Review: The Sub's Club

The Subs Club (The Subs Club, #1)@Riptide @jarockauthor #bookreview #tearjerker #bdsm must read

The Subs Club by J.A. Rock

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a must read book to see the harsh realities of BDSM. David is a guy who loves his kink. His friends are all kinky. David's bratty attitude is a bit out of control and when he sets up a blog to "rate" dominants, I feel like I'm going into a major train wreck on a bullet train. When I first started this book, I cringed because David is so bloody annoying and I'm kicking myself for picking it up. I'm a fan of Ms. Rock. Sometimes, her books do not work for me. I can't stand the characters. After finding out how David tries to get a session with The Disciplinarian dom, I'm thinking this is a 2 star. How do I gracefully remove this book from my list and pretend I never saw it? I take a deep breath and force myself to continue.

I understand David's intent. He really wants to protect other submissive from dominants who are predators. This is a personal mission because one of his best friends dies from a scene. There are no winners in this situation. There are only losers because two people decided to go a bit too far. Now their irresponsibility impacts the entire community. I feel so bad for the owners of the club just as I am horrified for David. The fact that the dominant screwed up and his submissive died, should he be banned for life from the community? How is it possible for submissives to continue to come to a club and feel safe if the "murdering" dominant is still allowed to be in the club and play?

The BDSM in this story is dead on. It is Ms. Rock so I know it will be accurate. The interworking's of a community when something goes wrong is the impressive part of this story. Showing the impacts from multiple unbiased views makes this a fabulous read. This book takes on hard issues with no good answers. This extremely realistic portrayal of how things can go terrible pear-shaped and how the community responds is so well done. I personally don't know what I would do. It's hard because I can see David's point of view. I can also see the dominants being rated on the blog's point of view. I am also seeing the negative impact on the community. This division is not good for a community that is usually persecuted for their desires. At a fundamental level, Ms. Rock brings up the hard questions of - what happens when trust is violated. What happens when people do not feel safe in a community which requires privacy?

This is a thought provoking book that also includes messy human elements - high emotions. There are no easy answers here. This book isn't all serious heavy "questioning the meaning of life" material. David's snarky attitude brightens the book. His relationship with the Disciplinarian balances the book out. The characters in the book give it another layer of enjoyment. With wry commentary and dry humour from the Disciplinarian, I'm definitely attracted to his kind of dominance.

He came to stand beside me. “Among other things. In this culture of participation awards, this society where everyone is special and legitimate skill is the mark of a bygone era, we have ceased to quantify accomplishment. I look around and see a generation of useless, over privileged men who have all been taught to express their opinions rather than get things done.” (kindle loc. 681-683)

I sense a conservative no nonsense dominant. I'm excited. David, get back in the line. I want a turn with this dom.

“I just like humiliating adult men in tight white underwear.” [Disciplinarian]

“Fair enough. How do you feel about manties?” [David]

“I do not know what you’re talking about, nor do I care to find out.” [Disciplinarian]

“They’re panties for men. Lingerie.” [David]

He [Disciplinarian] reached for his mug and took a sip of coffee, never breaking eye contact with me. Then he got up, went to the counter and poured himself a whiskey. Knocked it back and stared at me once more. “I have erased your last words from my memory. Let’s go to the den.” (kindle loc. 2412-2417)


This book put me through the wringer. At the end, I loved it and I can't wait to read the next in the series. Recommended for kinky readers who enjoy a dose of messy reality with their romance.

*provided by NetGalley



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