Don't...: A Gay BDSM Thriller

By: Jack L. Pyke

Narrated by: Dan Calley

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

“Don’t...bleed for me.” (The Unknown)

Saying "don’t" around Jack Harrison always did lead him into dangerous grounds on London streets. But now someone knows Jack’s head inside and out, and they’re about to twist all perception and lead him into an underground depravity that nearly sent him down in his youth. As Jack slips further into a dark psychological minefield, only two men offer different paths back to sanity: Gray, a man who knows Jack’s every dark thought, and Jan, the first man to show Jack a “soft lad” approach to head and heart. But with deadly games and ghosts bleeding through into Jack’s reality, it’s a fight to see who out of the three of them will survive long enough to find a way out of the vicious game played by someone known only as...the Unknown.

©2019 Jack L. Pyke (P)2019 Jack L. Pyke

Fourth Read and Still Five Stars

This book had all of the characteristics of a Five star book. MM - check; Hot sex- check; BDSM - check; Dark Subject - check; Suspense - check; Romance - check: Ménage - check; HEA - check.

So, if you DON'T like hot, dark MM erotica, DON'T read this book. No, it's not the darkest book ever written but there is enough darkness to wet my appetite. It definitely starts you off with a, "WHO IS THAT VOICE?" All through the middle it's, "What the f*ck? DON'T do this to me!" You rapidly progress to, "No! DON'T do this now!" You end with, "I DON'T know who is in love with whom." You DON'T find that out until the end, as in any great book.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THE DARK AND/OR BDSM MM READER. If you DON'T read this you DON'T know what your are missing!

(6/18/19) This book is lovely on audio. Dan did a wonderful job with these much-loved characters.

Edge of my seat.

Now in the beginning of this story I was like what is going on. However as the story continue I just couldn't stop. So much is going on in the story and I was just at the edge of my seat. Now Dan Calley is a new narrated to me and I think he did a great job in bring this story to life. He definitely put me at the edge of my seat even more with just listening to this story.

Simply Brilliant

I’ve been a fan of this series from the moment I read this first book five years ago. Now, re-edited and rereleased, it’s even better—if that possible. An incredible read. It’s thrilling, dark, sexy, sweet, and the BDSM/Ds elements are not only really well done, but also hot as hades! The voice actor, Dan Calley, does an absolutely incredible job. Utterly fantastic! I can't recommend this more.

This is not a happy book at all

This book is tragic, constantly i felt absolutely bothered by what was going on to the point of discomfort.
I would sometimes even be physically uncomfortable with how much tragedy kept happening to these poor characters.

Its very brooding and sad, so be prepared to have to toughen through some very uncomfortable story moments. Honestly, i dont think anything sexy or semi romantic that happened was worth the roller coaster of tragic, sad and brooding story telling that it took to get to those rare moments.

I also felt like some of the BDSM stuff was done very untraditionally. None of it sounded fun or that it was something any of the characters really liked, it felt like punishment and cruel. Hours into it and i never understood why they all keep doing this to themselves. I feel like that could have been portrayed a little more respectfully to not make it seem like BDSM is such a bad thing. This book makes it feel like a bad, taboo and punishing thing.

I like that this book made me feel things, but i did not at all expect it to be sad constantly. I was sorta constantly hoping something nice would happen but it never came. It wasn't romantic or Erotic to me, just depressing with sex peppered in that everyone feels bad about afterwards for resorting to. This is definitely not something you want to get aroused by because you'll feel guilty oh most immediately for it because the situations leading up and after the sexy moments will find a way to make you feel sad about it.

This book needed an editor and maybe some better research about BDSM.

BDSM is not supposed to be punishment like this. There just was no balance to make it pleasurable. It was always so negative and uncomfortable.

I dont regret reading this book though even after all those complaints. The narrator was amazing. And the feelings i got was neat to experience, just didn't expect to be so sad and upset constantly. This book put me in a terrible mood.

I was given this book for an honest review

Unfortunately I couldn’t finish it. The narrator was lovely and breathed life into this so much I got halfway through. I think because I’m actually an active participant in the BDSM lifestyle, blatant disregard for the basics, (safe, sane, consensual) really offend me. And I can give allowances for fantasy, for learning curves with the characters. But there was so much actual abuse disguised as BDSM I couldn’t get into it. Also I know this is supposed to be a thriller, but lack of information doesn’t make it thrilling. You can have a thriller and still create scenes and give great detail. I had a really hard time even following the storyline.

I think with some major editing and rewrites I could have finished it and even gotten into it. I really wanted to like this, specially since the narrator was so wonderful. Alas I could not finish it

Outstanding

So, I finished Don't by Jack L Pyke.

This book was a great dive into the world into extreme BDSM mixed with mental illness. If you know anything about BDSM, then you know it can be difficult mixed with mental illness, especially if you're under the delusion that it can treat it. Jack did an outstanding job of creating a situation of what one looks like when learning the life vs one that is deep in it. Now my exposure to the life wasn't as organized as the world in this book, but in this case with Jack's (main character) extreme kinks, it was necessary and honestly the safest way to do any of it.

Jack also did one thing that most BDSM books don't. She contrasted the life with the vanilla. I won't say how because that's a spoiler.

As far as the thriller aspect goes the beginning of the story was probably the most thrilling aspect. The not knowing and the intensity was lost later, but the story was still great.

Let's move on the Dan Calley. I loved his skill. He made every single character sound unique. Not only is his voice just sexy, but it also made me want to keep listening. His inflections were also very natural for each character he narrated.

I'll honestly give this novel 4.5 stars if it was possible. So I will give it 4. XD I recommend it.

Couldn’t finish it

I stopped listening to this one. Might just be me, but as a west coast American, I could not understand the narrator and his British accent. Story made some confusing turns that caused me to lose interest.

Good but not my cup of tea

While I enjoyed the story, I didn't find myself very invested in the characters. It's different, and I like different. But that alone did not mean I had to like it. I certainly will remember it.

breathtaking intense thriller

Wow just wow. Amazing writing teamed with skilled narration brings this psychological thriller surrounding MM BDSM and mental illness to life.
I waited to write this until I had listened to the 1st 3 books of the series. I am glad I did. They are all breathtakingly intense on different levels and will definitely be a series I revisit over and over. I have feeling that I will discover and understand more with each relisten.
Can’t wait to start book 4.
Please check out the trigger warnings on description.

DEF a PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER!

A first read and listen of Jack Pyke's work. Loved the internal and ex dialogue, descriptives, and plot. Story flowed and kept me on edge. Loved the dynamic of D/s and the psychology play involved. Deefinitely not a typical BDSM book. I loved the uniqueness of it, its not typical in anyway which was refreshing. Psychology research was obviously done here to get all just right. Loved the hardness of Gray and Jack and the third missing of soft that was Jan, completing the puzzle. Excellent. Definitely a recommendation from me! NEXT!

Don’t......Put this at the top of your to buy list!

OMG! This is just the most perfect book for me. All my interests all rolled into one extremely well written, informed, sexy novel.
It’s a dark, psychological tension filled thriller with moderate elements of BDSM.
The complex storyline and well rounded characters draw you in right from the first chapter and play havoc with your emotions.
There are 3 MC’s, Jack who has OCD and owns his own garage, Jan who meets Jack when his car breaks down and struggles to fit in Jacks world, then there is the mysterious Gray, who has been in Jacks life for many years.
I especially loved Jacks character and felt great empathy for him.
I can’t wait for Antidote book 2 to be released on audio if it is planned.
As for the narration by Dan Calley it was absolutely awesome!
It’s the first time I have heard him narrate and the first time I have heard a British narrator that didn’t grate on me and I’m British.
All too often, for some reason, authors choose upper class British narrators to narrate their books and unless the storyline warrants this is so off putting. It’s so refreshing to listen to a ‘normal’ accent, in this case London accent, it makes the experience all the more satisfying.
I have often given 5 star reviews and they were well earned, however I really wish I could give this just that little bit extra!
Well done 👏👏👏👏

Wow! Dark journey...

Don’t is a dark romance book and kind of a thriller. Jack had a rough past. He has been psychologically tormented. It took me a bit to understand where Jack was coming from, what the Unknown was... While Jan came into his life as a customer, he also stayed romantically. Jack is into BDSM and Jan wanted to learn what made him tick. Along the way Gray, who is an important figure for Jack, comes into the woven web to help Jan understand and train him as a Dom and help Jack with his troubles. There are all sorts of misunderstandings and of course the suspense from not knowing when the Unknown would attack and who he was. Id he even existed. Dark and gritty but with a light at the end of the long tunnel. I enjoyed this story, and also his narrator. Great job Mr Calley.

ABSOULTY WONDERFUL.

So very glad I was recommended this book as from the first page I was hooked .. completely hooked I also thought I added an review and so it seems I did not … sorry Jack..
A physiological thriller added with BDSM ---reading this awesome book certainly takes you away from the everyday living of my life.
Deliciously dark and alluring .. with Jack who hears things that aren’t there or are they ?
Is this his past reclaiming him ?
An extremely intense read as when you think you have the answer your wrong … mystery upon mystery ...
Perfectly written with characters that meld into your life .
There are three main characters , Jack who owns his own mechanical garage he also has OCD ..
Jan who meet Jack when his car is being serviced completely different men but an attraction was to be formed... Jan , our soft lad...
Grey , who had know Jack for years ,Grey is such a fascinating man extremely alluring … all these
three characters held me not for just one book but for all the books… They became my life , I couldn't get enough.
Thanks Jack L Pyke for your wonderful dark writing …
Then I listened to the audio book narrated by Dan Calley who brought this wonderful book alive … and I mean alive!!!!To hear the words spoken was amazing I was drawn once more into the pages of the marvelous book . Dan Calley delivered this with absolutely perfect narration and I do love an English accent .' Jack! Oh! Jack, your fucking peachy'

DO listen to this audiobook

Wow, just wow. First off I am a massive fan of this series and Jack's writing, so when it was in audio, sign me up baby!

I've read the book more times than I care to remember, so to hear the characters speaking the words was amazing. From the first words being spoken I was hooked on Dan's voice, he really did a fantastic job of bringing this cast of characters to life. from the brashness of Jack H, the gentle 'soft lad' Jan and then Gray. I was driving when he first said the word "Don't" and let's just say it was very distracting! How I'd never realised he had such a gentle tone to his voice is a mystery to me, but knowing this character I was listening so intently to every word he spoke, hearing the way he exerts such control over a world that is sometimes so out of contro was amazing.

I am looking forward to hearing more from Dan and his amazing vocal talents in the rest of the series.

Can we keep him? PLEASE?!

OMG

Wow.
Mind-Fucking at its best!

Ngl 3 hours in and I was still confused asf and even though I’ve lived in wales for about 12 years now, English isn’t my first language so I did have to read along sometimes while I listened.
BUT, fuck me once Caught on and everything started making sense,
I bloody well loved it!!

Can’t wait for book 2 to come out in audio.
And hopefully, it will be sooner, rather than later

5 holyshit-whatthefuck-just-happened stars ✨

Terrific book with superb narration

Just finished and I’m missing Dan Calley‘s wonderfully smokey voice that’s smooth for Grey and rough for Jack. Perfect. I am a fan of this series. I love this psychological thriller with all the suspense and the twists and turns the story takes. Jack is a salt of the earth Londoner, tough but fair with a soft side for those he cares about. He falls for Jan and didn’t mean to pull him into the other part of Jack’s life. That of a Master Sub to Grey. Grey is a man of power and mystery.
With Dan Calley narrating it they all sound like I imagined. Jack is dark and gravelly, Grey is strong sure and smooth with Jan sort of in between. The narration suits the story so well that for me it’s like experiencing the excitement of the book all over again. I wish I could give more than five stars.
Now I’ve got to be patient and wait for Antidote to come out.

More please

This is a book that delivers what it promises so very very well. It is dark and it has a nice mixture of suspense, drama and BDSM twisted through it. The characters are unique and I will admit they stuck with me for quite some time. If you like the lighter dark books this will not be the one for you but if you love them dark well clear your weekend (you won’t want to pause this one) and jump on in.

Great BDSM thriller!

Jack and Jan fall for each other, but Jack has many secrets, both past and present, that may put them both in danger. I’m not that familiar with BDSM, but this was fascinating and well-written. The world of doms and subs is explained and explored with a lot of heat and veiled menace. The mysteries just keep coming and I loved being constantly wrong-footed about what was happening and who was behind each event. I think what I found most fascinating was how organised the BDSM world can be, and what I found most comforting was that subs have the choice to pull the plug. A thrilling wild ride! 🎧 I always love Dan Calley’s narrations and this was no exception - he has a great range of regional UK accents and excellent pacing.
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Triggers: self-harm, sexual violence
Note: the author generously provided me with a free copy of the audiobook and I volunteered to leave this review.

Wow....where to start??

This book was nothing like what I’ve read/listened to before. There are so many genres being hit in this storyline. By far this is the hottest M/M book I’ve read/listened too. Or M/M/M!! Great narration from Dan. Straight onto book 2!

Good thriller, excellent narration

I don't often listen to audiobooks without having read the book first, but this was an exception. I have to say, I had no idea what was going to happen - I like to be surprised when I'm reading a thriller, so it definitely worked for me. The narration was great, too (as a Brit, I did find it a bit odd for the characters to keep saying 'ass' instead of 'arse', but if that's the way it's written, that's the way it has to be said!). I'm a little wary of reading the next one yet, as it looks like it's going to be pretty dark, but this one was so compelling, and the narration so good, that I doubt I'll hold out for long.