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Club Kings #1

Daddy's Club

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She dances for strangers.
But the second I see her move, I know .

She should only dance for me.


I offer her twenty grand for one night. She takes it.

But one night was never going to be enough.

Now she’s working at my club, living in my world, and watching me teach her kid how to fight. She says it’s just temporary. A job. A favor.

She doesn’t get it yet.
I don’t let go of what’s mine.


I protect what I claim.
And when danger comes too close to her and her son… I end it.
Quietly. Permanently.

She’ll learn real fast—this isn’t just a club.
It’s a kingdom.
And she belongs to its king.

Read on for mafia obsession, secret protection, forced proximity, and a possessive boss who pays once — but never stops claiming. HEA Guaranteed!

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

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About the author

Kelani Knox

147 books117 followers

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5 stars
694 (58%)
4 stars
335 (28%)
3 stars
134 (11%)
2 stars
24 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Aliyeaha.
52 reviews
February 16, 2026
4.5 rating

I didn't expect much from this book. I was just looking for a quick spicy read. However, this book delivered and more. The characters were amazing, the spice was piping hot, and the plot was plotting. Let me tell you there is a twist that will leave you gasping. All in all, this was a good book and worth the read.
530 reviews
June 5, 2026
It could have been 3⭐️’s, but it needs an editor desperately.

A Facebook ad brought me to this book but it was a let down.

So, as a single mom she works at a dinner and a strip club. Her son goes to a gym and meets a man who instantly takes an interest in her and her son.

He follows her to the strip club, makes a cash offer for a night of sex that her broke self can’t deny.

After that he (Cal) majorly jumps in to her (Catlynne) and her son’s (Koda) life.

There’s a few things majorly wrong with the story line. The doctor goes from one name to being another name. The mob boss only ever talks about owning the city and inheriting status yet we only k ow he owns 6 clubs. The girl instantly just lets everyone around her young child, without much caution ever. At the overnight sleepover the mom who was a teacher lets a kid go with some random lady. It would never happen in real life from a teacher. The guy never interacts with anyone outside of work yet they all show for his birthday party. And last but not least, his dad was the kids father. Talk about random, your dad sexually assaulted the woman you’re now seeing and the kid you love is your half brother. Then it’s never explained to the kid even though he overheard all of this before you killed his biological dad in front of him.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
13 reviews
November 22, 2025
Great Alpha Male

Okay, I’m going to say what I say in all my reviews. If you want to know what the book is about, read the synopsis. Now, I enjoyed this story. The timeline was a little short, six weeks, but the connection between Cal and Koda was emotional. Cal’s protective instincts regarding Catlynn and Koda were swoon worthy. Catlynn’s willingness to do whatever necessary to provide for her child, noteworthy. I had a few issues with small details being overlooked by the editor i.e. at no point in the first chapter did Koda or Catlynn provide Cal with their last name but somehow he knows it. Also, after Catlynn’s circumstances improved and she no longer had to pinch pennies she remained in the hovel where she resided. It was ticky things like this that led to my removal of a star. I’m not being as critical as I could be because Ms. Knox wrote an engaging story and actually has a better editor than many other authors. I recommend that you read the book.

Caution: If you have an issue with a woman being degraded during sexy times, this might not be the book for you.


159 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2025
Very Tough Read

This book was a very hard read for me. The FMC was written as such a low vibrational person. ZERO SELF ESTEEM, and just really weak and EXTREMELY NEEDY. I’ve never read a story where the FMC just didn’t have any self respect for herself. Even when the world beats you down, you find a way to be strong that’s what differentiates black women from all others because we do find a way, and we find it within ourselves, this book didn’t do that for this character. To let a man just COMPLETELY RUN YOU, TO DEGRADE YOU LIKE YOUR NOTHING, and she found true pleasure in being treated like trash. The one bright spot for me is the MMC’s relationship with her son. It’s the only reason I gave it ⭐️⭐️s.
11 reviews
January 19, 2026
This book has annoying typos.
1) There is a scene that happens on Tuesday night. A few pages later, it’s “less than 24 hours later” and it’s Tuesday night.
2) FMC doesn’t know the last name of the MMC, a few pages later she knows his entire legal name and nothing happened in the plot for that to occur.
3) There is a doctor named “Alex Delaney”. A few pages later his name is “Marcus”

Those were all in the first 57% the book. I skimmed the rest of the book after that.
56 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2026
KU Suggested

KU suggested this book to me. It wasn’t horrible, or anything. It had potential to be a decent book, it was just lacking in something!
Profile Image for Alex Ciz_naughty.
1,004 reviews5 followers
December 12, 2025
A really rousing 4.5 star read!

Pretty sure this was my first introduction to Kehlani Knox, and I’d really enjoyed the story! I appreciated how she brought the characters to life, and made me actually like them, want to be a part of the world, to know them. That’s some very special gift that not all authors have… Making you want to know their character characters or feel like you do. Well, Kehlani accomplished the feet hands down without a problem.
I especially fell in love with Koda. That kid stole my heart from the very first time we met him to the last time he’s brought up in the book. That kid had been through so much trauma yet still managed to love fiercely to give trust and to hope and have the most courage you’ve ever seen in a little one. I want to be Koda’s friend. I just wanna hug him so badly.
Then we have his mom, Catlynne, she too, was a strong character. She had to give up a lot to be a mom to coda and she didn’t regret one day of it. She loved that boy fiercely, like a mother bear would, and didn’t allow nothing and no one to take him away from her and worked so hard to make sure they had a roof over their head and food in their mouths. She was a type of mom who would do anything, who did do anything, for her son.
Enter Cal, our MMC. He sounded hot AF. This was definitely an alpha male. I absolutely loved his strength, his presence, his power, his charisma, his possessiveness of not only Catlynne, but also Koda. He is definitely an alpha and it showed in every line & move of his body. He stocked like a predator, and everyone around him knew to back away as his presence was felt.
Seeing these three come together as a family unit? Was chefs kiss!! I truly fell in love with them as a team and was cheering out loud for them to win when all of the many obstacles came at them individually, and as a family. Pretty sure this book needs to be added to my purchase list, but I’m on the fence so we’ll see. Can’t wait to read anything else written by Kelani because this book really caught my attention.
All in all, the only reason this wasn’t a five star read for me, was the slight jumping of scenes here and there throughout the book, a little bit of repetitive information same paragraph showing up a paragraph or two later. Other than those moments of taking me out of the story? This was an amazing read.
Profile Image for Yvonne Daniels.
2,824 reviews25 followers
February 15, 2026
Fabulous Excitement

This the kind of story that I always enjoyed and this one is no exception! I fell in love with Cal immediately. The story has action, spice, suspense and its tells a amazing backstory for Cal and Catlynne characters. OMG! ! I absolutely enjoyed these two relationship! It's one that can also be your next mafia obsession series! In a world of Night clubs and other mafia business, Cal finds a family and love that's forever with Catlynne and her son Koda but there's a lot that stills needed to be unraveled. Several times I was unsure how a chapter would end and my anxiety somehow would get the best of me but I was glued to the pages and couldn't take a break until this ended.Be ready for a love story filled with drama, revenge, intrigue and twists and turns that even the secondary characters are so deliciously crafted that it all makes a awesome story an great read. I have to say that I loved and enjoyed this story its so understatement but mafia romances are one of my favorites, that I'm so excited and can hardly wait for the next story and I bet after reading this story you will be just as excited!!!
Profile Image for C Schmidt.
361 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2026
This is the story of Cal and Catlynne. Cal is mafia, of course, run through some legitimate businesses. Catlynne is a struggling single mother to a 7 yr old boy who is barely and most times not, making ends meet. She works as a waitress during the day and in a club at night. She rarely rests and everything she and her son own is from second hand stores. She’s exhausted and doesn’t see any way out in the near future.

But at the club one night, Cal approaches her and offers her $20,000 to stay with him for the night…. anything goes. He makes it very clear he’s purchasing sex from her and even though she hates it, she agrees so she can buy her son some new clothes, shoes and a coat.

Cal decides he wants her and not just for a night so he gets her fired from the club and then sets her up in his own club serving drinks and dinner.

This was a decent story. Even though he was mafia, Cal had a soft side for Catlynne and her son. 4🌟🌟🌟🌟
1,125 reviews5 followers
November 17, 2025
I fell in love with this book from the very beginning. Kelani has a way with writing that sucks you in from the very beginning. Cal fell for Catlynne from the minute he met her and he found himself following her. He gets her a better job and does whatever he can to make her life easier till he can convince her to date him. He finds himself getting attached to her son Koda and helping him with his bullying issues. The way Cal was with this single mom and her son made for a really good read. I enjoyed it from the very beginning right to the end. I highly recommend this read!!
1,020 reviews4 followers
February 8, 2026
Yes, Cal💖

Yes, Cal, if you’re looking for a mesmerizing male lead. Yes, Cal, for every meaning of Daddy’s Club you can think of: Yes, Cal, if you’ve ever missed a safe father who sees and nurtures and protects; Yes, Cal, if you’ve ever imagined swoony chemistry and nitty gritty connection; Yes, Cal, if you crave a knight in sharpened armor who slays any and all threats…Sigh. Cal just became my favorite book boyfriend of 2026. Not sure who can take the title from him. Well done, Ms. Knox!
Profile Image for Linda.
1,752 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2026
I didn't like Cal at first, I thought he was a straight up alphahole and wouldn't be a good person. By the end of the book I totally changed my mind. His interactions with Koda helped win me over. It was also explained that Cal's actions weren't just to be controlling but had valid reasons behind them. Catlynn and Cal's relationship was a lightly degrading and praise and overall healthy because of communication. No third act misunderstandings, no love triangle, HEA. Possible TW coercion rape.
Profile Image for Kelly.
261 reviews6 followers
August 31, 2026
Your standard run of the mill mafia romance. Catlynne is a single mom struggling to make ends meet and Cal is a mafia boss who falls in lust at first sight. I didn’t love that I wasn’t quite sure about the timeline of events. The story could have took place over the span of a year or 3 weeks, I honestly couldn’t tell you.

Maybe it was because I wasn’t paying attention, but I literally shouted when the plot twist was revealed towards the end of the book. Either way, this was a decent enough read and I’m going to check out the authors other books too.


3/5 ✨⭐️
Profile Image for Merry Jelks-Emmanuel.
15.5k reviews161 followers
November 18, 2025
This exhilarating story had me all caught up in Cal and Catlynne. He is drawn to her from the first connection and does everything in his power to show her she is his including going to bat for her when danger arrives on her doorstep and you know the man is yours when he takes an interest in your child. I loved this story and how their relationship transforms from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Danee.
5,581 reviews
November 28, 2025
The lives of Catlynne and her son, Koda, take a turn when Cal sees her dancing for a stranger one night and knows from that moment on, she's his. She goes dancing at his club, but his club isn't an ordinary one. When danger appears, Cal does everything he can to protect what's his and ends it without much worry. A wonderful story.


I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Erin - Books&nails&puppydogtales.
635 reviews30 followers
April 23, 2026
From crime boss to family man

Cal sees Catlynne and decides he wants her. He uses his money and power to get what he wants. Catlynne is used to looking over her shoulder and working nonstop to keep her and Koda safe. 7 year old Koda being bullied at school starts a chain reaction that leads to an ending that no one sees coming. The spice is on point and the ending made me tear up.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,294 reviews8 followers
May 10, 2026
Great story.

Cal was the new Guard. Taken over his Father's business, and made it much more profitable, using more modern methods. The old man is just plain evil, and you'll find out how evil close to the end. Caitlyn has lived, and worked hard for 7 years, sometimes 2 jobs a day to provide the best she could for her little boy Koda. This book shows that hardened criminal can have a soft spot for a child, and a case of hard love for his Mother. I loved the ending. Trish. A
203 reviews
July 26, 2026
A real Christmas Ending

This book has it all, a handsome and unlikely hero, great and wonderful and protective lover, husband. A fierce mother, friend, lover and future wife. The proverbial snake of rotted and insidiously evil jealousy no one understood or saw how enraged it was had entwined itself all around trying to destroy everything, but best of all it is a hea, my favorite kind with no cheating.
169 reviews1 follower
December 27, 2025
Good story that I enjoyed.

I enjoyed getting to know and liked the characters but certain things didn't add up. The first being how did Gina know where Koda was and second was how she know the location of the family's house? Otherwise the two who took Koda deserve what they got in the end.
9 reviews
January 12, 2026
Equal Parts Hot & Touching

I enjoyed reading this. It was well-written with only a few minor grammatical errors and there were really hot, steamy sex scenes mixed with well-written characters that you could care about. I also appreciated that there wasn’t too much violence and there was a good, happy ending.
481 reviews4 followers
May 12, 2026
Currently reading at 31% but I'm unsure if I'm going to finish. So you're not really giving a lot of information and the information you do get isn't engaging enough for me to want to finish the story I think. The only reason I may finish the story is because I do like the friendship that the fmc's son Koda and the MMC have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tay.
177 reviews
May 16, 2026
Such a good book 📚

How do you take smexy spice and make it wholesome at the same time 🤷‍♀️? That's exactly what Kelani does in this book. It's got everything you could want from dark, smexy, dangerous Cal to wholesome family dynamics with Cat and Koda. Then of course you also have the action and danger of the plot twist. Such a good book and a great recommendation.
102 reviews
June 10, 2026
Loved this book

From the moment he meets the boy, til he offers her $20,000 to sleep with him to them becoming a family and all the emotions that go with it, but still of course there is violence and drama mixed in and a shock at the end that totally surprised me, enjoy, I know I did
Profile Image for Tonia.
1,439 reviews
July 7, 2026
To Family

When Cal sets his eye on something it is now his. Walking into the gym and seeing Koda, he sees a little challenge. In walks Koda’s mom Catlynne and he sees the woman of his dreams. From there on he knew he had to have her. Catlynne tried to to resist but Cal was not backing down. True love prevails
Profile Image for Mary.
1,054 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2026
It was pretty good. I had issues with the MMC’s last name. Every time I went to read it I just kept seeing penis. It was a very sweet ending with the exception that he never married the mother. She’s going to let him adopt her son, but she’s not married to him? Really? It seems there should’ve been an epilogue or something onto this that included that.
Profile Image for Jocelyn.
83 reviews
November 22, 2025
l absolutely loved this book, it was definately a page turner, when you meet Koda for the first time you know this sweet little boy is special, and his Momma, l could not put it down, it is another Keloni Knox keeper
2,168 reviews24 followers
November 22, 2025
An encounter is about change Catlynne and Koda's lives dramatically. Cal Pennisi notices Catlynne and Koda and takes an interest in them which could be good and bad for everyone involved. A very good read.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
15 reviews
November 23, 2025
Exceptional Read.

I was captivated by Cal and Catlynne's story. Koda's story broke my heart in the beginning but I am so glad he finally found a man who stepped up to be his dad. Never saw the twist coming at the end with Cal father being Koda' dad. This book is definitely a 10.
729 reviews
November 24, 2025
The one that he wants.

She dances at the club for customers so she didn't see him coming and he is obsessed with her. So pucker up because not you are a obsession he has the hots for.
Profile Image for lisa jung.
5,957 reviews44 followers
December 12, 2025
Bossy club owner

Cal runs club through Philadelphia and find Cat Lynn and her son Koda special. And does everything to change there life and claim them. But secret are revealed that might change things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews