Book Review

Reviewed by Heather C

Title:  Objects of His Obsession
Author: Jae T. Jaggart
Heroes: Benedict & Evander
Genre: M/M Historical Romance
Length: 56,000 words
Publisher: Jae T. Jaggart
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Available at: Amazon & Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads

Blurb: London, 1898

Lord Benedict Yeats has two obsessions.

One of which has a definite pulse – the seductive and beautiful Evander St John, Duke of Casterwell. A man he has a certain history with.

A man who tells Benedict that he has spent too long amongst sand and dead things. He might not be wrong. Casterwell’s world is one of sexual sophistication and games that Benedict cannot hope to match.

But when Benedict returns from working on a famous dig in Cairo, Casterwell invites him to a country house party that will change his life. An Egyptologist of growing renown, Benedict will also catalogue the famous Casterwell collection of antiquities.

And almost certainly, will become one of Casterwell’s string of lovers. But will he be the one to break through that glittering façade? Or will the scars of Casterwell’s dark, bloody past and his complex and fiercely deceptive private life tear them apart?

Warning: Contains two men wildly obsessed, a lust too long denied, hot m/m sex between a naive Egyptologist and one very determined duke, and absolutely no cursed tombs. Approx. 56000 words.

Review:

Lord Benedict Yeats has long been obsessed with Evander St. John, ever since they crossed paths that fateful day in school…the obsessed archeology student catching the eye of the wealthy only son of a Duke.  Evander has played the lead role in Benedict’s fantasies for all these years, afraid to take that last step in confirming his sexuality.  That is, until Benedict is invited to spend the week cataloging the huge Egyptian artifact collection amassed by Evander’s grandfather, and Evander proposes to make Benedict’s obsession a reality.  The problem: Evander’s wife, Juliana, stands in the way of Benedict’s morals.  Of course that doesn’t stop Benedict from succumbing to his obsession.  

I really liked this story…

I really liked how the story was separated into parts designating Benedict’s vs. Evander’s POV.  It starts off with the large, beginning portion of the story being told entirely from Benedict’s POV, which left me wondering all about what Evander was really thinking; I wasn’t sure how he really felt for Benedict.  Was possessing Benedict just a goal?  Another notch on his bedpost?  Or did he really feel something for Benedict.  Oh he felt for him alright!  I’m not sure how realistic Evander’s I-always-knew-we-would-be-together-one-day speech was, but I still loved that scene and his admission.  

I really liked the setting.  From London, England to Cairo, Egypt to Paris, France.  Although, the setting doesn’t play a huge role in the story, I still liked seeing the different backdrops.  Actually, I would have liked for those locations to have been more descriptive and predominant in the telling of the story, but I concede because it wasn’t actually important to the plot.  

And speaking of the plot, I really liked it.  Yeah, I know its a bit cliched for a m/m historical…the I-want-to-be-with-men-and-my-wife-approves trope.  But that was actually one of my favorite factors in the story!  The relationship between Evander and Juliana and how there was never any betrayal.  I will say that I found that whole scenario to be very predictable and not at all surprising, but I still really liked seeing the entire thing play out.  

There was A LOT of sex!  Evander and Benedict get it on pretty early in the story and its totally hot!  Wow, those two together was just…umm.  They were only a little kinky, but I think it was the intensity between them that got to me.  On another note, I think this is the first time I’ve ever wanted the bedroom scene to turn into a menage, because that would have been HOT!  Unfortunately, that would have never been appropriate for any of these characters and I’m happy to see it will never happen…

I really liked the simplicity, but I think it may have been just a bit too simple.  I think there were plenty of places where the story could have been expanded, made a little more angsty.  Shared a little more about Benedict’s work.  Maybe add a little bit of mystery.  But no, its all sweet, romance and the only conflict is Juliana…and she’s not even a real conflict at all. 

Overall Impression: I Really Liked It

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