An emotional MM romance of protective love, quiet strength, and the healing power of trust.
Darren Quinn, a seasoned professional and manager of an elite sanctuary of power and trust, finds his boundaries crumbling when newly divorced Miles Bennet walks through his door.
Miles isn’t just another client; he’s a man drowning in guilt, seeking healing in surrender. But as Darren guides him through sessions of intensive guidance, service, and intricate ties, their connection deepens into something neither expected. When Miles’s vulnerability collides with Darren’s overwhelming desire, lines blur—until a single kiss shatters every rule.
Now, Darren must decide if breaking every rule is worth the chance at something real. Can he set aside his professional mask and n for a truth he can no longer that Miles isn't just seeking his command, he’s seeking a place to finally belong. A steamy, MM hurt comfort romance about healing, trust, and the courage to let go—both in the sanctuary and in love. HEA/HFN.
The quiet, earnest vulnerability of Heated Rivalry meets the profound healing and protective authority of a Nora Phoenix hero in this deeply emotional, high-heat romance where a man must break every rule and yield to his deepest desires just to heal the man he can’t live without.
Full disclosure, I was given the first four books by GRR (thank you!) and read them back to back to back to back like one 700-page chonkster of a book, and therefore I don't have any real sense of where things break in between books, so I'm gonna do my best here, but this run-on sentence is going at the start of each of the four reviews lmao so if I say things that don't fit this book, surprise it's from a different book!
I absolutely loved starting this off from Darren's POV on some of the main moments from the first book, I think that a lot of it was needed to show how invested Darren was in Miles long before either of them started like "officially" crossing lines. The heavily discounted rates, the arousal from jump, and the small ways that all of his professional barriers start to come down. I do in general prefer dual POV to single POV stories, but this is one that I think makes the most sense in Miles' brain but needed some input from Darren's, and that balance has been struck so well this far. If memory serves, this is the book where they decide once and for all who they are to each other, and the climb to get there was so natural, I haven't believed this hard in a pair of book boys in a long time.
Thank you to GRR for a copy of this title, this is my honest review.
This is a continuation of a series following the same couple so I'd recommend reading in order. I'm so glad that we are getting to read from Darren's POV. I think it helps to elevate your understanding of the character and story overall. It's another heated book, though the first third of the book is more a recap of book one but getting Darren's view. He is clearly just as affected by what he and Miles share in their sessions but has a very good poker face. That and he's able to blindfold Miles if he wants to, being the Dom. I found it interesting the way that Darren gets taken out of his head, when he needs help and the care he needs, just like any other. This is a great continuation of the story, although out of the two I think I prefer book one with Miles POV, just because there was more emotional intensity with everything he has been through and what the sessions between the two men were giving him. I'm very much looking forward to his view again after what has developed in this book. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This second in the series starts with a bang and never lets up! We get to relive their first few meetings from Darren's POV, and HOO BOY! If y'all thought Miles was a disaster queer, wait till you get a load of this Dom! This book is one hot encounter after another, and it all ties together (pun intended) in such a genuinely heartfelt and heartwarming way. Looking forward to watching their situationship develop into a relationship in the next installment!
Okay, sequels don’t always work out, but this one was gold! And the fact that we can see the same things from Darren’s POV is amazing, and it makes both books more enjoyable, at least for me. Instead of going back and forth over the same things in one book, we get a new one, with a completely different perspective, and it works quite well. It isn’t repetitive, because we see every from a new POV, and it’s beautiful to see how fast and how far Darren is gone for his lovely Miles. It’s a truly beautiful story, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Review for (Intricate Ties-2) Held in His Command by A.E. LeMercier
A fantastic second book in this series that I have fallen in love with, and I can't wait every time I finish one for the next one to read lol. This one shares more about what Darren needs. I felt A.E. LeMercier wrote that scene quite well. The love that these two men feel for each other is so beautiful. Miles still needs help with the pain that has filled him to become who he is inside. These two are just so beautiful together. That both of them can be each other's saviors. I now need to go and read the third book in this series to see what happens next.
I'm so glad they finally let themselves feel everything! Miles is so genuinely eager to please Darren in every way, he's getting apart of himself back.
I received a copy through Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review. 4.5* Really enjoyed this second installment about Miles and Darren. Book 2 gives us medium angst, flips the POV, and sheds more light on key moments in book 1. Darren is pretty obsessed with Miles. I knew those 10 minute breaks after their scenes were sus. 😂 After revisiting book 1, the story moves on to new, intense scenes and brings us big moments of honesty and joy. I really like the ending. I left this book smiling and feeling so proud of these guys. Both are broken in their own ways, both confront fears, and both grow stronger. I love that story arc and how it weaves personal moments with shared moments. No one is an island and the MCs rely on their close friends for support and challenge. The side characters in this series play important roles in driving the MCs to confront their hang-ups.
Other thoughts: -Miles all trussed up, begging for Darren… yes, please. Beautiful moments of intimacy. Love Darren’s focus on praising Miles, but also, love how Miles internalizes the strategy for later. 🩵 -I like the window into Darren’s angst, but he sure overthinks everything. He’s torn up over previous failures and ties himself in knots (ha) over the client vs professional dynamic. -Miles and Darren have several moments of real honesty. We finally know what happened in the “incident” and why Miles spiraled. Darren struggles to express his real desires and limits. That moment is part of a larger scene that’s probably my favorite in the book. -May has a good heart, an excellent BS detector, and a big mouth. 🤦♂️ -Wow, the client scene. 🔥 Did not expect that. I’m pretty ok with the third-party scene mid-romance book. 😆
Gripes: -I think we marinate in Darren’s angst a little too much. -
I have really gotten invested in this series with Darren and Miles, and in the exploration of the Dom/service sub dynamic and the use of Shibari in the BDSM lifestyle. The first part of book 2 repeats part of the first book, but we see things now through Darren’s eyes. It is interesting to get the different POV perspectives for the same events, then to delve deeper into Darren’s thoughts, emotions, and desires as he struggles with being comfortable with his professional versus personal roles and feelings during their sessions. When the sessions move from the sanctuary to a new location, the dynamic and needs shift even more.
I like the deeper communication and realization both go through at this point as they craft where their interactions will go from here, whether or not they are moving into a relationship, and what that might look like. Both are comfortable with where they currently are physically, emotionally, and in their Dom/sub roles, where Miles can continue to serve Darren in a wider range of roles, and Darren can get some of his long unmet needs finally met through Miles. I was a bit uncomfortable with Darren’s angst over his professional vs personal role, but it was understandable based on past relationships.
I felt like we got a glimpse into Miles’s crisis event, but feel more needs to come out (at least to satisfy my curiosity, if nothing else). Something about the happenings during the event itself had to have been unusual for his guilt and professional consequences. I am impressed with the growth and strength shown by Miles in situations beyond his former frame of reference, but he enters each session with Darren with an open mind and total trust that Darren will care for him and never hurt him beyond what he has agreed to do.
The characters are compelling and keep me engaged in the story, wanting to see if these two can make a go of things long term. The desire is there for now, but sometimes desire isn’t always enough. Guess we’ll need to see where book 3 goes. I look forward to the next steps forward in this relationship.
I received an advance review copy of the book and this is my voluntary review.
Held in His Command continues the story of Darren and Miles, but this time the narrative is mostly told from Darren’s point of view. After experiencing the first book through Miles’s perspective, I really enjoyed getting inside Darren’s head and seeing what he was going through. His internal tension—wanting Miles while still trying to remain “professional” at the studio—kept me hooked and wondering if he would give in and confess his feelings to Miles. I also liked that we got to see Darren step back and relinquish control for a bit in his scene with Shimizu.
This book pushes Darren and Miles’s relationship further when they agree to begin doing scenes outside of the Shimizu studio, which inevitably leads to them finally acknowledging their feelings for each other. I especially loved that Miles made the first move—it felt like a satisfying payoff after all the buildup.
Their journey may be a slow burn, but the development and tension between them made the wait completely worth it. They continue to develop a deep emotional connection in addition to their physical connection and chemistry- which is one of my favorite parts of this book. I really enjoy watching both characters continue to grow as they work through their personal struggles together.
Once again, the book left me wanting more—so I’m diving straight into the third book!
This instalment continues Miles and Darren’s story with a deeper look into Darren’s perspective, which adds a lot to the emotional weight of the romance. Seeing some of the earlier moments from his point of view really highlights how invested he was in Miles long before either of them fully acknowledged what was happening between them.
The dynamic between them remains the heart of the story. Miles’s vulnerability and need for healing contrasts beautifully with Darren’s protective nature, and the way Darren’s professional boundaries slowly begin to blur feels natural rather than rushed. Their connection builds steadily as trust deepens, making the moment when they finally acknowledge what they mean to each other especially satisfying.
The balance between emotional growth and the BDSM elements continues to be handled thoughtfully, with the focus very much on trust, care, and healing. Overall, this part of the story strengthens their bond and makes it easy to root for them as a couple. I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
This is the second book in a series, and I would absolutely recommend reading the series in order. There is a bit of overlap, but this builds on the previous volume.
I enjoyed getting to learn more about Darren in this volume after already reading Miles’s POV in volume one. It was interesting to see Darren seek submission as someone who has been a dom professionally. Showing that Darren has different reasons than Miles while showing how effective it can be in either situation feels like the series is trying to show that this could help people deal with/process a wide variety of circumstances.
I loved Darren’s friends in this, it was obvious how much they care for and support him, and it seems like he really needs that. I appreciated how Miles and Darren were able to get to a point where they could be open and communicative with each other even when it was personal. It really facilitates things feeling balanced between them.
The great series beginning with book one continues with book two. We continue to read about the continued journey of Darren and Miles. Book two starts off with a twist, but then it is about these two men's healing, acceptance, and trust. A heartwarming book that has spice off the chart, but is so much more than spice. It is a book with soul that stays with you when you finish it. It also achieves one of my favorites in that we see the characters grow and get more comfortable in their own skins. I cannot wait till book three comes out.
I enjoyed this one much more, because we got to read from Darren's POV, who is my favourite of the two. I love his struggles that while he's a professional Dom, he doesn't want to be 'on' or in charge the whole time. The girlboss in me definitely relates to wanting to let down all walls at home after a full day of being strong and in control.
Bit of a shame that the first half of the book was the first book from another view. Makes this book feel much shorter than it already was.
In the second book of this series the same events from the first book are now told from Darren's POV our loving and compassionate DOM. Darren is also having very strong feelings and it was great to see how he was feeling during the first few meetings with Miles. It then adds on to the story bring us closer to them stepping out of their professional relationship into a more personal one. I have loved to watch the progression of this relationship between two men that both deserve all the happiness. I look fiward to reading the next two books. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!
This series is proving to be absolutely amazing. This book is told from Darren’s POV and there is some overlap with the first book. I loved getting Darren’s view of things. This is such a gorgeous series so far. Miles is slowly starting to heal and Darren has to admit his boundaries are nonexistent with this man. There is so much meaning and love and care in every word. I am obsessed with these two and I admit it. I truly enjoy a well written Dom/sub dynamic and this one is very good.
A.E. LeMercier walks a writing tightrope with this book. Covering mostly the same events from book one, but from Darren’s point of view could be a real bore, but LeMercier does a marvelous job of going over the same times as book one and bringing a lot more to the story. I love how positive this book is about people having a relationship within this lifestyle. I look forward to reading more about this couple.
This is a continuation of a series following the same couple so I'd recommend reading in order. I'm so glad that we are getting to read from Darren's POV. I think it helps to elevate your understanding of the character and story overall. It's another heated book, though the first third of the book is more a recap of book one but getting Darren's view. He is clearly just as affected by what he and Miles share in their sessions but has a very good poker face. That and he's able to blindfold Miles if he wants to, being the Dom. I found it interesting the way that Darren gets taken out of his head, when he needs help and the care he needs, just like any other. This is a great continuation of the story, although out of the two I think I prefer book one with Miles POV, just because there was more emotional intensity with everything he has been through and what the sessions between the two men were giving him. I'm very much looking forward to his view again after what has developed in this book. I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
This second book starts out concurrent with "Seeking his Command" only from Dare's point of view versus Miles. Dare gets advice and release from his boss, Mr. Shimizu who tells him to be honest with Miles about his feelings. He wants to both dominate and be submissive with Miles but not interfere with Miles 's own journey towards healing. It becomes sweet and loving while bringing the heat and stops in a good place. I received a copy of this through GRR and this is my voluntary opinion.
Book two builds really nicely on the first. Darren and Miles are back and this time with a plot twist. This story focuses more on their healing journey, building trust and growing closer.
There’s a lot of heat but it’s so much more than just that. It’s about the emotions behind it. I loved seeing them become more comfortable with themselves and each other. They’re really learning to connect at a deeper level.
This was the second story in a series, following the same characters, that must be read in order. This time we get Darren's POV (yay!). The first part is basically a recap but from his viewpoint, which I thought was interesting. I loved seeing how the emotions were mutual, but how each is careful and somewhat uncertain yet. This was a great building on from book one, and I can't wait for the next book!
I ended up liking the first book over this one. That being said its still a pretty good story. I'm so happy these two didn't drag things out , but I kind of wanted the book to torture me like the first one did. I also liked Miles' point of view more than Darren's. The spice was still really nice as well.
Just as good as the first book. Here again, the scenes between Darren and Miles paint a wonderfully detailed portrait of how powerful and healing dominance/surrender can be when both participants are fully informed and consenting. As the relationship deepens, the author does a great job of making us feel the conflicts involved in renegotiating the boundaries between them.
Book 2 leads us from a professional relationship to a personal one. With a switch of POV compared to the first book we learn a little more about Darren and I have to admit that I had a whole different picture of him before this book. This book was a little less intense but still emotional.
SO GLAD this book is already released I am FERAL over Miles and Darren and this was exactly what I wanted. Such a beautiful romantic "resolution" but I can't wait to read more about their life together as Miles continues working to get his life back on track.
The second installment of a four book series. I enjoyed this one more than the first. I was happy to see the story from Darren's eyes it provided depth to the burgeoning relationship. The spice is nice. But I will have to wait to see if the following books flesh the complete story out.
Continuing with the previous story, it is nice to see how things are developing. They are starting to take care of each other's needs in the ways that benefit each. Well written.