Solitary - Sean Michael

Solitary, Sean Michael, Torquere
Greg's on a downward spiral. He broke his back a few years into a promising stunt career, then his master died shortly after they began living a BDSM lifestyle together. He's just lost. So lost, that he can't keep a Master for more than two weeks. So lost that he's been arrested several times and is this close to winding up in jail. So lost that Master Oliver doesn't know what to do with him anymore.
In desperation, Oliver calls on his friend Appleton who lives in isolation in Northern Canada. Ap enjoys working with subs, and has both the time and the inclination to work with a lost soul like Greg. Not to mention, there's no way to get into legal trouble or run away from Ap's house given its location. So, Ap takes Greg in, hoping to help Greg find his center and himself again.
Will Greg find what he needs with Ap? Or will he find so much more?
Find out in this latest addition to Sean Michael's Hammer Club series.


Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE Sean Michael fan. His Jarhead series was some of the first m/m books that I read and I will always love them. I have also read a few from the Hammer series and while I don't devour them the way I do the Jarhead series I have enjoyed them.

This was a difficult subject to tackle. Greg's depression, and self destruction had a very real feel to it. His sense of being adrift and not really understanding why read true for someone so new to the BDSM lifestyle.

Appleton's patience and understanding were exactly what he needed. I also think the isolated environment was a positive factor in ushering the relationship along.

While I enjoyed the relationship development of the story line there were several continuity problems for me.  I was surprised that after only a 6 week relationship Tim already had a will drawn up that made Greg the beneficiary...and how does an EMT end up with 5 million dollars? I think a little more back story about Tim might have been helpful in this instance. I also had some problems with the repetitive phrasing in the story. And maybe it's just me but the shaving of the eyebrows kind of squicks me out.

What is great about this book is the building of trust that is so important in this type of relationship. I also liked the fact that it happens over a period of time, it's not one of those insta-love stories so it gave it a lot more depth. The care that Ap takes with Greg was beautiful to read and when it came to the more hardcore scenes they made sense they didn't feel forced it felt like the natural progression.

If you are looking for a stories of second chances then you definitely need to check out the entire Hammer series for not only those chances but some really hot kinky sex!

RATING: 3 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by Torquere. Many thanks.