Limits and Stakes

Suit of Harte’s #3

by Jacqueline Grey

Professor Danny Stone doesn’t date students. Though the university does not forbid such relationships, he’d rather be safe than sorry, but with his sparkling blue eyes and silky blond hair, Christopher Owen is a temptation begging him to break the rules. He already bent them when he kissed Chris over winter break.

Spring break will be different. Danny’s plan is to spend the week at a BDSM club a few towns over. Playing with a sub or two who have no connection to his university will do him a world of good, and he can put Chris out of his mind.

But when the first sub that catches his eye turns out to be Christopher, Danny’s willpower is put to the ultimate test. Chris is brand new to the scene and feels safest with Danny. Will Danny be able to introduce him to the wonders of BDSM without crossing too many lines? Or will fate pull them together and show them sometimes rules are destined to be broken?

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance

ebook

First published June 2, 2015

About the author

Jacqueline Grey is a bit of a Jack-of-all-trades. She has many different interests and if you asked her what her job was the answer would be a list, even if she gave you the simplified version. She spends her days juggling work with her many hobbies which include dancing, aerial silks, sewing, cosplay, role-playing, drinking tea, and above all, writing. She currently lives on an island on the east coast of the United States. She loves to read and write male/male erotic romance, usually focusing on stories that include BDSM themes to one degree or another.

Reviews

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for this series as a whole.

While you could read each of the novels in Jacqueline Grey's Suit of Harte's series as standalones, I'd recommend doing them in order - especially this last one. The scenes at the end of Limits and Stakes include all three couples, and they're marvelous.

Jacqueline Grey has won me over with her creative and interesting characters. The hurt/comfort aspect of the three friends who tragically lost their buddy, each making a life for themselves, finding love, and healing is well done.

Ms. Grey explores different levels of BDSM with each of the three couples and it's on the milder side, so if you usually shy away from BDSM romances the Suit of Harte's series might be right up your alley.

a copy of Limits and Stakes was provided by NetGalley for the purpose of my review

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short and fast read. I literally spent maybe two hours reading this story. The story was about Daniel, a professor, who liked one of the students in his university Chris. During spring break he was surprised to see Chris in one of the BDSM clubs. They spend a week together with a no sex clause in the agreement but Daniel would show the ropes so to speak with Chris. Chris though had feelings for Daniel beyond the student/ teacher relationship and wanted more than a week. Overall, it was a good story but I felt I needed more of their relationship at the end. I wanted to know what happened after spring break.

I received this Arc from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Malkhai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/20...

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Erotica: Danny Stone is a teacher who enjoys his dominant role during his free time. But he has some rules: no students and keep some distance from his place of work when practising the lifestyle. That’s why he traveled several miles to spend his spring break in a BDSM club. He wasn’t expecting to find there Chris, a student to whom he shouldn’t spare a second glance. But not only he gives him a look… he offers himself to teach the younger guy the way of a good submissive. Will his rules resist against the raging passion of their new dynamics? If you don’t fall asleep, you will get to know…

zZz: Is this book as bad as the first one? Nope. But it is still a bunch of unremarkable situations with uncharismatic characters. There is nothing to hook the reader. Thankfully it is short enough to get rid of it before getting too annoyed. The best word to describe the book would be: meh.

Bad cast, Angry: The characters doesn’t have anything special at all. Nothing that could catch my attention and make the reading somehow enjoyable. Very basic. Danny is practically a copy of Dillon, but without the muscles (that would make him even worse, right?). And the way the BDSM stuff is presented is not my cup of tea at all. Some Dom/Sub dynamic to spice thing up in the naughty moments is OK. But what we have here is an utter disregard towards Chris’ freedom in almost every aspect of his life. At the end, more than a boyfriend he looks like a pet…

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

BDSM stories are intriguing to me. The level of connection between parties is so different from the typical romance. I think there is a deeper longing for trust and intimacy than is expressed in more traditional relationships. (I read the first book in Jacqueline Grey's series, Suit of Harte's, some time ago, and the familiarity of characters stayed with me.)

Daniel and Chris are familiar character types (professor and student) though the situation here is slightly different. What's unique is Grey's storytelling and of course, the BDSM aspect of this M/M story. Is it really a romance or a contract of services? Only time will tell, though obviously, both characters are searching. I thought the story followed a natural, believable progression. I really liked revisiting some of the characters from the earlier book too.

As much as I enjoyed this book-- it's not a sappy romance, it's not overly intense, or hyper-sexual-- so it might not appeal to everyone seeking these things from the genre. It is well written and a nice character study. Though it works as a stand-alone book, I most definitely think this is one that is enhanced by reading the earlier books to achieve the full experience.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, yet effective plot and a great continuation of the Suit of Harte's series by Jacqueline Grey. As someone who enjoys reading authentic BDSM plotlines, I've been enjoying this series. I hadn't read it the first time it was published and as I've said before, it's being republished with great, eye-catching covers.

In this book, Chris is a 26-year-old student at the same post-secondary institute Danny Stone teaches at. During spring break they both end up at the same local BDSM club. They have shared one chaste kiss in the past... and Stone put on the brakes quickly. He's always been concerned about appearances in spite of the fact that there's no official reason he and Chris shouldn't have a relationship.

When Stone sees Chris at the club, his dominant side emerges quickly and he agrees to take Chris under his wing for a week. The deal is Chris submits, they have a week-long agreement and there's no sex. 

Chris sets his desire for a relationship aside so that he can be introduced to BDSM in a safe and sane short-term contract. The intensity of their play adds to the fire that is already between them and things get interesting! 

The plot might be simple, but it's well-written and has an authentic feel to it. This is a good series if you are into BDSM!

[Kelly-Jo Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, and hot, little romance. Danny can't stop thinking about Chris, but Chris is a student at the University that Danny teaches at and he doesn't date students, even though there are no actual rules against it. When they meet up by accident at a BDSM club at a nearby town, they can't seem to resist one another.
I really liked the dynamic between Chris and Danny. They worked well together and there was certainly plenty of chemistry. Danny does his best to keep Chris at arm's length, but it's obvious that once he blurs the lines between them, even if not fully, that he's not going to be able to resist him for much longer.
This is quite a short story that I read really quickly. I really enjoyed it. The only slight issue that I had with it, was that I would have liked to see a little bit more after they decided to take things further. Still, it was an enjoyable and satisfying read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Stephanie Panach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed every story in this series - they are definitely a serious entry into the BDSM world. This one maybe a little, less intense than the first one but more so than the second. You can 100% read this book without reading either of the prior books in the series. This is also a professor/student relationship - which is very sexy. Although Chris isn't Stone's student - but he does go to school at the University where Stone teaches.

This story focuses primarily on Stone's back story and how it has affected his life and choices. Chris is young and just starting out in the world - but feels a forever kind of feeling with Stone.

At the end of the story - you definitely get a happy-for-now, but it definitely feels like their relationship will go the distance in to Happily-Ever-After.

I really loved how these stories showed a wide range of relationships and experiences.

Overall - I recommend - if this is your type of thing!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley but these opinions are all my own.

[Heather (AllTheJuicyBits) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Limits and Stakes was an interesting peek into the BDSM world. It was a little bit grittier than I usually read - Stone was a pretty strict Dom who didn't share much of himself with Chris, but it kept me interested. The dynamic between the two of them was interesting in that Stone expected Chris's submission even when they weren't in a scene. I would have loved a bit more back story on both main characters, although I'm not sure whether the earlier books in the series provide that context. It's not that it was hard to follow, it just made it harder to form a connection with the characters.

Limits and Stakes is a very quick read, more like a novella than a full novel. In addition to knowing more of their histories, I would have loved a bit more info on how their relationship worked and progressed after they got home from their week-long vacation. All in all it was an entertaining story, just not particularly memorable.

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Limits and Stakes is by far the best yet out of the Suit and Harte's series by Jacqueline Grey.

I truly enjoyed Daniel Stone and Chris Nole with their Professor and student dynamic. The element of D/s was intense of keeping it separated as Daniel didn't want to cross the boundaries where Chris took every notable caring-bratty steps to push the Dom to his limits to see where their relationship could go.

"...but rules have no sway over feelings.

Grey wrote this novel full of emotion to which you could feel through the pages. I really like the undertone of feeling of Daniel and his dilemma with his friend Dillon, also with Chris. I found appealing of the way she made the connection and the boundaries of Daniel's rules for their 'week' of play. I had never read a book such with scenes like this, and to me this was stimulating... in so many words. ;)

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki H. Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. I can safely say this is nothing like anything else I've ever read. This book is short and definitely quick to read – I finished it in a matter of a couple hours. The relationship between the two main characters is both endearing and tantalizing, but the BDSM definitely deserves a bit of warning before diving in – just in case some are uncomfortable with it. This was well-written, and I did not want to put it down, but it's not my preferred genre, hence my rating.

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This quick short and very hot read was not what i expect. The chemistry between the main characters was great although the power dynamic bugged me a bit. Two things I have to say, I like the side characters sub plot a but more than our main plot and i was not expecting the bdsm content I got here. I'm not bothered with that kind of kink but it needs a warning.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh -- I did not like this story. While I usually enjoy BDSM books, this one was too much in the humiliation arena.

The writing was okay. Longer than it needed to be.

In general, I found Professor Stone to be unlikeable. He just seemed indifferent until the very last pages. Chris is sweet and kind, but seemed desperate for whatever scraps Stone tossed to him.

I struggled to finish the book. The ending was very lackluster and pretty much anticlimactic.

I would not recommend.

[Christine Galletly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!!

I loved the storyline and the characters were brilliantly developed with brilliant personalities.

I thought that the book was really well written, it was an addictive read and one I didn’t want to put down!

It is 5 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed it and it was one I was hooked by from the start to the finish

[Nicole Pinto · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I read this book and it was not what I was expecting. I did not read the prior books in the series. I did not expect the BSDM aspect. Also the secondary plot came in like 80 percent into the book. Overall it was just not for me. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

[RACHEL REED · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a short, fast paced read.

I liked the chemistry between Daniel and Chris. The BDSM scenes were hot and well executed.

A compelling and enjoyable read overall.

If you like high steam and low angst, I absolutely recommend this one.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet Intro to BDSM. Experienced Dom Danny and newbie sub Chris. Unfortunately, mismatched Dom Jesse and vanilla Adam from book 2 got engaged.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

We follow the last best friend of this trio while he fights his attraction to a student.

Normally I wouldn't be "okay" with this type of dynamic. BUT, the student is in graduate school and he resisted as much as he could while the student fought for their love. I really enjoyed this book and how the dominant helped teach his submissive things in the bedroom. While the submissive taught him outside of the bedroom.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment is a bit similar to the last in that one MC is experienced in the BDSM scene, and one is not. Here, we have a Danny, a professor who shared an attraction and kiss with Christopher, a student, but chose to not pursue it. Instead, Danny decides to take his mind off of Christopher by spending some time at a BDSM club away from where he works. Unfortunately, among the potential subs he finds the very man he was trying to forget.

Once they get over the surprise of finding one another at the club, it doesn’t take long for Christopher to convince Danny that he would prefer Danny be the one to show him the ropes, so to speak, since he already trusts him to some degree. Not wanting Christopher to get hurt or end up in a bad situation, he reluctantly agrees but insists that sex remain off the table. As Danny gives Christopher more and more sub experiences, it doesn’t take long for the no-sex rule to be broken.

This series is somewhat on the lighter side and has a beginner feel to it. Perhaps those just starting their BDSM reading journey will find it quite enjoyable. There were a few niggles for me, use of the titles, the Dominant, the Submissive, the Professor, etc. that got tiresome, but the story was interesting and short enough to not become too much of a factor. There isn’t a terrible amount of angst or drama, and though the characters and relationships are not super deep or overly developed, they are believable couples nonetheless. So, if you’re looking for a starter series or just a filler that isn’t too involved, this might fit the bill for you.

Received in exchange for a fair and honest review written for Love Bytes Reviews.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars