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raynebair's review
5.0
So sad to be done with these guys. This has been one of my favorite series. And it was so good to visit these guys again one last time. It's been a fun, sweet ride and I will miss them.
jaspooner2's review
5.0
I loved this series. ❤
I know I'm late to the "Collars & Cuff" party but these books are amazing. I was crying by the end, not because it was not a HEA (it definitely was) but because I was not going to be spending time with all the wonderful men I had met and fell in love with. It was amazing writing, amazing character building and amazing world they lived in. The two authors were great.
I highly recommend this series. Start at book one and don't stop until the end. Have fun!!
I know I'm late to the "Collars & Cuff" party but these books are amazing. I was crying by the end, not because it was not a HEA (it definitely was) but because I was not going to be spending time with all the wonderful men I had met and fell in love with. It was amazing writing, amazing character building and amazing world they lived in. The two authors were great.
I highly recommend this series. Start at book one and don't stop until the end. Have fun!!
cocoabearcupcake's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
teresab78's review
3.0
Update: Reread Jan 24, 2022 and changed my rating to 3*- I didn't enjoy this as much this time around. I read rather than listening to it and it was a slog to get through - much too long. It was good to see everyone get their HEA though.
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
First of all, as I don’t follow newsletters or author blogs much, I didn’t realize Endings and Beginnings was the end of Collars and Cuffs. As a conclusion of a series, the re-visitation of most of the past couples makes sense, even if it is the start of Darren and JJ’s story.
One couple’s narrative is missing – that of Dorian and Alan. We see them at the club briefly but get no scenes or really any dialog from them. On the opposite side, Jared and Eli feature heavily, which, as I haven’t read Dom of Ages yet, left me a little confused at spots. That of course is entirely my fault, and I was able to pick up the gist of their relationship.
I enjoyed seeing how the couples were coming along and the closing out of loose threads.
I really enjoyed Darren and JJ’s story up until a stupid clichéd move by JJ. I felt it was totally unnecessary and it was one of my pet peeves. It all works out in the end (of course) but it left a sour taste in my mouth.
Endings and Beginnings is a long book and it took me a long time to get through it on audio. Not because the narration was bad (more on that below) but just because it didn’t hold my attention for long.
Overall, I liked it and how it ended the series. Fans of the series (who have read all the books) will love it.
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
First of all, as I don’t follow newsletters or author blogs much, I didn’t realize Endings and Beginnings was the end of Collars and Cuffs. As a conclusion of a series, the re-visitation of most of the past couples makes sense, even if it is the start of Darren and JJ’s story.
One couple’s narrative is missing – that of Dorian and Alan. We see them at the club briefly but get no scenes or really any dialog from them. On the opposite side, Jared and Eli feature heavily, which, as I haven’t read Dom of Ages yet, left me a little confused at spots. That of course is entirely my fault, and I was able to pick up the gist of their relationship.
I enjoyed seeing how the couples were coming along and the closing out of loose threads.
I really enjoyed Darren and JJ’s story up until a stupid clichéd move by JJ. I felt it was totally unnecessary and it was one of my pet peeves. It all works out in the end (of course) but it left a sour taste in my mouth.
Endings and Beginnings is a long book and it took me a long time to get through it on audio. Not because the narration was bad (more on that below) but just because it didn’t hold my attention for long.
Overall, I liked it and how it ended the series. Fans of the series (who have read all the books) will love it.
karentje's review
5.0
Fantastic read and a heartwarming way to end this amazing series. I thought it was great to have a story about a couple where both partners are newbies to the BDSM scene and learn together. Darren has been interested in the D/s lifestyle for a while, but JJ started out with a decidedly more negative view of BDSM, and his feelings have only recently changed. JJ joined Collars & Cuffs as a barman for reasons of his own and didn’t expect to be so intrigued by what he learns. I loved reading about his changed perspective, and it was very moving to see him grow closer to the submissives of the club, Peter especially. JJ has difficulty trusting people, which causes him to hide or try to handle stuff on his own when he’d be better off reaching out for help. JJ grows a lot throughout the story, both on his own strength and with the help of Darren. Some of JJ’s pain is self-inflicted in a way, as he pushed away his mom, for understandable reasons, but then hung on to his anger a bit too long. JJ’s mom is unexpected but lovely, and I really liked what she brought to the story. What also made me love this story is that we get to reconnect with old favorites and see how the other couples from previous books in this series are doing. It’s bittersweet, but I was glad we got to see all of them living their HEA and still being happy and being there for each other when things get rough. Everyone gets a little time in the spotlight, but my favorite storylines, apart from the main one revolving around Darren & JJ, were those for Pietro and Miles, who take an important step forward in their relationship, and of course, Jarrod and Eli. They account for one of the new beginnings referenced in the title and pave the way for the Secrets series.
Narration: Joel Leslie is a masterful narrator, and he did a superb job with his performance of this story. There are so many characters to keep track of, each with their own distinct voice and accent, and he manages to bring them all to life in the best way and makes it seem effortless. I very much enjoyed listening to his narration and loved the emotion he brought to it.
Narration: Joel Leslie is a masterful narrator, and he did a superb job with his performance of this story. There are so many characters to keep track of, each with their own distinct voice and accent, and he manages to bring them all to life in the best way and makes it seem effortless. I very much enjoyed listening to his narration and loved the emotion he brought to it.
alexleo13's review against another edition
5.0
I had read the 7th book of this series almost 6 months ago, and had kept “Endings and Beginnings” on my TBR list just because the books of Collars & Cuffs are a challenge for readers and I needed to take a break. Once you immerse yourself in this world, you just can’t stop and all the characters and couples become friends to the reader and stay in your heart long after you have put the book down.
So reading this last chapter of the saga was like a family reunion for me. And the authors managed to dedicate the right amount of pages and description to each of the couples of the former books, without impacting on the development of the relationship between the last couple of this big family, Darren and JJ.
A wonderful ending that leaves to the reader to make up in one’s mind what the future holds for each of these incredible couples.
So reading this last chapter of the saga was like a family reunion for me. And the authors managed to dedicate the right amount of pages and description to each of the couples of the former books, without impacting on the development of the relationship between the last couple of this big family, Darren and JJ.
A wonderful ending that leaves to the reader to make up in one’s mind what the future holds for each of these incredible couples.
_isabel_'s review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Well, this was a great way to say goodbye to this series.
Darren and JJ were wonderful protagonists, and I loved seeing them embark on their D/s relationship together, slowly discovering their kinks and their needs. Also, I need to mention the role playing because *chef's kiss* I now need a dozen more recs with it.
I also loved that JJ and Darren weren't the only protagonists: we get lots of the previous characters POVs, including my precious babies Alex and Leo, and Miles and Pietro, who haven't got a book but so deserved one. There's twists and turns, steam and romance, shocking, emotional moments and bittersweet ones too, and every single scene is packed with the same found family atmosphere that this series has always excelled at.
Dorian and Alan only get a few mentions, unfortunately, because I probably would have rated this book much higher if they had more page time. But oh well.
Anyway, this series wasn't my favourite: there are some excellent books, some of them are okay, others were very annoying. I don't think I'll be reading the next series any time soon, and if I did, I'd probably only do it because Rob, Alex's brother, has a book and I love a good, ol' redemption story. But yeah, we'll see.
Anyway, this was a nicely done conclusion to this series and I think I'll even miss the group interactions and the found family between all the Collars and Cuffs members, very much.
Darren and JJ were wonderful protagonists, and I loved seeing them embark on their D/s relationship together, slowly discovering their kinks and their needs. Also, I need to mention the role playing because *chef's kiss* I now need a dozen more recs with it.
I also loved that JJ and Darren weren't the only protagonists: we get lots of the previous characters POVs, including my precious babies Alex and Leo, and Miles and Pietro, who haven't got a book but so deserved one. There's twists and turns, steam and romance, shocking, emotional moments and bittersweet ones too, and every single scene is packed with the same found family atmosphere that this series has always excelled at.
Dorian and Alan only get a few mentions, unfortunately, because I probably would have rated this book much higher if they had more page time. But oh well.
Anyway, this series wasn't my favourite: there are some excellent books, some of them are okay, others were very annoying. I don't think I'll be reading the next series any time soon, and if I did, I'd probably only do it because Rob, Alex's brother, has a book and I love a good, ol' redemption story. But yeah, we'll see.
Anyway, this was a nicely done conclusion to this series and I think I'll even miss the group interactions and the found family between all the Collars and Cuffs members, very much.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and Suicide
kumabear's review against another edition
3.0
confusing because the book kept jumping in other characters heads.
suze_1624's review
3.0
3.5*
I struggled to get a feel for Darren and JJ in this one. Possibly because we spent a fair bit of time catching up with most of the other couples from Collars and Cuffs that their story became a bit disjointed at times.
Because I didn't get their relationship, I struggled to feel the connection when they went into their BDSM relationship.
I enjoyed the little couply updates and found the last chapter the most emotional.
A fitting ending to the series of stories, and I have enjoyed the series immensely.
I struggled to get a feel for Darren and JJ in this one. Possibly because we spent a fair bit of time catching up with most of the other couples from Collars and Cuffs that their story became a bit disjointed at times.
Because I didn't get their relationship, I struggled to feel the connection when they went into their BDSM relationship.
I enjoyed the little couply updates and found the last chapter the most emotional.
A fitting ending to the series of stories, and I have enjoyed the series immensely.
soft_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Talk about tying things up! Darren was first seen in book two and I am honestly glad he was saved to help this series go out with a bang! JJ is a new bartender who isn't sure what's right or wrong but he sure knows what he feels for Darren.
I love that this book gives glimpses of all the main couples in the series, tying loss ends and starting new stories in a way that doesn't leave the reader feeling like they are missing something.
Good series, yes yes.
I love that this book gives glimpses of all the main couples in the series, tying loss ends and starting new stories in a way that doesn't leave the reader feeling like they are missing something.
Good series, yes yes.