Check my stats. I read three times more books than I rate simply because I like to promote books I like, especially if I feel fellow readers might not come into contact with them or not read them because other people see them differently and rate them badly.If I don't like a book, I usually don't rate or review it, recognising that it may be someone else's cup of tea and don't want to infuence them. Hence, I rarely write negative reviews, but I feel this book made some fundamental writing mistakes that I feel need to be stated. Of course, I may be in the minority here and that's fine.Normally, I love Kim's books (see my last blog post!). But TTT not only didn't do it for me, the dynamics didn't ring true. The submissive Boss is a difficult character to pull off and make it feel real. There are only a few books that attenpt to capture it and rarely do they make me believe it can happen and be healthy. "Uneven" is one that gets close, but it deals with a very specific type. I acknowledge the fact that there is no one "true" scenario in a BDSM relationship, nevertheless the writer has to sell me on the one they're trying to portray.For starters, I feel the story should have started earlier. Then we could have seen how the other Doms treat their subs in the office atmosphere to get a better idea of why Jacob was so desperate not to be seen as being anything but in control. We were told he was afraid of being outed often enough, but we never saw why. Even if Jacob had considered the different pairings and the type of men in them more than just the "Peter Ingram is all Dom" being the only evidence offered. In any case, the latter just came across (in this story) as an insensitive brute who sensed something was going on but never talked about it.Secondly, all the talk about being a Dom or a sub got stale after a while. Do guys think in those terms? Or would it be more in terms of being in control or losing control. Losing respect, being admired for being strong. Admitting to having unmet needs. The continual labelling of the relationship as Dom/sub made it seem like "play" rather than real.Next, we were told repeatedly that Lee loved Jacob, but we were never told why or shown it. The story flips to his POV at times, but the only feeling I got was all centred around the Dom/sub label and nothing for Jacob as a person. His taste in food, clothing, what he drove, how he drove it. If Lee really loved Jacob as a person, we would see how he related to all these aspects of Jacob's life not just his submissiveness. I didn't see any reason for the younger man to love him. We're told he wanted to grab him and kiss him senseless, but why? I never saw Jacob do anything that would provoke this reaction.I might have believed the story more if there had been a scene where Jacob secretly dreamed of having a collar around his neck. If he really is a submissive, wouldn't he have envied what Floyd and Carl had?When he yelled at someone, did he secretly wish someone yelled at him just like that? If so, why? Excusing this as being just because he's submissive is a cop out. What was Mary like? Did she mother him? Protect him from everyone else.Like with all Kim's writing, there were scenes that moved me. Usually when they were interacting in private and sex was involved... Lol.But to reiterate, the main problem was that Jacob's fear of being "found out" didn't ring true. I can appreciate the fact that it's difficult to depict a situation where the person viewing the scene doesn't understand the scenario, and therefore doesn't get what dominance and submission is about beyond the labels, but by not showing the scenes at all, the reader has nothing to back up the premise that underpins the book.Possibly the book is a victim of a restricted word count.One book I feel where this issue could be explored more thoroughly is if Kim ever decides to write Hamilton's story in her avian shifter series.From what I can gather about the submissive boss dynamic, the person needs an outlet outside of work where he can let go. In many vanilla heterosexual relationships this is the norm. Many men, even in they don't realize it, are under the control of their wives inside the house even if that never shows in public. They are happy with this setup. It doesn't mean they have to rant and rave as bosses or that they are pussy-whipped at home. Some are very good bosses, but by the time they get home, they have had enough. That's the psychological form.Kim's Jacob exhibited the different dynamic where the boss felt he needed to be punished. This can get into a whole different mindset where his past must be explored. Unresolved guilt questioned. Early abuse checked for. Kim, being British, has possibly seen this dynamic with Members of Parliament being caught with their pants down being whipped by a Domme in high heels and scanty leather.Is it because they have a true pain kink or are deeper psychological issues involved? Is it that after caring for other people at work they need to feel someone cares for them and they are the centre of someone else's attention? Some of Joey Hill's books explore this theme in an m/f environment. Translating this to m/m, with the Dom being younger, (possibly - but not in this case) physically weaker, holding a lesser rung on the corporate ladder is the tricky thing.Dom/sub relationships are very much about the tight links that bind people together. During scenes, the total focus is on the other person. In an age where there may be thousands of virtual or fleeting relationships, having one that is one hundred percent focussed can be the true need.
