Thirty Days by Shayla Kersten is a homoerotic, BSDM-themed contemporary story.

Biton Savakis is having a hard time dealing with the death of his beloved slave, Erik. Erik died of cancer and Biton feels like a part of him died with Erik. Biton has finally decided to try and get back into the BSDM lifestyle to attempt to get out of his depression. Once h arrives at the club, he realizes that it is too much for him. His friend Antonio invites Biton over to his home for a small get-together. Little does Biton know that Antonio’s slave Lia invited a young man that doesn’t have an owner; she thinks he is just what Biton needs.

Once Biton arrived at Antonio’s home, he realized that they were trying to help him find another slave to care for. When Biton looked around and noticed Cavan looking lost and scared, something pulled him towards Cavan. Biton quickly found out that Cavan’s old master was very abusive and Cavan is scared of everything; all Cavan wants to do is serve his master in any way possible! Biton agrees to take Cavan out for lunch so they can get to know each other better, but things don’t quite work out that way. They end up eating at Biton’s home so Cavan can feel more comfortable, and with some prodding Biton learns that Cavan’s life has always been filled with abuse. Cavan doesn’t know anything else. Biton agrees to a thirty-day contract with Cavan and thus begins an education about what the real world is like and what love can truly be. Can Biton help to heal not only Cavan, but also his own feelings of loss?

Ms. Kersten's portrayal of child abuse was very realistic and frightening. Hundred of children come up missing every year and many are never found. The scenes with the police talking to Cavan are very realistic, and, as a reader, I could almost see Cavan's fear. Cavan is a lost soul who was very lucky to find someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to help him heal. Biton seems lost when he loses his loved one, but by helping Cavan, he finds someone to care for. Biton and Cavan seem like two lost individuals until they come together to find what each is lacking. Thanks go to Ms. Kersten for such an inspiring book.

Reviewed by: Teresa