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The Menagerie
Rowan Campbell loves his life, finally. He’s happy. He’s happy, but… there’s something missing. Some itch under his skin he can’t quite scratch through his work as a paramedic or hobbies or family gatherings or casual hookups alone. Then one day he responds to a 9-1-1 call at an exclusive BDSM club, the Menagerie, and immediately splurges on a membership. He isn’t expecting much… until he meets the notoriously hard-to-please club veteran, Malcolm Savaryn. Mal is a firecracker of a man: Sharp and witty with a take-no-shit attitude, he fascinates Rowan from the start.
Rowan has a big secret he’s afraid to share, and Mal has walls that seem impenetrable. Both men have dark pasts, and mental health struggles have marred them, leaving them wary of relationships. Their chemistry is immediate and unmatched, though, and they quickly enter into a steamy Dom/sub relationship, meeting weekly at the club. It’s just sex, right? But can they keep things strictly sexual, or will one or both of them develop feelings along the way? And if so will they find the courage to admit them and risk their hearts?
The Menagerie is a compelling exploration of BDSM, trust, and the slow evolution of friendship and love between two complex characters.
Rowan has a big secret he’s afraid to share, and Mal has walls that seem impenetrable. Both men have dark pasts, and mental health struggles have marred them, leaving them wary of relationships. Their chemistry is immediate and unmatched, though, and they quickly enter into a steamy Dom/sub relationship, meeting weekly at the club. It’s just sex, right? But can they keep things strictly sexual, or will one or both of them develop feelings along the way? And if so will they find the courage to admit them and risk their hearts?
The Menagerie is a compelling exploration of BDSM, trust, and the slow evolution of friendship and love between two complex characters.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2025
About the author
J.P. Caruso
1 book32 followersJ.P. Caruso is from Massachusetts’ North Shore, where she lives off of iced coffee year-round. She is a scientist with a background in art and aspirations in the stars. When she isn’t working, she’s playing survival-crafting videogames, drawing spicy art, or practicing krav maga and muay thai kickboxing, in which she is a first-degree black belt.
Primarily a M/M romance writer, J.P. has been in love with love her whole life, and she has been honing her writing skills since she was a teenager. Her first foray into writing was through fanfiction, and she has participated in numerous fandoms throughout the years. Since then, she has written everything from TV commercial scripts to poetry to scientific manuscripts. Her fiction writing features detailed world-building, feel-good character development, flowing descriptions, and poignant turns of phrase.
Primarily a M/M romance writer, J.P. has been in love with love her whole life, and she has been honing her writing skills since she was a teenager. Her first foray into writing was through fanfiction, and she has participated in numerous fandoms throughout the years. Since then, she has written everything from TV commercial scripts to poetry to scientific manuscripts. Her fiction writing features detailed world-building, feel-good character development, flowing descriptions, and poignant turns of phrase.
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October 22, 2025…hear me out. for the first half of the book i couldn’t shake this odd feeling like something just wasn’t clicking for me. and then it dawned on me, it reads like one of those national geographic or animal planet videos lol.
*in my best david attenborough voice*
in the natural habitat of the menagerie, here we have a rowan in the wild, a baby dom competing with other doms for the submission of mal, who is greatly desired as they are fascinated by his beauty. you see those mating dances they’re all doing? it seems like the sub is interested in only one…
lmao so yes, the book essentially opens with rowan participating/competing in a gangbang with 9 other men to be mal’s dom. why mal is a super celebrity at the club? i don’t really know. it’s reiterated how gorgeous he is and how everyone loves his performances but we don’t really get to see mal in that element outside of any of his scenes with rowan. and no, those were not public.
lust at first sight & we get rowan’s pov the whole book but both he & mal were equally annoying? one annoyance: mal kept testing rowan at different points in the book… like hellooo, rowan stand up for yourself a little bit? one scene in particular i felt like rowan shoulda put his foot down & said he was not comfortable but nooo let’s do what mal wants because i really like him blah blah blah.
if you LOVE details then babe, this is the book for you. we got the description of every. single. man. who participated in the opening act, the decorations of the clubhouse, the kinds of liquor behind the bar, every single answer to rowan’s membership questionnaire, even down to ‘the exact same platform bed that has been in every other room so far’ like please, chop these descriptions in half lol.
it was very kinky, very dom/sub, very bdsm with bondage of a few different types, spanking, choking, edging, toys, etc etc. for most of the book we got the scene on saturday night, diner after to recap, see you next week & then rowan in his head until the next meet up. we barely got them together after they realized they had feelings for each other.
there were also a few inconsistencies that my brain could not ignore. not to mention having sex in a club bathroom stall & completely taking off your pants & underwear… who does that lmao. maybe i was so appalled i read it wrong???
anyway. i mean, i didn’t hate it? but i am kinda mad at myself that i read it lol.
*in my best david attenborough voice*
in the natural habitat of the menagerie, here we have a rowan in the wild, a baby dom competing with other doms for the submission of mal, who is greatly desired as they are fascinated by his beauty. you see those mating dances they’re all doing? it seems like the sub is interested in only one…
lmao so yes, the book essentially opens with rowan participating/competing in a gangbang with 9 other men to be mal’s dom. why mal is a super celebrity at the club? i don’t really know. it’s reiterated how gorgeous he is and how everyone loves his performances but we don’t really get to see mal in that element outside of any of his scenes with rowan. and no, those were not public.
lust at first sight & we get rowan’s pov the whole book but both he & mal were equally annoying? one annoyance: mal kept testing rowan at different points in the book… like hellooo, rowan stand up for yourself a little bit? one scene in particular i felt like rowan shoulda put his foot down & said he was not comfortable but nooo let’s do what mal wants because i really like him blah blah blah.
if you LOVE details then babe, this is the book for you. we got the description of every. single. man. who participated in the opening act, the decorations of the clubhouse, the kinds of liquor behind the bar, every single answer to rowan’s membership questionnaire, even down to ‘the exact same platform bed that has been in every other room so far’ like please, chop these descriptions in half lol.
it was very kinky, very dom/sub, very bdsm with bondage of a few different types, spanking, choking, edging, toys, etc etc. for most of the book we got the scene on saturday night, diner after to recap, see you next week & then rowan in his head until the next meet up. we barely got them together after they realized they had feelings for each other.
there were also a few inconsistencies that my brain could not ignore. not to mention having sex in a club bathroom stall & completely taking off your pants & underwear… who does that lmao. maybe i was so appalled i read it wrong???
anyway. i mean, i didn’t hate it? but i am kinda mad at myself that i read it lol.
May 24, 2026
hottest thing ive ever read
May 23, 2026
This is just Mickey and Ian fanfiction. Just a heads up. Fun read but there’s not even an attempt to disguise it. If you’re into that, I think you’ll like this.
May 18, 2025
This was a very slow burn. The book was quite long (usually a good thing in my opinion) but very little happened besides weekly appointments (you couldn’t call them dates).
The sex scenes were ok but I also want to know the characters and there was too little of that. The whole story was from Rowan’s PoV so we did find out a little more about him but not as much about Mal.
Also not a huge fan of this style of writing tense (present continuous?) but that’s a me thing.
The sex scenes were ok but I also want to know the characters and there was too little of that. The whole story was from Rowan’s PoV so we did find out a little more about him but not as much about Mal.
Also not a huge fan of this style of writing tense (present continuous?) but that’s a me thing.
July 22, 2025
Lovely emotional horniness. Obliviots who were just fuckbuddies catching feelings, my favorite.
Tags: BDSM club meet, emotional slow burn, kink, BDSM, spanking, toys, breath play
Tags: BDSM club meet, emotional slow burn, kink, BDSM, spanking, toys, breath play
January 19, 2026
Fast heat, slow burn, a gangbang meet cute, a scrappy bottom sub who will be your new favorite character and lots and lots of consent and communication. Chef’s kiss. 😙🤌🏻
Did Not Finish
May 29, 2026Somehow, a book about BDSM has managed to be boring. I think—and hope—that this book has more to offer in terms of the characters going forward but unfortunately, I won't be able to get that far myself.
There are a couple of passing mentions of Rowan’s mental health struggles, and it’s clear that Mal also has some kind of difficult past, but I’m unfortunately bored, and neither character interests me at all so far. I'm 30% in, the MMCs met right at the start, and I still don't see any chemistry or connection between them.
This book also has a flaw common to debuts: it’s described in too much detail, to the point where it becomes tedious.
I’m not a fan of casual sharing. I knew this would start with a scene like that, so I was mentally prepared for it, but still, I have to say, it was a pretty lousy start to their story. I guess this book just isn’t for me 😕
There are a couple of passing mentions of Rowan’s mental health struggles, and it’s clear that Mal also has some kind of difficult past, but I’m unfortunately bored, and neither character interests me at all so far. I'm 30% in, the MMCs met right at the start, and I still don't see any chemistry or connection between them.
This book also has a flaw common to debuts: it’s described in too much detail, to the point where it becomes tedious.
I’m not a fan of casual sharing. I knew this would start with a scene like that, so I was mentally prepared for it, but still, I have to say, it was a pretty lousy start to their story. I guess this book just isn’t for me 😕
May 26, 2026
Sooooo appreciate that character depth, emotions, and thoughts were expressed through story telling and not dumping the reader into a character’s endless inner monologue. Because for realz, a constant loop of how a character is feeling is tedious and boring. This book did an excellent job of showing and not telling.
July 16, 2025
It starts with an EMT/Paramedic call at a BDSM club. Rowan realizes what is missing from his life, where he used to find pleasue before his Depression and PTSD was diagnosed, before he ended up in the psych ward. Now he can handle it, he's in a good place. After he joins he meets Malcom, a legend. Rowan is an inexperienced Dom, Malcolm is a power bottom. It starts with a gangbang and then hang on for a ride provided by this author who knows BDSM, but most of all knows people, their trauma, growing up Southie in Boston, how important it is to be seen, have a found family and being "on the verge of drowning in the torrent that is Mal Savaryn" Carry on. You will not be sorry.
April 5, 2026
2.75⭐️
A BDSM romance novel that focuses heavily on the scenes. Rowan is a paramedic that feels something is missing, until he discovers the Menagerie, a BDSM club where he joins a group scene featuring the club’s most famous sub, Malcom. Mal and Rowan soon begin a their own relationship that later, slowly, turns into something more.
This book had a lot of elements that I usually find interesting: fast spice but slow feelings, characters with complexities, and a mysterious character that doesn’t like to reveal a lot about themselves. Those that like the writing style and execution of this book and also like this content will likely enjoy this book.
For me, I didn’t hate it. I don’t think it’s a bad book. The issue for me is that I was just terribly bored while reading it. Like, during an intense BDSM scene, I’m supposed to be at least curious or interested…but I felt like it was just being described to me what was happening. I didn’t feel any EMOTION or intensity, even though what was happening was objectively pretty intense. I also felt the character development and parts between the spicy bits boring too 😭 I was like, forcing myself to finish the book.
Slight spoilers in case you’re interested and want to know more before reading:
-a huge amount of this book, especially the beginning, is focused on describing scenes. There is not exclusivity between MCs during the book, but they do end up together in the end.
A BDSM romance novel that focuses heavily on the scenes. Rowan is a paramedic that feels something is missing, until he discovers the Menagerie, a BDSM club where he joins a group scene featuring the club’s most famous sub, Malcom. Mal and Rowan soon begin a their own relationship that later, slowly, turns into something more.
This book had a lot of elements that I usually find interesting: fast spice but slow feelings, characters with complexities, and a mysterious character that doesn’t like to reveal a lot about themselves. Those that like the writing style and execution of this book and also like this content will likely enjoy this book.
For me, I didn’t hate it. I don’t think it’s a bad book. The issue for me is that I was just terribly bored while reading it. Like, during an intense BDSM scene, I’m supposed to be at least curious or interested…but I felt like it was just being described to me what was happening. I didn’t feel any EMOTION or intensity, even though what was happening was objectively pretty intense. I also felt the character development and parts between the spicy bits boring too 😭 I was like, forcing myself to finish the book.
Slight spoilers in case you’re interested and want to know more before reading:
-a huge amount of this book, especially the beginning, is focused on describing scenes. There is not exclusivity between MCs during the book, but they do end up together in the end.
May 26, 2025
its been so long since I read MM romance that’s actually well realized,well written and not just same thing over and over again,this was one of those books,it really proves there can be spice with actually compelling relationship and compelling plot,and
like I said spice was good but I did feel like Rowan was a little bit too perfect and we never got to see him get really carried away,so I do wish we got more scenes where they really let loose and we didn’t get that a lot,for that reason this isn’t 5 stars but other than that I absolutely loved,so to sum it up relationship and pace great but with a little better spice it would be even better,either way can’t wait to read more from this author!
like I said spice was good but I did feel like Rowan was a little bit too perfect and we never got to see him get really carried away,so I do wish we got more scenes where they really let loose and we didn’t get that a lot,for that reason this isn’t 5 stars but other than that I absolutely loved,so to sum it up relationship and pace great but with a little better spice it would be even better,either way can’t wait to read more from this author!
May 25, 2026
DNF at 32%. I never not finish a book no matter if I'm bored or not. I'm all for slow burn but I just couldn't continue.
I don't share. Yet you start the book off with a 10 man gangbang.
I get having the characters have accents is cool and listening to it is different but trying to stay in the scene while reading. “’S what I thought"
“Keep ’em in your lap"
Just hard to stay in the scene. Anyways, maybe I will pick it up again but from all the hype I read before starting it's not all that for me.
I don't share. Yet you start the book off with a 10 man gangbang.
I get having the characters have accents is cool and listening to it is different but trying to stay in the scene while reading. “’S what I thought"
“Keep ’em in your lap"
Just hard to stay in the scene. Anyways, maybe I will pick it up again but from all the hype I read before starting it's not all that for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
This book is basically a kinky Ian x Mickey from Shameless fan fiction but worst
Want proof? Rowan is a red headed paramedic from the south side who struggles with his mental health. He’s had a rough past consisting of being raised by his older siblings due to his parent’s neglect which led him to engaging in risky behaviours as a teen where he used drugs, had sex with older men and worked at a nightclub.
Malcolm has black hair and is also from the south side. He’s described as “scrappy” and has a close-ish relationship to his sister. He also suffered neglect from his parents especially from his racist and homophobic father.
Shall I say more or do we get the picture?
So yeah, Ian and Mickey but with an extra cautionary tale on the toxicity of an avoidant x anxious relationship. If we can even call it that since the book decides to end right as we finally get to that part.
Because yes, after reading so many endless pages of essentially the same thing over and over again we don’t even get to see their dynamic as a couple outside of sex.
The book started to feel like a humiliating ritual at some point for both Rowan and ME. Not having Mal’s pov did the story such a disservice. He was portrayed as being nonchalant the whole time and I just kept wondering why Roman even liked him in the first place. He kept having to make concessions over and over while Mal kept taking and giving nothing in return. Not only was it annoying but it’s in no way sustainable. And then we’re supposed to believe it’s love after getting almost no indication that he truly liked him and no hint of romance.
This book was a roller coaster and not a good one. If the author genuinely thinks this is what love is then I feel terribly sorry for them because I wouldn’t wish this type of relationship on anyone!
This book is basically a kinky Ian x Mickey from Shameless fan fiction but worst
Want proof? Rowan is a red headed paramedic from the south side who struggles with his mental health. He’s had a rough past consisting of being raised by his older siblings due to his parent’s neglect which led him to engaging in risky behaviours as a teen where he used drugs, had sex with older men and worked at a nightclub.
Malcolm has black hair and is also from the south side. He’s described as “scrappy” and has a close-ish relationship to his sister. He also suffered neglect from his parents especially from his racist and homophobic father.
Shall I say more or do we get the picture?
So yeah, Ian and Mickey but with an extra cautionary tale on the toxicity of an avoidant x anxious relationship. If we can even call it that since the book decides to end right as we finally get to that part.
Because yes, after reading so many endless pages of essentially the same thing over and over again we don’t even get to see their dynamic as a couple outside of sex.
The book started to feel like a humiliating ritual at some point for both Rowan and ME. Not having Mal’s pov did the story such a disservice. He was portrayed as being nonchalant the whole time and I just kept wondering why Roman even liked him in the first place. He kept having to make concessions over and over while Mal kept taking and giving nothing in return. Not only was it annoying but it’s in no way sustainable. And then we’re supposed to believe it’s love after getting almost no indication that he truly liked him and no hint of romance.
This book was a roller coaster and not a good one. If the author genuinely thinks this is what love is then I feel terribly sorry for them because I wouldn’t wish this type of relationship on anyone!
Did Not Finish
May 14, 2025DNF @ 59% - Stopping here because I'm just not particularly interested. Rowan is just too perfect (as a Dom) given his inexperience. The BDSM is missing all the elements that I find interesting, so this book is just one sex scene after another. I'm interested in Rowan and Mal's issues, but so far Rowan's are all reported to be in the past, and we're not seeing more than a hint of Mal's given the book isn't from his perspective.
August 27, 2025
Nothing could have prepared me for this book, and I am still shocked this is J.P. Carusso's first book, because wow! The book does start a bit slow in the first two chapters with Rowan being called to attend an emergency at the BDSM club, but once he’s in and he meets Mal, their first scene together with the g*ngbang was awesome.
Both Rowan and Mal have struggled with a lot of issues from their past, but they each find themselves safe inside their scenes. Mal is adorable. He takes his duty as a sub seriously, and the way he was involved with the club and the rules was really cool. A lot of BDSM books just talk about the fetiche part, but in this book there is a lot of attention towards little details from the club. Rowan is a great Dom, he focuses on Mal’s comfort while being strict. While most Dom’s just want to use Mal’s body and use him for their own pleasure, Rowan pays attention to his body language, he realises when something is amiss or when Mal needs more. That does not mean that Mal is helpless. He’s feisty, he knows what he likes, and it’s really awesome to read a sub who knows what they like and demands that pleasure from their Dom.
“The Menagerie” is just another amazing BDSM book to add to a catalogue of new k!nky books that focus on consent, but also using BDSM as healing.
Both Rowan and Mal have struggled with a lot of issues from their past, but they each find themselves safe inside their scenes. Mal is adorable. He takes his duty as a sub seriously, and the way he was involved with the club and the rules was really cool. A lot of BDSM books just talk about the fetiche part, but in this book there is a lot of attention towards little details from the club. Rowan is a great Dom, he focuses on Mal’s comfort while being strict. While most Dom’s just want to use Mal’s body and use him for their own pleasure, Rowan pays attention to his body language, he realises when something is amiss or when Mal needs more. That does not mean that Mal is helpless. He’s feisty, he knows what he likes, and it’s really awesome to read a sub who knows what they like and demands that pleasure from their Dom.
“The Menagerie” is just another amazing BDSM book to add to a catalogue of new k!nky books that focus on consent, but also using BDSM as healing.
May 1, 2026
It was not bad at all, it just too long and nothing happen, the relationship doesn't evolve at all.. i was forcing myself to read it at some point
May 3, 2026
I really really wish it was dual POV
May 17, 2025
3.5! For a debut, the writing was phenomenal. The language was simple and easy to follow, yet also provided depth to the scenes.
The book itself is basically all vibes. The characters meet at a gangbang at a sex club, which tbh was an amazingly written scene. Depending on what’s going on some sex scenes get lost and hard to follow for me, but this was written so well I never felt like I had to re read something to see what was going on. The rest of the book is a lot of sex between the MCs as Rowan struggles with his growing emotions for Mal. Both characters were sweet and spicy, and the decision to make the book entirely Rowan’s POV was definitely the correct one for the story. All that being said, if you don’t like sex this book might not be for you.
My issue was the book was very long and didn’t really have a lot of variety. The scenes they did together were always different, but it was 500 pages of intense sex, followed by a diner “date” over and over again. They learn a little bit about each other here and there as this goes on, but it never felt deeper to me. You felt a lot of emotion through the writing and language, rather than the character interactions. The chapters are also long ones with by the end of the book not a lot to separate the events in my mind.
Overall, it was fun to read. It had some of the best written sex scenes I’ve ever read especially in BDSM (and it’s very very light BDSM for those who it’s not their jam). However, it felt long and repetitive at times. All their personal interactions outside of sex felt like they were missing something. I also wanted more cute or emotional hurt/comfort moments between the MCs since there was a lot of potential for that. It would have also been nice to get more time of them as a real couple too since I spent the whole book waiting for them to come to their senses.
TLDR: 3.5 stars because It was extremely enjoyable, with great writing, but just felt a little flat outside the sex and too long for not much but the same thing happening over and over again. Also as a personal preference I love non-sexual emotional moments between the characters and it just wasn’t there for me.
Side note: at one point the book says “it set Rowan’s heart ablaze” and now I really need to know if Demon Slayer influenced this lol
The book itself is basically all vibes. The characters meet at a gangbang at a sex club, which tbh was an amazingly written scene. Depending on what’s going on some sex scenes get lost and hard to follow for me, but this was written so well I never felt like I had to re read something to see what was going on. The rest of the book is a lot of sex between the MCs as Rowan struggles with his growing emotions for Mal. Both characters were sweet and spicy, and the decision to make the book entirely Rowan’s POV was definitely the correct one for the story. All that being said, if you don’t like sex this book might not be for you.
My issue was the book was very long and didn’t really have a lot of variety. The scenes they did together were always different, but it was 500 pages of intense sex, followed by a diner “date” over and over again. They learn a little bit about each other here and there as this goes on, but it never felt deeper to me. You felt a lot of emotion through the writing and language, rather than the character interactions. The chapters are also long ones with by the end of the book not a lot to separate the events in my mind.
Overall, it was fun to read. It had some of the best written sex scenes I’ve ever read especially in BDSM (and it’s very very light BDSM for those who it’s not their jam). However, it felt long and repetitive at times. All their personal interactions outside of sex felt like they were missing something. I also wanted more cute or emotional hurt/comfort moments between the MCs since there was a lot of potential for that. It would have also been nice to get more time of them as a real couple too since I spent the whole book waiting for them to come to their senses.
TLDR: 3.5 stars because It was extremely enjoyable, with great writing, but just felt a little flat outside the sex and too long for not much but the same thing happening over and over again. Also as a personal preference I love non-sexual emotional moments between the characters and it just wasn’t there for me.
Side note: at one point the book says “it set Rowan’s heart ablaze” and now I really need to know if Demon Slayer influenced this lol
May 9, 2026
Ok, just to get this out of the way, I did enjoy most of the book and how the more explicit scenes were written— and there's lots of those in here! The dialogue during those kinds of scenes actually feel pretty natural IMO, and wasn't so cringeworthy compared to other stuff I've come across, so that's a plus. I was also genuinely rooting for the main couple to get together! I think they're super cute!
In any case, I just think there are several things holding this book back from being higher up on my list despite it generally being a fairly good casual read for me. First thing: I think the conflicts were all over the place and could've been mitigated had the story just focused on like one or two of them. Deeefinitely think we should've gotten more insight into both Rowan and Mal's inner struggles and pasts, especially with how mired, complex, and traumatic it is?? Idk, even though it was touched on several times, I feel like it wasn't explored to its full potential.
Also, I get the feeling that the main leads weren't allowed to really clash with one another, since their arguments usually get resolved in like… a few pages, which is a shame. Speaking as someone who heavily relates to Mal, I sure as hell wouldn't forgive some of the stuff Rowan had said and done so easily 💀. I definitely would've preferred that kind of genuine confrontation between them over some of the more absurd stuff that actually ends up happening in the story (Those plot points seemed as if they were done to tick off a checklist for "mandatory low points" in your typical romance story… which I found especially unnecessary considering that both of the leads ALREADY have some very compelling reasons to conflict with one another, which weren't explored nearly as much as I hoped it would).
Would I recommend this book? Yeah. I personally read it on vacation (Mostly during my flight); it's just the right amount of filth to keep you engaged when you're a little tired and want something to read. Just prepare to get a little pissed off with some of the choices that are made later on in the book, lmfao.
In any case, I just think there are several things holding this book back from being higher up on my list despite it generally being a fairly good casual read for me. First thing: I think the conflicts were all over the place and could've been mitigated had the story just focused on like one or two of them. Deeefinitely think we should've gotten more insight into both Rowan and Mal's inner struggles and pasts, especially with how mired, complex, and traumatic it is?? Idk, even though it was touched on several times, I feel like it wasn't explored to its full potential.
Also, I get the feeling that the main leads weren't allowed to really clash with one another, since their arguments usually get resolved in like… a few pages, which is a shame. Speaking as someone who heavily relates to Mal, I sure as hell wouldn't forgive some of the stuff Rowan had said and done so easily 💀. I definitely would've preferred that kind of genuine confrontation between them over some of the more absurd stuff that actually ends up happening in the story (Those plot points seemed as if they were done to tick off a checklist for "mandatory low points" in your typical romance story… which I found especially unnecessary considering that both of the leads ALREADY have some very compelling reasons to conflict with one another, which weren't explored nearly as much as I hoped it would).
Would I recommend this book? Yeah. I personally read it on vacation (Mostly during my flight); it's just the right amount of filth to keep you engaged when you're a little tired and want something to read. Just prepare to get a little pissed off with some of the choices that are made later on in the book, lmfao.
June 14, 2026
They meet at a gangbang at a BDSM club? Say less—I was immediately intrigued.
Mal and Rowan have an instant connection and begin a Dom/sub relationship, meeting weekly at The Menagerie. From the very beginning, I was drawn into their dynamic, and I really enjoyed learning more about the BDSM lifestyle. The author does a great job explaining the dynamics, emphasizing communication and consent, and showing the trust that exists within the community. (Consent kings for the win!)
Rowan was such an easy character to root for. He's lonely, living with depression and PTSD, and watching him slowly open himself up to the possibility of love was really touching. He develops feelings for Mal fairly early on, but struggles to find the courage to tell him, which created a lot of emotional tension throughout the story.
I also enjoyed watching their relationship evolve, but I found myself wishing the emotional side of their connection had developed sooner than the last 10% of the book. Because the story is told entirely from Rowan's perspective, we never really get to know Mal beyond what Rowan sees. I kept wanting a little more insight into who Mal was and what shaped him into the man he had become.
Their communication within the BDSM scenes was excellent—they were always clear about boundaries, desires, and consent—but outside of those moments, I wanted to see more conversations that deepened their connection. There was so much potential for them to build an emotional relationship beyond the physical one, and I found myself wanting more of that.
I also would have loved a stronger subplot outside of their relationship. This is definitely a spice-forward romance, with the primary focus being on Mal and Rowan's scenes together. If that's what you're looking for, I think you'll have a great time with this one.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and appreciated its respectful portrayal of BDSM, even if I was left wanting a little more emotional depth and character development. If you enjoy high-heat romances with plenty of kink, excellent consent representation, and a relationship that grows from a unique premise, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Mal and Rowan have an instant connection and begin a Dom/sub relationship, meeting weekly at The Menagerie. From the very beginning, I was drawn into their dynamic, and I really enjoyed learning more about the BDSM lifestyle. The author does a great job explaining the dynamics, emphasizing communication and consent, and showing the trust that exists within the community. (Consent kings for the win!)
Rowan was such an easy character to root for. He's lonely, living with depression and PTSD, and watching him slowly open himself up to the possibility of love was really touching. He develops feelings for Mal fairly early on, but struggles to find the courage to tell him, which created a lot of emotional tension throughout the story.
I also enjoyed watching their relationship evolve, but I found myself wishing the emotional side of their connection had developed sooner than the last 10% of the book. Because the story is told entirely from Rowan's perspective, we never really get to know Mal beyond what Rowan sees. I kept wanting a little more insight into who Mal was and what shaped him into the man he had become.
Their communication within the BDSM scenes was excellent—they were always clear about boundaries, desires, and consent—but outside of those moments, I wanted to see more conversations that deepened their connection. There was so much potential for them to build an emotional relationship beyond the physical one, and I found myself wanting more of that.
I also would have loved a stronger subplot outside of their relationship. This is definitely a spice-forward romance, with the primary focus being on Mal and Rowan's scenes together. If that's what you're looking for, I think you'll have a great time with this one.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and appreciated its respectful portrayal of BDSM, even if I was left wanting a little more emotional depth and character development. If you enjoy high-heat romances with plenty of kink, excellent consent representation, and a relationship that grows from a unique premise, this one is definitely worth checking out.
June 17, 2026
Overall, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it, but I also think there were things that could have been better about it.
I really loved both main characters, and thought they had a really sweet relationship despite most of the book taking place at a bdsm club and them meeting at a gang bang.
I loved how tension filled some of the scenes were as well. The scene on the dance floor on Mal’s birthday was absolutely impeccable. The rising tension felt like it sizzled right off the page.
Also loved the gradual getting to know each other at their after scene diner dates, and on their phone calls.
I didn’t like the way some of their dialogue was written. Sometimes it felt like they were mobsters or something. Maybe that’s realistic for the setting of the book, but I didn’t love it.
I felt like I wish we had gotten to know some of the people in Rowan’s life better. We only got to know his coworker, really. I would have liked to get to know some of his siblings or other friends even if he didn’t feel comfortable talking to them about Mal. It just made it feel like he didn’t have a life outside of Mal and his job.
I also felt like the scene with the other Dom didn’t land as well as it could have. I felt like it just felt a little odd that his last dom was so bad when he’d been with him for so long, and generally seems to know how to advocate for himself and what he wants. I felt like it was a heavy handed attempt to show why Rowan was better for him and I almost feel like it would have landed better if the other guy was good and didn’t violate Mal and Mal just wasn’t feeling it anyway.
I also wish we had gotten inside Mal’s head a little bit more at times. I’m fine with never getting his POV, but I would have liked for them to have some conversations about their feelings since we never got to see Mal’s. Once they got together it would have been nice for them to have some conversations about their relationship and maybe why Mal was hesitant at first. (Why he has the no kiss boundary for instance.)
Read if you Love:
🪢 dom/sub relationship
🪢 bdsm club
🪢 exhibitionism
🪢 strangers to fuck buddies to lovers
🪢 found family
🪢 healing from a rough past
I really loved both main characters, and thought they had a really sweet relationship despite most of the book taking place at a bdsm club and them meeting at a gang bang.
I loved how tension filled some of the scenes were as well. The scene on the dance floor on Mal’s birthday was absolutely impeccable. The rising tension felt like it sizzled right off the page.
Also loved the gradual getting to know each other at their after scene diner dates, and on their phone calls.
I didn’t like the way some of their dialogue was written. Sometimes it felt like they were mobsters or something. Maybe that’s realistic for the setting of the book, but I didn’t love it.
I felt like I wish we had gotten to know some of the people in Rowan’s life better. We only got to know his coworker, really. I would have liked to get to know some of his siblings or other friends even if he didn’t feel comfortable talking to them about Mal. It just made it feel like he didn’t have a life outside of Mal and his job.
I also felt like the scene with the other Dom didn’t land as well as it could have. I felt like it just felt a little odd that his last dom was so bad when he’d been with him for so long, and generally seems to know how to advocate for himself and what he wants. I felt like it was a heavy handed attempt to show why Rowan was better for him and I almost feel like it would have landed better if the other guy was good and didn’t violate Mal and Mal just wasn’t feeling it anyway.
I also wish we had gotten inside Mal’s head a little bit more at times. I’m fine with never getting his POV, but I would have liked for them to have some conversations about their feelings since we never got to see Mal’s. Once they got together it would have been nice for them to have some conversations about their relationship and maybe why Mal was hesitant at first. (Why he has the no kiss boundary for instance.)
Read if you Love:
🪢 dom/sub relationship
🪢 bdsm club
🪢 exhibitionism
🪢 strangers to fuck buddies to lovers
🪢 found family
🪢 healing from a rough past
November 20, 2025
It's been years since I last read a BDSM MM book that shows its writer actually understands the subject matter a little deeper than shallow depictions in the media. Granted, I haven't read a lot of BDSM books, but still. The mature writing style probably also helps to ground this book and makes it more believable than the usual edgy wannabe yet hopelessly juvenile and laughable style I've seen in many books.
Also bonus points to this book for not succumbing to the norm and for keeping it strictly narrated from one perspective only. Most dual-POV books, especially 1st-person dual-POV, on the market nowadays are rubbish since many writers frankly aren't competent enough to delve into the mind of separate characters in a convincing manner, and yet they still do it either because it's a popular framing device that sells well for romance books, or they're just that delusional in their writing prowess I guess.
That's not to say that this book is perfect, because it isn't. I personally didn't mind the lectures about kinks because I'm not well-versed in the subject, and the writer consciously incorporated the characters' relationship progress in them instead of just dumping them willy-nilly without much purpose like some books I've read, but I can imagine the large swaths of BDSM lessons can get a bit tedious at times for more seasoned kink enthusiasts. I also felt the detailed play scenes could've been tightened in pacing and shortened in length, even if I did enjoy them as a whole. This is a common trait in many new writers, so I hope that this debut work is also a learning experience for the author and they'll pay more attention to the editing stage and how to trim the fat, so the speak, in future works.
And I guess Rowan is a bit idealistic for a protagonist (again, not surprising since this is a first published work), but whatever, I don't care because I love him lol. The dynamics between the characters, the banter and the budding romance are what pushed me to give the book the highest rating, even with its hiccups here and there.
Also bonus points to this book for not succumbing to the norm and for keeping it strictly narrated from one perspective only. Most dual-POV books, especially 1st-person dual-POV, on the market nowadays are rubbish since many writers frankly aren't competent enough to delve into the mind of separate characters in a convincing manner, and yet they still do it either because it's a popular framing device that sells well for romance books, or they're just that delusional in their writing prowess I guess.
That's not to say that this book is perfect, because it isn't. I personally didn't mind the lectures about kinks because I'm not well-versed in the subject, and the writer consciously incorporated the characters' relationship progress in them instead of just dumping them willy-nilly without much purpose like some books I've read, but I can imagine the large swaths of BDSM lessons can get a bit tedious at times for more seasoned kink enthusiasts. I also felt the detailed play scenes could've been tightened in pacing and shortened in length, even if I did enjoy them as a whole. This is a common trait in many new writers, so I hope that this debut work is also a learning experience for the author and they'll pay more attention to the editing stage and how to trim the fat, so the speak, in future works.
And I guess Rowan is a bit idealistic for a protagonist (again, not surprising since this is a first published work), but whatever, I don't care because I love him lol. The dynamics between the characters, the banter and the budding romance are what pushed me to give the book the highest rating, even with its hiccups here and there.
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June 1, 2026Det här är en BDSM-berättelse med en sidoromance, typ. Jag vet inte riktigt varför jag envisas med att läsa sånt här, det återkommer som rekommendationer i de forum jag lurkar för boktips men det betyder ju inte att jag måste läsa det?
Nej, men uppenbarligen gör jag det ändå. Jag har funderat på vad som är grejen med det, delvis är det väl det förbjudna i det, kink-biten. Sen tror jag att en stor del av lockelsen i D/S-dynamik i romance är att det handlar så mycket om att se och bli sedd. Det är drömmen om att någon ska lägga hela sitt fokus på dig, att veta vad du vill utan att du behöver yttra det, att läsa kroppsspråk, blick, allt. Och någon bestämmer om det sexuella, att bli "tvingad" (förhoppningsvis med citationstecken), att inte behöva rå för sin sexuella lust.
Gud, det är så mycket enklare och roligare när det inte är någon kvinna inblandad, när patriarkatet inte står och skrattar att råkar du som kvinna bara råka vilja underordna dig en man på det här sättet? Men också en lättnad jämfört med slentriandominans strypgrepp skällsord utan någon som helst diskussion.
Här rivstartar vi med gruppsex på exklusiv sexklubb, allt är mycket kontrollerat, villkoren tydliga inför, safeword och avgränsningar, det här men inte det här. Sedan blir det odysse genom handbojor och rep, munkavlar och ögonbindlar, nedlåtande kommentarer. Och efteråt går huvudpersonerna ut och äter tillsammans och utvärderar. Mycket rimligt ändå och som sagt, de här strypgreppen som kommer i heteroromans utan fråga före eller efter är ju mycket värre. Idén om att sex inte kan vara sexigt om man kommunicerar om det, före under och efter, är hopplös.
Alla samtycker, alla har kontroll och ger upp den med flit. Försöken att separera sex och kärlek vattentätt misslyckas som förväntat. Romansen är som den är, helt okej men den spelar ju andrafiol till kinks.
Här är det strypsex med rimliga förkunskaper och säkerhetsåtgärder och när relationen är trygg nog. Jag tycker ändå det är obehagligt.
Nej, men uppenbarligen gör jag det ändå. Jag har funderat på vad som är grejen med det, delvis är det väl det förbjudna i det, kink-biten. Sen tror jag att en stor del av lockelsen i D/S-dynamik i romance är att det handlar så mycket om att se och bli sedd. Det är drömmen om att någon ska lägga hela sitt fokus på dig, att veta vad du vill utan att du behöver yttra det, att läsa kroppsspråk, blick, allt. Och någon bestämmer om det sexuella, att bli "tvingad" (förhoppningsvis med citationstecken), att inte behöva rå för sin sexuella lust.
Gud, det är så mycket enklare och roligare när det inte är någon kvinna inblandad, när patriarkatet inte står och skrattar att råkar du som kvinna bara råka vilja underordna dig en man på det här sättet? Men också en lättnad jämfört med slentriandominans strypgrepp skällsord utan någon som helst diskussion.
Här rivstartar vi med gruppsex på exklusiv sexklubb, allt är mycket kontrollerat, villkoren tydliga inför, safeword och avgränsningar, det här men inte det här. Sedan blir det odysse genom handbojor och rep, munkavlar och ögonbindlar, nedlåtande kommentarer. Och efteråt går huvudpersonerna ut och äter tillsammans och utvärderar. Mycket rimligt ändå och som sagt, de här strypgreppen som kommer i heteroromans utan fråga före eller efter är ju mycket värre. Idén om att sex inte kan vara sexigt om man kommunicerar om det, före under och efter, är hopplös.
Alla samtycker, alla har kontroll och ger upp den med flit. Försöken att separera sex och kärlek vattentätt misslyckas som förväntat. Romansen är som den är, helt okej men den spelar ju andrafiol till kinks.
Här är det strypsex med rimliga förkunskaper och säkerhetsåtgärder och när relationen är trygg nog. Jag tycker ändå det är obehagligt.
June 12, 2026
I saw an amazing post on Instagram about this book, beautiful collage of photos describing both characters, and immediately went to pick it up and started reading.
I liked the premise of the book, the setting being a club, and the exploration of desires in a new place. however, this read like the instructions behind a rice packet.
I am generally a fast reader, but for some reason, it felt like it took me 1 full hour to read 26 pages, and I guess it is due to the fact that the chapters are humongously long —this book has 11 chapters plus the epilogue and it’s 400 pages long, so do with that information what you want.
The main characters meet in chapter 2, where a full gangbang scene gets described to you in detail. however, when what I mean with that is you get every single one of the 10 members of the gangbang’s descriptions in D.E.T.A.I.L, where a lucky one might become Mal’s new dom.
The main problem I had with this book, apart from the fact that it was too slow, is that there was a lot of tell and no show. From the beginning, you are told Mal is this untouchable and hard-to-please customer, but you don’t fully understand why, because you don’t get his thoughts and how his behavior is described doesn’t helps you imagine what is so magical about him.
The dynamic between Rowan and Mal was difficult to understand, because I couldn’t really find that spark that made me want to keep reading and figure out how they were getting their happy ever after, and so by the end of the story, I didn’t care if they ended up together or not.
I love meeting new flaws characters, as it sometimes makes it easier to connect with them, but the way this was done, in my opinion, was a bit rushed. When I reached the epilogue, I still had questions because I felt like some things hadn’t been properly closed and it left me more confused than when I’d started it.
Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me, but I don’t want this to be a sign you don’t pick it up because you might enjoy the story within this pages.
I liked the premise of the book, the setting being a club, and the exploration of desires in a new place. however, this read like the instructions behind a rice packet.
I am generally a fast reader, but for some reason, it felt like it took me 1 full hour to read 26 pages, and I guess it is due to the fact that the chapters are humongously long —this book has 11 chapters plus the epilogue and it’s 400 pages long, so do with that information what you want.
The main characters meet in chapter 2, where a full gangbang scene gets described to you in detail. however, when what I mean with that is you get every single one of the 10 members of the gangbang’s descriptions in D.E.T.A.I.L, where a lucky one might become Mal’s new dom.
The main problem I had with this book, apart from the fact that it was too slow, is that there was a lot of tell and no show. From the beginning, you are told Mal is this untouchable and hard-to-please customer, but you don’t fully understand why, because you don’t get his thoughts and how his behavior is described doesn’t helps you imagine what is so magical about him.
The dynamic between Rowan and Mal was difficult to understand, because I couldn’t really find that spark that made me want to keep reading and figure out how they were getting their happy ever after, and so by the end of the story, I didn’t care if they ended up together or not.
I love meeting new flaws characters, as it sometimes makes it easier to connect with them, but the way this was done, in my opinion, was a bit rushed. When I reached the epilogue, I still had questions because I felt like some things hadn’t been properly closed and it left me more confused than when I’d started it.
Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me, but I don’t want this to be a sign you don’t pick it up because you might enjoy the story within this pages.
April 3, 2026
I usually don't have any problems reading novels that used to be fanfics, especially if the editing is well done. In this case it took me about two chapters to find out I was reading a fanfic. The moment Mal was introduced I knew this was a gallavich fanfic of the tv show Shameless. It was even more obvious and glaring the more I read: we don't get introduced to the characters, snippets of life (Rowan's backstory, his father, Mal's father, Rowan working at his sister's diner etc.) are thrown in the story like a wink and a nod instead of elements that are part of the narrative. There was no attempt to tell a story and let me learn about the characters because this was a barely edited fanfic where I was supposed to already know the characters.
Another thing was how up till 50% nothing happened. Because this was a Ian/Mickey fanfic maybe, where a reader might be content of seeing their favourite characters in situations, or simply because the book was just slow. At least up till 50% most of the story is:
- barely any attention to Rowan (his interesting backstory is simply Ian's from Shameless, and it's there because it was in Shameless not because it has some sort of weight on his character development or the book's story)
- lots of talking that led to a long bdsm scene
- no friction or conflict
Rowan was perfect, Mal seemed quite good too, the bdsm was just... There. Not as a way to explore any possible angsty problem.
Another thing was how up till 50% nothing happened. Because this was a Ian/Mickey fanfic maybe, where a reader might be content of seeing their favourite characters in situations, or simply because the book was just slow. At least up till 50% most of the story is:
- barely any attention to Rowan (his interesting backstory is simply Ian's from Shameless, and it's there because it was in Shameless not because it has some sort of weight on his character development or the book's story)
- lots of talking that led to a long bdsm scene
- no friction or conflict
Rowan was perfect, Mal seemed quite good too, the bdsm was just... There. Not as a way to explore any possible angsty problem.
May 11, 2026
As a moodreader, sometimes I crave something filthy and erotic. And when this cover comes along somewhere, you just jump in. No questions asked. And it definitely delivered on the smut scale. Top tier scenes. And a lot of them too. Yet despite being pure erotica, the story still manages to feel surprisingly tender and romantic, giving the book a nice emotional balance.
It quite literally starts with a bang, a gangbang to be precise, where one man being used by 10 others in the safe environment sexclub The Menagerie is. In this unconventional version of a meet-cute, Rowan, a new member, meets Mal, the man at the center of the scene, and the chemistry between them is instant.
Mal asks Rowan to become his Dom, and soon their weekly encounters at The Menagerie become a ritual of desire, tension, and exploration. Rowan falls hard for Mal almost immediately, but keeps his feelings hidden. Mal, emotionally guarded and closed off, insists their connection remains purely sexual. Still, through all the scenes, silences, and carefully negotiated boundaries, the two slowly begin building something deeper.
The plot mainly revolves around their weekly meetings, but honestly, that never becomes repetitive. The scenes are incredibly well written: raw, emotional, and charged with tension. They explore vulnerability, insecurity, pain, degradation, praise, trust, bonding, and pleasure in ways that feel both intense and intimate. Watching these two emotionally reserved men slowly learn to trust, understand, and value each other is what truly makes the story shine.
Don’t go in expecting a plot-heavy romance or deeply layered character studies. This book knows exactly what it wants to be: a sensual, emotional, and very steamy ride — and it delivers beautifully.
It quite literally starts with a bang, a gangbang to be precise, where one man being used by 10 others in the safe environment sexclub The Menagerie is. In this unconventional version of a meet-cute, Rowan, a new member, meets Mal, the man at the center of the scene, and the chemistry between them is instant.
Mal asks Rowan to become his Dom, and soon their weekly encounters at The Menagerie become a ritual of desire, tension, and exploration. Rowan falls hard for Mal almost immediately, but keeps his feelings hidden. Mal, emotionally guarded and closed off, insists their connection remains purely sexual. Still, through all the scenes, silences, and carefully negotiated boundaries, the two slowly begin building something deeper.
The plot mainly revolves around their weekly meetings, but honestly, that never becomes repetitive. The scenes are incredibly well written: raw, emotional, and charged with tension. They explore vulnerability, insecurity, pain, degradation, praise, trust, bonding, and pleasure in ways that feel both intense and intimate. Watching these two emotionally reserved men slowly learn to trust, understand, and value each other is what truly makes the story shine.
Don’t go in expecting a plot-heavy romance or deeply layered character studies. This book knows exactly what it wants to be: a sensual, emotional, and very steamy ride — and it delivers beautifully.
May 11, 2026
Well, this was… unexpected. I went in with low expectations and came out as someone who wants to give five stars but also feels slightly embarrassed about it. (But fuck it, did it anyway)
It was definitely spicy. Like 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. High heat, absolutely, but slooooow burn.
The funny thing: the BDSM could not have interested me less. What absolutely wrecked me was the evolving relationship between Mal and Rowan. The pining. The yearning. The longing. The absolute exquisite torture of the growing feelings and the what-the-hell-am-I-supposed-to-do-with-this??
And it was so much more emotional than I expected. I am, apparently, a complete sucker for watching an intense connection grow from nothing.
The consent, the communication, the checking in. It was devastatingly intimate in a way I did not see coming. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but it kinda was for me.
And yes, it is also scorching hot, because let’s say 90% of this book is just fucking. But my absolute favorites were the kisses. The first and the second kiss scene ❤️ I will not elaborate because you need to experience them yourself, but phew.
My only complaint is that I would have loved some POV switches to get a little peek inside Mal’s head.
It was definitely spicy. Like 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. High heat, absolutely, but slooooow burn.
The funny thing: the BDSM could not have interested me less. What absolutely wrecked me was the evolving relationship between Mal and Rowan. The pining. The yearning. The longing. The absolute exquisite torture of the growing feelings and the what-the-hell-am-I-supposed-to-do-with-this??
And it was so much more emotional than I expected. I am, apparently, a complete sucker for watching an intense connection grow from nothing.
The consent, the communication, the checking in. It was devastatingly intimate in a way I did not see coming. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but it kinda was for me.
And yes, it is also scorching hot, because let’s say 90% of this book is just fucking. But my absolute favorites were the kisses. The first and the second kiss scene ❤️ I will not elaborate because you need to experience them yourself, but phew.
My only complaint is that I would have loved some POV switches to get a little peek inside Mal’s head.
May 17, 2026
3.75⭐ rounded up. So... I have complicated feelings about this book and struggled to decide on how to rate it. I can't even break it into pro/con.
To start... The book is written in 3rd person, which I'm not a fan of, and it felt like a detraction in this book. It was hard to feel deeply about the characters when their story is told from an outside perspective.
Some might say this is a slow burn, but really, it's a long, long story. The characters don't even come together until the last 8%. I was not a fan of taking that approach. The story wasn't a bad one, it just felt unnecessarily dragged out.
I don't mind single pov, which this was, but it Mal was a character whose pov I would have loved to know.
The spicy scenes were good, and a lot of the bdsm was good, but it fell flat when it came to complete communication for the relationship they were in.
Overall, I don't think it was a bad book, and I'm glad I didn't dnf (which I considered a few times) but I don't know that I'd recommend
To start... The book is written in 3rd person, which I'm not a fan of, and it felt like a detraction in this book. It was hard to feel deeply about the characters when their story is told from an outside perspective.
Some might say this is a slow burn, but really, it's a long, long story. The characters don't even come together until the last 8%. I was not a fan of taking that approach. The story wasn't a bad one, it just felt unnecessarily dragged out.
I don't mind single pov, which this was, but it Mal was a character whose pov I would have loved to know.
The spicy scenes were good, and a lot of the bdsm was good, but it fell flat when it came to complete communication for the relationship they were in.
Overall, I don't think it was a bad book, and I'm glad I didn't dnf (which I considered a few times) but I don't know that I'd recommend
April 7, 2026
JP Caruso- I need more of your work! I was immediately hooked on this story and love your style and detail.
The Menagerie was the book I didn’t know I needed in my life. My new fave and obsession!
On top of the intriguing, sexy premise of Rowan and Mal’s D/s relationship, the world-building and carefully crafted detail mixed with tension is PHENOMENAL. I felt immersed in the BDSM world with the two MMCs and enjoyed the secondary characters, as well. I cannot say enough how incredibly spicy and sexy Rowan and Mal’s scenes were each and EVERY time…Holy HELL!
J.P. Caruso: I think you’ve ruined me for at least the near future because as soon as I finished my first read, I immediately started reading the novel again. I can’t get Rowan and Mal out of my head! PLEASE tell me when/if I can expect more novels from you…Maybe even in the same world of The Menagerie?? I’d read anything you write.
The Menagerie was the book I didn’t know I needed in my life. My new fave and obsession!
On top of the intriguing, sexy premise of Rowan and Mal’s D/s relationship, the world-building and carefully crafted detail mixed with tension is PHENOMENAL. I felt immersed in the BDSM world with the two MMCs and enjoyed the secondary characters, as well. I cannot say enough how incredibly spicy and sexy Rowan and Mal’s scenes were each and EVERY time…Holy HELL!
J.P. Caruso: I think you’ve ruined me for at least the near future because as soon as I finished my first read, I immediately started reading the novel again. I can’t get Rowan and Mal out of my head! PLEASE tell me when/if I can expect more novels from you…Maybe even in the same world of The Menagerie?? I’d read anything you write.
May 23, 2025
Love love loved it. The writing. The progression of their relationship! Starts off with a bang (literally) but it's such a good read because of the progression of them getting to know each other is so juicy. I am obsessed with their banter and the conversations and how they talk, but get to know each other so slowly and organically. It’s so good. I gave up sleep a few nights to read this, and I’d do it again. (and probably will on a reread.)
I love Rowan and Mal’s chemistry. Learning about the BDSM world along with Rowan is so interesting.
I love how open it is about sexuality and kinks and what it all means for the characters and for someone. You don't have to be into BDSM or some of the stuff they do or talk about to find this hot and love this book.
Oh man. When he pulls out the condoms it’s like a knife to the heart. Aaaahhhh. Makes the end even better.
I love Rowan and Mal’s chemistry. Learning about the BDSM world along with Rowan is so interesting.
I love how open it is about sexuality and kinks and what it all means for the characters and for someone. You don't have to be into BDSM or some of the stuff they do or talk about to find this hot and love this book.
Oh man. When he pulls out the condoms it’s like a knife to the heart. Aaaahhhh. Makes the end even better.
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