Title: Good Boy
Series: Theta Alpha Gamma, #4
Author: Anne Tenino
Genre: Erotic Romance / D/s
Length: Novella (67 pages)
Publisher: Riptide Publishing (October 7th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Brad “Frat Boy” Feller and Sebastian “Toppy” DeWitt have been together for nine months, and their relationship is as hot as ever. The only cloud Brad sees on their horizon is Sebastian’s stress over his thesis. And their uncertain future together after graduation. And how Sebastian sometimes takes Brad for granted. And Sebastian’s unwillingness to introduce Brad to his father.
Other than that, everything’s awesome.
All of Sebastian’s energy is currently devoted to his thesis, and getting into a top-notch PhD program. Fortunately, his boyfriend takes care of all the domestic stuff and Sebastian’s needs. Any minor strain between them will disappear and they’ll return to the status quo after Sebastian graduates. As long as nothing upsets their delicate balance in the meantime.
Then a friend Brad once had a small fling with is forced to take refuge with them, and Frat Boy and Toppy’s delicate balance topples like an elephant on a water ski. Now Sebastian has to face some truths about how he’s been treating Brad, what he wants for their future, and what he has to do to get it.
Product Link: http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/good-boy
Review: Remember the fire at the TAG house? Remember how Collin needed a place to stay and Brad offered to house him for the night? Yeah, that’s the point in time of the Theta Alpha Gamma Universe where this story picks up.
Sebastian has been a non-entity lately, obsessed with his thesis he managed to royally screw up things between him and Brad. Neglecting his lover yes, but even worse not even realizing he was doing it, until Collin showed up and his irritation joined by a healthy dose of jealousy caused a scene. Still he didn’t realize he was on the down road, but things started falling back in place, the little puzzle pieces making more sense when Brad went to his depression routine of baking cookies…
Yeah, Brad was in a place where his entire relationship with Sebastian seemed to be going nowhere. He felt not only neglected, but in limbo, not knowing what the future might bring. Thinking hard of what to do and how to phrase it so he’d make himself understood the last thing Brad expected was to be confronted when in this process. But Sebastian’s wary look of uncertainty made him jump to action and lay everything out and bare, risking this limbo state they were in for a chance to make things work… or not.
This novella was pretty fast and it cured me from wondering what the heck happened after Collin left Brad’s place. Honest confession, I really dislike Sebastian, or at least I did for most of the read. I think the feeling that he’s a total jerk still hasn’t left me and the fact that Brad didn’t make him squirm from that unacceptable attitude has me uncomfortable. I just felt pissed beyond my norm with Sebastian’s feeling of entitlement when it came to Brad. Yes, as the story progressed Sebastian had lots of inner talking and enlightenment, understanding where he lacked and even finding the reasons behind his behavior – which I must say made perfect sense – but really, that dinner scene went without revenge damn it. (Rant over.) As for Brad himself as a character, I just love him. It is amazing reading about him outside of his relationship, interacting with his friends, and then seeing him with Sebastian. The change is so dramatic, makes me simply adore this character.
Other than that, the book is fairly erotic. The D/s relationship and how it changed, the solidifying if you will, were nicely described. Tenino’s talent at writing some seriously hot and sensual love scenes is undeniable, I loved every single one of them and the way they affected each previous and following event. It was so easy to get lost in this couple’s passion and lifestyle, nothing felt out-of-place (except at the beginning) and it made for a very, very enjoyable read.
If I have some hang up, they are mostly due to the plot and ending. It was so short for me and I kept expecting the meeting with Daddy to take place. Perhaps that’s something for the future but I felt cheated somehow that that wasn’t totally solved in this book.
Overall, if you’re a fan of this series, I suppose you already have a copy of this book, for me it was a lovely addition. If you haven’t read any of the books though, this is a lovely D/s based story that in my opinion could easily be read as a standalone, and is highly enjoyable. Recommended!