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Wayward Sons #4
Body and Soul
I’ll do anything to have him.
Even if it means destroying him.
Shepherd
My life is a carefully crafted web of lies. The world knows me as Doctor Shepherd Laskin, respected dom, psychiatrist, and professor. But underneath the façade of the perfect gentleman, I’m a monster, a vigilante with a shattered psyche who hunts men who abuse their positions of power.
But I’m burnt out. Lonely. Desperate for a submissive who can withstand my darker side.
When I met Elias, the sparks were instant. We even share the same taking down a dangerous cult to free my estranged sister.
But I can’t have him. He’s too good, too pure, too psychologically fragile.
I know I’ll ruin him, but what choice do I have? He knows my secret, and with the FBI breathing down my neck I have only two choices…
And Elias might not survive either outcome.
Elias
I’m used to being alone. Ever since I left that cult, I’ve gotten used to it. People just don’t seem to understand me. Hell, I don’t understand me.
But Shepherd does. From the moment we met, he’s understood me and my dark desires better than anyone. Maybe it’s because he knows what it’s like to grow up in a cult, to be alone, to be damaged.
I know the last thing I should want is more pain, but I can’t help it. I crave what he does to me, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.
I know he’s complicated. I know he’s dangerous. Falling for him could mean death…or worse.
But I don’t care. I want him, even the complicated, messy, deadly parts of him, and I’m willing to go through hell to prove it.
Body and Soul is the fourth book in the Wayward Sons series, which follows the Laskin brothers as they battle their inner demons and find love. This is a dark romance with dark themes intended for adult audiences.
Even if it means destroying him.
Shepherd
My life is a carefully crafted web of lies. The world knows me as Doctor Shepherd Laskin, respected dom, psychiatrist, and professor. But underneath the façade of the perfect gentleman, I’m a monster, a vigilante with a shattered psyche who hunts men who abuse their positions of power.
But I’m burnt out. Lonely. Desperate for a submissive who can withstand my darker side.
When I met Elias, the sparks were instant. We even share the same taking down a dangerous cult to free my estranged sister.
But I can’t have him. He’s too good, too pure, too psychologically fragile.
I know I’ll ruin him, but what choice do I have? He knows my secret, and with the FBI breathing down my neck I have only two choices…
And Elias might not survive either outcome.
Elias
I’m used to being alone. Ever since I left that cult, I’ve gotten used to it. People just don’t seem to understand me. Hell, I don’t understand me.
But Shepherd does. From the moment we met, he’s understood me and my dark desires better than anyone. Maybe it’s because he knows what it’s like to grow up in a cult, to be alone, to be damaged.
I know the last thing I should want is more pain, but I can’t help it. I crave what he does to me, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts.
I know he’s complicated. I know he’s dangerous. Falling for him could mean death…or worse.
But I don’t care. I want him, even the complicated, messy, deadly parts of him, and I’m willing to go through hell to prove it.
Body and Soul is the fourth book in the Wayward Sons series, which follows the Laskin brothers as they battle their inner demons and find love. This is a dark romance with dark themes intended for adult audiences.
649 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2024
196 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
November 22, 2024
A STEAMY MM Dark romance with BDSM elements, dismantling a fu©ked up cult, mental illness & health rep, found family, cute moments, lots of feels, & a bloodthirsty climax 😈 I wholly enjoyed!
I loved Eli, Shepherd & all his alters. This was a behemoth of a book, but I came back to it each day to devour it, which is a testament itself 😉. Check TWs before reading 💜.
Shepherd is a psychiatrist in sex therapy & a professor. S has Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID); it was so fascinating to see all his alters & their quirks, how they each built a connection with Eli. S is in his 30s, observant, calm, dominant, cares a LOT & very protective! He & his family are also vigilantes who hunt the worst people alive. Gavin, his assistant, is pretty cool!
Eli's doing a tattoo apprentice, reclaiming his life & body from the haunting past, trauma. E's 24; skittish, cautious, a lil rebel but he's also sweet, loyal to those he loves. E's so responsive & a natural submissive, new to kink...but he got S now 😉. I kinda want his friends' book lol!
S+E's chemistry is so good 🔥. It's amusing to see how S wanted to manipulate info out of E at 1st but ended up totally falling for him 😆. They're so cute. The High protocol BDSM stuff is interesting, ig some people do like doing chores 😅. Hot bondage 😉! Also, ✨Size Difference✨. Their dark, jagged pieces fit 🥺. I do love the reactions & confrontations 😁.
Oh also, Fu©k the cult that hurt them & Shep's sister 😤😤. Massacre 😈. Revenge 😈. We also got to know what S'd been upto in War & Xion's book, oh man I sympathize 😥. The book's later half is action-packed! ✨Keres✨ 💀. I found couple plot inconsistencies but I talked it out with the author, hopefully they'll be corrected ❤️. I'm so pumped for Xander's book!
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Multiple POVs
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5❤️/5
3) Top feels: 😳🥺🤭🤔😆😬😍👀😯🥵🥺😏😅😤🥰😩🤨😈🤣😗💀😭❤️
4) Steamy scenes: 4/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.75/5 (mostly ext)
Dark: 4/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.7/5
7) Plot arc: (Kinky Love, Action packed story!) 4.7/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
I loved Eli, Shepherd & all his alters. This was a behemoth of a book, but I came back to it each day to devour it, which is a testament itself 😉. Check TWs before reading 💜.
Shepherd is a psychiatrist in sex therapy & a professor. S has Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID); it was so fascinating to see all his alters & their quirks, how they each built a connection with Eli. S is in his 30s, observant, calm, dominant, cares a LOT & very protective! He & his family are also vigilantes who hunt the worst people alive. Gavin, his assistant, is pretty cool!
Eli's doing a tattoo apprentice, reclaiming his life & body from the haunting past, trauma. E's 24; skittish, cautious, a lil rebel but he's also sweet, loyal to those he loves. E's so responsive & a natural submissive, new to kink...but he got S now 😉. I kinda want his friends' book lol!
S+E's chemistry is so good 🔥. It's amusing to see how S wanted to manipulate info out of E at 1st but ended up totally falling for him 😆. They're so cute. The High protocol BDSM stuff is interesting, ig some people do like doing chores 😅. Hot bondage 😉! Also, ✨Size Difference✨. Their dark, jagged pieces fit 🥺. I do love the reactions & confrontations 😁.
Oh also, Fu©k the cult that hurt them & Shep's sister 😤😤. Massacre 😈. Revenge 😈. We also got to know what S'd been upto in War & Xion's book, oh man I sympathize 😥. The book's later half is action-packed! ✨Keres✨ 💀. I found couple plot inconsistencies but I talked it out with the author, hopefully they'll be corrected ❤️. I'm so pumped for Xander's book!
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Multiple POVs
1) Overall Enjoyment—> 5/5
2) The Characters: 5❤️/5
3) Top feels: 😳🥺🤭🤔😆😬😍👀😯🥵🥺😏😅😤🥰😩🤨😈🤣😗💀😭❤️
4) Steamy scenes: 4/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.75/5 (mostly ext)
Dark: 4/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.7/5
7) Plot arc: (Kinky Love, Action packed story!) 4.7/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
November 22, 2024
This would have been finished much quicker but sometimes life gets in the way. This absolutely gets 4.5 ⭐️
I was so hyped for Shepards romance. I wasn’t sure how it would work with his DID and whatever I imagined would never have encompassed what Eveland accomplished. Writing the different characters harnessed in one and writing the different relationships with Eli was done so beautifully. All the while the relationship with Shepard being the core.
I loved how she pained their BDSM aspect and Eli’s need for Submission is not purely sexual, but a facet of healing and a need for his psyche.
All together this was an amazing and tied in so nicely with the other brothers and their stories, with some great over lap with the triplets. We get to see a peek of other perspectives and I am so here for that.
I cannot wait for the next installment, needless to say this series is a favorite of mine and I am here for the ride.
I was so hyped for Shepards romance. I wasn’t sure how it would work with his DID and whatever I imagined would never have encompassed what Eveland accomplished. Writing the different characters harnessed in one and writing the different relationships with Eli was done so beautifully. All the while the relationship with Shepard being the core.
I loved how she pained their BDSM aspect and Eli’s need for Submission is not purely sexual, but a facet of healing and a need for his psyche.
All together this was an amazing and tied in so nicely with the other brothers and their stories, with some great over lap with the triplets. We get to see a peek of other perspectives and I am so here for that.
I cannot wait for the next installment, needless to say this series is a favorite of mine and I am here for the ride.
January 9, 2025
Inconsistencies, too many random plot points, too long
Eli (24) and Shepherd (no age provided- at least late 30s)
Eli joined the cult at 17 and got out after five years. He’s working as apprentice tattoo artist. He meets Shepherd who also escaped from the cult. I wanted to like this book, I really did. I loved book 1 and 3 from the series. This one was not in line with those. A good editor and removal of several random plot points and a couple hundred pages and it would have been amazing. The inconsistencies start very early in the book and just continue.
On the positive side I enjoyed how the alters were written. I did enjoy Eli and Shepherd’s interactions and relationship. Which is why the other parts pissed me off so much.
At around 70% Eli learns something about Shepherd that is horrifying. He has a reaction for a tiny amount of time. Then Shepherd is like “oh but it started due to trauma so it’s not my fault.” And Eli is like “yeah totally I’ll ignore this absolutely insane thing” (and I’m saying this as someone that loves morally grey characters). This is morally black and just gross. It felt like the authors who are including obscene things just to get attention and generate buzz. The whole thing was dumb.
The part when they escape being locked up was so ridiculously over the top. I just kept rolling my eyes. Again another part of the book that didn’t fit and ruined it for me.
Inconsistencies:
First Shep claims to be a psychologist then a few pages later claims to be a psychiatrist. Those aren’t the same thing. It takes just a minute of time for authors to learn the difference. Considering his job is important to the story, not doing basic research is ridiculous.
Gavin was under Shep as “one of his grad students in psych” yet works as his assistant basically then later is said to work as an imaging technician at a hospital. Later he says he’s a registered nurse. Which is it?
Eli talked about not having money for rent and sees a shut off notice for the water on the door. That day he gets fired and so he moves in with Shep. When he tells his friends/ roommates they’re all like yes, go ahead. Why is there a shut off notice if the others can afford bills without his part?
Eli (24) and Shepherd (no age provided- at least late 30s)
Eli joined the cult at 17 and got out after five years. He’s working as apprentice tattoo artist. He meets Shepherd who also escaped from the cult. I wanted to like this book, I really did. I loved book 1 and 3 from the series. This one was not in line with those. A good editor and removal of several random plot points and a couple hundred pages and it would have been amazing. The inconsistencies start very early in the book and just continue.
On the positive side I enjoyed how the alters were written. I did enjoy Eli and Shepherd’s interactions and relationship. Which is why the other parts pissed me off so much.
At around 70% Eli learns something about Shepherd that is horrifying. He has a reaction for a tiny amount of time. Then Shepherd is like “oh but it started due to trauma so it’s not my fault.” And Eli is like “yeah totally I’ll ignore this absolutely insane thing” (and I’m saying this as someone that loves morally grey characters). This is morally black and just gross. It felt like the authors who are including obscene things just to get attention and generate buzz. The whole thing was dumb.
The part when they escape being locked up was so ridiculously over the top. I just kept rolling my eyes. Again another part of the book that didn’t fit and ruined it for me.
Inconsistencies:
First Shep claims to be a psychologist then a few pages later claims to be a psychiatrist. Those aren’t the same thing. It takes just a minute of time for authors to learn the difference. Considering his job is important to the story, not doing basic research is ridiculous.
Gavin was under Shep as “one of his grad students in psych” yet works as his assistant basically then later is said to work as an imaging technician at a hospital. Later he says he’s a registered nurse. Which is it?
Eli talked about not having money for rent and sees a shut off notice for the water on the door. That day he gets fired and so he moves in with Shep. When he tells his friends/ roommates they’re all like yes, go ahead. Why is there a shut off notice if the others can afford bills without his part?
November 22, 2024
DNF at 22%.
May 27, 2025
So disappointed! The other books in the series were so engaging and the characters were great. But this book missed the mark.
November 16, 2024
this is a 4.25 for me. I have been really looking forward to Shepheard's book because I was really curious about him and all his alters and how that would work in a romance. Especially with one of the alters being so unhinged the other brothers were always very cautious around him. This alter was names Keres and of course he was my favorite almost a little more than Shepeard himself simply because I love unhinged, single minded, intense MMCs.
But overall, this was an interesting depiction of how someone with DID can function and have a relationship with all the different alters and even the purposes of the alters and what they represent.
I really liked Eli and just wanted to do everything I could to keep him safe. I loved how each of the alters in a way not only had their purpose for Shepheard but also had their own part in providing Eli what he needed in a relationship as well. You had one that was there to protect him, one to provide companionship, one that let him in a way be a kid again and then Shepheard himself who was able to be there for Eli and provide him love and guidance and a chance to explore his needs while also healing.
This was an interesting relationship dynamic that came with lots of spice that was very enjoyable to read. Each character added to the story, and I enjoyed them all. I will say for the plot it did feel a little slow and dragged a little.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and getting's Shepeard's story but I as always, I am curious what the next book holds for the next family member. This family is so interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
This book is about Shepheard is doing everything he can to maintain balance in his life. He is a respectable Doctor (psychiatrist), Dom, business owner and professor. But he also helps his family in their vigilante business of going after criminals that keep evading justice. All while also secretly trying to track down the cult he grew up that still has his sister in their grasps. It's a lot that's for sure especially for the average person but he is like other people. He has DID disassociate identity disorder with 4 alters that he has to share his life with. So, to say he is burnt out is an understatement. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a submissive or anyone who has caught his eye that he could blow off steam with. That is until he meets Eli and sparks fly. But Eli is too good and pure and even more important too fragile psychologically to handle him and his needs. That is until he finds out the reason for his fragile state is he suffered at the hands of the same cult he was a part of and has had trouble locating to find his sister. At first Shepherd want to exploit this connection so that he can use it to locate his sister and take down this cult but the more time he spends with Eli the more he wants something deeper with him, but will Eli be able to handle all complications and danger that comes with being with him...especially when the monster inside his head wants to come out and play.
I received an Arc Copy in exchange for an honest review.
But overall, this was an interesting depiction of how someone with DID can function and have a relationship with all the different alters and even the purposes of the alters and what they represent.
I really liked Eli and just wanted to do everything I could to keep him safe. I loved how each of the alters in a way not only had their purpose for Shepheard but also had their own part in providing Eli what he needed in a relationship as well. You had one that was there to protect him, one to provide companionship, one that let him in a way be a kid again and then Shepheard himself who was able to be there for Eli and provide him love and guidance and a chance to explore his needs while also healing.
This was an interesting relationship dynamic that came with lots of spice that was very enjoyable to read. Each character added to the story, and I enjoyed them all. I will say for the plot it did feel a little slow and dragged a little.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and getting's Shepeard's story but I as always, I am curious what the next book holds for the next family member. This family is so interesting, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
This book is about Shepheard is doing everything he can to maintain balance in his life. He is a respectable Doctor (psychiatrist), Dom, business owner and professor. But he also helps his family in their vigilante business of going after criminals that keep evading justice. All while also secretly trying to track down the cult he grew up that still has his sister in their grasps. It's a lot that's for sure especially for the average person but he is like other people. He has DID disassociate identity disorder with 4 alters that he has to share his life with. So, to say he is burnt out is an understatement. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a submissive or anyone who has caught his eye that he could blow off steam with. That is until he meets Eli and sparks fly. But Eli is too good and pure and even more important too fragile psychologically to handle him and his needs. That is until he finds out the reason for his fragile state is he suffered at the hands of the same cult he was a part of and has had trouble locating to find his sister. At first Shepherd want to exploit this connection so that he can use it to locate his sister and take down this cult but the more time he spends with Eli the more he wants something deeper with him, but will Eli be able to handle all complications and danger that comes with being with him...especially when the monster inside his head wants to come out and play.
I received an Arc Copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2025
Might be a little too much for me 🥲🥲
Майже рік тому я прочитала перші три книги циклу, думаючи що це трилогія. “Vicious cycle” - одна з найкращих книжок, які я читала в 2024 році. Мені було так сумно, що вона була коротшою за попередні дві, бо я готова була читати про Буна і Ксаяна вічно. І от уявіть моє розчарування коли я дізналася, що четверта книга має 880 сторінок, що вдвічі більше за cycle. Так ще й книга про персонажа, який мені дві книги просто не подобався, а в третій почав конкретно так виводить із себе.
Єдине, що тримало мене в зацікавленості, це те, що в головного героя, Шепарда, множинний розлад особистості. Пізніше я дізналася що він любить всю цю дом-саб фігню. Я не люблю цей троп, мені не подобається концепція, але треба б прочитати хоча б одну книгу з цим тропом аби говорити що тобі щось не подобається, вірно? Так от я прочитала, і точно можу сказати, що це не мій жанр.
Спочатку все починалось дуже навіть непогано: обговорення кордонів, своїх емоцій та табу в сексу. Але мама рідна, як мене заєбало оце «Sir» та «Boy», якими головні герої, згідно контракту, кликали одне одного.
«Then let this collar be a tangible reminder of your place at my feet, of the strength you will always find in your submission.» - Єта піздєц пані та панове :/
Саб, Елі, повинен був робити по дому абсолютно все, і хоч я це розумію, але Шепард має стільки грошей, шо він кожен день собі нову квартиру може купувать, не те що найняти клінінговий сервіс. І скільки пилюки повинно бути у нього в хаті, шо Елі доводилося кожен день пилососити??
Я разів двісті хотіла закинути цю книгу, але любов до пані Евеланд та її книжок не дозволила мені цього зробити.
Щодо лінії із сєктою - все максимально перезатягнуто і отця Ізакіїла зловив не головний герой. Плюс події третьої та четвертої книг відбуваються паралельно і я просто заїбалася читати те, що вже прочитала в третій книзі.
Майже рік тому я прочитала перші три книги циклу, думаючи що це трилогія. “Vicious cycle” - одна з найкращих книжок, які я читала в 2024 році. Мені було так сумно, що вона була коротшою за попередні дві, бо я готова була читати про Буна і Ксаяна вічно. І от уявіть моє розчарування коли я дізналася, що четверта книга має 880 сторінок, що вдвічі більше за cycle. Так ще й книга про персонажа, який мені дві книги просто не подобався, а в третій почав конкретно так виводить із себе.
Єдине, що тримало мене в зацікавленості, це те, що в головного героя, Шепарда, множинний розлад особистості. Пізніше я дізналася що він любить всю цю дом-саб фігню. Я не люблю цей троп, мені не подобається концепція, але треба б прочитати хоча б одну книгу з цим тропом аби говорити що тобі щось не подобається, вірно? Так от я прочитала, і точно можу сказати, що це не мій жанр.
Спочатку все починалось дуже навіть непогано: обговорення кордонів, своїх емоцій та табу в сексу. Але мама рідна, як мене заєбало оце «Sir» та «Boy», якими головні герої, згідно контракту, кликали одне одного.
«Then let this collar be a tangible reminder of your place at my feet, of the strength you will always find in your submission.» - Єта піздєц пані та панове :/
Саб, Елі, повинен був робити по дому абсолютно все, і хоч я це розумію, але Шепард має стільки грошей, шо він кожен день собі нову квартиру може купувать, не те що найняти клінінговий сервіс. І скільки пилюки повинно бути у нього в хаті, шо Елі доводилося кожен день пилососити??
Я разів двісті хотіла закинути цю книгу, але любов до пані Евеланд та її книжок не дозволила мені цього зробити.
Щодо лінії із сєктою - все максимально перезатягнуто і отця Ізакіїла зловив не головний герой. Плюс події третьої та четвертої книг відбуваються паралельно і я просто заїбалася читати те, що вже прочитала в третій книзі.
December 3, 2024
"You don't get to hide from me," he growled. "I want to see your face when you come for me." His fingers tightened in my hair, keeping my head wrenched back, throat bared to him in total submission. My pulse hammered against his fingers, and I felt my own struggle between fear and need, caught in the intensity of his hold.
"Fuck, fuck" I panted, my voice high and thready to my own ears. Sweat beaded on my skin as i worked myself frantically against him. "Keep going" Keres growled.
The deep , primal sound of Keres growl against my neck sent shivers down my spine, my skin pricking with goosebumps. I could feel the vibrations of it where his mouth latched onto my throat, teeth and tongue and lips making me, claiming me. Branding me as his.
3.5 stars
3.5/5 steam
Strict roles, high protocal d/s dynamic
Dual pov, Third person
Let me just say that I really love this author and am super honored to have been an arc and beta reviewer for this book, and glad that I could offer insight as a kinkster myself. To be fair I've struggled a bit with this particular series of theirs so keep that in mind with this review. It's probably me just ranting a bit. I think overall the story fit fairly well inside the universe and I was glad to see the consistency of tbe bdsm relationship throughout the book! Ik its the authors first time writing about BDSM and it was pretty ok/ passable. There were definitely still times when I felt there wasn't a true understanding from the authors end on what a dynamic like this truly means for the people in the relationship (some deatils below in spoilers section). Also, to clarify, the dungeon portrayed here is definitely not the standard set up but its fiction so free pass! I'm looking foward to Xanders book!
Some moments I loved:
-spicy talk hehe, see quote above
- Shepherd and Eli's little kitchen reunion after an alter being in control for so long - all the warm and fuzzies here!
"Good morning..." He tipped his head back to look at me. "Shepherd?" I smiled and nodded, nuzzling into the soft skin of his neck. "Yes, it's me." Eli turned off the stove and twisted in my arms to face me, his blue eyes sparkling. "I missed you."
- I also LOVED Keres and Eli's first steamy interaction and wished there were more teasing frequent moments between them throughout the story, especially since Keres determinedly laid such a claim on Eli.
Overall. I think this version of the book could have gone through one more round of reviewing to polish it up bc I had some questions about pivotal moments so I guess spoilers via discussion/ranting below:
"Fuck, fuck" I panted, my voice high and thready to my own ears. Sweat beaded on my skin as i worked myself frantically against him. "Keep going" Keres growled.
The deep , primal sound of Keres growl against my neck sent shivers down my spine, my skin pricking with goosebumps. I could feel the vibrations of it where his mouth latched onto my throat, teeth and tongue and lips making me, claiming me. Branding me as his.
3.5 stars
3.5/5 steam
Strict roles, high protocal d/s dynamic
Dual pov, Third person
Let me just say that I really love this author and am super honored to have been an arc and beta reviewer for this book, and glad that I could offer insight as a kinkster myself. To be fair I've struggled a bit with this particular series of theirs so keep that in mind with this review. It's probably me just ranting a bit. I think overall the story fit fairly well inside the universe and I was glad to see the consistency of tbe bdsm relationship throughout the book! Ik its the authors first time writing about BDSM and it was pretty ok/ passable. There were definitely still times when I felt there wasn't a true understanding from the authors end on what a dynamic like this truly means for the people in the relationship (some deatils below in spoilers section). Also, to clarify, the dungeon portrayed here is definitely not the standard set up but its fiction so free pass! I'm looking foward to Xanders book!
Some moments I loved:
-spicy talk hehe, see quote above
- Shepherd and Eli's little kitchen reunion after an alter being in control for so long - all the warm and fuzzies here!
"Good morning..." He tipped his head back to look at me. "Shepherd?" I smiled and nodded, nuzzling into the soft skin of his neck. "Yes, it's me." Eli turned off the stove and twisted in my arms to face me, his blue eyes sparkling. "I missed you."
- I also LOVED Keres and Eli's first steamy interaction and wished there were more teasing frequent moments between them throughout the story, especially since Keres determinedly laid such a claim on Eli.
Overall. I think this version of the book could have gone through one more round of reviewing to polish it up bc I had some questions about pivotal moments so I guess spoilers via discussion/ranting below:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2024
In this Wayward Sons book, it's Shepherd's turn. Shepherd with his D.I.D. and multiple personalities is a psychologist who co-owns a BDSM and kink club. At the club, he meets Eli, a former Child of the Light, now trying to learn to tattoo and Shepherd wants to be his Dom using him to fight the Children. Shepherd is a manipulator, logical and controlling but really wants Eli as his in everyway. He is a morally grey/black man from a morally grey/black family, not the most likeable but you really want him together with Eli. It's a dark, dirty, complex story of revenge, desire and need and ultimately total possession. There is a contracted Dom/Sub relationship, lots of kink with sadism and steamy scene after scene. There is murder, violence and justice along with all of Shepherd's family and a mostly innocent Eli. It's an enthralling book you can't put down or stop reading and like dark chocolate with nuances and pleasure. I received a copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion.
December 1, 2024
Reader Beware! I am not sure if what I just read was great or chaotic. The whole premises of multiple personalities is a daunting task to cover in any fiction, but in one where the MC has multiple faucets and falls in love? There were sections where it was incredible and artfully woven and sections that were chaotic - but was the chaos part of the writers vision? I will never know.
There were sections that bug me - I now have to go back and re-read as I feel like there were some inconsistencies - but I will not know until I re-read. I did feel like I - as the reader - wanted more of the Laskins but it took over 600 pages to handle Shepard and his cohort sooo.......... Well it is now 2:20 in the am and -26 Celcius (that is -15 for those of you to the south) so I am going to bed.
There were sections that bug me - I now have to go back and re-read as I feel like there were some inconsistencies - but I will not know until I re-read. I did feel like I - as the reader - wanted more of the Laskins but it took over 600 pages to handle Shepard and his cohort sooo.......... Well it is now 2:20 in the am and -26 Celcius (that is -15 for those of you to the south) so I am going to bed.
December 8, 2024
what a ride!
That was a beast and I loved every min of it! Mind your triggers with this one for it is a dark romance.
To men lost after they both survived a horrible place, finding what it means to love all of each other. Theses two were great with each other. 8 loved the care Shep had wit Eli, and I love how fully Eli loved Shep. The writing was great. Love how you could feel the differences. The smexy was hawt and the side character were just out there. I really want Gavin’s story.
For future me:
Dual POV
No cheating, talks of sharing but doesn’t happen in this book
No smexy before relationship
Diversity eeh.
That was a beast and I loved every min of it! Mind your triggers with this one for it is a dark romance.
To men lost after they both survived a horrible place, finding what it means to love all of each other. Theses two were great with each other. 8 loved the care Shep had wit Eli, and I love how fully Eli loved Shep. The writing was great. Love how you could feel the differences. The smexy was hawt and the side character were just out there. I really want Gavin’s story.
For future me:
Dual POV
No cheating, talks of sharing but doesn’t happen in this book
No smexy before relationship
Diversity eeh.
November 24, 2024
I knew daddy shep would be good
I read the first book and was intrigued about shep that’s control and aura he had and the book did not disappoint 4⭐️3🌶️ I love the relationship between Eli and all the personalities, and I like that shep took his time to know Eli and work him into the dom sub life to make sure he was ready first with all the trauma he experienced, a little long but I still read it in one day
I read the first book and was intrigued about shep that’s control and aura he had and the book did not disappoint 4⭐️3🌶️ I love the relationship between Eli and all the personalities, and I like that shep took his time to know Eli and work him into the dom sub life to make sure he was ready first with all the trauma he experienced, a little long but I still read it in one day
July 2, 2025
Book4 in the Wayward Sons series was everything I hoped for and more! Shepard's book was a masterclass in complexity and depth, and those Alters? Wow! The author did an amazing job of bringing their individual personalities to life. This book was a bit of a departure from the usual spice level, but the story was pure perfection. Eli's journey was amazing to watch, and I loved how he grew to love all of Shepard. Now, Xander's book is up next, and I'm predicting all sorts of shenanigans!
November 15, 2024
Body and Soul is the 4th book in the Wayward Sons series. It can be read as a standalone but in my opinion it is better to read the series in order. We finally get Shepherd's story and his love interest is Elias. I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I loved Shepherd from the first time we met him. I love how strong Eli is with everything he has been through. This was just perfect to take me out of the real world. The steam and Dom/sub relationship is outstanding. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book and series as 5 star reads.
November 24, 2024
Too many loves
This is book is definitely a ride. I enjoyed Shephard finding love. The two of them share a history that help them understand each other and what the other needs. This is definitely a book you’ll enjoy.
This is book is definitely a ride. I enjoyed Shephard finding love. The two of them share a history that help them understand each other and what the other needs. This is definitely a book you’ll enjoy.
November 14, 2024
Absolutely LOVED shepherds book it was so complex with his DID love how we meet all the alters and Eli oh Eli thinking he is so broken and Shepard showing him his strength in submitting to him
April 17, 2025
Soooo boring omg
November 13, 2024
Doctor Shepherd, successful professor and psychiatrist . Owns The Playground a fetish club.
He has DID with 5 personalities. If you have been following the series, you finally get to meet them all. Eli was kicked out of his house and was living on the streets. He had it pretty rough until he met some people and became an apprentice for tattooing. This story has it all. Vigilantes who kill the bad men, Dom/Sub, touch him and die, sweet and playful moments, horrible cult flashbacks, and a crazy made family for the win.
Check your triggers!
MM
No cheating
Strict roles
HEA
This book is in a series, and I believe you would enjoy it more if you read the others! But it could be a stand-alone.
He has DID with 5 personalities. If you have been following the series, you finally get to meet them all. Eli was kicked out of his house and was living on the streets. He had it pretty rough until he met some people and became an apprentice for tattooing. This story has it all. Vigilantes who kill the bad men, Dom/Sub, touch him and die, sweet and playful moments, horrible cult flashbacks, and a crazy made family for the win.
Check your triggers!
MM
No cheating
Strict roles
HEA
This book is in a series, and I believe you would enjoy it more if you read the others! But it could be a stand-alone.
January 30, 2025
Oh Im so sorry I am contemplating not finishing this series but Onley James and Paulina Ian-Kane are doing the genre so much better… and this felt overly long, redundant since some of the conclusion we already saw in the previous book. So for what this long-winded calamity? Oh I am not happy
Read
January 19, 2026I have a lot of conflicting feelings about this book. Like many have mentioned this book REALLY needed more editing. The ideas were great, and I really loved the DID aspect but there were lots of inconsistencies (an x ray imaging tech would probably not also be a registered nurse, those are different areas, so between that and the fact that Gavin was also said to be a TA for Shepard in Body Count, it feels like Gavin has 3 diff backgrounds).
I also felt like the author added too many subplots for all of them to feel satisfying. More than that, character motivations changed a the drop of a dime with very surface level, or no explanation at all. One second, Azreal hates Eli and is putting him in active danger, then the next there is a one sentence apology without any kind of reflection on his actions.
Speaking of which, the fact that the author never addresses that Azreal was the reason Eli gets kidnapped was frustrating. Also the cult’s obsession with Eli in particular while they seemingly don’t give two shits about Shepard, who used to be their mini prophet, is weird and never explained. If the reason is bc of Shepard’s high status and connection to the Laskin’s (and that’s just speculation—me trying to make sense of character motivations—bc again, a reason is never stated), then why fixate on Eli at all who they know is living with Shepard? Are they trying to get some kind of revenge on Shepard? Idk, that’s never explored. The whole Eli kidnapping seemed like more trouble than it was worth.
The cult in general felt very surface level. Yes they commit atrocities, but I wanted a deeper, more layered exploration of the cult and Ezikiel’s motivations. Every religious cult has some sort of goal for the afterlife and that was only explored a little bit here.
The ending was really OTT and I didn’t understand Agent Valentine’s quickly changing morals and motivations at all. Maybe we’ll get more of that in the next book, but none of his actions following the FBI raid (aligning with the triplet’s dad, then that suddenly changing again) made any sense to me given it seemed he held firm to his morals earlier in the book.
Speaking of the triplet’s dad, that’s another character whose attitude goes really extreme then changes on a dime. I think the plot would’ve been better served and been less complicated had the dad not done the extreme thing he did close to the end. His reasoning of “not wanting the twins to choose” between their two families makes no sense. Does he think the twins would just be totally fine with his actions? Bc LOL
Also, Eli being absolutely disgusted with Shepard after finding out something horrible about him, then getting over it in literally 15 minutes made me laugh out loud bc what??? I don’t always love a 3rd act break up, but that deserved one. Also, this discovery was Azreal’s fault, who once again put him in danger, but Azreal gets away it with just a line “I’m sorry.”
Also, if the author was really trying to go the Hannibal route, they should have gone all in on it, bc it’s only talked about for a few chapters, then forgotten. Then again, if Shepard had done full Hannibal, and this plot point hadn’t been left by the wayside, I don’t think Eli would’ve been a great fit for Shepard. He would need a partner that more morally gray and less naive/innocent.
I know this sounds like I don’t enjoy the book, but I’m only mentioning this bc I actually did enjoy the book a lot for the DID aspect—that was done really well—and I also really liked Shepard and Eli’s evolving relationship and the D/s elements. Eli’s relationship with the alters was especially well done and interesting, and I thought the alters were all fascinating. I just wish this book had gone a few more rounds of editing/beta testing to polish it up. All the ingredients were there, and it was somewhat properly prepared, but the book seemed to be left in the over a little too long and ended up feeling overcooked.
Therefore, I find this book really hard to rate so I won’t give a rating at all, but if I was forced to it would probably be either a 2.5 and 3—which breaks my heart bc there was so much to like in this book, but I can’t in good conscience rate it above that given the glaring inconsistencies. If you have to read the whole series to feel like one standalone book is properly fleshed out, then it’s not a standalone book.
I started Vicious Cycle but dnf’ed bc from the reviews, I got the feeling I’d be extremely frustrated with the Larskin family’s treatment of Xion—which again tells me this author needs to do a lot more work on fleshing out character motivations—but I will read the next installment bc I really like Xander, and that book seems like it has less trauma involved, and I really need something a little lighter from this series tbh, bc again I don’t feel like motivations are fully fleshed for trauma to make sense in some of these scenarios (for example, Xion could’ve avoided a lot of trauma if it weren’t for his family’s weak motivations—Eli could’ve avoided kidnapping trauma had it not been for the cult’s fixation of him that made no sense and only seems to be there for the sole purpose to create conflict).
I also felt like the author added too many subplots for all of them to feel satisfying. More than that, character motivations changed a the drop of a dime with very surface level, or no explanation at all. One second, Azreal hates Eli and is putting him in active danger, then the next there is a one sentence apology without any kind of reflection on his actions.
Speaking of which, the fact that the author never addresses that Azreal was the reason Eli gets kidnapped was frustrating. Also the cult’s obsession with Eli in particular while they seemingly don’t give two shits about Shepard, who used to be their mini prophet, is weird and never explained. If the reason is bc of Shepard’s high status and connection to the Laskin’s (and that’s just speculation—me trying to make sense of character motivations—bc again, a reason is never stated), then why fixate on Eli at all who they know is living with Shepard? Are they trying to get some kind of revenge on Shepard? Idk, that’s never explored. The whole Eli kidnapping seemed like more trouble than it was worth.
The cult in general felt very surface level. Yes they commit atrocities, but I wanted a deeper, more layered exploration of the cult and Ezikiel’s motivations. Every religious cult has some sort of goal for the afterlife and that was only explored a little bit here.
The ending was really OTT and I didn’t understand Agent Valentine’s quickly changing morals and motivations at all. Maybe we’ll get more of that in the next book, but none of his actions following the FBI raid (aligning with the triplet’s dad, then that suddenly changing again) made any sense to me given it seemed he held firm to his morals earlier in the book.
Speaking of the triplet’s dad, that’s another character whose attitude goes really extreme then changes on a dime. I think the plot would’ve been better served and been less complicated had the dad not done the extreme thing he did close to the end. His reasoning of “not wanting the twins to choose” between their two families makes no sense. Does he think the twins would just be totally fine with his actions? Bc LOL
Also, Eli being absolutely disgusted with Shepard after finding out something horrible about him, then getting over it in literally 15 minutes made me laugh out loud bc what??? I don’t always love a 3rd act break up, but that deserved one. Also, this discovery was Azreal’s fault, who once again put him in danger, but Azreal gets away it with just a line “I’m sorry.”
Also, if the author was really trying to go the Hannibal route, they should have gone all in on it, bc it’s only talked about for a few chapters, then forgotten. Then again, if Shepard had done full Hannibal, and this plot point hadn’t been left by the wayside, I don’t think Eli would’ve been a great fit for Shepard. He would need a partner that more morally gray and less naive/innocent.
I know this sounds like I don’t enjoy the book, but I’m only mentioning this bc I actually did enjoy the book a lot for the DID aspect—that was done really well—and I also really liked Shepard and Eli’s evolving relationship and the D/s elements. Eli’s relationship with the alters was especially well done and interesting, and I thought the alters were all fascinating. I just wish this book had gone a few more rounds of editing/beta testing to polish it up. All the ingredients were there, and it was somewhat properly prepared, but the book seemed to be left in the over a little too long and ended up feeling overcooked.
Therefore, I find this book really hard to rate so I won’t give a rating at all, but if I was forced to it would probably be either a 2.5 and 3—which breaks my heart bc there was so much to like in this book, but I can’t in good conscience rate it above that given the glaring inconsistencies. If you have to read the whole series to feel like one standalone book is properly fleshed out, then it’s not a standalone book.
I started Vicious Cycle but dnf’ed bc from the reviews, I got the feeling I’d be extremely frustrated with the Larskin family’s treatment of Xion—which again tells me this author needs to do a lot more work on fleshing out character motivations—but I will read the next installment bc I really like Xander, and that book seems like it has less trauma involved, and I really need something a little lighter from this series tbh, bc again I don’t feel like motivations are fully fleshed for trauma to make sense in some of these scenarios (for example, Xion could’ve avoided a lot of trauma if it weren’t for his family’s weak motivations—Eli could’ve avoided kidnapping trauma had it not been for the cult’s fixation of him that made no sense and only seems to be there for the sole purpose to create conflict).
January 27, 2025
I was bored most of the time and it felt longer than it needed to be.
November 30, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Shepherd has always been my least favorite secondary character in this series. He's cold and aloof from what we've seen of him. He's a psychiatrist so he's very clinical. He also has Dissociative Identity Disorder. which used to be called multiple personality disorder. We get to meet five different personalities including Shepherd. The other characters in the series are all psychopaths, but Shepherd is his own special flavor of crazy.
As a child, Shepherd belonged to a cult which is the reason his alternate personalities developed. Horrific things happened to him. The author writes about some of them. This is why I say pay attention to the trigger warnings!
In the prologue, we meet his sister Dani who is still in the cult. She calls him Dexter. He corrects her by saying he now goes by Shepherd. We meet the Dexter personality later. Dani tells Shepherd that she is pregnant by the head of the cult, Father Ezekiel.
The other main character Eli is introduced in the first chapter. He’s partying with his roommates since it’s his twenty-fourth birthday. We find out that he was also a member of a cult-The Children of Light. They get bored at the club they’re at and they happen to go to the BDSM club that Shepherd runs, The Playground.
Shepherd offers to show Eli around the club. One of his other personalities, Keres, comes to the surface of his mind and claims the young man for his own. Keres is Shepherd’s base instincts. He is the personality that takes over in dangerous situations. He is the protector of the bunch. He is selfish and takes what he wants. Right now, he and Shepherd want Eli and are going to do everything in their power to keep him.
While on the tour of the club, they venture into the bondage room. Eli lifts his shirt up and Shepherd notices a brand on his hip. He recognizes it since he has one exactly like it. It’s from the cult. Shepherd begins to push Eli a bit too hard, and Eli asks if they can start “a little more low key”. They end up meeting for coffee the next day.
As Shepherd is waiting for Eli to show, we learn that he was also a victim of the same cult. Eli shows and the way Shepherd talks to him made me think that he was going to take advantage of him. Maybe I’m reading too much into it since I really haven’t seen him in a good light in any of the previous books.
Shepherd seems to be saying what Eli wants to hear. He was kicked out of his parents’ house for being gay. He was abused by the cult. He only has his roommates as any sort of family and he’s terrified that they might go away just like everyone else he cared about.
The author writes, “There it was. The abandonment, the loneliness. I filed it away. Another crack in the armor.” Is Shepherd just using him or is he hoping that Eli will lose that armor and let him in?
It's the latter after all:
A small, rueful smile touch my lips. “You're right. I do have an ulterior motive.” I paused, letting the admission hang in the air between us. “The truth is, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we met at the club. There's something about you, Eli. Something that draws me in.”
This is where I stop. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. We meet all of the alternate personalities at different points in the book. I think the author did a great job with giving each one their own voice. Eli was able to form a relationship with each one independent of the one with Shepherd. That was the most interesting part for me. Dexter, which was the name his sister Dani called him, is the original personality, but is a nine-year-old child that never grew up because of the abuse he endured. The relationship Eli has with him is absolutely charming. They watch 90s cartoons on VHS cassettes because if Dexter somehow finds out it’s the twenty-first century, more than likely, Shepherd would suffer some sort of psychotic break.
This is a stand-alone, but it’s better if you read the other books so you can know what’s going on with some of the sub-plots, especially Vicious Cycle which involves Xion and his father.
I highly recommend this, but please take heed of the trigger warnings!
Shepherd has always been my least favorite secondary character in this series. He's cold and aloof from what we've seen of him. He's a psychiatrist so he's very clinical. He also has Dissociative Identity Disorder. which used to be called multiple personality disorder. We get to meet five different personalities including Shepherd. The other characters in the series are all psychopaths, but Shepherd is his own special flavor of crazy.
As a child, Shepherd belonged to a cult which is the reason his alternate personalities developed. Horrific things happened to him. The author writes about some of them. This is why I say pay attention to the trigger warnings!
In the prologue, we meet his sister Dani who is still in the cult. She calls him Dexter. He corrects her by saying he now goes by Shepherd. We meet the Dexter personality later. Dani tells Shepherd that she is pregnant by the head of the cult, Father Ezekiel.
The other main character Eli is introduced in the first chapter. He’s partying with his roommates since it’s his twenty-fourth birthday. We find out that he was also a member of a cult-The Children of Light. They get bored at the club they’re at and they happen to go to the BDSM club that Shepherd runs, The Playground.
Shepherd offers to show Eli around the club. One of his other personalities, Keres, comes to the surface of his mind and claims the young man for his own. Keres is Shepherd’s base instincts. He is the personality that takes over in dangerous situations. He is the protector of the bunch. He is selfish and takes what he wants. Right now, he and Shepherd want Eli and are going to do everything in their power to keep him.
While on the tour of the club, they venture into the bondage room. Eli lifts his shirt up and Shepherd notices a brand on his hip. He recognizes it since he has one exactly like it. It’s from the cult. Shepherd begins to push Eli a bit too hard, and Eli asks if they can start “a little more low key”. They end up meeting for coffee the next day.
As Shepherd is waiting for Eli to show, we learn that he was also a victim of the same cult. Eli shows and the way Shepherd talks to him made me think that he was going to take advantage of him. Maybe I’m reading too much into it since I really haven’t seen him in a good light in any of the previous books.
Shepherd seems to be saying what Eli wants to hear. He was kicked out of his parents’ house for being gay. He was abused by the cult. He only has his roommates as any sort of family and he’s terrified that they might go away just like everyone else he cared about.
The author writes, “There it was. The abandonment, the loneliness. I filed it away. Another crack in the armor.” Is Shepherd just using him or is he hoping that Eli will lose that armor and let him in?
It's the latter after all:
A small, rueful smile touch my lips. “You're right. I do have an ulterior motive.” I paused, letting the admission hang in the air between us. “The truth is, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since we met at the club. There's something about you, Eli. Something that draws me in.”
This is where I stop. I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. We meet all of the alternate personalities at different points in the book. I think the author did a great job with giving each one their own voice. Eli was able to form a relationship with each one independent of the one with Shepherd. That was the most interesting part for me. Dexter, which was the name his sister Dani called him, is the original personality, but is a nine-year-old child that never grew up because of the abuse he endured. The relationship Eli has with him is absolutely charming. They watch 90s cartoons on VHS cassettes because if Dexter somehow finds out it’s the twenty-first century, more than likely, Shepherd would suffer some sort of psychotic break.
This is a stand-alone, but it’s better if you read the other books so you can know what’s going on with some of the sub-plots, especially Vicious Cycle which involves Xion and his father.
I highly recommend this, but please take heed of the trigger warnings!
June 3, 2025
4.5 Stars - I have been anticipating this story from the moment we met Shepherd. He is one of the darker brothers, and that’s saying a lot given the makeup of this family. You absolutely must read these in order to fully understand what is going on here. This installment actually takes place during the same time period as the previous book, which I didn’t realize beforehand, but quickly picked up as the story went on and realized we were simply seeing things replay from Shepherd’s perspective. We sort of know where thing end up based on how the last book ended, but this actually takes things a step beyond that.
The most fascinating part of this story surrounds Shepherd’s DID and alternate personalities. Each one has a distinct purpose and each has its own personality, much like you’d expect. Keres is, by far, the darkest and most vicious and unpredictable one, as well as the one we have met the most. I loved how they all worked together toward the same goal, even if their methods didn’t always jive with each other or their respective wishes. It was also interesting to learn how each one came to be in a sort of timeline scenario that made it all make sense, all of which relate to his earlier childhood and time in the cult.
Elias is also a previous cult member more freshly escaped and on his own trying to recover and steer clear of said cult. Shepherd’s interest in Elias is initially as a tool to be used to help gain information on the whereabouts and inner workings of the current day cult in an effort to find and rescue his sister. But their relationship quickly grows and Shepherd takes on a new role of wanting to keep Elias safe. Elias is somehow able to handle Shepherd and his alters, learning their ways, intentions and quirks as he meets them. Keres quickly stakes a claim, Dex and Bryce become fast friends, and Azrael even comes around after causing a few problems. I do wish that the Az issues were addressed by Shepherd seeing as how damaging they were, but at least they got past them and found a way to get along.
This story is extremely complex in the relationship between Elias, Shepherd and the others, in the connections they both have to the cult, in the way the other family members are involved, including the triplets and that whole offshoot, but it is never very confusing and indeed only adds to the intrigue and enjoyment. I still cannot believe this book is over 600 pages, as it really doesn’t feel that long at any particular point, and I was never really ready for it to end. Needless to say, I am ready to jump into the next one. Definitely recommend.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
April 21, 2025
Definitely my favorite book of the entire series
It takes immense talent to write about DID and do it well and thoroughly and this totally nailed it.
You add in the religious trauma, the serial killing, the vigilante aspect, the Russian Vory, the laskin family, a cult and a BDSM club and you have a seriously dark depraved unconventional romance that will suck you right in.
Shepard is one of the most complex characters I have ever read. With his DID and 5 different personas plus his complicated family he is an unreal character who came to live on the pages of this book.
I loved how all of his identities played such a big part in who he is and how he cares for Elias.
Shepard like anyone just wants someone to understand him to his core and love him for all that he is, craziness and all.
Elias wants to feel valued and wanted in a way that only Shepard can provide. The structure and the routine of the D/S relationship they start with is exactly what Eli needs to help overcome his trauma from the cult he escaped from. What he doesn't expect is to fall for all of Shepards identities in some way. His relationship with Bryce is one of comfort and kindness and quality time. Keres is animalistic and carnal in his want to claim Eli and he loves his brand of crazy. Azreals fierce protectiveness of not only Dex but Shepard may not be kind at times but Eli sees his need for understanding and loves him in his own way. Then sweet little Dex who needs the nurturing and kindness that Eli can give and Eli needs the uncomplicated ease that Dex allows with his dinosaurs and race car bed.
The emotional battles that Eli and Shepard go through together would tear most people apart but their darkest part speak to each other and it ends up bringing them closer together. Shepard finally finds that one person he doesn't have to hide from and Eli gets the love, comfort, care and the family that he has always wanted.
Lots of Triggers in this one so read with caution and don't judge the author if you choose to read and don't like it.
It takes immense talent to write about DID and do it well and thoroughly and this totally nailed it.
You add in the religious trauma, the serial killing, the vigilante aspect, the Russian Vory, the laskin family, a cult and a BDSM club and you have a seriously dark depraved unconventional romance that will suck you right in.
Shepard is one of the most complex characters I have ever read. With his DID and 5 different personas plus his complicated family he is an unreal character who came to live on the pages of this book.
I loved how all of his identities played such a big part in who he is and how he cares for Elias.
Shepard like anyone just wants someone to understand him to his core and love him for all that he is, craziness and all.
Elias wants to feel valued and wanted in a way that only Shepard can provide. The structure and the routine of the D/S relationship they start with is exactly what Eli needs to help overcome his trauma from the cult he escaped from. What he doesn't expect is to fall for all of Shepards identities in some way. His relationship with Bryce is one of comfort and kindness and quality time. Keres is animalistic and carnal in his want to claim Eli and he loves his brand of crazy. Azreals fierce protectiveness of not only Dex but Shepard may not be kind at times but Eli sees his need for understanding and loves him in his own way. Then sweet little Dex who needs the nurturing and kindness that Eli can give and Eli needs the uncomplicated ease that Dex allows with his dinosaurs and race car bed.
The emotional battles that Eli and Shepard go through together would tear most people apart but their darkest part speak to each other and it ends up bringing them closer together. Shepard finally finds that one person he doesn't have to hide from and Eli gets the love, comfort, care and the family that he has always wanted.
Lots of Triggers in this one so read with caution and don't judge the author if you choose to read and don't like it.
November 24, 2024
Body and Soul
Wayward Sons
L Eveland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I have been waiting for Shepherd’s story since Body Count and I was nervous going into this, would it be everything I wanted? Body and Soul did not disappoint at all. I was fully engrossed in Shepherd and Eli’s story that was late to work a couple of times because I couldn’t stop reading it.
Eli seemed so small and broken at the beginning of this book, but a hidden strength slowly surfaced. The hopeless romantic in me believes that strength came from his relationship with Shepherd and accepting his alters and their proclivities. The final scene between him and Ezekiel was more than I expected. When he took the lead I was surprised to see him step into his own.
Shepherd was absolutely perfectly written. I loved him and his alters. The way they took hold and the way they “interacted” kept me in a chokehold. Bryce was probably my favorite, but I love a cinnamon roll even in dark romances. Keres was the most interesting, even though he was the more feral personality, the was a softness to him when it came to Eli. The alter I found hard to place or integrate into the story was Dex. I loved the little guy, but I don’t know how I would handle my partner reverting to a six year old. I really wish we would have seen more of Azreal. I loved his protective nature with Dex.
My two favorite scenes involved Eli and all of the alters. First his drawing representing all of the alters showed his acceptance of Shepherd and everything that makes him who he is. I loved the description of the drawing and how they each had something representing them. I also loved the Christmas scene when Eli got gifts from all of the alters, especially the rosary from Azreal. It seemed like a breakthrough moment for them.
The hardest part of reading this book is knowing I having to wait for Hero Worship to get to Xander’s story. The triplets are my favorite characters in the series and I can’t wait to see more of them.
Wayward Sons
L Eveland
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
I have been waiting for Shepherd’s story since Body Count and I was nervous going into this, would it be everything I wanted? Body and Soul did not disappoint at all. I was fully engrossed in Shepherd and Eli’s story that was late to work a couple of times because I couldn’t stop reading it.
Eli seemed so small and broken at the beginning of this book, but a hidden strength slowly surfaced. The hopeless romantic in me believes that strength came from his relationship with Shepherd and accepting his alters and their proclivities. The final scene between him and Ezekiel was more than I expected. When he took the lead I was surprised to see him step into his own.
Shepherd was absolutely perfectly written. I loved him and his alters. The way they took hold and the way they “interacted” kept me in a chokehold. Bryce was probably my favorite, but I love a cinnamon roll even in dark romances. Keres was the most interesting, even though he was the more feral personality, the was a softness to him when it came to Eli. The alter I found hard to place or integrate into the story was Dex. I loved the little guy, but I don’t know how I would handle my partner reverting to a six year old. I really wish we would have seen more of Azreal. I loved his protective nature with Dex.
My two favorite scenes involved Eli and all of the alters. First his drawing representing all of the alters showed his acceptance of Shepherd and everything that makes him who he is. I loved the description of the drawing and how they each had something representing them. I also loved the Christmas scene when Eli got gifts from all of the alters, especially the rosary from Azreal. It seemed like a breakthrough moment for them.
The hardest part of reading this book is knowing I having to wait for Hero Worship to get to Xander’s story. The triplets are my favorite characters in the series and I can’t wait to see more of them.
December 23, 2025
Character stats
MMC 1:
Shepard, dominant, suffers from DID, protective, a part of the Laskin family that ‘takes out the trash that otherwise would be let off on a technicality or by having a very good lawyer’.
MM2:
Elias, submissive, traumatized from being in a cult, doesn’t feel he belongs anywhere
Looks: described as having platinum blond hair, colorful tattoos and lithe body
Overall Heat/Smut stats[5/5]
1. Sweet, no sex, hand holding hands, chaste kissing
2. More intimate details of touching but still closed door for anything where the characters engage in sex
3. A bit more revealing when it comes to touch, sensations, some nudity may be described
4. Open door, very detailed, meant to titillate and invoke feelings of arousal
5. X rated- the details of sex are explicit, open door, highly descriptive and meant to be a one handed read [it is amazing how many different ways someone can describe licking, sucking, pinching, pounding etc]
Tropes
-touch him and die
-I did it to protect you
-caring for someone who has MH struggles
Kinks
-older/younger
-rope bondage [shibari]
-orgasm control/denial
-piercings
-submissive training
Overall thoughts/feelings:
I really liked this story. This was an excellent continuation of the series. I liked the author's fictional portrayal of DID. The way the author builds up the attraction of each character. Something special happens when they finally come together. I am not personally familiar with DID other than the handful of people I’ve met working at a mental health clinic. It does seem like there are subtle changes when the alters switch. Besides, one alter has no morality and therefore handles the more gruesome tasks. I didn’t see the usual ‘you have mental illness so you must be a violent psychopath’. I get so tired of seeing people with mental health struggles portrayed as nothing but violent offenders. This actually made me curious to see if this was an accurate portrayal of someone with DID. In the end the massive tale was loving, horrifying, sexy, and worth the read.
MMC 1:
Shepard, dominant, suffers from DID, protective, a part of the Laskin family that ‘takes out the trash that otherwise would be let off on a technicality or by having a very good lawyer’.
MM2:
Elias, submissive, traumatized from being in a cult, doesn’t feel he belongs anywhere
Looks: described as having platinum blond hair, colorful tattoos and lithe body
Overall Heat/Smut stats[5/5]
1. Sweet, no sex, hand holding hands, chaste kissing
2. More intimate details of touching but still closed door for anything where the characters engage in sex
3. A bit more revealing when it comes to touch, sensations, some nudity may be described
4. Open door, very detailed, meant to titillate and invoke feelings of arousal
5. X rated- the details of sex are explicit, open door, highly descriptive and meant to be a one handed read [it is amazing how many different ways someone can describe licking, sucking, pinching, pounding etc]
Tropes
-touch him and die
-I did it to protect you
-caring for someone who has MH struggles
Kinks
-older/younger
-rope bondage [shibari]
-orgasm control/denial
-piercings
-submissive training
Overall thoughts/feelings:
I really liked this story. This was an excellent continuation of the series. I liked the author's fictional portrayal of DID. The way the author builds up the attraction of each character. Something special happens when they finally come together. I am not personally familiar with DID other than the handful of people I’ve met working at a mental health clinic. It does seem like there are subtle changes when the alters switch. Besides, one alter has no morality and therefore handles the more gruesome tasks. I didn’t see the usual ‘you have mental illness so you must be a violent psychopath’. I get so tired of seeing people with mental health struggles portrayed as nothing but violent offenders. This actually made me curious to see if this was an accurate portrayal of someone with DID. In the end the massive tale was loving, horrifying, sexy, and worth the read.
May 13, 2025
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I’m new to L Eveland’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was another good addition to the Wayward Sons Series. This book/series has similar vibes to Onley James’s Necessary Evils Series but the Laskin brothers’ seem to be a tad more messed up, or maybe they just weren’t as highly trained to act “normal” like the Mulvaney’s were. Shepherd has intrigued me since he was first introduced during book 1, especially with him having dissociative identity disorder but I really didn’t think he could redeem himself after his actions during the last book, but I should’ve trusted L Eveland as we finally learn the true scope of the lengths that Shepherd goes to protect those he cares about.
He was between a rock and a hard place that’s for sure and did the best he could with those choices, even though he came across and an unfeeling bastard to others. Both Shepherd and Eli have suffered greatly and I’m glad that they found each other. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of Shepherd’s alters, learning more about the reason his psyche fractured and what each alter was created for. I also loved seeing Eli forge a different type of bond with each of the alters, and even earnt Az’s respect. This book was a lot darker than the previous books due to Keres’s extracurricular activities but it also has some very tender moments throughout. I’m looking forward to reading Hero Worship next, as well as more books from L Eveland in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
I’m new to L Eveland’s work and I’m looking forward to reading more. I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was another good addition to the Wayward Sons Series. This book/series has similar vibes to Onley James’s Necessary Evils Series but the Laskin brothers’ seem to be a tad more messed up, or maybe they just weren’t as highly trained to act “normal” like the Mulvaney’s were. Shepherd has intrigued me since he was first introduced during book 1, especially with him having dissociative identity disorder but I really didn’t think he could redeem himself after his actions during the last book, but I should’ve trusted L Eveland as we finally learn the true scope of the lengths that Shepherd goes to protect those he cares about.
He was between a rock and a hard place that’s for sure and did the best he could with those choices, even though he came across and an unfeeling bastard to others. Both Shepherd and Eli have suffered greatly and I’m glad that they found each other. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting each of Shepherd’s alters, learning more about the reason his psyche fractured and what each alter was created for. I also loved seeing Eli forge a different type of bond with each of the alters, and even earnt Az’s respect. This book was a lot darker than the previous books due to Keres’s extracurricular activities but it also has some very tender moments throughout. I’m looking forward to reading Hero Worship next, as well as more books from L Eveland in the future. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and author to everyone.
January 2, 2025
The tension was immense! The darkness at its darkest!
Shepherd is a master manipulator, and Eli is the one he wants to use for a cause.
But against his own will, he develops feelings for the fragile young guy who’s utterly vulnerable.
He’s strong enough to keep the feelings at bay, isn’t he? He has a plan, make Eli dependent, it’s almost too easy, to manipulate him. He couldn’t foresee Eli was just perfect for him.
“Nausea washed over me. The idea of faceless men degrading Eli filled me with rage and sorrow for the boy who believed he deserved such cruelty.”
Shepherd promised Eli to care for him, help him, and be there for him. Eli, so alone in his misery, hands himself to Shepherd, he has to trust him.
There’s something you need to know about Shepherd, he has DID, Dissociative identity disorder that is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states. In his case certainly more than two!!
I found this masterly done!
Not all Shepherd’s personalities have the same characteristics, age, or feelings about Eli.
It fluctuates between caring and gentleness, to obsessively protective, there’s even one who wants him gone.
It’s all super complex.
Did I mention both men are victims of a religious sick cult?
Prepare yourself for some bloody and violent events! In the middle of all the turmoil, you’ll find the blooming relationship between Shepherd and Eli, with BDSM at the core.
Enjoy the ride! It’s 643 pages long, so it took me some time, but dang did I enjoy it!!
There are trigger/content warnings, don’t underestimate them.
Shepherd is a master manipulator, and Eli is the one he wants to use for a cause.
But against his own will, he develops feelings for the fragile young guy who’s utterly vulnerable.
He’s strong enough to keep the feelings at bay, isn’t he? He has a plan, make Eli dependent, it’s almost too easy, to manipulate him. He couldn’t foresee Eli was just perfect for him.
“Nausea washed over me. The idea of faceless men degrading Eli filled me with rage and sorrow for the boy who believed he deserved such cruelty.”
Shepherd promised Eli to care for him, help him, and be there for him. Eli, so alone in his misery, hands himself to Shepherd, he has to trust him.
There’s something you need to know about Shepherd, he has DID, Dissociative identity disorder that is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states. In his case certainly more than two!!
I found this masterly done!
Not all Shepherd’s personalities have the same characteristics, age, or feelings about Eli.
It fluctuates between caring and gentleness, to obsessively protective, there’s even one who wants him gone.
It’s all super complex.
Did I mention both men are victims of a religious sick cult?
Prepare yourself for some bloody and violent events! In the middle of all the turmoil, you’ll find the blooming relationship between Shepherd and Eli, with BDSM at the core.
Enjoy the ride! It’s 643 pages long, so it took me some time, but dang did I enjoy it!!
There are trigger/content warnings, don’t underestimate them.
September 21, 2025
Every Facet of Me...
Every Part of My Complicated, Fractured Whole...
Beautiful...
The centerpiece was a series of Russian nesting dolls, each one unique and yet part of a cohesive whole. The largest doll at the top held a human brain — a clear nod to my role as a psychiatrist, the face I showed the world. Peeking out from behind that doll was a slightly smaller one, this one dressed all in black, complete with black gloves. That was clearly meant to be Keres.
Beside the Keres doll was another, this one with a lazy grin and a bowl of noodles. Bryce, the part of me that still clung to the simple joys and comforts of life, like junk food and bad puns. Below that was a doll holding a rosary, wings curling protectively around the smallest and final doll, one with a dinosaur on its shirt. Azreal and Dex. We were all right there.
The details woven into the design took my breath away. Delicate clockwork gears and machinery connected each doll, symbolizing how we were all part of the same system, the same mind. Threads of sparking neurons snaked between them, a visual representation of the wiring in my head. And behind it all, providing a backdrop, were the shadows of great unfurling wings.
This tattoo, this work of art... it was more than ink on skin. It was a portrait of my soul, laid bare in bold lines and intricate details. It showed every facet of me, every part that made up the complicated, fractured whole. And somehow, impossibly, it made that patchwork psyche look... beautiful.
Every Part of My Complicated, Fractured Whole...
Beautiful...
The centerpiece was a series of Russian nesting dolls, each one unique and yet part of a cohesive whole. The largest doll at the top held a human brain — a clear nod to my role as a psychiatrist, the face I showed the world. Peeking out from behind that doll was a slightly smaller one, this one dressed all in black, complete with black gloves. That was clearly meant to be Keres.
Beside the Keres doll was another, this one with a lazy grin and a bowl of noodles. Bryce, the part of me that still clung to the simple joys and comforts of life, like junk food and bad puns. Below that was a doll holding a rosary, wings curling protectively around the smallest and final doll, one with a dinosaur on its shirt. Azreal and Dex. We were all right there.
The details woven into the design took my breath away. Delicate clockwork gears and machinery connected each doll, symbolizing how we were all part of the same system, the same mind. Threads of sparking neurons snaked between them, a visual representation of the wiring in my head. And behind it all, providing a backdrop, were the shadows of great unfurling wings.
This tattoo, this work of art... it was more than ink on skin. It was a portrait of my soul, laid bare in bold lines and intricate details. It showed every facet of me, every part that made up the complicated, fractured whole. And somehow, impossibly, it made that patchwork psyche look... beautiful.
November 25, 2024
This is the brother's story I have been looking forward to reading .
Shepherd has DID and has 4 alters, he is the brother who likes control, a professor and a psychiatrist in sex therapy, and part owner of a Kink club.
Eli has escaped from the Cult Child of the Light, now trying to live his life, working multiple jobs just to get by. Then he met Shepherd.
If I had not got work I would not have put this book down until I had finished it. Seeing Shepherd with Eli having a plan to bring down the cult but then totally claiming Eli and being all possessive Dom/Sub relationship and Eli realised he liked to serve. I enjoyed reading from the alters POV and even if the chapters were not headed I would still have known which alter we were reading about. Watching Eli, even though he knew about them, interacting with them for the first time, accepting Shepherd and his alters for who they are and loving them all.
The story from the start has a slower pace whilst Shepherd and Eli navigate their life together, but when the trouble with the cult get serious this story goes from 0-60 in seconds. It is dark, graphic and violent. Showing how dangerous Shepherd and his family are.
If you have read Xion's story you will recognise some of the scenes and I loved reading it from Shepherd's POV, the reasons why things happened.
This is a great addition to this series and bring on Xander's story
Shepherd has DID and has 4 alters, he is the brother who likes control, a professor and a psychiatrist in sex therapy, and part owner of a Kink club.
Eli has escaped from the Cult Child of the Light, now trying to live his life, working multiple jobs just to get by. Then he met Shepherd.
If I had not got work I would not have put this book down until I had finished it. Seeing Shepherd with Eli having a plan to bring down the cult but then totally claiming Eli and being all possessive Dom/Sub relationship and Eli realised he liked to serve. I enjoyed reading from the alters POV and even if the chapters were not headed I would still have known which alter we were reading about. Watching Eli, even though he knew about them, interacting with them for the first time, accepting Shepherd and his alters for who they are and loving them all.
The story from the start has a slower pace whilst Shepherd and Eli navigate their life together, but when the trouble with the cult get serious this story goes from 0-60 in seconds. It is dark, graphic and violent. Showing how dangerous Shepherd and his family are.
If you have read Xion's story you will recognise some of the scenes and I loved reading it from Shepherd's POV, the reasons why things happened.
This is a great addition to this series and bring on Xander's story
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