Nix BDSM Review : The Gate by KT Grant (3.5 Stars)

The Gate by KT Grant
Series: Dark Path #1
on 2013
Genres: BDSM
Pages: 254
Format: eBook
Goodreads

A chance encounter between a successful author and a billionaire owner of an underground BDSM club, leads to the most pivotal relationship of their lives…

Erika Walsh has carried a torch for Christopher Milton, heir to her father’s publishing empire for years. After one steamy make out session she begins to wonder if it might develop into something more. But when M. L. Crawford, better known as Max, her father’s publishing rival, seeks her out at a society event, she’s drawn to his magnetic charisma and powerful demeanor. Their verbal bantering and innuendo laced overtones stir feelings she never knew existed, and soon Erika is consumed with knowing the real man under Max’s restrained public façade.

Erika’s sweet nature and naivety excites Max to near madness. He wants to train her in the art of seduction and make her succumb to his every wish and command…as his perfect submissive. Yet, Christopher is determined to keep Erika from becoming the latest victim of Max’s sinister sexual hungers. He knows all too well what Max hides in his black soul and will stop at nothing to reveal all of Max’s secrets in order to protect the one thing he holds dear above all else- Erika.

Max’s dark desires scare yet arouse Erika, as he opens her eyes to a new bold world full of passion and ecstasy she never imagined until him. But the biggest question remains: Is Erika’s craving for Max just an illusion that transpires behind the walls of The Gate?

FTC : I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Although I talk to the author on twitter, I did not let my good opinion of her influence this review.

When I first picked up this book, it took me several weeks to get into it but I’m not sure why. I love this authors work so I persevered and I’m glad I did. This book does contain some of the tropes familair to the BDSM genre at the moment but the author does a lot to rectify some of the sticking points that exist in them, the bits where readers take a step back and wonder just how much reality they have to suspend to enjoy a book. There are still points that I may have rolled my eyes at slightly but, overall, I found myself hooked. It’s a little bit crack-ish.

Max is a Millionaire who runs a kink club. A playboy, he runs through subs, but doesn’t seem to stick to one. Here’s what I liked about Max

1. He actually quite likes his playboy ways. He isn’t shagging away his “emptiness” but rather enjoying the fact that he owns a sex-club.
2. He quite likes Erika’s spunkiness…. he doesn’t see it as her “challenging” his Domliness or being bratty because she wants a spanking.
3. When she tells him to do one, he does.

Max then meets Erika at an event. He is immediately attracted, yet rather conflicted, as he is currently plotting a hostile takeover of her Father’s business. Yes, to people Max does not know very well, he is a massive arse. In some ways he is an arse with Erika but that’s the thing with Alpha heroes; they are arseholes.

Erika is at the event to support her Father. A best selling children’s author, she finds crowds difficult but is immediately charmed by the mysterious Max.  She doesn’t immediately know who he is but gives him a chance to prove himself by his actions rather than rumors (from Chris… the douche). Here’s what I like about Erika:

1. She makes up her own mind about someone
2. She calls Max on his over-handed behaviour- he is possessive, he is a bit of an arse but she calls him on all of it
3. She isn’t afraid to try out his kinkiness
4. She isn’t “broken” and she likes BDSM ‘cos she likes it .. end of!

This story is the story of Erika and Max starting a relationship, despite all the barriers that are in their way. He is the family enemy, everyone wants her to be with the other dude …. there is a lot of issues and, realistically, they shouldn’t work. It is a little bit Romeo and Juliet and I liked it!

The side story of Catherine and her millionaire (billionaire?) virgin was fantastic. Here’s a disclaimer though; you have to be OK and familiar with the Master/slave relationship to enjoy this particular plot-line. Only then will you understand the angst and impossibility of this situation for her.

Chris is a complete and utter wanker. In no way should he be anywhere near her, in no way would I ever consider him a friend for her. He is stalkerishly possessive, he doesn’t take no for an answer, he is high-handed in his behaviour towards her as he “knows best”, he expects to be forgiven for all of his actions as it was for her own good…. he is every Alpha-hole Dom I’ve ever read about, just slightly more exaggerated. I don’t know if this was done on purpose, I don’t know if the author wanted me to chose between these two heroes (the stalky alpha hero vs. the alpha Dom hero) but I chose Max. Every. Single. Time.

This is a sexy, angsty BDSM sex club romance that could become my crack. Although not every part of this book resonated with me, overall I enjoyed it and want to read more.