Book Review: Aftercare by Tanya Chris

Reviewed by JustJen

Title: Aftercare
Author: Tanya Chris
Heroes: Garrett/Aayan
Genre: MM Contemporary BDSM
Length: 184 Pages
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 17, 2017
Available at: Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb:  Aayan Denir knows Garrett Hillier was once a high-powered defense attorney, and—thanks to a leaked photograph—he knows Garrett is sexually submissive, which makes him ideally qualified to defend Aayan’s brother from the charge of murdering his sub. Aayan would do anything to protect Syed, even if he doesn’t understand how Syed could hurt someone he loves. He could never hurt Garrett. He only wants to take care of him—love him, serve him, cherish him. And maybe torture him. Just a little.

Garrett probably shouldn’t be dating his client’s brother. Right? And what’s the use in a confirmed sub dating a guy who doesn’t want to be a Dom anyway? The important thing is to get Syed cleared of the discriminatory murder charge he’s facing. Aayan is a distraction. But for the first time in the three lonely years since Garrett’s husband died, he’s feeling hope, ambition, and desire. Can he give up the pain he craves to find the love he needs?

As Syed’s trial date looms, Aayan and Garrett explore what a BDSM relationship means for them, and what they mean to each other.

Review: This was a pleasant surprise! This was not your everyday BDSM story. It is about Garrett, a submissive who lost his loving husband and dom to cancer a few years prior, left his high-powered job and has basically lived life on the down low.

Aayan is a Muslim man who seeks out Garrett to help represent his brother against charges of murdering his submissive partner believing someone with his experience will better be able to plead his case. Aayan is immediately attracted to Garrett and has been ever since he saw the photograph of Garrett in a beautiful submissive pose (which his brother had acquired). Aayan is not a dom though and has never practiced any aspect of BDSM. Even though he knows he has dominant tendencies, he has hidden any of those feelings and is at war with himself over those in relation to his religion and upbringing. He struggles with understanding how anyone (including his brother, Syed) could cause hurt and pain to someone they love, even knowing it was consented to, wanted and even needed in some cases.

Garrett was a beautiful character. He also feels an intense attraction to Aayan but is really not sure if he can be in a non-submissive relationship. They tread lightly for a while with Aayan thinking he can make Garrett happy in other ways, i.e. without the SM Garrett believes he also needs. I loved watching Aayan come to the realization of what it would take and what it meant to bring Garrett’s true submission out, as he did in his photograph.

Through this, Garrett works on the case which hits close to home (no pun intended!). With the prosecution trying to push the BDSM is domestic abuse angle, Garrett must find a way to prove otherwise, to the court, as well as to Aayan.

I really liked seeing things from this point of view. It was very interesting to see things from both sides with regards to BDSM and the general public vs. how the actual participants feel, as well as how Aayan’s religion and beliefs played a factor into his finding happiness.

This was my first book by this author, but it most definitely won’t be my last, as this was a very solid and well-written story that I’m sure will stay in my mind for quite some time.

Overall Impression: I really liked it!

*I received a copy of this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review.*