A Review for The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton

Posted by Jess

Published Date: February 16th, 2009

Finished Date: March 2nd, 2012

Source: Recommended

Format: Kindle

Pages: Unknown 

The Blurb from Goodreads: Love hurts...if you're lucky. Kaden knows he's dying, but before he goes, he has one problem he needs to solve - he must ask his oldest friend Seth to take over as his beloved wife's Dom and Master after his death. Seth has always seen himself as the perpetual screw-up and Kaden as the strong and steady one, so his friend's request rocks his world. Now Seth finds himself immersed in a role he's far from comfortable with: inflicting pain to provide emotional comfort for the woman he's secretly loved for years. Can he deal with his crushing grief and learn the skills he must master in time to become THE RELUCTANT DOM?

The Review: "I love you, bro." "I love you too. Still not doing you." -Kaden and Seth

Ok, people, don't judge me lol. No-one knew I was reading this (unless you have me on Goodreads). This was part of my secret stash of Erotica that I have on kindle lol. 


After reading Fifty I found out I had a passion for Erotica (you can all thank Christian Grey for that!). Anyway, I was just looking for more Erotica, not necessarily anything revolving around BDSM. This book was recommended to me by a friend on Goodreads, and I'm glad she did.

Let me start by saying, I haven't cried like that at a book since I read Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma. The Reluctant Dom is an extremely emotional book, that focuses on 3 people coming to terms with the fact that one of them is dying of cancer.  

It's Kaden that is dying, and he asks his best friend, Seth to become his wife's new husband and Dom after he passes. Kaden completely struck me from the moment I started reading. I felt for him. Seth was a complete sweetheart, listening to what his friend has to say, and not judging him in anyway. He later agrees to let Kaden train him in the art of BDSM and lets him move in with him and his wife Leah.

Don't be deceived by the the cover or the title of this book. It deals with a lot more than the lifestyle of BSDM. The Reluctant Dom, deals with BDSM as more than just a lifestyle, it deals with it being the help that these three people need. I know that may seem weird, but it's really hard to explain without giving much away, you'll just have to read it to see for yourself.

I pretty much fell in love with this story, it touches your heart completely and it was Seth's inner turmoil and his guilt over his friend that begins to break you apart. It was his moments of crying himself to sleep, or crying in the shower at remembering that his best friend is dying that begins to get to you. And it's Seths' selflessness to give up the life he knew to help his best friend make the transition from old Dom to new Dom easier for his wife, Leah. Leah is a very complicated character, she relies on the pain from BDSM to deal with her inner emotions of having a traumatic childhood. And Seth has been in love with Leah from the day he met her, Kaden knows this, and so knows that Seth is perfect for the job. He sees that Seth will be able to look after Leah, in more ways than one. Giving her what she needs to help her survive once Kaden passes.

Tymber Dalton, managed to create a story surrounding a personal tragedy and entwining a lifestyle that you would never associate with said tragedy. It's a wonderful story, and it truly moves you to tears, I believe I read through wet eyes for the last half of the book. You know what's coming and you're waiting for it, but nothing can prepare you for when that moment comes, it was slow to build and the descriptions of Kaden's decline in health and his jaundice that started me. I went completely over the edge! Nothing can prepare you for Kaden's end. Nothing at all. It's extremely emotional and heartfelt. You'd be cold hearted if you didn't cry. 

I do recommend this book. However I recommend you read Fifty Shades of Grey first, as that will ease you into the BDSM lifestyle. This book is extremely powerful and centres around personal tragedy and sacrifice. 

Also, this book is for older readers, it does have a  lot of graphic sex in it, including male/female/male ménage. So please, please...only read this if you are 18+. 

Other than that, it's a wonderful story, and I don't regret reading this at all. However you will need to at least read some fluffy YA after all the emotion, heart ache and crying.

On a high note; here's a line that had me roaring with laughter:

“In a fit of Christmas spirit, Kaden had equipped her with a red and green holiday collar, complete with several jingle bells. Their own little pornographic elf.” -Seth