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Book Title: Trusting Him (The Retreat #2)
Author: L.M. Somerton
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Release Date: April 9, 2019
Genre/s: Contemporary M/M BDSM
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 59 495 words
It is a standalone story within The Retreat series.
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Blurb
Luke Redding’s military background is an asset when it comes to managing The Retreat, but it hasn’t helped him find the submissive he longs for. A secluded life in the New Forest, witnessing a stream of happy couples playing out their fantasies, doesn’t provide much opportunity to develop a relationship either. When a friend’s manipulations lead to him taking on silver-haired Skye as a trainee sub, Luke finds it hard to trust in his own ability to provide the guidance Skye needs.
Skye Ingham wants to explore his submissive nature but the noise and crowds at The Underground are overwhelming. He can’t believe his luck to be taken under Luke’s wing and offered a job at The Retreat. As Luke tests his boundaries, Skye trusts him implicitly, but how can he convince his new Dominant to have faith in himself?
Amid the bustle and excitement of a big house party at The Retreat, Luke and Skye edge their way towards a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and desires. But it will take a final leap of faith to secure their future and open a path to love.
Excerpt
It wasn’t dignified, but Luke twisted around in his seat to take a look at his potential employee as he wound his way between the tables. He hadn’t formed an impression of what Skye might look like, but the reality was better than anything Luke’s imagination could have conjured. Skye was slight, delicate, maybe five feet six or seven, no more. His skin was lightly tan, a coloring that Luke guessed came from his heritage rather than the sun. He had no tattoos that Luke could see and considering that all he wore was a short leather kilt, that didn’t leave much room to hide any. The wavy hair Luke had assumed was pale blond was in fact silver-gray, though the boy’s eyelashes and brows were a much darker shade, which made Luke wonder if the silver was natural.
Skye stopped in front of the table facing Luke and Carey. He clasped his hands behind his back and ducked his head. “Gordy said you wanted to see me, Mr. Hoffman.” Skye’s voice was so soft Luke had to concentrate to catch his words.
“I did, Skye. You remember I spoke to you about a job at The Retreat in Hampshire?”
Nodding, Skye darted a quick look at Luke. Luke caught a glimpse of violet-blue eyes before Skye focused his gaze on the carpet once more.
“Well, this is Mr. Redding. He’s in charge of The Retreat. I want you to wait on us over lunchtime and show him what you can do.”
“Hello, Skye,” Luke said, keeping his voice low and trying to project reassurance. “I hear you’ve had excellent training. We have a mixture of guests staying at The Retreat, but they all have something in common. They love their food. We have a dedicated chef and customers can pick their own menus and eat as much as they want. That means a lot of serving both at table and in the guests’ rooms. Do you think you can handle that?”
Skye scuffed his bare toes into the carpet. “Yes, Sir.”
“And you understand that The Retreat caters for men who are in the BDSM lifestyle, just like here at the club?” Skye nodded and a light pink flush bloomed on his cheekbones. “Sometimes, you might be required to wear very little or nothing at all. Does that worry you?”
“No, Sir.” Skye’s response was barely audible.
Luke wanted to make eye contact with the shy young man but Skye kept his gaze lowered.
“Remove your kilt, Skye,” Carey ordered.
Luke tightened his grip on his drink. He expected Skye to bolt but instead he undid the buckle at his hip, let the leather garment drop to the floor then stepped out of it.
“Hands behind your back,” Carey instructed.
Luke glanced around the restaurant. Almost every man in the place had turned to watch. Skye stood absolutely still, clad only in the mesh thong that was issued to all the serving staff at The Underground to wear under their kilts.
“Fetch two menus, please.”
Luke watched, entranced, as Skye walked away, hips swaying. He might as well have been naked for all the coverage his underwear gave him. He had natural grace and if it weren’t for the slight tension in his shoulders, Luke might have believed he was entirely comfortable following Carey’s orders.
“You’re testing him. Why?” Luke didn’t take his eyes away from Skye as he collected two menus and returned to the table.
“Because you need to be confident that he will do as you ask, when he’d prefer to run and hide.”
“He’s attracting a lot of attention.”
“Are you surprised?”
“Not at all. He’s stunning.”
Carey’s smile turned into a smirk. “Then you can handle him from now on.”
4 Stars!
Luke manages The Retreat. When a large party comes to the facility for several days, the owners send him a temporary bartender and a server. It's clear that the owners think that the server might be a good fit for Luke personally as well. Skye is a new club employee, but feels out of place in the city. The chance to work at The Retreat seems like the perfect way to escape the city for a while and explore his submissive side for the first time. Both men like what they see upon meeting each other and Luke agrees to train Skye.
Luke is a tough nut to crack. While it's clear that he's attracted to Skye and wants to train him, he seems to think he can't have a submissive of his own. I never really understood why though, as it's clear that he is possessive and wants to keep Skye. I did like how Luke takes his time and introduces Skye to new things and slowly earns his trust in all things. I liked that Skye seemed to flourish at The Retreat, making friends and even finding a job that fits him well. I really liked Skye, but Luke was harder to get to know beyond his work and his feelings about Skye. I do think they were well matched and hopefully we will see glimpses of how their relationship grows as the series continues.
Everyone working at The Retreat made this one fun. Rayne keeps everyone on their toes, and I hope that we see him find someone soon, maybe with a certain chef.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
4 Stars
I actually really liked this book and was really glad that it was able to be read as a standalone since I haven’t gotten to read the first one yet, which I plan to fix that asap.
Luke was an OK character, strong and put together but he tended to go a little back and forth at the beginning. As we got more into everything I liked him more.
Skye was the best character. His sweet and shy nature helped make me love him. With every day he spent with the rest of the staff he came to think of them as his friends, but every minute he spent with Luke made this everything I wanted it to be.
I loved the idea of The Retreat, it's not something I have come across in any of the books I’ve read over the past year or so. The staff was awesome and the banter between everyone was hilarious. It made me laugh out loud more times then I can think of with any other book.
This was my first book my LM Somerton and I am so glad to have been able to get the chance to see just what this author could really do.
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
About the Author
LM lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.
She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She's fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.
LM is winner of the National Leather Association’s Pauline Reage Award for best novel and the 2016 and 2018 Golden Flogger Awards for best BDSM novel in the LGBT category. She has received multiple Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards and won the Action and Adventure category of Divine Magazine’s Book Awards.
You can track her down online here:
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