Michael's Wings

I’ll admit, I side-eyed the premise at first: *another* angsty Dom in crisis? But *Michael’s Wings* gutted me in the best way. Reisz takes a trope that could feel tired (the ‘submissive who doesn’t know he’s a submissive’) and twists it into something achingly specific. Michael isn’t just conflicted—he’s *exhausted* from performing dominance for everyone but himself, and Guy Locke’s performance sells that exhaustion in every exhalation. His delivery is so nuanced that you can hear the exact moment Michael’s bravado cracks, like ice giving way underfoot. The production quality is flawless, but I’ll nitpick: the ambient noise in the French Quarter scenes (a distant jazz trumpet, a streetcar’s rattle) sometimes feels *too* polished, like a postcard version of New Orleans rather than its gritty, sweat-stained reality. The pacing is where this audiobook *shines*. Reisz and Locke understand that tension isn’t just about speed—it’s about rhythm. The scenes between Michael and Nora are a slow burn, with Locke dragging out the anticipation until you’re squirming in your seat, while the internal monologues hit like whip cracks. My only real critique? The ending lands with a thud rather than a crescendo. After so much emotional whiplash, the resolution feels abrupt, like Reisz got shy about pushing Michael (and the listener) over the edge. Still, this is erotica with teeth—less about the mechanics of sex and more about the cost of surrender. If you’ve ever loved someone who’s better at giving pain than receiving care, this one will haunt you.