Curious Beginnings

This is a short erotic novel focused on age-play. This is not my kink, but I sort of have a kink for reading about kinks, especially the more taboo ones. It's really romantic when characters find acceptance with each other, and that concept is definitely at the center of this story, from both points of view. I am not physically disabled, either, so be aware that I'm doubly outside my lane in reviewing this book.

Usually I like it when two (or more) characters' unique traits fit together like puzzle pieces, in a romance: e.g., one character is socially awkward, and the other is highly extroverted, or even an actual con artist. It's unrealistic, but I don't read romance for realism. But still, the way the characters' traits fit together in this story makes me uncomfortable. Mark has a disorder where he doesn't know when he needs to urinate, so he wears disposable underwear, while Sebastian specifically wants his partner to wear diapers, as part of his age-play fetish. I kept thinking that I wouldn't care if I had a partner with Mark's problem, and I don't think I'm unusual. But even at the end of the story, Mark does not believe that he should expect the acceptance of people in general, just as decent behavior. Mark has never tried to date anyone, because he's not over the bullying he experienced as a child. He has no idea if potential partners would run away screaming from his issue. I understand why he couldn't get over it for himself. It makes sense that age-play with a loving partner would fit into his life as a way of reframing his issue as something positive. But the narrative itself seems to back up his belief that no one but Sebastian would want him, while also giving no other reason for someone to jump into this kinky lifestyle. There is a mild conflict in the story because Sebastian's friends, a gay couple, don't understand why Sebastian and Mark are together. Mark's disability is given as the explanation for their relationship. I also don't know if it's realistic that the couple would react badly that Sebastian is dating a man after having been married to a woman. Sebastian's fetish is intrinsic to his sexuality, and they know this; why would they expect gender to outweigh it?

So, I had some problems with the book. However, it does explore the trust necessary to participate in this kind of play, which is why I was reading it. Also, through their relationship, both Mark and Sebastian start to heal from the wounds of their pasts, which is always romantic. If you like reading about this kink, or if you like these kinds of books, you may enjoy this.