How to Bind a Monster

Kinky ABC Anthology #2

by J. De Saint

Kaito doesn’t believe in peace. His pulse, his breath, his life all orbit violence. He fights because it’s all he knows.
Until he meets someone who looks at his ruin and calls it beautiful.

How to Bind a Monster is the second book of the Kinky ABC Anthology, a collection of stand-alone stories where each letter explores a different kink. In this book, ‘B is for Bondage.
Each book can be read on its own, but together they form an unapologetic alphabet of fun. So enjoy.

This story's intended for a mature audience.

Genres: M M Romance, BDSM, Erotica, Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Novella

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2025

Reviews

[ava ꪆৎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑠 ˚. ᵎᵎ

“𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑡, 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑖. 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒. 𝐼’𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑢𝑐𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔—𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒! “

ⓘ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠 ⋆

── 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 .✦ honestly this book was kinda just boring for me , its literally a hundred some pages and took me two days to finish which is odd cause i literally read like five hundred page books in three days. but idk. the quote though is lowkey giving that trending audio on like tiktok , iykyk, but yeah. not too bad but not too good either.

𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𖥻 ‧₊ aug 18 ’26

₊ ⛓ ⊹ pre read ── started aug 16
i’m curious , not really sure what to expect with this one

[a_n_i_t_a · Rating 3 out of 5]

• Book 2 • m/m • kink Bondage DS • novella •

Part 2 of the Alphabet Kink Quest

Now we covered A - Authority Kink in Book 1☑️

This one was ‘B’ for Bondage ☑️ And actually quite a bit of blood too 🫣

This book has a bit more storyline than the first novella. Some kind of Tokyo gangsters killing each other over territory and other such vague crimes against rival gangs.

Our MMC Kaito is of course the number one in ruthless killers but he just isn’t feeling fulfilled. He stumbles across a Kinbaku studio… where he meets the owner, a quiet but fearless type who is serious about his art 🪢

“Bet you tie a mean knot, sensei.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. A ghost of something close to amusement. “You’ll find out.”

And so Kaito does come back to find out, so to speak…and the rest writes itself really.

While there were no obscene scenes involving feet this time around, there were definitely some 👀 moments.

“I’m gonna destroy this pretty shithole. How’s that sound?”

The way I laughed at this probably woke my neighbours. I mean shithole… really!? 🤭🤣


And now, I don’t want to spoil the surprise for anyone who plans to pick this up… but the knife play was a little close to the sphincter for my tastes 😬😆

Anyhoo, I needed a not-so-serious, low balling book and this served that purpose 😅

3⭐️
I wanna say 3🌶️ but maybe it’s more 4🌶️ and I’ve been desensitised, just like Kaito’s butthole 😆

[labibliofille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a pleasant surprise! I was skeptical going in, but I scarfed this down in one sitting and baby did I EAT.

Kaito and Naoya are EVERYTHING together! I love the polarity of them as characters and how they riff off each other. The character depth in this is phenomenal!

The relationship building is also *chef's kiss*. I love how the lust transforms into trust and comfort and care and partnership. I could feel the genuine pull between these two. Truthfully I want more of them!

This one is graphic (organized) chaos, so please read the tws/cws before jumping in. You know you best.

[Jessica Swan · Rating 2 out of 5]

you know what... I asked for this and I got it

[Engrossed Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I didn't think I'd get beyond the Kindle sample but here I am having finished the book in full. I'm a little surprised. I'm not a fan of bondage, in this instance Shibari (or Kinbaku), but the author writes well and I got drawn in again

Everything that happened worked for the characters and plot but personally I didn't like a couple of things. The Ryo situation and all club activities - free use weirds me out in most scenarios.

That said, I'm happy with Kaito's understanding and acceptance of himself and needs. His HFN was well deserved.

[Victoria! · Rating 3 out of 5]

𓂃★3.5 ᵎᵎ Well, well, well. I didn't know if I was going to continue reading the Kinky ABC Anthology but here we are. This one was bondage and I must say there was a lot more than just that. There was knife play, dom/sub, heavy bdsm.

Kaito is obviously a weeee bit crazy...but Naoya changes him REAL quick. They are a freaky pair but honestly they balance each other out. Their whole kinda relationship is based off of their kinks up until the end where they start to show more affection.

This book had a lot more plot than the first one, I really enjoyed it for the first 75 pages and then it started sizzling out a bit. Don't get me wrong, it's entertaining, especially if you're looking for something quick and spicy. This series is fun and freaky and I'm all here for it.

Guess I'm gonna have to read the rest...

“Trust only means something when it goes both ways. Like rope. Pull from one end, it holds nothing. But when both ends give, it binds. Then it’s real.”

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

🫠🫠🫠

I loved every depraved minute of this 🫠 This author is helping me learn that I’m into a lot of things I was unaware of lol

[Elixyane]

DNF at 62%

Dude I don’t know, these books just don’t work for me. Like the kinks are just too extreme for my taste 😭

Mind you I was reading this at work (I work at a psychiatric clinic) and a pt called while I was reading this. He was like “I’m calling because I need an appointment with the psychiatrists” I glanced down, and I made eye contact with,

“I need him to make me sing—maybe even take my last gasp. I don’t fucking care if he shoves that blade up my ass and twist, I need something.”

I put the microphone of the office phone on silence and said out loud, “Indeed, we all do, we all need the appointment.”

[⭐Toonasa⭐ *Romance Book Lovers' Haven* (For long and deep.... reviews!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark MM romance with a Yakuza man x Shibari expert. There's violence, some push/pull, opposites attract, dom/sub relationship, with a happy ending.
I read 1hr 50min on 3 July & 50min on 6 July.
I've wanted to read this for so long! I actually checked it out, skim & skipped few scenes but ended up reading it to end. This was filthy hot with plot too. I had fun!

I'd read this fully sometime when I'm in mood for something hot hehe. It's single POV from Kai. I rarely find books set in Japan (mostly mangas), so this is cool.

Nao & Kai are opposites & that's why they're fun to see together. Calm, pretty to chaos, rugged. Dom & brat 🤭. The shibari/bondage was shown beautifully. I've found I don't like free use but I liked to see the sub being so enthusiastic about it. Ryo wasn't too bad at end, it was kinda like hate fuck lol. Just FYI, there's sex with other people.

Bro, that knife fuck joke, I knew it'll be a pain in his ass 😭. But he likes pain, so... 🤷‍♀️. Atleast it wasn't fully, because hell na!

I liked the action & plot part, I'd skipped it early but the climax was good. I wanted more yet what we got felt enough too. I do love multiple povs but I understand the choice of 1 pov here as it's short.

This series is interesting & I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes! With 'monster' in name & the cover, I'd thought it was a Demon x Priest story... Well, I was wrong & they're both humans 🤣.

Short bursts read: 3+6 July

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different vibe than the other books in the series. I read book 1,3 and 4 before this one.

This is set in Tokyo and it’s super kinky like the rest but maybe more so… if that possible 🤣🤣🤣

Blood play plus the hard core bondage plus many more kinks…wow. Very hot. The chemistry between the characters is very 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Now I have to wait for the next one 😩😩😩

[Ashley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ya know what…. Hell yeah. I got down with this one hahah. I like bondage bdsm dom sub vibes and the whole strung up like a community toy at the club.. ya hahaha it was a 4 ⭐️ cause plot was there im giving this a 5 🌶️ cause it was absolutely filthy. So many microtropes in this one but all 😮‍💨🙏🏻 perfect hahah

[Amanda Anderson (Beauty.and.the.bookies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

B-eautiful

Loved it. I love a good dom/sub relationship in a story and this one was hot. Definitely moving onto book 3 now.

[Ashton Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I read this in one sitting and no I don’t want to talk about how much I enjoyed it 😆

[Tate Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Bind a Monster

Well hello there new favorite book.

Not sure if it’s a “microtrope” or genre or trope but I love heat and heart in books. That perfect blend of character depth AND spice.

J De Saint takes Kaito through it! From being a live wire in need of direction and true companionship and understanding. He needed someone to see what he needed and provide it in a safe and loving place.

I could read a full length novel like this, the journey of an angry brat to an understood brat is a favorite of mine.

This book is a delightfully quick read but with a full 4character arc.

Oh and hey… it’s both super spicy and bloody.

Just, utter perfection this book.

For a comp… if you read Roe Horvat and wanted it a bit darker than.. try this book!

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

B for Bondage

KU Read
160 Pages
Book 2 of the Kinky ABC
Anthology
B for Bondage
MM Romance
Yakuza K!'ll£er
Shibari (Kinbaku)
Master/Sub
Age Gap
Kinks & Triggers

When a Yakuza enforcer can't sleep he finds peace in being tied up by a Kinbaku master with a calm voice and slim build. The man shouldn't hold any power over the man known as a mad dog for his crazy brand of 'sending messages', but he does.
This book explores BDSM, Free Use, and a serve club as well as a long list of links that are listed at the start of the story. Please check them. At 160 Pages it lacks a fair bit in with violence as well as spice.

[Mariam, · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would pay this author’s entire gofundme if it meant having this book extended to a novel length of 400 thousand pages that romances now have.

“I don’t say that to him, but I think I like the feeling of his arms around me more than any rope.”

Back here to add this —— fuck my life but why can’t I stop thinking about this book 🫣🤭

[Ev Reads A Lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was an interesting read. Heavy on the BDSM and free use. Heavy on the mafia vibes. I was enthralled by it even if the kink is not something I’d be into. 🪢🔪🩸💦

[Ash K · Rating 4 out of 5]

—• 4.0 •—

came for the porn, stayed for the plot? why did i get so invested in japanese gang politics? ANYWAY–

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could take or leave the shibari, but this has some really great BDSM content, with some intense club scenes. And I definitely felt more of a connection between these two compared to the MCs in the previous book. And the ending was still a HFN but more of a proper ending than book one.

[Faye Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trope/themes : age gap - yakuza x rope master - cliterature
Spice level : 4/5

GOD. I WISH THIS WAS LONGER.

I wanted to know more about Naoya and Kaito.

And again, I got what I come for. I come for smut, I get smut. (Even the cringy parts)
But, funnily, I got addicted with the author's writing? I don't know.. There's something about it....

Anyways, I love Kaito and Naoya's dynamics. A yakuza that stumbled upon a Keibaku Studio and got involved with Naoya and the art of rope binding. This got me searching for a yakuza book for a bit but didn't get one that's good enough I revolted back to my manhwas for a bit haha.

This book was fun and served its purpose.

4 🌟

[what_emmareadnext · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!!
More Kaito and Naoya!

I’ve loved each book I’ve read so far, but this one was my favourite I think. I loved the idea of Kaito living in bloody chaos but being drawn to Naoya who is the opposite of him in every way. Naoya offers him organised chaos and freedom in submission and I loved their relationship and the way the author built it slowly and carefully.

I’d read another 10 books about this couple- loved every page!

[Eliana Navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐ 3,5/5 🌶️
The truth is, I liked it. I can’t deny it. The D/s dynamic is one of my favourites, but sharing and ‘free use’ not so much. What’s more, everything was taken to extremes, just like in Bro Doll. I imagine this is done on purpose, as it’s a short story and there isn’t time to go into more depth. But unlike Bro Doll, it isn’t really a romance as such. I would have liked to know more about what happened to the relationship after a while, beyond the physical connection.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are addicting. So fun and spicy and I’m amazed how much you can get sucked into the world in such a short book.

[M Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ No bleach required for this one lol. It’s a novella, so no time for backstories, but the author is again talented enough to make you feel like you know the heart of the characters.

[Michael Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are such a filthy, good time. 👍

[✨Jemma✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay… sooooo… this was hot and I’m kinda into it?

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely gets better.

This one is a bit darker theme, but gang violence in Tokyo (as I'm writing this a bit later I can't remember what time period this is in, but I know it's relatively modern) gets a nice backdrop to Kaito discovering the world of bondage and consent.

There's that one scene where he follows him and makes a scene that made me scream out loud (I get second hand embarrassment from books), but otherwise very engaging and (what's the book version of catchy? That's what I mean).

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[one_chapter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Podobnie jak poprzednia bardzo kinky i tylko tyle zostawię

[kilmosnaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

B is for Bondage.

This was a marvel. I couldn’t put this down.

Kaito was giving me Giancarlo Vitale with a dash of Harlow vibes which is the utmost compliment. One of my favourite things is the big scary dude discovers he likes being told what to do and giving up control, while being a total brat.

This world felt lived in and authentic. So much happened in 160 pages and I fully bought why Kaito kept coming back and why Naoya was so intrigued by him.

This really explored the bondage k*nk and it made me understand what people could like about it. There was so much happening in all those scenes, but from Kaito’s POV you could see how he melted under the restraint and how to losing control helped him regain his power. I liked how the rules showed the progression of their relationship.

Why did I tear up over my sweet baby murderous Kaito finally learning to trust?! Bro took down 4 Yakuza crime families basically single handedly for touching his man in an amazing TOUCH HIM AND DIE sequence of events that was so incredibly bloody and visceral and here I was almost crying at the end of the book.

I’m scared for book three which is Food Play 👀, but I’m sure that’ll get wrapped in something I can handle!

‘People think the worst part of killing is the blood. F*cking amateurs.’

My name’s Kaito Arakawa. I’m twenty-three and I’ve slit more throats than I’ve shaken hands. I’m part of the Dokugumo-kai, the biggest gang in Tokyo, and actually the right hand of the boss, Kobayashi-sama. People say I’m a monster, call me an “Oni”, and I like it. Monsters sleep easier than men. Or they used to. Lately… it’s getting harder.

“The f*ck is this place? Smells like a f*cking funeral home.” He watches me move. Doesn’t flinch even when I get closer. “It’s a Kinbaku studio. I am Takahashi Naoya. I own this place.”

“I specialize in Kinbaku,” he says, with that same quiet voice that makes my hands itch. “It doesn’t need to be sexual. It’s art. Discipline. Surrender.” “Surrender, huh?” I step closer, chest buzzing. “Sounds like b•tch talk.” He doesn’t react. Which pisses me off more.

“Bet you’d look good on your knees.” “I wouldn’t kneel.” “Everyone kneels for something.” “Even you?” I choke out a laugh. “F*ck no. You don’t know who you’re talking to, pretty boy.” “I know exactly who you are, Arakawa-san.”

“Before anything else,” he says, as if I just didn’t confess murder to him, “you need a safe word.” I almost laugh. It’s not that I don’t know what that is—I’m not stupid, I’ve fucked around, I’ve heard about all this stuff—but because the way he says it makes it feel like it matters, like it’s really serious. “Why? So I can beg you to stop once it gets too much?” “No. So you don’t have to beg at all.”

It’s not pain—f*ck, not even close to that. It’s a kind of intimate control, and that’s what makes my jaw clench.

He stayed quiet most of the time, eyes focused, mouth tight, until he finished, stepped back, and said that I would look beautiful fully tied. That word punched right through me. Beautiful. Not hot. Not f*cked up. Beautiful.

I can’t f*cking move. And f*ck if that doesn’t make me harder. “I f*cking knew you were a kinky bastard.” “People get tied how they need to be tied.”

“You crave restraint because you can’t be trusted with freedom, Kaito. You proved that tonight. You embarrassed me, humiliated me, and now—” he tugs, the rope locking hard around my thigh “—you’ll learn why submission is a privilege.”

“F*ck—” I gasp. “F*ck, f*ck—” “Relax, Kaito. Breathe. Or it will just hurt without the reward.” Bullshit. The hurt is the reward and he knows that about me.

It’s the most intimate and degrading thing I’ve ever felt.

Makes my chest pound in a different kind of fire. Because he’s showing every f*cker around here that I belong to him. That I’m his. That I’m owned.

“Show me trust,” I murmur, voice rasped and used up. “I need to know what it is.”