One Man's Trash

By: Marie Sexton

Narrated by: John Solo

Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

After four tours in Afghanistan, Warren Groves couldn’t settle into civilian life. For the last 12 years, he’s survived by working odd and often illegal jobs for some of Denver’s less fortunate. His personal life is equally unsatisfactory. He can barely remember the last time he had sex, let alone the last time he got to use somebody hard and rough, the way he likes. Fate intervenes when a favor for a friend leads him to a pretty, young rent boy named Taylor Reynolds.

Taylor’s spent the last few years on his own, working as a hustler, going home with anybody who’ll give him a warm meal and a place to sleep. He enjoys having a bit of force used against him, and he makes Warren an offer he can’t refuse - all the sex he wants, as rough and dirty as he likes, in exchange for room and board.

At first, Warren thinks he’s struck gold. Taylor’s the perfect roommate - he cooks, he cleans, and he’s dynamite in the sack. But Taylor has some dark demons in his head and some even darker cravings. Falling for somebody as volatile as Taylor is dangerous enough, but when Taylor’s urges turn truly self-destructive, it’ll be up to Warren to decide just how far to let things go.

©2017 Marie Sexton (P)2017 Marie Sexton

As perfect as a key in a lock.

This is a dark book.

I don’t say that lightly. There are scenes that are disturbing, situations that are horrible, violence, and even a touch of evil. Psychological demons and addiction. Mental illness. This is a book that could have a half-dozen trigger warnings or none.

There are none and I’m fine with that. It has a happy ending, but I can’t recall two men having to fight harder for it than Warren and Taylor.

Warren served 4 tours in Afghanistan, leaving him with scars both inside and out. He carries a huge loss on his shoulders and has chosen to work with the downtrodden of Denver rather than with normal people who go about their lives, living in the light and not the shadows.

Happenstance brings rentboy Taylor Reynolds into Warren’s life and he swears he’s died and gone to heaven. Taylor cooks, cleans, and is available for sex. ANYTIME. He also prefers it rough, which is just fine with Warren, who’s a Dom but hasn’t found a submissive who can handle his darker side. Taylor’s enthusiasm makes them the perfect match.

But while Warren’s physical scars are visible to the world, Taylor’s scars are not. His hurts are hidden so deep that they almost never surface, so people don’t see them. But when that pain is triggered, it is heart-breaking and terrifying. Warren has no idea what triggers Taylor’s self-destructive anger, but he’s the first man who chooses to help Taylor rather than tossing him to the curb.

I’ll be honest. These are tough scenes. My heart was in my throat as Warren tried to navigate Taylor’s landmines. I was as bewildered as Warren, desperately hoping he could get through to the younger man. Warren’s methods were, to say the least, unconventional. And, to most people’s sensibilities, unacceptable. The use of BDSM here works, but it does go dark. Yet, somehow, Warren always takes care of Taylor.

Eventually Taylor does open up and tell Warren everything. I think my heart broke all over again. Warren proves to be a caring and loving man, refusing to judge Taylor harshly, which surprises the younger man. Warren draws strength from his friends. His willingness to take on Taylor and others in Denver who need help is admirable, but everyone has a breaking point.

For Taylor, it is just a matter of time before Warren gets tired of the uncontrollable behavior. All who have come before Warren have given up and Taylor has the same expectation for this man. In the meantime, though, Taylor starts to get settled into Warren’s home and live. He makes a friend, gets a job, and plants a rose bush.

Things do go sideways, though, and I had my doubts whether the two men could overcome everything thrown at them. Yet none of the situations felt included just for dramatic sake – it all worked, plot-wise.

Taylor wonders if he might be too broken, but Warren shows him that it’s not true. Warren takes on the responsibility of Taylor while encouraging every step Taylor takes toward autonomy. He pulls Taylor up when he’s been pushed to the bottom. He fights Taylor’s demons, showing the younger man that he does have worth. More than just being a sexual receptacle, anyway. Warren helps Taylor fight his shame. It is cathartic, but it is just the beginning. But that’s the thing about this story – even without an epilogue, I came to believe in these two.

Two damaged souls can help each other.

This is Book 1 and the other Doms in the Heretic Doms Club have been nicely introduced. I am really excited to hear their stories.

I’ve listened to many books narrated by John Solo, but I think this is one of his best performances. He conveys Taylor’s pain – sobs, hysterics, vitriolic anger – and it works. Taylor’s anguish was visceral to me and that was due to a brilliant John Solo narrating Marie’s beautiful story.

5 stars feels inadequate. As Warren says, this is what (man) kills and dies for.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Read it! Read this book!

I really liked this book. It’s about a troubled man and and even more troubled man coming together and eventually finding love and solace in each other. It’s gritty, and different.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Dark and Delicious....

What made the experience of listening to One Man's Trash the most enjoyable?

It grabbed me right from the beginning. I listen in the car and couldn't wait to get back on my journey to carry on with the story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of One Man's Trash?

It's dark, I mean dark dark! The lengths Warren goes to to try and help him are extreme. The most memorable scene is when Warren has to ask his friends for help....

Which character – as performed by John Solo – was your favorite?

John Solo was excellent narrating this book. I have heard him on another book and just didn't really like him on that - it must have been an exception though because I really enjoyed him on this one. His characters were easy to differentiate and he did Taylors panic'd voice brilliantly.

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

Absolutely, although after some of the scenes I probably needed a break to clear my head.

Any additional comments?

I would so recommend it but be aware, this is no fluffy romance. None the less, it's a superb love story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

great book<br />

I enjoyed the story line, and there was alot of emotion put into this story
The narration was great and you could feel the emotions coming over yoursef.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

good introduction to a series

I've stewed on this one for the last 3-4 days and I really don't know how to rate it. I think my problem comes down to Taylor's tenuous grip on his mental health and that skirted a little too close to my day job. But that's not to say that there was nothing redeeming about this story.

I liked the age and size difference between Taylor and Warren and the play on them both being sort of misfits. Warren's seemingly gruff and unapproachable when in fact he's more of a gentle misunderstood giant that's maybe a bit cynical after being knocked around in life. Taylor has a lot of baggage and that baggage has proven to be too big of burden/hassle for many men causing them to discard him. But not Warren and I liked that they value each other and see beauty in the other whereas others have disregarded them as broken or scarred beyond repair.

The analogy with kintsugi I thought a poignant one, regardless of whether their scars are visible to the naked eye or not they have shaped these men. Those scars have value if to no one else than each other, but value nonetheless. However, the sheer scope and magnitude of Taylor's issues coupled with his coping mechanisms after he and Warren have forged a tentative alliance bothered me. Trying to heal mental health issues through kink has never been a trope that's appealed to me however this plot line did resolve in a way that I appreciated and parts I even found clever. I also realize that you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink which muddies the rating waters further.

I was surprised that it wasn't nearly as dark or kinky as previous reviews had led me to believe. There is one impact play scene, a gang bang, some humiliation, watersports, orgasm denial but mostly it's bondage and D/s. With loads of begging. I'm a fan of begging so I was happy with that but I was hoping for more pain. #TeamPain4evs

The darkness, I guess, lies in Taylor's backstory which ain't pretty. Trigger for mentions of incest, suicide, child neglect and rape. Taylor's heroin addicted friend Riley was another sad narrative on yet another issue that is a societal plague. I appreciate that these stories are being told and a light is being cast on those shadowy corners that need and deserve to be exposed. But that doesn't make them easy to read about, though I do think a good balance was struck by Sexton between the dark and the light, or maybe the dark and the sex is more apropos.

If there is one shortcoming it was Taylor and Warren's connection to each other. I do believe they need each other but I couldn't say whether that need was based in dependency or love. Regardless, if you're someone who enjoys hurt/comfort stories with some grit One Man's Trash should appeal to you.

As far as the narration goes I thought Solo did a good job of differentiating the voices of all the characters. He maybe went a little overboard in the acting department with a few of Taylor's lines but nothing too egregious.

Overall a nice introduction to a series. I'd be interested in some of the other heretics' stories so I guess I'll go with 3.5 stars.

Amazing Story, John Solo at his All Time BEST!

Fans of dark erotica, rejoice! Marie Sexton has completely outdone herself with One Man’s Trash, the first installment in her The Heretic Doms Club series. Angsty and gritty (with just about every trigger warning I can think of) this is a powerful and heart-rending tale. This story affected me so deeply, just thinking of everything that happened, makes me want to scroll back and experience it all over again.

It is wonderful watching this drama unfold. Marie Sexton made me so happy with the variety of taboo subjects she explores in One Man’s Trash. The characters are complex and interesting, and seeing them grow and change together throughout the story is incredibly moving. As the tension builds, Sexton continues to layer on the drama. This book is dark and erotic and absolute perfection.

I’m completely blown away by the depth of emotion John Solo brings to these characters. Taylor’s anguish, when he breaks down, is absolutely palpable. And Warren’s evolution as the story progresses, as he sheds his bitterness and anger and opens his heart, well I could actually feel it happening. John Solo delivers an incredible performance. This is the best I’ve ever heard him, and considering what a huge fan I am, that’s really saying something!

While the details of Taylor and Warren’s pasts are horrible to learn about (and one of the reasons I’m not saying too much about the story), there are some intensely beautiful moments in One Man’s Trash. I was so moved by the analogy of the mended vase. Warren’s friend Charlie tells Taylor, “‘It’s a Japanese thing. They think when an item’s broken, it doesn’t make it useless. It just adds interest. Becomes part of the item’s history. And the history is what makes it beautiful.’” Though it is broken it still has value, Warren cherishes that vase. One man’s trash, and all that.

Three more books are planned for this series, one for each of the three remaining members of The Heretic Dom’s Club. I can’t wait to get to know each of these men better and find out how they complete their stories. The only thing I’m looking forward to more is hearing John Solo read them to me.

Not an easy book to listen to!

This book is not an easy listening feel good and happily ever after book. I love when an author can grip you into the story within the first few pages and never lets you go until the very end. This is that type of book. I do have to say that the summary doesn't do it any justice, but it does tease you into thinking "mm this book might be interesting".

I agree with some of the reviewers that the book can be disturbing at times in the story, but the person needs to listen all the way through to the end to be able to understand the bad parts along with the good parts. I am the type of book reader(in this instance listener) that loves a tale that holds "nothing" back! That being said, I did have to step away from this a couple of times. Mrs. Sexton does an excellent job in describing the raw emotions of how some people can be very cruel to the ones we love or how we cherish the ones we love. I will not spell everything out because I don't like spoilers!

The narrator John Solo was awesome! I have listened to him perform before in another one of Mrs. Sexton's book so I knew that it could be a great performance, but he did even better than I would have thought! Each character was given their own special performance. I was able to distinguish between each of the voices. I love that!
If you are looking for something to just pass the time, I would not recommend this book. If you are looking for something to grip your heart and soul, I would say this the book for you. You will not regret it.

I can't believe I finished it

I almost quit listening at least twice but still wanted to find out if this story could possibly have a happy ending. I didn't go back to see if this novel came with a warning about triggers like some of them do, but if it didn't it sure as heck should. I just kept wondering how one character could be saddled with so many challenges and how the man who loved him could arrange and witness such a horrible scene. I wouldn't say the ending was happy, but at least it was hopeful.
The narrator however did do an excellent job with the material and was able to portray the different characters very well.

dark & emotional but well written and narrated

Very dark but well-written. The audiobook narration was worth 5 stars. This made me cry so bad. But I’m glad Taylor had a strong person like Warren to help him and fight for him. I understand what that anger Taylor experienced feels like, and I understand how it feels to want to self-harm and self-destruct. I know avoidance. Taylor’s outlet was very disturbing but in terms of storytelling it really worked to show how much Taylor was hurting inside. I also liked how the author showed what triggered Taylor’s episodes, because they made sense. It’s very hard to describe all the various, complex, and confusing emotions Taylor feels when he’s triggered. And it isn’t explicitly stated in the story that Taylor has PTSD from what he experienced in his childhood. And I totally get how Taylor was opposed to therapy. Because who would want to talk about something like that? Anyway. This book is super angsty & I would not recommend it for anyone looking for an entertaining, sm**** m/m escape. This book is difficult and emotional and twisted. But the story structure was really impressive with the metaphors and the roses and the broken mended vase. Warren had all these beautiful words, and it was beautiful and heart wrenching when Taylor echoed it back. The whole rent boy finds love and redemption is a popular trope in m/m, but in this book it’s far less glamorous. It’s not a book I’ll ever forget but it’s not one I’d want to reread entirely either.

one man's trash

loved it was hard to put down fell asleep and would have to rewind didn't want to miss any of it