Jesse by Jan Irving

 

Jesse is a touching story of loss and then a start to a new life. I read the story because of the promise of BDSM, but the sex wasn't a very large part of the book.. which was fine, as the story is a good one. Here's the blurb:

When Jesse Coulter roars up on a Harley one dusty afternoon back into ranch foreman Kyle Jacob's life, Kyle is confronted with everything forbidden he has wanted for years. Jesse is twenty years old, with a ruff of dark hair and blue eyes that remind Kyle of the heart of a lit gasoline flame, yet Kyle can’t let himself touch Jesse because not only is he too young, he's the brother of Kyle's lost lover Mac.

That they also share an uncanny telepathic bond hasn’t made things any easier for an ordinary working cowboy; Kyle is drawn into Jesse’s dreams of him as the hot older man Jesse holds captive, pleasuring him every night with Jesse’s raw man-takes-man brand of lovemaking. But Kyle and Jesse face other problems to their unconventional romance. Jesse has custody of his vulnerable younger brother who aches for a stable home, and an enemy from Kyle’s past is threatening not only his beloved draft horses and carriage business but the new life and family he yearns for.

I'm having a hard time saying much more without giving spoilers. I do think that we're being set up for a book with David, the younger brother, as the focus. And I would enjoy reading more about him, once he's grown up and figuring things out.

BDSM elements:

• Bondage and Discipline: No. Well, except in a dream. But the dreams are kind of real. Sort of. 1 of 3.
• Dominance and Submission: Yes, but it's not pervasive. It's perfect for the story, but still only a 1 of 3.
• Sadism and Masochism: No. 0 of 3 
• Extra Point: No, the story is about emotions and life, not so much about sex. The sex is hot, and is all about power exchange when they have it... but it's not the focus of the story. The relationship is the focus of the story.

The sex is most definately all about power exchange when they have it. And there is even the use of a few toys (plug and gag). There is no impact play, it's not that kind of power exchange.

As for the writing elements: The plot was excellent, even though I had a decent idea of what was going on and how it was going to end, the journey getting to the end was a nice one. Pacing was well done. Prose and dialogue were skillfully woven together. Character development was excellent.

• Book Rating: Jesse: 9 of 10
• BDSM Intensity Level: 2 of 10
• Heat Level: 3 of 5

This is the first book I've read by Jan Irving, but I will certainly be looking for more books written by this talented author.

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