Edged

Trophy Doms Social Club #2

by Kate Hawthorne

Money can't buy happiness, and I should know. I have 8 figures in my bank account and it's still not enough to get me back to the only man I've ever loved.

ARCHIE
I can count my regrets on one hand, and they all have to do with the same person...my childhood best friend, Owen Murray. There's not much I can do to make right all the hurt I caused at nineteen, but living a decadent and hedonistic lifestyle where I don't even give myself the opportunity to make those kinds of mistakes again is a good enough start. I have great friends who love me, even if they don't know the truth about what kind of man I used to be.

But when Owen shows up in Los Angeles—at Rapture, no less—ten years after I last saw him, that's all about to change.

* * *
Archie Davidson didn't just break my heart, he also ruined my life.

OWEN
Los Angeles is a big city, so when I'm out on the west coast scouting locations for my older sister's wedding, the last thing I had expected from the trip was to run head first into a man I'd spent ten years trying to forget. Archie is as handsome as he's ever been, but far bolder and more dominant than I remember. The chemistry between us sparks like wildfire and while it's impossible for me to tell him no, it's still the favorite word I love to hear come out of his gorgeous, lying mouth.

One encounter turns into one night, turns into one weekend, and then it's more than just a quick little fling for us to get some hate and regret out of our system. Archie has worked his way under my skin and is asking for more, but there's too much history between us for yes to come easily. And why should it? I've always like it best when he denies me what I want the most.

But this time it's different. This time it's real, and we're about to find out if there's any chance of going back or if we've finally taken each other too close to the edge.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Second Chance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Erotica

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2023

About the author

With over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.

Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.

Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com

Reviews

[Smutty Sully · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 edging and begging stars
Second Chance romance with some drama and angst. The edging, begging, and praise was great, I wish it had gone on a bit longer... Titillating read but didn't pack the punch of a 4-star read. I'd rate it BDSM medium on the light to heavy scale.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The love of Archie's life just happens to be the one he left behind when he left his hometown ten years ago. Archie is now reliving the biggest regret that he has ever had....one he never imaged he would have to endure. Owen is the man he’s always loved.... but of course, ten long lonely years have changed Both of them. Archie was ten years ago, just a twenty-year-old and a recent college graduate that has been busy building his life...and what a life it is...but it's missing something, and he soon discovers that that "something" was the one he left behind...Achcie. Fate seems to not be a "fickle lady' and has given them a second chance to make things right…but the big question is if they can. Owen never expected to see Archie again much less experience the feelings that hit him like a ton of bricks. We knew that when they meet that "best friends" wouldn't begin to describe what Archie and Owen are...but now we have a bit of an "on again off again" going on since Owen stubbornly refuses to open his heart to that kind of pain ever again. His head might be okay with that plan, but his heart says, "NO WAY"...What's wrong with you"? Kate Hawthrone is an author that is anything but bashful about the emotional damage she can cause her characters... these two in particular...before allowing them to come together. Just a warning to be prepared to have your heart torn out. I have read the first book, Humbled, so I was prepared for it but I still couldn't believe that she would ever not allow Archie and Owen to get the HEA that they both wanted and needed so much. I don't often get emotional about a book, but this story actually hurt more than the first one.... and under it all was the overwhelming emotions of these two flawed, but perfect for one another characters. I really like series that past characters from the other books show up to offer support and advise. It was good to see Grayson and Rob again and still happy, from book #1.

[Kassy✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was boring to say the least. The conflict was so forced and a problem that could easily be fixed with a sorry and a sit down just makes the book drag on. Archie and Owen had absolutely no reason to be mad or angry at each other nor was there any reason for Owen to insist they not be together. I know, some would say, it wasn't that simple, but honestly, it was, all they needed to do was apologize, I doubt she'd be that apset considering the fact that she'd agreed to date a child that didn't have his life all put together while she was a grown adult. And now ten years later, despite claiming to be grown and mature, they both don't have emotional intelligence to tell the truth and just get on with their lives. Unnecessary drama is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to books and this whole, we can't tell her cause she'll be mad thing was not conflict that needed to drag on through out the book. It was completely unnecessary.

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Abrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edged is exactly that. Kate Hawthorne edges us into a spicy book full of regret, emotional masochism, and the good kind of pain (and maybe a little of the bad kind, too).

The book opens with a killer opening chapter, one that took my breath away and made me cry. I was prepared for this book to hurt, if the emotional masochism doesn’t get it away I don’t know what does. What I didn’t expect was to be swept away by the barrage of emotions so quickly. Second chance books are hard for me, but as with any Kate Hawthorne book, I knew it would be worth it, and how right I was.

Archie is a staple in book one, Humbled. He gives Rob the kick in the pants he needs when he is utterly ridiculous when it comes to Grayson, now it’s Archie’s turn to lose his mind over his love interest. His love interest who just happens to be the boy he left behind ten years ago. Secrets come out and Archie is forced to relive his biggest regrets if he wants a chance with the man he’s always loved. Neither of them are the same people they were though. Archie knows more about himself now than he did as a twenty-year-old college graduate. He’s built a life neither he nor Owen could have fathomed when they were just two best friends. Now with a decade of experience and pain behind them, they have a second chance to make things right…or do they.

Owen doesn’t expect to run into Archie and he sure as heck doesn’t expect the feelings that come along with seeing his ex-best friend again. Of course, best friend is too tame a word for what Archie is, but Owen refuses to open his heart to that pain again, not after he’s spent so long trying to prove to himself and his sister that he’s over the way Archie left their hometown. Does it go to plan? Of course not, this is a Kate Hawthorne book we’re talking about and she’s nothing if not predictable in the emotional damage she can cause her characters before putting them back together. What is surprising is the way she does it, and this book is no exception.

This is emotional masochism at its finest. I’ll be the first to admit I am an emotional masochist. I love having my feelings hurt—in a consensual way—it’s why I read books that I know will tear my heart out. I’ve never seen it so beautifully or accurately done as in this book though. I shouldn’t be surprised of course, nothing is ever as well done as it is in a Kate Hawthorne book. She just knows how to get to the heart of a character and reader, not only that she writes beautiful, real, and raw kink like no one else. Not only does she do it well, but it is different every time. She’s not afraid to show the uniqueness of kink and BDSM relationships. This series may be about Dominant billionaires, but none of them see kink the same. We might only have two books, but you don’t need to read the other three to know that’s true. You can feel it in the presence of each character and their interactions with the others. It’s a beautiful thing and I am here for it.

I will say, while this book hurt, I honestly think book one hurt more. Yes, yes, maybe I’m a bit crazy and a lot biased as Humbled is one of my top books of the year, but that’s the truth. Archie and Owen’s book hurt, but they like it that way. Yes, their past was rough on them both and they had things to apologize and atone for, but they didn’t shy away from that. They knew and accepted the things they did in the past and did their best in the situations they were presented. Was it the right way to go about it? No, but show me a human being that is perfect and does everything perfectly. They may be fictional characters but their reactions are too human to not understand. So while I cried while reading a few parts of this book I expected it, it wasn’t the utter devastation I felt in book one, just the overwhelming emotions of these two flawed but perfect for each other characters.

If this is what we get in book two of this series I am both excited and a wee bit scared of what comes next.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cry at a lot of things in books, but not usually until after the first third of the story or so, once I’ve established a connection with the characters. I may have met Archie as a secondary character in the first book in this series, but it’s more a credit to the strength of Hawthorne’s writing and characterization abilities that I was tearing up over the poignant events during the very first chapter of this story. The strong opening proves that the book will be an emotional roller coaster, and I was happily willing to hang on for the ride.

Hawthorne also more than delivers on an intense reunion between the characters after the intensity of their earlier parting. I did have to wonder how their initial encounter would have played out if it hadn’t occurred in the specific type of charged atmosphere of a kink club, but it also allows the characters to immediately clash in a way that is equally dramatic and sexy. Then, because this is a Hawthorne book, the clashes keep coming. The combined tropes of “second chance” plus “enemies to lovers” could be over the top, but this author keeps everything overwhelming in all the best ways. The pacing works well between the steamy moments and the quieter instances that give both Owen and Archie time to reflect on how their shared past has drastically affected their present.

The kink elements of this book are less structured and much more about how Archie and Owen interact (whether the clothes are on or off). Hawthorne once again does what she does best, showing that nothing about kink has to be binary. These characters connect in a way that gives off the major “idiots in love” vibes that I always adore in stories, with the bonus that this time, the two men are fully aware that they are both idiots and that they are in love. This serves to add an extra dose of emotional masochism to the proceedings for everyone involved (including the reader) that hurts in all the best ways.

The circumstances of their reunion are connected with another important bit of unfinished business, which hangs like an ax over their tentative steps toward a future together. With so much emotional angst already centered on Archie and Owen, I appreciated that the resolution to the external plot wasn’t a major dramatic twist while still receiving the emotional attention it deserved. (I also appreciated that the third person involved is treated as a fully fleshed-out character who obviously undergoes her own journey rather than merely existing as a plot device for the heroes.)

This book does work as a stand-alone, but it is definitely best enjoyed as part of this series that centers on a truly delightful group of friends. As usually happens in this type of series, the Doms of the original friend group don’t just collect directly contrasting submissive lovers. It’s a blast to see the social circle of the “trophy doms” upended and expanded in a unique way as they find their happily-ever-afters. The original five are such a close group of friends that they’ll always be part of the story (mostly because they are all meddling idiots, but in the best way). I look forward to seeing how Owen slots into this group the same way I enjoyed glimpses of Grayson in this story (of course, don’t tell Grayson that he’s also a trophy dom).

Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archie and Owen's story destroyed me in the best way imaginable. I didn't even make it through the prologue before becoming completely and utterly addicted, and that feeling held for the whole rest of the book. The angst, the messiness, the best friends to lovers dynamic, all of it was completely captivating, and that was just in the first ten pages before I got to the second-chance storyline set ten years in the future. Archie and Owen were the perfect example of a romantic connection that felt so right but happened at the wrong time, and they both lived with deep regrets about how everything played out. Archie completely closed himself off to serious relationships after Owen, and though I didn't realize it until partway through the book, those feelings of guilt and regret were tangled up in a persistent love for Owen that never faded during their separation. When the two of them accidentally crossed paths again, it was immediately clear that Owen had been equally impacted by their time apart, and neither of them could resist the pull to take each other apart one more time. Everything felt so good and right when they were in each other's arms, but pesky guilts and responsibilities kept rearing up to remind them of all the reasons they shouldn't be together. Archie turned out to be SUCH a romantic at heart, and I swear my heart actually flew out of my chest when he made his elaborate love confessions to Owen. I get why Owen was hesitant to believe him at first, but as more time passed it was impossible to deny that Archie and Owen were gone for each other. Meeting the Trophy Doms, exploring their shared kinks, having hard conversations and even a sneaky date--everything felt like it was building into a connection that couldn't be broken. And the steaminess, my god were those long, drawn out edging sessions addictive to experience. Archie was ready to go all-in with Owen, but Owen couldn't let go of his guilt and need to "do the right thing" by suffering alone. I thought the two of them were going to break my heart into pieces, but after working through the last of their reservations from the past, they were finally ready for the happily ever after they sorely deserved.

**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Emily Johnston (Booked.Up.With.Emily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woah this book is HOT 🥵. Are you looking for a book with all the spice, plus all the feels? Then look no further than Archie and Owen’s story! Things to look for in this book;

MM romance ✔️
Second chance ✔️
Childhood first loves ✔️
Enemies to lovers ✔️
Orgasm control/denial ✔️
So much spice ✔️

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Angst level: 💔💔

Owen and Archie were the best of friends during their childhood. Until one day, the day of Archie’s graduation, everything changed and Archie ran away from his life and started over across the country.

Now here we are, 10 years later, and Owen and Archie are coming face to face at a play club in LA. And instantly their attraction for each other realizes that it has never gone away. They are drawn to each other in ways that only they could feel.

So after a couple of spicy interactions between the two, Owen goes home, only for Archie to fly him back to LA so that they can get to know each other again - both in and out of the bedroom. And once they do, you can feel how much these characters have been longing for each other over the years. But there will always be something standing in their way. The way barricade from all those years ago. Will they be able to find a way to move forward together? Or will something always be in their way?

I loved this book so much - these characters were literally made for each other. The fact that even after ten years they were instantly on each other just showed how the love never truly died between them. And let me tell you, this book was SPICY. Like so spicy and I am here for it.

As always, the other friends in Archie’s friend group were hilarious and I love how much they were in the story! Hoping that we get Flynn’s story next!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has all the feels, an impossible youthful dilemma, and two men whose love for each other transcends all their obstacles. Archie, one of the members of the informal Trophy Doms friends group, is a highly successful and wealthy real estate developer. Nearing 30, he is the youngest of the doms and he's also never been interested in more than a time or two with any particular man. He never forgot his first friend and how things went so wrong.

Owen is visiting LA to scope out venues for his sister's impending wedding reception. He decides to visit a club and is shocked to see his childhood friend Archie, who he hasn't seen in ten years. The two parted abruptly when Owen confessed his love and attraction to Archie although Archie was his sister's boyfriend at the time. Archie was young, still determining his own orientation, and he didn't know how to come between the two siblings to make it work with Owen, so he ghosted both of them.

Owen has always hated Archie for abandoning his without word, but no one has ever come close to making him feel the way that Archie did. Now, both men are confronted with each other again. Their chemistry is off-the-charts and their love is as real as ever. Owen's love of edging and somewhat submissive tendencies work well for Archie's dominant personality. Can these two find a way forward with so much distance, time, and emotions between them? This well-written book breaks a lot of the common tropes for a different take on interactions. The passion and emotions are explosive, the pain is real, and the love is that of a lifetime. I look forward to reading Bk 3 in the series.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Archie Davidson is one of the trophy doms but is not happy no matter how much money he has in the bank because it doesn't get him back the only man he has ever loved - his childhood best friend Owen Murray. Los Angeles is a big city, so when Owen is on the West Coast scouting locations for his older sister’s wedding, the last thing he had expected from the trip is to run head-first into Archie - a man I’d spent a decade trying to forget. Archie is just as handsome and even more dominant and Owen finds it impossible to tell him no. One encounter between them turns into a weekend and then it is more as they get hate and regret out of their system. Archie asks for more and Owen this time it’s different. This time it’s real, and they’re about to find out if there’s any chance of going back or if they’ve finally taken each other too far past the edge.

This was a very enjoyable story with the two men who loved each other but ended up apart due to circumstances and how Archie loved to edge Owen while he loved to hate Archie but still give in to him. I loved the involvement of their friends in the drama as well as the eventual involvement of Owen's sister. Lots of emotions and self-analysis in this story which were tear-worthy at times. Easy to read, feel and understand. This was an MM story with mature content and BSDM-like D/s dynamics.

[Kristy Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

🤍 Review 🤍

You know when you think you know what type of story you're getting into and then you get into it, and you find out you were wrong? Yeah, that's me and this story. Cause holy 😳😳 She did it AGAIN!!! If you read Humbled (Trophy Doms Social Club book1) and my review, then you know Ch 24 and how it wrecked me. She didn't even let us get past the prologue before the tears were rolling.  

Archie and Owen are childhood friends. Archie dated Owen’s older sister in college and Owen was in love with him. Archie leaves and moves across the country to finish school and ends up finding his lifelong friends and a place he belongs. Fast forward many years and Owen and Archie meet in an unlikely place.  

So begins the pursuit of a second chance. These two are fire, the chemistry is off the charts and they each need what the other can provide. They didn’t realize how compatible they were. There is some miscommunication, some missed chances.  
 
This roller coaster will leave you breathless, sweating, a little wet, and very satisfied. Kate Hawthorne gives us a beautifully written story of second chances, finding love with our one, and a perfect set up for Flynn’s story.  

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥Edged has lots and lots of fire and hot sizzles between these guys.
Archie was a brainiac who’d graduated at 20 with a diploma. Dating Mandy the last 3 years as the sister of Owen, and his best friend.
In a triangle of love, Owen writes that he loves Archie too.
An explosive bomb of feelings as Owens opens up, I couldn’t help but feel for him.

Fast Forward: Archie is dragged out with his friends for a night at the Rupture club.
Owen flies into LA for a favour to his sister to checkout venues.
A second chances romance after ten years of not seeing each other, their bad choices become good ones once they sort things out between them. A lot of old hurtful baggage as they attempt to re-learn about each other. Their love is still there under the hate layers they've still got to work through, even through they hate each other the sexy scenes happen.
Mandy has no clue what happened all those years ago which remain a secret. Yeah I was waiting for that bomb to detonate in a big way.
A fantastic book to read, as this is the second book in this series which I've loved from the author. Told with both povs for an HEA ending with all the emotions for a book perfect title. The name says it all.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

angst

3.5*, rounded up to 4… because although it has issues, it was a satisfying read in the end.

The thing I take issue with the most: I really wanted Owen to take a bit more personal responsibility for their past. I felt like the vast majority of blame was placed on Archie.

Also, the 6 month break seemed to serve no purpose for the plot. And at that point in the story there was no need for more angst imho.

On to the good stuff: the writing and editing were both great. The smut was well written, and the tension between the characters just made sense. Often I find authors try to ratchet up the angst with too many plot events. This was a simple one-night past mistake that had very far reaching consequences. It was very focussed and believable. And actually, even the issue i mentioned about regarding blame was believable. I WANTED that character to take responsibility because I cared so much about the other character.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 that I rounded up. Boy, brother and sister grow up together. Boy and sister open up the book having sex and reader is certainly thinking a loving relationship is going on, but then boy leaves girl and visits brother and obviously a different sexual experience happens. Boy is now totally confused as to what to do and just leaves the brother and sister and moves across country cutting off all contact with brother and sister. Story picks up 10 years later when the brother and boy meet up unexpectedly.

There are some extremely emotional and sad moments some 10 years later when the two males realize how much they love each other but how much they would hurt the sister if they did anything about it.

A complicated story with some BDSM aspects (MC and friends are Doms at a local club) but also a lot of rough sex between the two MC's as they find their way to each other.

I liked the story but felt that some of the story had some wholes in it so not a full 5 stars.

[Jay Purse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archie and Owen

10 years is a long time to love the love of your life and not be with him... To know that you walked away and left without a word... To forever punish yourself with can spray cheese and loneliness... That had been Archie's life until catching the very same love of his life at his favorite club, Rapture, in a very unexpected position...

Owen's and Archie's journey is messy and filled with hurt and suffering... I loved every gain that they made and genuinely hurt for all the time lost between them... This is love that is fought for and is satisfying in the end...

Just a sidebar... I wasn't a fan of the sister... Even being someone hurt... At some point and time you're taking advantage of someone for your benefit... While finding your own happiness??? No ma'am... FYI: Frankie is a real one in the BBF department...

HEA
Strict Top/Bottom
MM
Delayed Gratification/Cheating/C0ck Ca9e
High Angst
5 outta 5 in the 🔥 🔥🔥 Department

[banana · Rating 2 out of 5]

where’s the angst?? where’s the pain?? like why’d they immediately jump to fucking? that’s literally soooo weird. the first thing you do after seeing someone whose heart you broke after 10 years is give them a handie?? whatttttt. also archer did not seem apologetic enough in front of owen. like hmm idk this book was missing substance. it became all abt sex too quickly and it didn’t even rlly make sense. also like i don’t even understand why he was so mad at archer and said he hated him. why?? you were the one to fall in love with him and then ask him to fuck you WHILE YOUR SISTER WAS WAITING FOR HIM. omgg that was fucked up. and the conflict wasn’t even that big of a deal. the sister was already in the wrong for going after a 17 y/o when she was 21???? nasty work. she shouldn’t have ended up with him regardless. anyways weird book

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the edging

In the beginning I wasn’t really feeling the connection between Archer and Owen, besides sex. Like they were friends to lovers before they were enemies, but there wasn’t much detail about their friendship. Their current relationship was so antagonistic that it was difficult to understand the love between them. By the end I was more invested but I wouldn’t have minded a little more plot beyond their relationship and more scenes of friendship. The edging was sexy, but also a bit angry. Lol

[Rachel Ansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well just when I couldn’t forget Rob and Grayson. Owen and Archie had to become my new fave couple of the series. How does it keep getting better each book. This was AMAZING. I love edging as a kink and it’s often not done very well in books. But it was just perfection in this one. I love how these books portray kink, but also really loveable characters and great storyline’s. It’s not all about the smut. When Owen got down on his knees and humped Archie’s leg - it may be my fave scene in a book I’ve ever read! Woweeee

[dan]

DNF 10%

I don’t like these people, and I don’t care if they get together. I also don’t really approve of characters that identify their genius by the age at which they got various educational qualifications. At least Archer didn’t go to MIT.

Oh, and when I find myself skipping over part of each of the first three sex scenes, and those sex scenes come in the first 30 pages? It’s a bad sign.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

That is how you do it!

Always unexpected, never formulaic, and with respect to the genre. Kate Hawthorne delivers k!nk in a way that feels genuine to the story and characters. There's no inkling that she ticks off certain boxes - it flows deliciously for her characters and is never gratuitous within the story. Owen and Archie's story is now one of my favorites. I can't wait to see what next!

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

This was just okay for me. The sex scenes were good, but the story, writing, and characters were just sort of...alright. The romance wasn't very believable. MMC1 (Archer) was so besotted that it lowered the stakes and made the whole thing seem very bland.

I get that this is meant to be erotica and not award winning fiction or whatever, but I think a more believable romance plot would have made the sex even hotter. Although to be fair, it was still pretty hot.

[char · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

this book was so close to almost being perfect for me. if it wasn't for that random time jump chapter?

kate hawthorne wrote these characters so well!! knowing their background made their dynamic so much more entertaining! the way they were with each other just felt so right.

dare i say it but... i liked this one more than the first book in the series.

[J K H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Hawthorne has this indescribable talent for writing this genre. Great writing, real emotions and that invisible magnetism that draws you in and refuses to let you go are her trademarks. Second chances are always special to me - Owen and Archie fight hard for their well deserved HEA. The heat is absolutely on point - great addition to an addictive series!

[Mystisith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much the same things to say for this story as for the first book. Writer is lucky that the sex scenes are that good because I'm skipping a lot of side stuff (that canned cheese running joke really overstayed its welcome). 20% of the word count could be trimmed without hurting the story.

[Agos Diaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Kamisa Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a hot push and pull! So worth it.

[rabs · Rating 4 out of 5]

hope flynn is archie’s best man at least

[M. Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a little angsty, but not too bad, and the sex was off the charts. It's going to be a reread for sure!

[Lucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Himom90 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I enjoyed Archie and Owen’s story. It’s angsty and much darker than the first book in the series, but still a lovely story with a satisfying HEA.