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Not So #1
Not So Smart
An angsty virgin who might be a little twisted.
A moody manwhore who might be a little lonely.
All they wanted was to use each other for one dirty, kinky night.
Feelings were absolutely not part of the plan.
"It wasn't obsession, exactly. Except, it probably was."
JOSH
Damon Price is a brutally hot, ripply muscled, scarily confident, dimpled god. Without his hard body to stare at three times a week, I probably would have dropped out of college months ago. Too bad he doesn't know I exist. But, even if he did know, even if it was true that he screwed anything and everything that moved, an awkward virgin like me would still be at the bottom of his to-do list.
Even if he knew the kind of filthy stuff I actually wanted.
Even if he knew the last thing I need is any kind of relationship.
"I never meant to f*ck a virgin."
DAMON
I should have been out the door the second that word came out of his mouth. A virgin was not what I was looking for. Except, damn, he knew how to talk. Knew how to say things so off-the-grid dirty I hardly knew what to say back. And talk wasn't all he knew how to do. There's kinky, and then there's crazy, and then, apparently, there's Josh Holloway-- who's up for anything.
And who I definitely should not still be thinking about.
Because the last thing I need is any kind of relationship.
NOT SO SMART is a 52,000 word enemies-to-(still-mostly-enemies-but-also-)lovers novel, featuring messed up college guys who are great at lying to themselves, wall to wall sex, naked guitar playing, inappropriate library behavior, inappropriate dressing room behavior, inappropriate tube sock behavior, bondage, spanking, little bit of shoplifting, and some very unwelcome romantic feelings.
**NOT SO SMART is based on a previously published short story series (Smart Boy). It has been substantially re-edited and expanded by 30,000 words.
A moody manwhore who might be a little lonely.
All they wanted was to use each other for one dirty, kinky night.
Feelings were absolutely not part of the plan.
"It wasn't obsession, exactly. Except, it probably was."
JOSH
Damon Price is a brutally hot, ripply muscled, scarily confident, dimpled god. Without his hard body to stare at three times a week, I probably would have dropped out of college months ago. Too bad he doesn't know I exist. But, even if he did know, even if it was true that he screwed anything and everything that moved, an awkward virgin like me would still be at the bottom of his to-do list.
Even if he knew the kind of filthy stuff I actually wanted.
Even if he knew the last thing I need is any kind of relationship.
"I never meant to f*ck a virgin."
DAMON
I should have been out the door the second that word came out of his mouth. A virgin was not what I was looking for. Except, damn, he knew how to talk. Knew how to say things so off-the-grid dirty I hardly knew what to say back. And talk wasn't all he knew how to do. There's kinky, and then there's crazy, and then, apparently, there's Josh Holloway-- who's up for anything.
And who I definitely should not still be thinking about.
Because the last thing I need is any kind of relationship.
NOT SO SMART is a 52,000 word enemies-to-(still-mostly-enemies-but-also-)lovers novel, featuring messed up college guys who are great at lying to themselves, wall to wall sex, naked guitar playing, inappropriate library behavior, inappropriate dressing room behavior, inappropriate tube sock behavior, bondage, spanking, little bit of shoplifting, and some very unwelcome romantic feelings.
**NOT SO SMART is based on a previously published short story series (Smart Boy). It has been substantially re-edited and expanded by 30,000 words.
192 pages, ebook
First published January 23, 2017
166 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Misha Horne
39 books568 followersMisha Horne (they/them) is a queer kinky author of queer, kinky, character-driven romance. Expect lots of steam, snark, and spanking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
December 28, 2018
*** 3.5 Stars ***
Smut at its best. Great entertainment.
Super short, very hot and extra dirty.
Smut at its best. Great entertainment.
Super short, very hot and extra dirty.
March 5, 2018
***3.75 Stars***
Truth time: I read this book standing in front of the air conditioner!
Is the book really that hot, you ask?
Dirty, filthy, kink galore and I loved every minute of it. It's been a really long time since I read a book this erotically charged with such well written sex scenes. And be prepared...because this book is mostly sex.
A virgin into humiliation, pain, rough sex....not always my thing, but OMG did the authors make it work for Josh. He may not have any experience, but it's what he wants, what he craves...what gets him off.
Getting fucked was all I thought about. All I wanted. The only catch was, what I wanted wasn't just your average lay. I needed rough, unfeeling pain. From someone who wasn't afraid to hurt me. I needed biting and bruises and insults that felt like compliments.
Josh has heard of Damon...the guy with the reputation of selecting a random and fucking him to the point where they think they're splitting in two. And that's just what Josh wants. He's been obsessed with catching Damon's eye, and with the two sharing a class...he knows it's only a matter of time. On a day he was least expecting it...that time comes.
What was supposed to be a quick fuck to scratch an itch and satisfy a curiosity...starts to build into something more.
Damon is intrigued by Josh. His desires run rougher than even Damon is used to, but he's on board with all of it...even if Josh is making him want more than he's comfortable with.
Josh wanted the fuck, not the feelings...but somehow Damon is working his way into other parts of his body...namely his heart. And he's not so sure how he feels about that.
No one was going to give me what I craved without questions. No one else was going to give me what I needed. I was stuck. Because what I needed was HIM.
This is a quick read, so unfortunately there are a few things that feel underdeveloped about Damon and Josh outside of their sexual chemistry. Normally, this would REALLY bother me, but their sexual compatibility and connection was so great that I'm still left feeling pretty satisfied.
BUT, it looks like this is the beginning of their relationship as there'll be another book, so I'm hoping we'll get more background and development in the next book. Don't worry, this doesn't end on a cliffy...more of a HFN.
All I gotta say is if this book was meant to hook you on these authors, this story, these characters....
December 30, 2018
Update: After trying -- and failing -- to read the sequel to this, which was written solely by Misha Horne, and trying -- and failing -- to read another of her solo efforts, I have to conclude that it's the team of Horne and AJ Sisko that deserves all the credit here. So everywhere below where I praise Horne, I should be praising Horne & Sisko instead.
______
Well, well, well. Misha Horne, you little miracle worker. I'd told myself not to bother with any more BDSM-themed books -- there was no point in wasting my time on them when it's obvious that I just don't get it and never will. I'd given that sub-genre a fair try, and enough was enough was enough. (Exceptions will be made for anything by Manna Francis, of course.)
But apparently I'm not very good at listening, not even to myself, because when I saw this book with the magic word attached -- "FREE"!!! -- I got it anyway. And oh my goodness, can Misha Horne write. I liked this book! How did this even happen??? The other BDSM books I'd read left me feeling seriously bummed out -- glum, dispirited, almost depressed after reading them. This book had me laughing -- in spite of it being pretty damned nasty. It was funny and it was fun to read. There's a dark undercurrent running through it, but it never swamped the story.
Josh and Damon really came to life for me. They have depth, they have histories that are hinted at but not revealed, they have issues... But they don't wallow in angst or drama or self-pity. They just get on with living their lives and finding a way to be true to themselves, however fucked-up their true selves may be. The brutally kinky sex they indulge in works for them, and somehow it worked for me too.
So, does this mean I'll be rushing out to try more BDSM-themed fiction? Nope! (Okay, well, maybe if it's free, LOL.) What it does mean is that I'll now be making an exception for two authors now instead of just one.
______
Well, well, well. Misha Horne, you little miracle worker. I'd told myself not to bother with any more BDSM-themed books -- there was no point in wasting my time on them when it's obvious that I just don't get it and never will. I'd given that sub-genre a fair try, and enough was enough was enough. (Exceptions will be made for anything by Manna Francis, of course.)
But apparently I'm not very good at listening, not even to myself, because when I saw this book with the magic word attached -- "FREE"!!! -- I got it anyway. And oh my goodness, can Misha Horne write. I liked this book! How did this even happen??? The other BDSM books I'd read left me feeling seriously bummed out -- glum, dispirited, almost depressed after reading them. This book had me laughing -- in spite of it being pretty damned nasty. It was funny and it was fun to read. There's a dark undercurrent running through it, but it never swamped the story.
Josh and Damon really came to life for me. They have depth, they have histories that are hinted at but not revealed, they have issues... But they don't wallow in angst or drama or self-pity. They just get on with living their lives and finding a way to be true to themselves, however fucked-up their true selves may be. The brutally kinky sex they indulge in works for them, and somehow it worked for me too.
So, does this mean I'll be rushing out to try more BDSM-themed fiction? Nope! (Okay, well, maybe if it's free, LOL.) What it does mean is that I'll now be making an exception for two authors now instead of just one.
December 24, 2018
Reads almost like porn (extremely good porn), but with a little something niggling in the corner of your mind saying that it might be more... until all of a sudden, it IS more. I can.not.freak.ing.wait for the sequel that comes out in 2 days. Merry christmas to meeeeeee!
Want to read
May 11, 2017Price drop to FREE at Amazon US, 5/10/17!
dnf
December 8, 2018Dnf at 17%
This started pretty well, I really liked Josh’s POV, his attitude was brutal but also unusual and refreshing and it worked well for the character. I didn’t have enough time to get a reading on Damon, but they were working very well together and I had good expectations for this book.
Then this happened:
What did I just read?
How is Josh supposed to “tell you now” if he doesn’t want it, Damon? You two met for the first time a few hours ago, you didn’t negotiate anything and he has zero prior experience, so how can he know if he wants “it”? He doesn’t even know what doing “it” with you entails! He only has his fantasies as comparison and the first time he says no you just tell him he’s not allowed to do that, use any safewords or anything. What is he supposed to do? Give you a blanket yes or no with only a general idea of what’s going to happen while you decide what to do without any sort of negotiation before things start? Yeah, right. Have a nice life, jerk.
This started pretty well, I really liked Josh’s POV, his attitude was brutal but also unusual and refreshing and it worked well for the character. I didn’t have enough time to get a reading on Damon, but they were working very well together and I had good expectations for this book.
Then this happened:
“Very sweet. Come over here and sit on my lap.”
“No.”
[…]
“I don’t do no, Josh.” [...] “And I don’t do safewords or head games or any of that shit. If you want this, you want it, and you do what I say. If you don’t, you tell me now.”
“I want it.” […]
“Okay, so we’ll do this,” he told me. “But, if you tell me no again, I’m gonna beat your ass and jerk off all over your bruises before I fucking leave. Understand?”
What did I just read?
How is Josh supposed to “tell you now” if he doesn’t want it, Damon? You two met for the first time a few hours ago, you didn’t negotiate anything and he has zero prior experience, so how can he know if he wants “it”? He doesn’t even know what doing “it” with you entails! He only has his fantasies as comparison and the first time he says no you just tell him he’s not allowed to do that, use any safewords or anything. What is he supposed to do? Give you a blanket yes or no with only a general idea of what’s going to happen while you decide what to do without any sort of negotiation before things start? Yeah, right. Have a nice life, jerk.
August 20, 2023
So sexy
Is books was so filthy and I absolutely loved it. I'm really not into BDSM usually but seriously, this book had me needing a change of panties.
Is books was so filthy and I absolutely loved it. I'm really not into BDSM usually but seriously, this book had me needing a change of panties.
July 5, 2022
✨in this household, we LOVE porn without plot‼️
🖤 This was basically just smut and smut and kinky smut with lots of gorgeous pain and mean compliments
🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
🖤 I do NOT understand how Misha is so underrated. She's a gem 🤭
🖤 This was basically just smut and smut and kinky smut with lots of gorgeous pain and mean compliments
🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼
🖤 I do NOT understand how Misha is so underrated. She's a gem 🤭
“You fuck anybody since I fucked you last?” I asked him, my hand slowing to a crawl on his dick, my fingers holding back from what he wanted until I got what I did.
I needed him to say no. It wasn’t jealousy, it was something bigger, something stronger. I needed to own him. And he needed to know he was my property. Just mineGod, I loved talking dirty to him. The way his body stiffened and then relaxed with every sentence, taking the words the way he took a smack, jumping at the impact and then letting it wash over him. He was like a human built entirely of dirty thoughts. Porn personified.
February 23, 2017
This is porn without much plot and it's done *really* well. The story is the relationship, and the relationship is utterly sex focused.... until it isn't. Pesky feelings ruining everything ;)
Misha writes amazing sex scenes that are all about the characters' emotions as much as the physical. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes kinky erotica that doesn't skimp on the feelings. It's really character focused, and the characters are awesome. Josh's prickly defensiveness was marvellous set against Damon's surprising (and well hidden) sweetness. I can't wait to see where she takes them in the sequel.
Although this is a series, due to the fact that's it's all about the relationship it was a satisfying HFN so don't feel you need to hold out for book two.
Misha writes amazing sex scenes that are all about the characters' emotions as much as the physical. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes kinky erotica that doesn't skimp on the feelings. It's really character focused, and the characters are awesome. Josh's prickly defensiveness was marvellous set against Damon's surprising (and well hidden) sweetness. I can't wait to see where she takes them in the sequel.
Although this is a series, due to the fact that's it's all about the relationship it was a satisfying HFN so don't feel you need to hold out for book two.
May 7, 2018
Well that was a pretty kinky read. I liked these characters- certainly emotionally stunted but I sense some heart is slowly breaking through ❤️
May 11, 2017
Wow - when the authors say they expanded this story, they really expanded it! I can't believe where they took these characters. If you liked Smart Boy, or even if you've never read it, this one turned out great.
The character that really blew me away was Damon, I love the way he character expanded - very interesting. But damn, what's with the hold up of "Not So Nice"?!?
The character that really blew me away was Damon, I love the way he character expanded - very interesting. But damn, what's with the hold up of "Not So Nice"?!?
Want to read
December 27, 201812/26/18 To celebrate the release of Not So Nice, Not So Smart is FREE through 12/30
Not So Nice: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Not So Smart: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Not So Nice: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
Not So Smart: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
June 27, 2017
**2.5**
Read for the porn, not the plot. Granted, the porn is really good. But I needed some plot too right now.
Read for the porn, not the plot. Granted, the porn is really good. But I needed some plot too right now.
February 6, 2017
I can't think of a better example to describe what is this book like than the film Marley & Me, so caution, this review will contain spoilers of that film. In Marley & Me, we're expecting a light hearted comedy about a cute puppo and his family. The puppo (who became a full size doggo and then a very old doggo) chews and eats everything he encounters, all in a light and funny way. The you have the very tragic, I'm-not-crying-you're-crying ending WTF is wrong with this film, makes me love the doggo and they show us his death! That's paired with killing Bambi's mother!!!
So, this book is like that film. You have 3/4 parts of this book that are pure porn. Not just any porn, mind you, but Misha Horne porn. We have our classic bottom, Josh, a pain slut with an unreachable pain tolerance, like really, he could have his ass dilated with a speculum and be stuffed with burning coal and he still will ask for more. I'm totally not exaggerating, that's how big his pain tolerance is.
The other character is Damon, a living god with a very muscular body, testosterone to give away and a never ending queue of twinks and males in general wanting to be fucked by him. Josh is another of those males interested in coitus with Damon except that he's a virgin, and he's totally sure he wants burning coal up his ass and no aftercare then. Really, Josh is a actually a head case and I hope, in between long, delicious sex scenes, some background of him is mentioned in the sequels. Josh totally doesn't want affection, or care, don't even mention love! He wants to be used and discarded, he carves pain and humiliation. And Damon baby is more than willingly to satisfy.
So yes, lots of porn. I would say this book is like 75% sex scenes. I want to empathize that because don't come here looking for deep storytelling, you buy this baby is because you want porn! Porn in the school, porn in the dorms, porn in the library, porn in the shower, etc, etc! And you'd be surprised, there's actually room for some character development in between the sex scenes! Just how cool is that?
So why Marley & Me? Because the last quarter of the book is actually pretty damn angsty! But in a good way, not angsty let's-slwoly-kill-the-doggo!
Misha, if you're reading this, know I love you and if you don't publish the sequels soon enough, I might actually die, so I hope you're pressured enough *smile* That blurb at the end of Not So Nice is SOOOO promising!
So, this book is like that film. You have 3/4 parts of this book that are pure porn. Not just any porn, mind you, but Misha Horne porn. We have our classic bottom, Josh, a pain slut with an unreachable pain tolerance, like really, he could have his ass dilated with a speculum and be stuffed with burning coal and he still will ask for more. I'm totally not exaggerating, that's how big his pain tolerance is.
The other character is Damon, a living god with a very muscular body, testosterone to give away and a never ending queue of twinks and males in general wanting to be fucked by him. Josh is another of those males interested in coitus with Damon except that he's a virgin, and he's totally sure he wants burning coal up his ass and no aftercare then. Really, Josh is a actually a head case and I hope, in between long, delicious sex scenes, some background of him is mentioned in the sequels. Josh totally doesn't want affection, or care, don't even mention love! He wants to be used and discarded, he carves pain and humiliation. And Damon baby is more than willingly to satisfy.
So yes, lots of porn. I would say this book is like 75% sex scenes. I want to empathize that because don't come here looking for deep storytelling, you buy this baby is because you want porn! Porn in the school, porn in the dorms, porn in the library, porn in the shower, etc, etc! And you'd be surprised, there's actually room for some character development in between the sex scenes! Just how cool is that?
So why Marley & Me? Because the last quarter of the book is actually pretty damn angsty! But in a good way, not angsty let's-slwoly-kill-the-doggo!
Misha, if you're reading this, know I love you and if you don't publish the sequels soon enough, I might actually die, so I hope you're pressured enough *smile* That blurb at the end of Not So Nice is SOOOO promising!
March 27, 2017
The story itself is pretty good, and the sex scenes are plenty kinky hot...there are some technicality issues, however. Horne is of the mind that if the word 'but' begins a sentence, a comma needs to be used directly after, and this is something that drives me absolutely bonkers. Also, Horne doesn't seem to know how right-handed people play guitars since Josh, as a right-handed player, is holding a guitar in the correct right-handed position (strumming with right hand, fretting with left), but Damon tells him it'll be backwards...?
Then there were things like "all the sudden", "half laying", "long, slow lazy licks", and more commas being used after the first word in a sentence despite not being half of a pair to bracket a parenthetical expression...
So yeah, Horne needs an editor. Or a proofreader. Or something. The story would be more compelling if the reader weren't pulled out of it by rookie grammar mishaps.
Then there were things like "all the sudden", "half laying", "long, slow lazy licks", and more commas being used after the first word in a sentence despite not being half of a pair to bracket a parenthetical expression...
So yeah, Horne needs an editor. Or a proofreader. Or something. The story would be more compelling if the reader weren't pulled out of it by rookie grammar mishaps.
August 11, 2019
I love this author’s work. This is a mm contemporary set in the USA in college. Main characters are Damon and Josh. Lotsa kinky connections. Off to read book 2.
February 7, 2017
5 stars for melting hot sex - bonus for kinky necktie usage
2 stars for character development
So I will split the difference with 3 stars.
I am not sure what I was expecting when I read this book. I kind of was expecting a sort of non-ending ending, which is what I got. (Book 2 is probably coming out in February? I am not sure. It mentions that at the end of the book but I cannot find any reference to a sequel anywhere else).
There isn't a lot of character development here. Most of it is sex. Super kinky, hardcore sex. I have never read this author, but I think this may be her thing.
Josh is not your run of the mill kink partner. He is a total pain slut. If he has a pain threshold, I am not sure what it is. Like a stab in the eye, maybe. Then again, maybe not.
Damon has never had to work for a partner. And he doesn't have to work for Josh...at first. Their first time together is...intense, and that is putting it mildly!
The book is split up a bit, the first half in Josh's point of view, then a fourth or so in Damon's then back to Josh. What we hear from Damon is anger at himself for wanting even another second of Josh's time. Damon seems to have a handle on his proclivities and knows where they stem from, but he doesn't share the information with the class.
Josh is into humiliation and he doesn't want to be cared for. As in no aftercare at all. We know he comes from a well-off family. His dad is a plastic surgeon and apparently does pretty well for himself. We know Josh is stretching his independent wings in his freshman year of college. But we never hear from Josh why he feels he doesn't deserve to be taken care of. And, much to his dismay, that is exactly what Damon wants to do. Take care of Josh.
At the very end of the book, we see a little more...I don't want to say emotion, but they do have a conversation. Book 2 should have more in the way of character interaction other than just sex. But that may just be wishful thinking on my part.
(oh, and in case it matters to anyone, the book could use another edit)
2 stars for character development
So I will split the difference with 3 stars.
I am not sure what I was expecting when I read this book. I kind of was expecting a sort of non-ending ending, which is what I got. (Book 2 is probably coming out in February? I am not sure. It mentions that at the end of the book but I cannot find any reference to a sequel anywhere else).
There isn't a lot of character development here. Most of it is sex. Super kinky, hardcore sex. I have never read this author, but I think this may be her thing.
Josh is not your run of the mill kink partner. He is a total pain slut. If he has a pain threshold, I am not sure what it is. Like a stab in the eye, maybe. Then again, maybe not.
Damon has never had to work for a partner. And he doesn't have to work for Josh...at first. Their first time together is...intense, and that is putting it mildly!
The book is split up a bit, the first half in Josh's point of view, then a fourth or so in Damon's then back to Josh. What we hear from Damon is anger at himself for wanting even another second of Josh's time. Damon seems to have a handle on his proclivities and knows where they stem from, but he doesn't share the information with the class.
Josh is into humiliation and he doesn't want to be cared for. As in no aftercare at all. We know he comes from a well-off family. His dad is a plastic surgeon and apparently does pretty well for himself. We know Josh is stretching his independent wings in his freshman year of college. But we never hear from Josh why he feels he doesn't deserve to be taken care of. And, much to his dismay, that is exactly what Damon wants to do. Take care of Josh.
At the very end of the book, we see a little more...I don't want to say emotion, but they do have a conversation. Book 2 should have more in the way of character interaction other than just sex. But that may just be wishful thinking on my part.
(oh, and in case it matters to anyone, the book could use another edit)
December 31, 2018
This was refreshing and definitely not a traditional romance.
These boys were hardcore, brutal, funny and hot. The sex here is consensual and a little disturbing, but in a good way. And the way they relate to each other was oddly endearing. I've never read a relationship dynamic quite like this one.
These boys were hardcore, brutal, funny and hot. The sex here is consensual and a little disturbing, but in a good way. And the way they relate to each other was oddly endearing. I've never read a relationship dynamic quite like this one.
August 25, 2017
3 Stars
April 27, 2025
This book is still everything. Goodreads says I've read it three times, but I'm pretty sure this is like my sixth time reading it. About to give Book 2 a second try.
-----------
Holy crap, that was good. It was better than good. It was pretty damn awesome. I'm not a fan of humiliation, or objectification, unless I get some gentleness too. The funny thing is that, with Damon and Josh, I was loving them even before Damon started slowing things down and softening things up. I usually find pain centric stories hard to get exactly right. They're either too trite, overdone, or unrealistic, and most times I just can't connect with the characters. But HOLY PAINSLUT, this just hit the nail on the head. I felt like Josh was almost a character study in pain kink, and I loved how well Damon could read him. They were just perfectly suited and fed off each other.
Loved, loved, LOVED when Damon switched things up and made them more personal. It was clear this was always going to be harder for Josh than just taking pain, and I loved how the story progressed here.
Got everything I needed out this book; the interracial was yummy, delectable icing.
CANNOT WAIT for Book 2. The excerpt at the end of the book was delish!
4.5
PS. Something went wonky with the formatting and the book repeats a few paragraphs in two places.
-----------
Holy crap, that was good. It was better than good. It was pretty damn awesome. I'm not a fan of humiliation, or objectification, unless I get some gentleness too. The funny thing is that, with Damon and Josh, I was loving them even before Damon started slowing things down and softening things up. I usually find pain centric stories hard to get exactly right. They're either too trite, overdone, or unrealistic, and most times I just can't connect with the characters. But HOLY PAINSLUT, this just hit the nail on the head. I felt like Josh was almost a character study in pain kink, and I loved how well Damon could read him. They were just perfectly suited and fed off each other.
Loved, loved, LOVED when Damon switched things up and made them more personal. It was clear this was always going to be harder for Josh than just taking pain, and I loved how the story progressed here.
Got everything I needed out this book; the interracial was yummy, delectable icing.
CANNOT WAIT for Book 2. The excerpt at the end of the book was delish!
4.5
PS. Something went wonky with the formatting and the book repeats a few paragraphs in two places.
March 30, 2017
Wow, what the heck did I just read. So I found this book and thought, oh goodie, college guys. Tra lalala, I'll read about some lovely college boy sex, hijinks and that's that. WELL - that sure ain't what this book is about. Dayuum Josh and Damon are the best! Stellar writing. Josh and let me use the author's words "He was the dirtiest, sluttiest, most eager, most exhausting guy I'd ever been with..." and "obedient, obnoxious, hardcore pain slut who didn't give a damn about me, who was driving me right out of my fucking skull." Josh is a pain slut with a huge humiliation kink. Funnily enough, he's a virgin, but the guy knows what he likes and the more it hurts, the better. Damon, who is in Josh's English class is a manwhore who likes to dish out pain and somehow these two guys come together and it's just like puzzle pieces. They fit! Love it when kinks mesh! Great lines - "I liked spit and no prep and pain." "It made the gears in my mind grind to a halt and flooded my head with screams that never made it past my lips." So Josh and Damon want no part of a relationship. Damon just wants to fuck and be done. Josh just wants the pain, to be fucked and no feels. But unfortunately the universe knows better. They can't get each other out of their minds so what to do. Damon is pissed off that he cares about Josh, doesn't want to care about Josh but can't get him out of his mind. And Josh is furious that Damon cares. This book was such a treat. Not a lot of character development but hey, the writing sold me on part 2 and anything else this author has written. This ends as an HFN so you don't need to hold out for Not so series book 2 - but you can bet I'll be reading it.
May 16, 2017
Hot, dirty sex. That's all. There's more - but that's all I can say.
April 24, 2017
I really liked this, it was different than I expected. Yes it's all about the hookups, but I liked the dynamic between the MCs. They weren't in love. They weren't even in like (they don't hate each other though). It was pure lust and sexual chemistry. Their kinks match up more than they expected so it turns into a "thing". There's BDSM, there's spanking, there's dirty talk, there is some sexual violence (a slap). Both refuse to entertain the idea of a relationship though, so they're "not boyfriends". I can't wait for book two.
January 24, 2020
This is very much porn with just a sprinkle of plot and relationship. But, it's good porn. Long, very kinky, thought out scene. Not for the squeamish, though. Masochism, control, filthy dirty talk, humiliation kink, voyeurism, painal, the book does not hold back.
But the characters have actual character and I did like the start of something like a relationship that leads over into the next book.
The dynamic in the last part actually reminded me a lot of A Seditious Affair, Josh being unwilling and unable to accept anything "nice", so Damon has to make a mind fuck out of it so they can have some vanilla-ish sex for once.
I'm actually very curious, where the next part will lead the two. I hope they don't end up as a pretty normal couple, that would just be boring.
But the characters have actual character and I did like the start of something like a relationship that leads over into the next book.
The dynamic in the last part actually reminded me a lot of A Seditious Affair, Josh being unwilling and unable to accept anything "nice", so Damon has to make a mind fuck out of it so they can have some vanilla-ish sex for once.
I'm actually very curious, where the next part will lead the two. I hope they don't end up as a pretty normal couple, that would just be boring.
May 26, 2020
b>3.5*
Intriguing snapshot of the shifting dynamics in a BD/SM relationship that was never meant to be . . . at least never intended to be anything more than a single pain-instilled loss of virginity for blonde Josh, a freshman. Nor was it meant to be anything but a single night's lesson by the stoic six-pack of the slightly older and taller Damon, who comes from another side of town from Josh's white privilege.
Their jointly-told sexploration continues in Not So Nice. And I, for one, am tempted to continue . . . if not so much for the gymnastics of their sex as for the contortions of their psyches, and the inscrutable need that seems to be developing, despite their mutual dislike.
Intriguing snapshot of the shifting dynamics in a BD/SM relationship that was never meant to be . . . at least never intended to be anything more than a single pain-instilled loss of virginity for blonde Josh, a freshman. Nor was it meant to be anything but a single night's lesson by the stoic six-pack of the slightly older and taller Damon, who comes from another side of town from Josh's white privilege.
Their jointly-told sexploration continues in Not So Nice. And I, for one, am tempted to continue . . . if not so much for the gymnastics of their sex as for the contortions of their psyches, and the inscrutable need that seems to be developing, despite their mutual dislike.
June 25, 2017
4.3 Stars
Homygawd. I'm still sweating and I finished the book HOURS ago - it was that hot. I've said it before: I'm not all that fond of humiliation kink, mainly because I don't understand it and haven't run across a book that goes to any effort to explain the appeal. It's still not explained but holy shitballs at least Josh owns it, and because of his need I totally FEEL the appeal.
Also, the dirty talk. Hawt. I'm going to need to read the next one in this series ASAP because I'm completely spazzing over how these guys tripped and accidentally fell into some feelings. LOL, they're soooooo gonna hate it.
Homygawd. I'm still sweating and I finished the book HOURS ago - it was that hot. I've said it before: I'm not all that fond of humiliation kink, mainly because I don't understand it and haven't run across a book that goes to any effort to explain the appeal. It's still not explained but holy shitballs at least Josh owns it, and because of his need I totally FEEL the appeal.
Also, the dirty talk. Hawt. I'm going to need to read the next one in this series ASAP because I'm completely spazzing over how these guys tripped and accidentally fell into some feelings. LOL, they're soooooo gonna hate it.
March 15, 2017
Teaser
[This] is the book I’ve been waiting for and didn’t even know it.
Not So Smart is smart in its delivery. The writing is so extremely visual you can’t help but be engrossed. It’s expressive, detailed, and illustrative. And the analogies layered on top give it an extra depth of feeling as if you yourself are being seduced. Seduced by hot as fuck sex scenes which portray Josh and Damon’s dynamic unfolding not only between themselves but to the reader.
It’s like being the voyeur into the beginnings of a beautiful D/s partnership!
Read Full Review at Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
http://bit.ly/2ms8YFp
[This] is the book I’ve been waiting for and didn’t even know it.
Not So Smart is smart in its delivery. The writing is so extremely visual you can’t help but be engrossed. It’s expressive, detailed, and illustrative. And the analogies layered on top give it an extra depth of feeling as if you yourself are being seduced. Seduced by hot as fuck sex scenes which portray Josh and Damon’s dynamic unfolding not only between themselves but to the reader.
It’s like being the voyeur into the beginnings of a beautiful D/s partnership!
Read Full Review at Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter
http://bit.ly/2ms8YFp
October 31, 2017
Not So Smart is smut, no doubt about it. But it’s really good smut. Kinky smut. And I freaking loved it.
I read this story as a short story called Smart Boy, before the author added 30,000 words and turned it into the first book in a series of what looks like to be two books. I already appreciated it as a short story, but the added depth (and smut) makes it even better.
There’s spanking, painful sex, a belt, Josh is getting tied down…but there’s also the first signs of something else growing, of tenderness and a softer side of both. I can’t wait to see how this develops further in the sequel to Not So Smart.
There’s little character development and depth here, not yet at least. We have no idea why Josh loves pain and humiliation, and why Damon loves dishing it out. To me, it didn’t really matter, because the story captivated me nonetheless.
If plot and backstory is really important to you, and you don’t appreciate kinky sex, you may want to skip this one. If you like lots of kinky sex and a solid dose of feels, dig in. You’re in for a ride.
I read this story as a short story called Smart Boy, before the author added 30,000 words and turned it into the first book in a series of what looks like to be two books. I already appreciated it as a short story, but the added depth (and smut) makes it even better.
There’s spanking, painful sex, a belt, Josh is getting tied down…but there’s also the first signs of something else growing, of tenderness and a softer side of both. I can’t wait to see how this develops further in the sequel to Not So Smart.
There’s little character development and depth here, not yet at least. We have no idea why Josh loves pain and humiliation, and why Damon loves dishing it out. To me, it didn’t really matter, because the story captivated me nonetheless.
If plot and backstory is really important to you, and you don’t appreciate kinky sex, you may want to skip this one. If you like lots of kinky sex and a solid dose of feels, dig in. You’re in for a ride.
January 18, 2019
Wie sag ich es höflich? Porn! Wenig Geschichte, dafür viel Sex. Warum also 4 Sterne? Weil es gut gemachter Porn ist und weil die Erzählweise echt gut ist. Aber viel Geschichte gibt es halt nicht. ^^
March 26, 2017
This kinky little gem took me a bit by surprise and turned out to be just what I needed and much more than I expected. I was pulled right into this story as we follow Josh to his classes as we learn about him and his somewhat obsession with Damon.
Josh is a virgin, and while he lacks experience, he knows exactly what he wants, and he wants it from Damon. But Damon doesn’t really know Josh exists. Eventually, Josh’s smart mouth pays off though, and Damon proves he is able to provide exactly what Josh needs.
Josh is not looking for a relationship of any kind. He wants to lose his virginity to Damon in a very specific way – he wants it hard and dirty, to be used and abused with no emotional attachment whatsoever. After some reluctance to the virgin issue, Damon gives Josh exactly what he asked for, but the tables are turned when Damon is given the cold shoulder after their steaming encounter.
We also get Damon’s perspective as he tries to understand why he is finding himself, for the first time, chasing after a guy. He was not happy about their departure, and he wants more.. It drives him nuts that he has these feelings, but he is definitely the more practical of the two. He forces Josh to do things his way and convinces him to continue with their “relationship.”
This was a fast-paced sexfest with oodles of dirty talk and tinges of sweetness with promises of more to come. Although I am not generally a fan of extreme pain play, I thoroughly enjoyed watching these guys giving and getting what they need. Clearly they each have some issues (they even both mention they realize this), and there is definitely more story to Josh’s kinks. I finished this and wanted to jump directly into the next one, as I can’t wait to find out more about these guys and see how they make out together. This was my first read by these authors, but I’m definitely looking forward to more.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
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