Reviewed by Stephen K.
TITLE: You’ve Got to Be Kitten Me
AUTHOR: Ki Brightly and Meg Bawden
NARRATOR: Christopher Solon
PUBLISHER: Ki Brightly
LENGTH: 6 hours and 7 minutes
RELEASE DATE: January 21st ,2021
BLURB:
Brad Widstrom’s human puppy left him. To keep his mind off his loneliness, he drills all his extra time into coaching his kickball team. After a game one night, he goes to a pet-play party. He doesn’t expect to meet someone who makes his blood sizzle. The thing is, the man he wants isn’t a puppy, he’s a cat. Brad doesn’t know the first thing about them. One thing is certain, though, and that’s how much he wants Harley.
Harley Silvain is used to being ignored. Owners prefer the friendlier pet — dogs, not cats — and Harley is anything but sociable. There’s something pleasing about having an owner take care of him, but he’s not sure about this new man, Brad. Harley keeps waiting for Brad to decide he’s too much work. He’s sure he’ll be replaced by a mutt.
When Brad’s friend asks him to take in a pup who has been abused by his owner, Harley hates the idea. It’s one step closer to Brad dropping him, and he’s not willing to let a canine in the house. No matter how many times Brad reassures Harley he’d never leave him for a dog, Harley doesn’t believe it. If they want to make this relationship work, Brad will need to help Harley past his insecurities, or it’ll implode before it even begins.
REVIEW:
When I lived in NYC, I had a (hyper-masculine?) ex-Navy buddy who was into, poker, pup play, and attending the opera in full leather. I met him through poker nights, which I’ve always enjoyed, though I never fully understood the appeal of the latter two.
I’m a BIG fan of diversity. So, although I don’t “grok” it, I have always been curious to better understand why pup play might appeal to others. When I got the opportunity to review this, I figured it was just one step further; I’ve always been more of a dog person. I thought that reading about it might help me understand the scene better.
I suppose in some ways I do now understand it a bit more, but it’s still not something I’d be interested in participating in. That said, this is a fun story that really explores this area of kink. Given that it’s presented from the POV of a cat person, it does it in a charming, and at times funny, way.
Brad is a take-charge person, and a friendly good guy. When he gets involved in a recreational kickball team, he naturally becomes the player/coach. While it’s never really made clear how he makes his money, it’s clear that he works for himself, and has been moderately successful.
Harley works as an actuary and loves statistics more than people. If you’ll forgive the pun, not to be mean but his deviation is not at all standard. He likes kitten-play.
Brad’s personality seems to that of a “dog person” outgoing and easy going. He’s an adult who seems to like being a caretaker, as much as a friend and lover. He had a pup, for a time, but the pup abandoned him for another “master.” Now he’s looking to fill the void.
Harley is more of an introvert and (like a cat). He seems to barely tolerate most of those he must share the planet with. But it’s clear that Harley is lonely as well. If only he could find someone to share his life with that was at least tolerable.
That said, and given his perspective, Harley’s use of the word “Owner” seems a bit weird. I’ve always thought one might own a dog, but cats view their room-mates are barely acceptable help.
There was a laugh out loud moment there when Harley admits he got into the kink through “kitty porn.” There was also a LOL moment when Harley is presented with a large empty box. And before you ask… No the box didn’t contain an even more expensive item meant for Harley to enjoy.
Christopher Solon does the narration here. Each chapter is from one of the main character’s points of view. Chris does very different voices for Harley and Brad, and both seem appropriate. This is a solo narration, audio-book. So, we don’t get the dissonance of hearing the same character voiced by two different narrators as often happens in dual-narration audio-books.
This book is certainly not for everyone. The pet play kink is central to the story, and the less curious may find this to just be silly. But others will disagree. The sex does pretty graphic. If you’ve been curious about this scene, I’d recommend this as it might be the ideal intro.
RATING:
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