Behind the Mask: A Best Friend's Dad BDSM Romance

Club Caliber #5

by Lyla Andrews

Cora

After growing up in a household with constant financial stress and defeatist attitudes, I decided long ago that I wouldn't fall into that same trap. Now, I'm working hard to build a life I'm proud of, doing online contract work by day and live-streaming as a cam girl by night, taking my future into my own hands.

My best friend Brianna, however, seems to think I need more adventure and less work. The night before I join her on a two-week vacation to her grandparents' lake house, we go out to celebrate her recent graduation, ending up at a BDSM club's masquerade "Newbie Night" despite my protests. That night, after Brianna leaves, I meet a man who's handsome, charming, and older, and our night together is magical but fleeting. I'm content to leave that night as a memory and nothing more, but apparently, fate has other plans.

Lance

When Brianna's grandparents invited me to their lake house to celebrate their anniversary and her graduation, I accepted the offer immediately. I knew it would likely be my last chance to repair my relationship with my daughter after all the lies and vitriol her mother–my ex-wife–instilled in her throughout her childhood. What I didn't realize was that neither Brianna, nor the rest of the family, knew I'd be coming, and their disdain for me is evident from my arrival.

And if that wasn't bad enough, the woman I haven't been able to stop thinking about since last night is none other than my daughter's best friend. It should be easy enough to stay away from Cora while I attempt to repair my relationship with Brianna, but when I happen upon Cora's profile on a popular camming site, I can't look away. Two weeks together with attraction simmering between us will already be difficult, but with each day that passes, she becomes more irresistible, and I become more conflicted.

Genres: Dark Romance

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 8, 2026

About the author

Lyla Andrews is a romance author who writes steamy stories with relatable heroines. She has a B.S.Ed in English Education and a M.S. in Instructional Design.

When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, baking, gardening, or working on one of her many art projects.

Lyla currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and their feisty black cat. You can find her on social media at @LylaAndrewsAuthor

Reviews

[Petra Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike the others in this series, I thought that the chemistry lacked real spark. The Caliber (kink) Club is actually incidental to the story, so it doesn’t seem like it fits with the others in the “Chicago Kink” series in that way, either.

[Erika Knickerbocker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bdsm book

Age gap. Very predictable best friend's dad romance. They both say they're not into all the bdsm stuff when they're at the club. Which is weird for a bdsm club book. I found myself skimming pages and skipping ahead a lot just to be done with the book. Not for me.

[Ariel Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora and Lance meet at a BDSM club and while their meeting had chemistry, they didn't act on it, only for Cora to realize he is her best friends dad. Their story is a true slow burn.

Lance goes to his ex wife's parents house thinking that he was invited by his daughter to celebrate her graduation. He wants nothing more than to have a relationship with Brianna and find love.

Cora is a freelancer and a cam girl. She is very sweet, mature and observant. She decides to join Brianna at her grandparents house, only to realize that Lance is Brianna's dad.

There are a few spicy scenes but even as a cam girl, nothing was on page, only hinted at in the past. Cora explores some of her kinks with Lance (the somno scene was 🥵🥵🥵) but she knows she isn't heavily into the lifestyle.

A sweet slow-burn romance with a touch of taboo, a perfect book for warming your Kindle!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶

[Sarah Loves Spice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting down with your best friend’s estranged Dad (while also falling in love, though!!) behind her back? SIGN ME UP.

I’ve always loved a touch of taboo, but this less taboo and more love with a delicious slow burn to suck (🤭) you right in.

I loved how Lyla fleshed out the characters, seeing what made Cora tick and the extent of Cynthia’s Cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs personality. And while Lance and Cora move quickly, my heart went pitter patter, knowing that, for Lance to be truly happy, all he needed was love.

Like I said, it’s about love. This is NOT a BDSM book. Cora has fantasies with a couple of kinks and they use the club to explore them. (No 🖐🏻🍑 — Let alone anything else!)

If you’re looking for a great sexy AND sweet book, try this one. It’s a fun one!

Thank you to Lyla for the ARC. I really loved it 😍

[Dana Bleau · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This was the perfect slow burn HEA. If you want a semi-spicy, love happens when you least expect it romance book, this is it. One thing I love about this book is that it's not so far-fetched.

Best friends Brianna and Cora head to newbie night at Club Caliber. Brianna heads out leaving Cora at the club. Hours later Cora says good night to the handsome older man she's spent the evening talking to and declines exchanging numbers.

Sometimes life has a way of turning out the way it should and brings people back into your life at the right time giving you the HEA you've dreamed about.

Age gap, best friend's dad, forbidden romance, kinks? If yes, then this is a must read.

[Shayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soooo I was expecting a lot more of the BDSM side when that was supposed to be one of the tropes. Spice was like 2/5. However, I did enjoy the story. My heart was racing the whole time waiting for them to be caught 😂 personally I thought the Cynthia twist was rushed BUT realistic. I’ve dealt with people like her so it def hit home. I also loved that that Brianna didn’t immediately forgive either Lance or Cora, that it took time.

Overall, I did enjoy the story. Personally, I think this book is more suited for those that want romance with a dash of kinky spice rather than someone who wants full on kinky spice.

[Kay McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun finish to the Club Caliber series! While the spice in this book is light compared to the others IMO, I found this one's story to be one of my favorite of the series (Tied with Out of the Dark). Lance is so likeable and such a green flag, (even when he isn't supposed to be in the beginning), and the whole book felt authentic and had a good plot. I greatly appreciated reading the 'Best Friend's Dad' and 'Age Gap' tropes done in a way that did not feel icky, or have a 'groom-y' set up.
Another great job, Lyla! I am thrilled to have been able to ARC read for you again and look forward to what you'll have in the future!

[Hayley Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW 4.75 stars

This book was everything and more!!! It had me in a chokehold throughout the whole book. From the first chapter I knew I had to keep reading after being hooked into it. I just had to know what ended up happening with our FMC and MMC and also his daughter and how that all played out. This was my first book that I’ve read by the author and I thank her so much for sharing this book with me for an honest review. I will be going back and reading all her other ones!!

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

when I saw BDSM, I thought it would explore more into the genre, but it just touched on kinks and the club itself- however it was a good book! spice was maybe 1.5/5 for sure though, not a lot there. However the relationships, Lance getting his redemption, the twist of Cynthia (ugh), and how it worked out, I like the book. Thank you Lyla for letting me get to be an ARC reader for the book!

[Jessica Fahey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forbidden romance, best friends dad, a few kinks - good story! I enjoyed this one! It wasn’t your typical story which I liked. I enjoyed the spice in the book. This one keeps you engaged and wondering how they will eventually get caught. I expected the person but not sure the reveal.

Check this out! It’s a good quick read!

[Chantasia Pieretti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book to introduce BDSM. It’s wasn’t hard on the BDSM and more on the best friend’s father. I haven’t read a book on BDSM do it was great book to start that journey.

[Ashley Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow behind the mask by Lyla Andrew’s was an amazing read. From the moment I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. It captures your attention and leaves your imagination soaring. The spice is there but the story is even better. If you love best friends boyfriend books then you need to read this one. He plays out all her fantasies and you still want more. Just enough spice with a captivating story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️🌶️