Falling Into Place

by Tia Fielding

Following an amicable divorce, former stay-at-home dad Scott Mitchell needs to get a job—and a new lifestyle to help him manage his depression, since he lost his Domme along with his marriage. At least one of his problems is solved when finds work at Wilde Publishing. Fulfilling his boss’s needs at the office gives him a productive focus and pays the bills, but becoming a PA to publishing wunderkind Milo Brock isn’t without its trials.

After an injury put an end to his dreams of the NHL, Milo got an education and pursued other interests. At work, he runs Wilde’s sports division. At play, he’s always thought of himself as straight, but his attraction to his new PA casts that into doubt. Luckily a hard life has taught Milo to take things in stride.

Scott and Milo are battling separate lives, ghosts from their pasts, a sister dying of cancer, and a clash of preferences in the bedroom. Scott needs to submit to keep himself balanced; Milo prefers vanilla sex. If they can’t find some middle ground, they’ll lose the support they both desperately need.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Gay For You, Gay, Erotica

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2012

About the author

Tia Fielding is a Finnish author who loves witty people, words, peppermint, sarcasm, autumn, and the tiny beautiful things in life.

Tia identifies as genderqueer but isn’t strict about pronouns. Why? Because luckily, in her native language there aren’t gender-specific pronouns.

These days, preferring to live in the middle of nowhere with her fur babies is as big of a part of her psyche as writing. Tia likes to recharge in nature and tends to watch where she’s going through her cell phone’s camera.

In 2013 Tia’s novel Falling Into Place was recognized by the industry’s Rainbow Awards in the Best LGBT Erotic Romance (Bobby Michaels Award) category.

In 2019, her novel Four (Love by Numbers #2) won a Rainbow Award in the Best Transgender Contemporary category.

Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/spoondrawer/
Twitter: @tiafielding
Email: tiafielding@gmail.com
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tiafielding

Reviews

[Gigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read August, 2015 Still love this one!

This is another book I would have skipped over because I am a cover snob. (Too many flowers! Not quite macho enough... Where are the abs??) But I was browsing friend Tina K.'s favorites list, and Falling Into Place was highly recommended by her so I gave it a try. LOVED IT! I'm going out on a limb to say it was one of the, if not the best, GFY books I have ever read.

Heavy on the angst, we find Scott an incredibly damaged soul, absolutely lost in his life. Newly divorced, desperately missing his two children, he completely starts his life over working as a personal assistant for ex-hockey player Milo. Milo, all around great guy, excellent business man and friend, forms a close work relationship with Scott that eventually leads to a close friendship. Milo can see how deeply Scott is suffering and he vows to do anything and everything in his power to help him, even though he is straight and so is Scott. They aren't going to let something as silly as their sexually stand in the way of the deep love they already feel for one another.

If you like GFY books, this is the Mac Daddy folks. You have GOT to read this. If you like lots of angst, M/M friendship that eventually turns into love, incredibly strong emotions and interactions with children, I can HIGHLY recommend Falling Into Place. Thanks Tina!!

[Icedave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:
4.0 stars.

Genre:
Contemporary D/s m-m romance with bdsm aspects on the softer side. Good comfort read.


Infos
main characters:
Scott, bisexual, starting out as depressed husband with two children and his wife as his mistress. BDSM has become mostly a stress relief for him and pain a way to deal with his depression.

Milo, "straight, meets Scott and discovers his inner dominant, as he reacts and responds to Scott's submissive side.

secondary characters:
Maddy and Zach, Scott's 5 yo daughter and 12 yo son.

Aaron, friend of Milo, dominant of his wife and submissive Monique.

impressions:
The book cover is a perfect fit for this story and for the feelings and impressions regarding Scott and his relationship with Milo.

The story begins in the final days of Scott's marriage and accompany Scott on his journey as he begins to live on his own and thrive in his new job with (and praise from) Milo. The rest of the book tells Scott and Milo's developing relationship.

BDSM:
Mostly D/s, some bondage incl. ropework, some s/m and pain.

Scott: BDSM is something private to Scott. His main BDSM apsec is submission wherein he thrives on (positive) feedback by his dominant. Bondage gives him a feeling of safety and security, whereas s/m (pain) foremost is a way for him to get into subspace and to relief stress.

Milo: his only contact with BDSM was by being a friend of Aaron. He discovers his kink for (mild) domination, but has neither has a desire to inflict pain nor knowlege how to do work with ropes (at least up to the end of the book).

Aaron: acts as some sort of guide for Milo and Scott by helping out with a playroom and scenes (not as an active participant in anything sexual)


Content & Reading: Pros/Neutral/Cons
+ main characters: Scott was my favorite character, as he also reminds me a bit of myself. Also, Milo's journey into D/s with Scott appealed to me.
+ secondary characters: Zach, as he added some fun elements to the plot, like as he asked Scott "Are you and Mom into BDSM?" revealing he had done some research online after adding up some stuff he had noticed. Aaron, as Milo's supportive friend in times he needed some advices regarding Scott, and his role as "auxilliary dom" to Milo and Scott.
+ writing style
+ POV: 3rd person, first half Scott, second half Milo, last chapters Scott again.
o I would have liked a bit more of Scott and Milo as a couple and their developing (BDSM) relationship in the second part. Definitely, I'd like to read a sequel about them.
- the story line with Milo's sister was a bit too much (as plot element and amount of "plot space" in second half of the book) for my liking

(Sex-/)Love Scenes:
Quantity: low
Quality: After a (slow) build up over the book Scott and Milo get their scene(s) in and out of a playroom (double entendre intended).

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I noticed in another review that the word "mellow" was used to describe the tone of this book and I agree 100%...it was one of the most mellow...emotional books I have ever read! Right when you thought you were going to fall asleep....BAM...she would hit you right in the gut with so much need, love, loss...you name the emotion and it was in there...hitting you hard every time!!! At first I wasn't even sure I was going to make it to the end of the book...just not my usual style of read...but something would just keep pulling me back in!!! I believe this is my first book by this author...and being a laid back kind of gal...I usually prefer the fast action, violence and staying one step ahead of the bad guy kind of story...but this book...though different from my usual likes was just as compelling and entertaining to read!!! Excellent writing on the part of the author...and a surprisingly great read...leads me to want to go find a book or three more by Tia Fielding and give them a try also!!!

[Anke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult book for me. First I had several unsuccessful tries of getting into the story, as the beginning was rather confusing. But I was really looking forward to reading this book, so I refused to just give up and I'm so glad that I tried again. Poor Scott, with all his history and now his marriage crumbling around him. I liked his development from the start of his new job and then into the relationship with Milo. It was very good to read both POVs, especially regarding the fact that they suddenly were interested in a man. The kids were nice, not over the top and for me behaving according to their age. No evil woman and no big misunderstanding, another plus. I wouldn't mind reading more about Scott and Milo, particularly with regard to the D/s of their relationship.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time)]

Thanks so much mystery Secret Santa for the gift!

[BWT · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm actually surprised by how much I really liked this book.

I shouldn't be, considering it has gotten pretty good reviews, but I went into it thinking, "Hmm, might not be my cup of tea."

But it wasn't a disappointment, and it was my cup of tea! It kept me engaged, and I was rooting for Milo and Scott the whole time. I was a little worried when Milo asked for his friend Aaron's help with Scott, because I didn't want there to be anyone else touching him, but it was handled so well.

Only a little angst, the sex was hot, and the BDSM didn't cross any lines for me.

Would totally recommend!

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about self-discovery and healing as much as about learning to be honest with yourself. Scott has a lot to learn and a huge journey to take before he finds out how to deal with his issues, and the fact that he finds the courage to do so means there is a wonderful message of hope in these pages as well as an emotionally fulfilling love story.


Please find my full review of the second edition on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

*** 2.5 Stars ***

I give the author credit for writing a complicated hurt-comfort story that took some unexpected twists and included elements that I've never seen combined quite this way in the M/M genre before. However, I think this was a case of the author saying all the right things and yet having them rub me the completely wrong way. I spent the entire book feeling unbalanced and slightly ticked off. Sometimes I could pinpoint these feelings to my reaction to a certain scene or turn of phrase and other times, I couldn't. As I said, it was a complicated story.

[Serena Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about self-discovery and healing as much as about learning to be honest with yourself. Scott has a lot to learn and a huge journey to take before he finds out how to deal with his issues, and the fact that he finds the courage to do so means there is a wonderful message of hope in these pages as well as an emotionally fulfilling love story.


Please find my full review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable story with incredibly likeable characters. Very easy to become engaged, especially after Milo enters the picture. I felt like Scott's struggle with depression was realistic and not overdone. I just wanted to hug him. I did have a small struggle with the fact that neither identified as gay even after the relationship had begun. Although I understood what the author was saying. Very small complaint in the overall scheme of things.

[AussieMum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread December 2019

[Nikyta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can be found at The Armchair Reader.

First, I just want to say how beautiful the cover is. I found it fascinating and once I saw it, I had to know if the serenity of the cover and on the man’s face would be portrayed as such in the book and, to my greatest relief, it was.

The blurb does a pretty good job of explaining the situations within the story so I don’t think it’s necessary to reiterate it especially without giving away too many spoilers. With that said, the author did a great job of conveying the theory that no matter what you think, in the end, it’s your heart that will decide on who you love and that we should accept that fact, be open to that fact and embrace that fact. This story proved to be an incredible journey about self-discovery and healing, courage and acceptance.

One thing I really loved about this book was how different Milo and Scott were. Milo wasn’t a closeted gay Dom like some characters turn out to be in BDSM, and in fact he felt uncomfortable at just thinking of hurting Scott in any way, so the fact he couldn’t satisfy Scott like he wanted was an extreme conflict. His pleasure was derived from Scott’s pleasure but overall, Milo was such a sweet, loving individual for someone so young. He was there to help Scott, to cherish him but he wasn’t there to solve Scott’s problems for him… he was there to solve Scott’s problems with him. Scott was just the right amount of emotionally damaged to make it believable. Being a submissive, he needs a firm hand, someone to guide him when he can’t do it himself but more than that, he loves to please someone in the most simplest of ways even if it’s by just knowing how much they’d appreciate their morning coffee when they get into work. It was heartbreaking seeing him fall apart but it was heartwarming to see Milo catch him and know exactly what Scott needed at any given time but what made this story especially great for me was how well I connected with the characters. I felt what they felt, experienced what they experienced and that right there made the book very special to me.

The story deals with a lot of conflicts from divorce to loss to discovery to compromise. While a lot happens, it doesn’t seem rushed. The author did a great job of incorporating just the right amount of emotions to make the scene feel real but without making them seem abrupt or rushed. I think one of the main messages within the story is that love is built on compromise and the heart wants what it wants. Neither Scott nor Milo were gay nor liked the same sex level but they both compromised and met in the middle to find a successful way of living that was satisfying to both of them. I won’t go on and say this book was perfect because it’s not. In some aspects, the acceptance level was too unrealistic to be believable especially put into context with the problems some people had originally but beyond that, this story was a captivatingly beautiful read.

In the end, I truly loved the book, warts and all. I’m already planning to order it in paperback because I loved it so much. It’s angsty but not too angsty. Sweet but not overly so. It’s a fascinating story that covers multiple issues but a story the author handled with grace where the friendship and subsequent love showed through the pages. An exceptional read based on my subjective opinion, of course ;)

[Darien · Rating 4 out of 5]

~HAPPY AS FECK THIS DIDNT SUCK!~

I really wasn't expecting to enjoy this book, after the huge fail I read by this author called Technically Dead. So yes, I had some apprehension about how good Falling Into Place would be, but it turned out to be quite good, and far surpassed my expectations. I call that a win!

Scott Mitchell is depressed and has no idea how to move forth and find some happiness. You could say he is happily married with his two kids, but his life is lacking something more. His Mistress is also his wife Heather; she can't provide the pain he needs to keep him sane, and functional. Scott finds himself just going through the motions and living his head. This ultimately leads to an accident and the end of his marriage. Now he has to go out find himself a job and start over, while lacking the pain and subordination that he craves.

Scott lands a job at a sports publishing company, and the routine gives him an escape and most night leaves him exhausted so he can keep the darkness away. Scott is very good at his job, becomes a huge importance to fledging company, and a friend to his boss Milo Brock. The men hit it off right away, and Scott becomes comfortable in sharing his wants/needs, and the nightmares of his past with Milo. The friendship becomes more, and Milo is faced with the how & whys in being a competent Dom for Scott. While Scott is thinking maybe, he's asking for too much from the man that has become so much more than just a friend.

I was worried about how the author would deliver the story, but it came together very well. The story is very much a discovering/coming out of two men finding themselves and saving each other. Sex takes a back seat within the plot, and the book focuses on family, and the importance of friends. Scott and Milo take a journey together, with Scott having experienced BDSM lifestyle for some years with his wife, but never having exploring it fully. While Scott was learning, Milo was there along with him learning too.

I did find Scott's past tragedy to be over the top, and it failed to provide a realistic background. Because all I kept thinking was 'that's just crazy' and eye roll numerous happened. I'm glad that BDSM wasn't used as some sort of therapy for Scott, and the author made it a different issue instead of it remaining singular. Really, lots to like about this one!

Should You Read It? I am going with yes, because Tia Fielding has redeemed herself for me with this book. The story is emotional, loving, and entertaining. It is rare that I read and enjoy book without dirty, dirty love. While there is a sex scene, the relationship between Scott, Milo, and his family totally steal the show. I enjoyed it!

[Ayanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm very torn on how to rate this book.

It starts off with this really amazing and visceral beginning, but kind of starts...I dunno, fizzling out? There are some weird turns of phrase later, such as "dating longer than once." It...doesn't build on the intensity of the beginning.

Yeah, the rest of it I was pretty indifferent towards, but the beginning part was good.

There are a fuck-ton of M names.

It ends with a deus ex machina, but I'd already stared losing a lot of interest by then, so I was mostly glad it was over.


It started a 5 and deteriorated to a 3-meh. However, since it seemed mostly 3/3-meh, especially towards the end, I hesitate to give it a 4. Let's go with 3.5, rounded down? I feel like (irony of ironies) the presentation of the issues were great, but the build-up and resolution thereof were lacking. Characterization also seemed to get a little wonky, especially towards the latter parts.

I wouldn't say it was an altogether bust, although I did expect more of it than it ultimately, cumulatively delivered.

[Chris, the Dalek King · Rating 4 out of 5]

The BDSM aspect of this book was probably my favorite part. Loved how Miles wasn't sure that he could give Scott what he needed, and that wasn't like he woke up one day and just decided that yes, whipping this guy sounds like an awesome idea!...even if I have never ever wanted to do it before. I did find the ending a bit too...clean, I guess. Everything wrapped up a bit too nicely for me. I'm glad Scott finally got into therapy (and loved that the characters recognized that what he really needed was therapy), but the rest of the whole family stuff seemed to perfectly put together. I could have happily lived with a little ambiguity in regards to Zack's teenage hissy fit...or even to how Scott feels about his ex's new man/Dom.

Overall, I did enjoy most of the story. I liked how these guys slowly fell for each other. oh, also loved that we got some Dommes in this story. That was pretty cool. This is probably somewhere closer to 3.75 stars, but I think I'm going to bump it up to 4 because of how it handled the BDSM here.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my, this was unsettling at times. Vacillated between a 3 and 4. Found the characters, particularly Scott engaging and the writing quite good. Also felt a uneasy at the whole using BDSM to help with depression. I don't know much about the connection but given the descriptions of how people feel after a good play session, I can imagine it does help. I loved the connection between Milo and Scott and the measured development of the friendship. I can imagine if this book had been written by someone without a fairly good understanding of BDSM and the need for pain, it might not have worked but it was well done.

[F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit wary at the beginning as Scott seemed to be using BDSM as a form of therapy for his depression. Thankfully the narrative quickly moved on from there and got better. I liked how Milo didn't rush into things and try to be everything that he thought Scott needed but took his time to understand his own limitations and asked for help from those he trusted. For once there was no evil ex or nosy interfering co-worker/neighbour and the story line had a few twists to keep us interested.
An enjoyable story from a new author for me.
4 stars

[Shelba · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 33%.

I'm just not connecting with this - the writing, the characters, the plot.

There are a lot of inconsequential details on this book, making it feel needlessly long, while the rest of it just feels vapid.

[thunderlightning · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It’s a good book just too sweet for me and a lot boring.

[Amani · Rating 1 out of 5]

did not work for me at all.

[Shelbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't a bad story, but I couldn't tell if the relationship felt rushed from nothing to kink experimentation to vanilla, or if the main characters were just that flat. It started out great, the characters were engaging, then somewhere the POV shifted from Scott to Milo and the story went boring for me. Scott seemed to have some character development in the first half then just crumbled, and I wasn't a fan of his persona. I know a lot of people like this story, I just found myself skimming a lot hoping Scott and Milo would turn interesting and perk up the plot, but it never happened. A lot was mentioned -- Scott's ex getting into his side of a BDSM relationship, Scott having a younger sister who had been kidnapped years ago that traumatized and tore apart the family, Milo's sister dying, Scott's son not being okay with his father's new relationship, and so forth -- and none of these things were really explored. We had 1 brief therapy session tucked into the end of the story and the not-funeral for Milo's sister, but that's it. It's sort of like several jewels were pointed out as the reader was quickly ushered after Scott and Milo's fairly mush and nonchalant relationship, despite dating a guy being new for both of them.

Overall, not a bad story, but the first half was much more interesting and a lot of potential complicating factors were brought up but never taken advantage of, and the two MC's sort of flat-lined in terms of personality.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars (rounded up because I'm not the targeted audience anyway)

This really did not work for me. I guess I knew BDSM was going to be a huge part of the story but I didn't think it would be pretty much the only part to the story. I'm more vanilla than anything, so I tolerate BDSM in my books more than I enjoy it per se, a plot that basically had nothing going on but BDSM was a bit boring for me. I did not see much development in terms of the relationship between Scott and Milo. I feel like I missed when they became friends much less in-love.

There's like 2 actual sex scenes in the book. The rest is just ...kink stuff.
I also was not not NOT a fan of the fact that Milo's friend does scenes with them and watches etc.. I know he doesn't actually touch Scott sexually, but the fact that he's even in the room while he's undressed and getting sexual release from the "BDSM activities" makes me very uncomfortable

Also, if I had a dollar for every time Milo said "they weren't gay," I could get a head start on paying back these student loans.

All in all, I'd say it just wasn't for me.

[Elizabetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a curious blend of sweet, softly told same-sex romance on the one hand, and a man’s addiction to BDSM administered pain to work through childhood trauma on the other. So, sugary but with dark clouds always hovering.

Neither of the main characters, Scott and Milo, considers themselves gay, in fact, they call their connection as something like ‘special for each other’. Dudes, you’re gay, or at the very least, bisexual, and this is a gay-for-you story.

Still, it is carefully and gently told, the two men slowly fall for each other, and the reader is there every step of the way. I appreciate the care given to their journey even if the style of conveying it is not quite my cup of tea. This leans at times to soap opera not because of the events but the way they are related. Everyone gets along and everything gets wraps up very neatly.

Those interested in an emotional, teary read with some light, intro-to-BDSM action will probably enjoy this.

[Jo * Smut-Dickted * · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW this book was way better than I expected. I sort of thought it would be a fairly low angst drama focused on Scott's depression. What I got was a very well rounded story with, well, life. Each character has a life that's lived - and you get to experience it. Love Milo was a hockey player but it's not dwelled on. The age difference is not dwelled on but considered. The real deal here is how two guys learn how to handle what each other needs - there is this marvelous give and take going on which super cedes what each guys wants - and really gets to what each guy needs. You have a great deal of compromise and figuring out how things work and there is superb communication.

On a gut level these two guys just work better than many couples. This is really not a book about BDSM even though it is sorta. It's about falling in love and figuring out that truly means warts and all!

[Leaundra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I don't really like to read books that have BDSM in them but because I enjoy Tia Fielding's books I decided to read it and I'm glad I did. It was a sweet and beautiful coming together for Scott and Milo. Scott had some serious issues that he never really worked out and meeting Milo was the best thing that happened to him. Loving a man was new to Milo but it wasn't about Scott being a man it was him just loving Scott because of who he was. If you're like me who don't like a lot of BDSM in your book this book had it in here but it was part of the book not all of it. It was really about them learning to love each other in the way that Scott needed. Another great read by Tia Fielding.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decidedly not-gay gay romance, Falling Into Place is an unexpected offering. The combination of mostly het characters threw me off initially but worked in the end. Scott Mitchell is the heart and soul of this story. Without his character, none of it would hold together. He's emotionally complicated and drew my heart into his world from the very beginning. I think that most people who've had depression touch their lives will be able to identify with Scott and his family in some way. Falling Into Place is more than a story, it's a journey of hope and healing.

[Debbiedowner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me state that what makes this novel a standout is the quality of writing. Professional and strong throughout. A novel that can stand against even those from the more "literary" genres of the big house publishers. The writing style is beautiful. In addition, the characters are original and believable and the story arc is well thought out. It's a treat to come across such fine storytelling from this genre.

[Tamarrion Lash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Совершенно чудная история про слегка БДСМную любовь без истерик. Особенно мне понравилось POV Мило - про начинающих сабов еще как-то пишут, а вот про начинающих домов днем с огнем не сыскать.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring - very supergicial. I just couldn't care about the characters.

[L.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay wow, I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did.

The narrative started off a bit dry for the first few chapters which is why I gave it four stars. It just felt like there wasn't enough dialogue and I was reading an instruction manual. But it picked up after a while and I was hooked!

It took them some time to get together but that was understandable and actually made the whole journey of seeing them slotting into each other's lives that much more satisfying.

There was angst, and I liked that when things seemed to be falling apart for each of them that the other was there to hold them up. I loved how seamlessly they melded together.

And I have to say kudos for how Heather was portrayed. I'm a little tired of the vengeful, evil witch of an ex-wife that I've been reading in books lately.