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raynebair's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I think it's great to find a book that deals with an unconventional situation that most definitely would occur in real life. Here we have a sub who's fifty, lost and alone after the death of his master. He meets Eli, twenty years younger and can't possibly imagine that he'd be interested in him. But Eli proves to him that age doesn't matter. Reading so many stories of older Doms with young subs, I'm always curious to know how it goes once the sub "grows up" so to speak. This book deals with exactly that. Age doesn't matter. But apparently in romance novels it does, because it's hard to find a book with an older sub and a younger dom. I'm so glad this book was written and shared with us.
bronwynheeley's review against another edition
DNF/PAUSE @45%
couldn't connect to the story mostly because Eli and I aren't in any way compatible, which sucks as this is the one I was looking forward to the most - full on buzz words for me. However it is what it is.
couldn't connect to the story mostly because Eli and I aren't in any way compatible, which sucks as this is the one I was looking forward to the most - full on buzz words for me. However it is what it is.
cocoabearcupcake's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
teresab78's review
4.0
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
Story Review:
Age gap isn’t my favourite trope. I don’t know why two humans with a noticeable age gap is hard to wrap my head around when I have no problem with centuries old vampires and werewolves with younger partners. It should be about life experience not what you look like.
And yet, I had a hard time picturing Eli and Jarod together. Personality wise, it was a good fit. They both had something to offer to each other and they worked well together. I think part of my problem was the narration. While Joel Leslie did a great job with the accents and giving each character personality, his voice pitch for Jarod made him sound like a 70 year old butler whenever he said “master”. It made it hard to keep a 50 year old man in my mind, and 50 really isn’t that old. I don’t think I would have had as much trouble it Jarod was the dominant one, but that is my own failing. I did like that this book tackled the age difference the other way around. For Real by Alexis Hall did the same thing, although both the sub and the dom in that was younger than Jarod. I think another problem was all the subs in the Collar and Cuffs series act younger than their actual age. It makes it that much harder to see older Jarod in the role.
Now, despite all that, I did enjoy the story, the sex, and the scenes. I liked being back in this world. I cried at the beginning when Jarod lost his master. It was so poignant and heartbreaking and set the stage for Jarod’s need.
So, if you love age gaps and BDSM, I’m sure you’ll love this book. Even if you don’t, it was still worth the read so I suggest you try it out, but maybe not in audiobook format.
Narration Review:
While I like Joel Leslie’s voice. I had issues with how Jarod sounded. See above.
Story Review:
Age gap isn’t my favourite trope. I don’t know why two humans with a noticeable age gap is hard to wrap my head around when I have no problem with centuries old vampires and werewolves with younger partners. It should be about life experience not what you look like.
And yet, I had a hard time picturing Eli and Jarod together. Personality wise, it was a good fit. They both had something to offer to each other and they worked well together. I think part of my problem was the narration. While Joel Leslie did a great job with the accents and giving each character personality, his voice pitch for Jarod made him sound like a 70 year old butler whenever he said “master”. It made it hard to keep a 50 year old man in my mind, and 50 really isn’t that old. I don’t think I would have had as much trouble it Jarod was the dominant one, but that is my own failing. I did like that this book tackled the age difference the other way around. For Real by Alexis Hall did the same thing, although both the sub and the dom in that was younger than Jarod. I think another problem was all the subs in the Collar and Cuffs series act younger than their actual age. It makes it that much harder to see older Jarod in the role.
Now, despite all that, I did enjoy the story, the sex, and the scenes. I liked being back in this world. I cried at the beginning when Jarod lost his master. It was so poignant and heartbreaking and set the stage for Jarod’s need.
So, if you love age gaps and BDSM, I’m sure you’ll love this book. Even if you don’t, it was still worth the read so I suggest you try it out, but maybe not in audiobook format.
Narration Review:
While I like Joel Leslie’s voice. I had issues with how Jarod sounded. See above.
msjessc's review
fucking leather high protocol D/s thinking they're better than everyone else. A "real" sub wouldn't....as pointed out multiple times. INCLUDING being borderline rude to a dom who WASN'T THEIR DOM. Fuck this shit. I've never slammed an ebook shut faster.
ivyromancerecs's review
4.0
Jarod and his master were together for over 20 years until tragedy struck, leaving the boy without someone to guide him. After 4 years of mourning, he ventures back into the scene to be met ageism and hateful comments. He’s ready to throw in the towel and accept that he’ll never belong to anyone again. That is until a handsome younger Dom notices him.
After years of being with fake submissives, Eli is ready for the real thing. The second he sees the gorgeous older man kneeling by himself, he knows he’s found a true submissive. But can he be the guiding hand Jarod so desperately needs after all these years alone?
This was the first book in the series I read and I was hooked! I instantly fell in love with Jarod and got emotional reading about his grief. He and Eli have a beautiful journey learning about how every D/s relationship is unique and what works for them.
The only reason I removed a star was because Jarod’s mother made me uncomfortable. She seems WAY to involved in his sex life, even going to his collaring ceremony in their gay BDSM club and giving Eli sex tips.
Luckily, she doesn’t appear often so it didn’t take me out of the story too much. I do highly recommend this book. One of my favorite sub-genres is the younger Dom/older sub relationships. The side characters their relationships were also intriguing enough that I went back to read the rest of the series.
TW: I don’t recall if it states it in the book, but there is a borderline suicide/self-harm attempt on page.
After years of being with fake submissives, Eli is ready for the real thing. The second he sees the gorgeous older man kneeling by himself, he knows he’s found a true submissive. But can he be the guiding hand Jarod so desperately needs after all these years alone?
This was the first book in the series I read and I was hooked! I instantly fell in love with Jarod and got emotional reading about his grief. He and Eli have a beautiful journey learning about how every D/s relationship is unique and what works for them.
The only reason I removed a star was because Jarod’s mother made me uncomfortable. She seems WAY to involved in his sex life, even going to his collaring ceremony in their gay BDSM club and giving Eli sex tips.
Luckily, she doesn’t appear often so it didn’t take me out of the story too much. I do highly recommend this book. One of my favorite sub-genres is the younger Dom/older sub relationships. The side characters their relationships were also intriguing enough that I went back to read the rest of the series.
TW: I don’t recall if it states it in the book, but there is a borderline suicide/self-harm attempt on page.
nina_readsbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death
_isabel_'s review
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.25
Well, this was cute! A tad angsty, but full of feel-good feelings, found family and a soulmate romance that made me very, very happy.
Younger Dom/older sub has got to be one of my favourite tropes of the last few months, so even though this series hasn't always been a winner for me, I had to give this one a go.
I'm glad I did, because Jarod and Eli were very cute, and Jarod is the most precious man ever. Eli, like most of the Doms before him (except for my one true love, my man Leo), is a bit underwhelming, but he didn't annoy me, unlike some others.
The friendship between all the characters was, by far, my favourite thing and I'd probably rate this whole series five stars based on found family excellence alone. Scott, who wasn't a favourite of mine, really shines here and I loved how all the subs came together to support each other, time and time again.
And after that epilogue (SERIOUSLY, WTF, WHAT IS HAPPENING), I'm pretty sure I'll be devouring the next book because oh my god, I'm intrigued.
Younger Dom/older sub has got to be one of my favourite tropes of the last few months, so even though this series hasn't always been a winner for me, I had to give this one a go.
I'm glad I did, because Jarod and Eli were very cute, and Jarod is the most precious man ever. Eli, like most of the Doms before him (except for my one true love, my man Leo), is a bit underwhelming, but he didn't annoy me, unlike some others.
The friendship between all the characters was, by far, my favourite thing and I'd probably rate this whole series five stars based on found family excellence alone. Scott, who wasn't a favourite of mine, really shines here and I loved how all the subs came together to support each other, time and time again.
And after that epilogue (SERIOUSLY, WTF, WHAT IS HAPPENING), I'm pretty sure I'll be devouring the next book because oh my god, I'm intrigued.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Grief
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault