The Handler: Special Anniversary Edition

Manhandled #1

by August Jones

Gideon York is one of the most famous queer men in the world, but since his very public sex scandal, he’s on the verge of being permanently cancelled. Up for three Grammys this year, he needs to get through his six-week European tour without further incident or bad press. That’s where I come in. Call me his security detail, bodyguard, babysitter, or handler—I’ve been hired to keep him within my line of sight and out of trouble until the award ceremony. Should be a cakewalk. But nothing about Gideon or his life is ordinary, and no interaction I have with him feels anything less than charged. He makes me question everything I thought I knew about fame, desire, and sexuality. The more I know him, the more he invades me. The more I let him in, the more I lose myself. Gideon York is no cakewalk. He’s a recipe for disaster. And it turns out—I’m here for it.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary, Dark

482 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

August Jones (She/They) is an author of queer romance and a voracious reader of smut. She resides in Texas with her family, pets, and books. However, she reads mostly on her phone because she’s cheap, it has a built in backlight, and it’s almost always in her hand.

If you ever discover her real name, don’t tell her, just read the books she’s published (you’ll like them) and thank her later with a rating or review. Mwah!

Books: KU, Paperback, & Audio
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Reviews

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*** stars
dropped @80%

This was not a match made in heaven, me and Gideon. This is a trigger.

I don’t think I’ve read something quite like this before. I loved the first half of the book. And because I generally have no issues with certain things in romance and it felt like fresh air, I ate it up!


First thing that would probably not sit well with some readers is the fact that Jax and his ex-wife still have a pretty close relationship with each other, including sex and “babe”s and “I love you”’s. It honestly made me pretty sad that these two couldn’t make their marriage work for various reasons but were still so desperate for each other.

Second thing some readers probably wouldn’t like all that much are orgies Jax and Gideon take part in as well as the whole lot of f*cking other people than each other. Although this book is oughta be about them.

Jax identifies as a straight man but he sees a need in Gideon no one seems to satisfy. So he starts helping out. Jax is a pretty mean Dom and it doesn’t take much for him to get Gideon that edge he needs. At first mostly through his voice, his commands, while other man do the work on Gideon. It’s super hot.

I’d break him. I’d hurt him. […] I don’t trust myself with someone like him—not when it’s so obvious he’s already broken.

note : this is an erotica, so it is high heat, but the book is still heavy on intense feels and the relationship development between the two main characters. It also includes sex with women and sharing —but that’s only until they get serious with each other.


Now to the cause of my rating: while Jax had no issues with queerness in general his internalized homophobia for himself and how he wanted to see himself made me feel very uneasy. I didn’t like that he struggled so much with his attraction to Gideon and he was hard on both of them for it.

It’s probably more a me-thing at this point but I got bored with the back and forth farther into the second half and by the 80% mark I lost interest all together so I’m calling it quits.


*************
The Manhandled Series

Book 1 - The Handler - dropped
Book 2 - The Baller
Book 3 - The Director

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I’m really fussy with my filth books?
I don’t know what makes a book good and also smutty for me??

Was this book hot and horny? Absolutely 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Was it a good book? Hmmm questionable….
Was there a plot? Can not confirm…
Did the characters form a connection? I think so? Enough for it to not be weird I guess?

The mf/mfm was an absolute jumpscare because I didn’t read the blurb, but eventually I was into it 💅🏼🤷🏻‍♀️

Jax was weird sometimes, and inconsistent with his “I’m a big dom man” mood and “I’m a silly nervous goose what do I do?” mood..
It was very… not-dominant of him???

He also pretty left with a note that said “sorry g2g, my ex is sick and the dog needs me”
like… SO FAIR AND VALID…. If your dog needs you, you gotta go….. but come on bro? You just told this man you loved him, and you’re not even gonna add a sorry to the note??? No forgive me please???? No call me later? Nothing..? Ick 🚩🚩🚩🚩

Towards the end, the whole “but he’s straight” plot line got VERY EXHAUSTING.
Like stfu, you can see he’s obsessed with you?

I was confused about the level of sexual protection used in this book 😂 normally I don’t care tbh, but I feel like it was made to be such a big point but then it was disregarded at a later stage? Why did you make a fuss in the beginning then?

This was just a solid book for the fact they smashed each other a lot, and if that’s what you’re after, you should enjoy it.

[Mug · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was in a messy mood and 100% emotionally prepared for messy and all the ow/om scenes, otherwise i’m not so sure i would’ve gone so nicely with the flow….like there’s a lot….MF, MFM, orgies galore, MM not between the mmcs….although, having jax step in and tell some dude how to properly fuck or suck or whatever to get gideon off was hottttt af and i LOVED it….i just totally gobbled up the fact that jax was the only one able to give gideon what he needed and i loved that gideon just completed melted for him…..i wish that dynamic stayed a little bit more consistent throughout the book bc i thought the pain and the things gideon needed seemed to taper out towards the end and there weren’t as many “scenes”, but i really enjoyed that aspect🥲

there is a shit ton of jax’s ex wife in this, and i’m not mad about it per se, but did they HAVE to call each other babe still🙄😭 it’s kinda tricky when ur ex wife, who you’ve still been fucking occasionally up to like 2 weeks before the trip, is ur best (and possibly only) friend….bc like who else would you text about ur adventures in europe while ur falling in love with a man, yk, but also like, get off the damn phone, no sausage picture bullshit, and stop calling each other babe!!!!! act right damn it!!! i’m pissed bc i’m not even mad at the ex wife bc she’s actually a good friend and so supportive, and jax is just completely ignorant about how that shit wouldn’t exactly look right…..ugh men🙄

and speaking of jax being stupid, leaving that idiotic note and then not calling or texting!?!? what tf could you possibly be thinking🤦‍♀️ i did like the drama of it all so, again, not mad about it…..and jax isn’t the only one being stupid, gideon is literally convinced beyond reason that jax is still straight basically the entire time, like sir, he told u he LOVED you and he’s been wrecking ur hole this entire time and ur still moaning and groaning about him being straight??? pls knock some sense into urself before i have to👊

my favorite part is that the only reason that jax and his ex wife divorced, bc they still very much loved each other at the time, is bc the ex wife wants kids and that was a deal breaker for jax bc he doesn’t want kids. now fast forward to jax falling in love with gideon and gideon is like i want a fucking army of kids, a big family….and jax is like yeaaa i’ve never wanted kids, but gideon is like my man, you would be such a good father, i believe in you….so jax is like aight, sign me up🤣🤣🤣 he’s literally like “i’ll do anything you want” and gideon is like “what about my teenagers?” and jax is like “i’ll be firm but understanding. i’ll validate all their feelings and shit before i ground them.” like it’s that easy LMFAOOO like SCREAMMMMMM🤣🤣🤣🤣 ex wife gotta be PUNCHING AIR RN😭😭💀💀💀 i would choking tears if i was the ex wife like ok fuck u too🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 so fucking wild i was ctfu

now, tell me why tf the epilogue included 4, count ‘em, FOUR instances of jax calling gideon “buddy” when he’s never used that nickname before!!!! i wanted to barf like wtf is this🤕🤕 completely outta the blue and stupid as dirt….like cut the shit, they’re in love!!!! they’re not calling each other buddy!!!! take it back!!!🔫

this author has a way of making 380 pages feel so quick and easy and i will forever be thankful for the way it’s helping out my slump rn🙏🙏

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

This was great.

I was in a bit of a slump and this got me out of it.

Initially, I hesitated to read it for a couple of reasons: 1 - I'm not normally a big fan of rock star stories (which is obviously a me issue) and 2 - I wasn't sure how the MF and MFM aspect would play out. I'm happy to say that the MF and MFM made sense for the story line and the progression re the sexual awakening for Jax.

I'm taking a bit of a break from full on reviews, but I will say that there is some excellent writing in this. I'm jumping right into the next book in the series.

[BearMi]

No, this is a DNF for me. No rating either, this is just not a story for which I'm willing to stick around for this long. Maybe it caught me at the wrong time, but Gideon is so unlikeable, and I can't handle the MF scenes, nor the BDSM aspect while normally I have no qualms. I truly hope the other instalments in this series are better.

[X]

DNF @ 7%. Bad writing. By which I mean I’d rather read the transcript of a nature documentary than keeping reading these MCs’ POVs.

[Dana | Rainbow Romance Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

|| 4.5 Stars ||

This book went from being mildly uncomfortable to being completely addictive, and by the end I loved it.

The author is very upfront in the content warnings that there are several MF/MFM scenes, and ordinarily I wouldn’t mind that, but it did make the first 30% or so hard for me. However, it was all part of the journey that the characters had to go on to find each other, and I’d urge you to stick with it if it bothers you.

Other than that, this book was amazing. I loved Gideon’s character. He was a needy little brat (my favourite kind), but he was also so vulnerable and not afraid to show it. He and Jax together were perfect, and I especially liked how Jax was able to dominate him and care for him in the way he needed, even before their relationship was sexual. The atmosphere between them was so charged, so when they finally got it on I just wanted to combust on the spot.

The MM spice in this book was absolutely top notch, and the BDSM element to it was the cherry on top for me. I was completely feral for Jax and Gideon’s dynamic, and I don’t even care that this book was more spice heavy than plot rich. It worked for the story and for the characters.

Overall, this was a really great book and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

“I’m gonna make you drool. I’m gonna make you weep. I’m gonna make you come so hard you’re gonna pass out cold.”
And then what?
“And then I’m gonna love you for the rest of my fucking life.”

[TrippyBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the hottest book I’ve read in a while. I’ll start with the things i like

-Dominant top
-Pierced 🍆
-androgynous bottom
-bisexual awakening
-double penetration
-spanking

Thinks he straight for the first portion of the book and there are a few mf scenes while he tries to come to terms with his new revelation
If that is something that bothers you keep it in mind

Personally, I thought the scenes were hot as fuck because Gideon was somehow involved /around when it happened even if it was just mentally.

There’s one big glaring problem that I didn’t like about this and it lowkey ruins the book for me. The third act conflict / His ex-wife comes up far too much ( I’m not joking. Her name is in this book 93 times ) and there’s even a scene between the two of them at the beginning which admittedly was hot, but I don’t like when the characters previous love interest is still present in the story. He still loves her, even if it doesnt have a future, it gave me the ick real bad.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like other books of the author I have read it is intense and sex-intense. This time d/s themed, the brattish super pop star and his new dom-ish ex hander. I really like the author and their voice and how deep they get into the heads of the MC but I read 3 books in a row and, despite me knowing better, that is not a good idea ever for me. Also helped that I think I can objectively defend that the first book I read was objectively better.

This feels older - the dialogue attribution is (IMO; but objectively) confusing and time wasting (I get it saves us a lot of I said, he said, but come on I needed to reread dialogues a lot to figure out who said what). The dom/top/handler gay-for-you character also felt totally scuzzy and unlikeable sometimes (though I get it might be difficult to make me actually like somebody who dirty talks degradingly instinctively like that). The third act breakup also felt forced, avoidable, and I am so biased against that.

Still worth reading and rating is purely just my gut feeling, I will be checking their other mm romances regardless. I loved one of the mC, liked their chemisty, liked the writing overall (though I do mean it about dialogue attribution. Look "i/he/Jax/Gideon said" is a necessary thing, after 5 lines of dialogue the reader is no longer keeping track.

[Jordan Fischer | julietfoxreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, if you are looking for a spicy read with a compelling story and characters, The Handler is IT! I honestly had this book on my TBR so that I could read The Baller, which is the second book in the Manhandled series and supposedly has a soup scene, but I'm SO glad I started with this one. Though Gideon and Jax's romance is unconventional and wild, I literally couldn't put it down. Definitely one of the more interesting s3xual awakening stories I've ever read, definitely one to get on your TBR!

The dynamic between Jax and Gideon is so interesting. Gideon is a huge rockstar going on tour, and Jax former cop is hired to act as a handler for Gideon after a major scandal - sort of a babysitter/bodyguard. Gideon is constantly seeking s3x wherever he can get it, but, according to Jax, is clearly not getting what he needs. The chemistry between them is strong from the moment they meet, but Jax insists that he's straight every time Gideon propositions him. However, it becomes quickly apparent that Jax cannot resist him, and they end up in a VERY passionate affair for the rest of the tour. What's more interesting, though, is how they end up falling head over heels in love with each other. Jax is so against being with a man initially - it kind of blows his mind that he's attracted to Gideon. He's also divorced and has a lot of hang-ups around love and intimacy. Gideon doesn't think that he deserves love and sometimes even prefers it that way. He hides behind his public persona, but he knows something is different with Jax. I loved how Gideon could go from cocky and snarky to incredibly vulnerable - he's such a sweetheart, and my heart hurt for him, especially when these two guys who can talk about just about anything, don't tell each other how they actually feel.

The Handler was incredibly well written, incredibly spicy, and had such incredibly characters - I'm so glad I started this series! August Jones is a new favorite, and I cannot wait to delve into the rest of this series. Stay tuned for The Baller, up soon!

[loverexreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Handler by August Jones is book 1 in The Manhandled series.
 
August Jones is a new-to-me author and I didn’t know what to expect from her writing. Wow, it took me by surprise how I was totally engrossed by this book. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first. There was a lot of sexy time (not always between the MCs) with group scenes and also MF and MFM scenes. I thought it was appropriate for Jax and Gideon’s story, which depicted their reality on tour and the dark side of celebrity life. Gideon's loneliness had driven him into a world of sex and drugs. After facing a scandal, he was forced to take on a handler to keep him on the straight and narrow, a tattooed Viking named Jax. A very straight Viking. 
 
The attraction between the two developed quickly, especially as they both shared similar preferences for sex. The D/s dynamic came to the forefront in this book, along with a host of other kinks. The daddy kink was particularly delicious. I loved how, despite all the steam, the relationship between the two MCs was more of a slowburn. Jax was more than a little unsettled by his attraction to Gideon, and it was hard for Gideon to open his heart to Jax. I felt there was a nice complexity in the way both MCs were written. They were multidimensional, moving and full of humanity. 
 
I was mesmerized by this book, which features a plot that's raw, edgy and sultry. It really has a special vibe that I love. I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want to finish it at the same time.
 
I know Jax and Gideon will be living rent-free in my head for a long time. This book deserves to be better known and August Jones now has my full attention. I absolutely must read more of her words. I need more books of her just like The Handler.

[My Dark Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read May 2025 audio style.
Great narrators 👏🏼
I almost forgot that this is erotica… spicy has nothing in this 🙃

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First read January 2024

This was a 💯 a 5 ⭐️ read 👏🏼

Even tho this is a lot of MM smut - and FM/MFM/Group and more. It’s important for the storyline. Trust me.
IT IS ALSO and most importantly about two strangers having a deep connection and working out their fears and feelings by first taking it out on each other, then learning to give it willingly. The dom and sub relationship was really thrilling and very hot. But more than that August really did such an amazing job describing how they felt thru out it. It was so real and it was delicious 🤤

What I liked:
The play on words they teased each other with and the sensuality which Jax aproched Gideon with.

The tension between them as well as the slow build and the way they touched each other at first. Sensual exploring. Wow 😮‍💨 Loved it

For me it was the way Jax questioned his own sexuality as a straight man, and how he went about it to let himself fall for Gideon.

Jax’s curiosity was really something. It kinda overshadowed the possessiveness he felt for Gideon. It was so intense and made me curious too.

I loved how Jax is an experienced Dom and quickly takes control of Gideon ‘s slobby sexscapades and gives him what he needs in order to rain him in.

I even loved how Gideon questioned everything about falling for a straight man and how he find his way through it and starts to trust again.

So, in so many words this is an extremely sexual hot AF read. It’s a rockstar/bodyguard, age-gab, Dom/Sub, daddy/boy, bi-awakening and gay-for-you story but mostly it’s about both MMC’s inner turmoil and them working through it together, apart and back together again. 🫶🏼

[Krys (spicy.spine.breaker) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can’t have gotten the same book as everyone else giving it 4 and 5 star ratings because 3 is generous & purely due to the actual structure of the writing - never have I ever cringed so hard and as much as I did while reading this book. The language was awful and I will be back with receipts but need to calm down because legit rage read to get through and wanna review from a purely analytical standpoint.

Highlights paraphrasing moments of cringe for now:

- “I wondered if he really even was a man” based on the lack of face stubble. Wtf?

- “the prostitute had such strong facial features I wondered if she was trans and the club had tricked us” WHY? WHY SAY THAT? Are you trying to make us hate this MMC?

- receipts to follow

FRTC

[Brianna]

DNF at 72%. So longgggg, and the writing style just wasn’t good for my brain

[•rosiegrace• · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight to my absolute favs shelf. This blew me away and I've been in such a slump recently where many books were just boring me to tears and this has taken me right out of that.

The DEPTH to this book I can't quite describe how much the blurb does not do it justice. Jax might just be one of my favourite characters I've ever read. The dynamic between the main characters was perfection, the emotion and the journey of Jax's bi-awakening along with Gideons reaction to that is something I've never encountered as well written as it is in this. The possessive vibes in this book are something else.

I live for deep, flawed and complex characters and August Jones delivered here. On to the next book in the series for sure.

[kmac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read a book, purely because I love the narrator's voice. Nathan Wolfe is divine when he reads a British character! Felix and Davey (Scarlett Drake and Jesse H Reign) still live on in my head and my heart. Sadly this story didn't quite live up to expectations.

One must be careful for what one wishes for! Many books I've read recently have touched on the Dom/sub dynamic and I've been begging for more. Well... here it is! What I didn't realise that digging deep into this topic is a sweet mix of disturbing and satisfying.

I'm new to Jones's books and wasn't prepared for the rhythm of hurtling along like a freight train towards sex act after sex act after sex act...and then afterwards, warm, intimate conversations lulling the pace. Although I found this a tad unsettling, I enjoyed this foray into the dark seedy world of kink and those that crave it to within an inch of their lives. You gotta love a book that shoves you out of your comfort zone and leaves you happy about it!

I did find it curious though, Jax's reluctance to engage in certain sexual activities as his attraction to Gideon developed. He didn't seem homophobic but had a definite qualm against gay male activities.

The waiting for the first kiss almost killed me! But I do love being tortured! 😏

Gideon honesty was beautiful. The way he expressed himself which then in turn allowed Jax to be his true self and open himself into unknown possibilities. The first kisses, the first 'I love yous' were sweeter for all the angst

What drew me away from leaving 5 stars, was that I found the misunderstandings near the end frustrating and unbelievable. The ending did not feel satisfying at all - lots of anger on both sides just seemed to dissipate with no reason.

Still an enjoyable read, but the ending and non satisfying resolution near the end let it down in my humble opinion.

[The Secret Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5
Steam: 5
PoV: dual, 1st person
MM | BDSM | rock star | sexual discovery

Wow, I don't really know what I expected when I picked this one up but the chemistry! The steam! The kink! Jax and Gideon had some serious back and forth and their story was quite addictive to me.

Gideon was quite the mess at the start of the book, and after yet another scandal, Jax got hired as his handler / babysitter to go with him on his tour. Gideon was a total brat at times and kept pushing Jax, which led to some great tension and later on steamy scenes between them. Gideon badly needed a Dom / Daddy with a firm hand and he definitely found that in Jax.

There were a few MF and MFM scenes in the first half of the book, but they made sense for the development between Jax and Gideon, and especially for Jax's sexual discovery. I loved how rough these two got with each other and how their feelings bordered on obsessive at times, but there was also a lot of tenderness and affection between them. Their dynamic was highly enjoyable and interesting - and I was completely engrossed in these two characters and their story!

The Handler was full of steam and kink, but also contained hurt / comfort and some tenderness. I loved seeing Jax take care of Gideon and ground him, and it was obvious that Gideon needed someone like Jax in order not to self destruct. It got angsty and a bit frustrating at times, but it all fit the plot and characters very well, they just needed a few complications before getting their happily ever after. A well written and great read if you're looking for an entertaining and angsty read with a lot of spice and kink!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

I wasn't quite sure what to expect because I went into this book pretty blind, but dang was it a steamy one. Interesting characters that have no lack of chemistry.

Jax, a recently-ish divorced ex-cop, is hired as a handler for pop/rock star Gideon York after a scandal involving photographs of Gideon leaving a BDSM sex club. Jax is no stranger to the scene, but has always considered himself straight. As they head to Europe to finish Gideon's tour, Jax is immersed in the rockstar lifestyle and finds himself becoming more curious about how he could potentially handle all the needs of the submissive musician.

Jax and Gideon have a pretty perfect dynamic. Jax spends a good portion of the book going on about how straight he is, but once he got over that hurdle they fit together pretty seamlessly. Gideon is insecure about how he likes his physical intimacy and is a bit jaded about forming relationships with people, but he knows from the start the Jax is different. They are both flawed characters who find passion and understanding in one another.

This book has a good amount of MF and MFM scenes, which I didn't know going in but I also didn't mind it. I think they worked really well with Jax's character development and sexual awakening. What I didn't love was Jax's relationship with his ex. I know they were besties, but I didn't like how he handled certain things when it came to his ex and Gideon. There was some miscommunication I didn't love that kind of brought it down for me.

I read in the author's note that she just wrote it and put it out into the world with no betas, arcs, anything which is wildly brave and I think accounts for some of the little editing mistakes. I thought the characters were really interesting and even though there was a lot of spice, I didn't feel like it was two overpowering given the characters were very sexual people. I'm interested in the other books and the series and how her writing develops as it goes on.

Read if you like:
• rockstar/musician x handler
• age gap
• forced proximity

•••••••••••••••••••••

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Отримала більше, ніж очікувала, як то кажуть. Мені сподобався стиль автора, сподобалась динаміка і самі персонажі, знімаю зірку за те, як мене перекрінжило ближче до кінця від комунікації між ММС. Думаю , буду продовжувати серію.
Як то кажуть, came for hot sex - stayed for warm love.

[Bookbingewithsteph · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Ok so this dynamic usually isn’t my thing but MY GOD. I will seriously devour everything this author writes

[m · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He’s silent as he takes me in. Seething. Glaring. Radiating resentment, and I don’t blame him. First impression? Pissed. Exhausted. Rich. Entitled. Brat.
My specialty.”

Gideon York is an edgy popstar in need of a babysitter. He’s gotten himself into one too many scandals so Jax Lawrence gets hired to help him make it through his six-week European tour without further incident.

There’s a fair bit of MF action in the first maybe third of the book - Jax was previously married and maintains that he is straight despite being drawn to Gideon. Gideon hooks up with pretty much anyone but esp his Glam Squad that comes on tour with him but no one can really give him what he needs except Jax. The development of their relationship is just delicious.

Filthy, angsty, and full of pining. A slow-burn bi-awakening with shit communication and so much vulnerability. I couldn’t put it down. I love a brat/handler dynamic but add in some degradation and pain and this was perfection!

“Your note was horrible.”
“I was in a hurry, Gideon.”
“And what? Phone broke? Didn’t pay the bill? No signal?”
“CIRCUMSTANCES GODDAMNIT”

[BeckieLouLou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Audiobook. Mild toxicity, medium kink, high steam. Rockstar and bodyguard-ish. Kinky rockstar gets a mandatory companion after a bit too much negative publicity. Babysitter companion is introduced to the sex crazed entourage and joins in on the fun, which leads to bi-curiosity. Lots of TW, mind those if you need to. More like erotica than a romance as there is little storyline other than bedroom scenes, even the rockstar aspect is a side note and nothing even happens to showcase the protective bodyguard companion role.

This dom/sub almost didn’t work for me. I like a clear, strong dom, not one who is nervous about crossing the line. The doms uncertainty pulled me out of the story. As for the sub, adding depression, unhappy family situations and loneliness to the character started to read like the sub might need talk therapy for mental health and not pain release.

The obligatory break-up and groveling is mildly satisfying, could have used much more apologizing and a big gesture.

HEA, rockstar, bodyguard companion, strict t/b, bi-awakening, ex-wife, wealthy character, breath, pain kink, dom/sub.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Edit: came back after reading the influencer, and these two psychos decided that they are solid to have a kid. After Jax divorced his wife because she wanted a kid and he didn’t , going as far if memory serves me, to have a vasectomy?! And then he randomly decided that his love for DS play is enough to be compatible with another sex? Sure people discover they’re bi late in life. Ok. But this shit with the Jax’s baby?! Yeah, no.
Bye.
These two need therapy not a baby.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is HOT! The vibes between Gideon and Jax are immaculate and I was living for the tension. Gideon is a mega-famous pop star dealing with some bad press. Jax is the guy hired to babysit him on tour. One thing I really loved here - Gideon understands why Jax is there and he tries to work with him, which is a departure from how this trope is usually executed and really fleshed out his character for me. Not to say he isn’t often a shit (he’s a brat, after all), and not that he doesn’t have self-destructive tendencies, but he ultimately cares about his career and wants to preserve it. There is so much sex and bacchanalia in this story, and there are on page depictions of both MCs engaging in sex with other people (there is no cheating, though), but it all served a purpose in getting these men where they needed to be.

Gideon is living in a feedback loop of overstimulation and poorly executed kink, keeping his anxiety and impostor syndrome at intense highs. Jax, while capable of handling appearances, is sitting on some secrets regarding his own past and knows exactly what Gideon needs. Unfortunately, he is straight. So straight. Guys, he is really. Really. Straight. Just ask him… These two had a bumpy path to their HEA but I was here for every messed up moment of it! There’s an intense emotional connection between Jax and Gideon, their characters are fully developed, and their behavior is consistent with who they are. I also love the way August wrote not only hot Dom/sub scenes, but an exploration of what needs the scenes served for each man.

I had some issues with the pacing in the final third where my attention wandered a bit, but it was not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the book. If you’re interested in high spice, wild lifestyles, broken boys, or Dom/sub relationships heavy on pain/degradation kink, this will definitely satisfy! As always, check your CWs if you have triggers.

[Myriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

More great M/M just when I decided I was basically done with the genre? And it's good despite being in 1st person POV? It's the magic of the celebrity/bodyguard trope!

Why I gave it four stars:

The main reason I was ready to quit on M/M is the proliferation of 1st Person POV. After a while they all started to sound the same. Snarky Stiles Stilinski copies or outright teenaged girls trapped in the bodies of grown men. Here, Jax and Gideon have voices distinctive enough to tell them apart and they both "speak" according to their ages and experience.

The smut is fandom level hot and deserves to be called Smut with a capital S. That means they have A LOT of on page sex that is written for one purpose only: Turning the reader on. The kink is also fandom level. Meaning, there's no BDSM 101 explanations of how things work, nobody constantly checks in asking for safewords or green lights and there's no kink-shaming except when it's part the of the kink.

From the relationship development to the inevitable communications breakdown and eventual HEA this checked all the boxes for me. The story always erred on the more realistic and relatable side of things. Complex human beings with flaws making irrational decisions are difficult to find in M/M, so this was a happy surprise.

I was so excited about finding this treasure that I immediately went to check out the sequels but I think this is a one time deal for me. I have a particular soft spot for the celebrity/bodyguard trope and the 1st person POV thing immediately stopped working for me when it wasn't Gideon and Jax. Sawyer also read like a total wet blanket to me so I'm not interested in reading about him further.

Still, I'm happy to have found this author and if they ever decide to leave the 1st person nonsense behind I'll be there for their books with bells on!!

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 - the penetrative sex took a while, but the added kink is what gives it the 3.5 chili peppers.

This was really good and I really enjoyed the dynamic between jacks and Gideon but the angst/miscommunication was really frustrating and ALMOST had me DNF at like 70%.

Gideon is a mega pop, superstar and he is also an insatiable gay submissive. Jax is brought in as his “handler“/bodyguard after pictures surface of Gideon’s private sex life. His fans know that he is gay, but they don’t know that he is into kink or that he is a submissive. So this is a bit of a scandal for him. Jax’s job is to keep Gideon out of trouble and keep unsavory things about him out of the spotlight.

Gideon is pretty instantly attracted to Jax and it’s low-key the same on Jax’s end, but he’s convinced that he is straight so he is slow to accept that attraction. The first part of the book is lots of sex and orgies, and just Gideon purposefully being promiscuous, at times lewd, and a brat because he can’t have Jax the way that he wants him. Jax for his part, takes it mostly and stride and is by no means and innocent bystander. He partakes in the debauchery and is surprised when it comes to an end later in the book.

Eventually, these two characters stop dancing around what is clearly an obvious attraction to each other and begin fooling around despite both of their reservations. Gideon is nervous that Jack is going to use him as sort of “gay experiment“ because Jack has been so adamant that he is straight , despite his clear attraction to Gideon, who is a man. And Jax is nervous because he truly did think he was straight, he is not sure that he has what it takes please Gideon unique kinks and his healthy sexual appetite. He’s also worried that Gideon is in fact a popstar and a major celebrity and Jax is not. He is an average every day citizen for the most part and he is in no way rich or famous.

This is a romance though, so of course they do get their HEA, and the spicy times on the way to that HEA were hawt! However, this is one of the first times that I felt like the sex sometimes got in the way of the story. There are at least two different scenes where the character seem to be trying to have a serious conversation that somehow delves into kinky times or sexy times or both, and it just felt out of place, especially because it also tended to lead to more miscommunication. And while Gideons character may be a bit on the younger side, I think he’s like 25. Jax Is a fully grown man. He’s I think 37. Definitely too old to be having the kind of miscommunications that they were having. Gideon is in no way a safe character, he plays fast and loose with a lot of things and so I’m not super surprised that he would engage in kink with someone he does not trust enough to have serious conversations with, but Jax was written to be a lot more levelheaded, he’s older, and I got the impression that he had played in kink clubs a lot more. Which says to me that he should have been more able to communicate with Gideon than he was. Especially because they were engaging in kink. I’m not at all the kink police, but because of their dynamic and the way the story was written the communication issues that they were having felt out of place once their relationship got more serious.

That was really, my only gripe with the book, but other than that, the story was overall really enjoyable for me, I loved the dynamic between the couple. And while there is a lot of sexual activity between the MC and other people, it’s all before they are fully established as a couple. They are a couple. They are truly monogamous and Jax is a very possessive of Gideon, which I absolutely loved.

[Shi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a HATE-hate relationship with this one, mostly hate hence the 1 star. Even that is a stretch. I would've given it 0.5 star if i had that option available.
Wow was it bad. Ngl, the book had potential, bcz the sweet moments were nice(.5 star is for this) but what do you know, they were so rare I read the whole book to find them and still couldn't. It was literally 300 pages of repeated and utterly sh*t smut. That's how I would describe the book in a nutshell. Bad and then even worse smut.
As for protagonists, both need to have therapists instead of people around them, bcz they were so immature it's not even funny. I'm literally still trying to find Gideon's personality even after finishing the book. He had none. So much for being international sensation. Dude was so bland it gave me icks. And don't even get me started on Jax. Words are not enough to describe how much I just wished he would shut up.
I'm seriously not sure why I put myself through the torture of finishing it, but like I said i was trying to find some reasons to make me hate it less. But obviously couldn't since I'm writing this big of a review.

[Lingovise · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars…

Four Stars for the first 80% … but then there’s the completely unnecessary and lazily executed third act break; read as ridiculously rushed and blandly contrived. Two stars for the last 20% … so much wasted potential. Docked another Half a Star for the cockamamie epilogue.

[Crisana]

Hmm I could not get into it. Shame as the premise looked quite good. Maybe just not in the right frame of mind at the moment.

[Boys From The Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty and kinky. Great story line and well written. Fairly dark in some places but very engaging and a satisfying HEA. Will be reading more by this author