Author: Z. Allora
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 300 pages
Category: Contemporary, BDSM
At a Glance: A spin-off from another series, finishing this book was like a marathon of emotions.
Reviewed By: Jennifer
Blurb: Rejected. Heartbroken. Devastated.
Zack Davis wanted to serve only one man, Andrew Nikeman. He was denied because Andrew thought he was too young and because their brothers were together. So Zack crushed his submissive tendencies and focused on being the perfect Dom, giving every sub he played with something he couldn’t have.
After years of denying his submissive side, Entwined’s charity auction “Are you Dom Enough to be a sub?” gives Zack an excuse to get a little of what he’s always craved.
Andrew doesn’t know when his infatuation turned into more, but it kills him to see Zack with a constant parade of submissives. He’d refused to jeopardize his brother’s relationship or become Zack’s regret; however, Zack isn’t a kid anymore, and his brother’s relationship is unbreakable. Now Zack’s popularity and success as a Dom might ruin Andrew’s dreams of collaring him, but he can’t wait any longer to confess his feelings or he risks losing the man he loves forever.
Review: The same day I received this book for review, I finished it. I would attempt to put it down to do something else, and would only last about thirty seconds before I picked it up again.
I did not read the Dark Angels series prior to this, and while I will go back and read them, I do not feel like I lost anything by not having read it. This can stand on its own, and I was never lost as to who the characters were. This book focuses on Zack and Andrew. While we meet Zack when he is younger, we see his attraction for Andrew. However, because he is younger and because their brothers are together, Andrew pushes Zack away. As a result, Zack squashes his submissive side and becomes a Dom.
And then Andrew enters his life again. When there’s a chance for him to become a sub for a night, Zack jumps at the opportunity, hoping Andrew will bid on him. But will his dreams be further squashed?
I loved the tension between Andrew and Zack. There was a very real reason for them not to be together at first, and Zack decides he will not be a sub for any many but Andrew. He ends up becoming very successful as a Dom because he knows what a sub wants. He is, after all, one himself. But he never gives up hope for Andrew. When Andrew walks back into his life, they are on more equal footing, and they might have a chance. But Andrew isn’t sure if he can take it. What if things go wrong? When he is bought by his master for the night, he wants to believe it is Andrew—he can’t see—but he’s afraid if it is as well. What if it’s only for one night? It’s too good to be true. Of course, out of fear he runs.
The tension is palpable in this story. As you read it, you see how much Zack and Andrew care for each other and want to be together. But they’ve been dancing around for years, and they’re not quite sure how to bridge that gap. The author does an excellent job of bringing that tension into the story.
I also loved the secondary characters! I hope Jordan gets his own story! He was fun to read.
I will definitely go back and read the other books in this series, and then I will likely reread this one again. It was a great read, and I highly recommend it for those who enjoy BDSM and emotional stories.
You can buy Lock and Key here:
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