Review: With or Without Him by Barbara Elsborg

“The most dangerous refuge could be his lover’s arms.”

Everyone has at least one deep-seated fear. For Tyler, it’s being in debt. He’s so desperate to get out and stay out of it, he’ll do almost anything-including selling his body at Saturday night sex parties.

But he refuses to open his mind to anyone, especially the men paying to use him however they want. The only time he’s truly happy is during the week at college, when he can escape into his music.

The moment Haris sees Tyler playing piano at a concert, he falls hard, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make the guy his. Even if it means-for the first time in his life-opening his wallet as wide and desperate as his heart.

20,000 to live with a good-looking guy for four months? How can Tyler resist the chance to ditch the sex party scene for good? But neither man realizes how much they’re risking. And when outside forces close in, ready to destroy them, the trickiest part about the next four months could be just surviving.

Warning: Contains a “for hire” bad boy with a filthy mouth, an awkward guy with a penchant for BDSM, a hypochondriac butler who won’t shut up, a dog called Alcide, and a lot of hot and dirty M/M sex.

So what can I tell you after finishing this book?

Is in my pants. Sweet mother of cock but this book was hot. Tyler, Haris, Tyler and Haris

Books like this sometimes make me wish I was a gay man. What? Too much?

But I digress…

Tyler is in debt and is desperate enough to do some extreme things to get out of them. So what if he sells his body to whoever pays to attend the very exclusive Saturday night sex parties if they will help him pay off his school loans? Everyone has a price. But his deep-rooted fear of being in debt dates back to one of his darkest childhood memories, and it keeps him going.

Tyler doesn’t let anyone get close. They may get his body for the night, but never anything else. His focus, emotion, and passion all go towards his one and only love, his music.

When Haris first spots Tyler playing the piano at a concert, he knows he has to have him. So when he follows him after the event and rescues him from a BDSM scene gone bad at one of the parties Tyler attend, he knows just how to hook him. 20,000 plus 10,000 for clothes for his time, his body, and his exclusivity.

Tyler sees a way to get out of his debt and to slake his lust for the gorgeous Haris, so he agrees and then it’s a whole lot of

I love Barbara Elsborg’s writing. I’ve been a fan since my first book by her An Ordinary Girl. Her books are always the perfect mix of suspense, mystery, quirky humor, broken yet endearing characters and lots and lots of super HOT SEX.

And this book was certainly no exception. Just add in a sarcastic and hilarious butler, and it was perfect. I was riveted from the very first chapter. The mystery and suspense sucked me in, and the connection and sexual chemistry between Tyler and Haris just sealed the deal. I didn’t want this book to end.

Of course what’s a Barbara Elsborg book without a little…or a lot of angst and drama. And this book really delivered on that end. I loved the angst for the majority of the book. It’s no secret that I have a soft spot for the assholes, and Haris had his moments. Truthfully, there were times where he would do something that left me feeling a little

You know what they say about assumptions right, Haris? Maybe you should take note. Then you wouldn’t continue doing it again, and again, and again, and AGAIN!

Then there was the last 10% of the book. Holy drama overload, batman. I think I may have reached my quota for drama tolerance at 85%. We had a man out for revenge, someone threatening Tyler’s life, someone coming after Haris, some drama between Haris and Tyler. I think I was at my limit when I hit the last few chapters.

And then Haris just goes and does something and I was PISSED. I mean really pissed. I’m talking

PISSED

But then alls well that ends well. He did make up for it in the end, and I was really satisfied with the way he did it. So if you’re a fan of super steamy, well written MM romance filled with action, mystery and suspense, I highly recommend this book.