Pick Us, Daddy

Pride Pet Play 2023

by T.L. Travis

Being in love with your best friend isn’t recommended.

Especially when you both prefer to let someone else take control. We knew we were meant to be together, with another, and both had dreams of the perfect Daddy who’d want us both, though he hadn’t come along yet.

Riya Cox and Stefan Pierce’s friendship didn’t start out the conventional way. Nope. It happened when Stefan stepped in after a wanna be handler attempted to coerce Riya into something he didn’t want. When he raised his hand to strike Riya, Stefan jumped in and nearly ripped it off. Needless to say, they were banned from that club.

Jonovan Duarte was tired of boys donning masks they weren’t meant to wear, used only to appease wealthy Daddies. Was honesty a virtue no longer possessed? Boys would come and go, each having the same goal—to max out his credit cards. With debt gone, along with the sugar babies Jonovan returned to the scene only to go home empty handed. Was it time to call it quits and accept that fate had no match for him?

Pick Us, Daddy is part of the Pride Pet Play 2023 multi-author series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but why not check them all out? If you like playful pets who are sometimes naughty, Pride parades, and Daddy’s who love their boys unconditionally you’ll fall in love with our pack!

Genres: M M M, Romance, BDSM, M M Romance, Polyamory, Gay

190 pages, Paperback

Published June 28, 2023

About the author

TL Travis is the published author of a plethora of LGBTQ+ Erotica and Romance musings that have earned her a “Best Selling Author” flag in the US as well as Internationally.

In her spare time, when she’s not weaving steamy webs, she enjoys fishing, wine tasting and people watching. Everyone has a story to tell, half the fun is conjuring what it is.

TL’s surrounded by her 4-legged rescue family, her sons and adorable grandson.
She will continue saving furry friends in need for as long as she can. Tl would like to remind you to “Adopt, not shop.” Saving that lost soul may very well save yours.

tltravis@tltravis.com
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Reviews

[Kindle Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just an OK read for me…It started well but quickly I thought some details were missing to help flesh the story. For example when it came to their pup/kitty’s gear. There’s no description of those when we’re first introduced to it so if you’re new to pet play stories you’ll get very confused. And even if you do know pet play there are so many different types of gears that I thought a bit of descriptions would have been nice! (And how come in their home they had knee pads but at the club they didn’t? And I wonder how they managed to run around in a studio apartment so small…)

Plus I didn’t really feel their deep connection so the whole story felt flat to me. It was very insta love which is a bit strange for characters so full of trauma and who lack trust. The daddy is just a cliche daddy that we’ve seen in many other books, nothing really new about him…

But my biggest problem comes from the fact that this book needed a bigger trigger warning than the one included!! The book starts by saying “there is a scene where one of the MCs recounts an act of abuse that resulted in SA to the police. It is brief with minimal details…” Yes it is true BUT it also includes the crazy psychopath who tortured the MC chasing him during the book and trying to kill him. So suddenly I felt like I was reading a suspens/dark romance instead of a cute pet one. Even if you don’t detail the assault scene the whole atmosphere is changed by the fact that a crazy guy is after one of the MC. Warn readers that it’s not a fluffy read.

Then a lot of scenes made me roll my eyes:
-they wear their pup/kitten collar non stop and at work?? The ones that say “that pup belongs to Daddy”?? Really?? I’m pretty sure day collars exist for this reason. It felt very over the top to me

- The whole assault scene felt really strange to me since it happens in a club…Would there really be locks on private rooms? And no one noticed when the poor guy left the club covered in blood??

- Apparently having the guy being sent to prison is enough to heal the guy’s trauma and stop his nightmares…Lucky guy…The policeman who kept saying “eh you could have died if your friend hadn’t discovered you” was just weird. Why say that a victim?

- Spanking while sleeping at the parents’ house? They couldn’t wait 24h to be back home and have sex at home btw?

- The Daddy’s parents being aware (and totally fine with) of their lifestyle and saying “oh yeah no problem you can call my son Daddy”🙄 And even aware of their pup/kitty lifestyle because sure it’s the kind of thing you share with your parents

- There were some elements that seemed to come out of nowhere like “the kitten might be a puppy?” But then it’s never mentioned again. And there are 2 times where he acts like a little, again out of nowhere and not mentioned. It could have worked if it had been developed in a longer book but it felt really random

- In the epilogue we never learn what happened in the last 2 years concerning their jobs. What did they end up doing?

- It looks like the Daddy proposed twice. First with a collar before Pride since he says “would you be my lifelong partner?” And then with rings in the epilogue. Felt repetitive

In term of sex it’s very basic stuff and there’s little of it (2 scenes) which makes sense because of the past SA but it means don’t read it if you’re hoping for some steam.

Oh and the guy on the cover doesn’t look 38 😂

Once more another book in the pet play series that let me down :/

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pup and Kitty find a Daddy

This was a really sweet story about healing and love. I really felt for both Riya and Stefan and the hard lives they'd had. They really are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit because those boys were true survivors. Daddy Jonovan was just perfect for the two damaged boys - allowing them to take things at their own pace and supporting them. There's definitely an undercurrent of angst because of what happened to Riya but it was handled very well and realistically. I enjoyed this book and would definitely read others by this author.

[⭐️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was cute. I REEEEEAAALLLY wanted to like this because i love that the pup was protective of his kitten (and they’re bfs.. who are both bottoms lmao). It started off interesting but then i just couldn’t. Some typos and wrong names being used once or twice and that took me out of it.

Im not into the whole daddy little kink, but this was one. Not slapping anyone’s kinks around, but i find it cringe.

I get that this was meant to be like insta love as well but idk. No chemistry between stefan and riya too ugh. Fuck i really wanted to love this

[Jamie Lee Zonneveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pick Us, Daddy by TL Travis is part of the Pride Pet Play Series by multiple authors. This book is about Jonovan, Riya and Stefan. Riya and Stefan love each other but they miss something in their relationship. They are 2 boys, a Kitten and a Pup, without a Daddy/handler. Jonovan is looking for his furrever pet...

I loved their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels and very well written.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitten Riya Cox and Pup Stefan Pierce’s friendship started when Stefan stepped in when a would-be handler tried to force Riya into something he didn't want to do. They were best friends and loved each other deeply but knew that they needed someone else to be the perfect Daddy for them both he just hadn't been found yet. Daddy Jonovan Duarte was tired of boys pretending to be what they weren't just to con their wealthy Daddies. All he wanted was someone who would not max out his credit cards and then leave him alone but was starting to think that there was no one out there for him.

In many ways, this was a heartbreaking story of an instance of historic abuse, hope for the future and finally moving on to a happy future. But it was also about the power of love and what can happen if you let it in and with the right person (or people in this case) everything can be happy again. I loved the way that the BDSM community came together when they knew the true story in order to ban the perpetrator (it is just a great shame that they didn't look deeper into the matter in the first case). Easy to read, feel and understand this story will play on your heartstrings. This is an MMM story with a BDSM-like DDLB relationship including pet play.

[Rebecca Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonovan is a daddy who has been alone for awhile since he is tired of his boys acting phony treating him as a sugar daddy. He would love to find a boy or a pet to love him and value him. His friend talks him into going to their kink club on pet night. Jonovan sees a kitty cowering away from a would be trainer. A puppy is growling and protecting the kitty. Jonovan is very attracted to the boy puppy and boy kitty and wants to help them overcome the trauma that they have faced in the past. He wants to help these boys.

Riya and Stefan are best friends and love each other but they are both submissive. They need someone else to make them complete. When a trainer badly hurt Riya in the past, Stefan came to his rescue. Now he is determined to protect his traumatized friend even if has gotten them kicked out of multiple clubs. When the trained tries to force Riya into a playtime Jonovan comes to their rescue and drives him away. Stefan is willing to give Jonovan a chance when he offers to train with them. Jonovan maybe the man they have been looking for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sophie Reads Stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Pick Us, Daddy - it combines some of my favourite tropes found family, age gap, daddy dom, pet play and the healing power of being seen in relationships.

Stefan and Riya are in a committed, happy relationship and while both love pet play (Stefan is a pup and Riya a kitten) they do feel that they are missing something, or someone - a handler that will understand and cherish them. Enter Jonovan, an older, lonely Daddy who not only sees Stefan and Riya's love for each other as special and something to be cherished, but also sees them as individuals worthy of love in their own right.

This book does take a few dark turns with past SA abuse that one of the MMCs endured, that happens off-page but, is described. This incident has had a lasting impact on Riya (and Stefan) and could very easily have overshadowed the love story. It is handled sensitively, and while the impact of it is not diminished, the focus is on the support the character receives, not only from the two men in his life, but also the BDSM community as a whole.

This book was a sweet, quick and delightful read that I enjoyed very much

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riya and Stefan are a pair of pet/subs in need of a handler/daddy, but a traumatizing encounter with a false dom has made it difficult for Riya to trust. Jonovan is a daddy/handler who wants a forever pet to love and take care of.
There's a connection when they meet and the three agree to cautiously explore a relationship. When their first playdate is interrupted by the appearance of Riya's attacker, Jonovan moves quick to protect the pup and kitten he's decided are his.
This book gives us a found family and age difference. It could have been so much darker, but the author chose to dwell on the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of a protective love.
Which makes this book a good, light read. The characters, even at their lowest, are sweethearts. The comedic touch of a four footed pet, a boxer named Titus, is perfect.
T.L. Travis was a pleasure to read and I look forward to more of their work.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two lost boys find their Daddy

Stefan and Riya are doing their best to survive their awful upbringings, loving each other but with room for someone else in their lives, if only they could find the right someone. Jonovan is lonely, wanting a boy to care for, to cherish and love but no one seems to want him for that.
The three men are great characters, they have lots of chemistry, and Jonovan is just what the two need. Riya has a lot of trauma that affects him greatly, and that plays a part in their story.
I liked their dynamic, and loved seeing the boys in their pet personas. I just wish that the whole story took place over a longer time frame. With the level of distrust and hurt that the two boys had, I thought their relationship with Jonovan would not realistically progress anywhere near as quickly as it did.
With honourable mentions for Artesia and Titus, who both made the book better every time they appeared, and Jonovan's lovely parents, this is a three and a half star read.

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Yep, these two were meant for me and I'd show those sweet boys that there was still a good Daddy in the world who could love them like they’d never been loved before.'

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Daddy Jonovan, and was sad how he'd been used as a credit card by other boys. He was kind and calming, with a level of control and professionalism that was exactly what Stefan and Riya needed in a handler. The two of them were friends-to-lovers, but both being bottoms, needed a third in their relationship. While Stefan was ready, Riya was suffering from a trauma from a previous experience and isn't ready, though he wants to be. Their bond was strong, and I thought it adorable when they replied in unison. Stefan was also very protective of Riya, and I liked that Stefan was a pup and Riya a kitty in their pet play. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop and grow. A very sweet read. 5 stars.

[Janice Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight to read. Two men who love each other were looking for a man who could handle lovingly controlling them both. Jonovan is just such a man that Riya and Stefan need. The boys are just what Jonovan needs to heal his own heart and to make him whole again. Together, the three create a loving family unit where they are free to live their authentic lives and to have their every need taken care of. I enjoyed the dynamics between them and watching their romance blossom over time. You could see the attraction is very mutual and I loved the multiple POV so you could tell how they were all falling for each other and that it was more than just physical. This is a book in the multi-author Pride Pet Play series, but you can read this book as a standalone.

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riya and Stefan want to find a club where they can hang out and be themselves without anyone trying to take advantage of them. They have been kicked out of previous clubs for causing a fuss when a handler attempted to take advantage of Riya. They are worried they are about to get kicked out of another one, but instead, the owner offers to set them up with Jonovan to see if he would be a good fit for them. Jonovan wants someone to care for, and he loves caring for his partners.

Jonovan, Riya, and Stefan were great characters. While Riya and Stefan had some trauma and trouble in their past that made an appearance, it was overall a pretty low-angst book. I enjoyed watching the relationship between the three develop, as well as watching Riya overcome his trauma and start to move on from it.

[Heather MMRomanceReviewed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story that brings together besties Riya and Stefan with the Jonovan, the daddy/handler they both deserve! I love how protective Stefan is of Riya and how sweet Jonovan is about building trust and understanding with both of the other men. I love that Stefan will speak for Riya when he can't find his voice, but that Jonovan will deliberately ask Riya what he wants...

Pick Us, Daddy gave us a complete poly love story with a puppy, a kitten, a Daddy and a dog! It was well written, beautifully paced and I just sunk into it from start to finish...

Please be aware that one character has to discuss past trauma from a bad dom that may include triggering for some people. Check with the author if you have triggers.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Pick Us, Daddy by TL Travis. It's part of the multi-author series Pride Pet Play. I loved Riya, Stefen, and Jonovan's story. I loved that Riya is a kitty and Stefen is a pup, and Stefen is super protective of his kitty because his kitty had been abused before, and they're looking for just the right Daddy to be their handler. They find that in Jonovan, an experienced pet play handler of various pets over the years. They are perfect together. A few things in the book weren't entirely resolved to my satisfaction and left me with questions. Did Riya have to testify at Dominic's trial? How long was his sentence? And did Riya ever get a therapist? Overall, I thought it was a great pet play story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAGNIFICENT WARM FUZZINESS

Part of the PRIDE PET PLAY collection. A group of standalone Books by Multiple Authors with the theme of Pet Play. There is something for Everyone!! TL TRAVIS has written a BEAUTIFUL Book that will leave you smiling with a over flowing heart. Stefan enjoys Pup play, his best friend Riya is a Kitten. Jonovan is the Daddy who is determined to love them both with all his heart. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. I was smiling when I finished because it had such a wonderful happily ever after. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND ALL THE PRIDE PET PLAY BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I received a free ARC copy and this is my full honest opinion.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riya is a scaredy kitty and Stefan is a lonely pup. They’ve given up on finding their forever daddy. Riya’s traumatic past had left him afraid to trust. Stefan is his lodestar. But as they both need more than just each other they continue to look and hope they will find their daddy. Then Jonovan comes along.

I liked that Jonovan took his time with his kitty and puppy. His care and understanding was so sweet, creating a very loving atmosphere which made this book a treasure. I adored the play between the boys and Jonovan’s dog Titus. It really brought the story to life.

TL Travis’ books are always a pleasure to read.

I received an arc of this book.

[T.L. Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lonely Pup and traumatised Kitty are best friends, but (one more than the other) wants a Daddy. Hurt by his past, Riya is hesitant. Stefan is very protective of him, appreciating the reasons behind his reticence.

Daddy Jonovan is very patient and good-natured, though.

This story is one of healing and trying to find a furever home.

The book is a bit short, and I would have loved more time seeing the guys all develop. And more play time would have been fun too.
But what is there is very sweet and I love the dynamic.
There is an element of danger in the form of a stalker btw.

This is the first book I've read in this multi-author series, but I'll be reading more!

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole a very sweet book, despite including some heavy topics (Riya was badly traumatised before this story). The focus was on forging a loving and supportive relationship between the three MCs. It could perhaps have been better as a longer book to give the boys more time to learn to trust after coming from a past where they only had each other, not even support from their own families. Jonovan's parents and especially Artesia were great minor characters. I especially enjoyed Titus the boxer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Booksprout and am happy to leave a voluntary review.

[Sarah Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pet Play may not be everyone’s cup of tea and I need to be in the mood to read it. I am super excited for this series. TL has earned her place with this genre in her repertoire. Stefan will always show some level of protection for Riya. But to see a pup protecting a kitten is always something that makes you ask what is going on there. Jonovan was the right Daddy to ask the questions and to protect his pup and kitty. I loved that Jonovan went out of his way to formally meet Stefan and Riya to find out what their story and for the boys to trust him. This is a beautiful story and a great addition to the series.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet heartfelt story. Riya and Stefan were in the BDSM Community. Stefan stepped up and saved Riya from an unruly handler. Their friendship is set in perfect harmony, but they still look for their forever Daddy. Jonovan, is a Daddy searching for a boy who appreciates him more than his money. When they meet up, they are all curious about each other. There are trust issues all around and they all drag a little baggage behind them. Can they find a fit? Do they compliment each other? Riya, Stefan and Jonovan are sweet delightufl men. Is Jonovan ready for two boys? Great, sweet story. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntrily leaving a review.

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book to read that dealt with pet play and I must say that I thought it was beautifully written. I was sorry to learn about the kitty being hurt, but loved how puppy protected him and then their daddy recognized them, and their need and it was just a matter of time. I also loved the owner of the club that they met out. She sounded like an awesome lady and the world really needs more people like her. The daddy's parents were awesome too. I found this book to be fun and very touching to read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anij · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Unrequited wishes from a lonely pup.”

This story was cute enough but to be honest there wasn’t much to it. Despite what Riya went through the angst was almost glossed over and the only conflict resolved way too easily. There wasn’t a lot of plot, either. Everything happened way too fast and to be honest, while I could see they all loved each other there was almost no chemistry at all. It made the two s*x scenes almost feel awkward. I’ve read other books by TL Travis and this is not one of her best. It’s not bad or anything, there’s just not much there. An extra half star because Riya is such a sweet kitty and because pup Stefan is just too adorable!

[Troubleinfl (Dee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the pet play in this book and how the author treated the subject of past trauma. In a word, the author was sensitive to each topic. The trauma was acknowledged, the perpetrator caught/prosecuted and aftercare provided to the victim (in the form of journaling and the potential for therapy). Pet play had a contract negotiated and followed RACK/SSC but most importantly it involved people who love each other and are in a committed relationship.

The story really needs another pass by a proofreader to correct errors. Beware of the past trauma triggers but know that the story ends in an HEA. This is a standalone book.

[Maria G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Riya, Stefan and Jonovan. Riya and Stefan are together but already know they are missing something more in their relationship, but it is made more difficult because they have had a horrible experience. I liked that Jonovan wasn't going to force anything onto them and gave them each what they needed. Riya let Stefan speak for him a lot but Jonovan always made sure he was on board too. I felt horrible for Riya after finding out how bad things had been. Stefan was sweet about making sure that Riya was already safe. Jonovan was the perfect mix of Daddy/handler that they needed and they were able to give him.

[Mrs.V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely sweet story!
Riya and Stefan are a pets, a kitten and a puppy, they love each other, and even if they try to make it work, they know someone is missing from their relationship, as they’re both subs. But Riya has been hurt in the past and is diffident, plus they come as a package deal so being a Daddy/handler for the pair of them would take a very special man. Which is what they find when they meet Jonovan, the perfect man to love and protect them!
The story is on the shorter side, has a bit of insta-love and all the warm and fuzzy feelings!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Daddy-Boy

Aww, expect all the feels when you read this. You go through every emotion possible.

Riya has a background that you don't even want to hear, let alone read about, but with Stefan by his side, he's dealing with life. That is until they both meet Daddy Jonovan.

The story is well-written; it handles some awful events with physical and mental trauma, but it makes it much easier for you to fall for these three. I loved this book. It's well worth a read. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

Pick Us, Daddy Kindle Edition

by TL Travis (Author),

❤❤❤❤❤ Story

[Lisa Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and emotional story. Riya and Stefan had tough lives and thought they only had each other to lean on. Jonovan was perfect for them, and they were exactly what he needed. There is a part of the story where Riya needs to describe something horrible he went through, so please pay attention to the trigger warning and have some tissues on hand when you read it.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite dealing with some dark themes, the romance side of this story was really sweet and lovely. I enjoyed the relationship that the three men formed and liked that the two younger men were able to give Jonovan what he needed as much as he was able to give them what they needed. Feelings happen very quickly between them all once trust is established and the situation from Riya's past that they find themselves dealing with pushes them together faster than they planned. I loved the puppy and kitten play that Riya and Stefan engaged in and was pleased that Jonovan being their handler enabled them to really fall into these roles in ways they hadn't been able to before. I do love a HEA.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been eyeing this book for some time now, and despite being a fan of the cover model, this author has been on my list of authors to read. When I read the blurb, I just knew I had to succumb and purchase it.
After a traumatic experience, Stefan vowed to never leave Riya alone again. Both needed a handler/daddy and Jonavan was the perfect match to their needs.
After reading their experience, I was so glad to have given in to get my own copy.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet book. Riya and Stefen were best friends who would never leave each other but they knew they wanted a Daddy. Jonovan was tired of looking for that one perfect boy to call his own but when he sees Riya and Stefen, he knows they will be his. I loved watching the three of them learn about each other and get that connection in place. The story is easy to read, well written and one I couldn't put down!