Bound by Blood

This is the last series by Ava March on Audible that I hadn't listened to yet, and I liked this first installment. It has a mild plot, but mostly a lot of both MCs straining against the plackets of their trousers and then having sex with each other.

The premise (explained in the blurb) makes me a little uncomfortable, which is why it took me so long to get to this series. The consent is dubious, because of Oliver's deception. On the other hand, the BDSM elements seem fine to me. The dom (Vincent) tells Oliver he'll stop at any time and he actually does when Oliver asks him to, although nothing bad is going on. BDSM is not something I seek out in books, but I usually do like the way Ava March writes it.

Vincent is very rude to everyone who isn't Oliver, which I don't like. I understand this is part of the way ultra-toppy heroes are generally written, though.

But this book is pretty good. If you like the window-dressing (Regency clothes, a character being called “my lord” in bed, scenes at White's, etc.), you will probably also enjoy this.

Oh what a cute surprise! I was in the mood for some dress-up porn and this certainly delivers but [a:Ava March 1978003 Ava March https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1382809684p2/1978003.jpg]actually goes a bit deeper. Nice. The cherry on top is a fantabulous AB performed by [a:David Thorpe 444643 David Thorpe https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. Very nice.Oliver Marsden and Vincent Prescot are both second sons, who for different reasons are overlooked or ignored by their respective parents. They forged a bond of friendship during their school years and now as adults Vincent is successful and outwardly put together, while Oliver is barely holding on to respectability, hanging on the edges of polite society. He's also hanging on to an unrequited crush on Vincent. Through “circumstances” Oliver discovers that Vincent visits a brothel once a month and requests a man. That's music to Oliver's ears, his Birthday & Christmas rolled into one and he gets ingenious. Our boy scrapes together every half penny he owns for the privilege of being the man Vincent uses during his monthly brothel visit. Oliver gets his wish and then some. I don't think it's spoiling anything to say that Vincent's tastes run to the BDSM variety. If you're very invested in modern SSC or other terminology look elsewhere because this takes place in 1822. Even so Vincent takes good care of Oliver and Oliver in return is no shrinking violet. He stands up to Vincent when it counts and shows tremendous courage under pressure. This is a novella so there's a bit of insta-everything, but Oliver's crush/love for Vincent isn't jarring as we have lifelong friendship to justify or back it up. What is a bit rushed is Vincent's about-face as far as his “relationships” with men. He does stop short of any love declarations, just some proprietary “mine”, and Oliver is okay with that. I'll be going on to the next one. I enjoyed this one like my favorite chocolate bar: not too sweet & with some nuts for crunch.