Stroke Rate by L.M. Somerton

Title: Stroke Rate

Series: N/A

Author: L.M. Somerton

Genre: MM / Contemporary Romance / BDSM

Length: Novella

Publisher: Total E-Bound

Reviewer: Thommie

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts

Blurb: Lucien Thorne likes to be in control, but the boy he wants to own may take some convincing.

Gorgeous but shy, Benedict Astor does his best to keep a low profile at the rowing club where he works. However, unbeknown to Benedict, he has attracted the attention of Lucien Thorne, rowing aristocracy, an Olympic medalist and a Lord.

Whilst looking for a new rowing partner, Lucien believes he has found what he needs in Ben. He pushes him to his limits on the water and it becomes clear that rowing with the pretty young man is not his only interest. Ben is attracted to Lucien but confused about his feelings. Lucien is demanding, arrogant and dominant—which Benedict responds to even though he feels he should resist.

Fighting emotions he doesn’t understand, Ben has to contend with the bullying rowing club president and a humiliating auction of promises.

Lucien recognizes Ben’s hidden submissive streak and makes his own need for control very clear. He bids for Ben’s time and then forces Ben to admit to his own desire to test the ground between them.

When the deeds to the boat club are gambled away, Lucien and Ben must work together to save it. Will their growing love survive the pressure, Ben’s uncertainty and Lucien’s desire to own him completely?

Product Link: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?P_ID=1991

Review: Oh my, what a funny book.  I think I spend half the time reading while laughing and the other drooling over Lucien. Because, Oh. My. God. my imagination simply could not let Lucien alone after meeting him here. Lucien (sigh), tall, broad shoulders, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, domineering, an Olympic grade athlete  and a bloody damn Lord. So yes, I started drooling over this character the instant he came into view. Now add to this a very arrogant manner, possessiveness and a healthy dose of jealousy and you have a mix that makes you crazy. But I’m rushing ahead here.

First, we get to meet Ben, who is a young man of 21years and still in college. He has free membership and board on a small flat over the boathouse of a rowing club for working three hours a day. Nice deal, if it wasn’t for Seb, his boss. (I’ll come back to Seb later) Ben is quite handsome, but very, very shy. His behavior invites almost everybody around him to push him over and somehow abuse him (very disconcerting). He has this thing off wanting to make himself disappear into the shadows, failing miserably since almost everybody notices him. Lucien included.

Lucien has recently lost his rowing partner and while looking for another, guess who he thinks might be a suitable match? Yup, our little Ben. But, Ben also strikes other cords to Lucien, making him want to totally possess the young man and make him his.

This pair’s relationship starts in such a funny way it had me laughing so much at the beginning. Lucien being rude to Ben, ordering him around, pushing all his buttons, seemingly never regarding Ben’s wants and almost always humiliating him. And while all the time Ben is frustrated and wants to tell him off, his body and mostly a particular organ of his body, has a mind of its own. Hilarious. Even more hilarious is the beginning of their intimate time together, the Dom/sub thing was almost too much and Ben’s constant state of frustration was adorable.

Now I had my doubts when it came to the intimate, intimate scenes, because Ben is a virgin and their relationship since day one is a clear Dom/sub one with Lucien being quite aggressive. I literally winced on Ben’s behalf with their first time, that while being hot, it was also or looked very painful…

And there was also Seb (told you I’ll be back with him). Seb really had my jaw hanging. What on earth was up with that character? Abusive, a complete jerk and to top it all violent, nearly raping Ben. What on earth was his deal? Never really got that one. But the oddest thing is that Ben and Lucien not only didn’t do anything about his assault, but ended up helping him with the rowing club. Really? That so didn’t make sense to me. I’d rather he had rotten in jail and lost every damn thing, not have a HEA of his own. Alas, I must comply with the author’s wishes.

So even if Seb completely enraged me I loved this book. It was written in a wonderful voice, had that distinct British humor that is to die for and the entire love/action story was addictive and so very easy in the eyes. My own personal beliefs regarding love declarations had me shuddering a bit, but it’s so low on the list that it didn’t do much in my enjoyment of the story itself. I had a great night and felt my time worth spent and if you’re lovers of kinky romance I so recommend this one for you. J