Just One Rule

by Emily Alter

Eli

I knew what I wanted. What I wanted hadn’t included losing the last connection I had with my biological family, but I still knew what I wanted.

I wanted Mistress Erika. I wanted to be owned, to be in the kind of 24/7 dynamic we fantasized about every time we spent together at the local BDSM club She’d founded.

Erika

I barely recognized Eli when they showed up at my door, soaked and on the verge of a breakdown.

On paper, Eli would be the perfect sub to soothe the high protocol Domme in me, but theory wasn’t always everything. Everyone knew me as the Domme who was ten steps ahead at any given time, the one who hatched a million different plans to keep everyone together, and safe, and happy.

Even if all Eli was asking of me was one rule, it felt like more. I didn’t know what that more would entail, or how to give it to them.

* * *

Just One Rule includes 24/7 Total Power Exchange, many rubber suits, a bad case of dom drop that was a long time coming if we were honest, group play, broken hearts and messy attachment styles, a kind of chaotic found family, a sub who isn’t aware of how well they actually handle stress, and healing through a humiliation kink (and therapy).

Genres: Lesbian

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2025

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? This book was amazing. These characters are honest and true. The inner circle are a diverse cast of characters that bring so much to each Plumas story. There is so much heart and soul in each character whether in their own book or as a side character (who gets their own book ;)).

I had been waiting for Erika’s story since we first got to know her in Play Pretend. I was not disappointed. I could not put this book down. The community is supportive and empowering. Positive mental health and therapy rep. Safe bdsm and kink practices. Trauma and healing. Love.

This author is a must read if you enjoy kink, especially sapphic as well as mm (I read my first mm story from them!).

[Renée (FatedBookReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (entire series, really) was everything I needed to read right now.

You mean someone can write a whole BDSM series with more realistic RACK and PRICK protocols? Someone can show healthy dynamics with queer characters where miscommunication isn't a thing? Where respectful power dynamics, vetting, and scene negotiations are at the forefront?

I was blown away by this as someone who used to DM a sapphic/trans sapphic club. This is one of the most realistic portrayals of BDSM I've read almost ever. The respect, communication, mental health rep, and character development was perfection. I'm also loving that there's something for everyone in this series, whether you're into littles, sadomasochism, 24/7 TPE, and pretty much everything in between. This series is THE perfect BDSM series. No notes.

Thank you, Emily, for the ARC

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very cerebral. The characters are already in an established relationship. The book starts when a life event causes the main characters to take their relationship to the next level - TPE. A lot of the story takes place in their heads as they navigate their new dynamic, rather than external influences. I appreciated that the story touched on subjects like pronouns, being queer, gender, consent, processing trauma, therapy, showing up for people you care about - in a way that felt healthy and normalized. It’s the kind of stories I want to be reading. There are no bad people in this book. Just people and people are complex.

I received this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Ζωή Παππά · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Just one rule" is book four in the Plumas universe series, a contemporary romance series. It can be read as a standalone, I haven't read all the previous books and didn't feel lost at all. There are cameos but each book focuses on a different couple and the characters from the previous books are fleshed out side characters with their backstories explained.
In this book we follow Erika and Eli. Eli's uncle kicks them out and Eli goes to Erika for help. The two of them have always been close but when they start living together their relationship evolves. I'm not very familiar with their type of dynamic but I loved their chemistry and I thought that they were absolutely amazing together. I loved how well they communicated and I loved how they took care of each other. I also really liked that the author gave emphasis on the importance of therapy.
I felt very connected with both main characters but I related with Erika a little bit more. She's the type of person that always takes care of all of her friends and sometimes forgets to take care of herself. Lucky for her, her friends group is the best and took care of her when she needed it.
It was a very well written book, the characters were deep and interesting and grew a lot and I adored the romance. It warned my heart to see Erika and Eli fall in love and get their happily ever after.
I can't wait to read more books in the series.

[Paige Gadsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of Just One Rule in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book in the series - it can be read as a stand alone and as a reader I didn’t feel lost at any point, even when characters from other books in the series when they appeared didn’t make me feel like I was missing information.

The approach to BDSM lifestyle is well done, it shows aspect of dynamics that often aren’t highlighted or featured in a lot of books. It includes enough information towards different kinks and dynamics that if you weren’t familiar with them you wouldn’t feel lost without feeling like it was over explaining.

There is a great blend of spicier moments and sweet ones. Alter highlights the caring side of all the characters and there are some heartwarming moments throughout. Eli and Erika help each other grow and it’s refreshing to see BDSM dynamics used in this way rather than just focusing on what that dynamic means during sex.

[Holly Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not your standard BDSM story, it also decked beautifully into the psychological impact that a full time TPE relationship can have on the Dom as well as the Sub. The characters are beautifully written showing more of the different personalities that find fulfilment in a BDSM lifestyle. While also having some very hot scenes.

Would definitely give this a read! I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Trippentigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done

Sometimes shy away from BDSM heavy books, few seem to be written well unfortunately. This one was a pleasant surprise, the scenes are handled really well and play out hot. There is enough substance to feel like a good read and not just steam.

[Hayley Clemmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was flawlessly written, so unbelievably realistic and just overall amazing! Erika and Eli had my whole heart so quickly, I am so annoyed there wasn’t 1000 more pages of these two 😭 I feel like I could read about them forever! ❤️

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light 4