Author: Katya Harris
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Pages/Word Count: 47 Pages
At a Glance: Overall, A Life Without is a good read.
Reviewed By: Jules
Blurb: After decades of wondering and worrying over his submissive tendencies, fortysomething Todd decides to explore his fantasies. His first step is to join a BDSM club, and it’s there that he meets Malik, a young and beautiful Dominant who is very interested in introducing Todd to this world. In fact, Malik is interested in everything about Todd, which is startling to the older man given the differences in their ages. Malik helps Todd explore his submissiveness, but after an unpleasant meeting with Todd’s ex-boyfriend, he also encourages him to confront his demons so he will no longer live his life in shame.
Review: A Life Without tells the story of Todd, a forty-something year old man who is at a crossroads in his life when we are introduced to him. After suffering a nasty breakup with his boyfriend of six years, Todd has decided to finally seek out the one thing that he has been lacking, the one thing that might make him truly happy…someone who will appreciate and understand his need to submit.
Todd joins a BDSM group, and is very fortunate when the manager introduces him to a young Dom named Malik on his first night at the club. I liked Malik and I liked that Todd wasn’t hung up on the ten year age difference. We find out later in the story that Todd’s ex is seven years older than him, so obviously age isn’t a big factor for Todd when considering a relationship. It was also interesting, and refreshing, that even though Malik was the younger one of the two, he was the one helping to guide Todd. I have found I really enjoy the dynamic of a younger Dom in BDSM books where there is an age gap.
I also enjoy books that explore the theme of seeking one’s happiness and trying to live your truth. And, for the most part, Katya Harris does a nice job with that aspect of the story for Todd. I love how brave he is – and that Malik acknowledges that fact – for finally going after what he desires. Todd does have a bit of shame to overcome before he can truly embrace his sexual needs, but I wish the author had come up with a better way for him to work through it. The encounter with the ex-boyfriend didn’t feel entirely natural to me, and she started to push the envelope a bit with some declarations of feelings, making the climax of the story come off as somewhat forced.
The very end of the book was cute, and though it’s tough to get too invested in the characters in a story of this length, I did like Todd and Malik together. Overall A Life Without is a good read, and a worthy addition to the 2015 Daily Dose Anthology.
You can buy A Life Without here:
