I’m really fond of this which is why I hate it.
Partners follows six gay swingers, each in a committed relationship with another man, set in 1990s New York. Though they often get together for play parties, they’re dedicated to their individual partners.
It’s more realistic in its portrayal of the gay BDSM scene and there are multiple points in which the level of honesty and communication needed to maintain their relationships is displayed.
It’s a very mature work and reads as though it could go on for a number of volumes, which is disappointing since i became invested in the more pedestrian side of each of their relationships: Lewis’ body dysmorphia, Randy’s football career as a closeted gay man and his commitment and anger issues, Phil and Randy’s rocky relationship, Marlon and Dougs’ day jobs at the same office, and Marlon’s bedroom troubles mentioned by Lewis.
With that in mind, I was disappointed with how Doug’s jealousy was portrayed. I like that he and Marlon have conflicting feelings about one another being alone with the other men— it could have made for a very intimate conversation about boundaries, monogamy and their commitment to each other.
Instead, Doug feels pressured into lying about being interested in sleeping with Charlie in front of everyone and hypocritically takes his jealous rage out on Marlon for being interested in Lewis- which sucks because it was a very tender moment in which Marlon affirms Lewis's attractiveness and this just abandoned in favor of Dougs hissyfit.
In the same chapter, Phil says he’d like to try more gentle sex with Doug, and Randy snarkily apologizes for being too rough.
Regardless it’s a very hot and surprisingly tender story that I just wish was much longer.
Partners