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No Regrets #2
No Rules
Alex is proof that you can be tough as nails…and still be submissive.
Alex loves serving others—when he’s not doing his job as a security specialist. His team is investigating a puzzling case involving a spunky grandma and a dead horse at the racetracks.
Ryan, a grumpy older PI, is all too happy to make use of Alex’s talents, and he seems to delight in pushing Alex’s buttons. Alex is determined not to let Ryan run all over him…even when deep down, he loves it when Ryan gets all dominant and aggressive.
That’s just physical attraction. Chemistry. It doesn’t mean anything.
Ryan has made it clear he wants no entanglements, and Alex can’t ever see himself serving only one man.
Until he can.
Until he wants no one else but Ryan.
Until he’s stupid enough to fall for the one guy who’ll never be able to commit.
No Rules is an MM romance featuring a sunshiny, happy-to-please guy and a grumpy cynic who’s determined to keep his emotional distance. It’s the second book in the high heat No Regrets series and has a suspense plot without cliffhangers.
Alex loves serving others—when he’s not doing his job as a security specialist. His team is investigating a puzzling case involving a spunky grandma and a dead horse at the racetracks.
Ryan, a grumpy older PI, is all too happy to make use of Alex’s talents, and he seems to delight in pushing Alex’s buttons. Alex is determined not to let Ryan run all over him…even when deep down, he loves it when Ryan gets all dominant and aggressive.
That’s just physical attraction. Chemistry. It doesn’t mean anything.
Ryan has made it clear he wants no entanglements, and Alex can’t ever see himself serving only one man.
Until he can.
Until he wants no one else but Ryan.
Until he’s stupid enough to fall for the one guy who’ll never be able to commit.
No Rules is an MM romance featuring a sunshiny, happy-to-please guy and a grumpy cynic who’s determined to keep his emotional distance. It’s the second book in the high heat No Regrets series and has a suspense plot without cliffhangers.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2023
220 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Nora Phoenix
137 books2,250 followersWould you like the long or the short version of my bio?
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 6, 2023
This, the second book in the No Regrets series, crosses over with the first book, No Surrender. With the characters and past situations and events making appearances throughout the story...the books are best if read in order to establish the context of the start of this story. However, you can probably catch on fairly quickly weather you read the first one or not. Alex is the youngest member of Wander’s security team and an inexperienced sub. He is also the best on the mat when it comes to hand-to-hand fighting and a far-better that reasonable marksman. Ryan is an experienced Dom, who doesn’t think he is capable of being a Dom anymore. He is a former cop and now a PI. He has joined the security team permanently and for some reason feels compelled to annoy Alex. I will admit I became aggravated with him very quickly...but really loved him when he "became more human". Ryan is training Alex on investigation skills and together they are working on a case trying to solve the murder of a racehorse and the framing of his owner. It’s one thing to want to train Alex as a private investigator but Ryan is reluctant to train Alex as a sub... but for reasons he can't quiet figure out he can't he let anybody else train his "baby boy"...and where did that thought come from anyway? We learn more about some of the guys from book #1, Wander, Burke, Jesse, David and the rest of the security team. We also get a few small cameos from Josh, Connor from the "No Shame" series where we were first introduced to Wander and his team. What I really liked about this book is simply, the story. It is...but yet it isn't, just a BDSM book, or an age gap book, or even just a simple love story. It is all of these things rolled into a really good mystery for Alex and Ryan to solve. The whole thing comes together beautifully. It's well written...a decent length... that allows none of the elements listed above to be short changed. There's real character development, real relationship development and solid plot line. There is lots of heated sex in the story...and if you are not comfortable with this or don't believe you ever could or would be...then skip it and move on...and thank you for reading this review...but if this is your thing... you won't be disappointed in the least.
October 30, 2023
Nora Pheonix is one of my favourite authors and this book has some of her trademark themes - found family, acceptance, self discovery and healing all wrapped up in a romance. No shame is one of my all time favourite series and this is the second book in the spin off, No Regrets. The MCs Ryan and Alex are again well defined characters and part of an atypical living situation that has been a recurring theme in both series. There is also a mystery and suspense plot which is very well done in book and I really enjoyed that. There is some kink and D/s exploration too and it’s full of steamy scenes.
Unlike the previous books though I had a tough time getting into the romance plot of the story and it took some effort to stay with it. A few things didn’t work for me here. I struggled with character journeys - in some places with character motivation too which did not allow me to fully appreciate the romance plot.
**** possible SPOILERS ahead****
Ryan blows hot and cold for the first half of the book. This is sort of explained with his trauma but not really at all because aside from recounting it twice there isn’t a feeling or experiencing, only a telling. Also I did find him to be a bit arrogant vs dominant in a way - this is mostly informed by the actions and dialogue around the focus placed on the fact that despite his own and Wander’s reservations with playing it fast and loose with his dynamic with Alex he still continues because “he can’t help himself”… I am normally a big fan overwhelming “can’t help himself” situations but here is just kept feeling wrong mostly because the response from Alex who is inexperienced, continues to be emotionally impacted but blows it off saying he can deal with it. Wander seemed to be guiding/commanding them both and Ryan just came across as a bit reactive. Mostly because there wasn’t any explanation/exploration into his deeper feelings. Then he was overcome with jealousy and just changed his mind. Alex asked him one question and was reassured and that was that - they then began their power exchange! The plot shifted so fast .. I think for me the whole experience felt completely detached. I looked for rupture or consequences or recompense but I didn’t get that. Their journeys felt independent.
There is a definite softness that sets into the book at around 65-70% mark where we see Ryan’s concern for his impact on Alex if they go long term - they are opposites after all and Alex is warm and open and sunshiney and they negotiate this phase well together. But alas it wasn’t enough for me to be pulled into their story and couldn’t get invested in it.
Unlike the previous books though I had a tough time getting into the romance plot of the story and it took some effort to stay with it. A few things didn’t work for me here. I struggled with character journeys - in some places with character motivation too which did not allow me to fully appreciate the romance plot.
**** possible SPOILERS ahead****
Ryan blows hot and cold for the first half of the book. This is sort of explained with his trauma but not really at all because aside from recounting it twice there isn’t a feeling or experiencing, only a telling. Also I did find him to be a bit arrogant vs dominant in a way - this is mostly informed by the actions and dialogue around the focus placed on the fact that despite his own and Wander’s reservations with playing it fast and loose with his dynamic with Alex he still continues because “he can’t help himself”… I am normally a big fan overwhelming “can’t help himself” situations but here is just kept feeling wrong mostly because the response from Alex who is inexperienced, continues to be emotionally impacted but blows it off saying he can deal with it. Wander seemed to be guiding/commanding them both and Ryan just came across as a bit reactive. Mostly because there wasn’t any explanation/exploration into his deeper feelings. Then he was overcome with jealousy and just changed his mind. Alex asked him one question and was reassured and that was that - they then began their power exchange! The plot shifted so fast .. I think for me the whole experience felt completely detached. I looked for rupture or consequences or recompense but I didn’t get that. Their journeys felt independent.
There is a definite softness that sets into the book at around 65-70% mark where we see Ryan’s concern for his impact on Alex if they go long term - they are opposites after all and Alex is warm and open and sunshiney and they negotiate this phase well together. But alas it wasn’t enough for me to be pulled into their story and couldn’t get invested in it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 17, 2024I just couldn't get into the book. Not sure if it was the narrator of the story. Taking the whole series off my TBR. I did promise this would be the year I learned that I don't have to finish everything I started so...I guess it's good I gave up :)
February 29, 2024
Alex et Ryan avec un Culomètre à 🥵🍆
⚠️ Livre pour un oubli averti, mention de relation D/s avec jeux de contact et d'humiliation.
Après avoir chialé mes grands morts pour le premier tome, me voilà embarqué dans le second. Et c'est beaucoup moins larmoyant.
Ryan et Alex, c'est d'abord une histoire de cul. Étant le membre le plus jeune de l'équipe et un soumis inexpérimenté, Alex prend son "rôle" d'objet sexuel très au sérieux, il aime et en même temps déteste être traité de sal*pe, tant que ça reste dans un cadre de jeu sexuel. Sauf qu'avec Ryan, c'est différent. Ryan est plus froid, il ne veut pas être son Dom et joue quand même avec lui, étant légèrement condescendant quand il ne le faudrait pas.
Personnellement, j'aime beaucoup cette mécanique, le fait d'être quelque chose dans le jeu sexuel, mais qui commence à se refléter dans la vie. Ryan voit quelque chose chez Alex qui l'attire et qui en même temps le met en rogne. Et comme Alex est inexpérimenté, cette sorte d'innocence fait plonger la balance et la retenue de Ryan de manière explosive !
Alors par contre, il ne faut pas avoir du mal avec le langage sexuel cru, les personnages ne vous feront aucun cadeau !
Concernant l'enquête, je l'ai trouvé plausible et sympathique même si ce n'était pas l'atout principal de ce roman. Elle tient la route, elle fait le travail mais c'est tout. Heureusement pour moi, je m'en fiche, je suis carrément plus intéressée par la romance 🤣
Bref, j'ai pas mal aimé ce deuxième tome qui cochait bien mes cases !
⚠️ Livre pour un oubli averti, mention de relation D/s avec jeux de contact et d'humiliation.
Après avoir chialé mes grands morts pour le premier tome, me voilà embarqué dans le second. Et c'est beaucoup moins larmoyant.
Ryan et Alex, c'est d'abord une histoire de cul. Étant le membre le plus jeune de l'équipe et un soumis inexpérimenté, Alex prend son "rôle" d'objet sexuel très au sérieux, il aime et en même temps déteste être traité de sal*pe, tant que ça reste dans un cadre de jeu sexuel. Sauf qu'avec Ryan, c'est différent. Ryan est plus froid, il ne veut pas être son Dom et joue quand même avec lui, étant légèrement condescendant quand il ne le faudrait pas.
Personnellement, j'aime beaucoup cette mécanique, le fait d'être quelque chose dans le jeu sexuel, mais qui commence à se refléter dans la vie. Ryan voit quelque chose chez Alex qui l'attire et qui en même temps le met en rogne. Et comme Alex est inexpérimenté, cette sorte d'innocence fait plonger la balance et la retenue de Ryan de manière explosive !
Alors par contre, il ne faut pas avoir du mal avec le langage sexuel cru, les personnages ne vous feront aucun cadeau !
Concernant l'enquête, je l'ai trouvé plausible et sympathique même si ce n'était pas l'atout principal de ce roman. Elle tient la route, elle fait le travail mais c'est tout. Heureusement pour moi, je m'en fiche, je suis carrément plus intéressée par la romance 🤣
Bref, j'ai pas mal aimé ce deuxième tome qui cochait bien mes cases !
February 29, 2024
Déception que ce roman 🙁
Je n’ai pas du tout accroché aux personnages. Ryan est le mec qui ne croit plus en l’amour et Alex est « la sal0pe de service » (il se qualifie lui même comme ça). Et j’ai trouvé ça tellement cliché et prévisible 🙄 Les scènes de sexe étaient plus gênantes qu’émoustillantes. De plus, la personnalité des personnages était vraiment lisse.
Concernant l’enquête dans le monde hippique 🐎 elle était interessante mais je m’attendais à des retournements de situations qui ne sont hélas jamais venus.
Sitôt lu, sitôt oublié.
Je n’ai pas du tout accroché aux personnages. Ryan est le mec qui ne croit plus en l’amour et Alex est « la sal0pe de service » (il se qualifie lui même comme ça). Et j’ai trouvé ça tellement cliché et prévisible 🙄 Les scènes de sexe étaient plus gênantes qu’émoustillantes. De plus, la personnalité des personnages était vraiment lisse.
Concernant l’enquête dans le monde hippique 🐎 elle était interessante mais je m’attendais à des retournements de situations qui ne sont hélas jamais venus.
Sitôt lu, sitôt oublié.
October 22, 2023
This book is hot af in the first chapter and it only gets hotter.
Ryan and Alex story has kinky BDSM hot intimate times and a wonderful read.
It was super enjoyable well written with the investigation that Ryan and Alex solve makes the story not just a hot steamy read but an actual plot as well.
Ryan and Alex story has kinky BDSM hot intimate times and a wonderful read.
It was super enjoyable well written with the investigation that Ryan and Alex solve makes the story not just a hot steamy read but an actual plot as well.
Read
September 16, 2023RTC
July 14, 2024
A great story, good amount of kinky heat and brilliant characters. A really enjoyable read.
March 30, 2025
When I first started reaidng this series I had conflicting feelings about it but now I've gotten invested in the characters and I just need to read everything
April 16, 2025
More kinky mischief and a dead horse. Fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2024
4.25 star
October 26, 2023
Loved it
This is the second book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, you would benefit from having read the first book in the series as well. The series is so amazing though you’re going to want to read everything though!
Just as with the previous book and the No Shame series, I absolutely loved it. The chemistry between Alex and Ryan was so good and I loved how we get to know more about them as the story progresses. I also love how we got some cameos characters from other books as well. I have no idea how Nora does it but her books just draw you in and stick with you long after you’ve finished.
This is the second book in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, you would benefit from having read the first book in the series as well. The series is so amazing though you’re going to want to read everything though!
Just as with the previous book and the No Shame series, I absolutely loved it. The chemistry between Alex and Ryan was so good and I loved how we get to know more about them as the story progresses. I also love how we got some cameos characters from other books as well. I have no idea how Nora does it but her books just draw you in and stick with you long after you’ve finished.
October 25, 2023
★★★ STARS!!
I don't read from this author often. It's a hit or miss for me. This book was an okay read. I wasn't a fan of Ryan. He wasn't all that nice to Alex. I get that this is about kinks and D/s dynamics but I just wasn't feeling the way Ryan treated Alex in the beginning. There was just no real chemistry or connection between the two MC's.
The story itself was okay. The cases they worked had my curiosity piqued in the whodunit way but I didn't find it overly interesting. Not my favorite from this author but there were some great sex scenes so there's that.
*** ARC provided for an honest review ***
I don't read from this author often. It's a hit or miss for me. This book was an okay read. I wasn't a fan of Ryan. He wasn't all that nice to Alex. I get that this is about kinks and D/s dynamics but I just wasn't feeling the way Ryan treated Alex in the beginning. There was just no real chemistry or connection between the two MC's.
The story itself was okay. The cases they worked had my curiosity piqued in the whodunit way but I didn't find it overly interesting. Not my favorite from this author but there were some great sex scenes so there's that.
*** ARC provided for an honest review ***
October 6, 2024
Admito que la historia de Alex y Ryan era uno de los libros que más esperaba luego de terminar el primero pero tengo que decir que no me terminó de convencer.
Algo que te venden desde el primer momento en que Alex aparece en el libro anterior es que es una p*ta que necesita que lo usen básicamente y acá solo se trató de como su relación con Ryan iba pasando por los diferentes procesos para que se formalice como una relación de novios Dom/sub y no pasa nunca los momentos en que se supone que "usan" a Alex hasta en un CAPÍTULO EXTRA que tenés que buscar aparte. Sin comentarios.
La historia de amor entre Alex y Ryan es bastante mansa y bonita, pero sin más. Sé totalmente que será una historia completamente olvidada.
El caso que tuvieron que resolver me importó tres reberendisimos rábanos. No hay cosa que me interese menos que el mundo de los caballos y si bien hubo algunas cosas interesantes, cada vez que hablaban sobre el caso, admito que los pasaba de largo.
Ahora muero por conocer la historia de Roman, hermano de Wander, y parece que será con Caleb 👀👀👀.
Algo que te venden desde el primer momento en que Alex aparece en el libro anterior es que es una p*ta que necesita que lo usen básicamente y acá solo se trató de como su relación con Ryan iba pasando por los diferentes procesos para que se formalice como una relación de novios Dom/sub y no pasa nunca los momentos en que se supone que "usan" a Alex hasta en un CAPÍTULO EXTRA que tenés que buscar aparte. Sin comentarios.
La historia de amor entre Alex y Ryan es bastante mansa y bonita, pero sin más. Sé totalmente que será una historia completamente olvidada.
El caso que tuvieron que resolver me importó tres reberendisimos rábanos. No hay cosa que me interese menos que el mundo de los caballos y si bien hubo algunas cosas interesantes, cada vez que hablaban sobre el caso, admito que los pasaba de largo.
Ahora muero por conocer la historia de Roman, hermano de Wander, y parece que será con Caleb 👀👀👀.
October 6, 2025
I'm at the start of the book & the author has already lost me...
I'm new to this author & currently some of her catalogue is free on Audible, but so far I can't really say that I'm impressed 🫤
When reading/listening to romance books, I like to go on the journey with the characters as their love story unfolds... this includes all the firsts... first meet, first impressions, first kiss, first handjob, first BJ, first penetration, etc... I prefer my books spicy, I don't mind demure love stories, like Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, etc... because it's a complete different genre, but if it's a dark or a story that deals with kinks.. I prefer them to be full of smut, the spicier, the better...but also with a plotline!
Anyways... we start with a kinda pointless recap of Ryan joining the team as well as Alex offering himself up to Jesse (verbatim from the previous book), which would only make sense to me if we got Ryan's POV of that situation, which we don't & then it cuts to Ryan & Alex going at it...
So, it's already an established relationship... we don't get to "see" their first meeting nor their first sexual interaction/encounter... even if it's only sexual, it's still already a relationship... so, we don't actually get to see or follow the evolution of their relationship & I'm not a fan!
If I don't get the firsts, I lose interest quickly as there's not really anything for me to look forward to... those are like essential milestones IMO & without them, it's not really a romance story in my eyes, it's reading about an established couple & I can't say that's something that appeals to me🤷♀️
Also, if this book is as BDSM-lite as the previous instalment, I might just have to DNF, especially now that I realised that Jesse doesn't have his own HEA... which is disappointing as he was one of the most interesting characters from the previous book IMO!
I'm not holding any hope that my rating will improve unless we get throwbacks to all their first times 😕
Cont.
I'm now about halfway through & it's still as bad... we get more action from the MCs with other characters &/or voyeurism (Jesse & David) than anything else.
Basically my original thoughts still stand... we don't get their firsts, but Alex is already in love with Ryan... so, I really don't get why this is a 9hr long listen 😐
Most of their sex scenes are fades to black & incredibly underwhelming when they're on paper.
When reading BDSM type books, I expect them to be titillating, arousing, intriguing & sometimes even uncomfortable as they take me out of my comfort zone.... neither of the 2 books in this series so far has even aroused my interest.
It's all very bland & dare I say it... vanilla!
I've read books that are tagged as only having some BDSM elements that are more hardcore than this... this series is presenting itself as a book about BDSM &/or the lifestyle of a BDSM relationship, yet it never actually delivers IMO!
I like authors like Jade West, Tiffany Reisz, Em Brown, who I love as she writes about diverse character, as well as situations & is so wonderfully descriptive that all the sex scenes are so immersive, but sadly I think she only writes M/F, which I'm taking a break from at the moment...
This series so far is about a 9 on the Ricter scale of writing sex scenes for a prudish crowd (because honestly only a prude would find this even remotely "spicy") ... It's all "he went down on him... fade to black" & I'm assuming that's meant to be titillating &/or get me excited 🤔 which it really isn't 🤷♀️
I'll even take the Fourth Wing author (she's the reason I've currently gone off FMC books due to her insufferably TSTL heroine in that book) over this author any day, as so far this author has not actually delivered on any promise that she makes with her synopsis of high heat... it's barely lukewarm 🥴
I'm new to this author & currently some of her catalogue is free on Audible, but so far I can't really say that I'm impressed 🫤
When reading/listening to romance books, I like to go on the journey with the characters as their love story unfolds... this includes all the firsts... first meet, first impressions, first kiss, first handjob, first BJ, first penetration, etc... I prefer my books spicy, I don't mind demure love stories, like Pride & Prejudice, Jane Eyre, etc... because it's a complete different genre, but if it's a dark or a story that deals with kinks.. I prefer them to be full of smut, the spicier, the better...but also with a plotline!
Anyways... we start with a kinda pointless recap of Ryan joining the team as well as Alex offering himself up to Jesse (verbatim from the previous book), which would only make sense to me if we got Ryan's POV of that situation, which we don't & then it cuts to Ryan & Alex going at it...
So, it's already an established relationship... we don't get to "see" their first meeting nor their first sexual interaction/encounter... even if it's only sexual, it's still already a relationship... so, we don't actually get to see or follow the evolution of their relationship & I'm not a fan!
If I don't get the firsts, I lose interest quickly as there's not really anything for me to look forward to... those are like essential milestones IMO & without them, it's not really a romance story in my eyes, it's reading about an established couple & I can't say that's something that appeals to me🤷♀️
Also, if this book is as BDSM-lite as the previous instalment, I might just have to DNF, especially now that I realised that Jesse doesn't have his own HEA... which is disappointing as he was one of the most interesting characters from the previous book IMO!
I'm not holding any hope that my rating will improve unless we get throwbacks to all their first times 😕
Cont.
I'm now about halfway through & it's still as bad... we get more action from the MCs with other characters &/or voyeurism (Jesse & David) than anything else.
Basically my original thoughts still stand... we don't get their firsts, but Alex is already in love with Ryan... so, I really don't get why this is a 9hr long listen 😐
Most of their sex scenes are fades to black & incredibly underwhelming when they're on paper.
When reading BDSM type books, I expect them to be titillating, arousing, intriguing & sometimes even uncomfortable as they take me out of my comfort zone.... neither of the 2 books in this series so far has even aroused my interest.
It's all very bland & dare I say it... vanilla!
I've read books that are tagged as only having some BDSM elements that are more hardcore than this... this series is presenting itself as a book about BDSM &/or the lifestyle of a BDSM relationship, yet it never actually delivers IMO!
I like authors like Jade West, Tiffany Reisz, Em Brown, who I love as she writes about diverse character, as well as situations & is so wonderfully descriptive that all the sex scenes are so immersive, but sadly I think she only writes M/F, which I'm taking a break from at the moment...
This series so far is about a 9 on the Ricter scale of writing sex scenes for a prudish crowd (because honestly only a prude would find this even remotely "spicy") ... It's all "he went down on him... fade to black" & I'm assuming that's meant to be titillating &/or get me excited 🤔 which it really isn't 🤷♀️
I'll even take the Fourth Wing author (she's the reason I've currently gone off FMC books due to her insufferably TSTL heroine in that book) over this author any day, as so far this author has not actually delivered on any promise that she makes with her synopsis of high heat... it's barely lukewarm 🥴
October 18, 2023
Ryan and Alex's story had so much to love, from their very steamy start to the intriguing investigation they worked on and eventual romantic connection. Even though I'd completely forgotten everything about the previous book in the series, I still found it easy to pick up on the threads of this story and get invested in the characters. Alex was a bright, sunshine-y sub with a hefty appetite for sex, and he was eager to explore his own submission and prove himself as a capable member of Wander's team. Ryan couldn't have had a more different outlook, and while a lot of his emotional distance and gruffness came from the scars from his past, he was more cynical by nature about all aspects of life.
It was clear very early on that Ryan and Alex had some pretty fantastic sexual chemistry (and what a treat it was to see them indulge several times throughout the book), but it took a lot longer for the emotional connection to build between them. Alex had privately admitted to himself that there was nothing he wanted more than for Ryan to become his Dom, but Ryan had no interest in being more than FWB until he was faced with the prospect of Alex becoming someone else's sub. Even then I could tell Ryan was still trying to hold back, still insecure about building a deep connection with someone, but little by little Alex gave him a safe space to open up, talk, and move forward from his past. I loved watching their relationship evolve as they worked the horse racing case together, and it was exciting to see the way they put all the pieces together while trying to prove Marilyn's innocence. I had also forgotten what a fantastic group of guys Wander's team was, and I enjoyed seeing everyone in the house interact and partake in some seriously steamy scenes.
The more time Alex and Ryan spent together, the more I could see their strictly sexual relationship softening into something a lot more tender and sweet. Alex realized he was falling in love first, but Ryan wasn't too far behind, and I loved how open and honest they were when sharing their feelings with each other. Their connection felt so special and genuine to me, and knowing that Ryan had written himself off as unlovable only made it better. Of course, that's when things got a little scary with the case they were working, but thankfully both Alex and Ryan were prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep everyone safe, and they had each other to turn to for comfort and support in the aftermath. I found the resolution to the investigation shocking but satisfying, and I couldn't be happier with the outlook of Ryan and Alex's relationship. Now I'm just hoping they'll show up in future books in this series so I can see firsthand how they continue to grow as partners and lovers.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
It was clear very early on that Ryan and Alex had some pretty fantastic sexual chemistry (and what a treat it was to see them indulge several times throughout the book), but it took a lot longer for the emotional connection to build between them. Alex had privately admitted to himself that there was nothing he wanted more than for Ryan to become his Dom, but Ryan had no interest in being more than FWB until he was faced with the prospect of Alex becoming someone else's sub. Even then I could tell Ryan was still trying to hold back, still insecure about building a deep connection with someone, but little by little Alex gave him a safe space to open up, talk, and move forward from his past. I loved watching their relationship evolve as they worked the horse racing case together, and it was exciting to see the way they put all the pieces together while trying to prove Marilyn's innocence. I had also forgotten what a fantastic group of guys Wander's team was, and I enjoyed seeing everyone in the house interact and partake in some seriously steamy scenes.
The more time Alex and Ryan spent together, the more I could see their strictly sexual relationship softening into something a lot more tender and sweet. Alex realized he was falling in love first, but Ryan wasn't too far behind, and I loved how open and honest they were when sharing their feelings with each other. Their connection felt so special and genuine to me, and knowing that Ryan had written himself off as unlovable only made it better. Of course, that's when things got a little scary with the case they were working, but thankfully both Alex and Ryan were prepared to do whatever was necessary to keep everyone safe, and they had each other to turn to for comfort and support in the aftermath. I found the resolution to the investigation shocking but satisfying, and I couldn't be happier with the outlook of Ryan and Alex's relationship. Now I'm just hoping they'll show up in future books in this series so I can see firsthand how they continue to grow as partners and lovers.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
November 13, 2025
I finally found it. I finally found that 5✨️ Nora Phoenix book I was looking for. I was a bit worried I wouldn't but here we are. FINALLY.
Oh, what a journey haha.
No rules is book two of the "No Regrets" series and it was everything I wanted and more.
All the things that bothered me in book one were missing from this book. The communication between the characters was almost perfect, no major miscommunication, if you want, but the moments when they did not communicate was because they genuinely either didn't realize what they were feeling or they were trying to find a way of doing it. It was so... relatable.
We meet Alex and Ryan in "No Surrender" and we can feel the tension there even when they were secondary characters. I was so excited to finally read their book but also a bit worried since book one was lacking something ( you can check my review if you wanna know what I'm referring to ) I am glad I decided to continue the series because this one was everything I needed.
While we met them in book one and knew a bit about the way things will go, or at least we could've guessed, book two was a nice surprise. The relationship between the characters evolved so beautifully, and I loved how they truly understood each other's needs and talked about it from the beginning, and not only that ( unlike in book one ) they made it perfectly clear that the need to experience their pleasure doesn't mean something is missing from their life and/or relationship. The fact that they made this perfectly clear was what I expected Wander to do with Burke in book one but didn't. Thank you Nora.
I also loved that in this book Nora did not feel the need to make Ryan the TOP Alpha in that dubious way of hers ( again, I mentioned this in my review for book one ), Ryan was just a Dom, Alex's Dom but in a way that was believable and lead to love. Everything that happened was written in a way that helped us see the transition from lust to affection to love. It was believable, at least for me. Idk if the bar was low and this book knocked it into the stratosphere, but here we are. 5✨️
Ryan and Alex complemented each other perfectly and their journey was beautiful. Alex's sunny disposition, his patience and gentle way of loving Ryan made the grump open his heart in a way that was unexpected. His heart was obliterated in the past so Alex was exactly what he didn't know he needed in order to put all the pieces together and help him heal.
OMG, I hope book 3 will be more like this one, and not like book one. Fingers crossed and wish me luck.
Oh, what a journey haha.
No rules is book two of the "No Regrets" series and it was everything I wanted and more.
All the things that bothered me in book one were missing from this book. The communication between the characters was almost perfect, no major miscommunication, if you want, but the moments when they did not communicate was because they genuinely either didn't realize what they were feeling or they were trying to find a way of doing it. It was so... relatable.
We meet Alex and Ryan in "No Surrender" and we can feel the tension there even when they were secondary characters. I was so excited to finally read their book but also a bit worried since book one was lacking something ( you can check my review if you wanna know what I'm referring to ) I am glad I decided to continue the series because this one was everything I needed.
While we met them in book one and knew a bit about the way things will go, or at least we could've guessed, book two was a nice surprise. The relationship between the characters evolved so beautifully, and I loved how they truly understood each other's needs and talked about it from the beginning, and not only that ( unlike in book one ) they made it perfectly clear that the need to experience their pleasure doesn't mean something is missing from their life and/or relationship. The fact that they made this perfectly clear was what I expected Wander to do with Burke in book one but didn't. Thank you Nora.
I also loved that in this book Nora did not feel the need to make Ryan the TOP Alpha in that dubious way of hers ( again, I mentioned this in my review for book one ), Ryan was just a Dom, Alex's Dom but in a way that was believable and lead to love. Everything that happened was written in a way that helped us see the transition from lust to affection to love. It was believable, at least for me. Idk if the bar was low and this book knocked it into the stratosphere, but here we are. 5✨️
Ryan and Alex complemented each other perfectly and their journey was beautiful. Alex's sunny disposition, his patience and gentle way of loving Ryan made the grump open his heart in a way that was unexpected. His heart was obliterated in the past so Alex was exactly what he didn't know he needed in order to put all the pieces together and help him heal.
OMG, I hope book 3 will be more like this one, and not like book one. Fingers crossed and wish me luck.
October 16, 2023
No Rules by Nora Phoenix is the second book in her No Regrets series. Ryan is a grumpy PI originally from Texas. He is a Dom and had a submissive but something happened to him that Ryan blames himself for. He assisted on a case for his friend Wander’s security company in Saratoga, New York, and when it was finished he was asked to stay on as a member of the team. That is where he met Alex. Alex is young and just started working for the team with hopes of learning more and becoming an asset to it. He is also a sub and just starting training to become a better one. When they meet they both feel an attraction but Ryan is so bogged down by his past that he refuses to become a Dom again, even though Alex would like him to be his. Then Ryan has a problem with the man who is training Alex which leads him to decide that he will be his Dom, which thrills Alex. During this time their attraction grows and there are many, many hot scenes using every manner of toys you can think of as they learn more about each other’s wants and needs and over time Alex breaks down Ryan’s walls and they fall in love. While all this is going on there is another plot interwoven with this involving a race horse that died in a big race and its owner is accused of drugging it, but Alex and Ryan work together to prove her innocence. There are many scenes showing what they are doing as they ponder who could have done it and how they come to the conclusions they do, which makes the story that much more intense and interesting. I really enjoyed this story. Ryan and Alex are so different yet so good for each other, with Ryan being grumpy and Alex being sunshiny. There are some very passionate scenes between the two of them that only grow over time as their feelings also get involved. In true Nora Phoenix style this is not just the story of two men who fall in love but also one that includes another story line with a crime that needs to be solved that involves them. The other characters also add to the story as they are all Doms/subs and add to the tension that occurs when they are together and add hilarity in some of the scenes. Ms. Phoenix is one of my favorite authors and this book doesn’t disappoint. I highly recommend it, especially if you like Older/Younger, Dom/sub, and grumpy/sunshine stories that also include a mystery to be solved. It will keep you reading to find out what happens.
October 22, 2023
If you are in the market for a steamy MM romance that still has a great plot, side characters that you will love and a little suspense/mystery this series needs to be on your TBR list soon! When Nora Phoenix told readers that Ryan and Alex couldn't’ keep their hands off each other she did not kid. At all. These two have an intense connection and are very amorous for one another.
Alex is young, fresh on a new investigative team, as well as looking to be trained as a submissive. Alex is not afraid to let others know that he is submissive in the bedroom, but in all other aspects of his life he is not. He is extremely smart, driven, and wants to learn everything he can from the talented men that he works with to be the best investigator that he can be. I truly loved how Phoenix wrote both parts of Alex’s life. His submission is truly about serving others, and it is something that brings him so much happiness.
Ryan was called to help on a previous mission but found that he liked the team and was in need of a change after his previous job of homicide detective got to be too much for him. Ryan, a trained dom, is so grumpy and closed off. It is clear that he has experienced a lot of pain in his life, and isn’t interested in letting someone else into his life. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't notice Alex or enjoy the benefits of heaving Alex so close.
I really liked how the others around Ryan and Alex were not afraid to call Ryan on his crap and step up for Alex. Ryan and Alex have a deep connection and complement each other in the best ways, not only in their personal lives but as well as their professional lives. I really connected with Alex and was just hoping that Ryan would see what an amazing partner he found in Alex ... .but my heart also broke for him because it is clear that he had a lot of emotions around he and Alex’s relationship.
I am so excited for what is to come in this series, and Phoenix knows how to balance a great storyline with some seriously kinky steam sex. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites to recommend to book friends!
Alex is young, fresh on a new investigative team, as well as looking to be trained as a submissive. Alex is not afraid to let others know that he is submissive in the bedroom, but in all other aspects of his life he is not. He is extremely smart, driven, and wants to learn everything he can from the talented men that he works with to be the best investigator that he can be. I truly loved how Phoenix wrote both parts of Alex’s life. His submission is truly about serving others, and it is something that brings him so much happiness.
Ryan was called to help on a previous mission but found that he liked the team and was in need of a change after his previous job of homicide detective got to be too much for him. Ryan, a trained dom, is so grumpy and closed off. It is clear that he has experienced a lot of pain in his life, and isn’t interested in letting someone else into his life. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't notice Alex or enjoy the benefits of heaving Alex so close.
I really liked how the others around Ryan and Alex were not afraid to call Ryan on his crap and step up for Alex. Ryan and Alex have a deep connection and complement each other in the best ways, not only in their personal lives but as well as their professional lives. I really connected with Alex and was just hoping that Ryan would see what an amazing partner he found in Alex ... .but my heart also broke for him because it is clear that he had a lot of emotions around he and Alex’s relationship.
I am so excited for what is to come in this series, and Phoenix knows how to balance a great storyline with some seriously kinky steam sex. This series is quickly becoming one of my favorites to recommend to book friends!
October 22, 2023
- an MM romantic suspense! age gap, D/s relationship, grumpy/sunshine!
- it says you can read this as a stand alone but you should really read the first one
- page 17 and a full on sex scene between Alex and Ryan
- Ryan wasn’t very nice to Alex in the beginning and it kind of killed me a lil bit
- the angst between these two jesus
- the mystery plot is really fun in this one! and i love watching Alex grow into this role!!
- i need Mark to FUCK OFF
- the sex scenes in this are genuinely everything
- i wish Burke was in this one more :(
- the fact that Mark couldn’t see something was wrong… made me love Ryan so much more
- the second hand embarrassment i got when Alex told his dad 😭
- the shooting range scene was so much fun!!!
- watching Ryan gradually change into the man he wants to be was honestly everything
- i love them so much
- the BDSM scenes tho 🥵🥵
- hehe Ryan taking Alex out on lil dates and not even realising
- Alex being the reason they figured it out!! so proud of him
- damn that went from 0-100 real quick!! i hope Alex is okay :(
- the scene straight after everything went down, was beautiful!! the way Ryan looked after Alex🥹 i loved it so much
- THE BEST LOVE CONFESSIONS
- i like how their relationship kept growing even after the conflict, it didn’t just end straight away
- no third act breakup besties x
- amazing epilogue!! they just make my heart happy
- i fucking loved and devoured this!! they deserve all the happiness
- the only two scenes i would of liked to see is, Alex meeting Ryan’s fam and the orgy scene hehe
- it says you can read this as a stand alone but you should really read the first one
- page 17 and a full on sex scene between Alex and Ryan
- Ryan wasn’t very nice to Alex in the beginning and it kind of killed me a lil bit
- the angst between these two jesus
- the mystery plot is really fun in this one! and i love watching Alex grow into this role!!
- i need Mark to FUCK OFF
- the sex scenes in this are genuinely everything
- i wish Burke was in this one more :(
- the fact that Mark couldn’t see something was wrong… made me love Ryan so much more
- the second hand embarrassment i got when Alex told his dad 😭
- the shooting range scene was so much fun!!!
- watching Ryan gradually change into the man he wants to be was honestly everything
- i love them so much
- the BDSM scenes tho 🥵🥵
- hehe Ryan taking Alex out on lil dates and not even realising
- Alex being the reason they figured it out!! so proud of him
- damn that went from 0-100 real quick!! i hope Alex is okay :(
- the scene straight after everything went down, was beautiful!! the way Ryan looked after Alex🥹 i loved it so much
- THE BEST LOVE CONFESSIONS
- i like how their relationship kept growing even after the conflict, it didn’t just end straight away
- no third act breakup besties x
- amazing epilogue!! they just make my heart happy
- i fucking loved and devoured this!! they deserve all the happiness
- the only two scenes i would of liked to see is, Alex meeting Ryan’s fam and the orgy scene hehe
October 17, 2023
"No rules" is the second book in the "No regrets" series. Each book follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone.
In "No rules" our main characters are Ryan and Alex. They both work for the same private security company. Ryan is a PI and Alex is the youngest member of the group. The two of them have great chemistry and casually hook up. When they team up for a case they get closer.
The fact that Alex is looking for a Dom to train him and Ryan used to be one, complicates the situation even more.
I really really loved the found family theme of the book. The way they all supported and took care of each other was beautiful. Ryan was reluctant to open up because he was dealing with some issues from his past but by the end of the book he had changed and grown so much. I loved his journey even though his backstory broke my heart.
Alex was pure sunshine and joy. So kind and strong, he really brought light in Ryan's life.
I also enjoyed very much the mystery storyline. The two of them were investigating the death of a race horse and that story had me intrigued. I wanted to know what had happened.
I loved the pacing and the writing style. I adored the characters, their development and the romance. And I thought that the mystery was super interesting.
This book had it all and I finished it in a day. Absolutely fantastic, I highly recommend it and I can't wait to read more books in the series.
In "No rules" our main characters are Ryan and Alex. They both work for the same private security company. Ryan is a PI and Alex is the youngest member of the group. The two of them have great chemistry and casually hook up. When they team up for a case they get closer.
The fact that Alex is looking for a Dom to train him and Ryan used to be one, complicates the situation even more.
I really really loved the found family theme of the book. The way they all supported and took care of each other was beautiful. Ryan was reluctant to open up because he was dealing with some issues from his past but by the end of the book he had changed and grown so much. I loved his journey even though his backstory broke my heart.
Alex was pure sunshine and joy. So kind and strong, he really brought light in Ryan's life.
I also enjoyed very much the mystery storyline. The two of them were investigating the death of a race horse and that story had me intrigued. I wanted to know what had happened.
I loved the pacing and the writing style. I adored the characters, their development and the romance. And I thought that the mystery was super interesting.
This book had it all and I finished it in a day. Absolutely fantastic, I highly recommend it and I can't wait to read more books in the series.
October 27, 2023
"No Rules" by Nora Phoenix is the second installment in the captivating No Regrets series. The story follows Ryan, a grumpy PI originally from Texas who is also a seasoned Dom. He's haunted by a past tragedy involving a former submissive. After assisting with a case for his friend Wander's security company in Saratoga, New York, Ryan is invited to stay on as part of the team. He encounters Alex, an aspiring team member eager to learn and improve as a sub.
Instantly, a strong attraction brews between them, but Ryan, weighed down by his past, resists rekindling his role as a Dom despite Alex's desire. Over time, Alex breaks down Ryan's emotional walls, and they fall deeply in love. Amidst their blossoming romance, they find themselves entangled in another plotline involving a racehorse's death in a major race and the owner's alleged involvement in drugging it.
Ryan and Alex, with their contrasting personalities – grumpy and sunny – make a perfect match. Their passionate scenes intensify as their feelings for each other deepen. In her signature style, Nora Phoenix weaves a story that isn't just about two men falling in love but also involves a compelling crime to be solved. The ensemble of characters, all engaged in Dom/sub dynamics, creates tension and humor, making for a rich narrative.
Instantly, a strong attraction brews between them, but Ryan, weighed down by his past, resists rekindling his role as a Dom despite Alex's desire. Over time, Alex breaks down Ryan's emotional walls, and they fall deeply in love. Amidst their blossoming romance, they find themselves entangled in another plotline involving a racehorse's death in a major race and the owner's alleged involvement in drugging it.
Ryan and Alex, with their contrasting personalities – grumpy and sunny – make a perfect match. Their passionate scenes intensify as their feelings for each other deepen. In her signature style, Nora Phoenix weaves a story that isn't just about two men falling in love but also involves a compelling crime to be solved. The ensemble of characters, all engaged in Dom/sub dynamics, creates tension and humor, making for a rich narrative.
October 22, 2023
I loved this book so much! At the beginning I didn't like how Ryan was treating Alex and then Wander warned him about it and Ryan realized that he had crossed a line. Ryan had been a cop in Las Vegas and his boy Quinton was murdered by the brother of the gangster he was pursuing as revenge. He fell apart and moved away and became a P.I. first and then started working for Wander. Alex was the newest member of the security firm and self-confirmed slut and wanted Ryan and Ryan obliged but refused to become emotionally involved because he couldn't bear the fear of losing anyone else. Ryan and Alex are assigned to a case of a racehorse who died after a race and was found to have been poisoned and the owner suspected of doing it for money. They like her very much and the more they investigate the more they realize she loved her horse and would never do it. Ryan was impressed by Alex's skills and he comes up with questions that eventually leads them to the culprit. The death of the horse is very upsetting and the people who were guilty are loathsome and the confrontation at the horse farm is very dramatic and the fallout makes Ryan help Alex and finally he realizes that he love him. Looking forward to the next book.
November 7, 2023
Gifted to me by Nora Pheonix as an ARC. Thank You for giving me this chance. (I do apologize this took me longer than shouldve)
Never did I think I'd be this late adding to my Goodreads. (Some of her fault. Read down further and you'll know why)
OK... back to No Rules.
I Love It! Another of great stories Ms. Pheonix has written. These guys did not fail in their strengths, weaknesses (o ercoming of them when/if needed), sexiness, camaraderie, love, friendship and so much more of how Ms. Pheonix puts her men together, their stories... Everything. Extends or adds to the stories. I love how these guys have found that not all is as it may seem: yet it is ok and can overcome, one way or another, to find their happily ever after.
I'm ashamed of myself...
I was gifted this No Rules book as an ARC for Nora Pheonix and had planned to have my review in long ago (over a week ago) I'm usually done within a couple days if reading.
For ARCs I like to give them extra time before posting. In my defense, part it is Nora's fault why I havent... I haven't read one of her books in a while. I missed them echem, ended up finding others and bam... got lost in those Irresistible Omegas of hers eek (again) and OMG I FOUND DRAGONS.
Never did I think I'd be this late adding to my Goodreads. (Some of her fault. Read down further and you'll know why)
OK... back to No Rules.
I Love It! Another of great stories Ms. Pheonix has written. These guys did not fail in their strengths, weaknesses (o ercoming of them when/if needed), sexiness, camaraderie, love, friendship and so much more of how Ms. Pheonix puts her men together, their stories... Everything. Extends or adds to the stories. I love how these guys have found that not all is as it may seem: yet it is ok and can overcome, one way or another, to find their happily ever after.
I'm ashamed of myself...
I was gifted this No Rules book as an ARC for Nora Pheonix and had planned to have my review in long ago (over a week ago) I'm usually done within a couple days if reading.
For ARCs I like to give them extra time before posting. In my defense, part it is Nora's fault why I havent... I haven't read one of her books in a while. I missed them echem, ended up finding others and bam... got lost in those Irresistible Omegas of hers eek (again) and OMG I FOUND DRAGONS.
November 18, 2023
Hi Y’all! Come in and grab a seat while I tell you about this book I just read.
The title is No Rules by Nora Phoenix it is book 2 in No Regrets series. You should read in order for best understanding but you can get by without, it just may take a bit of figuring all the connections of characters.
The cover is really sexy. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because a young strong submissive and a grumpy older PI.
Who’s my favorite main character? Hard one. I loved both Ryan and Alex. Ryan has a past and I just wanted to know why he was like he was. I did want to smack a few times. Alex was such a sweetheart and I liked he wasn't just super subbu but strong, smart, and very good at his work. I liked Wander. He is a good friend to both men and boss.
The story is an erotic romance, suspense with BDSM.
Were there significant plot twists and turns? This whole story has a good plot with lots of twists. I love a good mystery that you can't guess who done it.
I loved the ending. It was HFN and leads to the next book. Bring it on!
If you like grumpy/sunshine, age gap, BDSM, and an allover good romance you will love this.
There are a couple trigger warnings mentioned so if dubious con, and BDSM bothers you, skip this one or read with caution
The title is No Rules by Nora Phoenix it is book 2 in No Regrets series. You should read in order for best understanding but you can get by without, it just may take a bit of figuring all the connections of characters.
The cover is really sexy. Then I read the blurb and it really got my interest because a young strong submissive and a grumpy older PI.
Who’s my favorite main character? Hard one. I loved both Ryan and Alex. Ryan has a past and I just wanted to know why he was like he was. I did want to smack a few times. Alex was such a sweetheart and I liked he wasn't just super subbu but strong, smart, and very good at his work. I liked Wander. He is a good friend to both men and boss.
The story is an erotic romance, suspense with BDSM.
Were there significant plot twists and turns? This whole story has a good plot with lots of twists. I love a good mystery that you can't guess who done it.
I loved the ending. It was HFN and leads to the next book. Bring it on!
If you like grumpy/sunshine, age gap, BDSM, and an allover good romance you will love this.
There are a couple trigger warnings mentioned so if dubious con, and BDSM bothers you, skip this one or read with caution
October 26, 2023
3.5 ⭐
My first read in the series (I will read #1 just after that to catch up because here I loved Wander as the mentor aka the Dom of Doms).
I could have done without the whodunit side quest that took 40% of the book but it wasn't too bad even if extremely predictable.
As usual, the negotiation & play & self discovery of a newbie kinkster was the fun part for me (the sensation play scene was great). The part where our Dom explains that humiliation play can provoke real toxic shame if not handled well was spot on. That's why I consider it edge play: you can repair damaged skin but an injured psyche is way harder to heal so caution!
Ryan interrupting the problematic scene was the right thing to do to protect a vulnerable sub. Basically he played dungeon monitor clumsily & the one who ended up humiliated was not who it should have been... If I were Mark, the Dom of that scene, I would have decked him on the spot. A minimum of etiquette please.
PS: Putting the teased & awaited group scene as a special only if you subscribe to the writer's newsletter was a bit of a let down. It's not like my burner Gmail account has any value & it's frustrating for no reason.
My first read in the series (I will read #1 just after that to catch up because here I loved Wander as the mentor aka the Dom of Doms).
I could have done without the whodunit side quest that took 40% of the book but it wasn't too bad even if extremely predictable.
As usual, the negotiation & play & self discovery of a newbie kinkster was the fun part for me (the sensation play scene was great). The part where our Dom explains that humiliation play can provoke real toxic shame if not handled well was spot on. That's why I consider it edge play: you can repair damaged skin but an injured psyche is way harder to heal so caution!
Ryan interrupting the problematic scene was the right thing to do to protect a vulnerable sub. Basically he played dungeon monitor clumsily & the one who ended up humiliated was not who it should have been... If I were Mark, the Dom of that scene, I would have decked him on the spot. A minimum of etiquette please.
PS: Putting the teased & awaited group scene as a special only if you subscribe to the writer's newsletter was a bit of a let down. It's not like my burner Gmail account has any value & it's frustrating for no reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
November 16, 2023A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
I have been looking forward to more in the No Regrets series since the first book, No Surrender, came out and it’s been a long time coming. Phoenix didn’t disappoint with both an interesting case for the team, and a high heat, extra kinky couple. In the first book, there were clear signs that Alex and Ryan would find their way to each other, but the journey is not without obstacles. This book does well enough to stand on its own, but I will say that it’s best enjoyed in series order.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and am very much looking forward to more in this series. I love the found family dynamic, and the way all these characters interact. I like that the mysteries and suspense aspect are wrapped up at the end of the book and I have no doubt that this will continue forward. If you’re looking for high heat and kink, with great characters, check out this book and series.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
I have been looking forward to more in the No Regrets series since the first book, No Surrender, came out and it’s been a long time coming. Phoenix didn’t disappoint with both an interesting case for the team, and a high heat, extra kinky couple. In the first book, there were clear signs that Alex and Ryan would find their way to each other, but the journey is not without obstacles. This book does well enough to stand on its own, but I will say that it’s best enjoyed in series order.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and am very much looking forward to more in this series. I love the found family dynamic, and the way all these characters interact. I like that the mysteries and suspense aspect are wrapped up at the end of the book and I have no doubt that this will continue forward. If you’re looking for high heat and kink, with great characters, check out this book and series.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
November 15, 2023
This well-written book has a great blend of mystery, danger, kink, and feelings with a grumpy/sunshine trope added in. Ryan is a former Austin PI who has recently arrived in NY to work with the security team. He likes the kinky dynamic of the house and its roommates, but he's not interested in committing to anyone, especially with all that he lost before.
Alex is a new, natural sub who is inexplicably drawn to Ryan. Ryan just wants to use him, which Alex likes, and then withdraw again. When Alex and Ryan are assigned to work together on the mysterious case of a deceased racehorse, the two men become closer and earn a professional respect for each other.
As time goes by, the case deepens and new leads open up. Alex and Ryan periodically scene together, but since Ryan in disinterested in becoming a dom again, Alex is forced to enter training with a different dom. Ryan doesn't like it, but he doesn't know why. This book as a satisfying and well-research mystery, a hard-won relationship arc, a supportive friends group, a lot of kinky passion, and a beautiful love.
Alex is a new, natural sub who is inexplicably drawn to Ryan. Ryan just wants to use him, which Alex likes, and then withdraw again. When Alex and Ryan are assigned to work together on the mysterious case of a deceased racehorse, the two men become closer and earn a professional respect for each other.
As time goes by, the case deepens and new leads open up. Alex and Ryan periodically scene together, but since Ryan in disinterested in becoming a dom again, Alex is forced to enter training with a different dom. Ryan doesn't like it, but he doesn't know why. This book as a satisfying and well-research mystery, a hard-won relationship arc, a supportive friends group, a lot of kinky passion, and a beautiful love.
January 5, 2024
Alex and Ryan are the quintessential grumpy/sunshine couple. Alex is very open with his emotions and sees the good in everyone. Ryan is jaded from a lost love and doesn't think he's capable of love. Of course, Alex proves him wrong and before you know it, he's declaring his love in front of the whole crew.
The romance doesn't tame the sluttiness of Alex or Ryan's desire to see his boy thoroughly used. This book has consensual nonmonogamy. This isn't surprising given the original series had throuples, quads, and orgies between the group of men. I'm not sure if this series will go completely in that direction, but Alex and Ryan are game to play with others.
For a change, I was invested in the side plot conflict. I wanted to know who killed that damn horse and was happy that Alex and Ryan grew closer while working the case. Bonus points that the conclusion of that case wasn't left for the last few pages and felt rushed. It's well paced and comes to an end early enough that the story can focus on the HEA of the couple.
The romance doesn't tame the sluttiness of Alex or Ryan's desire to see his boy thoroughly used. This book has consensual nonmonogamy. This isn't surprising given the original series had throuples, quads, and orgies between the group of men. I'm not sure if this series will go completely in that direction, but Alex and Ryan are game to play with others.
For a change, I was invested in the side plot conflict. I wanted to know who killed that damn horse and was happy that Alex and Ryan grew closer while working the case. Bonus points that the conclusion of that case wasn't left for the last few pages and felt rushed. It's well paced and comes to an end early enough that the story can focus on the HEA of the couple.
October 19, 2023
Ryan and Alex are…wow. When Phoenix wrote that they are kinky horn-dogs, she wasn’t kidding! The author’s imagination for unique sexual scenarios and kink scenes is second to none. High heat indeed!
D/S plays heavily in the couple’s dynamic but doesn’t take away from the investigation into a thoroughbred race horse’s untimely demise which they are investigating. I love how Ryan’s professional opinion of Alex’s work also changes and grows.
The team is still living in Jesse’s house which readers were introduced to in book 1 of the series, so scenes are easily accomplished, particularly for someone with a humiliation kink like Alex.
With appearances by Josh and Connor (characters from her No Shame series) as well as mentions of Noah from that world, long-time readers are rewarded for their faithfulness while new readers get to meet some fun side characters.
Phoenix delivers. 5 stars.
D/S plays heavily in the couple’s dynamic but doesn’t take away from the investigation into a thoroughbred race horse’s untimely demise which they are investigating. I love how Ryan’s professional opinion of Alex’s work also changes and grows.
The team is still living in Jesse’s house which readers were introduced to in book 1 of the series, so scenes are easily accomplished, particularly for someone with a humiliation kink like Alex.
With appearances by Josh and Connor (characters from her No Shame series) as well as mentions of Noah from that world, long-time readers are rewarded for their faithfulness while new readers get to meet some fun side characters.
Phoenix delivers. 5 stars.
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