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One Shot by Rowan McBride My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Taboo Office Affairs with a Wickedly Delicious Twist!
One shot for immunity,
One shot for aesthetic pursuit,
One shot for love
Afterall the path of our life depends on all those one shots (opportunities) we choose to take in life. There's no rewind or playback buttons in life. That's not a bad thing really if you were to see it as a catalyst to push us to live our life to the fullest and a cause to cherish what we have. Doesn't this makes everything you have sweeter and your journey more worthwhile?
Destiny is created by yourself and it isn't defined. You don't like your current reality? Then re-write it yourself. It's all you and in you!
The Story
A story about a flu vaccine that affects the physical appearance of those inoculated. This phenomena made the MC uncertain of his own standing. Peer pressure to be inoculated was great and he was receiving enormous pressure from Riley, a newbie under his team. Nick was no longer sure if aesthetic appeal has no part in his career advancement, his ego certainly needed a boost. Is he really that satisfied with the current him?
This is a fun and fascinating read. One Shot is an engaging and compelling romance with strong presence of fetishism (will talk about that part later) for the erotica aspect. The premise has a science fiction plot which freaks out the more delicate M/M readers. Luckily I happen to be a fan of such theme (will also talk about the theme later). I am a versatile reader even for erotica and it's a losing battle to count the number of kinks I have.
To me, this is an erotica despite the low sex scene count. In fact, the whole book is thick with a particular sexual fetishism although it's not a widely known one. Continue reading this review to find out what I am going on about. *sly smile*
The Main Characters
If you really want someone, then why hold back? Do what makes you happy. Life is short anyways. This phrase suits Riley Jameson the most. He is a go getter in life. He saw Nick Carlyle, liked him, and took his risk. He might not be great with flirting, but he has a good heart and was quite a romantic person. I do liked him very much because I wish I could be as courageous in life as him.
Nick Carlyle the main character of this book didn't have many friends but he is unquestionably a genius at his work although when it comes to the social aspect he is lacking and clueless. It took some time for him to endear to me, I am glad that he is able to accept his weaknesses and was brave enough to take a leap of faith in pursuit of happiness.
I wouldn't say they are made for each other even if they think physically they fit perfectly, but I do think Nick is certainly learning from Riley on how not to over analyze his life and actually live it for once. So Riley is a good thing for Nick. And Nick is great for Riley in other areas too. Partners that encourages mutual personal growth and development is always a good thing. They bring out the best of each other.
I love that both characters wasn't the perfect soul and that makes them all the more endearing, adorable and relatable.
About the Fetish and Terminology
The story was well written, I love the chemistry and sexual tension, plus the premise is a fascinating and memorable one. You know, I am actually having much fun laughing my heart out here because it seems that many didn't even know they read a book on muscle and growth fetish. These readers just find the premise odd and unconventional. In reality, this book is actually targeting readers with that fetish. As I've said, that kink dominates the whole book. And yet many says it's not heavy on sexy times. Lol. For me, the entire book was sexy as hell -- sexy times non-stop for readers with the right kink. Yeah baby! And that office molestation and dubcon sex scenes was hawt!
One more thing I don't get is why many readers tries to categorize this book as yaoi? Many other M/M books applies the larger top and smaller bottom or stronger top and weaker bottom recipe, so why is this any different? Other non-yaoi books also have those protesting and in denial bottoms and the same goes with the top pursuing the bottom plot. So what gives? Was it because vanilla innocent readers don't know what to make of that muscle fetish thingy and can't put a finger on this particular theme? For Japanese, yaoi is applicable to M/M romance as well you know? There is a difference between yaoi and shonen-ai tho, as the latter is meant for young adults since it does not contain explicit sexual content like yaoi. There isn't really any distinguishable differences between yaoi and M/M romance. It's just a term used by the Japanese to refer to homoerotic/homoromantic fiction. They would use it to refer to English language gay romance as well because that is Yaoi.
In a Nutshell
If you are a fan of couples with profound physical size difference, loves sexy manhandling in your story and adored sweet romances then this book is the perfect fit for you provided if you don't the mind physical growth and muscle fetish. Needless to say, this book caters to my unique fetishism perfectly. It was a joy to read and I have enjoyed it immensely.
Should you desire for more of such reads along the same line, you may want to try out Want Me by the same author along with her other unpublished works, The Jascian's Toy and Jonah's Giant. I loved it all of course.
I am actually glad this book still appeals to the general M/M romances readers despite its peculiar premise. That's a good thing. Please don't be afraid to try out new things, you will never know if you don't try. Just try to approach this book with an open mind.
It's nice when a book makes you think and and reminds you of what is important in life. Self reflection could bring about great changes in life. "Seeing within changes one's outer vision." quoted by Joseph Chilton Pearce
BOOK DETAILS:
Title: One Shot
Author: Rowan McBride
Publication Date: October 5th, 2009
Publisher: Loose ID
Cover Art: P.L. Nunn
Type: Novella, 38,748 words (approximate)
Genre: M/M Romance, Erotica, Contemporary, Scifi, Fantasy
Characters: Nick Carlyle (the MC, 27 years old, an executive/manager at a firm), Riley Jameson (23 years old, a newbie staff under the MC), Greg Morris (approximately 37 years old, a mentor and friend of the MC)
Tags/Keywords:
alpha male, amorous suitor, bizzare, science fiction, fantasy, muscle fetish, physical growth fetish, manhandling, massive musclebound man, protective partner, possessive partner, profound physical size difference, romance
Description:
Nick Carlyle understands the intricacies of his job better than anyone. He lives to crunch those numbers and his skills are valued throughout the company. If his personal life might be lacking, he doesn't notice, especially whenever he steals a harmless glance or two at Riley Jameson's tight body.
When a universal flu shot is developed, it's hailed as a miracle, and rightly so. But the seemingly harmless side-effects begin to change the world, warping the statistics that Nick's always used to guide him through life.
No one changes as much as Riley. Suddenly the young man is bigger, stronger. He's also aggressive in ways Nick isn't prepared for, and for the first time analyzing the numbers does nothing to help the situation.
And if numbers can't help him, what can?
Author's note:
I’m having trouble finding my “rambling” groove with One Shot. This is my fourth or fifth draft, and usually it only takes one. I can’t seem to find anything to say other than “I had a helluva lot of fun writing the story.”
But I did. I like Nick. He’s a really good guy and isn’t conscious of that fact. Doing what’s right comes naturally, but because it comes naturally, he tends not to notice that the people around him care for and respect him. And I like Riley. He’s fun and aggressive and he’s always watching Nick. He says what he feels. Nick has no idea how to handle the attention and being off balance that way is good for him. Hell, I even like Greg, one of Nick’s coworkers. I was bound and determined to make him a hardcore villain, but he turned out to be a pretty good guy, even if he might be a little bit of a lush.
I like how the characters interact with each other. I like the way the story evolved from what was supposed to be a five thousand word short to a thirty-six thousand word novella.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that I like One Shot, and I hope you like it too. :)
WHERE TO BUY:
* Reviewed on March 25th, 2014
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