Title: The Good Boy
Series: The Boy, #1
Author: Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock
Genre: Contemporary/BDSM
Length: Novel (348 pages)
Publisher: Loose Id (March 26th, 2013)
Heat Level: Explicit
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Blurb: Introverted college student Lane Moredock is in a bad place. His mother has been arrested for securities fraud, his father is on the run, and everyone, including the SEC, suspects Lane knows where the missing millions are. Lane, with no money and nowhere to live, makes a desperate deal that lands him in trouble and leaves him unwilling to trust a so-called Dom again.
Photographer Derek Fields lost money to the Moredocks, and is as sure as anyone that Lane is guilty despite his claims. A chance meeting with Lane shows him there might be something more to the young man than arrogance and privilege, and Derek wonders if Lane might be just what he’s been looking for: a sub with the potential to be a life partner.
As Lane slowly begins to open up to Derek and explore his needs as a submissive, the investigation closes tighter around him. Lane might be everything that Derek wants, but first Derek needs to trust that Lane is innocent–and Lane needs to trust Derek with the truth.
Product Link: http://www.loose-id.com/the-good-boy.html
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: Reminiscent of the Bernie Madoff investment scandal of 2008, The Good Boy follows the plight of the pyramid scheme suspects’ heir apparent through the loss of his family, friends and lifestyle, the abuse at the hands of his idol, and resulting suicide of his abuser, Landon has lost it all. Wanting the world to see him for who he is, professing his innocence, and willing to do anything to start new, to survive, Lane is at his worst when he runs into Derek.
Derek Fields is angry at what Lane’s parents have taken from him, and he doesn’t believe the son’s completely innocent, he views him as part of his problem, so when he sees the little rich boy at a party he’s hired to photograph, he feels not sympathy but anger and vengeance toward Lane. Even when he realizes that maybe Lane is in over his head with Acton, he takes a photo rather than stepping up to help, and walks away. That guilt will haunt him through the trials to come, the fact that he could have saved Lane from harm.
We see Lane go through terrible abuse at the hands of what he thought would be his Dom, Acton, the wealthy real estate tycoon who also lost so much to Lane’s parents. Luckily, he escapes with his life, but may never trust again, and does not understand his need for control and submission, blames himself for the pain that was inflicted.
When Derek and Lane run into each other again, Derek’s guilt and attraction make him pay close attention to the suffering submissive boy in front of him. He sees not a weak privileged boy, but a survivor, someone who needs his help, and he takes care of Lane’s wounds, and attempts to guide and protect him from the media, his parents, and himself. But is it love or guilt leading Derek’s choices? Can Lane even allow himself to be put in a submissive role again? Is he really ready for such things? There is definitely a psychological drama to this story. We see different aspects of BDSM from Domestic Discipline, to simple bondage, brats and Doms.
There is so much growth, so many hurdles between Derek and Lane, and that to me makes this an interesting and worthwhile read. To see how they handle those roadblocks and grow to be what each other needs most. I enjoy reading the BDSM genre and this book brought something new, and something a little scary, both sides fighting anger, blame, and guilt before their relationship even got off the ground. I was worried that was too much baggage to add to the give and take, and trust of a D/s relationship but Henry and Rock make it work! A recommended read!