Cutaway by Liz Borino

Title: Cutaway

Author: Liz Borino

Genre: BDSM

Length: Novel

Publisher:  Lazy Day Publishing (September 19, 2012)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5Hearts

Blurb:  Two years after Steve Michaels called, “Action!” on a new phase in his career as co-producer on the television show Ben’s Life, the lights go up again on his Dom/sub relationship with actor Zack Greene, but Hollywood cameras don’t always capture the truth.

A mention of Steve’s past in the BDSM scene has Zack craving new ways for them to connect. All of the couple’s concerns fall away when Steve and his ex, Peter, are in a car accident. The last ones to know, Zack and Josh, Peter’s slave, rush to the hospital. The injuries from the accident force the dominant man to set aside his pride and accept help from Zack. Will the couple get to explore new boundaries in their relationship or will the dependency Cutaway the structure holding their relationship in place?

Product Link:  http://amzn.to/QBs7iB

Reviewer:  Madison

Review:  Steve is the director of the highly successful TV show, Ben’s Life. He’s been in a monogamous relationship with the show’s lead star, Zack, for five years. Steve and Zack enjoy elements of a Dom/sub lifestyle, although neither is heavily into the scene. Steve identifies as a Dom, but draws the line at doing anything that would cause his lover pain or humiliation. Zack identifies as a sub, but has a big ego and a feisty attitude that often result in inappropriate behavior.

Steve is so lax, and Zack so obstinate, I have a hard time thinking of this as a D/s relationship. It doesn’t help that the other D/s couple in the story is heavily into the lifestyle and their personalities are extreme. Even so, it’s sweet to see how devoted Steve and Zack are to one another and how deeply they love one another. I admit I know very little about BDSM, so I can’t speak to the authenticity of the character’s actions.

Their safe word made me laugh. 😀

There are several really interesting things happening in the plot, like Zack having to give his collar to a coworker on set, and the accident that causes Zack to have to care for Steve for a change. These could have been played up more, with more emotion, and perhaps in a full-length novel, they would have been.

I was also intrigued by the character Josh. I was a bit shocked at how the story ended. I was hoping for resolution for Josh’s storyline. I’m assuming there will be another book in this series that explores Josh’s story further. At least, I hope so. We’re left with a pretty major cliffhanger! From what I know of Steve and Zack, it’s highly unlikely that they would take in Josh as a third, but I was secretly hoping for that. He needs some hugs and kisses and sweet loving, too. 🙂