Title: Released
Series: English Men Stories, #3
Author: Ben Ryder
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (208 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (August 14th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: Dominic Holland leaves behind in London the shattered remains of a dishonest relationship and sets about rediscovering himself across the pond, exploring New York City, and two widely different possible futures. Through a series of increasingly public encounters with a mysterious silver-haired man, Dominic gets a tantalizing taste of a new kind of freedom. But it’s fellow journalist Alex Everton who attracts Dominic, making him yearn for a real and honest love. But Alex is working on a story that is linked to his past, leaving Dominic unsure of whether he will be the one to heal his heart.
Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4090
Review: Wow, such a weird story this one. It kept surprising me, with its turns and twists. I don’t think I knew at any time what was going to come next or how the story would end. That, by the way, took me completely by surprise, too.
Dominic has just ended his relationship of five years, after a long time in misery with his ex culminated at finding out he’d been cheated for over two years. Insecurity and trust in himself effectively shot down.
He was fortunate enough to have found a job in Manhattan, New York and now is trying to make a new life for himself. A chance encounter in the subway, leads to a number of some extremely risky and utterly hot sex with a man Dominic doesn’t even know the name of. The stranger, while quite hot, is a dangerous player and Dominic doesn’t think he’ll be able to follow through anymore.
At this point in the book, I was left flabbergasted. You see every encounter Dominic had with the silver-haired man (whom I’ll be calling silver fox from now on) was the epitome of risqué. as they never once used a damn condom. The encounter in the woods at Central Park, the one in the Hotel’s outdoor staircase, and the last one on the rooftop, not all of them included protection. Keep in mind they were complete stranger that didn’t even know each other’s names, for crying out loud. So anyway, this was something that had me frowning at.
Moving on in the story Dominic is also drawn to a fellow colleague at the newspaper he’s working. Alex is such a nice guy; Dominic can’t help but feel that they could be good together. Yes, the idea of a relationship leaves him quite cold, as he still isn’t over his ex’s betrayal, but he doesn’t resist when Alex invites him to go on a rafting weekend together.
And here I am, thinking that I’ve finally found the thread of this story and have everything figured out, the plot, the romance, and the end. Silly me, I was thrown on my butt, literally, the way this story turned again and evolved. It was quite interesting and hooking, I admit. I loved the story! I loved the suspense. I came to think Alex was a complete idiot at one point and I absolutely adored how my favorite Silver Fox turned out in the end. But, then I was left aghast that it ended. It’s a happily for now read and I didn’t like that. I felt as if many things were left hanging. The question “What happens next” is going on and on in my head and not leaving me in peace. I seriously hope there is a sequel to Dominic’s story, but I wonder how it would be since this book is part of a series. And if there isn’t a sequel to Dominic and the Silver Fox, or even Alex, well then I’m quite disappointed and not liking the feeling at all.
And before I go and work myself up, I will recommend this book to you. It’s totally readable as a standalone, funny and fun, hot and sexy, and written in a wonderful pace and style.
I only had one big question though that baffled me a bit. Why was this story placed in the year 2017?
P.S.
So yes, I’m an utter moron sometimes. I can’t believe that the fact this story is indeed set in near future when the HIV vaccine is finalized and Dominic has already been vaccinated hadn’t sunk in and the true meaning of that fact was lost in me. Meh, I would have avoided a ton of angst on the character’s behalf when they went bareback if my brain had registered that properly.
Other good news on this front, another novel is coming “Jackie’s Boys” and it will include all the characters of the English Men Stories, and yes (a fact I’m jumping all over the place) my beloved Silver Fox is going to feature in it too.