Reviewed by Cheryl
TITLE: Tread
SERIES: Kink Files
AUTHOR: A.G. Carothers
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 110 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 20 2020
BLURB:
Abel Kensington the Fifth, aka TheFifthAbel – Accountant, Germaphobe, Service Submissive turned Daddy Dom, and resigned to being alone.
Mired in his routines that keep the worst of his fears and obsessive behaviors at bay, Abel has given up finding someone who will look past his sanitized bubble. Little does he know that someone is watching him and has a plan to slip into his world and take care of him for a change.
Darius MacLeod aka JuicyDare – Coffee House Owner, Scottish Transplant, New Daddy Dom, and finding love is the last thing on his mind.
While his roots are still firmly in his homeland, Darius has started a new life in his father’s hometown. When a seemingly shy and prim older man starts frequenting his café, Darius’ interest is piqued and his instincts kick in. Wanting to get past the barrier that Abel has erected, Darius dives feet first into a whole new world he knows little about.
Abel and Darius will both need to find sure footing on this new path before them as Abel gets back to his submissive roots and Darius explores a new but natural lifestyle.
Attention: This book contains depictions of dominance, submission, boot worship, trampling, and adults in footie pajamas
REVIEW:
To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect from this book. I was intrigued by the blurb and perhaps a little skeptical that it would deliver on its promise in such a short number of pages. I needn’t have worried.
There was something about this book that resonated with me. It is difficult and rare to get inside the head of someone who is different in the way that Abel is, and to give them what they need. What Abel needed was to let go of some of that control and allow someone else to take over. That requires a huge amount of trust, and in such a short book it would have been easy to rush, and difficult to convince the reader that genuine trust could have grown. Thankfully, even though the book was short, it took its time. I think that one of the saving graces was that the author narrowed the playing field in that they focused only on certain elements of the relationship and the lifestyle. There was no sweeping descriptions of the contents of the playrooms or those who were present in them. There was only a description of the few things that were relevant to the scene. There was no exploration of any elements of the lifestyle other than those particular to these characters at that time. That’s not to say we weren’t teased with more just beyond the curtain. This is tight writing and I loved it.
For a story to feel as if it’s taking its time to unfold while still keeping words to a minimum requires skill and I applaud the author. In short stories and novellas there’s less room to maneuver and a risk of leaving out important plot/character building elements. That certainly wasn’t the case here.
Okay, it wasn’t perfect. There were moments where it felt a little preachy, although given the author was inducting their character, and possibly their readers, into something new, the show and tell balance was surprisingly well handled. There were also a few technical matters that I am more than happy to skate over. I’m only highlighting because I’m sure there will be purists who will be annoyed.
One of my favourite things about this book is that it takes time to get inside the characters’ minds and to pitch the action directly at them. There’s no real angst or threat or crisis, only a growing trust and understanding and some fascinating glimpses into a world that is closed to most people. I just loved how understated it was and how it was handled in such a normalizing way, and yet was so descriptive and natural.
I will definitely be reading this author again. As an introduction to the BDSM lifestyle, this would be a good primer. Of course, the lifestyle is huge. The number of kinks is endless, only limited by imagination and the ability to give your body permission to want what it wants, however what this book gets absolutely right is the feel of it. The practicality and openness, how freeing it is to be true to your nature and how it bonds, not only the couple but their friends and partners.
The absolute crowning glory of this book, from my point of view, is the lack of penetrative sex. For Abel, it was not an option at this time, I ever. He raised the issue, and Darius accepted it. There was no angst, only thoughtful consideration. A vote of honour to the author for that one.
All-in-all the author has produced a little gem. If you’re looking for hardcore BDSM, high angst drama or smut, you’re best looking elsewhere. If you want a gentle and honest portrayal of two very different men finding their middle ground and exploring new parts of themselves and their lives with courage and open hearts, then one-hundred-percent pick up this book for a light, charming read. You might even learn something new, maybe even about yourself.
RATING: 
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