Rubbing a toppy sub, a submissive Top and a Dom with attitude together is guaranteed to send sparks flying—but what will they ignite?
Meet Tyler Kane. Ballsy and headstrong, he’s far from being the submissive type. Francis Hollister, Dom and proud owner of a BDSM club, couldn’t agree more—and yet, as Tyler carelessly suggests a bet, Francis sees an opportunity arise and decides to take him up on it.
Soon Tyler finds himself in Francis’ club and about to be trained as a sub. When Shae, the gorgeous Top Francis has assigned to teach him, doesn’t appear to be quite as dominant as his role would lead one to believe and Francis turns out to be a rather versatile Dom, Tyler sees a perfect match just waiting to be made to happen. Too bad that he’s the only one who sees it. Or maybe he isn’t?
Curious to find out what happens when you rub a submissive Top, a toppy sub and a Dom with attitude together and what exactly the sparks from that explosive combination ignite, Tyler enlists the help of Pierce, Francis’ brother, and his partner Noah, and sets out on a mission.
While Tyler’s plan seems to work out astonishingly well, it seems that there’s more than one man in the club who is pursuing a hidden agenda…
Reader advisory. This edition is a revised re-release
Sage is a multi-published author of MM erotic romance novels and novellas and loves exploring the flavours of gay erotic fiction.
A willing slave to all the fascinating guys who keep queuing up and want their stories told, Sage can almost always be found cooking up the next hot story or daydreaming about new ways of rubbing sexy male bodies together to make the sparks fly.
I absolutely loved this book, but if I ever had trouble writing a review then this is the one. I frankly don’t know where to start, how to continue and were to finish. That is perhaps due to the fact that this is a very complicated story in its simplicity. The complication comes to the fact that there is not one couple to focus on rather than triangles and couples within couples and… Oh! Let’s start with the main hero the way I see it. Tyler is an ordinary guy, a car salesman who is at the moment in London for work. His sex life? Pretty vanilla. That all changes when he meets Francis, a Dom if ever there was one. Somehow Tyler manages to insult Francis’s lifestyle and in return Francis tells Tyler that he wouldn’t last a day in his world. That’s all it takes and Tyler finds himself in a situation where he willingly will submit for a month… I think in this book the most straightforward character was Tyler, he’s that plain old good guy, with a heart made of gold and a strong sense of friendship. That “I can’t stand people suffering out of stupidity” kind of guy who tries to make thing better for all the people around him. It’s easy to love this character, it’s easy to follow him around and it’s easy to understand his motives. Even the stupid decision of getting himself into sub-training when he clearly isn’t one. Next comes Shae, a deeply submissive guy. Shae doesn’t “play” the sub part, Shae is a sub through and through. Unfortunately a scene gone awfully wrong left Shae shattered, taking away his trust and leaving him incapable to submit. He then is offered the role of a “service Top” at the club and ends in training Tyler on how to be a proper sub… Get the picture? The role reverse is pretty wicked in my humble opinion and the author pulled that of astonishingly well. Shae’s submissive nature collides with Tylers domineering nature and the results are fascinating to say at least. Now Francis is the club owner. He’s the first Dom to train Shae. The two of them go way back and their relationship is clearly deeper than they let on. Francis has tried hard to help Shae overcome his trauma and find himself again with no results. However he does not let go so easily. In the story one would think that Francis is the character that hides the most, then you’d get confused and think that he’s pretty transparent, then you’d go back and change your mind again… There is one thing I can definitely say about this book. It kept me on my toes and in anticipation for the entire duration. For me this book is one of the best to show the different faces of “BDSM”. A perfect example that you cannot label anything, a thing may have lots of meanings and in the end nothing can be generalized as we are all unique and tick differently. This book is also very, very entertaining if you’re into “bdsm”. I loved all the scenes, I loved looking at them from Tyler’s perspective, I loved looking at them from Shae’s perspective and hell, Francis point of view was thrillingly hot. Their chemistry worked so well for me. I was enchanted with how the trio worked together and I wish there was more to it, it felt it ended too soon for me. Yes, I’m insatiable. The beauty of this novel was that it was in the end a wonderful love story, a story of friendship and of life with the most unexpected twist. Talk about hidden agendas alright and lessons to be learned. I truly believe that even if you’re not into bdsm you will like this book and if you are into it, then you’ll adore it. Definitely recommended.
This story starts interestingly as Tyler enters into an agreement to train as a sub for a month, purely as a bet. Frances is a Dom who owns a club but it is Shae, a Service Top, who will be undertaking Tyler's training. And Tyler is in for an eye opening journey! "He'd been so enthusiastic about his idea of getting an introduction to BDSM that he had completely forgotten to discuss the details."
And the story sure does keep you on your toes! Toppy sub? Submissive Top? Plans are hatched, but who is manipulating whom?
Sometimes the story seemed a bit textbook like, providing explanations of the psychology of the submissive nature including the desire for things like flogging. Yes Tyler was being educated but sometimes I felt it would have been better to show rather than tell, or maybe just have a bit less telling. However, overall it was enjoyable tale with great characters, an interesting plot and an opportunity to visit Pierce and Noah, the characters from the first book.
I really enjoyed Sub-Mission, the first book in the series, so read this without reading the blurb. This meant that I wasn't expecting the book to take the direction it did and was a bit surprised that the story didn't involve Tyler, the main character introduced at the beginning, falling in love. I really wanted to see Tyler find his happy ever after ending too. He does meet Connor but I was left wanting to see and know more of the two of them together.
And one last thing that seemed a bit of an unbelievable coincidence...Shae leaves London to visit San Antonio, Texas....of all the cities, in all the world....it's the one city Tyler is from and he just happens to be there visiting too...really? (unless I missed something?)
3.5 stars
I now publish all my m/m reviews on my blog so if you want to see all my m/m reviews in one place come visit at Because Two Men Are Better Than One!
This starts out being about Tyler, a guy club owner Francis meets and entices to his club to see what it’s all about. So, Tyler agrees to a one-month trial contract as a sub. It’s more of a dare to see if Tyler can hack actually being a sub, but that made it quite interesting. Shae is the guy Francis partners up with Tyler to show him the ropes.
I enjoyed this one right from the start. Shae is some kind of sexy, and I loved Tyler’s explorations into the world of kink. On one hand, you have Tyler, a guy who isn’t sure he is a sub or a top, and a top who isn’t quite a top or a sub. I loved these guys no playing by the specifics. Shae was a sub with top tendencies. He worked at the club as trainer topping and domming in order to sate those needs. Unfortunately, being this kind of versatile is not looked upon as a positive thing, mostly by Shae, as he feels he can’t be the perfect sub if he needs to top every once in a while.
As for the rest of the story, it was a little confusing at first, but quickly becomes clear this is about Shae and Francis with Tyler just being a player involved in assisting with their respective plans to get back together. Francis and Shae had been together, but Shae’s issues caused them problems. Francis never gave up though. He backed off when Shae needed the space to work things out but always had it in mind they were perfect for each other. It takes the plotting and scheming of each of them, as well as many of their friends, to make it happen.
I wish this had been a bit more focused on Shae and Francis. It seemed like there was a lot of time spent o Tyler and Shae and their issues, but at the same time, those were very interesting and hot stuff. There were quite a bit of explanations and tutorials into the basics of BDSM, but once you get past that, it moved along at a good pace. The resolution seemed to happen very quickly, with Shae seeming to make a very quick turn around. But, all in all, I enjoyed
Though I loved Sub-Mission, the first book in this series, this second book just didn't have the same punch and I found myself skimming to get through it.
This is a serious and exciting novel that deals quite well with vital BDSM concepts such as safe word, consent and care; although the story takes laces in a tye of locate that is very difficult to find.
This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found there.
RE-SUBMISSION is I think the second story set in the same world, something I didn't know when I started reading this book. But if you are even a bit observant, you will notice that there seems to be a story missing as you're reading. That story is Sub-Mission.
This one is told from Tyler's point of view, which at the end I found really strange and was annoyed about. So I'd decided to ignore it, and rate the story as if that ending never actually happened and all that great writing from the beginning was the only impression I got from this book. That's where my four star rating comes in.
Tyler forces his way into a BDSM club by issuing a type of challenge to the club's owner Francis. He's daring himself to endure a month as a sub without really knowing the meaning of the term. Francis accepts and pairs him up with another Top in the club, Shae. Now there is more to Shae than meets the eye, and there is way more to Tyler than his supposed submission. But the real player behind the stage is Francis, Dom to the core and the man who likes to hold on to all the cards.
This is not a hard core BDSM story. The scenes are rather mild and there is more focus on vanilla sex with a bit of kink. Or at least I saw it that way. There are no boundaries about sharing, and when starting this, keep in mind, that there will be sex between the three main characters, and neither of them will show jealousy about it.
I like the writing, especially at the beginning when the author made the effort to keep things interesting and keep us in suspense on how the book would actually end. But once you realize your hopes aren't likely to come true, you will probably miss the emotional side of every man, something the ‘told' aspect of this story just doesn't cover so well.
To wrap it up, I hated the ending, didn't see the point in the chosen point of view, but really liked the world as well as the characters, despite the lack of their deeper personalities. I think this will appeal only to the selected few, but that's not a reason not to risk it.
2nd book in the series and to say I devoured this would be putting it mildly. I adored Francis from the very first mention of him in Sub-Mission and wanted to know more about this commanding and mysterious man who was in control of the club. So, when I heard there was a book where he was one of the central characters, it made me squeal with delight. I was certainly NOT disappointed.
This book and the relationships are more complex that the previous book, but when you have such a strong and demanding cast of characters this is to be expected. The multiple characters were all handled wonderfully and with care. To me, it was always clear what was happening and who we were with for the scenes. It was great to see Noah and Pierce make appearances in this and to see how things were going with them.
I loved the dynamics of the love triangle that Francis, Shae and Tyler find themselves in, and I really wanted it to work out for the two who were clearly destined to be together. Shae (love him) hasn’t had it easy and finds it hard to trust, this emotion is clear and struck me as I read, and made me care for him, then when I found out the reason, well let’s just say I wasn’t happy with a certain character. (no spoilers from me).
As always the emotional side of the characters is handled well and with sensitivity which is key, for me, to getting me hooked. If I can’t forge an attachment and become invested in the characters, then I lose interest – and this certainly didn’t happen. Each of the men are well developed and stand out and you can tell they are thought through fully.The sex scenes are hot and not gratuitous. Every one has a meaning and reason for being included, which, when a book centres around a BDSM club and the relationships within it can happen, but not here!
Another wonderful book from Sage, and another I will be reading again in the future once I get through the others I am the proud owner of.
I discovered Sage Marlowe three books ago with the wonderful Sub-Mission, followed by Roses and Thorns. With this follow-up of Sub-Mission, I'm deeply in love with this author.
He talks here about Tyler, but a lot more about Francis, Pierce's brother, and Shea, Noah's best friend. It's all about a big scheme... Tyler gets in Francis' club to learn to be a sub, with Shea. The situation is a bit complicated between the three of them and I don't want to spoil things for you. Let's just say that things are never what they seem at first sight. It's not really a m/m/m story, even if the sex scenes often involve Tyler, Francis and Shea. It's more about Tyler on his own, and the love story of the two others.
Apart from the story itself, I loved learning more about Noah, that we see a lot. I love this guy and his sweet daughter (that we don't see enough here, sadly ). My only regret here, is that Tyler only finds love at the very end of the book. I would have loved having more of... him (no, I won't tell you who "he" is :) ). I could have given only 4 stars because of that. But it got five because I especially loved how Sage Marlowe made me feel what it was to be a sub. He has a way with words that makes me feel I'm a part of the story itself, like a silent witness. And I love that with him.
So, again, 5 stars. It's a must-read if you want to read a wonderful love story, very realistic concerning the BDSM part and... hot as Hell !!!
Enjoy <3
PS : yes I said a lot "love" in this review but just because I LOVED IT !!! lolol
Sage Marlowe has crafted a series that is unique, compelling, and addictive!
All these men, and in roles that they are most definitely not meant to play - well, except for Francis! Running a BDSM club and possessing an unusual degree for such an endeavor, Francis is excellent at creating precisely the environment he is looking for. Tyler is a snarky American who thinks that being a submissive is nothing difficult, and so when Francis challenges him, Tyler jumps right in with both feet - and lands smack on his face. Then there’s Shae - a submissive refusing to embrace that role because of something terrifyingly harrowing, so he works as a Dom in the club and when he needs sub time, he turns unerringly to Francis, the man who owns his heart.
Just starting there is a clue as to how complex this book is, and that barely touches on the amazing dynamics explored in this captivating novel!! The plot and various subplots are beautifully written, the characters and worldbuilding are so rich and full-bodied that the reader is drawn inexorably into the reality of the story. Real life issues that cropped up as I read this book required an adjustment period for me to be back in my own home, so invested did I become in the novel. The chemistry was off-the-charts-stunningly hot, the relationship built between the primary characters was a joy to read, and the flaws in each of the characters only made them more endearing.
I loved Sub-mission by Sage so I knew I was going to love this book too. I mean what's not to like? Great story line, hot men, sizzling sex, relationships that are real and a story that really tugs at your heart strings.
The characters of Francis, Shae and Tyler were well written, and this is a story of real men doing real things. I can appreciate that Shae had his hands full trying to get the rather toppy Tyler to toe the line but in the end it all worked out for the best. I had to be careful to keep in the story what with tops being bottoms, subs being Doms and then turning the whole thing on its arse again, I needed a clear head about me. It was a deliciously machiavellian plan to get Francis and Shae to realise exactly what their places in the world were and what they were to each other.
Oh, and I loved the fact that Pierce and Noah were back- I always had a huge thing for Noah...and their relationship is just so incredibly heart warming.
I shall certainly be reading more of Sage's books. I hope to see a book about Tyler and Connor if it's not already out, and if it is, someone steer me in the right direction...please...If it's not- Sage, are you listening?
This story went in a little bit different direction than I expected. It was told from Tyler’s POV and while it was a story that included him, it really wasn’t about him from a romantic lead character perspective. The “couple” in this story was Francis and Shae, but Tyler was really in the thick of things with them – more or less working on his master plan of getting Shae to re-submit to Francis. In the end, Tyler was introduced to someone that seemed promising, but perhaps that’s for another story. I loved the first book of this series. This one felt a bit more like an instructional manual on Intro to BDSM and/or D/s but still a nice read.
Having recently Sub-mission, I was looking forward to this book and was disappointed that it did engage me at all. Francis is an interesting character, so is Shae, Francis's submissive, but the book focuses more on Tyler, who is used as the catalyst to bring Francis and Shae together as a couple. The use of Tyler did not work for me at all. He presence and actions as a plot device were simply annoying. Noah and Pierce from Sub-mission also feature heavily and while it nice to catch up with them, they too took time away from Francis and Shae's story.
Oh i loved Tyler/Francis and Shae but it would have been nice to have more of Francis and Shae seeing as it was basically their story....am not sure if there can be a book on Tyler and Conner but in all i enjoyed it and thought it was hilarious in the last chapter..read it to realise just how conniving these subs can be x
I love the quirky mix of all the characters and the sense of humor in the final chapter. Everyone running around doing their best for friends and lovers.
this book has now word to describe how amazing it was I was hot from being to end ever one had there own plan, secret and agenda and has a delightful ending go on read it u wont regret it