Review: Long~Term by Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks

This was an interesting take on the theme of the D/s lifestyle. It looks at two different points of view. There is Teague, an older Dom who has often taken in young subs who have been abandoned by their Dom partners and helped to get them back on their own feet. He does this by offering them shelter for a month during which time they have to actively look for a job, or move into education. After the month is over he sends them on their way, happy to have helped them. Although Teague never asks for it, he is repaid by a willing partner in his bed for a month. The story begins as Teague notices a young man who had serviced him at his club a few nights back. It’s obvious that the man, Ian, has been thrown out by his Dom and so Teague takes him home and sets out the rules for getting Ian’s life on track. Things are different almost from the beginning with Ian because his sub training is so ingrained. Ian sees everything he could possibly need in Teague, but he also knows that he has to earn the man’s respect.

I have to admit that this was sometimes a very uncomfortable read for me. Ian’s past treatment by his previous Dom masters had been harsh and at times bordered on the abusive. His training had led to some psychological problems such as an inability to climax and also a deep seated need to be in a submissive lifestyle, so much so that he had passed himself on from master to master, unable to cope on his own. This has meant that he is seen as a slut and a sponger to the point that Ian even believes this of himself and hates himself for it. So at the beginning of the book I was deeply troubled for Ian who is conflicted between needing the submission and yet wanting to prove himself to Teague. This complexity in Ian’s character is what compelled me through the story as I was drawn into his struggles and wished to see him well.

I didn’t like Teague as much as Ian, although I thought he fit well into the caring Dom character role. I liked that he was tempted by Ian’s submissiveness and yet also strong enough to resist, knowing that Ian needs to make it on his own. He did on occasion slip into ‘smug Dom’ mode but I thought the authors had done a good job of showing how attracted he was to Ian whilst recognising that giving into the attraction wouldn’t be the best thing for Ian at that time. The internal conflict between the men and their growing respect for each other, along with the development of Ian’s self confidence, was by far the best part of this book for me.

I think if this story had stayed as one where the conflict was mostly internal and couple-focused I would have liked it more. As it is, there is an external conflict which is brought in part way through the book and didn’t work for me. I don’t want to say too much about it because I don’t want to give away spoilers, but the whole situation was odd and felt slightly unrealistic to me, and so added a forced note into what had been an intensive, emotional journey between the two characters.

Overall, though I would still recommend this story, with a grade of 'Very Good', especially to those who like D/s character based stories. This pair of authors always produces well written books and this one is no exception.

Buy this book HERE.