Remarkable Restraint (Grad School Guys, #1) by Devon Rhodes

Remarkable Restraint (Grad School Guys, #1) Reviews

• 
  Heather K (dentist in my spare time)

  *2.5 stars*
  
  Easy BDSM-light read with a friends-to-lovers theme. However, I don't think this is
  Devon Rhodes's best work.
  
  The main couple here have been friends for ages, but through a lack of communication, have never admitted their sexualities to each other. They also have been in love with each other for a long time, but again, communication issues. I was NOT a big fan of the back and forth between them.
  
  I think the best part of the story was the side plot between Chaz's friend Andy and his closeted cop lover. Now THAT was a story I was interested in reading! I also liked the mild BDSM elements, which were pretty hot. However, I don't think that Chaz and Justin's relationship seemed solid and I didn't fully get the "love" between them.
  
  Overall, a clumsy story with some nice elements.
  
  **Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
• 
  Heller

  While I enjoy this author's writing style this was a book that didn't work for me. Chaz and Justin are best friends and have been for years but neither man reveals to the other that they're gay and this leads to an odd dynamic. The air is eventually cleared but then Justin has to leave for two months and Chaz acts really immaturely. All communication between the two of them after that point is done through flashback or over the phone. The MCs are only together physically for maybe 10% of the story, right at the very beginning and then a few pages at the end.
  
  Now the BDSM element actually works very well but the lack of communication between the men has me wondering just how best of best friends could they be when this is such a huge red flag. I am curious about Chaz's friend Andy but I think story restrictions in length hurt this one so I have reservations about the next.
  
  **Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
• 
  Joyfully Jay

  A
  Joyfully Jay review.
  
  3.5 stars
  
  This book starts in present day and then quickly takes us to a flashback two months prior. We get a good sense of the friendship and relationship between Chaz and Justin and then the rather erotic defining moment that alters the course of their friendship. The writing here is well done and the longing and attraction between the two men is quite evident. Their relationship suffers from a few usual suspects, the most prevalent being a lack of communication and misunderstandings. The flashback takes up a rather large portion of the book and there is only the one scene where Chaz and Justin are together. The rest of the time, they are thinking about or talking about each other with friends.
  
  Justin then leaves the country and Chaz is on his own for a huge portion of the rest of the book. This was the area that did not work as well for me as the guys are not nearly together enough for my liking. Before Justin takes off, he leaves Chaz a package with several sexual gifts in it. Chaz is supposed to open them and try them out. Chaz becomes slightly obsessed with the package, wants to open only one a week, and organizes the gifts and names them according to size and shape. The gifts are a big focus here and we don’t get to see him open all of them or even hear about some of them and this area felt unfinished. While Justin is away, Chaz spends a good amount of time with his neighbor and friend, Andy, as Chaz is just waiting for the two months to pass for Justin to return. A lot of his interactions had the feeling of being filler just waiting for Justin to come back.
  
  When Justin does return it is almost the end of the book. Their dynamic together again is explosive. But, as soon as they are together, the book ends. I did like the friends to lovers aspect of their relationship and there was some light bondage D/s overtones going on which would have been interesting to explore further. This book is the first in a series and since we were introduced to several characters that could have stories, it is not clear if the series will continue with Justin and Chaz or move on to other characters. I would be interested to move on to the next book in the series to see where it is going, but overall, with this book, I would have preferred more time to see the guys together as they spent too much time apart here for my taste.
  
  Read Michelle's review in its entirety
  here.
  
  
• 
  Vanessa theJeepDiva

  Best friends and roommates Chaz and Justin are about to reach a pivotal point in their friendship. Chaz has begun avoiding Justin. The unrequited love has finally become too much for him. Little does he know that Justin is tired of having substitutes in his bed. Justin wants Chaz in every way possible. Justin is almost positive that Chaz will even be a great sub to his Dom desires. He just has to get Chaz to see him as more than friend. The first step in doing that is to get him to talk to him and stop avoiding him.
  
  This first installment in the Grad School Guys series turned out to be one sexy read. The BDSM aspect was mild and surprisingly sweet. The first time readers get to experience all the hot that Justin and Chaz are is present day right before Justin is leaving the country for two months. The brief interlude gives Chaz (readers) a tiny glimpse of where Justin’s tastes go. It’s hot! Then readers get to follow Chaz and Justin along for two months of ‘wish you were here’ through phone calls and “the package”. I liked the package and all the build up that it allowed these two men while they were apart.
  
  Most of Remarkable Restraint has Justin and Chaz apart. Devon does a remarkable job of showing readers how much these two men want to be together. The anticipation of putting them back in the same room together after two months of being apart makes this a very sexy read. I’m looking forward to what will happen next in this series.
• 
  Erica Chilson

  I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
  
  5 smoking hot stars.
  
  Devon Rhodes is a new-to-me author no more. I will admit I read Remarkable Restraint, followed by Naughty by Night back-to-back in one sitting. I also need to admit this isn't my usual genre, so I was reluctant to say yes to review. I have to be in a certain mood to want erotic material, because usually they are light on plot. I personally have a BDSM book titled Restraint but in a different genre, so that's why I chose to review this book. & I am so glad I did.
  
  Remarkable Restraint is more than an erotic BDSM novella featuring college-age men, so much more. It's not often I read a book that gives me the potent 'feels'. I'll describe it as I'm reading along, usually it's something angsty, which will have my heart wrenching and my belly clenching. I literally feel hurt for the character, or find myself angry or frustrated right alongside them.
  
  Devon Rhodes managed what so few authors can do for me, something I specifically look for in book. Not only that, it happened again in book 2. Devon Rhodes has a fan for life now.
  
  How about I review the book, eh? Remarkable Restraint is about a pair of buddies from High School, now finishing their undergrad degrees. One is going to volunteer in an underdeveloped country for the summer, leaving the other alone. Only one problem, one is experiencing unrequited love and a desire for kink. Or are they? You'll have to read to find out.
  
  As for the erotic material, the reason I usually shy away from this genre is because I need to be connected to the narrators to feel anything during the between-the-sheets action. I was immediately hooked up to the narrators, as if I were them. This made every scene that much more gratifying.
  
  Note: Light on the BDSM play. Simply exploring the other partner's boundaries. Recommended for both fans of MM romance, MM erotic romance, and MM erotica. Those who are leery of anything kink- no fear, it was with a playful edge to heighten the experience.
  
  Thank you for entertaining me, Ms. Rhodes- this book is going on my reread shelf.
• 
  Sandy

  Great Read!! Well written easy read with no luls. Really likable characters and even with some minor BDMS was sweet story. Not to long or to short! I want to read more of Rhode books for sure! Great chemistry between these two!!! Well Done!
• 
  Mrsgeo

  Didn't hold my interest.
• 
  Inked Reads

  FourStars
  Justin and Chaz are such a cute couple even when they don't know they are a couple. I really enjoy how you get to see their relationship develop and despite them both being slightly stupid when it comes to love and themselves, they have a great relationship.
  
  Justin is one who is not to shirk his responsibilities and I really like that about him. Chaz is an easy-going, lovable character. He's almost naiive and innocent, but the thoughts he has about his best friend are less than pure.
  
  The exchange and development of their relationship is gradual, but not so slow that it makes the book drag, which I appreciated.
  
  While I wish there were more written when they were physically together, I can appreciate their long distance relationship too.
  
  I hope there will be a continuation of their story.
  AvidReader
  
  ThreeStar
  This is a hot new adult short story. Justin and Chaz have been best friends forever, but it is only well into graduate degrees that Justin finally finds the courage to admit his attraction to Chaz.
  
  Chaz has always fancied Justin, but he assumed his friend was straight.
  
  As a dominant, Justin takes the lead initiating submissive Chaz into a sexual relationship with him. Unfortunately, he has to leave the country for two months, so much of this story focuses on the two men’s long-distance relationship.
  
  For me, the story lost stars because of the long-distance relationships. This is a short story. The focus is sex, but the two lovers aren’t even in the same country for much of the book. Yes, there were sexy presents, toys and phone calls, but I felt more actual sex was needed.
  
  That’s not to say the story was only about sex. There were some very sweet passages as Justin and Chaz worked through the dramatic shift their relationship makes as best friends become lovers and partners.
  
  Sarah
• 
  CoffeeTimeRomance andMore

  Hot summer nights and even hotter college boys get this series rolling with a bang. Justin is a young Dom with plenty to learn, but what he does know is that Charlie is it. What I wish is that their story included more of their time together, rather than mostly apart. I would certainly love to see them explore the new found level to their relationship mutually.
  
  Lototy
  Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
  
  
  Official Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
  
• 
  Simone

  3.5 stars
• 
  ~♥I_Luv_2_Read♥~

  2.5 stars
• 
  Rachel Emily

  This was sweet and hot in a couple places, and I enjoyed it!
• 
  Marlobo ♥ epilogues

  Read as part of Games in the Dark anthology
• 
  Lou~❧Powerless Over 1-Click❧

  2.75 Stars