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Trophy Doms New York #4
Roughed Up
When a millionaire’s shattered heart meets a musician’s shattered dreams, will love be enough to make them both whole again?
Alex
My friends say it's gone on long enough. Trying to lick the wounds of my most recent breakup in private isn't making me feel any better, so I begin the daunting task of trying to venture back into the dating pool. But after a series of misses, I wonder if the answer I've been waiting for has been in my wallet all along.
Dylan
Being offered money for my body from the gorgeous, motorcycle riding, and glasses wearing millionaire who keeps coming into my bar isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to me. Being cut off by my father and forced to choose being money and music is.
Walking away from a trust fund was hard, but trying to make ends meet is harder. Getting paid to do something I would have done for free feels like the easiest decision I'll ever make. But one night leads to another, and one customer to more, and suddenly, it's not so fun anymore.
Alex has offered me more than his money and his body. He's giving me ways to find worth, pleasure, and substance in a life that I thought I'd ruined. Through the pain of our past and the thrill of our present, it's impossible to not fall in love with him. But his secrets run just as deep as mine, and just because we can't stop it, doesn't mean love will ever be enough.
Please read the content warnings.
Alex
My friends say it's gone on long enough. Trying to lick the wounds of my most recent breakup in private isn't making me feel any better, so I begin the daunting task of trying to venture back into the dating pool. But after a series of misses, I wonder if the answer I've been waiting for has been in my wallet all along.
Dylan
Being offered money for my body from the gorgeous, motorcycle riding, and glasses wearing millionaire who keeps coming into my bar isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to me. Being cut off by my father and forced to choose being money and music is.
Walking away from a trust fund was hard, but trying to make ends meet is harder. Getting paid to do something I would have done for free feels like the easiest decision I'll ever make. But one night leads to another, and one customer to more, and suddenly, it's not so fun anymore.
Alex has offered me more than his money and his body. He's giving me ways to find worth, pleasure, and substance in a life that I thought I'd ruined. Through the pain of our past and the thrill of our present, it's impossible to not fall in love with him. But his secrets run just as deep as mine, and just because we can't stop it, doesn't mean love will ever be enough.
Please read the content warnings.
- GenresM M RomanceBDSMRomance
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2024
35 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hawthorne
93 books936 followersWith 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 24, 2025
When a millionaire’s shattered heart meets a musician’s shattered dreams, will love be enough to make them both whole again?
Alex's friends are worried for him and well they should be. His most recent breakup has sent him into nearly seclusion. He's now trying to slowly return to the dating pool. After a series of misses, he begins to wonder if the answer he's been waiting for has been in his wallet all the time.
Dylan was offered money for his body by the gorgeous, motorcycle-riding, glasses-wearing millionaire who kept coming into the bar where Dylan worked, which he didn't see as being the worst thing that had ever happened to him. Long ago Dylan left home and has since been cut off from any contact with his rich, "you will live by rules that I make", father. This has made him have to choose between money and music. Walking away from a huge trust fund was hard but he's finding that trying to make ends meet is even harder. Getting paid to do something he would have done for free feels like the easiest decision he ever made. But one-night leads to another, and one customer to more, and suddenly, it's simply no longer fun...or easy.
Alex comes into his life and offers him more than his money and his body. He's determined to give Dylan ways to find his worth along with pleasure, and substance in a life that he thought he would never have again. Through the pain of their past and the joys of their present, it's impossible to not fall in love with them. They each have secrets that run deep, and they find together that it doesn't mean love will ever be enough.
This is NOT going to be for everyone, even those that regularly read M/M romances, and even M/M romances with a bit of a "bite". This is a dark story as both men needed each other in their own "special" ways. I'm not sure it could be looked at by most as "healthy" by any stretch of the imagination. I've read books with this type of relationship before and have to say that I still really don't understand it, but I certainly can't, and would never, condemn it..."to each his own". Both men were consenting adults...and most importantly, it worked for them. Alex did appear to be saving Dylan through his care and love, even if that care and love did at times seem to be a bit "questionable"...and the "activities" they engaged in together were more than a little "cringe producing"...it worked for them. I thought several times how very lucky they each were.
Kate Hawthorne is one of my favorite writers, and I own most of her books, including all of her "Doms" series. In spite of not always understanding the reasoning behind some of the characters actions, I really do like this series...a lot. This story just seemed a little more "over the top" than the others. Believe me that Roughed Up is not just another M/M Romance story...it's an M/M Romance story with "teeth". It contains VERY mature content. Be sure to read the content description and don't delve into it if you are the least bit on the squeamish side.
Just wondered: Does anyone else think that the cover picture of Alex should have made him look more like a "Dom" and less like an "Alter Boy"? :)
Alex's friends are worried for him and well they should be. His most recent breakup has sent him into nearly seclusion. He's now trying to slowly return to the dating pool. After a series of misses, he begins to wonder if the answer he's been waiting for has been in his wallet all the time.
Dylan was offered money for his body by the gorgeous, motorcycle-riding, glasses-wearing millionaire who kept coming into the bar where Dylan worked, which he didn't see as being the worst thing that had ever happened to him. Long ago Dylan left home and has since been cut off from any contact with his rich, "you will live by rules that I make", father. This has made him have to choose between money and music. Walking away from a huge trust fund was hard but he's finding that trying to make ends meet is even harder. Getting paid to do something he would have done for free feels like the easiest decision he ever made. But one-night leads to another, and one customer to more, and suddenly, it's simply no longer fun...or easy.
Alex comes into his life and offers him more than his money and his body. He's determined to give Dylan ways to find his worth along with pleasure, and substance in a life that he thought he would never have again. Through the pain of their past and the joys of their present, it's impossible to not fall in love with them. They each have secrets that run deep, and they find together that it doesn't mean love will ever be enough.
This is NOT going to be for everyone, even those that regularly read M/M romances, and even M/M romances with a bit of a "bite". This is a dark story as both men needed each other in their own "special" ways. I'm not sure it could be looked at by most as "healthy" by any stretch of the imagination. I've read books with this type of relationship before and have to say that I still really don't understand it, but I certainly can't, and would never, condemn it..."to each his own". Both men were consenting adults...and most importantly, it worked for them. Alex did appear to be saving Dylan through his care and love, even if that care and love did at times seem to be a bit "questionable"...and the "activities" they engaged in together were more than a little "cringe producing"...it worked for them. I thought several times how very lucky they each were.
Kate Hawthorne is one of my favorite writers, and I own most of her books, including all of her "Doms" series. In spite of not always understanding the reasoning behind some of the characters actions, I really do like this series...a lot. This story just seemed a little more "over the top" than the others. Believe me that Roughed Up is not just another M/M Romance story...it's an M/M Romance story with "teeth". It contains VERY mature content. Be sure to read the content description and don't delve into it if you are the least bit on the squeamish side.
Just wondered: Does anyone else think that the cover picture of Alex should have made him look more like a "Dom" and less like an "Alter Boy"? :)
April 25, 2025
Quartet complete
Alex, the last of for friends, meets his match with Tates best friend and apartment mate, Dylan. Both men come for money, but when Dylan is cut off from his parents funds, he's spirals hard and fast. I'll take a special kind of handling that only Alex can provide to bring him out of his despair and into a love that lasts.
Great ending to the series. Truly enjoyed reading all of these books.
Hot, spicy, loving, angst.
KU, contemporary, book in a series, BDSM, Dom/s, spanking, breath play, cleaning kink.
Alex, the last of for friends, meets his match with Tates best friend and apartment mate, Dylan. Both men come for money, but when Dylan is cut off from his parents funds, he's spirals hard and fast. I'll take a special kind of handling that only Alex can provide to bring him out of his despair and into a love that lasts.
Great ending to the series. Truly enjoyed reading all of these books.
Hot, spicy, loving, angst.
KU, contemporary, book in a series, BDSM, Dom/s, spanking, breath play, cleaning kink.
Read
December 6, 2024I'm not going to read this for one specific reason:
"Being cut off by my father and forced to choose -being- money and music is."
You meant -between- I'm guessing.
That kind of typo (in a blurb, not page 300 when everyone human is tired of checking) is hard to understand in 2024. Also, Google drive corrects those mistakes, for free.
Please do the basic editing dear prof writers.
"Being cut off by my father and forced to choose -being- money and music is."
You meant -between- I'm guessing.
That kind of typo (in a blurb, not page 300 when everyone human is tired of checking) is hard to understand in 2024. Also, Google drive corrects those mistakes, for free.
Please do the basic editing dear prof writers.
December 6, 2024
Knowing what I did of Alex and of Dylan going into this, I expected their story would be rough in all definitions of the word, but I didn't know the full intensity of the emotional journey they would BOTH have to go on to reach their happily ever after. It was fierce and passionate from start to finish, and what a privilege it was to watch.
This story is uniquely and beautifully Hawthorne with rich, full-bodied characters experiencing a range of emotions, never sparing a sentence for idle small talk. Instead, every word was a test of their hearts and of mine, every sentence had a pointed purpose, a meaning, layered with depth and context. It somehow both a simple story and so, SO complicated because Alex and Dylan are so, so complicated and figuring out what they each need and getting it from the other, written by Hawthorne's hand, makes a 5* star novel.
My heart feels... worn out in the best way. I've FELT everything and emoted physically at the overwhelming flood of emotion that surges between Alex and Dylan, their pasts leaving deep grooves in their hearts that they're only just now learning to fill in with each other.
It's an impossibly moving story that's ALSO intensely spicy with dozens of textbook kinks that have been MOLDED into the desires and the needs of these two characters to not only feel fulfilled but to let out all the intensity of their emotions.
Other than saying Alex and Dylan's tale was PAINFULLY beautiful, I can't try to describe how much I loved it. This is a masterpiece.
Check your trigger warnings and buckle up, but if you're in for the long run, get ready for one of the best BDSM M/M romances you'll ever read.
This story is uniquely and beautifully Hawthorne with rich, full-bodied characters experiencing a range of emotions, never sparing a sentence for idle small talk. Instead, every word was a test of their hearts and of mine, every sentence had a pointed purpose, a meaning, layered with depth and context. It somehow both a simple story and so, SO complicated because Alex and Dylan are so, so complicated and figuring out what they each need and getting it from the other, written by Hawthorne's hand, makes a 5* star novel.
My heart feels... worn out in the best way. I've FELT everything and emoted physically at the overwhelming flood of emotion that surges between Alex and Dylan, their pasts leaving deep grooves in their hearts that they're only just now learning to fill in with each other.
It's an impossibly moving story that's ALSO intensely spicy with dozens of textbook kinks that have been MOLDED into the desires and the needs of these two characters to not only feel fulfilled but to let out all the intensity of their emotions.
Other than saying Alex and Dylan's tale was PAINFULLY beautiful, I can't try to describe how much I loved it. This is a masterpiece.
Check your trigger warnings and buckle up, but if you're in for the long run, get ready for one of the best BDSM M/M romances you'll ever read.
December 7, 2024
Alex's friends say it's gone on long enough. Trying to lick the wounds of my most recent breakup in private isn't making me feel any better, so I begin the daunting task of trying to venture back into the dating pool. But after a series of misses, I wonder if the answer I've been waiting for has been in my wallet all along. Dylan was offered money for his body by the gorgeous, motorcycle-riding, and glasses-wearing millionaire who keeps coming into my bar which isn't the worst thing that's ever happened to him. Being cut off by his father and forced to choose between money and music is. Walking away from a trust fund was hard, but trying to make ends meet is harder. Getting paid to do something I would have done for free feels like the easiest decision he'll ever make. But one night leads to another, and one customer to more, and suddenly, it's not so fun anymore. Alex has offered him more than his money and his body. He's giving Dylan ways to find worth, pleasure, and substance in a life that he thought he'd ruined. Through the pain of their past and the thrill of their present, it's impossible to not fall in love with him. But their secrets run just as deep as each other, and just because they can't stop it, doesn't mean love will ever be enough.
This was a dark and deep story as both men needed each other in their way. I'm not sure it was a healthy relationship but it did seem to work and Alex did appear to be saving Dylan through his care and love. I enjoyed this book as it was easy to feel and understand them. This was an MM story with mature content.
** Please read the content warnings.
This was a dark and deep story as both men needed each other in their way. I'm not sure it was a healthy relationship but it did seem to work and Alex did appear to be saving Dylan through his care and love. I enjoyed this book as it was easy to feel and understand them. This was an MM story with mature content.
** Please read the content warnings.
December 14, 2024
The conclusion to this Trophy Doms series is just as powerful as all of the other books in both series. In this one, bitter and hurt trophy dom Alex get his HEA with Dylan. Alex is still healing from his breakup with his friend and former lover, Beamer. He's come a long way, but he's still withdrawn from his friends group.
We've caught glimpses of Dylan previously, but in this book we learn more about the fact that his wealthy father cut him out of his life after Dylan refused a business career to make his life in music. Dylan doesn't have the monthly allowance he was used to receiving and, although he's a bartender, he's had to rely on escorting to make ends meet. Dylan goes through life, hurt from a life of parental love always being conditional, with only glimpses of the life he wanted.
When Alex and Dylan first interact, it is transactional in nature. Neither expects to see the other again, although it was a transformational experience. They couldn't stay away from each other, though. This book is a journey from pain to healing and from parts to whole. Along the way, Dylan learns much about his own submissive nature. Their S/M kink matches perfectly and their play is rough. As the story progresses, the friends group itself seems to heal and draw closer together. Alex and Dylan find forever love and a great HEA.
We've caught glimpses of Dylan previously, but in this book we learn more about the fact that his wealthy father cut him out of his life after Dylan refused a business career to make his life in music. Dylan doesn't have the monthly allowance he was used to receiving and, although he's a bartender, he's had to rely on escorting to make ends meet. Dylan goes through life, hurt from a life of parental love always being conditional, with only glimpses of the life he wanted.
When Alex and Dylan first interact, it is transactional in nature. Neither expects to see the other again, although it was a transformational experience. They couldn't stay away from each other, though. This book is a journey from pain to healing and from parts to whole. Along the way, Dylan learns much about his own submissive nature. Their S/M kink matches perfectly and their play is rough. As the story progresses, the friends group itself seems to heal and draw closer together. Alex and Dylan find forever love and a great HEA.
December 6, 2024
3.5 stars. I liked the characters and their overall story but it was maybe a teeny bit too long. The relationship is very much the plot and the plot is the relationship. Great communication around consent and kink.
December 8, 2024
My Favorite
I’ve loved this group of friends from Book 1 and eagerly looked forward to each release. But Alex and Dylan definitely own the top spot! I want shared feelings more than angst. I want action more than longing. I want insta more than holding back. This book delivers!
I’ve loved this group of friends from Book 1 and eagerly looked forward to each release. But Alex and Dylan definitely own the top spot! I want shared feelings more than angst. I want action more than longing. I want insta more than holding back. This book delivers!
February 7, 2025
This was okay, but there was too much inner monologue. Also Dylan was so hot and cold. One minute he was sweet and I felt bad for him, then the next he was being an asshole to Alex even though Alex was trying to help him.
December 12, 2024
3.75 stars
December 16, 2024
Loved the series
Hot guys who think they know what they want till they meet there matches and then the loves of these men turn everything up side down love it
Hot guys who think they know what they want till they meet there matches and then the loves of these men turn everything up side down love it
March 2, 2025
4,9 🌟 In spite of some loose ends (imho...) this was definitely my favorite Trophy Doms book.
I would have liked some closure with Marigold though and I also hope Shawn gets his own story
I would have liked some closure with Marigold though and I also hope Shawn gets his own story
May 1, 2025
Sir
He truly didn't know what he was looking for. Both slowly pull towards each other and slowly see their relationship build
He truly didn't know what he was looking for. Both slowly pull towards each other and slowly see their relationship build
November 17, 2024
With a series like this, and with a title like this one in particular, and from what we know about Alex so far, I expected Dylan to be in for a rough (pun not intended) time. And he definitely is! But not in the way that we necessarily expect. Alex may be a (Trophy) Dom, but he's much more than a physical sadist. Instead, the way this book truly roughs up its characters is much more on an emotional level -- which means that roughing up also extends to its readers. Both Alex and Dylan have to do a lot of work to earn their happily ever after, with Hawthorne's vibrant and realistic take on power exchange dynamics doing just as much of the heavy lifting in this burgeoning relationship as the development the characters themselves also undergo. As always, the greater context of the Trophy Dom family (NYC and LA branches) is there to support the men every step of the way (whether they like it or not).
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews