Review - The Accidental Master by M.A. Innes

Jackson lets his sister talk him into placing a Facebook ad to promote his dog training business. Now, he’s getting emails from men into puppy play, which is not something he’s ever been interested in. He answers most of the messages with polite responses explaining the mixup. One email in particular catches Jackson’s imagination. It’s from two young men who are both submissives into puppy play. They’re in search of a dominant master to take them both under his wing. Cooper and Sawyer know that it’s going to be hard to find a man to take on both of them, but they’ve been through a lot together and can’t imagine ever being apart.

“The Accidental Master” is a very sweet, slow-burn romance about the evolution of a three-way relationship. Jackson and the two young men don’t meet in person until halfway through the book. Until then, it’s an often humorous series of conversations while the two pups try not to scare off a potential master, and Jackson tries to figure out if he can deal with the idea of puppy play, let alone with two puppies.

Of the three men, I think Cooper is the pivotal character. Despite some bad past experiences, the young man remains irrepressible. He is also a very energetic personality. A career in a coffee shop may not have been the best choice. It’s Cooper’s enthusiasm which keeps the conversation with Jackson going when Sawyer is inclined to let it drop.

Sawyer met Cooper on the first day of high school, when he had to rescue Cooper from some bullies, and the two have been best friends ever since. He continues to feel very protective of Cooper, but can’t give him everything he needs. Sawyer may be good at planning, budgeting and other adult skills, but he’s no dominant. It’s very tiring emotionally trying to be one for Cooper.

Jackson may not have ever given thought to the kinky lifestyle, but he’s well suited to being a dominant and doesn’t resist the idea once it’s planted. He understands he will have to earn Sawyer and Cooper’s trust. It’s something Jackson takes very seriously. This is just the start of a series following the developing relationship between the three. We’ll have to see where they go from here.

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“The Accidental Master” is available from Amazon (commissionable link).