The Reluctant Dom

By: Tymber Dalton

Narrated by: Pepper Laramie

Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Love hurts...if you're lucky.

Kaden's dying, but before he goes he has one problem to solve - he must ask his oldest and dearest friend, Seth, to take over as Dom and Master to his beloved wife, Leah.

Seth has always seen himself as the perpetual screwup and Kaden as the strong and steady one, so his friend's request rocks his world. He also knows there's no way he can refuse Kaden this.

Now Seth finds himself immersed in a role he's far from comfortable with - inflicting physical pain to provide emotional comfort to the woman he's secretly loved for years.

Can he deal with his crushing grief over the impending loss of his oldest friend and still learn the skills he must master in time to become The Reluctant Dom?

Note: This book was previously published with another publisher.

This book is part of the "Suncoast Society" series, which also includes the following books:

• Domme by Default
• The Denim Dom
• Safe Harbor
• Cardinal's Rule
• Pinch Me
• Broken Toy
• A Clean Sweep

©2012 Siren-BookStrand (P)2014 Tymber Dalton

BDSM isn't even a genre I like but THIS BOOK...

Any additional comments?

BDSM isn't even a genre I like but THIS BOOK...

I came across a passionate discussion of Tymber Dalton's "The Reluctant Dom" -- where several listeners shared that they weren't big fans of BDSM, but this book was the golden exception. It even made them all - ALL OF THEM - cry.
Now. I love a book that can wring all the emotions from me.
That's a rare thing.
I was still wary. I sort of hate books featuring dominance/submission. No doubt just like in real life I'm sure this can be done well, but most the depictions in most books just aren't to my personal tastes. And some depictions are downright off-putting for me. But after the glowing reviews from others that sounded a lot like my kind of reader-style, I listened to the Audible Audio Sample.
And then I freaking bought the book.
WOW! WOW.
There were parts that had me laughing. Cheering. Cringing. And yes. Crying. Like, ugly tears crying. And worse, it wasn't just at the climax of the story; just like in life, when you are watching someone go through this, it's a hard, sad road. Frick's sake, I haven't cried like that in awhile. This book should come with a trigger warning; I lost my friend to pancreas cancer and I had to stop listening in parts and (impatiently!) wait until I was alone to get back to it because I Could. Not. Stop. Tears. You wouldn't think a "smutty book" as one person dubbed this, would have that effect. You'd be so wrong.
I wish all books were this good. I'm not sure if my heart could take it, but it was actually kind of therapeutic as much as it was distressing. And we haven't even gotten to the romance! This IS a romance book. This is an erotic romance book. THAT'S GREAT TOO - Tymber Dalton is one heck of a storyteller. I find myself thinking sometimes that if you cut out the meat of the story, could this and this scene still be an interesting read? In the case of the Reluctant Dom, that's a big heck yes.

Narration: Pepper Laramie did a WONDERFUL job - her voice carried the emotion so well. I am not sure how she got through some of these scenes --- I was sniffling and wiping at my eyes (while trying to work and maintain a professional appearance, mind you) and thinking, "If I had to read this out loud it'd sound like one of the muppets with a plugged nose about now..." I love to look through a narrator's other books to see if I can find new stories and I wish you could look at a book and, well, judge it by its cover. It doesn't look like her other narrations would suit me although this one surprised me so?? Now I need an award system that goes something like "Good book, Great book, and I'd-Listen-To-This-Again & I-balled-my-eyes-out". Guess which two I'd award to Reluctant Dom?

I went looking to see if a secondary character, Tony, had his own story, because I wanted to keep going. I couldn't find that he did; maybe he'll get his own book someday. I'd listen to it!

wow what a read

I have never, not once cried like I did with this book. Don't let that keep you from this unconditional love story. You will see true friendship in its purest form. Love that's given in its freest gift. I wanted to know these characters.

Excellent book, but...

I have read this book several times and LOVE it. However, the audio version was lacking because IMHO it also needed a male narrator.

Wow. Get your tissues!

Soooo not what I expected! But this was surely one of the best books I've ever read/listened to. Im extremely impressed with the depth and truth portrayed by Dalton. This must have taken a lot of research. Most DS books are not true pictures of the lifestyle, but this one had it all. Just... WOW.

Hawt listen.

This was a lovely journey full of life, steam and a lot of romance! What they did for love was hawt!

Bittersweet

I read this book quite a while ago so I decided to go back and listen to the audio copy. I feel that this one story along with Cardinal's Rule are core to the whole series. Kaden is a man who has done what he has to help the woman he loves. And now when faced with his greatest challenge he brings in his best friend to help him over this next part of the journey. This story should not be read without tissues handy and even hearing it a second time it is still as special and still as moving.

Reluctant to Amazing

What made the experience of listening to The Reluctant Dom the most enjoyable?

I can't read as fast as I would like and love books so audio seemed like the best way to go. I knew this book was a box of tissues so I wanted to get the full affect by hearing the words instead of reading them.

What other book might you compare The Reluctant Dom to and why?

I don't think I come across a book that would be a good comparison but I would put the Rescue Me series by Kallypso Masters with similarities but I haven't come across a story that put a character into a position that he didn't want and deal with losing a dear friend.

Which character – as performed by Pepper Laramie – was your favorite?

I loved all the characters. I think she did a wonderful job. I notice with some narrators have trouble doing male and female voices. Pepper did a fabulous job. If I had to choose, I would go with Kaden.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I don't have the time to listen to any book at one sitting due to life but I listened to the book going to and from work and I didn't want to get out of the car when I arrived at my destination.

Any additional comments?

Run out and get your copy. Hearing the words written by Tymber is 10 times better and more emotional. I didn't get to have my ugly cry cause I was driving but I definitely would try to listen to this again. Such a beautiful story.

Emotional

I found the book very enjoyable even though I was very emotional towards the end. I could actually see the storyline in a real life situation which made the characters and their emotions more intense and believable. I would recommend this book.

Greatful

Excellent! I mean excellent book. Made me cry more than once and mostly tears of joy and moments of unexpected laughing. Made me very grateful for the love of my life and the time I have with him. I can not tell you what I love about he book with out spoiling it for you so I just say enjoy and have plenty of tissue.

5 Teary Stars

I can’t even this book, it will break your heart and put it back together just in a different way.
I am no stranger to Tymber’s work and this is probably my second favorite book I have ever read/ listened by her. This was the first Audio book by her and I loved it.
You will need tissue this story between Kaden, Seth, and Leah is powerful and heartbreaking.

What would you do if your best friend in the entire world told you he was dying and he need you to fill his shoes so to speak for his wife because her needs are unique?
Not only do you fall in love with Kaden, Leah but you fall in love with Kaden, Seth and Seth, Leah but you also fall in love with the 3 of them as a couple. It’s a beautiful story of love and loss and finding love again.
Usually I say quotes I love but I am going to say quotes I loved to hated because they were just too powerful.

“Kaden’s dying.”

“After”

“Hope”

Feeling the struggle Seth goes through in this book breaks my heart. I know Leah and Kaden are going through a tough time too. But Seth for me it was more so that he had to come to terms with the end game, and change his life and way of thinking all at the same time.

Ok quotes I loved yes I have some!

“I’m still not doing you .” - Seth

“Still not doing you buddy.” – Kaden

“Basic Carpentry in the afternoon, and Sadomasochism 101 in the evening.” - Seth

And this one even if it makes me teary
“It’s going to rip half my soul out. If you weren't here for me, I would fucking give up and die the minute he quit breathing.” -Leah


Also I loved the narration. It was perfect makes you feel apart of the book. I wouldn't chance a thing.