Customer Reviews

Switch

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What do you get when you put two Dom's together in the same room? You get Claire Thompson's SWITCH. A funny, sweet and extremely HOT and boy do I mean HOT, this is another fry the circuits in your computer HOT READ!!! (well I did read it on ebook - lol) This Book comes HIGHLY recommended by me, especially if you love BDSM then this is an absolute MUST READ for you!!

Nathan not much into titles of dom/sub he feels they are just titles for those playing at dominance/submissive games. He meets Dane and there is an instant connection between them. Dane says he is a dom, Nathan see's something in him that leads him to believe differently, can he convince Dane to explore this? Should he even try to convince another dom that he his is actually a submissive? That is his dilemma because his feeling for Dane are growing fast. Is their even a future for these two dom's?


From the minute Nathan asks Dane "So, if it's not too personal, how long have you been submissive, Dane?" The sparks start to fly in this book. Can two dom's fall in love and live happily ever after - your going to find out if it is possible in this book. The unfolding romance in this book is so sweet, as we watch Nathan help Dane explore his submissive side, it this something Dane even wants or is he to much a Dom to ever submit to Nathan, his decision is further complicated by his growing attraction to Nathan will he loose him if he is just to dom to submit?

Dane sees himself as a Dom. He is a young and successful businessman, and he is used to be domineering at work as well as in his private life. He is not born from money, but he is doing well, and he likes to show it, to prove that him and only him has done that. At 29 years old he thinks to have all, but a chance encounter in a bar changes everything.

Nathan is 26 years old and an artist. But he is not a struggling artist, he is from a wealthy family and he has the authoritative behavior of who knows well what he is and what he can do. Basically he is a good boy and so he is not the classical spoilt baby of too much permissive parents, but he is used to drive his life where, how and when he wants. In a scene, Nathan compares himself to a lake, with its peaceful waters; I would bring on the metaphor: he is like a lake in the a mountain plain: he receives the agitated waters of mountain streams, he placates them with his huge basin, and then he releases the waters in big rivers, ready to flow away toward the valley. Till now Nathan has never taken a lover with him forever, but then he is only 26 years old.

From the first moment they meet, Nathan sees in Dane something that no one never see, a yearning to be a submissive lover, the need to give up the control. Dane, even if gay, is a very conservative thinker: if you are bigger, older and wealthier, you are the Dom. And since he is bigger, older and he believes wealthier than Nathan, he doesn't take in account that he could be a sub with Nathan. But Nathan, probably since he had a pretty easy life, has never felt the necessity to follow common rule, and so he is ready to prove to Dane that he can be a real Dom, with the real sub.

Dane feels the D/s life as a way to prove something to the world, it's another way, along with his job and his Mercedes, to prove that he is a successful man; Nathan instead looks at the D/s life like a private thing, a lovers game to bring on in the intimate comfort of a bedroom. Becoming Nathan's sub, Dane will not lose his outside independency, but he will not, deep inside him, that he belongs to Nathan.

Probably of all the D/s books I read by Claire Thompson, this is the one I like the most, since maybe I'm more similar to Nathan's point of view on D/s: thinking on it, I always liked books in where the pleasure/pain games remain inside a private bedroom rather than when it's displayed in a public dungeon.

I read A LOT of erotica, maybe too much. I'm also a big fan of m/m romances and all sorts of bdsm, both fiction and non. That being said, my expectations are perhaps a little higher than most. Overall, I enjoyed the premise and the story between the two men. I found their interaction believable, smooth, and I was genuinely interested in them.

However, the constant text book descriptions of bdsm, D/s, and the submissive thought structure, took away a lot from the story for me. This is very typical of this genre. It's almost as though every author or person involved in the 'scene' is constantly explaining how consensual and safe engaging in this type of bed sport is; it's exhausting. I would much prefer being taken on a journey through the mind of both of these characters AS they experience the situation, not in some post conversation. Show me how consensual, safe, and sexy the situation is - don't tell me. I will say though, if you don't know much about 'the scene', you might learn something.

Also, as someone already mentioned, the book is in need of some editing, but the text remains easy to navigate.

I really enjoyed Thompson's Submission Times Two. It was an original, very erotic gay BDSM romance. However, I have to say that "Switch" was even better. This is also mid-level BDSM, not hard core but way beyond vanilla. The story is more focused and examines the D/s mindset in depth.

Dane is in Austin on temporary assignment from his banking firm in NY. He is also a well regarded Dom in an underground BDSM club. In a bar near the club, her meets Nathan. Nathan isn't a dom, per se, but he is a top. His views about BDSM ignore, and even contradict, the traditional labels. He does think Dane is really a submissive denying his true nature, especially since he has never experienced the other end of the whip. Unlike Dane, Nathan has experienced D/s from both sides. Can he persuade Dane to let go of the control long enough to discover the pleasures of true submission? The story seems simple enough at first glance, however the author gives readers much more. Dane has defined himself as a dom for so long, he is truly scared to see himself any other way. The scenes where Nathan challenges him to try submitting (even simple obedience rather than pain) are very intense. Dane thinks being a dom is the real work, but Nathan shows him that it is much harder, and more brave, to truly submit. Dane has unconsciously viewed submission as a weakness, and unless he gets past that he'll never "fly." His gradual understanding of the reality makes the story come alive. I also like that Dane isn't the only one who grows. Thanks to Dane, Nathan comes to see that the BDSM scene at clubs, which he had dismissed as playing, could be very real for those involved.

I have read books from the dom's perspective and from the submissive's perspective, but always with the roles completely established beforehand. This book was unique because readers get a peek into the mind of someone who is wrestling with that decision. Dane alternately embraces submission and rejects it. The psychological struggle was very realistic. There is some hot sex in the novel, particularly when Dane agrees to spend a week as Nathan's sub - and really give up control. The BDSM aspect is fully developed, but the romance is given equal measure. Dane is the first person Nathan can see himself having a future with, if they can only bring Dane peace with himself. Dane finally trusts someone enough to really consider submitting. Overall, this book was excellent and I highly recommend it to fans of BDSM and erotic romance.

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Disclaimers:
* I have read only about 30 m/m romances, so I'm not an expert yet on the genre as a whole.
* I prefer romances that are more about feelings than sex. If a book has lots of lust-filled, dispassionate sex, I'm not impressed. If the sex is a manifestation of love, bring it on.

Rating: 9/10

Pros:
- Beautiful romance. Tender, sweet, considerate. Lovely.
- Sex scenes - wow. My guess is that approximately 70% of the book is a description of sex or a discussion between the two characters about sex. However, the sex in this book functions to move the story along. Other books--Bite by Sean Michael, for example--have a lot of sex that after a while becomes monotonous and detracts from the story. In Switch, the sex (or rather, the sexual/submissive awakening of one of the characters) IS the story.
- Well-written gradual blossoming of the character of Dane.
- Nathan--everything about him. Selfless, loving, and awesomely devoted to his sub.

Con:
- Sloppy and/or ignorant editing. The book doesn't have near the problem with typos that books of this genre tend to be plagued with, but there are situations in which a momentary POV switch and/or misplaced paragraph break disrupts the flow of the writing.

Overall comments: If you like romance and don't mind BDSM, a must read. If you're interested in the journey of a single character and the change that can be wrought by a loving relationship, a must read. If you're squeamish about BDSM, not for you--this book isn't as hardcore as I've seen in the past, but it goes beyond simple bondage and spanking.

This is a really intriguing story into two men's minds and feelings. Nathan and Dane are total opposites yet the sparks fly from the very first meeting. Dane has always considered himself as a Dom yet when Nathan tells him that he sees a submissive inside of him, Dane begins to have second thoughts about his place in things. At first he only agrees to test his feelings to prove a point but as the two continue to experiment and become closer Dane finds himself with new and confusing feelings.

I really enjoyed seeing Dane find himself and finally be able to enjoy himself fully. Nathan is a great man who is always ready and willing to help Dane get through it all. I loved seeing their relationship blossom into the romance that it is. Not only is this book a hot read but it is also a book that makes you think. The characters are full of depth and deep emotions run through the entire book. This is a book highly centered on the men's BDSM lifestyle but it is also a great book about finding true love.
Claire Thompson takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions in this book. I truly enjoyed the ride and cannot wait to read more from this author in the future.

A fairly well written book, except I thought the dialogue (and thoughts behind it) could be more in-depth. Nice plot twists, good sex scenes, and insightfulness on what a Dom or sub think, and fear. I hope to read more about how the characters grow, and hopefully deepen their lives (together).

Review:

I have read a few m/m bdsm books and none of them gave me the insight the way this one did. In many books you get a feeling that most of what the Dom/Sub is doing is simply play-acting. We very rarely get insight to both the D and the S in a book. Often it's one or the other.

In Switch, I got both.

The story starts out with Dane, who is the reigning king of the underground BDSM scene. He's the most sought after Dom in Austin, Texas.

Sadly, Dane who does have a strong and stubborn personality never experienced life as a sub. He thought a sub was beneath him and he was better than that. He thought the submissive partner had no say in a D's relationship and he failed to realize just how strong a Sub needs to be in a D/S relationship.

Enter the sexy local artist, Nathan Levi and watch Dane's mind go on a roller coaster ride. Nathan is a Dom, but...he doesn't consider himself one. The "scene" is play-acting to him; he's looking for something real to share with his "sub." He needs to connect with his sub and love is necessary.

Dane is in for an eye opening experience with Nathan, and so are the readers. This book does not disappoint. Take two Doms and imagine the power playing. WOW.

Claire did a wonderful job giving us insight to both of these lovely boys. I am excited I was able to go on the journey with them. Now I understand the BDSM a lot better and I know the difference between a scene and real life love as a D/S.

Review by Michele

Dane Bishop is a real estate banker by day. By night he is a powerful Dom and he has the leather outfits, toys and adoring subs to prove it. When he meets Nathan Levi their connection is instantaneous. Strangely, Nathan seems to think that Dane is submissive.

When I started Switch I could not put it down. The feelings between Nathan and Dane leapt off the page. Nathan kept Dane off balance from their very first meeting. He saw a side of Dane that Dane didn't know he had. Nathan was determined and patient and Dane blossomed beautifully under his guidance.

Did I mention that the sex was out of this world? It was matched only by the emotion between Nathan and Dane. Ms. Thompson has a true gift for illustrating the nuances of BDSM. It is with pleasure that I Joyfully Recommend Switch to you.

Zayn
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

There is ink on paper, and it's all bound within a cover. If that's all you want, then it's a good purchase. If you want a story and storytelling (the artful pairing of words amid proper grammar), look elsewhere. If you want something written in language a child can understand, to the point that it's insulting if you have half a brain, then this is for you. It is rife with incomplete sentences throughout, as well as incorrect punctuation, creating lots and lots of "speed bumps". Hot? How hot can anything be when everything is described with the same three words (often fewer) from cover to cover, even the same phrases repeated over and over? Nothing dulls the imagination so much as banal, repetitive language. I've read more exciting recipes. Eroticism is something well written. This, unfortunately, isn't. It's just utterly artless, all the way around. This is the only book I've ever relegated straight to file 13, not even deeming it worth donating to the poor (who deserve better). You're better off just imagining what this story might be about than relying on the author to tell you by actually trying to read it. Save yourself the disappointment.