A split second almost took her from him. Now, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.
When the love of Leon’s life falls asleep behind the wheel after working herself into the ground, he finally puts his foot down. What Dr. Cessie Lanner needs is some rest, some relaxation—and plenty of time on her knees.
What she needs, is Rawhide Ranch.
From the moment they arrive on the Ranch, Leon sets out to make sure Cessie remembers who’s in charge. With his girl locked in the cage he had erected just for this purpose, he uses everything he knows about training falcons to teach Cessie not just how to submit, but how to trust—her Dom, herself, and the relationship they’ve built over the years.
But there are things Leon doesn’t know about the woman he loves. And when she finally breaks, Leon realizes Cessie isn't the only one who needs lessons in trust...
Lila is a multi-published, bestselling author of erotic, paranormal and fantasy romance. Having spent extensive time in France, Egypt, Turkey, Ireland and England, Lila speaks five languages, none of them--including English--fluently.
What an awesome beautiful love story I would love someone as amazing as these determined characters they pulled at my heart in many ways! I personally love this author work you can expect great things so when I find out she was joining the rawhide ranch author family I was jumping for joy! This book had me curious from the very beginning and holding my emotions all throughout the story the levels this guy goes through to help his girlfriend is impressive. I feel like I learned something I would want to try to build my own trust but I say I was somewhat scared. There is a lot in my opinion underlined insecurities Cessie feels but doesn’t know how to voice them this relates to real life too. I like how the guy character goes about handling things with passion, patience you can definitely tell/ feel how much they mean to another. I personally loved that through everything they learned to communicate and find ways to continue improving both as individuals and together! There is still plenty of steamy intimate moments among the heartfelt parts that makes it even more satisfying. I feel like that the characters learning to rely on each other through every day normal life makes the fun steamy stuff makes their relationship even more special and something to look up to! It is amazing enjoying book that’s fast paced that could easily be read in few hours with a epic ending!
I love the Rawhide Ranch series stories because I have introduced to so many new authors, like this one. This story is quite unique in how the storyline goes. Leon and Cessie are a couple who have some problems in their relationship and head to Rawhide to help bring them back together. But the way Leon chose to do it, is what was different. I won’t say what he did so as not to spoil it for others, but let’s just say, I found it quite intriguing. Cessie is a young woman who has a lot on her plate with being a doctor and taking care of her family, who aren’t the greatest of people. Leon wants to help Cessie and show her how much he loves her. I was entranced from the very beginning to the end and just couldn’t put it down. I rooted for them throughout because I just knew they belonged together and I could feel the love and lust coming off the pages. What I did love was the way the author described everything to the point that I could visualize what was going on, and I found it fascinating. Plus the chemistry between Leon & Cessie is sizzling hot! This story is a must read for all!
Leon is a hard-working venture capitalist. Cessie is a medical resident who is absolutely being run ragged because of her profession and who, on top of that, has a needy and quite dreadful mother and brother who are draining her time, her energy, and her money.
Leon is basically losing his relationship with Cessie because of all of the stress and then she almost kills herself by falling asleep on the freeway. Leon takes her away to Rawhide Ranch to try to get their mojo back and to get Cessie to actually trust him enough to let him help her balance her life.
OK, fairly standard tropes.
Cessie's name is a shortening of a version of a name for Kestral -- a small raptor. So the motif In Leon training Cessie to trust and submit and open herself is gentling a wild raptor. So, yeah, jesses on arms and legs, a hood on her head, and the bed inside a lovely cage. Over the top, sure. But... wow.
Anyways, great sex. Really, really, REALLY great and well-described kink (but I would expect no less from Lila Dubois). Lots of amazing emotion.
A wonderful addition to the Submissives of Rawhide Ranch series. Leon and Cessie are broken. Can time at the ranch help them heal. Leon and Cessie have a unique bond, but commitments and stress have pulled them apart and away from each other, more so for Cessie who has pushed Leon away to protect him. Leon has a very specific plan to regain Cessie's submission. This is a complex and fresh story that shows submission in it's purest form. Cessie is driven and pushed to her limits, it is going to take extreme measures to break through her walls and allow her to heal and flourish. I love these characters, the honest and creative perspective. The depth of emotion is raw and beautifully detailed. Not much of the ranch is present in this story as you might normally see, but it could not be set anywhere else. The story had me captivated and was a joy to read. This is a new to me author and I will be reading more of her work. I definitely recommend this book and series.
Wonderfully written marvellous characters trying to save their relationship
Cessie and her Dom the absolute centre of her world which is currently crumbling around her, she needs his help and guidance to help her survive the pain her mother and brothers who wanted her to cheat the only man that had cared for her. Her life as a surgeon was stressful but she accepted these hardships , her Dom cared for all her needs but the night she almost died was unforgivable.
He could not live without her but she obviously knew that he had brought her to Rawhide Ranch where he could hopefully bring them back to their true North. They would Then continue to strengthen their love as Dom and sub and knew they would survive and continue to grow stronger, their love as determined as their next breath.
This was a good story. Leon is worried about his girlfriend, Cassie who is pulled in every direction when it comes to her mother and brother and he wants her to see that they are using her, but when she almost loses everything when she falls asleep behind the wheel and wakes up on the other side of the road, he realises that he could lose her at any time. It’s either the end of their relationship, or they try their best to correct what’s going on in their lives. It’s a trip to the Rawhide Ranch that saves their relationship and brings them back to what’s the most important and that is their relationship and they feelings for each other. There is a happy ending for this couple.
I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and I am reviewing with my honest and fair opinion.
Cessie is a highly stressed woman. She has a lot going on in her life and has even more added stress with her family. She was raised to be their caretaker. Leon is the man she loves and the dom she needs. BDSM helps her deal with the stress, but life gets in the way. Leon brings Cessie to Rawhide to bring their relationship back into focus.
I loved this story. There isn't much with the Ranch, except for Master Derek believing that Leon can bring himself and Cessie back together. The trust exercises might seem extreme, but it was what Cessie, and Leon needed.
This is another great addition to the Submissives of Rawhide Ranch series. If you have not read anything by this author, I highly encourage you to do so.
Be prepared for the intensity of this one! If you want fun and light-hearted, grab a book from the Little side of the Ranch. If you are more into the darker side of the Ranch, this is the one for you. The Ranch is a part of it all as it takes place, in large part, on the Ranch but don't expect to see a lot of familiar faces. There are very brief appearances in the beginning and end but this book is pure and simple about the couple and their relationship. Just a slight trigger warning, if you have strong feelings about familial relationships and loyalty, this book could be a trigger as, in large part, the issues between the couple stem from her catering to her family.
OMG This was such a good story. Cessie and Leon were an established couple who tried out a little D/s on Saturdays at the Club. But somewhere along the way, real life interrupted, making their time spent in their dynamic less and less. Add in a ton of personal and professional drama along with a near miss accident and Leon can see the writing on the wall. Things need to change and it was up to him to make it happen. I loved their dynamic and watching it ebb and flow and then grow to be what they needed. Cessie may be a sub but she's no pushover. Unfortunately she has doubts and fear just like the rest of us and her people pleasing A+ personality is what got her to this situation. She needed to work with her partner to come up with the solutions to resolve her issue and Leon was more than up for the job. I loved their scenes together and how much talking they did as well as as having those spicy moments. Leon's solution for a HEA was the icing on the cake as far as I was concerned. Great addition to Rawhide Ranch.
The newest addition to the Submissives of Rawhide series, Caging Cessie, offers a fresh and different take on D/s dynamics, and I mean that as a compliment. What really stood out to me was how the story showed D/s not just as play, but as a way to center yourself and find calm when life feels chaotic.
Leon’s devotion to Cessie shines throughout the book. The love he has for her is clear in the lengths he’s willing to go to help her, and that depth of care makes the story even more compelling. This book doesn’t just entertain, it highlights the grounding and nurturing side of power exchange in a way that feels both authentic and touching.
After Cessie literally works herself into danger—dozing off behind the wheel—Leon draws a hard line: time away, structure, and surrender at Rawhide Ranch. What follows is an established-couple story where the kink isn’t window dressing; it’s the mechanism for healing burnout, rebuilding trust, and re-setting boundaries. The scenes lean explicitly BDSM/D-s with discipline, rules, and thorough aftercare, but the emotional spine is tender and protective.
Why it works: Dubois uses the Ranch setting to make caretaking feel earned, not punitive, and keeps the focus on consent and communication even when the power exchange is intense. If you love protective Doms, enforced downtime, and high-heat with heart, this one scratches the itch.  
My Takeaway: A satisfying, high-heat reset romance—less intrigue, more intimacy—where structure becomes solace.
When Cessie almost has a car wreck because of overworking herself, Leon decides it's time to take control. Her mother and brothers have been using her and he needs to put a stop to it. When he takes her to Rawhide Ranch, it gets her away from her overbearing family and he hopes he can help her. I didn't care for her family and was glad Leon took her away. This story was wonderful in that they become closer and she knows who always has her back.
I appreciated how supportive of her he is, even when he doesn't agree with her actions he is there for her. You can feel how much he hurts for her as she silently implodes.
He fought so incredibly hard for her, you could just feel how much he loves her, how he needs her and knows how much he has to lose.
The depth of trust and the devotion outlaid is rather astounding, it left me thinking. A love so strong is rare and to be valued.
The good: Sensory deprivation & conditioning done with love & consent (versus the usual Stockholm syndrome non con fare). Rare kinks in erotica land these days. The bad: A weak sauce heroine who submits to everyone (family & shitty psychotherapist) except her loving boyfriend. She spends her time antagonising him & not even in a fun bratty way. I don't get it. I would have dumped her if I was him. Also, a bizarre rushed ending.
I loved this story! Lila Dubois has such a way with words it's incredible. Bringing these characters to life on the page was expertly done and I couldn't have enjoyed myself more. I say that every time but I really do enjoy all her books anytime I have a chance to do so. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not what i was expecting, but that is not a bad thing. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the couple although it was a little different read for me. Past characters are not really as prominent in this story as others, the focus is on the couple.
This is a bit of a different take on a D/s relationship. Cessie has been doing too much and spiraling. Leon takes drastic measures to get her to lean on him. A blindfold hood and cage make her fully dependent on him and he loves to use clamps.
I just loved this story. The honest talking they did and how Leon brought out her submissive side and just the way they worked on their relationship. It is a sweet addition to the rawhide ranch library. Highly recommend
Definitely not the book I was excepting but did enjoy the book! They did need to work on things and this was a great way to finally talked without interruptions as well as find their forever together.
Cessie and Leon were a great couple who had normal relationships problems. Where Rawhide Ranch and a lot of communication helped them deal with their issues. Their dynamic was a different dynamic than I’ve read before, but it was interesting.