Very quick and easy read.
But also very enjoyable. I liked to get to know Dillion and Michael and how they grew together and their chemistry was honestly off the charts. Most times i`m meh about instant-attraction and insta-love, but this was very enjoyable! Wish there where more.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

~

Tricks and Bids (Suit of Hartes, 01) by Jacqueline Grey
★★☆☆☆
75 Pages
3rd person, dual person POV
Warnings: BDSM, confinement, wax play, D/s


Tricks and Bids is the first in a BDSM series of novellas, but I'm afraid it's not for me.

I DNF'd at 23%. Here's why...

Maybe it's because I've just come off reading a favourite BDSM series, or maybe it's because this author/book and I were always destined not to get along, I can't really say. For me, the main problem is the writing style. I found it slightly cold, lacking warmth, attraction or chemistry that came even halfway through the pages to entice me to want to root for these two guys.

I have a rule. I always give a book 5-10% (depending on the length) to impress me. Sadly, Tricks and Bids didn't work for me. It was clinically written. While I understand that Mike and Dillon meet through a financial arrangement – Mike waits outside a BDSM club to proposition Dillon, and works as a prostitute – I didn't want to FEEL that unfeeling, cold and detached distance between them.

I felt nothing of Dillon's grief. Just a man who was used to getting what he wanted, expecting everyone to give it to him because he demanded it. I didn't understand Mike at all, really. He claims to be a prostitute to pay his way through college, but quickly gave up on college (I may have found out why later, but it bothered me that it wasn't explained at the time) and also claims to have some experience with Doms and BDSM before. Yet, during their first time together, Mike passes out after barely a page of sex, which was neither intense nor something that – according to his own, or Dillon's POV – was particularly special or that might send him into subspace. It was a simple sexual encounter, but Mike acts like they were at it for days, which makes little sense to me, but felt like a tool to inspire Dillon to do the whole “it makes me want to care for him” deal.

Right from page 1, I felt I'd walked into something without an explanation. Like that conversation you step into long after the main story, and all you hear is the punchline. It just doesn't feel right, and that's how I felt starting this book. Something huge was missing, but I didn't know what.

Another odd thing, that bugged me for how odd it was, is that when Mike surveys Dillon's living room, he claims there's something wrong with it he can't put his finger on. When he learns there's a hook in the ceiling that he'll be suspended from, somehow he finds a small trash can in the corner of the room to be a perfect explanation of why the room felt off........ Am I missing something? Do Americans not have a trash can in their living room, like other people? Why was that something that stuck out? And why does Dillon – a supposedly experienced Dom, who once had a permanent sub, who claims NEVER to bring back subs to his place – have a giant hook in the ceiling of his living room? Why doesn't he have a specific room, with all his equipment ready and prepared, rather than constantly moving and removing items from his living room? How does he explain that hook to people who come over, if he ever does?

As you can see, my mind was so consumed by the strangely absurd small details that didn't matter, because I simply had NO connection to the characters. While I should have been more interested in what was about to happen, as Mike and Dillon made their deal, I was hung-up on the odd little details the author thought worth mentioning that didn't make any sense to me.

For me, I was already willing to tap-out on page 3. I seriously considered giving up at 18%, when their first sex scene felt clinical, with no chemistry, and I was more busy wondering over the odd hook and trash can situation than how hot things might get. If I can't root for EITHER of the main characters, there's really no point in me continuing.

Would my unanswered questions have been resolved later in the story? That's perfectly possible. But why not answer them when the author thought it important enough to mention them, in the first place? I don't know. Maybe it's me, maybe the author and I won't ever gel, or maybe it's just this one book.

Whatever it is, this was a sad DNF. Disappointing and unfortunate.

There is something about learning to love someone else after the grave loss that feels like guilt and it makes it painful. But there's something even more important and that is when you start learning that you have to love yourself enough to respect your feelings.


This was a fantastic book to read.


Thanks to NetGalley for a copy for a review.

There was not a lot of depth to the characters, really. No growth, no realizations just sex. It wasn't a steamy pwp smut book despite the amount of sex. Hard to describe really, just not my thing.

M/M Romance is becoming a large part of my reading repertoire. I am glad I have found my way to reading this author. This was my first novel form her, and won’t be my last. In fact, I have an ARC for book two as well.
For an erotic BDSM genre book, I was a bit shocked at how quickly the erotic scenes read. That didn’t detract from the enjoyment, in fact it was nice to see two people not going at it like rabbits while also navigating a new relationship. It felt almost cozy? Not sure if that is the right sentiment but it was pretty much how I felt during their journey. It was very nice.
I felt like the dynamic was real. I could see this happening in a real life setting, and I think that is where the magic happened. There was something so incredibly mature about these two men and their journey to love. It was a breathe of fresh air, honestly.
I loved Mike’s unapologetic attitude for his choice of prostitution. He is a very strong individual who doesn’t NEED to be taken care of, but enjoys it…at least at the hand of Dillon. Dillon, went through a major heartbreak when his long time lover died. I was glad we entered the scene so far from the tragedy that we got minimal angst. Dillon was ready to move on and he found a second love in Mike.
This was a very quick read, and I enjoyed my time immensely. Can’t wait to crick open book 2. I will be keeping my eye out for this author.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and NineStar Press for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

An enjoyable steamy novel. It has an intense dom/sub relationship that's very respectful to BDSM and those who enjoy it. While a few improvements could have been made, I enjoyed it a lot, and I will be following this author for more of her books! I recommend Tricks and Bids to anyone not shy of BDSM looking for something quick, light, hot, and kinky.

Jacqueline Grey begins a new M/M BDSM series with this first entry, Tricks and Bids. The writing was solid with two strong characters: Michael and Dillon. Dillon, accountant by day and Master by night; and Michael, a college student on a 'break' taking a little more than hobby status of selling himself for 'fun'. But Michael is by no means the hustler type. He's just caught up in a world where he has yet to find a future.

There is erotic content here, but it feels more like a study in BDSM activity than steamy story-telling. I liked the emphasis on contracts and safe words, but more time was spent on the negotiations than on the activity. I just never felt any passion between these two. Grey makes it clear to the reader that there is a need for one another.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/M BDSM Romance

Michael is not too sure where he wants his life to go. While he is figuring it out, he kind of stumbles on his ability to make money as a prostitute. Now, he has no illusions as to what it truly means when he goes on these dates, but for right now, he's content.

Dillon is a dom who is feeling slightly lost. After a tragic accident, Dillon hasn't really been able to connect with anyone. But after one night with Michael, Dillon knows that he can't have just one night.

These two will go on a journey of self-discovery, trust, and mutual love. It's a quick read, with a lot of emotion and inner searching. I enjoyed their story and can't wait to see if they show up in more books.


Angie – ☆☆☆☆
This was a quick, easy read with lots of sex. I loved watching Michael and Dillon’s chemistry and how things progressed. For such a short book, I feel like a lot was given to us readers. I could have easily read a few hundred pages if they were there. It states it's book one in a series, so I hope the next book is just as good but maybe a tad bit longer.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This may be a short read, but it is a very full and well-formed story. I could have read lots more, as I loved both characters and seeing how their relationship developed.

Michael has gone slightly astray, having found he could earn college money from his body, but now it is all he does. So when he propositions a dominant outside a BDSM club, he is not expecting to find his future. Likewise, the man in question, Dillon, agrees to the suggestion much against his better judgement. There is clearly a link between the men, and as we watch them explore their kinks and grow closer, even the hardest heart would want them to become more than a business transaction.

A very good story with a lovely mix of very hot scenes and relationship growth.

I've no idea how I missed this wonderful author, and thank goodness NineStar press is republishing their stories! I’m anxiously awaiting the release of the final two episodes in the Suit of Harte’s series.

In only 66 pages Jacqueline Grey thoroughly grabbed me with this slightly dark, angsty, hurt/comfort tale. Wonderful characters, and scorching hot D/s scenes… I loved it!

3.5 stars

Dillon Spade is a Dom who lost his last submissive lover going on six years now. He has struggled to find a compatible lover in the interim. Leaving Harte’s, a BDSM club, Dillon is propositioned by Mike, an attractive younger man who’s interested in selling his services as a sub for a night. And, Dillon agrees.

They go to Dillon’s home, where he lays out his expectations so they can strike a bargain for one night of safe play. Mike is happy with Dillon’s forethought and attention to detail. Their play becomes far more deeply connecting than Mike’s previous pay-for-play experiences have ever been. He agrees to meet again, and again, for his same sum. In the intervening time, Dillon and Mike develop a rapport that gives Dillon hope for one day regaining a lover and relationship similar to his first one. Dillon sees the same kind of strength in Mike as in his lost lover—and he wants to move past pay-for-play into real life.

Tricks and Bids is an alternating POV story, so we really have the chance to experience Mike’s confusion and intrigue. We also get Dillon’s reticence, and long-standing heartache. I think, for me, the biggest issue was time. Why did Dillon wait six years in grief? He had the support of Harte, who is a childhood mate. It seemed inexplicably long. Then, Mike and Dillon get serious really fast. Dillon’s lover had been a full-service sub, and that’s what he truly wants. With a few nights of hired work, Mike seems ready to jump into this role. Again, why so fast? I get that they have dove-tailing interests—with Dillon willing to support Mike as Mike figures out his life plan—but it seemed conveniently timed.

This is the first book in a series, so maybe books down the line will have glimpses of this couple as they make their way forward into love. Right now, I think there’s a growing regard and a flame of lust fueling the beginning of this relationship. The BDSM sexytimes weren’t super intense, or particularly physical. I never felt Mike was in any danger, or that Dillon would ever lose his composure. They had deep talks in the night that allowed Dillon to share his memories of a tender love, and Mike yearned to be loved in such a way—which may be the way it all ends up. Time will tell, and I’d be eager to read on.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am not a fan of the BDSM genre. When is done properly, the book could be interesting, but more often than not authors twist the concept in such a way that makes me uneasy. I don’t like when actions are taken too far into that world and small details can ruin a whole book. That is what it has happened with this short story. There is good stuff in it, but the bad has pissed me off beyond rational measure. Let’s see what has rubbed me the wrong way!!

Michael is a young guy who sells his body in order to pay for college. At least that is what he says. One day he is fishing more customers outside a popular BDSM club and he soons catches the eye of Dillon, a dominant who has lost his former submissive and since then he is missing something in life. Dillon pays greatly for Michael’s services to scratch and itch, but he soons realize that one time won’t be enough. Is this the start of a beautiful relationship? Not at all. Trust me… don’t let them fool you.

One of the big issues I have had with this book, but not the biggest one, is the fact that this story is cold. Robotic. Stiff. So rigid and dispassionate that is like reading the manual for a new appliance that you have just bought. All technical terms and formal speech. That has no place in the Romance genre. Eveytime Michael and Dillon discuss the details of their relationship I wanted to scream and give them a piece of my mind. It has been truly unbearable to read the mechanical dynamics between those two. The only thing missing during those times was a lawyer or two to make sure all was done according to the best interestes of their clients…

It is a shame, because the story itself is not bad. It had good potential for something sweet. Yes, I believe it is possible to write a sweet BDSM story. But, for some reason, few authors try that concept. There are several details that, with a proper development, could have made this book much richer than it is: Michael’s struggles, Dillon’s past, the initiation in the BDSM world… Sadly, most pages are wasted in sealing the contracts before setting up the scene. Because it seems they didn’t have sex. They perfomed scenes… As I said: icy. Maybe this kind of book is just not my style, although I have read some books by Kele Moon that had much more feelings in it in half a paragraph than this whole story.

The point that has made me really hate this book are the characters. There is some love/hate relationship with them, but in the end the hate wins by far. Dillon is such a huge disappointment. I get that he is a dominant, but his concept of submissive is utterly wrong. He doesn’t want a partner for some role playing during naughty times. Nope. He wants a slave that does whatever Dillon wants whenever he pleases. He forbids the guy from having clothes inside the house. The submissive has to clean and cook. He also must behave like a puppy and be displayed naked for Dillon’s ejoyment… Such a healthy relationship. I have no idea about that kind of stuff, but I bet what Dillon wants has nothing to do with a true dynamic between dominant and submissive. And that made me very angry. The fact that Michael accepts everything without much of a fight is insulting for the character.

Also, what is the deal with the new cover? It looks too bright and oily. Not appealing at all. I have no intention of reading the rest books of this saga, but.. who knows?

A well written, fast paced, steamy, emotional , a bit melodramatic and angsty , BDSM story.

I enjoyed reading it.

I just reviewed Tricks and Bids by Jacqueline Grey. #TricksandBids #NetGalley

A short but well written book, that while it was about BDSM it also focused on loss.
The author managed to make well rounded characters and it wasn’t just about sex, instead it explored the amount of trust and care people can place in one another and how to move forward from the loss of a loved one

An enjoyable novella with a steamy storyline. Dillion and Matthew were likable characters and although short, I did enjoy their unconventional romance.

*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley*

This is a fast-paced read with plenty of drama and steam. When leaving a BDSM club, Dillion and Matthew meet, sparks fly, and Dillion decides to take Matthew home to play. They share a steamy night together but will one night be enough? Can they leave their baggage in the past? Great chemistry and an entertaining read. I liked it.

I've starting reading quite a few BDSM romances lately and I really loved this one. It’s a lovely, straightforward story line with two very relatable guys. I was skeptical first about Michael being a prostitute, having read a lot of books where it is seen as a last option for the person and mostly labeling it as degrading and seedy. But I loved how the author described in a way that it was a non-topic. So he made money doing a thing he loved ... no big deal. It also helped that his love interest Dillon didn't make a big deal out of it either. I hope for more books with this open attitude. The BDSM element is fairly tame throughout, which appreciated as it made me concentrate on the love story. I would tag it as a great starter piece for someone just getting into the genre. I loved it that the relationship between Dillon and Michael is very respectful and also tender in the end. A well written story and it left me with some steamy sex scenes and a loving feeling.

Meh -- this was just okay for me. I am not a huge fan of novellas, and I missed that description when requesting the book.

Overall, the characters of Michael and Dillon are both very likable. The book felt very RUSHED. It felt like lots of steps were omitted for the sake of brevity. It made the story feel disjointed, especially the ending. As I was reading, I thought "okay I see where this is going," and then BAM, here's your HEA.

Not sure I would read more by this author.

This is a really enjoyable novella - it was a short read at only 10 chapters but the author packs in quite a lot of content in the limited pages available.

I will admit that the plot was a little unexpected as I started reading the book before I had read the blurb so it did make my daughter chuckle when I told her what the book was about. I did think that the story was quite graphic in places but it was in keeping with the plot.

It was an enjoyable story and emotional at times too - very well written and plenty of content and the author's attention to detail was great - very highly recommended!!

Couldn’t stop reading this was amazing and very very steamy !! Only third MM but I love it and can’t wait to read more from this author !!

This novella was straight to the point M/M BDSM erotica skimmed and passed type of story, for me at least. Nothing was memorable, some scenes and most of the dialogue made me cringe, and I’m pretty sure the cover art was better than the story itself. It wasn't for me but could honestly see how this could be engaging for most readers who are just in it for the bow chicka wow wow since it’s 80%+ of the book so eat your hearts out ladies (and gens) because you’re in for a wild ride.