I didn’t much care for this story. It was an unusual story that lacked cohesiveness. Nick is a listless ex-soldier existing on the fringes of society. He moves from job to job with no real connection to anyone. Jacob Umber is mysterious, secretive, and reclusive. He is living with fibromyalgia and needs a personal assistant. On a friend’s recommendation, Nick scored an interview with Jacob. The interview went well and Nick is hired on with Jacob on a temporary basis. Over time, Nick began having feelings for Jacob but is unsure if Jacob would see him more as a partner than an employee.
 
Nick’s inability to define his sexuality combined with his attraction to Jacob was sometimes confusing. There was never a sense of how Jacob felt about Nick. Whether he genuinely liked him or just liked the way he took care of him. Their relationship was more one-sided than anything. Not a recommended read for me. I was given a free ARC of this book and I am voluntarily writing a review

I requested this book because the cover drew me in. I expected it to be a steamy good ole time. I'm honestly quite disappointed. I was looking forward to the rep in it of both LGBT and chronic illness but the chronic illness...eh. I have a family member with fibro so I can't exactly say I'm an expert and know what it's like, but I feel I'm pretty familiar with the ins and outs. I didn't really feel connected with any of the characters and the plot was way too rushed. I didn't really feel the chemistry between Nick and Umber and the instalove was a bit much too. I expected more steaminess and there was really very little of that.

An intense novel that could have had more character development as it felt flat and one dimensional at times. An interesting premise with some good twists and turns.

The Assistant by John Tristan

The blurb for “The Assistant” introduces you to Nick and Mr. Umber as they tend to address each other. As the story evolves the reader gets to know Nick, his emotional struggles and developing feelings for Mr. Umber. Their relationship changes from employee/employer after they spy each other at a kink event.
So many times, characters from MM books seem to be interchangeable stereotypes. In “The Assistant” this is not the case. John Tristan, the author, created well developed, memorable characters. That said, this book is all about Nick’s journey from a depressed, angry vet to a person who comes into his own accepting his submissive desires and his deepening feelings for Mr. Umber. The reader also gets to know Jacob Umber- a bit about his past, and his physical aliments but he was very closed off about his feelings for Nick. This is apropos for his character but it leaves the reader (and Nick) struggling to see if he does truly care.
The kink is much more mental and involves Nick serving Mr. Umber. If you like hot sex scenes in your books you will not find that here.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. This was my first book by John Tristan but it won’t be my last. [As for writing craft I found “The Assistant” very well written, with memorable characters and no glaring grammar or spelling errors.]
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This story had a lot of potential, but I don't think it made the most of that potential, to be honest. The story felt a bit flat and there wasn't that much character development overall. I would definitely have liked to see the characters growing more as people rather than just in their relationship.

So, I'm in two minds about this. What drew me to the story was a main character with Fibro, not something found often in stories, but I was disappointed that we didn't get Jacob's POV in the book.
It felt a little flat and monotone for me, at least for the first half of the book. Once the characters started interacting more, getting closer and pushing their boundaries, it picked up in emotion.
It was interesting reading as Nick got his needs met for domination through serving another, pain and a sense of belonging but not necessarily with physical intimacy. I like that it showed that possibility for that. It's not something that everyone wants, needs or can provided but they are still able to be in a happy and fulfilling relationship. I love the power dynamic that has the larger, physically fit man giving his submission to a man who lives with and often debilitating illness.
I enjoyed the twist as we slowly come to learn Jacob's history and the outcome of that, it really adds a bit of drama and intrigue to the story.
Overall, it's a good story but I think I would have enjoyed it more with a dual POV to add more to the story, flesh out the character and their relationship.
I received an ARC via NetGalley and am happily giving a review.

3.5 stars. Nick is a burned-out vet who needs a fresh start. He has been working as a bouncer at the only gay bar in town, but he keeps getting into fights. When a friend tips him off to a job opportunity, he calls the mysterious Jacob Umber and gets hired as his personal assistant. Umber has fibromyalgia and needs help with that and his business. Nick has never done this kind of work, but he's willing to try. What he didn't expect was the growing attraction that might be mutual.

This was different than I expected. Umber is a reserved character, and I wasn't sure if he would ever relent enough to give Nick what he needed. Or both of them needed. Definitely a slow burn.

I agree with some other reviewers that the ending seemed rushed. Also, the plot with Umber's business interests wasn't really resolved. This is more HFN than HEA, but an interesting read.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.

Pros: Quick read, enjoyed seeing Nick grow into his acceptance of himself and what he wants.
Cons: Never really grabbed me, though it seems I'm in the minority.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

"WARNING: discussion of depression, dealing with a chronic illness/disability, depiction of a D/s relationship between boss and employee, and a heavy caning scene - - TAGS: LGBTQIA, age gap, BDSM, contemporary, D/s, depression, disability/ chronic illness, gay, interracial, Japanese-American, personal assistant, power play, slow burn, trans"- The publisher's note.

All warnings are also on the inside of the book at the front.

Nick is a burnt-out ex-soldier who is struggling to pay his bills with his bouncer work. When he is met with the opportunity to become Jacob Umber's assistant, it seems like the perfect opportunity. Jacob is secretive and has a past that won't really talk about- could this be the end of the beginning for this new relationship that blossomed?

Nick craves orders and guidance which Umber can give a lot of so Umber becomes a safe space for Nick. The relationship doesn't start off sexual and the BDSM aspect is also not very sexual and I like the relationship between the two but I wish that there was a little more discussion about safewords and general safety between the two.

I thought this was a very interesting read and would definitely read it again. I must say, the cover originally made me think it was going to be some sort of CEO/Boss of a huge corporate building but it isn't, Umber owns an antique shop and Nick just helps Umber at the shop and other assistive needs which felt much more intimate to me.

Rating
3⭐

Would I recommend it:
Yes, especially to those who like to read LGBT+ books

I absolutely loved this book! As someone with a chronic illness, I greatly appreciated the depiction of Umber’s illness. This story was so unique, and I will definitely be looking forward to the author’s next releases!

This book covered a lot of ground for being short, at least by my recent reading standards. A LOT happened during those less than 200 pages. It wasn’t necessarily rushed, but I would have liked to have had just a little bit more. But then, when the story is as intriguing as The Assistant, I’m always wanting more. *sigh*

Both Nick and Jacob had a past that they kept each other distanced from. Nick, because it was too painful. Jacob, because – well that’s where the mystery comes in. Nick knows that there’s more to Jacob than a transgender man that is living with a debilitating condition. He’s curious, but willing to look beyond that to get what he needs from the mysterious man. It doesn’t take long for them to realize that they both need each other, but Jacob’s secrets are big ones and when his past starts to catch up with him…

Sorry, but there are quite a few twists and turns in The Assistant. Although I knew that there was something that Jacob was hiding, the revelation took me by surprise. And the ending… yeah, you’ll thank me for the vagueness later. 😉

Nick Kurosawa is a former army man, trying to maintain his cool despite his inner trauma. He still suffers the loss of his family, even though it's been several years. He is working as a bouncer at a gay bar, and is bored to tears--and also struggling to make sure he doesn't get too physical with the troublemakers he encounters.

Nick's friend and some-time sexual partner Alex recommends making contact with Mr. Jacob Umber, a wealthy curiosity shop owner who needs a personal assistant. Mr. Umber is older, but not elderly. Fastidious and formal, it's the fibromyalgia that's slowing this feisty transman down. Nick, who hasn't had any real spark with a sexual partner in a while, is slowly finding an inordinate attraction to Mr. Umber's commanding nature and uncanny sense of knowing. It's clear early on that Mr. Umber has secrets buried in his past, and astute Nick isn't even surprised when an FBI agent comes a-knocking.

The mystery of Mr. Umber is tantalizing, and his commanding presence moves easily from the workspace to the bedroom--once these lonely men find their way through some difficult but frank discussions. Nick is reticent to ask for his needs to be met, and Jacob needs to pry these stipulations from Nick before he will engage. Their affair might be short-lived, however, if the FBI won't back down.

This story is quiet, yet enthralling. It had the hallmarks of a good suspense thriller, without all the gore. I really enjoyed how things unfolded, with Nick being the faithful attendant and Jacob his one true connection to fading humanity, for a bit. There is some conflict, naturally, but it is the kind that really pushes the MC--Nick--to grow in new and exciting ways. It was good to see Nick's life change for the better when he learns to live without the hangups of depression by seeking proper treatment for perhaps the first time in his life. Though he's unsettled by the situation with Jacob, he's one hundred percent invested in sticking by his man. The end has a nice little twist, and it's a definite HEA situation, but again in a quiet way. There are some sexytimes in the story but they are mild and mostly more about the domination that Nick craves than hot and heavy moments.

A fast-paced and steamy MM read with lots of drama and emotion. Nick is a submissive and realizes so as he works as an assistant to Mr. Umber, who happens to be a Dom. Great characters with lots of depth and amazing chemistry. I really liked it.

The assistant is was an interesting read and my first book by the author.
I enjoyed the overall concept but I feel like it’s a bit too short and has the potential for a greater character development as well as tying up some loose ends in my opinion.
I’m looking forward to read other books by the author because I liked the writing and every now and then it’s a good to try something new, something outside my comfort zone.

3.5 Stars

I thought this was an engaging story. I don't read many D/s or BDSM stories but the author is one of my favorites and so I decided to give this a go. The author usually writes sci fi or fantasy and I was curious about how this contemporary story would feel.

It is a good story. It is quite simple in the way it portrays the two men, haunting almost. Their relationship develops slowly. Nick is a kind of wounded warrior trying to find his place in the world. Jacob is a quiet man, living in the shadows. The relationship between the two men involves them journeying towards each other.

There are none of the familiar tropes such as the 'big misunderstanding' neither is there any angst and I enjoyed that. Instead the story flows gently over the reader. I enjoyed the mystery that surrounds Jacob and it would be great to read a prequel about him or even a sequel. It is story that comforts in a very subtle way. I do wish it had some elements of fantasy in it because I think Jacob would have been an excellent mage but it was overall still a nice story even without the 'special effects'.

Copy provided by Ninestar Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

I didn't enjoy this book. I found the characters to be very flat and struggled to connect with them. It made the relationship very unbelievable

The writing was good which was the only positive I found in this one

I loved this book. It took a few chapters to get into it, but once Nick met Mr. Umber it just flowed. This is a really different kind of love story. Nick is a big man who works as a bouncer at a gay bar called Hellhole. A friend tells him about a job working as a PA for Mr. Umber. Nick is a submissive and Mr. Umber a Dom. Nick is immediately attracted to Mr. Umber , but their relationship grows very slowly. It’s hard to review this book without giving too much away. I’ll just say I highly recommend it, and than you John Tristan and NetGalley for sharing it with me.

This is a brilliant mind-bending tale. This story took unexpected twists that will leave you gasping. Nick is relatable while Jacob is an enigma. I’ve not read anything by this author before but you can bet I’ll be checking out his other work.

3.5 stars. Okay, I really needed this book to have been longer. Nick, who I absolutely adored, is having trouble holding down a job suffering from past traumas. When his friend recommends applying for a personal assistant position for Mr. Umbers, he thinks his friend has lost his mind. But he does, and Jacob hires him on the spot. Jacob is a trans-gendered man suffering from debilitating fibromyalgia and who at times can barely move. He absolutely broke my heart. I enjoyed watching Nick come into his own as a submissive. This was a slow burn romance, though I felt that the "romance" portion was a bit lacking. It was about 50% into the book before they get together and their scenes were hot, but I had a hard time feeling the romance portion. I really needed more time to explore their relationship. The twist that the book took I didn't say I figured out before we find it out, but I felt that something close to that was going to happen. Sorry don't want to spoil it for you so you will need to read it for yourself.

The Assistant is Nick Kurosawa who is a former soldier battling with depression as he drifts from job to job and from one meaningless back alley encounter after another. Nick has found himself in a place where he doesn’t know how to move forward, but understands that he can’t stay stagnant. His one and only friend, Alex, gets him an interview for a position as a personal assistant to the secretive Jacob Umber.

The book is about the relationship that develops between the two men. The way they move from boss and employee to a more emotional and at times physical relationship. If the book had been longer, I would call it a slow burn, but since it isn’t I felt a bit stilted. We get almost fifty percent into the book before the relationship between the men begins to develop, during which time we get to know our main character Nick, but not much else. The book is almost three quarters done before the”mystery” of Jacob Umber begins to unravel and honestly it didn’t add much to the book or the relationship.

I felt the “romance” in this book was very one sided and forced. I’m not a newbie to D/s books and I felt that even though the very few mature scenes we got were very well done they weren’t anything that couldn’t have been in a scene between two strangers playing for the night.

I really enjoyed John Tristan’s writing. I just wish he would have written more. I think this book could have been a five star read if it were longer. If we had more time to explore the relationship between Nick and Jacob. If we had more time to figure out who Jacob was. After the the first half of the book, the rest of it felt rushed.

The eARC of the book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange of an honest review.