Matching Wounds

by Emily Alter

León

I had a reputation as the scary primal Sadist who kicked assholes out of our kink club the second they stepped out of line. I was more than that, though. I was also the Sadist who found masochists in sketchy, online sites, and lured them in to safety.

Carlos

The danger in meeting a kinky couple in an isolated cabin in the woods wasn’t the isolated cabin in the woods part. No, the danger lay in the fact that León, the tatted up Sadist I’d been texting with, happened to be the brother of a man who died on my watch.

Danny

León always said I had to trust my gut instincts more. The problem was that my instincts told me that Carlos belonged in our lives, all during a week when we were supposed to be celebrating our seventh anniversary.

I didn’t know what I was doing, or where I fit in this new dynamic, but I knew León needed Carlos to heal, and I knew they both were what I needed to fly.

* * *

Matching Wounds includes non-hierarchical polyamory, primal play, riskier kinks, ink, piercings in all areas, angst, hurt/comfort, one night to forever, stubborn Doms, veterans who become goofy golden retrievers when they drink, and a sub who’s happy to blur all the lines of what it means to be submissive.

Genres: BDSM, M M M

394 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2024

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Play Pretend, I was hooked into the Plumas universe and couldn’t wait for more! Hopes and Dreams brought more Sergio and was awesome! We got a bit of Leon and Danny in Play Pretend and even more in Hopes and Dreams, and I enjoyed them, but they weren’t my fave to read about. Loving this author made me excited anyway for Matching Wounds because I knew it would be amazing. Well I most definitely was not disappointed! Having their own story brought so much depth and relatability to their characters. Just getting into Danny’s head in the first chapter shifted everything for me, adding a softness and more approachable understanding of who they both are away from Plumas as well as when they are at the club. The found family keeps growing and it’s beautiful, intense, exciting and scorching! Whew!

Highly recommend!!!

[Adaline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpectedly so good. New authors (to me) are always a gamble, especially with such a kink heavy book.

One established couple meeting a third (and keeping him). The dynamics between them were such a breath of fresh air. The kink its written so well. There is no bdsm 101 explanations like in some books, nor overly complicated and detailed discussions or explanations.

Just three men being kinky fuckers. Lots of primal play, somnophilia, S/m, D/s and just all around fun times.

I’m especially impressed how the dom was written. He reads people very well but he isn’t a know it all. He isn’t perfect, he also needs care and he knows when he isn’t in the mental space to play.

Dan, the masochist was also wonderfully written. He gave me Ewan vibes from A Collar For His Brat (one of my favorite kink books) if only Ewan had gone to therapy. And that’s a massive compliment coming from me. Cause I adore Ewan.

I also loved the intersection of mental health and kink. Also MCs going to therapy? Green flags all around.


I only had a couple of small issues with the book. A couple of times it teased a scene but then in the next chapter it had happened behind close doors. Do not let me get my hopes up for sounding and then not writing it fully. It’s mean. The cover is also bad.

I finished it in one sitting and directly downloaded another of this series.

It can be read perfectly as a stand alone, the side characters aren’t overwhelming or making you feel lost. Very recommended!

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Matching wounds" is the third book in the series but it can be read as a standalone. I haven't read the previous books and I didn't feel lost.
Leon and Danny have been a couple for years, they are happy together and have a great dynamic. They meet Carlos for a scene but things don't go as they planned. I don't want to spoil anything but Leon and Carlos find out that they have something in common that changes everything.
Despite all that the three of them can't deny the great chemistry between them and decide to try and make things work.
I connected with all three main characters right away and I was rooting for them. I wanted them to be happy together. I liked how realistic they felt and they all had great development as the story progressed. I also liked how well they communicated even when it was hard and they were hurting. I loved them all equally and the chemistry between them was delicious. It was very interesting seeing them explore their dynamic and discovering new things about themselves.
The main characters from the books 1 and 2 appear as side characters in this book and meeting them makes me want to go and read their stories right away. It's a very diverse group of friends, I loved seeing all of them interact and take care of each other.
I had the best time reading this book.

[Julia Toth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and enjoyable read. I really liked the writing and loved how it flowed and how the story progressed. I did struggle somewhat to connect with the characters, but I think that was more my mood being somewhat off the past couple of days. I would have enjoyed more emotion/feelings/romantic moments, but the characters aren't the types to be that way and they didn't necessarily need that from their partners either. So I understand why there wasn't more of that. I really enjoyed their relationship and how they treated and acted towards each other. I enjoyed that they knew what the others wanted and could give that freely. Their bantering and discussions were really good. I also enjoyed all the brattiness even if no one admitted to being a brat. It was fun getting to experience Carlos figuring out what he enjoyed and seeing how the dynamic between Leòn, Danny and Carlos evolved. Leòn always came up with such interesting scenes and it was great reading about those.

Would definitely recommend it for anyone wanting to read about a more interesting dynamic between the characters and to experience an interesting mix of praise and humiliation.

I received a free copy of this book via Indie Author Creative and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jem Zero · Rating 4 out of 5]

good, but ageplay wasn't warned for

I enjoyed this book, but it needed a warning for ageplay. I would not have read it if there had been one, because ageplay is a serious limit for me. There were extended scenes with Littles in them and they were past play partners and participants in a scene on-page. It's a shame because it took me out of the story I otherwise enjoyed. If you're okay with Little play, definitely consider reading. The trans rep in particular was really good.

[Molly Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an established couple brings in a third you never know how that dynamic will work. But Emily did an excellent job in bringing them in and letting the three explore their new dynamics. MIX in a love for kink and these three have some fun times ahead. I will admit it took me a while to get into the story but once I was i couldn't stop.

[Tom]

DNF

[Shu Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second read in the Pluma universe and enjoying this series!