This is the front cover art for the book Donovan's Door written by Sonni de Soto. The book cover art copyright is believed to belong to the author, Sonni de Soto. Used with permission.
Preamble
I bought Donovan's Door directly from Sonni de Soto - I forgot the decision tree that led me to decide to purchase that exact volume, but that decision tree led me to this collection of short stories. As I am not a kinkster (I am quite vanilla, to be honest), a part of me was uncertain how well I would be able to relate to the characters in the individual stories, while another part of me was wondering if this would stir or awaken anything within me. And while I remain vanilla, I find I am loving these stories and am looking forward to reading more.
One Man’s Treasure
5 Stars
The colleges I went to did not have campus housing, let alone dormitories, and so I did not experience campus residential life. However, I did have a lover at one point in time who was living in a dormitory, and “One Man’s Treasure” reminded me of that wonderful period of time. Not from the actual sexual acts - our experiences were very different, mine and the characters - but from the emotions. Sonni expertly expresses the fear of rejection, the joy of intimacy, the electric excitement that people can share in a relationship. The pure pleasure the characters felt radiated from the pages. I highly recommend reading this.
Alter Ego
5 Stars
“Alter Ego” reminded me of some parties I had been to in my late teens/early twenties. I was shy and anxious and didn’t know many people - I still am anxious, but am a little less shy. By the end of the first page, I found myself relating to Hayato Fujita, being wrapped up in memories of past parties and wishing that someone had approached me as Zatanna had approached him. I wanted to switch places with Hayato, go back and experience what he experienced, something that I missed in my own life. This story was captivating, keeping me locked into him, wishing him happiness, hoping for a happy ending for him. This was full of feels.
Maybe Because
5 Stars
Not an erotica story - but a very important story to read. Perhaps not all men, for sure, but yes all women. The Nice Guy is very real - I’ve seen this guy before, as I’m sure many of you have - and his “politeness” and inability to take no for an answer is too real. Seeing Lyndsey Wayne take him down was beautiful, though the part of me that’s embedded in the real world was afraid of what he would try to do next. This story sticks with me, and I’m sure it will stick with you.
Ready to Play
5 Stars
A first-person story where you are the person telling your sub where to go, what to do, how to do it - a most fascinating read for me. I am not equipped to imagine being in such a position, lovingly controlling someone, being in a D/s relationship, but “Ready to Play” made it possible for me to understand the pleasure one can feel in this form of relationship. The expert writing and the hints of memory that help form what is happening in the present paint a beautiful picture of love and romance.
Full-Scale Fantasy
5 Stars
Lyndsey Wayne and Porter Green - in the first sentence, I thought I recognized those names. I flipped (well, scrolled, as I’m reading on a tablet) to “Maybe Because” and knew where I had met them. I’m glad that we get to follow-up with these two after their meeting at the coffee shop, after Lyndsey had taken down the Nice Guy.
I wonder if the checklist that Lyndsey and Porter used was based off of one of the ones I’ve taken - I can remember two of them, and with both of them Vanilla and Non-Monogamist are always at the top, and the next closest thing (Exhibistionist) is at least 30 points away, while almost everything else in nonexistent. But you’re not here to read about what I’ve taken - you’re here to read about what I’ve read.
One of my favorite things about not just this story, but about what this story does in this book, is discuss the importance of negotiation, talking about what you like and don’t like, seeing what you are willing to try, and communicating your comfort levels. Open and honest communication, even when you’re non-verbal, is of the utmost importance, and “Full-Scale Fantasy” shows that well. “It was the heart of safe, sane, consensual kink. Talk. Listen. Learn.” Words to live by, for any relationship.
Another favorite thing was Porter trying to express his feelings. I don’t always know what I am feeling, either, and sometimes I have to try to work it out. The sense of safety that he felt, the way that Lyndsey was able to understand it, was beautifully portrayed. Understanding and communicating boundaries and expressing feelings - this was a beautiful story.
You can find Sonni de Soto at the following links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sonni_de
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonni_de_soto/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sonnidesoto
If you enjoy reading my analyses and reviews of various subject matters and want to help me afford to have the time and resources to dig into the subjects, you can do so by clicking the link to Patreon or Ko-fi to help me out on a monthly donation, or click the links to Ko-fi, PayPal, CashApp, or Vemno for one-time donations. And also, just share these posts! I would love to reach a wide audience and touch many lives.