge of sanity but al...more This was a thrill! Not only is there a May-September relationship, which I must admit to be my weakness (makes me go all jelly in the knees) but it was also extremely kinky in a very good way. Pip and Lindsay hold each others hearts as hostages in an ever increasing power play. You would think that Pip, being the submissive in the relationship, would be the weak one. But it is Lindsay who gets his limits tested at every turn as Pip pushes him farther and farther towards the edge of sanity but also towards self acceptanse.

Pip's and Lindsay's story stretches over a span of eight years so be prepared for a long, hilarious, breathtaking, wonderful, heartbreaking and tear filled journey. The book is in three parts and you have to read all of them as one to get the whole story. In my opinion long is good and in this instance I wanted there to be no end at all, it was that entertaining!

Lindsay is bored. To keep himself entertained he and his gang of close friends have been robbing museums and jewelers for more than a decade and been successful at it. Now filthy rich and no longer in need of money, he still keeps at it just for the trill. And then one day it goes specularly wrong and Lindsay finds himself on the run with a hostage in tow, trying to outrun the police and certain doom.

Pip (Philip) Valentine fears that no ever loved him and that no one ever will. An abusive father and an alcoholic mother that turns a blind eye hasn't helped much. All Pip wants is for someone to care. Maybe getting kidnapped will get him some attention? When the robbers holds him hostage at gunpoint he's really scared, but when he realizes that the robbers are about to let him go he replaces fear with desperation and decides to offer himself on a platter, tagging along and making himself an accomplice. His parents are after all millionaires after winning the lottery. It might be interesting to find out what he is worth to them.

The sexually repressed Lindsay finds himself horrified to be attracted to the much younger Pip. Not only because of the age difference, but because Pip dresses and behaves so much like a child that it leaves Lindsay feeling like a perv. I must admit that this part icked me out a little, too. Pip puts on a really convincing act and I had to remind myself several times that he is older than he appears. And also he's not an innocent. Far from it. Immature and with loads of hang-ups? Yes. Old enough to know what he's doing? Yes. So apart from my initial frowns I soon got over it and started really enjoying myself.

And what a story it is! Someone said that it was the best M/M fiction they had ever read and I am tempted to agree. Strung along almost like a soap opera filled with twists and turns, laughter and tears, love and desperation, the story of Pip and Lindsay is not only entertaining but also so well written that any writer would be envious and any reader would be desperate for it not to end.

To quote a little bit of Dickens: Please Sir, I want some more.(less)

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Sep 01, 2011 Sassy Lane rated it 2 of 5 stars

I've just finished reading the story, so my review is still a bit emotional.

As far as quality of writing, the story was quite well done. As for content, this was completely disturbing.

I am not saying this as someone who can't handle violence and angst, (I consider Special Forces my all time favorite read). This story was over the top abusive; physical, emotional and psychological.

It actually had nothing to do with Stockholm Syndrome. This was truely about that weird, twisted relationship that d...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, favourite-mm

Gosh I love discovering new books with original characters and concepts. The relationship dynamics between Pip and Lindsay is unlike anything I've ever read before. I'm not even sure how to classify what they are to each other. Their relationship blurred so many boundaries and definitions. At times Lindsay was a lover, a protector, a father figure to Pip but then he could totally switch roles and became an enemy, his nemesis, barely able to tolerate his presence.

I loved Pip and I hated him at t...more

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Jul 30, 2012 A.B. Gayle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Interesting premise, lots of sex, disturbing characters. It's a bit like watching a train wreck.

The line between abusive characters who enjoy a sado/masochistic relationship and this being done while neither party truly understands the ramifications or psychology behind what they are doing worried me.

Neither of the characters are intelligent enough to delve into why they carry on like they do. They react the whole time.

This is possibly realistic even if the plot itself has glaring holes in it. G...more

2 likes · like · see review

Oct 30, 2011 Melora rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: m-m, online-free-reads, read-in-2011

4.5 stars
I was considering writing individual reviews for these books, but I realized they don't really stand on their own and I wouldn't want them to, so one rating/review for all three.

A lot of adjectives could be used to describe the story and rather than prattle on I'll just use one: intriguing. The author drew me in with such competent prose and emotional manipulation that I couldn't put it down. And when I finally did finish the first part I immediately picked up the next and kept on read...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Jackie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Until about halfway through this book, I was convinced I wasn't going to bother finishing the series. I didn't particularly like Lindsay or Valentine and their relationship, to me, crossed the line into serious violence. By the time I finished the book their relationship still bothered me, but I loved both characters, even if they kind of made me want to bang my head against the wall sometimes. Needless to say, I was going to finish the series and I didn't waste any time doing it.
I read the book...more

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About Richard Rider

Richard Rider's name autocorrects as Richard Ridiculous in OpenOffice, which kind of says it all.

After somehow managing to spend several years making gold and copper crowns for a living in the Narnian wilds of North Wales, a move back to English suburbia in an attempt to grow up brought with it a job in art publishing, an Open University English degree, a socially-acceptable hair colour, and an un...more

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Books by Richard Rider

17 Black and 29 Red (Stockholm Syndrome, #2)

No Beginning, No End (Stockholm Syndrome, #3)

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Quotes from Stockholm Syndrome

“You were always saying you were gonna shoot him," he mutters, but it's kind of half-hearted. "Stupid fucking little tit, he needs a bullet in his head. What do you keep him round for, anyway?"
Because he makes me laugh. Because, fuck knows why, he adores me. Because he needs somebody to look after him and nobody else knows how. Because everything about us is wrong and I never ever want to be right. Because I wake up in the morning and see him sleeping next to me with his stupid dyed hair and his stupid painted nails and his stupid toy monkey and I remember I love him so much I don't know what to do, I love him I love him I LOVE HIM.” — 33 people liked it

“Valentine clears his throat. "So. Why can't you just say it?"
"Say what?"
"You know what."
"It's hardly the time or place."
"It is if you're dying."
"I can't."
"You're a dick. Just fucking say it!"
"I can't! I'm... English."
"What am I, a Martian? I say it all the time. I know you love me, why can't you say it?"
"If you know, then why do I have to?"
"You're missing the point a bit."
"I took your bullet, you little twat, don't you dare question whether I love you."
"Yeah, but you could say it."
The throb of the gunshots is pounding all down his arm and body. The pain's so bad he wants to cry, like he's five and he's skinned his knee coming off his bike.
"Je t'aime," he says, through gritted teeth, to shut the kid up. "Je ne sais pas pourquoi. Tu es... complètement bête, tu t'habilles comme une pute travestie, je hais ta musique, tu es fou, tu me rends fou, mais je suis fou de toi et je pense à toi tout le temps et je t'aime, oui. Tu comprends? Je t'aime. Seulement... pas en anglais. Je ne peux pas."
Valentine's shifting about like he's uncomfortable. "I ain't got no idea what you just said but I think I need to change my pants."
"Maintenant, ta gueule.” — 20 people liked it

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Stockholm Syndrome (Stockholm Syndrome #1)

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