Learn the Rules: Rough Love Part 1

I really enjoyed this! It was a bit rough around the edges, but that’s to be expected really. This was still a wonderful first entry to the series!

The beginning was a bit clunky to get through and there were some parts that seemed rushed and confusing. Such as after their first encounter when Xander says he’s going to go, but goes into the other room even though it was said they were at Ben’s house. I actually went all the way back to beginning and skim read to see if I missed the fact they lived together. It took me until later in the book to realize he was staying over probably because he had drank alcohol that night and this was their routine. But that wasn’t clear to readers and caused confusion.

However, the characters really connected with me after a point. I became very much invested in them and their relationship and even their growth as people. Xander and Ben were definitely flawed, but truly lovable, each in their own way. They both are clearly young and have a lot of finding themselves to do (and I think each needs to seek out more therapy to work through some of their issues), but clearly are benefiting from their relationship with one another and are slowly coming into their own as individuals and professionals.

I even liked the side characters, though they were very much one dimensional. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though as sometimes authors can focus too much on side characters and sacrifice the main character development. However, it might have been a bit too little development for them here. I hope to see more about them in future installments.

The spicy scenes were quite well written. However, what’s interesting to me is how little variety there was in their play considering some of the conversations that were had in the beginning. For all the talk of Xander being so much into BDSM and pain-play in particular in the beginning, there was very little that was actually explored of this plot line. I feel like the author definitely could’ve explored more of this world. Honestly, the book could’ve been twice as long with more in depth exploration of the BDSM scene and even their careers in Hollywood and backgrounds. Some things were hinted at of both of their childhoods and aspirations, but it was honestly rather glossed over. The book was a lot more lighthearted and slice of life than most BDSM literature I’ve read. Which is funny, because a lot of other reviewers found it a bit extreme. Let me be the one to tell you, it’s not.

(minor spoiler without being specific) While there is one scene that can be triggering, what I loved about it and what I will tell to others who consider reading this book, the main characters are very conscious about keeping it consensual and safe with the Dom repeatedly checking in to confirm that the Sub is still into it and does not want to safeword out. The Sub also clearly enjoyed it as it got further into it (though I will say, I did not think it was as clearly explained as it should have been as he was rather naive and dismissive of the talks that were had leading into the scene). Though he does experience quite a bad drop afterwards, I think was handled rather well.

Despite these minor critiques, I still really enjoyed this rather quick but fun novel. This is definitely not a book for everyone, but it was a great book for me. I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

At first the writing style bugged me, it felt tell not show, awkward, then it didn’t. It felt like I was reading a script, a Ben Ballard treatment, and the characters were so painfully real and honest. I’m not a 5 star reviewer, but this got me.