Review: Empty-Handed Heart

Empty-Handed Heart by Tymber Dalton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Is this Cardinal Rule all over again? One of the first books I read by Ms. Dalton broke my heart. One of the first books in the series, a love story all twisted and angst-filled just about killed me. When a beloved Dom leaves a submissive with little notice, it is painful. Fortunately, in this story, there is no abrupt departure in the middle of the night.

Aden is a man who loved his Dom, Niall, with all his heart. It wasn't enough to keep Niall with him when Niall is offered a job in California, just as Aden starts to build a stable life for them. It is sad to see how jobs can tear lovers apart as there is no way for Aden to uproot himself after wanting to put down roots for years. This is a very important piece for Aden because as an orphan, he had no family or place to call home. Loving Niall and gaining a father from Niall's family is more than Aden could have hoped for, so when the break has to occur, it's like losing a piece of himself.

It is clear both men still have feelings for each other. Long distance did not work for them as it does not for most. Aden finally moves on to be with a woman, Etsu. Life looks to be good except from Etsu's crazy overly protective family. The antics of her family are heinous and outrageous. I'm horrified by what they do and how malicious they are to Etsu's boyfriends. How they treat Etsu is beyond comprehension. It's good to see how Aden is able to deflect and let it roll off his back. When Niall returns back to Florida, this is when the story grows in heat.

I loved the relationship dynamics between these three characters. Together, the three of them complete each other in ways that Etsu's family will never appreciate nor understand. This is their loss. Aden's submission to Niall is smoking hawt. His dominance over Etsu is so sweet. When the three of them get together, it is panty-moistening goodness. The kinky scenes in here are fantastic and a dream to witness. The bonds these three form make this love story engaging and memorable. This erotic romance is highly recommended to kinky ménage lovers.