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mom2three's review
5.0
I'm a huge fan of Maren Smith's Castle stories. They are full of sexiness, fun characters, and love stories that never leave me wanting. The ARC of this book delivered on all of those things, but I was sad to see that when I bought the book there were 2 stories missing. One of those was the story Maren Smith wrote. So while the book was still incredible there were some important things that got left out. I'm not suggesting that the book should be skipped, but I think it's important to reader who are buying the book to know why somethings aren't as clear as they should be. This anthology will still deliver in the heat department, and the overall story arch will be satisfactory so I recommend it to all those who love this series.
lifeinthebooklane's review
5.0
I can not recommend this book enough - and I felt like that after having only read 2 of the stories in it!
Wanting Winona by Maren Smith - All the stars
Oh my word this is a full length story and what a story it is. I LOVED Daddy Eric and Little Win, their relationship just felt so completely and utterly real. In many ways this is a very slow burn story, there isn't an actual sex scene, no play and a couple of punishments.
And I didn't miss it one bit because this book was all about the mind, the emotions, the thoughts and feelings of Win discovering her Little side. Maren Smith has outdone herself with Wanting Winona, it is one AMAZING read, I wouldn't change a single thing about it, can't find fault with it. Let me warn you though, you may need a stuffie and a box of tissues for that epilogue - OMG I'm still blubbering now. The most perfectly perfect of endings.
Educating Ella by Katie Douglas - 4.25 stars
This is less Daddy Dom, more school master/school girl, and one incredibly hot read to boot. The author managed to incorporate a fantastic mix of story, emotion, character development and kinky play. The two main characters, 'Ella' and 'Idris', really drew me into the story and I soon found myself rooting for them to forge a deeper connection.
I loved how the author meshed Ella's strong personality from her everyday life with her submissive side. Both elements were cleverly portrayed and she was both a likeable and very believable character.
Whilst Idris was definitely a dominant character, he didn't feel overwhelmingly alpha with it. In fact he was more like the nurturing and guiding school master he 'played' at the castle, which I found very refreshing and was totally on board with.
I have the book on pre-order and will review the remaining stories when I get chance to read them, but would recommend the book just based on this story alone.
Undoing Una by Tabitha Black - 4 stars
How this managed to be both incredibly hot and sexy yet have a heartwarming sweetness too, I will never understand. The story is absolutely wonderful with a fairly low key DD/lg element that built naturally through the story.
Landon is a fantastic Daddy dom, gently introducing Nayla to aspects of the play without making a big deal of it and whilst maintaining total consent. I particularly loved how it was Nayla who pulled up her big girl pants and went all out to get the guy, showing that little girl subs are still strong women.
Daring Daisy by Rayanna Jamison & Alyssa Hart - 4.25 stars
This was a great read. Daisy felt so very real, her struggles with submission and her emotional battles were honestly and realistically portrayed. I didn't feel quite such a connection with Rett, though he is one warm, caring and respectful Daddy Dom. I found him incredibly likeable and the perfect foil to Daisy's character.
Despite there being very little 'sexual' content, and not a huge amount of play, this was still a hot and full of feels read. It totally engaged me, holding my attention throughout and is a great addition to the anthology.
Restoring Rylee by Pepper North - 4.5 stars
Well despite not being a huge fan of either instalove or "very little" age play, I have to say I AM a big fan of this story. I totally loved both Rylee and Dallas, Pepper North utterly captured my heart with this pair and she very readily convinced me of the depth of their connection. The story just flowed from the page, drawing me into it's current and carrying me along to the very end. I definitely need to read more work by this author.
Addi’s Adventure by Delia Grace - 4 stars
I loved that this was a peak into an established dynamic, rather than a 'falling in love quickly' story. Whilst I've enjoyed all the books in this anthology, it was nice to have a story with a different feel and focus. Addi is very much a little, living with her Daddy and Mummy, and the story focuses on her mind set, desires and experiences.
There are some hot scenes but for me this story drew me in with its excellent writing and its portrayal of the kink. It felt almost like a learning experience, beautifully wrapped in a great story and is a wonderful addition to the anthology.
Leading Luciana by Adaline Raine - 3.75 stars
Two things that really stood out for me in this story were its excellent message on the individuality of kink, and the HFN/hopeful ending. The story is set over a weekend, so I loved the realism of Lucky and her Daddy Gabriel enjoying their time together with the hope of meeting up in future.
Izzy’s Indulgence by Lesley Clark - 4 stars
A wonderful story to complete the anthology. Isabella and Max are already a couple, busy with their lives and planning a wedding. Max realised he and Izzy need to reconnect, and what better place for a Dom and his sub to do that than the Castle?
At one point I suspected Max was one of those overbearing alpha males who rode roughshod over the heroines preferences/desires because "he knew best". However he acknowledge not only deliberately pushing her boundaries in a way he knew she wouldn't enjoy, but his reasoning for doing so did feel valid. Izzy is normally a 'teen' in her age play, but Max helped her let go by pushing her into a much younger mind set, whilst still honouring her hard limits. It's a great story, quite gentle but also pretty steamy at the same time.
Wanting Winona by Maren Smith - All the stars
Oh my word this is a full length story and what a story it is. I LOVED Daddy Eric and Little Win, their relationship just felt so completely and utterly real. In many ways this is a very slow burn story, there isn't an actual sex scene, no play and a couple of punishments.
And I didn't miss it one bit because this book was all about the mind, the emotions, the thoughts and feelings of Win discovering her Little side. Maren Smith has outdone herself with Wanting Winona, it is one AMAZING read, I wouldn't change a single thing about it, can't find fault with it. Let me warn you though, you may need a stuffie and a box of tissues for that epilogue - OMG I'm still blubbering now. The most perfectly perfect of endings.
Educating Ella by Katie Douglas - 4.25 stars
This is less Daddy Dom, more school master/school girl, and one incredibly hot read to boot. The author managed to incorporate a fantastic mix of story, emotion, character development and kinky play. The two main characters, 'Ella' and 'Idris', really drew me into the story and I soon found myself rooting for them to forge a deeper connection.
I loved how the author meshed Ella's strong personality from her everyday life with her submissive side. Both elements were cleverly portrayed and she was both a likeable and very believable character.
Whilst Idris was definitely a dominant character, he didn't feel overwhelmingly alpha with it. In fact he was more like the nurturing and guiding school master he 'played' at the castle, which I found very refreshing and was totally on board with.
I have the book on pre-order and will review the remaining stories when I get chance to read them, but would recommend the book just based on this story alone.
Undoing Una by Tabitha Black - 4 stars
How this managed to be both incredibly hot and sexy yet have a heartwarming sweetness too, I will never understand. The story is absolutely wonderful with a fairly low key DD/lg element that built naturally through the story.
Landon is a fantastic Daddy dom, gently introducing Nayla to aspects of the play without making a big deal of it and whilst maintaining total consent. I particularly loved how it was Nayla who pulled up her big girl pants and went all out to get the guy, showing that little girl subs are still strong women.
Daring Daisy by Rayanna Jamison & Alyssa Hart - 4.25 stars
This was a great read. Daisy felt so very real, her struggles with submission and her emotional battles were honestly and realistically portrayed. I didn't feel quite such a connection with Rett, though he is one warm, caring and respectful Daddy Dom. I found him incredibly likeable and the perfect foil to Daisy's character.
Despite there being very little 'sexual' content, and not a huge amount of play, this was still a hot and full of feels read. It totally engaged me, holding my attention throughout and is a great addition to the anthology.
Restoring Rylee by Pepper North - 4.5 stars
Well despite not being a huge fan of either instalove or "very little" age play, I have to say I AM a big fan of this story. I totally loved both Rylee and Dallas, Pepper North utterly captured my heart with this pair and she very readily convinced me of the depth of their connection. The story just flowed from the page, drawing me into it's current and carrying me along to the very end. I definitely need to read more work by this author.
Addi’s Adventure by Delia Grace - 4 stars
I loved that this was a peak into an established dynamic, rather than a 'falling in love quickly' story. Whilst I've enjoyed all the books in this anthology, it was nice to have a story with a different feel and focus. Addi is very much a little, living with her Daddy and Mummy, and the story focuses on her mind set, desires and experiences.
There are some hot scenes but for me this story drew me in with its excellent writing and its portrayal of the kink. It felt almost like a learning experience, beautifully wrapped in a great story and is a wonderful addition to the anthology.
Leading Luciana by Adaline Raine - 3.75 stars
Two things that really stood out for me in this story were its excellent message on the individuality of kink, and the HFN/hopeful ending. The story is set over a weekend, so I loved the realism of Lucky and her Daddy Gabriel enjoying their time together with the hope of meeting up in future.
Izzy’s Indulgence by Lesley Clark - 4 stars
A wonderful story to complete the anthology. Isabella and Max are already a couple, busy with their lives and planning a wedding. Max realised he and Izzy need to reconnect, and what better place for a Dom and his sub to do that than the Castle?
At one point I suspected Max was one of those overbearing alpha males who rode roughshod over the heroines preferences/desires because "he knew best". However he acknowledge not only deliberately pushing her boundaries in a way he knew she wouldn't enjoy, but his reasoning for doing so did feel valid. Izzy is normally a 'teen' in her age play, but Max helped her let go by pushing her into a much younger mind set, whilst still honouring her hard limits. It's a great story, quite gentle but also pretty steamy at the same time.
tlea's review
5.0
It's been a while since I've read a new Masters of the Castle story so this compilation provided a welcome return. After the prologue, which sets up the parameters, each story can be read pretty much standalone. Whoever selected the authors to contribute to this edition did a great job, because while I've read & enjoyed some of them, some of the authors were new to me. This made it a nice, easy way to find new authors. Loved this book & it was a welcome return to the Castle.
book_lover_97's review
5.0
This boxset has diverse daddy dom romances. I love that each story is completely different and that is a DD/lg story and niche for everyone in the anthology.
**Wanting Winona by Maren Smith**
This is an incredible introduction to the Castle. This is an engaging story that is as immersive as the Master of the Castles intended the Castle to be. Eric and Win have an intriguing story. Emotions are intense yet believable. This made me very excited to read more of the anthology.
**Educating Ella by Katie Douglas**
This is a great short with the case of mistaken phone. This is a great fast paced read. That has amazing characters.
I am voluntarily leaving a honest, unbiased review.
**Wanting Winona by Maren Smith**
This is an incredible introduction to the Castle. This is an engaging story that is as immersive as the Master of the Castles intended the Castle to be. Eric and Win have an intriguing story. Emotions are intense yet believable. This made me very excited to read more of the anthology.
**Educating Ella by Katie Douglas**
This is a great short with the case of mistaken phone. This is a great fast paced read. That has amazing characters.
I am voluntarily leaving a honest, unbiased review.
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