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A review by undrcvrbookahlc
Break Me Down by Roni Loren
5.0
Alright this was surprisingly heartwarming. This book explores the topic of internalized toxic/fragile masculinity and what it means to be strong - being true to yourself regardless of anyone else's opinion. Our FMC, Sam, is a newer domme (not brand new but maybe a year or so) but has found peace within her role once she recognized that power within her. Our MC, Gibson (Gib), is a leader in his corporate job and was raised to take pain from his abusive father without flinching. After a traumatic event , Sam flees to her grandmothers dilapidated house that she is in the middle of fixing up. Gib chases after her knowing she shouldn't be alone. Sam and Gib had a fling the summer before but ended things respectfully when they both couldn't budge from their dominant roles. However, they both realize that this week at the house can be their chance to explore a D/s relationship and Gib can give in to his overwhelming desire to submit.
Since this is told in dual POV, we see his every hesitation and thought behind not wanting to admit that he wants to be dominated. During this exploration, Sam pushed Gib to some limits and he found it harder and harder to deny that he wanted to be her sub, but his anxiety towards being publicly known as a submissive stopped him from fully committing to her. Sam knew that she never wanted to be a secret again so she respected Gib's decision despite having fallen in love with him and how it meant this was the end for them for good this time. While this means that there was a 3rd act breakup, it was done in a way that I've never seen before. This was more of a "right person, wrong time" sort of situation and that almost made it worse. It was a very respectful, mutual decision that they both hated but knew was the right thing to do.
Since this is a novella, it was pretty quick but that doesn't mean the spice and the heart isn't there. I really enjoyed this book and seeing Gib's transformation. You feel the connection between them and seeing them together at the end was extremely rewarding. We also get to see Gib's friends support him in the end and I was so happy for him that he had friends that would help him through anything. There was some light teasing but Pike and Foster are the real deal, friend-wise.
Make sure to check CW/TW - (forced play scenes/cnc are discussed and somewhat executed at the end of the book)
Spoiler
(descriptive, attempted rape)Since this is told in dual POV, we see his every hesitation and thought behind not wanting to admit that he wants to be dominated. During this exploration, Sam pushed Gib to some limits and he found it harder and harder to deny that he wanted to be her sub, but his anxiety towards being publicly known as a submissive stopped him from fully committing to her. Sam knew that she never wanted to be a secret again so she respected Gib's decision despite having fallen in love with him and how it meant this was the end for them for good this time. While this means that there was a 3rd act breakup, it was done in a way that I've never seen before. This was more of a "right person, wrong time" sort of situation and that almost made it worse. It was a very respectful, mutual decision that they both hated but knew was the right thing to do.
Since this is a novella, it was pretty quick but that doesn't mean the spice and the heart isn't there. I really enjoyed this book and seeing Gib's transformation. You feel the connection between them and seeing them together at the end was extremely rewarding. We also get to see Gib's friends support him in the end and I was so happy for him that he had friends that would help him through anything. There was some light teasing but Pike and Foster are the real deal, friend-wise.
Make sure to check CW/TW - (forced play scenes/cnc are discussed and somewhat executed at the end of the book)