You
met Ryder Richardson in Being Sawyer Knight. Now, this is his story.
I’ve done it. I’ve stuck a whopping two fingers up at my parents, I’ve
made a name for myself as one of the world’s biggest porn stars and I’ve
finally found a family I belong in.
Life is amazing. I get paid to do all my favourite things. Fuck. Party.
Travel the world. What’s not to love?
And then he comes along. Mason George – Back Door Studio’s newest
exclusive model and the guy who has the potential to either fuck it all
up, or take me on the best ride of my life.
~ Ryder
I’m desperate. I’ve got nothing and nobody left. Entering the daunting
world of adult entertainment is less of a dream and more of a necessity.
Signing as Back Door Studio’s latest model has the ability to either
ruin or make me, but I made a vow at my first audition never to let
myself regret it.
I continue to question myself each day, but no amount of what’s, why’s
or what ifs will change where I am or where I’m heading. Am I strong
enough to do this? To embrace it? To enjoy it? I have no idea.
The only thing I’m certain of, is that if anyone can teach me who I’m
supposed to be, it’s Ryder Richardson.
~ Mason
“Because the most exciting things in life always happen via the back
door”
Denise’s Review:
Okay, I am totally gonna fangirl here for a moment….If you pick up the paperback book for Taming Ryde3r, and flip it over, you will see a little one line quote from me on it, that Nicola asked me to write after beta reading this. I squealed and jumped around my house like a little girl, and then calmly typed back “I would be honored” when she asked me. And it truly was an honor. That being said, I would have not agreed to do it, if I hadn’t felt this book was fantastic.
So on with the review…
When I read Being Sawyer Knight, I still was fairly new to m/m, and hadn’t even started this little blog. I really enjoyed the book (as I type this now I am wondering if I left a review…**scrambles over to Amazon**), it had everything I enjoyed about reading: two sexy men, one very alpha, some angst, some intrigue and well, there might have been some hot sex in there. It was a really good read, and I just loved it.
When I read Taming Ryder the first time (and yes, I have read it twice), I immediately messaged Nicola and said “I didn’t think it was possible, but I love Taming Ryder even more. It is written even better than Being Sawyer Knight.” And it truly is, I wasn’t blowing smoke up anyone’s arse (he he, always wanted to use that word in a review). You can see how much research went into this book. I know Nicola is a bit of a gay porn fan (ssshhh, I think she keeps that secret), but the inside info on what making a gay porn film looks like, what the industry is like, and what these models have to endure only comes after dedicated research (so that’s what they are calling it now!).
The book flips between points of view between Ryder and Mason, and that really helps with understanding what is going on, especially towards the end of the book when POV becomes critical.
The reasons why I loved this book are many, and even trying to put it all to word is a challenge.
First, the character of Ryder, introduced in Being Sawyer Knight, is clearly damaged, and we find out later how damaged he is, and most importantly why, and he is doing the best he can. And yet, he chooses to go into gay porn, and even finds that he develops a family there.
Mason on the other hand, isn’t damaged, as much as grieving his mother. With no options, no other family or friends, he heads west, and finds his way to Back Door Studio. He knows it isn’t his dream, but he doesn’t blame it on circumstance. Mason realizes that he has choices, and he has chosen to do this until he is able to find his way into his true passion.
As these two find their way together, they learn about themselves, as well as learning the art of communicating and truly being there for one another. They realize quickly the benefit of being open with their partner, and seeing all their warts.
The situation towards the end of the book, goes from bad to worse for Ryder, and Mason does everything he can to save Ryder. It is a truly heart breaking situation, and you will not only cry some tears, you will likely throw your e-reader at a wall (or want to).
That to me is the mark of a great book. If I am so invested in the story and the characters that I get angry at what is happening with them, then I have hit what I am looking for in a book. I want to love my characters, take away the hurt, and help save them from the bad, and in the end want to see them have their HEA. All of these things happened in Taming Ryder and I couldn’t have loved it more.
And on a fun note, we get to see Matt again in this book, and he is up to his old tricks. However, he is now learning some new tricks. I personally can’t wait to see how they play out in his book, which is next in the series.
This book is so well done, and I am so excited to see what comes next. Final determination is five strong pieces of eye candy, with a side of “hurry up” to Ms. Haken to get moving on Matt’s story. 🙂
I live in Rochdale, England with my wonderful family and when I’m not playing with my imaginary friends I can usually be found looking after my four adorable (sometimes!) children (six if you include the dogs, seven if you include the hubby!) or stalking gay porn stars!
All in all I’m just an ordinary mum with an addiction to reading about hot book guys, writing about hot book guys, tattoos and Pepsi Max! Oh, and if my kids ever ask… I moonlight as the Pink Power Ranger 😉
I've said it before but what the hell I'll say it again, I freakin' love you! Thanks so much for such an amazing review! <3