Collin: Episodes 7-9

The Residency Boys #3

by Ciara Darren

Collin pulled away, staying on his knees. “Please, sir. I need to know. I thought, perhaps I was wrong, but I thought…” He reached for words, but how did one put into words looks, gestures, touches, the ways their bodies had moved together in the kitchen, how one had snuggled in a bed, or accepted another’s humiliation?

“I don’t know all the rules yet, sir. But I want what we had. I don’t know how to separate you and Mr. Reevesworth in my head or my heart. And if I can’t please you both…then… It’s cold, sir. Around you, it’s been cold. And I can’t take it. I’m sorry, but please…” His voice truly cracked then. “Please, Sir. Tell me how to fix this.”

Being on his knees is not always safe. Sometimes, Collin learns, it is the place from which he will risk it all. It is where he will go to preserve that which he holds dear. Falling in love is not for the faint of heart.

Falling in love twice requires twice the courage. Especially as Collin’s newly chosen family is encircled by enemies stalking them from the shadows. But inside the storm, Mr. Reevesworth is determined to show Collin a better way to thrive. And he is not alone.

As their enemies make themselves known, everyone within the Residency will need each other. Do they have the resources to protect those who matter to them most? And will they unravel the threats in time?

Find out in this third volume of Collin’s arc in the Residency Boys universe. Grab your copy today.

Genres: BDSM, M M Romance

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2024

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

[Gale MR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pleased to say that this series just gets better and better. Watching Colin's personal growth and adaptation into being submissive, finding his inner center, and learning to trust his Dom was extremely interesting to read. And while the kinky fun side of Colin's relationship expands /oh, and it was so hot and decadent/, the overall plot also evolves. Mr. Reesworth's enemies emerge from the shadows, attempting to destabilize his company and his life, thus affecting not only his daily life, but the lives of those associated with him. I was glad to see that not only was Colin comfortable in his new environment, opening up and learning to express his needs and how to rely on his partners, but Mr. Moreau also found the courage to share a whole new side of himself, which was an impressive display of trust and vulnerability. So the polydynamics in the story here are much stronger and finally on equal footing between all partners involved. And all because they were able to communicate openly and be honest with each other. The whole concept of all these interconnected stories is to show the emotional development of the characters, how fragile the balance is in a polydynamic with so many people entangled together, but also to show the sweet nurturing side - the love and care between all the partners. And the added bonus - so many interesting secondary characters that make the story even more intriguing.

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better and better! Solid 5*.
I didn't think it'd be possible to be so enthralled by a third book in a series. Oh boy was I wrong. Collin keeps on growing but his struggles are still there and so so real.
This title focused more on Mr Moreau and I think I'm in love with both Richard and his husband. They're so kinky but also so into Collin. It was lovely when all the men opened up to each other and showed their vulnerable side.
The pet play was everything I needed (I love 😺 play). Here it was detailed but not just for the sex but the focus on Collin and the way it affected him. He needed it so much!
Wow. I hope this author gives us more BDSM MM romances cause I'm just dying for more kink and stories.
The second half of this book is more plot driven and I loved seeing office Collin. His duality is sincere yet unexpected.
The caretaking in this series is to die for. It's one of my favourite things in MM romance.
I know I'll be rereading this one. ❤️
Cannot wait for the next book.

(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!

[JD Waggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've settled well into the swing of things now and this allows us some space to get to know Mr. Moreau a bit, more, which is delightful. We're also introduced to some of the conflict Reevesworth has, which is a nice fleshing out of the world in which Collin is being remade. (Heads up, pet play introduced in this one--not intensely pet, but it's the foundation for other things.)

Two things kicked me out of the narrative here: one, that is wildly unlikely that Collin's as deep into submission and allows the things he does here when the narrative tells us it's been barely a month. I can't suspend my disbelief that far, but once I acknowledged this is hella fiction, that was easier. Two, this leans hard into the myth of the ethical billiionaire, in which if only someone with a good head on (usually) his shoulders and a heart for the downtrodden were to be given money and put in charge, it would be fine. False, it will not be fine, power and money corrupt and there is no moment where we won't need things like unions. I know it's the trope, I do know that, but there are several scenes in these episodes that get into Reevesworth's business acumen and the job becomes the plot, so it was wicked hard to ignore Darren's explicit assumption that Reevesworth will make the best decision for all with a little bit of advice.

I'm still here for the series and I love the developing awareness among the four main guys and the intensity of the secondary characters. But this kicked me out of the narrative headspace hard when it asked me to believe such big leaps of fantasy.

[Any Length · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the kitten day. I am learning a lot in this series. Some of it I find hard to relate to, but I am curious enough to try to figure out what their relationships do for each of the characters.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure why Collin occasionally sounds like he's a Little, it just doesn't fit. I'm also not sure about this storyline about someone trying to take the company away. This was the weakest of the the three so far, but I will continue with the series.