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The Associate: Dark, Age-gap, BDSM-charged MM Romance
“Some men command obedience. He taught me to crave it.”
Fresh out of law school and desperate to bury the trauma that nearly broke him, Samuel’s only goal is keep his head down and survive. But that becomes impossible when he’s placed under Gael Wise, the firm’s most feared senior partner whose reputation alone is enough to break seasoned attorneys.
Gael picks up on Samuel’s tells instantly. The too-fast apologies. The rigid posture. The instinctive compliance no one else has ever questioned. And soon, what should have been a professional hierarchy shifts into a volatile, magnetic pull that exposes every defense Samuel has left.
What starts as curiosity becomes something darker.
Desire turns razor-sharp.
And Gael’s interest threatens to pull Samuel into a world he isn’t sure he can survive—or walk away from.
With old wounds rising fast and lines blurring beyond recognition, both men must face a truth neither
Some obsessions don’t stay hidden… and some connections can break you long before they save you.
A dark, age-gap, BDSM-charged MM romance — The Associate is the first book in The Crimson Knot series.
Fresh out of law school and desperate to bury the trauma that nearly broke him, Samuel’s only goal is keep his head down and survive. But that becomes impossible when he’s placed under Gael Wise, the firm’s most feared senior partner whose reputation alone is enough to break seasoned attorneys.
Gael picks up on Samuel’s tells instantly. The too-fast apologies. The rigid posture. The instinctive compliance no one else has ever questioned. And soon, what should have been a professional hierarchy shifts into a volatile, magnetic pull that exposes every defense Samuel has left.
What starts as curiosity becomes something darker.
Desire turns razor-sharp.
And Gael’s interest threatens to pull Samuel into a world he isn’t sure he can survive—or walk away from.
With old wounds rising fast and lines blurring beyond recognition, both men must face a truth neither
Some obsessions don’t stay hidden… and some connections can break you long before they save you.
A dark, age-gap, BDSM-charged MM romance — The Associate is the first book in The Crimson Knot series.
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2026
139 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Anna T. Pope
246 books54 followersAnna T. Pope (Tijana Popov) was born in 1993. to a middle-class family.
She lives in a small town in the Republic of Serbia; a tiny little state located in Southeast Europe. Anna is a mother of two little boys, with a big love of literature and even bigger dreams of becoming a well-known author.
She started writing during her adolescent years but the first time she allowed anyone to read her work was in 2016 when she joined the Wattpad community and published her first story.
Her main genre is general romance, although she also dabbles in the fantasy genre.
She lives in a small town in the Republic of Serbia; a tiny little state located in Southeast Europe. Anna is a mother of two little boys, with a big love of literature and even bigger dreams of becoming a well-known author.
She started writing during her adolescent years but the first time she allowed anyone to read her work was in 2016 when she joined the Wattpad community and published her first story.
Her main genre is general romance, although she also dabbles in the fantasy genre.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 18, 2026
The premise had potential, but the execution was lacking. There were several missed opportunities to deliver an interesting story. The author seemed to struggle with what kind of book she wanted this to be. At the start it seemed like it would be a high protocol bsdm book. About two-thirds into the story, it was more of a romance novel with Gael turning into an overly protective boyfriend. Something about their relationship and interactions didn’t work for me.
The prose was too verbose and overly descriptive. The book could have been 200 pages shorter. I could skip paragraphs and not miss anything in the story. There was also an abundance of typos in the writing and many inconsistencies in the story. The author should have spent more time developing the storyline and characters, and less time on unnecessary details. The premise was 3 stars, the execution of the story was 1.5 stars, and the writing was 1 star.
Overall, 1.5 stars. Due to the inconsistencies, poor editing, and wordy prose, I rounded down to 1 star.
The prose was too verbose and overly descriptive. The book could have been 200 pages shorter. I could skip paragraphs and not miss anything in the story. There was also an abundance of typos in the writing and many inconsistencies in the story. The author should have spent more time developing the storyline and characters, and less time on unnecessary details. The premise was 3 stars, the execution of the story was 1.5 stars, and the writing was 1 star.
Overall, 1.5 stars. Due to the inconsistencies, poor editing, and wordy prose, I rounded down to 1 star.
April 14, 2026
Had great potential
Ok so this book really could have been something great. There were so many good things hidden just under the surface that didn't really get a chance to fully come together. So kinda a split for me on my like of it.
Pros: *really solid start of a premise. A what appeared to be at first a very good clear direction the story was going.
*The characters that have their own distinct voices and personalities. They both seemed very solid in what the author was going for with both mmc. The steely hardness of Gael and the soft and timid trauma filled Sam.
*The work place setting at the beginning could have been something great! The setup at the beginning was there, the tense environment the office. The different dynamics between the staff members and Sam and Gael.
*The heartbreaking but realistic take on the "camp". That past was both heartbreaking but not overly done but just enough to let you feel the fear and abuse of it.
Cons: *The biggest I will have to agree with other people on this. The super long descriptions of things that don't really matter are done repeatedly. I'm ok with details it sets the scene in my head but there were so many details of things that were unimportant.
* The pacing i think was another big issue. I get because of Sam's trauma it was important to show the damage it caused in his everyday life. The fear that directed his every thought and move. However, that lasted over 230 pages and then after like a couple small encounters with Gael that still terrified him in his head Gael takes him to a bdsm club and he's completely fine turned on by it even? It was such an abrupt switch not a gradual one. And the ending chunk of the book just skimmed over some stuff and felt rushed. There were things that were mentioned or happened in the book you thought would get some background or explanation and they just didn't. So a lot of pages of setup and slow establishing of Sam's fear which was fine but then not a gradual build up just a sharp change.
* The bdsm was not a huge factor like I originally thought which was ok with me since it clearly explained Gaels feelings kind of morphed from thinking I want him to be my sub to I might have true feelings for him. The problem was there really was no conversation about any of it with Sam to begin with. Gael knows the signs of what is going on with Sam,the responses to things and body language but Sam doesn't understand it at all. Then Gael is basically having inner dialogue about just mentoring or teaching Sam then cutting him loose but they never even had a conversation about any of it.
* There was nothing that really happened in the story to elevate it. It was just Sam's journey to acceptance. The overcoming of his demons and fears. There seemed like there might be more or it leading somewhere with a handful of things then it just stopped. The guy George at the workplace, Sams relationship with his parents, the relationship with his brother seemed interesting at first then went nowhere really, Gaels friend group really seemed like something brewing then no explanation at all for any of that tension just dropped, Gaels past it seemed like there was a reason he sworn off feeling and love mentions of lines that he crossed before that once again were just not explained and dropped,Elias from Sams past was a big miss for me could have done so much with that.
Just so many threads that could have gone somewhere great that just didn't. Nothing happens or has to be worked through other than Sams personal journey which felt like you then didn't really need anyone else in the story for that just some random person to be present for Sam to work through his demons could have been sufficient. Like i said it was all there. It had the ingredients just wasn't executed greatly. So that was a bummer. I hope you find things you like about the story though there is plenty to like just doesn't deliver like I wanted.
Ok so this book really could have been something great. There were so many good things hidden just under the surface that didn't really get a chance to fully come together. So kinda a split for me on my like of it.
Pros: *really solid start of a premise. A what appeared to be at first a very good clear direction the story was going.
*The characters that have their own distinct voices and personalities. They both seemed very solid in what the author was going for with both mmc. The steely hardness of Gael and the soft and timid trauma filled Sam.
*The work place setting at the beginning could have been something great! The setup at the beginning was there, the tense environment the office. The different dynamics between the staff members and Sam and Gael.
*The heartbreaking but realistic take on the "camp". That past was both heartbreaking but not overly done but just enough to let you feel the fear and abuse of it.
Cons: *The biggest I will have to agree with other people on this. The super long descriptions of things that don't really matter are done repeatedly. I'm ok with details it sets the scene in my head but there were so many details of things that were unimportant.
* The pacing i think was another big issue. I get because of Sam's trauma it was important to show the damage it caused in his everyday life. The fear that directed his every thought and move. However, that lasted over 230 pages and then after like a couple small encounters with Gael that still terrified him in his head Gael takes him to a bdsm club and he's completely fine turned on by it even? It was such an abrupt switch not a gradual one. And the ending chunk of the book just skimmed over some stuff and felt rushed. There were things that were mentioned or happened in the book you thought would get some background or explanation and they just didn't. So a lot of pages of setup and slow establishing of Sam's fear which was fine but then not a gradual build up just a sharp change.
* The bdsm was not a huge factor like I originally thought which was ok with me since it clearly explained Gaels feelings kind of morphed from thinking I want him to be my sub to I might have true feelings for him. The problem was there really was no conversation about any of it with Sam to begin with. Gael knows the signs of what is going on with Sam,the responses to things and body language but Sam doesn't understand it at all. Then Gael is basically having inner dialogue about just mentoring or teaching Sam then cutting him loose but they never even had a conversation about any of it.
* There was nothing that really happened in the story to elevate it. It was just Sam's journey to acceptance. The overcoming of his demons and fears. There seemed like there might be more or it leading somewhere with a handful of things then it just stopped. The guy George at the workplace, Sams relationship with his parents, the relationship with his brother seemed interesting at first then went nowhere really, Gaels friend group really seemed like something brewing then no explanation at all for any of that tension just dropped, Gaels past it seemed like there was a reason he sworn off feeling and love mentions of lines that he crossed before that once again were just not explained and dropped,Elias from Sams past was a big miss for me could have done so much with that.
Just so many threads that could have gone somewhere great that just didn't. Nothing happens or has to be worked through other than Sams personal journey which felt like you then didn't really need anyone else in the story for that just some random person to be present for Sam to work through his demons could have been sufficient. Like i said it was all there. It had the ingredients just wasn't executed greatly. So that was a bummer. I hope you find things you like about the story though there is plenty to like just doesn't deliver like I wanted.
February 28, 2026
I wanted BDSM, I got no contract, no safe word, no discussions. Just a lot of words.....lots of words not saying an awful lot. We have whole pages on how Gael's apartment is laid out and overly descriptive passages on condensation on a glass of water. Nothing major happened and I feel massive conversations were missed. The trauma that was present in the beginning suddenly ups and disappears about 65% in because he went to 1 therapy session and finally had sex.
This could have been amazing but it needs editing and some of the description taken down a notch.
This could have been amazing but it needs editing and some of the description taken down a notch.
March 24, 2026
Read to me by Alexa.
I finished….. sort of. I stopped at 81%. But I’m unwilling to call this a true DNF. I was intrigued at first and then I just don’t care about Gael and Samuel.
The totality of their chemistry just seems to be jumping each other at random times. And when I stopped reading I think they had only spent maybe two weekends together. Possibly one.
I can’t even recommend this for BDSM lovers as there is basically no negotiated kink. To call this BDSM feels pretty irresponsible honestly. I’m no expert, but a spanking with no prior consent or talk about desiring one…. No safe words …. Just feels like it’s not it. I’m not the kink police or anything. But I prefer proper trigger warnings. Or accurate labeling. D/S dynamics? Power imbalance? Under negotiated kink?…. Something! But BDSM? This was not.
Other than that. I just didn’t care about these characters. And the flashbacks felt excessive.
I finished….. sort of. I stopped at 81%. But I’m unwilling to call this a true DNF. I was intrigued at first and then I just don’t care about Gael and Samuel.
The totality of their chemistry just seems to be jumping each other at random times. And when I stopped reading I think they had only spent maybe two weekends together. Possibly one.
I can’t even recommend this for BDSM lovers as there is basically no negotiated kink. To call this BDSM feels pretty irresponsible honestly. I’m no expert, but a spanking with no prior consent or talk about desiring one…. No safe words …. Just feels like it’s not it. I’m not the kink police or anything. But I prefer proper trigger warnings. Or accurate labeling. D/S dynamics? Power imbalance? Under negotiated kink?…. Something! But BDSM? This was not.
Other than that. I just didn’t care about these characters. And the flashbacks felt excessive.
April 1, 2026
Dark, MM, age gap, workplace romance, BDSM theme, childhood religious conversion trauma, mental health rep. I enjoyed the story and the dynamic between the characters. Gael is the strong dominant that needs to take care of Samuel. Poor Samuel has been through so much but one touch from Gael and all his fears are quieted. It’s more of a light BDSM. It didn’t have the details of a scene that I’ve read in other books. Ironically, that’s what brought my rating down. Too many details for everything else. I’m a simple person. I want feelings and action and dialogue. There were way too many words describing every setting or room or person the characters came in contact with. I found myself skimming sometimes. Overall, I’m glad I read Gael and Samuel’s story.
April 26, 2026
Wonderful and hot
I really enjoyed this book! It's my first time reading this author and it was a perfect blend of character and world building. She took her time letting the reader get to know Sam so we share in his misery and his joy. And by the time he's ready in the story, we also get to learn about Gael. I do wish we got to hear more of Gael's back story from him, but I also like he gets to be a bit of a mystery. This story was a perfect blend of spicy and sweet and was full of yearning and tension.A nice amount of possessive mmc and touch him and die. It's one of my fav reads of the year so far. Can't wait to read more of this series and more from this author!
I really enjoyed this book! It's my first time reading this author and it was a perfect blend of character and world building. She took her time letting the reader get to know Sam so we share in his misery and his joy. And by the time he's ready in the story, we also get to learn about Gael. I do wish we got to hear more of Gael's back story from him, but I also like he gets to be a bit of a mystery. This story was a perfect blend of spicy and sweet and was full of yearning and tension.A nice amount of possessive mmc and touch him and die. It's one of my fav reads of the year so far. Can't wait to read more of this series and more from this author!
May 10, 2026
I don’t usually like BDSM. But I took a risk with this book and really liked it! I was worried for a sec bc Sam’s trauma was such that I feel like exploring BDSM would be super risky and potentially mentally scarring but they practiced a very lite mild form of it. I felt like Gael was clear-eyed and intuitive enough to come to same realization. And their romantic relationship quickly usurped the kinky stuff for the most part.
Unlike some I had no problem with the descriptions of places - I really appreciated this author’s writing so I was happy to go along for the ride. This was a breath of fresh air after reading a lot of disappointing DNFs.
Unlike some I had no problem with the descriptions of places - I really appreciated this author’s writing so I was happy to go along for the ride. This was a breath of fresh air after reading a lot of disappointing DNFs.
March 18, 2026
A nice surprise
Spoilers...............
This book was soooo good! The characters were beautiful. Samuel was so well written, I enjoyed the pacing of how we got to understand his history and how it impacted on him.
Penny and Chloe were amazing side characters. Im glad Samuel gained friends who really understood him and gave him a found family....also showed him the possibility of a future after the past
Gael saw him, and understood him quickly.
"This man, who had seen his broken pieces and hadn't looked away"
Spoilers...............
This book was soooo good! The characters were beautiful. Samuel was so well written, I enjoyed the pacing of how we got to understand his history and how it impacted on him.
Penny and Chloe were amazing side characters. Im glad Samuel gained friends who really understood him and gave him a found family....also showed him the possibility of a future after the past
Gael saw him, and understood him quickly.
"This man, who had seen his broken pieces and hadn't looked away"
April 1, 2026
10/10 checkmarks for me
This book was absolutely exquisite and deeply enticing from the very first page, it captured my attention and refused to let go. The storytelling was dire, raw, and heartbreakingly real. I found myself completely enthralled by the author’s ability to expose the characters’ most vulnerable moments with such authenticity. Every emotion felt tangible, every struggle genuine. It’s rare to find a story that connects this deeply, but this one didreminding me why I love reading in the first place.
This book was absolutely exquisite and deeply enticing from the very first page, it captured my attention and refused to let go. The storytelling was dire, raw, and heartbreakingly real. I found myself completely enthralled by the author’s ability to expose the characters’ most vulnerable moments with such authenticity. Every emotion felt tangible, every struggle genuine. It’s rare to find a story that connects this deeply, but this one didreminding me why I love reading in the first place.
May 9, 2026
Great dark story of trying to overcome the trauma of the "re-educational" centers for christian gays.
Technically the audio versions is missing pauses after the chapter endnings. So when a chapter ends and you need that long pause of some seconds to settle the thoughts of what just happened, the next chapter starts within a second of the last word. Wow I never realized how frustrating that can be.
Technically the audio versions is missing pauses after the chapter endnings. So when a chapter ends and you need that long pause of some seconds to settle the thoughts of what just happened, the next chapter starts within a second of the last word. Wow I never realized how frustrating that can be.
April 5, 2026
The story is so good and sad, but the voice acting attempts to betray that.
However, the voice actor has gotten better since the last book I heard from him, I just wish he would do more breath control, change the voice for the characters, and stutter when a character stutters. In a few years, he’ll have gotten the hang of it. Keep going Onyx, just do some more studying and practicing.
However, the voice actor has gotten better since the last book I heard from him, I just wish he would do more breath control, change the voice for the characters, and stutter when a character stutters. In a few years, he’ll have gotten the hang of it. Keep going Onyx, just do some more studying and practicing.
March 16, 2026
amazing
It is very great! It gives fifty shades of grey vibes but sooo much better! It tackles the big stuff very well so you get all the feels and does it beautifully
It is very great! It gives fifty shades of grey vibes but sooo much better! It tackles the big stuff very well so you get all the feels and does it beautifully
March 20, 2026
Audiobook 4.5⭐️ it took me a little to get into this story both for the actual story but also the narration. once I got into the book I enjoyed the 2 mc's and the growth that they both made.
April 21, 2026
Hurt/comfort x MM x soft BDSM🥹 Really lengthy descriptions/writing style though.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews