The Subs Club

In this alternatingly poignant and scathingly witty BDSM erotic romance, which opens a series, Rock (The Grand Ballast) tackles some difficult questions. After popular submissive Hal dies during a BDSM scene at a well-known club, David and his fellow subs Kamen, Miles, and Gould begin a blog, the Subs Club, as a safe space for submissives to discuss dangerous dominants. Soon the blog spirals out of control. Meanwhile, hilariously sarcastic David meets a dom who calls himself the Disciplinarian. He initially dismisses the man as “Pornstache” and fights against his attraction to him, given their many differences—but he soon finds redemption and peace in a relationship with the Disciplinarian and begins to understand that no matter how much he loves his friends, he’s not responsible for all of their life choices. Rock skillfully handles tricky topics, and readers will adore this group of appealingly flawed and deeply affectionate characters. (Dec.)