Review - Bruised

This review originally appeared in slightly different form at BDSM Book Reviews.

Johnson is just closing up the garage where he works when Texas transplant Billy drives in to get his truck serviced. There’s an almost instant attraction between the two, and after a flirtatious dinner, Billy invites the big mechanic home, where the sparks really begin to fly.

“Bruised” is, more than anything, pure grade A smut. Once Billy and Johnson get together, which happens within the first few pages, we’re treated to an almost continuous sequence of scenes as the two explore a rather specific kink they discover on their first night together: Johnson loves Billy’s pale skin and can’t keep his lips and teeth off of it. By the morning, Billy is covered in hickeys and bruises, and he likes it.

The rest of the book is devoted almost entirely to the pair’s exploration of this one kink. They try a little light bondage, but never move beyond that. Although the title suggests it, there’s no pain play of any kind. The only bruises Billy gets are from Johnson’s lips or the pressure of his hand on his lover’s skin. The young cowboy never gets as much as a spanking.

There’s no real story here at all. Only the minimum amount of prose is used to connect one love scene to another. The things that might normally add drama to a plot, such as an argument or Billy putting in long hours, are quickly swept aside and used as simply another reason to have sex.

Which is not to say the sex isn’t hot; it just gets a little repetitive after a while. Given the length of the book, a little more depth to the characters and their relationship might have made things more interesting. While the story will certainly titillate, it will be forgotten as soon as you finish.

The newly revised edition of “Bruised” is available for early download from Totally Bound.