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Training Season #2
Training Complex
Buckle up - Matty's back!
Figure skater Matty Marcus didn't capture Olympic gold, but he won rancher Rob Lovely's heart.
After Rob sold his ranch and Matty hung up his skates, they started a new life together in New York City. Now Matty has taken on a fresh challenge as a figure skating coach, and Rob's second career as a physical therapist should be everything he's dreamed of. But in the brutal heat of their third summer in the city, Rob yearns for the wide-open country, and the intensity of city life awakens Matty's demons.
Matty asks for increasingly intense BDSM scenes, and his disordered eating and erratic behavior ramp up the stakes. Rob struggles to stay in control, and after a well-intentioned anniversary gift goes awry, he still thinks he can handle the fallout. But the concrete jungle is closing in and his coping skills are unraveling.
Their love is deep, but Rob will have to admit the truth about what he really wants before they both tumble into chaos.
Figure skater Matty Marcus didn't capture Olympic gold, but he won rancher Rob Lovely's heart.
After Rob sold his ranch and Matty hung up his skates, they started a new life together in New York City. Now Matty has taken on a fresh challenge as a figure skating coach, and Rob's second career as a physical therapist should be everything he's dreamed of. But in the brutal heat of their third summer in the city, Rob yearns for the wide-open country, and the intensity of city life awakens Matty's demons.
Matty asks for increasingly intense BDSM scenes, and his disordered eating and erratic behavior ramp up the stakes. Rob struggles to stay in control, and after a well-intentioned anniversary gift goes awry, he still thinks he can handle the fallout. But the concrete jungle is closing in and his coping skills are unraveling.
Their love is deep, but Rob will have to admit the truth about what he really wants before they both tumble into chaos.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 10, 2015
83 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
Leta Blake
91Ìýbooks1,713ÌýfollowersAuthor of the bestselling book Smoky Mountain Dreams and fan favorites Training Season, Will & Patrick Wake Up Married, and Slow Heat, Leta Blake has been captivating M/M Romance readers for over a decade. Whether writing contemporary romance or fantasy, she puts her psychology background to use creating complex characters and love stories that feel real. At home in the Southern U.S., Leta works hard at achieving balance between her writing and her family life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
May 14, 2015
"Matty and Rob are back! Matty and Rob are back!!" I literally said that out loud when I heard there was a sequel in the works for my favorite book of 2014 . I just could not love these characters any more than I already do. Even more now that I've read the sequel .
The beginning of the book finds us three years after the end of . Rob and Matty are living in New York, in Rob's small apartment. Rob enjoys his work as a physical therapist, Matty is coaching with his old trainer Valentina, who continues to love but berate him at every turn, and Ben is now 18 and still skating and living with his mother in New Jersey. And everyone is miserable. But for different reasons. All is not well in the world of Rob and Matty, but their love is stronger than ever.
I will admit that parts of this book were hard to read and the angst level was, at times, uncomfortable. But watching the boys struggle made the HEA epilogue just that much sweeter and satisfying. The sex between Rob and Matty is as raunchy as ever, and a few scenes even had me squirming, but the love was able to break through and give me a warm glow of happiness for them. Nothing managed to come close to topping the scene in the cornfield from , but that is OK by me. That cornfield scene is one for the record books and I actually prefer to keep it uncontested!
If you liked the first book, you owe it to yourself to read this sequel to see how the boys make it to their HEA. If you loved the first book, you're probably already reading/read it. I HIGHLY recommend this one and am deliriously happy that the characters were able to happily walk off into the sunset, hand in hand. Thank you ever so much !
*putting bug in Leta's ear* Now, not to be a greedy bitch, but I really, really want to read Elliot's story now. And maybe check in on the happy couple in the future?
PS: I talked about Roman and Deniz in my review of and there is a scene in where Rob watches Matty skate with so much love and adoration, but with a bitter sweetness that comes with the fact Matty is no longer skating in front of a crowd, that it reminded me of a scene with Roman and Deniz. I if you are interested. Love my DeRo!
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July 16, 2015My apologies to Ms. Blake but I'm not going to rate this. This is on me. I have an annoying habit of not reading blurbs and... I should've read the blurb. If I'd read the blurb I would've known where this was heading and I wouldn't have requested it. Instead I was presumptuous and assumed the conflict would be NYC vs. Montana and it was, but not entirely.
The fact of the matter is this book was a chore for me. I forced myself to read it and it exhausted me because it felt like work. I don't know about you but when I get free time I don't want to think about work. I want to get as far away from work as possible. This brought work home.
Matty is... a train wreck. He's got serious mental health issues that need professional attention. I realize he and Rob are in financial straits but I cannot believe there are no resources available in NYC. But, apparently, there aren't and they are trying to handle his mental illness using BDSM which is a trope I'm not fond of. BDSM is not a cure all. I understand wanting/needing a scene occasionally to get out of your own head, but it's not a viable treatment modality for mental illness.
What's more, the onus of this "treatment" falls on Rob's shoulders and it exhausts him. Matty is a leach, always pushing, always taking and Rob is always giving. Their relationship is dysfunctional and codependent with the power firmly held by Matty. I'm sure this hella fucked up relationship was created by design for dramatic effect, but I much prefer reading books featuring mutually beneficial relationships or at least for the most part.
I couldn't even get into the kink and there's good kink here! Me! I skimmed kink! Look outside your window because it's entirely possible pigs are flying. My discomfort did plateau about three-quarter's of the way through, but I still feel like it's a gross misuse of BDSM and, mostly, I just pitied them. They made me sad.
Kudos to Ms. Blake on the characterizations and obvious research she did into mental illness. I continue to have issues with the writing style. It devolves into minutiae that doesn't advance the story in meaningful ways. My chief complaint about Training Season was its propensity to take a point and drive it into the ground over and over again. As a reader, I don't need to be told something repeatedly especially not when it involves these topics. It could've been trimmed (conservatively) by at least a fourth. If you make your words count for something the first time, you don't have to go down the Parrot Express and treat readers like preschoolers. See how annoying that was?
It wasn't all dour. There were moments of levity and bright spots and an HEA and somehow the mental illness got magically fixed by, I guess, a combination of BDSM, a Come to Jesus fight with Rob, a self help book and a newfound friendship with a slave. I wish I'd read the blurb.
The fact of the matter is this book was a chore for me. I forced myself to read it and it exhausted me because it felt like work. I don't know about you but when I get free time I don't want to think about work. I want to get as far away from work as possible. This brought work home.
Matty is... a train wreck. He's got serious mental health issues that need professional attention. I realize he and Rob are in financial straits but I cannot believe there are no resources available in NYC. But, apparently, there aren't and they are trying to handle his mental illness using BDSM which is a trope I'm not fond of. BDSM is not a cure all. I understand wanting/needing a scene occasionally to get out of your own head, but it's not a viable treatment modality for mental illness.
What's more, the onus of this "treatment" falls on Rob's shoulders and it exhausts him. Matty is a leach, always pushing, always taking and Rob is always giving. Their relationship is dysfunctional and codependent with the power firmly held by Matty. I'm sure this hella fucked up relationship was created by design for dramatic effect, but I much prefer reading books featuring mutually beneficial relationships or at least for the most part.
I couldn't even get into the kink and there's good kink here! Me! I skimmed kink! Look outside your window because it's entirely possible pigs are flying. My discomfort did plateau about three-quarter's of the way through, but I still feel like it's a gross misuse of BDSM and, mostly, I just pitied them. They made me sad.
Kudos to Ms. Blake on the characterizations and obvious research she did into mental illness. I continue to have issues with the writing style. It devolves into minutiae that doesn't advance the story in meaningful ways. My chief complaint about Training Season was its propensity to take a point and drive it into the ground over and over again. As a reader, I don't need to be told something repeatedly especially not when it involves these topics. It could've been trimmed (conservatively) by at least a fourth. If you make your words count for something the first time, you don't have to go down the Parrot Express and treat readers like preschoolers. See how annoying that was?
It wasn't all dour. There were moments of levity and bright spots and an HEA and somehow the mental illness got magically fixed by, I guess, a combination of BDSM, a Come to Jesus fight with Rob, a self help book and a newfound friendship with a slave. I wish I'd read the blurb.
May 13, 2015
Oh this book. This frustrating, Lovely (<--see what I did there, Rob?)book.
Leta Blake makes magic for me. I adored the first book. I admitted in that review that Matty isn't the typical MC that I warm to. So bratty and selfish and immature. But I still fell in love with him in Training Season. And Rob? Cannonize the man. He's just perfect.
But I'll be honest and say that I spent the first 80% of this book really frustrated and sad. My love for Matty overrode my dislike of his selfish, bratty ways in the first book. But for the first 80% of this book? I had very little love in my reserve for Matty.
"Matty's good at talking about himself."
"Is he any good at listening?"
That would be a NO!
Matty was at his most self-absorbed in this book. Was his character written flawlessly? Yes. Did he still deserve the mother of all bitch slaps? Oh yeah.
"I mean, the guy is not happy. You haven't noticed?"(Talking about Rob)
"No."
No, Matty. You haven't noticed a thing outside of yourself.
I couldn't even really get into the sex scenes up to this point, because I kinda felt like they were tainted with the dysfunction of the current state of their relationship.
Does Matty eventually snap out of it? Yeah, he does. Was it just a smidge too little, too late for me? Yeah, a bit. There was even a scene in the book, from Matty's POV, where he considers throwing a tantrum. Those words are used! He actually considers it!
"He was just going to put his food in his mouth and be a fucking grownup about it."
Well, hallelujah!
The tension mounts for most of the book. We know something's gotta give. We just don't know what. And it does.
After that....I loved the rest of the book. And the epilogue? Sigh. So Lovely <---just can't help myself.
4 stars overall. Regardless of how much I wanted to throw Matty in front of a bus, Blake's writing was phenomenal.
Leta Blake makes magic for me. I adored the first book. I admitted in that review that Matty isn't the typical MC that I warm to. So bratty and selfish and immature. But I still fell in love with him in Training Season. And Rob? Cannonize the man. He's just perfect.
But I'll be honest and say that I spent the first 80% of this book really frustrated and sad. My love for Matty overrode my dislike of his selfish, bratty ways in the first book. But for the first 80% of this book? I had very little love in my reserve for Matty.
"Matty's good at talking about himself."
"Is he any good at listening?"
That would be a NO!
Matty was at his most self-absorbed in this book. Was his character written flawlessly? Yes. Did he still deserve the mother of all bitch slaps? Oh yeah.
"I mean, the guy is not happy. You haven't noticed?"(Talking about Rob)
"No."
No, Matty. You haven't noticed a thing outside of yourself.
I couldn't even really get into the sex scenes up to this point, because I kinda felt like they were tainted with the dysfunction of the current state of their relationship.
Does Matty eventually snap out of it? Yeah, he does. Was it just a smidge too little, too late for me? Yeah, a bit. There was even a scene in the book, from Matty's POV, where he considers throwing a tantrum. Those words are used! He actually considers it!
"He was just going to put his food in his mouth and be a fucking grownup about it."
Well, hallelujah!
The tension mounts for most of the book. We know something's gotta give. We just don't know what. And it does.
After that....I loved the rest of the book. And the epilogue? Sigh. So Lovely <---just can't help myself.
4 stars overall. Regardless of how much I wanted to throw Matty in front of a bus, Blake's writing was phenomenal.
May 23, 2016
4,5 redondeadas al alza porque Matty y Rob no se merecen otra cosa después de tanta lucha. Y es que este libro es una lucha, no os llaméis a error, si habéis leÃdo el 1, que sepáis que el paseo por el campo ha terminado y que la realidad es la que es, una mierda, vamos.
El personaje de Rob, que ya me gustó en el libro anterior, en éste adquiere una dimensión maravillosa, el santo Rob tendrÃamos que llamarle, porque mira que traga, y traga y traga, hasta destrozarse a sà mismo, y todo por amor, amor a un Matty que está desatado, fuera de control, cosas que intuimos en el primer libro en este nos dan la bofetada, joder si nos la dan.
En esta entrega hay sexo bastante duro e incómodo de leer, ya no por los elementos de BDSM que ya sabemos que es lo que les va, sino porque el componente emocional está tan ligado a esos encuentros que es imposible que no te duelan las entrañas pasando las páginas, esto lo hemos hablado mucho Elsa, Izen y yo, en esta lectura tuvimos unas conversaciones muy intensas sobre el tema y todas coincidimos en que ha sido una experiencia bonita pero difÃcil. Y sin curas mágicas, aquà es todo terapia y trabajo interior, ya podrÃa más de un autor aplicarse el cuento.
Totalmente recomendable.
El personaje de Rob, que ya me gustó en el libro anterior, en éste adquiere una dimensión maravillosa, el santo Rob tendrÃamos que llamarle, porque mira que traga, y traga y traga, hasta destrozarse a sà mismo, y todo por amor, amor a un Matty que está desatado, fuera de control, cosas que intuimos en el primer libro en este nos dan la bofetada, joder si nos la dan.
En esta entrega hay sexo bastante duro e incómodo de leer, ya no por los elementos de BDSM que ya sabemos que es lo que les va, sino porque el componente emocional está tan ligado a esos encuentros que es imposible que no te duelan las entrañas pasando las páginas, esto lo hemos hablado mucho Elsa, Izen y yo, en esta lectura tuvimos unas conversaciones muy intensas sobre el tema y todas coincidimos en que ha sido una experiencia bonita pero difÃcil. Y sin curas mágicas, aquà es todo terapia y trabajo interior, ya podrÃa más de un autor aplicarse el cuento.
Totalmente recomendable.
May 6, 2015
I think I liked this sequel more than , and that is saying something considering how much I loved that book! This sequel is just...man. Everything I could have wanted and more. It's sexy and sweet and angsty. Matty and Rob make mistakes. (No cheating, don't worry!) They love each other, but they aren't perfect, and I really enjoy that this book explores challenges many couples face with communication and money woes. But it's done with unique flair, and in the end their love sees them through with flying colours. (This is a romance novel, after all -- HEAs are the name of the game.) It wasn't always easy to see Rob and Matty hurting, but it was so worth it. I was grinning like an idiot when I finished -- the outcome felt so very earned. I'm admittedly biased since I edited this book, but I really did love it to bits.
July 12, 2015
Reading Training Complex turned into a rather impromptu buddy read as me and several of my GR friends gushed, gasped, encouraged and held each other's hands when emotions were high. Thanks Gigi and Renee for being there for me :)
I admit that when I heard about this book coming out, I was excited as fuck. The first one rocked my socks off and I couldn't wait to get more Matty & Rob. When Training Complex was released yesterday (surprise!) I couldn't one-click fast enough.
I was nervous, though. I don't like my HEA's being fucked with and as much as I wanted more Matty & Rob, I wasn't sure how I would handle it if they broke up for any period of time during this book. Thank fuck, that did not happen. Nope, their HEA was never in danger. There was a lot of stress and boatloads of pressure and both Matty and Rob were drowning in it. But their commitment to one another? Never in question. Now, I won't go so far as to say you won't be put through the emotional wringer while reading Training Complex. Because I would be lying.
Training Complex picks up about 3 years or so after Matty and Rob got back together in . They're still living in the small apartment that Rob was living in when Matty found him again. Matty has been working as an assistant coach and Rob is quite settled into his physical therapy job.
Rob doesn't really like living in NYC, though. He's there for Matty, but he really misses the wide open spaces and sky you can actually see and the quiet. New York is noisy and dirty and he feels claustrophobic. Plus, the past year has been really stressful for Matty. Matty internalizes so much and when that happens, his issues manifest in disordered eating, and other methods of self punishment. And this time it's worse than it ever has been before.
Their BDSM play is a lot more hard core than it was in Montana, with Matty wanting more and more intense play to help his destructive inner voice stay quiet. And while Rob loves their pain play, he doesn't like doing the "resets" at all. They're intense, and exhausting and they hurt him, too.
Rob tried so hard to be the strong one, but he was neglecting his own needs and he was forgetting that Matty is more than his sub. Matty is his boyfriend; his partner. So Rob didn't talk about his unhappiness with living in the city. And Matty is just a bit self-centered, and dealing with so much of his own stress and unhappiness with what he perceives as his failures, so he didn't notice.
And like anything under pressure, once the pressure rose too high to be contained, they broke. And it was intense and it was hard to breathe. But when the dust settled a bit and they actually talked to each other - really talked - you could see so so clearly their commitment to one another. And it was so damn beautiful I wanted to cry.
So read it (assuming you've read . If you haven't, go read that one and then read Training Complex). Just read it. Be ready for an emotional journey, but I promise it will be worth it.
I admit that when I heard about this book coming out, I was excited as fuck. The first one rocked my socks off and I couldn't wait to get more Matty & Rob. When Training Complex was released yesterday (surprise!) I couldn't one-click fast enough.
I was nervous, though. I don't like my HEA's being fucked with and as much as I wanted more Matty & Rob, I wasn't sure how I would handle it if they broke up for any period of time during this book. Thank fuck, that did not happen. Nope, their HEA was never in danger. There was a lot of stress and boatloads of pressure and both Matty and Rob were drowning in it. But their commitment to one another? Never in question. Now, I won't go so far as to say you won't be put through the emotional wringer while reading Training Complex. Because I would be lying.
Training Complex picks up about 3 years or so after Matty and Rob got back together in . They're still living in the small apartment that Rob was living in when Matty found him again. Matty has been working as an assistant coach and Rob is quite settled into his physical therapy job.
Rob doesn't really like living in NYC, though. He's there for Matty, but he really misses the wide open spaces and sky you can actually see and the quiet. New York is noisy and dirty and he feels claustrophobic. Plus, the past year has been really stressful for Matty. Matty internalizes so much and when that happens, his issues manifest in disordered eating, and other methods of self punishment. And this time it's worse than it ever has been before.
Their BDSM play is a lot more hard core than it was in Montana, with Matty wanting more and more intense play to help his destructive inner voice stay quiet. And while Rob loves their pain play, he doesn't like doing the "resets" at all. They're intense, and exhausting and they hurt him, too.
Rob tried so hard to be the strong one, but he was neglecting his own needs and he was forgetting that Matty is more than his sub. Matty is his boyfriend; his partner. So Rob didn't talk about his unhappiness with living in the city. And Matty is just a bit self-centered, and dealing with so much of his own stress and unhappiness with what he perceives as his failures, so he didn't notice.
And like anything under pressure, once the pressure rose too high to be contained, they broke. And it was intense and it was hard to breathe. But when the dust settled a bit and they actually talked to each other - really talked - you could see so so clearly their commitment to one another. And it was so damn beautiful I wanted to cry.
So read it (assuming you've read . If you haven't, go read that one and then read Training Complex). Just read it. Be ready for an emotional journey, but I promise it will be worth it.
"We'll be able to see the North Star almost every night."
Matty kissed Rob's chin. "I see it every night now. I see it whenever you look at me."
Rob cupped Matty's face, gazing into his eyes. "I see it, too."
Want to read
April 28, 2015I am very nervous about this one. (I did know about this sequel, still nervous).
I love for my HEA couples to remain so while drinking mimosas in True Love's pool, reading FOREVER Weekly magazine...nothing interrupting their flow. They eat cookies and read Sterek, a happy place.
Leave me to my illusion-this is where all my favorite couples go.
I love for my HEA couples to remain so while drinking mimosas in True Love's pool, reading FOREVER Weekly magazine...nothing interrupting their flow. They eat cookies and read Sterek, a happy place.
Leave me to my illusion-this is where all my favorite couples go.
August 25, 2023
Ahora que Matty dejo de entrenar para competir y se dedico a enseñar patinaje artistico, Rob penso que estarian bien. Pero Matty se siente cada vez mas fuera de control, sigue sin querer comer, haciendo demasiado ejercicio, comprando cosas que no pueden pagar, y si a eso le agregamos, todo sus problemas economicos, lo costoso que es el entrenamiento de Ben, lo dificil que es para Rob seguir en la ciudad y lo mucho que le cuesta mantener el control, parece una receta segura para el fracaso. Asi que sabe que debe retomar el control en su vida, hacer ver a Matty que necesita un terapeuta, aceptar su vida en New York e intentar mantener su economia a flote. Y cuando un dia se reencuentra con un Dom que habia conocido años antes cuando llego a la ciudad, este decide que Rob necesita un amigo, alguien que realmente lo vea como es y no como quieren que sea, alguien que lo ayude de verdad a encontrar el camino, y tal vez, ayudarlo a volver a tener el control de su vida.
Este libro me dejo emociones encontradas. Despues de leer el primer libro queria saber mas de la pareja, queria saber el punto de vista de Rob, queria saber mas de la carrera de Ben y como Matty habia asumido su papel de entrenador. Tambien, queria saber si se habian unido a algun club BDSM, o si habian encontrado a alguien de ese ambiente que los apoyara. Y si, habia muchas de esas cosas aqui, pero no las senti parte de la trama. Este libro fue basicamente de Matty, sus problemas fisicos y psicologicos, y aunque se escuchaba la voz de Rob, realmente nunca supimos mas de Rob, mas que su añoranza al campo, no vimos mas de la relacion Rob-Ben, o Rob-Anja, Rob-Donna (mama de Matty). Por eso los momentos Rob-Tato me gustaron tanto, la verdadera amistad del hombre y su verdadero deseo de ayudar. Claro, tambien esta Matty-Elliot, donde pudimos ver la verdadera amistad de Elliot y como realmente se preocupaba por su amigo. Pero senti que en este libro, la relacion Matty-Rob era demasiado co-dependiente (y no del estilo BDSM que estoy acostumbrada a leer).
En fin, al igual que el libro anterior, quede con ganas de saber mas de Rob-Matty, queria ver la boda de Joey, queria ver su mudanza a Colorado, queria ver la visita de Tato a casa de Rob-Matty, queria ver mas de los padres de Matty y queria ver mucho mas de Rob-Anja-Ben. Pero bueno, es un final, quizas veamos mas de estos personajes en otros libros del autor mas adelante.
Este libro me dejo emociones encontradas. Despues de leer el primer libro queria saber mas de la pareja, queria saber el punto de vista de Rob, queria saber mas de la carrera de Ben y como Matty habia asumido su papel de entrenador. Tambien, queria saber si se habian unido a algun club BDSM, o si habian encontrado a alguien de ese ambiente que los apoyara. Y si, habia muchas de esas cosas aqui, pero no las senti parte de la trama. Este libro fue basicamente de Matty, sus problemas fisicos y psicologicos, y aunque se escuchaba la voz de Rob, realmente nunca supimos mas de Rob, mas que su añoranza al campo, no vimos mas de la relacion Rob-Ben, o Rob-Anja, Rob-Donna (mama de Matty). Por eso los momentos Rob-Tato me gustaron tanto, la verdadera amistad del hombre y su verdadero deseo de ayudar. Claro, tambien esta Matty-Elliot, donde pudimos ver la verdadera amistad de Elliot y como realmente se preocupaba por su amigo. Pero senti que en este libro, la relacion Matty-Rob era demasiado co-dependiente (y no del estilo BDSM que estoy acostumbrada a leer).
En fin, al igual que el libro anterior, quede con ganas de saber mas de Rob-Matty, queria ver la boda de Joey, queria ver su mudanza a Colorado, queria ver la visita de Tato a casa de Rob-Matty, queria ver mas de los padres de Matty y queria ver mucho mas de Rob-Anja-Ben. Pero bueno, es un final, quizas veamos mas de estos personajes en otros libros del autor mas adelante.
February 25, 2017
Still overflowing with emotion a day after finishing. What more can I say?
.) I loved how much detailed research Leta Blake must have put into this book. Her portrayal of Matty's eating problems felt totally realistic. Control gave me the creeps. I loathed how it took a hold of Matty, how it held him in its grip while he went into complete melt-down. It actually felt personal. It really made me understand eating disorders better.
It was awful to be in Matty's mind and horrible to see how self-absorbed and self-destructive he became ( "a genius at self-sabotage") and how he was leaning so heavily on Rob, his mountain of calm, that he started to crumble.
"He was a different person when he was hungry, a hollow man with an internal black hole inside that devoured positivity like a kid devoured candy."
.) Ok, I admit I have a total crush on Rob. He is such a good guy I wanted to send a huge banner behind an airplane into to the sky to let the world know. All he ever thinks about is Matty and his needs.
And so he goes the last mile to make Matty happy, setting aside his own needs and feelings. Seeing him struggle so much, above all with 'his part' in their BDSM relationship as Matty becomes more and more demanding in what he 'needs', was more than heart-breaking. But then, he never thinks about telling Matty how he feels, never gives him the chance to act on it. Because ...
"This was his worst fear. That he couldn't be what Matty wanted. That he wasn't the person Matty needed in his life."
.) Sigh. So much anguish. So much angst. On both sides. It all culminates most notably in THAT BDSM scene at about 46%. I was exhausted just reading it, Matty virtually spiralling into oblivion, draining Rob emotionally and physically to the point of exhaustion. (Don't get me wrong - it was insanely hot at the same time!) But it brings home to Rob that something has to change.
.) I was grateful for Sato and for Anja. (I've never been so sure about Elliott.) When Matty and Rob head towards total break-down their advice and help pulls them into the right direction again.
Matty finding out what's going on with Rob is what changes everyhing. Him realizing that he is "the bird that broke the rock's back" propels him into taking concrete steps to become better.
And although I cringed at Matty's behaviour before, even detested him a little bit for it, the fact that he is mortified when he finds out about Rob speaks volumes for him. And I actually yelped a teary-eyed "OMG! FINALLY" when he says "I do need help. I can't put this on you anymore."
.) I love the intensity of this book, the angst, the anguish and pain, the depth of their feelings and the way they fight for their HEA. I love that despite it all they never give up on each other. And even if things seem to fall into place at the end rather suddenly, I felt that they deserve that after all they had to go through. And the epilogue is sheer perfection! *G*
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
.) I loved how much detailed research Leta Blake must have put into this book. Her portrayal of Matty's eating problems felt totally realistic. Control gave me the creeps. I loathed how it took a hold of Matty, how it held him in its grip while he went into complete melt-down. It actually felt personal. It really made me understand eating disorders better.
It was awful to be in Matty's mind and horrible to see how self-absorbed and self-destructive he became ( "a genius at self-sabotage") and how he was leaning so heavily on Rob, his mountain of calm, that he started to crumble.
"He was a different person when he was hungry, a hollow man with an internal black hole inside that devoured positivity like a kid devoured candy."
.) Ok, I admit I have a total crush on Rob. He is such a good guy I wanted to send a huge banner behind an airplane into to the sky to let the world know. All he ever thinks about is Matty and his needs.
And so he goes the last mile to make Matty happy, setting aside his own needs and feelings. Seeing him struggle so much, above all with 'his part' in their BDSM relationship as Matty becomes more and more demanding in what he 'needs', was more than heart-breaking. But then, he never thinks about telling Matty how he feels, never gives him the chance to act on it. Because ...
"This was his worst fear. That he couldn't be what Matty wanted. That he wasn't the person Matty needed in his life."
.) Sigh. So much anguish. So much angst. On both sides. It all culminates most notably in THAT BDSM scene at about 46%. I was exhausted just reading it, Matty virtually spiralling into oblivion, draining Rob emotionally and physically to the point of exhaustion. (Don't get me wrong - it was insanely hot at the same time!) But it brings home to Rob that something has to change.
.) I was grateful for Sato and for Anja. (I've never been so sure about Elliott.) When Matty and Rob head towards total break-down their advice and help pulls them into the right direction again.
Matty finding out what's going on with Rob is what changes everyhing. Him realizing that he is "the bird that broke the rock's back" propels him into taking concrete steps to become better.
And although I cringed at Matty's behaviour before, even detested him a little bit for it, the fact that he is mortified when he finds out about Rob speaks volumes for him. And I actually yelped a teary-eyed "OMG! FINALLY" when he says "I do need help. I can't put this on you anymore."
.) I love the intensity of this book, the angst, the anguish and pain, the depth of their feelings and the way they fight for their HEA. I love that despite it all they never give up on each other. And even if things seem to fall into place at the end rather suddenly, I felt that they deserve that after all they had to go through. And the epilogue is sheer perfection! *G*
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
September 2, 2015
OMFG... Loved it!
January 2, 2016
This gif pretty much sums me up for more than three quarters of this story:
Anyway.
This story was completely different from the happy, warm, fuzzy feels I experienced through much of . Hell, even the 10% of that story that I loathed for the heartbreak of it all didn't come close to the crushing weight of the emotions in this story. For me, this story was almost all about the breakdown.
Matty's breakdown as "Control" rears its ugly head and takes center stage whispering its constant litany of "You're not good enough" "You're hopeless" "You're not worth loving" lies in his head. His disordered eating becoming a real problem again, and his selfishness and myopic "me, me, me" which made him completely miss how much Rob was suffering as well.
Saint Rob's breakdown in hating New York, losing control of Matty, and desperately needing the wide open vistas and areas to just breathe in order to be happy. For Rob to watch Matty spiral and feel helpless and powerless in the face of Matty's obvious hurt.
This was hard to read. It made me very sad, almost depressed, through much of it.
Did it have some good moments? YES, yes it did. Were they beautiful? YES, yes they were. However, because of my churning feelings I didn't enjoy them. The sexy times? Not so sexy to me. While the BDSM in the story didn't offend or turn me off in any way, it didn't turn me on at all either.
In the end when Matty gets the wake up call he so desperately needs and everything ends up so serendipitously coming together all the good that happens felt hollow, because I felt hollow. I felt so completely wrung out by that point I couldn't even enjoy the wonderful, sweet and loving HEA. And it does has a truly wonderful, sweet and loving HEA.
So...yeah, nope. Even that truly beautiful ending wasn't enough to brighten my spirits. I doubt very much I would read this again.
4 Stars for the writing - 1 star for how it made me feel - 2 stars for Matty - 5 stars for Rob...I'll give it three and call it a day.
Anyway.
This story was completely different from the happy, warm, fuzzy feels I experienced through much of . Hell, even the 10% of that story that I loathed for the heartbreak of it all didn't come close to the crushing weight of the emotions in this story. For me, this story was almost all about the breakdown.
Matty's breakdown as "Control" rears its ugly head and takes center stage whispering its constant litany of "You're not good enough" "You're hopeless" "You're not worth loving" lies in his head. His disordered eating becoming a real problem again, and his selfishness and myopic "me, me, me" which made him completely miss how much Rob was suffering as well.
Saint Rob's breakdown in hating New York, losing control of Matty, and desperately needing the wide open vistas and areas to just breathe in order to be happy. For Rob to watch Matty spiral and feel helpless and powerless in the face of Matty's obvious hurt.
This was hard to read. It made me very sad, almost depressed, through much of it.
Did it have some good moments? YES, yes it did. Were they beautiful? YES, yes they were. However, because of my churning feelings I didn't enjoy them. The sexy times? Not so sexy to me. While the BDSM in the story didn't offend or turn me off in any way, it didn't turn me on at all either.
In the end when Matty gets the wake up call he so desperately needs and everything ends up so serendipitously coming together all the good that happens felt hollow, because I felt hollow. I felt so completely wrung out by that point I couldn't even enjoy the wonderful, sweet and loving HEA. And it does has a truly wonderful, sweet and loving HEA.
So...yeah, nope. Even that truly beautiful ending wasn't enough to brighten my spirits. I doubt very much I would read this again.
4 Stars for the writing - 1 star for how it made me feel - 2 stars for Matty - 5 stars for Rob...I'll give it three and call it a day.
May 18, 2015
This second book is a welcome sequel to - here we see Matty, the vibrant, flamboyant and insecure figure skater, and Rob his ex-rancher boyfriend, trying to create a life together in NY city.
Matty is now coaching, rather than competing, but he's finding that there are still stresses on him, just slightly different and if anything less-controllable ones. Those pressures in his work world are helped but not eliminated by the pleasures and security of his relationship with Rob. So Matty is becoming needy, using the BDSM between them as more and more of a whole-life coping strategy. And in his anxiety and intensity, he's losing sight of what Rob needs.
Rob has tried to be everything that Matt could possible need of him - the perfect partner, the perfect Dom. He gave up his Montana ranch and the open skies for his new career as a physical therapist, and the chance to share his life with Matty. He's not sorry, exactly. But in doing so, he didn't leave a lot of room in his life for the things that nourish and sustain him, outside of his relationship. And he's less and less sure he can be enough to keep Matty healthy, happy and on track.
Something has to give. Matty's escalating eating disorder issues are becoming the straw that might break them. And when Rob goes looking for help from an old friend, it shakes up his relationship with Matty in ways he didn't expect.
I really enjoyed seeing these guys again, and their conflicts and issues were believable. Matty comes off as selfish, especially at first, but that's not a stretch for who he is and how Rob has approached his role as Dom. It's pretty clear that some of Matty's failure to support Rob's needs is due to Rob's failure to give Matty any hints about how he feels. I liked the resolution of it. My biggest issue was a bit more sex than I wanted - since there is a heavy BDSM and kink component to their relationship, it's understandable to have a lot of on-page bedroom time, but for me personally it was the one thing I skimmed toward the end. A solid sequel that, if anything, I even liked slightly better than the original.
Matty is now coaching, rather than competing, but he's finding that there are still stresses on him, just slightly different and if anything less-controllable ones. Those pressures in his work world are helped but not eliminated by the pleasures and security of his relationship with Rob. So Matty is becoming needy, using the BDSM between them as more and more of a whole-life coping strategy. And in his anxiety and intensity, he's losing sight of what Rob needs.
Rob has tried to be everything that Matt could possible need of him - the perfect partner, the perfect Dom. He gave up his Montana ranch and the open skies for his new career as a physical therapist, and the chance to share his life with Matty. He's not sorry, exactly. But in doing so, he didn't leave a lot of room in his life for the things that nourish and sustain him, outside of his relationship. And he's less and less sure he can be enough to keep Matty healthy, happy and on track.
Something has to give. Matty's escalating eating disorder issues are becoming the straw that might break them. And when Rob goes looking for help from an old friend, it shakes up his relationship with Matty in ways he didn't expect.
I really enjoyed seeing these guys again, and their conflicts and issues were believable. Matty comes off as selfish, especially at first, but that's not a stretch for who he is and how Rob has approached his role as Dom. It's pretty clear that some of Matty's failure to support Rob's needs is due to Rob's failure to give Matty any hints about how he feels. I liked the resolution of it. My biggest issue was a bit more sex than I wanted - since there is a heavy BDSM and kink component to their relationship, it's understandable to have a lot of on-page bedroom time, but for me personally it was the one thing I skimmed toward the end. A solid sequel that, if anything, I even liked slightly better than the original.
April 30, 2018
Emotional and Fulfilling Read!
This was an emotional read for me since it dealt with issues I struggled with in the past, namely eating disorders. Yet, this book wasn’t really about that or about controlling one’s will. It was about finding one’s place in the world, and realizing that our dreams can change. This is a book about giving up control to finding a freedom in living.
Reading Training Season is a must before delving into this second book. Here we find Matty and Rob in New York three years after they got back together. Matty is working as an assistant coach for his old coach, Valentina, and Rob has settled into life as a physical therapist.
Yet things are not going well. Matty is punishing himself by not eating, by denying himself things he wants. Rob is beginning to feel overwhelmed by the claustrophobic atmosphere of the city, and by trying to “fix� Matty.
He only thing that seems to get Matty out of his head are reset scenes, which are becoming increasing more frequent and are not what Rob wants. Matty can’t see past his own needs and self-denial to realize that Rob is not well. These two seem to hit bottom as sub and Dom, yet they fail to openly communicate.
That’s enough of a summary for you.
I really liked this book. It dealt with a topic so common in today’s society in a very unique way. It also didn’t use BDSM as therapy for Matty’s disorder, but cash strapped Rob did what he could to help the man he loved feel better, get better the only way he knew how. Wait, scratch that.....he did what Matty asked him to do. This was sometimes difficult to witness as a reader, especially if you’re prone to putting yourself in the character’s shoes, as I am.
Things work out for everyone in the end thanks to help from friends. We have an HEA for our lovers that is meaningful and also real, both physically and emotionally.
And I must admit that the proposal scene in this book is one of the most unique and unexpected ones I have EVER read!
This was an emotional read for me since it dealt with issues I struggled with in the past, namely eating disorders. Yet, this book wasn’t really about that or about controlling one’s will. It was about finding one’s place in the world, and realizing that our dreams can change. This is a book about giving up control to finding a freedom in living.
Reading Training Season is a must before delving into this second book. Here we find Matty and Rob in New York three years after they got back together. Matty is working as an assistant coach for his old coach, Valentina, and Rob has settled into life as a physical therapist.
Yet things are not going well. Matty is punishing himself by not eating, by denying himself things he wants. Rob is beginning to feel overwhelmed by the claustrophobic atmosphere of the city, and by trying to “fix� Matty.
He only thing that seems to get Matty out of his head are reset scenes, which are becoming increasing more frequent and are not what Rob wants. Matty can’t see past his own needs and self-denial to realize that Rob is not well. These two seem to hit bottom as sub and Dom, yet they fail to openly communicate.
That’s enough of a summary for you.
I really liked this book. It dealt with a topic so common in today’s society in a very unique way. It also didn’t use BDSM as therapy for Matty’s disorder, but cash strapped Rob did what he could to help the man he loved feel better, get better the only way he knew how. Wait, scratch that.....he did what Matty asked him to do. This was sometimes difficult to witness as a reader, especially if you’re prone to putting yourself in the character’s shoes, as I am.
Things work out for everyone in the end thanks to help from friends. We have an HEA for our lovers that is meaningful and also real, both physically and emotionally.
And I must admit that the proposal scene in this book is one of the most unique and unexpected ones I have EVER read!
November 23, 2015
Matty and Rob are living in New York in their small apartment and they struggle with a lot of things.
Matty doesn't compete anymore. Now he's a figure skating coach and he's Valentina's newest assistant. Unfortunately, Matty slips back into old habits. His disordered eating and erratic behavior come back. Also, he starts being selfish and doesn't notice Rob's needs.
Rob works as a physical therapist. Though, he doesn't regret moving to the city, he still misses Montana. The city worns him out and he feels tired most days after work. He yearns for the wide-open country and peacefulness. Rob loves Matty and tries hard to satisfy his every demand, but lately he can barely handle them. And he forgets to take care of himself.
I loved to see Matty and Rob again. I could read about these two for days. They're just so good together and their love is so deep. I really enjoyed the angst in this story, even though I thought there would be more of it. The sex scenes were sizzling. And I'm very happy that Matty and Rob got such a sweet and a well-earned HEA.
Matty doesn't compete anymore. Now he's a figure skating coach and he's Valentina's newest assistant. Unfortunately, Matty slips back into old habits. His disordered eating and erratic behavior come back. Also, he starts being selfish and doesn't notice Rob's needs.
Rob works as a physical therapist. Though, he doesn't regret moving to the city, he still misses Montana. The city worns him out and he feels tired most days after work. He yearns for the wide-open country and peacefulness. Rob loves Matty and tries hard to satisfy his every demand, but lately he can barely handle them. And he forgets to take care of himself.
Matty took a deep breath. “See the North Star?�
Rob squeezed his hand. “No.�
“Well, it’s up there. And you told me once to always remember.�
Rob swallowed hard and took hold of Matty’s chin, bringing his gaze from the sky to meet Rob’s own. “I remember, Matty.�
“Well, good. Don’t forget.�
I loved to see Matty and Rob again. I could read about these two for days. They're just so good together and their love is so deep. I really enjoyed the angst in this story, even though I thought there would be more of it. The sex scenes were sizzling. And I'm very happy that Matty and Rob got such a sweet and a well-earned HEA.
May 17, 2015
*3.75 stars rounded up because you can always count on Leta Blake for a kickass epilogue*
This was an emotional journey and I admit I feel a little exhausted and drained after reading it. But Training Season is one of my all time favorite mm books and there was no way in hell I was gonna skip this. Be prepared, this is an angsty read and it adresses some serious and heavy issues.
I'll be honest. I was really saddened by the lack of communication between Matty and Rob, three years after their fabulous, amazing, tearful HEA in Training season. This is not where I was hoping to find them and IMHO they are both to blame.
Matty's greatest enemy is himself. He still feels he can't excel at anything, always mediocre, always not good enough. He punishes himself over and over for his "failures" It is obvious that the author has researched the issue extensively and handles it with respect.
Rob hates living in the city. But instead of talking about it with Matty, he keeps it to himself. Because "Matty comes first and Matty is happy here" Rob supressses his own needs and wants becoming more miserable day by day. Unable to help Matty with his issues anymore, he feels like he failed him.
This is a very steamy book and the BDSM element is very strong. The guys try to use it to help Matty cope better, but of course they will pay the price down the road. What Matty needs is therapy and IMO it needed it since his teens.
I loved that despite all the above they never seperate. Yes, all hell breaks loose because something has to give, but they stay and fight together.
It all comes together beautifully in the end and the epilogue will make you swoon.If you 've read Training season, you can't miss this. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?
P.S I wonder if some of the secondary characters will get a story. Elliot?Julien? And what's up with Ben and his gay best friend?
This was an emotional journey and I admit I feel a little exhausted and drained after reading it. But Training Season is one of my all time favorite mm books and there was no way in hell I was gonna skip this. Be prepared, this is an angsty read and it adresses some serious and heavy issues.
I'll be honest. I was really saddened by the lack of communication between Matty and Rob, three years after their fabulous, amazing, tearful HEA in Training season. This is not where I was hoping to find them and IMHO they are both to blame.
Matty's greatest enemy is himself. He still feels he can't excel at anything, always mediocre, always not good enough. He punishes himself over and over for his "failures" It is obvious that the author has researched the issue extensively and handles it with respect.
Rob hates living in the city. But instead of talking about it with Matty, he keeps it to himself. Because "Matty comes first and Matty is happy here" Rob supressses his own needs and wants becoming more miserable day by day. Unable to help Matty with his issues anymore, he feels like he failed him.
This is a very steamy book and the BDSM element is very strong. The guys try to use it to help Matty cope better, but of course they will pay the price down the road. What Matty needs is therapy and IMO it needed it since his teens.
I loved that despite all the above they never seperate. Yes, all hell breaks loose because something has to give, but they stay and fight together.
It all comes together beautifully in the end and the epilogue will make you swoon.If you 've read Training season, you can't miss this. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?
P.S I wonder if some of the secondary characters will get a story. Elliot?Julien? And what's up with Ben and his gay best friend?
September 13, 2015
It's five years since we last saw Matty and Rob and their relationship is strong. However, Matty's now a skating coach and his inner struggle with self perception and image shows up in the form of an eating disorder (or disordered eating). Rob is now a physical therapist and loves it but isn't loving life in the city. He's also stressing through how to best approach and resolve Matty's issues.
I really like Matty and Rob, love them together. It was wonderful revisiting these characters. However, the storyline surrounding them is just not something I find interesting. It's an incredible story that not only explores the concepts of disordered eating and eating disorders but how these particular characters are impacted given their dominant/submissive relationship.
I'm not a fan of stories with sexual relationships heavily influenced in BDSM but can handle elements. This is not one of those light-fare stories so if true BDSM lifestyles are your preference, it's presented magnificently. I learned a lot (more than I wanted) and the writing is brilliant. The issues are skillfully woven into the fabric of the characters and their lives. I just wish it was a story that I found appealing as I believe it's well researched and intelligently delivered.
I'm a huge fan of Leta Blake and accepted the review request without even reading the book description. Even though the topics weren't of interest, I could still appreciate the quality of the story. In this instance, its definitely me and not the author or the story.
I really like Matty and Rob, love them together. It was wonderful revisiting these characters. However, the storyline surrounding them is just not something I find interesting. It's an incredible story that not only explores the concepts of disordered eating and eating disorders but how these particular characters are impacted given their dominant/submissive relationship.
I'm not a fan of stories with sexual relationships heavily influenced in BDSM but can handle elements. This is not one of those light-fare stories so if true BDSM lifestyles are your preference, it's presented magnificently. I learned a lot (more than I wanted) and the writing is brilliant. The issues are skillfully woven into the fabric of the characters and their lives. I just wish it was a story that I found appealing as I believe it's well researched and intelligently delivered.
I'm a huge fan of Leta Blake and accepted the review request without even reading the book description. Even though the topics weren't of interest, I could still appreciate the quality of the story. In this instance, its definitely me and not the author or the story.
May 28, 2015
Ok, so. First, the good stuff- Matty hanging with his friends, ice skating, the ending of the book. All great parts of the story that kept me reading.
The not so great stuff-the endless sex scenes , the lack of communication between Rob and Matty (a five year relationship and they haven't learned how to talk to each other? Hmmm.), and lastly just the overall feel of the story didn't work for me. It was generally depressing and colorless with very few lighter moments to break up the monotony.
So, obviously and unfortunately, this read didn't really do it for me. Ah well, on to the next...
The not so great stuff-the endless sex scenes , the lack of communication between Rob and Matty (a five year relationship and they haven't learned how to talk to each other? Hmmm.), and lastly just the overall feel of the story didn't work for me. It was generally depressing and colorless with very few lighter moments to break up the monotony.
So, obviously and unfortunately, this read didn't really do it for me. Ah well, on to the next...
May 11, 2015
*insert all the flails*
If Training Season was a roller coaster of feelings for you--as it was for me--you're not going to want to wait before you jump onto this ride. Training Complex is literally everything I wanted from a sequel. It also has my favorite trope ever ever everrrr. (I won't give it away here BUT IT GAVE ME ALL THE FEELINGS. ALL OF THEM.)
Also, I heart Rob. A lot. I want one.
ETA: OH, and Elliot needs a book. Right now.
If Training Season was a roller coaster of feelings for you--as it was for me--you're not going to want to wait before you jump onto this ride. Training Complex is literally everything I wanted from a sequel. It also has my favorite trope ever ever everrrr. (I won't give it away here BUT IT GAVE ME ALL THE FEELINGS. ALL OF THEM.)
Also, I heart Rob. A lot. I want one.
ETA: OH, and Elliot needs a book. Right now.
September 2, 2015
4.5 stars from me cos I have to say Matty's tantrums tarnished the story slightly for me, and the amazingly lovely Mr Lovely
...well, he had the patience of a saint and as I was saying in my buddy read notes, I knew from the first chapter that he was unhappy, but as a good Dom does, he was setting aside his own feelings, misgivings and unhappiness for Matty's sake, and what a selfish little s**t HE was. What I loved was that it took Anja, who Matty didn't really have any time for, to point out how unhappy Rob was...and Matty was so wrapped up in his own little world, thoughts (loved how Control changed to Service, hehe) and feelings that he hadn't even noticed, grrr!!
But there again, if someone looks like this...
...can you blame Rob for wanting to stand by his man?? The ending was perfect, goats and all, there were happy tears in this house at least. Thanks Leta for this lovely series.
August 26, 2016
No es un libro perfecto, pero le doy las cinco estrellas por el estado de ansiedad por el que me ha llevado durante todo el libro.
En esta ocasión Leta ha dejado a un lado esos giros en la trama y esas situaciones que tiene en otros libros que te sacan de la historia por poco creÃbles (por ser generosa con la descripción). La autora nos presenta cómo evoluciona la relación de Matty y Rob con los problemas de adaptación a la ciudad de Rob y los problemas, muy graves, que tiene Matty con la anorexia. Leer lo que sufren ambos protagonistas es angustiante, desagradable, y triste. Además, todo esto muy vinculado a su vida sexual como pareja BDSM, una vida sexual que se les va de las manos por los problemas de Matty. Es justo señalar el excelente trabajo de la autora a la hora de documentarse y mostrarnos todo lo que ocurre con un respeto maravilloso hacia los personajes y de una forma que nos hace muy fácil empatizar con ambos y comprenderlos, incluso sufrir con ellos.
Matty y Rob van a contar con la ayuda de un sicólogo del deporte que al mismo tiempo es un Dom, ese personaje es lo que menos me ha gustado del libro, era una mezcla de Yoda, Señor Miyagui y Kuato que me ponÃa los pelos de punta. Por otro lado, además de esa forma de mostrarnos todo de la historia, una de las cosas que más me ha gustado es el final. Un final, que aunque con algún punto demasiado fácil, en lo relativo a la situación de Matty se muestra realista, optimista, quizás en algún punto demasiado, pero realista.
Una lectura muy dura, pero que merece mucho la pena. Absolutamente necesario leer la primera parte.
En esta ocasión Leta ha dejado a un lado esos giros en la trama y esas situaciones que tiene en otros libros que te sacan de la historia por poco creÃbles (por ser generosa con la descripción). La autora nos presenta cómo evoluciona la relación de Matty y Rob con los problemas de adaptación a la ciudad de Rob y los problemas, muy graves, que tiene Matty con la anorexia. Leer lo que sufren ambos protagonistas es angustiante, desagradable, y triste. Además, todo esto muy vinculado a su vida sexual como pareja BDSM, una vida sexual que se les va de las manos por los problemas de Matty. Es justo señalar el excelente trabajo de la autora a la hora de documentarse y mostrarnos todo lo que ocurre con un respeto maravilloso hacia los personajes y de una forma que nos hace muy fácil empatizar con ambos y comprenderlos, incluso sufrir con ellos.
Matty y Rob van a contar con la ayuda de un sicólogo del deporte que al mismo tiempo es un Dom, ese personaje es lo que menos me ha gustado del libro, era una mezcla de Yoda, Señor Miyagui y Kuato que me ponÃa los pelos de punta. Por otro lado, además de esa forma de mostrarnos todo de la historia, una de las cosas que más me ha gustado es el final. Un final, que aunque con algún punto demasiado fácil, en lo relativo a la situación de Matty se muestra realista, optimista, quizás en algún punto demasiado, pero realista.
Una lectura muy dura, pero que merece mucho la pena. Absolutamente necesario leer la primera parte.
May 26, 2015
I loved being back with Matty and Rob, but I found myself frustrated and sad for a good part of the book. Not because the book was bad, but because it was hard to read these two men having such a hard, if not unexpected, time. Three years after the end of Matty and Rob are still living in NY, still very much in love and happy together, but both unhappy and struggling with their situations.
As Matty spirals downward and acts out, Rob is keeping all of his feelings locked down and focuses on trying to help Matty, even when he is not certain that what he is doing is right. Communication is a big issue and both men are keeping secrets, for fear of disappointing the other. I missed Matty's confidence and humor and Rob's spirit was just was broken and it took a long time for them to talk and start to pull it together. So while there was plenty of emotion throughout the book, there was just a different tone to it than the first. The emotions and love behind the BDSM scenes is still there and the times they spend together, connecting are beautiful.
Elliot, Ben and Anja are back and offering support, along with some new friends. Matty and Rob work hard for their HEA in this one, but they do get there and when they did it was perfect.
As Matty spirals downward and acts out, Rob is keeping all of his feelings locked down and focuses on trying to help Matty, even when he is not certain that what he is doing is right. Communication is a big issue and both men are keeping secrets, for fear of disappointing the other. I missed Matty's confidence and humor and Rob's spirit was just was broken and it took a long time for them to talk and start to pull it together. So while there was plenty of emotion throughout the book, there was just a different tone to it than the first. The emotions and love behind the BDSM scenes is still there and the times they spend together, connecting are beautiful.
Elliot, Ben and Anja are back and offering support, along with some new friends. Matty and Rob work hard for their HEA in this one, but they do get there and when they did it was perfect.
June 30, 2016
Lo que más me gustó de la primera parte fue, sin lugar a dudas, Matty. No sólo lo encontré adorable, además es un personaje con profundidad que muestra una evolución coherente a lo largo de la historia.
En esta segunda parte seguimos adorando a Matty (igual o más intenso, divino y drama queen) pero además Rob, quien hasta el momento no me habÃa llegado lo más mÃnimo, toma más presencia. Le he conocido mucho más y le he acabado queriendo. Siento haberte llamado chuletón de ternera, Rob, perdóname... :'(
Me gusta mucho cómo escribe Leta Blake, en lo que he leÃdo hasta el momento la prosa es siempre buena y sus personajes están desarrollados. Se aprecia una labor de investigación en todos sus libros y, si bien es posible que cometa fallos (desconozco el mundo del BDSM, no puedo opinar aquÃ), se nota que no se toma los temas que aborda a la ligera.
Training Complex es un libro bastante más duro que el anterior, no es una lectura fácil (hay que tener presencia de ánimo, aviso) los protagonistas sufren mucho (como decimos en mi casa, las pasan más putas que en vendimia) y la atmósfera es bastante angustiosa y opresiva. Menos mal que las apariciones de Elliot aligeran un poco el tono y nos hacen reÃr. ¿Libro de Elliot?? ¿Cuándo???
Si siguiera mi criterio habitual y me guiara por cuánto me ha gustado, le pondrÃa un 4. La estrellita número 5 va porque me ha parecido, objetivamente, muy buen libro, creo que Leta ha hecho un gran trabajo. Me declaro fan y seguidora.
En esta segunda parte seguimos adorando a Matty (igual o más intenso, divino y drama queen) pero además Rob, quien hasta el momento no me habÃa llegado lo más mÃnimo, toma más presencia. Le he conocido mucho más y le he acabado queriendo. Siento haberte llamado chuletón de ternera, Rob, perdóname... :'(
Me gusta mucho cómo escribe Leta Blake, en lo que he leÃdo hasta el momento la prosa es siempre buena y sus personajes están desarrollados. Se aprecia una labor de investigación en todos sus libros y, si bien es posible que cometa fallos (desconozco el mundo del BDSM, no puedo opinar aquÃ), se nota que no se toma los temas que aborda a la ligera.
Training Complex es un libro bastante más duro que el anterior, no es una lectura fácil (hay que tener presencia de ánimo, aviso) los protagonistas sufren mucho (como decimos en mi casa, las pasan más putas que en vendimia) y la atmósfera es bastante angustiosa y opresiva. Menos mal que las apariciones de Elliot aligeran un poco el tono y nos hacen reÃr. ¿Libro de Elliot?? ¿Cuándo???
Si siguiera mi criterio habitual y me guiara por cuánto me ha gustado, le pondrÃa un 4. La estrellita número 5 va porque me ha parecido, objetivamente, muy buen libro, creo que Leta ha hecho un gran trabajo. Me declaro fan y seguidora.
June 1, 2015
This is me right now:
because (besides the fact that I think Matty would totally wear Jonghyun's outfit and his hair and makeup) WOW did I really get into this book! It was everything I could have asked for in a sequel to . It was full of DRAMA and lots of kinky sex and fabulously flamboyant Matty and stern-but-kind-of-falling-apart-but-still-hot Rob and once again it's like Leta Blake read my mind. Throughout all the highs and lows they always knew they loved each other and it was a beautiful thing to see.
Can I just mention how Leta B. always seems to manage to get the right amount of drama in a book without going over the top? Or maybe she did go over the top in this one, but it's MATTY people! He's supposed to be over the top. I love it!
I'm trying to remember if I disliked anything about this book, but I can honestly say that I can't think of anything. It had just the right amount of everything that I like in an M/M Romance book, ESPECIALLY a Matty.
Sigh. I'm happy people. I'm smiling just like in the picture.
because (besides the fact that I think Matty would totally wear Jonghyun's outfit and his hair and makeup) WOW did I really get into this book! It was everything I could have asked for in a sequel to . It was full of DRAMA and lots of kinky sex and fabulously flamboyant Matty and stern-but-kind-of-falling-apart-but-still-hot Rob and once again it's like Leta Blake read my mind. Throughout all the highs and lows they always knew they loved each other and it was a beautiful thing to see.
Can I just mention how Leta B. always seems to manage to get the right amount of drama in a book without going over the top? Or maybe she did go over the top in this one, but it's MATTY people! He's supposed to be over the top. I love it!
I'm trying to remember if I disliked anything about this book, but I can honestly say that I can't think of anything. It had just the right amount of everything that I like in an M/M Romance book, ESPECIALLY a Matty.
Sigh. I'm happy people. I'm smiling just like in the picture.
October 27, 2022
Book 2 in the Training Season series. The author’s note explains that Blake wanted to use this book to address Matty’s eating disorder in more detail, and to explore the misapplication of BDSM to solve mental health and relationship problems. She did an excellent job with both.
I really loved the way that Matty and Rob both tried to use BDSM as a substitute for addressing their problems (both individually and as a couple) more directly, and had to learn the hard way that it isn’t an effective long-term solution. I especially liked the way the book explored the burden put on Rob, as the dom, because a lot of books gloss over that and can make being the dom seem easy compared to being a sub. Similarly, I liked the way Matty learned that certain things were unhealthy for him, personally, to seek in submission (like making it primarily about control), and that whether BDSM could be a healthy part of his life depended on what he was trying to get from it.
This book addressed all of the issues I had with Matty’s eating disorder in the first book. A lot more attention is paid to his thoughts about food and why he’s making certain decisions, and it isn’t taken as a given that disordered eating is required to be a successful figure skater. Rob also stops making unhelpful comments about Matty’s eating (including casual speculation that he has an eating disorder, which came across as a criticism), and instead seeks out expert knowledge to help him help Matty. I thought the book did an excellent job showing Matty and Rob learning how to be supportive of each other while still taking responsibility for their own problems.
This book was hard to read at times because Rob and Matty struggle so much, and their pain feels very real. It’s hard to see at the beginning how they could find their way to a healthy relationship. But I ultimately appreciated the anxiety the book put me through because it put me more fully in the characters� shoes and was also true-to-life. Some relationship problems can feel impossible to untangle and get worse before they get better.
I highly recommend this book—just be sure you’re ready for a lot of anxiety before you start it. It’s worth it!
I really loved the way that Matty and Rob both tried to use BDSM as a substitute for addressing their problems (both individually and as a couple) more directly, and had to learn the hard way that it isn’t an effective long-term solution. I especially liked the way the book explored the burden put on Rob, as the dom, because a lot of books gloss over that and can make being the dom seem easy compared to being a sub. Similarly, I liked the way Matty learned that certain things were unhealthy for him, personally, to seek in submission (like making it primarily about control), and that whether BDSM could be a healthy part of his life depended on what he was trying to get from it.
This book addressed all of the issues I had with Matty’s eating disorder in the first book. A lot more attention is paid to his thoughts about food and why he’s making certain decisions, and it isn’t taken as a given that disordered eating is required to be a successful figure skater. Rob also stops making unhelpful comments about Matty’s eating (including casual speculation that he has an eating disorder, which came across as a criticism), and instead seeks out expert knowledge to help him help Matty. I thought the book did an excellent job showing Matty and Rob learning how to be supportive of each other while still taking responsibility for their own problems.
This book was hard to read at times because Rob and Matty struggle so much, and their pain feels very real. It’s hard to see at the beginning how they could find their way to a healthy relationship. But I ultimately appreciated the anxiety the book put me through because it put me more fully in the characters� shoes and was also true-to-life. Some relationship problems can feel impossible to untangle and get worse before they get better.
I highly recommend this book—just be sure you’re ready for a lot of anxiety before you start it. It’s worth it!
May 16, 2015
Release date is possibly hours away omg
May 20, 2015
Amazing!!!!
December 12, 2017
5 stars -I have finally found out why people love Matty & Rob -- super romance!
June 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this story with Matty and Rob, but not as much as which is one of my all-time favorites.
In this one, life with Matty and Rob in NYC isn't so great. Rob can barely breathe in the oppression of big city life and Matty will never be the best at anything in this city where the best of the best gather. And those stresses are taking their toll.
The BDSM scenes are intense. Matty's disordered eating is out of control. Rob can't rebound after their scenes any more, and he finally seeks help from Sato, a Dom who is also a psychologist. They meet as friends and both he and his boy eventually befriend both Rob and Matty, and through them both men find the path they need to take to emotional recovery.
The story was engaging, more so about midway through than at the beginning. I struggled to get going with this, not liking the dark and depressing times each man was going through in the first half of the book. Although, in hind sight, it's a mark of how well the author brought us to the characters' emotional levels.
The resolution to their problems, and the epilogue were amazing and just what I needed to remember these men fondly.
In this one, life with Matty and Rob in NYC isn't so great. Rob can barely breathe in the oppression of big city life and Matty will never be the best at anything in this city where the best of the best gather. And those stresses are taking their toll.
The BDSM scenes are intense. Matty's disordered eating is out of control. Rob can't rebound after their scenes any more, and he finally seeks help from Sato, a Dom who is also a psychologist. They meet as friends and both he and his boy eventually befriend both Rob and Matty, and through them both men find the path they need to take to emotional recovery.
The story was engaging, more so about midway through than at the beginning. I struggled to get going with this, not liking the dark and depressing times each man was going through in the first half of the book. Although, in hind sight, it's a mark of how well the author brought us to the characters' emotional levels.
The resolution to their problems, and the epilogue were amazing and just what I needed to remember these men fondly.
Want to read
September 21, 2015MATTY!!!!!
***SQUEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***
***SQUEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!***
July 18, 2021
It was not bad, just too depressing.
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