Book Review: Bender by Gene Gant

Before I start my review, I would like to thank Harmony Ink Press and NetGalley for allowing me to review Bender by Gene Gant.

**All opinions stated in this review are mine and mine alone. I received Bender from Harmony Ink Press through NetGalley for free for my honest review.”

Now onto my review:

Title: Bender

Author: Gene Gant

Publisher: Harmony Ink Press

Date of publication: June 16th, 2016

How many pages: 86

Part of a series: No

Where you can find Bender: Amazon

Goodreads synopsis:

At nineteen, college freshman Mace Danner works as an escort, hiring himself out to customers who want a submissive they can dominate. Having no carnal urges himself, the sexual side of his job leaves him cold, but he sees the pain inflicted on him by his clients as punishment for causing his brother’s death when he was in high school. Pain is not enough, however, to wash away his guilt, and Mace starts binge drinking in an effort to escape his remorse.

The dorm’s resident advisor, Dex Hammel, sees Mace spiraling out of control and strives to help him. Despite the mutual attraction between them, Mace is disturbed that he still feels no sexual desire for anyone. Even with Dex’s support, Mace’s self-destructive behavior escalates, leading to a situation that endangers his life.

A New Adult title appropriate for ages 16+

My review:

I am going to be very nice about this: If you don’t like LGBTQIA books or lifestyle, stop here and hit the back button. Any abusive/crude/discriminatory remarks will not be published.

This book made me cry, several times, while I was reading it. I wanted to reach through my Kindle and hug Mace, tightly, and tell him that it was going to be alright and that everything was going to be OK.

Mace is an escort who specializes in BDSM as a submissive (or a bottom). He lets men and women abuse his body because he feels this is the only way he can atone for his brother’s death….which he believes that he caused. The hurt in those paragraphs came off the pages in waves and hurt my heart.

This is the first book where the main character is asexual. Asexual means that they do not have sexual feelings (and it was better explained in the book). Some asexuals will have sex to please their partners and to feel close to them, but they themselves don’t have the feelings (better explained in the book). I had heard of asexuals before but have never read a story featuring one. So it was fascinating to me.

The relationship between Dex and Mace was perfect and it was the first stepping block to getting Mace better. I loved Dex’s character. He was everything a boyfriend should be and then some!!

How many stars will I give Bender? 5

Why? This was a beautifully written book about loss and sexuality. The author packed a lot in the 86 pages and I did want more.

Will I reread? Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends? Yes

Age Range: Adult

Why? BDSM sex, regular sex, violence, rape (and yes, I say what happened to Mace is rape) and suicidal thoughts.