Buildup: Mindscan

On a rescue mission, Reeve and his crew save their spy Calliope and her new-found friend Frampton from torture and abuse on board a Protectorate transport ship. Frampton is a political criminal and computer expert, and he’s in a fragile mental state. The drugs that his captors used are starting to wear off, leaving him physically and mentally drained. As Frampton recovers, Reeve finds common ground with him - they’ve both experienced mind-control. The pressing question is whether or not Frampton is who he says he is - or is he an enemy plant?

When he becomes a part of Reeve’s crew, Frampton has some problems adjusting. He’s rude, but the people like him anyway. Reeve, however, still doesn’t trust him fully and follows him to a seedy pub at one of their stops. He gets definitely more than an eyeful when he enters the bar’s back room. When he gets back to the ship, he calls Frampton on what he saw.

Buildup: Mindscan is a look into the confusing and complex relationship between two damaged and emotionally wounded men. Reeve and Frampton have been abused and tortured, and this book tells the tale of their journey back to humanity, and the companionship that they find. Jules Jones really captures the mood of her characters, making their emotions almost come off the page at readers. The author explores the extent of Frampton’s submissiveness, the varied kinky scenes that set him off, and Reeve’s sexuality in a very erotic and poignant way. This is a very steamy book, with multiple partner scenes and several male on male sex scenes, and not for the faint of heart. Buildup: Mindscan is a sensual and fantasy-filled peek into the healing that friendship and compassion can bring.

Reviewed by: Michelle