Collin: Episodes 4-6

The Residency Boys #2

by Ciara Darren

“I want to be wanted.” Collin rasped out the words. “I don’t think anything you do that tells me I’m wanted is going to be a problem, sir.”

Mr. Reevesworth leaned down to kiss him. “So dangerous, Collin.”

The Residency has become Collin’s sanctuary. But the ink is barely dry on his contract with Mr. Reevesworth before there is a threat. His mother, Dr. Sandra Ryker, is not about to surrender her dreams for Collin’s future and she doesn’t care if she has to face down a billionaire to get her son back on the path she’s designed for him.

If only Collin’s new routine were as simple as dominance and submission, and wearing new clothes. In his first week as Mr. Reevesworth’s personal assistant, Collin runs face first into both gossip and cyber threats. Not everyone who wants Collin’s secrets are as well meaning as Mr. Reevesworth, Mr. Moreau, and Damian. Some of them are downright dangerous. And consent is a word these shadowy figures don’t care to entertain.

Meeting these new challenges will test both Collin’s trust in his dom, but also his new chosen family. Now if only Artemis could keep herself out of trouble. Can Collin trust Mr. Reevesworth’s guidance to get him through? And can he prove to himself that he really is everything Mr. Reevesworth believes him to be? Grab these next three episodes in this billionaire BDSM serial and find out for yourself.

Genres: BDSM, Romance, M M Romance

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2023

About the author

Ciara Darren is a contemporary romance author writing primarily MM+, but also MX, MF, and FF. Her stories are intense, slow burn serials with chosen family, high heat, power exchange, kink, and diverse representation.

The best place to start in her contemporary romances is Collin: Episodes 1-3, for a gentler introduction to polyamory and kink. Damian & Jun is a sequel serial that can be read on its own but is best after Collin: Episodes 13-15.

For darker work in the same line, look for Sanctum: Prior Claim, coming out Spring 2026, a second-chance romance about escaping the criminal underworld and surviving to thrive. This is a stand alone tie-in serial to The Residency Boys universe and contains spoilers for both the Collin and Damian & Jun serials.

To read along on Ciara’s next book as she writes it, join her Ream subscription, a social reading experience that allows readers to interact with the author. And to never miss a new release, join her mailing list via her website.

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could he find on his knees what he could not find on his feet? Colin, A struggling college student enters a complex world of BDSM and polyamory when a married billionaire employer shows interest in him personally as well as in training him.
This is a 3-book series that CANNOT be read out of order. It's also a series that the reader can't in any way, be bothered by any aspect of the kink world or BDSM.
Collin's new life as Mr. Reevesworth's personal assistant brings challenges, including gossip, cyber threats, and dangerous figures. Can Collin trust his Dom and new family to navigate these obstacles and prove his worth?
Book 2 brings us further into the power-trust between Collin and Richard. I had some doubts about Damian from book #1 but in book #2, he's not the guy I thought him to be in the first book and even he admits that he was a bit off the charts. I still don't like Collin's mother...maybe she'll just disappear from Collin's life in book #3. I can only hope!

Richard Reedsworth is nothing short of an absolute gem personified. He's human and not the perfect Dom, he's the first to admit it... but he's perfect for Collin. "Beautiful" and "perfect" would also be good descriptions of their growing relationship. I wish we were seeing more of Richard's husband, but maybe in book 3. What an understanding guy he must be, but I know that the type of relationship they have is "different" than most folks. The author has done a wonderful job of presenting the kink lifestyle. It's not at all what most folks think or what some author's present. Well done, Ms. Darren.

There is one character, I won't mention any names... that has been slightly neglected but I think they will be fit into a major plot line in the next three episodes.

The editing debacle from the first book is still alive and well and rearing its ugly head. There are lots of typos, miss-spelled words, missing words, and words presented in a strange order. I think that I'm going to apply for the editing job...I couldn't do any worse...and I'd get to read lots of books...win, win!

[Gale MR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this polyamory serial from the first chapter and the first episode. And not surprisingly, seeing how exceptionally well 1-3 were written, here in 4-6 it gets even better. I loved the way polyamory was represented with all the difficulties when more people are trying to gain their footing in a new dynamic and adjust to each other needs. The heat level has ramped up significantly without hurting the development of the plot. Because yes! We don't have only kink and filthy bedroom fun, we have characters that are wonderfully diverse and unpredictable in their growth. For Collin this was like a whole new La la land - he has never been in a D/S dynamic before. But he fits so well and gives so much emotional filling to his new partners. The unexpected threat against Collin that adds suspense/thriller elements was also intriguing. I can’t wait to see how it will be resolved in the next episodes. The interesting relationship between Collin and Damian as kink brothers is also something intriguing in the it's unfolding at the moment.
Definitely this BDSM/polyamory serial has captured my attention and I am so invested in what's to come!

[Any Length · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am amazed by the developing relationships in the structure of this book. The way the characters relate to each other, what they are going through emotionally, physically. I am learning about Dom/sub relationships on a theoretical basis and find this extremely helpful. But also termendously enjoy the content of the books. Very well written and even though I am not into that kink, reading the book I can feel along with the characters and follow their emotions.
Best to read in order as the story is ongoing.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75* overall, on reasons of not giving this full 5* below.

I'm loving this. These episodes were much engaging than the first three. I think it is because we are really focusing on the D/s relationships. And it is lovely to see the development, new issues and new friends in the making. There is a little angst but I'm looking forward to see more of it (or maybe not more, but how it turns out).

I'm glad Damian is not the creep he seemed to be in the previous episodes 1-3, and even admits that his behaviour was problematic. So yay!

I really love Richard and the fact that he is not just a perfect Dom. The way he softens for Collin, the way he also struggles. Beautiful. The confessions Richard and Collin had? They were absolutely beautiful. Some scenes really resonated with me and I was gushing or concerned but still impressed. Well done.

There is one character that was kinda neglected but I think it will be a major plot line in the following three episodes so I'm not complaining at all!

The only reason for deducting some points from the rating: the editing issues. There were lots of typos, missing words, weird word order. And I just wished it had not been the case.

(I received an ARC - thank you! - for an honest review. All opinions are my own and free of any influence.) Even though I did receive an ARC, I've decided to buy the book nevertheless!

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the editing on this one was even worse, sigh. I also felt like it had a number of scenes that were a little off. But I am still enjoying the characters and the story so I'm continuing.

[JJ Waggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though it's the second book in the series, this suffers deeply from middle-book syndrome; it's clear that Darren is setting up a lot of Plot Stuff that will have interesting payoff, but it means there's very little resolution or breadth here. It is interesting how the burgeoning arc of Damian allows Darren to chat about BDSM roles and how our sense of self develops over time. Ash is a delightful new character that gives Collin some space not to be the bottom of the heap all the time. But for the most part this is a waiting book--so, onward. I retain my complaint about poor editing, though it was less intrusive in this volume.

Also, if you were squicked by the first book, just stop; it's more of the same in terms of how control manifests and what the body is used to do. Not a ton of sex, but definitely a lot of power exchange. If you're good with that, keep rollin'.