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Fire Season #3
Conflict of Interes
Oliver
I've been labeled many relentless workaholic, tireless overachiever... fun killer. Not that it fazes me (well, maybe that last one stings a little). I know exactly what I want, and I possess the relentless drive to reach my goals. Even if it means turning down the vacation my best friend is desperately trying to push on me.
But then I cross paths with the electrifying, brilliant, and utterly unpredictable Ethan Yuan, and my world is turned upside down. And not just because I hadn't realized I was attracted to men.
I also hadn't realized I craved submission. Maybe "oblivious" should be added to my list of shortcomings.
Soon, I’m addicted to talking to Ethan online, to learning everything there is to know about his kinks. There’s only one
He doesn’t know the person he’s talking to online is me. And I’m not sure I want to tell him the truth. No matter how much I want him to bend me over his kitchen table and do filthy things to my body.
Ethan
When my wife cheated on me, I thought it would be over quickly, but instead she’s dragging me through a contentious divorce. And my lawyer says the last thing I need is an affair to add fuel to the fire.
So when I meet an adorable, sexy, sweetheart of a submissive on an online hookup app, I decide to keep the relationship online. It’s the perfect way to have a little fun while minimizing my risks.
Until I find out who the submissive really is.
I've been labeled many relentless workaholic, tireless overachiever... fun killer. Not that it fazes me (well, maybe that last one stings a little). I know exactly what I want, and I possess the relentless drive to reach my goals. Even if it means turning down the vacation my best friend is desperately trying to push on me.
But then I cross paths with the electrifying, brilliant, and utterly unpredictable Ethan Yuan, and my world is turned upside down. And not just because I hadn't realized I was attracted to men.
I also hadn't realized I craved submission. Maybe "oblivious" should be added to my list of shortcomings.
Soon, I’m addicted to talking to Ethan online, to learning everything there is to know about his kinks. There’s only one
He doesn’t know the person he’s talking to online is me. And I’m not sure I want to tell him the truth. No matter how much I want him to bend me over his kitchen table and do filthy things to my body.
Ethan
When my wife cheated on me, I thought it would be over quickly, but instead she’s dragging me through a contentious divorce. And my lawyer says the last thing I need is an affair to add fuel to the fire.
So when I meet an adorable, sexy, sweetheart of a submissive on an online hookup app, I decide to keep the relationship online. It’s the perfect way to have a little fun while minimizing my risks.
Until I find out who the submissive really is.
- GenresRomanceMental Health
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2025
8 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 25, 2025
I received a free copy of the book via Booksprout, and the following review is entirely my own voluntary and honest opinion.
“Conflict of Interest” is the third in Ezra Dao's “Fire Season” series, and like the previous books, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. A well-known trademark of the series is the emotional, erotica-filled narrative, which this instalment delivers in great measure – focusing on the relationship between two already familiar characters, Olivier and Ethan.
Olivier is a workaholic architect who, for the first time as a grown man, is confronted with his attraction to men. Ethan is a divorcing businessman trying to reconcile the prospect of a fresh start with the search for self-identity – and the desire to finally try his hand at dominance. Their encounter is initially more confusing than fateful: Ethan as Ethan, but Olivier as Cupcake – at least through a BDSM app where neither reveals his true identity.
The strength of the story is that it shows discovery rather than offering ready answers. BDSM here is not about a well-worn role, but about the development of a relationship, where two people learn together what they want – and how to talk about it openly. While trying out the dynamics, they also stray into ethically shaky territory: an architect and his client are having a secret affair, which they try to hide – not only from the outside world, but from each other.
The novel is romantic and emotionally authentic, even if for long the intimacy takes place only through screens and the app. The sexual tension builds slowly as both characters go through profound inner changes. Ethan is trying to come to terms with the insecurity of divorce while deciding what he wants to do with his life. Olivier, on the other hand, is forced to confront his sexuality for the first time – and what life can be like when you finally stop living for work and start giving something of yourself, perhaps even as a submissive.
The supporting characters further enrich the story. Roman and Clay, who have appeared in the previous books, continue to subtly weave the backstory. Liam, Ethan's lawyer, and the reassuring presence of Tate also bring the world of the novel to life. I found the latter a particularly likeable character – I sincerely hope he gets his own story.
The only minor negative is that the time management is a little muddled in places – it's not always clear how much time passes between two events. But as it's an ARC copy, this is understandable and will probably be corrected in the final release.
“Conflict of Interest” is another strong piece in the series: sensitive, intense, and honest in every way. I recommend it for those who want to see not only the desire, but also the struggle and growth behind it – and who are not intimidated by love looking a little different from the usual.
“Conflict of Interest” is the third in Ezra Dao's “Fire Season” series, and like the previous books, it can be enjoyed as a standalone. A well-known trademark of the series is the emotional, erotica-filled narrative, which this instalment delivers in great measure – focusing on the relationship between two already familiar characters, Olivier and Ethan.
Olivier is a workaholic architect who, for the first time as a grown man, is confronted with his attraction to men. Ethan is a divorcing businessman trying to reconcile the prospect of a fresh start with the search for self-identity – and the desire to finally try his hand at dominance. Their encounter is initially more confusing than fateful: Ethan as Ethan, but Olivier as Cupcake – at least through a BDSM app where neither reveals his true identity.
The strength of the story is that it shows discovery rather than offering ready answers. BDSM here is not about a well-worn role, but about the development of a relationship, where two people learn together what they want – and how to talk about it openly. While trying out the dynamics, they also stray into ethically shaky territory: an architect and his client are having a secret affair, which they try to hide – not only from the outside world, but from each other.
The novel is romantic and emotionally authentic, even if for long the intimacy takes place only through screens and the app. The sexual tension builds slowly as both characters go through profound inner changes. Ethan is trying to come to terms with the insecurity of divorce while deciding what he wants to do with his life. Olivier, on the other hand, is forced to confront his sexuality for the first time – and what life can be like when you finally stop living for work and start giving something of yourself, perhaps even as a submissive.
The supporting characters further enrich the story. Roman and Clay, who have appeared in the previous books, continue to subtly weave the backstory. Liam, Ethan's lawyer, and the reassuring presence of Tate also bring the world of the novel to life. I found the latter a particularly likeable character – I sincerely hope he gets his own story.
The only minor negative is that the time management is a little muddled in places – it's not always clear how much time passes between two events. But as it's an ARC copy, this is understandable and will probably be corrected in the final release.
“Conflict of Interest” is another strong piece in the series: sensitive, intense, and honest in every way. I recommend it for those who want to see not only the desire, but also the struggle and growth behind it – and who are not intimidated by love looking a little different from the usual.
May 17, 2025
Fascinating, romantic, edgy. There are many words that could describe this story but I think these three sum it up nicely. Fascinating because it takes us into a world of BDSM but not one where things are already underway and certain, no, this is one where both men are learning what they want, how they want it. They have no idea how or if such a dynamic will work but they are willing to try. There is a catch though, this is an architect and his client. Then to add to the mix the architect has spent his life so far telling himself he is straight whilst the client is going through a nasty divorce.
Romantic because, well it is, this is a romance and whilst they may be kinky and involve various different BDSM scenarios the encounters these men share are undoubtedly romantic. And that is where the edginess comes in, the romance has to be conducted in secret if it is going to happen at all and so it is that Oliver (the architect) finds himself keeping a big secret from his client, Ethan. Oliver noticed an app Ethan was using and when curiosity got the better of him he signed up, under the name Cupcake and waited to see if Ethan would chat. He did and what follows is Ethan reasoning to himself that all this is research and protecting Ethan from the nasty divorce. When it all goes bottom up the pair have some truths to face.
Ethan has to face questions about what he wants from life. In his mid twenties with an eye-watering amount of money in his bank account, a company sold he could do anything but has no idea what. Oliver needs to let go of some of his OCD, his habit of overworking and the secrets he has been holding on to. They could do this all together if they could find a way to finally talk, really talk. With a cast of supporting characters who manage to make this story feel even more real. Oliver's business partner Roman is having a secret romance with Ethan's brother Clay. Liam is the lawyer working on Ethan's divorce, the two men having had a shaky friendship since childhood. Tate is a calming influence, a man who always has a shoulder to be leant on, an ear ready to listen and I really hope he is going to get a story in this series.
I was hooked, curious, went on a learning journey with Oliver and Ethan and found it hard to put the book down for anything other than the biggest of emergencies! Thanks Ezra Dao for lighting up my nighttime reading time!
Romantic because, well it is, this is a romance and whilst they may be kinky and involve various different BDSM scenarios the encounters these men share are undoubtedly romantic. And that is where the edginess comes in, the romance has to be conducted in secret if it is going to happen at all and so it is that Oliver (the architect) finds himself keeping a big secret from his client, Ethan. Oliver noticed an app Ethan was using and when curiosity got the better of him he signed up, under the name Cupcake and waited to see if Ethan would chat. He did and what follows is Ethan reasoning to himself that all this is research and protecting Ethan from the nasty divorce. When it all goes bottom up the pair have some truths to face.
Ethan has to face questions about what he wants from life. In his mid twenties with an eye-watering amount of money in his bank account, a company sold he could do anything but has no idea what. Oliver needs to let go of some of his OCD, his habit of overworking and the secrets he has been holding on to. They could do this all together if they could find a way to finally talk, really talk. With a cast of supporting characters who manage to make this story feel even more real. Oliver's business partner Roman is having a secret romance with Ethan's brother Clay. Liam is the lawyer working on Ethan's divorce, the two men having had a shaky friendship since childhood. Tate is a calming influence, a man who always has a shoulder to be leant on, an ear ready to listen and I really hope he is going to get a story in this series.
I was hooked, curious, went on a learning journey with Oliver and Ethan and found it hard to put the book down for anything other than the biggest of emergencies! Thanks Ezra Dao for lighting up my nighttime reading time!
May 22, 2025
FINALLY CLAY’S WORKAHOLIC BROTHER!💕
CURIOUS CUPCAKE AND KNOT ETHAN
In the third book of Fire Season we finally get the ins and outs of what happened between Oliver and a certain clients husband….
Oliver blows off his vacation with Roman and Clay to see to a problem that arises with the last house him and Roman designed in the first book and this is where the uptight straight architect Oliver Kelly discovers a hidden side to his sexuality with Ethan Yuan who is going through a terrible divorce…
They embark on a hidden identity adventure where they communicate via a hook up BDSM app and get to know each others kinks anonymously but one of them discovers the other’s identity…
They also become friends when they go rock climbing, mountain biking as themselves… but Oliver still puts up a facade…
What will happen when their true identities are revealed?…
What will happen when trust is broken?…
“I'd found something I never knew I was looking for—a man who saw through every carefully constructed façade to the raw, needy truth beneath.”
They had a surprising dynamic that just fit as if they were made for each other and so hot together with an unbreakable connection!
The soon to be ex wife storyline was the fly in their ointment as Ethan had to keep his side clean to not lose half his fortune…. With devastating heartbreaking consequences… ❤️🩹
I loved reading their engaging, steamy virtual to reality love story and look forward to Ethan’s grumpy lawyer-Liam next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
CURIOUS CUPCAKE AND KNOT ETHAN
In the third book of Fire Season we finally get the ins and outs of what happened between Oliver and a certain clients husband….
Oliver blows off his vacation with Roman and Clay to see to a problem that arises with the last house him and Roman designed in the first book and this is where the uptight straight architect Oliver Kelly discovers a hidden side to his sexuality with Ethan Yuan who is going through a terrible divorce…
They embark on a hidden identity adventure where they communicate via a hook up BDSM app and get to know each others kinks anonymously but one of them discovers the other’s identity…
They also become friends when they go rock climbing, mountain biking as themselves… but Oliver still puts up a facade…
What will happen when their true identities are revealed?…
What will happen when trust is broken?…
“I'd found something I never knew I was looking for—a man who saw through every carefully constructed façade to the raw, needy truth beneath.”
They had a surprising dynamic that just fit as if they were made for each other and so hot together with an unbreakable connection!
The soon to be ex wife storyline was the fly in their ointment as Ethan had to keep his side clean to not lose half his fortune…. With devastating heartbreaking consequences… ❤️🩹
I loved reading their engaging, steamy virtual to reality love story and look forward to Ethan’s grumpy lawyer-Liam next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 12, 2025
As soon as I saw I could read a new book from Ezra I was excited. I love to read his books. His camp series, but also the more adult series this series is.
This time the book is about Olivier and Ethan, who are in the other two books as extra persons. Olivier is opening up to me as a reader, while he discovers so much about himself. So lovely to join him on his exploration and I understand why he kept it a secret, but on the other hand wanted to tell him off for not being honest. He is a workaholic and while meeting Ethan just before his holiday with Roman and Clay, he finds out for the first time he has feelings for a man.
Ethan's looks are so cool, with how he acts and his tattoos. His lawyer gives him the advice to not have a relationship while being in his divorce. But Ethan is also exploring a new thing about himself by being the dominant he wished to be before but wasn't able too. But at what cost is he keeping himself to the no relationship thing? Luckily Roman spoke to him, because I wanted to do that myself.
Great to be able, because both have their chapters, to get to experience this growing relationship from both their sides.
This time the book is about Olivier and Ethan, who are in the other two books as extra persons. Olivier is opening up to me as a reader, while he discovers so much about himself. So lovely to join him on his exploration and I understand why he kept it a secret, but on the other hand wanted to tell him off for not being honest. He is a workaholic and while meeting Ethan just before his holiday with Roman and Clay, he finds out for the first time he has feelings for a man.
Ethan's looks are so cool, with how he acts and his tattoos. His lawyer gives him the advice to not have a relationship while being in his divorce. But Ethan is also exploring a new thing about himself by being the dominant he wished to be before but wasn't able too. But at what cost is he keeping himself to the no relationship thing? Luckily Roman spoke to him, because I wanted to do that myself.
Great to be able, because both have their chapters, to get to experience this growing relationship from both their sides.
May 22, 2025
Conflict of interest
Excellent scenario. Keeping it believable and cute and so damn hot! New author for me, and one who's going on my favourite list already!
A chance meeting with Ethan leads Oliver to question his sexual orientation, and finding Ethan on a chat forum enables him to develop an anonymous on line relationship with the man of his dreams and come to terms with his need to submit.
There's a nice pace to this story swept along by Ethan's backstory and Oliver's need to remain anonymous. Both characters are wonderfully realised, beautifully human and chemistry driven. Quite the addictive read! Seriously high four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Excellent scenario. Keeping it believable and cute and so damn hot! New author for me, and one who's going on my favourite list already!
A chance meeting with Ethan leads Oliver to question his sexual orientation, and finding Ethan on a chat forum enables him to develop an anonymous on line relationship with the man of his dreams and come to terms with his need to submit.
There's a nice pace to this story swept along by Ethan's backstory and Oliver's need to remain anonymous. Both characters are wonderfully realised, beautifully human and chemistry driven. Quite the addictive read! Seriously high four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 23, 2025
Oliver is the architect who built Ethan's house. Now Ethan is getting a divorce and looking for a friend - maybe something more. Oliver is straight and tries to stay professional but it's a losing battle. Both men go on an app and start sexting, Ethan not realizing it's Oliver but Oliver knows. I'm of two minds about the deception, not aboveboard but fear of losing him was a factor. It's really hot and steamy with their interest wrapped up in submission and domination. I received a copy of this through BookSprout and this is my voluntary opinion.
May 22, 2025
Conflict of interest is the third book in the Fire Season series by Ezra Dao. I have to admit I came in in the middle of the series. But what I've read has piqued my interest. Ethan and Oliver had an interesting relationship. I was glad to see them find their happy ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2025
Oliver and Ethan have quite a bit of angst in their story due to Ethan's less than straightforward divorce. With their friends and family popping up also, they find a way through in this erotic tale which is sexy, steamy and so much more!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2025
Oliver wants things perfect in his life and is a workaholic and thinks he has what he wants in life. Then he meets Ethan and everything changes in his life and he realizes what he thought he wanted isn't even close to what he wants. Ethan is going through a divorce and thinks he not ready for a relationship but maybe Oliver will change his mind. I loved this book.
May 17, 2025
This is the third book in the Fire Season series and this is Ethan and Oliver’s story who have been side characters mentioned from book one. There is a lot of Bdsm references in this one but it is also romantic in it’s own way and it kept my attention from the beginning to the end.
May 18, 2025
Conflict of Interest is the third book in the Fire Season series, each can be read as a standalone but is better in order. We've seen Ethan and Oliver throughout the series and I loved getting their story.
June 6, 2025
That was fun. I was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews