Helpful Score: 4
I really enjoyed this story, well written. I gave it a 5 star read, because it did give me something to think about afterward.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a five star book for me. It's one of my favorites m/m stories. It's a tale of love lost and regained. Rough Canvas is an angst-ridden story, and it's definitely not for those who are more used to light romance or chick-lit. This is not chick lit or light romance by any stretch. There's such intense longing and passion between Marcus and Thomas. The love these two share transcends gender. This is one of the most interesting love stories I've read and that's saying something since I've read hundreds of books in this genre.
This m/m love story has bdsm overtones. The story is emotional and heartbreaking at times because the two are separated by circumstances of life beyond their control. The bdsm they do is consensual, erotic, and an expression of love between the two main characters who are clearly devoted to one another. No one is humiliated. The bdsm in the book is explicit, but not hardcore or extreme, at least I didn't think it was hardcore and I'm not into the bdsm lifestyle. The bdsm between the two men when they are in private is loving although it may not seem that way if you're new to bdsm literature. It's also not a total 24/7 bdsm power exchange lifestyle either. This dom/sub relationship is one of trust and safety. Even though it's not my cup of tea, I could go along with the bdsm and even find it very erotic because of the way the characters experienced it. I've read other books with dom/sub relationships, and Joey Hill's scenes are so much better. It's not about shock value or extremism with her. Her scenes will spoil you for other m/m and bdsm books.
Both main characters in this story are fully developed with complex emotions, flaws, and histories. These aren't one dimensional, cardboard characters you find in some stories. The secondary characters are also fully realized and believable. It's not realistic to have a m/m story without having the characters experience the prejudice our society has against such relationships
What I loved about the book - Thomas has such a hold on the dom Marcus. Marcus seems emotionally needier of the two, and at times, more in love than Thomas, who is torn in two by his feelings for his mother and disabled brother who disapprove of homosexual relationships, and his feelings for Marcus, the one person who truly accepts and loves him as he is. Thomas is polite, good ole Southern boy who is unpolished in some ways. Marcus is the sophisticated urbanite with material wealth, good looks, and connections. They seemingly have nothing in common, but as the story progresses you see how right they are for each other. I loved Marcus. He would make an amazing alpha male character in a male/female romance. The depth of his love and devotion to Thomas leaves the reader wanting someone who loves them as much. Intense doesn't even begin to describe the way Marcus feels about Thomas. Marcus is probably as passionate for Thomas as Mr. Rochester is for Jane in Jane Eyre - that's my yardstick for how passionate a man can be.
If you're curious about m/m stories or a dom/sub relationship, you HAVE to read this story. Read it with an open mind and read it to the end. I didn't want the story to end. I wouldn't mind reading a sequel to Rough Canvas. This book is a keeper in case it wasn't obvious from my review. It's also one of the few books I've seen on Amazon.com that hasn't earned a lower rating than 4 stars.
This m/m love story has bdsm overtones. The story is emotional and heartbreaking at times because the two are separated by circumstances of life beyond their control. The bdsm they do is consensual, erotic, and an expression of love between the two main characters who are clearly devoted to one another. No one is humiliated. The bdsm in the book is explicit, but not hardcore or extreme, at least I didn't think it was hardcore and I'm not into the bdsm lifestyle. The bdsm between the two men when they are in private is loving although it may not seem that way if you're new to bdsm literature. It's also not a total 24/7 bdsm power exchange lifestyle either. This dom/sub relationship is one of trust and safety. Even though it's not my cup of tea, I could go along with the bdsm and even find it very erotic because of the way the characters experienced it. I've read other books with dom/sub relationships, and Joey Hill's scenes are so much better. It's not about shock value or extremism with her. Her scenes will spoil you for other m/m and bdsm books.
Both main characters in this story are fully developed with complex emotions, flaws, and histories. These aren't one dimensional, cardboard characters you find in some stories. The secondary characters are also fully realized and believable. It's not realistic to have a m/m story without having the characters experience the prejudice our society has against such relationships
What I loved about the book - Thomas has such a hold on the dom Marcus. Marcus seems emotionally needier of the two, and at times, more in love than Thomas, who is torn in two by his feelings for his mother and disabled brother who disapprove of homosexual relationships, and his feelings for Marcus, the one person who truly accepts and loves him as he is. Thomas is polite, good ole Southern boy who is unpolished in some ways. Marcus is the sophisticated urbanite with material wealth, good looks, and connections. They seemingly have nothing in common, but as the story progresses you see how right they are for each other. I loved Marcus. He would make an amazing alpha male character in a male/female romance. The depth of his love and devotion to Thomas leaves the reader wanting someone who loves them as much. Intense doesn't even begin to describe the way Marcus feels about Thomas. Marcus is probably as passionate for Thomas as Mr. Rochester is for Jane in Jane Eyre - that's my yardstick for how passionate a man can be.
If you're curious about m/m stories or a dom/sub relationship, you HAVE to read this story. Read it with an open mind and read it to the end. I didn't want the story to end. I wouldn't mind reading a sequel to Rough Canvas. This book is a keeper in case it wasn't obvious from my review. It's also one of the few books I've seen on Amazon.com that hasn't earned a lower rating than 4 stars.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was wonderful. Plenty of thrills and erotic situations, but enough content to make you truly become a bit more understanding of the dom/sub relationship and the needs therein. This author did a fantastic job of portraying the rejection of homosexuality by the characters' family and the mentality that comes with it. Didn't want the story to end!!
thomas and marcus! yummy great book!
