Review: The Beginning of Knowledge by Anne Brooke

Charlie Harding presents: The Beginning of Knowledge by Anne Brooke
Wilde City Press
Short story
4 Pants Off

Blurb:
When University administrator Alan Castleton meets temporary worker and talented pianist Luke Milton, he doesn't expect to become obsessed with the handsome young blond. But soon he is heavily involved in a passionate and angry affair, and exploring the dark shadows of his own personality in a way he's never encountered before.

The more Alan tries to break free from his obsession, the deeper it entangles him. The dangerous split between his reason and his sexual desires threatens his peace of mind and, when the crisis point comes, he must decide once and for all the kind of life he should lead.

Review:
I didn't know what I would be getting when I started this short, but I was expecting great because I have always enjoyed Anne Brooke's stories in the past. There is so much diversity in her writing, like the fun and sexy Delaney's series, the rich characters of The Heart's Greater Silence, and the intense emotional feels of Where You Hurt the Most. And once again another of her stories will remain with me. The Beginning of Knowledge is intense, dark, and deeply erotic.

Alan Castleton is a University administrator and he's unwinding by having drinks with a few friends. That is until he meets Luke Wilton, and his night of relaxation becomes sexually charged. Alan is instantly attracted to the young man but somehow this feels different, more intense and a whole lot of dangerous. Walking away seems like the better option, but he will still have to see Luke at work and just having the man close messes with his choices to make the right decisions.

The men begin this molten dangerous affair that is far from romantic and all kinds of unsafe. Yet, they're attraction borderline obsessiveness for each other is captivating and a little bit sad. It’s a case of something new that is just moving along too fast, and this need that drives them leaves no room for communication which really is the bane of their problem. Their loving is explosive; hot even but because it doesn't feel right with Alan it doesn't feel right with you the reader. Alan is a rich character and his suffering (yep, I'm going with suffering) is palpable and I really just wanted him out of there. It’s a relationship that was dangerous from the very beginning and would have only gotten worse; their need for each other was frightening.

Once again Anne Brooke has pulled off an emotional winning read in so few pages. Her talent for capturing human emotions, kink, and flawed characters never ceases to amaze me. I am glad it was a short story because anymore would have been just too intense to read. The ending is bittersweet but it felt right and I am happy with it (satisfied). If this is the kind of reads Wilde City Press is pushing out, then I am so on board. The Beginning of Knowledge is another winner by the queen of shorts, Ms Anne Brooke. A most fitting title for the story.

"Luke slid off my cock, landed back on his arse from his kneeling position, and looked up at me. His eyes were glazed, as if his mind were somewhere I couldn't reach and I'd been nothing more than a means to get him there. I slapped him. Good and strong with the back of my hand. His head jerked sideways, and he groaned, not with pain but with something far darker and richer I couldn't begin to think about." (Pretty much all of this)...

4 Pants Off