Reviewed by Cindy
TITLE: Domestic Service
SERIES: The Living Situations book 1
AUTHOR: Ella Fenn
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 321 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 30, 2021
BLURB:
Colin Caldwell clawed his way out of a rough childhood to put himself through college, and now grad school. Broke, stressed-out, and struggling to stay afloat after he loses his regular ridesharing gig, he’s willing to do anything that pays the bills.
Simon Vessey is the total package—a handsome, wealthy, and successful executive who, at thirty-seven, seems to have it all. But behind closed doors, Simon is shy, lonely, and so inexperienced as a dominant that he might as well be a virgin. Limited by his fears, but craving companionship beyond an occasional escort, what he really wants is someone he can come home to, even if he’s paying for the privilege.
When a mutual acquaintance suggests that Colin could be the perfect fit for Simon’s live-in submissive dreams, it seems like the perfect solution for them both. But when their connection begins to run deeper than their business contract, and old demons rear their heads, will they find a way to persevere?
The first book in the Living Situations series, Domestic Service is a gay romance featuring an age gap, light BDSM, and two broken people fixing each other in service of their happy ending. If you like steamy situations, compelling characters, and forced proximity, then you’ll love Ella Fenn’s debut novel.
REVIEW:
Colin and Simon are two men who are easy to love. Both of them have retained an innate sweetness to their personalities, despite both having to struggle through difficult but different childhoods.
Simon is a Dom who wants to give Colin everything he craves, but his lack of self-confidence in his abilities holds him back.
Colin’s anxiety and lack of self-esteem leads him to believe that Simon could never actually be interested in anything more than the business relationship they have.
Watching these two men working so hard to overcome the trauma’s of their youth is painful, but so worth it. Colin has good memories of his childhood, but they are overshadowed by his step-father’s cruelty.
Simon is stuck in his awkward teenage years and all the success he has can’t seem to overcome his feelings of shyness and how much he feels like a fraud.
One of my favorite parts of this story is that they both have strong and supportive women who are looking out for them. It’s always good to see the girls and the gays working together.
The author does a good job of not rushing to get past their issues. I like the time it takes to figure things out. The anticipation makes the payoff of the happy ending all the better for the hard work that it takes to get there.
It’s definitely a rollercoaster ride. The sex is just the right amount of steamy for my tastes. And for those readers who are a little leary about the BDSM scene, this is a good story to cut your teeth on. Simon takes a while to get his feet under him as a Dom but once he does, he’s just the right combination of stern and sweet and sexy and it’s something that Colin appreciates
This is a new-to-me authorbut I will definitely be looking to see where this series goes after this. I liked the back and forth of the alternating points of view from chapter to chapter. Seeing what was going on in both men’s heads really helped me get swept away by this story.
I really enjoyed this story and to be honest I can’t come up with one thing to complain about. If you’re looking for something a little kinky with a compelling story to tell, please check out Domestic Service. Ella Fenn will not let you down.
RATING: 
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