Erryn reviews ‘Here For the Pain: Gay Rocker BDSM Romance (The Underdogs Book 2)’ by K. A. Merikan. Published by Acerbi & Villani ltd on February 4, 2018 and is 240 pages. The audiobook was released January 31, 2022, is narrated by Tyler Kent and is 9hrs and 49min. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I loved Wrong Way Home.
Whips and chains – not optional.
Sid.
Drummer for The Underdogs. Secretly yearning for pain and submission.
Asher. aka. Stan.
Stalker. More than meets the eye. It’s hard to find good hookups while on tour.
Sid wants pain, humiliation, and the kind of sex that isn’t easy to get from one-night stands. So, for now, he’s given up, settled for an online Dom to get his rocks off, and focused on his band instead. The Underdogs are getting increasingly popular, but there is one fan who has followed Sid since before he even joined the band, and he’s driving Sid mad! Rich, spoiled hipster brat looking for the bad-boy experience. If he knew what Sid was really into, he would run for the hills.
Asher is convinced that Sid is the One – his one true love – his endgame. Years ago, Asher lost his virginity to Sid, and from that moment on, he knew it was meant to be. They had a spark, that honest connection that couldn’t be faked. The members of Sid’s band call him a stalker, but all he wants is to offer Sid his love. When Sid finally chokes out what he wants, Asher is more than ready to unleash it on him. But, the last time Sid was out as gay and submissive, he got badly burnt when his former band kicked him out, and the doors to many opportunities slammed in his face. Asher wants the whole world to know that he’s dating Sid. Problem is, Sid would much rather keep the relationship as pain-with-benefits.
Themes: rock band, alternative lifestyles, tattoos, BDSM, commitment, family issues, coming out, life on tour, friends with benefits become something more, first love, stalking, fanboy
Buy Links: Audible | Amazon | Add to Goodreads
My Review:
I always hesitate when picking up a K.A. Merikan audiobook. Some I’ve loved, some I most definitely haven’t, but all make me look at things a little differently.
This is a rocker BDSM book. Rockers? Not entirely my thing, but I’ve read a few really good ones, so always keep an open mind. BDSM? I’m all-in. Pain? Sign me up. Sissification? Not so much.
Elements of this book were right up there with my tastes, and I loved that. Putting down a lover in a derogatory way – even if it turns the guy on? Fine line. That being said, Sid is one massive masochist and although Asher isn’t initially a Sadist, he finds that part of himself in order to give Sid what he needs. Sid’s family imposed terrible guilt upon him and escaping was his only choice. When his past follows him, though, it’s Asher he turns to for help, support, and strength.
I believed this relationship worked on all those levels. Asher truly cared for Sid. Sid, in the end, had to stop running from his feelings. That’s pretty powerful stuff.
I’ve enjoyed Tyler Kent’s narration of other K.A. Merikan books and this one was no different. I might just go back to the first book in the series, which I somehow missed. Wasn’t lost at all, though, dropping in mid-series. Can’t wait for more.
My Rating:
8/10 Pots of Gold (80% Recommended) – Compares to 4/5 Stars
K. A. Merikan is the pen name for Kat and Agnes Merikan, a team of writers, who are taken for sisters with surprising regularity.
They love the weird and wonderful, stepping out of the box, and bending stereotypes both in life and books. When you pick up a Merikan book, there’s one thing you can be sure of – it will be full of surprises.
To keep up to date with their new releases (and get a free book in the process!) sign up to their newsletter: http://kamerikan.com/newsletter
e-mail: kamerikan@gmail.com
More information about ongoing projects, works in progress and publishing at:
K.A. Merikan’s author page: http://kamerikan.com
FUN FACTS:
– We are Polish,
– We’re neither sisters nor a couple,
– Kat’s an artist, and Agnes is a psychologist but neither works in her field,
– Kat’s fingers are two times longer than Agnes’s.
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