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Pledge Slave
Andrew Baines is a new member of Alpha Psi, a reluctant pledge to the college's most popular fraternity. On the last night of Hell Week, Andrew completes his initiation with a carnal act designed to humiliate him. But instead of disgusting him, the deeply erotic encounter arouses him almost unbearably. Andrew is confused and tortured by his reaction. He doesn't want to think about the terrible urges he keeps buried inside, let alone act on them...urges that will get him kicked out of the fraternity and disowned by his family.
Tony Ginelli is an Alpha Psi brother, the recipient of Andrew's act of erotic initiation. When Andrew becomes his slave for the next two semesters, Tony masters the handsome pledge in every way that counts. As Tony discovers Andrew's long-held secrets and desires, the lovers forge a bond that lasts beyond college. But while Tony helps Andrew face his demons, he is terrified to reveal his own dark secret...one that could kill the very man he loves.
Tony Ginelli is an Alpha Psi brother, the recipient of Andrew's act of erotic initiation. When Andrew becomes his slave for the next two semesters, Tony masters the handsome pledge in every way that counts. As Tony discovers Andrew's long-held secrets and desires, the lovers forge a bond that lasts beyond college. But while Tony helps Andrew face his demons, he is terrified to reveal his own dark secret...one that could kill the very man he loves.
103 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2007
16 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Evangeline Anderson
261 books4,969 followersEvangeline Anderson is a registered MRI tech who would rather be writing. And yes, she is nerdy enough to have a bumper sticker that says “I’d rather be writing.” Honk if you see her! She is thirty-something and lives in Florida with a husband, a son, and two cats. She had been writing erotic fiction for her own gratification for a number of years before it occurred to her to try and get paid for it. To her delight, she found that it was actually possible to get money for having a dirty mind and she has been writing paranormal and Sci-fi erotica steadily ever since.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
January 14, 2017
Andrew has everything: A fancy car, a great job as a junior partner in one of the most prestigious litigation firms, money and a trophy fiancée.
Andrew is about to kill himself. He wrote his will, which left everything to his fiancé. Basically, he has left her everything she wants from him i.e. his Jaguar, his boat, his townhouse and plenty of money. These will make her happy.
Andrew has also sent an email to Tony his ex lover, his roommate in the same fraternity and the love of his life. Tony can take Andrew’s dog. If Andrew remembers correctly, Tony really loves animals. An incident 9 years ago separated the two of them suddenly and violently. Andrew had to send his goodbyes before he dies.
Andrew is really miserable. He has had enough. He tried to live like his father wanted him to live, i.e. his exact image, maybe a bit improved. The gun is already in his mouth when he hears someone knocking at his door and shouting. Tony has come back for him.
The story in the book takes place in two time periods:
- 9 years ago at the college when Andrew and Tony became lovers (the major part of the book)
- Just before Tony reunites with Andrew and Andrew has a gun.
The story is paranormal romance. I had no idea before I started the book and honestly it does not really matter that much.
Most of the time, Tony is human and crazy in love. It is obvious that he has a secret and he is hiding it from his roommate, but it does not stop their relationship develop like they are just a normal young gay couple who has just discovered that they have feelings for each other and they want to exploit them physically.
Their parents are NOT supportive and are also conservative to the bone. Both of the boys have feelings of guilt because they will let them down. Tony has many people/weres depending on him, but he will be more determined and tougher than Andrew. Andrew will strangle more with the rules of society, with what it is considered normality.
I liked the story, but I think it needed more depth when their relationship was developed in college. I felt some things were a bit rushed.
Moreover, some scenes during the sorority induction week are rather cruel and some scenes where Andrew is acting as Tony’s slave are also very unpleasant.
Overall the book was worth reading it. I believe Evangeline Anderson writes excellent MM stories – although lately she mainly writes Sci-Fi erotica/romance.
Andrew is about to kill himself. He wrote his will, which left everything to his fiancé. Basically, he has left her everything she wants from him i.e. his Jaguar, his boat, his townhouse and plenty of money. These will make her happy.
Andrew has also sent an email to Tony his ex lover, his roommate in the same fraternity and the love of his life. Tony can take Andrew’s dog. If Andrew remembers correctly, Tony really loves animals. An incident 9 years ago separated the two of them suddenly and violently. Andrew had to send his goodbyes before he dies.
Andrew is really miserable. He has had enough. He tried to live like his father wanted him to live, i.e. his exact image, maybe a bit improved. The gun is already in his mouth when he hears someone knocking at his door and shouting. Tony has come back for him.
The story in the book takes place in two time periods:
- 9 years ago at the college when Andrew and Tony became lovers (the major part of the book)
- Just before Tony reunites with Andrew and Andrew has a gun.
The story is paranormal romance. I had no idea before I started the book and honestly it does not really matter that much.
Most of the time, Tony is human and crazy in love. It is obvious that he has a secret and he is hiding it from his roommate, but it does not stop their relationship develop like they are just a normal young gay couple who has just discovered that they have feelings for each other and they want to exploit them physically.
Their parents are NOT supportive and are also conservative to the bone. Both of the boys have feelings of guilt because they will let them down. Tony has many people/weres depending on him, but he will be more determined and tougher than Andrew. Andrew will strangle more with the rules of society, with what it is considered normality.
I liked the story, but I think it needed more depth when their relationship was developed in college. I felt some things were a bit rushed.
Moreover, some scenes during the sorority induction week are rather cruel and some scenes where Andrew is acting as Tony’s slave are also very unpleasant.
Overall the book was worth reading it. I believe Evangeline Anderson writes excellent MM stories – although lately she mainly writes Sci-Fi erotica/romance.
April 12, 2015
ALMOST PROMISING.
So I was reading the blurb for this, and I was very very interested.
I don't like to admit this but I like watching humiliation type of videos, so I guess I think this book was for me, based on the blurb.
But it was COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from what I thought it was!
First, Chapter 1 & 2 was too heavy for me to start any novel. It made the set up for the story depressing, uncomfortable, and unpleasant. And the cliffhanger was cruel too. Nasty.
And then the story begins and it goes to so many directions! So there was humiliation and non-con in the form of Andrew was forced to blow Tony so he could enter their frat, Tony being a werewolf, Andrew & Tony being straight at first, or should I say Tony being straight and Andrew being incredibly closeted, Tony & Andrew's conservative parents, the frat's hideous president, etc...
I think the werewolf aspect of book ruined the story. It's not one of my favorite shifter stories. It's almost silly, I mean,
On top of that the writing was a little iffy. I liked Str8te Boys and I almost don't recognize her writing here. Even the sex scenes was iffy.
I think this book lacked focus, or it has but it didn't worked for me.
So I was reading the blurb for this, and I was very very interested.
I don't like to admit this but I like watching humiliation type of videos, so I guess I think this book was for me, based on the blurb.
But it was COMPLETELY DIFFERENT from what I thought it was!
First, Chapter 1 & 2 was too heavy for me to start any novel. It made the set up for the story depressing, uncomfortable, and unpleasant. And the cliffhanger was cruel too. Nasty.
And then the story begins and it goes to so many directions! So there was humiliation and non-con in the form of Andrew was forced to blow Tony so he could enter their frat, Tony being a werewolf, Andrew & Tony being straight at first, or should I say Tony being straight and Andrew being incredibly closeted, Tony & Andrew's conservative parents, the frat's hideous president, etc...
I think the werewolf aspect of book ruined the story. It's not one of my favorite shifter stories. It's almost silly, I mean,
On top of that the writing was a little iffy. I liked Str8te Boys and I almost don't recognize her writing here. Even the sex scenes was iffy.
I think this book lacked focus, or it has but it didn't worked for me.
February 11, 2009
I liked Andrew and Tony as a couple. Although I wasn't thrilled about what was forced on them at the beginning, I appreciated how they became friends then lovers. I thought the storyline was well paced and I liked the paranormal twist it had, too.
July 10, 2009
3.5 of 5
Opening the story with Andrew contemplating suicide had me hooked. He is a tall male with a swimmer's body and dark blue eyes. After a pledge hazing "gone wrong" Andrew is paired w/ TOny as his pledge slave. Tony is Italian and built like a linebacker with dark hair and eyes. With a musky, male animal scent. Tony has to command Andrew to do menial tasks
whenever the chapter president is around. Since Tony feels bad about the hazing Andrew had to submit to Tony befriends him and things
progress from there.
The thing I adored about this m/m romance was the difference in the mood. I liked the difference that the two men presented in type and personality. Tho this was a short story is was well paced and the characters developed nicely and the sex scenes went from exploratory to scandalous.
I finished the story within hours of purchase. I have read several where the characters at least admit to being gay and want to pursue a relationship, and only, their own feelings are whats stopping a total connection Andrew's initial sexual confusion and Tony's curiosity of his attraction to a male as a mate really made this story happen for me.I always like "the same but different".
E.Anderson has proven once again, to me, she can master any story she crafts.
Opening the story with Andrew contemplating suicide had me hooked. He is a tall male with a swimmer's body and dark blue eyes. After a pledge hazing "gone wrong" Andrew is paired w/ TOny as his pledge slave. Tony is Italian and built like a linebacker with dark hair and eyes. With a musky, male animal scent. Tony has to command Andrew to do menial tasks
whenever the chapter president is around. Since Tony feels bad about the hazing Andrew had to submit to Tony befriends him and things
progress from there.
The thing I adored about this m/m romance was the difference in the mood. I liked the difference that the two men presented in type and personality. Tho this was a short story is was well paced and the characters developed nicely and the sex scenes went from exploratory to scandalous.
I finished the story within hours of purchase. I have read several where the characters at least admit to being gay and want to pursue a relationship, and only, their own feelings are whats stopping a total connection Andrew's initial sexual confusion and Tony's curiosity of his attraction to a male as a mate really made this story happen for me.I always like "the same but different".
E.Anderson has proven once again, to me, she can master any story she crafts.
November 17, 2017
2.3 Stars
From the offensive Greek hazing rituals and sexual assault initiation...to the trying-to-hard coincidence of this Frat nickname being the Alphas when one of the MCs is a Were. Yeah, not even the sex was worth having to read this.
Stupid limited Challenge lists.
From the offensive Greek hazing rituals and sexual assault initiation...to the trying-to-hard coincidence of this Frat nickname being the Alphas when one of the MCs is a Were. Yeah, not even the sex was worth having to read this.
Stupid limited Challenge lists.
May 1, 2016
I really loved this book!
As there’s an important aspect of this story that is not mentioned in the blurb at all, I’m gonna put the whole review in spoiler brackets. Still, be aware that this is a fantasy novel.
There were some minor dom/sub references in there, but it seemed more like a personal joke between both guys than any real dom/sub context.
I also loved the incredibly tense opening, although the ten year time gap in between the story did not really work too well.
I should probably deduct a star because of it, but I really, *really* liked Tony, the Italian macho who found his gay side with Andrew. I simply cannot rate him down.
5 stars!
As there’s an important aspect of this story that is not mentioned in the blurb at all, I’m gonna put the whole review in spoiler brackets. Still, be aware that this is a fantasy novel.
There were some minor dom/sub references in there, but it seemed more like a personal joke between both guys than any real dom/sub context.
I also loved the incredibly tense opening, although the ten year time gap in between the story did not really work too well.
I should probably deduct a star because of it, but I really, *really* liked Tony, the Italian macho who found his gay side with Andrew. I simply cannot rate him down.
5 stars!
September 29, 2011
In theory I really like the plot - there's inner conflict, mild D/s, a Were(wolf). And I enjoyed parts of the book, mainly start and middle. The style is above average.
But there's the ending - so one minute Drew wants to kill himself, and the next everything is all right again just because Tony shows up? Why the hell didn't he get in contact with Tony earlier, then? One could argue that the email he wrote was a massive cry for help, but 1. that would make Drew a terrible master of manipulation, and 2. he is supposed to be this tough guy who can take it all. I felt the suicidality of Drew was handled abysmally.
Another gripe I have is with Wainwright. Ok, none of the characters have many dimensions, but Wainwright is the worst. His sole purpose is to create the contrived situations for the non-con. I have tried to read one book by E.A. before (Slave Boy) and was turned off it for the same reason. Believable non-con is hard to write, I think. I didn't work for me here. Therefore - it was okay, but it's going to be a long time before I'll try reading another book from E.A. again.
But there's the ending - so one minute Drew wants to kill himself, and the next everything is all right again just because Tony shows up? Why the hell didn't he get in contact with Tony earlier, then? One could argue that the email he wrote was a massive cry for help, but 1. that would make Drew a terrible master of manipulation, and 2. he is supposed to be this tough guy who can take it all. I felt the suicidality of Drew was handled abysmally.
Another gripe I have is with Wainwright. Ok, none of the characters have many dimensions, but Wainwright is the worst. His sole purpose is to create the contrived situations for the non-con. I have tried to read one book by E.A. before (Slave Boy) and was turned off it for the same reason. Believable non-con is hard to write, I think. I didn't work for me here. Therefore - it was okay, but it's going to be a long time before I'll try reading another book from E.A. again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2010
It was the second book I ever read by this author. And it was really good!
[spoiler ahead] The only issue I had was with the paranormal bit (Tony being a werewolf and how it came between the two) and the fact that all their story was placed as a flash from the past. But everything else was just... very nicely put together. I was entranced by how they came together (the hazing period for Andrew was really rough but so hot and arousing with that final scene). And their gradual change from roommates to lovers was so sweet and endearing... their slow dance around each other, tasting the waters and slowly letting go to feelings and physical experiences made for a nice read. The sex scenes were amazing, more so because they were tangled with romance and heartfelt emotions.
If it weren't for the rather savage killing and twisted time line of presenting the events, this would have gotten a 5 star rating.[end spoiler] But even with those glitches, it was a great read.
[spoiler ahead] The only issue I had was with the paranormal bit (Tony being a werewolf and how it came between the two) and the fact that all their story was placed as a flash from the past. But everything else was just... very nicely put together. I was entranced by how they came together (the hazing period for Andrew was really rough but so hot and arousing with that final scene). And their gradual change from roommates to lovers was so sweet and endearing... their slow dance around each other, tasting the waters and slowly letting go to feelings and physical experiences made for a nice read. The sex scenes were amazing, more so because they were tangled with romance and heartfelt emotions.
If it weren't for the rather savage killing and twisted time line of presenting the events, this would have gotten a 5 star rating.[end spoiler] But even with those glitches, it was a great read.
April 25, 2013
2.5 stars
Okay this book was totally ridiculous. I went between cringing and eye rolling through most of it. That being said I was also fairly entertained (yeah I am lame). Before I started reading M/M romance (almost exclusively) I read a fair amount of Evangeline Anderson's m/f books. She has a gift for the dramatic and the dirty talk, but I also forgot about how far-fetched and completely ridiculous her plots can be. But seriously - I am easily entertained and I like a lot of totally ridiculous books so I should have loved this one right?
I guess what bugs me is that in most of the insta-love, super ridiculous, crazy ass shit I read I know that the author is so far off course it's gotta be fantasy and I just go along for the happy ride. This one though brings too much attempt at real dramatic issues and turns them into an insulting circus. Like how the main character is about to commit suicide in the first chapter (I mean that is a serious issue) or how fraternity hazing (another serious issue) is focused on blow jobs - that is pretty laughable. I know a heck of a lot of fraternity guys and I can guarantee you that cock sucking was never part of any initiation right. So ridiculous.
Okay now that I have had my rant I will say I did enjoy the characters and there were some hot sex scenes - and if you just take this story as a complete work of fantasy - like it could have also taken place on Mars - then it was pretty entertaining and I don't feel like my intelligence was being insulted.
Okay this book was totally ridiculous. I went between cringing and eye rolling through most of it. That being said I was also fairly entertained (yeah I am lame). Before I started reading M/M romance (almost exclusively) I read a fair amount of Evangeline Anderson's m/f books. She has a gift for the dramatic and the dirty talk, but I also forgot about how far-fetched and completely ridiculous her plots can be. But seriously - I am easily entertained and I like a lot of totally ridiculous books so I should have loved this one right?
I guess what bugs me is that in most of the insta-love, super ridiculous, crazy ass shit I read I know that the author is so far off course it's gotta be fantasy and I just go along for the happy ride. This one though brings too much attempt at real dramatic issues and turns them into an insulting circus. Like how the main character is about to commit suicide in the first chapter (I mean that is a serious issue) or how fraternity hazing (another serious issue) is focused on blow jobs - that is pretty laughable. I know a heck of a lot of fraternity guys and I can guarantee you that cock sucking was never part of any initiation right. So ridiculous.
Okay now that I have had my rant I will say I did enjoy the characters and there were some hot sex scenes - and if you just take this story as a complete work of fantasy - like it could have also taken place on Mars - then it was pretty entertaining and I don't feel like my intelligence was being insulted.
August 31, 2019
Amor al estilo de Evangeline.
De más está decir que Evangeline Anderson es una de mis autoras favoritas, porque ya lo he dicho muchas veces.
Esta historia en particular, llama la atención por los protagonistas, Tony y Drew son como el agua y el aceite, por ello la relación que comienza a forjarse entre ellos parece fuera de lo común y más con las particularidades tanto físicas como intelectuales de cada uno.
Tony es el típico chico de familia italiana, cariñoso y grandote, pero guarda un secreto, un gran secreto y no tan secreto.
Drew es un niño rico, que ha vivido bajo las reglas de unos padres que no sienten demasiado afecto por él y a los que se ve obligado a obedecer.
Ambos llegan a la universidad, y al verse a los ojos las chispas saltan irremediablemente, y todo lo que pasa a lo largo de la historia nos hace ver la importancia de aceptar y aceptarnos tal como uno es, como hasta el más grande secreto no puede tapar la fuerza que posee el amor.
Releído en 2014 por tercera vez - ¡¡¡Nunca me cansaré de leer la historia de Drew y Tony!!! ¡¡¡Los amo!!!! ^_^
Releído en 2019 por quien sabe cuál vez, ja.
De más está decir que Evangeline Anderson es una de mis autoras favoritas, porque ya lo he dicho muchas veces.
Esta historia en particular, llama la atención por los protagonistas, Tony y Drew son como el agua y el aceite, por ello la relación que comienza a forjarse entre ellos parece fuera de lo común y más con las particularidades tanto físicas como intelectuales de cada uno.
Tony es el típico chico de familia italiana, cariñoso y grandote, pero guarda un secreto, un gran secreto y no tan secreto.
Drew es un niño rico, que ha vivido bajo las reglas de unos padres que no sienten demasiado afecto por él y a los que se ve obligado a obedecer.
Ambos llegan a la universidad, y al verse a los ojos las chispas saltan irremediablemente, y todo lo que pasa a lo largo de la historia nos hace ver la importancia de aceptar y aceptarnos tal como uno es, como hasta el más grande secreto no puede tapar la fuerza que posee el amor.
Releído en 2014 por tercera vez - ¡¡¡Nunca me cansaré de leer la historia de Drew y Tony!!! ¡¡¡Los amo!!!! ^_^
Releído en 2019 por quien sabe cuál vez, ja.
December 28, 2014
I am really conflicted with this book ... on one hand I want to howl at the moon in despair because it could have been great ... on the other hand, I didn't dislike reading the book ... hence the 3 star rating ... this book was great right up to the 60% mark & then it descended into WTF-ery territory ... what more can I say? ... I just can't understand the why of the plot in the last 40% ... 4 points for the first 60% ... 1 point for the rest of the book.
August 22, 2018
Okay... Dit boek had een wending die ik vanuit de blurp niet had meegekregen. Opzich is dat best wel eens leuk! Het had echter ook niet een geweldig grote tol (naast het emotionele) in het boek. Het was een leuk verhaal. Het begint en eindigt met ‘het heden’, met in het midden een (lange) flashback naar eerder tijden.
Het verhaal zit wel goed in elkaar, al vind ik het einde wat kort door de bocht en abrupt.
Ik had op zijn minst een binnenwandelende verloofde verwacht ...
Het einde had iets uitgebreider gemogen, door bijvoorbeeld een vooruitblik van een jaar of zo? Desondanks was het een leuk verhaal.
Het verhaal zit wel goed in elkaar, al vind ik het einde wat kort door de bocht en abrupt.
Ik had op zijn minst een binnenwandelende verloofde verwacht ...
Het einde had iets uitgebreider gemogen, door bijvoorbeeld een vooruitblik van een jaar of zo? Desondanks was het een leuk verhaal.
May 12, 2018
Very strong story, with a cleverly pulled twist and a touch of gore that I found quite irresistible. The pacing is good, sex is easily pulled off (neither too long on the tooth nor gaudy, over the top), the storytelling has an effortless grace that showcases Mrs Angerson's clever use of temporality (most of the book belongs in the past in the form of a huge flashback, so as to explain the crisis with which it opens and ends) as well as her judicious alternation of heated times, interludes heavy on the plot and scenes concerned about furthering the portrayal of the protagonists, the romance manages to be both extremely carnal, dirty even, and deeply heartfelt, and the humiliation of the pledge slave by his senior fraternity brother was tastefully evoked, but despite all these qualities it is the entire cast that made a success out of this novel (I seldom loathed a bad guy as much as I did the head of the fraternity and his damn cane ! this speaks volumes about the many layers of Andrew and Tony). Congratulations to Mrs Anderson are in order for achieving such a brilliant crossover between a shifter tale and a story of hazing at college level, two plotlines that usually ill cohere together.
March 22, 2009
Throughout the book, there were several surprises for me. From the first scene where Andrew is about to commit suicide, to the surprising paranormal twist in the plot, this book kept me interested and anxious to see how everything turned out for Andrew and Tony. I loved every page of this book and is on one of my all time favorites!
May 2, 2015
Re-read & update on rating from 3 to 4 stars. Love me some Evangeline Anderson dub-con. Good stuff! Originally read Jan 2012
October 8, 2016
Hell... Esto esta caliente, caliente, caliente.
October 29, 2016
You know the incremental + coercive schemes that are the trademark Evangeline themes :-}
January 9, 2014
Andrew Baines est un nouveau membre de Alpha Psi, un adepte réticent de la fraternité la plus populaire de l'université. Lors de la dernière nuit de la semaine infernale, Andrew complète son initiation avec un acte charnel visant à l'humilier. Mais au lieu de le dégoûter, la rencontre profondément érotique l'excite, de manière presque insupportable. Andrew est confus et torturé par sa réaction. Il ne veut pas penser aux pulsions terribles qu'il ressent, ni agir seul sur elles car sinon, elles risqueraient de le faire expulser de la fraternité et désavouer par sa famille.
Tony Ginelli est un frère Alpha Psi, le destinataire de de l'initiation érotique d'Andrew. Lorsque Andrew devient son esclave pour les deux semestres suivants, maître Tony et le nouveau membre, deviennent colocataires dans tous les sens qui compte. Comme Tony découvre les secrets et les désirs de longue date d'Andrew, les amants vont forger un lien qui durera au-delà de l'université. Mais tandis que Tony aide Andrew à faire face à ses démons, il est terrifié à l'idée de révéler son propre secret. Un si sombre qu'il pourrait tuer l' homme qu'il aime.
Nous nous retrouvons donc dans le milieu universitaire, puisque les héros se retrouvent face à face des années après, suite à un malheureux concours de circonstances et se remémorent cette époque. Ce livre est sombre, prenant et attachant. On se retrouve les tripes tordues par la pression qui pèse sur les épaules des deux héros.
Mais Evangeline Anderson dresse ici un véritable tableau de ce que les familles attendent de leurs enfants ainsi que la société bien pensante. Et ce n'est pas beau... du tout. Elle décortique soigneusement tout ce qui peut empêcher un presque adulte de se développer et d'être à l'aise dans sa peau.
1 - La pression de ces confréries universitaires auxquelles il faut appartenir à tout prix parce qu'elles permettent de gagner des points (!!!) dans le cursus universitaire, mais qui se permettent d'appliquer un bizutage à la limite de la torture, surtout lorsque le président de ladite fraternité est narcissique, sadique et hors de contrôle.
2 - La pression des familles riches au nom glorieux dont les enfants n'ont pas vraiment la liberté de choisir de faire ce qu'ils veulent car ils sont condamnés à marcher dans les traces de leurs prédécesseurs et à reprendre les affaires familiales, pour ne pas déroger à la règle, quitte à se perdre totalement dans le processus.
3 - La pression de la société pour qui être "soi" tout simplement qui cadre rarement avec les gens "bien pensants" et les dogmes des institutions auxquels nul ne doit déroger, à moins d'accepter d'être mis en marge de la société, voire totalement écarté.
En conclusion, un livre très sombre, très poignant pour tous ceux et toutes celles qui aiment ce genre de lectures qui font réfléchir, mais rarement sourire.
Tony Ginelli est un frère Alpha Psi, le destinataire de de l'initiation érotique d'Andrew. Lorsque Andrew devient son esclave pour les deux semestres suivants, maître Tony et le nouveau membre, deviennent colocataires dans tous les sens qui compte. Comme Tony découvre les secrets et les désirs de longue date d'Andrew, les amants vont forger un lien qui durera au-delà de l'université. Mais tandis que Tony aide Andrew à faire face à ses démons, il est terrifié à l'idée de révéler son propre secret. Un si sombre qu'il pourrait tuer l' homme qu'il aime.
Nous nous retrouvons donc dans le milieu universitaire, puisque les héros se retrouvent face à face des années après, suite à un malheureux concours de circonstances et se remémorent cette époque. Ce livre est sombre, prenant et attachant. On se retrouve les tripes tordues par la pression qui pèse sur les épaules des deux héros.
Mais Evangeline Anderson dresse ici un véritable tableau de ce que les familles attendent de leurs enfants ainsi que la société bien pensante. Et ce n'est pas beau... du tout. Elle décortique soigneusement tout ce qui peut empêcher un presque adulte de se développer et d'être à l'aise dans sa peau.
1 - La pression de ces confréries universitaires auxquelles il faut appartenir à tout prix parce qu'elles permettent de gagner des points (!!!) dans le cursus universitaire, mais qui se permettent d'appliquer un bizutage à la limite de la torture, surtout lorsque le président de ladite fraternité est narcissique, sadique et hors de contrôle.
2 - La pression des familles riches au nom glorieux dont les enfants n'ont pas vraiment la liberté de choisir de faire ce qu'ils veulent car ils sont condamnés à marcher dans les traces de leurs prédécesseurs et à reprendre les affaires familiales, pour ne pas déroger à la règle, quitte à se perdre totalement dans le processus.
3 - La pression de la société pour qui être "soi" tout simplement qui cadre rarement avec les gens "bien pensants" et les dogmes des institutions auxquels nul ne doit déroger, à moins d'accepter d'être mis en marge de la société, voire totalement écarté.
En conclusion, un livre très sombre, très poignant pour tous ceux et toutes celles qui aiment ce genre de lectures qui font réfléchir, mais rarement sourire.
July 11, 2012
Reviewed on Hearts On Fire... http://heartsonfirereviews.com/
This was without a doubt one of the best shifter books that I have ever read. I have been avoiding this genre because many of the books had small, weepy wolves mated to big, burly wolves that made the story lopsided. Andrew Baines III has been forced into his father's mold his entire life and is standing at the window with a gun in his mouth ready to end his life of misery. He was forced by his father to attend USC, major in law and pledge to the Alpha Psi fraternity. During hell week Andrew took all the hazing they threw at him but on the last day everything changed. Andrew was on his knees when a huge, hot frat brother, Tony, was standing in front of him stroking his dick. Tony only thought the plan was to blindfold and humiliate Andrew but the Frat president has other ideas and makes Andrew suck Tony off. With hell week officially over Tony asks that Andrew be his roommate under the guise of wanting him as a pledge slave. The two young men become lovers but each has a secret. Tony eases Andrew through his mixed emotions about his sexuality but cannot bring himself to tell Andrew that he is a Were. Things get out of hand at Alpha Psi on the night before Tony is going to confess his secret to Andrew but shifts before he can explain and Andrew flees in terror. I really loved Andrew and Tony as a couple. Their characters were well developed and were easy to connect with. I enjoyed Ms Anderson's spin on the Were theme in that she minimized the shifting and that humans could be turned through sexual intercourse. The focus of the story stayed on Andrew and Tony and their growing love instead of on the pack. The physical differences between the men made them fit together perfectly and their innocence added a certain chard to the story. The story flowed beautifully and there were no pauses in the tension. It took nine years but the HEA was delivered with skill. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a shifter book without all the growling and pack mess.
This was without a doubt one of the best shifter books that I have ever read. I have been avoiding this genre because many of the books had small, weepy wolves mated to big, burly wolves that made the story lopsided. Andrew Baines III has been forced into his father's mold his entire life and is standing at the window with a gun in his mouth ready to end his life of misery. He was forced by his father to attend USC, major in law and pledge to the Alpha Psi fraternity. During hell week Andrew took all the hazing they threw at him but on the last day everything changed. Andrew was on his knees when a huge, hot frat brother, Tony, was standing in front of him stroking his dick. Tony only thought the plan was to blindfold and humiliate Andrew but the Frat president has other ideas and makes Andrew suck Tony off. With hell week officially over Tony asks that Andrew be his roommate under the guise of wanting him as a pledge slave. The two young men become lovers but each has a secret. Tony eases Andrew through his mixed emotions about his sexuality but cannot bring himself to tell Andrew that he is a Were. Things get out of hand at Alpha Psi on the night before Tony is going to confess his secret to Andrew but shifts before he can explain and Andrew flees in terror. I really loved Andrew and Tony as a couple. Their characters were well developed and were easy to connect with. I enjoyed Ms Anderson's spin on the Were theme in that she minimized the shifting and that humans could be turned through sexual intercourse. The focus of the story stayed on Andrew and Tony and their growing love instead of on the pack. The physical differences between the men made them fit together perfectly and their innocence added a certain chard to the story. The story flowed beautifully and there were no pauses in the tension. It took nine years but the HEA was delivered with skill. I heartily recommend this book to anyone looking for a shifter book without all the growling and pack mess.
August 10, 2013
Just didn't much care for the story. In the first chapter Drew is suicidal. Then we go back to see the past for the next however many chapters until we get to the last chapter, where we are once again back to the present. Tony stops Drew, they talk a little, they have sex and tada! everything is magically fixed.
stupid.
Oh and let's not forget the whole, Tony is a werewolf thing. Not really needed. I think having the werewolf issue and the suicide issue and the whole pledge thing, it was all just too much for the length of this book, any one of those things would have sufficed on its own to carry the story.
But my biggest gripe is the way Drew's attempted suicide is dealt with. We don't get to know much at all about the last nine years, other than he has become super successful and has everything he should supposedly want. So there is no explanation (that satisfies) to explain why he didn't just call Tony or chuck everything and go do what he wanted. If he was so miserable why hadn't he bothered changing or at least trying. The whole suicide thing felt like a cheap shot to me. Suicide is a serious thing. It's not just a whim. You don't just have a bad day and kill yourself. There is more to it. Maybe he was suffering from severe depression but we weren't really shown that at all and the he is suddenly fixed because Tony f*cks him and maybe he will change into a werewolf now. So his being suicidal doesn't really fit and even if I make up all the story that should have been there to make it fit, we still have it all fixed with a snap of fingers. It just doesn't work like that and totally tanked what little enjoyment I found in this story. And the dude is suicidal but then worried about turning into a werewolf, what the hell kind of sense does that make at all. None. *irritated*
stupid.
Oh and let's not forget the whole, Tony is a werewolf thing. Not really needed. I think having the werewolf issue and the suicide issue and the whole pledge thing, it was all just too much for the length of this book, any one of those things would have sufficed on its own to carry the story.
But my biggest gripe is the way Drew's attempted suicide is dealt with. We don't get to know much at all about the last nine years, other than he has become super successful and has everything he should supposedly want. So there is no explanation (that satisfies) to explain why he didn't just call Tony or chuck everything and go do what he wanted. If he was so miserable why hadn't he bothered changing or at least trying. The whole suicide thing felt like a cheap shot to me. Suicide is a serious thing. It's not just a whim. You don't just have a bad day and kill yourself. There is more to it. Maybe he was suffering from severe depression but we weren't really shown that at all and the he is suddenly fixed because Tony f*cks him and maybe he will change into a werewolf now. So his being suicidal doesn't really fit and even if I make up all the story that should have been there to make it fit, we still have it all fixed with a snap of fingers. It just doesn't work like that and totally tanked what little enjoyment I found in this story. And the dude is suicidal but then worried about turning into a werewolf, what the hell kind of sense does that make at all. None. *irritated*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2012
Sometimes I really enjoy reading a M/m romance. This one was really sweet and I did enjoy the story. However, I felt like the author could have left out the werewolf storyline and this book would have been complete without it. Don't get me wrong, no one loves paranormal more than me, but the paranormal elements in this story felt like an afterthought.
Honestly, I hadn't really read the blurb on this book so I had no idea what it was about. I started reading and the story was moving along fine and then I find out one of the heroes is a werewolf. It just felt like the author finished a whole story and when it was done said "Oh, maybe I'll make this guy a werewolf." It felt so separate and unnecessary. Usually if the paranormal is going to be in a story I want to see more. i want to know more about the world they live in. I think if you took out the werewolf bits in this book there would be enough to fill about 5 pages. In my opinion you need to commit to have it in the story and then give me details or leave it out all together.
Anyway, aside from that I did enjoy this story.
Honestly, I hadn't really read the blurb on this book so I had no idea what it was about. I started reading and the story was moving along fine and then I find out one of the heroes is a werewolf. It just felt like the author finished a whole story and when it was done said "Oh, maybe I'll make this guy a werewolf." It felt so separate and unnecessary. Usually if the paranormal is going to be in a story I want to see more. i want to know more about the world they live in. I think if you took out the werewolf bits in this book there would be enough to fill about 5 pages. In my opinion you need to commit to have it in the story and then give me details or leave it out all together.
Anyway, aside from that I did enjoy this story.
May 27, 2009
I enjoyed this Anderson one, same as I enjoy most of her MM romances. I couldn't give it 5 stars, though, as it was just a romance with some angst thrown in and I tend to reserve my 5 stars for stories with a suspense/mystery element.
January 3, 2015
Todo pasó tan rápido que fue como waaaaaaat.
¿Y el "BDSM"? Puras mamadas (literal).
¿Y el "BDSM"? Puras mamadas (literal).
February 15, 2009
What a great book about loyalty to your friend and lover. I love her books!
January 20, 2024
Reading so many of this author's works in one go was not a good idea. Even though all three books are very different they are also pretty formulaic. They all feature the standard element of denial/repressed sexuality, how being gay would hamper your social standing and how your family will not accept it at all. While the author always twists the scenarios the basic element of what makes the erotica in these books work is its illicitness, and I have had an overdose. I thought it wouldn't get to me but it did, I guess three in one go is the limit.
Having said that, this book is less explicit than the other two books I read by the same author and that might also have contributed to why I liked it less because there was not enough sex to distract me from the other elements of the story.
While this is something that is revealed very early in the book, I am still marking it as a spoiler because it isn't mentioned in the blurb but again this is a very mild spoiler.
This story starts in the present time and then we go back nine years to learn how the characters got to where they were in the first chapter. Then the story reverts to the present time and we follow the characters to the conclusion of the story.
All said and done, I didn't quite connect with the characters or their story and there wasn't enough of anything else besides the sex to draw me in. I have two nit-picks with the dialogues in this book that I can't let rest so I'm putting them here.
1. “The acid in your saliva neutralizes the virus.” As a doctor, I will not let this rest. There is no acid in your saliva, there is acid in your stomach. And yes, the acid in your stomach does serve as a barrier to infection. So, this is partly correct but seriously, can you imagine having acid in your mouth (for those who can't, it would be a very very bad thing)?
2. “Thought it was cool—like being part Native American or somethin’.” This line is spoken by Tony when Andrew enquires what it's like being a (this spoils the same thing as the previous spoiler and as already mentioned, it's pretty mild). And, I just found it disrespectful of course, I'm hardly qualified to say more but I also couldn't help pointing it out.
All said and done, this was an okay read. I might come back to read other erotica by this author because I like the way they write it but for now, I'm going to take a break.
Having said that, this book is less explicit than the other two books I read by the same author and that might also have contributed to why I liked it less because there was not enough sex to distract me from the other elements of the story.
While this is something that is revealed very early in the book, I am still marking it as a spoiler because it isn't mentioned in the blurb but again this is a very mild spoiler.
This story starts in the present time and then we go back nine years to learn how the characters got to where they were in the first chapter. Then the story reverts to the present time and we follow the characters to the conclusion of the story.
All said and done, I didn't quite connect with the characters or their story and there wasn't enough of anything else besides the sex to draw me in. I have two nit-picks with the dialogues in this book that I can't let rest so I'm putting them here.
1. “The acid in your saliva neutralizes the virus.” As a doctor, I will not let this rest. There is no acid in your saliva, there is acid in your stomach. And yes, the acid in your stomach does serve as a barrier to infection. So, this is partly correct but seriously, can you imagine having acid in your mouth (for those who can't, it would be a very very bad thing)?
2. “Thought it was cool—like being part Native American or somethin’.” This line is spoken by Tony when Andrew enquires what it's like being a (this spoils the same thing as the previous spoiler and as already mentioned, it's pretty mild). And, I just found it disrespectful of course, I'm hardly qualified to say more but I also couldn't help pointing it out.
All said and done, this was an okay read. I might come back to read other erotica by this author because I like the way they write it but for now, I'm going to take a break.
January 25, 2019
This was just OK for me - the drama and over the top reactions, the secrets and lack of actual relationship development... just not for me. And there wasn't even terribly hot sex scenes to make up for it.
April 20, 2018
Nice, but the story about his wolf wasn't that great
May 2, 2020
Wow!
I've read this book many times and it never gets old. I love this author. Sexy times and tenderness. Try it!
I've read this book many times and it never gets old. I love this author. Sexy times and tenderness. Try it!
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