Most of the time, I don't mind if a book lacks a plot as long as the character development is well done and the progression of the relationship stays interesting. However, I found myself noticing the lack of plot in this book, and wishing something interesting would happen. When something did happen, it was both predictable and at the same time unbelievable.

I did like the characters and the dynamics of their relationship, so that keeps the book from getting a 2 star rating, but it definitely could have been better.

Merged review:

Most of the time, I don't mind if a book lacks a plot as long as the character development is well done and the progression of the relationship stays interesting. However, I found myself noticing the lack of plot in this book, and wishing something interesting would happen. When something did happen, it was both predictable and at the same time unbelievable.

I did like the characters and the dynamics of their relationship, so that keeps the book from getting a 2 star rating, but it definitely could have been better.

So we were challenged to pick a book off our TBR list for Spring Cleaning Week; a book that has been on our list the longest. The Square Peg has been on my TBR list for over a year and though I do have one book on my list longer than this, I put it off for personal reasons and I am honestly thrilled I did.

I have been in a funk with books lately, not getting into them as much as I liked and it was becoming a problem. There was no problem with me getting into The Square Peg. Sure, at the first glance of the title I started to sing the theme song to an 80’s show but there are absolutely no similarities with the two forms of entertainment.

This book, I just finished it and I am a total mess. I adored the holy hell out of these boys. The way the authors chose to show a BDSM relationship without the bells, whistles, dungeons and playrooms normally associated was fantastic. It lent itself to the story of Benedict and Shane seamlessly and I fell head over heels for each of them.

Benedict, I liked you from the beginning; walking straight into the bar that is now half yours and confronting the gruff man behind the desk who was Shane. It didn’t matter how you came to be part owner of The Square Peg, you wanted to be part of it and you would deal with Shane to get it. Yeah, *ahem* you would deal with Shane. Your button up exterior was not who you were, you needed the right person to let you become your true self. It was a pleasure to watch you transform.

Shane, oh you British boy with the shaved head, how could I not love you? I was beyond happy when I turned the page and was given your POV. I needed it, needed to feel the want from you when it came to your bar and your Benedict. Who would have though kitchen floors could be so damn hot? Your submission was flawless and even when I was worried you were going to fast and too deep I was mesmerized and calmed being inside your head. It was a gorgeous place to be.

This story was well told; the attraction between the boys was instant but it didn’t feel false. I adored the times with the boys in an out of bed and I loved watching them grow with affection, trust, friendship, partnership and love. They killed me a few times with words and melted me into a puddle of goo at my desk. There may have been squirming as well during a few scenes…I am blushing simply remembering them. Ben and Shane are perfect for each other, just perfect and they will forever have me thinking of them when and if I play a game of pool. Yup, pool.

The Square Peg I cannot think straight right now going over this book, it was perfect for me and while I should be kicking myself at not reading it sooner, I am glad I didn’t. Good things come to those who wait and all that stuff, right? I needed this, the story of Ben and Shane right now. Their love, the intensity of the dynamic between them is what I needed to remind me; I love books about love and can still get lost in them. Lost, yeah…I was so lost in this. The entire crew/family which makes up The Square Peg was a joy to read and I realized Vin gets the next book after that scene in the epilogue? *squee* I am running; running with my fingers across the keyboard and handing over my money to read his story.

I don't really get the pain thing, or the humiliation thing, but these guys do--and they make it hot and sweet and romantic.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ben, Shane, and Vin (can't leave him out) were fantastic characters, well written and developed. Ben, who fears he is boring and stuffy inherits half a gay bar, run by the gruff Shane. From the get they are at odds, going to toe to toe with one another. Shane pissed at what he feels is "interference" in his bar and Ben for being dismissed as someone too far out of their element to be useful. Their arguments make for good flirting and eventually...foreplay. Their dynamic was an interesting one, they certainly aren't the first friends turn lovers, or the first can't-agree-on-anything-but-sex characters, but its written in such a way that it stayed fresh and interesting, and I admit I was a little surprised by the way some of the scenes unfolded. There was a curve ball in there as well! The sex scenes were pretty hot (I mean Holy hotness in the kitchen! and ladies room!) I'm not really a fan serious BDSM so this was good for me because I don't think I can handle too much, it felt a little more organic this way, too. Less of the whole, they walk into a hard core club and more like when you're figuring out what you like and what you want to try.
LOVED Vin and sooooo glad he got his own story! Looking forward to that.

Really struggled with this book. Could have put it down as a DNF several times but book 2 sounded interesting (Vin is so likeable and I wanted to read more about him) so I persevered.
I did not feel any chemistry between the MC's in this book. I did not like the way Ben treated Shane. It was abusive, not hot.
There was next to no real story and I found it lacked flow.

I'm really torn on how to rate this one. The writing was solid, the plot was good, and I liked all of the characters. I guess what's getting me is a couple of scenes that really pushed my comfort zone. Times where it felt like Ben was taking out his agitation with other people on Shane, and not doing things for the right reason. So while this probably would have been a solid 4 stars for me, those couple of scenes forced me to knock it down to 3.

Really well paced story that pairs two interesting characters together. The secondary characters, particularly Vin, were also engaging (would love to know more of Vin's story).

BDSM newbs
fall into business, love,
each other. Sweet-hot.

Mixed feelings on finishing this, definitely a 3.5* perhaps may have got to a 4* on the story but for a couple of points.
I enjoyed Ben and Shane's enemies to lovers plot, their complete opposite-ness initally giving way to an intense relationship.
Their relationship itself was one point that had me yo-yo-ing :

Spoiler

I don't mind a bit of kink, the S & M here was fine of itself but I didn't get any vibes in the lead up to them having sex so I couldn't get my head into it like I would want to. And then the slaps really had me wondering where they came from, I didn't think they added anything and that got me rounding down not up.

I also liked the development of the pub, the secondaries. The culprits at the end were obvious to a reader but as a plot were fine - though they were stupid. And it kind of all felt a bit left up in the air. Now maybe this will be developed along with Vin's story in book 2, which I shall be getting!

28.11.18 reread : i maybe understood the dynamic between Shane and Ben a bit better this time but again it still feels very superficial as I don’t get a connection feel from them

This was one of those books I really had trouble putting down. It's a sexy and engaging story, with strong characters, interesting relationships, tension between the MC's, problems to be solved and issues to overcome.

All of the above was done with great style. Nothing was dismissed, swept under the carpet or simply disappeared. There were a few points where I personally would have liked to have been able to linger, rather than move on. But the flow of the book was very good, which made it such an entertaining read.

I would love to read even more about these guys to be honest. See, not only how the bar goes, but how their relationship grows even further in the future.