From the Bookshelf of Q&A with Josh Lanyon…

For Real (Spires, #3)

Alexis Hall

Start date: September 1, 2016

Finish date: September 30, 2016

Discussion: Book of the Month Club

Discussion leader: Jordan Lombard

Why we're reading this: For Real won the RITA Award!
[close] For Real won the RITA Award!

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Book of the Month Club

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What Members Thought

May 02, 2015 k reads rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: queer, read-2015

I don’t care enough about this book to one star hate it. But there was really nothing in it I liked or found interesting. Despite that, there is a certain level of competency to the writing so I’m going to go with two stars.

This is the first book by Hall that I haven’t liked and I’ve read almost every book he’s written. So I don’t think it’s his writing style - which I know some have a big problem with, but I (usually) don't - it was just such a chore to get through this story.

Too much teenage a ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

Jun 19, 2015 Mtsnow13 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, romance, contemporary, bdsm, series-read, less-than-500-pages, new-release, age-difference, arc, riptide

This story. What can I say. I'm not typically drawn to May/December romances, and the cover of this story really threw me off. But the idea of a 19-yr-old Dom and a 37-yr-old Submissive, AND you add in their size difference, let alone the gap in experience levels, well, let's just say curiosity got the better of me.

This book had so many delicate layers, vulnerability and special moments in it, and I would be just reading, and a little gem would be revealed that would bring tears to my eyes. The This story. What can I say. I'm not typically drawn to May/December romances, and the cover of this story really threw me off. But the idea of a 19-yr-old Dom and a 37-yr-old Submissive, AND you add in their size difference, let alone the gap in experience levels, well, let's just say curiosity got the better of me.

This book had so many delicate layers, vulnerability and special moments in it, and I would be just reading, and a little gem would be revealed that would bring tears to my eyes. The BDSM element was there, (and I just HAD to look up an anal hook, and a Gates of Hell sex toy) but it was more of the trust/trusting and love/loving that was being bandied about then withdrawn that had me wonder how these two could ever meet on equal ground.

Well, the author did it very well. It all tied together nicely, and I think by the end both MCs learned a lot about themselves AND each other. There was much growth here, and the relationship by the ending chapters felt very rewarding. They were both, in my opinion, able to meet each other as equals, and take care of each other without smothering, or in an odd father/son way which would've ruined it for me.

Toby, to me, he just had an old soul. He loved Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. He definitely had some hidden depths that we were able to see unfold throughout the chapters. And yet, he was so good for Laurie, bringing out more of a fun-loving, carefree and happy side to someone that has seemed to carry the world on his shoulders, especially after losing his first love of two decades due to no fault of his own.

There was another positive for me in this story. They read like REAL people! Acne-covered youth; craggy, not overly handsome features in the older man. Just basically two regular guys, that just so happened to be what the other lonely heart needed. Bravo! It's nice to not see perfect people. Like there's a chance for the rest of us. We meet some interesting supporting characters, and I am already looking forward to the next in this series!

By the way. I will never be able to look at Lemon Meringue pie again without picturing this story, but yum! AND the recipe is generously offered at the end of the book. Yay! Highly recommended. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Aug 24, 2015 Anne rated it did not like it

I took a chance on this thinking it was novel that the dom is just starting out, truly still a kid and the sub is almost twice as old and a real, experienced man/sub. Alexis didn't make the relationship real for me. The dynamic just wasn't there. A much better partner for Laurie would have been a slightly older man he occasionally scenes with, Dominic. Toby would have been better off starting as Laurie did, with an inexperienced partner who he could grow sexually with as they experiment. I just ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 24, 2015 Antonella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.5

My first reaction when I found out that Alexis Hall was writing a BDSM book was: «Not him too!». But of course I couldn't pass a book by him, so I did read the long excerpt and I was hooked.

As so often Alexis managed to subvert stereotypes and conventions, writing a beautiful heartfelt book. Maybe a bit less sex would have been ok, but that's a usual complaint for me ;-).

Friends already wrote great reviews, see for ex. Kaje Harper, MTsnow and - of course - Julio. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2015 Bibliophile rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-reads, comfort-re-reads, m-m, best-of-2015

2nd Read. I fell into an accidental BSDM hole this week and while I wasn't tied to a cross and forced to re-read this book by a Dom, I might as well been. Such a good read! I forgot how much I enjoyed it! I don't know if sentimentality is playing a factor, but I'm revising my rating from 4 to 5 for this read. Still highly recommended! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 01, 2015 Aija rated it it was amazing

Incredibly good. Flayed me mercilessly and made me beg for more! 'Nuff said. Now go read it. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 11, 2015 Meggie rated it it was ok

Shelves: m-m-romance-romance, bdsm

This story simply didn't feel realistic for me. I liked Laurence Dalziel as a character, he was down to earth, but maybe to broken and depressed for a Sub. And then we have Toby a young nineteen year old boy, who has a deeper need to have a guy on his knees. A sub for himself, not even knowing what a Dom means or knowing anything about that scene. So NO, its's definitely not realistic. The way it ended, just didn't feel right, too, way to poetic. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 12, 2015 Tamela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, bdsm-kink, life-goes-on, mid-size, recommended, chef-waiter-bartender, medical-people

This is a tough one for me. I'm conflicted. But then so were the MC's. There was a lot of tension, confusion, crossed wires and hurt feelings. Lots to deal with and sometime the stress was too much. Learning to work past that was the hard part.

Recommended. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 18, 2015 Calathea rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m, slice-of-life

Intense story about loss, trust, loving and being loved and the trouble it brings.

The story would have worked for me without the D/s scenes but I guess they were in there for a reason. ;-)

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2015 Jordan Lombard rated it liked it

Shelves: a-own, a-own-ebook, g-romance-m-m, g-bdsm, bom-jl-group, y-2015read, y-2016read, bpl-biblio-review

Very well written, but for some reason, this just couldn't hold my attention. Part of that was too much sex when I'd assumed it would have very little, though where that idea came from, I don't know. Toby's need to use the word "like" 50 times per sentence was also grating, but as I work with teens, I understand using it like that. I do wish he'd tried to be more adult in that respect though. Also, too much switching going on without talking about it. And I know Toby was inexperienced, but it st ...more

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Oct 31, 2016 Betsy rated it really liked it

I do adore Hall's work. This is a May-December romance, with a change to the expected D/s roles. The sex is quite graphic and works to reflect the development of the relationship. ...more

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Feb 04, 2016 Lois - Who Reads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: stored-kindle-app, bdsm, m-m

There are so many reasons to love this book

1. The main characters are just average looking guys. No abs you could do your laundry on and no nine inch penises.
2. An age gab that somehow made sense and really worked.
3. Toby knew exactly what he needed, but was not immediately an expert at everything. He is shown practicing his flogging and planning what he wants.
4. I will never look at a lemon meringue pie the same way again.
5. The easy to forget lesson that the things we need in life do not alway ...more

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