Puppy Love by Jeff Erno is a young adults initiation into the BSDM lifestyle.

Petey Drinkle has always admired Matt Porter from afar. Matt is everything that Petey isn't; tall, strong, confident, a leader, and not afraid to state his opinion. Petey looks upon himself as your average geek who always gets picked on. Today is no different when a group of high school seniors get on Petey's bus and start harassing him. These boys used to pick on him in high school, but now that they are taking a course in Petey's college, they are at it again. Unfortunately, this time they go too far and Petey gets hurt, but Matt comes to his rescue and even takes him to the hospital, fueling Petey's hero worship. Months later Petey runs into Matt, but things have changed. Petey kneels before Matt calling him sir, and Matt doesn't correct him. Matt invites Petey to his home where Matt has Petey talk about how he thinks Matt is superior to him in all things and begins to call Petey his pup, just like his dog. Petey begins to explore his subservient feelings towards Matt, as Matt begins his training. Things for Petey don't always progress easily as he and Matt explore their individual and shared feelings. Can Petey and Matt form a bond that will last or is the BSDM world too demanding for them?

Mr. Erno has created an intricate and interesting look into how two men open to their feelings as they begin to express their needs, one for subservience and one for dominance. Petey has never thought he was anything special until his and Matt's worlds collide. The social issue of gay bashing was handled in a very frank and open manner with Petey's beating, and his pressing charges was the beginning of his new life with Matt's help. Matt is a larger than life figure even though he is the same age as Petey, as much so the reader forgets that. I loved how Petey's friend Drew, also a submissive, helped Petey understand that his need to be submissive was normal, and he should relish his feelings. This was a very interesting look at how the BSDM world works and Petey's initiation into it. Thanks go to Mr. Erno for an incredible story.

Reviewed by: Teresa