This was my first read from Sara Brookes and it was hot, sexy and kinky too. I warmed to the characters and the story held my interest from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading more from Sara in the future.

This is a new to author. I did enjoy the story though I wished there would have been more BDSM going on. I also did not realize that this was a series but I don’t think it took away from the story. Plus now I have to go back and read the previous books. So this is the story of Marcus who was horrifically scarred, though I would have liked to hear more about the scars and Envar worshiping him and making him know that he loves every single part of him. Davis got exactly what was coming to him. These two made a strong couple and they really healed each other. I just loved them!

I'm not one to usually go for M/M books however after having loved the second book in this series I had to grab this one and give it a chance. I'm glad I did! As usual with the Noble House, you have the IT/virtual world component in addition to the physical club throughout the book. This story brings together a programmer and a member of the club who doesn't believe virtual reality can take the place of being at the club.

The plot was interesting, but I wasn't as into it as I was the last book in this series. I struggled feeling the connection between Enver and Marcus. The physical connection was definitely there (and it was HOT) but I struggled feeling the emotional connection between the two. I needed more between them beyond just the physical side of their relationship.

Marcus' story was different, but the end was predictable.

I'm looking forward to Oz' story as it was only touched upon in this book.

This was my first book by Sara Brookes and it was not a bad story at all. From time to time I love reading a M/M romance. The chemistry between Marcus and Enver was palpable, even though they spent too much time in the VR world. There was some suspence injected in there ( no spoilers). The pace was good. The writing was good. If you are a fan of bondage with sizzling sex scenes then this book is for you. I can't wait to read more offering from Sara Brookes.
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

This is a hard review to write. So I'm just going to type it out and we'll see where things go.

Obviously, I loved the cover. Topless guys are my kryptonite and man those well defined muscles *fans*. The only thing missing is a cowboy hat.

I read this book because I enjoy VR video games occasionally. I also enjoyed that Pokemon game a few years ago where you could take pictures of the weird animals. Sadly, I haven't had the opportunity to explore the world of virtual reality porn, I've heard good things though. So I grabbed this book because, well, I was curious.

One part of me wants to give the author all the stars for writing a story that's so different from anything else I've read. The book showcases the romance of a computer programmer who developed a very neat immersive virtual reality program which is being used to satisfy members of a virtual BDSM sex club.

Having spent three years in a long distance relationship, I can see a lot of uses for this technology.

BUT, the book was so focused on the technology that the relationship building was pushed to the side. As someone who isn't super computer savvy the technology stuff went right over my head. Although fascinating it felt repetitive and tedious to read. Many important relationship components, that I felt should have been long bond-enhancing discussions, were brushed over quickly and never mentioned again.

I also appreciated the way this book dealt with some aspects of sex addiction recovery which is something I find fascinating. But again, it was mentioned in passing a couple times and swept under the rug.

The characters were well developed; they had their own issues and challenges and histories. While that's a goodthing, I didn't feel connected to either of them.

Let me try to explain. There is a good bit of tension, action, and angst in the book. Something bad happened to Marcus. Usually, in situations where my book-boyfriends get hurt, I'll react in much the same way as I would if my real life boyfriend was hurt. Here, I reacted the same way as if I say it on the news - I frowned, thought it was horrible, turned the page and moved on.

I don't have a good reason for this disconnect, just that perhaps the technology overshadowed the characters.
This is a tough rating to give, it felt like more of a sci-fi/ fantasy erotica than contemporary, especially considering many of the steamy scenes happen in a virtual world.

The steamy scenes were hot. But in the middle, Marcus would think of coding and things to change with his program. I've heard about men thinking of the queen or doing math problems in their head to last longer, but I don't think that's what Marcus was doing.

Anyway, I'm going to give this book 3.5 / 5. It was good, it just wasn't good for me.

In the Rough has hit me in so many spots I honestly don’t know where to begin. Characters, scenarios and possibilities, ACK! I loved it all. You have outdone yourself this time Ms. Brookes.

Enver and Marcus. Oh my gosh how can you NOT love Marcus. His shattered history, and just trying to survive immediately had me wanting to hug him. Enver, now that is a curious addiction problem for him to have, especially as a member of Noble House. I love how they come together to heal one another. The beginning of their working relationship had me at moments laughing like a naughty school girl. But, as things developed further, the heat and emotion are what eventually had me sighing and panting.

Now, what would a book be without a little drama? Okay, maybe a big drama. In the case of Marcus, wow. Now that was scary. What he’s running from, how he tries to hide without endangering others. Oh my! Enver has issues of his own. Blink-blink…a surprising one, in fact. How is that even possible for a Dom? See this is what I love about Ms. Brookes. She can give us flawed people in difficult situations and make it all feel real.

And speaking of real, VR rooms at Noble House. Holy crow! That is insane what she has dreamed up. My little techie heart was all a pitter patter in excitement. Does this technology exist, I have no clue but the detail that goes into describing everything feels like it and if it isn’t, hello techies out there. You might want to make a note of it and start figuring out how to put it all together.

I just can’t help myself when Ms. Brookes takes some of my favorite parts of the stories I enjoy the most and mashed them all together in one book. Possible technology, exceptional characters, realistic drama, some humor, and panty wetting heat. Let’s also not forget getting to reconnect with some of the previous characters. I tried to pace it out but instead, I devoured In the Rough in one day. I’m sure you will too.

I received this book from The JeepDiva with the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions, contents, and rating of this review are solely mine

reviewed by Jac

This is the first book that I have read by this author. In The Rough is a M/M story. Enver and Marcus were good characters and I liked both of them. They had great chemistry. Throw in some virtual reality and bdsm and you have one hot read. I would definitely recommend this book.

I'm glad we get more of Noble House and it's cast of characters! Really enjoyed the relationship build-up and tension between Marcus and Enver. The VR kink was a unique twist too.

This series gets sexier and sexier. In the Rough totally strokes my techie pleasure button with the virtual reality kink to the next level. Will this technology ever become reality? Who is to know? Techies need to take note of Ms. Brookes' ideas and capitalize on them!

I enjoyed this story because I really liked Marcus Holly. He is a guy who I can understand and I feel badly for, even when I think he acts illogically. He is a great guy who just wants to live his life peacefully. He also hopes to make some money so that he can have food and basic shelter. All of this hinges on his cutting edge VR technology. He wasn't expecting it to be picked up by a BDSM club, but he adjusts and creates some pretty awesome scenarios. What I liked about Ms. Brookes' writing style is how she incorporates enough technology to make it kind of believable. The technology is not quite there yet, but her descriptions of what needs to happen in order to create the VR rooms is accurate. The body scanning with diodes also helped make it realistic. Making that scene erotic with unintentional fondling just makes it hotter.

Speaking of hot, the erotic kinky scenes between Marcus and Enver is smoking. I generally skim through most sex scenes now. Ms. Brookes' erotic scenes are one of the few I will read slowly and savour. I can visualize the scene so well based on her vivid descriptions. I get aroused just as the characters are getting aroused. There is something so sensual with her erotic writings. It leaves me panting for more. The kinky parts to this story is more sensation based than S&M which works great for me.

The conflict in this story can be seen from a mile away and the plot twist is unsurprising. It is disappointing in this day and age people's sex life are still being judged. I am always confused as to why what someone does in their private life is anyone's business. Or why someone would feel the need to intrude and try to destroy someone's life based on their sexual leanings. Ms. Brookes accurately depicts what happens in real life for some gay men.

Overall, this erotic tale is sweet and sensual. The back and forth hesitation between Marcus and Enver can get a bit frustrating, but it makes it more realistic. Plus, both men do have their own baggage which lends credence to their tentative behavior. Enver's issue and why he has to be so controlled was a surprise. I had never thought of this issue in the way that Enver presented how it took over his life and interfered with his work. Addictions are difficult to stop and some which may not be taken seriously still have serious ramifications. Fortunately for Enver, Marcus can help out. This kinky erotica is recommended to m/m readers who enjoy sensual sadism with a techie flair.

I'm enjoying this book, I do however feel that when the characters are switching over that they need to either start a new chapter or make it obvious because it's very confusing otherwise.

I want to thank Harlequin - Carina Press for providing me with this ARC via Netgalley.

Releases on August 20th, 2018

From Goodreads: "The virtual world has always been a safe, comfortable place for tech consultant Marcus Holly. He favors working behind the scenes, joining the ranks of Noble House as the kinky club expands to offer a fully immersive VR experience. Then he meets the club’s resident Dom, Enver Furst, and all his carefully contained desires spin out of control.

Bondage-happy Enver relies too heavily on tactile stimulation to buy into Marcus’s VR playground. But when Marcus needs a skilled test subject to beta with, he only has eyes for Enver. The results are immediate and addictive: Enver’s never experienced anything this raw and powerful. He’s just unsure if it’s the tech he can’t resist—or the man.

Comfort zone deliciously shattered, Marcus’s sessions with Enver soon transcend even their wildest fantasies. But someone from Marcus’s past is watching, and his dangerous obsession will force Marcus and Enver to either fight for the reality they’ve created together…or see it shattered beyond recognition."

 
In the Rough is the third book is a series of books that can all be read as standalones. The other books Get Off Easy and Switch It Up, which I also read, in my opinion, were better books then Enver and Marcus' installment (I gave both the other books 4/5 stars).

I shouldn't have to warn people, but I will. This book is very, very adult. Nowhere near YA. This a full on Adult erotica novel; A genre that I am dipping my toes into every once in a while from my usual home of NA romance.

Click continue reading to get a breakdown of my thoughts on the novel...



Characters: The story is told in dual point of view, from the perspectives of Enver and Marcus. From the beginning, I connected less with these characters than I had in the previous books. Granted the other books had female leads, who are always easier for me to connect with. I did not find Marcus very special at all. Enver had some interesting parts to his character (I do not want to tell you what exactly, cause spoilers).
Writing: This writing was pretty standard for the type of book that it was. I had one bigger complaint, that I would actually lose track of what was going on in romantic scenes. It is as if the author never thought about how certain things led to other things. They felt disjointed, to put it in fewer words.
World/Setting: The setting of this series is very interesting. The concept of the club sold the series to me. I felt as if the club took a backseat to the virtual reality setting in this installment. Which is a choice I understand, but the club was such an intriguing setting I would have appreciated more scenes set there.
Pacing: This book clocks in at under 400 pages. I read it (and the other books in the series) quite quickly. Paced similar to the standard model of NA pacing. There's nothing wrong with that, you can just use that to determine the plot really easily.
Romance (Yay or Nay?): The romance was not great, but not horrible. I have read way better M/M in the NA genre. I did get more into the relationship as the book progressed, but I was not as hooked as in the previous stories.


I know I sound very critical of this book, but I recommend the other books if you are considering getting into the genre, want to read more of the genre, or if you are interested in reading about menage or polyamory as the other books discuss these topics.

So my rating clocks in at...
3/5 Stars


Thank you again to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the eARC and thank you for reading my review and supporting my blog!

In the Rough was a good M/M romance, it is hot, sexy with some kink thrown in. I liked the characters and enjoyed the dynamic storyline. I look forward to reading more by this author

In the Rough was a great M/M story and the first book I’ve read by Sara Brookes. I love that it had a little bit of bondage and I loved the geeky/technical side of Marcus and wowza what they did in the virtual world!!! Mix in a little drama with Marcus’s past and some great friends and you’ve got a great story! I would recommend this book

In the Rough is the first book that we have read by author Sara Brookes. We were so excited to start this one. Honestly nothing is sexier than a M/M story. Throw in some bondage and we are in!!

This book flowed really good and we felt the connection between Marcus and Enver right away! The sparks were flying! We would definitely recommend this steamy book to our followers and we can't wait to read more from Sara Brookes and in this series!