Reviewed by Jenna

TITLE:     Own Me

SERIES:    Rent Me #2

AUTHOR:     Brina Brady

PUBLISHER:     Brina Brady

LENGTH:     344 Pages

BLURB:

Russian mobster Dmitri Dubrovsky married ex-rent boy Bren. Jealousy is still a big issue for both of them. They fear that the other will find someone better and leave. Dmitri’s ex-boyfriend Viktor is still in love with him and hates Bren. Viktor sets out to cause problems and make Dmitri and Bren question their love and commitment to each other. Bren tries to be the best sub, but feels Dmitri doesn’t take him seriously. Some BDSM elements.  Dmitri gets even more possessive when Bren works with his favorite ex-client from Forbidden Desires Escort Agency. To complicate matters, Russian mobsters threaten the Dubrovsky family.
REVIEW:

Sexy and dysfunctional newlyweds. With copious amounts of sex, jealousy, and back stabbing, there is never a dull moment between Dmitri and Brennen. Own Me is the second book in the Rent Me series. Although, it appears to be written as a standalone, I advise reading Rent Me first.

Brennen, a former rent boy and first year law student, and his husband, Dmitri, a retired Russian mobster, are newlyweds. Brennen has high expectations for their marriage, but the couple still has problems stemming from jealousy, mistrust, and abuse. Though Dmitri divorced his wife and cut ties with the mafia, he is still domineering and keeps secrets from Brennen. The book starts when Brennen comes home to find Dmitri visiting with his former lover. Brennen blows up in a fit of jealousy, and since Brennen disrespected him, Dmitri punishes Brennen and ends up going overboard.

Although Dmitri agreed to train Brennen as a submissive, Dmitri’s style of domination involves harsh beatings that push Brennen to his limits. In the course of the book, Brennen comes to realize that their dom/sub relationship has little to do with pleasure, and tends to be more about Dmitri acting out his dark desires. Though Brennen realizes Dmitri’s punishments are not what he wants from a Dom, he endures them in order to give Dmitri what he needs.

In the first book, I wasn’t sure about Dmitri and didn’t trust him. However, in this book, it becomes clear that Dmitri is faithful to Brennen and is trying his best to be a good husband. Dmitri is abusive, but he is much more likeable because he makes an effort to fight his inner demons and change his ways. By the end of the story, the couple works out some of their jealousy, abuse, and respect issues.

Throughout the book, there is mention of Russian mafia factions that are potentially coming after Dmitri, but since this is mostly in discussion, the threat didn’t appear real. Though I loved the relationship and character dynamics, the book ended unexpectedly and at a crossroads. However, I look forward to reading book 3 to see what happens next.

RATING:

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