Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: A Cordial Agreement
AUTHOR: Ryan Loveless
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 118 pages
RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2019
BLURB:
Can a wealthy but frustrated CEO and a guilt-ridden stripper find what they need in a consensual, nonsexual whipping boy arrangement?
Billionaire mogul Grant Jessup, fifty-three, buries his sexual tastes and the reasons behind them—the stresses of his business empire and family. In contrast, Jim Sieber understands the regret that makes him seek pain and penance. As an asexual averse to erotic touch, Jim sets strict boundaries. But as the relationship evolves, Grant struggles to respect them, and both men realize for their association to continue and perhaps grow into real feelings, they’ll have to explore new ways to satisfy each other.
REVIEW:
I’ve got to say, I’m really happy I read this book. I’ve read quite a few that deal with asexuality, but I love the way this one expressed it. Everyone is different, and everyone deals with sexuality different, but sometimes it’s all kind of lumped together.
This one also deals with attempted suicide, slight BDSM, more along the lines of whippings. It also deals with a beating, which starts all of the to begin with. So if any of it bothers you, please be careful.
Jim has been going to this BDSM bar for weeks, but can’t seem to engage. And he’s made notice of the boss because of it. She wants to know why he hasn’t been, and he briefly and vaguely explains. As she tries to help him find a Dom that can help him, it ends up not working because the Doms all want to touch him. And he can’t handle it. Any kind of sexual touch is too much for him and makes him run. The boss, Tanya, finds him one other that may be able to help him.
Grant is intrigued by Jim and they work out an agreement. He whips Jim for a stress relief and Jim gets the whipping he feels he deserves. Without and touch or sex. But as they spend more time together, even briefly, they both are starting to feel for the other. But Grant pushes the boundaries a little too far. And Jim runs. Grant needs to figure out how to deal with Jim’s asexuality and aversion to touch if he wants to have anything more to do with him or it may be over for good.
I so enjoyed Jim’s character. Not what he was dealing with in his life, but what kind of person he was as far as his asexuality. I know that may sound weird and if I didn’t word that right I’m sorry. Being asexual myself I kind of get it. I don’t have an aversion to touch necessarily but I don’t like a lot of it. And certain areas I don’t like touched at all. So it was nice to see someone I could relate to that way. It’s hard sometimes. Not many want a relationship with someone they can’t touch or have sex with, so it feels like you’re a freak or something is wrong with you. When so often it’s not the case. It’s just the way people are wired.
I just hated the way Jim felt about his whippings. He broke my heart. Over something that wasn’t even his fault. But because of who it was, he felt responsible. When he met Grant, I was really hoping maybe Grant could help in a way, but Grant pointed out the truth later. Until Jim got over the guilt of the situation, he would never get better. He needed professional help to deal with it.
But I love that Grant tried. He tried to help in any way he could. Even when that meant he had to stop with the whippings. And point out the harsh truth to Jim. He even went so far as to talk to others himself before he spoke to Jim again, so he could understand who Jim is. That is someone who truly cares. And truly wants someone’s happiness.
This book deals with some heavy topics. Heavy of heart and spirit. But the outcome is a good one. To me, it feels more of a HFN but well on the way to an HEA. It gives a good perspective of things though, that people deal with. I really loved it.
RATING: 
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