Title: BAMF
Author: SJD Peterson
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (July 28th 2014)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: With his fauxhawk, sleeve tattoos, and visible piercings, Ridley Corbin has the whole badass vibe going on in spades. The image serves him well as the self-proclaimed protector of the underdog, and he wants nothing more than to be Alex Firestone’s hero.
Alex, a mild-mannered library assistant, has moved to Slater, a quiet college town, hoping to hide from his past. He keeps to himself, but that doesn’t save him from catching the unwanted attention of the campus bully. But, not all is, as it seems. Alex’s past comes calling, and it’s time he becomes top dog.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=5260
Review: Ridley Corbin was bullied as a child, up until his brain figured out a way around it. Shorter and skinnier than most of his peers, he used his smarts to his advantage and turned his biggest bully into his best ally. He’d do the schoolwork, and butch would keep the other kids away. As he got older, he grew taller, filled out, and made it his mission to be sure no one was picked on when he was around. But there is something about Alex that makes Ridley completely submissive, putty in his hands. For the first time, Ridley is not the one in charge, and oddly, he welcomes it.
Alex Firestone can seriously work the cute factor with his skinny jeans, long curly blonde hair and bow ties. He’s standoffish at first, but when Ridley finally corners him for a date and gets a few beers in him, all bets are off. The sexual tension is through the roof and the resulting encounter is so electric, loud and intense that the neighbours call the cops. But then Ridley wakes up alone and Alex doesn’t return his calls. Ridley is nothing if not persistent, that persistence coupled with his need to be the hero land him in the hospital when he and Alex go toe to toe with a group of homophobic jocks.
Alex has tried hard to go unnoticed, keep his head down and not get attached to anyone or anything. He didn’t anticipate one Ridley Corbin swaying his way into his life though. Now he can’t get enough of him, he’s addicted to Ridley’s smile, that laugh that makes his heart melt and the man is absolutely, completely submissive to him in bed. Alex pushes every barrier, seemingly trying to push Ridley away, but he just keeps coming back for more. When Alex’s past shows up on his door step, locked, loaded and shooting holes in his door, Alex finds himself willing to do anything to protect the man he tried so hard not to get attached to.
This book was just so much fun I can’t even tell you. The way the characters play off each other is hysterical. Ridley is what you might call a power bottom, until he met Alex. The way Alex takes charge, tells him what to do, bends him, and throws him where he wants him. Ridley is completely out of his element the first time around, but the experience is so literally mind-blowing that he can’t not go back for more. And the sex is rough, off the charts white-hot and steamy. I mean, a term of endearment for Alex is “grab hold of the head-board, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!” or “I’m going to fuck you until you see stars!” but my personal favourite was when I was inside Ridley’s head while Alex is lining up, ready to drive it home and all Ridley was thinking was, “He’s not just going to fuck me through the mattress, he’s going to fuck me through the floorboard.”
But there is an underlying story here that goes way beyond the sexual aspect. Alex has a dangerous secret that Ridley becomes privy too in a deadly way. They wind in very close quarters, relying on only each other for their safety, and the bond between them only grows stronger. It truly was a wild ride watching them first fight it, then fall madly in love with each other. I think that the title, BAMF, stands for Bad Ass Mother Fucker… because that is exactly what Alex is. But don’t count Ridley out just yet. Alex wouldn’t be a badass captain without his first mate.
If you love stories that make you laugh out loud, my ribs hurt laugh out loud, with some fantastic chemistry between the two male leads, then this is a must read. Snarky, dry, witty, sexy and just a little bit dangerous. Well worth the read!
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *